Your Joy Path.

Next time you find yourself in FIXATED, UNWANTED PATTERNS, or ANGRY ... THANK YOUR BRAIN FOR CARRYING OUT IT'S BIOLOGICAL FUNCTION.

2014-03-30T07:43:00.001-07:00

I was highly upset a few days ago, HIGHLY EMOTIONAL. I felt physically unsafe ... until my best friend said,

"Its incredible isn't it? How the brain returns to its previous processes, its previous ways so easily? This isn't the first or last time you'll lose your mind over a quarrel." - Andre <3

I literally stopped mid-tear, and pondered.

It struck me with such awareness. How could I have ever forgotten this VALUABLE information from previous states of awareness? That's how the mind works, drifting in and out of awareness.

As the breath: inflow and out, as do awareness: comes and goes.

It is absolutely incredible how the body, the BRAIN, works extremely hard for you, WORKS HARD TO LIVE, WORKS HARD TO PROTECT YOU, WORKS HARD TO SURVIVE.

Take a moment and really think about it...

Think about what you feed your body. Whether you exercise or not. Think about the stress you place upon the body, and no matter how much you tax it, it fights hard for you! It fights to survive through every circumstance, through every experience you go through.

Your body is ALWAYS on your side, no matter how unloving you may be towards it. It never gives up. Even when it gets sick, it's telling you, "Hey, I'm sick because you are making choices that are stressing me and the only way I can speak to you is through getting sick and showing symptoms. I need your help now."

How often do we ignore this, and ignore the signs? How often do we repeat behaviors that do not serve us, and berate ourselves for doing so?

The BRAIN, and I emphasis the BRAIN, and not the mind, is JUST DOING ITS JOB! How can you be mad when your brain is just trying to protect you as part of it's function.

***(The mind is just a term we have created to categorize the functions of the brain as processes, memory, conditioning, association, and so forth. Thus the mind is not OUR MIND, it is simply just the brain's functions. Does that make sense?)***

Therefore, we cannot be angry or take any of this personally. THE BRAIN IS JUST DOING IT'S JOB. It is remembering for you, making associations to protect you, and trying to survive.

Could we not offer the body a simple THANK YOU? Thank you for always fighting for me, protecting me, and always being on my side. THANK YOU.

Your body deserves gratitude and so much more. Think how hard it tries to survive FOR YOU ....

And with this amount of awareness, any negative emotion drifted away. I was no longer angry at myself, nor angry with anyone in the present or the past. I simply was in awe of my body, how complex it is. There is no reason for me to be mad at my brain for carrying out it's biological function. Does that make sense????

Without the BRAIN, I wouldn't have memory recollection to pass my exams! I wouldn't have the sensory mechanisms that allow me to see through my eyes, or to experience anything beautiful in this world. YOU HAVE TO BE THANKFUL FOR YOUR BRAIN/ BODY!

You simply cannot be mad at it for doing it's job ...

OH MAN .... this is powerful and I hope it finds you the same incredible peace .. of greater understanding ....

:)

Seek the TRUTH and you shall find it.

2013-12-17T19:05:00.001-08:00

How often do circumstances occur in which we question WHY?

Unable to comprehend the context of our own small perspective, the mind will create stories in order to rationalize or to fix what had already past.

If you seek the truth, be RECEPTIVE to it. We have a deeper knowing that we sometimes may chose to ignore. Seek it and learn.

There are certain gateways that can help us be receptive to the truth such as deep breathing and Mother Nature.

Deep breathing calms and diverts us to the present moment, and in that moment, we may find peace and within that peace lies the truth ... catch it while brief but it's there. Allow the chatter to occur but pinpoint the message that is trying to emerge from the grasp of conditioning...

Go for a walk in the park or wherever Mother Nature is available. Here we find the ever changing presence of life ... resilient through the seasons. The trees can teach us a lesson of impermanence. Leaves and flowers need not bloom until the conditions are present for manifestation, thus in the meantime, they shall remain dormant until then. It is the same with our being. Sometimes all the conditions necessary to manifest are not yet present, and that is perfectly ok. It is there though, waiting for the right moment.

