Author: Michelle Fairchild

I am a soulful and sensitive empath/intuitive, a courageous creator, a resilient visionary, a self-esteem fluffer, a marvelous music mixer and one who offers up bridges of connections to her fellow travelers. I believe We Are All Meant to Shine! I am happily married to a science educator and am double blessed to be the mama to identical twin daughters. They are active 13-year-olds who enjoy academics, music and sports. They are both passionate about reading books too. There has always existed in me a desire to inspire positive change in the lives of others and the world at large. I found great satisfaction working in the non profit field of foster adoption for over 12 years and then moved back into working in high education several years ago. It matters to me to be involved in work that positively impacts other people. I have a passion for art, music, photography and the written word. I have explored those areas at different times in my life. For five years I wrote a monthly column for Cosmic Cowgirls Magazine and for six years wrote a weekly, and then bi-weekly post called Mojo Monday for Cosmic Cowgirl member sites, as well as my web site We Are All Meant to Shine.

Mojo Monday ~ When I Loved Myself Enough

July 22, 2014July 22, 2014Michelle Fairchild

When I Loved Myself Enough began as one woman’s gift to the world, hand made by Kim McMillen and given to her friends. As word spread, its heartfelt honesty won it a growing following.

The introduction to When I Loved Myself Enough by Kim McMillen begins this way:

For many years I lived with a guarded heart. I did not know how to extend love and compassion to myself. In my fortieth year that began changing.

In April of 2009 I had turned forty. There were events going on in my life at that particular time that were very difficult. In May, just weeks after my birthday, I won this book from a web site called Intrinsic. It was mailed to me all the way from Australia, yet in some ways it seemed more like a gift from the Universe, as it contained a message I so desperately needed to hear.

The author’s introduction continues:

As I grew to love all of who I am, life started changing in beautiful and mysterious ways. My heart softened and I began to see through very different eyes.

My commitment to follow this calling grew strong and in the process a divine intelligence came to guide my life. I believe this ever-present resource is grace, and is available to us all.

For the past twelve years I have been learning to recognize and accept this gift. Cultivating love and compassion for myself made it possible.

The following steps are uniquely mine. Yours will look different. But I do hope mine give voice to a hunger you may share.

I ended up gifting this book to about fifteen women the summer of 2009. I wanted to share the profoundly simple message it contained within with both friends and family.

And so it begins…

When I loved myself enough

I quit settling for too little.

And so it continues…

When I loved myself enough

I came to know my own goodness.

When I loved myself enough

I began taking the gift of life seriously and gratefully.

When I loved myself enough

I began to know I was in the right place at the right time and I could relax.

When I loved myself enough

I felt compelled to slow down – way down. And that has made all the difference.

When I loved myself enough

I bought a feather bed.

When I loved myself enough

I came to love being alone, surrounded by silence, awed by its spell, listening to inner space.

When I loved myself enough

I came to see I am not special but I am unique.

When I loved myself enough

I redefined success and life became simple. Oh, the pleasure of that.

When I loved myself enough

I came to know I am worthy of knowing God directly.

When I loved myself enough

I gave up the belief that life is hard.

When I loved myself enough

I came to see emotional pain is a signal I am operating outside truth.

When I loved myself enough

I learned to meet my own needs and not call it selfish.

When I loved myself enough

The parts of me long-ignored, the orphans of my soul, quit vying for attention. That was the beginning of inner peace. Then I began seeing clearly.

When I loved myself enough

I quit ignoring or tolerating my pain.

When I loved myself enough

I started feeling all my feelings, not analyzing them — really feeling them. When I do, something amazing happens. Try it. You will see.

When I loved myself enough

My hear became so tender it could welcome joy and sorrow equally.

When I loved myself enough

I came to feel like a gift to the world and I collected beautiful ribbons and bows. They still hang on my wall to remind me.

Self Love by Rhonda Gray

When I loved myself enough

I learned to ask ‘Who in me is feeling this way?’ when I feel anxious, angry, restless or sad. If I listen patiently I discover who needs my love.

When I loved myself enough

I no longer needed things or people to make me feel safe.

When I loved myself enough

I quite wishing my life looked some other way and began to see that as it is, my life serves my evolution.

When I loved myself enough

I began to feel a divine presence in me and hear its guidance. I am learning to trust this and live from it. When I loved myself enough

I quit exhausting myself by trying so hard.

