I had a thought. A thought about living. I mean, really living and knowing you are living. Feeling fulfilled. Feeling genuine self-worth.
A thought about unpacking all the facets of your personality that are stored in some suitcase somewhere and setting them free. Free to roam, free to come out whenever they want. Free to be a part of your life…
I think that there is an amazing gift that is available to each and every human being on this earth. It is the gift of being able to embrace our lives just as they are, and perceive them to be good. So, why is it so hard to do?
Believe it or not, this gift is better than waking up as the perfect you that you see in your mind's eye, or living the so called perfect life you wish you had.
Chances are, most of us already have those things, and we just don't realize it.
I think we are programmed to put a part of our lives on hold until we attain some greater level of being. Wealthier, prettier, handsomer, smarter, an endless list right?
But, but but – time, is tic toc-ing away. Wasted…
What about embracing and loving the you now, before any more time slips away?
What if someone told you that you were free to live your life from the inside out?
Not from the outside in, which can confuse our hearts true desires. For example, someone asks you if you ever going to change this or that about your life. All of a sudden, you think, wow, should I be changing that? And you think this because of an outside influence. You hadn't thought about it at all on your own… Why? Because whatever it is didn't need changing to begin with.
So you convince yourself, you need to make a change that is not authentic to what you really desire.
So, I say, Inside out. What you really want. What truly makes you happy. Simplifying things.
How many factors about your life are completely molded by outside influences? Influences that make you believe you want or need something, that you really don't…
I think (just my opinion) living from the inside out allows you the freedom to feel a whole lot better standing in "your shoes," since noone can really pass judgment on your life and what works for you until they are walking in your shoes – and since that won't ever happen…
I feel more and more like I am living my life from the inside out. I fill it with what I love, and noone has the right to pass negative judgment on what they think about my life and my person. They just don't. They don't have a right to do it to me, or to you…
And if for some reason, some not so good outside idea seeps into my world, I ask myself, is that coming from me or did I let a little troll in?
We have the freedom and the power to love ourselves and our life. To be happy and satisfied, and to live our lives to the fullest, just as they are. Sure, real life stuff happens. It isn't always going to be a big party. But, it could be more often, if we operated our lives from the inside out…
For example, to me, living my life to the fullest means integrating a lot of simple things. Free things. Readily available things. Like dancing when noone is around. Letting myself go, and just feeling the music…
I feel alive and fulfilled as I break free and jump around…
Ditching my umbrella in the rain…
Being messy and wacky. Exploding emotions onto canvas. Many that I don't show anyone…
Inventing tunes that tickle the soul… (or playing the song below)
Feeling the moonlight. It's free you know…
I guess the point is, it's not so hard to have a lovely good life, if we partake in all the little things that we have at our fingertips. And, try not to get caught up in things that really don't matter in the end…
That's all.
Just a thought I wanted to share…
I have been dancing to this song non-stop. Ian Parker and Justin Bland put this very real little video together, Brooklyn brat pack mashup, which makes me smile big time. It is set to Phoenix's new song Lisztomania (Fab album! as are their others). It was a video response to a brat pack mash up video set to the same song, which makes me swoon big time too, and brings back all sorts of 80's love round me hearrrrt.
Were you wondering what Lisztomania is? Or who Franz Liszt is? Maybe not, but now you know 🙂
I am painting all night – but first, maybe another dance ;) Will you join in?
Oh and, don't forget to take a little of this next time you are twirling under the moonlight. (Mister Lovee says my hand looks like Bart Simpson's hand in this shot, haha!)
🖤,V
ps: Miss Kylee (you know who you are) started the idea of dancing on the rooftops yesterday in one of our crazy e-mails of fave songs etc… ;) Cheers with shirley temples!!
I’m always inspired by your entries, but this one really strikes a chord. A friend of mine said we are creating a handmade life, a life of our own and shedding expectations that aren’t a part of our values. I love that you consider simplicity and paring away a part of this, because the important are large and shiny and need breathing room so to speak.
Thank you so much for this lovely insight!
Cat
oh how i wish i could live the life i dream of… my personal life (husband/ children) is perfect it is just that i wish i could stay at home and be a mum and that is all. but a mortgage means that my extra $1000 a fortnight puts food on the table, pays for day care and basically sees us through.
one day…
smooches
Vanessa, what you speak of here is so true…so true. I try to live my life as best I can to be authentic from the inside out, but obligations and work often keep all of my inside from coming out. I am a work in progress. Thank you for this important reflection that we all need to be reminded of. Love, LOVE the shot of you holding the moon!!!!!!
xox
VB
Vanessa, you filled my heart with joy! 🙂
great video.. makes me want to dance too!I love your blog! You full of life and energy!
hugs
vivian
Dear Sweet Vanessa
You always say just the right thing at the right time!
