For you, the "me too"...
Dearest "me too,"
you are someone's daughter. You are someone's mother, someone's sister, someone's partner. You are someone's hope, someone's hero, someone's future. You are someone's love, someone's dream. You are a child of light. You are grace. You are dazzling. You are as beautiful as the universe is vast. You were made from love and you are love. You are strong. You inspire. You are resilient. You are a warrior...
I know things are tough. I wish I could catch your tears, hold you near, stand in the way of the past, and protect you from the darkness. But dearest "me too," you are the strongest warrior in your life. No matter how dark those moments, you are the light. You always were. You never dimmed. No matter what happened to you or might, you will always be you.. No one can extinguish your shine. No matter what happened, you got through it. You are a champion...
It wasn't fair. It wasn't your fault. Dearest "me too," please don't blame yourself. You are no less than perfect. Back then. Now. Always. All still perfection. Still intact. You were hurt. You were scarred. No one can take that away from you. You went through so much. I know it still hurts. You aren't weak though. You aren't broken. You aren't damaged or tainted. You are still whole and beautiful. What happened to you didn't define you, but getting through it did. You are courageous. You are a survivor...
You didn't ask for such abuse. You didn't invite it. It wasn't your fault. It was a hurtful choice someone made for you. It wasn't about you, nor was it about your character, your worth, or your looks. It was about them and what they are. You may have felt powerless in those moments. But dearest "me too," I assure you, you have your power back. As sure as the sun rises in the morning, you are new and whole again each day. You aren't who you are because of what happened. You are who you are despite it. You are brave. You are a fighter. You are powerful...
I'm so sorry that this happened to you, dearest "me too." You didn't deserve it. I can't imagine what it was like for you. It's okay to be fragile or stand offish. It's okay to grieve. It's okay to be scared. Just be whatever you need to be. You have the right to feel everything that you feel. Just remember that when you must venture back into the darkness, there is always a light in you, should you lose your way. Even when you feel like you must face the dragons alone, I promise that there's never a moment in your life when you are truly separated from being forever loved and from the one that made you. There is always a home within you. You are loved...
Dearest "me too," you may struggle greatly in understanding why it happened. Understanding and inner peace don't always travel together. Your peace will come from forgiveness and remembering your true self. I am sorry that someone didn't love you enough to do right by you and treat you with the respect that you deserve. What happened to you was a horrific event in your life; But it's not you or your whole life. You are still in control. You are still the author of your story, even if it doesn't feel like it. You have a purpose. A message. A testimony. You have the ability to find the love that will heal your heart. You are... not alone...
Sincerely and with all of my love,
Dearest You
Monday, October 16, 2017
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Five Illusions of Social Media
"Mirrors lie. They don't show you what's on the inside." - Anonymous
We use social media as a way to keep in touch with people and to share our personal expressions and views. While expressing yourself can be a healthy thing, here are a few ways that people are using Facebook and other social media platforms in ways that may not always be that healthy and how we are falling for the illusions of it all.
We use Facebook / Instagram to project a life that we wish we had.
You can log into Facebook or Instagram at any time and your news feed will be flooded with smiling "selfies," grand dinners, and big adventures. It looks like everyone is on a permanent vacation if you take what you see at face value. But it's really not true. The fact is, what you see, is seldom what you get or what's actually going on behind the pictures. People don't post pictures of their credit card debt, their loneliness, their insecurities, their cellulite, lies, or their boredom. Rest assured, most people have all of those things going on at one time or another. Not that you'd know it by their Instagram.
Social media has become the narcissist's nirvana.
Selfies, cleavage, abs, and seat belt car shots seem to flood our social media. Rather than deal with insecurities, many of us seem to think that if we get lots of "likes" on our pictures and posts that somehow we are validated as human beings. If people are envious of us, that means we are doing something right, right? No. Not really. What it means is that there is a void inside that we are trying to fill externally and we are using people and their presumed envy or admiration to fuel that desire to feel whole. All the while you we are already whole; you just have to realize it. Your lack of feeling complete comes from an amnesia that you are born with. Part of your journey is that of discovery. Remember that.
Social media is used as the Keyboard Commando's weapon.
