True Balance

“Everything is alive; everything is interconnected.”
~ Cicero

Do you ever sense how truly connected we are to one another?  How our actions, however big or small, however positive or negative…in some way, impact others?

Check out this silly car dancing video and inspirational interview with the creators of the Levity Project. I promise you will move through the rest of your day with a smile on your face.

The Levity Project:  Car Dancing Micro Movement

Hi!  My name is Lance Ekum, and I write regularly over at the Jungle of Life.  I have been working with Katie West and Ina Lukas, here at The Levity Project, in creating the first Levity Project Micro Movement.

Car Dancing: A celebration!  People from around the world joining together.  In their corner of the world…dancing!  In cars.  Down sidewalks.  In homes.  This video is their dance.  It’s much more than that though.  This video is our dance….for all who watch it. Celebrate! And let that dance in you, whatever it is, take new steps into what is possible!

What Does This All Really Mean?
Both Katie and Ina, from here at The Levity Project, played such important roles in taking this car dancing concept and envisioning what it could become.  For me personally, I know that doing this became much more than just some little dance in the car at a stoplight on my way through a day.

So, what has this all meant to Katie and Ina?  Read below, as I take a few minutes to ask them some of questions on the car dancing micro movement.

1.  What were your expectations going into this car dancing micro-movement?
Katie: My hope was to have fun and to spread the idea that by allowing ourselves to be seen having fun, we give others the permission to do the same.  I also envisioned the video and thought about people watching it together and smiling the same way they do when they see someone dancing at a stoplight.  My hope was that it would create a ripple effect of positivity that might fill in where moments of negativity had been in people’s lives.

Ina: I was hoping it would be fun and that people would have a great time celebrating their day.  I was hoping that people would be inspired by it and get to experience other bystanders be inspired by them.  But what happened as a result of it was far more profound than I ever imagined.  What I did not realize is how far this would take people out of their comfort zone.  Nor did I imagine the amount of inner change it would create for many of the participants.

2.  On this journey over the last several weeks, what have you personally experienced from your own moments of car dancing?
Katie: The idea for this micro movement came a while ago when I was dancing at a stop light.  Usually, I stopped dancing when a car pulled up next to me, but that day the music was so great and I was feeling so happy, I kept dancing.  After a moment or two, I realized that the two guys in the car next to me were not only watching me but dancing heartily along.  As we drove away, they gave me a thumbs up.  It was so touching and made me feel unexpectedly connected to the world around me.

What happened after launching the idea of The Levity Project’s Car Dancing Micro-Movement was that I started doing it more intentionally every time I was at a stoplight.  It felt like inviting people to a party that they really wanted to go to but were nervous to be the first ones to arrive.  It felt great to be the one kicking off a party at each intersection.

Ina: What I’ve found by being freer in my dance, is that it breaks down the walls between people.  We live in a car society where everyone is cruising around in their own worlds, disconnected from everyone else.  When you share the joy that comes out of you when you dance, you break through the barrier of the car shell, and you touch someone or make them smile and bring a human connection to their day.

The other day I was stopped at a red light next to a guy who had a little dog in his lap that was looking through the window at us.  Because of my new found courage and dropping of my walls, I rolled down both windows on his side, he rolled down his, and for a long two minute red light, my kids and I had a delightful conversation with the guy and oohed and aaahhed over his dog.  My kids were thrilled.  He was shining from ear to ear, and then we drove off to the rest of our days.  I will never forget that moment, and it never would have happened had I not taken part in this event.

3.  What feelings come up for you as you have watched the video’s that have been shared by others?
Katie: As I watch it, what stands out to me is this great feeling of interconnectedness.  And with that, I feel hope.  In a world where we are interconnected, no one is falling through the cracks.  We are there for each other.  We are aware that we are all a part of the same web so if one of us is not shining, the integrity of our whole web is compromised.  And in this way, it benefits us all to look out for others.   Watching this video makes me feel that this interconnectedness is possible on a global level.  This makes me feel a great sense of light-heartedness.

