image courtesy photobucket
I have to tell you guys, I get soooo much of my inspiration for my missions from my spiritual community. Yesterday my firecracker of a minister (you like the fourth of july reference??) was talking about personal independence and how old ideas or the ideas from others pertaining to how we 'should' be can shackle us. She talked about how honoring who we are now and claiming independence from the way things used to be or someone thinks they 'should' be can release those shackles.
That really rang true for me. So much of this joy rebel thing is about claiming my independence from old ideas of how I should be or look like or create. Being a joy rebel is about being brave enough to say this is me. And my unique expression means something. And more importantly, ALL our unique expressions mean something.
Yet...I am still shy sometimes. Sometimes reticent to talk about being a joy rebel to a coworker because I don't want them to think I'm weird...er than they already think I am. Or unsure how to move gracefully away from a conversation that has turned to gossip. In other words, wwopt, as my minister would say (What WOuld People Think...).
Anyone else get wwopt??
Since claiming my joy rebely-ness, I have gotten bolder and more comfortable about being confident in my personal expressions. But, I wanted to reach out for those parts in anyone else that feels shy or unsure about expressing their unique abilities, creativity and personality as I want to reach out to the shy parts of myself.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to right your own personal declaration of independence. Your own joy rebel creed.
The joy rebel army started with a creed and I'd like to utilize it into my own personal declaration.
I declare:
*that I am a bombastic warrior chick
*that I erradicate self doubt and instead employ rampant positivity, disciplined funkiness and radical self acceptance
*that I express my own unique brand of joy, art, creativity and love.
*that I love myself NOW. that I am confident NOW.
*that I turn glorious imperfection into an art form
*that my life is art
What's your declaration?
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I would also like to thank and celebrate everyone that participated, read, shared and encouraged the first unofficially official joy rebel day! Please leave a comment for your chance to receive the joy rebel print of your choosing in my etsy shop. Happy missioning folks! (now closed)
26 comments:
i am free.
i am embracing my OWN inner artist chick!
i chose to be gentle in this journey.
i have things to share and do so boldly.
i won't 'bully' myself with negative thoughts and self doubt.
i will show myself love and compassion when i fall down.
Oh Brandi, this is exactly what I needed today. I'm off right now to write my declaration!
Thank you, as always, for your kind and generous spirit. You move me more than I can express.
I love your declaration! You ARE a bombastic warrior chick!!!
Great post! I declare that I am going to live happily ever after RIGHT NOW. :)
Great declaration! I have one already ~ it's in my sidebar.
I do WWOPT sometimes, too! You are totally not alone there, Joy Sista!
Last week I told one of my coworkers how I left random positive notes around for people to find...she looked at me as if I'd grown a third eye on my forehead during our convo!
I declare:
That no matter what anyone else does or how they think, no matter who tries to be a joy thief to me that I will live as a joybringer for all of my days here.
No.
Matter.
What.
Hey, I will not worry what people think as I skip down the sidewalks of life. As I fandango in the soup aisles. As I sing my way down the corridors of time.
I am Jannie. Hear me roar.
?
:)
your declarations are such a celebration of you!
I couldn't have found your post at a better time. I'm 'between' jobs thanks to being the latest victim of the recession after 10 years in my previous company. I'm emotionally fragile, my ego is at an all time low and I'm receiving rejections for jobs for which I'm well qualified and contracting while I'm looking for something permanent. At 52 I'm really feeling that my age is against me and I need some self-affirmation and to convince others that I'm not a blue-rinse, zimmer weilding pensioner. My declaration, (I should stick it on my resume)
I declare that:
No matter how many times I am rejected, I will always rise above with a smile on my face and confidence in my heart!
I will banish negative thoughts and stop them impairing my view of an otherwise bright future
I will focus on what's wonderful about me, my life, and my situation rather than wallow in self pity
I will persevere because under the skin I am a beautiful, young, energetic, talented,intelligent woman that has much to offer.
*breathe* . .thanks, I feel a lot better now!
Hey you,
Just wanted you to know that your love notes touched the hearts of some amazing people in Swaziland.
I have heaps of photos and stories which I'll get to sending you in the coming weeks...
Just know that you're love has spread to the farthest reaches of this world,
Much love to you joy rebel,
M
Oh yeah, I have a HUGE case of WWOPT. Still working on it here...thanks as always for the reminder that this is not the happy way to live a joyful life.
Hi, new reader here, just wanted to say that I am so happy that I stumbled upon your blog a couple of days ago! It has already been life-changing for me (especially your post, What We Focus on Expands- Wow!!!) Thank you so much.
