Photo by Catherine Just Photography
This week we launched Conversation Starters: A Desire Map App. You can download it from the App Store right HERE.
Meet Agnes Ito — mama warrior, pisces, designer, love revolutionary. This summer Agnes participated in one of the very first conversation groups fueled by the app. In the spirit of good conversation, here’s a Q&A with Agnes, on everything from mantras to meditation to music. You’re going to love this.
Agnes Ito, LA Desire Mapper
I know I am to have 5, but I can’t let these babies go. Still working on narrowing them down.
Mama Warrior
Honey Golden Love
Clarity
Free
Magical
Communion
Abundance
Beyonce Dance Moves
How I learned about The Desire Map:
I saw this fiery orange book that said “FIRE STARTER SESSIONS” on Amazon. Automatically drawn in. Then I wondered if they had an audiobook… checked it out on iTunes, heard Danielle’s voice. I was hooked. Naturally, the Desire Map was coming home to me.
How Desire Mapping has changed my life:
I’ve let go of the “framework” of things… which was a gamechanger. I’ve learned to love my size (curvy girl) and accept my body because I feel my “Beyonce” when I celebrate the body I already have. 5’7″ and 160 lbs is something I am now proud of. No shame in those numbers. I now work out, mediate & eat healthy for CLARITY, FIRE & to be in my MAMA WARRIOR mode. It’s as if I am preparing like a Warrior…. I have shit to do. I need to be Ninja ready. I let go of how I thought what my body needed to look like and started to focus on how I wanted to feel in it… and it in NOW, not when I hit a goal weight or fit in some old jeans. I was numb about my vessel and put my dreams on hold because I did not hit my target weight. Now I rock my curves.
I have also left a 6yr relationship that looked good on the outside, but I was so lonely and caught up in insecurities. I loved his family, we looked good together, our story on how we got together was sweet….we had a great group of friends, we’ve been together for so long, etc. “Of course we’re gonna get married!” I tried to convince myself. But I was dying inside, I lost myself completely. My fire was out and I was trying to be the girl he wanted me to be. I became so insecure and felt inadequate because I was not honoring my needs. How can I change my life for the better or grow if I was dead inside and so out of touch with who I was….everything seemed fake. I met Danielle at the first meeting for the L.A. Desire Map book club on a Tuesday I left the relationship the following Thursday. She reminded me how I needed to honor how I wanted to feel….to “dump the chump.”
Fav daily way to feel my CDFs:
How Agnes starts her morning off right
I need to work out in the morning… I do boxing and Buti Yoga (tribal dance + yoga). I definitely feel WARRIOR MAMMA + BEYONCE DANCE MOVES, also Clarity. Movement is my number one thing I do that shifts me. I also try to smile at people when we make eye contact…to feel love & connection, just send out good vibes. I stay connected with my tribe (family & friends) as much as possible. I meditate, pray, listen or read to anything that motivates me (Spotify & Audiobooks are my salvation).
Music I’m listening to that inspires my CDFs:
Reggae & Latin music ALWAYS wake my body up. It starts moving on its own. The percussions are magic. Old School 90’s Hip Hop (The Roots, Common, Notorious BIG, Lauryn Hill, A Tribe Called Quest, Wu Tang, Mos Def, JDilla, etc.) 90’s R&B / New Jack Swing….nostalgia. Neo Soul is powerful – India Arie, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu…
My current mantra:
Tell fear to fuck right the fuck off.
Devote to Done.
One place/activity where I feel most alive in my CDFs:
When I drive through Los Angeles (SIlverlake / Los Feliz / Echo Park, lately) I feel home, its where I grew up. I love getting lost in the hills & finding my way home.
4 things I’m grateful for right now:
- My tribe
- My job
- My car
- My home
Simple, but a lot of people don’t even have any of those today. I’m already abundant in so many ways.
LA Conversation Group 2014
My life passion:
To love, nurture, create. To help people figure things out. It’s innate in me. I also want to make people smile, help create moments for them. I’m drawn to these situations and have always been that person in people’s lives. I believe I am a healer of sorts. I believe my love is powerful. Is that crazy talk?
What I’m reading right now:
The Desire Map is always a constant. But other books right now are:
- Women Who Run with the Wolves
- Money: A Love Story (I’ve been scared to tackle this one)
- Fire Starter Sessions (revisiting)
One thing I’ve stopped doing:
Overcommitting and saying “yes” to things that take away from me time.
If I could give just one piece of Desire Mapping advice, it would be:
To let go of dreams / goals that no longer serve you. To surrender & stop fighting. “If it was going to happen, it would have happened already.” WHAT! THAT was a game changer!
At least once a week I do this to feel my CDFs:
Move. Meditate. Connect. Release (forgive).
Fav sites for inspiration:
- DanielleLaPorte.com
- rebeccacampbell.me
- thegirlwhoknows.com
- galadarling.com
- imakemine.tumblr.com (my tumblr)
- pinterest.com
- mysticmamma.com
And instagram!
Fav quote from Danielle, or The Desire Map:
Can’t live without:
Love. It’s my superpower.
When I feel most like myself:
When I fall asleep to movies with both my daughters on each side of me, exhausted of laughter and dream sharing. When I am in a room full of like-minded people, my tribe – laughing, storytelling, connecting. Dancing to reggae, barefoot, with a sangria in my hand, on a summer night. When I am on the phone helping someone get clarity and knowing they can see better. Sending love. When I am around young girls, answering questions about my life. When I make someone laugh. When I see someone’s face when he or she walks into a surprise party I planned. When I am in love. When I take my elderly parents out to run errands with them and buy them Ice cream at the end of it all. Full circle.
CONNECT WITH AGNES
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
TUMBLR
Please share your musings, a-ha’s, or love for Agnes, below!
