Hang Around with Animals.

 

It’s next to impossible to be in a foul mood when you do.  They have an infinite capacity to lift the spirits of their human friends.  You’ll feel happier just being in their furry or feathery company.  That silly grin on your face is positive proof.

Pet a dog when you’re feeling anxious and within minutes you’ll begin to feel relaxed.  Watch a cat chase a light beam around the room and you’ll be in giggles.  Cuddle a rabbit or a hamster and you’ll get why good things come in small packages.  Sit in front of a fish tank for ten minutes and before you know it you’ll be meditating.  Listen to the birds sing and you’ll know what real communication is all about. Get on the back of a horse and you’ll understand the true meaning of balance and strength.

If you’re feeling blue, they’ll brighten your day. If you’re lonely, they’ll be there for you. They’ll teach you things about loyalty, faithfulness, dedication, steadfastness, resilience, trust.

And most importantly, about unconditional love.

Hang Out in Nature.

Get to know the wonder and magic of the great outdoors. It’s a vast and infinite playground.  And it’s all yours to explore. 

No matter where you are. No matter who you’re with. Regardless of how busy you think you are. Stop and make time. Leave. Get outside. Every day. You don’t have to go far.  Nor does it have to be an all-consuming affair. Take a ten-minute walk around the block or down a dirt road. Sit on a park bench and feed the pigeons. Go to your thinking place by the sea, lake, ocean or stream. Dig your toes in the desert sand. Run barefoot or strap on snowshoes. Soar with the eagles or swim with the turtles.  Go into the woods or climb that mountain.

Commune with Mother Earth. She lives everywhere. Even in the most crowded cities. A tree grows in Brooklyn. A bird sings in Singapore. Flowers bloom in Boston. The point is the world is a beautiful, majestic, awe-inspiring place.

And it beckons.  Heed the call Girl Warrior.

Take Good Care of Yourself.

Do whatever it takes to be physically healthy. All the days of your life. Do it for yourself. And for all the people who love you. Be active in every arena of your life. 

Find the thing that moves you. Go to the gym. Take a fitness class. Play a sport. Be part of the team. Or go it alone. Do the Sun Salutation every morning in the tranquility of your bedroom. Walk the dog after supper. Chase the cat around the yard. Climb a mountain. Run down the hill. Swim circles around the competition. Pole dance. Or plié at the barre. Go fly a kite. Or paddle a canoe.

Whatever floats your boat.  Makes you feel alive and well in your skin. You don’t have to master it. You just have to do it. Get off the couch, away from the table, or out of the bed. That’s half the battle. You need to be strong Girl Warrior. Fit as a fiddle and in fighting form.

Ready for anything.

Believe in Something Bigger than Yourself.

Know that you are connected to every living thing in this marvelous Universe. That’s a huge and daunting thought. So take it in. Fully. Breathe life into it. Wrap your loving arms around this notion until it seeps into your DNA and fills every cell. Clog your pores with this concept.

Figure out your place in the grander scheme of things. The beautiful, elegant, ingenious, creative, intelligent and precisely perfect design that dwells deep inside your soul.  And that of every single being and creature that ever was. And ever will be. Imagine that.

Honor this exquisite essence.

Whether you call it God or Gitche Manitou, Divine Intelligence or Great Spirit, Energy or Electricity, it matters not. What really matters is the knowledge that you are a part of it. You are an essential drop of water in the great big sea. A twinkle in the starry night. A slice of light in the infinite sky. Your presence is requested. Here and now. For eternity.

And you are never alone.

Be in the Moment.

Be present. Fully engaged. Right here. Right now. Don’t waste one single solitary second being anywhere else than where you are at this very instant.  For this is all you truly have.

The past is done.  You can love what once was but don’t live there.  Don’t fret over the things you regret.  Or worry about all those woulda coulda shoulda things either.  They have nothing to do with the way things are today.

The future is out there. Somewhere. But it is not yet yours. It’s merely part of the exquisite possibilities. Not the beautiful bird already in your hand. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t have dreams. Or plans. And schemes. Goals and aspirations are worthwhile. And may one day lead to your success.  But if you spend all your days living in tomorrow and squander this precious hour, then in the end you have lost the greatest gift of all.   

Awaken all your senses to “the now” Girl Warrior.  And just be.

Take Risks.

Take risks. Big ones. Small ones. The kind only you know you’re taking. This is your deal. Go out on a limb. Get rid of the safety net. Free fall. Hang ten. Step out.  And step off. Close your eyes and let go. Fall in love with uncertainty. Welcome unpredictability. Embrace the random unexpected things with open arms and wide-eyed wonder.

Don’t play it safe. Just play it with everything you’ve got. Let the cards land where they will. And then play those too. Put yourself out there even when you’d rather hide under a rug.  Don’t have second thoughts.  Or third.  Don’t let anything or anyone sabotage your efforts.  Squash your dreams. Take away your power. Don’t doubt yourself.  Not even for one second.

Take a chance. Venture forth.  Give it your best shot. Something mind-blowing will happen when you do. 

Dress The Part.

Every Girl Warrior should have a costume.  Something that is uniquely her.  At first blush, it might look just like someone else's.  Don’t be fooled.  No two Girl Warriors wear their costumes in the same way. This is your personal power suit.  Put it on. 

Strut your stuff.  Don’t apologize for the cut, color or condition.  Walk.  Run.  Skip to my Lou.  Black leather jacket.  Frilly blouse.  Skinny jeans.  Mini skirt.  Floor length gown.  A sundress blooming with flowers.  Floppy hat.  Or fascinator.  A pinstriped suit. Kick-ass boots. Red stiletto shoes.

It’s not about fashion. It’s about expression. Wearing the inside out.  It’s about attitude. Character. Originality. You are a rare bird Girl Warrior.  Know this. 

So put on your cape.  And fly.