Change is in the air -- can you feel it?

It's that time of year again, when the leaves return and the colors grow brighter.
It seems more people are planning weddings or welcoming babies.
We all definitely create more in spring time! :)

How do you handle change in your life? Does it frighten you? Do you resist it?
I used to be deathly afraid of change as a child. I would rigidly hold on to what I knew -- including the monkey bars.

My parents tell a funny story of how when I was little and learning to swing on the monkey bars, I would get stuck somewhere in the middle because I would be too frightened to let go and reach for the next bar. My adventurous younger sister would have to come teach me how to let go and swing!  The metaphor is not lost on me at all - because learning to embrace and welcome change is something that I am doing in my life these days. By learning to let go of the past: a past memory, a past mistake, a past pain -- you create a wide open space for the future. And in that open space there are brand new possibilities waiting for you.

If we kept tally of all of our past endeavors no one would ever advance because we'd be stuck going over a memory that no longer exists. It is important to honor the knowledge your past provides for you but it is especially important to continue to create new change in your life every day. It is in this change that new and different results can emerge.

The changes that I am experiencing in my life right now are exciting and they are challenging me to let go and reach farther for that next monkey bar!  The good news is I have a loving support team around me, including that brave sister who still reminds me it's ok to take risks and grow! Discover or connect to those people in your life who support your change and growth. And most of all don't be afraid of what's ahead. Without the requisite change - a caterpillar never becomes a butterfly, a seed never becomes a tree, and our lives never become exactly what they are supposed to be.

I am delighted to share with you a wonderful Actionist this month! Jeffrey Barnes was one of the original cast members of my theatre company The A.C.T. Out Ensemble. I created the Ensemble in 1995 after graduating from college and Jeffrey, myself and a troupe of dynamic young actors took to our cars and traveled throughout the country performing social issue plays for schools and community centers. Jeffrey was an important member of that troupe because he always had his eye on the bigger picture. He cared for the whole group and our message and loved creating conversation around art.

Now, I am proud to support Jeffrey in his very real and brave artistic endeavor to bring conversation to churches nationwide as he explores sexuality and religion in his new show "Remember Who Made You". Jeffrey is not one to shy away from controversy since what he is doing is exploring his truth as a Christian and a gay man in America. What he hopes to accomplish is a dynamic conversation for those people who are silenced by their own truth. And from working with him long ago, I know this journey has been filled with many changes for Jeffrey. I am proud of his effort and his commitment to engaging, entertaining, and educating audiences. I know there are many out there who long to have this conversation with Jeffrey. Without the courage of people like Jeffrey, our society can't and won't change to a more tolerant, loving place.

Also make sure to check out our featured reading section of Debbie Reber's new book "In Their Shoes". I was honored to be one of the diverse women Debbie interviewed as she put together this engaging book on different women's careers and the choices we made in our work life. So many times people ask me how they can do what I do. Well now you can read about it in our interview on being an Actionist! Debbie is a wonderful writer and supporter of women's issues and I think her book will give many young girls the insight into creating or choosing a career that inspires them!

Finally, I am doing my best to keep current with my blog and I look forward to reading more of your comments and ideas -- keep 'em coming!!

As always, I am grateful for your support!!

Jess


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Do you love free stuff? Well almost free....

Write a response to the question posted below in 100 words or less and you could win an awesome with Jess and Ugly Betty prize package. All entries must be sent to Jess's blog by May 23, 2007.

What have you learned about yourself from watching the TV show Ugly Betty?

One Grand Prize winner and two Runner Ups will be chosen and notified by email so please be sure to include your name and email address with your entry.

Remember, all you have to do is send a 100 word or less response to Jess's blog at: www.withjess.blogspot.com to be entered for a chance to win a funtastic prize package.

**Grand prize package includes an Ugly Betty mask, an official "Be Ugly '07" t-shirt (size medium kids), an Empower Ring, a with Jess t-shirt (size of your choice), and a surprise or two! Runner Up prizes include a with Jess t-shirt (size of your choice) and a surprise or two!!**

IN THEIR SHOES
Extraordinary women describe their amazing careers

-Deborah Reber

So . . . What do you want to be when you grow up?

Find out what you really want to know about your career choices: Will I wear Prada or Old Navy? Play with kids on the playground, or with bigwigs in the boardroom? Power lunch at the Ivy, or bag lunch at my desk? What kind of education do I need?

This book has the answers. Fifty “day in the life” profiles will inspire you, while a ton of sidebars, indexes, and helpful tips will get you started right away on finding the career that’s right for you.  Actress Maureen Tierney, CosmoGirl! editor-in-chief Susan Schulz and Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes all grace the pages of this fascinating book!

Today’s girls are in desperate need of honest, down-to-earth information. In Their Shoes arms them with the tools to make smart decisions about their future, while inspiring them to realize their dreams.

DEBORAH REBER has authored and coauthored numerous fiction and non-fiction books, including the new teen self-help series Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: The Real Deal. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked in children’s television. She lives in Seattle, Washington, with her husband and son.

