Author: Kimberly Kingsley

I found this beautiful little yellow book called, The Velveteen Principles: A Guide to Becoming Real. It is based on the children’s story the Velveteen Rabbit in which a child’s stuffed rabbit becomes real once it’s loved enough.

She contrasts being real with objectification – where we aspire to be perfect shiny objects so we will have value. The only problem is that there is no value in this because one’s soul is always abandoned in pursuit of perfection.

This book tickles me… It is along the same lines as the “essentialization” definition I received in my sleep a couple weeks ago – shed layers of socialization and be yourself!

My spiritual development group ended last night after twelve weeks. We finished with a ritual that involved each person telling one member at a time about their strength and beauty – a bombardment of love. It was both sacred and overwhelming.

Receiving is often harder than giving. I’m still integrating the experience and smile frequently as I think of different things that were said.

The group was amazing. Each of us opened up more to ourselves – to life – and subsequently to others and the world. Last night before I fell asleep I pictured each of them as a bright colored balloon that I was releasing into the sky as a bouquet.

The “earth angel” was pink with a silver ribbon, the “bad ass” was red with a blue ribbon, the “sunflower” was a yellow balloon with an orange ribbon, the “calm, yet brilliant” one of us was a blue balloon with an earth colored ribbon. The “Teacher” was a purple balloon with a blue ribbon, the “compassionate transformer” was a dark blue balloon with a red ribbon.

We are all unique. We are all beautiful. We are all here to love ourselves and others and to bring more light into this world. I will miss this group immensely.

Friday night I saw Maya Angelou speak. She was brief – she spoke for about an hour, but I don’t think there was a person there who felt short changed or that she could have said more.

Her presence said it all – powerful, grounded, wise. She shared this African Quote: “Beware of a naked man who offers you the shirt off his back.” It reminded me that we need to love and nourish ourselves in order to truly give to others.

There are so many ways to fill ourselves up on any given day. Simply being present is nourishing – fully enjoying a beverage or the sunset will do. Being kind to ourselves in the privacy of our own minds is good too.

Perhaps just taking a moment to read this entry was nourishing – now go enjoy a beverage!

The other night in my sleep a dictionary definition appeared. It looked something like this: “The process of embodying one’s essence – Essentialization.”

Essentialization is the opposite of socialization. It involves shedding the many layers wrapped around us that dull our presence and keep us from feeling the euphoric energy of life.

Shedding is a form of alchemy. Spiritual energy is the main ingredient necessary for this process to unfold. We bring this energy into our bodies through a daily practice of connecting within and mindful breathing throughout the day. The energy propels you into a state of inner transformation, which burns off these layers to the point that they can be released.

This is an entire book – but I thought I’d share the essence:)

Has someone ever said something to you that felt like a sharp, penetrating prick? We all have aspects of ourselves that are pushed underground – shadows. Some are the negative pieces that we would rather not look at, and frankly are in total denial that they even exist, like the obnoxious self, or the overindulgent self, ugly self, etc. Just as many are the beautiful parts of ourselves that we’ve forgotten about – strong, talented, attractive.

You can tell when someone has stepped on your shadow because you either feel strongly offended (if it’s a negative piece) or inspired and envious (for the positive.)

Enlightenment begins with healing – integrating these detached pieces of our whole being back into awareness. You know this:) Looking at it stinks. Integrating it is downright uncomfortable.

But hear this – any negative piece has a positive flip side, so to make it less painful and more fun and challenging, simply focus on integrating the positive and the rest will come naturally.

Each piece of yourself that you integrate makes you more luminous, radiant and light-filled. Soon, I’ll have to wear sunglasses in your presence!

My brother-in-law Kevin sent me a gift song from iTunes called “Where is the Love” by the Black Eyed Peas with a note, “I thought you’d like this – Love, Kevin.”

It took a few moments to download – once it was ready I clicked on it. Immediately I started to dance because it has a great, soulful beat. After a few moments of elated grooving the tears started to flow.

The song opened me up to some feelings that hadn’t been processed. I find that whenever I have sadness about something it surfaces in the most unusual ways – a song, a yoga posture… An open heart means flowing feelings – good and bad, happy and sad.

Thank you Kevin – when I look around I find that the love isn’t very far away.

Surrendering is not easy, in fact, it can be downright terrifying. Surrendering to the will of life is like jumping into a flowing river – it can take you places you never dreamed of – and fast. Even though some of us would rather die than give up control, surrendering gives life and love permission to take over.

What area of your life have you been holding onto tightly for fear of what would happen if you let go? Are you ready to transform? Maybe it’s time to jump in the river and see where it takes you…

Fly, fly butterfly!

Last night I was reading A Course in Miracles, a self-study book and my spiritual path. I don’t read it as often as I used to, but find myself always picking it up around Easter.

I was reading about the Atonement, at-one-ment, where forgiveness takes us to the place of realizing that we are all one. What struck me was the description of how we need each other to evolve. It described the process as an ongoing exchange of love – I extend love to you and you reflect it back me, making us both bright beacons in this world.

The beauty is that everyone that you give love to shines it back to you – so brightness doesn’t only come from within, it is a measure of how much you love. Isn’t that beautiful!

I love you. Happy Easter.

Kim

Recently I finished my second book, “On Becoming Bright: Reclaiming Your Energy in a Demanding World.” As my dear friend and new editor teases – it’s my baby. Over the past year I have opened my heart and poured it onto the page. As a result the book is infused with love. It is my most heart based work yet. I spoke to an editor today at a major publishing house and gave him a proposal. It is a long process but I have faith that this book will get into the hands of those who would benefit from its words.

Sometimes the lesson is to leave.