When I loved myself enough I began to feel a community within. This inner team with diverse talents and idiosyncrasies is my strength and my potential. We hold team meetings.

When I loved myself enough

I began walking and taking the stairs every chance I got, and choosing the scenic route.

When I loved myself enough

I became my own authority by listening to the wisdom of my heart. This is how God speaks to me. This is intuition.

When I loved myself enough

I began feeling such relief.

When I loved myself enough

The impulsive part of me learned to wait for the right time. Then I became clear and unafraid.

When I loved myself enough

I began leaving whatever wasn’t healthy. This meant people, jobs, my own beliefs and habits — anything that kept me small. My judgement called it disloyal. Now I see it as self-loving.

When I loved myself enough

I gave up perfectionism – that killer of joy.

When I loved myself enough

Forgiving others became irrelevant.

When I loved myself enough

I started writing about my life and views because I knew this was my right and my responsibility.

When I loved myself enough

I began to see my purpose and gently wean myself from distractions.

When I loved myself enough

I learned to say no when I want to and yes when I want to.

When I loved myself enough

I could see how funny life is, how funny I am and how funny you are.

Embrace All That You Are With Self Love by Rita Loyd

When I loved myself enough

I recognized my courage and fear, my naivety and wisdom, and I make a place for each at my table.

When I loved myself enough

I started treating myself to a massage at least once a month.

When I loved myself enough

I realized I am never alone.

When I loved myself enough

I stopped fearing empty time and quit making plans. Now I do what feels right and am in step with my own rhythms. Delicious!

When I loved myself enough

I quit trying to be a savior for others.

When I loved myself enough

I lost my fear of speaking my truth for I have come to see how good it is.

When I loved myself enough I began pouring my feeling into my journals. These loving companions speak my language. No translation needed.

When I loved myself enough

I stopped seeking ‘experts’ and started living my life.

When I loved myself enough

I could be at ease with the comings and goings of judgment and despair.

When I loved myself enough

I quit having to be right which makes being wrong meaningless.

When I loved myself enough

I learned to grieve for the hurts in life when they happen instead of making my heart heavy from lugging them around.

When I loved myself enough

I forgave myself for all the times I thought I wasn’t good enough.

When I loved myself enough

I began listening to the wisdom of my body. It speaks so clearly through its fatigue, sensitivities, aversions and hungers.

When I loved myself

I quit fearing my fear.

When I loved myself enough I quit rehashing the past and worrying about the future which keeps me in the present where aliveness lives.

When I loved myself enough

I began to taste freedom.

And so it ends…

When I loved myself enough

I found my voice and wrote this little book.

Expressions of Self Love by Rita Loyd

I have included much of the book in this post, but not all. There are more nuggets of wisdom in the book that you may wish to explore on your own.

Do you find yourself connecting with some of the author’s statements? Which ones?

Try writing some of your own declarations by starting with When I loved myself enough…The author shares at the very end when she loved herself enough she found her voice and wrote this little book. What would you do if you loved yourself enough?

If you were going to write a book what would you call it?

A message from the author’s daughter Alison McMillen ~ January 2001:

My mother died in September of 1996, at he age of 52, only a few short months after writing this book. She was not ill and did not know that she was going to die. Her death was sudden and it deeply shocked everyone who knew her. It has been very difficult for me, as well as her friends and family, to cope with life without her. She died too young, and I am aware of her absence every waking moment.

One thing that has made grieving for her more tolerable has been this book. Following her lead, I continued to publish it out of my home. It has been extremely rewarding work. I have received countless letters and phone calls from people all over the world who have been touched by the wisdom of my mom’s words. They tell me that they feel as though, through the book, they have come to know Kim McMillen. I could not agree more.

This book is my mother. It’s message is what she spent years meditating on, reading and writing about, and experiencing. It is everything she believed in, and everything she brought me up to believe in. It is her autobiography, her declaration, her soul.

Even though she didn’t know she was nearing the end of her life, she knew on some level that she had to express the things that she had learned to be true. After many years filled with self-doubt and self-criticism, she decided to devote herself to finding self-compassion. When she did, and was able to write her findings down for others to read, her life was complete, and sadly came to an end.

I have a constant ache in my heart, a longing to see her again in this world. She was an amazing mother, friend, writer, business consultant, chaplain, river runner, dog lover, neighbor and woman. Although I miss her terribly, I am comforted by the knowledge that, as this book is the truest expression of who my mom was, in its continued existence what she had to offer to the world will live on.

