Love Louder!

Do you ever feel like sometimes you don’t love yourself to your maximum potential? Well, I know I do.  I go through some ups and some downs.  However, sometimes when I am experiencing my downs, I allow it to get me down.  I have been working through my depression for about 2 years now.  When I made the transition to the East Coast, I was still doing things to stay focused and balanced.  However, once I started working, it sort of distracted my purpose.  What is my purpose? Well I know right now, my purpose is to live a peaceful human experience.  I want to work to find balance in my life.  One thing I know is that I cannot run from the “down” moments.  I have to find the strength and endurance inside of myself to properly handle those moments.  I have recommitted myself to focus on my overall health and well-being.  To reconnect myself to my spirit.  To lead with love. To judge less. To appreciate all walks of life; however, more importantly to become solid in my walk.

Last week, my mom decided to pay me a visit.  That is what great moms do.  They see their children going through distress and they want to come to their rescue.  I just want to take a moment to appreciate my mom for being that way.  During her visit, I was able to re-start some things that I know provide balance: meditation, exercise, and good eating.  My mom recently shared with me a YouTube video by a guy named Preston Smiles.  I am not sure if Smiles is his real last name lol; however, that is exactly what he exudes.  I instantly was captivated and wanted to marry him lol. However, my mom instantly told me he was already taken. Good for her! Anyways, she ordered me his book “Love Louder: 33 Ways To Amplify Your Life.” Yea, some may say..ohh just another self help book.  Well sometimes it is good to be reminded about things that we may already know, but may not put into practice, as it is needed.

I enjoyed the fact that the book was a quick read.  It was also a great refresher to a lot of things I have learned over the years.  Like loving yourself.  Taking time to truly love you.  You must understand self and be whole in order to give yourself to others.  The importance of forgiveness.  This is so important. We walk around here mad or holding onto anger that we may have to others or ourselves.  Who does it help? NO ONE! The power of gratitude. Showing appreciation for all that is around us.  Taking full advantage of every step in your journey. Sometimes we are so rushed and hurried to get to the finish line, we are blind to our journey.  Preston talks about how important this is even on our journey for love.  I know I am so hell bent on finding the “one”; sometimes I am not giving my all to all those in between. What type of practice for the “one” is that? LOL. Making positive thoughts versus dwelling on the negative ones.  Boy, I have definitely learned that it is so much easier to think negatively than positively.  Preston concludes the book with this mantra “I will work for it more than I hope for it.”

Growth. Consciousness. Well being. Balance. Peace.  All of these things can be aspired Raven once you practice them everyday.  As we would say in the Bay “all gas, no breaks.”

I am excited for my recommitment. I will not beat myself up if I journey off the path. I will show more appreciation for the changes I make. I will reinforce positivity in my daily life.