Thus, can we find the lesson during the times when truth lies dormant? It's there .. waiting for you to grasp it and lead you to the next, ever-present moment.

Seek the truth and you shall find it.

:)

SET YOUR INTENTION.

2013-12-09T15:40:00.002-08:00

I found myself fixated on doing something particular that I really liked ... because it aligns with what makes me joyful BUT I was very unaware of time ... as I had been neglecting the other responsibilities in my life.

I found myself in a weird state of mind .. reluctant to hop back into my routine.

Until I remembered this saying, "SET YOUR INTENTION."

What is my intention on placing all of my focus on solely ONE thing? And what was this resistance that I was feeling? I realized that it came from a skewed sense of need. I was doing this particular thing because I believed in my message so much, that it shifted towards a more ego-driven route. The ego, the habits that have been trained, can sometimes take over if one is not MINDFUL.

But my TRUE INTENTION is to help others, to share what I have learned, and nothing more. And if this is my true intention, am I taking the necessary actions to accomplish that? I knew the answer.

So now I snapped out of the ego and began to hop back into routine aka studying again. A students are MADE! hehe ..

So remind yourself what your intention for the day is and go for it!

:)

HIT THE DELETE BUTTON!

2013-12-08T21:01:00.000-08:00

Too often we allow negative thoughts, situations, or people to bog us down. The mind creates this attachment that only fuels these unsettling feelings.

"HIT THE DELETE BUTTON!" - Joel Osteen

When your mind is trying to convince you from progressing in life, HIT THE DELETE BUTTON.

When someone rubs you the wrong way and you begin to ponder why, HIT THE DELETE BUTTON.

When a situation didn't go as planned, feeling discouraged, HIT THE DELETE BUTTON.

Just because these thoughts or situations occur doesn't mean you have to jump aboard for the ride. Don't buy into it.

You don't need to expend another ounce of dis-ease when you can CHOOSE to press delete and start a-new.

Practice non-attachment ... and begin to notice how easy life can be once you let go. You'll find it a lot harder being remotely angry.

:)

BANANAS FIGHT DEPRESSION!

2013-12-07T11:19:00.002-08:00

Don't feel sad and GO BANANA YOURSELF!

Many times, I'd often feel low and then I go banana smoothie myself and I instantly feel better!

Placebo?

Go try it.

Try to feel upset after you had a blender full of bananas and even freshly squeezed orange juice! Something happens when I drink these two (separately). (Add water!)

Bananas are known to contain TRYPTOPHAN (SEROTONIN BOOSTERS). We can all use the extra POTASSIUM to keep us cheery. Not to mention the uber sweetness of ripe 'naners is simply blissful.

EAT RIPE, SPOTTY BANANAS or feel & continue to be mentally and physically constipated. Eww. lol

:)

You are Your Own Creation ... Be WHOEVER YOU CHOOSE TO BE!

2013-09-28T19:14:00.001-07:00

Be true to who you are ... compare yourself as a progression of growth, not comparison to others .. to the world's standards .. to people's opinions...

JUST BE YOURSELF.

Through judgments .. through fears ... through ego ..

You don't need to convince anyone for validation.

You offer something special to the world.

I know I do.

I feel it when I interact with others.

My mushpot overflows and I can't help but share it with others and offer smiles all around.

Be true to who you are, and realize that is your strength in creating the life that you desire.

Prove to YOURSELF that YOU CAN DO IT!

2013-09-27T16:45:00.002-07:00

If there is something that you fear, DO IT.

If there is something that is challenging to you, WORK AT IT CONSTANTLY.

How else do you learn new skills but by PRACTICE, REPETITION, AND EFFORT.

Everything is learned.

From navigating the subway, tying your shoelaces, or learning new behaviors.

EVERYTHING IS A NEW SKILL THAT IS LEARNED.

I've always had this neurotic fear of resisting trying new things that I am interested in. I go through the usual, "I won't be good at it," "People will look me me," and "I'm making a fool of myself" blah blah ... the usual and common thoughts we all have when things are out of our comfort zone. These interests could only make me feel even more joyful, yet the initiative is SCARY.

