Only 2 days left!

Yes. It's another one of those kinds of posts. It is so funny to me how God and the Universe are so unchanged. So consistent. I am most floored by this life and all of its beauty. The sink-to-your-knees and ball your eyes out kind of beauty; that kind of beauty that hits you right at your core, melting your heart. It is December 29, 2012. There are only two days left in this year. And WOW! God has truly given me some thought. He is setting me up with opportunity after opportunity just before this new year, 2013 begins. I cannot express how truly grateful I am for everything this year. It went by in quite a flash and I know 2013 will be even better.

Thank you for all the smiles, laughs, hugs and kisses. This has been an absolutely wonderful year. Couldn't have made it any better.

Yours in love and light,

Vanessa

Truth is you just know when you know

It feels good to be back in uncharted territory with a new friend. Just exploring the notes and tones. Feeling the vibrations. Speaking the language of the good ol'times when love and peace were the only tw(one) option(s). I've made a new friend, mandolin and my Love, she's pretty awesome. She'll teach me new things about myself and I'll learn some things about her. And she'll show me new experiences and bring me Thee different flavors from the world. Quite an exquisite friend. So versed in culture and the arts. Never betraying, only loving unconditionally. Much like an old friend of mine, creamy-black-silky-white. This Miss is happy to be back with the strings. Telling the story of Old-nature and oh, how these vibrations move me through earth and up to the cosmos. Creating unity-wholeness-one-with-the-body-goodness. Meet my Goddess of Beautiful Vibrations, Music.

Undoing YOUR Ego

Here are some thoughts inspired within myself about the Ego. It is important as we approach December 21st, 2012 that we undo our Ego. Loosing the Ego will guide us toward Love, Peace, Unity and Light. Moving into 2013 with Love in the Purest, most high and vigilant form.

• Recognize the ego within yourself. Become aware of it at all times. All that is not Love, is the  Ego.
• As fearful/hateful/nasty/unloving thoughts come into our minds, let them go. Introspect the thought and surrender it to the Divine.
• Be faithful that all will be taken care of by God and the Universe. Do not hasten for answers or "signs." 
• Let yourself be. 
• Have patience. The time is now and the time is perfect. All is beautiful.
• All of the strength needed to heal the Ego is within YOURSELF. Yes, your beautiful soul has all of the answers you need to be at peace and in love with the world. 

Love from the deepest inner vibrations of my heart,

Vanessa Lamorte

12/12/12

This day has brought a cornucopia of emotion and intuition. Things are shifting. Letting go of the old and welcoming the new. Lots of change is underway. Beautiful journeys are beginning and tiresome treks are ending. Be aware and alert today of your surroundings. Remaining open and receptive is key as well. Spend some time alone focusing on going inward, preparing yourself for some of the most influential days in history. December 20, 21 and 22, 2012. Actively imagine and manifest what you would like your future to look like. The Universe will never know what you need unless you are clear and precise. Most of all, love. Offer hugs and kisses more than you normally do, dear. 

Choice is a simple thing

It is what we choose to do, rather than what we say we will do that shows our true characters.

Today I'm choosing to love. How about you?

Pearls and oysters

"The dreamer is only limited by the things he chooses not to confront." -Matt Hartshorn

When the ego speaks

It's you that you're looking for. Not anyone else. 

What an ambitious girl does in her spare time

What a fantasy this life is and I'm so happy to say, "I LOVE living in it!" I've spent quite a bit of time day-dreaming about all the many facets of my life and I came to the realization about a few things today...

1.) I am most completely in love with Matthew Hartshorn. He really is an exquisite human being in many ways and I can't think of anyone that could make me happier! 

2.) Within day-dreaming, I realized I day-dream about my wedding SO MUCH! It's such a wonderful pleasure for my brain! I'm not engaged and I don't think that it will be happening soon, but it's such a joyous thing to envision. He's down on one knee. I cry. And OF COURSE I say YES! haha,  the dress, the flowers, the venue, the people,  the love notes, the ring, exchanging of vows, his smile, snapshots, the adorable flower girl and ring bearer, the sun shining outside, just everything about it makes me giddy. And yes, my mind does haphazardly jump from subject to subject like that. Oh and the honeymoon! How could I forget about that?

3.) The third realization is that I really am in love with love. I'm in love with the idea of love and I'm in love with the feeling of being in love and I just love, love. [How many times did I say love? Count 'em. ;)]


I really hope you enjoy love as much as I do. And no, not just romantic love.  A life without love would be a life wasted. Love is like sunshine; warm, radiant, everlasting, timeless and stunningly gorgeous! 

Get out there and snag your piece of sunshine. :)

How about now?

Don't wait for the "perfect" moment to do something important to you. Every moment is perfect. 

The Aquarian Age

2013 is approaching quickly and I am so happy to say I am ready. Ready to be who I am truly meant to be and not some facade that other people want of me. We are moving into the Aquarian Age and this is totally my time to give a piece of myself to the world.  Consciousness. Spirituality. Mindfulness. Collectivism. Peace. Love. I have it all and I'm bringing it to you. Most purely.

Aside from myself, I am most excited to grow with the world. Seeing people reach their highest potentials. No wasted time or talent or intelligence. Just pure beauty. I know I will accomplish great things during my lifetime. I am interested to see where the winds will take me; the things I will see and the people I will meet on this journey. Life is a beautiful thing and the right to choose is even more gorgeous. 

It takes a bit of remembering...

Sometimes it takes a bit of remembering to be our true essence. Like going back and being that bright-eyed child that once held so much wonder and curiosity about the world. You were [are] fearless, wild and crazy, bold and just sheer amazing! It's funny how we know ourselves so much better when we're kids, then when we're older. 

Don't contaminate {creativity}. Liberate. Do something today to get that "old" self back, truth is it never left; we've just forgotten how to be ourselves.

Turning your disappointments into fruitful opportunities

Remember things always work in YOUR favor. When disappointments present themselves view them as opportunities to explore other options.

Open up

When you approach the world with your arms wide open, you are able to receive all its goodness.

Things to say

Make it a point to say "I love you" today. You don't know when it will be your last and you don't know when it will be their last.

When you knock, God answers

Beginning early this year, I knew I was tired of being jostled around by the monotony of day-to-day jobs and the oppression of bosses stuck in corporate jobs, where they too are most likely sick of their mundane life.

