She likes to get naked and be gazed upon” is a line from a country song “Drunken Poets Dream” by Hayes Carll. My new crush of a song. It’s sexy. Minxy. Bold and beckoning. I LOVE that the girl in the song directs the attention to herself. (Which, surely, no proper lady would ever indulge in such self-centric behavior! **As she tightens her corset and radiates with envy**)

Fast forward to the 21st century and we’ve still got one foot in the petticoat; thinking we should never bring ourselves into the spotlight of our own life. Well, let me tell you this about that: it is pure and utter BULLSHIT! And don’t let anyone shame you otherwise. Because you? Are an incredible, powerful, and marvelous wonder! A soulful holy grail. A magnificent being on the planet.

Wait. What? You don’t feel holy-grail-ish?

Well, it’s no surprise! But don’t blame yourself. The world has a devious way of stealing that brilliant fire, by dimming your light – like a cloud blocking the sun. So much that we hardly recognize our own power. Our taste for life gets fuzzy, monotonous, routine. First, they swindle our esteem and then – in the greatest of betrayals – sell it back to you as a “new and improve,” “safe and secure,” “good, quiet and obedient” version of once emblazoned self. We start to dull. Muted. Diminished. Illegible. Barely flickering. Like a copy of a copy of a copy.

“Wine bottles scattered like lasts nights clothes….”

So we drink. Escape. Shop. Buy something else. Go on social media. Google new careers. Self-help ourselves. Soak in Sunday salvation. We do anything that will numb or fill the emptiness where your wild soul once raged among their hoop-jumping expectations, slender options, and pre-determined templates. So we’re forced to adapt. Perform. And smile and wave, folks, just smile and waive.

But here is the FIRE-BREATHING TRUTH: It’s not you. It’s the cage we’re born into.

We all YEARN for something for more, better, and new. But a “new you,” is not what you need. You don’t need to attain or gain, buy or become something else. We simply need to RECLAIM what we already are.

Want a “new” life? Ignite the ONE inside. (You know EXACTLY the ONE I am talking about.) The one you’ve hid, consoled, and understandably protected. The one squashed by deceit, eroded by boredom, and diluted by vodka. The one sucker-punched and battle-wounded by those so – called loved ones. The one living in the shadow, eclipsed by this charade surrounding us.

Yes, her. That ONE.

And I understand. It’s a brilliant survival – coping mechanism. However, (with a big swooping comma) YOU don’t need a new life, a better you, or a fresh clean slate. You just need to dive deep inside, snag your soul in all her holy glory, and bring her to light. What you need is YOU back in your own life.

The YOU who left relationships for less than the reason you are staying now. The YOU who likes jet-lag, and strong drinks, and multiple orgasms. YOU who swam naked under the stars, boycotted shitty companies, and wanted to change the world. YOU who feels claustrophobic among small minds and narrow views. (Can I get another drink, PLEASE?!) The YOU with deep questions, erotic thoughts, brilliant ideas, and yearnings for the mysterious. The YOU who is witty, smart-mouthed, curious, and full of contradictions. The YOU who read maps and emotions and has an empathetic mind. The YOU who planned grand schemes and enormous dreams to far away and magical places. Yes, the YOU who quit your job to head to Mexico for the weekend because work wouldn’t give you the time off. (That boss was a jack – ass anyway!) YOU, the cocktail – shaker and the rule – breaker. Yes, you, the one who is brave, bold, passionate, and empowered. The YOU – with the power of the sun, who burned away the dark clouds in your way.

So HOW do you awaken your fire-breathing soul from hibernation? Create a ritual. Have a soul – séance, at midnight, with candles. Fight, beg, lure, or lead her. Write. Create a vision board. Read your old poems. Write a new manifesto. Wish upon the North Star. Sip champagne. Stir up some voo-doo magic. Whatever the means; proclaim her. Seize her. Resurrect her. SHE; is the jack-in-your-box. Listen to your own damn voice. Follow the pulses of your soul – and not any other bullshit, fear-mongering opinions. You know exactly what you need to do. You always have.

And when you bring HER home… she will both ignite you and save you. Because she?? Is YOU.

And YOU? Are the one only you’ve been waiting for. The only thing you need. Go RECLAIM her.