hopes

Do Do Do What You Have to Do!

Ola Salo

Yesterday I was lucky enough to experience an amazing concert in Gothenburg, Sweden that included Coldplay and The Ark, a Swedish band. Both acts were amazing as Coldplay's Chris Martin and The Ark's Ola Salo revealed their passions for song and expression. As I watched from about 30 feet from the stage surrounded by wildly excited fans who practically jumped out of their shoes (including me for sure!) while inspired songs rang out under blue skies, I couldn't help but think about purpose and dreams.

We human beings crave the ability to share what lies deeply within our hearts. We have things we need to say, things we need to do...and yet...sadly we all too often don't make it happen. Our dreams lay buried within and the next thing we know we can barely breathe.

In one of my favorite songs of the night, Ola Salo shared that "it takes a fool to remain sane." This hits home because the minute we give up on our creative spirit and what makes us unique in an effort to become conventional in every sense of the word, our sanity begins to slip. Salo's words then shifted to what would happen if he were to bury his dreams: "I'll become like the others who become unhappy mothers and fathers of unhappy kids....because they have forgotten to play...or maybe they are afraid to feel ashamed...to seem strange...to seem insane..."

The world we know was built  by the "insane."  Those who said it could be done when everyone else assumed it was impossible. It is easy to forget that there are visionaries behind the things we cherish...from the pyramids to our favorite cities to the arts. It is easy to take innovation for granted as we live our safe and convenient lives. The bold are those who listen to what is within...and in the words of Salo "do do do what you want to do...don't think twice...do what you have to do....do do do do let your heart decided what you have to do."

What do you want to do?  Have you found yourself buried and unable to breathe because you have forced yourself to forget? Salo says "take it to the stage...with a multicolored jacket...with your hair dyed red and blue...and then do do do what you have to do."

Wishing you a beautiful day!

- Jen Engevik

Project Be Bold


10 Thoughts on Whole Living

Sat down to read more in Whole Living Magazine and ran across page 93, written by Terri Trespicio. She shares the following 10 Thoughts on Whole Living:

1. Your body already knows how to heal itself; You just have to get out of its way.

2. Go ahead - vent a little. Think of it as a detox for the soul.

3. Good posture isn't about rigidity, but fluidity.

4. When you can appreciate being alone, you're rarely lonely.

5. Clutter is the by-product of indecision. Make sure everything in your space is there because you choose to keep it.

6. You may not be in school anymore, but there's always more to learn.

7. True sufficiency doesn't mean having plenty; it means having enough.

8. Pay attention to how you walk. Ask yourself what you're rushing toward - or away from.

9. Transform anxiety into excitement; focus not on the fear of what lies ahead but the possibilities you might create.

10. Lead with your heart, not your ego.

Tips taken from: Whole Living: body + soul in balance, September 2010 print edition, Volume 27, Issue 7,  p.93. No Place Like Home written by Terri Trespicio.

- Post by Jen Engevik of Project BE Bold


Dreams by Langston Hughes

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

Langston Hughes