Daily Inspiration 3.28.18

Daily Inspiration 3.28.18

Your highest Self wants you to know ... 

You do not owe anyone anything in this life except yourself. Be true to you and all the best for you. Never let another’s voice overpower yours. Speak and you will be free.

Daily Inspiration 3.27.18

Daily Inspiration 3.27.18

Your highest Self wants you to know ... 

You are a supreme being of light and form.  You are meant to experience both. Do not get caught up in either world. Live in your body to the fullest experiencing emotions and physical sensations. Create Joy when your are hopeless, Peace when you are anxious and Love when you are fearful.  You are a master creator.

Daily Inspiration 3.26.18

Daily Inspiration 3.26.18

Your highest Self wants you to know ... 

Soul remembrance as a human is experiencing completeness. Any time a human feels whole or complete that is it’s soul remembering its true essence.

Daily Inspiration 3.23.18

Daily Inspiration 3.23.18

Your highest Self wants you to know ... 

Take time to connect to your highest source of wisdom on a daily basis. This is simply done by quieting the mind.  When you allow the worldly chatter to silence, clarity takes it place.  

Daily Inspiration 3.22.18

Your highest Self wants you to know... 

Perpetuate Peace.

Daily Inspiration 3.21.18

Daily Inspiration
3.21.18

Your highest Self wants you to know...

Wait until you feel completely set in your ways and then shake them up. Never become attached to any particular way of being. Release rules and allow yourself to be open.  Move away from expectations and attachments.

Allow a snow storm on the first day of Spring to make you realize how silly expectations really are.

Image taken on the first day of Spring 2015 (another snow storm just like today).

You can see or purchase original image by using the link below:

Weaving Mandala

Daily Inspiration 3.20.18

Your highest Self wants you to know...

It is imperative that light incarnate into mass in order to expand. In a physical form light, or energy, feels enclosed, dense, disgusting, containing pus and mucus and odor, craving food to fill our bellies to make us feel heavier and grounded.  We need to experience this entrapment in order to realize our eternal existence and know we can move beyond the mass. Experiencing entrapment allows us to expand. Without expansion there is no evolution. Our “souls” or energy are constantly evolving. Our frequencies are becoming higher and higher. In order for this evolution to take place, expansion must happen. In order for expansion to take place, we must experience entrapment.

Daily Inspiration 3.19.18

Daily Inspiration 3.18.18

Daily Inspiration 3.17.18

Daily Inspiration 3.16.18

Daily Inspiration 3.15.18

Daily Inspiration 3.14.18

Daily Inspiration 3.13.18

Daily Inspiration 3.12.18

Daily Inspiration 3.11.18

Daily Inspiration 3.10.18

10 Life Lessons I will Carry into 2018 (from Vamping the California Coast with my Family of 5)

1 Week in a van with your family of 5 and scarce technology will teach you a lot.  I booked a last minute family trip (within 2 weeks) to the California coast. I am not giving you a specific destination because truth be told, we did not have one! I booked 5 plane tickets to San Francisco leaving 7:10pm Christmas day 12/25/2017 arriving in San Francisco at 12am (3am Eastern Time).  I reserved a room for the night and a camper van for the week! No destination(s) in mind, just the idea of being with my family without life's distractions in close quarters for as long as our current life will allow. We were due back in NJ New Year's Eve landing at 11:08pm! Crazy I know but SO amazing! 

Yes, just like you I have "obligations" especially around the holidays. More of a reason to get out! I am what you call the ultimate scrooge this time of year.  I was watching the Grinch and laughed because he quoted me "Commercialism, Materialism, blah blah blah..." Ha!!! Have I really become the Grinch? I started to question what the holidays are really about.  For me every year it started to become a crazy race. Crazier then the daily rat race I am already living. I NEEDED AN OUT! And guess what, I freakin took it!!!

Life lesson 1: DO IT!!! When you feel the itch and have the energy that comes with inspiration, ACT ON IT! NOW, not maybe someday. I know what you are thinking, "it must be nice" or "if I could only pick up and leave" or "money" "time" "I have to be here" blah blah blah! All thoughts I had. You know what... If you want it that badly.... YOU WILL FIGURE IT OUT! So DO IT! Whatever "IT" is.. What are you waiting for? More time, more debt. more obligations? Let life lead you to what inspires you.

So after doing it and letting the road unfold before us without plans, reservations, destinations, and hardly any service or wifi what did I learn?

