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don't forget you have two wolves....
I can't possibly have to mention more innocent lives being lost AGAIN, really can I? Sad. sad. sad. I don't understand what's happening, but I will continue to ooze love to the world and hope one day everyone truly sees how violence isn't the answer.
Today's blog is something I hope will resonate with a lot of people, and can maybe help rid some hatred around the world. I only decided yesterday that I wanted to write on it, so it's pretty raw thinking here.
This past week I told 3 separate people, something I had finally fully admitted to myself, and their responses were each the exact same. Each person immediately hugged me after I was done talking, and thanked me for sharing because they struggled with this also. By the time the 3rd hug was over, it became very clear I needed to write on this.
So here it is.
I have to put significant work in, every single day, to be a good person.
Whether it's because of my path with caring for Steve, or my vocal love for the world, people assume I'm just naturally a good person. I don't just wake up each day naturally with compassion, patience, and love; I have to choose it everyday. I could just as easily give in to the anger or frustrations all the time, which some days I do, because that path is easy right. Truly, it is easy for me to sit there and think about how unfair something is, and not try to change my outlook on things.
However, that's not the person I want to be. I want to be a good person. I want to be kind and loving to everyone even if they maybe don't even deserve it. I want to be patient every single time Steve needs me. No matter what I'm in the middle of. This is hard because when I get in the flow, any interruption frustrates me. Steve on average needs me every 30 minutes. Sure there are periods of time where he may not for an hour even two, but there are also those times where he needs me every 5 minutes, so yes average here.
I want to be able to say, I don't get frustrated at my husband, who can't help that he needs me (I know I've written on this before stay with me), but it still happens. I have to work on patience every single day. I have a nice little mantra I use, "Stay with the now. Go with the Flow. Choose love and kindness. Everywhere you go." It helps me lots through the days, as I deal with whatever is coming my way.
Then there's judgement right? Oh it is so easy to judge someone. So simple. You are different than me, so let me judge you! It's also easy to get caught up in that gossip judgmental chatting with your friends. Because so many people do so many things different than us! Again, not the person I want to be. I experience my fair share of judgments from the world, because we are so open with our lives, and often when I find myself being judged, it's a nice reminder from the universe, of how much I fall into the trap.
I could keep going with examples, but I think it's a simple concept. It takes work to be a good person, and at the end of the day when you can look back and smile at your actions that day; it's always worth it. If you're doing things that don't make you happy with yourself, know that it's normal; but please also know that you can change it. I think we all just find ourselves giving up on self improvement because we have that dark side, we just don't think we can defeat it. Truth is WE ALL HAVE the light and the dark, you just need to do the work to choose the light.
So often people are asking me, "Hope what is this work you speak of?"
Here it is in simple terms. I look inside myself and face my dark sides. I become aware of the dark and I accept that it's there. I then take time everyday to have a self care ritual, to do yoga, meditate, journal, pray, and set intentions on how I want my day. Every single day I do it. Often times I do a little mini moment of silence in the afternoon also on busy days. If I do loose my patience, or snap, or find myself in a judgmental thought, i'll pause and reset. It's learning to control your thoughts, the same as you learn to control your actions. I also acknowledge the light in me, and allow it to shine. I remind myself of how capable I am all day long. It's not just a morning thing. All day long I say, "I am capable of choosing love, because I am love."
Truth is, we all have both sides that's what makes us human, but we forget that we are capable of choosing which side wins. It's like the native american story of the 2 wolves. We all have 2 wolves (one good one bad) and whichever one you feed is which one wins.
Are you feeling more and more hatred towards the world because of all that is going on, and forgetting that you have equal amount of love? Are you feeling more and more anger because of a situation and forgetting how capable of peaceful resolution you are?
We all are capable of being good people, I don't care who you are. Some just feed the bad wolf, and some feed the good. Which wolf are you feeding?
Today's blog is something I hope will resonate with a lot of people, and can maybe help rid some hatred around the world. I only decided yesterday that I wanted to write on it, so it's pretty raw thinking here.
This past week I told 3 separate people, something I had finally fully admitted to myself, and their responses were each the exact same. Each person immediately hugged me after I was done talking, and thanked me for sharing because they struggled with this also. By the time the 3rd hug was over, it became very clear I needed to write on this.
So here it is.
I have to put significant work in, every single day, to be a good person.
Whether it's because of my path with caring for Steve, or my vocal love for the world, people assume I'm just naturally a good person. I don't just wake up each day naturally with compassion, patience, and love; I have to choose it everyday. I could just as easily give in to the anger or frustrations all the time, which some days I do, because that path is easy right. Truly, it is easy for me to sit there and think about how unfair something is, and not try to change my outlook on things.
However, that's not the person I want to be. I want to be a good person. I want to be kind and loving to everyone even if they maybe don't even deserve it. I want to be patient every single time Steve needs me. No matter what I'm in the middle of. This is hard because when I get in the flow, any interruption frustrates me. Steve on average needs me every 30 minutes. Sure there are periods of time where he may not for an hour even two, but there are also those times where he needs me every 5 minutes, so yes average here.
