Boat.

May 1, 2020.Reading time 1 minute.

I’m not a great swimmer. It may be one of the reasons I dream a lot about large bodies of water. In this physical life, I practice safety around it, which has pretty much become a natural instinct to “stay away from the deep end”. This could easily be defined as a fear of drowning. Figuratively, I am continuously drawn to explore what’s below the surface. Yet, the dive is not always simple.

In my dreams, I am free of concern. I float, I fly, I maneuver with ease. No swimming. No drowning. I am in a calm control over the experience. I make my way to wherever I feel the desire to go. That’s what it’s all about. Being present, fully aware, having vision, and letting nothing stop me, letting nothing discourage me, letting nothing delay me from maneuvering through time and space for the simple pleasure of just being. The simple pleasure of just acting on feelings. The simple pleasure of allowing my desires to live fully, and fade away freely. I become inspired each time to live in this manner with opened eyes.

Where am I going? Wherever I please.

How will I get there? By any means…

Don’t Wait.

November 28, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

Hobbiton Movie Set. New Zealand. 2018.

Let’s go back twenty years. It’s 1998, and the theme song comes on. We’re hooked, only to possibly realize the true meaning of these lyrics, years later…

“I don’t want to wait for our lives to be over
I want to know right now what will it be
I don’t want to wait for our lives to be over
Will it be yes or will it be sorry?”

Life is meant to pass us by, and each day it does – it’s to remind us of how easily time slips, right, through, our, hands.

What or who are we finding to be of importance?

What are we grasping?

Let’s not be sorry.

“The trouble is, you think you have time.” -Buddha

“There’s only one thing more precious than our time and that’s who we spend it on.” – Leo

When in doubt – just think… “What would Beyonce do?”

Don’t wait.

Yes, You.

September 9, 2018.Reading time 2 minutes.

I am a butterfly, because I said so.

I’ve painted my own colors, and I fly where I wanna.

No one owes me a thing, and I sure don’t owe anyone else.

I owe it all to myself.

Many people quote “Living my best life,” and they should.

Why shouldn’t YOU?

My prayer is for everyone to find peace.

Within.

Everything will then fall into place.

Give yourself permission.

Allow your dreams to come true.

Allow your love to be wild.

Allow your life to speak volumes.

Allow yourself release to your inner child.

Yes, YOU!

xoxo, DMC

Philosophies of Indian yogi, Sadhguru:

Stop thinking so intensely – that causes depression.
You’re not mad at somebody, you’ve just gone mad.
Nothing is stressful, it is the inability to manage your body, mind and emotions.
The problem is irresponsible growth of the human population.
It is not a privilege to be depressed so that you’ll get attention from somebody.
Life is not outside of you. You are life.
Every breath you take, you’re getting closer to your grave, every breath you take, you’re also getting closer to your liberation.
Spirituality is empowerment.
It would be wonderful if this world was guided by little children, because they are closer to life than anyone else.
Joy is a natural phenomenon. Misery is your creation.
It pays to be joyful!
Don’t be dead serious about your life. It’s just a play.
If there is something in your life which means something to you, you should not postpone it for a single day.
Whatever happens, ultimately, life corrects itself.
You can either live logically or magically. It’s your choice.
You know everything about the world, but you do not know anything about yourself. This is a ridiculous way to live.
Do not try to fix whatever comes in your life. Fix yourself in such a way that whatever comes, you will be fine.
The more conclusions you have, the less you experience life.
Do not try to be the best, just do your best.
Yesterday only lives in your mind.
Be the light of your life.

YES, YOU!

Due Time

April 4, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

Singapore, Singapore. 2018.

When we know our gifts, and our purpose, and aren’t afraid of presenting them to the world, then we also know when it’s our turn to shine. We’re aware of everyone being on a different mission and having varied goals. Knowing this, we understand that we’re not here to run a race, perhaps we are here to run, just not all at the same time.

Sharon bakes really well, and her specialty is dessert. Marian also bakes really well, but she specializes in savory foods. Simply because they both bake well doesn’t mean that Marian should bring baked macaroni and cheese to the dessert party. The idea of passing the baton, stepping aside, and supporting others during their moment makes complete sense.

