Finding Inner Peace

Hè, yogi friend!

There is lots of growth happening outside right now. I have Creeping Charlie on the side of my house blooming. My yarrow is waking up and showing her beautiful leaves. I love feeling the squishy, cool mud between my toes as I have been trying to feel grounded these past few weeks. I have busted out my arsenal of tools to help me cope while I get through this. Sometimes feeling all the feels is the best medicine. Sometimes not having all the answers and ability to immediately fix the situation is the solution. How can I sit in peace when there is a whirlwind manifesting craziness in my head? I have to be okay with not being okay and find my inner peace in the chaos. Hold onto your yoga mat as we explore finding inner peace.

Spring is here!

Movement

"I 1,000% know moving my body gets everything moving, thoughts, blood, energy, feelings, breakthroughs."

First things first, I enjoy a brisk walk whether it be on the sidewalk or in nature. Get me moving so these thoughts can get in order. I find myself able to feel clear-headed as my blood pumps. I love yoga and lately have been intuitively moving to music for 30 minutes. I feel organized and in control when I make the time for me. I am not the best at immediately getting up to go but this morning I worked out my back with my husband and earlier this week, I worked out with my daughter. I 1,000% know moving my body gets everything moving, thoughts, blood, energy, feelings, breakthroughs. When I feel out of control, I find something I can control.

Rain or shine, me and my doggos go for a walk🐶💝

Nature Bathing

Being out in nature is pure essence of all life force. I feel so safe and sound tucked away with the trees. I never bring headphones so I can intently listen to my surroundings. All the joy and love swirl within me. I can write for days about my experiences outside. First of all, it’s free! I will sit and listen. There are so many messages and soft whispers in these moments. I do not know how to express all of the gratitude I get from listening. It’s peaceful in my soul and fills me back up with Prana so I can enter my demanding world of giving.

Early morning walks in nature makes my soul soothed.

Meditation

Meditation is my time to quiet my active mind. A good 30-minute session gives me the impression my thoughts are just thoughts, and they cannot control me. I control me. I have been appreciating guided meditations. I use Hemi-Sync which is a paid app. It’s phenomenal! I do not use it daily, but I am highly intrigued to commit to doing 30 days and blogging about it. Let me know your thoughts if you’d like me to do this soon!

Meditating by finding peace with stillness💜

Fasting

I have been feeling better feeling empty. I have been skipping breakfast and feeling all the tummy grumbling. I do keep up on my hydration and feeling like my hot lemon water ritual is keeping all my cells squishy! Nothing feels better than feeling. I know a huge part of my alcoholism was covering up the feels. So, feeling good is the ultimate goal but how can I know what feeling good is if I don’t feel bad. I don’t think that slight hunger is bad, more like uncomfortable. How can I feel bad in my life and add hunger on top of that? I have a relationship with my food and take the time to eat. When I do eat, whatever it is, I know it will nourish me.

My nourishing hot honey salmon sushi bowl😍

Seek Community for Your Journey

I have the best community of women in my life. We all have problems, and when I talk, I know someone will listen and identify. We are all strong in ourselves, and a strong community brings power back to ourselves. I am not crazy; I am on top of my game! Making friends can be outside of your comfort zone, but if you sign up for something you like, maybe you’ll find someone just like you! Someone who quickly gets out of stranger status and becomes bestie status! Never say never. Everyone has a story and most love to share if someone will listen. Find your community💞

Namastè! Wanishi!

All pictures by Lenape Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

Self-Care on Vacation

Hello, Yogi Friend!

I have been amongst many strangers in the last few days on vacation in Phoenix. I am so very humbled by my experience and found my peace in a bustling city full of unknowns. My intention was to experience all I can muster each day and make sure I am taking time to tend to my needs as well.

I’m just following the sun’s rhythms.

I have been experimenting with my self-care routine for over a year now. I know what works best for my morning and night routine to keep me going and going and going. I just have a few requirements (even while on vacation), they are 7 hours of sleep and meditation, Abhyanga (self-massage), movement, hydration, and eating with intention. I was on vacation and stayed up late on a few nights and had to get used to a different time zone. I still made sure I got in my 7 hours of rest. I had my maps on my phone and I walked everywhere! I even did 22,000 steps in one day which plows my 5,500 step average! I made sure I tended to my sore legs and the rest of my body with a self-massage every night after my shower. I enjoyed journaling by the pool every morning with my cup of hot herbal tea to help keep me hydrated amongst lots of water daily. I didn’t eat the healthiest foods at every meal, but I did take my time and enjoyed every bite.

