It is OK

By Jennie Brown Hakim

The world is full – I would say overabundant – with voices and texts telling people what they should do.

Far less common is permission on what it is OK to do.

This book aims to fill that gap. We have a common-sense intuition of what is OK, but noise from the media, the culture, and sundry traditions prevents us from hearing that gentle voice of reason.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jennie Brown Hakim
• Release date: Jun 16, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476210346

Jennie Brown Hakim

Jennie Brown Hakim is a writer, graphic artist and thinker from Orange County, California. She is the author of Medgar Evers (Melrose Square Press) and has written articles for Vision and Orange Coast magazine. In time, she hopes to be a true "wisdom broker" in the tradition of Alexandra Stoddard, Jennifer Louden, and SARK. Visit Jennie at her site, www.JennieBrownHakim.com.

Book preview

Introduction

"Success means fulfilling your own dreams,

singing your own song, dancing your own dance,

creating from your heart and enjoying the journey.

Trusting that whatever happens, it will be okay."

– Elana Lindquist, sumi-e and watercolor artist

We have all heard the adage It is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.

The truth is it’s hard to ask for either of these.

We don’t innately know what is OK and what is not. We are afraid to offend. Afraid to get noticed. Afraid of the rigid pointing fingers which silently scream, "No! Not OK!"

What really isn’t OK? Anything that causes real harm to yourself or others. Anything that damages the commons, which encompasses everything from the atmosphere to the town square. Anything which has its roots in cruelty, greed, bigotry, or stupidity.

That leaves more behavior in the OK category than you think. These are the things that you know are right, even though no one else says so.

I hope that It is OK… will be a gentle nudge to live a freer, empowered, more authentic life. Now, I’m not a psychologist, a therapist, a life coach, or a so-called expert of any kind. Which, I believe, gives me an advantage. (It is OK to think that way.)

Ready for a tall, cool glass of permission? Just look below.

It is OK not to drink hard liquor (or, in fact, any kind of alcoholic beverage).

It is OK not to get a bikini wax. (You don’t realize the importance of pubic hair until it’s not there.)

It is OK not to like raw vegetables.

It is