'Tis the Season to Crack Some Nuts...Please share and enjoy!
May your holidays be filled with joy and laughter this season...
Monday, December 7, 2015
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Criticize me Rightly
How do we criticize another in a constructive manner, is there any reason to criticize another at all? Blame, attacks, put downs, negativity are all a waste of time and erode at the self and our intimate relationships.
So, what is the way to criticize someone rightly? And, to whose criticism should we listen to? The wonderful author Elizabeth Gilbert was saying that she never ever reads her critics reviews, or reads feedback on her work on the Internet. Why? There is no point, it will in no way better her, or her work at that point. This however, does not mean that she does not take constructive criticism, from the right people at the right time.
I have noticed that as I mature and come into my own I am more discerning about who I am listening to regarding the feedback they are giving to me about my heart, my art, or my character. If I go around listening to everyone (as I have tried to do at times) I find that I become a jumble of feelings with lack of direction. I am trying so hard to try to be nice, good, pleasing to everyone and often people of whom it shouldn't matter.
So, here are my four criteria now for people that I listen to regarding my faults and my growth.
# 1 - Do you know me enough to understand my soul and my goal?
#2 - Do you have my best interests in mind when you give me feedback?
#3 - Do I trust your expertise, insight, and guidance?
#4 - Do you have a tender heart and give me the feedback with kindness and caring?
That's it. I want feedback. I want criticism. I want to grow, and I want to know all my blind spots. Some of my best and most intimate relationships have helped me see so about myself that I needed to improve. This is wonderful, however I must trust you want the best for me and that your insight is with clarity and love. And, that said, I'll try with all my might to only give feedback in this fashion to those loved ones around me as well.
So, what is the way to criticize someone rightly? And, to whose criticism should we listen to? The wonderful author Elizabeth Gilbert was saying that she never ever reads her critics reviews, or reads feedback on her work on the Internet. Why? There is no point, it will in no way better her, or her work at that point. This however, does not mean that she does not take constructive criticism, from the right people at the right time.
I have noticed that as I mature and come into my own I am more discerning about who I am listening to regarding the feedback they are giving to me about my heart, my art, or my character. If I go around listening to everyone (as I have tried to do at times) I find that I become a jumble of feelings with lack of direction. I am trying so hard to try to be nice, good, pleasing to everyone and often people of whom it shouldn't matter.
So, here are my four criteria now for people that I listen to regarding my faults and my growth.
# 1 - Do you know me enough to understand my soul and my goal?
#2 - Do you have my best interests in mind when you give me feedback?
#3 - Do I trust your expertise, insight, and guidance?
#4 - Do you have a tender heart and give me the feedback with kindness and caring?
That's it. I want feedback. I want criticism. I want to grow, and I want to know all my blind spots. Some of my best and most intimate relationships have helped me see so about myself that I needed to improve. This is wonderful, however I must trust you want the best for me and that your insight is with clarity and love. And, that said, I'll try with all my might to only give feedback in this fashion to those loved ones around me as well.
Sunday, November 1, 2015
For the Love of Honesty
Radical honesty is the only way to keep love living, breathing, and alive.
It breeds intimacy, authenticity, trust, communication, and freedom of self.
It is the true language of unconditional lasting love and worth every risk of vulnerability.
Keep the love alive with truth. xo Simone
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Thursday, October 1, 2015
White Noise.
There is so much information out there. Racing at the speed of light. Into our minds, into our consciousness, into our hearts. It comes in and is filtered through our soul so quickly it is hard for us to tell where it begins and we end. It is one big pulsating universal vibration. Do I think that person is beautiful, or do ads just tell me to think that? Do I want to be a lawyer, or is it just to make my parents happy? Am I ready to get married, or is it just because people say it's time? In the end all of this is white noise that distracts us from our true self, from our heart, from our direction, from our own song.
We all have a path. It is noble, it is our direction, our way, our calling. It belongs to no one but us. We must listen to it, we must follow it, everything else is simply white noise. When we find ourselves thinking too much it may be because our heart is battling with our mind. Our heart always knows the truth, firmly, honestly, clearly - our mind questions with fear and doubt. Listen to the heart, block out the white noise. It is not always easy, but it is there, please give it welcoming space to come to the surface.
