life-lessons

Summer cool down begins

/ Self-Diagnosed Yogi / Leave a comment

Hi, to my fellow yogi!

The fire of summer is beginning to lessen on this side of the world. It is a nice transition to all the yogis who do not enjoy sweating in summer’s fire. I do! I thrive in the heat of summer and find ways to stay outside. I keep cool and hydrated with summer’s gifts of fruit and juicy, cooling veggies, and mint 🙂 I also feel like it’s go, go, go the whole season. I love being busy but I have to learn to sit and digest everything I’ve seen, heard, lived through, etc. How do you digest things you see or hear? Well, from my experience, mediation is my digestive power to process my senses.

I have had summers full of awesome experiences every day. I had no idea how to process and digest. I still remembered it but how can I incorporate it into my life or handle my future if I’m not fully sure what happened? Now, I sit. I cleanse my area and my body with sage or santo palo. The scent initiates the beginning of my ritual. I can sit outside in my hammock swing for hours. I listen to the sound of nature surround me and let myself know I am safe. Thoughts invade but I put them to bed by acknowledging them and letting go. I try to think of nothing. I concentrate on my breath….4 seconds in…..4 seconds out.

Can I just share that living in the moment is the most freeing choice I have ever made. I don’t think of past experiences or future ones. I just look around and concentrate on what surrounds me. The joy of the four inch grasshopper happily jumping through the grass. The butterfly that is so sure of it’s journey from flower to flower. The bees that fly around me without a care. I am amongst friends. Can you even think of the last time you sat with no worry or hankering to be busy? You can just sit and admire. I love summer and how alive it is! Do you agree?

I feel the communication my body gives me. I know how to nourish myself even though I’m super busy. I have to be sure I am shedding other peoples energies. I get bogged down with feelings that are not mine. I can very easily pick up energies from a room and they pester my brain and thoughts. No thank you! Not my cup of tea. I like to clear the channels daily and the best way is to journal and meditate. Maybe try the next time you feel clogged up. Try 1 minute. I highly suggest finding a meditation group or consultant.

My favorite meditation spot in Kauai, HI.

If you are in Lawrence, KS, try my friend, Jamelle with Bare Roots Energy. She specialized in reiki, mediation, chakras, and sooooo much more!! I also have her mediation handbook that is incredible! Let’s start our journey to better selves now, together!

Namaste!

My Home Is Where My Family Is

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Yogi!

It has been way too long! Life has its way of showing me who is really in control of this ship. I have found resiliency in the shit storms, and I have learned how to grow my roots in times of uncertainty. All of these lessons prove time after time again, yoga and meditation are key to my life success. I find myself craving these sessions time and time again. Especially, in the unknown and life has thrown a lot of uncertainty at me in unknown territory. I seriously, verbatim told my sister back in May, “My home is where my family is.” I didn’t think that would be tested the very next day…

Life has been unrecognizable lately and I crave familiarity 💝

One thing I do know for sure, I am a small, small, tiny speck in a huge world unknown. I might be big in my world but so small outside of here. Where is here? Home. Home is where I can recharge my light. My familiarity, my energy. I love to create the most welcoming and safe place with strong roots. I want the sun to circle my homestead with fatherly love and watch over the plant life and give them strength. I want to close my eyes and understand every detail of my home and each turn of the pathways. I lost and found myself in that old house. I raised my kids there. I lost my best friend and grieved in that house. I had to leave that house though. A life lost and here I am. Taking up space in a new space, grieved wound, new hope. I add hope because without hope, growth halts.

My lime tree is fruiting💖

I have a new space with my family. The hardest part is over, and I am ready to embrace this new life. I am hopeful and ready to grow into my new pot. Change is hard. I am pretty adaptable though. I have a new cat room for my babies and my plants are enjoying the new space and dare I say, thriving? We have been here one month now. We still have painting at our old house before we put it on the market, but I am hopeful we can get it all done in two weeks. Fingers crossed!

I love my kittys😻

I am getting back into my hustle mindset probably due to the fiery sun this summer has brought. I like the focus and I am preparing for the full moon this week. What are some full moon intentions you are working on? I am ready to get back into my work groove and surprise myself with some cool ideas and collabs! Stay tuned!

Namaste!

