Raina

Hello  Summer.
          I loooove summer. Hot days, ice cold drinks, ice cream, early morning breeze. 
          Long walks listening to remixes, kpop, dancehall, jazz,
          Shorts and funky tshirts, sandals with happy toes.
          The kids running around and music blasting from the kitchen
          New easy recipes, fresh fruits and vegetables
          Sitting in the garage having insightful conversations with amazing women.
          And even tho we have all had varying difficulties this year
          2020 is the year that has not stopped giving.
          Good; bad or inbetween, we have all being stirred and shaken, some have made lemonade others martinis. One thing I know tho is ..as BTS says
          LIFE IS DYNAMITE...so..
          LET US BLOW ANY ROAD BLOCKS UP!!
          
          Here is hoping you are having the best time yet
          Continue to move forward and
          Be gentle with yourself
          Dance like nobody is watching
          Laugh until your stomach hurts
          spend time with people who make you happy and always give thanks for your blessings!
          
          With love.
          
          

Watch "More Than Only -  LGBT original romantic comedy feature film (2018)" on YouTube
          https://youtu.be/klJq0vC1Eyw
          

Hey Sunshine;
          There are three things that are rightfully yours
          
          Peace of mind 
          
          Love for your beautiful self ( cos there is only one  fabulous you)
          
          Happiness
          
          So my dear; why are giving your housekeys to robbers so they can waltz in and steal your goodies?
          
          Change the locks and stop it right now!!
          
          Always be kind to you.
          
          With  Love 
          

           Welcome to the last day in the first half of 2020!!!
          =, =, =
          Yep, it has being that kinda year  so far!
          
          I am celebrating God's Grace for blessing my life, celebrating my family, friendships,  connection  and the opportunity to spend time with the ones who are my roots. 
          
          We have come through various situations these past six months. I mourn with those who have lost loved ones, whose circumstances have being altered drastically and feel the uncertainty and shakiness that the future seems to be. 
          
           What I have learnt, however, is that the future was always uncertain and shaky anyways; so do not spend good energy dwelling in that glass house.
          Gaining a deeper understanding of who I am(you are) as a person, the things I (you) need to live a happy life, what is important to my (your) core self and how important community is.
          
          So, as you (we) enter into the next half of this amazing year, I wish you growth, prosperity, joy and memorable experiences to weave into the pattern of your incredible life!
          
          Count your blessings
          Learn from your struggles
          Never apologize for your truth
          Walk in your power
          Stand for what you beleive in
          Honor your words.
          
          Here is to the next six months of awesome or  or ☕!
          
          With love
          

Since joining this community, I have had the priviledge and opportunity to tremendously enjoy writings from a wide range of authors.
          Everyone brings their sense of humor; love of wonder and unbridled passion of exploration with words into the open ; so that I (we) are able to partake in it. 
          
          From original works to fan ficition, from continuing a series when the ending made us mad; to expanding on our hopes for the series that left us filled with happy endings. All has contributed to my (our) entertainment, learnings, vocabulary and therefore to our growth.
          
          I have learnt a lot about sexuality, identity; self expression and being open to learning about the things I didn't know -I didn't know.
          
          This is what this community is for me. So thank you to all the amazing writers I follow, those I have read but have not followed yet and those I have yet to discover.
           I hope you know how much you are appreciated.
          Know how much of a difference you make and know that you are giving someone somewhere in the world wings!

New Beginnings.
          Each day we are afforded the opportunity to grow into ourselves, to stretch beyond any constraints we impose on our reality.
          Over the last 15 months, I have consciously uncoupled myself from a few paths that were no longer serving my highest self. In my quest for clarification and in some instances comfort, I have had to open my heart, my mind, and ultimately my inner self to the uncomfortable feeling of the unknown.
          
          Doubt is the enemy of faith and while I know my faith is strong, at times I pushed it so far away that it made doubt walk in so I was asking myself: Will I ever be loved for me? Will I ever find love? Will I ever be more than what I currently am? What am I actually doing? Where am I going? Is this it? (in no particular order :) )
          
          This month, I have taken some ME time removing myself from the pressures I was placing on myself; and the noise I was creating within me.
          I read psychical books " Help Me" by Marianne Power and "Mistakes to Run With" by Yasuko Thanh.
          I reintroduced myself to Jon B - They don't know, Marc Anthony- You Sang to me and When I dream at night, Rene & Angela - Your Smile, Chaka Khan- I'm every woman. ( I loooovvvveeee music right)
          I sat in silence and fell asleep (anyone who has done yoga with me, knows this well ).
          Through this journey, I am reaffirmed that I AM ENOUGH and new beginnings are essential for growth. I love this quote that I found, " There are no Mistakes, Only Lessons. Growth is a process of trial and error."
          This may sound weird to say, but it was the period I needed at the end of my sentence.
          
