BLOG

Super Moon

Day 28 of 90     As I looked at the Super Moon today, I was thinking of You. How you, and I and everyone on earth can look up and see the same moon. We are scattered all over the globe, yet we are so connected.

In the video, I sing you a love song – Jimmy Durante’s theme song I’ll Be Seeing You. Jimmy sang of people who were far apart. Like you and me.

Well, it may SEEM like we are far apart – that distance and time zones come between us. But it isn’t true. We are one people. One heart beating. If you are quiet, you can hear the earth singing one song.

Scientists tell us that we are all literally connected, in some amazing way. If you are happy, it ripples out into the world. If you are in pain, it is my pain, too. When cousin Ric Colonna was in the ICU, I could feel it in my world. Just like he could feel the strength of our love and prayers. It’s real.

So today, as I look up at the moon, I think of you. All the funny moments, the beautiful places we’ve been, the sunny days, the work we did together. I treasure those, and along with that, I cherish how strong and good you are in the hard times. When we have to pull it together. Like when we gather to hear the doctors’ news and what it means for our future. Or last week, when we got the call that our friend Jane McGarvey died suddenly. How you gathered then, and sang, and wept. That’s part of my journey, too.

Because the Thanksgiving feasts, birthday parties and dance recitals are wonderful. But it is the love that matters. Real love heals all things, endures all things, believes all things, hopes all things, breaks every chain, and ALWAYS wins in the end.

JOY Principle – Good times or bad, it’s our Journey of Love. We are in it together. And I count it all Joy.

Let It Go!



Day 26 of 90 Gathering some stuff to donate to charity, I bagged up used clothing and household items that we don’t need anymore. I started thinking… It’s the same with limiting beliefs. There are a BUNCH of old limiting beliefs that I don’t need anymore. I’ve had them for years. They are all worn out. These beliefs don’t fit me anymore. Beliefs like “I’m not good enough… That’s too big for me. I can’t do it… It’s all their fault.” And my personal bugaboo, “I better shut up. If I say it, I might hurt someone’s FEELINGS!”

Well, it’s time for me to let those beliefs go, like worn out old clothes. Time to put on some new beliefs. “Yes, I can do hard things. I can speak up. I can be really ME, and stop hiding.”

Funny, I found that people LIKE me, when I actually show up and be me. It moves me to tears, sometimes. When I take a chance, and let people inside my wall, I found there is so much love, it takes my breath away. I walk into church, look at a Facebook post, or turn on Skype and see YOU – the people I love so much. Thank you for sharing the Journey of life with me.

Hey, what if we all rummaged around in our closets, found some old beliefs we don’t need anymore. We could bag them up and take them away. You know the ones. We could get some shiny new beliefs. Like “We are ALL different, and that’s FUN!” and “I love you!” Those are two of my favorites. 🙂 What are YOUR favorites?

Joy Principle: I remove old limiting beliefs from my mind, Let it Go, and WALK AWAY. I embrace new beliefs that work much better. Words of life, hope & love. Words that lift and heal. I choose JOY, every day. And it is so.

Day 25 of 90 Veterans, Love & Joy

post-6-photo

THANK You Veterans! Today we remember those who have served in the military. Heartfelt love and thanks for defending the cause of freedom. Veterans fought for our right to BE a nation. You defend our right to vote and our right to disagree. I honor you. I am proud of you. I want us to BE a PEOPLE worthy of your sacrifice.

There are those who WANT us to fight and hurt each other. THEY are my enemy. Not you against me. Yes, there are two sides. Love or hate. Build or destroy.

Those who hate, want US to hate. To hurt each other. They organize fights and get the media to show the blood and anger and fear. NO, I do not give permission for their hate and fear to enter my heart.

Even when you disagree, I love you. Even when you are different. I love you. Even if you kill me, I love you. Because I AM love. That is who I Am. Who are You?

Our solutions will always come from love and respect. From people who work to find common ground and a path forward. And teachers like my cousins Tamara and Karla, who teach compassion and mindfulness to the rising generation. Who teach that we CAN be different, feel anger and strong emotion, and go within to find peace. That when we love ourselves, we can find answers.