I want to be able to say, I don't get frustrated at my husband, who can't help that he needs me (I know I've written on this before stay with me), but it still happens. I have to work on patience every single day. I have a nice little mantra I use, "Stay with the now. Go with the Flow. Choose love and kindness. Everywhere you go." It helps me lots through the days, as I deal with whatever is coming my way.
Then there's judgement right? Oh it is so easy to judge someone. So simple. You are different than me, so let me judge you! It's also easy to get caught up in that gossip judgmental chatting with your friends. Because so many people do so many things different than us! Again, not the person I want to be. I experience my fair share of judgments from the world, because we are so open with our lives, and often when I find myself being judged, it's a nice reminder from the universe, of how much I fall into the trap.
I could keep going with examples, but I think it's a simple concept. It takes work to be a good person, and at the end of the day when you can look back and smile at your actions that day; it's always worth it. If you're doing things that don't make you happy with yourself, know that it's normal; but please also know that you can change it. I think we all just find ourselves giving up on self improvement because we have that dark side, we just don't think we can defeat it. Truth is WE ALL HAVE the light and the dark, you just need to do the work to choose the light.
So often people are asking me, "Hope what is this work you speak of?"
Here it is in simple terms. I look inside myself and face my dark sides. I become aware of the dark and I accept that it's there. I then take time everyday to have a self care ritual, to do yoga, meditate, journal, pray, and set intentions on how I want my day. Every single day I do it. Often times I do a little mini moment of silence in the afternoon also on busy days. If I do loose my patience, or snap, or find myself in a judgmental thought, i'll pause and reset. It's learning to control your thoughts, the same as you learn to control your actions. I also acknowledge the light in me, and allow it to shine. I remind myself of how capable I am all day long. It's not just a morning thing. All day long I say, "I am capable of choosing love, because I am love."
Truth is, we all have both sides that's what makes us human, but we forget that we are capable of choosing which side wins. It's like the native american story of the 2 wolves. We all have 2 wolves (one good one bad) and whichever one you feed is which one wins.
Are you feeling more and more hatred towards the world because of all that is going on, and forgetting that you have equal amount of love? Are you feeling more and more anger because of a situation and forgetting how capable of peaceful resolution you are?
We all are capable of being good people, I don't care who you are. Some just feed the bad wolf, and some feed the good. Which wolf are you feeding?
If you care....
So here's my follow up from yesterdays blog. I don't want to tell you the common sense ways in which you can help change the climate, because let's be honest those have been spoken about by every forum and people barely do them still. I noticed that out of the neighbors I can see during garbage day 3 of the 7 recycle. That's a statistic that is alarming to me. It's not hard to recycle but for some people if it requires any different action they won't do it.
It's a hard subject to write about without feeling defeated. However, I believe that one of my many purposes on this earth is to remind people of how capable they are to be a part of a change for our planet along with a change towards more kindness, love, and compassion. So with that being said, I'll just share some things here that may not be part of common knowledge, and hope that every person reads this adopts just one of these practices. This may be my last blog about climate change for now because I have some other pressing things to blog about this coming week; but I will come back to it as often as I need to.
So here are 10 easy and some out of the box ideas:
1. As I wrote about earlier I used to believe self care came in the form of buying myself something (or drinking that bottle of wine), but it's truly not in consumption. For those practicing the act of shopping self care, I'm sure you can relate to how quickly the good feeling fades. Sooner or later that dress or shirt or shoes, will no longer be new and sparkly and you'll just need another new thing to make you feel that. Here's what it boils down to: self care isn't in consuming, it's in truly tending to your needs. Some examples: self massage with oils, allowing yourself time to just sit and watch the birds (garden, squirrels, ocean, etc you fill in the blank here), allow time for reading, playing an instrument, playing in the garden, going for a walk alone, laying in the sun, paint, draw, write, etc. There are so many ways in which you can show yourself love without consumption of yet another thing.
2. Pick up the litter you see. We all see it, and we all cringe by it; whether we play a part in the actual role of it or not. Taking a grocery bag with you and picking up litter you see as you are out and about your day, can make a huge impact. I don't leave the house often as you all know but I had this thought after having an hour outing going to a spot on the Chattahoochee, Steve and I used to go to. I had wished I brought an empty bag with me just to pick up people's garbage they left behind. ALSO: let me add this, if you're one of those that still thinks it's okay to just throw your garbage out, maybe let's stop that as well. It's 2016, you're not that lazy. Take it to a garbage can. It's not hard.
3. Boycott companies that are causing large harm to our planet. If we stop giving money to the Nestle, Shell, McCdonald's of the world, we can have a serious impact. If you are curious of the many different companies causing our planet harm, all you have to do is a google search. You will get pages and pages of companies. I urge you to do the research and see if maybe you're supporting a company that is harming our planet.
4. This one, isn't that out of the box, but it's seriously important. No longer eating foods from factory farms. If you aren't familiar with factory farming and companies that support the such, then you maybe aren't familiar with the insane mistreatment of animals, as well as the methane emissions that occur from large factory farms. Not to mention the diseases they carry, the antibiotics they are pumped with, and the pollution they are doing to our water systems. Look you are what you eat, if you're eating an animal that's been abused that energy is being absorbed with all those antibiotics they are pumped with.