I have just ended a 3 year relationship and one of the main reasons was the fact this person thought they had the right to ‘pass negative judgment on what they think about my life and my person’.
I couldn’t believe it when you wrote in your piece exactly how I felt! And, more importantly how true it is that they have no right to stop me from living from the Inside Out. Just what a need to hear to keep me going.
We only need people in our lives who like and love us as we are and if they have something to say, well, they know where the door is! No more Psychic Vampires 😀
Hugs,
Sue
x
Miss V,
You are amazing. I had an incident at work yesterday that made me very critical of myself. However, the thing is, shhh… “i kinda like myself”. Whew. said it. 🙂 Of course usually after I say it, I qualify it with, but I wish I could lose weight, wish the bags under my eyes would disappear, wish I lived in a house by the sea, wish I was never angry, wish… HOWEVER, not today!! You have given me the inspiration (permission) to be ok with me today!! YAY
And really, how can you NOT dance to that song? Thanks for sharing!
Entradas encantadoras.
Dulces besos.
Miss Vanessa Insert Middle Name Valencia!!!
You put that moon back RIGHT NOW, young lady!!
Hee, just playin, take it if you want, there’s others..
Actually, that works great for pinching the head of little trolls, too. (Dont tell em I said that)
xoxoxox
yes
yes
yes
“””live your life from the inside out”””
🙂
i say yes 🖤
to
more roof*top dancing
more sandy*beach drawing
more bike*ride*singing
{{and
what is Wrong with wearing 3 necklaces
at the Same Time
to work
at the library, i say???
and
just do it }}
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Bart Simpson?! Hahahahahaha!! I first thought it was a sort of Muppet without eyes. Scawwwwwwweeeee…the thought of an eyeless Muppet. Eeks! This post really and truly resonated with me. My husband recently finally got a job after 5 months of unemployment. He’s making a third of what he made, and you know what? We discovered so very much about each other and what was truly important in these last 5 months. It’s been amazing. I’m always wowed and amazed by life. You really have NO idea where the road will lead, but by golly if you are skipping, laughing and holding hands it all ends up right in the end, doesn’t it?! Skipping off to enjoy the day….Kathy in Chicago
Thoughtful post!
It’s incredibly hard to live from the inside out. It’s not other peoples perceptions that hold me back, but my own expectations. I hold myself to a high standard, something I’ve been trying to work on.
Ending on a light note, that is a great video! I love Phoenix, and that video is just great! I shared it with my Facebooking friends.
This reminds me of the song, Dancing in the Moonlight. We all shoud have happy feet, happy hearts and happy minds!
Thank you for sharing!
Blessings, Susan
Hi V., We should all take a little time out to Dance! Maybe every day. Taking time to enjoy the little and free things in our lives is a precious gift. I Like your post, makes a person think about digging deeper into their attic, suit case, stash or where ever! Thanks for sharing.
Sooooooooooo true, and thank you for saying it so eloquently: “live your life from the inside out”…..
Reminds of the Thoreau quote about marching to the beat of different drummer: “Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured, or far away”.
There’s truly no other way to live one’s life….
~ Carolee
Oh yes…life goes so quickly…sometimes we need to make a conscious effort to live inside out otherwise doubts can be sneaky little things creeping in and settlin down before we’ve even noticed and highjacking out lovely times of wallowing in the wondrous small things that make our lives so wonderful..
V~
YIPPPEEEEEEEEE!!
Thanks for the shout-out :-)This absolutely makes my day!!! You are divine!!
AND….Starting from today on I’m am going to live my life from the inside out….try not to let others opinions bring me down and dance a little more (tap tap) 🙂
AND many thanks for the inspiration!! I’ve got a bounce in my step today Miss V!!
CHEERS!!
Kylee
You are so wise! “And, try not to get caught up in things that really don’t matter in the end…” is very true! After my parents both passed away and I stood in their home chock full of 50+ years of marriage, none of the “things” mattered. You’d be surprised what little you keep, and that shows you what is really important.
Oh Little One so Wise, how I adore you. Every post, every photo, every piece of art just keeps getting better and better. It’s a bit like having a new baby and every day you wake up and fall more in love. **blows kisses** Deborah
What a wonderful post beautiful Venessa. I love this and needed to hear it BIG time today. Hugs, Bobbi Jo
I love your post on this subject. I have just started realizing what you talk of. That everything we need is already right here in our laps. That I just need to slow down and take it all in. And that is just what I have begun to do since Dec 08. There is a change, a wonderful change taking place. I can feel it and can’t wait to explore it more!
Love, love, love that video!! Love, love to dance. rooftops, patios, kitchens…love dancing and living from the inside out!