Rest and relaxation💖

Sleep and Rest

I used to put my body through the wringer when I was on vacation. I would drink alcohol late into the night most nights and not have a great night’s sleep. I wouldn’t listen to my body for cues of dehydration and being overworked. Have you ever come back from vacation exhausted? I don’t like feeling drained if I can help it. I love to love me. I have the recipe to keep my body in check because I learned to listen to my body.

I found myself lounging by the pool after our morning hikes. It was a great place to journal and watch nature. I was able to meditate as well.

Self-Massage

I must tend to my sore body or my body won’t want to carry me around the next day. At least it won’t feel happy about it. I made sure to spend time massaging my sore legs and feet. I’m telling you that 5 minutes made a huge difference! I would pay attention to my toes and gently pull on each one front, back, left and right sides. I would knead my thumbs or knuckles into the bottom of my foot and up to my calves. I am someone who will pay for a good massage but knowing I can do the same for myself is priceless.

Watching the city life 💜

Movement

I experienced my first guided hike, and it was phenomenal! First, we met at the trailhead at 6 AM and we were led towards the peak. During our ascent I learned all about the flora and fauna of the land. I found myself challenged by the steep inclines and navigating in the early morning darkness. We finally got to our destination, and it was spectacular! I had a moment with the sunrise, and we began our descent. I loved moving my body in this way. I challenged my mind and body and didn’t get hurt.

I found multiple opportunities to walk in nature. I also walked downtown to most of my destinations. I would stay within a few miles our home rental. I really enjoyed walking and taking in the sights and smells. I loved walking by the orange trees and smelling the orange blossoms. I enjoyed some stretchy yoga poses by the pool as well to get me feeling juicy and restored.

Hydration

I used to not love water and it had to be seasoned to not taste like water for me to drink it. I am not her anymore. I love, love water! I know it is a necessity for my well-being. My body loves hydrating with warm lemon water. I didn’t think it would matter too much but I was drinking many bottles of water and my lips were dry requiring moisture. I was in the desert, but it didn’t feel 100% dry but I’m thinking next time I will carry hot water with me.

Eating with Intention

I love vacationing because I let myself splurge on either lunch or dinner. My husband loves to eat at places that don’t have a lot of veggie options, so this is my compromise. I can keep a healthy relationship with eating even if it’s not the best for my body. We ate burgers every day. I took my time to enjoy my experience enjoying my food. I had the best company, and it really satisfied my soul. I never had room for dessert, but I did my best to balance my choices.

The best sweet, salty, bitter, sour, pungent non-alcoholic drink!

I am currently writing and listening to the birds enjoy the spring morning. It’s beautiful being in my natural inner peace right in the heart of downtown Phoenix. I am in love with this place, and I witnessed a bird’s mating dance right above my head! I felt like “National Geographic” happening right before my eyes! My soul is overflowing with contentment, and I don’t want to leave it, but I must. I will just make sure I visit my favorite places that manifest heart searching soul work often!

I will put the AirBNB we stayed at and to meet Paul, our hiking guide, in the comments!

Namaste!

New Year, New Pose

Happy New Year, my beautiful yogi friend!

I am enjoying the new year on vacation! I’m enjoying myself and finding a lot of peace. I am so full of love, I could burst! For the first time in my life, I feel safe and impervious to defeat. I read my letter to myself from last New Year and after I cried tears of joy for being the strong woman my past self hoped for, I found that I can manifest my life. I achieved my dreams for 2022. What the hell?? I discovered I can be in control and I can drive my life where I want to go. I’m on my mat with every cell in my body screaming, “New year, new pose!”

Me a year ago, I was growing without boundaries, rules, or expectations. I quickly found that doesn’t work.

Spiritual Growth Needs Rules and Boundaries

My spiritual growth is exponential. I found the recipe to get my butt in gear and ran! I had a hard life growing up and found myself stuck in a circle of cleaning up after myself a lot. I feel like I didn’t know how to think or advocate for myself. I acknowledged other people’s rules and boundaries but never loaded myself up with any. I should have. I learned that boundaries are healthy and not rude. I require space and time to reflect on my day now. I was always going, going, going and my path lead me to drink profusely, rarely follow through on my thoughts of self-improvement, and never set any goals. I was doing what I could to get through the day. I was surviving and not thriving! So exhausted all the time.

