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

When It Comes To That Family Thing…Dynamics and All

I woke up today feeling a bit strange, and when I say strange, I might, just might mean.. overwhelmed, stressed, and as if I carry all responsibility.

Today is my beautiful mother’s birthday, “Happy Birthday Mumma dear!” The last week I have been trying to plan something, at least a dinner, or getting together, and neither my sister or mum have been able to answer the phone or respond with any information at all. It’s made me feel a bit overwhelmed, and I’ll say it, annoyed! I don’t feel these types of emotions that often, and I am for the most part, quite relaxed and not easily perturbed, but wow am I feeling this today!

While I want to prevent this post from becoming a rant and something I’ll look back on later with more “enlightenment”… I can’t help but feel the need to verbalize everything I want them to know. I feel undervalued and unappreciated. I naturally take the role of leader in my family, and I truly do exert a lot of energy towards their well-being, needs and wants. I think about them every day and how I can help them and take care of them better, now in the present as well as also in the future.

Is there a greater lesson in all of this for me?

My mother isn’t only my mother, but my sister. My brother isn’t just my brother, but also my friend, and my sister isn’t just a sister to me, but a daughter. They represent so much more to me, and reflect who I am. Each with different and unique personalities, they are beautiful. We have gone through many things, and are still going through a few long-lasting experiences that just haven’t finished with us yet, we love, and try our best.

I should turn this into gratitude.

I really am grateful that I have such beautiful beings to share a family tree with. I have learned invaluable lessons from each of them, and we are all on our own journeys. I am grateful I know I always have people to go to in a time of need, or desperation, or if I ever become very lost. Our love we give each other is unconditional, core-based love; I know I can become anything and I will still be loved.

Much of this weight I feel, I put on my own shoulders. I take over most responsibility, guidance, and leadership, because this is what they require of me. This is my service to them, and the role I have been placed in. I of course have the freedoms to change this, but I know I never will. What I can do is understand that I may not be understood all the time, and in turn be there to understand myself. None of us can truly understand one another completely…

I must also remember that I cannot fix what is not mine.

 

 

Thanks for listening ❤

~Love and Peace,
J.

How You Spend Your Days, Is How You Spend Your Life

So about a month and a half ago I manifested myself a job that I wanted, or thought that I wanted, and while I learned just how powerful my intentions and manifestations can be, I also learned something even more valuable: the importance of staying true.

I’ve worked mostly in the service based industry throughout my working life thus far; the restaurant business to get a bit more exact. Being a vegetarian for pretty well all these years, and going vegan this last year, I’ve always had to make a sacrifice with the food I am serving, recommending (as in pretending to eat and enjoy), and surrounding myself with. I suppose it had never really bothered me, or I didn’t really think too deeply about it. I was used to being the odd one out and having to modify the crap out of everything I ordered. The place I have just started working at is a higher end restaurant, that prides themselves in the food they serve, which hey, I give them credit for and counts for something, as every other place I’ve worked at most of the staff gets sick of the food pretty fast.  But it was when I was cramming the menu in my brain, getting ready for my food test, when I realized, I don’t want any of this knowledge in my head.

Fast forward a bit… I can’t bring myself to enjoy working here. This job would be a means for me to make good money, but you know what? It’s just not worth the sacrifice. I feel like I am betraying who I am every time I go in for a shift, not to mention I’m required to wear heels for those 8 looooooong hours.

THE LESSON:

While the last few weeks have been tiring and only leaving me with achy feet, I am grateful for it all. What better way to realize the importance in how and what you spend your days doing? I have re-affirmed now that I am perfect as I am, and it is not only unnecessary, but unhealthy to try to force myself into a lifestyle and environment in which I don’t fit in.

I have a vision for myself and I am choosing today to stay true to that, keep my goals in sight, and to love the journey getting there . I am striving to be more impeccable with my word, so I will leave respectively and honestly. However, I have already begun manifesting new and more “me” opportunities. While it was never much of a concern of mine in the past, it is for me now to enjoy and love how I spend my days… and my work is naturally a large part of that.

It never feels good to lose alignment with yourself. It can cause you to feel heavy, depressed, confused, lonely and disconnected. At times I even had thoughts that there must be something wrong with me, and that I wasn’t cooperating as I should be. What nonsense! I could see that my progress and state was quickly spiraling, so I sat still, gave myself some love and positive feedback, and allowed myself to express. In a matter of minutes I had all the answers and solutions I needed. Amazing! I say “No!” to molding and doing internal “surgeries” on ourselves, and “Yes!” to some more self lovinnnnn’.

Love and Peace and Smiles,

J.

A Woman’s Essence: A Message and Poem.

She is made of earth
A fuel to fire
Part of that fire
She holds inside, and it burns.

