The other day I was at the grocery store and I noticed this wine display. Imagine that?! You know that this girl loves pinot grigio but it wasn't the wine that actually caught my eye ((insert the surprised look on your face)). Plain and simple it was the Naked Grape.
"At The Naked Grape, we believe keeping it simple makes it great. We focus on what's important and strip away the rest. Start with the best grapes, don't over-think it, and let the bare essence of the fruit shine through." ~ The Naked Grape.
It was there in that moment that this contemplation was born. What if we were like The Naked Grape? No pretense. Out there for others to experience more fully. Naked (metaphorically speaking, please).
What if we were to keep it simple? Focus on what's important and strip away the rest. Start with the best (that's us, remember I believe that each and every one of us was created a treasure) and not over-think it. Let the bare essence of our self shine through.
What a difference that might make! I believe we would live closer to our truth. We would connect with others more freely. We could really be known on a deeper level. You know that freedom that washes over you when you are able to JUST BE yourself. Wouldn't it be grand if that was our norm? Our insecurities would no longer get the best of us. Our competitive natures could take a vacation. Our worry generators might actually go on the fritz. We could take off the masks that hide our true selves. We could just be. Wow - do you feel the freedom?
You ask where do we start? First of all, let me say that this "way of being in the world" is not something that will miraculously happen to us as the alarm goes off tomorrow morning. Our layers of "protection" were not built over night. Let's be frank, some of the walls we have in place were created to keep us emotionally safe. So, I trust you to know for yourself the pace at which you would like to set out on this journey of discovery.
I know some of you will be ready to dive into this exercise while others of you will need some time to work up to it. I do hope you will join us in our naked grape experience. I believe the rewards that await us are worth the trek. I've had a few "tastes" of living in splendidly safe vulnerability. It felt real. It felt good. I trust that our communities of girlfriends will benefit from the authenticity and openness that will come. I also know that it takes a few brave souls to invite this kind of "truly being known". Are you one of the brave?
I want us to become familiar with what's at our core. I want us to begin to live out of this space. What is your essence? I know ~ it's a flowery word ~ but let's just go with it for now.
Essence can be defined like this:
* the permanent as contrasted with the accidental element of being
* one that possesses or exhibits a quality in abundance as if in concentrated form
* the most significant element, quality, or aspect of a thing or person
* in or by its very nature : essentially, basically.
So, here begins our collective naked grape experience.
Let's get back to the basics. Who were we created to be in this world? What are the significant elements of our being? If we were to strip away all the layers of pretense, who would show up? I bet if you take some time to reflect on this ~ some words that describe your essence might bubble to the surface. I'm _________. I'm _________. I'm __________. You get to fill in the blanks. There are no wrong answers.
If you are having trouble getting to your essence, I want you to do this. Have a piece of paper and pencil ready. Then, I want you to call two or three trusted friends or family members (people that know the real you). I want you to ask them these two questions, "What shows up when I do? What qualities do I bring to a room?" If they ask you why, tell them that you are participating in the Less Drama Queen Naked Grape Experience. No, no, no ~ don't tell them that =) Tell them whatever makes the most sense to you. Remember to keep it simple. "What shows up when I do? What qualities do I bring to a room?" The words they share with you will probably give you a good sense of what your bare essence is.
Once, you have those five or six words that describe your essence, I want you to post them where you will see them as a reminder. If you'd like, write them on an index card and stick it in your wallet. If you dare, post them on your computer at work. I'm here to tell you that this is the easy part. Please don't shoot the messenger
Now this is where it will take all the courage we can muster. Don't over-think it. Let us practice letting our bare essence shine through in our every day interactions. Let us be intentional in saying no to our insecurities. Let us turn off our worry generator. Let us invite our girlfriends to do the same. Begin where you feel safe. As we focus on what's important and let the "non-essential, not helpful, not necessary" be stripped away, I promise others will take notice. They will find it refreshing. They might even be willing to join us in our naked grape experience.
Instead of being passers-by, we will actually experience each other more fully. Yay for that.
Deep breaths!
Letting down the masks,
Cindy
