Do you feel it? Are you feeling it? The planet seems to be experiencing a major shift. I thought, at first, perhaps I was just feeling a little “off,” or “down,” or “overwhelmed.” However, as I have mentioned this “feeling” to a few others, it seems as if I’m not the only one.

The only way to describe how I’ve been feeling is the sense that I could simply walk out of the door of my life and never look back. You know…disappear. There was a sense that I had suddenly awakened out of a daze only to realize that the life I’m living belonged to someone else. To be completely honest, a few days ago this sensation caused quite a bit of fear. In fact, I wondered if I would have the courage to write about it this week; then, I suddenly realized that this “feeling” is all part of the discussion we’ve been having.

BreakThrough in Letting Go of the Mask means to let go of any sense of pretending about what is true about your experience.

I am suddenly reminded of a book written by Paulo Coelho, one of my favorite authors. In his book, El Zahir, the protagonist, who is also a famous writer, suddenly wakes up to find that his wife has disappeared. Was she kidnapped? Did she run off with a lover? Did she meet with foul play?  “What happened?” he wonders as he leaves the police station where he is questioned as a suspect in her sudden and mysterious disappearance.

When I read the book, I remember turning the pages breathlessly waiting to find out what happens to the poor guy whose wife disappeared. As the story progresses, the reader learns that through his success he had come to take her for granted and that their marriage was like “a set of railway tracks which always stay together but cease to come any closer.” How does the story end? Well, that you’ll have to read for yourself.

Perhaps the planetary shift that we’re feeling is simply trying to wake us up to cease being who we were and have the courage to “disappear” ourselves to become who we are.

My intentions for sharing my experience are: (1) If you’re feeling something similar, I want you to know you’re not alone. (2) I encourage you to carve out the the time to sit and listen to your own soul’s rhythm. (3) There comes a time in which letting go and surrendering is the only thing you can do.

Go ahead…JUST. LET. GO!

Use this discussion board/blog to post your insights. Read and discuss the insights of others. Go for it!

In the past several weeks, I’ve been diligently working at cleaning out the corners, the cobwebs, and underneath the rugs (both metaphorically and literally). This has been a humbling experience to say the least; and it’s taken quite a bit of courage to say the most. This week, I’ve contemplated what it means to break through in letting go of the mask, and it dawned on me that for clarity I needed to go back to the basics: What is a mask?

For me, the important aspects of the definition are: to conceal, to protect, and to cover up. Take a minute to really allow those aspects to soak into your awareness. To have a breakthrough in letting go of the mask would mean breaking through the need to conceal, to protect, and to cover up. Again, take a moment to really allow this to grab hold of your awareness.

My answer to those questions would be how I have allowed certain aspects of my personal and professional life to fall through the cracks because I’ve been really busy. In my efforts to confront it all, I have noticed feelings of shame, embarrassment, and disappointment in myself and others. I recognize the need to clean it up, but I have also felt the automatic reflex of “masking” this process through trying to explain what happened by rehashing…what else?…the past. If you take a moment to honestly reflect, you may recognize how your “rehash of the past” keeps you from moving forward…

BREAKTHROUGH IN
LETTING GO OF THE MASK!!!

Over breakfast yesterday, Michal and I made a promise to ourselves, and to each other, that we would never, Never, NEVER mention the past again. We would simply let it go through a conscious decision to live in the present moment based on what we want and where we want to go versus what’s happened, whose fault it is, or how we wound up there in the first place.

To assist each other, we decided we would simply stop talking when one of us mentions the past in a limiting or defensive manner. We would fix our face in “a mask” to symbolize to the other person that the conversation is, in essence, frozen in a past moment. As soon as we’re both ready to operate from the present, we’ll simply “unfreeze.” Hey?! Why don’t you try it for the next 30 days?

If you committed to operating from this perspective, what would open up in your relationships, in your family, at your place of business, in your life? Go on…I dare you!

Use this discussion board/blog to post your insights. Read and discuss the insights of others. Go for it!

As I reflect over this past week’s events, I have been asking myself, “What does this event mean to me in the scheme of my life?” I don’t know about you, but the past seven days have been an unexpected series of ups-and-downs, twists-and-turns, with a few oopsy-daisies thrown in for good measure. Can you relate? One event stands out as a particularly interesting one given this month’s topic: BreakThrough in Letting Go of the Mask.

