No more shame...Let's honour who and what we are

A friend posted this video on their Facebook wall.

OMG...my jaw just dropped!
Posted by Black Women Killing It on Thursday, March 27, 2014

And this was my response.... "Elisa Esc Sterling-Cowan Not surprised...I may have been surrounded by it when I was younger...having it thrown in my face, but coming from a family that was of many races (out of many one people indeed!), I was taught to look and recognize my "family" in everybody. I must say though, I was envious of my mom's hair that reached down past her bum naturally! I brushed and combed it almost everyday. I tanned in the sun...I wanted to be beautiful like my mom heart emoticon Let me tell you, I still have my "Black" preemie cabbage patch doll LOL...and her friend Karen, who happens to be a knock off CP doll and "peach-skinned". My sons didn't learn about "Black"/"White" until a few years ago when it came crashing through our door from school and camp. They learned about the differences in cultures in our household. And we celebrate it all the time. And THAT is why I tell my boys they are gorgeous everyday. Someone tried to tell me the other day it was too much, but I know the message they get for the bulk of the day....and its not one of praise on the playground."

Not to say that "mommy being brown" and "daddy being pink" wasn't in the conversation, but we didn't make it about who we are.  It was our character and attitude that matters most.  Now that the "race" card had been played, it has expanded our conversation. I was able to expand on my family heritage of being Native American, Carib, East Indian, Scottish, English, etc, etc...I could explain about my cousin whose father is Chinese, and the beautiful spirit of the Maroons that also runs in our bloodline.  I could share about the shame that even "white" people feel when they find out of their "minority" heritage and how if we were to travel the world, how we would be embraced in a different way than what we sometimes experience here in North America.  Many travellers through our town are in awe and ask to take pictures of our boys.  They are wonderful with great smiles and soft hair.  What more is there than enjoying it fully!

I could also explain things such as genetic types in humans and about food "allergies" and "intolerances" as brought up in a conversation that tried to explain my dietary choices based on me being "Black", which failed miserably. The veils are falling away, but we must not reinforce such practices as shaming diversity.  We are as we are. Even the questions in this video poses a problem as it forces the children to make a choice...a hard choice and it probably will weigh heavily on their minds if it is not used as an opportunity to build up the positive view of themselves instead of leaving it ingrained in them.

I trust in God through the process

 Good morning! This past week has been a blessing and this morning I sit here appreciating how charmed my life really is. My goal moving forward from this point may seem odd to some, but I have already decided that I will be playing for the rest of the year.

After experiencing a strange situation yesterday, I'm really due to enjoy the gifts of what I have been given to "know". To continue in the divine guidance of understanding that still baffles even me in its convention, but because it challenges me to love more deeply and "in spite of" as well as opened me up to seeing the beautiful wisdom that is in those around me, I can extend trust in the Source through which I am receiving it. In this moment, I am grateful for the beauty of inspiration.

#thankyouGod #gratitude #ILove #AmLove #InLove #Lovefirst #oneanotherlove #lookbeyondtheplank

Broaden your perspective, consider the bigger picture

 Doing some light "listening" to a physics lecture and something stood out to me...that at a point furthest away from a particular energy source, it is at its strongest....

It made me think about the power of our perspective and how powerful it really is. The more of the "picture" that we are able to see provides us with a pretty powerful vantage point (and a great space to have vision). How often do you consider stepping back, and back, ...and back so that you have a fuller and greater perspective of things in life? #observermode #detach #allowforgreatervision

Know true value. Don't drop because the dollar does

Good morning! Considering value...I was born here in Canada. Yes, I understand what snow is. I play in it all the time. I know what it feels like to be cold in the winter...I have been to "Winterpeg" a few occasions and experienced the knowing of the warmth we have in Edmonton ;) And I am "old" enough to have witnessed the "rise" and "fall" of the dollar in Canada (in comparison to the USD) to see what it is like to maintain or diminish the standard of living you choose.