You know this type of person. It's the person who spouts off ridiculous statements and insults that they would never say to someone in person. They simply hide behind their keyboard and type whatever unfiltered remarks that they feel so inclined to make no matter how hurtful or untrue it may be. Facts have little barring on these individuals and they are often incredibly confrontational online. These people are toxic. It's easy to get swept away in their chatter and baited into full on online arguments. When we engage in this type of banter, we surrender our joy and peace for nothing. You are not here to persuade anyone or "win" any debates. Your social media, like your mind, is up to you to direct. You can take it to uplifting places or down to the gutters.
We feel we have to keep up with the Jones'.
You saw that new car, that boat, that big house 'so and so' bought. Or maybe you see that happy couple that looks like they have a full on Cinderella story going on. You start looking around at your life and suddenly you feel... well... inferior and less successful than you'd like. You're still renting an apartment. You're still single and even the cat doesn't like you. It's as if you can't keep up with those around you or you feel that you'll never attain the life you think others have on social media. Good news- It's all bullshit. Really it is. Complete, total, and utter... bullshit. It's a fantasy. A subjective reality. A perception. Nothing is as it seems. Even the biggest structure is made of tiny atoms. Nothing... is.... as it seems. That vacation racked up more debt and stress than it was worth. That boat payment means more time at work to pay for it. That mortgage is massive. Take the pressure off your shoulders. When you desire more, you sacrifice your peace. Your peace is priceless.
The Social Media Journal
Another trap to avoid is using your social media like a journal. Seriously. Do not post or write about your relationships, finances, jobs, or anything that people can use to harm you. It feels good to "vent" but too often we put out way too personal information on our media pages and we forget just how big our audience is. Not every Facebook "friend" is a true friend. You might not think about it, but that's the problem. We don't see it until it's too late and we open ourselves up to unnecessary scrutiny. The people who truly care about you are far and few between. That's not just true for you, it's true for all of us. Your real personal connections go much deeper than your computer or your phone.
The bottom line is this: Social Media, Facebook, Instagram, etc... are all illusions my friends. They aren't real. The lives people post about are seldom the same as your perceptions of them. How we view these things are often filtered by our own egos, insecurities, and self doubt. What we see is only granted power by our decision to assign emotion to it. It is our own egos' reflection that we see. The good news is that once you understand this, the pressure is off of you. In fact, our pressure was always self inflicted to begin with. Life is not a contest but an experience. Nothing more, nothing less. Don't be caught up in posting about your life, be caught up in living it.
Selfies, cleavage, abs, and seat belt car shots seem to flood our social media. Rather than deal with insecurities, many of us seem to think that if we get lots of "likes" on our pictures and posts that somehow we are validated as human beings. If people are envious of us, that means we are doing something right, right? No. Not really. What it means is that there is a void inside that we are trying to fill externally and we are using people and their presumed envy or admiration to fuel that desire to feel whole. All the while you we are already whole; you just have to realize it. Your lack of feeling complete comes from an amnesia that you are born with. Part of your journey is that of discovery. Remember that.
Social media is used as the Keyboard Commando's weapon.
You know this type of person. It's the person who spouts off ridiculous statements and insults that they would never say to someone in person. They simply hide behind their keyboard and type whatever unfiltered remarks that they feel so inclined to make no matter how hurtful or untrue it may be. Facts have little barring on these individuals and they are often incredibly confrontational online. These people are toxic. It's easy to get swept away in their chatter and baited into full on online arguments. When we engage in this type of banter, we surrender our joy and peace for nothing. You are not here to persuade anyone or "win" any debates. Your social media, like your mind, is up to you to direct. You can take it to uplifting places or down to the gutters.
We feel we have to keep up with the Jones'.
You saw that new car, that boat, that big house 'so and so' bought. Or maybe you see that happy couple that looks like they have a full on Cinderella story going on. You start looking around at your life and suddenly you feel... well... inferior and less successful than you'd like. You're still renting an apartment. You're still single and even the cat doesn't like you. It's as if you can't keep up with those around you or you feel that you'll never attain the life you think others have on social media. Good news- It's all bullshit. Really it is. Complete, total, and utter... bullshit. It's a fantasy. A subjective reality. A perception. Nothing is as it seems. Even the biggest structure is made of tiny atoms. Nothing... is.... as it seems. That vacation racked up more debt and stress than it was worth. That boat payment means more time at work to pay for it. That mortgage is massive. Take the pressure off your shoulders. When you desire more, you sacrifice your peace. Your peace is priceless.