After a two month battle to receive pay from my "employer" in early August, I made the conscious decision to quit working for everyone else and to start working for number one. But working for number one didn't mean seeking ways to selfishly acquire funds but to begin my personal journey in helping make a difference in the world. It has been one of the best decisions I have made in my life.

Between being a yoga instructor, piano teacher, nanny and Scentsy consultant, I have to say I've been pretty successful. Yes, I do have quite a few roles to play, but if the shoe fits, why not wear it? Variety is the spice of life. (Cliche, I know, but I think it works here). Business has its ups and downs. I found myself in a moment of worry and grief thinking, "How am I going to pull it off THIS time?" I have been reassured by my faith in God and in the Universe that if I ask, then I shall receive. I do my best to be a helpful, right-doing citizen, giving all my love to those around me and I feel that what I'm doing is truly enough. Within living a more considered life, I have been gifted and rewarded and I thank God for all of it.

Love,

Vanessa

Words from my mother

"The more you get, the more you want..." -My mother

:)

Believe in yourself. If you don't, then no one else will.

Thank you Las Vegas

 

It's so interesting to me how God and the Universe knows when you need a time out. The rain is so beautiful

and calming, yet insane all at the same time. So symbolic.

 

I'll be at school all day, but if I wasn't, it would be a "cup of hot cocoa and some lovin' with my honey by my side" kind of day. I love you, baby. And thank you God and the Universe for answering my prayers. I appreciate you keeping me in your thoughts. :D

Words from the Dalai Lama

I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe 
- Dalai Lama

With every storm

Comes transient energy. Here not for long, only to teach us something. Walk outside, find a private space and close both of your eyes to use your third. Breathe in, breathe out. Be receptive to what the world has to tell you.

Sometimes we forget.

“No one loses anyone, because no one owns anyone. That is the true experience of freedom: having the most important thing in the world without owning it.” -Paulo Coelho

As I pose this question

How authentic is your human experience?

On this day.

"Be open to the meaning of what you did not want to happen." -R. Hoepke

If you read anything I write, you should read this one

So, I'm sitting on the bus, just looking out the window...

It is so interesting to me how life unravels itself. Divine workings. How all the pieces fit together and no matter how fucked up or how beautiful each piece is, it still works, it still functions. How there is a reason behind everything, there is something to be learned and so many of us miss these opportunities because we're absorbed in some emotion. We aren't present in the now. We are either living in the future or the past.

The sun still shines even when it's raining, we just can't always see it.

 Many things have happened to me this 2012 to help me realize this. Some sad, some happy. But, I wouldn't trade my life for anyone else's, not because I feel that mine is absolutely superior and spectacular but because it is mine. Unique in every way and because no one can say they've been exactly here before. It's kind of like I have my own secret that I get to share with myself. I like that.

Happy October 1st!

October is the month of abundance. Let the Universe know

what you need. Visualize your goal. Set it in writing. Manifest. Watch your wishes grow and become fruitful. Harvest.

Your Cornucopia

Harvest your happiness in these harvest months.

Love your friend,

Vanessa

What does it even mean to be human anymore?

I'm sitting outside taking it all in. Breeze, birds, bees, bus, blue sky, people. Everything seems so irrelevant to these people walking by, passing each other, all wired up, plugged in, dialed out...of society. No "Good Morning," no smile, no warmth.

What if that beautiful girl that passed you by was your soul mate? What if you missed out on an opportunity to make a friend? Or better yet, be a friend? Maybe you looked at that man this morning and felt a connection, some good vibe, but you didn't even act upon that? No "Good Morning," no smile, no warmth.

 How is it that genuine human connection has been so vastly diluted?

About making decisions

I'm at a point in my life of transition. One chapter is ending, the other just beginning. . Soon, I will have to make a definitive decision about where I will be going. No more speculation, wishful thinking, dreaming. Real acting, real doing. I feel a strong component of this is letting go and moving on.

How do I know I will be making the right decision? How am I even defining the right decision? How do you leave behind those that you love for something you perceive as better? I am caught in the battle of what k n o w i n g really i s. What if I leave you for something I think will be good for me, when really I should have stayed? What would I do with myself then? What do I do? What do you do?

tre

"Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth." -Buddha

Raw

Be the raw you. The no-holding-back, you. It feels really good.

A "How -to" Guide to a Completely Positive, Healthy Lifestyle

A friend of mine challenged me to eliminate the usage of "I" and negative words like "no and "not" in my speech. This forces the flow of vocabulary and improved syntax. It allows your message to take on a more global approach rather than egocentric and works towards a positive goal. Furthermore, in doing this, you further the spiritual movement in consciousness expansion. If you envision your ideal self as being whole, enlightened, interconnected and unchanged by the tribulations of our present society, then accept the challenge proposed.

The World's Oldest Hobby

Cosmos Observation. Too often we (the collective we, not specifically you and I) become enveloped with the monotony of day-to-day tasks. We see only what is in front of us. Tunnel vision. Take a moment to open yourself up to the rest of the world that surrounds you. Turn off your music, your t.v., your computer, step outside and tilt your head back.So close and so far away.  Breathe in the beauty of the world and gaze up at the sky. Observe what is happening up there in that world. Wonder.

e x p an s i o n

By doing y o u wholeheartedly, you're contributing love to your world and universe. You're part of this consciousness expansion movement just as much as I am. Live for today and think for tomorrow.

Don't count yourself out too quickly now..

It's funny how one moment you find yourself a little confused, worried and unsure of your future and within a day all of that can change. It's like God and the Universe just winked at me with a coy smile, saying "Yeah, I've got you. And you thought otherwise. Psh"

An angel delivered a wonderful message to me today. Restoration within myself. I became part of the "Occupy Movement." I started Occupy Yoga LV. I can tell you, I haven't been this excited about something in a LONG time. So, my main concern is that everyone from all wakes of life can have the opportunity to acquire mindfulness, peace, and unity within themselves. I'm also offering you self love, global love and the sense of being part of something bigger than yourself  And, I'm providing that for y o u. Free of charge because I love y o u. It all comes back to love, my friends.

Namaste.

