Tag: Be Alive

Her Words.

.Reading time 4 minutes.

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Buenos Aires, Argentina – on what would have been her seventy-ninth birthday. 

My grandmother would always say, “I wish you all the lucks in the world.”

On every card, for birthdays and graduations, she faithfully wished me all the lucks in the world. Her simple words, were not so simple to me. I wondered why she wished more than one luck. Deep down inside, I felt touched by her spirit – and even when it was written in a card, I could hear her voice saying the words so clearly. Sweet and simple, with grace and confidence. She wished it for me, because she knew it was possible to have luck in the world. That pleasant memory of her is etched on my soul.

In some selfish way, I began to believe that she actually wished me the world. That she wished me great purpose in the world. That she wished me to see the world. That she wished me to make a difference in the lives of people in the world. I translated her words to mean that she wished for me to learn as much about the world, and to travel the world, and to share my spirit with the world. I’d like to believe that she wished me to seek out my talents and place them ever so humbly in the world. Perhaps she wanted me to see the world as my school, a place where learning never-ends. What if she meant for me to see what the world has to offer, and confidently go after whatever I desired? She could have easily meant she wished for my safety in the world. Perhaps finding genuine love in the world. Having good health. Financial stability. Peace of mind. I believe she wanted me to do some of the things she wished for herself, but she would never say that. She would just wish me all the lucks in the world. She would have never disclosed to me that she wished she could have been a dressmaker, if I didn’t ask. It wasn’t about her dreams and her sacrifices. It wasn’t about her past decisions. It was a message of hope to her granddaughter, that the world has so much going on, and she simply wanted me to be well in it. I believe she wanted me to live purposefully, not letting too much time go by without seeing my dreams come true. She didn’t place any specific ideas in my mind. Her words were careful. Perhaps, general. I believe they were plentiful. Those words were full of love, hope, and imagination.

My grandmother passed away shortly after her seventieth birthday. I’d like to believe she had many experiences in the world. One may see her message as simple, as something anyone would wish for their loved ones. It’s true. Many grandparents must wish this for their grandchildren. Many parents must wish this for children. The variety of life experiences in this world are inevitable. There’s much good, bad, and ugly. Wishing luck or blessings are prayers for peaceful paths. The luck brings about a light of hope, it brings about a purpose to inspire, it brings about the drive to live before you die.

In the case no one has told you once before, accept this message:

“I wish you all the lucks in the world!” – my grandmother

 We can all use a little luck… 

Like a Bird

.Reading time 3 minutes.

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Rome, Italy. 2017.

Every morning, when I wake up, I am reminded that I am magic. I am powerful, over my thoughts, my words and my reality. I’d like to think that my sense of freedom has elevated in the last few weeks. I am soaring to new heights, and this feeling is extremely liberating. I’m not questioning the wind. It’s guiding me, and I know for sure that my wings were made for this!

We all know many who are afraid to leave the nest, afraid to spread their wings, afraid to soar. The view from the nest is just not good enough for me. There are some things I want to see up close and personal. I’ll never forget home, but I’m also not obligated to stay there. My spirit is pulling me to fly and experience life around the world. My spirit is pulling me to become immersed in the possibilities of a new life each day.

From the skylines of Croatia, to Montenegro, to Italy in the last week, I am feeling free, and embracing the dream. The added beauty that comes along with this experience is the pleasure of being surrounded by others with the same intentions, the same ideas, the same outlooks, the same dreams, and the same visions. We are out here in the world, flying together – because it’s possible.

Each day, I further understand Maya Angelou’s eloquence and sentiments. I too, know why the caged bird sings…I’m remembering the moments of feeling stuck, and my subconscious whispers of  songs, wishes, hopes and prayers, and then realizing that the locked cage was an illusion. How many years of life does one lose, as they trick themselves into believing they are supposed to live with limitations? The limits of the home, the job, the family… we are not obligated to these things. These are circumstances placed to help shape us. As we develop from them, it’s wise to know and understand that the circumstances will shift. My circumstances are shifting!

Fear is nothing. The locked cage is an illusion. The wings are too. But, the dreams, the visions, the passions, those are real! When you realize you’re as free as a bird, you walk, run, fly, soar, and float. The perspectives are limitless, the views leave you speechless, and your soul is grateful because it has become even more alive. Let’s be as birds.

Live a Lot

.Reading time 5 minutes.

