One of these gifts was on the day I was preparing to present the idea of No Make Up May to 20 of my female coworkers. I was nervous for what the outcome would be but, as I got ready for work that day, I found the courage I needed in a book I happen to be reading at the moment.
The book is called "52 People - Connecting With Life Through Strangers", written by Jayson Krause and it tells of "the greatest year of [his] life", as he puts it. He purposed one year to create meaningful connection with a new stranger every week for a whole year by asking 10 poignant questions. Each chapter shares this interaction as well as what he learned from each conversation. On the particular day that I was reading, he had approached an 18 year old man in a Greyhound station who was embarking on an unknown adventure.
Before I even got into the story, however, I was blown away by the perfection of the quote with which he opened the chapter - "When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be" ~ Lao Tzu.
We have created stories of who we are. "I have to wear spanks because my butt jiggles and my stomach sticks out" "I need under-eye concealor because my black circles make me look like a line-backer", "I can't wear shorts because the spider veins in my legs scare the neighbourhood children".
My story was that I can never be a runner because I like chilling on the couch and eating chocolate and that's okay, dammit! But I recently was challenged to think of a breath taking moment and do it. I wrote down "to run a 10K", something that would literally take my breath away. I really struggled with this decision as I questioned what was at the heart of wanting to do it. Was it because I felt I wasn't good enough if I couldn't? But then another voice began to emerge, the voice of my true self. The voice that has gone unheard for decades. And the voice began to tell me the story of me. That I am beautiful, and strong, and courageous, and wise, and funny and creative and inspiring. That I am a runner and as I begin to put one foot in front of the other I will experience the freedom of running away from old beliefs as I run to my new self.
Speaking of synchronicity of themes, a friend posted this to No Makeup May's Facebook group just today! (I hope she doesn't mind me quoting her...then again, she did post it on FB)
"I started Bikram Yoga in January and finally had the courage to wear shorts for the first time. I've been hiding my body for years. And you know what I discovered? (this isn't bragging, but acceptance) My legs are beautiful! A revelation.
She let go of what she is and, in so doing, became what she might be! Each day I begrudgingly put on my cute pink and grey runners I am amazed by the energy I feel when I return. I'm excited by every tenth of a kilometre I can add to my distance (okay, I'm learning to get excited - I am also a perfectionist). But each day I am fuelled by the realization that I am on my way to becoming what I might be.
"Every day is the opportunity to become who you might be. Let go of who you are, embrace the change your heart desires, and let the person you are becoming lead you home to where your heart lives." - Jayson Krause
For the month of May ask yourself, what you need to let go of in order to become what you might be. The answer may surprise!