Last night at my meditation class, I got a case of WDiPT - you know, it follows "WWOPT", "What did people think" ? I expressed how I have been really learning to live in the moment, to be present in the now and how that is helping me experience the "challenges" in my life in a different way - a way that doesn't take over my whole life, or become the focus of my whole world. Two women did give me that look that says "You are out there and I don't get you." I worked with it during the meditation and in the end, I saw the whole thing as a bit of a test of my ability to be genuine. Do I really believe what I say to be true ? If yes, then who cares what they think. I am a joy-rebel ! Hear me roar !!!
Brandi, thanks for your inspiration and your call to action ! You are really amazing !
Hey you - OOh, Ooh, OOh, I love this - you always give me something to get me moving again -
rahr!
I've got to think about this and come back - I'll let you know what I come up with!
XO
I am also a recovering WWOPT-er. Sigh...I'm 55 and it does take a while. I am so celebrating that you younger women are getting this lesson much sooner than I did. Kudos!
My creed, as well as my life passion and purpose, is to live as my truest self—as a woman who is naturally calm, clear, wise, open-hearted and compassionate. Even though I may waver from that now and then, that is who I AM in my essence. May our own Joy Rebelliousness spill over onto others and give them permission to sing, dance, work, live, love and play out this Truth too...
Thanks, Brandi. As always, you inspire and delight...
That whole idea of what others think - yep, it's easy to get shackled some pre-defined mold. As much as we may not want to, it feels "safe". It's easy to come here and feel the "rebel" within coming out. It can be another thing altogether to take that out into everyday life.
You ARE bombastic!
And I hear the roars from here (Jannie, is that you?)(actually lots of roaring - and that's this movement leaving here and going out into the world!
mel-awesome declaration!
amanda-you are so welcome. thank you for reading, commenting and supporting!
grey street-rock on. :-)
maithri-I think of you and your trip often. I am so honored to know that I could be even a small part of the amazing work you do in the world.
positively present-I LOVE that.
megg-so glad to see you back-excited to see what you come up with.
jan-by intending to be your truest self, you inspire so many to do the same. rock on wise woman.
lance-touched and honored as usual, by your kind words and wise thoughts.
kim-thank you for sharing your story! I think you inspire others when you share the truth of your life and I love that you were bold enough to be yourself. rock on!
laurie-welcome!
tinkerbell-thanks-I'll go check yours out. :-)
(((baino))) what a tough time. Rock on for shifting your focus. I also truly believe that you are wonderful and will find that amazing job for you.
julie-thanks for your honest sharings girl. :-) You inspire and encourage me to do the same.
jannie-hell, yes ROAR!
muse-thank you!
I am so happy to have a word for what it feels like to be WWOPT! Now I can soothingly say "honey, you're just wwopting yourself, be gentle." Wow, love it, thank you.
*that living my own authentic life is really the most thrilling adventure there is
*that speaking the truth, even if only to myself, has the power to transform my life
*that living my life out loud and on purpose is synonymous with creating art
*that I love finding people like you who make it feel safe and encouraging and worthwhile and full of hope
xoxo!
Brandi - I'm so glad I found your blog - exactly what I needed. I was in such a funk and this has inspired me to be a joy rebel ! To enjoy my life NOW! Thank you!
Hi Brandi...I'm on vacation reading your blog and it always uplifts me and gets me raring to do a blog post. I've needed some inspiration and writing my own declaration is it! May I have your permission to post your original joy rebel creed on my blog so I use it as a catalyis for my own declaration? I'll link to your blog, too.
Let me know. While I wait to hear from you, I'll be formulating what I am going to write. Thanks Brandi.
I'm not 100% positive about this, but I have a burning hunch that you did not come out of the womb and immediately dressed yourself in a cute little pink one-sy and walked your way out the door and into life singing a catchy tune!!! Nope, I doubt it. You had to take baby steps to get where you are now...we take baby steps all through out our entire life--including, and most especially with our spiritual life.
Just starting this blog..just manifesting your own creed...just noticing when you do or do NOT gossip are all baby steps to a more fuller and authentic YOU!
And you, Miss Brandi, never cease to inspire me to be more brave--more bold in being more of who I am!
Thanks chica.
Peace & Love.
PS My word verification is "rentski"--what a funny word! Don't forget to pay the rentski on the first of the month!
Brandi,
I loved your creed, especially the fact that you are a "bombastic warrior chick!"
I also agree with that your "...unique expression means something." It does and your lively spirit spreads to your readers, as well. Thanks:~)
briana-love your creed! Yes, living your authentic life is the best adventure ever
hi emily-of course you can share this with credit. Thank you for wanting to share it!
connie-same goes (on the inspiration part!) glad we found each other
sara-thanks so much for your feedback!
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