Slow down. Everyday will not be the same, no matter how strict we are with our routines. That’s the beauty in life, the unexpected. The sharp turns, and whether or not we are prepared to make them, even when we’re used to going straight. We’re supposed to be living flexible lives, taking the good with the bad. I’m no robot, so forgive me if I’m late, if I need a break, if I messed something up, if I forgot, if I didn’t respond, if I said “no,” if I didn’t stop to say hello, if I did something without telling you, if I didn’t apologize, if I was too blunt, if I disregarded your feelings, if I didn’t have pity for you, if I didn’t tell you what you wanted to hear, if I wasn’t honest, if I put myself first – please, oops, my bad, forgive me.

My true core self always speaks, as a doer. As doers, we simply say less. We are addicted to taking it all in, and getting things done. Who has time to talk about it! We are too busy manifesting. We’re quietly planning, observing, strategizing, and making moves to bring about all that we want in our lives. Everyone else may only see the results of that hard work, and then questions how it gets done. That there is the problem, too much talking. It’s great to ask questions, but there comes a point where you should actually begin to apply the information shared!

We are not perfect. It’s so interesting, because as much as we know this is impossible, we still strive for perfection. Why is that? Why does everything have to be so “perfect?” Let’s just live simply, and do all things with love. Let’s just follow the four agreements presented so clearly by Don Miguel Ruiz: Be Impeccable with Your Word, Don’t Make Assumptions, Always Do Your Best, and my favorite Don’t Take Anything Personally. Yes, let’s do that! Let’s be filled with the same positive energy, so that we eventually become in sync, and on a frequency that will actually help make this world a better place. Stop striving for perfection, stop comparing, stop judging, stop criticizing, stop hating, stop hurting others, stop killing others, just stop! Be still, and feel the shift. We actually have the power to change things, not to make them perfect, just to shift gears, and make them better!

I want my children to grow up in a world with people who are compassionate. Women need to step up, take their place, know their power and worth, stop trying to please others, and live in truth! Get back to nature, that’s where all the answers are placed, right before our natural eyes!

Slow down, and let’s stop saying we don’t have time for this or that. We don’t know how much time we have! That’s plain and simple. If your mom wants you to give her a call, pick up the phone. Your kids want to play hide and seek with you, get to hiding! Your passion is burning a hole through your heart because you keep ignoring it, you just may kill yourself before you actually die. Time is of the essence, so take breaks when necessary, take action when necessary, stop striving for perfection, stop the comparison, do your best, live in the moment, spread the love, and embrace it all!

Oh yeah, and go on that trip you’ve been talking about for so long! What are you waiting for? Take some control, place fear in the trash, get the credit card, book the flight (with or without a travel buddy), pack your carry-on bag (less is more), and when you get there, smile, because you actually made it happen! In this life, we’re to make new mistakes, have new experiences, and not live so much in routine or fear. Ride the bike, take the fall, get back up, and get back to it! Do just that. Live, a lot.

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San Francisco, California. 2014

Abstract Nature Girl.

.Reading time 2 minutes.

 

 

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Vinales, Cuba. 2017

Far beyond anything we can see with our eyes. Until infinity, as long as we believe. Take care of our minds, and our hearts, and exist forever. Keep a healthy self. Keep light. Keep love. Be light. Be love. Declutter and detach. Flow freely; be whimsical. Have a clear understanding on how to embrace and release all that comes and goes. Be still. Connect with the trees. Study nature. Become its reflection. Listen to the birds when they sing. Reject fear, judgement and discomfort. Welcome courage, and be courageous. Watch the changes right before our eyes. Don’t deny them. Pay attention to the evolution, within and around us. We are spirits. Let our spirits direct our steps. Trust in that, because it feels right. How much do we have to cover up? Layer up? Dumb down in make-up? Do not hide. Do not die. Do not subside. Awaken! Let’s get centered, balanced, lifted. Disconnect from “things” and get charged up! Find purity, and value that. Find innocence, and capitalize on that. Find radiance, and become drenched in that. Find the light, and never lose it again. Sing and fly as wild as birds. Grow strong and deeply rooted. The sky is beautiful. The ocean, so soothing. Let’s get back to nature, so much, that we become it.

 

What are we feeling?

What are we thinking?

What are we doing?

What are we saying?

What are we eating?

Is it all natural?

Does it come from nature?

What’s the energy like?

 Be still.

Peace.

I Am…

.Reading time 5 minutes.

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Brooklyn, NY, 2016.