It's ridiculous as I'm typing all this because FEAR DOESN'T PHYSICALLY EXIST. There's nothing holding me back but these INVISIBLE THOUGHTS. Now I do understand when fear can create a physical response in one's body and cripple. Thus the first step is to ACKNOWLEDGE THAT FEAR!

Say, "Hey fear, here again?!??!!? Come on now boy! I'm trying to make some moves nahhhmean. I guess you are here to watch. It's cool."

HAHA! Create an internal dialogue that evokes a lightness to it. Just BREATHE DEEP and TALK TO YOURSELF OUT LOUD! Yes, OUT LOUD, because it tends to jolt you to be present as if someone was shaking that voodoo craziness out of ya! Tell yourself to calm down and that fear is not real. There's no physical harm. No one is stabbing you with a knife. Get it?

And in some cases, COMMAND YOURSELF FORCEFULLY if needed.

You must be conscious and aware of these conditions, and WANT CHANGE. Once again, the spewl about wanting change. Sometimes you are just not ready and it's okay. Somewhere along the line you will realize that time will only keep moving onward with or without you. So HOP ON NOW and FACE YOUR FEARS!!!! Because one day you will reflect back and tell yourself, "Why did I take so long?! What was once scary is now so ordinary!"

The initial can be challenging only because foreign experiences just are.

There is no safety in life.

You will feel pain, but pain is never lasting because joy exists.

JOY IS EVERYWHERE IF YOU ARE RECEPTIVE TO IT.

Prove to yourself you can do something that scares you.

I've been running out in the open, and I've been using that space to soak up Mother Nature and to push myself as these thoughts are telling me false truth and my body is hurting. I talk myself out of stopping. I tell myself I can, I can, I CAN! Sometimes I want to cry, but I don't stop just yet. Sometimes my knee wants to give out, but I tell myself, "Proper posture, that's why your knees hurt! Don't look like your giving up!" I straighten out and keep going. Sometimes I look down so I don't see too far ahead, because that distance is intimidating. Then I look around, and remind myself where I am at, so beautiful and peaceful, and smile to everyone.

No matter what, I keep going until I sweat my ass off! HAHA! I don't care about anything else but MY WELL BEING because that is my goal! I want to feel good, to take care of myself, and I've done it today and EVERY TIME I run!

***I AM WORTH IT!!!***

FIGHT FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN!

And remember ...

Pain is temporary but ACCOMPLISHING YOUR GOALS, however small or large... IS MAGNANIMOUS!

I HAVE JUST PROVED TO MYSELF THAT I CAN DO THIS, AND DO ANYTHING ELSE.

And that feeling will LAST A LIFETIME.

:)

Seriously!!!!! .. Your Instincts Will Always be SPOT ON!

2013-09-26T15:42:00.000-07:00

So I Made a Mistake, It's OK! Not Quite Ready for Change.

2013-09-26T15:35:00.000-07:00

I haven't expressed any of my thoughts in this blog for awhile. I was distracted from my outlet and focusing on relational matters instead, or so I thought. Now that I am reflecting upon it, I walked right into that cycle of FALSE PLEASURE that always seemed to trap me, once again!

I went against my instincts, who knew better than to follow these negative patterns that I have been working hard over the years to expel.

Have you ever done something you knew, YOU JUST KNEW WASN'T SERVING YOU?

You knew it was wrong, but you did it anyway because that's the CONDITIONED HABITS/ PATTERNS that are FAMILIAR to you. Even when it comes with a price, we give in because we are TOO SCARED to TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND WALK AWAY.

I admit it, I made a mistake. I was internalizing this mistake for a long time and I still wanted to continue believing I could have it all.

REALITY IS: IF YOU ARE NOT READY FOR CHANGE, THEN YOU ARE NOT READY FOR CHANGE. PERIOD.

You have got to want change in order for you to make these seemingly difficult decisions at the moment it arises. I wasn't ready. I WANTED to be ready, but I wasn't ready, in every sense.

I was putting myself through such internal turmoil .... and I was making my life harder than it already is. Why do we do this to ourselves? Why do we make life harder by making poor decisions and dwelling on them, or continuing some self-destructive habit?

And we do so because WE ARE NOT READY FOR CHANGE. THIS SELF-SABOTAGE HAS BECOME PART OF OUR IDENTITY, whether we want it to be or not.

And it will take a lot of work, as with any new skill learned, HOURS AND DEDICATION, DAY AFTER DAY, until patterns break because WE CHOSE TO BREAK THEM.

How do I get good grades in school? I put the hours in, and it shows.

How will I break these conditioned habits?

By putting the hours in and being proactive, facing my fears, facing the truth, BEING HONEST AND RAW WITH MYSELF, and working on myself for however long it takes until I no longer want to make the same mistakes over and over again.

I had a HUGE realization that I WASN'T READY FOR CHANGE. And this is perfectly okay. Sometimes things will get really messy in order for you to open your eyes and "SEE."

I was completely honest with myself today and I freed myself from so much internal turmoil.

The sun is still shining and it still feels amazing on my skin. A baby crying so softly on the train while her sister was listening to music and dancing in her seat was the cutest thing. There's a lot of joy to be experienced, so don't take one lousy experience to override the abundance of joy there is IF YOU ARE RECEPTIVE TO IT.

:)

Be the First to Let Your EGO Go!

2013-09-24T00:50:00.001-07:00

Day15 Vegan Meal: How to Get Rid of Your Problems INSTANTLY!!! DANCE PAR-TAY!!

2013-08-25T08:27:00.004-07:00

Why U so MAD?! Hahahah!

That's how I feel when I finally emerge from my stressed moods. What a waste of happy energy to feel mad, upset, etc.

Therefore, my ULTIMATE REMEDY is to dance dance dance!!!!

Try it. You don't need any stimulant for this natural high. Works EVERY time!

:D

How do you de-stress?

Day14 Vegan Meal: PERFECT YOUR CRAFT!!! Be Your Own Validation!

2013-08-25T08:26:00.003-07:00

There comes a time when you need to make a forceful decision and LEAD YOUR LIFE THE WAY YOU CHOOSE TO.

Forget external stimuli and follow your heart. It will lead you to a place of personal growth, fulfillment, and expansion.

Initially, the process may seem lonely, but over time, try to see through the barriers and not take them personally.

We only have this current life to create whatsoever we envision, so PERFECT YOUR CRAFT, make sacrifices in which we should call "embrace-ment," and JUST GO FOR IT!

:)

Day13 Vegan Meal: "Nourishing Wisdom" By: Marc David (Our Relationship to Food/ Eating Habits)

2013-08-25T08:25:00.003-07:00

"Nourishing Wisdom" is a great book I would recommend to anyone struggling with creating new, healthy eating habits.

Why do we experience cravings?

Can we look at them objectively and discover the underlying reason to effectively deal with them when they arise.

Day12 Vegan Meal: Meeting Our Physiological Needs. Cravings as SUBSTITUTION.

2013-08-25T08:24:00.001-07:00

OK so PMS has settled in! Sorry for the exasperation shown in this video. My next video will explain in detail the book, "Nourishing Wisdom" By: Marc David, as well as how this meal plan has effected my PMS symptoms or not.

Challenge your cravings and ask if this is legitimate or if you are SUBSTITUTING/ MASKING what you really want by indulging into this craving.

:)

Day11 Vegan Meal: Visualization is KEY to Manifestion!

2013-08-20T21:32:00.000-07:00

Being visual creatures, we can definitely benefit from creating a VISION BOARD.

What are some of your goals?

What are some concrete things you would like?

What/who inspires you?

What would you like to see happen in the next year or so?

Cut out pictures, find quotes, or whatever VISUAL that ignites that internal fire.

VISUALIZATION IS THE KEY TO MANIFESTATION.

Remind yourself everyday, visualize it, dream about it, TAKE PROACTIVE STEPS towards it ... and one day it will become your reality!

