Gathering Strength

Gathering Strength

Today felt kind of like a long distance marathon run. I've had to get my moments of stillness where I could find them. In my "Rituals For Transformation" journal I was urged to gather as many opportunities for tranquility that I can find. I'm an aspiring journalists so I am constantly bombarded with media. With this ceaseless flow of information, it is essential for me to find spaces where I can practice mindfulness. Buses, subways, moments on city benches, waiting to move at cross walks, in-between sips of coffee ☕ and other captured minutes or seconds can be chances for deep meaning. It's all about the quality of the journey and not the number of miles covered. Whether the road ahead is smooth or if every step has to navigate bumps and bends in the road matters not. The question I'm allowing into my focus is how I'm choosing to traverse the terrain ahead and what can I smile at and wish well as I leave it behind. How can I both conquer and surrender to the now? As I let it all flow with forward momentum and foster a spirit of acceptance, I learn and I grow.

Bright And Hopeful!

Bright And Hopeful!

That's how I feel today after completing a good many of my goals! There is a silver lining gleaming on the edge of the horizon and everything that I could ever wish for waiting for me there. I feel so happy right now and it's an inner glow coming from within. It's both surprising and true and beautiful to behold in my mind's eye. I'm finally living the life I want!

Carnelian is all about getting in touch with the creativity that bubbles up from deep inside-- from your High Self, where it can be expressed on this plane of existence with truth, integrity and a deep soul meaning. The "Carnelian" card from Toni Carmine Salerno's "Crystal Oracle" deck is emphasizing the fact that there is great healing and peace to be found within carnelian energy that can calm anxieties and refresh your very inner being by revitalizing your creative pursuits.

"Express Yourself" Performed By Madonna

Using My Intuition!

Using My Intuition!

Today's yoga practice was all about finding a moment to allow. To let the world around me unfold and watch it as if outside myself-- to just observe the flow of life. I was living inside that flow as it occurred around me. I am creating my reality with an ease that becomes more and more graceful and brave as it unfolds. This is what being in the moment is all about. This is the stuff dreams are made of.

Toni Carmine Salerno's "Energy Oracle" deck is right on the mark as always, guiding my steps, connected to the cosmos as only crystal energy can. The card I drew today -- "Gold In Quartz" let me know that I am on the right path, using my intuition, that third eye and beyond power of my Higher Self to imagine into being the existence that I was born to live. This life of beauty and joy is awaiting me right now in every shining moment of love and gratitude.

"This Magic Moment" Performed By Ben E King and The Drifters

Moving Through Life Fearlessly!

Moving Through Life Fearlessly!

I've been noticing lately that the negative emotions that I can sort through and resolve on the yoga mat, are the same ones that I can move through and let go more easily off the mat. Emotions like fear, rage, anger, and jealousy are being supplanted by courage, peace, compassion and love. The true glowing radiance that is my soul is being polished in all the rusty spots until it is shining like a full moon. I am beginning to release all the psychic debris from my aura thanks to the energies of Divinity and all of my crystal helpers. To them I am eternally grateful!

Today I drew the "Tiger Iron" card from Toni Carmine Salerno's deck. The affirmation for this card is "I may not have the power to change the world, 🌎 but I can change my perception of it." The message here is that even if we are going through times that are not ideal or working through difficult emotions, we have the opportunity to look at the situation as a time to grow from the challenge or to lament our position. I choose growth. Even saying that in my head just feel right to. I feel stronger and more grounded now. I choose to tap into the practical spirituality of tiger's eye 🐅 crystal. A raw primal, earthy, sexual, creative power married with Divine intention. 

"Silence" By Delerium, Feat. Sarah McLaughlin

For some reason this song came to mind...

Opening Up To New Possibilities

Opening Up To New Possibilities

Today felt bright and open at first, but like any other state of being you are trying to achieve, enlightenment happens in stages and has moments of resistance that can seem like setbacks. My heart and mind are up to the challenges of staying open and flexible to life's uncertainties. It's a little bit like juggling, but with emotions. It's a slow and steady process without the race or the necessity of winning. You just show up each day, remain true to yourself, express unconditional love and the magic starts to happen little by little.

The high vibratory energy from the "Selenite" card from Toni Carmine Salerno's deck shines like a beacon of light and hope piercing the darkness. It reaffirms the message that we are all interconnected on this big Universal energetic highway by the eternal power of love. Nothing is stronger.

"I Believe In Love" Performed By Paula Cole

Creating Space For Calm

Creating Space For Calm

Today was all about agendas to get things done, being busy with a purpose, early morning commuting on BART into San Francisco with my coffee in hand, deadlines at City College of  San Francisco's (CCSF) newspaper The Guardsman, meeting with faculty members, emails and assignments. Somehow in the rush of today, I was late for my massage therapy shift at Project Zen Day Spa in the North Beach neighborhood of The City. I was in an Uber, speeding towards my destination when I remembered to find my space of calm, to slow down deepen my inhalations and exhalations, to let go of the balls of tension that were crowding around my jawline and stomach and to remember the ease and mindfulness that helps to pull me through it all.

Toni Carmine Salerno's card "Tiger's Eye" from her "Crystal Oracle" deck, let me remember that today, my feathers were going to be ruffled, my resolve might waver, my nerves might be tested and my emotions a bit frayed at the edges thanks to the high concentration of moon energies saturating the atmosphere, but that I could find a grounding place of peace throughout this little slice of the journey. I can move with ease and flow through the changes with grace. I can choose to be at peace.

"Mermaid" From Sade's Album "Love Deluxe" By Paul Spencer Denman, Sade Adu, Stuart Matthewman & Andrew Hale 

Why? Because nothing expresses calm like this beautiful and relaxing melody

Accepting Myself For Who I Am

Accepting Myself For Who I Am

Today's yoga flow felt very free and individual, like the movements were more organic. It reminded me that the natural order of things is grace and self-love, no matter where I am in my life or what part of the process of change that I am going through.

Toni Carmine Salerno's "Crystal Oracle" deck gave up the card "Amethyst" today. I am still reeling from the potent emotional energy of the New Moon 🌙 in Capricorn. The energies of amethyst are urging me to not only embrace my shadow side, but to love and accept it. And whenever I am besieged by feelings that make feel unworthy, that I should take heart and. know that I am enough and that I am loved.

"Beautiful" Performed By Christina Aguilera