5. Don't shop factory clothing. Mass produced clothing is one of the major pollutants of our planet. Think places like: Target, Walmart, & I'm sorry chains like H&M, and the like. I am not saying to be as extreme as not buying anything new, but if you research you will see humanely organic made clothing that not only lasts longer, but also has a more unique fashion sense than some mass produced t shirt everyone else owns. This is a new one to me, and after I actually saw the damage being done, I no longer want to be a part of the problem.
6. Buy used. I wrote on this in my last blog about consumerism, but it bears repeating. Everything you need already exists in the world. Also, vintage items have so much charm.
7. This one is huge, and I've been just as guilty of it. DONATE don't throw away. It's so easy just to walk to the dumpster and throw out perfectly good things, because you don't have the time to make it to a donation place. It's just wasteful. Also, as I've been looking to lesson my load, the more I discover places that will actually come to my house to pick up donation items.
8. Again, not out of the box, and maybe it falls into the category of so common like recycling yet people don't do it, but it's super easy. Turn of the effing light when you leave the room. I have had to be mindful of it, and maybe still forget 1 out of 20 times now, but thankfully now it's almost a habit. If you truly start to pay attention to your actions you will see, leaving that light on just for the convenience of, "so it will be lit when I come back to the room, 3 hours later"; isn't justifiable.
9. No more use of chemicals. In all areas, from pesticides, to bug sprays, to shampoo, to face wash, to cleaning products. Products that contain chemicals that are toxic to not just our environment but ourselves as well are being dumped daily into our water system. From the shampoo that you think you're only experiencing the chemical effects to going down the drain, to our cleaners we use. We thankfully live in a day where organic products do work just as well. People often come to me with the money excuse here, and yes organic is more expensive. However, I use less of the organic items than chemical, so it really equals out to me. In fact, I started making my own very simple cleaning products, bug spray, shampoo, etc. Oh and coconut oil, is also my replacement for everything from moisturizer to conditioner to butter to cooking oils to lube to....coconut oil is life. :)
10. Care. Simply caring, is a huge part of this. Maybe this should be number 1. Show up and care about our planet, your life, other people's lives.
Of course if these aren't in your realm of possibility you can do: no more bottled water (travel mugs), avoid plastic, bring your own shopping bags, washing and reusing containers, turn your AC's up 1 degree, if it's yellow let it mellow ;), more carpooling, more walking for those who can, they make paper straws you know, ......... ok....I'm done because Steve's up now....you get the point.
:)
If you care then share. Share this blog, share ways in which I maybe didn't mention in comments, share your ways of creating a change, etc.
It's a hard subject to write about without feeling defeated. However, I believe that one of my many purposes on this earth is to remind people of how capable they are to be a part of a change for our planet along with a change towards more kindness, love, and compassion. So with that being said, I'll just share some things here that may not be part of common knowledge, and hope that every person reads this adopts just one of these practices. This may be my last blog about climate change for now because I have some other pressing things to blog about this coming week; but I will come back to it as often as I need to.
So here are 10 easy and some out of the box ideas:
1. As I wrote about earlier I used to believe self care came in the form of buying myself something (or drinking that bottle of wine), but it's truly not in consumption. For those practicing the act of shopping self care, I'm sure you can relate to how quickly the good feeling fades. Sooner or later that dress or shirt or shoes, will no longer be new and sparkly and you'll just need another new thing to make you feel that. Here's what it boils down to: self care isn't in consuming, it's in truly tending to your needs. Some examples: self massage with oils, allowing yourself time to just sit and watch the birds (garden, squirrels, ocean, etc you fill in the blank here), allow time for reading, playing an instrument, playing in the garden, going for a walk alone, laying in the sun, paint, draw, write, etc. There are so many ways in which you can show yourself love without consumption of yet another thing.
2. Pick up the litter you see. We all see it, and we all cringe by it; whether we play a part in the actual role of it or not. Taking a grocery bag with you and picking up litter you see as you are out and about your day, can make a huge impact. I don't leave the house often as you all know but I had this thought after having an hour outing going to a spot on the Chattahoochee, Steve and I used to go to. I had wished I brought an empty bag with me just to pick up people's garbage they left behind. ALSO: let me add this, if you're one of those that still thinks it's okay to just throw your garbage out, maybe let's stop that as well. It's 2016, you're not that lazy. Take it to a garbage can. It's not hard.
3. Boycott companies that are causing large harm to our planet. If we stop giving money to the Nestle, Shell, McCdonald's of the world, we can have a serious impact. If you are curious of the many different companies causing our planet harm, all you have to do is a google search. You will get pages and pages of companies. I urge you to do the research and see if maybe you're supporting a company that is harming our planet.
4. This one, isn't that out of the box, but it's seriously important. No longer eating foods from factory farms. If you aren't familiar with factory farming and companies that support the such, then you maybe aren't familiar with the insane mistreatment of animals, as well as the methane emissions that occur from large factory farms. Not to mention the diseases they carry, the antibiotics they are pumped with, and the pollution they are doing to our water systems. Look you are what you eat, if you're eating an animal that's been abused that energy is being absorbed with all those antibiotics they are pumped with.
