This morning, Brittany and I woke up in LA not knowing where we would be tonight: Santa Cruz, San Jose, somewhere in the Bay
Area, Marin, Sonoma, Sacramento?! How
is THAT for living in the NOW?!
My response to this, “Well, let’s see who/what shows
up!”
What ended up “showing up” for us was a mutual need to get
some mundane stuff done—like laundry, cleaning out the car, packing, running
errands, etc. as well as some “alone” time to digest the past week. In the past week alone, we have stayed in 3 different
homes, at 3 different locations throughout Southern California.
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| Meditation: Kelly-style (Downtown LA) |
We spent 2 days “couchsurfing” in Long Beach, with a CouchSurfer
named Manar, who is studying Sufism (*originally a complete stranger, Manar
generously shared his home with us FOR FREE, just so we could PLAY at the beach
and chill for a few days—Happy Birthday!
*And yes, people do this all the time; it is called CouchSurfing. ) Later in the week, we stayed with a friend in downtown LA
for a couple days (7th and Spring, to be exact!); and then back to
Toluca Lake for an active, nearly sleep-less weekend of top-shelf shenanigans
with new and old friends (more photos on Facebook!)
*Basically, today is part decompression and part preparation for a long-ish trip back up north!
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| Manar: 1/3 Palestinian, 1/3 Afghani, and 1/3 Sufi Mystic |
Topic du jour:
Radical Honesty
Several situations over the past few days reminded Brittany
and I to use Radical Honesty with others.
Radical Honesty, as explained by Dr. Brad Blanton, is a CALL TO ACTION
to stop PRETENDING, or trying to "look good" in front of others, or
trying to "please" others, at the expense of your own well-being.
Radical Honesty is all about speaking YOUR truth, clearly stating your wants/needs/dislikes/opinions/dreams,
especially when you suspect your truth may not please or upset others.
The theory is direct communication leads to REAL connection
and intimacy in ALL relationships--family, partner/spouse, friends, neighbors,
colleagues, villages, towns, countries, etc. In my humble opinion, Radical
honesty with ourselves and one another is nothing short of a revolution in
communication AND consciousness, through direct open and honest communication
with everyone.
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| Goofy Guru to a complete stranger: "Well, aren't you going to PUSH me?!" |
For example: If you tend to get anxious/nervous in social settings,
I suggest you introduce yourself to EVERYONE you encounter, along the lines of,
"Hi! I'm (insert name here), and I just want you to know I find social
situations very uncomfortable."
1. This is a physical and energetic release of this anxiety
for you. *Every time you say it, more anxiety is released until eventually you
RELAX.
2. Your RADICAL honesty and vulnerability will appear
authentic and endearing to others. This confession makes you instantly LIKABLE
because of your candor. *Additional side-effect: This will encourage others to
be more authentic as well!
3. Others will not mis-read your "hidden" anxiety
as coming off "aloof", "pretentious", "arrogant",
"on drugs" (if you live in LA!), or uninterested in others.
4. You have a better chance of making authentic connections
(business AND pleasure) with other people.
5. You have a better chance of getting LAID! ;)
LIVE your bliss,
Kelly N Patterson (aka, The Goofy Guru)
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