Mojo Monday ~ Love Letters

July 7, 2014July 7, 2014Michelle Fairchild

Love letters. I have written my fair share. As a long time lover of snail mail and years of living long distance from a few of my beaus I have spritzed letters with perfume and imprinted them with ruby red lipstick. Yet not all love letters need be of the traditional romantic genre. Throughout the years I have also sent hundreds (maybe thousands) of letters and cards to family and friends that were infused with my love. While living overseas in France for a year and a half, prior to having access to email and phone calls being prohibitively expensive, I wrote many long letters to family members and college friends back home. I would even find amusing images in magazines and tear them out and make my own envelopes. Right now just thinking about it makes me want to make some again. I have not forsaken snail mail as I still adore it as much as I always have, but I do know that the long letters I used to write are more abbreviated notes added to sweet cards I buy from local stores or artists I admire.

How long has it been since you sent a “love letter” to a family member or friend?

Learning about a project called More Love Letters that was created by Hannah Brencher has me contemplating again the power of a longer letter to connect, express thoughts and feelings, tell a story, inspire and spread loving energy around the world. I first learned about Hannah Brencher through her TED talk. Here is the video where she shares how already being a huge fan of love letters, as this was her own mother’s way of communicating with her long distance, that upon bottoming into depression after college she began writing love letters and leaving them around the city for strangers to find.

After watching Hannah’s introduction to More Love Letters in her own words I encourage you to visit the web page for this movement. It has been beautifully created and executed.

The world doesn’t need another website. It doesn’t need another app or a network.

What it needs is really basic. Simple. Bare-boned.& often forgotten in the race to get followers, likes & status.

LOVE. Pure, old-fashioned, never goes out of style Love. Ridiculous, oozing, cannot pack this thang into 140-characters kind of love. Fearless, bold, unstoppable love.

And that’s where we come in… We’re going to tell you that we leave love letters all over the world for others to be blessed by. We’re going to ask you to write letters for Love Letter Bundles for people you’ll probably never meet. We’re going to invite you to nominate someone you know for a Love Letter Bundle. You are going to think we are a bit crazy. A tad loopy… But let’s be honest, you’ve been looking for a website that leaks love all this time.

Fair warning, we could really care less about love letters.

We’re only interested in you. The cracked parts of your own story & how you can use them to lift someone else. It’s about how each of us can morph our lives into love letters… lamps… lanterns… to light the paths of others who needs kindness and love today.

It’s official. Now, more than ever, the world needs more love letters. So get involved. Check out the current letter requests. Join our subscriber list to never miss a beat.

Your cursive means the world to us.

I read through some of the Requests for Letters. One in particular moved me deeply. Here is the description taken from the site:

R E N E E

please mail all love letters by July 15, 2014

A loving daughter wrote into us requesting letters for her mother. She wrote “My mother is undergoing an enormous transition period. At the age of 32 and happily married, her husband and my father, passed away in a tragic car accident on Valentine’s day that year. She was left with 5 kids under the age of 7 to raise on her own. My twin brother and I were just 8 months old. My mom just turned 60 and finally retired after 28 years of bouncing around jobs to provide for her family. The first time in her life she has no kids to take care of, no job to report to, and she is finally free. And she is scared. No one needs her, which is what most of her identity has been defined by. My mom needs a love letter that will inspire her to live again and finally, learn to take care of and love herself.” Join us in writing a letter of love & encouragement to this awesome mother.

PLEASE MAIL ALL LOVE LETTERS TO:

Renee’s bundle

c/ o Hilary C.

4505 Avenue A

Austin, TX 78751

Whether or not you feel inclined or inspired to join the More Love Letters official movement, consider right now making a commitment to send some love letters. How about you send one today or this week? How about a commitment to sending one or more a month? Will you send it to someone you know or will you leave it on a chair in a cafe, on a shelf at a store, in a dressing room, or on a park bench? The ripple effects of sending out love on a physical piece of paper can have more impact and power than you can fully grasp.

If you do send out a letter (or two or three or four…) consider sharing about how taking such action impacted you. What feelings did it invoke? What stories unfolded? What did you find yourself sharing? Where did you leave it or send it? Did you send it to someone you know or did you prefer to leave it for a stranger?