5. Don't shop factory clothing. Mass produced clothing is one of the major pollutants of our planet. Think places like: Target, Walmart, & I'm sorry chains like H&M, and the like. I am not saying to be as extreme as not buying anything new, but if you research you will see humanely organic made clothing that not only lasts longer, but also has a more unique fashion sense than some mass produced t shirt everyone else owns. This is a new one to me, and after I actually saw the damage being done, I no longer want to be a part of the problem.
6. Buy used. I wrote on this in my last blog about consumerism, but it bears repeating. Everything you need already exists in the world. Also, vintage items have so much charm.
7. This one is huge, and I've been just as guilty of it. DONATE don't throw away. It's so easy just to walk to the dumpster and throw out perfectly good things, because you don't have the time to make it to a donation place. It's just wasteful. Also, as I've been looking to lesson my load, the more I discover places that will actually come to my house to pick up donation items.
8. Again, not out of the box, and maybe it falls into the category of so common like recycling yet people don't do it, but it's super easy. Turn of the effing light when you leave the room. I have had to be mindful of it, and maybe still forget 1 out of 20 times now, but thankfully now it's almost a habit. If you truly start to pay attention to your actions you will see, leaving that light on just for the convenience of, "so it will be lit when I come back to the room, 3 hours later"; isn't justifiable.
9. No more use of chemicals. In all areas, from pesticides, to bug sprays, to shampoo, to face wash, to cleaning products. Products that contain chemicals that are toxic to not just our environment but ourselves as well are being dumped daily into our water system. From the shampoo that you think you're only experiencing the chemical effects to going down the drain, to our cleaners we use. We thankfully live in a day where organic products do work just as well. People often come to me with the money excuse here, and yes organic is more expensive. However, I use less of the organic items than chemical, so it really equals out to me. In fact, I started making my own very simple cleaning products, bug spray, shampoo, etc. Oh and coconut oil, is also my replacement for everything from moisturizer to conditioner to butter to cooking oils to lube to....coconut oil is life. :)
10. Care. Simply caring, is a huge part of this. Maybe this should be number 1. Show up and care about our planet, your life, other people's lives.
Of course if these aren't in your realm of possibility you can do: no more bottled water (travel mugs), avoid plastic, bring your own shopping bags, washing and reusing containers, turn your AC's up 1 degree, if it's yellow let it mellow ;), more carpooling, more walking for those who can, they make paper straws you know, ......... ok....I'm done because Steve's up now....you get the point.
:)
If you care then share. Share this blog, share ways in which I maybe didn't mention in comments, share your ways of creating a change, etc.
Steve's take on environmental toxins and ALS
Today is brought to you by the color green! Although I really mean green, as in the opposite of toxic chemical sh*t storm. This blog is collaborated with Steve, as he has some thoughts about climate change, pesticides, and ALS.
Steve and I grew up in a day where as a child, our parents were pretty uninformed about what was in our foods, as well as told that pesticides and the like were safe and made life easier. After Steve was diagnosed with ALS, he did some reflecting and researching on the possible environmental factors that could contribute to him being diagnosed. Here's some words from him.
"Upon first getting diagnosed the normal thing to do is to trace back to why it happened? I'll never know because science isn't caught up with the magnitude of this disease, but it's beyond me just being an athlete and being jumped by gang members and beat with a baseball bat while in college. It's beyond a gene mutation or the possible hereditary gene trait. The lake I grew up swimming in was later to be found to have blue algae which long story short, develops over time with pollution. Also, has a linkage with ALS. Then you add the study that was recently found with environmental toxins are associated with ALS symptoms which added some weight to my suspicions. Almost every house I lived in the yard was sprayed with some chemical for weeds, as well as a chemical for bugs; and then add living on a golf course for sometime and that added exposure. I can't prove with 100% certainty that environmental factors contributed to my ALS, but the fact that it EVEN can is the problem here. There's also the talk of Tic bites and Lyme disease. I was tested when first diagnosed, although I often want to be tested by someone who goes more in depth because I lived on horse farm for sometime and experienced tic bites on a frequent basis. This is where climate change is important for those who don't understand. The warmer the temperature rises, the more bugs survive, which means the more illness and diseases they spread. The more our land is taken over by houses, and sea level rises taking away our coasts the more the bugs infringe on our space because they have no where else to go. Being someone who not only has a terminal illness but several antibiotic resistant bugs that will not go away, and at some point may ultimately kill me, I don't even think I need to say more about factory farming. The fact that those animals are miss treated and full of disease is one thing, the fact that we are exposed to antibiotics before needing them because of this, and they now won't work on me. This is just a small example of what is to come in our world more and more if we don't stop it. Take me as an example if you need one to wake up and be the change."
These words from Steve are poignant and I will wait until tomorrow to give you a ton of ideas on how you can play a role in helping stop the climate change that's happening at an alarming pace. For now I want to leave you with a thought. The fact that it is even at all a realm of possibility that Steve got ALS due to environmental factors should for sure open some people's eyes. If it doesn't I want you to think about how much exactly you are exposed to on any given day, and how much that exposure ADDS UP. From the pesticides you spray your lawns with, and unless you're eating organic the pesticides you are consuming, to the toxins in the air you breathe, and our water systems that are being poisoned every single day; why are we allowing this to happen?