You’ve got me and all my girls dancing like crazies Ms. V!! Guess that’s not such a bad thing, tee hee. I needed that today, thanks!
Jamie 🙂
i just love your site and this post really brought a neat perspective. thanks for being your creative self!
Thank you for all your positive energy. You make smile.;-)
Tracy M.
Coming from someone who’s goal for this year was “To Shine in 2009”, your words have struck a chord in my heart. I was asked not long ago what my mantra to live by was and didn’t have an answer. Now I do, thanks to you!
{{HUGS}}
~Kristal
Oh Vanessa! Thanks I needed that! Tomorrow is my Birthday and I’ve spent the last 2 days with the “Pre-birthday blues. When I was reading this,I felt as if you wrote it for me.
Isn’t playing with the moon fun?
This is all fabulous! You are so right! If you wait until everything is perfect, you will do nothing. I so miss the 90’s. My twin and I were considered shy and were in college in Athens, Greece. No one could quite peg us down. That is until we first went to the discos-then we started dancing and in tandum(without knowing because that is what twins do) and then everyone said, “oh my! look at those twins! they are nuts on the dance floor!”. Well, it is more than that-we love to dance, we love all things silly, I love your shoes(I am sure she would agree as well). Now, I dance with her little boys-my nephews and my brother in law and my twin. They love art and do play jokes and laugh. This is as good as it gets! Thanks for reminding me!
xo,
merle
Lovely post :]
And amazing pictures! I especially love the one of you at the piano <3
When I finished reading this…I took a deep breath and realized it was a sigh escaping from way down deep inside. I really needed to hear this right now….blessings to you, kindred spirit!
I love your blog and your art is lovely
But I could not follow you?
Brittany
http://www.papermoonies.blogspot.com
Ohhh, Missy Vee, you are wise beyond your young years. “Living from the inside out” poetic and inspirational. You do have a way with words.
And if I had the chance to “stand in your shoes” I’d take it! If it meant I could stand in THOSE beautiful beribboned sandals, that is…
😀
xoxo,
Kate
The best things in life are available to all regardless of fame or fortune: dancing, birdsong,playing in the sun or moon or rain, smelling the flowers et al.
Banish the trolls to the otherworld.
That was very powerful! Wow, someone may need to scoop me off the floor. Those were just the right words I have been needing to hear(read). Its almost like it finally clicked… 22 years of obsessing to be better, look better, paint better, create better, have better… its exhausting! All I have to be is ME? It almost seems too simple. Hmm. Thanks. 🙂
Agreed! We are the ones who decide what our day is like, nobody else should be able to influence that. If only people would realize they have control of their feelings in the present, they can set their own mood, a lot of people would be a lot happier!
Have had this on hand for some reason, but now know why…
“Be who you are and say what you want, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
Dr. Seuss
Beautiful blog : )
So glad I found you tonight as I am out wandering around meeting new blogging friends . . . . my most recent post is a bit about finding my place in the universe, so this was quite the inspiration for me. Thanks! nina @ mamas*little*treasures
This post truly resonate with me deeply. As a child I lived from the inside out, but everyone told me I was a sassy, naughty little girl and filled my head with all of the shoulds and cautions of failure. I found myself living a life chasing after everyone else’s dreams and goals rather than my own. Eventually I became a very sad person who survived life rather than thrived in it. Today I choose to live inside out. I usually don’t read comments on every blog, but you have delightful readers who leave very thoughtful, insightful messages. xoxo I’m so excited about the party.
What a wonderful way to live life! I was just thinking this same thing a couple of days ago, not in so many words – but just how beautiful a simpler life would be. Thank you so much for your inspirational writing. You have one again taken me to my happy place!
Vanessa your soul and spirit are gifts to the universe.
I love the idea of a troll sneaking in. That is a very good reminder.
I think you are completly remarkable.
Completly.
Love Renee xoxoxo
Living your life from the inside out is so wonderful. Your living from your soul and being who you truly are. That is true freedom. I do hope you are going to do something fun on the Full Moon.
You’ve done it again. Given me sage advice that I didn’t even know I craved. It’s like therapy. I should really be paying you. Blessings on you today. I needed this. Lots of love.
Really enjoyed your musings and sentiments and watching the video, although my body wasn’t up to today, my soul was very happy and danced along in spirit. Lindaxx
Oh that song is addicting! My freddies are tapping as I type 🙂
Happy Friday Lovely!