As I’ve mentioned in earlier blogs, the Hay House Movers and Shakers Conference was personally illuminating. Not simply because we met Louise Hay in person but mostly for the opportunity it afforded me to sit down and listen to my thoughts. One of the take-aways from the conference was a promise I made to myself that I would confront several things I’d swept under the rug during the last several months hectic pace since our May 19th premiere of “BreakThrough.”

Taking advantage of one my best features, I scheduled a day to deal with the mounting paperwork stuffed in drawers all over my office—a little optimistic indeed because the process occupied several days of concentrated effort. I emerged, however, with a deeper appreciation for myself in terms of my strengths and my areas of improvement. An unexpected by-product of my “Autumn Cleaning” was an unexpected willingness to confront interpersonal issues that I had also swept under the proverbial carpet…and, that’s when things really spiced up. Can you relate?

In a conversation that went south pretty quickly I was suddenly immersed with feelings of shock, sadness, disappointment…followed by relief. Yes, relief. Finally, the emotions we were both walking the earth stuffed into the emotional drawers of our minds were released and let go. Was it uncomfortable? Yes. Was I angry? You bet. Am I sorry? No, not in the least. Why? The childhood nursery rhyme began to echo in my brain: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me. What beautiful wisdom is encapsulated in this rhyme for children. Why are we so afraid of the words people say? Why are we so afraid of even the words we say to ourselves? Perhaps the beginning of a breakthrough in letting go of the mask is to see through the mask of words and our interpretation of them.

(A stylized scene from Waking Life, one of my all-time favorite movies)

The moral of the fairy-tale called my life: Since I’m making it all up, why not choose an interpretation of the characters in my life’s fable as reflections of myself from which I can observe and learn. As Nathalie Ekobo, one of the teachers in “BreakThrough” says, “There are no good guys or bad guys. I must’ve chosen that experience to teach me what I came here to learn.”

There…doesn’t that just feel better? Can you relate? Good! What do you need to clean up: literally or figuratively? Are you ready? I’d love to hear about it! More than that…share you story here as a comment and ask for support or use it to inspire others.

Use this discussion board/blog to post your insights. Read and discuss the insights of others. Go for it!

BreakThrough in Appreciating Who You Are

BreakThrough Blogcast – Episode 34 with Jaimes McNeal, creator and host of BreakThrough Blogcast, with returning co-host Tiffany Tatum. Tiffany, who last appeared in Episode 10 with returning roundtable guest Carmencita Perez, is a high priestess of alchemy, sound and vibration.

Roundtable Guests: Carmencita Perez and her ex-husband Tony Cruz.

As we continue September’s topic: BreakThrough in Appreciating Who You Are, it is also important to appreciate others. Carmencita acknowledged in Episode 10 that she was stepping out and trusting her voice, and in moving through her fear she reunited with her ex-husband, Tony, who joins us in this episode.

This episode is truly about appreciating each other as well as appreciating yourself and the power of forgiveness and how forgiveness can heal the world. Tiffany talks about forgiveness having the power to clear the lineage for seven generations before and seven generations to come. Listen to the harmonious blessing sung by Tiffany as she taps into oneness, love and the golden light.

To listen to episode 34 click the play › button to the left below

You can listen and/or download this episode and all of the BreakThough Blogcast episodes on iTunes.

BreakThrough BlogCast is a virtual roundtable hosted every Monday from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm CST by Jaimes McNeal, Co- Director and Featured Teacher in Breakthrough: A Conscious Documentary.

Each week, Jaimes and a Featured Guest Co-Host will embark on ExtraOrdinary Conversations with Ordinary People all about mastering life. With interaction from our Online Community, you will discover tools and real-life solutions to help you discover your greatest potential.

For information on how to listen to the blogcast live or participate as a co-host or roundtable guest please visit our BlogCast page

This month, we’ve been focusing our blog and blogcast discussions on appreciating who you are. As I sat in the workshop looking around, I was struck by the importance of our decision, because who showed up was an amazing group of people who represent the broadest spectrum of the community; there were older people, younger people, mostly women, grandparents/parents/children, committed relationships, gay/straight/transgendered, and even a few men. However, what struck me the most were the “children”—their openness, insight, and willingness to teach us was startling…they really “get it.” They see right through the B.S. we’ve been spewing!

(Performance by Sweet Honey in The Rock, one of my favorite groups of all-time)

What kind of world are we creating for our children? How have we made it safe for them to experience and express who they are? Have we simply imprinted on them the same restrictions our parents’ generation imprinted on us? It got me to thinking: If you were put in charge of a standard operating procedures manual for raising a child, what three key elements would you include and why?