Vanessa

 http://www.facebook.com/occupyyogalv

Abundance Day

We've all had those stagnant moments in life, when we feel like our magic has tapered and our light has gone dim; don't become discouraged. The Universe is still doing its thing. You're still doing yours, believe it or not. Change and abundance is underway. Anything you dream of, anything you want is in your hands. I'm a visionary. I create my abundance. You're a visionary, so you will too.

Avoidance

Avoidance is the absence of honesty with thy self. You feel uncomfortable with yourself, with life? Well, tough shit. We've all been there; those situations in life that we find ourselves in, where we feel we have to Avoid them at all costs. The best advice I've ever received in my life has been to never avoid the trials and tribulations of your life. Introspection. Silence yourself. Maybe you're talking too much and maybe you're clogging your mind with too much filth. Take a moment to quiet your mind; quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. All this s t u f f you are crowding your life with is keeping you from tackling your biggest problem; y o u. At the same time, y o u are your biggest blessing. Y o u; the only being with the power in which to create a change.

You know that thing you were thinking about the entire time you were reading this....that thing that created an anxiety response, a gut-wrenching feeling, that thing that made you sweat a little bit? Yeah, why don't you start there.

What it's all about

September7, 2010 changed my life. I began on a journey with my best friend. We have been through it all together, but I wouldn't change it for anything. I have learned what love truly is and what it truly means to be in love. I am so blessed and so thankful for him. It feels amazing to be here; in love, with my best friend and most amazing man ever. It's indescribable. Happy 2 Year Anniversary!

1+1

Begin with one foot in front of the other and you will yield consistent results.

Cleansing Breath

When you feel yourself slipping away from reaching enlightenment, replace all negative thoughts with breath. Cleansing the mind and freeing the soul.

:)

Be one with the Earth, not just a part of the Earth.

Survival Instincts

The most adaptive skill to have is being adaptive. Checkmate.

I was a Full Moon baby

I recently found out I was born on a Full Moon, which I find very interesting considering my personality. The following information explains a lot about myself.

When born on the full moon, you are more euphoric than the average person. Sometimes it’s good and it attracts people to you, sometimes it doesn’t work for you because you kind of quickly lose interest and look for other excitements. It’s funny, but sometimes the more you are connected to your emotions, the less you connect to other people around you, especially with those who are very rational, and don’t base their life on heart energy. With your ripened emotion you tend to idealize, but in relationships you need to have more clarity and patience since otherwise your emotions will not be answered with the same fullness and sincerity. Don’t go into escapist mode, because people around you can learn and accomplish a lot with your balanced attitude. -As taken from astroknowlogy.com

Every once in a Blue Moon...

Energy shift as thunderstorms make their way into our atmosphere. Mars and Saturn can be seen tonight bright in the sky. Next Blue Moon is scheduled to happen August 31st. Mother Nature is preparing for a bountiful harvest as we transition into Autumn.

Harnessing the diamonds in the sky

I had a divine moment today. Riding a different wavelength. Feeling the presence of God, the Universe. Feeling within myself and beside myself all at once. Interconnected. Intertwined. Unity.  When you're called to do something, when it's in the stars for you, all you have to do is accept. Accept you for the wonderful being that you are and just live. Feeling ex'quisitely me. 

Faith

Sometimes you just have to have faith. Faith in yourself and in your God.

Instinct Prevails

Listening to your instincts is probably the best thing you could do for yourself in terms of decision making.

The 2012 Transformation

In this current waking life we are seeing the spiritual shift. Raising our vibrational levels together in unison. 2012 has been an inexplicably, impressive year so far. The right mixture of people have floated in and out of my life, teaching me lessons for better and for worse, helping me to reach enlightenment. 

As we take notice of the stars, the planets; the universe understand your purpose. They have been aligned for a reason. Be present in nature, on earth, in earth. Lead a life of total peace and total love.

I am so happy to be here with you right now, it feels so unbelievably good. The purest love from my heart. Namaste.

SO PERFECT!

If, Vanessa, when you lay your head upon your pillow tonight, you could choose to slip into a dream dimension where time would literally expand, so much so that you could live out an entire other lifetime within it as a person "designed" by you from head to toe, even choosing your name and who your parents would be. Where every single day you'd be pushed on to greatness, every single challenge would invite you to become more, and all of your dreams could come true. Where, no matter how things may ever seem, you'd be bathed in love, surrounded by friends, safe and sound in your very own bed. And where, upon waking, all that you loved and learned in that lifetime would remain with you, and all that scared and threatened you would only have prepared you for even more love and learning in the near future.

Would you choose to go there, Vanessa, just for one night, on the condition that during the dream itself you mustn't have any recollection of how you got there, its purpose, or what might happen next?

Of course you would, you're a supercoolhappylovething!

Which begs the question, "How do you know, then, this isn't that dream?"

Howling at the moon,
    The Universe

What price would you pay?

I just finished reading an amazing book, The Slight Edge and I have come away from it feeling renewed and enlightened. If you have a moment, I would pick it up and read it. Life changing.


I'm not going to throw in any spoilers because that would ruin the anticipation and the reason for which you should/might read the book. But I will comment on a few aspects...


The book validated my idea that life IS easy. It is easy to be successful with a few minor, daily adjustments. It truly IS. Success is about mindset. 


A penny is better than nothing. Well, some may rationalize, it is ONLY a penny. However, if we look at this analogically, doing something everyday is better than doing nothing. I can't agree with this more. 


And my all time favorite quote from this book: "Remember this: Whatever price you pay, there's a bigger price to pay for not doing it than the price for doing it. The price of neglect is much worse than the price of discipline. "

A tip about success

"Successful people form habits that feed their success, instead of habits that feed their failure."
-The Slight Edge

A tree is but the product of a seed.

A tree is but the product of a seed.

It stands tall and strong because of a sturdy foundation. Its trunk keeps the tree supported, its roots keep the tree grounded. The roots facilitate the tree in finding nutrients. This is to sustain the life of the tree. But the tree would not exist, if the seed had not been planted...

The truth about life is..

Isn't it amazing how in the most troubling of times, we come away from the experience with such great knowledge, inspiration and enlightenment? Each moment in life is divine. Recognize that.

Thanking God and the Universe everyday for everything.

At this current point in time..

Mindfulness: Enjoying the here and now. Bringing yourself to awareness in this moment. Feeling this moment. Loving the world around you. Sharing that love every way you can.

