Beautifully Different

Reflecting happens often. Sometimes it’s by choice and sometimes it’s because there's the right amount of silence. Sometimes it’s because I’ve been watching too much Oprah.

When I decided to participate in #reverb10 I was feeling in tune with my inner reflective child; I was feeling inspired.

I welcomed the inspiration to reflect. I had/have to, the end of the year is a pointer finger away (I’ve been pointing at several dresses I’d like to wear for the new year festivities…I’ll probably be found in jeans). Why not get a head start with reflecting on what 2010 delivered and manifesting what's to come in 2011? Why reserve that activity for the 29th through 31st of December? I think the idea behind #reverb10 will do some good in my life. Though it's not required, it will also assist me with writing everyday (if I stick with it like I plan to)...

That's what I thought at 2pm on December 7th when I was drawn to #reverb10's website. It's now 8:30am on the 8th and the prompt for the day is asking a lot of me...you'll see why.

Prompt: Beautifully different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful. (Author: Karen Walrond)

What do I do that lights people up? I greet my 3 year old nephew with open arms and say his name in this funny voice I've created just for him, he giggles and smiles like you wouldn't believe.

I call my mom before she calls me (that means before 7AM) this makes her day.

I hug MinDog (she's very 'huggy'- this is good because I am too…I just never ask for them as often as she does).

I send unexpected random messages to those closest that say, “I’m thinking of you." They love it.

I bake new treats and ask friends and family to dive into the experimental deliciousness (they could be lighting up with fear but for the sake of this post I'll pretend they always light up with joy and excitement).

I've never seen it but I'm 257% positive that when my pen pal receives a letter from me she lights up...

Would it be too much to say that by walking into a room I light it up? Okay, I won't bore you with anymore of the lighting up I inspire.

Now it gets tricky and I wonder if I'm avoiding something. I CAN'T FIND THE LANGUAGE TO ARTICULATE WHAT MAKES ME DIFFERENT AND THEREFORE BEAUTIFUL. Don't get me wrong I think I'm beautiful, I think there are aspects of my personality, of my being that make me different but I can't find the language to accurately share all that I'm thinking and that scares me a wee bit.

Does the lack of language mean I don't know what makes me different and beautiful? If yes, is that ok? Is just KNOWING I’m different and beautiful enough? Do I need to be able to SAY how and why?

I FEEL the how and why.

Unfortunately, I also feel where my thought process keeps leading me is wrong or generic but I’m steadily lead to the same thoughts over and over again. So it can't be wrong!

The thoughts- By default I'm different right? Nobody is made up of my body's experience. Does that make sense?

What I'm saying is this- I'm different because I'm me and I'm beautiful because I'm me and having to break it down any further seems like an exercise in crazy.

Despite the truth in that statement I still can't shake the feeling that I am avoiding something by responding this way. It sounds too simple; too easy.

…this is where my reflection on the prompt brought me...

Already I see that #reverb10 will be beneficial. For 2011 I have already begun to manifest and further my acceptance of simplicity and allowing more of my life, my thinking to be easy...

#reverb10 is an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. The end of the year is an opportunity to reflect on what’s happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead.