Playing small offers no favour to this world
Those who work hard and invest in themselves do so to stay in the world stronger and longer for the people they love, and for all those they will inspire and encourage as a result.
Playing small offers no favour to this world.
Do not quit or be guilted about self-investment.
This is your LIFE and legacy at stake and nobody has the right to throw opinionated rocks at you, nor distract you with fear-soaked ‘cotton wool’ limits.
If you’re operating from reason and integrity then you must play all out for yourself.
It’s the only way to authentically reach the platform where you can go all out for others.
The more you make of yourself the more you genuinely have to offer.
“To be successful you have to be selfish, or else you never achieve. And once you get to your highest level, then you have to be unselfish. Stay reachable. Stay in touch. Don’t isolate.”
― Michael Jordan
Great minds think alike, so rise up like Baruch, Michael and I, and countless others who have held fierce to their life, and don’t EVER allow yourself to be shamed out of creating your greatest self, your legacy.
You were born for this.
Dr Lynika Cruz
Live out Loud
Contrary to what most have been told, championing and believing in yourself is your birthright, and the key to successful living…
Successful living?
You might ask ‘what is that?’
Well let me assure you, it involves much more than just surviving this life…
It means living it with all your callings and passions pursued and relished.
Life is in the living.
This moment right here, right now? It’s not a draft; it’s the real deal. Don’t waste a minute more.
You want to saturate yourself in your life, live in all your bones with all your heart.
This means being on your own side, talking with respect to yourself, it means listening to what your ‘self’ is telling you, and caring deeply, with priority, about those wants, passions and needs.
This person that you are, the human that you came in to be, that person is at your mercy, treat them well, with dignity, respect, encouragement and belief.
Know you are worthy and start living it….
Everything else is conditioning, everything else is someone else’s agenda.
And remember, living a self-empowered life means helping others along the way, who have forgotten.
When they stumble over the self-denigration minefield, put out your hand and remind them, tell them; they are worth the push it will take them to stand back up.
Never underestimate how much this world needs you to be good to yourself so you can inspire yourself and others, toward an authentic, full life.
Self-esteem is not a dirty word.
But putting yourself down, not believing in the immensity of who you are?
That is foul play.
And you rob this world of the light you came in with… and that is the real you, not the filter others and you have placed on yourself. Clean the lens!
Be who you are and be damn proud of it.
We are all wise enough to know this isn’t about an over inflated ego… it’s about gutsy, show up for yourself honour.
Let that stuff shine.
Let Joy Come At You
If you want to feel joy come at you, make sure you notice and appreciate what massive blessings already surround you.
Even if things are rough right now and you feel you’re coming up short on your list of gratitude, try these for starters…
Clean drinking water
Flushing toilets
Garbage picked up every single week, outside your house
Freedom, education, rights
Breathing without a machine
Things so often taken for granted yet even without one of the above, your life would change, rapidly.
The more blessings you notice, the more you fill with gratitude.
Fill your thank tank today and let joy come at you like the bright beast it is.
Your Story Matters
Stories are bridges where we can meet, a light for those walking behind us on the path, and our legacy to the world. Your story matters. Dr Lynika Cruz
Honour that.
No matter who you are, no matter how strong, there are times even the fiercest parts of you need to take rest.
Know that retreating to give yourself time takes courage in itself.
Any who push or scorn you for your absence are not your tribe.
Fix your oxygen mask first.
Own and champion your life my friend.
It’s called a ‘feed’ make sure you are fuelled by it instead of becoming the ‘feed’ and sacrificing your wellbeing to project an image that isn’t aligned with your current needs or truth.
It’s not a race, don’t compete, CREATE.
Sometimes what you need to create is space so you can fill again.
Take care of your amazing, unique self.
You matter.
– Dr Lynika Cruz
So don’t beat yourself up when you’re going through some of the less enjoyable bits…
Life is a medley.
No matter what you do there will be easier and not so easier times.
What matters is that you back yourself.
24/7 you have your human self to care for.
Treat that being with integrity and respect.
Your self care impacts the whole world for the greater good.
It makes you a whole being who by proxy gives permission and inspiration for others to do the same.
Take care of yourself and shine on my friend
“I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.”
Live while you’re alive, right now this moment, this one and the next, these moments are your life.
Live in all your bones, don’t settle for someone else’s version of you or your life.
You came here to be you.
Live that amazing self out loud.
“When it’s over, I want to say: all my life I was a bride married to amazement. I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.
When it is over, I don’t want to wonder if I have made of my life something particular, and real. I don’t want to find myself sighing and frightened, or full of argument.
I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.”
-Mary Oliver
Respect your Bravery
There are so many things to bless in our lives, even the little things, even if all you have is yourself right now, then take heart, this is the exact opportunity for you to be the kindest, most reliable and understanding friend you have.
Believe in yourself, be kind to yourself and don’t get adversity confused with bad luck or unfairness.
It hurts sometimes yes, it’s incredibly difficult sometimes too, let’s face it, sometimes it feels too much.
But the truth is, you’re in training, you’re doing the hard work, you’re pushing for something worthwhile, adversity doesn’t skip town on paying or rewarding you for the hard slog and/or dark times.
No, sometimes we just forget to look at what it’s gifted us.
Sometimes we are so busy and caught up looking at what it took from us that we can’t see what it has left us.
I’m not saying it’s easy, it’s not. But it’s worth it.
Look in the right places and the right direction and keep going. You’re worth it and I’m right here with you, sailing my own seas and you know what, I think of you every day, out there, just like me, doing your very best.
I’m glad you’re on this planet, each one of us matters, each moment matters.
If this moment is hard for you, hold on.
It will turn, it will change, make sure you look for what it becomes.
Lynika
-Meryl Streep
This world needs your exact light…
just as you are.
I’m deeply grateful you’re here.
Sometimes life calls us to take unplanned yet vital journeys into necessary self care. Shock and bereavement from sudden, multiple losses in my family took me into one of these journeys over the past months.
Those who know me personally or through my work, know I advocate, validate and honour the need for grief, privacy and space for all. Self care is imperative, it is no different when that grief is my own.
Most recently (a few short weeks ago) I lost one of the most beloved people in my life. He mirrored very much the heart I have for this world. We were twin like in that way. Having a birthday (both his, and mine soon) without him, highlights the great space he held in my life and I want to honour that space for a moment here.
He was a gifted singer/musician and incredibly intelligent, loving man, his songs and conversation, his great love for me and this world live limitlessly in my heart and thoughts.
I am blessed to call him my brother, he was my first hero and remains a hero. For all he endured he continued to love deeply and give to others however he could throughout his pain and illness, he was one of the most selfless people I have met.
I have always said life is here and now, this moment right here is our life. More than anything loss is a reminder to live wide and deep in each moment we have. I’ve spoken often on how each moment is also a new years eve. Again loss reminds us to claim and own ourselves, our moments, our lives.
My brother was young, the moments we had together too brief, I cherish each moment and rise with grace and dignity in honour of those who didn’t get the chance to be here long or long enough.
This moment right here, right now, this is your moment, the most precious one you have, love and own them all, stay as present as you can and relish any you get to share with another. There are no time guarantees.
Live out loud.
Live while you’re alive.
Love to you all.