True Pleasure is a consequence. You can't pursue it directly.

"Better to be a human dissatisfied then to be a pig satisfied."
-John Stewart Mill

Eudaimonia: Happy and Flourishing

I couldn't be happier in this moment. God, The Universe has aligned things just right for me and I am so completely thankful.


I am thankful for the love of my life, Matthew Hartshorn. Best man I have ever met. Every moment with him is a blessing. I am thankful for being able to bring my yoga practice to a real studio now. I am thankful for all the love, patience and Knowledge God has given me during summer school. I am thankful for this sparkling, new Neurospsychology Technician position. And lastly, I am so thankful for all the resources God and the Universe has given me. Truly creating endless and limitless possibilities. 


It feels amazing to be here. 


Love.

Sometimes it's the simple things

Deep breath. New beginning. Blue sky. Soft breeze. Radiant sunshine. Warm rain.

More sweeties please

If you want more cake, you have to be the baker. 

Liberta

In light of Independence Day, what does it mean to truly be free? Sometimes we think we have it all figured out, but then when we take a step back our perspective shifts. The dictionary provides a whole host of definitions, but I'm choosing to define freedom as "not subject to the control or domination of another." This is what it means to truly be free. 

Do not let anyone oppress you. You actively choose. However, keep in mind the common good of everyone. Do not become arrogant with your choices because then, this takes away the freedom of another.

Do not allow yourself to be chained by your own insecurities. Do not become preoccupied with the daily senselessness and illogicalness of surrounding imbeciles. Live and let go. Be free.

You are y o u. Wonderful. Pure. Radiant. Resonant. Beautiful. 

You are free.

I am thanking God and the Universe for my freedom and for gifting me this knowledge. 

Quit talking

So many of us spend so much time talking about things we should do or things we think we are going to do. Why not cut to the chase and just start living ? Let's talk less and do more. Actions do speak louder than words.

You are not just a body

Inspired from Gertler's Disembodiment Argument for Substance Dualism

Precisely who you are is not what you appear to be, just a body. You are a soul, a mind, inhabiting a body.

If our true essence is within our minds, is our mind, is our soul, then all of these exterior facets of the world are not us. But are merely extensions of past, present and future humanly creation. You are all you need to feel whole, to be happy, to be successful.

You are your soul (sole) motivator.

Those before us were wiser

"To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it."
-A Buddhist Quote

Like clockwork

Late night
Warm night
Gazing at the stars,  I ponder
My mind wanders.......

How finely tuned this Universe is.
Why am I here? Why am I here at this precise moment?
Recognizing life's beauty.
I am consumed
Within myself.
I surround myself

I become

The existence of myself was deliberate.
It was predetermined. Planned. Mapped. Conscious.
I. You. We. All in the same.

Sometimes you just have to forgive yourself

 Projecting your insecurities on others and blaming others never leads to healing. Live and let go. Freeing yourself from your inner turmoils.

What it takes to be HAPPY! :)

Being happy is easy. You merely have to allow yourself to be. If you're unhappy, it's an easy fix. Thankfully, only one person in this world can make  you truly happy and that is yourself. 


Start by eliminating your limitations. What is keeping you from being happy? Whatever it is, find a way to change it or get rid of it all together. Surround yourself with genuine, happy people. Now, that doesn't mean going out and searching for 20 new friends. Keep the friends you have. A few good ones will make this process all the more worthwhile. 


Smile at yourself in the mirror everyday. Remind yourself that you are beautiful and that you are a good person. Remind yourself that no matter what adversities the day brings, that you will continue to be happy and that you will stay positive. 


Don't allow yourself, at any point, to engage in negative self-talk. This only damages and critiques yourself in such a way that is harmful. Do things that make you happy. If you only have one or two things, don't feel like you have to have a laundry list. One or two things is normal. But, do them, nonetheless and engage in your happy activities with people who enjoy those things as well! You will be amazed at the amount of love and positive energy that swirls about when you have a room full of truly happy people. 

And, if you're feeling like you need someone, remember you are never alone. Plenty of people are struggling as well. You are your best resource, but I too am here for you. Any time. Any place. 


Loving you from my place in the universe,


Vanessa

Cosmic Gratuity

Right now, at this moment in time, I want y o u to know that I am thanking y o u for taking time to read m y words. I want to publicly thank God and the Universe for all things wonderful in my life. Most importantly for my soul mate, my family and friends, my beautiful sugar gliders, my yoga practice and my health. Life is truly beautiful and I am happy that I am fortunate enough to s e e that and to be able to share it with you all!


Tanti grazi a tutti. 


Namaste.

Effervescent Living

The beauty that resides within you, the beauty that radiates throughout the entirety of this universe is the most powerful force in existence. It always has been and always will be. Allow this beauty to flow freely through you. With the love in your heart, you are as beautiful as the sun. You are as beautiful as the moon on a starry night. You are as beautiful as the scent of rain after a storm. You are life. Smile. Recognize your beauty. All things are possible through love.

Within, not without.

Take a moment to think about your worries. Are they worth worrying over? Will they even matter 10 years from now? Chances are my friend, that all of your worries are minute. If you need to make a change, introspect. You have all of the answers to your questions. Search within, not without. Remember you can do all things with just a pinch of hope and a heart of love. Honor yourself. Honor the divinity within you. Recognize these things and you will be perpetually successful.

Namaste.

Astral Travel

Begin by breathing at a natural, comfortable tempo. Inhaling deeply and then exhaling. You are feeling your body drift away. Your head becomes heavy, your shoulders release, the tension in your arms and legs release. You become weightless and you are coming into full relaxation. 


Keeping your eyes closed, become comfortable within your being. Become one with your essence. You may begin to feel tingling sensations, numbness or vibrating. Each response is natural, just allow your self to be. 


I n h a l i n g, e x h a l i n g. I n h a l i n g, e x h a l i n g. 


You begin to feel your body rushing up through the top of your head, your soul is traveling at speeds you cannot comprehend. And then you are out. Out of your body, out of your mind. You are you. You are just riding this wavelength in your purest form. 


You can fly.


 Imagine and it will become.




 The i d e a is. 


Love,


Vanessa

Forever and for always.

As we take each step
remember we are not alone 
For God has followed each of us
Whatever sorrows, whatever troubles life may bring
remember they too will lead you and teach you 
It is through our struggles we find comfort 
In knowing that we can depend on ourselves
One other than God
So, at the end of each day, you can always count 
on two friends
To be there for you
forever and for always.

The blind fold

Many of us live our lives with a blind fold on, not knowing truly where we are headed.We are blinded because of the limitations we have placed upon ourselves or allowing others to place limitations on us. Blinded by the mundane routines of daily life. Sometimes we just need God and the Universe to take our hand and lead us as we watch our lives unfold in front of us. Let life happen. You will be pleased with your final outcome.

Transformative Breath

Inhale deeply
slowly exhale
Focusing on your breath
Keeping your mind clear
Witness to the beauty of the sky
Imagine you are laying in a steady stream
The trickling of water
Cool rush beneath your neck
Down your back 
Between your fingers, your toes
Radiating
Cleansing your body
Delivering tranquility, peace of mind
Soul transcending the body
Becoming one.

Love is our Greatest Benefactor

Aristophane's Speech from Plato's Symposium Translated by Benjamin Jowett
Aristophanes professed to open another vein of discourse; he had a mind to praise Love in another way, unlike that of either Pausanias or Eryximachus. Mankind, he said, judging by their neglect of him, have never, as I think, at all understood the power of Love. For if they had understood him they would surely have built noble temples and altars, and offered solemn sacrifices in his honour; but this is not done, and most certainly ought to be done: since of all the gods he is the best friend of men, the helper and the healer of the ills which are the great impediment to the happiness of the race. I will try to describe his power to you, and you shall teach the rest of the world what I am teaching you.In the first place, let me treat of the nature of man and what has happened to it. The original human nature was not like the present, but different. The sexes were not two as they are now, but originally three in number; there was man, woman, and the union of the two, of which the name survives but nothing else. Once it was a distinct kind, with a bodily shape and a name of its own, constituted by the union of the male and the female: but now only the word 'androgynous' is preserved, and that as a term of reproach.

In the second place, the primeval man was round, his back and sides forming a circle; and he had four hands and the same number of feet, one head with two faces, looking opposite ways, set on a round neck and precisely alike; also four ears, two privy members, and the remainder to correspond. He could walk upright as men now do, backwards or forwards as he pleased, and he could also roll over and over at a great pace, turning on his four hands and four feet, eight in all, like tumblers going over and over with their legs in the air; this was when he wanted to run fast.
Now the sexes were three, and such as I have described them; because the sun, moon, and earth are three; and the man was originally the child of the sun, the woman of the earth, and the man-woman of the moon, which is made up of sun and earth, and they were all round and moved round and round because they resembled their parents. Terrible was their might and strength, and the thoughts of their hearts were great, and they made an attack upon the gods; of them is told the tale of Otys and Ephialtes who, as Homer says, attempted to scale heaven, and would have laid hands upon the gods.
Doubt reigned in the celestial councils. Should they kill them and annihilate the race with thunderbolts, as they had done the giants, then there would be an end of the sacrifices and worship which men offered to them; but, on the other hand, the gods could not suffer their insolence to be unrestrained. At last, after a good deal of reflection, Zeus discovered a way.
He said: 'Methinks I have a plan which will enfeeble their strength and so extinguish their turbulence; men shall continue to exist, but I will cut them in two and then they will be diminished in strength and increased in numbers; this will have the advantage of making them more profitable to us. They shall walk upright on two legs, and if they continue insolent and will not be quiet, I will split them again and they shall hop about on a single leg.'
He spoke and cut men in two, like a sorb-apple which is halved for pickling, or as you might divide an egg with a hair; and as he cut them one after another, he bade Apollo give the face and the half of the neck a turn in order that man might contemplate the section of himself: he would thus learn a lesson of humility. Apollo was also bidden to heal their wounds and compose their forms. So he gave a turn to the face and pulled the skin from the sides all over that which in our language is called the belly, like the purses which draw tight, and he made one mouth at the centre, which he fastened in a knot (the same which is called the navel); he also moulded the breast and took out most of the wrinkles, much as a shoemaker might smooth leather upon a last; he left a few, however, in the region of the belly and navel, as a memorial of the primeval state.
After the division the two parts of man, each desiring his other half, came together, and throwing their arms about one another, entwined in mutual embraces, longing to grow into one, they began to die from hunger and self-neglect, because they did not like to do anything apart; and when one of the halves died and the other survived, the survivor sought another mate, man or woman as we call them,--being the sections of entire men or women,--and clung to that.
Thus they were being destroyed, when Zeus in pity invented a new plan: he turned the parts of generation round to the front, for this had not been always their position, and they sowed the seed no longer as hitherto like grasshoppers in the ground, but in one another; and after the transposition the male generated in the female in order that by the mutual embraces of man and woman they might breed, and the race might continue; or if man came to man they might be satisfied, and rest, and go their ways to the business of life. So ancient is the desire of one another which is implanted in us, reuniting our original nature, seeking to make one of two, and to heal the state of man.
Each of us when separated, having one side only, like a flat fish, is but the tally-half of a man, and he is always looking for his other half. Men who are a section of that double nature which was once called androgynous are lovers of women; adulterers are generally of this breed, and also adulterous women who lust after men. The women who are a section of the woman do not care for men, but have female attachments; the female companions are of this sort. But they who are a section of the male follow the male, and while they are young, being slices of the original man, they have affection for men and embrace them, and these are the best of boys and youths, because they have the most manly nature.
Some indeed assert that they are shameless, but this is not true; for they do not act thus from any want of shame, but because they are valiant and manly, and have a manly countenance, and they embrace that which is like them. And these when they grow up become our statesmen, and these only, which is a great proof of the truth of what I am saying. When they reach manhood they are lovers of youth, and are not naturally inclined to marry or beget children,--if at all, they do so only in obedience to custom; but they are satisfied if they may be allowed to live with one another unwedded;
And such a nature is prone to love and ready to return love, always embracing that which is akin to him. And when one of them meets with his other half, the actual half of himself, whether he be a lover of youth or a lover of another sort, the pair are lost in an amazement of love and friendship and intimacy, and one will not be out of the other's sight, as I may say, even for a moment: these are the people who pass their whole lives together, and yet they could not explain what they desire of one another. For the intense yearning which each of them has towards the other does not appear to be the desire of lover's intercourse, but of something else which the soul of either evidently desires and cannot tell, and of which she has only a dark and doubtful presentiment.
Suppose Hephaestus, with his instruments, to come to the pair who are lying side by side and to say to them, 'What do you mortals want of one another?'
They would be unable to explain. And suppose further, that when he saw their perplexity he said: 'Do you desire to be wholly one; always day and night in one another's company? for if this is what you desire, I am ready to melt and fuse you together, so that being two you shall become one, and while you live live a common life as if you were a single man, and after your death in the world below still be one departed soul, instead of two--I ask whether this is what you lovingly desire and whether you are satisfied to attain this?'--
There is not a man of them who when he heard the proposal would deny or would not acknowledge that this meeting and melting into one another, this becoming one instead of two, was the very expression of his ancient need.
And the reason is that human nature was originally one and we were a whole, and the desire and pursuit of the whole is called love. There was a time, I say, when we were one, but now because of the wickedness of mankind God has dispersed us, as the Arcadians were dispersed into villages by the Lacedaemonians. And if we are not obedient to the gods, there is a danger that we shall be split up again and go about in basso-relievo, like the profile figures showing only one half the nose which are sculptured on monuments, and that we shall be like tallies. Wherefore let us exhort all men to piety in all things, that we may avoid evil and obtain the good, taking Love for our leader and commander.
Let no one oppose him--he is the enemy of the gods who opposes him. For if we are friends of God and at peace with him we shall find our own true loves, which rarely happens in this world at present. I am serious, and therefore I must beg Eryximachus not to make fun or to find any allusion in what I am saying to Pausanias and Agathon, who, as I suspect, are both of the manly nature, and belong to the class which I have been describing. But my words have a wider application--they include men and women everywhere; and I believe that if our loves were perfectly accomplished, and each one returning to his primeval nature had his original true love, then our race would be happy. And if this would be best of all, the best in the next degree must in present circumstances be the nearest approach to such a union; and that will be the attainment of a congenial love.
Wherefore, if we would praise him who has given to us the benefit, we must praise the god Love, who is our greatest benefactor, both leading us in this life back to our own nature, and giving us high hopes for the future, for he promises that if we are pious, he will restore us to our original state, and heal us and make us happy and blessed.
This, Eryximachus, is my discourse of love, which, although different to yours, I must beg you to leave unassailed by the shafts of your ridicule, in order that each may have his turn; each, or rather either, for Agathon and Socrates are the only ones left.