We are not in competition, and if we were, we’d at least stick to our lanes or categories. Let’s not exhaust our energy unnecessarily. The fitness trainer should never worry about the dance instructor taking their clients. The author does not have to worry about the illustrator outshining them. The lights on the trees serve a greater purpose when they are turned on during the night. No matter the person, the talent, the gift, it can never compare to that of another – because we’re all so different, and we’re all so necessary – just not all at the same time.

As we understand our roles, our lanes, and our purpose, we understand when it’s our time to shine. We are well aware that the light we possess and express would never threaten that of another. It just doesn’t work that way. “Life is a journey, not a competition.” So please, let’s not be stingy with our gifts, they’re meant to be shared with others.

“I am not competing with anyone but myself. I want to be excellent at whatever I do.” – Dr. Maya Angelou (remembering you on your birthday, and always).

“I’m not interested in competing with anyone, I hope we all make it.”

“…because she competes with no one, no one can compete with her.”

“Successful people never worry about what others are doing.”
“They’re not your competition if you don’t even compete.”

“When you’re in your own lane, there is no traffic.”

“Comparison kills joy.”

“You don’t compete, where you don’t compare.”

“Supporting another’s success won’t ever dampen yours.”

“Stay in your magic.”

…and for those who are afraid to find their magic or share their magic, this one’s for you:

“Never give up on a dream because of the time it will take to accomplish it, the time will pass anyway.”

“Let your fear of failure be your motivation to succeed.”

“In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.”

When we know our gifts, and our purpose, and aren’t afraid of presenting them to the world, then we also know when it’s our turn to shine.

Customized Happiness

November 27, 2017.Reading time 4 minutes.

Prague, Czech Republic. 2017.

I’m sitting in my temporary apartment in Prague, and I’m meditating on all the things that make me happy. Did I just say that I’m in my apartment, in Prague? Being able to say things like that is amazing! I then channel having thoughts of how people customize experiences, to bring them happiness, emphasizing on the fact that yours and mine may look nothing alike. I find there to be so much beauty in that. No judgements, and no comparisons, just happy in our own ways.

I’ve cried many tears, and if I’ve learned anything from those purifying experiences, it’s that I look and feel so much better when I’m smiling. In addition to that, those silent cries have led me to realizations of the exact things and experiences that would make me want to do the opposite of crying…

Right now, my happiness is not rushing through life working a 9-5 to survive, but developing a plan to start a business that aligns with my passions. It’s recognizing opportunities, and taking risks. It’s understanding and appreciating divine timing. It’s traveling the world, becoming well-rounded, and knowing that home is where my heart is. It’s seeking clarity. It’s being spontaneous, and seeking adventure. It’s finding peace in the moments I choose to spend in solitude. It’s shopping for groceries and spending time in the kitchen, listening to music for my soul while preparing a healthy meal. It’s planning ahead and giving myself enough time to walk most places, for my double dose of exercise and mediation. It’s actually seeing and doing. It’s expressing myself by being creative. It’s keeping things short and sweet. It’s having my greatly desired morning cup of coffee! It’s spending time to think of ways I can help other people. It’s being present, having little to zero doubts and regrets. It’s about less being so much more. It’s taking ownership of where I am in my life, and acknowledging the work I’ve done to get to this place. It’s about customizing my happiness, and knowing that yours and mine do not look alike. What makes you smile, and what makes me smile are so different, and even that makes me happy! It’s about seeing people in pure states of joy, for different reasons. It’s about finding balance.

This smile is bright for many reasons, and when I’m not smiling, it’s because I’m giving my life a wash, shedding all of what has become unnecessary. I’m smiling because, it’s important to me to remain true to myself, and keeping things simple. I’m directing my energy toward living a life of fulfilling dreams. My travels have plenty to do with each of these blog posts, in my own way. I may not elaborate on my “touristic” experiences within each city, but know that traveling, alone, contributes to the happiness I possess. That, for me, is enough. My intentions are to capture the changes I’m going through, and potentially provoke you to ponder your experiences in life, how they made you feel, how they made you change, and what you find yourself intentionally doing to fulfill your own sense of happiness.

