Friday, September 21, 2007

Take Care of Yourself

Be good to yourself always. Take care of your health. Remember to make the time to exercise, cleanse, pamper and protect your body. Most importantly, accept, love and cherish every little nuke and cranny. Every part of you is where it should be and how it should be. Look in the mirror and love yourself with your eyes, with your heart and with your soul. Do not speak badly of yourself, because that hurts your body. Say wonderful things always, because you are beautiful, your body is beautiful and it deserves to hear beautiful words from you. You are your body's God, so show it love with all your might and be one with yourself so you can experience the magnificent connection that will bring you everlasting happiness and the beauty you possess will always glow to the rest of the world.

Big hugs and warm kisses!
~Lovebug

Monday, September 17, 2007

Happiness in solitude

A little over a week ago, I was staying with my father in the not-so-exciting town of Springville, NY, located about 30 minutes from Buffalo. The town was quaint in its own way comprised of one Main Street, about four restaurants and a Wal-Mart. There are a little over 4,000 uninteresting people living there that have all known each other since birth, and whose conversations consist of their kids and the school system, tractors and their performance, construction and how it affects traffic, the road that is the best route to take to Buffalo (without aforementioned traffic and construction) and the new quarterback/running back/tight end (or whatever) for the Buffalo Bills. Not quite my cup of tea. Needless to say, I was antsy to explore a more stimulating environment on my week-long vacation.

Luckily, Springville is about two hours away from Toronto, a city (and country) I have never visited but has topped my list of "Cities I need to get my ass to see right away." And coincidentally, there happened to be a few DJs from Paris that were playing there who had also been on the top of my list of "DJs I need to experience right away, especially if they are from Europe." But since my dad could not accompany me to Toronto, I was faced with the option of going solo to Tha Deuce City or possibly dying of boredom in a small town. I opted for the former.

Toronto was everything I hoped it would be and more. The Parisian DJs did not disappoint and I had an incredible time on my own doing whatever my heart desired -- considering it was agreeable with my wallet, of course. It made me feel free and liberated to discover a new city by myself and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Upon my return to Springville (and even Orlando), I was surprised by the number of people who couldn't believe I had gone alone. I kept hearing things like "I could never do that" and "Wow, weren't you lonely?" and "What did you do all by yourself?"

Sure, there were times when I was reminded of my friends and there were certain things that I wish they could have experienced with me, but for the most part I was completely content being alone. I found it motivating and enlivening and wonderful.

Lately I have been pondering being alone and the importance of being comfortable with being alone. The way I feel is best illustrated by the quotes below:

"Language... has created the word "loneliness" to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word "solitude" to express the glory of being alone." -- Paul Tillich

"Solitude is strength; to depend on the presence of the crowd is weakness. The man who needs a mob to nerve him is much more alone than he imagines." -- Paul Brunton

"Being solitary is being alone well: being alone luxuriously immersed in doings of your own choice, aware of the fullness of your won presence rather than of the absence of others. Because solitude is an achievement." -- Alice Koller

We were born alone and we will die alone. So be your own favorite person and find happiness in your solitude. It feels pretty damn awesome.

xoxoxoxo
Becky

Friday, September 14, 2007

The World is at Your Fingertips

I just returned from a week long trip to Western Canada. Staying three hours North of Vancouver, my eyes feel wider than ever. This trip made something inside of me tick – it brought a new spark to my soul.

Over the past year and a half, I've decided to live my life differently – to revitalize my mind, my body and my soul. Through my traveling adventures to New Hampshire, two Bonnaroos, a wonderful cruise, an unforgettable road trip for weeks and numerous shorter trips in between, I've realized that the world is at my fingertips.

Something about the mountains, the amazingly fresh air and the old, yet wise trees trees in Canada took this thought to a whole new level. My past travels made me realize that I am never stuck. No job, relationship or responsibility can hold me down. This particular trip cemented this new found belief.

My life is evolving into a beautiful place. My soul is growing exponentially and I will continue to feed it with positivity, love and hope; always knowing that I am constantly creating my own reality.

Life is way to short to think you're stuck.
Do what you want!
Live your dreams!!!!

The only thing that stands in your way is YOU.

Hoping that you choose to live life to the fullest,
Jess

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Stay True to You

"Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it. Believe nothing just because a belief is generally held. Believe nothing just because it is said in ancient books. Believe nothing just because it is said to be of divine origin. Believe nothing just because someone else believes it. Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true."
-- Buddah

Wise words, huh?
What do you believe?
xoxo,
Jess

Friday, August 31, 2007

Continue to be Grateful

Exactly a week ago today, I got Lasik Surgery done on my eyes after years of consideration. I can't believe it is finally done and over with. It is absolutely amazing that 4hrs after my surgery I could see the world with brand new vision...... Clear, crisp, sharp vision.

I have never known what it is like to wake up in the morning and just see everything clearly without having to put on my glasses or contacts (oh those dreadful contacts...ugh!). It's only been a week and I have adapted so quickly to my new vision that I already can barely remember what it is like to not see clearly. Isn't that insane? It's made me think about how afraid I am that I will completely forget. Why? Because I feel I will take my new vision for granted, if I forget what it was like before I had it.

This really made me think about many other things. It made me realize how much I don't appreciate things about myself. How often I concentrate on the things that I want to change that I barely acknowledge the things I am grateful for. The things that are such natural blessings to us that sometimes other people do not get to experience in their whole lifetime. My hearing, my ability to walk, my mind, my health....on and on

So as I continue my journey of a grateful life, I will try not to forget the little things, the simple things ...which are in fact the most marvelous of all!!!

With warm hugs!
~Lovebug

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Revitalize Your Soul

...Speak with Integrity...

It is so easy to fall into the trap of gossip at work, in our different circles, and within our families. Often, we do not realize the power of these words. As we circulate them within the universe, we are contributing with negativity. Instead of using words to gossip, speak positively, or try not to indulge in gossip at all.

Not only does the integrity of our word matter with others, but it affects us as well. The more we speak down of ourselves even by joking and saying things like, Wow, that was stupid of me, we are creating a negative connotation and making this true. I used to specifically have the issue of saying, Im sorry, instead of Excuse me, when I bumped into someone. I realized that the more I said Im sorry, the sorrier I felt about myself. Although in the moments, I did not mean this to be a negative statement about me, my psyche heard, Im sorry over and over, my subconscious began to believe that as truth.

Remember, say only what you mean. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love!

Much love,
Jessica

Monday, August 27, 2007

Fighting the Green-Eyed Monster

I don't think a lot of people would look to the Beastie Boys for insight, but today I found it in their song Pass the Mic:

"I give thanks for inspiration
It guides my mind along the way
A lot of people get jealous, they're talking about me
But that's just 'cause they haven't got a thing to say
Everybody's rappin' like it's a commercial
Acting like life is a big commercial
So this is what I've got to say to you all
Be true to yourself and you will never fall"

This past weekend, a friend and I were discussing jealousy. When someone achieves something great, it seems there is always another person who is jealous of the accomplishment. This envy can breed contempt and low self-esteem, which can lead one to gossip in an effort to feel like a bigger person.

But we're all human and it's virtually impossible to avoid the feeling of jealousy. So the next time you feel jealous, ask yourself why. Figure out what you need to change about your own circumstances to get yourself where you want to be. Focus on yourself and your own goals, rather than the person who ignited the envious feelings. Because if you have time to talk shit about what someone else is doing, you're probably not busy enough working toward your own objectives.

Be true to yourself and you will never fall. Thanks, M.I.K.E. to the D.

-Becky