Listening to music and dancing have been my keys to joy as far back as I can remember. I may have been dancing in the womb. But over the years, I picked up a set of rules, regulations, shoulds and limiting beliefs that convinced me that I couldn't and shouldn't dance anymore.
I've never been a professional dancer and I've only taken a couple of dance classes here and there for the fun of it but my Spirit doesn't care a lick about that. My body just wants to move!
Over the past 5 years I've made a conscious decision to wake up to who I really am without the rules and regulations and I've made a commitment to myself to be who I am and to find the people who will love me for me.
I had no idea how topsy-turvy the road would be or what would be the end result but I can definitely say it's been worth it to take this journey.
This past Saturday I invited some of my favorite Master Mind sisters and Warrior Princesses over to dance to some music and claim liberation from self-imposed limitation.
We started off the evening with a 9 minute version of Liberated Woman by Ranking Ann by the time that song was over, we were already on our path to freedom. We danced off to great tunes like: Holy Ghost by The Bar-Kays , I Got You (I Feel Good) by James Brown, and No Problem by Chase & Status.
The energy in the room was amazing and joyful and inspiring. Yet, just 8 months ago I was still wrapped up in fears of letting go and dancing freely in front of others. In fact, I wouldn't even dance in my own living room because I was self-conscious of my neighbors and my husband. In my mind there was an imaginary panel of judges, something akin to American Idol and they always told me I was not good enough, I was too old, I should just "give up" and I shouldn't be listening to Hip Hop. I listened to those judges for many years.
Then, in September I had the opportunity to be in a beach house with my brothers in Florida. It was the first time the three of us were alone in the same home at the same time since we were children so it seemed only natural to remember the things we used to do when we were kids which was to listen to music and dance. I found an old-school Hip Hop channel on satellite radio and dared to turn it on and see how my brothers would respond. I remember feeling insecure and afraid, hesitant really, but I knew my brothers know the "real me" and that they would at least tolerate my wild, free-spirited nature. The music was inspiring to us all and it wasn't long before I got up to dance because it's nearly impossible for me to listen to good music with a strong beat and not dance.
Dancing in a house with my brothers standing by was a way for me to "break the ice" and to begin my return to full-fledged dancing on an almost daily basis. I was tentative, I stood off to the side, I heard the judgments and limitation in my mind and I danced anyway. My brothers didn't dance but they began to sing along to the "oldies" we grew up with and they were filled with joy to hear songs they hadn't heard in 20-30 years.
When I came home from Florida, I concluded that if I could dance in a vacation home in Florida with my brothers, I could also dance in my living room with my husband nearby. This weekend commemorated another level of my return to dance and music because I invited people over and we all danced together. I didn't hold back and as far as I can tell, neither did anyone else.
I had about 2 hours of prepared music and it was obvious that even after 2 hours of almost non-stop dancing, no one was ready to stop yet. So we got out the good old tried-and-true Millennium Funk Party CD (get it on Amazon) and we yelled out the words to classics like Brick House and Play That Funky Music while bouncing up and down and smiling.
Ultimately, that CD also came to an end and I had to gently nudge the remaining party-goers out the door sometime around midnight because it was past my bed time. The party was a complete success and I heard several people say "I had more fun than I thought I would". To think, fear could have prevented all of this from happening but luckily love came to the rescue once again.
Speaking of overcoming fear. This week I released my first piece of writing on the subject of sex. In conjunction with my We-Wow partners, we have put out a free gift page at Awaken Your Spring.com. There are 5 gifts there total including a transformational course for "Getting Things Changed" by Chris Cade and a free audio by Nick Pfenningwerth that will help you "Learn How To Clarify Your Divinely Inspired Life Purpose" and also my free download about the "One Word That Can Transform Your Sex Life Today."
I have to say that my Master Mind partners are the ones who really made it possible for me to break out of my shell enough to have a dance party and write about sex. In fact, I did some 1x1 coaching with Nick Pfenningwerth over the past few months that has been phenomenal. Nick really helped me to identify my own authentic voice, beneath all the fears and phobias I had picked up over the course of my life. His coaching was so amazing in helping me to identify the difference between my limited self and my true self. Only my limited self says I can't talk about sex or dance. My limited self is far too concerned with what other people think. But true liberation is being able to act with or without approval from others. I made a short video testimonial for Nick if you'd like to see it.
The theme of music and dancing has been well established in my life now. It seems there is no turning back to the incredibly serious and stoic life-path I had planned for myself. Just in time, the Beastie Boys have come out with a new album - Hot Sauce Committee Part Two.
The Beastie Boys, with their trailblazing, tongue-in-cheek, "be your own person" style have always inspired me to dance and to march to the beat of my own rhythm. When I'm not able to dance, I listen in my car and sing out loud. Here's a little compilation video I made of me driving in the car listening to the Beastie Boys but lucky for you...I'm not signing along.
Not only did I get to enjoy the recorded sounds of the Beastie Boys but I got to enjoy some live music and a night on the town with my husband. For both of us it was the first time at the famous Sky Room in Long Beach. I must say the view is breathtaking and the club had a great vibe.
In the elevator ride on the way up we learned a little history about the Sky Room. For example, it was "a rendezvous for luminaries such as Elizabeth Taylor, Nicky Hilton, Charles Lindberg, Babe Ruth, Merle Oberon, Clark Gable, John Wayne, Errol Flynn, Cary Grant, and other celebrities."
Here are a few photos from the evening. We were celebrating Linda Leek's birthday and I got to hang out with some cool, creative, musicians and artists including jazz singer Linda Saito, aka Linderella.
I'm loving the way I keep getting opportunities to enjoy music and dance and I'm looking forward to what's next.