To learn more about Deborah Reber check out her web site www.deborahreber.com. To purchase a copy of In Their Shoes click here:
> Buy Now

"I like thinking about the fact that my daughter, who's now almost four, hears me on the radio and it's just a part of her life. I like the notion that she's growing up knowing that women do this, that her mother does this, and that it's a possible career choice."

- Melissa Block, journalist and co-host, All Things Considered, NPR:
In Their Shoes

Connecting with Jess!

Thank you to everyone who came out for the CosmoGirl! Body and Soul Mall Tour events, they were a huge success!!

Take a look at this awesome photo of Jess and some young Actionists at the DC event!

What's on Jess's mind...
Check out Jess's My Space page to read her blog, send her a comment, and connect with other amazing people making a difference in the world!

Jess has some advice for you...
Log on to www.mary-kateandashley.com to read Jess's advice in the "Real Girls, Real Advice" column. Jess has joined forces with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, as the syndicated advice columnist for their web site.

Actionist™ Wear!

Remember to check out our online store! You can express your Actionism with t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, stickers and there is much more to come. Click here to check it out!

Book Jess in 2007!

Book Jess for your upcoming events in 2007 now and receive $500.00 off the total cost of program fees. Send your email to rebecca@withjess.com to find out what dates are still available.

1. Someone who motivates and inspires people to take action in their everyday lives.

2. Someone of any age, race, class, and gender who wants to walk their talk out in the world and lead by example.

3. Someone willing to do what it takes to make a difference in their lives and in the world at large.

Our Featured Actionist™ this month is...

Jeffrey Barnes

Who is Jeffrey Barnes?

Jeffrey Barnes professional acting career began while working with a group called the ACT OUT Ensemble directed by Jessica Weiner (sound familiar?).  It was then that he realized acting isn’t just for entertainment.  Theatre has the power to touch people and change lives. 

Now, Jeffrey is an actor/director/playwright traveling the country making a difference in the Queer community. Jeffrey defines the word Queer as meaning “things relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.”  Something that has always been important to Jeffrey is the fact that many people in the Queer community feel as though they are not welcome in their own faith communities.  In many cases people have had such bad experiences that they can’t imagine ever stepping foot into a church, synagogue or temple no matter how much they might want to.  Jeffrey felt inspired to write a play to help people deal with this issue a little.  Based on his own faith and experiences he created Remember Who Made You, dealing with many of the issues that people face in regard to being Queer and Christian. 

In this play Jeffrey portrays six characters – a minister, a teen, a father, a gay man, a trans-woman, and even Jesus.  Using both humor and drama to give the perspectives of its characters, Remember Who Made You explores the myths, fears and joys of being gay AND Christian.  Each character has a unique insight that allows the audience to find something to which they can relate.  A minister struggles with his own beliefs versus those of his fundamentally conservative denomination.  A concerned father worries about his son being a sissy and what that could mean in the future.  A teen discovers his sexual orientation but feels trapped because of highly opinionated family members and church leaders.  A married man finally accepts the fact that deep inside he has always known he should be a woman. Finally we hear from Jesus.  His message of love and affirmation brings this performance to an uplifting conclusion.

This play does not give any cut and dry, right or wrong answers.  It points out a variety of the struggles and differences of opinions that people of all sexual orientations encounter with this subject.  Some of the issues addressed are salvation, ex-gay ministries, coming out, the Bible, internalized homophobia, and trans-phobia. Individuals from all walks of life relate to this dramatic piece regardless of sexual orientation or religious background

Since the fall of 2004 Jeffrey has been performing this show at universities, churches, conferences, and theatre festivals around the country. The one-act play, which runs approximately 50 minutes, is combined with a discussion session with the audience after every performance.  The post-performance discussion is a key element allowing audience members a chance to process what they have just experienced.  Individuals are validated and realize that they are not alone in their journeys.

Currently Jeffrey is working on a new play entitled “And He Ran Screaming” based on his own childhood and teen years.  He also leads workshops on a variety of topics and facilitates spiritual retreats for the Queer community. 

To find out more about Jeffrey and what he’s doing visit www.RememberWhoMadeYou.com or www.myspace.com/glbtx.

Wanna be empowered with great ways to take action in your everyday life?

Ways to Take Action

1. If you’re at a loss for new words that make you feel positive, try writing down a wish list of traits you admire in others. 

2. This one’s simple but true:  Remember that everyday actions and relationships cause a ripple effect out in the world, so practice being kind, and ask someone else to pass it on

3. Assess your own belief system.  Discover if you’re taking on others’ viewpoints or giving yourself an opportunity to craft you won.  Try writing down an opinion inventory, which can be broad and basic, silly or deep:  what are your thoughts on friendship, political issues, or even doing the laundry?  You may be amazed to discover that you have different opinions than your parents or friends do.

Small steps of action can make a great change!

Also, be sure to check out the Ways to Take Action section of our web site.