Does everyone really just think, "Oh it's too late, nothing we can do now?" I promise you our planet is resilient IF WE STOP IT NOW. We can fix it, it's not too late YET. So please take some action, and look at what Steve's been through. No one deserves it.
That's all for now, tune in tomorrow for some seriously simple ways every person can help.
Raise the vibration, please.
We interrupt this scheduled climate change blog, for yet again a discussion on the violence in our world. For those of you who follow my blog closely, you know Steve and I prepared you a blog for today, but after waking up to news of 84 people being killed in France; I must write on this.
I want to acknowledge the sadness I feel about the fact that I am writing another blog on the loss of innocent lives. It's heartbreaking and no matter where it's happening; I'm feeling it. I also am holding on to the hope, that all of this is really an awakening that will be tumultuous at first, but ultimately lead to more peace and love winning.
This isn't just a blog on hope, it's a blog on action. I've seen several different people attempt to start this, with little traction; but to me it's a huge thing that EVERYONE can do. I know a lot of you out there want to be doing something, anything, that can be helping find our world some peace.
It's time to raise our vibration as a whole. For those of you who have no idea what I mean, I'll explain in simple terms. Everything is energy, and we are all vibrating energy. Think of someone you meet, and they are full of anger and hate, does it feel very fun to be around them? Are their vibes bringing you down or raising you up? I can tell you the 100's of times I felt other people's negative energy and had to either remove them from my life or raise my vibration enough to be unaffected by them. This is the vibration our world is full of right now, hate, anger, fear, sadness; low low low vibrations. Then imagine yourself around someone who is full of love and joy and seeks to see the positive things. Now think about how they make you feel, They lift you up right? Their vibes bring you up to their level and continue to build you up. That's what we need more of in this world right now.
So how do we do it? There's a few ways in which I have learned to raise my vibrations, and I would like to share, and then encourage you all to find a way to do this for yourself EVERY SINGLE DAY. Don't let the word vibration put you off, it's simple physics and no it doesn't go against the bible (as yes I know some of you are thinking it) so hear me out.
3 simple steps. :)
First way is meditation. Meditation is honestly something I think everyone could benefit from. It seems so daunting to some people or too spiritual for others. Let me tell you, that learning to find that space that comes in silent breath work is the most powerful thing I've ever done for myself. You don't have to try to meditate for hours, even 5 minutes of sitting in silence and focusing on the breath is enough. If you've never meditated there are some great apps (insight timer app is a favorite) and guided meditations (David Jii is a favorite) out there, even some mandala meditations that Steve and I recently have found ourselves falling in love with. But you don't need any of that, or a fancy cushion, sacred space, incense, or anything. You just need to be truly aware of your being in this moment and just breathe. Sometimes the thought of silence is daunting to others, so even if you need a mantra (a phrase you say repeatedly with your breath) that's okay too. I often use mantra's. For example one of my favorites is to breathe in, "I Am love," and to breathe out, "I give love."
Second is prayer. Now I know the word pray, has such a loaded meaning to some and others it's like breathing right. To me, there's no wrong or right way to pray, no matter who it is you're praying to. It doesn't matter what "God" you pray to, and please don't come at me with anything negative in response to that. Everyone is entitled to believe in whomever and whatever they please. I want this message to be so widely spread that everyone feels okay to say a prayer. The results are the same, you are asking "God" whatever that may be to you, to help. Although, my favorite prayers are often to give thanks. When I offer a simple prayer of gratitude daily, I find myself more and more aware of the blessings life offers, even in the darkness.
Third is a big one. Show kindness to EVERYONE you come in contact with. Smile at people as you walk past them. You know the power of a smile? One day during a very dark time with Steve, he was in the hospital and I had decided to go to whole foods. I was feeling very low, and a woman who could probably read the energy smiled at me and said, "I hope this smile fills you up," and walked away. It did fill me up that day, and it changed my energy with one simple act. There's hundreds of ways to show kindness: carry groceries, hold the door, say hello, pick up trash you see on the ground (kindness to the planet counts big time here), buy someone lunch, pay for the person behind you's coffee, compliment someone, listen to someone having a hard time, donate to someones cause today, surprise someone with a gift, etc. Kindness is easy and EVERYONE can do it.
Let's do our part and collectively raise our vibration and drive out this darkness. Because remember "Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that," isn't just an amazing quote from the great Martin Luther King Jr; it's the truth. A vibration of LOVE is what we desperately need.
I already meditate, pray, and try to show kindness daily; but I intend to increase all with a large focus on love and peace. Because from where I sit, it's how I see everyone being able to participate in the change.
Will you please join me?
I want to acknowledge the sadness I feel about the fact that I am writing another blog on the loss of innocent lives. It's heartbreaking and no matter where it's happening; I'm feeling it. I also am holding on to the hope, that all of this is really an awakening that will be tumultuous at first, but ultimately lead to more peace and love winning.
This isn't just a blog on hope, it's a blog on action. I've seen several different people attempt to start this, with little traction; but to me it's a huge thing that EVERYONE can do. I know a lot of you out there want to be doing something, anything, that can be helping find our world some peace.