Copper and the dust of day

Wind brushes the day anew
Sunset
Sunrise
Feelings of a place once known
Now is left barren
Copper rust and you
Longing to return 
when we were still alive

Selfishness never prevails

Sometimes we allow a convoluted perception of ourselves to get in the way of truly living a life that promotes well-being for everyone and not just for ourselves. There are billions of people in this world. Your actions will affect at least one other than yourself. We are not living in this world alone. We may be experiencing our own journey, our own wavelength but we are not alone. A whole is a sum of its parts. There is great significance for this. There is a divine reason we live here, experience here together. 


So what is the reasoning for your actions? 

How ARE you today?

Do not allow others to interfere with your own living. Do not allow others to offend you or hurt you. Inferiority is a choice, not a given. Not everything in life is going to be perfect. Get used to sitting in the discomfort and working through it, not against it. It is at these moments in life when you begin to learn who you truly are. 


You are you. You are capable of everything and anything you want to be. You have the power, the ball is always in your court. Make a decision for you, because of you, not for or because of someone else. The life we spend here is short. Make this one worthwhile. Get over the little things. Recognize that stubbornness never gets you anywhere. 


Reflect on this one. Are you proud of the decisions you have made today? Was it productive? Proactive? If you died tomorrow, would today have been worthwhile? Your breath is your life source, your prana. It connects this moment to the next and without it, you would cease to exist. Make each breath count. Breathe for today. 

Become you; today.

Why are you waiting for a different day than today? What is holding you back? What keeps you captivated? Is it fear of failure? Or fear of rejection? Do you lack a plan? Why not start that ball rolling today? If you have dreams, if you have aspirations, if you want to make something of yourself, there is no better day to start than today. Don't procrastinate your life. One day you'll find yourself pondering how life has passed you by, don't let that happen. Become the best you. The you, you want to be, know you have to be. Quit talking, start doing. T h e i d e a i s.

Is feeling believing?

How is it, or why is it, that we can experience wind or feel wind and although we cannot see it, we believe it? But, when we speak of a God or higher power, many of us question it because we cannot see it. Is seeing really believing? Or is feeling truly believing?


T h i n k a b o u t i t. 

Late September

Late September, the night is cool

the heat of the day is reminiscent

You take my hand, leading me to

our secret place

Feeling the breath of the earth on my bare skin

The warmth of your hand behind my neck, your fingers in my hair

drawing me into you

Inhaling your hypnotism 

Melting into each other

becoming one

Together the universe abounds within

Overtaking me higher and higher.

Sky wonders

When you look to the sky today, remember the meaning of your existence. You were created in divinity. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.  Notice the coincidences of today, they won't be just coincidences anymore when you take recognition...


Love and warmth from my heart.


Namaste.


-Vanessa

Divinity

The Divine in me salutes the Divine in you. I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides. I honor the place in you of Love, of Light, of Truth, of Peace. I honor the place in you where if you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me we are One. 


-Words from God and the Universe 

Help yourself.

Go out into the world with the ambition to serve others. Do more for others than you would do for yourself. Practice a life of selflessness. You will soon realize the joy and gratification in helping others. But, do something you normally wouldn't do. Step outside your comfort zone; challenge yourself. Maybe it's paying for the coffee of the person behind you in line at Starbucks. Maybe it's sending your mother some flowers or writing a letter to someone you haven't spoken to in a while. Whatever it may be, do it with kindness and warmth in your heart. Be genuine. Be you. Make it a point to do a little something everyday. And don't forget to 
s m i l e. But, most importantly, don't forget to tell the people you love, that you love them.


I l o v e y o u. 


Always, 


Vanessa

A.w.a.r.e.n.e.s.s.