I’m writing this blogpost from my temporary apartment, in Prague. I am where I am, doing what I’m supposed to be doing. The same goes for you.

Next month, I’ll be living in Lisbon, Portugal, and I look forward to that experience adding to the customization of my happiness.

Drink of Water.

August 27, 2017.Reading time 7 minutes.

Bali, Indonesia. 2017.

It doesn’t happen right away, and that could be discouraging. When I think about something I’ve wanted really badly, having almost a yearning sensation for it, I had to wait. I’m not referring to the feeling of having a craving, getting the food desired, and feeling satisfied after, it’s deeper than that. It’s the moment I say to myself, “I want to get a degree in Journalism. I want to write a children’s book. I want to start painting. I want a place to call my own. I want to travel the world. I want…” It’s understanding the things that will truly add much value to my life, and my lifestyle, that will not come easily. It is having the desire for whatever I want, and surrendering once I’ve released those desires to the universe. I know in due time, I’ll have all that I’ve ever asked for, and until those moments I must prepare myself to receive them.

We all have desires, ones that we keep to ourselves, and ones that we’ve shared out loud, but what are we doing to prepare to receive all that we’ve been asking for? It’s a matter of consistency. It’s a matter of aligning all things within our lives to complement and support our desires.

I love to travel. I have a passion for it, and therefore much of what I do subconsciously revolves around it. I choose not to shop for materialistic things, but I make sure I have what’s essential to my way of living. At the start of 2014, I created a vision board of all things I wanted to manifest that year, or eventually. Looking back, within the year of 2014 up until now, everything on that vision board has been brought into fruition. The destinations I wanted to travel to, the characteristics I wanted to build on, the possessions I wanted to withhold, the jobs I wanted to transition into, the spiritual awakenings I wanted to experience, everything! It didn’t happen over night, over the course of one year, but they did happen! I worked toward it, never losing hope. Never giving up faith. I knew, in divine time, I’d have what I asked for, because I spent time preparing myself for it. Along the way, it was the little things, such as receiving a gift of a globe last year, with an inscription that reads my favorite line, “Happy is the girl who travels the world.” It was no coincidence, I attracted that into my life. It was meant for me to have, and now it sits in a special place in my home, as a daily reminder to be consistent with my passion for traveling.

It’s the moments in time that we must appreciate first. It’s the steps we have to take, to get where we want to go. It’s the faith we have to carry in our hearts, the spark we have to keep alive in our spirits. It’s the joys we have to feel wholeheartedly, the gratitude we must express, the hunger we have to feed, and the thirsts we have to quench. It’s the moment along our journey, when we simply become tired, but feel we don’t have time to take a break. That’s when we have to pay close attention to our paths. The universe knows us, sees us, and understands us. The universe conspires when we are tired, when we are ignorant, and tests us by placing before us exactly what we need in that moment, for the strength we need to carry on.

So, on my path, when I’m on a mission, but I know I’m feeling a bit tired, and “out of nowhere” a coconut that has fallen from the tree, is placed at my feet – I know there is no coincidence. It’s my choice to step over it and keep going, or stop to take the break I need. It’s the moment I ask myself if I’m too busy focusing on my destination, or am I open to all of the beauties and gifts presented to me along the way. I don’t know about you, but when the coconut falls, I’m stopping to pick it up. I’m figuring out a way to crack it open, take the sip, and revitalize the energy I need to carry on…

The dream is there, it’s not going anywhere, but the gratitude is even more sincere when there is no rush in getting to just that one place. Yet, when having arrived, the appreciation becomes magnified. We all have such unique and inspiring journeys. There are special stories we have to tell, and it’s fact that we live off of people’s stories.

It is in that moment when I was really tired, and feeling thirsty, that a coconut appeared. It is in the moment I took a sip, and the moment I was grateful for stopping to take the break. If I didn’t stop, I wouldn’t have noticed the tree, that provided the coconut, and all of the beauty surrounding it. Let’s do our best to pay attention to the signs, and when necessary, stop for a drink of water.

What is your coconut?

Drink of Water Download

Live a Lot

June 27, 2017.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.