So here are a few of my observations...

...stop comparing. Done! I KNOW I am grateful for the nation I am in and the access to the resources I have. When I was younger, my mom would buy food from the farmer's market and my dad from local business owners. They grew a garden, and still do, and they would use recipes from other ethnicities that were affordable in lean times. I now buy local and look to be variable and diversified in how I eat, live, and shop.

...know your talents and gifts. It's probably for this very reason that the the dollar has dropped in the first place (and showing nothing was learned from the crash in 2008) that you MUST diversify your talents and resources (and financially, your income). Do not rely on ONE source. We are each gifted in the thousands with skills and some even to the level of mastery...use it! Stay adaptable in your viewpoint and you will see how you can plug in and be of good service or in meeting your own needs.

...get together with your community. Treat it like Christmas time (hospitality and getting together). Visit with others more often. Get to know the lives of those around you. Get to know the needs of those around you....encourage and build one another up. Keep others in mind when you are meeting your own needs. This one was personally learned and practiced and the fruit of it is huge...every time. The encouragement of your neighbours, bus drivers, shop keepers, cashiers, collegues, and peers will serve you far into the future. It's the most valued resource to maintain. It helps to build up on your own good character. Focus on joy. Focus on loving. Focus on building up yourselves and others.

Don't get dragged down into the doldrums of others. There are many other communities, and countries unaffected  because they've built a simple, solid, sustainable system within...local-based, adaptable, and encouraging...and there are those who can't help but be brought down by the doubts and fears of others. Choose which way you will be contributing.

Well, back to building on "better" today.  Enjoy a beautiful and wonder-filled day.

#thankyouGod #aslongasitiscalledToday #oneanotherlove #buildingbetter #sustainableliving #lifetothefull

Will you rebuild or shrink back and die? Godly vs worldly sorrow

 Good morning! My son shared with me a valuable visual this weekend after burning down something his brother created (in Minecraft...coal burns LOL) He hung his head low and cloaked his hood over his face...he felt challenged by his brother calling him out. In that moment I asked him to read to me about Godly sorrow versus Worldly sorrow....Godly sorrow results in a heart that repents and changes for the better...worldly sorrow essentially shrinks back and dies.

After pondering (thinking about himself in light of what he read), he pulled back the hood, picked up the controls, and proceeded to rebuild...bigger and better than what he had broken down. #inspired

Have YOU ever felt like you were shrinking back? Have you ever struggled with a situation and decided choosing something easier was the way out? I saw this example and felt CONVICTED to not look for the "easier" solution, but the "higher" solution. The solution that includes a great benefit for ALL involved. The fruit is joy, enCOURAGEment, enpowerment, and oddly enough a hint of surprising awe and a feeling of fulfillment. This was all achieved in a moment of Minecraft, but the same results tend to happen when we choose to RISE above the point of "problem" and contribute a gift of solution for more than just ourselves.

Now to see in what ways I can "rise" into this new day.

#thankyouGod #inspiredparenting #raisingmen #Lovefirst #oneanotherlove #aweandwonder

Go for the higher solution

From Facebook...

Good morning! My son shared with me a valuable visual this weekend after burning down something his brother created (in Minecraft...coal burns LOL) He hung his head low and cloaked his hood over his face...he felt challenged by his brother calling him out. In that moment I asked him to read to me about Godly sorrow versus Worldly sorrow....Godly sorrow results in a heart that repents and changes for the better...worldly sorrow essentially shrinks back and dies.
After pondering (thinking about himself in light of what he read), he pulled back the hood, picked up the controls, and proceeded to rebuild...bigger and better than what he had broken down. heart emoticon heart emoticon ‪#‎inspired‬
Have YOU ever felt like you were shrinking back? Have you ever struggled with a situation and decided choosing something easier was the way out? I saw this example and felt CONVICTED to not look for the "easier" solution, but the "higher" solution. The solution that includes a great benefit for ALL involved. The fruit is joy, enCOURAGEment, enpowerment, and oddly enough a hint of surprising awe and a feeling of fulfillment. This was all achieved in a moment of Minecraft, but the same results tend to happen when we choose to RISE above the point of "problem" and contribute a gift of solution for more than just ourselves.
Now to see in what ways I can "rise" into this new day. heart emoticon