Ina: The first video that came in from Canada sent goosebumps up my neck.  It was that moment of, “Oh my goodness!  People are actually doing this!  And, look, they’re really happy!” It was totally exhilarating.  Instantly I felt the sense of  knowing that it’s our own inner happiness, collectively celebrated, that has the ability to create a global shift.  The key for me was in celebrating it with purpose, knowing that all of these other people were out there dancing in their day together.  It made me realize the potential power that creating this concept of a Micro-Movement can have on global scale.  When you take away the time and location barriers, any person any where in the world can take action as an agent of social change, and be banded together with the rest of The Levity Project Players as one movement immersed in the power and importance of fun.

I love to be inspired, and each person that took part in this was an inspiration to me.  I was moved by each video because almost everyone that did this stepped out of their comfort zone.  For some people it was WAY out of their comfort zone.    But as you can see by everyone’s happiness in the video, they all received some sense of freedom from doing it.  That’s the miracle that always happens on the other side of your block.  When you let go of fear and go for it, magic happens that wouldn’t have happened if you didn’t take action with that small leap of faith.

4.  You step out your front door tomorrow morning.  What’s different, because you have “car danced” in public?  (i.e. what’s the lasting effect from doing this)
Katie: There is this small feeling of “I can do that”.  By “car dancing”, which can feel like a step outside our comfort zone, there is a new feeling that maybe there are other things one can try in our life.  And the comfort zone becomes wider and wider and so does our life.

And I believe that a sense of contribution comes from it.  Once you see someone’s face light up because they see you car dancing and expressing that levity, it is so evident that you are the one who created that change for that person at the stoplight or wherever we are.  And as the observer drives off, they might have a smile on their face or be laughing.  Who knows what happens next?  In a better mood, do they call someone they have been thinking about and share a laugh with them?  Did an argument just end in the car next to you because they started laughing and even dancing with you?  What ripple effects just happened in the world, because one of us was willing to boldly express the joy we have within?

Ina: For me, so much has changed because of this.  When I step out my door in the morning, I am far more aware of the potential for creating celebration in each moment.  At the times when I am driving, spaced out on autopilot, lost in some looping thought of what I have to do, or what’s going on in my life, past or future, it suddenly hits me that, ”Oh, wait!  I’m alive right now in this moment and why am I not dancing?” and I crank the tunes and dance.  And I do it boldly (especially at four way stops).

It’s made me more present to the present moment, realizing that we all have our things we do on autopilot… driving to work, picking up the kids, and we often just lose ourselves in mundane thoughts in those moments.  But when you think of how you could have that same ride to work, and instead of just worrying about how you’re going to pay your bills, you can make someone else smile or brighten their day.  You’ve just created a totally different journey for yourself.  Same commute, but now you’re an agent of social change at the wheel.  Maybe that person didn’t know how they were going to pay their bills either, but they saw you dancing and they saw you in your freedom and in that moment, they felt relief.  Or even happiness.  Or even the feeling that everything was going to be OK.  THAT is powerful stuff!  I am embracing those moments now and my life is becoming more deliciously rich (and fun!) because of it.

Lance’s Commentary: You have both touched upon that “something deeper” that draws upon the voice of our soul…that dance that is within each of us.  Perhaps it’s not “car dancing” for everyone.  It’s there, though, within all of us…that something which brings that deeper sense of bliss.  And when we are reaching that spot within us, we DO change the world around us – in amazing and beautiful ways!

Join THE LEVITY PROJECT today!

One of the definitions of overwhelm is being buried or drowned
beneath a huge mass.  Feel familiar?

My particular brand of stress is more like … suffocating skin
crawling madness. I used to be the mistress of overwhelm. The
discomfort was intense and yet there was a rush involved with
pulling off the impossible. It took years for me to become aware of
the damaging ripple effect caused by my needless Empire State Building
HIGH masochistic expectations.

The good news is you can learn to minimize this paralyzing feeling
by facing each stressful situation and taking action.

