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.
“Forget what others can’t see… Keep rising” – Lynika
Have you had someone tell you that what you have going is a nice little case of ‘Hobby’ when in fact you’re working at your craft/business with all the oomph and resource you can muster?
I’ve had a number of folk ask how to keep their faith when another or ‘others’ (sometimes those closest to them) simply don’t recognise or respect the effort and dedication they put in day in and day out as credible.
Often it’s the result of nay-sayers looking through a sole filter of monetary visibility and exchange.
In other words; if there’s not a wage-worth of cash coming in as a result of your efforts, then it can’t be taken as a business, just a ‘hobby’ and you really aren’t contributing in any grown-up, ‘realistic’ way.
Sometimes the negative feedback is a result of the ‘onlooker’ being unable to grasp the depth of work and effort you’re putting in simply because they cannot physically ‘see’ it.
With certain types of work, particularly with artists, (of all genres) the effort behind the product or performance doesn’t show up regularly or quickly in physically viewable ways.
I read a quote a number of years ago on observing the creative, it went something like this: “Trying to watch the creative at work, is like trying to view an invisible horse eat invisible hay”
You simply can’t ‘view’ the alchemy and effort that’s taking place inside the creative mind at any given time.
And if your work isn’t in the arts but never-the-less your efforts and the business you’re growing has been diced, sliced and served back to you on a judgement platter with a side serving of scoff, this inaccurate labelling affects you too.
Building a business takes blood, sweat and tears that mostly take place behind closed doors, and the results can’t be sized up accurately with anyone else’s yardstick.
Just because something isn’t measurable or hauling in thick cash bundles just yet, it doesn’t mean it’s okay for anyone else to minimise it or your efforts as some little ‘hobby.’
This sort of judgement is not only discouraging it can be disorienting. It takes enormous amounts of courage to believe in a thing that others can’t see…
It takes even greater character and fortitude to keep building and working on it, despite nay-sayers and a less than immediate return cash flow.
It’s easy to be the one pointing the finger, this much is clear.
Virginia Satir was right; “We mustn’t allow other peoples limited perceptions to define us”
You’re the one in the ring showing up round after round and no matter what comes at you in that ring, you need to also be calling to yourself from the sidelines like a coach.
Don’t allow anything or anyone that doesn’t support or grow you, to distort the truth, shake you up, or mess with your head.
Pick yourself up and remember the truth…
You’re a freaking legend and what you bring to the table is not here to ‘qualify’ by first checking the boxes in someone else’s ledger.
Against the odds of a world that has been conditioned to believe that money and proof of productivity are necessary to make a thing of value, you rose like a phoenix with your ideas, dreams and goals and showed up.
Forget what others can’t see and keep rising.
You’re a visionary. This world needs what you bring. Keep going.
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
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.
“Nothing can stop us more than our own perceived limitations. Roll up the sleeves and bust through any barriers. You get stronger as you surge forward, committed, determined, focused. Fighters fight!” ~Lynika
“Bon appetit my friends… Here’s to a healthy, hearty, live-in-all-your-bones kind of life!” ~ Lynika
“Failure is par for the road to achievement. Don’t give up mid-rep!” ~ Lynika
“Don’t be fooled by failure. It’s a module, not a degree.” ~ Lynika