It gets better. As sure as the sun rises a new day begins. I found a way to get unstuck from my old way of thinking. It didn’t serve me, it was only meant for my survival. I got away from the things trying to kill me and began living again🥰

My Awakening

I slept hard for 40 years and all of a sudden, I awoke. My senses judged my surroundings. I became aware of my decisions and I wanted to clean up my life. I focused so much on my yoga and meditation. I found board yoga and made a new friend with the owner. Actually, I found myself with a bunch of new friends, enjoying new things and not just enjoying them but loving them. It changed me. I became new and vibrant. My thoughts were loving and fresh. I had so much freedom but it was all still new. I, again, overbooked my calender cause I had to try all the new yoga classes, sound baths, paddleboarding, and retreats. I was so inquisitive about living that I found myself longing for rest.

I made my 1st sourdough to round out 2022💝

My Restful Rest

I seriously love a great meditation that recharges my energies and resets my mind. Ahhhhh… so rested and loved. All of this is intentional love back to myself. In the beginning, I meditated less than one minute and definitely not every day. In fact, it took me a solid season to feel any benefit so don’t expect a field of roses after planting the 1st seed. This is a practice. My mind is wired to always think and create. Sitting in silence was way left field! I stayed with guided meditations. I found my silence was indeed waking up the beast. My mind was getting organized and I found myself craving my meditations. By late spring I was meditating daily and to add a cherry on top, I would take my meditations outside😍

My beginning of prana meditations. Prana is the life force. I love to gather my energies by the water. I’m such a water lover! Mni Wiconi! (Water is Life ~ Lakota)

My New Beginnings

So, how will I get into my new pose for 2023? I have a lot of ideas and I’m ready for it!! I spent 2022 getting stronger and wiser. I stopped chasing the mundane. I only want me. I get to experience the highest highs all because I want to be my best self. There isn’t anything in this world worth chasing than my freedom. I am FREE! There aren’t any chains on me anymore. I found my voice, it’s singing from the hills. Sing with me, friend! I just never felt this before and if I could encapsulate this feeling and share it, I would. I only have my stories and my blog is where I share them. I can’t wait to continue my journey onward! Happy New Year!

Posing with my inspiration🌲🧘🏽‍♀️

Namastè 🙏🏽

All pictures by Lenapè Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

Winter Solstice

Happy winter solstice, friends!

The snow is a comfort to my eyes. It’s memories of sledding with my brother and dad, snowball fights, snow angels and bravely looking up towards the gray abyss and catching fat snowflake clumps in my eyes and mouth. I dance in these memories. Nothing but pure joy on memories. I have many. This was my childhood. I need new memories in my 40s of winter. I’m planning on ringing in the new year in Colorado! I’m so excited to spend 6 days with my family in a beautiful cabin home. I will relish in these memories for years to come. Until then, I will bring some food comfort memories into the game!

Happy winter solstice!

I find myself skipping breakfast most days. I have been on a sweets kick for a few months now. It’s so annoying but I quit drinking alcohol so if I have a cookie or 2 a day it’s better than picking up a beer…or more, which usually is more than 1. So skipping breakfast is my balance. Some days, I’ll just have stewed apples. I’ll peel 2 small apples and cut them into chunks with filtered water and my chai seasoning spices. I’ll cook for 5-10 min and add more cinnamon before eating. I’ll save the hot spiced water to add to my morning herbal tea. I have been enjoying sipping on CCF (Cumin seeds, coriander seeds, fennel seeds) tea throughout the day. I also, toast pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and flax seeds and mix them in a jar. I will eat 1 tablespoon a day to help me thicken my hair. I’ve had covid once a year and the hair loss is sad 😔

Me and Mr. Baby like to be lazy together ❤️

So, if you know anything about Ayurveda then you should know your dosha. Doshas are based on elements of fire, water, earth, air, and space. I am Kapha – Pitta which affords me water & earth (Kapha) and fire & water (Pitta). I know I am missing space and air, so I can incorporate these into my eating habits. I create “space” by eliminating breakfast. I can add vata foods but since it’s winter, this is known as Vata season. I feel pretty balanced thus far. I make sure I check in every morning during my meditation to see where I’m out of balance. I can find myself feeling heavy if I don’t move and I feel too grounded and not connected to things that bring me joy, like yoga. Food can initiate pleasure as well, as long as it doesn’t create more kapha in me. Like fried foods, heavy meals late, sweets and buttery fats, geez typing this made me sweat. Lol!