To think, is to create. Merely being in essence of all that you are.  Living, lifting yourself up. Freeing yourself. Floating through the sky. Breathing. Feeling beautiful. Knowing yourself. You are you. There is nothing better. You can do anything you desire. Really, anything at all. Remembering that love in your heart. Opening your heart. There is nothing to fear. Take a risk. You can do anything. Do something. Today. For you. Take a moment to close your eyes. Reflecting, focusing. Being one. 

Much needed

Couldn't have come at a much better time. 


A note from the universe:






Your generosity, Vanessa, is making a name for you here in the unseen, while at the same time rattling the floodgates there on the plane of manifestation.

I bet you're good at chess...

Check,
    The Universe




Playing both ends to the middle, Vanessa, will get you everywhere.

That one place.

Sometimes there is that one place. That one place where you go and you always feel home. Your heart feels at ease. Your mind is at rest; it is peaceful. Sometimes you find that place is your nonna's house, or maybe it's your front porch. Maybe your place is a place that doesn't exist on this plane. Maybe it exists elsewhere. It could be a beautiful mountain top, or a warm, grassy meadow. Wherever it may be, share it and be thankful for it. When you close your eyes, what do you see?

All you need.

You have everything you need to be you. You ARE a being of light.You are capable of being anything you want to be. You are so incredible. You are so beautiful. You are so loved.

What if an afterlife doesn't exist?

A response to my psychology professor's question," Regardless of your convictions regarding an afterlife, imagine that the life we have now is indeed all we, as individuals, will have. What implications would that have for how you live your life?




If our minds cease to exist when we die, then yes, I would say that it would make many implications for this waking life that I am living. All of the decisions I am making in my life now, all revolve around leaving an impression for the future. I really want to improve and better the quality of life that we are living today. Right now, I am working towards my Bachelor's in Psychology. After my undergraduate work, I will attend graduate school. This is to further my long-term goal of creating and opening a total wellness center here in Nevada. Total wellness encompasses physical, mental and emotional well-being. I feel if I can achieve all of my goals before I die, then I will have attained my version of success, or if I can better the quality of life in some way, then I will have attained success. I think the main implication for the idea if we die our minds die with us, is if I don't achieve anything, or if I don't leave an impression in some way, shape or form then all of my efforts for today have been wasted. Rather, my thoughts and ideas, if not put into action would have been a waste and my life would be made useless by merely thinking and not doing.

Namaste.

I just finished teaching my baby sister (who is not really a baby anymore, but 9 years old) my first and her first yoga lesson. I will say, it was quite the success. I feel completely rejuvenated, both as a person and as a spiritual being. I feel at peace with myself and with life. Everything will work out the way it needs to be. Life is truly wonderful. I am blessed and surrounded with wonderful people. I love you all. Namaste.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going...

Face your fears head on. Don't run away from them. Don't allow yourself to slip into bad habits. Don't lie to  the ones you love. But most importantly don't lie to yourself. Stay true and honest with yourself. Have faith that you will pull through. Give yourself the benefit of the doubt. Stay positive and don't set yourself up for disaster. Be conscious. Aware. Alive. Know yourself and know the decisions you are making. Choose them carefully. When you need help, ask for it. You have people who love you. They would be more than happy to help you. Be humble and don't take yourself too seriously. Don't have pride, but take pride in what you do. But most importantly, love. Everyone and everything around you. Trust means respect and respect means love. So essentially, they are all the same thing bound into one. Just like this world. The sum of its parts make the whole. Remember you have a divine purpose, but so does the person next to you. They are just as important. Treat everyone as such. 

What is means to have faith.

These divine beings that govern us. God, angels, even yourself. They have a very interesting way of allowing things to come together for you right when you need them the most. Always trust and you will be granted everything you have ever wished. I am so absolutely thankful and blessed for what they have given me.  Thank you, God. Thank you, Universe and all heavenly beings that have watched over me. This day has been so incredibly great. 


Love always and forever,
Vanessa

Self-preservation.

What I find so peculiar is that as human beings, we are told, that it is in our nature to love. When really, we spend so much time living in fear. Even when we have absolutely no experience with romantic relationships, we are afraid of rejection. We fear solitude. But as a friend recently brought up, we desire belonging more than true love. We are gravely concerned with self-preservation. But for what? and why? What are we preserving? If we never take risks, then ultimately we will die alone. So again I question, what is the point? Why do we not love more? And why do we not love openly?

Maybe Maslow had it all right.

mosaic.

What could this possibly be?
A million little pieces on the ground.
Shattered, broken.
So many different pieces.
Blue and green.
Orange and red
Each a symbol of life,
each a sum of its parts.
Beautiful, deranged
breathtaking, ugly.
Each following a pattern,
but really no pattern at all.

Love yourself.

Why do we as human beings continuously hurt one another? Why is nothing ever good enough? Why do we critique things over and over again? Instead of taking the things that have hurt us, we project. We project them onto someone or something else. We know what this feels like, why would we ever want someone else to feel this way? Why do we do this? 


Human beings need to realize and believe they are spiritual beings having a human experience.Not, that we are human beings having a spiritual experience. First and foremost, we are spiritual beings. We need love. We need guidance, patience and virtue. We cannot take these things for granted. For the things we take for granted are the things we need the most, the things we need to fulfill our emotional and spiritual beings. Human beings just need food, water and shelter to survive. Plain. and. simple. So, I believe it is fair to say that most of the time we spend here on Earth, is spent not in human, physical form, but the importance lies within the spiritual realm. Delve into yourself. Ask yourself how much time do you waste complaining about useless things? How much time do you spend pondering things of the past? Or the future? Things that don't really matter. Ask yourself, why am I not living right now? And you will find that this is because you are purely giving in to your human being. What is more gratifying is giving in to your spiritual being. It is worthwhile and will save you time and emotion in the long run. ALLOW yourself to live and be free. Don't follow how everyone else lives their life. Be you. Live for you. This is your life for a reason. Love yourself enough to give yourself that. Love yourself.

When shit hits the fan...

When all else fails, when shit hits the fan, when you feel you are at an absolute low...Go back to the drawing board because it is there that you probably forgot your pencil.

you.