It's time to raise our vibration as a whole. For those of you who have no idea what I mean, I'll explain in simple terms. Everything is energy, and we are all vibrating energy. Think of someone you meet, and they are full of anger and hate, does it feel very fun to be around them? Are their vibes bringing you down or raising you up? I can tell you the 100's of times I felt other people's negative energy and had to either remove them from my life or raise my vibration enough to be unaffected by them. This is the vibration our world is full of right now, hate, anger, fear, sadness; low low low vibrations. Then imagine yourself around someone who is full of love and joy and seeks to see the positive things. Now think about how they make you feel, They lift you up right? Their vibes bring you up to their level and continue to build you up. That's what we need more of in this world right now.
So how do we do it? There's a few ways in which I have learned to raise my vibrations, and I would like to share, and then encourage you all to find a way to do this for yourself EVERY SINGLE DAY. Don't let the word vibration put you off, it's simple physics and no it doesn't go against the bible (as yes I know some of you are thinking it) so hear me out.
3 simple steps. :)
First way is meditation. Meditation is honestly something I think everyone could benefit from. It seems so daunting to some people or too spiritual for others. Let me tell you, that learning to find that space that comes in silent breath work is the most powerful thing I've ever done for myself. You don't have to try to meditate for hours, even 5 minutes of sitting in silence and focusing on the breath is enough. If you've never meditated there are some great apps (insight timer app is a favorite) and guided meditations (David Jii is a favorite) out there, even some mandala meditations that Steve and I recently have found ourselves falling in love with. But you don't need any of that, or a fancy cushion, sacred space, incense, or anything. You just need to be truly aware of your being in this moment and just breathe. Sometimes the thought of silence is daunting to others, so even if you need a mantra (a phrase you say repeatedly with your breath) that's okay too. I often use mantra's. For example one of my favorites is to breathe in, "I Am love," and to breathe out, "I give love."
Second is prayer. Now I know the word pray, has such a loaded meaning to some and others it's like breathing right. To me, there's no wrong or right way to pray, no matter who it is you're praying to. It doesn't matter what "God" you pray to, and please don't come at me with anything negative in response to that. Everyone is entitled to believe in whomever and whatever they please. I want this message to be so widely spread that everyone feels okay to say a prayer. The results are the same, you are asking "God" whatever that may be to you, to help. Although, my favorite prayers are often to give thanks. When I offer a simple prayer of gratitude daily, I find myself more and more aware of the blessings life offers, even in the darkness.
Third is a big one. Show kindness to EVERYONE you come in contact with. Smile at people as you walk past them. You know the power of a smile? One day during a very dark time with Steve, he was in the hospital and I had decided to go to whole foods. I was feeling very low, and a woman who could probably read the energy smiled at me and said, "I hope this smile fills you up," and walked away. It did fill me up that day, and it changed my energy with one simple act. There's hundreds of ways to show kindness: carry groceries, hold the door, say hello, pick up trash you see on the ground (kindness to the planet counts big time here), buy someone lunch, pay for the person behind you's coffee, compliment someone, listen to someone having a hard time, donate to someones cause today, surprise someone with a gift, etc. Kindness is easy and EVERYONE can do it.
Let's do our part and collectively raise our vibration and drive out this darkness. Because remember "Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that," isn't just an amazing quote from the great Martin Luther King Jr; it's the truth. A vibration of LOVE is what we desperately need.
I already meditate, pray, and try to show kindness daily; but I intend to increase all with a large focus on love and peace. Because from where I sit, it's how I see everyone being able to participate in the change.
Will you please join me?
Discernment...
Almost everyday I do some reflection on what message I want to get out with my blog that day. The past two weeks I have been so focused on more love, more community, more respect; both for people and the planet. I noticed that some of my messages are being heard loud and clear, and the response is pretty awesome. Some however, seem like the message is being missed. Like, maybe people aren't hearing (reading) me clearly, or at all.
I had a lovely conversation with my dear friend, and Ayurveda teacher Anna yesterday that sort of helped me understand why some of my messages were going as far and deep as I intended and some aren't. Of course our conversation started with what's going on with us but had to include what's going on in the world. Because as she often teaches, we are the microcosm of the macrocosm, meaning the world you live in heavily influences your life and well being. In the conversation she said several things that my mind turned into a blog, but one in particular that helped me understand why some messages are being heard more than others. "It's important to have the discernment of knowing where you want your message to come from."
So there you have it, yesterdays message was one of desperation, right? After watching Josh Fox's film I went into the desperate act of trying to get everyone to see his side of this, and why climate change should be in your wheelhouse. Instead I should have said it this way, because this is where his message came from, and where mine should be as well. Our planet is beautiful, life is beautiful, it's all a precious gift. Truth is, that there is so much good left in this world, that is being heavily muddied down because there are some serious negatives happening. As things start to reveal themselves as truth rather than theory more and more this year, it's causing a lot of panic and anger. Which, are normal, and maybe even needed; but I think more effective is love.
We all are blessed to be alive here today, and if you're reading this, you have access to technology, and I'll assume probably food, clothing, shelter, and clean water. What an incredible gift. Truth is however, it's not that way for everyone. So not only is it becoming worse, it's happening in the US now. It's been happening in the US for a while, but it was sort of contained. See, I grew up from 4th-9th grade without drinkable water, because due to mining the lands beside my house our water was taken over by iron and who knows what fossil fuels. That was in the 90's and it wasn't ever spoken about. We couldn't afford water purification systems so we didn't use our water. However, we were fortunate enough to live close to some of the best spring water in our area that was clean and delicious (linn run) and we would go fill up gallons of water to cook, bathe, and drink with.