Here’s how I would answer the question…

1. Always allow my child to feel his feelings.

All too often, I see parents tell their children what they should be feeling. Or, when the child is sad or upset, they try to have the child feel differently than he feels. It is imperative that children be allowed the space to experience their feelings so that they never learn to fear them. Children who aren’t allowed to feel their feelings grow up to be adults who don’t feel their feelings.

2. Always allow my child the room to explore her interests.

All too often, I’ve seen parents program their children to be carbon copies of themselves, or to be the upgraded version of everything they themselves never were. It’s important that children be allowed to explore the world (within the reasonable boundaries for their safety) without hinderance or prompting. As the parent, my job would be to provide as many opportunities for my child to experience the world based on her natural proclivities.

3. Always tell my child the truth.

All too often, parents pour ridiculous myths into the heads of their children, Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, etc. I know they may seem like harmless stories that children eventually learn to outgrow, but I just find them completely unnecessary because they teach children that under the right conditions, the adults in your life will lie to you.

…it seems to me that a breakthrough in appreciating who you are means to appreciate who our children are. What is your standard operating procedure manual for raising children? And, why? It doesn’t matter if you have a child or not, perhaps the SOP manual is for none other than yourself. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood!

Today’s blog is dedicated to our wonderful teachers: Yuki, Allison, and Eddie. Thank you for everything you taught us yesterday. As your community ally, I am committed to continuing to listen to the extraOrdinary conversation your generation is ready to have!

Use this discussion board/blog to post your standard operating procedure. Read and discuss the insights of others. Go for it!

BreakThrough in Appreciating Who You Are

BreakThrough Blogcast – Episode 33 with Jaimes McNeal, creator and host of BreakThrough Blogcast, with resident co-host Evonne Weinhaus. Evonne is a professional speaker, a communications coach, and co-author of A New Fearless You.

Roundtable guest: Sandy Moss, Life Coach and Massage Therapist

In this episode, Sandy acknowledges the courage present in the creator, teachers and students of “BreakThrough” and roundtable guests from previous BreakThrough Blogcast episodes, and as a new life coach, she talks about the courage that will be required of her as she delivers her message expressing her authentic self.

Listen in as Evonne talks about seeing your actions, thoughts, and feelings through the lens of courage instead of fear, so it becomes an internal change and then you begin to appreciate who you are. Hear Sandy demonstrate courage as she accepts Jaimes’ challenge, live on the air.

This episode will inspire you to stop comparing yourself to everyone else and truly appreciate who you are!

To listen to episode 33 click the play › button to the left below

You can listen and/or download this episode and all of the BreakThough Blogcast episodes on iTunes.

BreakThrough BlogCast is a virtual roundtable hosted every Monday from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm CST by Jaimes McNeal, Co- Director and Featured Teacher in Breakthrough: A Conscious Documentary.

Each week, Jaimes and a Featured Guest Co-Host will embark on ExtraOrdinary Conversations with Ordinary People all about mastering life. With interaction from our Online Community, you will discover tools and real-life solutions to help you discover your greatest potential.

For information on how to listen to the blogcast live or participate as a co-host or roundtable guest please visit our BlogCast page

Last weekend, I attended a conference called Movers and Shakers in Toronto presented by Hay House. The decision to participate in this conference was made on a gut or instinctive level with little to no thought or initial planning—a rare instance for those who really know me. Usually, I like to plan what’s happening, or at least see the features and benefits before coming to a final decision.

In a conversation with Maggie Holbik, of Crystal Clear Coaching, a new friend from Thunder Bay, Ontario about the possibility of her hosting a screening of “BreakThrough” in her community, she asked me if I had heard of this conference, and was I planning on attending. At the time I wasn’t, but I felt the “immediate sensation” that it was something that I should immediately jump on. We’ve all had that feeling, haven’t we? I quickly browsed the website, called Michal, and in less than an hour we had confirmed booking.

As the weeks passed, I consciously chose to not read much about the conference activities because I simply wanted to show up and experience whatever was to be in store. We landed in Toronto—a city I had always planned to visit but somehow never had—and I had the sense that something magical was about to happen. A few weeks earlier, we had received notice that we were not accepted in the Toronto International Film Festival that coincidentally was happening at the same time of the conference. “Awesome,” I thought. “Now there’s one more film festival that didn’t accept us!”

