Revitalize Your Soul - Let It Go!

This message was emailed to me recently and really hit home in many ways. I had to share it with all of you today in hopes that it truly means something special to you as it did for me. Sooooo profound! Letting go can bring true freedom. :)

L E T T I N G G O By T.D. Jakes
There are people who can walk away from you. And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk. I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone.

When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left.

The bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]

People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay.....Let them go.

And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead.. You've got to know when it's dead.

You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something.. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye.. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay....Let them go!!

If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to......LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains .......LET IT GO!!!

If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth......LET IT GO!!!

If someone has angered you. LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge..... LET IT GO!!!

If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction... .. LET IT GO!!!

If someone broke your heart and brought you pain... LET THEM GO!!!

If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents.. LET IT GO!!!

If you have a bad attitude.... ... LET IT GO!!!

If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better...... LET IT GO!!!

If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him.... LET IT GO!!!

If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship. .... LET IT GO!!!

If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves.. .... LET IT GO!!!

If you're feeling depressed and stressed ............ LET IT GO!!!

If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying 'take your hands off of it,' then you need to...... LET IT GO!!!

Revitalize Your Soul - Honesty Series 5

“Freedom is for honest people. No person who is not honest with themselves and with others can truly be free ... instead they become their own trap.”

Have you been building your own traps? Break the cycle, break the chains .... speak the truth, be the truth, live honestly with yourself and others .... and finally be FREE!

Revitalize Your Soul - Honesty Series 3

“The worst lies are the lies we tell ourselves. That is when we live in denial of what we do, even what we think, because we are too afraid to face the truth.” ~Unknown

Are you being honest with yourself or are you living a life of denial? Free yourself ....

“The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.” ~Socrates

Our troops .... Our heroes!

This commercial really pulled on my heart strings. Our troops are our heroes and they deserve to be acknowledged, loved and appreciated. May God bless our soldiers and bring them comfort on a daily basis. As we all enjoy the conveniences and joy of being home, lets always remember to keep them in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.

With the warmest wishes + deepest love,
Ami

Revitalize Your Soul

Forgive quickly. Love without boundaries or fear. Laugh without control. Never stop smiling. Be thankful for all your blessings. Live with hope and positivity. Embrace every moment.

xoxo,
Lovebug

Red Fridays - Support our troops

Wear your red on Fridays as a sign of support and love for our troops. Lets no longer be silent and voice our gratitude and warm wishes to all our brave soldiers away from home. They need to know that they are not forgotten …that we have them in our hearts and prayers.

By word of mouth, press, TV – we can all come together in making the United States a sea of red on Fridays …. much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves our troops will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know that we are all on their side more than ever.

So don’t forget to wear your reds this Friday to be a part of showing the solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect -- and continue each and every Friday until our troops all come home!

The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you?" is. "We need your support and your prayers." Please help to spread the word….

Earthlings - Intense!

The trailer to this documentary called Earthlings is why I am a vegetarian. Please prepare yourself before watching this trailer. It is intense - AND real! I've read a bunch of details about what we are doing to our animals and could barely get through each word, but actually seeing some of it goes way deeper. The cruelty and inhumane torture of animals is beyond my comprehension. Please take the time to watch this....it's hard to watch, but if we can eat it, we need to see it .... we need to know.... we need to be aware of what we are promoting by what we eat. So please have the courage and the heart to watch this and help spread awareness by sharing it with others.

Earthlings - watch the trailer here

Person to person advocacy

Put that compassion into action for the animals! By spending just a few hours handing out literature and talking with people one-on-one, you can educate countless people about the exploitation of animals. The Animal Rights Foundation of FL (ARFF) needs your help to leaflet at the following events:

• Maitland Art Festival, October 2-3.
• Winter Park Autumn Art Festival, October 10-11.

If you can help please contact: ArffCentralFl@arff.org

End Dogfighting Program

The End Dogfighting program through The Humane Society of the United States focuses on young men on the streets who have been involved in fighting dogs. This program gives these dogs the opportunity for a new and better life that is free from animal cruelty. They offer free pitbull training classes to these young men who can not control their lunging, snarling animals. They have the opportunity to gain pride their dog's performance and experience positive competition, which makes dogfighting much less tempting. The men begin to see their dogs as friends, not fighters -- and with these new feelings and beliefs, they realize it is no longer the way they want to treat their pets. Some men even become community representatives and help pull others out of the quicksand that is urban dogfighting.