Life lesson 2: All I need is LOVE! Cliche right? But so freaking important and valid.  The love that grabbed us and held us in that van is all we needed to get by. And some blankets for the cold nights and snacks. But the real lesson is, all I needed to do that week, that moment, was hold my growing boys tight and I was HAPPY! I mean really happy! I was freezing at times, dirty yes, hungry sometimes but it didn't matter... My happiness kept me alive and I was thriving!!!

Life lesson 2: Be in nature often.  This is so important. Especially for us Urban/Suburban types.  Our world is a beautiful magical place.  We are nature and not separate. Sometimes our tiny boxes make us feel superior or give us the "walls" we desire to keep the "scary" stuff out, but man it is so important that you get out there and witness the beauty mamma earth presents first hand.  Which brings me to my next discovery.

Life lesson 3: The Sun is something that should be worshiped! I rejoiced when that sun rose in the early hours of the morning, braving the 30 degree night temperatures. But also I could see again! Holy crap how we forget about how electricity supports our manic schedules.  While on the road camping, we let the sun dictate our schedule.  When he was up, we were up. When he was extra warm, we basked in it. When he went back over the horizon we went to bed shorty after.  The SUN!! AHH thank you!!! I honor you!! For real!!!

Life Lesson 4: Make the stop. If you see something beautiful on the side of the road take the time to stop and enjoy it.  I learned this lesson the hard way. Did we stop? Yes. Did we always stop? No. Do I regret not stopping... YES! I will never be back to that exact moment in my life looking over the cliff at the ocean.  This lesson isn't just a literal one. Yes there are moments I regret not stopping and enjoying on our drive or hikes, but the real lesson is... where do you find the time to stop in your everyday  life? What have you missed along your journey? Who knows! All I know is listen to your gut. If it calls you to stop DO IT!

Life Lesson 5: I do not need as much shit as I own to survive! I think this one explains itself. What can you unload and make your trip a little less heavy?

Life Lesson 6: Never wash our hair unless it is completely necessary in 30 degree weather while camping. Just saying. Life changer for me.  WTF was I thinking?!

Lie Lesson 7: Let experiences be your gifts to your kids, not (just) material objects.  My kids do not remember what presents they received any Christmases past! For real!!! I asked them. They can maybe remember 1 or 2 things, maybe, not clearly.. CRAZY! This trip is something that they will remember forever. Best Christmas present ever to the our family.  I cried in the airport when we were leaving because I was so touched by the entire experience.  My boys, instinctively gave me a group hug.  They really are amazing!!

Life Lesson 8: Kids will adapt to any environment you put them in.  Adults too for the most part, but my kids were like naturals. Every destination, every new environment: hot, cold, dark, windy, sunny, bathrooms, no bathrooms, cooking on the fire, snacks in the van, hiking, climbing, anything... they adapted! No questions, reservations, whining.. they just took our lead.  I guess it seemed like we knew what we were doing.  We just winged it and they followed along no questions asked.

Life Lesson 9: All families would truly appreciate and know each other fully if they slept together in 1 bed for a few nights.  (Especially when body heat was essential for survival).  We all have our rooms and walls and beds to keep us separate, which I highly value and adore, but man nothing like getting to cuddle every single one of your kids and husband all at once for a few nights to truly feel the collective love that your family shares.  Yes I need space just like everyone else, and I am not recommending this to be a daily practice, but I never had the opportunity to spend the entire night for 5 nights in the same bed with my entire family.  It was a beautiful experience. 

Life Lesson 10: Keep seeking and experiencing adventures! Let your eyes stay wide like a kid in a candy store.  Don't let the daily "stuff" trip you up.  You can find adventures anywhere and everywhere.  You don't have to shove your family in a van for a week, but I would totally suggest it! Adventures can find you in your own backyard. So go for it! Seek the adventures in your life that will bring you joy and excitement and take your kids along for the ride. It's so much fun and worth every second! 

The Fairy Tale of Shama Mamma D

Once upon a moonbeam there was a beautiful goddess. Let’s call her Shama Mamma D. She was small but very powerful. She had long beautiful hair that held her power and her mystical secrets. Her spirit was contagious. She danced with rhythm and color. She came from a forest by the sea. She had all the knowledge of the ancients embedded into her DNA. D was brought to this world to spread that ancient knowledge as well as spread light to every creature she encountered.

Her life purpose was to heal the world. She had so much love to share. She treated everything in existence with pure kindness.  But do not mistake her kindness for weakness. She was a true warrior.  She knew no fear when it came to the greater good of all.

Everywhere Mamma D went was illuminated by the sun. It led her way, always.  And everywhere she went she left a trail of beautiful sacred geometry, her trademark.  D had a way about her that people couldn’t forget. 

