Reader Model: Dare to Be Different Bombshell

I have known June for almost 20 years.  Since she has been a teacher, a mentor, a coach and a friend. She has pushed me to discover myself, so it was nice to turn the tables just for a moment, to interview her.  Not only is she an incredible and amazing woman, she is a talented author. Her latest book, “The Skye in June” is an awesome summer read, The moral and lesson in the book are combined  with colorful descriptions of Scotland and San Francisco in the 60′s.  It takes you on vacation while in your own backyard.

She has my utmost respect and I couldn’t think of a woman who represents the Bombshell attitude more!  She is the first one who introduced me to the idea of “a Marilyn Monroe” attitude!   I hope you will enjoy getting to know the Dare to Be Different Bombshell as much as I enjoy knowing her.

Tell us about yourself. I just turned sixty years young. Having had quite a few years to observe and learn about myself, and from the input from others, I conclude that my Bombshell name, Dare to be Different, is well earned. People have called me bold, which is one of the nicer things I’ve heard about my feisty, step-up-to-the-plate kind of personality. I’m extremely loyal and caring towards family, friends, clients, humanity, animals, plants and earth. Very sensitive to seen and unseen forces, I now am accurately aware their effects upon me and therefore understand the importance of meditation and nature to keep balanced. Physically I’m in constant motion. One could say I’m fidgety and/or mentally scattered. I think, Quicksilver energy. To calm my energy I partake in some kind of daily physical activity and especially enjoy grooving to music; dancing around the house, skipping on the beach and nodding my head to tunes while driving. In fact both music and other art forms play an important role with my own creations. I’m a “whistle while you work” kind of person so when writing or drawing I listen to music, read poetry and gaze at a piece of art. Laughter is a lifeline for me. A good daily dose brings out the best of me. Luckily my husband and son are quite easy to chuckle as is other family who are rather funny, often irreverently so, and with friends, we entertain each other gleefully. Often I’ve heard that I’m feisty, hotheaded, and outspoken. I’m a natural when it comes to standing up for equality and will speak up to the chagrin of others.  It feels like a karmic role for me or is it in my Scottish blood? It is true that my temper has gotten me into messes. . Still learning how to abate that fire. In my later years I’m learning to be less of a psychical warrior and more of the spiritual one. I live with passion and laughter, learning to forgive my imperfections and not worry that I can’t be everything to everyone. My motto is “Let’s do it!”   That about sums me up.

What is it about the Bombshell blog that keeps you coming back You are openhearted in a pure sense of the meaning. Not only do I enjoy your intelligent observations of self, past history and present views, but the compassionate way you look upon life and others. A kind understanding mixed with colorful pictures you paint with your words is a strong draw to me. I feel as though I’m looking more at what you as in a motion picture than reading to learn.  With each candid step of self-examination I find myself having to be more truthful of my own pain and sorrow of misunderstanding. I desire to me, like you, clean and clear and in fact I am with each response I give to your blogs. Plus your insights are  often what I am attracted to, delightfully funny. This is why I come back.

What have been a few of your struggles with your weight…body image? My weight problems began at about ten years of age after a frightening life-altering experience. By twelve, pudgy and unhappy, I started my first diet – pills from a doctor – knowing that “fat girls” weren’t acceptable. It had been diets ever since. For periods of times I achieved an acceptable weight, exercised constantly and liked my body image mostly – still that “not skinny enough” image was alive and thus self-criticism continued.  A lot of wasted years, I’m sad as I write this, on hoping to “fit in.” My images kept me in a defensive mod and fearful that I wouldn’t be loved as I was. At my heaviest weight I said, “F@*# it, and bought “big jeans” and red lipstick, met  a wonderfully kind man who I would later marry. In accepting myself, I also learned that my weight would become the death of me, literally and am now learning to eat healthy for life. Rarely do I have a bad self-image now and accept the love and respect for which I am rather than who I think others want to see me be.

What exactly does Bridging Practicality with Spirituality mean? One is a spiritual being living within a physical body for a certain amount of time to gained greater knowledge and wisdom. Connecting the two, spirit, or “true face”  with worldly experiences to a life of authenticity is the journey of spirit . When we live with our spirit glowing through we are more joyful, creative, peaceful and purposeful; knowing our life’s mission. As a coach with particular and unique abilities to see beyond the physicality and into the soul of my clients, I then co-create to build an understanding (or bridge) a plan to live fully in the psychical world by making practical choices.

How did writing your book affect your image of yourself? My first book, a how-to one, was written during one of my cool, nice body times. It gave me a nudge upward to accepting the artist within. My second book, a novel, wow! Talk about therapy of the soul. I cried, laugh, was very angry and mourned so much loss of self as I wrote each character and scenario. By the end, I was free of much of the doubts I wasn’t loved. The book’s theme has touched so many readers’ psyche. The feedback I receive is beyond touching to me. Sometimes I want to cry with how others’ find their truth within different characters.  Finally I’ve accepted the image of what a lot of people have said over the years: I am a teacher, a counselor and companion of worth. So Mote it Be.

Do you find writing (blogging, journaling, a book) helps with weight loss or body image?

Yes. As my writings are appreciated both in blogging and books I’ve found greater self-acceptance and joy in sharing.  I feel less defensive for choosing, or daring, to live, a life often different than mainstream. It’s not that I feel so different, it’s just I dared to be “out” with my differences.  Journaling is a writing I do as “morning pages” to sort out feelings and review experiences and relationships. It’s my own going therapy to release so much while often bringing clarity.

What advice would you give to other Bombshell readers on this journey?

Have fun with Bombshell’s insights and sharing, but also find another to discuss her topics and themes because it is an honest examination to the emotional impact food plays in our life. Discussion of Jules’ insights can lead to your own willingness and awareness to eating habits that affect, not only poor self-image, but your overall well-being.

June Ahern – Dare to be Different Bombshell