I stand in front of the mirror with a black sharpie, with my
shirt hiked to my upper ribs. I pull the skin around my belly taut and dig the
marker into my abdomen, as I slowly begin to write the backwards B, which in
the mirror, looks forward facing.
This was my assignment from E, the transformative coach with
whom I had just spent an hour rambling about the past 4 years of my life, the
many changes, studying yoga, the issues with my marriage, and what I see as my
ideal future.
“What do you want for yourself?” She asks.
“I want a book deal,” I say without hesitation.
“You’ll get one,” she answers nonchalantly, “And it will
happen quickly.”
My heart flutters at the thought of quickly.
“But first, you need to believe on every level that this is
yours. So here’s what I want you to
do. Take a sharpie and write book deal
across your solar plexus. Write it
backwards so that you can see it in the mirror. Make the book deal an extension
of you. Literally. And invite the kids
to write a word or phrase on their bellies,” she added. “They could use a little empowerment right
now.”
After my session, the kids and I head toward the mirrored
closest doors in the playroom and write our words. My cheerleader writes “Win,” while the Dude
writes “Toys.” My little one writes “Love
and Friends,” but she is bothered by the marker and scrubs it off in the tub
later that evening.
Mine has faded a few times since Monday, but I’ve gone to
the trouble of filling it back in.
I’ve taken to my backwards Book Deal tattoo.
It reminds me of the bigger picture, beyond my current daily
grind, and the learning curve that I’m facing right now, with all of my
logistical challenges.
It reminds me that I’m entitled to pursue the things I
really want, and it allows me to feel gratitude for being honest enough with
myself to acknowledge that I really want them. How many of us bury our desires because
they’re too scary or downright inconvenient?
And now, I must remind myself to go work on my book outline,
because the only way I’m getting a book deal is if I actually write this book.
Besides, E. wants a progress report on Monday.
How do you motivate
yourself to get closer to your goals?
Have you ever
tattooed a word or phrase on your body for motivation?
And most importantly,
will you buy my book? 🙂
Namaste, Divas!
This is great!
I would buy a whole slew of your books. The thought of it makes me giddy. It’s funny that you write about this because recently, I’ve been having these conversations with people and they keep telling me that I need to fully believe and embrace my goal first, believe that I’m worthy of it and manifest it in my mind. And you know what, I put it off. I chalk it up to being busy but I have a feeling it’s more that I’m scared.
I would buy your book even though I don’t know what its about ;). I have been thinking alot lately about what I really want. Once I work it out maybe I will pick up that sharpie.
Thanks, love! I’ll be over for wine and ice cream 🙂
Oh, Christine, thank you! I think those same people who have been talking to you have been talking to me! Embracing and believing – more challenging than it should be, right?
Once you figure it out, pick up the sharpie! I love my tattoo! It’s a constant reminder of where I am headed.
Great piece and great reminder to us all. I often get so caught up in the the logistics of getting everyone through their day that I completely forget to ask the universe for what I want. Sometimes I feel guilty asking for anything because life is a blessing in itself.
BUT, I know in my gut(ha,ha)that in order to feel fulfilled in this life I need to put forth the energy for what I want out of this life-for me.
And yes I would buy your book. I look forward to that day !
I’m over the moon for this tangible display of empowerment and owning your dream, your future.
And soon!
Go. YOU!!
Love this! Several months ago I wrote the Robert Frost quote “miles to go before I sleep” on my left wrist with a Sharpie and walked around with it for days. It was empowering to see it every time it poked out of my sleeve or I checked the time on my watch, and it kept me grounded at a time when I felt like I had no direction. Sometimes I think about getting it permanently tattooed but then I realize that it’s unnecessary because I carry that message deep inside always. It’s the same for you too because you want it bad enough. I think you’ll get your book deal- you’re a beautiful writer! I’d definitely get your book. 🙂 Keep at it and good luck with your outline!