Her fire embraces a life force
With wisdom and desire
The sparkle in her eyes
The understanding in her embrace

She walks along her path
Each one of us different
Sometimes she gets lost and
Struggles to find beauty within herself

The tears that flow
No one else sees
Held in private captivity
Each day a new beginning

Not locked in
But not quite free
She exists in a world
Obsessed with flaws and greed

Days have become personal battles
That line between too skinny
And too fat
Breasts too big, too flat

Our daughters don’t want “to be ugly”
Too scared to be themselves
Unique beauty is hard
Authenticity over-rated

A life where she thrives
A world that supports a girl
As she is, who she is
Is where I want to live.

Ladies:
Empower your feminine
She is your essence
She is your soul, your light
She is the solution of love

Love your face, love your feet
Taste your skin, watch it glow
Your breasts are life givers
Your energy needs to flow

Support your cause, your body
Be a ripple, please
Of change and balance
That our Mother Earth so badly needs.

Meditative Reflections

The view from where I was sitting.

A couple months ago I went on a trip down the coast of California, we stopped in a place called Encinitas to visit a Meditation Garden. It’s located near San Diego, right along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Most of this trip was a great experience for me to evolve, and recognize certain things I have been letting into my life. This day holds such meaning to me. Once we were there, I found a few places that inspired me to write and ponder, and sat alone only with my pen and notebook. As soon as I sat down, I had a surge of wisdom flow through my pen, I must have wrote this all down in a matter of minutes. I am posting it here simply because someone, like yourself, could possibly relate and benefit from it.

‘Meditative Reflections’

1. Balance yourself, and you balance your world.
2. Do the work to reach your goals and meaning.
3. Positivity = ‘+’, Negativity = ‘-‘
4. Strength comes from self- love.
5. Surround yourself with that and those which enhance.
6. Surround yourself with others who allow you to be you, and who help you be your highest point of self.
7. Everything is perfect.
8. You are more than enough.
9. Love is the only cure.
10. Know yourself, and be yourself.

“The thinking spot.

Every day do something for your goals.
Every day do something for your personal self.
Every day read.
Every day write/ journal.
Every day take care of your body, inside and out.
Every day have an interesting conversation.
Every day hold gratitude.
Every day go outside.
Every day learn something new.
Every day live in love.
Every day express.

Each day we face a thousand ways to jeopardize who we are. To stay true to yourself is one of the hardest things we are faced with. In each situation be you. Act as your highest self would act and let that person you are meant to be, be. Whoever you are, the world needs you naturally and organically, the people in your life need you; you must be of service.

Become Peaceful.
Be Love. Be You.
Be True To What And Who You Are.

I would love for you to share too some of the simple things you have learned along the way…

~Love and Peace, J.

The Power of Femininity

Who is She? She is strong, intuitive, beautiful, innocent, experienced, wise, understanding, loving, affectionate, seductive, confident, sexual, intelligent… these are her powers.

As women, we hold certain powers and intuitions different than the men we share this beautiful earth with. When we restrict ourselves or suppress what makes us shine, smothering our own fire, we create more problems on Mother Earth, as well as in our own lives.

It’s clear today that a shift is being made in how women are viewed, understood and cherished. It is because of this shift, that I am writing this now, and have started my own journey towards getting to know my Goddess self as well as my true potential. However, when an old mindset is changed, or changing, it can be hard to release because of how much resistance these beliefs have been creating.

In every woman lies the sacred ingredients of creation, necessary for regeneration and rebirth. Without the full energies and presence of the Feminine, nothing could be born. The world, right now buried by masculine consciousness, needs the love and attention of the Divine Feminine spirit. In our spirits, we hold the secrets and wisdom in bringing the world’s soul back to being balanced and thriving.

Divine Feminine energy is comprised of qualities such as love, understanding, compassion, nurturing, and empathy with others. It has been mistaken that these qualities are in a sense, weaker than the qualities naturally given to men. This is not true as living our authentic lives, and being a natural woman, is the most empowering action we could take. Too many women, in this age of men, have succumbed to the masculine energy and adopted it as their own, not realizing they are preventing themselves from reaching their highest potential and connection. Each man and woman, hold a delicate balance of yin (f) and yang (m) energy. Being conscious of how much each one is being fed will ensure that you are fully connected to your spirit and that you live the Goddess life you are meant to experience.

A balanced and healthy world is one where men are free to be men, and women free to be women. What a powerful place we would be living in if each person focused more on their personal journey’s and potential. With that said let’s start with ourselves and move outwards, we are no help to anything if we are not helping and embracing ourselves. Allow yourself to express your love and affection for life. Live in full connection.

 

-Love and Peace, J.