Naked Vulnerability

June 24, 2014Michelle Fairchild

Come read my latest article called
Naked Vulnerability
in Cosmic Cowgirls Magazine.

I sat in the creek, sweet water gurgling and caressing my naked body. I gazed at the greenery, the light reflecting off the water, and felt the very chilly water pour over my thighs, while the gentle breath of warm air on my face and shoulders offered a stark contrast. Under the canopy of tall trees and dappled sunlight it was easy to feel small, but in a good way, in the way you feel awe struck and full of wonder about the breathtaking beauty of our planet. Nature often has that effect on me, but to experience being completely naked and so remarkably peaceful as I listened to the natural sounds of birds and the water, was spiritually soothing and uplifting. Harmonizing with the rustling of leaves and the babbling water flowed the spoken word of a sacred water dedication,

“Water Spirits know this child as your sister…
Give her the ability to flow in life’s stream…
Great Spirit, this child is of the people…
guide her to always walk in beauty.”

Come read the entire article over at Cosmic Cowgirls Magazine.

Mojo Monday ~ The Summer Day

June 23, 2014Michelle Fairchild

“Tell me what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”

The summer solstice took place this weekend and the above reading of the poem The Summer Day by Mary Oliver seemed so fitting for this weeks Mojo Monday. Ahhh summer. It may not be just like it was when we were children and had summers off from school. Except for the school teachers out there, most of us work through the summer, taking vacations here and there. Maybe we go tent camping or travel to lakes, oceans and rivers and stay in cabins or resorts.

Did you celebrate the Summer Solstice? Did you do happen to do anything special that day?

My first day of summer was partially spent at nearby Whiskeytown Lake, a favorite place to relax, swim and play with the family and friends.

In the early evening we headed over to partake of some of the Sundial Bridges’ 10th Anniversary celebration. On the solstice there was a flash mob dance to the song Happy right on the bridge at 6:45 pm. That was then followed a couple of hours later by an astounding performance by Bandaloop on the Sundial Bridge. They performed their aerial dances to the accompaniment of a local orchestra.

Last night watching these amazing athletic sky dancers perform, while local musicians played skillfully I felt in awe, of not only where I get to live, but the ingenuity and creativity of us humans. It was a perfect evening and I felt inspired and happy that it is summer. While I don’t get the summer off, there will be regular lake trips, outdoor water aerobics at the local aquatic center, growing veggies in our garden, the wedding of a dear friend, a trip to Ashland with my hubby to see a play and a family camp trip to the coast. I find myself wanting to soak up all the goodness around me and simply marinate in it.

What summertime happenings bring you happiness? Do you have any special summer plans?

Here are a few videos from the Bandaloop performance. I wanted to share as it truly was a beautiful thing to witness.

Here is a video showing the first performance by three Bandaloop dancers. This video captured the whole performance.

This next video is the second performance with four Bandaloop dancers who dropped from the top of the dial. This video capture a portion of the performance.

This final video was the grand finale featuring the woman in white and the dramatic long white scarf that floated and danced against the darkened sky so very beautifully.

Wishes for a summer of love.

In closing, consider this
rephrased question taken from Mary Oliver:

Tell me what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious summer?

Visionary Dreaming

June 20, 2014Michelle Fairchild

Crystal Charlotte Easton is a Metis Artist born and raised
in Fort St James BC, in Carrier Territory-Northern BC (Canada)
and she is currently living & raising her family (6 children)
on a farm on Vancouver Island.

She has the opportunity to attend a month long course in Italy
in July at the Vienna Academy of Visionary Art.
She is very close to achieving her fundraising goal
and has 11 days remaining.
Charlotte is offering beautiful gifts in return for
every single donation.

Come visit her fundraising site by clicking here.

We All Have A Role to Play by Crystal Charlotte Easton

Mojo Monday ~ A Blessing for One Who Is Exhausted

June 9, 2014June 9, 2014Michelle Fairchild

A Blessing For One Who Is Exhausted

–by John O’Donohue, syndicated from awakin.org, Jun 02, 2014

When the rhythm of the heart becomes hectic,
Time takes on the strain until it breaks;
Then all the unattended stress falls in
On the mind like an endless, increasing weight,

The light in the mind becomes dim.
Things you could take in your stride before
Now become laborsome events of will.

Weariness invades your spirit.
Gravity begins falling inside you,
Dragging down every bone.

The tide you never valued has gone out.
And you are marooned on unsure ground.
Something within you has closed down;
And you cannot push yourself back to life.