:D

Day10 Vegan Meal: Showing GRATITUDE Towards Your Body!

2013-08-20T21:29:00.003-07:00

I think it's important to be grateful that we have this AMAZING, FUNCTIONAL BODY that allows us to experience this life. We definitely take this vehicle for granted in many ways.

STRESS
Poor Food Choices & Poor Everyday Decision Making

While we are able, we should give this body what it needs to keep running at its best. Keep the immune system strong, so that we can continue creating life as we will.

:)

P.s.- We will experience sickness, BUT we can provide our body what it needs to fight against it effectively.

Day9 Vegan Meal: INTENTIONAL Slip-Ups During Social Settings?

2013-08-20T21:28:00.005-07:00

I must be willing to test all the information that I share, and be WILLING TO LEARN as I go.

There is NO one, direct pathway towards health. We may need to take a few detours until we find what works for us.

Allowing fluidity will help us embrace our new healthy habit, and although quite challenging; habits take time to adjust, familiarize, and to strengthen!

Let's do this!!!

:)

Day8 Vegan Meal: First Grocery Haul!!! What Am I Eating??

2013-08-18T06:48:00.001-07:00

I don't know about you but I LOVE WATCHING GROCERY HAULS!!!! Is that odd?!

I just love the produce section of supermarkets and farmers markets!!! Fresh fruits and veggies excite me!!! These are the types of foods that were intended for us to consume.

Try keeping away from the deeper aisles in the market, and focus solely on the produce when you first walk in

Feel the produce and be inspired!!!

:)

P.s.- The skin is the largest organ of the body, and whatever you place onto your skin will go directly into your bloodstream. Sooo.. technically I suppose I AM consuming oil, BUT this is a nighttime regime and I PERSONALLY am OKAY with it! It's better than chemical moisturizers for sure!! :)

Day7 Vegan Meal: SO WHAT!! Be Yourself!! Embrace ALL of You!

2013-08-16T17:47:00.000-07:00

Don't ever be afraid of expressing yourself. Fear is not physically real, it's a mind state that does not need to stop you from moving forward. Think of fear as on observer. It's there but doesn't take action, and stays on the side line.

Use fear as a MOTIVATOR!

Voice your opinions and be true to who you choose to be.

Even when you make mistakes, act erratic sometimes, be you. We fluctuate in dispositions because we are human. Letting go is a blessing and a choice.

So be easy breezy!!!

:)

Day6 Vegan Meal: Food is not the Only Component to Overall Health!!! Relational Challenges.

2013-08-15T21:13:00.000-07:00

What is the one area in your life that you are afraid to face? Something so afraid it triggers a physical discomfort?

How many times have we disregarded someone's care/love simply because it did not match our ideal?

We all find protecting ourselves much needed, yet it keeps us very far from our true need.

We are all inter-connected and everyone needs another, the earth, the air, all working together to be joyful and peaceful. There is no negative to NEED. There is only a desire to connect and be understood.

Try to soften your belly by breathing deep breaths, and release that bodily tension ... and take that leap of faith .. and CONNECT. We all have shortcomings, but we each are supported by love if you just looked deeply and open ourselves to diff. variations of it.

Left Over Pulp From Juicing: Make SWAMP Soup!

2013-08-15T08:45:00.001-07:00

Juicing veggies is great when you want to give your digestive system a break. Stripping the fiber leaves you with liquid nutrition, fast energy that your body can readily absorb.

What about the fiber??!! It's good for you too, yes.

Here's my technique to calm the uneasy feeling of throwing out the pulp.

I freeze the pulp immediately if I am not planning on using it the same day.

To make the bitter greens more palatable, I use CORN and TOMATOES as the "base." These two ingredients are a MUST to make this soup tasty (in my opinion!!!)

Chop up any veggies you like, for added texture and flavor.

This day, I used scallions, purslane, okra, corn, cherry tomatoes, kale, and swiss chard.

(OLIVE OIL does make it tasty, but since I am on a no fat meal plan, I opted out this time)*********

STEP 1:

Plop pulp into a pot with the corn and tomatoes, boil then reduce to a simmer ... to cook through the fiber until it becomes a darker green (NOT BROWN, although if you don't like the fibrous texture, allow to cook further). Add black pepper.