Last week I said I was going to be open to incorporating sex and sexiness into my overall message. I also have been on a long run of incorporating music into my life and career and facing every fear head on, especially in regards to my public speaking and daring to use my own authentic voice when I communicate.
Well, I guess you could say I "killed three birds with one stone" because last night at Long Beach City College, I took all of my Stress Management students to open mic night and then performed in front of them and about 50 other people. There were close to 100 people there.
In 5 minutes, I faced too many fears to name and what I know is that I have just become more galvanized.
Here's a video of the performance. It's titled "That's What Girls Do" and it's my way of speaking out about authenticity, being a strong girl/woman, "don't judge a book by it's cover", stop the violence, have fun and dance...among other things.
I do some rapping in the piece, mainly from Rapper's Delight by Sugar Hill Gang. I also sing some Salt-n-Pepa, Let's Talk about Sex. I hope it helps you get galvanized. If it does, please share it with a friend. I'm looking for members to join my galvanized gang. It's much funner to dance with others.
Yesterday was my birthday and I decided to have the best time ever and to do things that bring me joy. After all these years, my husband and I have finally surrendered to the fact that I won't grow out of my wildness anytime soon. So I had him shoot this video of me lip synching, hula hooping and jumping to Suspect Device with Naked Raygun (feat. Jake Burns of Stiff Little Fingers).
I've been living most of my 45 years trying to please others and "tone it down". Although Gal Vanized had an appearance in the 80's, during the height of the Punk Rock scene in Los Angeles and a brief stint of fun with the L.A. Derby Dolls, at other times, she went deeeeep into hiding. Today is her official re-birth day.
As stated in an earlier video, I'm "gettin' too old for this B.S." and it's time to galvanize. Are you ready to get galvanized? Find out more at http://iamgalvanized.com
This week has been atypical in many ways. The song of the week, by Michael Zampelli is usually published on Tuesday's. It's three days late. To make up for it, there are three songs this week and they tell a story of what's been going on for the past seven days. It's been life-changing to say the least. Watch the video for each song one after another and see what kind of an effect it has on you.
Best Coast "When I'm With You"
When I'm With You - Single - Best CoastWatch the video on YouTube
Check out more on their MySpace page.
The XX "Islands"
Islands - Single - The xxWatch the video on YouTube
Check out more on their MySpace page.
Pendulum "The Island - Pt. 1 Dawn"
PendulumWatch the video on YouTube
Check out more on their MySpace page.
The song of the week is brought to you by Michael Zampelli, former owner of Southern California punk rock icon, Zed Records. For almost 30 years, this mecca of punk and alternative music kept Southern California enthusiasts adequately supplied with unique, original and innovative music.
Currently, Zampelli manages a hockey fan message boards at www.letsgokings.com with thousands of subscribers. He takes photos for the LAist and the LA Derby Dolls. Each week he will contribute a song with a theme, a message and a beat. Enjoy and stay tuned.
:
:
Support Get Galvanized, Visit our Sponsor page.
Every musical act has influences. The Beastie Boys and A Tribe Called Quest influenced each other. Punk bands from the U.K. influenced garage bands in Southern California and vice versa. Reggae and dub influenced each other.
What are your influences? That's what we talked about in Helping and Listening Skills this week. We came up with a great list and I liked it so much I took a picture of it.
I asked the students to tell me about the things that influence them. What do they value? Why do they do what they do; love what they love? This is the list they came up with:
Parents
Environment
-Friends
-Neighborhood
-Peers
-Religion
Culture
Schools
Food/Nutrition
Media
Mental Illness
Life Experience
-Observation
Socio-Economic Status ($$$)
Books
Music
Relationships
Friendships
Family
-Uncles
-Aunts
-Brothers
-Sisters
-etc.
Role Model
-Coach
-Minister
-Teacher
Law
Government
Health
Medication/Drugs
Language
Sleep
Fashion
Freedom
Travel
Pets
Sex
Arts
-Pictures
-Painting
-Dance
Entertainment
Perception
The point I want to make in this class is that you cannot know any of these things about yourself or anyone else unless you first learn how to listen.
A great Master Mind group is one that's committed to honoring and respecting each other and that includes listening unconditionally and without judgment. It is honoring a person to trust that they know what's best for their own life.
---------------
When you think about it, every musical act you know of is using the Master Mind principle whether they realize it or not. They are joining together as a team with a combined vision. You can use the same principle and make some truly rockin' things happen in your life.
Do you have a creative project you want to complete? Do you want to find a purpose for your life?
If so, I invite you to come over to my brand new page called Start a Master Mind Group.com. I'm offering 4 freebies to get you started so you can get a sense of what the Master Mind is all about.
There's nothing cool about holding back.
Let's talk about sex baby! That's what Erin, Ethel and I did on this week's episode of The Sheri and Erin Show on Blog Talk Radio.
Ethel's mission is to teach all girls and women about the pleasure awaiting them in their clitoris. The Sheri and Erin Show is all about enjoying life to the fullest. Since sex is something that's on everyone's mind...whether they're having any or not, we decided it's time to talk about it frankly and honestly and that's exactly what we did.
So, if you want to know how to experience more pleasure in life, whether you're having sex or not, you'll want to listen to this show over and over again until you can wake up to the fact that life is here for you to enjoy it, not to suffer through it.
Leave comments here or come and join The Sheri and Erin Show Facebook page.
----------
When you think about it, every musical act you know of is using the Master Mind principle whether they realize it or not. They are joining together as a team with a combined vision. You can use the same principle and make some truly rockin' things happen in your life.
Do you have a creative project you want to complete? Do you want to find a purpose for your life?
If so, I invite you to come over to my brand new page called Start a Master Mind Group.com. I'm offering 4 freebies to get you started so you can get a sense of what the Master Mind is all about.
There's nothing cool about holding back.