Be Your Own Statue of Liberty
Posted on 07. Apr, 2010 by Susan in Inspiration
I was lucky enough to plan and spend Spring Break vacation in New York City with my family. (Say it with me using the Southern accent from the old Pace Thick N Chunky salsa commercial. Remember that one? Of course.) The trip experiences reminded me of the Anais Nin quote, “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” Lately, all I see is a gift. And, by gift, I’m including but not really meaning, my giant new purse I bought the day before the trip to haul around maps, sunglasses, water bottles and other vacation necessities like four shades of lip gloss. I digress.
When I walked through the doors of Ellis Island and imagined my ancestors pulling their trunks across that very floor, I cried. How far they travelled, how far I’ve come.
I cried when I saw the Statue of Liberty from the ferry. How many immigrants looked to her as the physical sign that their new life was possible? The relief that one feels when we believe all is possible. Now.
The Broadway musical Wicked was amazing. I cried watching the talent, creativity and unparalleled magic present on that stage. Defying Gravity. I cried some more when as I watched my daughter scoot forward in her seat, eyes wide, jaw dropped in complete wonder.
So if you care to find me
Look to the western sky!
As someone told me lately:
“Ev’ryone deserves the chance to fly!”
And if I’m flying solo
At least I’m flying free
To those who’d ground me
Take a message back from me
Tell them how I am
Defying gravity
I soaked up seven days walking the streets of a city built by immigrants from every country. All striking out to create their way. I could feel their bootstrapping spirit driving the pulse of the city, “It’s all possible. Come on. Let’s go.”
Because I have been diagnosed with Wanderlust, and plenty of other things that we shall not discuss here, I tried to convince my family to relocate to NYC. Since that went over about as well as Ryan’s suggestion that we breed ferrets and have our very own Ferret Nation in the basement, I decided to bring NYC home with me.
1. Remember Your Ellis Island
We’ve all come all a long way. Instead of using the negative circumstances in your past as reasons for your misery, pat yourself on the back for living through them. What have you overcome? You are not a victim or a survivor. You are something more than that. A creator. A thriver. An architect of your life. Look at your amazing life story. Remember where you were, and how far you have come. Wow.
2. Be Your Own Statue of Liberty
Symbols of hope are nice for reflection, but nothing beats creating your own conviction. What are you a symbol of? What do you stand for? What are you reflecting to others? For example, if I had one thing to say to my tribe, it would be this:
You can create whatever you want, and it’s all possible.
What would you say?
3. Create Wicked Inspiration
There’s nothing that keeps the fire and passion for life flaming like creative inspiration. We can lose our zest when we forget to play. Create your own Inspiration Junction with this free worksheet. Get inspired. Stay laughing.
And, if you want to sing along with me, go to iTunes and download Defying Gravity here and rock it out. I can’t wait to hear what you create.
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