By Jennifer S. Wilkov
Survivor – Author – Collaborator
Celebrating Humanity Gracefully
“Fanning the Flames of the Human Spirit”
www.jenniferwilkov.wpengine.com
Everybody’s life is filled with people to see, places to go, business calls to make, dates to go out on, family gatherings to be present at, and so many more commitments – the list goes on and on.
Many of us tend to rush from one activity to another and barely feel a moment to breathe.
While a full schedule may make you feel like you’re alive, when you can hardly breathe you’re suffocating yourself. You’re not able to truly take in the events, joys and sorrows of each moment.
In life, we receive chances to experience activities, people, feelings and emotions and use these to shape our world and future choices.
Consequently, when you are suffocated by the very life you say is satisfying, you just may be missing out on the most important person in your life – and that person is YOU!
When I was in high school, I grew up when the movie, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” was in the theaters. During the film, Cameron, Ferris’ friend, was a guy who stuck to the straight and narrow path – always adhering to what his parents wanted him to do. He was so busy pleasing others that he rarely took time out for himself, much less acknowledged himself for, well, anything. He was so stressed out and freaked out that when Ferris convinced him to take the day off from school with him and do things he had dreamed of doing, he nearly had a panic attack. At the end of the movie, not only was Cameron changed forever, but Ferris says while look right at you, the viewer, “Life moves pretty fast. You don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
What are you missing out on about YOU and your life?
When is the last time you celebrated YOU?
Not because it was your birthday; not because you received an award and acknowledgment from someone else, but you celebrating and enjoying YOU because you’re YOU!
Another thing I enjoyed growing up with was a jingle on television for kids where the lyrics said, “The most important person in the whole wide world is YOU and it’s true, you hardly even know you… the most important person!”
Slowing down, dedicating time and energy that is focused on YOU and getting to know you – whether it’s for the first time or now as who you are is essential to your own well-being and happiness.
A great example of why this is essential comes from another movie where Julia Roberts played the “Runaway Bride” who always liked the same style of eggs as the man she was engaged to. She hardly knew herself or what she liked! Finally, when she agreed to marry Richard Gere’s character, he called her on this and much more that she didn’t know about herself. His point was how could he get to know her, make her happy and fall in love with her when she didn’t even know herself?
You may be laughing, perhaps nervously, because if someone asked YOU what foods you like, what kind of work you really love to do, and which places you’d like to travel to, would you know what to say?
It’s your turn to take time out to connect with you, acknowledge you and celebrate all that you are!
Learn about what really strikes your fancy and give the Deliciously Fabulous YOU that you’ve become a standing ovation!
Whether you do it in silence through meditation or by yourself or whether you get together with a group of girlfriends or with your spouse or partner, it all starts with YOU. The choice, the impetus and how you do it is entirely up to you.
For those of you who grew up in households that insisted that you refrain from bragging, I encourage you especially to stand up, take a look at your life and write down all of the amazing things you’ve accomplished. They can be big and small. Remember: the small ones all lead to the big ones that happen “overnight” so be sure to acknowledge even the tiniest of accomplishments.
Get accustomed to being proud of who you are and who you’ve become.
Take an interest in YOU…
Connect with YOU…
And Celebrate YOU!
When you do, you may just find that others will to.
You can do it!
For a great opportunity to learn more about connecting with and celebrating YOU, join me and Michele Mattia for the Deliciously Fabulous YOU Retreat in New York City in May. Early commitment special pricing is available to honor the time you are dedicating to YOU. To learn more and to register, go to http://deliciouslyfabulousyouretreat.eventbrite.com
© 2011 Jennifer S. Wilkov. All Rights Reserved.
Jennifer S. Wilkov
Jennifer’s passion for communication has led to her being a # 1 radio show host, a best-selling award-winning author, a dynamic speaker, an award-winning freelance writer, a successful book business consultant and an enthusiastic entrepreneur. She survived being incarcerated in Riker’s Island, one of New York’s most violent prisons, after inappropriately being told to plead guilty to a crime she didn’t commit by an attorney who mishandled her case. Jennifer continued to succeed as an author, entrepreneur and speaker after enduring this devastating, unimaginable experience. She knows what it takes to live the life you love in the face of any challenge. She loves to inspire audiences everywhere with the insights, knowledge and wisdom she has gained so participants take action. Jennifer fans the flames of the Human Spirit in each audience member and empowers them to tell their story, express it transparently, leap powerfully into their lives and at last live the life they’ve imagined. For more information, www.jenniferwilkov.wpengine.com.