Since we’ve applied to numerous film festivals, I was determined to frame each “rejection” with a sense of excitement and gratitude instead of disappointment. I think the key to appreciating who you are is to fully embrace all of life’s experiences; the good and the bad, the ups and the down. (But really…how kewl would it have been to be in Toronto watching your own film in one of the largest film festivals in the world?! I mean, come on!!)

After meeting up with Maggie, we walked three abreast to the conference center just a few blocks away while marveling at the undeniable pulse of downtown Toronto. We easily found our destination, completed our registration, and slipped into seats near the front. After a few minutes, I needed to run to the restroom so that I could be fully present when the conference began. I walked out the door…and BAM! I nearly knocked over an older impeccably dressed lady. “Excuse me!” I begged, while righting myself as I made sure she too was none to worse for our unexpected encounter; and continued my bee-line to the men’s room. When I returned, Michal and Maggie were…they were…uh…well, there’s no other way to describe it except…buzzing. Why were they buzzing? The impeccably dressed lady I had just run over was  walking around introducing herself. Who was she? She was Louse L. Hay, the author of You Can Heal Your Life.

I laughed to myself,  “Wow. That’s how it works, huh? The two of them are aflutter and I nearly knocked her over.”

Ms. Hay sat quietly in a chair in the front row for the entire three days. As the days went by, we learned about how to become a mover and shaker in the world. The subject of our discussions were focused on how to bring your message to a wider audience. There were several powerful “a-ha” moments, sprinkled with “Wow. I never thought of that!” On the final day, Ms. Hay took the stage at the beginning of the morning’s session to speak a few gracious words about herself and the vision for Hay House.

In the end, I re-learned the power of words and thoughts. She commissioned each of us to govern our thoughts and consciously chose only those thoughts that bring us our highest good; while admonishing us about making plans. Her vision: I always make plans, but I say, this is what I’m up to unless the universe has another plan for me.

As I look back over the experience, and all the incredible people we met, I feel a deep appreciation not only for myself, but for Michal and for all the incredibly talented people who have helped us bring “BreakThrough’s” message to the world.

As a result of the conference, I committed to “Share the Wealth.” As you read this blog, sharing the wealth means I’m going to share with you a main idea from our conference in Toronto so that you receive the benefit “as if” you had been there.

So, here’s your assignment this week:

1. Commit to paying attention to your thoughts;
2. Consciously choose only thoughts that bring to you the highest good; and
3. And always remember, whenever you bump into somebody, be sure to say excuse me because that person could be Louise L. Hay.

Oh, and oh yeah…on the last day of the conference Michal bumped into the beautiful Faye Dunaway in the elevator of our hotel. Bumping into Louis Hay in the hallway and Faye Dunaway in an elevator…now, that’s what I call being a mover and shaker!

Use this discussion board/blog to post your insights. Read and discuss the insights of others. Go for it!

BreakThrough In Appreciating Who You Are.

BreakThrough Blogcast – Episode 32 with Jaimes McNeal, creator and host of BreakThrough Blogcast.  This episode takes place from Thunder Bay, Ontario, with guest co-host Maggie Holbik, the sponsor of the international screening of “BreakThrough” — which took place immediately following the blogcast.

Maggie, of Crystal Clear Coaching is a Certified Life Coach with The Life Purpose Institute. She is trained in both career coaching and life purpose coaching. Having focused on having fun, doing good and making money in the month of August, this episode starts a new topic for September — BreakThrough in Appreciating Who You Are!

Roundtable guest:  Jacqueline Garwood of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Jackie is a Career Coach and Trainer.

This episode begins by examining beliefs and how particular belief’s behaviors create results: some that work and some that don’t. In this episode, Jackie identifies relationships as an area in her life that isn’t working. She begins to uncover some of her beliefs about relationships and commits to having a breakthrough in that area.

To listen to episode 32 click the play › button to the left below

You can listen and/or download this episode and all of the BreakThough Blogcast episodes on iTunes.

BreakThrough BlogCast is a virtual roundtable hosted every Monday from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm CST by Jaimes McNeal, Co- Director and Featured Teacher in Breakthrough: A Conscious Documentary.

Each week, Jaimes and a Featured Guest Co-Host will embark on ExtraOrdinary Conversations with Ordinary People all about mastering life. With interaction from our Online Community, you will discover tools and real-life solutions to help you discover your greatest potential.

