Edie Weinstein-Moser’s Womanifesto
A Spirited Woman Sings and Dances Way Past Full
By Edie Weinstein-Moser
This morning as I was getting to ready to go to Pebble Hill, an interfaith community in Doylestown, PA for celebration of Easter, one of my favorite songs by one of the sweetest singer-songwriters I know, named Billy Jonas, came across the radio waves of WXPN (88.5 fm in Philadelphia). It's called "God Is In" and leaves no spiritual stone unturned. The lyrics always make me smile. Billy is a one man band and yet, encourages everyone to be in the band with him as he plays percussion instruments made from found objects. I love to sing and dance with him when he comes into town. Check out his website www.billyjonas.com He is most certainly our counterpart: an outrageously spirited man!
God is in the ozone layer; holier and holier. God is in the atom bomb, or at least the atom bomber's mom. God is in Chechnya, Sobrenica, Slovenica, Serbia, Bosnia, Herzegovia, Montana, Oklahoma. God is incredulous at all the stuff we do to us. God is inspired by those who fly and those who try. God is insatiable so sing and dance way past full. God is in you and me, someday God will help us see that. God is in love with love so live and love and that's enough. God is inside of you and all you don't and all you do. God is in your greatest doubt, the jury's out, the doctor's out, but. God is in, God is in, God is in your darkest sin, and out and in, and out and in, and God is in.... Goddess in.... God is Zen.... Got us in.... God is in
-God Is In from Billy Jonas Live (click to go to Billy Jonas' website and read full lyrics)
The line "God is insatiable, so sing and dance way past full.", jumped out at me as it always does. It ties in so beautifully with a few life lessons that have likewise leapt into my path over the past few days.
Yesterday I emailed my friend Lynette, who is a personal life coach, entrepreneur and body worker; herself a Spirited woman, about a matter that has had me stumped for awhile. Every day I set intention and follow through with action, more ways of taking my work out into the world and being well compensated for it. Money has been an issue for most of my life, growing up in a working class family with a father whose Depression era fears still haunt him and through osmosis, I think, have been handed down to his recovering work-aholic daughter. I told her that I have meditated, prayed, worked, seed planted, sent out query letters to prospective publishers for my writing and sponsors for my speaking gifts, made it known to the Universe in so many ways that I am more than willing to both be of service and in receipt of the flow of abundance. My work week is insane by most people's standards, unless you're an exec for a Fortune 500 company. I have been using the mantra shared with me by another friend named Bunny "Om Daksham Namah" which translates to something like 'maximum result for minimal effort'. Lynette's response was eye opening. She spoke about the knowledge that the Universe was always sending prosperity my way, but for some reason, I wouldn't or couldn't accept it because my hands were tied. What limiting beliefs, she queried, were binding me? Unworthiness for certain. Having to prove myself. After writing and teaching for 20 years or more, I think I have "earned my chops" as it is expressed in musician circles. I've paid my dues.
This morning at services, the minister, Steph asked us to participate in a ritual of choosing a stone and carrying it with us today. It represented the stone that Jesus rolled away from the tomb that had held his body, but could not imprison his Soul. He invited us to allow the stone to represent what it was that we had allowed to imprison us. When we felt free of whatever it was, we were to throw the stone as far as we could. Mine is still with me as I type this and I will release it tonight, after I sit with this for a bit. Don't want to rush the process....new behavior for me.
After celebration, I was speaking with a woman who had been there for the first time. When I told her my name, she replied that she had a great-aunt named Edie. She described her characteristics as being on the fringe for her time. I responded that she sounded like she was her own woman, regardless of what anyone thought. Then it occurred to me that this is where I have gotten stuck at times...being what others expect of me, rather than living my life as my own woman. In the parking lot, I was saying goodbye to a friend. As I was leaning in the driver's window of her mini-van, I shared the story and she told me that she saw me embodying that essence more than anyone she knew. Tears formed as I realized what an illusion that is at times. So on the way home, I formulated a manifesto of sorts in my head.
As my own woman....
I live full out, regardless of what anyone thinks. I refuse to dim my light for anyone so they don't feel uncomfortable. I accept all the abundance that the Universe offers. I forgive myself and others for perceived slights. I live with compassion both inwardly and outwardly. I see my own beauty, without the yes but's and if only's, simply....as is. I move with grace, dancing to whatever music I hear. I sing out with enthusiasm. I speak my truth. I welcome in Love in all forms. I refuse to second guess myself. I tell the people in my life what they mean to me. I keep my heart open. I imagine beyond limitations. I mirror back the beauty in others I encounter. I walk barefoot literally and figuratively. I refrain from 'guilty pleasures', only calling them pleasures. I ask for what I want always. I accept what is for the Highest Good.
I embellish my body with colors, fabrics and designs that make me feel good.
I move on when a situation warrants it.
I sit with my own feelings, not pushing them away out of fear.
I surrender to 'what is'.
I trust in Divine timing.
I unburden myself of excess baggage.
I am in integrity.
I am genuine...what you see is what you get.
I am learning to be subtle...also a new skill.
I say yes and no with equal ease.
I ask for what my work is worth without stuttering and expect to receive it.
I emotional bungee-jump, enjoying the ride in free-fall.
I stand in my own Truth.
I breathe.
So, what is your personal manifesto? If you were to live as your own woman, how would that be?
Be insatiable for the kind of life you deserve to live. Take your foot off the brake, roll back the stone, throw away the jailer's key and push past the door that you feel has kept you from being your highest self. I invite you to sing and dance with me way past full.
Edie Weinstein-Moser is a writer, free-lance journalist, speaker, creative guide, interfaith minister, reiki master, social worker, clown and practicing yogini who lives her bliss daily. She has come to realize that she 'gets paid to touch people.' She can be reached at www.liveinjoy.com
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