Stand up, Stand out, Shine on
Use whatever energy comes your way as fuel.
“Those who hate you don’t win unless you hate them because then you destroy yourself”
You’re not what others think of you. They’re simply painting their own projection.
Step aside of their illusion and back into your own bones.
You are who you say you are. Own yourself.
This world needs your light.
You matter.
You were born to be you.
Stand up.
Stand out.
Shine on!
“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
Where the real light is…
Most of your hard yakka is done behind closed doors but I know you’re a champion.
Immense respect to you for showing up in your life each day for another round.
Through adversity and daily challenges, you keep at it, chiselling away, quiet and determined.
Even when you’re beat and nobody’s cheering you on or ‘liking’ your efforts aloud behind the scenes.
Remember to respect how insanely amazing and worthy you are.
I’m not blinded by showiness or public claims of grandeur… I see in the dark where the real light is; YOURS.
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
Live out loud
Live from that place in you that knows where the light switch is, trust it.
Dare to live out loud with what drives you, and don’t ever save anything for a special occasion…
Being alive is the special occasion.
Don’t quit on yourself half way. There’s a light in you, protect it, champion it. It will sustain you and lead you back out of the dark – Lynika
We are not our circumstances. We are the being that drives through, over, around or alongside them. Remember who and what you are and keep your foot on the gas pedal.
You’re the driver. You get to decide where to from here. You and you alone OWN your life and the right to live it out loud.
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race” – Calvin Coolidge
-Meryl Streep
This world needs your exact light…
just as you are.
I’m deeply grateful you’re here.
“Truth is, it’s you. You’re the one, the only one who CAN make the difference. Every one else’s support or encouragement are either temporary or part time” – Lynika
When you’re bad-mouthing yourself internally, you’re also listening hard. Remember there IS a recipient on the receiving end of your inner jargon.
Catch yourself whenever you start to put yourself down or discourage yourself. In that very moment STOP and SEE that person as 3D, standing right there in the room with you, looking at you wide eyed, earnestly, waiting to trust and believe whatever comes out of your mouth.
This isn’t a trick, it’s the sad yet honest reality. You’re listening, soaking up every message you send yourself. YOU are the one who can make the difference to yourself. YOU are the most powerful influencer in your life.
Maybe your boss or colleagues are mean, maybe the world bites hard sometimes, maybe your parents weren’t there for you or never understood you, perhaps you were bullied badly or still are, maybe you’ve had an abusive spouse, maybe you’ve felt your whole life that nobody cared and you have never mattered.
All the more reason and PROOF as to why YOU need to be the exact person to show up for yourself. Funny enough, it may feel as if all those other people and events are the ones that could make the difference to your life being good or bad, a success or failure. If only they’d understand or say sorry or back you up.
Truth is, it’s you. You’re the one, the only one who CAN make the difference. Every one else’s support or encouragement are either temporary or part time.
You’re the one constant in your life, the one voice always talking, the one companion always in the room.
Your approval, your belief is what you really need. Those eyes are looking to you, those ears are waiting for you.
Waste no more time looking outward.
And don’t just take some half-baked, casual attitude about it either. Would you convince anyone else that way? No.
You’re no fool and you don’t want some watered down, inner flakey prince or princess charming showing up, asking you to hop on a two legged horse outta there.
Get FIERCE with your life, get protective, get REAL and CHAMPION yourself every moment you can.
You’re listening, start talking.
I want to see you smash the illusions and powerhouse your life.
This world needs you at your best. YOU need you at your best.
This is the moment it all changes forever.
Please share this with anyone and everyone you know who needs to remember how incredible and powerful they really are! – L
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.
Take up space, holler while you’re driving, or running in the wind; breathe all the way out, laugh loud, make sand, leaves, or carpet angels (who needs snow?).
You are meant to be here, you have a right to take up space on this planet.
Live in all your bones. We NEED you. Be proud of yourself, exactly as you are, this minute, this moment.
YOU are freaking awesome, you amazing miraculous, breathing, feeling, worthy being.
Please share this with anyone you know who is breathing… we all need moments where someone sees us and celebrates the amazing miracle we are, just as we are.
~Lynika