I find myself in such a rich place these days. Rich. Deep. Calling up everything in me that is so very beautifully human. Peeling away of layers that have nothing to do with changes in the weather but everything to do with atmospheric changes in my life. It is an amazing phenomenon. I suppose what I’ve growing through right now is akin to an out-of-body experience. I see myself growing, stretching, changing…becoming more authentically me. To quote Mary J. Blige, “I like what I see when I’m looking at me when I’m walking past a mirror”….especially the mirror of my soul.

Sunday while using the TV as background noise, I happened to hear John Mayer’s song “SAY” from the soundtrack of the movie “The Bucket List”. Loving the sentiment of that song. Here are the lyrics…without

Take all of your wasted honor
Every little past frustration
Take all of your so-called problems
Better put them in quotations

Say what you need to say (8x)
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say

Walking like a one man army
Fighting with the shadows in your head
Living out the same old moment
Knowing you’d be better off instead
If you could only

Say what you need to say (8x)
Say what you need to say

Have no fear for giving in
Have no fear for giving over
You better know that in the end
It’s better to say too much
Than never to say what you need to say again

Even if your hands are shaking
And your faith is broken
Even as the eyes are closing
Do it with a heart wide open

Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say

Listen for yourself:

Yesterday I woke up with “SAY” literally on my mind and more importantly, on my heart. The desire to simply SAY the truth of what I’m thinking, what I’m feeling, what I want, what I need in ways that reach deep.

And so, I dashed off an email to someone whose presence I miss to say just that - I miss you. I never have to guess or ask…neither should you.

Called my “babies” (Princess So Fabulous, Peanut & Punkin) to share some giggles and silly songs.

Made a “hang date” with one of my bestest friends.

Called a friend to actually schedule that lunch date we’ve been talking about every since I left the company last year.

Hit my nephew D on the cellie just to check in, no talk of college or financial aid - just “what’s going on”, when’s the prom (and more importantly, who’s the date…it’s Senior Year ya’ll).

Mailed a couple of cards to some folks just to let them know they were on my mind.

Had a really cool conversation with some people from a leadership development class I was in back in 2005. Made plans to attend the “Renewal Session” this Fall.

Called another friend to apologize for whatever part I played in the riff that seems to have developed between us…not sure how much of it is me and you know what? My friendship with this person is much to valuable for me to try to weigh and measure it ergo the apology.

Caught up with my oldest childhood friends - my three “little sisters”. Shared conversation and laughter that peeled away the years until it felt like another warm spring day that we spent doing the same thing - sharing conversation and laughter - sitting under that apple tree in the front yard.

I share all of that to simply say this:

SAY WHAT YOU NEED TO SAY.