You have been forced to enter empty time.
The desire that drove you has relinquished.
There is nothing else to do now but rest
And patiently learn to receive the self
You have forsaken for the race of days.

At first your thinking will darken
And sadness take over like listless weather.
The flow of unwept tears will frighten you.

You have traveled too fast over false ground;
Now your soul has come to take you back.

Take refuge in your senses, open up
To all the small miracles you rushed through.

Become inclined to watch the way of rain
When it falls slow and free.

Imitate the habit of twilight,
Taking time to open the well of color
That fostered the brightness of day.

Draw alongside the silence of stone
Until its calmness can claim you.
Be excessively gentle with yourself.

Stay clear of those vexed in spirit.
Learn to linger around someone of ease
Who feels they have all the time in the world.

Gradually, you will return to yourself,
Having learned a new respect for your heart
And the joy that dwells far within slow time.

Have you ever felt completely exhausted?

Was it a phase or a short lived experience?

Did something in particular spark the exhaustion?

Did you wade through it until the feeling passed
or did you take concerted steps to regain your vitality?

When times of malaise come to pass do you sit with it
or takes steps to transform the feelings?

Mojo Monday ~ Pursuing Our Passions

May 26, 2014Michelle Fairchild

Following quote from
acclaimed artist Aaron Paquette

You think you don’t have enough knowledge yet,
or training or time.

You think all these things and so your
mind listens and makes it so.

Isn’t time to believe all things are possible?

Isn’t it time to let go of that great evil, perfectionism,
and let your work be imperfect without fear of judgement?

Isn’t it time to cast worry aside and grab hold
of your purpose, your reason, your destiny?

I will tell you what you already know:

This is the time.

This is your day.

This is the moment you feel a flame in your heart
growing, spreading, filling you with Life!

Nurture it!

Protect it!

Help it grow.

It’s the true expression of your very own
soul longing to breathe free.

Longing to fly.

Are you ready? It may not feel like it, but you are.

Will you fall? Absolutely!

And will you rise?

Absolutely.

Do what you have to do to make it happen right now.
Change everything. Now.

You are fierce and beautiful and strong.

Show it to the world.

Hiy hiy

Artist Aaron Paquette is one of Canadaʼs premiere First Nations artists. He is a painter, writer, keynote speaker and workshop facilitator. He is also a political commentator, illustrator, goldsmith and cathedral stained glass artist. Please visit his web site here.

His recent projects include a major reconciliation mural for Edmonton’s LRT Grandin Station, a series of four paintings depicting the challenges faced by Canada’s indigenous people entitled, “Four Directions”, and he is curating a traveling exhibit for the Art Gallery of Alberta.

Lastly Aaron just released a debut young adult novel entitled Lightfinder, through Kegedonce Press. Here is a synopsis of the book:

Aisling is a young Cree woman who sets out into the wilderness with her Kokum (grandmother), Aunty and two young men she barely knows. They have to find and rescue her runaway younger brother, Eric. Along the way she learns that the legends of her people might be real and that she has a growing power of her own.

The story follows the paths of Aisling and Eric, siblings unwittingly thrust into a millennia old struggle for the future of life on earth. It deals with growing up, love and loss, and the choices life puts in our path. Love and confusion are in store, as are loss and pain. Things are not always what they seem and danger surrounds them at every turn.

Will Raven”s mysterious purposes prevail? With darkness closing in how will they find the light to guide them? Will Aisling find Eric in time?

Here is a beautiful three part series of videos with Aaron Paquette by Bravo! The first video provides some background on Aaron and the second and third videos delve deeper into his art and spirituality. I was very moved and inspired by what he shared and think you will be too. It is well worth the time to watch all three.

From the Spirit Part 1

From the Spirit Part 2

From the Spirit Part 3

Aaron Paquette’s story was inspirational to me because it is an example of a person living his vision and acting upon his passion. I will share another example from an article by Dr. Margaret Paul called “Are You Playing Too Small?”

“There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” ~Nelson Mandela

“Do you feel passionate about your life? If not, you are likely playing too small – opting for safety rather than for the aliveness that comes from fully manifesting your gifts and talents.

We have all been given unique gifts and talents. Some indigenous people know this and choose not to name their children until their unique talents emerge. For example, they might name their child “Basketweaver” or “Listener” or “Healer” when these talents emerge. They fully believe in encouraging the child’s natural gifts and talents.

