emotions – Butterfly Spirit!

The Beauty of Aging

35 Best Birthday Quotes - Happy Birthday Wishes, Quotes, and Messages

Life isn’t about your age. Life is about living. So when your birthday comes be thankful for the year that has just past and anticipate with a happy heart what the coming year will bring -Catherine Pulsifer

Life is about living, seeing everything as a gift. When a Birthday arrives, it’s a celebration of YOUR divinity. Your Birthday is that special moment in time, when you were created. Each breathe an extension to your soul. Grateful for your memories, experiences that have contributed to you who you are. To be alive here and now.

What does the process of aging signify to you? Do you define yourself by a number or can get beyond this paradigm? You are daily evolving into the best version of yourself. Seeing the development of your spirit at any given age. Appreciating all you have, the daily blessings. Over the summer of 2021, I turned 40 – a milestone. That big BIRTHDAY! I could feel something stirring inside me. Knowing that things are about to shake up this decade. An end to playing it safe, and time to embark on a new horizon. Inner growth and an anticipation for a new phase of life.

Prior to turning 40, a few of my girlfriends offered their sentiments. It was articulated that 40 would bring some unrest. There will be soul-searching, questioning my life path and who I AM. I thought to myself, “I do this daily”. Truth be told, turning 40 was not a simple process. Even to write this blog-post I hesitated, as to whether I wanted to share my experience. After a peaceful meditation, the decision was clear. I needed to share my story. It is being honest with ourselves that helps one heal and assist others. Maybe this is what was meant all along?

The years ahead are ours to win and cherish. We cannot let anything, least of all our age, stand in our way! -Tina Sloan

My 40^th was spent with my family. This filled my heart with such compassion and love. I could not have asked for a better celebration. Being in the company of family is all one needs to feel cherished. I had every type of Italian dessert you could imagine and was surrounded by love. Phone calls from family and friends lifted the spirit.

On the opposite side of the pendulum, I kept thinking where have the last 40 years of my life gone? I wanted to avoid my emotions and was in denial. I felt inadequate unworthiness crept in. My choices, decisions and past were all flooding forward. I thought by 40, I would have my life together. What does having together really mean anyway? I had to allow this to surface. Release all preconceived notions and judgments. There was a long list and I was tormenting myself. I needed to embrace all contrasting emotions to find clarity. This was a turning point. There were plenty of tears, ice-cream and journaling.

Spiritually speaking, I was being governed by my ego. Sitting in regret and unkind to my heart. It took an enlightening conversation with my brother to break the funk. I was thankful for his insight. He offered words of guidance that allowed me to soften. Age is meaningless, and can not let this rule your life. Try not to allow a number to define your existence. What we need to give more attention to is our consciousness and passions. No matter what age you are, follow your passions. This will always keep you young at heart.

There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of the people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age. –Sophia Loren

With every age you will shift. Your insights will change continuously. It is your perception on how you grasp experiences. This defines your character. I often question whether women or men feel societal expectations with becoming older? We may all feel this at any stage of our lives. One can not allow to be influenced by media or societal pressures. Count your blessings, instead of the candles on your cake. See the beauty of all the daily positive influences around you. You are golden.

Your life is a gift. What holds significance is how much you value yourself. Life is a paradox. We are here for a brief period, learning lessons and evolving our mind. I finish with this, adhere to what sparks the light within. Advocate for yourself, be subversive, create the life you are destined for. The blessing of 40 has shown me, it’s time to live my dreams. To take the reign of my life. I hope at any age you do this as well. Live each day as if it’s – YOUR BIRTHDAY.

I believe the second half of one’s life is meant to be better than the first half. The first half is finding out how you do it. And the second half is enjoying it -Frances Lear

Kindness

Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind. Henry James

Wherever you are living, every human being has been impacted by Covid. We are all collectively sharing a similar dialogue. Though life has transformed, let us play our part by being kind to ourselves and others. Have you ever noticed, when you smile at a stranger they respond in the same manner? A smile is a warm exchange, that you are acknowledging someone. This is true kind-heartedness. It is an expression of gratitude from your heart to another.

I am humbled to write this piece from my own personal experience. We learn by hearing stories from others. Similar to our ancestors, they shared stories throughout generations to guide and teach us. These narratives were created to help you progress. We are able to relate, reflect and share our experience for the better. My story begins with nurturing of the spirit. I was in need of some vitamins and required a visit to a health and wellness store.

