No More “Sorry’s”!

Lately I have come across a few articles, videos and speeches about apologizing.
Let me ask you something: how many times today have you said “I’m sorry”?
Really think about it.

For me, this started years ago… I recognized and heard myself countless times, apologizing for things that are of my human rights. I caught myself saying sorry, when I was really sorry for nothing at all!

Have you ever spoken your mind, and then apologized for it straight after? Not because you are sorry, but to most likely appease the other person’s feelings. How about that time where you  almost walked right into someone turning a corner, and both of you were quick to verbalize everything you are sorry for. Why are we sorry for having opinions, expressing ourselves, turning a corner…living!? Why have we begun to incorporate this phrase into our everyday activities and experiences?

There is something very small about apologizing when no apology is necessary, it is disempowering. Our words are ours to choose, and our words are how we portray ourselves. We are born with the freedom, and the service to say what we mean, and mean what we say. We are holding out on the world, if we are holding out on ourselves. The world doesn’t need “I am sorry”… she needs “I am.”

Powerful examples of “I am”:

1. I am honest with myself, and others.
2. I laugh when a stranger and I almost run into each other, it reminds me to take some time to slow down and appreciate fully.
3. I can tell someone news opposite of what they desire, without apologizing based on their feelings.
4. I am secure with myself to know when to apologize so I genuinely mean it.
5. I love myself so much, that I do not alter who or what I am.

I personally have had it with the useless apologies. There is absolutely nothing sexy about it… agree?
It’s about time we all learn to just BE- without feeling guilty about it.

Peace and Love as always,

~Jasmine

Forgive Yourself First

“It’s not just other people we need to forgive, we also need to forgive ourselves.”
Ourselves?
“Yes, for all the things we didn’t do. All the things we should have done. You can’t get stuck on the regrets of what should have happened. That doesn’t help you when you get to where I am.”
-Morrie, “Tuesday’s With Morrie”-Mitch Albom

Most of us know that forgiveness plays an important part of our lives and our relationships. We know that in order to continue flourishing, we need to let go of grudges, release past emotions, and conquer our resentments. But what about that person who so rarely receives your forgiveness? The one who deserves it most?

That person is YOU. Who else in your life is more deserving of your acceptance, understanding and love? Without self forgiveness, and letting go of all the guilt you may carry in your heart, you will be heavily burdened. The time is now to move on from the past. Nothing can be changed, but something can be gained. Gain the wisdom and knowledge by tackling those haunted memories that bring you fear, guilt, insecurities, shame, anger, disappointment, self-doubt and at times depression. Love and accept yourself as an imperfect being, and replace those negatives, with lessons that serve you.

We are all meant to make mistakes, it’s part of what makes life so interesting as without them, we would have no growth. Learn to appreciate your mistakes, and see them as opportunities to grow and improve yourself. Embrace your flaws and let those expectations disappear with the rear view mirror. We are headed towards a new path now!

Live in the present, and stop carrying the past with you. We cannot change or control what has already happened, our powers are effective only when used in the Now, which in turn set the path for our tomorrows’. Free yourself of all past energies that don’t bring value into your life and replace them with new thoughts of positivity and encouragement. Love can and will not exist, when you are focused on anything fear- based.

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”  Gandhi

Sometimes we can think of forgiveness as a weakness, as if we are saying it is “okay” to make that mistake, but the act of forgiving is quite the opposite, it is a sign of strength. To forgive, whether it’s for your own mistakes, or what someone else has done, is a gift to yourself; there is nothing more self-serving, than releasing the negative resentments we tend to hold on to for too long.
Let it go. Most of the things we have a hard time letting go of, weren’t initially intended to hurt us but somehow ended up as less desirable outcomes; people make mistakes. Love yourself in order to love others, try to develop the ability to see people and our experiences as lessons. Exercise your mind and heart to release self-limiting attachments, and anything you find stunting your growth.

-love and peace, J.

The Power of Meditation

 “You are not a body with a soul, rather a soul with a body.” Wayne Dyer

As something I have just recently started, at least seriously, I can already feel the shift and energy it is bringing into my life. Last week, I went to a Heart Chakra meditation which was specifically meant to target our 4th Chakra: Heart. This is our “human” chakra, where we feel emotion; this is where our relationships and how we interact with others is governed. This type of meditation is focussed on releasing any fear and sadness you may be holding, to be replaced with compassion and love. This particular chakra/energy zone is thought of as our “center” as it links both our lower chakras, and upper chakras together. If this chakra is underactive, or overactive, we feel very off-balanced in all areas. It is important to be attuned with what your body is telling you and learn about each of your chakras, to reach your ultimate potential.

Personally, this experience was deeply emotional for me. The setting was very intimate, held in the apartment of the couple who was holding it, with only seven of us present, none of which I really even knew on a personal level. It started with 45 minutes of self-meditation, followed with a time to share for anyone feeling an interest in expressing themselves. Now, you don’t know me, but I am not the person who jumps up and down when someone asks me to share how I’m feeling, in fact I’m the person who finds an excuse to leave the room (hiding in bathrooms is a specialty of mine). But on this particular day, something in my mind was altered. Here I was, very comfortable, relaxed, in touch with myself, around accepting people.. what would be my reason not to? It would only be my very own fears inhibiting my self-expression. So I shared. That alone was a huge step for me, let alone, crying in front of the whole room. But you know what? It was very cleansing, and allowed me to experience the acceptance of other people, strangers really. To experience a place of love by people that held no judgment of what I was telling them, or what emotions I was showing, was an experience of pure joy. I cannot express what I have learned about the power of expression.

The only reason I was able to experience this was because I had cleared my mind and body of any thoughts that were self-limiting. This is exactly, in my opinion, the power of meditation. To erase any feelings and re-occuring thoughts and worries of the day, for even just 5 minutes of  your day can be extremely beneficial. When you think about how many thoughts the average person has a day (I’ve read it’s close to 70,000), no wonder clearing your mind can be so invigorating. As we clear out the clutter, we give ourselves a “clean slate,” giving us the opportunity to start fresh from that point on. What a free-ing concept!

What reason do you have not to meditate? No time? No motivation? It doesn’t take much for one to see positive effects of clearing the mind, a mere 10 minutes a day would be sufficient to start with. I’d recommend taking 5 minutes when you wake up to sit in silence, maybe on the balcony, or in your backyard.. somewhere you won’t be disturbed. Along with this morning routine, it is helpful to take another 5 minutes before bed to allow yourself to “de-brief” from the day and detach from all our inner chaos we collect throughout the day in the life of our fabulous self! I promise you, that by only ten minutes a day, you will see reduced stress levels in yourself, along with less anxiety and a more peace of mind/inner calm.

-love and peace, J.