Living Outrageously
I made a commitment recently. I committed to living outrageously. One year. One outrageous act a week. Myself along with 6 other amazing women. Each of us committed to more daring, more fun, more pushing that incredible envelope.
Its only been about month. A month that I spent in a new city. A month where I shared semi-nude photos of my body painted plus sized self. I walked around Austin in a cape and crown. I slipped the Treasure Island front desk guy a $20 for an upgrade. More are on the horizon. A whole freaking years worth.
Before this commitment, there were rules. Many of them. They governed me. They kept me safe. Sound. Sitting around with not all that much to do. Rules about what to say. What to do. What was appropriate and not. The funny thing is, I didn’t even know these rules existed until I was asked what outrageous acts I had done in my life. I had to think back to high school and college to dredge up an answer. This was unacceptable to me. I wanted stories to tell. Laughs to share. Amazing accomplishments to hold dear in my heart. Committing to outrageousness is letting me have that and more.
Each time. Every time so far...I have been nervous. I have been scared. I have tried to and talk myself out whatever the heck I said I was going to do. I have wanted to run away from outrageousness. I have wanted to hide in fear of what other people are going to do and say. I have come up with lists of reasons why each act was the stupidest thing that I could do. There was always one big, giant reason to do it. The act was one that was filled with aliveness. LIVING. Boldly. Brightly. I wasn’t holding back. I wasn’t listening to any other voice than my own. I was following my pleasure. Pushing past what I thought was good and into what experiencing what was possible. It was a choice full of life...a life I wanted to be a bigger part of than ever before.
Outrageous, for me, means pleasure. Means laughs. Conquering the fear. Screwing what others might think or say. Sharing my heart without fear. Letting myself be truly seen. It means running through a fountain. Going zip-lining. Hunting for ghosts. Flirting shamelessly. Making outrageous business proposals. Serving as awesomely as possible. Dancing foolishly. Wearing costumes. Honoring myself, my spirit and my sense of joy in the most incredible ways possible.
You don’t have to commit for the year. Or even a day. How about a moment? A moment where the rules of impropriety no longer hold you back? A moment where you choose to do what feels amazing, rather than what you think you should do? A moment where you trust yourself to know that you can handle that much awesomeness in your experience? What would you do? How would you feel? Are you willing to take the leap and find out?
I made a commitment recently. I committed to living outrageously. One year. One outrageous act a week. Myself along with 6 other amazing women. Each of us committed to more daring, more fun, more pushing that incredible envelope.
Its only been about month. A month that I spent in a new city. A month where I shared semi-nude photos of my body painted plus sized self. I walked around Austin in a cape and crown. I slipped the Treasure Island front desk guy a $20 for an upgrade. More are on the horizon. A whole freaking years worth.
Before this commitment, there were rules. Many of them. They governed me. They kept me safe. Sound. Sitting around with not all that much to do. Rules about what to say. What to do. What was appropriate and not. The funny thing is, I didn’t even know these rules existed until I was asked what outrageous acts I had done in my life. I had to think back to high school and college to dredge up an answer. This was unacceptable to me. I wanted stories to tell. Laughs to share. Amazing accomplishments to hold dear in my heart. Committing to outrageousness is letting me have that and more.
Each time. Every time so far...I have been nervous. I have been scared. I have tried to and talk myself out whatever the heck I said I was going to do. I have wanted to run away from outrageousness. I have wanted to hide in fear of what other people are going to do and say. I have come up with lists of reasons why each act was the stupidest thing that I could do. There was always one big, giant reason to do it. The act was one that was filled with aliveness. LIVING. Boldly. Brightly. I wasn’t holding back. I wasn’t listening to any other voice than my own. I was following my pleasure. Pushing past what I thought was good and into what experiencing what was possible. It was a choice full of life...a life I wanted to be a bigger part of than ever before.
Outrageous, for me, means pleasure. Means laughs. Conquering the fear. Screwing what others might think or say. Sharing my heart without fear. Letting myself be truly seen. It means running through a fountain. Going zip-lining. Hunting for ghosts. Flirting shamelessly. Making outrageous business proposals. Serving as awesomely as possible. Dancing foolishly. Wearing costumes. Honoring myself, my spirit and my sense of joy in the most incredible ways possible.
You don’t have to commit for the year. Or even a day. How about a moment? A moment where the rules of impropriety no longer hold you back? A moment where you choose to do what feels amazing, rather than what you think you should do? A moment where you trust yourself to know that you can handle that much awesomeness in your experience? What would you do? How would you feel? Are you willing to take the leap and find out?
 | Jo Anna Rothman, MA is an intuitive coach and facilitator of The Receiving Project. She revels in assisting people in falling in love with their lives. She is committed to living a life full of pleasure, purpose and enthusiasm. And perhaps most important, she knows the secret to the perfect s’more. |
To read more of Jo Anna's guest posts on Kind Over Matter click here!
9 comments:
Luvin the photo!!
It takes courage to be outrageous- you go girl!!!
JoAnna,
Sounds like so much fun. I was smiling the whole time I was reading your article. Must be great to have friends to this with as well. I keep thinking I need new friends because I feel a bit bored with my own life but no one ever wants to do anything or heaven forbid, leave the safety of the 'burbs! :)
AWESOME!!! AWESOME! I LOVE THIS!!!!!! It's CHOCK full of awesome!
Seriously AWESOME and inspiring!!!
That sounds such fun, I won't put on my thinking hat, it's too serious maybe I can find the outrageous one!
I love how you are rocking that cape and crown! Yeehaw!
Its Very Inspiring & Very Beutiful!
Aauggh, you know how I know I need to do this? Because my first thought was "Oh, that's great for her! But sounds like too much effort for me." So, clearly, outrageousness is called for here!!!! Thanks for the inspiraton. (And I am also digging the cape and crown, beautiful lady!)
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