" Shake It Off ... "

But I keep cruising, can't stop, won't stop moving

It's like I got this music in my body and it's gonna be alright

'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play

And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate ... 

Heartbreakers gonna break, break, break, break, break

And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake

Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake

I shake it off, I shake it off

I'll never miss a beat, I'm lightning on my feet

And that's what they don't see mmm, that's what they don't see mmm ... 

I, I shake it off, I shake it off

~ Taylor Swift ~ Shake It Off ~

***

When you feel no need to defend your thoughts, opinions, or ideas, you can deal with life knowing that you are empowered, your faith is strong, and you are able to shake “it” off.  

Faith comes from our own ability to recognize the influence the world has around us actually comes from within us.  Rather than being driven to prove our place, we become confidant in our actions, behaviours and words.  So when life events occur, we tap into that place to manage, cope and deal.

The need to engage in confrontations or conflict, and trying to defend ourselves is no longer required.  We have confidence in the moment and secure with our personal power.  

We don’t feel the need to be right, or teach a lesson, or point out a mistake, or preach.  We learn that every one has their own journey full of successes and failures to experience.  We learn that we are in no position to judge, unless we open ourselves up to be judged.  We learn loving compassion and kindness for those that disagree with our point of view.  We find that people can have different opinions, but still respect one another.  And we learn that the we have very little control of an outcome.

For those whom don’t resonate with these ideas, subconsciously we all demonstrate faith, daily ... if we are blessed to live another day.  When catastrophes happen, we don’t fall apart, even if we think we may.  We are only as strong as we allow ourselves to be and what we believe will manifest ...

Personally, I started with developing a trustworthiness of the Universe.  I opened my mind and heart to the possibility of anything.  I detached myself from the outcome, and began to take notice along the way.  And I freed myself of others through forgiveness and listened to my heart’s deep desire.  I realized that no one is perfect and expecting myself and others to live up to a fictitious standard results in suffering.  

By living each day in a state of unshakable faith, it grows to support me when facing predicaments ... it is a practice, a practice of gratitude for what is and appreciation for whatever comes.  When you find yourself fully immersed in this space, faith is ... unshakable ... 

www.walkstrong.ca

" Rainbow ... "

We're the colours of the rainbow (yeah, yeah)
Let's share our pot of gold 

We're the colours of the rainbow (yeah, yeah) 
Everybody's on the yellow brick road 

But you feel blue sometimes 
And you're blood bleeds red like mine 
The grass is greener on the other side 
What I'm saying is we're all alike ...

There's enough for you, you, you 
There's enough for me, me, me 
We're the colours of the rainbow (yeah, yeah) 
We're the colours of the rainbow (yeah, yeah) 
Rainbow 

~ Jesse J ~ Rainbow ~
***

This past weekend, my beautiful girlfriends and I, had the honour, privilege and blessing to experience a talk with Dr. Maya Angelou.  Yes THE Dr. Maya Angelou ... and if I had one word to describe it ... phenomenal.

She spoke of the importance of rainbows ... "When it looks like the sun isn't going to shine any more, God put a rainbow in the clouds. Each one of us has the possibility, the responsibility, the probability to be the rainbow in the clouds."

“Whose rainbow in the clouds are you?” ~ Dr. Maya Angelou

At the age of 84, you could say that Dr. Angelou has lived a lot of life.  As she candidly shared her life story, we understood that her lack of formal schooling was made up by her continuous learned lessons about humankind.

At an early age, she was sent to her paternal grandparents.  And since her grandfather was one of a few black business owners during a difficult time, everyday was a lesson in his store.  She shared great stories of individuals who at a young age were influenced by her grandfather ... only to become influential in their own way ... thanks primarily to that influence.  Her loving grandmother raised her with the idea of never being a victim and to stand tall with the love poetry as poetry gave you “starch for you back”.  And her grandmother was the one that told her she would be a teacher one day and teach the world ... and so it is.

Dr. Angelou has great wit and a voice that resonates with all present.  You could listen to her for hours as she recites many of her poems, some in song, which enlightens and comforts your soul.  Her emphasis of laughter was present throughout her message as she shared many jokes ... resulting in those beautiful belly laughs.  Yes indeed, very good medicine.

“Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud.” ~ Dr. Maya Angelou

And as she continued to share her story, you understood her sadness during the early years, specifically surrounding sexual abuse.  She led us through the events proceeding from that time to her life at the age of 16, standing in front of the UN in San Francisco, as a young black, 6 foot, unwed, uneducated pregnant girl.  Dr. Angelou told us of her teary wonderment of whether she would ever have the opportunity to be present in an important place like that.  And of course for those that follow her life, she was asked to recite a poem for the 50th anniversary of the UN.  Yes indeed, she was very present.

Her appreciation for those people who cared for her, who said “I believe you can do it” was more evident as she noted she had many rainbows ... many teachers, and they are always with her, pointing to the invisibly "crowded" stage in front of her.  And then just as we were about to thank her, she thanked the audience for letting her be a rainbow in our clouds ... one word to describe it ... phenomenal.