Thursday, September 3, 2009

Oh, The Stuff This Chick Gets Me to Do !!!

So this incredible book was published one year ago yesterday.



Since hearing about it on many of my friends' blogs, and going out and purchasing the book myself, I have to say that it has changed my life in many ways. Not only does this book inspire me to live my life in the now, to be thankful everyday for the wonders in this life, and to connect with others in my world, but it seems to have this odd power over me.

Since this book has come into my life, I have done a few crazy things such as

- talking a good friend into driving with me into the middle of now where (Deerfield, NH) to a cafe to hear an author she had never heard of speak...

- telling a perfect stranger that I was proud of her because she had bravely taken a chance to invite an author, a woman who had inspired her but who was still really a stranger, to come and stay with her and to read from her book in a cozy cafe filled with her family and friends (Yay, DEB! - she's no longer a stranger ! ;))

- handing out rocks to an entire room full of strangers, with the intention of spreading a little love, and letting myself shine...

- writing my own obituary though I am alive and well, and then posting it on Patti's website for everyone to read

But now, this book, (or is it the incredible author herself, Miss Patti, ?) has brought me to this...


I have made a video of myself, wishing her book a happy birthday ! A Video !!!

I hate myself on video !!!!!


Really, really HATE !


I remember having to videotape myself in university reading stories to my kindergarten class, and I was totally traumatized by how I sounded, how I looked and how awkward I seemed.


I have now watched this video in disgust about six times, trying to decide whether or not to post it or to send it to Patti.


I could settle for this nice photo of me in the studio, looking not too bad, holding my bowl of cereal and bananas with birthday candles...




Or I could let go...say screw it, what's the big deal, and leave this video here for all of Blogland and the world really, to see...


Okay, please ignore the bed head, the "ems and ers", and the odd way my lips seem to be pursing as I speak, and watch me facing my fears...

(I know you will be kinder than me !)

ACKKKK! Well, at least that is over, right ?

"Life is a verb" is now my gift of choice for all my friends and family. I think everyone should read it. You should read it ! Before you know it, you will be inspired to live mindfully, reach out and connect with others, and to live this life as fully as you can in the time you are given. And who knows, maybe you will face some fears and jump out of that box too.

Congratulations, Beautiful Patti, for this great work.
Happy Birthday, LIAV !


(Oh, and Patti is having a juicy giveaway in celebration of the book's bd - send her out some birthday wishes here and you could be randomly picked for some sweet prizes !)

27 comments:

jessiev said...

what a lovely post (and video)...i, too, love LIAV. thanks so much for sharing your experiences - and your rocks!!

Kelly Warren said...

You did a great job! Patti shared your post on Facebook and that's how I found you. LIAV rocks. I also often give it as a gift. :-)

Deb said...

Oh, I am sittng here so teary. You are beautiful - inside and out. And isn't it scary the stuff that chick gets us to do. I am saying no though when she asks us to parachute naked. That is not happening! ;)

And I love the windows in your studio - natural light!

Great post, dear Rock Fairy!

Sherry said...

Rock Fairy!!!! You rock!!!
This just made me so happy to watch, like I was sitting across from you.

I know you addressed this to Patti but hang it's nice that the rest of us get to see you and hear you!

Such a happy, pretty voice...it just matches your happy pretty face!

Your way to celebrate is wonderful...I sent photographs of a big fat candle in last night's dinner...I love your candles and the fact that they were from Deb and you saved them for a special occasion..THIS was the occasion!!

Hope you do more videos...you are SO good!!!! xoxoxox

Kelly Snelling said...

everyone always thinks they look awful when in fact they do not even look slightly bad. take you, for example, with your gorgeous glowing skin. sigh. i would love to have your beautiful skin instead of this skin that it is overly tanned and abused. but, i digress! congrats on facing your fears! you did great. now challenge yourself to do it every month! lol! xo-k

Anonymous said...

Hooray for you for videotaping yourself in spite of all your apprehensions around it. You did great! Nobody notices any of that stuff but you, trust me. I think you've inspired me once and for all to go get the darned book. What have I been waiting for? I can take it with me on holidays.

patti said...

