Easy Street

Is there really such a thing as Easy Street? Does anyone truly have it easy in this life? My answer is no. Regardless of our perception, everyone has their cross to bear. And if you ask me, I say that our crosses are the things that push us towards our purpose in life and help us discover what our imprint will be on the world.

When we deny that struggle is natural for every human life, we feel left out and unfavored. The following excerpt is from Alittlebetter.net (Read full post here). I think he says it well.

The truth is that in assuming life can come in "easy" we do three very negative things:

We create a false hope that some day we are going to just make it, and that things will be so easy.

We can begin to envy those who have an “easy” life.

We get the idea that there is always an easy way out. This allows our mind to make excuses for not doing what we know to be our best.

I encourage you to check out the rest of the post. My thought for today is this:

You must make yourself content with who you are and what you have if you truly want to be wealthy. No matter what you accomplish in life, you will still face challenges. So, embrace every struggle as temporary discomfort on the pathway to a better you.

Have a great weekend!

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Projecting Your Feelings

Isn't it interesting how whatever you're feeling on the inside is duplicated in the world outside yourself? Have you ever noticed that when you're very sad, beating yourself up and feeling guilty, that you often feel that others are beating you up and blaming you as well? Have you noticed that when you're disappointed in yourself, you feel anxious that everyone is disappointed in you too?

That anxiety is called projection and it is a mirage. It's your bruised ego being unwilling to take ownership over your feelings, so it's projecting them onto other people so that you can safely play the role of the tortured victim in the drama of your life.

But you can stop it by being aware of it. When you start feeling like everyone/everything is against you, take a time out. Remind yourself that whatever is bothering you is within your spirit, trying to shake you up and that you have the power to feel your way through those murky emotions and be better on the other side of them.

Also, remind yourself that you are liked, loved, revered and adored--and of all the people who feel this way and why. Know that these people are on your side and rooting for your success.

These affirmations of self-love are wonderful ways to remind yourself of just how wonderful and worthy you are of all the desires of your heart. Don't be afraid to use them to combat the negative thoughts you may be projecting into the world.

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Simple One Liners to Live By

Love yourself.

Without challenge, adventure is impossible.

The wiser the soul, the greater the simplicity.

All pain is self-inflicted.

Step #1 for changing yourself is falling in love with who you already are.

That which curses you today, will bless you tomorrow.

For those who don't understand themselves, it's impossible that they would understand you.

My favorite:

Be the spark, especially when it's dark.

~quotes courtesy of www.tut.com

Have a wonderful weekend!

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More Gratitude ~ What I Like About Me

In keeping with the gratitude theme, I thought it would be timely to share a repost from The Write Curl Diary that's all about gratitude and appreciating how organically perfect we are in the midst of our diverse journeys and experiences.

We always make lists of ways we want to improve ourselves and bad habits we want to give up. When's the last time you made a list of all the things you like about yourself??? Sometimes we seek compliments or validation from others instead of just giving it to ourselves. I know I'm made of special stuff, and I don't need to sit around and wait for anyone to tell me that.

A few things I like about me:

1. I smile all the time. I smile because it makes me feel good and it makes others feel good. I smile so much that people automatically think something is wrong with me and show concern if I'm frowning. Smiling is a powerful way to influence people, and it comes so naturally to me.

2. I'm calm and laid back. I love the fact that I'm not an uptight person and MOST (certainly not all!) people I encounter feel very comfortable around me. I dig that. I've always made an effort to make people feel comfortable because growing up I was compensating for how UNcomfortable my mom usually made people feel. (I'll tell you all about that one day). I love that people confide in me and sense warmth and understanding in me.

3. I like my hair. I complain about a lot of my physical qualities. My skin, my stretch marks, my big feet, etc. Deep down, I'm very thankful for all these things because they do their job and represent what I've been through in my life...but yet I still complain :) I like my hair though. I think everyone should have something that they feel confident about, and that's my thing.