          So as we walk out of November getting ready to embrace December, let us embrace opportunities to restart, begin anew, reset, refresh, turn over, replant. I know I will!

Hellos :) Thank you for reading and commenting on my story #SOTUS Continued Book One. I love your comments^^

Stepping into the unknown
          So after much praying, soul searching, body breaking down, tears and intense conversation..I left my job.
          WOAH!
          Stepping into the unknown. Being responsible to my physical and mental health is the first priority. 
          What is the use of showing up in a place where you are constantly undermined, belittled, lied about, having your credibility and character called into question?
          So I listened to my body- it spoke to me through panic attacks, chest pains, numb arms, inflamation of muscles and joints, headaches.
          I was feeding it well until the pressure became too much and I started to neglect it. Not acceptable.
          I was treating the symptoms thru accupuncture, massage, chiropractic care, natural therapy. The very modes I was using for selfcare then became a mode for survival. Not acceptable.
          Negative energy has its lifeforce and not wanting to share that energy saw a decline in enjoyment of life. True, my series binge watching went way up- not that I can remember what I watched, but that only allowed me to hide from the world and people.
          Toxic energy had no place in my life. So the decision was made to remove myself from it. Am I a little frightened? Hell yes.
          Am I estatic about what is next? You bet your boots I am. I am secure in the knowledge that honoring myself first above everything, making sure I have on my mask in this life turbulence allows me to look after everything else that arises both now and in the future.
          My mantra of feel the fear and do it anyway became a guide because in reality fear is a learnt behavior. So
          I decided that I am changing that...to..my updated mantra
          Step into faith and do it.
           Amazing how one saying bring butterflies and the other brings peace.
          What faith led decision have you stepped into on your journey, as you step into the unknown?
          

Beautiful summer is almost here. Soo excited! The past winter and now spring, has been fat meltingly, muscle shaping, brain building, strength growingly ÀMÀŹBALLS. 
          That's right amazingly ball grabbing good!!!
          When you take care of yourself spiritually, emotionally , physically, mentally and psychologically,  their is nothing sexier. Giving back to others and extending yourself beyond your normal boundaries is an indescribable feeling. 
          I have relearnt how amazing and STRONG my body is. That I can trust it. That  when I feed it well and listen to what it's saying to me always, I can be happier and cut my stress down.
          I have learnt that letting go of things and people that no longer serve your best interest and growth, opens areas that are limitless and brings new energy to the new phase that you  are growing into.
          Feel the fear and do it anyway. I am so happy I did! 
          
          Step out into the unknown. 
          As I move into summer this is now my new mantra.
          I have discovered that my taste buds is allowing me to travel the world through food. Japanese...bento boxes ..I did not know I needed this in my life until I tried it one Saturday I was too lazy to cook.
          Korean..japchae had become my favorite dish.
          Philippines...that chicken soup with papaya and ginger and pepper leaves ..woah..
          Can't wait to uncover new things and new people during these next three months.
          
          What's your personal mantra and what have you discovered about your fabulousness this year?

Here we are at the end of three months into 2019 and what a start it has been. So much LIFE.  LIFE ...To live, to embrace, at times to endure, to hope through, to laugh at, to hug out.
          Winter has been a beast here in my neck of the world. Days so bitterly cold it amazes me that we actually leave our homes, yet, equally days the snow is so gorgeous you can't help bundling up and going for a walk to hear the crunch of snow under your boots or to create new footprints in a yet unmarked patch of snow just waiting to be discovered. The crispness of the air, the bite to your cheeks and the instant melt when you get into a warm building. It has been cold but so beautiful that you are reminded that this LIFE is meant to be lived. To be embraced, to be celebrated.
          With the dawn of spring, this CELEBRATION shouts out with a loud voice. Run season is here, walks through the parks are around the corner. Shorts, t-shirts, sandals and my best sunglasses await exposure. 
          Reading on the balcony and drinking amazing drinks awaits. I am excited! What are you excited about?