GRIT & GRACE tickets: www.theupliftproject.com 

Hey,Is there a part of you that you miss? 

I'm curious - is it a faint recollection? Or, maybe it’s more than ‘miss’ - maybe you’re in mourning? I know the feeling....

When we think of a lost part of ourselves, we tend to reminisce about another era of our life. For some, minds will trace time back to when they were really young and carefree, but for many the memory is more recent, such as before kids, or before an illness, before marriage, before that job, or ….. (fill in the blank). 

I believe we have many parts - many personalities, in fact. It’s a somewhat taboo topic of course as we’ve been conditioned to think of mental illness such as Multiple Personality Disorder or the movie “Sybil” (worth watching). But hear me out, because there’s a lot at stake when we don't connect to parts - the ALIVE parts within ourselves. Stakes like depression, anxiety, infidelity, and other reckless behavior (midlife crisis anyone?). Simply put, we suffer, and so do our key relationships. When we do connect, however, we begin our pilgrimage towards freedom. Towards more joy. This is the path of emotional mastery.

For example, you may be one person at work, and another with friends. One person in your intimate relationship, and another with your family. Many of you reading this know me as teacher Jillian. Some of you know me as a teacher, but as friend Jillian as well. My sisters know me as “difficult”. Ha! But as I wrote in my recent newsletter, we are so much more than the identity that has been assigned to us. You see, The human brain compartmentalizes what it sees in order to understand and have a sense of control. But our hearts know better. Our inner consciousness knows to interrupt that pattern. And the pattern has to be broken not just in how we view others, but also in how we know and understand ourselves.

I’m deeply curious about the part of you that feels unexpressed, ignored, or forgotten. There’s a list of questions I ask myself and would ask you if given the chance - try answering these for yourself - it’s a very powerful exercise. *Note that the last question may be the most important.

Who is this “other” person? What is she/he like - If you were to describe him or her, what words would use? Is it playful, passionate, fun, sexy, carefree, focused, driven, more confident, or?

What does this person believe? What’s life about for them? 

How often, if at all, does this part of you come out? 

When does she/he emerge? Are there specific circumstances at play?

and finally:

WHY aren't you this person more? 

*** the answer to this question is going to reveal something very significant: A story. Not just any old story, but one that has a more profound impact on your life than you think. And I believe it’s a very true, and perhaps at times painful one. Like all stories, however, there’s room for interpretation, and there’s few things I love more than to challenge myself, and (everyone else) on perception. Because a shift in perspective can literally change your entire life.

To begin the process of reclaiming parts of yourself - the parts that are more alive, more engaged, more joyful and confident IS a huge part of emotional fitness. And even more to the point: BEING CURIOUS ABOUT ALL THE PARTS OF THOSE YOU LOVE serves as the foundation upon which all extraordinary relationships are built. 

In the wise words of Esther Perel, “go find different parts of yourself - they’re all around your house”.

So. This is just one of the topics we’ll explore in much more depth at my event, Grit & Grace.  I intend to make this day very, very special. It’s a curated all-day event where you will learn, move, meditate, and go deeper than you ever had into who you are, so you can love more, serve more, and feel more connection. More intimacy. More confidence. (who the heck doesn't want that!?) It will be challenging (in a good way), and it’ll be a lot of fun too. And yes, there will be yoga, and hell no you won't be bored. Oh, and yes, you will be fed. Because of the super low price though, tickets are moving fast, learn more about it here.

Here's to connecting to who we are.

Love,

Jillian

*Please email me at [email protected] for more details.