‪#‎thankyouGod‬ ‪#‎inspiredparenting‬ ‪#‎raisingmen‬ ‪#‎Lovefirst‬ ‪#‎oneanotherlove‬ ‪#‎aweandwonder‬

Apply as you learn

From Facebook...

Good morning! Learning in a way that allows for practical application in my life...inspires me. Inspires me to take action! HA! And I should probably break my excitement down into bite-sized doable chunks so I don't run into my "friend" overwhelm and get lost in my spinning smile emoticon . So far this year many things have already changed for the better. Little daily chunks of focus and giving myself permission to really THINK about the good and fruitful results I can experience has lead to....good and fruitful experiences. smile emoticon Now, they didn't play out exactly as imagined or thought of, but actually. ..even better and quicker than I imagined. smile emoticon The main thing was, I was willing to receive heart emoticon (...extending trust in Divine benevolence heart emoticon ) hmmmmm.... wink emoticon

‪#‎thankyouGod‬ ‪#‎moretocome‬ ‪#‎tweakbytweak‬ ‪#‎trust‬ ‪#‎surrender‬ ‪#‎receive‬ ‪#‎whynot‬

The quest for good sleep...part 1

Good morning from Facebook...

Good morning! ...or at least I am a glad it's still morning. As the boys were getting ready for school, I dozed off and then I woke and thought I missed the whole blinkin' day! Sent a text apologizing and everything! ROFLMBO! 😅😅😂😂 I haven't slept that good in a long time heart emoticon 2 days this week so far I had bliss out sleep. ..not the meditative-super-conscious-I'm-the-3rd-watchman-of-the-night stuff (which is still restorative and restful too...). I used to love this kind of sleep like nothing else heart emoticon Being a mom of little sleep over the past...13 years!??...LOL, anyways...has brought me to a place of adaptation that I lovingly embrace. I know limits and abilities that are beyond my imagination even today after experiencing them. It's the place where awe and wonder dance and the doorkeeper was love. No other reason would convince me to go there...when we act through love...amazing...it's just amazing (won't spoil it for you with description. ..just try it and see for yourself ).... okay, off to go meditate /chew on some beautiful content/nourishment for the soul wink emoticon (now that I'm up wink emoticon ) ‪#‎thankyouGod‬ ‪#‎growing‬ ‪#‎sleepisaluxury‬ ‪#‎Ilikeluxurioussleep‬ ‪#‎sweetspot‬ ‪#‎loverocks‬ ‪#‎gothere‬ ‪#‎DOthroughLove‬

LOL that was a GOOD nap!

 Good morning! ...or at least I am a glad it's still morning. As the boys were getting ready for school, I dozed off and then I woke and thought I missed the whole blinkin' day! Sent a text apologizing and everything! ROFLMBO!

I haven't slept that good in a long time 2 days this week so far I had bliss out sleep. ..not the meditative-super-conscious-I'm-the-3rd-watchman-of-the-night stuff (which is still restorative and restful too...). I used to love this kind of sleep like nothing else Being a mom of little sleep over the past...13 years!??...LOL, anyways...has brought me to a place of adaptation that I lovingly embrace. I know limits and abilities that are beyond my imagination even today after experiencing them. It's the place where awe and wonder dance and the doorkeeper was love. No other reason would convince me to go there...when we act through love...amazing...it's just amazing (won't spoil it for you with description. ..just try it and see for yourself ).... okay, off to go meditate /chew on some beautiful content/nourishment for the soul (now that I'm up ) #thankyouGod #growing #sleepisaluxury #Ilikeluxurioussleep #sweetspot #loverocks #gothere #DOthroughLove

Dr. Wayne Dyer - 10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace - Timely Encouragement

This week I have been encouraged to take (or be willing to take) responsibility for what I want in my life. To dream bigger!