The problems started in obscure areas, where they were contaminating our beautiful planet, but it was too small to be noticed. Fast forward to today, and as much as we all want to be hiding from it, it's not possible anymore. It's here on our front door steps, and it's hard for people to want to see it. So with love, I want to empower us. Because it all seems so daunting right? Let me tell you, you reading this, you have power. A lot of power in fact. We all do. Whether we fully realize it or not. That's why I keep saying we have to do something, it's because we can. For once in our lifetimes, the truths are being shown to us, pretty clearly in fact. It is actually a gift to finally be in the know, however, the trick is, that it's truly a personal choice whether or not you truly want to see it.
It reminds me of how people can turn their TVs off when they just don't want to face something, because they feel so out of control about it.
We have very little control over things these days; other people, our government, the weather, etc, but we do have control over our choices. Which means we have the opportunity to be part of the solution. What an incredible gift to be given. The chance to stand up for what's right. So my next few blogs will be a way to educate you on some VERY easy ways in which you CAN help. I truly hope you feel empowered after reading each one, and know that you are important in this world. Every single one of you.
Today starts with this, acceptance of the truth. Acceptance that there is a problem, and that we can actually help. It's a gift, to be able to help be a part of a solution, and I truly feel thankful that I can do my part, and hopefully the impact lasts for lifetimes after mine.
PS: Tomorrow will include some thoughts from Steve, because he heavily believes environmental factors played a role in his ALS diagnosis. So stay tuned.
Love all of you powerful, capable, lovely human beings. <3
Consume me no more...
If you've followed Steve and I long enough, you know our pain we feel for our planet. We watched Josh Fox's latest film (I beg EVERYONE reading this to please watch) How to let go of the world and love all the things climate can't change, twice in the past 3 days. His films always shake me and get me fired up to speak out about the planet.
I have so much to say about this film, that it will probably be one that I talk about in several blogs. Today I want to focus on one part of the film, that hit me like a ton of bricks.
Consumerism.
Inhale. Exhale.
Ahh, I have been so brainwashed and guilty of falling into the consumerism trap. I work hard to try to do my part here for the planet. No meat, no dairy, only supporting sustainable farming, recycle queen, using less, using more things provided by nature in my creations, etc. Where I have fallen very short, is my consumerism. My attachment to things. I'm owning my part here.
Sigh. As I'm trying to organize my piles of stuff, next to my other piles of stuff, while the piles of that stuff over there come falling down, it makes me sad. How did I fall into this trap? Here's a truth I'm going to drop on y'all. Our world, is telling us we NEED these things in order to be happy. We are being told essentially to consume consume consume because we need to have all the greatest things. I mean after all we deserve them right?
Ugh. Why do we deserve to breathe clean air, while we outsource our clothes making to China leaving them with heavily polluted air? Why do we deserve clean water while chemicals are being dumped into the world daily from large factories manufacturing all this STUFF we just all need so much? Why do I need another piece of clothing? Why do I find myself addicted to stuff?
So many questions, and I'm here with an answer. There's some stuff that will take some major action to get government to change (ie fracking, oil spills, deforestation) but we have to do our parts. It's up to us to step up and take action, and when we change we will see our leaders change. So here's what I'm going to do and ask you all to consider. This one is an actual achievable goal.
NO MORE consumerism in 5 easy steps. (I could do more, but I understand change is hard so let's keep it simple here). I ask that if it's something you all can see doing, please do so, and share about it. Even if you only do 1 step, it will help.
Step 1. Not one more "It's so pretty" treats to myself. No more clothes, shoes, bags, whatever that catches my eye, and I say, "I deserve to have a happy treat." No more. There's no excuse for it. I don't need a new swim suit every summer, or that new dress that's being advertised to me in 20 different outlets. The cost of each piece of mass produced clothing to our planet is astounding. Plus, how many clothes do you actually need? (Hope?)
Step 2. I have a ton of things in my house I never use, time to actually sort through and offer them to people who need them, instead of them buying that item. Helping others stop the cycle.
Step 3. If I do need something new, something breaks here; FIND A USED ONE. The reality is there is an existing & usable EVERYTHING in existence right now, our need for new just takes over. Oh I want a new fridge, or a new washing machine. Although, there's one here on Craig's list in great condition, refurbished, and working like new. Ugh. Used is seen as such a bad word sometimes. I think we should now start saying, "Already existing so buy that and save the damn planet."
Step 4. Be Sustainable and conscious about my creations. I want the art I make to be a gift to the planet, and not another burden. I already use a ton of natural materials, but I can and will do better.
Step 5. No more ordering out, when I have food to cook. This is another big big thing for me. When we have a tough day, I will justify ordering food, although I have food to cook in my fridge. I say, "Oh, I deserve someone else to cook for me for a change." Really? You know there's people who don't get to have any food, and yet I think, it's okay for someone to take the gas to pick up the food, the plastic containers that no matter how much I recycle STILL exist in this world just to get food. (Sad fact: every piece of plastic ever made, still exists today, it doesn't decompose, ever.) Seriously? This is laziness. Not to mention I speak positive intentions and love into my food. With other people cooking it, who knows how fresh, organic, or well intended their food is?