For some strange reason, many of my clients believe that if something comes easily to them – if it is a natural talent – then it’s not what they should pursue. They believe that for something to be worthwhile, it has to be hard. Yet this is exactly the opposite of the truth! That which comes easy to you is your natural gift or talent, and it is likely what brings you the most joy.

My client, Skip, started working with me due to depression. He was a successful dentist with a lovely wife and three children whom he adored, but still, he was depressed.

As we explored what was going on in his life, he told me that he became a dentist because his father was a dentist and his father wanted him to take over his very lucrative practice. But Skip did not enjoy dentistry like his father did. He never felt passionate about his work. It soon became evident that his depression was related to not doing what he really wanted to do.

Skip knew early in his life that he had two passions: psychology and writing poetry. He had been writing poetry since he was child and had even published a small poetry book, which had received some acclaim and which brought him great joy.

He had always been interested in psychology, and had read extensively in this field. But his father had convinced him that he could not earn enough as a psychologist and a poet to support a family, and that he had to think of others rather than himself.

Now, with a wife and three children, he felt trapped doing something for the rest of his life that brought him no joy. He dragged himself to work each day, and lived for the few hours when he had time to write poetry, as well as to spend time with his family.

When Skip realized that he couldn’t be a good husband and father being so depressed, he decided to make a huge life change. With the support of his wife, he cut his dental practice in half and went back to school to become a psychologist. And he started making more time for writing – both poetry and fiction.

As it turned out, Skip is an amazing writer and storyteller. His first book of fiction was published and did well. He is currently working on his second novel and finishing his PhD is psychology. With the income from his book, he is able to continue to support his family with his half-time dental practice. Because he is doing what brings him joy and manifesting his gifts and talents, he is also enjoying dentistry much more. He plans to continue his half-time dental practice, establish a small psychology practice, and continue writing. Somehow, he has also found more time to be with his family.

Skip is being as big as he really is and is no longer depressed! By following his passions, he has renewed energy and aliveness for his life and finds that he has time to do all that brings him joy.”

Aaron shared about being in connection with spirit and creating his art and how this led him to a more stable, centered and spiritual life. Dr. Margaret Paul then shared about her former client who finally dared to pursue the passions he had suppressed and in turn found freedom from the depression that had plagued him.

Where are you at with pursuing your passions? Do you know what they are or are you still figuring it out?

Sometimes our responsibilities regarding caring for others and jobs that pay our bills make it more difficult to pursue our passions. Do you make the time to do the things you love? If not how could you change that? If you do make the time, do have any words of wisdom for those who struggle to do so?

Do you find that there is a connection between your passions and your spirituality? If yes, how does that influence you?

Mojo Monday ~ Listening to Your Heart

May 12, 2014Michelle Fairchild

Listening.

This is my focus this month.

I am trying to quiet my mind that is known to race, make lists, check off to-do lists, focus on schedules and spiral or spin on a variety of subjects.

I am also attempting to get clearer on what makes my heart sing, what also brings me peace, happiness, contentment and joy.

On May 2nd my listening to what speaks to me had me paying close attention to a post by Mary Anne Radmacher, a writer and artist I have long admired and found inspirational. Here is what she shared on her Facebook page.

“What do you think of those ‘training opportunities’ that assure they will double, or triple your business activity? Hmmm. Just got a note from Twitter that they want to help me grow my business. So kind. A live stream webinar of experts teaching me how to optimize my twitter feed. Do I want to grow my business? Yes. Yes, I do. Do I want to grow my business applying a formula and rationale that is being taught to and applied by tens of thousands of people? I don’t think I do. When I offer something I’ve made, I tell about it. I show you. If I’m excited or touched or impacted, I tell you that, too. Sometimes I remember to link to twitter. Sometimes I don’t. But at least people know when I show up on social media it’s because I want to be there. I think formulas are great – and they are formulas because they work. That said, I think I’ll stick to my plod-along ” marketing formula.” What is that? Create fresh + meaningful message + sharing + showing = a business that feels good to me.”

This spoke to me when I read it. I love how her focus is on creating fresh and meaningful messages, sharing and showing, and definitely connecting with other people. This speaks to me as I explore my own dreams and goals. I tucked this into my bag of inspirational messages for the month.

