Life is busy & sometimes we get so caught up in it that we forget who we really are. When we get overwhelmed or we feel like we are in over our heads or that we can’t do anything right; it may feel like you have no idea who you are or where you went…

You may be thinking, well I know who I am–’this is my name’….’this is what I look like’….’this is what I do.’ But even if all those things changed you would still be you, the you that is unchanging. Because you are more than anything external, any label or anything physical. Your true greatness cannot be taken or completely forgotten because it is always a part of you, it is you.

So how do you remember who you are when it seems to be forgotten, when you are lost?

FIRST of all don’t get down on yo’ self!
Everyone at some point on this journey will need to remember who they really are, probably more than once. So don’t get frustrated or sad or dissapointed if you are in that place, you are in good company, we’ve all been there.

SECOND take some time
There can’t be enough said for taking time for you! It is not about being selfish or dumping responsibilities, it is about giving yourself the gift of time, of rejuvenation. Sit down, take a walk, soak in the tub–do something just for you, tap back into your self. Remember the things that make you smile, that make your heart light & do them.

THIRD remember who you are
There are many reasons you are great, the real you that is unchanged. Things like your loyalty, or open heart, or giving spirit. Remember that time you helped a friend, you gave without any need to receive, and you smiled just to smile? Those are the things that remind you who you are, so remember them, embrace them. Write them down, make a list of things that truly make you YOU! And keep that list in a place you can grab it on those days that you need a reminder.

Listen, there is going to be a point in your life where you need to be reminded that you are more than your current circumstances. Maybe it’s when you are feeling very needy in a relationship (know that you are loved), maybe it’s when you made a mistake for the 5th time in one hour (know that you are strong enough to pick yourself up), or maybe it’s when you are floating & searching (know that you are brave & will find your path).

Life is a continuous journey, a search that we are all experiencing together & on that search sometimes you get lost but always know that you can remember your home–YOU, immortal & unchanging.

SHINE YOU!
MUCH Love,
Jo Beth

Do you spend all day browsing articles to improve yourself, your life, your relationships? As a lover of looking for ways to improve, I’ve recently been wondering is it possible to overdose on self help?

It is absolutely wonderful to strive to create a more peaceful life, healthier relationships, and a well balanced you, but can you go too far?

The thing about self-help is that you decide what works for you & what doesn’t. It is about what we choose to use & what we choose to improve. But it is easy to fall into thinking that all articles apply directly to you & your life–and that can lead to an uh-oh moment.

A couple weeks ago we talked about how over thinking can sabotage us and this falls into that same category. When we are constantly searching to improve, and be better, and get to what is ‘right’ according to one perspective TWO things can happen…

One: we miss the wonderfulness or the moment because we are striving to make it ‘better’

Two: we allow our minds to be warped to an ideal, and although are life is beautiful on it’s own, because it doesn’t look exactly like this ‘ideal’ image we end up thinking something is wrong

Now, let me say I am not advocating stating stagnant or getting into unhealthy patterns. I think we should all strive to improve, but I also believe that we can strive too much & that leads to distraction and disappointment.

So how do we move past our over diagnosed self-help dilemma? We think, we breathe, we live!

Think: decide what articles, vlogs, posts make the most sense for your life & align with what you are working on in your life — and leave the others behind, if you have wonderful friendships, career, or home life don’t go looking for problems in them but instead be grateful & shine in the love!

Breathe: take time each day to stop thinking, stop reaching, and just breathe in the moment. Breathing helps us come back to our center and helps cultivate awareness and peace.

Live: apply the improvements that you like, relish in the work & the delightful outcomes that arise from helping yourself and then… live! Be in the moment, the space, this time; don;t get allow yourself to get caught up in how things may be the future, live as they are in the now (and know that if it’s not-so-great, the future comes on day at a time)

So, yes work on improving & being more grateful each day. BUT think, know where to draw the line and really allow yourself to be aware of the great things that already exist within your own life & with yourself.

And when we take time to find the balance, we learn to live reaching for that star while sitting on this shining cloud at the same time–at peace with the present & hopeful for the future.

MUCH Love,
Jo Beth

Recently, while I was out running errands, my phone was stolen. At first I though perhaps I misplaced it and searched high & low before coming to the not-so-great conclusion that it was taken from me.

Now I will admit that I live in the world where I assume all folks are good, act with kind intention, & have wonderful hearts. I believe, for the most part, that’s true. But when something like this happens I am forced with the cold face of reality that not all intentions are good.

Now this Universe is vast & FULL of possibilities that could possibly explain why someone would take something that wasn’t there. But there is no reason to try to figure things out, that are sometimes ‘un-figurable.’ Instead let’s talk about the effect that the reality of life’s not-so-great side has on us.

We all know that life isn’t perfect and isn’t always fair. Bad things happen, unfortunate events occur, people are suffering around us. So how do we drag ourselves out of bed in the morning?

When unfortunate events, or not-so-great hings happen to you or around you, how do you respond? Do you pull over the covers & wallow in the broken piece that is humanity? It is SO easy to get caught up in the evil in the world. Feeling that nothing will ever improve, so you may as well just accept it.

Yes, there is evil but there is also good. A LOT of good. The good is harder to see & isn’t told as often, & because of that we think it is small & dwindling. But within us, it is our choice to help that good grow. You can allow your mind to set itself on all that is dark, believing that there is no light. Or you can set your mind to seek the light that lies even within the darkest shadows.

Now, there are an infinite number of things that are a way bigger deal than my phone getting stolen. It is just an object, I can get another one. But the world is full of illness, poverty, hunger, & despair. We have to remember that only we can control our own light & whether we let it be buried.

The Buddha said:
Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.

So we have a choice, to give into the dark & believe that no one or nothing is good OR we choose to strive for the light, shining it, seeking it, & sometimes finding it.

SHINE YOUR LIGHT INTO THIS WORLD!

MUCH Love,
Jo Beth