gratitude
Look back to pay respects but not pine for what was lost.
Look back, meet grace in her eyes and bow for thanks.
Look back to gain clarity and wiping the foggy windows clear peering into it with giddy love.
You are the cosmos. How beautiful you are. You ant…you cicadas who wake and sing…you lightning bugs shining your candles for love…you purring cat being held…you smiling dog in my arms…you man holding my hand showing me your city…you dancing woman in the moonlight in our nakedness xoxo
It’s pretty amazing to see people share their knowledge and wisdom to help people create better lives.
I noticed in my experience, when I look inward, I see how beautiful this world we live in and the people around us. I am grateful to live in a time where we are empowered to become more aware of our thoughts and actions.
Points of awareness: What do I want to optimize in my life? Living and working joyfully. It starts with the self.
Use and practice what serves people and us better, the world around us.
Unlearn the unconscious habits of mind that ultimately keeps us stagnant, fearful, angry, agitated, which eventually hurts the people we serve and us as human beings.
Tonight, I looked up to the sky and witnessed the colors of the sky perform its orchestra of colors; adorned with orange, magenta, purple, and dark blue.
These past few days, I witnessed the human power of caring and compassion. I learned so much about resilience, vision, vulnerability, and the strength of the spirit. Joy is accessible. Happiness is right in front of us when we really want to be happy and fulfilled.
So here is a little mental exercise that was inspired by a TEDxTalk by Amit Sood, MD of Mayo Clinic. I am glad I found this video because it helps to put things into perspective for the times when I feel sad about something that I continuously hear, or see in the world around us. I hope you find wisdom and hope in it as well, to empower you to practice self-care and be joyful, compassionate, and kind.
Gratitude, hello
Every day I will sit in silence with you
Practice a meditation called to thank you
I want to be conscious and awake
closing my eyes as I take note
how each of my dear five people
brought me joy today
Inspiration: Learning. Neuroscience. Brain Happy. Heart. Joy. Gratitude. Love. People. Freedom. Family.
You are beautiful. You are healthy and full of Universal grace.
Surrender. The best is yet to come and there is so much opportunity in this world. You are the creator. Much love.
Twenty years ago, Dr. Amit Sood, a Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic, came to the U.S. thinking he was coming to the Disneyland of the world. He expected everyone here to be very happy. What he saw surprised and shocked him.
Let me sit down and take this moment to express gratitude for my dad, who always takes the opportunity to teach us something. He has a way of talking that makes you stop and laugh. If you come from a different frame of mind, soul, and heart or perspective, he can be easily misunderstood. I love when and how he takes out his post-it notes and pencil to share knowledge and wisdom. I can see the joy in his eyes when he writes things down. You can tell he gets all lit up with numbers. Left-handed and writing numbers upside down. Then after a few minutes of writing as he explains ideas and thoughts to me, he realizes and acknowledges, he is better off flipping the post-it around to face him — the right side up. Imagine that for a second. See if you can visualize it. We are sitting at the kitchen table just after having dinner, and this is happening. That energy takes some intelligence and ultra awareness. I always say how he would be a great teacher. Do you sense that?
…Let me take you to another scene, a library full of people from all over the world learning about brand presence from a remarkable woman, Miss Denise O’Brien (aka Queen of Joy), oozing with you guessed it: joy. She starts by taking us on a journey where she takes the wrong exit and explains how she sees an elderly man, who tells the story of a little girl. Can you guess who that little girl he is referring to?
Moments come and go. People come and go. Ideas come and go. Stop and take notice. Who do you talk to every day? Who did you go see today? What have you learned? How does it make you feel learning something new? What are you grateful for? You are the creator. Make. Express. If there is a hesitation, it’s okay. Explore. Write. See where it stems, observe and don’t follow. Feel it. You are the maker. It is a great doorway of opportunity. Much love in your discovery. Feel free to share your story. Thanks for being here.