Eras Collab

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Hè, friend!

Another week began, and I decided to vacate the usual hamster wheel routine. Things need to be rearranged to fit my new life aspirations motif. I am manifesting me. New me, improved me, a new eras me. I will embrace this change because it’s a collab of all the past mes at my highest self. I have a collection of personal highs that will encourage me to live as my highest self. I present an eras collab.

Youth me:

I could sit by this little stream and watch the patterns ripple over the tree roots and rocks. There was a comfort in the songs of the birds. I knew this wooded area so well. I spent so much of my childhood here. Alone. I preferred. I never needed anyone here. I was always safe.

There is nothing like an early morning walk to greet the sun. It’s amazing! I also like to workout early. My plan is to move every morning. This daily practice helped me tremendously with my recovery. I know I need it.

Teen me:

I loved to write. I would listen to Lauryn Hill and write poems, stories, and research papers. Lol! I was obsessed with words and meanings. There is a floetry to a love dance or hurt. Being a teen in the 90s was amazing. I had great women to admire and get inspiration.

I plan on getting word creative daily. I’m not sure how that looks, but infesting myself with words is my goal. In and out.

20’s me:

Social butterfly in the house! I was in it all! I miss having the hours long girl time conversing and not having to hold back cause your circle was tight. I could hold the same sacred circle for all my girls. What a huge blessing.

@blushfitness

30’s me:

Lifting weights was unlike any other workout. I was so connected; mind, body. I was able to build muscles and squat heavy. I showed up for myself and surprised myself. I got pretty fit by myself. I can get back to this mindset, no problem.

As vast as this ocean is, I trust the journey.

40’s me:

Acceptance. I never fully understood what this would be like. I enter my 40s facing the unknown. Life after covid, wrinkles, finally facing my alcohol problem, new career turn, spiritual awakening, healing traumas. That’s in 2 years. Life is wild!

I might have this huge plan to slowly introduce my highest eras back into existence, but with my wisdom, I know acceptance for where I am is most needed. Acceptance is my peace and wisdom is my compass.

Namastè!

All pictures by Self-Diagnosed Yogi.

Self-Realization

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Hè, friend!

Spring is really showing out this season. We had wet, rainy days, cold days, blustery windy days, hot, sunny days, and chilly nights. My spring reset is officially fully integrated, and I am excited to see the sights with my fully functional senses. I would agree that April is flying by! I made an intention of posting every day, but I found it wasn’t beneficial to my life. I do want to share every day, but some days I get so busy, I forget. I also find myself in a repeating thought process. It’s where I am sometimes. I found myself in a familiar pattern of not finishing things. I will have big ideas and big plans, but I fall short and completely stop. I then move on to the next thing to partially build.

4/20 plant potting party!

I noticed this huge pattern in my life. A huge hindrance and an elephant in the room I called ‘normal’. Now that I see it, what am I going to do about it, you ask? Well, I am taking big plans into action by building my lemonade business up. I began my week of research and writing and planning. I’m quiet on the internet, but things are manifesting over here! I want to see this out and invest my best in myself. If the business fails, I will take what I need and build it better the next time. If I thrive, I will share my knowledge as seeds for the next person. I am not a gatekeeper, I share. Knowledge is power, and I feel it in my soul that I am on the right path no matter the outcome.

Whatever I say now are my plans will change. I will change as a person as my business grows. This is the natural progression in life. I know what it feels like to be wanting more and have no idea how to get there. I just left an outgrown garden bed and found one with companion plants that will ensure my survival and show me how to thrive. One day, I will need to change out of this garden bed but for now, it’s home. My roots are getting stronger as I learn to navigate through these unknown times. My feet will not fail me now.

Namastè!

All pictures by Self-Diagnosed Yogi.

Manifestor

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Hè, friend!

It’s been pretty quiet over here. I have been taking some time out to decompress and reset. I am ready to resume my path, and I am contemplating how my mornings will look beginning next week. I have new focus and direction to entertain me while the kinks of my life work themselves out. I will finish what I started and noticed I’m falling back into a pattern of a bunch of half-finished shit. Ew. I want to manifest myself as a finisher and even better as a successful businesswoman. I have saved millions for big corporations, and now it’s time for me to use my power for me. I will determine my successes, and this will be such an amazing time to learn and make money while learning on the job.