This is also the month for the chapter called “Listening Woman” in The 13 Original Clan Mothers, by Jamie Sams. Here is how the chapter begins:

Echoes of the Ancestors
Ride the Winds of Change,
Voices of the Creatures
Calling out my name.
Singing spirits on the breeze,
The crashing of waves to shore,
The poundings of Earth Mother’s heart
Teach me what to listen for.
In stillness, before dusk and dawn,
Hidden messages are set free.
Like the chants of my people,
Their rhythms speak to me.
My ears can hear this music,
And my heart can understand.
Clan Mother of Tiyoweh,
I am yours to command.
I listen for your whispers
On a course you will chart,
Searching for the still voice
That lives within my heart.

One of my deep loves is to listen to music. I love to really hear the lyrics and to seek out inspirational messages. Here are two new songs that have my heart listening. The first is called The Heart by a band called Needtobreathe. The second is the song Love Me by Katy Perry.

Here is the official music video for the song The Heart by Needtobreathe

The Heart
Lyrics by Needtobreathe

Ain’t no gift like the present tense
Ain’t no love like an old romance
Got’sta make hay when the sun is shinin’
Can’t waste time when it comes time to dance

Slammin’ this door with a heavy hand
signin’ this line like a deed to land
keeping in touch with the windows down
Dreading this night since the rain hit the ground

[Chorus]
Long live the heart
Long live the soul
That knows what it wants
That piece you can find
That part is the whole
It never lets go

Always tryin to be the one outlaw
Goes where he wants never does get caught
Pushing this line like the Lord ain’t comin’
Building this house like they’re scared of something else

[Pre Chorus]
Be my winter in this living hell
Be my one last dying wishing well
oh well

[Chorus]
Long live the heart
Long live the soul
That knows what it wants
That piece you can find
That part is the whole
It never lets go

[Bridge]
Got’sta make hay when the sun is shinin
Can’t waste time when it comes time to dance
keeping in touch with the windows down
Dreading this night since the rain hit the ground

[Chorus]
Long live the heart
Long live the soul
That knows what it wants
That piece you can find
That part is the whole
It never lets go

[Chorus]
Long live the heart
Long live the soul
That knows what it wants
No matter how far
How heavy this load
It never lets go

There is no official video for the song Love Me by Katy Perry, but here is a fanmade video that paired the song with a promotional video for Katy Perry’s perfume.

Love Me
Lyrics by Katy Perry

I lost myself in fear of losing you
I wish I didn’t do, but I did
I lost my own, my own identity
Forgot that you picked me, for me

But now, I don’t negotiate with insecurities
They always seem to get the best of me
I found I had to love myself, the way I want you to

Love me, no more second guessing
No, there’s no more questioning
I’ll be the one defining who I’m gonna be
No concealing feelings, or changing seasonally
I’m gonna love myself, the way I want you to love me

Sometimes I wish my skin was a costume
That I could just unzip, and strip
But who I am is who I’m meant to be
And it’s who you are in love, in love with
So now, I don’t negotiate with insecurities
You’re gonna have to take a back seat
I know I have to love myself, the way I want you to

No more standing in my own way
Let’s get deeper, let’s get closer
No more standing in my own way
(I want you to love me)
No more standing in my own way
Let’s get deeper, let’s get closer
No more standing in my own way
(I want you to love me)

No more second guessing
No, there’s no more questioning
I’ll be the one defining who I’m gonna be
No concealing my feelings, or changing seasonally
I’m gonna love myself, the way I want you to love me

No more second guessing
No, there’s no more questioning
I’ll be the one defining who I’m gonna be
No concealing feelings, or changing seasonally
I’m gonna love myself, the way I want you to love me

This week (or month) carve out some time to listen.

What catches your attention when you make it a priority?

Even when reading what jumps out at you when you listen with your heart?

Seek out some new music. Listen to a new-to-you band. What do you hear?

Go outside and soak in the sounds of nature. How do the sounds make you feel?

When a loved one speaks to you really listen and then also try focusing on listening with your heart. Does anything change when you place a focus on it?

Inventing Your Legendary Wings

May 6, 2014Michelle Fairchild

Come read my latest article called
Inventing Your Legendary Wings
in Cosmic Cowgirls Magazine.

