Monday Meditation: Give Your Soul Some Love and Be Your Self!

"Who you naturally are is FAR more inspiring than who you pretend to be. This is the fact. And what ELSE is cool is when we stop pretending to be someone and just start being ourselves, we are no longer BSing ourselves and so we actually take our power back, instead of giving it away by pretending to be perfect. And as we start to respect ourselves more, we take more action and as we take more action grounded in self-respect, really cool things start to happen and a positive cycle of momentum is created." -Mastin Kipp via The Daily Love

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I love this quote AND this visual. It really helps show the parallels and implications of choosing to listen to our EGO or our SOUL. When we are struggling or going through a period of growth it can be easy to listen to the ego: I'm not strong enough, brave enough, cool enough, beautiful enough. STOP. You ARE enough! The ego is that dark side buried in your sub-conscious that tries to convince you of negativity or self-doubt. 

I had a conversation with a girlfriend this weekend about the importance of  loving ALL aspects of yourself--the good, the bad, and the ugly...whole-heartedly...in order to give any part of yourself to another. Ah-ha!

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I struggled with this a few years ago as I suffered with severe anxiety. (I know, the social butterfly, wow!) I was going through a period of tremendous loss, change, and growth and was trying to manage my silly ego:

• I can handle this on my own, chin up, keep smiling
• People will think I am nuts if I explain what's going on
• I wish I could change what happened in the past
•  I am misunderstood/alone
•  Ego, ego, ego! 

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Everyone has their own battles, fears, or issues. It may not be anxiety or grief, but certainly everyone can relate to trying to silence a nagging ego, or trying to fit in, or denying some facet of ourselves that we wish wasn't there. But the more you resist, the more it persists!!!

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When I finally began to listen to my soul/inner JAM/true Self, my whole world began to open up!

The experience and challenge significantly changed me... for the better! It's all about what you choose to make of it, yes, make something of it! I hope by me sharing my experience will help some readers be themselves and give their souls some love and embrace the challenges they are facing!

Am I more forgiving of others now? Yes, everyone's facing a battle you may not know about! Did I learn to be grateful for each moment and appreciate my support system? Certainly, I am incredibly blessed! Do I still hear my ego? Sure, but it doesn't win when I simply listen to my authentic Self and stay present and positive!

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But most importantly I learned:

• Build on the positive and be productive
• Be true to my Self and not judge my Self so critically
• Be open and vulnerable around those I love and trust; I don't have to give everyone an explanation
• Surround my Self with those who lift me higher
• My family loves me unconditionally
• Everyone deals with loss and grief differently
• Getting help shows strength and humility!
• Be passionate about life...YOLO! I can only live in the Now
• Don't just talk about it, BE about it!
• I love ALL aspects of my Self!

So.......

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• How can you let go of your past?
• How can you be more gentle to your Self?
• Are you trying to impress others or are you being honest with your Self?
• How can you respect your body more?
• Are you listening to your ego or your authentic soul?
• Are you surrounding your Self with people who love, accept, and encourage you to be your Self?
• Are you being proactive and growing?
• Did you tell your Self today that you're awesome!

I say, give your soul some love and meditate on being your Self!

Monday Meditation: What Drives Your Future?

 

Happy Monday, MLK Day, and Presidential Inauguration! I absolutely LOVE this MLK quote and could not agree more. At times, when I struggle to focus my energy towards positivity, this quote serves as a great reminder for me. Dwelling in the negative, accepting the status quo, or remaining in a rut will not promote productivity, passion, or peace. Period. When we grieve from loss in our personal life, or mourn as a nation from violence in our schools, we must seek the light from within to drive out darkness. Otherwise, "an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." Sharpen your focus-- on healing, love, light, compassion, and progress. Move forward, with light and love. So with this Monday Meditation, what drives your future? Lead wisely.

Happy JAM!

As I sit here beginning to write this post at 5:30am on Saturday morning, I can't help but think...HAPPINESS! So I've been doing a lot of work on myself these past few months (as I'm sure you loyal readers can tell!) and I had an awesome breakthrough earlier this week! I felt a huge sense of relief and peace as all signs pointed --> stay true to my integrity, my path, my inner JAM. I feel it in my belly now--as I felt my life speeding up all too quickly (new job, 2 major moves, an Adele-style breakup, and moving back home after being on my own for the past 5 years) my inner JAM was finally given the combination of events to be able to slow down and be heard!!!

Stop coasting, and start LISTENING to me!
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Now, those of you who aren't "there" yet--please feel free to skip ahead two paragraphs  :)

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As soon as I began to trust in the "powers to be" I felt everything slowly begin to quiet. Like the universe was unfolding precisely according to some greater plan--although it was entirely different than the plan I had created in my own limited perspective. Oh humans! So, as soon as I began to relinquish that power and control--little miracles began happening. And awesome positive opportunities are popping up before my very eyes. My creative ideas are swirling and my writing is consistent and stronger than ever. And I feel like I am being guided in the RIGHT direction.

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It's kind of like chess. I have NO CLUE how to play. It looks super serious and fancy. It's strategic & smart people play it. Here's the thing, I had been playing checkers this whole time (doh!), and once I realized I was playing a much more advanced game--the universe/God/faith/karma/guardian angel/inner JAM has guided me towards positive moves! I'm still figuring it out as I go along and faking it till I make it. But I feel it--I am winning. Winning myself in the game of life! CHECKMATE, please!

Checkmate
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So, now that we've discussed Happy JAM, let's add Happy Hour at Happy Dog. (I know, you're head may explode, but stick with me). I met my trusty homeboy Evan for a beer, a dog and some tots at the beloved Happy Dog.

 

We don't mess around...we're here to get HAPPY!

Oh the life choices and topping choices at Happy Dog!

 

Serious business!!!

 

I have this incredible business idea for CLE (more on that coming later) and I finally shared it with someone outside my family. (Don't worry--you can try to squeeze it out of him, but he's been sworn to secrecy. Seriously, he has INTEGRITY.) Ok, so we met and fleshed out all of these spectacular ideas to help get this idea off the ground. I felt my belly burning as the ideas continued to swell, bounce and reverberate in the perfect atmosphere--HAPPY DOG! When you surround yourself with good people--good things HAPPEN! This is the beginning of a journey to something great, so buckle up...

Enjoy the ride!
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I'm not quite sure how it's all going to flesh out, or where it will end up--but I feel it, I believe it, I'm in it to win it, and it's for the greater good! The fire is lit, the sparks are flying, and I am IN LOVE--with myself...and with you, CLE!!!!

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Have a JAMmin Saturday my CLE-BELIEVERS!!!

Wordless Wednesday Post: Get a Sense of Integrity

Things often become imbalanced in life: your workload, your stress level, your workout routine, your priorities, your relationships and it weighs you down....

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And even when it does become imbalanced, and your back aches, your head aches, your heart aches or your mind aches-- we always have a choice of how to react, it's called free will. So weigh your options wisely:

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And always uphold your integrity! Even when people don't like it...



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Because:

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So keep JAMmin CLE, because when you keep your sense of integrity you

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