message in a bottle

Every time I dream of a beach vacation, I think of how cool it would be to throw a message in a bottle into the ocean, and see where it lands.

But I’m also a rule-follower. And I don’t want to litter. And I’m also worried about the bottle just floating out for 10 minutes and returning immediately and never really traveling anywhere…

But the romantic idea of a message in bottle captures my imagination. And if I ever do write one, I’d write a love letter to who ever found it. An encouraging permission slip to live a life chasing their biggest goals.

beach bottle cold daylight

Maybe something like this:

Dear Friend who found this message in a bottle,

YOU ARE EXTRAORDINARY.

Be yourself, but your WHOLE self every day.

Go out into the world – Talk, Share, Be Vulnerable and Uncomfortable, try new things!

Don’t suffer from the disease of busyness.

Help your friends.

Be Kind.

Be Brave.

Be Curious.

Believe in the magic of the ordinary.

Dream BIG!

What problem do you want to solve? What breaks your heart? GO DO SOMETHING TO CHANGE IT.

Do more of what you only uniquely can contribute to the world.

Jump! Maybe you’ll soar.

If not, let who you are becoming catch you!

If you find this, I’d love for you to send me a note on Twitter @theleftywriter

What would you write? What message would you send the universe via a message in a bottle?

patience

focus

light

connections

ennegram

Type 7: The Enthusiast

Enthusiasts are energetic, lively, and optimistic. They want to contribute to the world.

How to Get Along with Me

Give me companionship, affection, and freedom.
Engage with me in stimulating conversation and laughter.
Appreciate my grand visions and listen to my stories.
Don’t try to change my style. Accept me the way I am.
Be responsible for yourself. I dislike clingy or needy people.
Don’t tell me what to do.

What I Like About Being a Seven

Being optimistic and not letting life’s troubles get me down.
Being spontaneous and free-spirited.
Being outspoken and outrageous. It’s part of the fun.
Being generous and trying to make the world a better place.
Having the guts to take risks and to try exciting adventures.
Having such varied interests and abilities.

What’s Hard About Being a Seven

Not having enough time to do all the things I want.
Not completing things I start.
Not being able to profit from the benefits that come from specializing; not making a commitment to a career.
Having a tendency to be ungrounded; getting lost in plans or fantasies.

Also Type 2 (Helper) and Type 5 (Investigator)

the meaning of life

A love letter to YOU and the universe… dream big! Go achieve that goal!

LIFE ITSELF HAS NO MEANING.

LIFE IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE MEANING.

THE POINT OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE, IS JUST TO BE HUMAN.

EXPRESS CREATIVITY, EMOTIONS & IDEAS.

SING, DANCE, PAINT, WRITE, PLAY, READ, LOVE, LAUGH, CRY, RUN, TALK …

SHARE MORE OF THAT.

THAT’S HOW WE MATTER.

THAT’S HOW WE CAN CONNECT.

THAT’S HOW WE CAN FEEL OUR AUTHENTIC FEELINGS AND NOT BE DESPERATELY LONELY.

YOU ARE ENOUGH.

YOU ARE LOVED.

YOU MATTER.

story explorers

I am bursting with excitement and creative energy. I attended a wonderful workshop today through Story Exploratory. We did this really fun and meaningful exercise where we described ourselves, then we had to do it again, but we were not allowed to use any of the same words. And then we turned it into a poem.

I love reading poetry because it usually involves deep emotion. It’s concise. Poetry is a song without a melody.

I am bravely sharing my unedited poem I wrote this morning during the workshop. I wanted to document it today, the day it was written. We all brought random items to describe using our senses, and one person brought a recycled item, a lanyard that was labeled “I used to be a soda bottle.” I couldn’t help fast forwarding a year from now, and I want to know how I used to see myself. It is invigorating to think what will change, and comforting to know what will stay the same.

story exploratory

So here is my poem, entitled “Quien Soy Yo?” translated from Spanish means “Who am I?”

On my quest for the meaning of life,

I reflect and generate light.

I share excitement daily, until I collapse.

Instead of catching a cold, I catch contagious energy,

By surrounding myself with podcast, books, experiences and other lovers of life.

If you want to check out Story Exploratory, you can find Jen at:

http://www.thestoryexploratory.com

http://www.jenvincentwrites.com

Twitter @mentortexts

Instagram @storyexploratory

new year’s resolutions

The new year brings a great opportunity to reflect on the past year and take those lessons with you. I have spent a few hours today making a 2018 photo book of our families adventures, memories and counting my many blessings.

I appreciate spending time planning my short term and long term goals. My #1 short term goal consists of applying and interviewing for a new job that has better work-life balance. My current situation is completely unsustainable. I am working unprecedented overtime, nights, weekends, holidays, vacation days, and it’s affecting my health (both mental and physical). This is a must. And I hope it will help me achieve all my other short and long term goals.

I will keep doing what I am doing well. Right now I think that is putting my family and friends first and making them a priority. But I do have things to change. I have not made myself and my health a priority. This year I am committed to becoming healthier. I will make time for meditation, stretching, stress relief, running, walking, and especially changing my eating habits.

abstract art blur bokeh

Photo by freestocks.org on Pexels.com

Do you make resolutions? I do. Every year. And I have to confess, the past decade or so, my resolution has been the same. And it doesn’t stick. I keep vowing to eat healthier, exercise more, and lose weight.

I know I’m not alone.

But I’m frustrated. I know it’s not easy. I need to put in the work. I need to make it a priority.

I was listening to Rachel Hollis’ podcast “Rise” and she had on Brendan Burchard and he succinctly described my problem in one sentence. “You must be committed to your goals, not just interested in them.”

This year, I am committed, not just interested.

What is your resolution? Are you interested? Or committed?

Happy New Year!

I wish you, your family and your friends a healthy, happy and dream-committed 2019!

long lost co-workers

We all have former co-workers that we haven’t kept in touch with.

Today I got an email from one.

Here’s a little back story…

In July of 2016, she emailed a group of about 15 people letting us know she had breast cancer. Stage 2. Which is scary of course, but now-a-days I don’t consider that a death sentence. She was getting treatment, all seemed fine.

We agreed to have lunch when she “felt better” she’d let me know.

Almost a year went by…I emailed her asking in February how she was. I got a reply in May saying she was “cancer free” .

Today’s email, stage 4 in the liver, bones, all over. Stage 4. “No cure, but treatment can extend the time I have left.”

She’s not on social media. I don’t even have her phone number or address. I don’t even know her kids names or if she’s still married, or if she has one child or more than one?

awareness cancer design pink — Photo by Miguel Á. Padriñán on Pexels.com

But she must be lonely, to email this prayer request to 15 people, that, if they have the same relationship with her as I do, then they’re not very close.

I replied succinctly:

“I am so very sorry to hear this. Thank you for sharing with me. I of course will pray for you. What else do you need? How else can I help?

But I secretly wonder if I will ever hear from her again?

If nothing else, it reminded me to slow down, be with my friends and family this Christmas Weekend, and don’t sweat the small stuff! I hope you do the same!