The Social Media Journal
Another trap to avoid is using your social media like a journal. Seriously. Do not post or write about your relationships, finances, jobs, or anything that people can use to harm you. It feels good to "vent" but too often we put out way too personal information on our media pages and we forget just how big our audience is. Not every Facebook "friend" is a true friend. You might not think about it, but that's the problem. We don't see it until it's too late and we open ourselves up to unnecessary scrutiny. The people who truly care about you are far and few between. That's not just true for you, it's true for all of us. Your real personal connections go much deeper than your computer or your phone.
The bottom line is this: Social Media, Facebook, Instagram, etc... are all illusions my friends. They aren't real. The lives people post about are seldom the same as your perceptions of them. How we view these things are often filtered by our own egos, insecurities, and self doubt. What we see is only granted power by our decision to assign emotion to it. It is our own egos' reflection that we see. The good news is that once you understand this, the pressure is off of you. In fact, our pressure was always self inflicted to begin with. Life is not a contest but an experience. Nothing more, nothing less. Don't be caught up in posting about your life, be caught up in living it.
Monday, October 2, 2017
10 Signs You Have Been Chosen for a Spiritual Awakening
"Awakening is not changing who you are but discarding who you are not." _ Deepak Chopra
Life is a journey. It's a constant process that involves survival, mistakes, and growth. We begin each day in this false sense of security that we have forever on this earth. But life takes on a new meaning when the moment comes that you realize that even you are a temporary blip on life's radar. No matter what you have achieved or what stuff you have acquired during your time here, our bodies all have an expiration date. It is somewhere within ourselves and within the moments of the realization of the temporal life that we begin to shift, or awaken spiritually. We begin to see life with wiser eyes. Our perspectives and values shift. We see things with renewed vigor and childlike eyes. Here are ten signs you are beginning to have a spiritual awakening:
1) You are turning off the TV
You had your favorite shows and movies you could watch over and over, but suddenly missing those shows and not watching those movies is no longer a big deal. You find yourself stepping away from the TV and going out and doing more. You may adopt new hobbies and interests. You spend more time with people or going outdoors. You are reading more and you can't seem to get enough mental stimulation.
There are many other signs and signals that you are having a spiritual awakening. I liken it to the movie, "The Matrix," where a young man's reality is turned upside down when he choses to "wake up." Despite the fun fictional elements to the film, we are living in kind of a self inflicted matrix. No one is coming to save us though. It is our individual responsibility to grow and develop. If you have found yourself "lost" in your life, I encourage you to be still and journey down the rabbit hole of self exploration. All of the answers that you will need are within you. You just have to wake up and remember.
1) You are turning off the TV
You had your favorite shows and movies you could watch over and over, but suddenly missing those shows and not watching those movies is no longer a big deal. You find yourself stepping away from the TV and going out and doing more. You may adopt new hobbies and interests. You spend more time with people or going outdoors. You are reading more and you can't seem to get enough mental stimulation.
2) Idle conversation bores you
Your perspective and values about life shift so much that idle gossip and "chit-chat" no longer interest you. You no longer concern yourself with water cooler talk and you have little to no fascination in the business of others. You don't care what is happening with Beyonce' and Jay Z and you have also started to distance yourself from the world news altogether.
Your perspective and values about life shift so much that idle gossip and "chit-chat" no longer interest you. You no longer concern yourself with water cooler talk and you have little to no fascination in the business of others. You don't care what is happening with Beyonce' and Jay Z and you have also started to distance yourself from the world news altogether.
3) You find yourself constantly questioning the world around you
All of a sudden the world you thought you knew, no longer makes sense. When you think of awakening or "spiritual enlightenment," you think one would become all knowing. Not so much. You become more "all confused" more so than all knowing. It's as if you have been given a kind of consciousness based birds eye view of the human condition. You begin to understand what being human is and you start to question the how and why of everything and everyone around you.
All of a sudden the world you thought you knew, no longer makes sense. When you think of awakening or "spiritual enlightenment," you think one would become all knowing. Not so much. You become more "all confused" more so than all knowing. It's as if you have been given a kind of consciousness based birds eye view of the human condition. You begin to understand what being human is and you start to question the how and why of everything and everyone around you.
