Download the June 2011 Mandala of the month
What does it mean for something to be “heartfelt”? By definition, it means to be sincere, open and genuine.
Are we living a heartfelt life? Do we go about our business in a sincere, open and genuine manner? I know for me, sometimes I catch myself being different depending on whom I’m with and what I’m doing…mostly because it’s scary to be and say and act how I really am.
Recently I started doing Mandala Readings (www.MandalaReadings.com) both on a general level and for individuals. I have yet to fully broadcast to the world that I’m doing them…of course now the cat is out of the bag, isn’t it. All the silly little fears about approval, rejection, ridicule, etc. have stopped me from fully jumping into the deep end of the pool with letting people know that my mandala art has taken me to a new and exciting level. The amazing thing for me has been that the more I do these readings, the more acceptance and approval I’m receiving.
I watched a video of a woman talking to an audience telling them that as soon as she accepted her “freak-ness”, that’s when she could drop the fears and limitations of who she was; it gave her freedom. She could stop hiding behind a false persona and finally be genuine and true to herself.
How many of us let the fear of what others think and say affect how we are? I know my hand is raised. When I catch that happening, I remind myself of a simple mantra…so what. So what if others think I’m weird/strange/odd. Because as many people who think I’m weird, there are that many and more who fully appreciate and love who I am and what I do.
So back to heartfelt. What does it mean to live a heartfelt life? It means connecting more with our true passion, our heart’s desire without the fear and judgment that the mind often interjects. It means being genuine.
Yes, I know the fears will pop up. The trick is to recognize them, even talk to them. When we can bring them to the light of day they often diminish and can even disappear. I have this strong suspicion that most people who disapprove of others for truly expressing themselves, really harbor their own fears about being true to themselves for fear of the very same ridicule. How silly is that? 🙂
Two wonderful books that helped me handle fear are “Love is Letting Go of Fear” by Gerald Jampolsky and “Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway” by Susan Jeffers.
So here’s what we can do. Start with baby steps, pushing the envelope a little further each time or we can be really brave and just take a flying leap. If we stumble, just get up, figure out how to do it better next time, and then continue onward and upward. Remember and adopt easy mantras like “so what”, “keep moving forward”, “I can handle this”, and “it’s not brave unless you’re scared.” Most people will forgive and honor anything as long as we come from a genuine, sincere, and heartfelt place.
Ponder what heartfelt means to you as you color this month’s mandala of the month.
Also…be sure to check out Section 6 of the Mandala of the Year.
Happy Coloring!
joyfully, Maureen, The Mandala Lady
Mandala of the Month 
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