Standing at a Crossroad and Finding The Sum of You in Three Words

There are forks in the road in everyone’s lives. The pathway we choose when faced with at fork can sometimes dramatically alter our journey. I stood at one of those forks when I was invited to participate with The Landmark Forum. I heard about the cult rumors about this organization, but participated anyways. I was born, raised and baptized in the Church of Christ, which some people believe is a cult. I actually benefited greatly from sitting on hard wooden pews and singing without the accompany of instrumental music. So, I attended the Landmark Forum with the intent of gaining what I could from the offer and to avoid any Kool-Aid. Sadly, I completed the Landmark Forum and still found myself pondering which road I should take. I stayed stuck for months and then I was invited to attend The Advance Course for the Landmark Forum.

Luckily for me, The Advanced Course was not “The Landmark Forum Part 2″ or “The Landmark Forum, The Sequel.” Unlike the Landmark Form, in which the Forum Facilitator was driving the momentum, The Advance Course required me to do the heavy lifting. At first, I resisted and did not play full out. Then an event occurred that seemed so insignificant at the time but changed the path of my life. It all began with a simple assignment, simply at least on paper, to discover three words that would describe all that I am.

The evening I was given this assignment from The Advance Course, I actually had plans to celebrate my best friend’s birthday out on the town. The whole evening was as chaotic as the laboratory of a mad scientist. There was a limo, a bunch of people I did not know, some guy telling me that my problem was I could not be with my greatness, the limo driver pondering why I was hanging back in the limo to do homework and the Depeche Mode video “Stripped” kept coming up in the loop like a subversive message to me. The limo driver interrupted my frustration with not being able to complete this simple assignment with a question, “What are you doing?” I gave him an explanation. Suddenly, he was completely enrolled in what I had going on in my life to the point where he stopped me and asked, “How do I get a life where anything is possible?” I gave him the confused puppy head tilt and thought he misunderstood my rant. Then the “Stripped” video came on again. In my frustration, I got distracted and started singing along…..” Let me see you stripped down to the bone.” Light bulb! If I am stripped down to the bone, who am I? When all the cacophony of life is removed, what is left of me? Fun, Joy and Ease!!!! I am Fun, Joy and Ease!!!!

So, if you had to describe yourself using only three words, what would they be? When stripped off all the clutter of life, do those three words actually remain with you as the core of who you are? Would actually being these words give you access to a life where anything is possible? When standing at a fork in the road, could those three words point you down the right path? How different would your daily life be if you embraced those three words as your motto? I may have drunk the Kool-Aid, but my life is dramatically different as Ms. Fun, Joy and Ease.

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Comment by Stephanie Young on June 17, 2011 at 10:42am: @Julie: Just 3 words....lol. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Comment by Stephanie Young on June 17, 2011 at 10:41am: @BC: When you strip me down to the bare bones, all that is left that drives everything else is Ms. Fun, Joy and Ease. She is the core of all that I am. I like BC as Sensible, Giving and Teachable....and a Rockstar!!! LOL Thanks again for all your support and encouragement. Your friendship is a precious gift.

Comment by Julie Heilman on June 16, 2011 at 2:34pm: Wait! So that is where your motto came from? I have always wondered about that. I am going to have to work on this one. This is a tough assignment...just three words? I can't have more? And you are right, it is easier to rattle off what is wrong but so hard to hone in on what is right about yourself. Thank you for the challenge.

Comment by Stephanie Young on June 16, 2011 at 2:23pm: @Marsh: Thank you. That event changed my life but still makes me nervous to share....glad I got off it and shared.

It is so much easier to discover the wrong in yourself than the right. When you know what is wrong, then you feel like you can fix it. When you know what is right...well, who knows how to fix something that is not broken...lol. What do you do with what is right about you? You can "fix" what is right when you build on it. Ms. Fun, Joy and Ease has become the foundation to Ms. Unstoppable, to Ms. Adventure and even Ms. Fearless.

I like Marsh as Mr. Unexpected, Witty and Humble. After your explanation of each word, I can't think of any better way to describe you. I think you just found your motto...or your anthem!!

Comment by Marsh Buice on June 16, 2011 at 2:02pm: oops witty--guess I cant be it if I cant spell it...sorry!!

Comment by Marsh Buice on June 16, 2011 at 2:00pm: Chirp...chirp...you got people "thankin'" on this one :) Stephanie, I think it is a great thought provoking post. It is so much easier for us to characterize others before ourselves-mainly bc we are so critical of ourselves.

After an hour here is Marsh: Unexpected, whitty, humble

In 30 seconds I can tell you what is wrong with Marsh-it took an hour to find 3 words that surmises me. I am unexpected bc all of my life I have been tagged the underdog. I have always had to prove myself: as a child I was the last to be picked on a sports team: I became an all-American in college; had to learn how to raise my 1 1/2 yr old son solo; and quit my job to began selling cars-after a year I moved into management and have continued growing from there. I will never fall into others' expectations. I love being unexpected.

I am whitty, judging from my blogs most know that. I think it adds flavor to my character. I believe in having a good time, but not at other's expense. I love to laugh and poke fun at myself.

I am humble..at what God has blessed me with and who He puts in my path. I can learn from anyone. Stature or Title means nothing to me. I am grateful for always being the underdog and that is why I think I remain humble....I know what it feels like to be thought of as insignificant.