I typically eat soups and stews but my corn soup needed a fry bread accompaniment 🥰

So, my lunch will be between 11 and noon. I break my fast with a well thought out meal. I typically like to meal prep a big pot of stew or soup for the week I can eat off of but this week is short for me so I’m having leftover arrabiata gluten free spaghetti with beef and a kale salad. Beef is sweet, arrabiatta is pungent with garlic, onions, red pepper, parmesan cheese is salty, tomatoes are sour, basil dried from my summer garden enhance astringent flavors, and a quick tossed kale salad to introduce bitterness to my fully balanced meal.

As long as love is included, all foods are good foods💖

After lunch, it’s important to let my body do its thing and digest. I will watch Youtube videos or read for a bit before beginning working. This is a sacred time for me to be with my thoughts and make sure I’m digesting my experiences as well. I won’t need to eat again until dinner. I used to be in a rush to eat before yoga but I feel an empty stomach gives me a better practice. I’m not sure why but instead of my body focusing on digesting, it can focus on my mind- body connection. I feel all the hallelujahs when I’m empty of food, not on love🤩

We digest after lunch😃

I have been enjoying dinner with my family. My daughter has been working on a 500-piece puzzle and I like to talk to her while she matches up pieces. I find eating the exact same thing my family eats at the same time gives me what I need in this season. It’s more 80/20 and I give myself leniency because I work for myself and not against myself. I find all the love in the season and take what I want to keep. I am not obligated to always be what I think I’m supposed to be. I’m evolving and taking my family for a ride on the crazy train! We love it cause we are together. We are a family that isn’t dripping in our perfections 24/7, I love them and they’re my perfect family🥹💞

Lots of cookies to gift😍

For dinner, I enjoy a small plate of food with as much adherence to the 6 tastes as possible. I may have a cookie or 2 and a cup of cacao to settle me into my bed. Crumbs and all.

Namastè 🙏🏽

All pictures by Lenapè Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

A Little Bit of Love Goes a Long Way

Hi, friends!

I have been soaking in all the Christmas spirit. I love this time of year for the kindness people exude and carry love to those in need. Oh, why can’t we love every day? This is a great reminder to put in your daily love for yourself as well. 5, 10, 15, 20? What’s your numbered threshold? What will you allow as adequate time to nourish and refuel on love?

Oh, Christmas tree… oh, Christmas tree…

My discovery of my needs for the day typically begins with my self-reiki practice. I get my mind and body in tune and I proceed to meditate. Meditation is my love language. Sometimes, I think of the things that bring me joy and love and my brain tingles with the memories. Once, I know my day’s intentions it’s only 5:30 am. So many hours to go!

I completed my 1st full moon ceremony under the clouds but the moon was still out in the western sky.  Full moon in Gemini.

I recently went to visit relatives in Oklahoma. I met with my Auntie who told stories for 3 hours! I wish I recorded her but these stories were so amazing I wrote them down off memory. I love, love discovering my family roots. As we are coming to the winter solstice, in Lenapè ways we told stories. I’m planning on getting some stories ready and getting my family together to listen. I hope they share as well.

Uncle Eddie’s home on wheels in Oklahoma😍

I think just last year, I was shopping, shopping, shopping. My love showed up as a gift or cash. That was exhausting showing up at stores, waiting in long lines, waiting for the mail, and money spent for all the wrong reasons. I was learning. I did what my parents did. I learn from sight and seeing others do what they do. I don’t want my Christmas nights consumed by shopping and leave me entering 2023 in debt. My love and attention to myself taught me my faults and if I want to be better, I better tend to the issues. I love my family and I give great gifts but I’m no longer going to stress about how much I need to spend to care.

Eating seasonal foods boost me up with nutrients and the strength to deal with late fall weather💪🏾 I made a butternut coconut curry soup & roasted beet soup😍

I find joy in my nights when I can read my books. Right now I’m reading “Science of Yoga” by Ann Swanson & “Drink?” by Professor David Nutt. These books are captivating and I’m learning so much. I enjoy learning how good yoga is for my body and what happens in each pose. This information is life changing! Plus, “Drink?” exposes what alcohol does to your body and how it will change your life, if you let it. Scary stuff.

My nightly reads.

I hope you find joy in the season of greetings! Or even better, that you find your joy amongst the busiest of seasons. Breathe and find that a little bit of love goes a long way!

