Song for the Soul: "Walk In My Shoes" by Emily King

Today's Song for the Soul is "Walk In My Shoes" by Emily Kings. I hope it pushes you to keep doing what you're doing and remember that each you are a step closer, so keep walking.

(If you like what you hear DOWNLOAD THE MP3 BELOW.)

Knocking Down Walls of Fear: Using the Power Within

Ugggghhhhh!!!!

I keep finding myself at this same place. This never ending obstacle that I “thought” I so cleverly found a way to avoid. This tall stretch of brick, “20 ft. tall” wall. I often times envision my inner self as the almighty, powerful She-ra! But as the picture above shows, even She-ra found herself down sometimes… So, instead of using my mighty inner power, I use my mighty mind… or so I think. I come up with the clever idea to just re-route my path, OVER, OVER, OVER, and OVER again!! It seems like smooth sailing at first. I’m just traveling along, the sun is shining, I’m smiling, my red cape is blowing in the wind. I think to myself “Okay, I’m on my way this time, I can feel it. I really figured it out this time!” I feel like I’m on easy street. Soon enough, a dark shadow prevails and embarks on my path. I continue walking assuming that it’s just a passing cloud, later to discover that same giant road block. The same “20 ft. tall wall” shows up no matter how I try to mastermind my way around it!

I stop and sit on the road realizing that I really need to do something different here. “I’M TIRED OF MOVING AROUND, BUT NOT MOVING FORWARD!!!!” What is wrong with me! I throw a complete tantrum. I yell, I cry, I ask “Why, why, why?,” I punch, I kick, then I come to my senses and gather myself, grab hold of my mind, (which I had obvious lost for a moment) and decide to relax and meditate. Mediation helps to clear the mind and open the heart to receive the answers that we steadfastly pray for.

Here is what I found:

It is so easy to move freely and find little ways to smile with temporary contentment while in our COMFORT ZONE. But if you are really trying to move forward to new places and new heights, doesn’t that mean that you have to leave that little save haven? Everything that you already have is there, so if you want more, you have to go out there and get it! So, what’s keeping me here? Why is my inner She-ra sitting on the side of the road moping. What is this wall that is at every turn and angle?? F E A R My “20 ft. tall” wall is fear. Hmmm… Moving out of the comfort zone, means moving into DISCOMFORT which is really hard to do, but only when you think about it too much. In the words of Erykah Badu, “But if I get off my knees, I might recall, I’m 20 feet tall!” I mustn’t allow myself to cloud my mind with paralyzing, overwhelming thoughts of fear, rejection, failure, and defeat. I must stand tall, acknowledging that every moment in my life has lead to this moment, right here, right now. With each step I have grown, and once I stand to my full potential I discover that I am just as tall as that wall in front of me and have all that I need to get through it.

So I stand up, gather myself, brush the dust off my sexy costume, shake the wrinkles out of my cape, gather my sword, and re-validate my power. I raise my sword and in my super hero voice say, “I am She-ra, Princess of Power!” I strike the wall and take it down with one mighty blow!!! Well, not so much… In real life these things take time. It might take some chiseling, and there might even be many soft blows that will eventually lead up to those powerful ones. The point is knowing and acknowledging that you do, indeed, have the power inside and the wherewithal to face and tackle your fears. With diligence and practice your tasks of discomfort become second nature, so embrace them and keep growing. Keep rising higher. Keep moving forward. Every time you knock down that wall, you will find yourself in a glorious field of possibilities and potential.

“In every seed planted in the garden of potentiality,

is the promise of a forest.”

-Deepak Chopra

Song for the Soul: "Closer" by Goapele

This is my personal theme song, "Closer" by Goapele. I often meditate to this song to stay centered in knowing that each day I am closer to my dreams. Enjoy!

There is no Time for MINDLESS EXISTENCE!

In order to receive the answers, you must first ask the questions. You must first seek, in order to be destined to find.

Video Games, Cell Phones, the World Wide Web, the Social Scene, Television, Movies, Shopping Malls, etc- these things that we have created for ourselves have become our controlling muse. They are the thieving, primary occupiers of our time, stealing our productivity, stunting our growth, creating the extinction of creative, intuitive thought.
To some this might sound a little far-fetched, I know, but just give it some thought. Honestly, how many hours of your day are spent in mindless existence? It’s normal to want to escape the sometimes hard-to-swallow truths of reality, but we mustn't make that place of escape our home, only a temporary get-away. Actually, getting away shouldn’t even be so mindless, but a conscious regrouping of self-awareness and centering.

You know, the brain is like a muscle, if you never exercise it or use it effectively, it will never strengthen and grow. Living a mindless life, with no progressive thought or creative innovation, is like being a couch potato and letting yourself go. Essentially, it’s giving up, giving in to the haunting self-depleting mantra that “your thoughts have no value,” no meaning. That can be no further from the truth! Your thoughts house your dreams, your Self-Fulfillment, your Purpose, your Creativity, your Love and Concern for others, and the person that you are at your truest potential. 

You are what you think you are, never what anyone says you are. 

Your thoughts fuel your Actions. 

Do you feel empty, out of gas, time to rev up those thoughts!

Do me and yourself a favor, devote a self specified amount of time to each of your days to productive, positive thought. Quiet all distractions and just listen to yourself. Listen for guidance. Listen for answers. There may be a part of you that’s screaming out to be heard and you have been ignoring it for too long! Have a pen and paper handy so that you can make those thoughts concrete and open room to invite more thoughts. As you continue to exercise your mind, you will feel your strength, and you will KNOW your power. It will take you so far. 

There is no time for mindless existence. Life is just too damn short.

Song for the Soul: "Greatness" by Raheem Devaughn ft. Wale

Ladies, always know your GREATNESS!! Inside-out you're beautiful. Our flaws and imperfections are what make us amazing. Embrace who and what you are right at this very moment and love it!

"Greatness" by Raheem Devaughn ft. Wale