While searching for a few items, I saw a customer service representative and decided to ask for assistance. We spoke for a few moments. Instantly, I felt myself being triggered and judged. The guidance was unfriendly and it caused emotions to arise. Has this happened to you before? An interaction with a complete stranger can cause you to feel intense emotions? “I kept thinking, is this all about me? Am I projecting energy this is causing this all to happen”?

I absorbed the energy from the sales representative and was quite upset. They were condescending, and right away I felt small. Not a good feeling for the soul. Instead of walking away, I took a few breaths and came back to equanimity. Started to regain my strength and approached him. I needed to advocate for myself. I honoured myself and told him how the interaction made me feel. I explained the importance of being heart centered and kind – especially during Covid.

My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness. Dalai Lama

What I reflect on daily, is that I am unaware of what someone may be experiencing. When you demean someone else, majority of the time it is all about “YOU”. Kindness is inner job, first and foremost are you being kind to yourself? Your self-talk is vital to your wellbeing. Plant seeds of kindness within. They will begin to blossom from you heart and expand. Your inner discourse towards yourself impacts the mind and body connection.

When one stands up for themselves, it creates a domino affect. No matter what the situation is, may you always remember that you have every right to be heard and appreciated. You are strong and here to make an impact in the world. Kindness touches others. You do this by loving strangers unconditionally. Not by hiding yourself, however by shining your “LIGHT”. Let us all rise to by extending our best selves forward.

During the time of Covid, many have been soul searching. May you be mindful when encountering others, to be empathetic and genuine. It cost nothing to be kind to people. Why are we so guarded? How can we return to the essence of love? Love is a spiritual energy that changes the chemistry of our being. My observation over the past year is that we need to extend our compassion and be kind. Each day make it a priority to see someone smile. Uplift others for no reason or expectation.

Kindness is about giving from a sincere place within. Giving can take on many forms: listening to others or leaving a thank you note, this is kindness. Doing something for the sake of giving, to see someone light up from the inside out. Let kindness be in your smile, radiating from your heart – this will impact those around you. Do your best to do an act of kindness towards yourself and others daily. Lets create a world based on this principle.

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love. Lao-Tzu

The Divine Essence of Nature

Love the world as your own self; then you can truly care for all things – Lao Tzu

The year 2020 was a period of inner awakening and reflection. Not a single person anticipated Covid-19 or a global lock-down. Life was placed on pause for all of humanity. Visiting your family, going to work, dramatically shifted. Communicating via online resources, is how everyone stays connected. Social distancing and masks have become somewhat the norm for the mass.

We are living in a new timeline on Earth and unaware of what lies ahead. We may be fearful of what is to transpire, however life can only get better from this moment forward. There are also many blessings from Covid. I often question, how did this all happen? Has Mother Earth been trying to get our attention all along? What comes to mind is nature, how can we learn from the elements of the earth? If we listen intently, they speak to our soul.

Moon

First and foremost I am a Moon child, born under the sign of Cancer. The Cancer sign is governed by the moon. The moon is Yin energy, associated with the Divine Feminine. When a Full Moon occurs, it is a time of retreat. The themes of forgiveness, self-compassion and surrender are apparent during the transition to the full-moon. The luminous moon is an elixir of dark and light. As the moon enters different phases, human beings feel the gravitational pull as well. The moon is asking you to honor where you are, and nurture your being.

Sun

“Here comes the sun, and I say its all right” Beautiful lyrics sung by the infamous Beatles. The sun is known to have masculine Yang energy. It is that inner fire within your soul. Correlated to the solar chakra, which represents confidence, will-power, strength and more. Do you ever notice when the sun shines, it brightens your day? The sun gives light to the earth, helps with growth and vegetation and showers us with vitamin D. The sun can be seen as a force so powerful, one can not comprehend its magnitude.

Water

Water fluid, ever changing and representing the veins of Gaia. Water represents our emotions. The veins of water are oceans, lakes, streams and rivers. With Covid how have you been, emotionally and spiritually? Are you able to flow with everything or have resistance. The more you can flow with life and surrender, it creates space for change. Remember, water represents 70% of your body. The more water you drink, it aids with nourishing your inner temple.

Nature always wears the colors of the spirit –Ralph Waldo Emerson

Air

Historically the element of air is associated with new beginnings, creativity and intelligence. When the forces of wind are roaring in the air, Mother Nature is trying to get our attention. Could it be the wisdom of our ancestors speaking to us through the wind? Perhaps, whispering messages for us to decipher or understand. Have you ever heard that expression, spring is in the air? Air is what we breathe in each day, gives us vitality. Spring air brings in expansion, similar to all seasons. The question is, are you listening?

Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter — Rachel Carson

Fire

Fire is depicted as a masculine energy, providing light and transformation. It starts out as a flame and has the capacity to burn anything which comes in its way. Fire represents strength as there is a power in the flame. It could be seen as a destroyer of the darkness. This element takes out the old and brings in the new. Fire is a force to be reckoned with.

Earth

Earth energy is stillness, life and rebirth. It is grounding, nurturing and wise. By planting your feet outside on the earth you are healing. There are many who noticed a shift during 2019 and the beginning of 2020. On a personal level, my soul felt tired. I was feeling lethargic, sensed I needed to rest. I was not angry when Covid occurred. I recognized it as a time of healing the spirit. SELF-CARE became a priority for many. There were many signs that Gaia was tired. During 2019 Mama Earth, experienced wildfires in Australia and drought along with floods in the USA. The fires may have been her anger, the floods her tears. We needed to listen. Earth, if you interchange the words – becomes Heart. One could assume, the Divine Earth is the heart of everything.

What have you Learned from Covid?

The earth is the foundation to everything. My firm belief is that we needed to go back to basics. Be love, shine love, be an expression of love. Nature is our source of healing, by being outdoors our senses are heightened and soul expanded. Family time is something to never take for granted. The value of making your meals and sitting with family is golden. Memories that are irreplaceable. Many realize that they require less to be happy. Relationships have been tested and jobs as well. However, there is balance.

In hindsight, could it be possible that collectively a break was given to us, to reflect? To converse with your inner self and higher power? I am a firm believer that everything happens for our highest good. There is much to learn from 2020 on an individual and collective level. Gaia is teaching valuable life lessons, we were finally listening to the frequencies. The strongest energetic vibration is love.

We need the tonic of wildness…At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough of nature — Henry David Thoreau

Sitting with Vulnerability

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Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light. – Brene Brown

In the past, when I would hear the word vulnerability I automatically would have thought of imperfection or a loss of power, a sign of weakness . I was told to watch a Ted Talk by Bene Browne regarding vulnerability, shame and guilt. For many of us its hard to admit we have these emotions and to come to terms with these feelings. The video really had a lasting impact on me and after having a conversation with family and friends felt propelled to write on this topic.

For the longest time I thought being vulnerable was something to be ashamed of. It had negative connotations and no room in my life. If I was in a vulnerable state than I was not being spiritual and I could not let that happen now—Was I ever wrong!

Vulnerability is being authentic, really honoring how and why you feel a certain way. If I admitted to being vulnerable, it meant that everyone would know I get insecure and a not miss positive pants. It was as if I was masking my true-self and was too afraid to explore what was really going on internally. I was more concerned about what would people say and think. The most important lesson I have learned is that its perfectly normal to feel these deep rooted emotions. Its a healing to allow them to surface, understand them and move forward one step at a time.

I now know that there is nothing wrong with being vulnerable. Its acceptance of what is happening in our present circumstances. Being vulnerable is a gateway to more. It means you are human. There will be times of fear, anguish and challenges however, once we admit to those feelings is when the dust settles. It will be scary and sometimes you will have to face the darkness you so want to avoid. Once we are open to being vulnerable balance is restored. A gleaming light will be exposed, your soul is lighter and you are ready to transcend.

It is empowering to to move forward after one understands what they are experiencing. Vulnerability is not a setback but a triumph the you are growing, sowing the seeds you have planted and searching for all that you deserve. My dear souls be vulnerable, and know that it is a process. You are evolving into the person you are meant to be. You are a masterpiece, Osho’s quote exemplify this so well, “Drop the idea of becoming someone, because you are already a masterpiece. You cannot be improved. You have only to come to it, to know it, to realize it. “ . You are unfolding into the grandest version of you!

What I have learned is that even though I have vulnerable points in life, its about seeing this a time of inner reflection and rebirth. It always comes back to self-love and self-care! Are you giving yourself enough time and attention? Loving oneself is the necessary ingredient to changing your circumstances and creating a chain reaction of blessings that are right at your doorstop!

You haven’t yet opened your heart fully, to life, to each moment. The peaceful warrior’s way is not about invulnerability, but absolute vulnerability–to the world, to life, and to the Presence you felt. All along I’ve shown you by example that a warrior’s life is not about imagined perfection or victory; it is about love. Love is a warrior’s sword; wherever it cuts, it gives life, not death. –Dan Millman