What is a manifestor?

A do-er. The seer from manifesto to end-O. Me. Hi, I am a manifestor of my life dreams and I turn them into reality. I know what things make me sing and I know what the beat of my heart longs for. I am excellent at solving my own problems and keeping moving forward. My dreams become tangible, and I keep manifesting my dreams.

Make a detailed list.

How can I know what I really want if I don’t write it down? I get excited seeing new monthly goals typed out. It makes them real. I mean, how can I talk about my future plans with my future customers if I’m not planning? Duh! I love planning, it’s acting on those plans that’s my downfall. I find myself in too many rooms and not finished painting one of them. I think this might be mindless sabotage pattern that I need to break. I see how this sneaky little, big, huge problem snaked its way into my sober life. I quit alcohol so this is nothing. Here goes nothing.

Do I need to break a pattern?

First of all, I will need to be the one to recognize it. Then, I have to agree to change its form. I find value in boundaries and making sure I trust where I am. Do I need armor? Do I need my defenses up? I like to fully understand where I am in my feelings. How do I feel? That is a multiple, daily question. For real. Next, is the breakthrough question if there is value in change. Sometimes awareness plants a seed and eventually a new thought pattern can grow from that. It just takes time to see where growth takes place. Growth isn’t necessarily lowering the gates, just awareness.

Small wins!

I will celebrate every day. There is a lot that goes into my human day of life. I take for granted waking up. I mean, that is a huge blessing! I have a lot of classmates that didn’t make it to my age so prayers up! I know success because my whole life has been just that. I know I cannot lose when my mind is 100% in the game and I really believe I am on the right, successful path that I am supposed to be on.

Namastè!

All pictures by Self Diagnosed Yogi.

Fear What?

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Hè, friend!

How has the weekend been treating you? Yesterday was beautiful and hot! I was able to spend some time catching up on some business ends and met up with my dear friend. We talked nonstop for 5 hours. Oh, I needed that! Girl time. We went to a pow wow, and I was looking for new earrings and a ribbon skirt but left empty-handed somehow.

Today, I decided to get on a reading schedule. My plan is to educate myself by reading more non-fiction books. I’m starting with “The Emerald Tablet of Hermes” by Hermes Trismegistus. I am a truth seeker. I think the very seed was planted when I decided that. I have been watching this seed bloom and begin my spiritual awakening in 2020.

A spiritual awakening is when the NPC (non playable character) decides one day to do something different. I stepped out of line and decided to go outside the drawn line. I began to question a lot. I decided I would unlearn and reset seeking only the truth. Then,  Ayurveda came. I have never felt so supported by something I only just found out about. I wanted it applied to all of my life, but I had no idea how. Well, boom!! Here comes my local yoga studio offering teachings.

Life is amazing when you are really present. Think about when you really wanted something. Did you get it? I do. If I don’t get it, then it wasn’t mine. I understand this. It’s very new, but as soon as I started looking at my life at a 30,000-foot view, I saw. I am just now dipping my toes in the fear pool. I know the only way for me to level up is that I need to do something big. Out of comfort. I will be ok and learn a lot on this new venture.

My safety spot is closing in on me cause I’m getting too big. My ideas need more space and more experience. Even if I fail, I will learn. I just need to keep moving. I hope to see you at the finish line as we conquer these fears.

Namastè!

All pictures by Lenape Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

What’s Crack-a-lacking?

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He, friend!

The tide of troubles is receding. I feel like I’m back in my familiar bubble. What a human experience that this has been, and it’s crazy to believe all of this is in my head. I mean, the facts are the facts, and my experience is basically my reaction to what is. I felt all kinds of things, and all I wanted to do was go back home and find my safety embrace from my husband so I could recharge. I think I tended to my wounds, and now it’s time to get back to my purpose. Not before acknowledging what I learned, though. Let’s get crack-a-lacking!