Let us come together. Let us LISTEN to each other’s voices. Let us put our energy and ideas together, and create something new. Because WE are the people. Because today and Every day, WE cast our vote for love or hate.

Joy Principle – Today, I choose Joy and love all people – those like me, and those different from me. I feel their love in return. Today, by my choice, I find Joy in my journey.

Day 22 of 90 FIRST VIDEO POST !

Day 22 of 90  FIRST VIDEO POST!

Holy smokes! Is THAT what I look like? Scary. And I felt so pretty inside! But Today’s Project is to Banish Perfectionism… So here goes…

 

ABOUT ME   Hi! I’m Felicia Nagamatsu, and this is Your Journey of You.  My road from Awful to JOY has been quite a trip! But I have Overcome and YOU can too. I will tell you my story, and we will have a good time. Life is really pretty funny.

I’m just beginning… taking off the Scarf of Silence to tell about my funny, scary, angry, poignant journey to JOY. It will take time to cover everything, but I’ll share how I overcame mental illness, including anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, depression, marriage, motherhood and 50 years of dieting. I’ll share HOW I overcame physical health problems – vision problems, HSV virus, pelvic prolapse, medication-induced memory loss, and am now reversing scoliosis and osteoporosis. I am completely free from ALL medications, after 25 years on anti-depressants.

I almost called it How an Italian girl from New York married a Japanese boy from California and lived… We’ve seen a lot together, survived culture shock, a mail order bead business, cub scouts, and becoming members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Of my 65 years on this planet, I spent 37 years suffering and the last 28 years learning to heal. On the way, I learned a lot of tips and shortcuts. What took 28 years for me, you can do in months.

The plan is to craft a DIY guide to a life free from suffering. Yes, Pain comes to everyone, but Suffering – that is optional. Don’t do it. I’ll show you how to trade in your suffering for JOY. Like trading in your beatup old car. Or your cell phone. YOU are eligible for an Upgrade!

APOLOGY – My current project is to Banish Perfectionism. Trying to be Perfect causes paralysis. I know! To break my pattern, I am blasting ahead without knowing what I am doing. You will find lots of bloopers. Laugh with me. Rejoice & know I’m breaking free. Because I have a Big Goal. I want to get this to you quickly… because people are suffering and NO ONE needs to suffer. Your Journey of You can be a delight.

I invite you to HELP ME create this blog with Your comments.
Please TELL ME which topics you want to learn & laugh about first, and I’ll put that at the top of the list.

And always know, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Many of you are my friends and family. I write to you personally.
Love and light,

Felicia

Day 20 of 90 HEALTH INTENSIVE #3

Can 2 days of fun & entertainment REALLY change lives forever? YES!

My mind is overflowing. We walked in as living PROOF how we CAN overcome huge health challeges! On July 29th, my friend Candace attended Health Intensive #1 in her wheelchair. Today, Candace left her motorized wheel chair at home and WALKED from the parking lot. She also danced with her husband to Kara Brandt singing “This is My Now.” Some of us bounced into the room svelte and glowing, having let go of weight, dress sizes, and lots of limiting beliefs.

The Gladiators are so inspiring. I especially appreciate Devere Hope driving 3 ½ hours to be with us. Devere had a crippling stroke 4 years ago. He lost the use of his right side. His 6-month Gladiator goal was to run across the stage and sign the board with his right hand. By the first month, Devere shattered that goal. He ran down the trail on our hike to the Y, and walked/ran laps at the gym! Today, Devere sat next to me taking notes with the hand doctors told him he would never use again.

Who ARE we? We are Limitless! There is NOTHING we cannot overcome and triumph over – physical, mental or emotional.