She never traveled alone. She always had an entourage of angels, guardian spirits and earth creatures to guide and protect her. These spirits had messages for the people of the earth Mamma D encountered on her journey.  D could hear them, see them and feel them always around her.  Some came to her with sweet fragrances, others with vibrant colors and others with whispers as soft as sea breezes.  D loved to drum and dance with the spirits around her. She could dance for days without her feet getting sore. The spirits held her as she danced and walked in 2 worlds.

Mamma D lived a life of freedom and joy. She walked the Earth with wonder in her eyes. Every single day for her began with a prayer of gratefulness and it ended the same way. While she slept she could fly! She soared in the earthly sky and in the sky of many other realms. While she was awake she danced barefoot with her feet in the earth feeling the energy pump through the soles of her feet (her roots).  

Mamma D brought beauty to the earth and to the heavens. She was a conduit of love and light for both worlds.  

Balance: Limbs of Holistic Healing (Mind, Body & Spirit)

Hi Again!

Last week I introduced you all to my story. I gave you a small glimpse into my journey to healing.  I can sit here and type page after page of symptoms, diagnosis's and modern medical treatments that I underwent throughout my life. That will come later. I can also sit here and type page after page of the methods in detail that actually worked for me. That will also come later.

Today I want to give you, in my experience, the limbs or parts of life that we need to pay attention to and nurture in order to live healthy and happy. I am going to explain what I feel are the pillars to living and maintaining a life that is balanced.  Once we are balanced or whole, it is much harder to manifest disease, specifically in my case,  auto-immune related issues.

Ask yourself, " How do I feel?" I mean really ask yourself! Not the way you would casually ask a stranger on the street, "How's it going?" Try to be completely present and ask yourself wholeheartedly " How do I feel?"  Did anything come up for you? Maybe something physically that needs attention, or perhaps emotionally? How we feel isn't directly dictated from one place. We are much more dynamic creatures then that. There is a heck of allot more to pay attention to! So, where do we begin?

Physical Body (Body):

We should absolutely pay attention to what is going on in our physical body. We should never disregard these signs. The unfortunate  truth is that once we actually experience physical symptoms, it's very likely we have already been ignoring signs and indicators of unbalance.  By the time physical pain manifests we have been neglecting other very important components to our well being.  There are several aspects of our physical body that we need to nurture and regulate to maintain balance.  If any of these processes are off  it can result in illness.  

Things to examine:

• Diet  What does YOUR body need, crave or reject? In a later blog, I will tell you how my body told me all along (since birth) what I should and should not eat. Once I actually payed attention, my healing began. 
• Chemical Exposure (internally & externally)  This goes along with diet but it is a little more complex.  I have learned that when I ingest food that is as close to pure (not messed around with) as possible I feel better! I am all for a completely Organic and Non-GMO diet! This can also mean other substances we consume that are not in balance with our body's chemistry. Chemical exposure doesn't stop at food. Be mindful of the chemicals you put on your body (soaps, cosmetics, detergents, feminine products) and around your body (household cleaners, air fresheners, perfumes, environmental pollutants)
• Rest  I get it, your busy! Trust me, I am a wife, mom of 3, I have 2 dogs a cat , work full time as a high school art teacher, I am pursuing my full time career as a professional artist, teaching workshops, taking several courses online, writing & illustrating several books right now and lets not forget, writing this blog! But, when I need to rest I do it! LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! You are not a martyr, here to save the world by pushing through! If you feel run down, or before you even feel run down, rest! 
• Stress  (physical)  Are you pushing your body too far? Are you putting any unnecessary physical strain on your body? 
• Environment  Are you living in an environment that doesn't suit your physical needs? Do you crave more sunshine, fresh air or space? Also, how is your living environment? (cluttered, cramped, long commute)
• Moving  (exercise, daily activity)

Emotional Body (Mind):

We are emotional beings as well as physical.  The key is to pay attention to our emotions, acknowledge them and understand why we are experiencing them but try not to live in them.  We should never try to suppress emotions or ignore them.  There is a reason why we are experiencing them. Sometimes our emotions can be very motivational! They can light the fire under us and give us the drive to change something that no longer suites us or do work towards or for something we feel passionate about.  Too often we let our emotions control us and our actions, ultimately creating unnecessary drama and stress.  Once we are mindful of them we can learn from our emotions and how to create balance in our emotionally body. 

