Be a flamingo in a flock of pigeons

If you've been following my antics on social media, you'll have no doubt seen a theme unfolding in the form of pink feathered friends everywhere. Since recently opening the national WiRE conference in flamingo dress, hair and shoes, I've acquired myself a new nickname of "The flamingo lady", which, as I absolutely love flamingos I'm more than happy with. Not least as I'm aware of the medicine that Flamingo brings.

From Totem talk:
Flamingo teaches how to maintain balance and movement through the emotions. He aids in intuitive filtering and spiritual discernment.  Flamingo helps in bringing colour and vivacity into ones life along with increasing community activities.It signals a time to bring new life; concepts, ideas, thoughts or people into ones life. A time to discern if to work alone or with groups. Flamingo will show how to maneuver slowly and gracefully with care.

Flamingo Teaches Fear-less-ness From Within The Flock.

Flamingo is striking, gorgeous, preening and sensual—a strong symbol of flirtatiousness and sexuality. Pink represents the heart, compassion and connection. Flamingo’s pink colouring comes from diet. Without a proper diet, Flamingo pales to white. For you this means that you must nourish your heart, your compassion and your connection—to your Self and to others in the flock. Without proper nourishment, your heart will pale.
Flamingo’s commitment to flock-living does not mean “following the herd” (we’re talking Flamingo, not sheep!) or being boring. In fact, Flamingo teaches that you can be true to your Self while still being loyal to the flock. Being One with others does not have to mean losing your Self.
Flamingo’s long legs mean that it can wade into deeper waters while still touching the bottom. Remember that water is a symbol of emotions. So Flamingo models staying grounded even while wading into deeper emotions.

Wow, what powerful teaching Flamingo brings!

In my opening speech at the conference I really wanted those present to appreciate the power of being a flamingo in a flock of pigeons. After all why blend in when you were born to shine bright?

It's our duty to be the full version of ourselves, the magnificent, unique, the quirky, the unusual the ... well the bits that make you, you!

 I mean, why play it small when you can live fearlessly as the perfect beautiful soul that is you?

As a child I'm sure just like me you had dreams and imaginative musings. I could spend hours imagining and creating stories of the future. I would play with farm yard fuzzy felt making pictures of great vistas out onto the horizon, with rolling hills as far as my minds eye could take me, with bright sunshine and rainbows..... I love rainbows as much as flamingos truth be known, as for me they represent the balance of everything ( a rainbow mirrors the colours of the chakras, or energy centres in the body) and the idea of "As above, so below" or creating  heaven on Earth.

I wonder then what were your childhood dreams? as they hold the keys to something much more than the creativity and childlike wonder. They hold the clues to your true purpose. How are you bringing those dreams to life now? or have they long since been forgotten?

Here's the thing..... there is only one you in the whole universe. Think about that for a moment. Wow, no one can ever be quite like you ( even if you're a twin) nobody can occupy the space that is you. Your unique code if you like, can never be duplicated ( until science finds a way to clone people and not just sheep).

There has never before and there will never be again any human that is you. Wow you're awesome.... that makes you priceless like a one off  work of art.

At the conference I was addressing women entrepreneurs, I shared with them the 5 key ingredients to create their own success , but you know, this doesn't just apply for business, it applies for life!

I think we've already started to establish just what it mean to be you, you're one of a kind. And of course that's pretty unique in itself.

Often in life we have a need to be a part of the tribe, to fit in, to be part of the flock. And as a human being we need to belong , to be connected. Flamingo teaches us that we can be part of the flock, but also stand out as ourselves with all of our own gifts. To be connected without blending in so that we loose ourselves, and forget who we are, what we dream of and what purpose we fulfill in the world.

Our authenticity is like a beacon, when we shine bright our truth, it allows other to do the same.As a result we all grow.

I see so many times when working in large corporate businesses, that unique, authentic individuals are recruited into "the tribe" because they bring something different, something to add value, gifts to share. And then after a short month or so, these same individuals get sucked into what is considered an acceptable norm, a way of being that keeps everyone small.... like clones of one another. Of course rarely is that the intent or desire of the company, it an unwritten, imaginary rule book that is followed to the letter, that doesn't even exist... of fitting in, blending in, not standing out from the crowd. It's so sad. I always say... Be you.... Do you.... the 100% full version of you without exception.... and the World will love you for it.

Communicating from a heartfelt place, who we truly are at heart is the most engaging and inspiring way to be. Speaking with loving kindness, even when you don't agree with someone else's view of the World is so powerful. It allows for learning, understanding and growth.

When you openly share whats in your heart, it cannot be denied. No one else can ever experience life from within you, only you. Unless you share that wonder, you are denying the human race a view that only you can have. How wonderful that I might gain a glimpse  of the World through your eyes and from your heart.

Share, be heartfelt in your interactions. Be completely present with what's in your heart from moment to moment.

I love this next ingredient. Enthusiasm - from the Greek word of enthios, roughly translated as "Spirit light within". We all have a spark within us, our spirit, a spark of the greater whole. When we shine that spirit light bright we truly light up the others around us, we infect them with our enthusiasm. When you're around that energy it gives you a real buzz... it zaps you, energises you. It magnifies the energy and wow what a feeling that is. Imagine you are like a conductor of energy, you can light up a room.... or more... imagine if your enthusiasm breeds more enthusiasm... and that breeds more and more... on and on... it could light up the whole World!

The final ingredient I'm going to share with you today is passion.
There's so much I could say about passion, its the fuel, its sets the temperature. In a business sense, passion passed through people produces results. ... and the same can be said for relationships, families, life in general.

I'm going to leave you today with some wise words about passion from a wonderful young entrepreneur .

JR Alli is a 19 year old filmmaker from Toronto, Canada.
Starting young, he was always surrounded by cameras and his fascination grew from just a hobby to a full time passion.

YouTube and the internet was his escape and outlet, it allowed him to focus his energy on something he loved and become better at  film making, photography and editing.

Everything that he’s created and continues to create has been the product of hands on work and learning things on his own, no books, school or teachings.

He dropped out of film school after a single term when realised that he’d rather spend money on experiences and living life.

This is his mantra and translates to his work, everything he makes , he puts his heart and soul into.

“Even if only one person watches something I create,
 even if my work only reaches or touches a single person in some way,
then it was worth making in the end”.  JR Alli

Simply click  HERE  or on the video below

Until next time,
make every moment count,
Lisa xx