“As I read about the [Grimke] sisters,
I was drawn more and more to Sarah and what she’d overcome.
Before stepping onto the public stage, she experienced
intense longings for a vocation, crushed hopes, betrayal,
unrequited love, loneliness, self-doubt, ostracism, and suffocating silence.
It seemed to me she had invented her wings
not so much in spite of these things, but because of them.”
~ Sue Monk Kidd

black-wings-trees-fly as seen on www.layoutsparks.com — black-wings-trees-fly as seen on http://www.layoutsparks.com

Are you Legendary?

Inquiring minds want to know.
Really we do.

Come read the entire article over at Cosmic Cowgirls Magazine.

Mojo Monday ~ I Want (p.s. Happy 4th Birthday to Mojo Monday)

April 28, 2014April 28, 2014Michelle Fairchild

I Want. I have not always been really good about expressing what I want. It is also difficult to express what I want when it effects other people and I start to feel like I am asking something of others. I tend to be a bit independent in taking care of myself. For example this weekend I really wanted our house to be less messy (our almost 8 year old twins had things and toys strewn and lying about in multiple ares of the house.) I also wasn’t feeling so inclined to do all the picking up and cleaning myself. It wasn’t so easy for me to mention to my hubby on Saturday night that it would be nice if the house could get straightened up. It is difficult for me to explain to people who seem content in a less than neat house, how residing in chaos can make me physically start to feel all tense. But my speaking up let my hubby know to be on board with kicking things into gear on Sunday and everyone helped out to make the house more organized and clean again. Ahhhh…soo nice. Especially because my energy is seriously lagging. My get up and go went somewhere else and I hadn’t found her once I got home from grocery shopping and put everything away this morning.

This idea of contemplating I Want was in part inspired by a post I saw weeks ago by artist and writer Kelly Rae Roberts. Back on February 5th she shared a very sweet lists of wants in this post.

Dream Big In the Moonlight

(Signed/ Matted Print Available Here)

I made the above with True in mind, (a new little something for his new room in our new house) but I’m inspired to consider my own dreams as of late………

I want to have a picnic or two. And read a book in the green summer grass.

I want to make a memory book, printing off photos regularly and documenting more of our everyday life.

I want to stay authentic in business, making choices that continued to be tuned into my vision, mission, truth.

I want to trust the journey and the abundance that exists at every turn (it’s the small things).

I want to go to NYC and wander the streets with John.

I want to walk around my new hood, make new friends, put up a new little library.

I want to have more dinner parties.

I want to make more collaborative paintings with True.

I want to make more paintings for kids.

I want to gather on the coast with new friends, old friends, and eat candy.

I want to be still.

Take it all in.

Celebrate.

Be grateful.

I kept this particular post open on my iPhone and I visited it now and again. There was such a sweetness and simplicity to her wishes that resonated with me. I have been asking myself, what do I want? Here are some of my thoughts.

I want to feel more relaxed.

I want to play with my children and hang with the family more.

I want to have less commitments.

I want less pressure and fewer deadlines.

I want to spend more time gardening and hanging out in our yards.

I want to cuddle my 17 year old cat Bandito more.

I want to throw the Frisbee for 11 year old Shanti more too.

I want to paint more.

I want to gently ease back into being in love with my book project.

I want to feel excited about the book and fleshing out a colorful vision for it.

I want more creative time.

I want more quality time with friends, not necessarily more quantity.

I want to say Yes to things that make my heart sing.

I want to say No to things that don’t light me up.

I always want to hear great music.

What about you? What do you want? Did anything that Kelly Rae or I shared inspire you or resonate with you?

P.S. May 1st is Mojo Mondays 4th Birthday. Here is a little something to honor this special day.

4th birthday candle May 1st is “The Day of Ironic Insight” according to the book The Secret Language of Birthdays by Gary Goldschneider and Joost Elffers. While Mojo Monday is not a person it has had a life of its own for the past 4 years. It was a bit entertaining to read about the predicted attributes of those born on May 1st, for that is the birthday of Mojo Monday back in 2010.

Here are some more of the descriptions listed for those born May 1st:

“[They] have a talent for watching what goes on around them and communicating their ideas on what they see to others. Their capacity to express these observations, which most frequently deal with people, is generally either verbal or written, but rarely both.”

“…they also show an active interest in the events of the world around them. Even the shyest take a stand within the family, business or social group of which they are a member. Those born on this day are not everyone’s cup of tea, nor do they particularly seek to please others. They are, however, respected for their honesty and though outspoken on issues of importance to them are nonetheless venusian in their love of harmony and beauty.”