We all make investments. We invest time and energy in what we believe is important. Well, we should. Everything should have purpose. It’s not always easy, but sacrifice is necessary – otherwise your happiness and peace become compromised. Recently, I decided to solely focus on one particular investment. Myself! I’m on a journey of awareness. I am awake, and paying attention. I am visualizing the life I want for myself, each day, with an understanding that everything has its time.

I began watching food documentaries. It was time to alter my eating habits. I am an extreme believer in the law of attraction, and I knew it was time to align my spiritual being, with my physical being. I became excited in exploring the idea of becoming vegetarian, and one day, vegan. The journey began last winter. I watched Vegucated. I became a strict vegetarian for five months. My weakness is seafood. Currently, there’s a thin line between vegetarianism and pescetarianism. Either way, on this path I am feeling lighter in spirit, healthier at heart, happier with decision making, and at a beautiful level of peace. I am now, and always will be a work-in-progress.

The next thing on my list was to go on new adventures, which equated to quitting my job. I had to create space for new experiences, and my job was in the way. When it’s time, it’s time. Life is too short to stay in one place for too long. The lessons I was there to learn, ended. After my last day, so much began to surface: I participated in an art show as one of two exhibiting artists, spent a month practicing my spanish and exploring Colombia, and started a new job (the one I actually envisioned for myself). The space I created by leaving something I’ve been doing for so long, was filled with dreams come true. I am amazed, but it’s reassuring proof that thoughts are powerful. I am still a work in progress.

I’ve learned to become still, and listen to spiritual messages from the universe. Some of the messages came to me as I participated in guided meditations with Oprah and Deepak Chopra. Some spiritual messages were sent to me as I binge-watched youtube videos of Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday segments. I also became submerged in the Infinite Waters youtube channel, where Ralph Smart speaks on…you know what – just go check it out! Talk about morning energy! To heighten my spirituality, I joined an amazing church here in Brooklyn. It has been life-changing. I am still a work in progress.

Along this journey of self-awareness, to further the alignment of my spiritual being and physical being, I decided it was time to allow my natural hair to grow freely. You may have noticed many photos of me with braids (that was my transition period of eight months). Those braids helped me, tremendously! At the eighth month mark, and just before my 29th birthday, I did the big chop! It was such a liberating feeling, because as with all things – it’s about timing. The chop was right on time. I am still a work in progress.

I have eczema. If you have it, you know how frustrating it can be. I’ve decided to give up the prescriptions. My body care products now consist of natural body oils (coconut, avocado, mango, tea tree, etc.), Shea butters, black soap, and it ends there. No perfumes, no body sprays. I’m learning. I am still a work in progress.

Knowing that God’s plan for me is greater than the plan I have for myself is so inspiring. What a beautiful thing, to be conscious of who I am and work toward becoming a better me, and then finding out along the way that I am attaining so much more than I could have ever imagined. I am always reminded, “All things in due time.” I am…

 

Swag in the Bag

.Reading time 2 minutes.

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Streets of Cartagena, Colombia. 2016

No need to try too hard. Just always do your best. Accept what’s not meant. Be kind to others. Stay true. Remain humble. Don’t stress. Nuture your passion, as if it were a child. Stay focused. Have an opinion. Stand for something. Let your voice be heard. Have goals. Continue to add to your bucket list. Live your dreams. Help other people. Smile often. Love hard. Laugh out loud. Have an open mind, and heart. Appreciate and enjoy the littel things. Read. Express your feelings. Write daily. Stop to smell the roses. Understand that you’re a student, for life – always learning. Make mistakes once, then wisen up. Know better, do better. Teach what you know. Share information. Travel the world. Broaden your horizons. Become acquaintances with many. Eat delicious food. Strengthen relationships with family and friends. Don’t waste time on the unnecessary. Remember less is more. Have faith. Have role models. Set a good example. Understand that children are always watching, and they mimic what they see. Become one with the fact that you can’t master everything. Unleash your talent and share it with the world. Always do your best, because you’re meant to shine as bright as anyone else. Own your identity. The life you’re living was only meant and designed for you – embrace that. Don’t like something, change your thinking and it will change your life. Sing out loud. Dance like no one’s watching. Sit in silence for re-grounding purposes. Live by the golden rule. Have compassion. Understand that most of what we know is only the tip of the iceberg. Live in the moment. Don’t worry. Don’t judge. Take risks. Listen to the universe. Look for signs. And finally, so that you don’t miss your flight, pack light. You need nothing more than swag in your bag.