mission monday:: 10 commandments

budda among the petals, nikon d50 digital

After reading Tabitha's interview here, Megg suggested creating our own 10 commandments for a mission.

I think that's a stellar idea.

So mine are below-I had so much fun coming up with my list!

1. be Brandi

The biggest one-the one that matters most. Nothing else works if I am not authentic and I know this because I've tried to be everything else for everyone else and almost killed my spirit in the process.

2. intend joy

I was listening to a talk from one of my ministers online and they mentioned that living consciously can start with something as simple as making an intention every morning when you get up. I love that some of the deepest practices we have are also usually the simplest. Every morning as I rise, I raise my arms over my head and breathe; then lower my hands to my heart in prayer pose. As I do, I intend joy and it makes all the difference in my day.

3. respect personal boundaries

This post from Christine Kane really got me thinking about personally boundaries. Anyone who has been reading for awhile knows that earlier this year, I went through a period of questioning my artistic and personal direction.

What came out of the joy rebel thing, and a realization that I would never see my creative dreams and goals flourish if I didn't fully committ to acting on them. Not just kinda putting myself out there, not just talking about it, not just hoping people would purchase my work. Those are stages and they were past. It was time for the next step.

In realizing that, I also realized that part of this next step-this action phase, required firm guidelines on was and was not okay for me. I hadn't really thought about it before.

More importantly, in previous stages, I was afraid to say no to anyone because I didn't want to hurt someone's feelings. As much as I empathise with the people I connect with, I realized that's no way to run a business.

And, if I know my policies and comfort levels up front, then it's just about communicating those to anyone I interact with, not a dismissal of their needs.

So, for example, I have no desire to do boudoir photography. I have zero against it and this isn't a judgement of those who get boudoir photos done or who are boudoir photographers. I just know it's not the right direction for me.

4. give often

and always from the heart.

5. inspire muchly

Realize that true inspiration will come from living authentically, not by 'trying' to inspire anyone.

6. love deeply. put yourself at the top of the list

amen.

7. sit in silence

I have learned this doesn't have to be something set in stone. Must.meditate.3pm.everyday. I take a few minutes to center when I get in my car every morning. If I start feeling frantic at work, I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths. I end every day with some sort of quiet time-no reading, no watching TV.

No productions. Just being still. I am so much better for it.

8. appreciate it all

Sometimes, gratitude can feel like I'm thanking someone out there for bestowing me with gifts. Not very enpowering. And to be completely honest, some of the events in my life don't feel so much like a gift as they feel like a huge slap in the face. That's okay. We all have them.

I am finding that I can APPRECIATE all of my life though, the beautiful and the painful. Each experience has brought me closer to who I really am, taught me invaluable lessons and strengthened my spirit and in it all, I am learning more and more how to tap into that deep, personal, internal joy.

Getting the gift of my true self allows me to see it all as a blessing.

9. create your own magic

My experience? No one's going to do it for me, no matter how much I'd like that to happen. It means more when I create my own anyway.

10. life is art~create a masterpiece

Masterpieces don't get done in a weekend. My life matters, it's okay that I take my whole life to make it wonderful.

bonus. in it all, integrity

So we end up where we began. Integrity is about wholeness and honesty and authenticity. It's about speaking and acting from the center of yourself. It is the compass that steers the ship.

and there you have it folks.

What are your 10 commandments?