Things to Examine: 

• Relationships (love, friendship, family, work) We want healthy relationships all around! We should never subject ourselves to abuse of any kind.  The people we surround ourselves with should uplift and inspire us! 
• Emotional Stress (can be created by all of the above and below)
• Grief (Loss of a loved one, relationship, job, friend)                                 
• Hormonal Cycles (well, this one's obvious.. lol) This does fall in physical but we sure see the effects here in emotional! We can balance this by being mindful of our physical indicators as well as emotional indicators.   
• Ego (The more we take care of ourselves the more we can control ego and it's sabotage) Ego doesn't necessarily mean egocentric, it means the self sabotaging beliefs we create about ourselves.  Sometimes we build walls that we lock ourselves into.  We tell ourselves we can't, we're not good enough, or we will never be able to______. ( you fill in the blank) Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy.    

Spiritual Body (Spirit): 

 We are spiritual beings first and foremost. We are spirit living a temporary physical experience.  Unfortunately we tend to neglect our spiritual bodies the most.  If we do not nurture our spirit, our entire well being is thrown off balance.  This neglect can manifest as emotional or physical pain and discomfort.  Even if we tried our best to nurture the other two bodies, when the spiritual body is off balance we are living from a state of emptiness.   Physical and/or mental disease can manifest when we are living in emptiness.

Things to Examine:

• Your Dharma (Life Purpose) What did you come to this earth, in this body, in this life to do? Are you on the right path? Or, are you ignoring signs and direction in order to slip into a quiet "comfortable" role? 
• Your Truth (What are you here to say?) Are you stifling yourself? Are you holding back how you really feel ? Sometimes we quiet our voices to appease others, to fit in or to fade into the background.  When we hold back our truth we are directly effecting our spirit.   
• Your personal connection to Source (God, the Divine, the Universe, Our Creator)  No matter what your religious beliefs are classified as, when I am asking you to examine your connection to source, I am referring to your true inner connection! Not what dogma, a book or preacher tells you. How do you feel connected to your higher power? Do you feel connected or disconnected?  When and where do you feel the most connected? 
• Your Passion (what sparks your inner fire)  Are you fully participating in your life or are you just going through the motions? Are you doing things in your life that you are truly passionate about? These passions come in many forms: art, music, writing, teaching, performing, science, service, working with the land.
• Your connection to Mother Earth ( We are Organic. We are Nature not separate from it.) What is your relationship with nature? Do you frequently go into nature even if it's for a few brief moments? Do your daily activities agree with or go against our natural instinctual patterns and rhythms? (rising and sleepiing with the sun, seasons)  Are you participating in anything that directly harms Mother Earth or helps heal Mother Earth?
•  Balancing your Chakras (Energy centers in the Body) This has a direct connection to physical well-being.  Are your chakras aligned and balanced? Are you ignoring signals that certain chakras are closed off or too open? Our energy centers or chakras can be aligned and cleared by participating in activities such as yoga and reiki. 
• Protecting/Clearing your energy and space  (meditations, visualizations, herbs such as sage & sweet grass or palo santo wood, crystals, prayers: are all tools that can assist in this. Just being aware and setting the intention to protect and/or clear your energy and space is key.)
• Meditation (making time to still the mind) There are many different ways to meditate. Sitting silently with the eyes closed, guided visualizations, staring at an object, coloring, drawing, sound baths such as gongs or sound bowls, walking swiftly, shamanic journeying are all ways we can find some stillness and connect to our higher power.  
• Awareness (paying attention to signs, omens, dreams, messages, synchronicities) There are many ways our higher power, creator, guides, angels, loved ones who have crossed over, ancestors and helping spirits try to get our attention. These things may be subtle or profound. Once we are aware of them they can help lead us. 
• Open Heart & Open Mind   (being open without judgment)
• Being Present (Participating in life fully, not living in the past or for the future) Sometimes we miss out on all the blessings life has to offer because we are focused on the past or future. Be present everyday in every single action that you do!
• Be Grateful   (find things daily that you are grateful for) If you find at least 1 thing to be grateful for each day it can enrich your life tremendously.  We can be grateful for life lessons, growth, and awareness among other obvious blessings such as our loved ones, homes and jobs.   We can be grateful for our breath, our journey, for this moment, anything at all!  When we find more things in life to be grateful for rather then things to complain about we will start to see things from a completely different perspective. 

I will be discussing how all of these components evolved and shaped my journey to health and well-being in later blogs. I hope this blog gave you the basic knowledge to better understand Holistic Healing. Often in our society we are looking for the quick fix, magic pill or the instant solution.  This was not the case for me, but what I will tell you is as soon as I started healing and balancing different parts of me, the others aligned more easily.

I would love to hear what you thought about this blog!! Please feel free to share in social media,  with friends and comment below! Don't forget you can now subscribe & add your email to get notifications and updates   : )                           (see the right sidebar menu)

Love, light & Blessings

Danielle