Over the last year alone, the End Dogfighting programs have reached hundreds of at-risk youth and dogs with constructive alternatives and a message of compassion. So many cities across America are desperate for The HSUS's innovative community-based outreach programs.

This program is about change -- the kind of change that inspires. Both people and pups can make astonishing progress through The HSUS' End Dogfighting program. But they can’t continue to make a difference without our help.

If you would like to contribute to this wonderful program, Click Here to make a special gift today . This is an opportunity to reduce dogfighting on the streets and protect dogs from this horrible lifestyle and brutality.

Revitalize Your Soul - Change

There will always be something going on in our lives or around us that we wish were different or wish it would just go away. Although somethings are completed out of our control, we need to focus on the areas that we do have control over. Instead of complaining about it and dwelling on the negative, lets take the time to figure out what we can change - what we need to change, in order to improve the situation. Usually the change has to be within ourselves. We have full power over our actions, reactions, emotions and decisions, how we treat ourselves and how we treat others...even every word we speak has an outcome. So if something is picking at you and you want it to go away - sit back, take a deep breath and figure out what you can do to set that change in motion. Don't just think about it - BE the CHANGE!

“If you always do what you’ve always done, you will always get what you’ve always gotten”.
-unknown

Peace & Blessings to all!
Lovebug

Revitalize Your Soul - Emotional Health

Recently, my mom shared this with me. She was studying about stress and emotional health, and there are some fundamental points that she broke down for me and my brother to read and remember. These resolutions helped her a lot and they are also a big part of how I want to live my life.

It’s about taking control of your emotions and how you react to everyday situations and experiences. It’s a reminder that we all have a choice. This year has been very challenging for me and almost everyone that I know. I have felt completely lost and trapped within my own emotions, creating claustrophobia in my own skin. I have also seen my own friends and family drowning and indulging in their own pain, losing complete control of the life around them and choosing to be a victim of them selves. It doesn’t have to be this way….we DO have control. It takes a lot of work and practice, but in the end it’s all worth the happiness and peace you can feel inside and out.

Please take the time to read this…I hope it somehow helps you with whatever you struggle with and that it lifts your spirit knowing there is hope and that you can make a change in your own life.

1. Never say bad things about yourself. Look for sources of your unhappiness in elements that can be modified by future actions. Give yourself constructive criticism - what can you do differently next time to get what you want?

2. Compare your reactions, thoughts and feelings with those of friends, family, co-workers and others so you can gauge the appropriateness and relevance of your responses against a suitable norm.

3. Have several close friends with whom you can share feelings, joys and worries. Work at developing, maintaining and expanding your social support networks.

4. Develop a sense of balanced time perspective - be future oriented when there is work to be done, present oriented when the goal is achieved and past oriented to keep in touch with your roots.

5. ALWAYS TAKE FULL CREDIT FOR YOUR SUCCESSES AND HAPPINESS and share positive feelings with other people. Keep an inventory of the qualities that make you feel special and unique - those qualities that you can offer others. Even a shy person can provide a talkative person with the gift of listening. Know your sources of personal strength and available coping resources.

6. When you feel you are losing control over your emotions (emotions can be controlled), DISTANCE yourself from the situation or conflict, projecting your image into the future to gain perspective on what seems to be overwhelming now. Allow yourself to feel and express your emotions, but remember that you are in control.

7. Remember that failure and disappointment are sometimes a blessing in disguise. They tell you that your goal was not right for you, and save you from bigger letdowns later on. LEARN FROM EVERY FAILURE. Acknowledge setbacks by saying "I MADE A MISTAKE" AND MOVE ON. Every accident, misfortune, or violation of your expectations is potentially an opportunity in disguise.

8. IF YOU FEEL YOU CANNOT HELP YOURSELF OR ANOTHER PERSON IN DISTRESS, SEEK THE COUNSEL OF A TRAINED SPECIALIST. In some cases, the problem that appears to be emotional can be physical and vice versa. Remember hwlp I always available.

9. Cultivate healthy pleasures. Take time out and relax, meditate, fly a kite, enjoy hobbies, listen to music that brings you to good places, and pleasurable activities you can do alone and by which you can get in touch with and better yourself.