Most of the professional people I play with are confident, talented and
risk averse people who are really good at connecting the dots.
Their ability to coordinate ideas, people, places, projects and
attract synergistic energy is astounding. Their keen sense of
knowing combined with pure unbridled courage manifests a stream of
opportunities.

Often these fine characteristics and what seem like unlimited ideas,
options and self expectations can be distracting and create a sense of panic and
overwhelm.

Why?

Because people of this creative caliber can do ANYTHING.

Connecting the dots is a blessing if you are conscious enough to
apply this talent to your own “in the weeds” experience. Learning
to go with the flow when things get dicey is a tremendous gift.

You can practice moving through life with grace and slay your
anxiety by incorporating some the following ideas:

* Take deliberate action a by choosing and revisiting your
priorities every week. A list of targeted activities will help you
remain on task.

* Carry out regular self-care. This may mean taking time out to
get a haircut, massage or a soak in the bath tub. Take some alone
time to read a good book, take a walk and get out of your head.

* Visualize your ideal accomplishment, and then make a list of
tasks that can be addressed to bridge and traverse where you want
to be in the natural flow of things.

* Determine what projects you can delegate. Asking for help is
freeing. It is in our nature to want to help each other. Just ask!

* Eliminate any unnecessary tasks and activities. Do what you
absolutely must, and junk what isn’t an absolute necessity. Allow
yourself to say NO.

* Give yourself credit for all of the projects you DO complete.
(small items and incremental steps count)

* Talk to a trusted friend, life coach or mentor. Get clarity
by being with people who you admire, people who are good at
managing stress.

* Listen to Anxiety Slayer Podcasts or visit the Anxiety Slayer Blog.

The next time you are feeling overcome with a sense of impending
doom, take a deep breath, gather your thoughts and let the slaying
begin.

“All confidence is acquired, developed. No one is born with
confidence. Those people around you who radiate confidence, who
have conquered worry, who are at ease everywhere and all the time,
acquired their confidence, every bit of it.”
~ David J. Schwartz

I am facilitating an exclusive Get Focused Now Mastermind Group for Powerful Women in Business who are ready to open the door to a highly productive cycle of activity. This private mastermind coaching group will be devoted to inspiring you to get and stay motivated, improve your clarity, and increase your bottom line.

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Meeting Dates:

March 11th, March 25th, April 8th, April 22nd, May 6th , May 20th, June 3rd, June 17th, July 8th, July 22nd , August 5th, August 19th.

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Mastermind Details:

• Who: 6 Women in Business Ready to Claim their Power

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Dial-in Number:   (218) 339-3600      Access Code:    1034955#

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• Investment: $97.00 each month for 6 months  - A total of $582.00 for 12, 90 minute sessions. Save 10% if you pay for all 6 months in advance.

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You get a world-class professional coach as facilitator (me) with a group of extraordinary professional women to network and grow with.  And, you can feel good about your investment knowing that I offer a 100% happiness guarantee. If at anytime you wish to end your involvement with the group you are free to leave on your terms.

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More About Masterminds:

Masterminds were formally introduced in “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill. The Mastermind Principle is described as “the coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose, in the spirit of harmony.” Many great fortunes were earned by harnessing the power of mastermind groups.

What You Can Expect:

You can expect a synergy of energy, commitment, and excitement that participants bring to a Mastermind Group. The beauty of these intimate groups is the participants raise the bar by challenging each other to create and implement goals, brainstorm ideas, and support each other with total honesty, respect and compassion. Mastermind participants act as catalysts for growth, devil’s advocates and supportive colleagues.

The Benefits of Being Involved:

Think of our new mastermind as an advisory board for your business. Each member is committed to expanding their business and helping other members of their group to do the same. Participants help each other develop more profitable strategies, make sound business decisions, and support each other.

The Process:

In each mastermind session, each member will get time to describe one key issue they’d like input and advice on from the group. Then they’ll write down the ideas that come forth from their peers. At the end of the session, each member will state at least one action plan they’ll take as a result of the assistance they received. They’ll work on that issue between sessions and be accountable to the whole group at the next session. Because the information shared is often of a sensitive nature, every member must agree to keep our sessions confidential.

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