I was excited to present my message! Your Journey of You = JOY.  It is so personal, yet universal. Using clothing as props, I put on the Limiting Beliefs that shaped my life and brought me despair and sorrow.  The Scarf of Silence, the Cloak of Invisibility, the Hood of Fear, Sunglasses of Anger, Pants of Shame… on and on, 15 pounds of clothing, layer upon layer until I get to the Coat of Despair.  It’s just a demonstration. But it becomes so real. How good it feels to let go of Limiting Beliefs! As I remove each layer, I breathe easier, feel lighter and realize that underneath it all, I Am still ME. JOY fills my heart every time. (Working on getting a video)

There is such TRUTH in this. It’s so simple! Let go of the Scarf of Silence. When you start talking, you find that everyone else is wearing the Pants of Shame, too! It gets pretty funny. Why don’t we just stop hiding? We can be our true selves and have a good time together.

JOY Principle – Everything that happens, happens on the outside. Underneath it all, You are still there. You are OK. Really. Let go of limiting beliefs. Then watch JOY pop out at you and say “here I Am!”

I love you!

Felicia

Continue reading “Day 20 of 90 HEALTH INTENSIVE #3”

Day 16 of 90. My blog is ALIVE on www.YourJourneyOfYou.com

Just got home from ballet class. Only 5 more weeks until recital. Picture me and a motley crew, mostly clueless, doing leaps across the floor. We bravely balance on our toes to the music of Mad Russian Christmas – a heavy metal version of the Nutcracker Suite. Mercifully, it is short.

Too late to quit. I’m in this ballet recital. Bought the costume and all.

Freaking out… WHAT was I thinking? Ballet? To survive this, I have to face my fears. FEAR OF LOOKING STUPID is right up there. Worse than fear of death. FEAR OF NOT BEING PERFECT is close behind. OK… breathe. Driving home now. Pass the funeral home. Oh yes. There is IMPORTANT and Not Important. What I look like for 3 minutes in a ballet recital is NOT important. I will laugh about this later, and be glad I had the experience.

JOY Principle – To grow, you do new stuff. Things you can’t do well. You take a risk.

To grow quickly, you do lots of new stuff, and LET GO of looking good, being perfect. PLAY! Just have fun with new friends. When you laugh at yourself, JOY pops out at you and says “here I Am!”

 

Update – Day 16 of my 90 Day Goals

  1. Taught Journey of You to 10 people. (goal was 5.)
  2. Launched blog website (THANK YOU, beloved husband Brian!) Still pending 5 YouTube videos.
  3. Confronted 495 of my worst fears. Though I have not banished them, they are on notice to vacate the premises. (goal 2000)
  4. Danced pirouette & pivot turns (badly and wobbly like a slow top. But hey, anything worth doing well is worth doing badly first).
  5. Took an RV trip with Brian and visited Bryce Canyon, Kodachrome Basin, Anasazi archeology dig, Petrified Forest and Capitol Reef Nat Park. Started planning RV trip to Harmony, PA.
  6. Invented my Super Hero identity. I Am VOLTA – the Voice of Light and Truth. My alter ego is humble Mormon Grandma Felicia, but really I am Light and Truth in human form! Working on costume…
  7. Made an incredibly healthy Chinese Red Bean and Barley soup with lotus seeds, that is guaranteed to increase your chi. Minor problem… it tastes like absolutely NOTHING! I have to work on the Delicious part. I suspect I need to add spices and I need help! Mariana Evica do you have any ideas?

What are YOUR 90 Day Goals? I would LOVE to hear your comments! If you write specific goals on paper, look at them daily, and keep track of the days, I guarantee you will be surprised what YOU can accomplish in 90 days.

Well, that’s it for tonight. I love you all. And I look forward to sharing more of how Your Journey of You brings you JOY!

JOURNEY OF YOU… World Debut in Sundance Utah!