Practice Patience

I want to start off by saying that I find my patience comes and goes. Somedays I have it and others I don’t. I’m sure deeper delves into my meditations and thought process can unravel some of this, but until then, I will be a bit like Kansas weather, unpredictable. Let’s just say that last week taught me to have patience on a busy life day or lose control. Naturally, I didn’t want to be patient because I had other things to do than to tend to this issue. I mean, what was my option? Pull my hair out and stress about something out of my control? Hell no! I’ll take a side of patience with my peace. Thank you. I guess I can accept change pretty quickly and not feel like I lost. This brings me to my next learning…

Accepting this will be enough to nourish my body❤️

Acceptance

If I could design my life the way I wanted it, I’m about 1,000% sure I’d be dead by now. Yup, me in my teens was pretty reckless. So, there is my point. I don’t believe I have the mind capacity to fully understand that every move I make creates a ripple in the way life happens for all. Even the things we can not see. I have no idea how to protect what I can not see; therefore, I can not be in charge. I accept what is and do my part in making sure we as humans can keep living and loving on earth. I take in so much peace just letting go of control. Brain tingles.

Mantra

This one is very new to me. I mean, I have heard of them and participated in many opportunities to hear people’s daily mantras to themselves. I am in awe of people highly respecting themselves and having these deep, love infested words that I want to steal. I always felt intimidated to size up that mantra. When in yoga, I mind my mat. That means I do not invest time or thoughts in what the person next to me is doing. It’s the teachers cues, me, my mind, body, soul. So, here I am being sized up by wise words. By someone who found who they are. I admire that wisdom. I know that when I start speaking to myself more often in front of the mirror, I cry. I cry because I believe what I am saying, and they are very kind words. I want to represent those words; I hope I do.

Yogi Outro

Everyone knows love lives in the heart. It is felt in the heart the most for me as well as heartbreak. It all makes sense. When I need more love in my heart I like to connect with really red foods. I like to believe it helps and if it doesn’t oh well, I love beets, steak, and raspberries all the same 🙂 Life is crazy and full of surprises. I know Cry Fest 2024 is a continuation and I feel better prepared to weather a storm when I am fully present in myself. I used to carry all of my worries, traumas, fears in my body and buried them deep. I work out my issues as soon as I can. I just don’t want to be back in that headspace. I’m still watching the seeds planted two years ago flourish. This is an amazing life and I’ll take the bad with the good cause there is nothing like living.

Namastè!

All pictures by Lenape Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

Pep to My Step

/ Self-Diagnosed Yogi / 2 Comments

Hello!

Happy Friday! I can’t believe I made it! This week has been insane and somehow I’m here! All I want to do is rest and pamper myself. I feel a pedicure and massage coming. Oh, joy! What are your weekend plans?

My weekend will be full of my best girlfriends and I sharing conversations and lots of laughter. I miss my friends so much! I don’t know about you, but there is a certain energy with uplifting women. I get recharged so I can continue sharing my gifts. I get to say out loud my goals and not be discouraged by upstaging. We are on our own journeys, but damn, magic happens with my girls. I love them💞

I’m ending my cleanse after today. I seriously will continue the light, early dinner because that wake-up call is early, and I like this new pep to my step. It’s nice and light and full of energy! “Snap your fingers, do your step,” Lil John.

I don’t have many pictures to share, but I will tomorrow! This week was about survival, and well, now it’s time to party 🥳

Namastè!

Lessons of Unpacking My Sh*t

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Hè!

I had a great sleep last night and woke up full of energy and light on my feet. That is really odd considering I ate way less than I have, ever in my days. Unless I was sick. I am feeling pretty good today. It’s only 5am but who am I to block this productivity? I guess a fast-mimicking cleanse brings good medicine for me. I only have 2 more days to go. I feel the natural flow of cleansing to be rhythmic as it invades my body, space, and mind. Today I will share the lessons of unpacking my shit.

Lesson #1: Clean, Tidy Spaces

We have been upgrading our carpet and with new changes we have to get into the deep corners that are not touched to clean house. This has been wonderful to get rid of things in our bedroom. I have so much space and do not plan on putting something else in its place. It will just be an empty space now. Beautiful and purposeful. I want my bedroom to be a decompression tank for me and my husband. No piles of junk and extra stuff with no home to share my space with. Everything has a home and if it does not. Do I need it? Stay tuned on our upgrades sometime this summer.

