Who Are You Really?

I was withdrawing on commenting on today's verdict in the Ferguson case because as a white person what could I say? I didn't feel like I had the right to say anything. This video however, moved me. 

I have known a different type of discrimination, but never to the severity African Americans have known in US history or abroad. I have been teased, bullied, and otherwise for being a woman. For being thin. For being motivated. For being different and poor. For my choice of jobs. However, again nothing that would remotely justify my ability to relate to racial issues. 

Growing up, when my father was drunk, he was a belligerent racist. I would cower in shame. One boy when I was young was not permitted to play with me because he was black. As a young adult, I was told I couldn't date another boy because he was biracial. 

What I found in these experiences was a profound deep lack of understanding and compassion. Not just on a race level, but a living being level. 

Today, while driving to work, I thought about how if there was one single thing I would want to achieve in this life, it would be equality of all living beings. A post on Facebook about a horrific action on an incident animal made me reaffirm this. 

While I listened to the latest Forbes magazine of the worth of famous actors and musicians, I reaffirmed this yet again. There is nothing in the world that can buy compassion, loving kindness and the courage to understand one another. 

Getting back to this video- it speaks of the need to go back to ourselves and discover who we truly are and not adopt the mantras and actions of our parents, grandparents and ancestors. It is up to us to discover our deepest selves. Who are you aside from your body, your job, your house? Who are YOU? 

Perhaps if we spent more time seeking that answer, we could see that all sentient beings are of value. We are all uniquely different and gloriously the same. We come from the same place. A place of grace. 

Watch with open ears and open eyes at one man's observation of what could happen if we were to let go of our fable of who we think we are. 

Peace and love to you and all those who seek equality. Let's start a new chapter in human history. 

http://youtu.be/BQgNrnWZVSI

Letting Go of Balance

I just thought this was so beautiful and true I just had to share.  Author, Elizabeth Gilbert, talks about how balance may not be the right concept to focus on during her time on Oprah's tour. 

I know for myself I was talking to someone a few months ago about trying to balance my job, my studio, my family, my writing, my personal time. I felt stuck in this tornado of imbalance and wanted someone to see for me of how I could better balance everything. 

Do you know what they told me? There is no balance. It's a misconception. 

Sometimes certain parts of our lives will take a bigger chunk of our time and attention - away from other things. And that's OK. 

What's important is that we are happy or at the very least, content, with where our energy is going. 

So, let's toss that notion of balance away. It's just a hot word of the decade, a fad to pass, an illusion that just makes life a little more crazy. Instead, let's look at what needs our attention at each moment and focus on that.  

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6148472

Step Into the Light

So, I'm keeping it real. During my intuitive reading by an amazing and talented intuitive, I almost broke down crying. 

As I heard the pride of my father and my grandmother showing my book to others on the other side (surely Albanian Ya Ya's), I was expressing my pain for those who feel hurt by my story. 

It's not easy reading mistakes one has made on the page. There's embarrassment, self-loathing and disbelief.

However, despite some of my family's reservations my intention was always to help other people heal. It's been my life's journey to heal. 

Now, it's time to share so people know they are not alone. But here I was, holding tight onto the guilt of hurting others, I had no intention of hurting. 

And do you know what that beautiful woman told me today? She told me I was helping others heal. She told me that others "stuff" was not my own "stuff."  She told me to step into the light. She didn't even know that I knew my writing was inspired or that I knew it would help others. She just channeled that sucker right out of the ethers. 

So, before I stepped out of that room, I decided to step into the light. And you know what? I sold some books almost immediately. Then, I was tested within fifteen minutes, but I'm trying to keep in the light because that's the only way to live. Step out into the light today dear ones. And let yourself shine!