Just want to give a shout-out to some of my E-course Bootcamp alumni that have launched their courses since our work together. So proud of what they’ve created!
30 Day Love Your Body Breakthrough Course with Kimber Simpkins
“Do you run?” my life coach asked me recently. (She’s the one helping me step into the new Power-Fairy persona)
“I don’t really like getting my heart rate up,” I replied. Which is true. For some reason it scares me – one of the many things that make me anxious. I also don’t like to work very hard. ?
“Hmm…” she paused. “Because I’m getting an intuition that running would help you feel more powerful and more grounded. You need to remember how strong you are.”
The truth is, some part of my heart leaped when she said that. I had been secretly eyeing the runners in my neighborhood – wishing I could be like them but knowing that I’m not really cut out for it. I’m 44 years old and practically never run a day in my life. But when I see runners in the rain, I feel a special kind of longing – to be that girl all aglow with the rain on her face. Alive.
This was my chance.
“Okay.” I agreed. “I’ll try it.”
I downloaded an app called Couch to 5K which has been a nice, gentle way to begin. You listen to music and it tells you what to do- run or walk, alternating every 60-90 seconds.
I’m sore. I don’t always like it. But I do feel stronger each time.
And today? It rained. I was at the track at the junior high school when it really started coming down and a big smile came over me. Alright, I’m that girl! Let’s see how this feels…
As I walked home, soaked to the bone, I felt giddy.
How have I gone my entire life without running in the rain?
For our first prompt for the Brave Blogging course (you can still join in!) I asked my students to play with the meme that went around on Facebook for years – 25 Random Things about Me. It’s a great way to get loose and free with your writing. Here we go!
1. When I was 9 years old I dreamed of being a dancer on a cruise ship.
2. My favorite sound is when a big dog is eating crunchy food.
3. I have always been the girl to arrive at the party first and leave by 10pm.
4. I proudly stole weed from my parents when I was in high school and was mortified when my friends said, “This is shit weed! We can’t smoke this!”
5. I was the homecoming queen.
6. In my early 20’s I was obsessed with vintage photo booths and photographed myself in wacky costumes.
7. I often (mistakenly) see people with limbs missing when I walk down the street. I know, weird!
8. I’m afraid to drive at night.
9. I’m afraid to drive in cities where I don’t know where I’m going.
10. GPS changed my life.
11. When I was born, the doctors told my mother I might have Down Syndrome because of the unique lines on my palms.
12. I realized I was a grownup when Ben had his first seizure and there was no one around but me.
13. I still live with my husband even though we have been separated for more than a year.
14. This has been a gift in many ways to our healing process as a family.
15. I used to believe I was broken.
16. Zoloft kinda saved my life.
17. I met Gary Coleman in an elevator at the Beverly Wilshire hotel when I was 8 years old. We were the same height.
18. I believe in ghosts.
19. Once, a ghost spooned me while I napped at a friend’s house. When I woke up it wouldn’t let go. It was weird and scary.
20. I fantasize about being a great runner who runs in the rain.
21. I can still do the splits.
22. I cuss like a sailor in the right company.
23. I like talking to strangers.
24. I have synesthesia and see numbers as colors.
25. I often take walks during the magic hour so I can commune with the dogs of the neighborhood. It’s always the highlight of my day.
It was back in 2004 and I was having a miscarriage. It didn’t occur to me to blog about it until a friend asked. “Are you going to share about it on your site?” Then he backpedalled. “Not that I think you should! It would be incredibly generous. I was just curious.”
It must have been the word generous that got me, because I started writing that very night. It was one of those times when my desire to serve, my desire to offer my story as a gift far outweighed any fear of being vulnerable.
I was amazed at the response.
Women from all over the world sent me notes of comfort, of empathy, of love. I had never felt so connected to my community… People who had never commented before came out of the woodwork. I got to see who they were for the first time – wise, powerful and compassionate. I also realized something important about the creative work we do –
We offer the medicine we most need.
I thought I was offering my story so that someone out there would feel less alone. But you know what? I was the one who wanted to feel less alone! Don’t you love how it works so beautifully this way?
