unapologetically ourselves
Sunday, November 8, 2009 at 4:09PM 
the patio doors were open to the dunes and the beach 10 steps away.
inside, two wonderful women armed with black paint, their brushing writing script of words we each choose to bravely not just speak aloud but to have announced on our bodies.
on the beach, women in colourful clothing wandered with cameras, partaking in activities they'd drawn from a bowl full of photo-potential.
photographing each other
lying on the ground to see a new perspective
taking jumping shots
resting cameras on logs and initiating timers to take self-portraits.
i, with LOVED written on my chest, felt really drawn to documenting all this bravery i saw around me.
we'd all gathered for the first time as a group the night before, had spent the morning sharing really intimate aspects of ourselves and our core values. it was really beautiful to see the unfolding happening in this day, where the night before in the candle lit quiet people may have been nervous but were now chatting excitedly to new friends, every single one of us stepping out of our comfort zone in some way.
there we were with our brave words on our chests, arms, necks. some words that resontated that day, some bits of poetry, some words that are of immense importance to us. it was so beautiful to see. what made me love that day even more was that none of us washed them off right away. we wandered around the village with these words unhidden.
i think about that activity a lot. some days there are words that i crave to write on my chest, wrists, arms. lately i've been aching for more balance, balance, balance. i think i'd write it everywhere in every script.
if you feel compelled to share, if right now there was a paper plate with paint, a brush and a kind friend to paint words on you...what would you feel compelled to have written on you today?
Reader Comments (13)
Sweet and thoughtful post, Viv! I would have Accepted and Seen written on me today.
solidarity.
such a beautiful post, viv. focus (/discipline)... would be the word. i'd have it branded on my chest... i feel that i need it that badly.
thank you SO much for bringing me RIGHT back to that day with your beautiful words.
today i would write "accept and forgive " on my body!
missing lovely you!
xoxo
k
tranquility.
beautiful post! I think brave and happy will do it for me.
:-)
you can rest now
(love this post...puts me right back there my dear)
Vivienne, love this potent and detailed reminder - I relished every word! I think my word is hopeful.....
Hi there!
I did an experiment a couple of years ago on my blog where I wrote words on myself and left them for the day. It came from reading about the water crystals experiment where the actual cellular structure of the water changed depending on what word had been written on the glass that held it. I like to think that I altered the structure of my cells in a very good way - and now you have too!
You are wonderful! Thank you for this inspiration!
oh how i love you so.
I.
Am.
Enough.
I would write YES!!
:) Liz is magic ~ a soulful uplifting spirit just like you ~ must have been magic spending that time together:)
i've been so wanting to read more posts about the be present retreat experience -- thank you! it was lovely...