In honesty, I have been "managing" a relationship for ages now, just trying to maintain a "sense" of self in it....and truthfully I have lost a lot of what I would ever define as being "me".  What I thought I was holding on to was actually dismantling me each day and it was (and is) time to let it go. The "holding" part that is. And it is time to allow the pieces of who and what I am (if I am going to "be" anything) to come back together as a whole. A happy, joyful, peaceful, loving whole.  What was shared with me was what I needed to hear in many ways, but left a big hole longing for support and feedback.  Then, as I prayed, I felt prompted to check through my Facebook, and as I scrolled I found a link for a full length recording done by Dr. Wayne Dyer. Wayne Dyer - 10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace. I shared it and then listened. I found it very encouraging and took lots of notes. I KNOW I will be listening to it again.  Take a listen and let me know what resonated with you.

Much peace and success to you.

Love for all seasons in life

Good morning from Facebook...

Good morning! I woke up this morning feeling sad from a dream I had...that it was warm and the grass was still green outside...in my dream my heart just sank...missing the snow amd cooler temps and thinking the world's end was near. I felt so good and relieved when I woke and realized it was just a dream, I went and prepped lunch heart emoticon
I love all seasons. ..in their right timing, especially where I am at. If I am somewhere else where that balance of growth, fruitfulness, and rest is maintained in one season type, then fine...but I know I am seasonal and so is where I live, and that beauty is beautiful to me.

Enjoy heart emoticon
‪#‎thankyouGod‬ ‪#‎inrighttiming‬ ‪#‎perfectintentions‬ ‪#‎crazydream‬ ‪#‎thankyousnow‬

Grateful for the seasons

 Good morning! I woke up this morning feeling sad from a dream I had...that it was warm and the grass was still green outside...in my dream my heart just sank...missing the snow amd cooler temps and thinking the world's end was near. I felt so good and relieved when I woke and realized it was just a dream, I went and prepped lunch

I love all seasons. ..in their right timing, especially where I am at. If I am somewhere else where that balance of growth, fruitfulness, and rest is maintained in one season type, then fine...but I know I am seasonal and so is where I live, and that beauty is beautiful to me.

Enjoy

#thankyouGod #inrighttiming #perfectintentions #crazydream #thankyousnow

My favourite Green Smoothie recipe (for now)

Currently, along with many others who are making the nutritional change and commitment to health (Love the energy of New Year's Resolutions), we have added back to our diets a daily green smoothie for breakfast.

This recipe, by Kimberly Snyder, is our current favourite.  I tend to enjoy the green aspect more from veggies, but the fruit added in this recipe seem to keep everyone happy! So Glowing Green Smoothie it is!

Photo courtesy of http://kimberlysnyder.com

Are you happy, healthy, and successful? 50 Things to try

I came across this article and just had to share!

50 Ways Happier, Healthier, And More Successful People Live On Their Own Terms

Wow! I do a lot of these...and it's a pretty good list. What do you already do? What terrified you to try? (Doing it anyway might be a good thing...#11) ‪#‎lifetweaks‬

How do you define family?

 Good morning! It's funny how some people can feel like family....and others assume you are like family to them. But how you define family is the key. My "family" always has an open door and open heart policy. No matter where I am in the world, my "family" always finds me. Their natural, excellent, welcoming nature leaves no doubt in their minds and their love flows freely whether or not you are deciding to receive it. Hospitable hearts they are. And embracing you and all that you are as a gift in life. They let nothing hold them back from connecting, and if there is something that is, they continue to grow so they may move forward with more ease and freedom.