Namastè 🙏🏽

All pictures by Lenape Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

Monday Mindset

Happy Monday!

Me and my doggies ventured out in the cold this morning.

I have been feeling a bit lost in the huge amount of space I created in my life. I now have time to catch up on the library books I borrowed, focus on my blog, continue my herbal studies, focus on my yoga spiritual practice, and go deeper into my meditations. I intend to focus, focus, focus. So far, it’s been about 40% focus. I’m allowed downtime but I feel like it’s not helping me to be productive. I tend to put things that are out of my control on my scope and obsess over them. I’m really curious why this is my focus and not on a cure. Here, I present my Monday mindset.

My Sunday night walks manifest my Mondays💝

Monday is the beginning of the week for most of us. If we can’t figure it out by Monday there’s always next Monday, right? LOL! I hate to admit I do this, especially when it comes to working out.  I have come to respect Mondays which I’m sure comes from my amazing boss who doesn’t give me the Sunday scaries. (“Sunday scaries” come from stress on Sunday night because Monday is on the horizon and with that comes all the shit no one wants to deal with but has to.)  I also get to set a precedence for the whole week! How do I want to represent myself this week? What meetings, yoga classes, events, and self-care time do I need to add to my calendar and which nights do I need to plan on a crock pot meal? I get to manifest this. I’m pretty powerful because I chose my day, my life. That’s amazing freedom.

My dog’s Monday morning point of view🐶

So, I have a lot of meetings each week and I look forward to most of them. If not, why are they on my calendar? I may need to reassess if my interests are changing, or do I need to be challenged more? I find Sundays as my day to get things written down, groceries bought, calendars updated, lunch money handed out, and check in on my priorities. I find my Sunday planning is pretty important for my Monday so I’ll share more next week!

Eating seasonally is important to me.

As far as my mindset, I really enjoy the things on my calendar. My mindset manifests from the joys in my life. I really found a healthy balance and experience pleasure everyday. Last year on this day, my life was chaotic and too many unknowns. I couldn’t wait to be in this moment today, safe and sound. Life is a trip and even the bad things deserve a mention because it got me to the good things✌🏽 I will never take life for granted and I feel like the ripples my life set are already manifesting. I just need to be patient. For now, I’ll be keeping my healthy mindset and understand nothing outside myself makes me love myself. Change your mindset, change your view💝

Namastè 🙏🏽

All pictures by Lenape Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

Who’s In Control of This Ship?

Happy Tuesday!

I am still a toe into this week. I don’t feel I’m in complete control yet. I’m wavering on a lot of choppy waters in my mind. I’m unsure of myself and my direction. Have you ever felt out of sync? I’m questioning a lot from my thoughts that came up Sunday and Monday to help guide me to my next adventure, my next a-ha moment. I guess, this is a part of my growing process and I must endure the yawns too. It sure beats chaos!

The moon showing me how to make way in the cold, dark, autumn nights

I know I came so far from who I once was. I like the fast trajectory. Who doesn’t? I tend to obsess over something until it no longer serves me. I’ve been researching my family tree and found so many facts I never knew. I talk to my dad more about the past. I found myself spending hours on ancestry.com. Now, I’m still processing all I found and what to do with it now. I also sent off my saliva to be studied to tell me all about my DNA. I can’t wait for those results and I also did traits.

This is Chief Jack Harry, my 3rd great- grandpa. I have 4 Chief grandpas so far in my research. This grandpa died of the flu in Mexico while on business. He was 52.

I find a lot of joy in researching who I come from. It brought tears, anger, sadness, love, hope, fear, and laughter. My family isn’t perfect but they’re mine. Without them, there’s no me. None of my babies. I saw so many censuses with my family and boarding school rosters with my grandmas and grandpas names. I’m only 2nd generation out of boarding schools so there was a lot of generational trauma I’ve been working through, as one could guess. When you find out who you are and where you come from no one can take that from you. That’s your truth.

I have been learning a lot about my gut biome. I never thought to research all of these researched and trademarked bacteria but I want to know what I’m putting into my body.

Another fun fact, is I’ve been taking my health seriously. Aging doesn’t have to be bad or deterioration of your body and mind. I’m embracing all of me. I’m not perfect but I’m optimizing my health one day at a time. I started taking a probiotic. It’s day 5 and no difference yet but I’m still trucking along! I’d like to be more consistent in eating seasonal fruits and veggies. My family only likes 3 or 4 veggies, and yes, they count potatoes. I need to get this fixed. I’m finding myself eating what I cook for my family and not what I need.