As Rumi says "Close your eyes, and look with another eye". You will see the way with no distraction.
We all have a path. It is noble, it is our direction, our way, our calling. It belongs to no one but us. We must listen to it, we must follow it, everything else is simply white noise. When we find ourselves thinking too much it may be because our heart is battling with our mind. Our heart always knows the truth, firmly, honestly, clearly - our mind questions with fear and doubt. Listen to the heart, block out the white noise. It is not always easy, but it is there, please give it welcoming space to come to the surface.
As Rumi says "Close your eyes, and look with another eye". You will see the way with no distraction.
Monday, September 28, 2015
For You.
For you whom I spoke to who then took something from my purse. For you who complimented me and then deceived me. For you who carefully left everything in tack except for my bank cards and my varying ID's. For you who knew what you were doing. For you who went to Home Depot, 711, QFC, and bought things with my identity. For you who had a moment to make a different choice, but did not. For you who smiled at me and then stole from me. For you who must feel there is no better option then to take from someone else.
For you. I forgive you.
I am not sure what your name is, or if you are married, or if you have children, or where you live. I am not sure why you felt you needed to take those things from me on that day. I was in shock, we were at a public pool, it was a beautiful sunny day. My cards will be replaced, my money will be replaced, but my identity can never be replaced - because it is mine from the inside out. My life moves on, but perhaps this sits inside of you. I am not mad. Only sad. I wish more for you. You deserve more, when you take from another, you are taking from yourself because we are all one. I am not certain as to all the circumstances in your life, but I wish it gets better for you. There is more for you out there in this life. I wish you peace, I wish you the best.
For you. I forgive you.
I am not sure what your name is, or if you are married, or if you have children, or where you live. I am not sure why you felt you needed to take those things from me on that day. I was in shock, we were at a public pool, it was a beautiful sunny day. My cards will be replaced, my money will be replaced, but my identity can never be replaced - because it is mine from the inside out. My life moves on, but perhaps this sits inside of you. I am not mad. Only sad. I wish more for you. You deserve more, when you take from another, you are taking from yourself because we are all one. I am not certain as to all the circumstances in your life, but I wish it gets better for you. There is more for you out there in this life. I wish you peace, I wish you the best.
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Be.You.Tiful.
Beauty. It is an ever evolving concept and topic. Trends change, molds we need to fit in are re-shaped. It can be a battle to stay in and to keep up. Somewhere along the lines I stopped caring. I became less interesting in modeling and more interested in making a mold. As a teenager I think I was interested in fitting into the model mold, I had a body type that was current, and it appealed to me - and my ego. Then I wizened as I grew because I saw that I or that trend can change and the confidence from that validation is impermanent. I looked around and saw all the very different people of shapes and sizes that were deemed beautiful across the ages. I saw different countries and cultures that had totally differing opinions on the standard bar. Even in my own life I saw the waffling. When I was a ballet dancer I was told I could never be skinny enough, if I had no curves it was best. When I was modeling I was told it was good that I was thin but I should highlight my curves, my butt and boobs needed to be show cased. And, when I would volunteer in the prisons the kids would tell me daily I was too skinny and I needed to put some meat on my bones. Then I saw beauty mold makers and shapers who I thought were stunning like Audrey Hepburn who came out as a wisp like beauty in a fifties bombshell era. Or, Jennifer Lopez, who came out as a proud big booty owner in a sea of fake boobies world. Then everyone wanted to be like Audrey Hepburn or like Jennifer Lopez.
What am I trying to say? Don't buy the hype. If you fit into the current mold or not- who cares. Love yourself, love your body regardless. As the Tao Te Ching says "Whether you go up the ladder or down it you position is shaky, only when you have your two feet on the ground will you always have your balance." True beauty is self empowerment, healthiness, and confidence. Owning exactly what you are, as you are now.
What am I trying to say? Don't buy the hype. If you fit into the current mold or not- who cares. Love yourself, love your body regardless. As the Tao Te Ching says "Whether you go up the ladder or down it you position is shaky, only when you have your two feet on the ground will you always have your balance." True beauty is self empowerment, healthiness, and confidence. Owning exactly what you are, as you are now.
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