So blessings to all of my "family" out there...with much love

#thankyouGod #Lovefirst #hospitality #excellence #sustainableLoving #unconditionallove #family #BeWelcome

What is Family to you?

Good morning from Facebook...

Good morning! It's funny how some people can feel like family....and others assume you are like family to them. But how you define family is the key. My "family" always has an open door and open heart policy. No matter where I am in the world, my "family" always finds me. Their natural, excellent, welcoming nature leaves no doubt in their minds and their love flows freely whether or not you are deciding to receive it. Hospitable hearts they are. And embracing you and all that you are as a gift in life. They let nothing hold them back from connecting, and if there is something that is, they continue to grow so they may move forward with more ease and freedom.
So blessings to all of my "family" out there...with much love heart emoticon

‪#‎thankyouGod‬ ‪#‎Lovefirst‬ ‪#‎hospitality‬ ‪#‎excellence‬ ‪#‎sustainableLoving‬ ‪#‎unconditionallove‬ ‪#‎family‬ ‪#‎BeWelcome‬

Why does clean eating have to be like "punishment"?

Saw this on a friend's Facebook Page and it made me think...

Tom Brady & Gisele Bündchen's Diet Is Stricter Than We Could Have Ever Imagined

"When your body is your work and insured...why not be disciplined in your health and eating commitments. And I know many who eat this way or with this in mind, similar to my own family. Instead of seeing it as restricted, how about exploring the knowledge behind it and enjoying it's flavours wink emoticon I know we do, as do many others and it's a beautiful foundation to eat from. ‪#‎nomnom‬ ‪#‎cleaneating‬ ‪#‎tryitbeforeyouknockit‬ ‪#‎tastesgreat‬ ‪#‎toyourhealth‬"

Get past the "how" and allow yourself to "be"

 Good morning! ! Okay, I know that I noticed that I have come into a new "Me" a few weeks ago, but man!....It feels kinda weird...to be "part" ninja-knight, part "health nut", part "Love advocate" and humble enough (LOL it's harder to type and say "humble" and refer to yourself in the same sentence than it looks or than you are reading it...) to want to grow and be more so that others will do the same. Enjoying awesome is one thing, being it AND wanting it for others is a whole other bag of tricks...and it's amazing.

How to do it? Start with throwing "How" out the window... and Be In Awe as you watch it float unexpectedly like a feather to the ground LOL. Truthfully, Awe is in the eye (and experience ) of the Beholder (ooooo...be-holder...holding something in observation and giving it careful consideration, your attention, and your wonderment! What an amazing and powerful way to "Be" )

Off to enjoy that moment

#thankyouGod #divinelyembraced #beholding #Lovefirst #shareinthejourney #greatertogether #oneanotherlove

Awe is in the eye of the Beholder...appreciating "Me"

Good morning from Facebook....

Good morning! ! Okay, I know that I noticed that I have come into a new "Me" a few weeks ago, but man!....It feels kinda weird...to be "part" ninja-knight, part "health nut", part "Love advocate" and humble enough (LOL it's harder to type and say "humble" and refer to yourself in the same sentence than it looks or than you are reading it...) to want to grow and be more so that others will do the same. Enjoying awesome is one thing, being it AND wanting it for others is a whole other bag of tricks...and it's amazing.

How to do it? Start with throwing "How" out the window... and Be In Awe as you watch it float unexpectedly like a feather to the ground LOL. Truthfully, Awe is in the eye (and experience) of the Beholder (ooooo...be-holder...holding something in observation and giving it careful consideration, your attention, and your wonderment! What an amazing and powerful way to "Be" heart emoticon )
Off to enjoy that moment heart emoticon
‪#‎thankyouGod‬ ‪#‎divinelyembraced‬ ‪#‎beholding‬ ‪#‎Lovefirst‬ ‪#‎shareinthejourney‬ ‪#‎greatertogether‬ ‪#‎oneanotherlove‬