I really miss my in-person yoga class. I’m planning on attending today and getting back to my original mission statement. Keeping me happy, safe, and loved. “But a yogi never forgets that health must begin with the body. Your body is the child of the soul. You must nourish and train your child. Physical health is not a commodity to be bargained for. Nor can it be swallowed in the form of drugs and pills. It has to be earned through sweat.” B.K.S. Iyengar.

Namastè 🙏🏽

All pictures by Lenape Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

Fall Edition: Yogi morning routine for self-empowerment💖

Hi, yogi friend!

I am thrilled to share my Fall morning routine. It will always include my well-rehearsed “start your day right” routine.  This is my best chance at grabbing control of my day before someone or something else does. This will prove to you how much control you truly have over you, yourself, and YOU!!

Greeting the sun!

First things first, I will eliminate, by the way, Triphala works wonders if you need help to get that started. Don’t continue carrying yesterday’s shit into today! Then, I brush, floss, and scrape my tongue. Next, I wash my face and apply my homemade oil concoction and will begin a quick Gua Sha session. I will dry brush my whole body with long strokes creating movement towards my heart. I will finish with my oil and pay attention to my body. Lots of long strokes and circle rubs on the joints. This all can take 15 – 20 minutes but so very worth it!

Nature shows is resiliency to exist in every season well🥰

Now, I can begin my Reiki session and I just bought a new healing bowl. It has seven metals to represent the seven planets. It has nine chakra signs and it’s one of a kind…literally. These healing bowls are made by hand in Nepal. I absolutely love how low the sound is and the vibration it sends to my body is so amazing! I show it off to all my visitors and I cannot wait to learn our powers together! I am in awe with this new partnership.

My first healing bowl💖

After, Reiki I need to move. I will begin my yoga session for 30 – 60 minutes depending on my time constraints. This has been a curious thought to begin early morning walking or even a weightlifting session. We’ll see how this manifest as we carry on through the season. I know my body well and movement first thing is very important to me.

A bit late but always on time.

By now, it’s time to wrap up my self-love and self-intention morning to take a shower and rinse off the oil. I try to end my shower with the last minute being COLD! It’s meant to increase endorphins and increase blood flow. There a so many more benefits but I just do it because it makes me feel good and increases my focus every day. Win!

After I dress, I get in a meditation. Lately, I love a great prana bath in nature and a meditation while the sun rises. This is the best self-love I can present myself. This is my RX. I will also journal to wrap up my ah-mazing morning love fest.

I got to journal next to this beautiful doe❤

I will get my breakfast ready which has been cold cereal or yummy stewed apples lately. I also make myself my yummy chai cacao with Brahim/Gotu Kola and Moringa powder. These help me with my focus concentration. Another win! I typically begin work.

Yummy stewed apples!

I hope this inspires you to start or tweak your morning routine to celebrate YOU! Let’s get in a mindset to get up early and care for ourselves before we have to present to the world. I love a good love fest especially in the morning!

Namastè 🙏🏽

All pictures by Lenape Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

$1 Thought

Where do we get our mindsets? If it’s supplied by our environment, then how can we change? We can’t change our environment; we can only dust off and move to the next headache. When are we going to wake up and get out of the way of the wave of confusion? I was a body influenced by what I saw on TV, or the up-and-coming businesswoman to help guide ME through MY trials cause one size fits all. My mind was shut off from anything that didn’t manifest a mean-spirited thought of myself or others. I was in a jungle of lies and shut off from my truth. What was my truth? Who am I?

I want to be brave and face my demons head on!

The world can be toxic and hateful. It can also be alive and free. I am a product of a free mind and I am not only capable of loving myself, but others. I decided to put one foot in front of the other. I kept looking at my feet because I was ashamed of who I was, I couldn’t look at myself. I was damaged and I didn’t know how to be better. I was just going to keep walking in shame. But, one day I found my feet to be beautiful, they walked me and carried me and my heavy burdens. That was my 1st love affair with who I was. I began to peel away the ego that no longer served me. It used to be my armor to keep everything away.