For information on how to listen to the blogcast live or participate as a co-host or roundtable guest please visit our BlogCast page

It’s no secret that one of my favorite Sunday morning rituals is CBS News Sunday Morning. I mean, the weekend isn’t the weekend until I hear the jaunty fanfare theme song by celebrated trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. The fanfare reminds me of all my years in marching band in high school and college…and it just makes me feel good, you know? You fans of the show know what I mean, don’t you? Sure…you do!

It’s also no secret that I don’t really enjoy watching nightly network news programs. For me, those shows simply blare the news at you; and the overwhelming message is fear, Fear, FEAR! Be afraid. The economy is down the tubes! Be afraid. There was a robbery/rape/tragedy here or there! Be careful. The polls say that no one agrees with anyone else about anything! Be suspicious.

…at least that’s how all those sound bytes occur to me! For me, CBS News Sunday Morning is like having the week’s slate wiped clean so that I can start again.

CBS News Sunday Morning is a show that analyzes the week’s events, from an even perspective, and takes care to broadcast stories of love, joy, and hope. At the end of every show, I always feel not only good about myself, but also about the beauty in the world around us. However, a few weeks ago there was a story by Fast Draw that really caught my eye, ears, and heart.

The story’s lead-in was:  “Ever think about meeting a famous person in history? Play ball with Babe Ruth? Wage war with Ghengis Khan? Peace with Ghandhi?  It turns out you touch greatness every day because of something you could call extreme recycling.”

“Wow,” I thought! “What an interesting take on a beautiful concept!”

It turns out that this extreme recycling refers to the atoms that we breathe, travel all around the world, and connect us intimately with every one else. It’s sort of a Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon Game – biological version. (And, yes, that’s a picture of Kevin Bacon with Bernie Madoff…a connection perhaps Bacon wishes were a few degree further away! I said I don’t enjoy network news, I didn’t say I was ignorant of current affairs…Geez!)

Each time we exhale, the atoms in the air go on an extreme journey around the world, according to Stewart Samuel, a physicist. After running the numbers, he says that if you lived, in say, Idaho, within a relatively short time, the air you exhaled circles the globe winding up in Bangkok. Of real interest, the fact that at any time the 200 billion atoms in your body were also in the bodies of notable personalities such as Shakespeare, Ghandi, Babe Ruth, and (insert your favorite personality’s name here). This means, however, that you have also been touched by such people like Hitler, Mussolini, and Dillinger. According to Samuel, this mixing only takes a few months to happen, which means you are right now connected to nearly every body else on earth! Can you feel me right now as you read this? I’m feeling what I think is you!

So, the next time you don’t feel appreciated…stop and realize exactly who you have inside of you right now. And, the next time you want to lash out because of some injustice…maybe you’ll realize that the person with whom you need to have a meeting might just be you!  Perhaps, this conversation is a perfect way to launch this month’s topic: BreakThrough in Appreciating Who You Are.

Use this discussion board/blog to post your insights. Read and discuss the insights of others. Go for it!

As we kick off this month’s topic: BreakThrough in Appreciating Who You Are - I can’t think of a better way to begin than by having a wonderful and relaxing holiday.

Traditionally in the US, this annual holiday is usually celebrated by enjoying a day free from work and school. However, as you celebrate this weekend, take a moment to appreciate not only the work you do every day but also the reasons why you work in the first place.

For most of us, we work so diligently at our work, that, from time to time, we need a gentle reminder as to the reasons why we get up out of our comfy beds each morning. So, while you enjoy a respite from the daily grind, take some time to appreciate who you are.

Historically, this holiday was won by laborers in the 1800′s whose habit it was to share their breakfasts and lunches. They worked long hours in horrible conditions to create the civilized conditions we enjoy today. Now, I can hear you all saying to yourselves, “Is he crazy? Obviously, he has no idea about the conditions within which I live and work!” And, you’re right, I don’t. However, you do. And, for those very reasons, don’t you think you a moment to appreciate yourself is in order? I do!

This year, we’ve experienced “a series of unfortunate events” that would make even the Baudelair orphans smile at their great fortune. No sooner than we recover from one major tragedy, another one strikes. The key, according to the law of attraction, is to focus on what you want; not on what you don’t want.

I recognize that this can be extremely difficult when every network television channel seems committed to shout to you how terrible it all is. Just because they’re saying it doesn’t mean that it’s true, does it? Your life, peace of mind, and sanity begins by fully appreciating all that you are.

So…breathe it in! At least for today. Happy Labor Day!

Use this discussion board/blog to post your insights. Read and discuss the insights of others. Go for it!