Much Love and Peace!
~Lovebug

Revitalize Your Soul - Let the color within you shine

Lately, my light has dimmed.

But in my darkest moment, somehow a spark appeared and pulled me out of what I thought was going to be a never ending hole of despair.

"And then there was Light."

It may sound cheesy, but since the day after my 30th birthday I've felt more alive than I have in the longest time. I'm feeling all of the colors of me resurface into a beautiful being that has so much to offer the world.

At my lowest, I didn't know what to do, how to think or who I was. Thankfully, it didn't take me long to realize that I am a Light Being - full of the colors of the rainbow and beyond.

My hopes are up, my focus is on my well being - no one else's, my businesses are bringing a renewed joy and I am finally getting my body and mind back into shape.

I will never forget my low - the dark period - so I can constantly be more appreciative of the light...of my light...of the colors within me so they will shine like never before.

With so much more than a glimmer of hope,
Jess

Revitalize Your Soul - Mistakes

We are all human and we tend to make mistakes…..it’s inevitable. Of course there are different levels of mistakes that we can make and we should have full control on the line that should not be crossed; which is usually based on our beliefs and morals of what is right and wrong. Those are guides that live deep within us…they are a part of us and who we are.

However, no matter how hard we try to listen to our guides…sometimes we make a bad decision or ignore our instincts or even refuse to do the right thing. We may try hard to beat temptations and keep a balanced life, but we are not perfect and sometimes we slip.

Whatever mistakes we have made, it is important that we try our very best to not dwell or regret on what has come to pass. We can not reverse time, decisions or actions….and if we dwell on them, we can not move forward in life. We end up trapping ourselves in feelings of guilt, remorse and sadness. Wishing we could change something that we’ve already done. I am a strong believer that regret and dwelling are a complete waste of our time and energy. We should definitely acknowledge our mistakes and take the time to reflect on them, but we must accept that we are human, take the lesson of our mistakes and use them to grow and become a better person. Lets promise ourselves to not repeat our mistakes, so we can continue to move forward in this beautiful journey of life. Lets forgive ourselves and release the trap of the past…the trap of regret.

Be free with me!

Peace and Love,
~Ami

Revitalize Your Soul - Stop and smell the roses

Each day passes by so quickly. We go through our daily routines and then start all over again the next day. It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everything that we forget to take a moment to stop and smell the roses. Something as simple as stopping whatever you are doing and concentrating on your breathing, can be so therapeutic sometimes. Or sitting back for a moment an enjoying the silence, the stillness, the peace. Or just taking a 5-10 minute walk around your neighborhood to let your blood flow and take in the beauty that is our earth. It’s always nice to even call up a loved one that you haven’t spoken to in a while to catch up on each other’s lives.

Whatever it might be, lets try to take more time for ourselves. Stop in the middle of all the madness that can sometimes be our daily lives and remember that it’s the little things that we ignore or often forget about, that actually brings us the most joy and bliss. Lately, I have been trying to make an effort to take a few minutes each day and do something that just feels good for my heart, mind and soul. Every time I do, I am never disappointed with the result of continuing my day with a bigger smile and a delightful vibe. And you know what? Sometimes the day even feels longer because of it.

Remember…..in the mist of it all….we have everything we need inside ourselves and surrounding us constantly that can bring us pleasure and contentment. We just have to decide to make the time to enjoy them.


Peace and Light,
Lovebug

Revitalize Your Soul - Birthday Time!

Sooooooo, this past Friday, 8.1.08 was my birthday! Happy Birthday to me! This year I turned 29 and I feel DIVINE! As I quickly approach my fabulous thirties, I realize that my thought process and decision making continues to grow and change. This year I have felt maturity and adulthood more intensely than ever before. I have been on my own and supporting myself since I was 18 years old, I have been married AND divorced, I have had several surgeries and health issues in the past, I have traveled a decent amount and have seen, survived and enjoyed all levels of experiences (the good, the bad, the best and the rest). Yet, this is the year…..2008… that I feel the most mature.