Journaling is a great place to start healing💜

I could finally look past my feet and focus on who I wanted to become. What is this new perception on life? Its so nice and loving here. I actually felt loved more and more and I began to recognize myself as who I was suposed to be. I saw past the heartache and anger and began the work to get help for me and my past regressions. I was able to show my truths to people and trust them to help me trust myself. I had a lot of trust issues but I held myself responsible for my healing and began to nurture me. I tended to all the bruises, scars, and pain. I am not related to that pain anymore. It has healed and that is huge for me. I lugged that around my whole life. Do you know how light I feel? I unpacked a lot so now I’m running to the next level!

Meditation is the best healing tool to keep mindful of.

I have a lot of goals I have set. I keep manifesting new ideas and goals because I keep crushing them! What a freeing feeling to have control of my life. I came back to a place of remembrance. I am where I am supposed to be. I am the most content and waiting to see how the wind blows me next. I plan to keep moving forward and work through my problems as they show up. I won’t bury that shit because it will show back up as disease. I can’t keep running and I make sure I show up for myself. Now, I can look at myself and be very proud of me. I have so much energy and devotion and I hope to get a seed planted for you to look at your life and decide where you long to be. Wake up and get in your head! You’re worth every second.

Namastè🙏🏽

All pictures by Lenape Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

Circadian Rhythm

What is it about time that makes our bodies crave a scheduled cycle? There’s a feeling of necessity for me and I crave a schedule even though I fight it sometimes. My bedtime is 9:30 pm everyday. I wake up at 4:30 am most days. My schedule rarely changes except during daylight savings time. We fall back an hour. Here we go…

Night, night, Sunflower. Enjoy the full moon gaze tonight. 💗

Last year, I stayed in bed until 5:30 am most mornings. I get all kinds of emotions about getting up into the cooler air to get my bathroom habits done and get my day started. I am very aware of my patterns so planning ahead is imminent. My morning routine is still in infancy so I need to define it into fall and winter so it doesn’t get lost. I love my morning routine. It is so imperative to start your day right!!

My morning meditation and journaling routine😍

The weather outside is getting slower. The weather is getting chilly overnight. My basil harvest is over and I put them in my compost. I feel myself longing for a slower schedule. Who am I to not listen to my intuition or my body. I am learning to respect myself on all levels of being. I put complete trust in myself unlike before. I am ok with this because I put in a lot of work into myself over the summer. I wish I found more time to be on my paddle board. I still have a month or so, so there’s still time to slow down and be in my head.

My medicinal garden is abundant and I have all the goods to prepare for winter! St. John’s Wort studies indicate assistance with seasonal depression…of course, Disclaimer: this is not proven to treat, diagnose, or cure anything.

Typically, I eat dinner around 5pm. I ate too late last night and what I notice about myself this morning is sluggish. I also ate grease and sugar which is 1,000% what I expect. I had a healthier alternative in the fridge I completely forgot about until I reflected on it this morning writing my blog. Ha! I am lucky to have a clear understanding on what works and what doesn’t. It makes decision making easier if you know the outcome. I plan on having brunch with my parents this morning so I’ll look for a very light helping of fruit or green juice. This will give my body time to digest last nights bad decision😝

Some kind of hybrid pepper😂 I have been roasting, dehydrating, and grounding my peppers for chili powder. I have so many Serrano peppers too😍

My biggest meal is usually lunch. This is when digestion is most fiery. Get in my belly! I am making sure it’s balanced with bitter, astringent, salty, sweet, pungent, and sour. I miss being creative in the kitchen. I’ll have more time as I will crave being home more in the winter and as it chills outside. Do you notice your seasonal habits? I mean I’m lucky in a sense because I experience 4 seasons. It’s beautiful! I have a maple tree in my backyard and as it gets fiery colored it is a gentle reminder to let my fire slow or risk burn out. I am so kapha so I understand why fall is my favorite. Don’t get me wrong! I love summer and all her heat! I detox and sweat and move in my life with all the love! Summer is freeing! Let your hair down, no bras…stay real💖

Jalapeño lemonade season

Another huge habit to keep in any changing season is to move. I love my yoga in all seasons. I especially love restorative yoga and all of its healing intentions. Walking is especially important to me. I love exploring nature and my neighborhood. There are a lot of walkers and that’s beautiful. We have a walking/running group. I love my community. I have to get ready for my yoga session. Stay mindful and stay in your knowledge. You’re the only person on the planet who knows what you need. Get in your head and stay mindful and pay attention💝 stay gifted✌🏽

Namastè 🙏🏽

All pictures by Lenape Spiritual Yogi Awakened.