4. I like that I have a goody-goody side and a wild side. You can try to size me up by looking at me, but I'm not as innocent as I look. My wild side is super tame now compared to how I used to be because I'm all familied up and all. But I still have some party girl in me, and I hope that never goes away. To balance that out, I'm still a "good" girl at heart and this keeps me from taking things too far or being reckless. It's so important to forget your responsibilities and concerns occasionally and just get loose. Keeps me young. Keeps me sane.

5. I like that I can write. I'm not the best writer, but I'm my own best writer. Some paint, some sing, draw or write music. It's something that I love to do, is healthy for me, and seems to heal and touch other people. It's something I will continue to develop for the rest of my life. It's a gift that I am comfortable to share because there's no right or wrong to it because it's just part of me.

Quotes and Affirmations about Self-Love:

"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else." ~Judy Garland

"I think of life itself now as a wonderful play that I've written for myself, and so my purpose is to have the utmost fun playing my part." ~Shirley MacLaine

"If God had wanted me otherwise, He would have created me otherwise." ~Johann von Goethe

"Be what you are. This is the first step toward becoming better than you are." ~Julius Charles Hare

Call out a few things you like about yourself and be as complimentary as possible. There's nothing wrong with that! You should be your own biggest fan! Share any quotes or affirmations that remind you to love yourself just as you are. We all need to hear it!

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Qhemet Biologics Sale

Heads up to all my fellow natural and transitioning chicas: the Qhemet Biologics 12-hour spring sale will take place on Friday May 7^th! If you’re familiar with this site, you’ll know they are the purveyors of the wonderfully moisturizing Amla & Olive Heavy Cream. It was recommended to me by a friend, and I have found this to be the best product for keeping my summer curls moisturized all day long--even in the Maryland humidity. Another favorite is the Honeybush Tea Soft Gel, which helps flatten edges for pulled back or pulled up styles without being too heavy or flaking. It is water-based, so it’s gentle on your hair and it smells divine.

Since all Qhemet products are hand-made, production time for their items can be lengthy. Thus, in preparation for the sale, order intake will be suspended while existing orders are shipped and inventory is re-stocked. All products will appear as “out of stock” until the May 7^th sale, BUT there is still time to get orders in tonight if you would like to sample a few products or stock up on your favorites.

Happy Shopping!

Photo credit: qhemetbiologics.com

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Gratitude and Expectancy

“When you talk about "what is" or "what was," even if you're just explaining to a friendly ear, you project more of the same into the future. If you ask more than you give thanks, you'll believe less in your own power. And if you insist that it's hard and that you're lonely, you'll find that it is, and you are.

Yet, always you can choose to focus on what's good.”

This quote, received from a good friend, was an excellent reminder for me. I’ve been unhappy in one particular area of my life for quite some time now, and recently I have had to give myself constant reminders to be grateful in spite of what I view as a less than ideal situation. What I have had to realize is that I have to be happy and remain at peace no matter what. And when I speak about this area/thing/situation, I have to speak of it with love. All my complaining, crying, whining, rationalizing, explaining is only keeping me shrouded in the cloud of negative emotions that I have built up in association with this thing. Even if I’m just telling someone (for the 50th time) about something that happened to validate my desire for change, I am still focusing more on the negative and hurting myself—because I’m telling the universe and all the forces of life out there working for me that complaining is what’s important to me.

Until all the pieces of the puzzle are in place for me to make a wise move, I have got to change my perception. I will not complain. I will not explain. I will not get upset. Instead, I will choose to view things with a perspective of gratitude and expectancy—knowing that the change I desire is right around the corner. I will find ways to make the most of my current situation. I will view any hardship associated with this thing as an opportunity to reveal my character--not to stoop to the level of someone else’s. And I will be so productive and goal-oriented that I won’t have time to focus on anything else.

I am very much a list kinda gal, so I have made a list of 10 positive things about this situation that I can refer to when I start to feel the urge to complain. Another list is my “must do” list, that will help to keep me on task and focused on taking baby steps towards the change I desire to create. I have also agreed to join my cyber-pal Pure Gold Lady in what she calls a “fast from negativity”. If I can be happy, right now, in this very situation, no matter what things occur to try and shake me up, then I’ll know I’m ready for the next great thing that life has in store for me. It is my intent to be ever grateful, and focused on the positive.

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