“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.
How to survive…
“Live your life in new ways…
Climb out via the other side of the bed each morning.
Don’t reach for your phone, let your soul come back all the way first.
Notice small things, kneel in the garden, watch the tiny worlds living amongst the grass.
Remember how your heart beats for you each day, take deep breaths in return.
Work in a different room or corner of your home.
If you don’t work or you work for someone else, carry a stone or scrap of paper in your pocket with something valuable written on it.
It can be a quote, a word, a wish, your name…
Remember your world is bigger than 4 walls and it calls to you.
Eat outside.
Help someone.
Love the miracle of being here, alive, playing yourself for a short time on this magnificent stage.
Love your character. Write it new lines.
Remember to let it laugh, weep, dance, fall down, get up, love.
Think outside the old lines.
Don’t stay in one repeat episode.
Walk into new rooms, make new chapters.
Own your life.
Occupy it.
Our time here is brief.
Live it wild, w i d e, open and deep.” ~ Lynika Cruz
“If there is one door in the castle you have been told not to go through, you must. Otherwise, you’ll just be rearranging furniture in rooms you’ve already been in.” ~ Anne Lamott
“For some folk, holidays and celebrations are the loneliest of times.
A time when the absence of support and care are even more prevalent to the person in isolation.
Be it through age, illness or other reasons, there are lonely people on this planet, some who are suffering great pain…
And your kind word or shoulder squeeze can mean the difference between giving up or holding on.
Never underestimate the power of kindness and don’t wait until it’s too late…
Open your heart to someone in need and help make this world a warmer place for somebody today.” ~ Lynika Cruz
“Never underestimate the most powerful, influential, loyal person in your life… YOU.
Believe in yourself, invest in yourself, don’t forget; you’re the most important and impactive member on your team.
Make sure you’re treating yourself right and showing respect to the one person who really can take you from A to B.
If you’re not busy being on board for yourself, you’re busy sinking the boat.
I know how powerful you are, how worth it you are, cut the anchors, time to set sail my dear friend!”
~ Lynika Cruz
“I searched endlessly for someone wonderful who would step out of the darkness and change my life. It never crossed my mind that that person could be me.” ~ Anna Quindlen
“For those who have felt concerned or hurt by the (sometimes unexpected) rejection of someone in your life…
The truth is there are some people who will only be there for you as long as you have something they need. When you no longer serve a purpose to them, they will leave.
The good news is, if you tough it out, you’ll eventually weed people like this out of your life and be left with authentic folk you can count on.
We rarely lose genuine friends or lovers, we just gradually figure out who the real ones are…
Remember the saying ‘We must not let other people’s limited perceptions define us’.
Instead, make use of the adversity in your life, let it show you how strong and worthy you are.”
“You must surround yourself with the right people, it’s imperative to your heart, soul and dreams. You wouldn’t fill your house with things that make you miserable and sad. Don’t fill your life with anything less than the beautiful people who deserve you in theirs.” ~ Lynika Cruz
“Life is always full of corners… what and who is around the next one and the next? How can it ever be anything but exciting to be alive?” – Lynika Cruz
“Although Pablo Neruda wrote exquisitely about love and romantic love, I believe this excerpt from one of his great works applies so deeply to our relationship with ourselves. There is an inner, deep-self-you which longs for you to truly live in the authentic, passionate house of yourself.
Don’t neglect the one person who will there with you through everything. The one person who truly will never miss a moment of your life. Treat that one person as the most precious, needed source in your life and you will see miraculous changes and growth occur within and the fall out will bless this entire planet.
We need you to treat yourself with the utmost dignity and respect and keep your humour tucked safe in there as well. Invest in yourself. You are someone who deserves to take up space, someone who can make a difference in this world’ ~ Lynika Cruz
“How perfectly true! Surrounding ourselves with the right people, those we trust, and feel safe with is like stocking our pantries with fantastic, appealing food that helps us grow and keep strong.
One of the most influential people we have in our lives is often our partner, having someone on board who we can be authentic and safe with is not only invaluable on our journey but vital for good health and a happy soul.
Someone who tears you down isn’t going to help grow your one precious and worthy life.” ~ Lynika