Messages come to me in all forms. Some in dreams. Some in meditation. Some in the shower. This one presented itself while my eyes were closed and came careening through with such power that I knew I needed to heed it.
“I am not just an optimist. I am an Opti-Mystic who sees the world through the eyes of possibility.” It sent chills through me and I knew in that ‘holy shift’ moment that I needed to claim it as an aspect of my identity. What has transpired is nothing short of miraculous.
I wrote this on my 56th birthday, which was five years ago:
“This morning, I woke up to a glorious surprise. Julian Lennon had reposted one of my quotes on his page. By now, it has been sent worldwide and humbly, I can say that something I have written has actually gone viral since many thousands of people have seen it. One of the most amazing things about it is that I had no clue that I was on his radar screen until a friend told me about it. Another friend Teresa J. Phillips of Believe in the Moment had designed the meme earlier in the year with the photograph created by Beata Bieniak and then Positive Magazine got ahold of it and then Julian apparently picked it up there. Spirit was clearly working behind the scenes in the midst of my internal (mostly) and sometimes external kvetching (Yiddish for ‘complaining or whining’) that my work wasn’t being visible enough. The Universe is chuckling at my disbelief and I am laughing along, as I am starting to get the cosmic joke.”
Now, all these years later, people have been sending it to me, astounded that it has spontaneously shown up in their feed.
What does it mean to me to be an Opti-Mystic?
- Awakening each day to something new and exciting
- Turning what might otherwise be mundane into marvelous fun
- Considering that challenges are really exercise equipment that will make me stronger and more flexible
- Meeting kindred spirits everywhere I go
- Remembering that I have gotten through everything that has ever happened in my life because I am here to talk about it
- Being willing to stare down my shadow side
- Allowing for a full range of human emotions
- Admitting that I don’t have all the answers
- Re-evaluating the choices I have made and when need be, to choose again
- Making a difference in the world
- Showing up, standing up and speaking out
- Listening to my body when it gives me warnings and wakeup calls
- Planting seeds for what I want, cultivating the garden and then stepping back to allow them to grow
- Paying attention to dreams and waking messages
- Facing fierce fears
- Being willing to apologize and make amends
- Re-writing the narrative I have scripted
- Asking for what I need without feeling needy
- Being willing to hear yes or no as responses
- Practicing rigorous honesty
- Immersing in deep self-care
- Celebrating cosmic coincidence
- Being a conscious co-creator with the Universe
- Welcoming abundance in all forms
- Living as a human sparkler
- Splashing about in love soup
- Dancing to the music of my soul
- Surrendering to what is
- Being the mistress of my own bliss
- Being willing to blaze my own trail
- Honoring my own heart as I do those of others
- Appreciating the woman in the mirror as she becomes ‘seasoned’
- Inviting others to play with me at our mutual comfort level
- Taking time to simply BE
What does it mean to you?
“Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.”
“It isn’t all over; everything has not been invented; the human adventure is just beginning.”
“Those who wish to sing, always find a song.”
“Every problem has a gift for you in its hands.”
Photo credit: Beata Beniak
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Talk to you soon.
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Image courtesy of the author.