Hurricane

Photo taken by my sister Colleen right after Hurricane Sandy 2012

"Everything's gonna be alright"

~Bob Marley

Hurricane
There comes a time in each of our lives that a hurricane will descend upon us, be it literally or figuratively. We may not be able to get out of its way but we can let it teach us some valuable lessons, especially when we have lost everything that makes us feel safe and secure.  
It can teach us to:
-appreciate our loved ones more
-experience the joy of playing an actual card game again
-learn the art of having deep meaningful conversations
-appreciate a hot shower
-learn how to say I need help!
-reach out to those in need before they have to ask
-respect that which we cannot control, like the weather
-connect to our inner voice without any distractions or noise around us
-open our eyes to what matters, who matters and who shows us that we matter too.

Hurricanes can teach us a lot about life and even more about ourselves. Remember, you can weather any storm as long as you stay calm, stay grounded and stay open to life taking you in a new direction if needed.

Betrayal

The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.  

~Ferdinand Foch

Betrayal
When someone betrays you, it is the most stinging feeling.  It can be paralyzing. You world gets flipped upside down in an instant. You grieve what was and what could have been. Once you know this feeling, you never want it to happen to you again.  

So why do you betray yourself almost every single day? Why do you allow your voice to be diminished?  Why do you allow your contributions to be stifled?  Why do you allow yourself to live in a small way when your heart and soul yearn for a big full life? Why do you let others dictate the direction of your life?  By not speaking your truth, living in the space of true peace with yourself and living present in each moment, well you are in fact betraying yourself. 

This is your moment to pause and say, enough! Let your soul guide you. Let your inner voice show you the way. Have faith that no matter what decision you make, if YOU make it with the best of intentions for you, everything will be okay. You know who you are.  You know what you are capable of. It's time to shed the armor and show the world your greatness.

Shutdown

SHUTDOWN;

— n
1.	a. the closing of a factory, shop, etc
	b. ( as modifier ): shutdown costs
— vb
2.	to cease or cause to cease operation
3.	( tr ) to close by lowering
4.	( tr ) (of fog) to descend and envelop
5.	informal  ( intr; foll by  on or  upon ) to put a stop to; clamp down on

Shutdown

Times such as these makes you want to point the finger and say that you would be doing things differently, like compromising, instead of being so immovable if only it were you in that situation. Before you go ahead and do that though, stop and take a step back.  Take a good hard look at where maybe you have decided to be shutdown in your own life. What areas have you become so immovable about?  What in your life have you chosen not deal with?  What situations or feelings have you chosen to hold on to so tightly that it's making your life toxic?  

Don't point out what others should be doing anymore ~ you be the walking, living, breathing example of what being open looks like, feels like and sounds like.  Stop building your own walls.  Stop being so defensive.  Stop being so angry.  Stop making excuses.  Stop retreating. Stop waiting for someone else to fix it. Stop chipping away at your integrity.  

Learn how to tear down you own walls. Learn how to be vulnerable. Learn how to find peace from listening. Learn that it's okay to ask for help. Learn that you are not the only one that brings ideas to the table. Learn that there is a difference between having values and judging. Learn how to truly love who you are, no excuses, no strings attached and certainly no parameters.