You. are someone I could not, or will never forget.
You are beautiful in every way possible.
Your smile.
The timber of Your voice.
Those incredible eyes. We exchange a glance. 
Just the way you look at me. Knowing.
The way you make me feel. Beautiful, transcendant, awakened, alive.
You make me colorful.
I love the way you hold my hand. Interlaced, you give me strength. 
So close. Your breath is the mist of the sea; revitalizing, clarifying.
Breathe out, I want to breathe you in. 


amore.

Words.

Never underestimate or overestimate the power of your words. Choose your words wisely and carefully. They are a direct representation of your inner being. Observe how your words affect others around you. Be mindful. You will start to learn who you are. Precisely. Don't allow yourself to "slip up." Say what you mean and mean what you say. Simplicity is best. And when you have to say something that is not so nice, debate  with yourself if it is worth saying. You will most likely find that you will choose the latter; not saying anything at all. You won't be displeased with your decision. :D

Motivations.

Do not allow your personal motivations to get in the way of giving true advice. 

Tunnel vision.

Sometimes you have to focus on yourself and yourself only. It's the only thing that will actually make you sane. Everything else will follow. Everything else will fall into place.

s.m.i.l.e.s.

You are m e and I am y o u.

Oneness. Eternal thought.

S u n and m o o n.

Yin and yang.

Part, yet whole. 

Reflection of my eyes in yours; green and the blue. T h e w o r l d .

To love myself, is to love you too. 

Beauty.

Divinity.

F o r e v e r i n t e r t w i n e d.

What it takes..acknowledge.

Sometimes it takes the right combination of people to walk in and out of your life to help you realize the important things. I have my own personal treasure box with a few names in there that I can say I call my angels. But, I've also been there with the people who don't bring out the true you, the best you. And that's okay too.

 But, never forget you are an individual. God didn't make two of you for a reason; twins are even different.One thing I think I have let myself down with, is allowing others to take the reigns. That's never okay. You drive your car. Make your own decisions. But, most importantly, never let anyone tell you something about yourself you don't believe in. Stand up for yourself. Use the gifts you've been given and don't allow people to tell you otherwise. Happiness is doing what you love. But, hey, life is all about figuring out the right amount of sugar and spice. It's been quite a long journey all ready and I'm only 21. But, I can say that finding myself has been the hardest for the last three years and I think I'm finally closing that gap. I think I can finally start to say it's fulfilling. Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. I wouldn't change the arguments, tears, sweats, happiness, rejoices and triumphs. Every last bit has been worth it. 

This special year 2012 has a lot of us thinking. And I mean real thinking. Long and deeply about what it IS we really are. What we are really here for. The cosmos always have something in store for us, but we never really know the motive. Or do we? Or is it that we don't really need to know? What is knowing anyway? These are all questions I've encountered myself this year. The big one is WHO am I? Well, I've been aiming to answer this my whole life. Still haven't quite captured it. And I'm sure you haven't either. But, the real beauty is being able to sit in that discomfort and understand that it will come, with time and wisdom. With all the right and wrong people and experiences we encounter. I don't really know who reads this, or if I'm the only one that reads this, but either is perfectly fine with me. :D

Today, I had this moment of real, raw feeling. A true feeling of interconnectedness. We are all on the same planet. We are all on the same, yet different life paths. I feel that we really need to get to know this idea because we are still so divided. So wrapped up in our own little worlds, we don't stop enough to see the bigger picture. Ask yourself exactly what that is, or what that means. Acknowledge the coincidences.  They won't just be "coincidences" anymore. A great book to read about coincidences is "The Celestine Prophecy" by James Redfield. Life changer. Lets work together on helping one another out. Make it a point to make someone smile. Everyday. Do something for someone else. A lot of times you'll find yourself, your true being in the little moments in life. 

Love. This illogical thing. I can't talk about it enough. Forget about the small stuff; don't sweat it. We don't tell one another we love eachother enough. Tell someone. And mean it. Use your intuition to guide you. We spend too much time listening to other people. Listen to you. You have your answers. It is YOUR life of course. If you feel inclined to go somewhere, see someone..GO. do. IT.

 Don't you think there's a divine reason your instincts are telling you that?

 

Purpose.

An old friend of mine told me the advice I gave him saved his life. He was suicidal and I saved him. That news is astonishing and so absolutely gratifying. If I died tomorrow, I would know I fulfilled my purpose. Thank you God. The Universe. All things good and wonderful. 

Recognize your blessings. Forget your misfortunes.

In the midst of all your misfortunes, take a step back and recognize your blessings. Your pets, the people around you. The food in your refrigerator, your books. All the knowledge you have. The love in your heart. The love in everyone else's heart. Look at the sky and the sun. The moon and the stars. Look at the trees and the flowers. Breathe in the oxygen the world has to give you and breathe out. Look at you. You are beautiful. You are everything you have ever dreamed of. Now stop and take a look around you. How do your misfortunes compare? They can't. Because you are energy. You are light. You are radiant and most importantly you are love.

Goodnight world, goodnight sun, goodnight moon.

Feel.

 When you find yourself in a rut, you dig yourself out. You create your own reality, no one else. These are the words I live by, yet I find myself doing things on the contrary. I'm not really writing this for anyone but myself. If you're reading this and you find it helpful then I am more than exhilarated I could help. But, today, I'm starting with number one, me. I am going to work on a life of pure living. Just being. Me.


 Do things that make you happy. Don't do things with ill intentions. Be honest and true. Don't speak words that you do not mean. Do speak kindly, your words are direct projections of the soul. Don't judge. That is, yourself or anyone else. Judgement creates incongruencies and incongruencies create unhappiness. Feel life. Sing from your soul. Allow yourself to be free, to experience. Be one with the world and allow it to be one with you. Meditate. Know thyself. Be at peace. Have compassion. Treat others around you like the human beings they are. Know that you create your destiny. You will be the best you possible and there is only one of you. Everything that you all ready are and everything that you will become are divine. Empower yourself. Empower those around you. Spread good energy. Use your intuition to guide you. Quit looking for answers. Let them come. Know that everything you have ever wanted is yours. You have to simply attain it. Life is limitless. Love those around you, but most importantly love yourself. Too often do we make ourselves sit on the sidelines. Life is forever changing. Embrace it. Ride the wavelengths. Open yourself. Remember who you are. Remember you are beautiful. Love.


-Vanessa