San Francisco, California. 2014

I Am…

August 27, 2016.Reading time 5 minutes.

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…

Live.

June 27, 2016.Reading time 4 minutes.

Phoenix, AZ. Cape Town, SA. Marrakech, MR.

Excerpts from an open letter I wrote in 2015.

Love brings out all things possible. It brings fascination. With love, you learn compassion. You learn courage. You learn confidence. You learn strength. You learn peace. Most of all, you learn selflessness. Love is the one action that will allow you to find your passion. It will lead you to live well and to do good for others – to do good in the world. It will allow you to affect others in ways unbeknownst to you. As Maya Angelou puts it, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Love does that. With love, you find compassion, inspiration, respect, truth, discipline, and so much more.

Passion is that little voice in your heart that says, “You can be and do whatever it is you FEEL.” Passion is so inspiring, because sometimes it may bring you to a point where you are knocking down barriers; it allows you to be different and to be accepted for your differences. Passion allows you to illuminate from within. Passion is your motivation! Once you’re passionate about something, you then have to find the confidence to own it. Once you find the confidence to own that passion, well then it’s time to gather the courage and put fear behind you – because life is about to take you on a ride!
I have a passion to help others and I have a passion to be creative. I am a writer, a photographer, a traveler, a painter, a volunteer, and a conscious human becoming. I am love. My passion for writing brought along the interest to write and publish my very first children’s book, Peers, Cheers, and Volunteers. It’s a story that highlights the value of volunteering and caring for others. I simply tied my two passions together! What are your passions?

I think our responsibilities, as humans becoming is to be conscious of life. What does it mean to be ALIVE? You are here, and that only means that you are powerful! You have the power to take yourself on a journey; the journey of your dreams. What does it mean to be a human becoming? It means that you can dream, and you can live that dream. You are at the point where you are daydreaming, fantasizing, and looking forward to all of the wonderful things you will do in YOUR life.

Let’s live lives doing the common good. When you are truthful with yourself and release the love you have within, you will have set yourself free. May your heart allow you to live a fulfilled life loving others throughout the world as best you can! And, when people ask you who you are – you’ll be able to give them an answer other than a job title.

Lastly, I want to share with you a dear friend of love; they share an invaluable relationship. Faith! Have faith, and you will find your way to anything you could ever want (and much more) – because the magic is, that it already exists! Read More

Light.

May 27, 2016.Reading time 3 minutes.

New York City, 2016.

When our nighttime thoughts are opposite from our daytime thoughts, let’s acknowledge there being no coincidence that darkness changes the energy of our minds. We’re dependent on light, because it serves as an advantage of being able to see. If in the daytime, when the sun shines and we can see down the street – we feel confident in knowing what lies ahead. That confidence then reflects on the way we view ourselves. During the day, we know who we are, and where we are going. We find time to laugh and smile. Then the sun sets. Our energies change, and we are faced with a reminder that we can’t see as clearly in the night. The universe emphatically impacts our behavior. At night, we ask ourselves different questions. “Who am I?” “Where am I going?” We spend time feeling sad; having pity on ourselves. There is a bit of an identity crisis. These moments can be intense. In some cases, depression is fed. If we view ourselves as icebergs, we may finally realize that we all have more commonalities, than differences. We are growing in various directions. Some of us choose to develop rapidly, on a narrow and erect path; quick to abandon disliked portions of ourselves. Some of us are growing deep and widespread; genuinely focused on understanding thyself and connecting the dots between where we’ve been and where we’re going. Some are ignorant, and the others are conscious, many are a mixture of both. If we don’t acknowledge every piece of ourselves, we will forever deceive, be deceived and live in delusion. If we know that we have the power to manipulate our surface, then let’s take that to the next level. Instead of falsely attracting unwanted energies and becoming the unwanted energies – change the energy! Icebergs have hidden portions. It’s unhealthy to leave reality in the dark. During the night, we are forced to find our own light. The light of the soul. The only light that could ever shine brighter than the sun. When our nighttime thoughts begin to resemble our daytime thoughts, let’s acknowledge there being no coincidence that we, in fact, have the power to change the energy of our minds. We, in fact, are light.

All Things DMC

Tag: Live