I love this! I’m actually working on a book proposal right now…sort of, I need to get back to it. I might write the same thing on my belly. How empowering! Oh, and I’d totally buy your book. 🙂
Please do 🙂
Count me in! I’ll buy your book and join you in the tattoo declaration of my wants and desires! Here’s to you, to book deals and to dreams coming quickly! Excellent!
And one more thing … how do I get that belly of yours? Should I write that on my own? xoxo
Oh you know I will definitely buy you book. I think it will be wonderful. I’ll edit it. I’m pretty good at that stuff 🙂
Absolutely, I’ll buy that book! Bull headedness gets me through most things in life.
Well, you DO have an awesome title. 😉
Maybe I need a tattoo, too. I would love one that says “book deal” but I don’t think I’d get the same “quickly” response! Maybe “clarity” would work. Though “toys” has its appeal, too. 🙂
You GO, grrrrl. 🙂
This is the best tattoo ever.
There are a lot of ambitions that I have but with being sick, being a mom, dying to find air under piles of laundry etc…all of those things that I dream about achieving get lost in the shuffle.
I need to do this. Thank you.
What a great idea!! I think you’re well on your way, Ilene, so awesome!
a) Can I have your flat belly? I lost mine a few months ago. 😉
b) Yes, I will buy your book. And when I need to empty my brain, I practice yoga or write! Same as you.
c) I don’t have any tattoos, but I almost tramp-stamped an ohm several years ago when I was depressed and looking to feel something, anything. Glad I didn’t do that.
Keep up the good work!
You are so much braver than I! I just couldn’t bare my midriff and photograph it for the world to see! I have no doubt you will get your book deal, as you have so much to share!
Regarding the bad nutrition? Once in a while doesn’t hurt, I think. We always believed the emotional lift from the joy we got from a night out was well worth the fries, cookies, etc.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Andrea – and I relate to that toggle between not wanting to ask but feeling the need to ask. I do believe we need to create space for ourselves – even though sometimes I feel selfish doing it! xo
Thank you, Galit! I am having so much fun with these “belly tattoos!” I’m on my second one! They are great reminders of the things that are important to me!
Ever since I first read your comment, I have been thinking about that quote from Frost over and over again! I almost wrote it on MY wrist this morning – because the real estate on my belly is taken! xo
And I would buy your book as well! I can’t wait to hear more about it!
Here’s to my dreams and your dreams and all of our dreams. And you are way to kind about those abs of mine!
Thanks, Denise! I edit for a living – or part of my living – but forget about my editing my own stuff. I may take you up on that!
And I would buy yours! Loving the fiction on your blog!
LOL! Thanks! I like my tile too. Clarity is a good one. Although this week, as prescribed by E., I have “A balanced life” on my abs. But I do like toys as well.
I so identify with your piles of laundry. I used this quote in a recent post and I love it: “Never let what’s least important take precedence over what’s most important.” Now, let’s go follow our dreams!
Thanks, Alison! A book idea, a sharpie, and one foot in front of the other…xo
a) Your flst belly WILL come back. I promise!
b) Thank you for the “yes” on the book buy!
c) I almost got an ohm tattoo last year but decided not to. I am glad for both of us!
Kim, I am so with you on the night out! We are going to make it a weekly or at least a bi-weekly habit. It was a welcome oasis to life! Thank you for the vote of confidence on the book deal. I look forward to getting this message of love down on paper!
Its a great quote, isnt it?! I think I need to write it on my wrist again and walk around with it some more. I definitely need the reminder. 🙂
Yes. I will buy your book…because if your blog is any indication of what’s to come in your book, I might buy a few as gifts. 😉
I love that you’re SEEING your goal in the mirror…staring back at you…reminding you of your dreams and what YOU want. 🙂 I might have to do this…
Do it! I love these – and they are daily reminders of the things that are important to me!
BTW – I am on for the #weeklychase on Monday! I was writing my blog post in my head this morning while in the shower. I have missed you guys!
When getting a tattoo i get something more appealing.
That’s cool. I also have a tattoo. And I love it!
That is a good idea for me.Surely apply this to myself. Thanks for sharing.