Lesson #2: Light Dinner

I am not one to know what a “light” dinner is before Ayurveda came into my life. It took me even a few years after to fully understand what a light dinner does for me. Even cutting a regular meal in half is considered lighter. I am waking up feeling light and energized even more. I feel my body wringing out from all the processed foods and gunk I have exposed myself to. This is exhilarating to say the least! This is my only body and I have goals to live a long time and hug my family.

Lesson #3: Adequate Sleep

For me, I need to be in bed by 9:30 PM. No exceptions! If I want to wake refreshed and full of purpose, then bedtime is important. I spent many, many nights up at 11pm. Shoot, we used to eat dinner around 8 pm! That is crazy to me now! LOL! Me and my husband agree, going to bed early and waking early is a huge part of who we have become. I love getting older with this man! We sync up as we age. I can suggest a good, solid night routine. What are 3 things you absolutely love to do to care for you? I start with a decompressing bath with candles and an amazing book. The warm ambiance sets the tone. I oil myself up with my herby potions and get me a hot nightcap drink going. I will settle in bed with my journal and/or book in my peaceful space.

Lesson #4: Connecting Mind, Body, Soul

I am a sucker for yoga! It gets my mind off its usual role of survival, and I can connect my mind to my body and breath. Seriously, how often do you consider your breath? Do you notice how fast it can be when you are stressed? It’s not fully expressional and short. Imagine breathing like that all the time. You don’t use it, you lose it. I notice as my loved one’s ages their breath becomes shallower. I practice my full yogic breathing daily. That is a deep loving inhale in three parts: chest, diaphragm, and belly. It is a practice and accepting where we are with it now is love. Love yourself and keep going! Whatever the flavor, being mindful to moving the body daily is key to a healthy mindset.

Lesson #5: Community

There are people just like me, that are curious with change. I am attracting people to me just by being me. I love to engage with people and share stories. There are so many groups I become a part of and I am gifted new friendships. I am always busy but most of my time is spent alone. I am changing this and getting involved daily. If I have extra time, I will volunteer and get my face out in public. I notice a lot of the same faces in my community activities. I love being with people and being around the right people is healing for me.

Yogi Outro:

I am finding my space to be less confusing and more welcoming. I have thinned out my bookshelf even and donated some good reads. I love this season because it forces me to look at things I have neglected. Spring cleaning is epic! Last year, in my garden, I didn’t take the time to properly add nutrients back into the soil. My garden paid for my decision and I had a small harvest because of it. Lesson learned! I am just like my garden. If I take my time before growing season to ensure my body is detoxed and ready for work, then I will be MVP. I will be unstoppable with hitting my goals!

Namastè!

Human Connections

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Hè, friend!

I want you to know that I appreciate you showing up to read my blog. I never know what I am going to blog about and write until something catches. I go through a lot of life each day and just realized how lonely I am. I never would have thought that I could be feeling this way, but here I am. I have lots of connections, but I may not be connecting as much as I need. This is great information for me because this is something I can work on now!

Over the weekend I went alone to a Pysanky class. I made so many connections just laughing at our waxing skills.

My friends are my world! We can go long stretches and when we connect, hours of laughing and catching up! I missed a few friend catch ups this week due to unfortunate gifts from the universe but in all actuality, they may be considered blessings because I have found a huge hinderance in my life and a solution all in one day. I must be a wizard, but I will really find out if I can get through this crazy week in one piece!

One thing me and my friends like to do is catch up over food! We will order 10 things from the menu and fill up our table and get a taste of the many dishes in front of us. You can catch us walking around downtown, taking in the sights and music. Dancing is always fun too! I haven’t gone out dancing in a long time since my bedtime has been quite early lately. I can not turn down a good girl date, though.

I have a friend filled weekend planned and I cannot wait! My human connections keep me sane. I can connect with someone who knows and cares about me. Plus, being around other women is very connecting because we are on the same level. Survival. Navigators of life. We are a strong, lively bunch and very much managers of our teams. I just love my friends and I love making new ones too.

Let’s let this week bring us bountiful blessings of human connections! I know we are halfway through these 7 days but that gives us a few more days to get flowing in conversations. How many friends do you call or video chat with monthly? Do you prefer in face connections or online? Are you the advice giver or advice taker? Let’s get talking 🙂

Namaste!

All pictures by Lenape Spiritual Yogi Awakened.