Gladiators at Sundance Oct 2016
Gladiators at Sundance Oct 2016

EXCITING NEWS! I was invited to be one of the presenters at the next Limitless Health Intensive event! (Nov 4&5). I will present my message Your Journey of You = J O Y.
Here’s how it happened…
Our first Gladiator Retreat was in Sundance, Utah. The mountains are spectacular, the cabin reminded me of the B&B where Herbert & Annie Nagamatsu had their wedding reception. Amazing weekend.
And for me, it was the FIRST time I presented my story,                 JOURNEY OF YOU = J-O-Y in public. I acted out my journey with costumes and props, and words and even sang a song… “That’s a Fine Kind of Freedom.” My dear friends, the Gladiators, held a safe and loving space, as I acted out my road to Joy by putting on and taking off layers of clothing representing emotions and beliefs. As I had hoped, it was powerful… since it is not just MY journey of joy, but because it is YOUR journey too… It is everyone’s journey through life. No shortcuts. We all walk through sorrow, pain & love to get to joy and freedom.
Well, I’m late for choir practice so I better go. Will post pictures later. Love you all SO much!
Oh yes! The Limitless Health Intensive is a two-day event. Friday & Sat, Nov 4 & 5 in Provo Utah, at Provo Marriott. I can get you $30 tickets (admits you & guest). Regular price $499. Powerful presenters share how you can get Un-stuck in your health – body & mind. I am proof it is never too late! If you want $30 tickets, PM or text me. Or CALL 801-691-0375 and give them my name. Hope you can come! If not, send me your love and support! I will feel it.

I Am a Limitless Gladiator

post-1-dance-floor

I began this epic journey on 7/29/16, to improve my health.
BEFORE Gladiators: At 64, I was healthy “for my age.” Translation: I was living with osteoporosis, severe spinal curvature, pelvic prolapse, and joking about old age. I lived in fear of breaking another bone, injuring my body and “making things worse.” I gave up running, jumping, dancing, lifting. I was “making the best of it” until old age overpowered me.

WHY: To get my life back. To do that, I had to change my MIND and beliefs. What I believe is possible. Who I Am. What stops me.
WHAT I DISCOVERED: This journey is BIGGER than health. It’s about being ME. And coming out of hiding. I stopped trying to Match Everybody Else, and started to be the Real Me.
Woo hoo! I haven’t felt this free and open since freshman week at Boston U with Linda F Katz!
BUT THIS TIME, I’m not scared, seeking to “figure out the Rules” to “play the game” and MAKE IT… I already made it! Not trying to control everything so I can survive… Hey, look! I survived!

I got serious. I made goals. I enlisted a Dream Team of medical experts and I am at the center, making the choices and doing the work of physical therapy and healing through dance. But the heart of it is Limitless Belief Breakthrough – facing every fear and doubt I can flush out of hiding. Increasing my Faith in my God who IS the Healer. He taught me that the Journey of You brings J-O-Y.

WHAT HAPPENED SO FAR? In 10 weeks, I already reached my goal of reversing pelvic prolapse symptoms, and moved the angle of my hips 8 degrees, to LEVEL. My spinal curvature angle has improved 20 degrees! I am ON MY WAY with flexibility of motion and increasing muscles. I NEED muscles to dance pirouette turns in ballet, a new love! Brian converted half our living/dining room into a dance floor! And we rediscovered our love of ballroom dancing, which is how we met, 40 years ago.

Best of all – I took down my invisible wall, and have a whole new relationship with people! Especially with Herbert Nagamatsu and Annie Marie Nagamatsu. You see, they never met the Real Me before! That person has been in hiding since I was about 2 years old. And bonus… I remembered I’m ITALIAN and I LOVE it! I’m LOUD! I’m FUNNY! I talk with my hands! It’s Time to PARTY!

SO – since my original 6 month goals have been met and exceeded in 10 weeks. It’s time to invent NEW Goals! Here are my NEXT 90 day goals.
1. Spread J-O-Y… Start teaching the Journey of YOU to anyone who will listen. Minimum 5 people.
2. Master technology of social media and spread J-O-Y with a blog, website or whatever it takes. Post 5 YouTube videos of J-O-Y principles.
3. BANISH 2,000 fears and/or beliefs that have stopped me in the past.
4. DANCE pirouette turns in ballet, & pivot turns with Brian.
5. Plan FUN RV TRIP with Brian to Harmony, PA, Hopewell Indian Mounds, & Amazing Places TBD.
6. Invent a SUPER HERO identity and humble alter ego complete with costumes!
7. EAT FOOD I LOVE! Healthy AND delicious! With spices & aromas of Good Stuff like Mom used to make. Without guilt or shame, and being totally healthy.

Who would I have to BE to make this happen? Well, only the Real ME could do all that in 90 days.