Look there's a lot happening in our world, and a large part of it has to do with our total lack of respect; for people and the planet. If you find it okay to throw trash anywhere but a garbage can, that speaks volumes of you as a person. It's a lack of respect. It's time we all start actually holding ourselves accountable.
So many people won't watch this film, may not even read this blog; because they don't want to admit there is a problem. They don't want to be burdened with it, because nothings happening here right now, so it can't be that bad? Well it is happening, and y'all just think it's coincidence. I promise if we don't stop this type of thinking, things are going to get worse. More droughts, more fires, more floods, more natural disasters, more killing, more war, more poverty, more hunger,....
You don't want to be burdened? WAKE UP. Let's come together and FIX this. It starts with us. Again I end this blog with, IT IS UP TO US. We can and NEED to be doing better.
I have so much to say about this film, that it will probably be one that I talk about in several blogs. Today I want to focus on one part of the film, that hit me like a ton of bricks.
Consumerism.
Inhale. Exhale.
Ahh, I have been so brainwashed and guilty of falling into the consumerism trap. I work hard to try to do my part here for the planet. No meat, no dairy, only supporting sustainable farming, recycle queen, using less, using more things provided by nature in my creations, etc. Where I have fallen very short, is my consumerism. My attachment to things. I'm owning my part here.
Sigh. As I'm trying to organize my piles of stuff, next to my other piles of stuff, while the piles of that stuff over there come falling down, it makes me sad. How did I fall into this trap? Here's a truth I'm going to drop on y'all. Our world, is telling us we NEED these things in order to be happy. We are being told essentially to consume consume consume because we need to have all the greatest things. I mean after all we deserve them right?
Ugh. Why do we deserve to breathe clean air, while we outsource our clothes making to China leaving them with heavily polluted air? Why do we deserve clean water while chemicals are being dumped into the world daily from large factories manufacturing all this STUFF we just all need so much? Why do I need another piece of clothing? Why do I find myself addicted to stuff?
So many questions, and I'm here with an answer. There's some stuff that will take some major action to get government to change (ie fracking, oil spills, deforestation) but we have to do our parts. It's up to us to step up and take action, and when we change we will see our leaders change. So here's what I'm going to do and ask you all to consider. This one is an actual achievable goal.
NO MORE consumerism in 5 easy steps. (I could do more, but I understand change is hard so let's keep it simple here). I ask that if it's something you all can see doing, please do so, and share about it. Even if you only do 1 step, it will help.
Step 1. Not one more "It's so pretty" treats to myself. No more clothes, shoes, bags, whatever that catches my eye, and I say, "I deserve to have a happy treat." No more. There's no excuse for it. I don't need a new swim suit every summer, or that new dress that's being advertised to me in 20 different outlets. The cost of each piece of mass produced clothing to our planet is astounding. Plus, how many clothes do you actually need? (Hope?)
Step 2. I have a ton of things in my house I never use, time to actually sort through and offer them to people who need them, instead of them buying that item. Helping others stop the cycle.
Step 3. If I do need something new, something breaks here; FIND A USED ONE. The reality is there is an existing & usable EVERYTHING in existence right now, our need for new just takes over. Oh I want a new fridge, or a new washing machine. Although, there's one here on Craig's list in great condition, refurbished, and working like new. Ugh. Used is seen as such a bad word sometimes. I think we should now start saying, "Already existing so buy that and save the damn planet."
Step 4. Be Sustainable and conscious about my creations. I want the art I make to be a gift to the planet, and not another burden. I already use a ton of natural materials, but I can and will do better.
Step 5. No more ordering out, when I have food to cook. This is another big big thing for me. When we have a tough day, I will justify ordering food, although I have food to cook in my fridge. I say, "Oh, I deserve someone else to cook for me for a change." Really? You know there's people who don't get to have any food, and yet I think, it's okay for someone to take the gas to pick up the food, the plastic containers that no matter how much I recycle STILL exist in this world just to get food. (Sad fact: every piece of plastic ever made, still exists today, it doesn't decompose, ever.) Seriously? This is laziness. Not to mention I speak positive intentions and love into my food. With other people cooking it, who knows how fresh, organic, or well intended their food is?
Look there's a lot happening in our world, and a large part of it has to do with our total lack of respect; for people and the planet. If you find it okay to throw trash anywhere but a garbage can, that speaks volumes of you as a person. It's a lack of respect. It's time we all start actually holding ourselves accountable.
So many people won't watch this film, may not even read this blog; because they don't want to admit there is a problem. They don't want to be burdened with it, because nothings happening here right now, so it can't be that bad? Well it is happening, and y'all just think it's coincidence. I promise if we don't stop this type of thinking, things are going to get worse. More droughts, more fires, more floods, more natural disasters, more killing, more war, more poverty, more hunger,....
You don't want to be burdened? WAKE UP. Let's come together and FIX this. It starts with us. Again I end this blog with, IT IS UP TO US. We can and NEED to be doing better.