Being Your Own Source Of Light

Let’s face it, sometimes it can be hard to be all that we are capable of, especially  in situations that target our emotional state. In this world throughout all the chaotic experiences we have, it is important to focus on being our own source of light and positivity. It is too easy, as well as self-suffering to let others’ demands and emotions hold reign over our right to freely express, and be.

“No one can make you jealous, angry, vengeful, or greedy – unless you let him.” Napoleon Hill

I had a situation today which instilled major disappointment, sadness and betrayal. What this person chose to do, instantly made me feel undesirable, mistreated, disrespected, undervalued and taken advantage of. I could not separate my feelings from his choice because I had invested so deeply, enabling it to affect my whole morning and afternoon. One thing I knew, is this didn’t feel good. Having a long day ahead of me, I knew I needed to do something for myself and my well-being. How backwards it would have been if I let one circumstance, if I let another person’s bad decision, affect my whole day.

At first, I tried to meditate and still my mind. I laid down on my bed, trying to quiet all the negative thoughts that were doing circles in my head; needless to say, this did not work. Sometimes your mind isn’t meant to be quieted and left behind, certain thoughts needing to run its course. When I realized this wasn’t going to work, I got even more negative, depressed, and I started to feel very generic. I am grateful I am able to recognize self-limiting patterns, and not feed too much energy into them.

I began to think of everything that I had which was good in my life. I am grateful for my home, my freedom, my loving soul, my friends, my family, my cat… I thought to myself: “I am appreciative of me.” As soon as I took the time to recognize that, I felt a warm light up above my head, already having my eyes closed, I began to envision this light enshrouding my whole body, being and spirit. This light was warm, bright, accepting, but most of all, it warmed with pure love. Creating this light source around myself helped remind me that I was safe, I am healthy, I am beautiful, I am imperfectly perfect, and that I am not responsible for other people’s decisions. How someone decides to treat me does not depict how I should be treated or is in any relation to what I deserve to have. The only person who holds a valued opinion about who I am, is myself.

I took my power back. I went on with my day which happened to be an emotionally demanding one, and was able to stay leveled. We need to remember we always have a choice in how we react to certain things and how we express ourselves. We are spiritual beings capable to be conscious enough to switch our negatives to positive ones and to be in full charge of our own happiness. Which do you choose, living in light? Or darkness?

I choose light.

“Man’s power of choice enables him to think like an angel or a devil, a king or a slave. Whatever he chooses, mind will create and manifest.” – Frederick Bailes

-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.

What It Means To Be A Woman

 Let’s face it ladies, we are still living in a “man’s world.” I say   this because we live in a world mostly ran by masculine traits, as we have for a while now… tick tock, where is the balance? I like to refer to how the Chinese have expressed it as, “Yin(f) and Yang(m), we can see easily with this symbol how delicate this balance really is.

 The beauty of these opposites is that they attract each other,      much like magnets. When both the masculine and feminine qualities harmonize, the experience is pure and ultimate magic. To harmonize our energies, we need to first begin to understand the roles of each, and that neither or holds more importance over the other. 

I found a diagram that clearly depicts the qualities of each sex:

Female/Yin: intuitive, collaborative, multi-tasking, emotional, passionate, empathetic, creative, receptive, allows for “flow.”

Male/Yang: analytical, competitive, singular, rational, determined, linear, logical, objective, assertive, goal-directed.

History hasn’t been too kind to women, in many areas of the world, women are still thought of as a lesser people than men, if we are thought of people at all. During WWII, women jumped in the workplaces, replacing the men who had gone to defend their countries. To many women, this was empowering, and had started a shift to a world of greater equality. Since then, women have zoomed up to the top of companies, have equaled men in entrepreneurship, and have fought to reach higher and higher positions every year. Women are on the rise to making more and more money and this means financial freedom; something every women used to depend on a man for. 

Let’s just go ahead and give us a “yeaaaaa girl!”

How did women accomplish this? By using their masculine traits, and suppressing their feminine ones. It is not “appropriate” in most work places to be emotional, intuitive, or even creative. Because of this, now, more than ever, we need to express and embrace our femininity, and not get lost in the masculine rat race.We are losing ourselves, and what makes us Goddesses.

We know we won’t get where we want to be using only feminine, or only masculine qualities, we need to use both. The greatest success comes from a healthy balance. We know this to be true in relationships, what we eat, even our outfits we pick out everyday has a “balance!” 

We come as a package-deal… we have a mind, hot body, heart, soul and spirit. To worship all of our parts, we need to embellish in our thoughts, feelings, sexuality, needs and wants. Don’t be afraid at what you may find! There is nothing scary about the female expression. We can’t expect our friends and partner to understand and cherish us, if we can’t first do that for ourselves. 

-love and peace, J.