LuLu~*xoxo
First, Your photo of the roses in the pouring rain is the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in ever so long! It takes me back to my long-lost garden of childhood….and I can smell the summer rain and rose scented air! Sighh……..so beautiful! 🙂
I try to live like that…..but am such a little worry wart about tiny things…..I think I shall try harder to be more calm and peaceful!! 🙂
OH!! And, Thanks for the 80’s danceathon!! tee hee!! I feel quite like sporting scrunched leg warmers now!! 😉
Thank you Vanessa for such a beautiful and heartfelt post. I don’t now how you do it, but you always bring magic to my mornings. And I adore the photo of all the lovely shoes! Have a beautiful day! xoxo 🙂
How is it that whenever I read one of your posts it’s as if you are speaking right to me & you manage to brighten my outlook!?! Thank you for being you!
As I continue on my Journey, I hear what you are saying and I know this to be true!! Well said dear one! Traveling with only my imagination, I am just beginning to experience “life”!! What a wonderful embrace I have received from the heaven’s.
Hugs
SueAnn
Wow. I deleted my blog 4 days ago. An effort to simplify my life. It is working. The last two nights, my daughter and I took a walk around the neighborhood. I breathed deeply, smiled and felt at peace.
This post really resonates for me. I’ve been consistently putting off opportunities that would allow me to meet and interact with new people – many of whom I’d love to befriend – because of low sel-esteem. I keep telling myself that I’ll stop doing this once I solve all my little physical and emotional problems, but my list of flaws is steadily growing in the meantime. And like you said – tic toc, time isn’t going to wait for me. Great post. 🙂
wow, what a great song! I love shirley temples and I love this post very much. Happy weekend (-:
Thanks for sharing your thought!! Happy to have come across your blog. In this post you describe exactly the goal that people strive for and rarely achieve, the end goal – that is actually HERE and NOW.
Good for you for realizing it, and then SHARING it.
Thank you!!!
LMN
I can’t play piano but I love to listen to ladies who can. Tell me you’ve heard of Regina Spektor! I love so many of her songs (on youtube):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSWsnAixoe8&
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGTDRztaCCw
Vanessa! great post..so very true! I have been focusing on living for all the simple pleasures of life lately- it makes such a difference. It’s all up to you how life if perceived! Keep in dancing! xox natalea
I have been struggling with this very issue lately. Hmmmmm, sometimes I think your here just for me!!!! teehee!!!!!~
Have a good day sweetness!
Dear Vanessa, An absolutely brilliant post. So wise and from-the-heart. Thank you. Merci. Muchas gracias, preciosa! xoxox
dear holding~the~moon
in between your fingers girl 🖤
my sweet Sweet Painting did
arrive
and it is all i can do
not
to bite into the pink yumminess!
you did so good!!
!!
🙂
man!
good thing the treat is under glass,
is all i can say
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
I know it…and I live it…most of the time…but oh it’s so good to be reminded…as always thank you sweet thing…
Wow! What an amazing philosophy. I’m going to share what you have said with all my friends. And will keep reading it till it sinks in! Best wishes
I so needed this, and am going to pass it along to a friend who also REALLY needs this.
I love that video, and may have to borrow it (saying it was from you, of course!) for my blog some day — been trying to find things that are “up” when all I feel is down.
One thing I felt when I watched the video was how much I wish I were in my 20s again, until I realized, I lived my 20’s to the absolute fullest! It’s so easy to forget things like that!
Huge hugs to you!
i love this! thank you 🙂
& i love your photos too
especially the shoes & the painty fingers…
both are weaknesses for me 🙂
Vanessa, to this I say a hearty Amen! Live your life from the inside out, indeed! Twyla
yes, yes, YES!
Great post. It’s been a while since ive checked up on my fav blogs but this post was much needed. I’m at a time in my life where i’m trying to simplify and find my place. Sometimes it’s not so easy. I guess it’s all about letting go…..
You know what? I come back to this video often because this is what I do…but alas, in private!
I dance “out loud” with my cat Boo-Boo. Maybe tomorrow we’ll go out on the roof! (Yeah, stay tuned for the 6 o’clock news on that one!) 😉
V-
However did I miss this post?
You have a way with speaking directly from your soul to ours. I read through all the comments on this one and they are all so true. How did you know? How could you know that my heart needed to hear this? That I want so much to be living the inside out and banishing the outside. Okay, maybe not banishing, but refusing to let those trolls take over.
My heart is so ready, but my trolls just won’t be still. Yet, your words resonate very deeply in my brain and I need to let them marinate some more and seep down into my heart.
I think often of how it would be if I were to leave {my job, that is}. But the fret of losing the income creates a painful black hole that has me swirling. Were it not for those pesky kids and that pesky husband I would be so living this inside out life :-). I love them though so it is all good. My time is coming…I can feel it!
You are the most amazingly artfully soul-drenching good time. Thank you for shining your moonlight ways on all of us here basking in your glow.
You move me.
xoxo
e
Thank you for having such a beautifully inspiring blog
<3 Cheray Natalie
xxx