4) You long to be in nature
You will find that being in nature; whether it's walking in the park, the beach, the forest, becomes a recharge for your mind and body. You feel the sun on your face and the wind in your hair in a much more vibrant way than you could remember before. You feel a connection to the earth and it's children. The stillness and sanctity of the woods ignites in you a deep feeling of joy, completion, and peace. It is here where you will find a whole new kind of connection.
5) Your priorities and old views are changing
All of sudden that shiny car, those new outfits, and that new Rolex becomes just stuff. And that big house becomes... well... just big. You recognize that not only can you own stuff, but stuff can also own you if you let it. You understand that pursing happiness outside of your own being is a waste of energy and useless. You shift to a more compassionate state of mind and see that success comes from helping others more than just helping yourself.
6) You are comfortable being alone
You no longer feel like you need attention or have to be surrounded by people. You can go out to eat alone and feel comfortable doing it. You feel good in your own skin and doing your own thing. You know and understand that all living things are naturally connected and therefore you aren't, nor were you ever, disconnected or separated from anyone. You find peace and rest in that.
You no longer feel like you need attention or have to be surrounded by people. You can go out to eat alone and feel comfortable doing it. You feel good in your own skin and doing your own thing. You know and understand that all living things are naturally connected and therefore you aren't, nor were you ever, disconnected or separated from anyone. You find peace and rest in that.
7) You no longer wish to prove yourself to anyone
Suddenly your need for "selfies," "likes," and attention diminishes. You no longer feel chained by anyone else's expectations or need their validation. You start wearing the clothes you want to wear. You start speaking candidly about everything and you no longer concern yourself with authorities, opinions, or titles of others. You start to understand that people's opinions of you are nothing more then their perception and don't necessary reflect the absolute truth about who you are. You know yourself and except yourself, fully aware of where you are and where you are not on your life's journey.
Suddenly your need for "selfies," "likes," and attention diminishes. You no longer feel chained by anyone else's expectations or need their validation. You start wearing the clothes you want to wear. You start speaking candidly about everything and you no longer concern yourself with authorities, opinions, or titles of others. You start to understand that people's opinions of you are nothing more then their perception and don't necessary reflect the absolute truth about who you are. You know yourself and except yourself, fully aware of where you are and where you are not on your life's journey.
8) You wake up at about the same time in the middle of the night most nights
It is often said that we wake up during the night when we have a lot of stress or worry on our subconscious minds. The same can happen when you are waking up spiritually. Your body will heal and become more recharged faster than normal. Your mind will open and you will have more lucid dreams. You will began to get messages and have dreams that are meaningful to your life and the healing process of your mind.
9) You notice your thoughts are tied to people
Have you ever been thinking of someone and suddenly, out of nowhere, they call or message you? This is a more common phenomena than you might think. In fact this happens to people so often that it is arguable that this is measurable evidence of a conscious connection between you and others. You will find that this will happen more and more frequently as you awaken. You may also have instances of discernment. In other words, you may begin to be able to accurately judge and understand people with little information about them by listening to your instincts.
Have you ever been thinking of someone and suddenly, out of nowhere, they call or message you? This is a more common phenomena than you might think. In fact this happens to people so often that it is arguable that this is measurable evidence of a conscious connection between you and others. You will find that this will happen more and more frequently as you awaken. You may also have instances of discernment. In other words, you may begin to be able to accurately judge and understand people with little information about them by listening to your instincts.
10) You are letting go of your past
You will begin to feel free of concern and free of your past. You find forgiveness for others and for yourself. You have a deeper understanding of the human condition and you become much more empathetic toward others. You start to see yourself for the person you are, right now, not the person you used to be. You let go of your past and you replace it with the peace of the here and now.There are many other signs and signals that you are having a spiritual awakening. I liken it to the movie, "The Matrix," where a young man's reality is turned upside down when he choses to "wake up." Despite the fun fictional elements to the film, we are living in kind of a self inflicted matrix. No one is coming to save us though. It is our individual responsibility to grow and develop. If you have found yourself "lost" in your life, I encourage you to be still and journey down the rabbit hole of self exploration. All of the answers that you will need are within you. You just have to wake up and remember.
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