STEP 2:

Once simmered, throw in the cut veggies and stir. The idea is to heat them through, not necessarily cook them (my preference!!!)

STEP 3:

Enjoy it :)

Day5 Vegan Meal: Don't Beat Yourself Up!!

2013-08-15T08:07:00.005-07:00

Who thought frozen barley & mixed vegetables could be the culprit?! It was more of the oil and salt that I wanted to avoid. Oh well! At least I didn't go for the croissants that are in the fridge!!!

I did well. :)

I am human.

Don't dwell on what has passed.

:)

Continuing onward ....

Day4 Vegan Meal: Accusations of Being Too Skinny?! Not Giving Up!!

2013-08-15T08:06:00.003-07:00

How can beauty be defined? Aren't we all influenced in some way from all directions. Can we just embrace our physical without having some type of complex?

YES!

***TAKE THE IMPERSONAL ROUTE!!!!***

If someone has an opinion about you, then so be it. YOU sway you.

Never allow FEAR or "REJECTION" to stop you from doing what you enjoy.

We are just mirror reflections of one another. Seeing in another what we may fear or admire. It's NOT personal.

Thanks for watching.

:)

Foodie Pics!!!

Rice with Scallions and Ginger W/ Cherry Tomatoes

SWAMP SOUP!!!

Day3 Vegan Meal: SERIOUS Green Juice! Going Back to Basics.

2013-08-15T08:05:00.003-07:00

I am such an advocate for juicing vegetables! Going back to basics, and eating what Mother Earth provides for us. :)

I personally juice because the ACT of nourishing myself in this way makes me happy.

Whachu know bout' that juicing lifestyle HUHHHH?!

I have researched and came to my own conclusion about alkaline vs. acidic foods. Alkaline foods, which include leafy greens, are very soothing and nourishing to the body. Acidic foods such as meat and dairy (dense animal protein), according to my own experience, don't leave me feeling as light, and what comes out the other end isn't so pretty. Just saying.

Fiber is good for you, but sometimes it's best to give your digestive system a break. Allow your body to reserve that energy for healing. Stripping the fiber leaves you with nutrient rich liquid, which can be easily absorbed by your cells within minutes.

It's a great way to start your mornings, and then have whatever it is you desire afterwards.

Juicer: Breville Juice Fountain Plus

SERIOUSLY GREEN, GREEN JUICE RECIPE:
-bushel of kale
-bushel of swiss chard
-1 granny smith apple
-2 lemons

Make sure the juice is nice and chilled ... sip it, chug it, swish it, savor it .... whatever you like!

:)

Foodie Pics!!!!

SERIOUS Green Juice!!!

Green Juice With Fruit Bowl

Purslane (MOM GREW!!!!)
Omega 3 rich Veggie*

STEAMED Sweet & White Potato Smash!!!

Too good!

Day2 Vegan Meal: Giving in to Cravings?! SALT!!!

2013-08-15T08:03:00.003-07:00

Strangely enough, I was experiencing cravings for something salty and garlic-y. I should have eaten a lot more this day!!!! I wanted to cave in ... whined .. complained .. but a thought of cherry tomatoes came to mind, and what do you know ... I pass by a fruit stand with just cherry tomatoes available late at night. :)

IT TOTALLY HIT THE SPOT!!! Tomatoes do contain sodium, and are sweet & savory. My cravings were satisfied. Thus, if you ever experience cravings, head toward the fruit!!! :)

Good thing I didn't cave in! This is do-able, mmmhmm!

***(Tripod up and working, no more shoddy videos .. hopefully lol!)***

Foodie Pics!!!!

Banana, Pear, and Kale Smoothie!!!

Fruit Bowl

(Eat melons first for best digestion or be gassy, your choice!!!)

Cherry Tomatoes <3333

(Salty Cravings?! Choose me!!!!)

STEAMED Sweet Potato Hash/Mash with Garlic, Scallions, and Cilantro