You were great Kim! How brave you are and I am sure Patti Digh will be happy to hear from you. Keep on being you, we love you!

That bowl of cereal looked pretty good by the way!!

Anonymous said...

I love this!!!! Just love it! You are such a wonderful beautiful woman, my friend. It's awesome to hear your voice...and I have always loved this book!

Julie Prichard said...

HOORAY!!! I love that you posted a a video..you're awesome!!

Randi said...

Kim, you are so cute! Never be afraid to share yourself - you have nothing to worry about. I've been lurking for about a year and your blog is a never miss for me. Every post is a winner in my book.

The Bodhi Chicklet said...

Congratulations Kim! That was great! And as a bonus, you faced a fear. We are always our hardest critic, you will see flaws that no one else will. Now that you've broken the ice, why don't you make Thursdays video days or, vlog days, chez the Queen of Arts?

Deb L. said...

WooHoo for you!!!! It's a wonderful video - you look beautiful and you should be so proud of yourself for overcoming your fears.
I visit your blog often and always find it inspiring... Deb

Olivia said...

Congratulations on your first video, Kim! I agree with the other commenters that it is WONDERFUL...we all notice things that no one else does! I do the same thing. It is great to see you move and hear you speak---YAY! Love, O

Sandy..... said...

You did fantastic~! I'm sure Patti is honored to have such a beautiful soul give tribute to her and her work.
You're an inspiration to us all~

Kate Robertson said...

Kim,

Oh I loved the video. It was great to see your face and voice together. Kudos to you for the courage it took to post this. Your next video will be so much easier....

Kate

Janet said...

I think your video is just great....warm and sincere. I have not read this book (!!) but now I'm going tomorrow to buy it because of you! You've inspired me.

Anonymous said...

What a cutie! It reminds me of how you used to jumped from coffee table to floor like a little ballerina. Always an entertainer! You are still a delight to watch and so very brave. Artist...Inspirer...Leader of the pack...and so much more.
Way to go my girl!

I love you,
Mom

Colleen in Candia said...

Kim you sure do know how to Rock! Patti posted on her FB page and I did too! XO

beth said...

oh my jumping feet.....I love you !

you just made my day !!!

since I can't meet you at squam, this was the next best thing !!!

Commuter's Journal said...

Kim, I am SO proud of you!!!

*jumps up and down and annoys offspring*

You totally ROCK! I loved your first video. Now all your loyal subjects are waiting for your State of Kim address. And perhaps a chance to see your little Miss Cupcake in action?

Beth said...

Wonderful video!
Far braver to do than my having posted that picture...

(thanks for the visit)

dharmamama said...

Kim, You asked us to ignore several things in the video, which I don't remember & I'm not going to give them the time of going back to list them...

Those, to you, were very "obvious" things, as you spoke, but I didn't even see them! What I saw was your wonderful spirit, your kindness, and your beautifully open heart. That trumps all.

I'm so glad I clicked over from facebook! Yay! for your willingness to share yourSELF!

Melissa said...

loving your vid - you's so cute! um, a, I do that too. :) Sometimes I call Sark's inspiration line and leave a message full of um's and a's. Being human is so divine!! As are you Kim.

~kiss kiss~
Melissa

Anne said...

Hi, Kim! Fabulous video! I love your studio space with all that wonderful sunlight and the pretty stained glass! Love hearing your lovely voice, too! :-)

sallyt said...

O-o-oH, how precious are you? I love that video. How courageous and real! It makes me want you to be my BFF! Now we know how really wonderful you really are. I agree with all the comments made so far about this video. You're a natural. Please make more. We want more. . . we want more . . . we want. . .
YOU ROCK, girlfriend.

arlene said...

You're brave, full of love, and beautiful!! I LOVED your post, and your video. I am proud of you for conquering your fear, sharing yourself, and living and loving big. And I am completely determined to get a copy of this book. Thanks for sharing with your loyal subjects!

hugs, arlene

Bethany said...

I'm so glad you left this.
I only recently discovered this book, but know just what you mean.
It's beautiful and brilliant.
Like you.
This video was darling and you are adorable.
I smiled the whole time.
Love your studio, those windows and plants!!!!