This got me thinking…..why after all these years of living an adult life am I finally feeling the most “grown up”? I am really not sure what the answer is, but I will tell you this….It feels Incredible!!! I have gone through so many phases of self discovery in the past 29 years and I feel very accomplished and content with where my life currently stands. There are so many pressures out there as to where we should all be by a certain age. The fact is that no one has the right to tell us who we should be, where we should be and how we should live our lives (especially not according to our age). If I had followed the “guidelines” and “timelines” of this world, I probably would have never gotten a divorce and stayed in an unhappy marriage OR would already be married again, I definitely would already have children, own a house, have my degree and be set in my career. I can definitely admit that these all can be wonderful accomplishments. However, I do not have any of them right now, yet there are so many things I have done in my life that I am most proud of. Things that I chose over everything else and I still have so much to look forward to. I refuse to feel that time is running out. We have been gifted the blessing of life and our sole purpose is to cherish and enjoy all the beauty it has to offer….at free will and on our own terms. I am blessed to have an amazing bond with my mom and brother, I am surrounded by the comfort and support of true friendships, I have a magical connection with the love of my life, I am co-owner of a business that specializes in Wedding Design (the celebration of Love!), I run a charity organization with my best friend, I try to focus on living each day filled with gratefulness, peace, love, balance and bliss that extends itself to all those who are the closest to me and to anyone that comes in contact with me. I am content, proud and at peace with who I am, where I stand and how I live my life. The best part is that I still have the opportunity to live and accomplish so much more. I can marry the man of my dreams (after waiting very patiently for him), I can be a mom at a time that I feel I know myself the best and can give the most, I can see my business grow into a success that becomes my livelihood, I can see Revitalize grow into a huge community the glows with positivity, encouragement and the unending act of giving, sharing and coming together to extend our love to the world.….

….My life is in my hands and I choose to be guided by my faith, spirituality and heart.

Big warm hugs to all!
~Lovebug

Revitalize Your Soul

Life is a one way street ain't it?
If you could paint it,
I'd draw myself going in the right direction.
So I go all the way, Like I really really know,
but the truth is, I'm only guessing.
--- Gnarls Barkley - Just a Thought

No one knows what the hell they are doing in life. Even the most motivated, driven and successful people don't know what the fuck they're doing. Everything is a guesstimate. It's all a game. Don't get down on yourself if maybe you're not doing what you're "supposed" to be doing. Who the hell knows what that is anyway?? Ask yourself what is really important to you. Follow your instincts. Do what you think and feel is right for you. No one can tell you what that is. You'll have to figure it out on your own.

I have heard people say, "If only I had been more focused and didn't party as much when I was younger, I would be in a better position today." While that may be true, would you have had as much fun in your life? It's important to find a balance between completely slacking and working yourself to death.

For those of us who are approaching, or are already in our 30's, the pressure is on. Time to conform to society's views of marriage, 1.5 kids, house ownership and a successful career. When did the American Dream becomes more of a burden than a fantasy -- more of a requirement than a desire?

All in your own time. Don't feel like you have to have the salary, the house, the car, the kids by age ____. Don't put limits on yourself. It will come eventually. Keep working towards the goals that YOU want to achieve and you will ultimately find what you are looking for.

Try not to take life and all its massive confusions and stressful situations too seriously. Because in the end -- what does it all mean? Make sure you are really taking the time to enjoy your life exactly as it is right now... because it will never be the same again!

"Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted." -- John Lennon

Enjoy your life!
-Becky

Money = Freedom?

Lately, I've been flat broke. I don't know of a better way to put it.

With all of the changes in my life over the past five months, such as quitting my very cushy, but highly stressful job, traveling like crazy, and not working for a month straight, I knew these days would come.

I just didn't realize how difficult this readjustment period would be.... living from paycheck to paycheck again, not going out as much, having to limit the sort of activities in which I can participate, and most of all letting go of control.

Since my money is at such a low point, I have been getting frustrated because I feel like I'm losing my freedom.

Freedom to go out to eat with the girls.
Freedom to buy those new sneakers (I'm totally addicted to sneakers if you didn't know).
Freedom to even buy all of the organics I've grow so accustomed.

My challenge now is to find the strength to realize that without the comfort of money, life will continue; it will simply be different. Although I will not necessarily have the 'freedom' to spend as I once did, a new freedom of imagination is being unlocked.

Forcing me to be creative with my time and space, I am realizing that money does not control me or my freedom.

Much love,
Jess