Spotify playlist that puts you in the zone at this moment: Brain Food
Music is love my friends. I get fired up with music and get in the writing process when I put on my headphones and lose myself to writing. Do you get that way too? #musicislove #ramengirldonthesitate #Aikolove
If we are going out into the world to be and live our life to create impact into this world through epic servitude, we owe it to ourselves to get into the grittiness of ourselves. Looking inward and deeply embracing what is there. Life happens. We are constantly impressed by someone or something. Sometimes there are moments where we are able to slow down, pause, and events in our life, we are given the opportunity to observe (if we let it) and see this (put something into action). If we are lucky enough, we get to see this raw being we call ourselves. It is a window. Now the next thing is to whether look through or go through; opening it or keeping it closed. You have the power more than you think. Whether you like it or not, we are just hitting the surface. If you want to dig deeper, seek those who will guide; empower, cultivate courage and trust within you, break the limitations for you to discover and explore this to get to love for yourself and to the world. All power to you.
Tilting to a little thing: When we were little girls and boys, what sparked stuff within us? When did you get to sit down with your family or friends, sit quietly and learn to open perspective? When was the last time you did something new and get out there? When was the last time you fell in love with the person talking to you just through listening intently (you not listening to respond but hearing) and allowing them to flower like a lotus flower? So many possibilities. What is your intention for all this? Who do you thank? Who do you celebrate? Who do you respect? Who do you trust? Questions are endless. The spark is within you. You are the creator and designer of your life.
Exercises to start:
Get out in the world. Have dinner with friends and turn off your phone. Talk to random people or with a person you love that you haven’t talked to. Initiate a conversation and bring a vulnerable topic. See what happens when you do something opposite you are told or heard to do.
Playlist: Songs that bring you joy.
Hope you find yourself lit up with this. Remember your mind is powerful. You are enough. You are beautiful. Rock your love.
Remember my last post about going out to meet people face-to-face?
Aww, San Francisco, since that night at 111 Minna Gallery, I have so much more to be thankful for. I have met countless individuals who are getting out there taking steps toward their dream…a manifestation. I had this feeling of abundance come over me that night. I cannot emphasize enough how going out to meet people and learning about every single person you meet can be a gateway (if you want) to learning about yourself and what is most important to you (value). It is an investment, a currency. No matter how small, it’s the quality of the attempt.
Questions to ask oneself: Who am I?
Things that would help you along for reflection: In terms of headspace, mindset and/or values, where were you...what did you find; how did you view failure? As far as your expectations, how did this impact and/or help you? With what stuff are you vibing? What does happiness look like to you now? How are you going to make it happen? Which tools are helping? Who are the people pumping you up? Fill in the question.
The common denominator is the commitment to discover oneself, and there are so many values out there to be found and explored. It is a great feeling to find out what we hold dear. Staying focused, having a clear vision, and making sure at the end of the day, we create time to stop, rest, have fun and care for our well being so the vision remains clear.
This information will serve as a guide as you manifest your vision, embark on your dream. Fill in the blank. Let this help you get aligned whether it is a job search, career move, change of environment even a move to a place you dream of. You have the power to create your life.
Caveat: Just like a garden, it takes intention, care, persistence, consistency, and time. When things don’t go as planned, adjust, adapt, iterate. Be kind to yourself. Cultivate joy.
Hope this opens things up for you. What’s on your playlist right now? Hope it’s sparking creativity within you that you lose track of time. Cheers. <3
New year. New you. Here’s why every day is a great day to set our intentions. It is never too late and it doesn’t have to be New Years. What’s important is that we are taking the step to actually write and put our energy in how we want to be, express, and how we want to create.
How beautiful it is to see my friends and family as 2018 passed and now here is 2019. Why?
Deep down, there is always this desire within us to make things better for ourselves and set goals. What drives us to do this? It is a remarkable thing. Aren't people amazing? Why? We use this time to see that it is a gift to have space, time and the ability to renew ourselves. The new year is beautiful. Each day is an expression. How am I going to be?
Thankful for the year-end and new years to reflect and practice.
Questions to ask oneself:
What is my intention?
Are my actions and mindset in line with that intention?
Why is it important to check oneself?
What steps am I taking to create this space of purpose?
Is it working?
How are you going to be?
It is exciting. It is humbling to observe the mind. Stay open. That is the intention. Lean back to lean in. Trust. Risk. Be open. Thrive. Lead. Inspire.
I am excited and grateful to be one of the chosen women to participate in this initiative. It is called affhermation (https://affhermation.org). Check it out.