Self Love

Self Love: Patience

Some days it may seem hard to love yourself. But we must learn to be patient with ourselves even on rainy days.

In the last post I mentioned the basic ingredients of self-love: patience, perseverance, forgiveness, joy, and peace.

I wanted to talk about all 5 today, but let’s take it one step at a time: patience.

Patience is something I’m working on. At a concert the other day, I was reminded of this. I huffed and puffed while waiting on a long bathroom line. And that definitely didn’t help the line line move any faster! My friend brought it to my attention. She said, “I think of you as a patient person, so what was that all about?” After letting her know that she’s just going to have to love me anyway, I thought about it. I am generally a patient person, very…when it comes to people. But I must admit, situations sometimes get the best of me. I hate lines, traffic annoys me, and sometimes, I get frustrated with my circumstances. I want things to accelerate already!

Patience is a form of kindness and I’m learning to be more patient with myself. I am learning that it is important to be gentle with myself, to be encouraging. Patience is about finding peace with the process. Patience is about trusting that things will work out for the highest good.

Maybe we can plant a seed with the faith of tree. Maybe we can water and nurture the soil and not steal the sunshine of our dreams. And when a stream of life force peeks beyond the dirt— that brown stem with one leaf on it— maybe we can let it be… 

 

I promise myself that I won’t yank my dreams from the ground, not have it whither with the sound of frustration. I promise myself to make peace with the process. I promise myself patience as a testimony of self-love.

~Amadella Clarke
self love

Self Love

A Dose of Self Love:

To truly love, is to be gentle with, to be at peace with, to encourage, to uplift, to be uplifted. Even as I'm on a path towards my dreams, my love, my perfect destination, it is so important to remember to be at peace with the journey, with simply being. I'm working on peace as a state of being.

Self love really comes before being able to love anyone else. It's like a beautiful flower on a spring day. If you don't have the beauty inside of you, you will not appreciate the flower. You may not even see it.

A dose of self love prescribed by the Divine.

So what does it look like, feel like, sound like, taste like? This thing called self love. Well, for everyone it is different. I know I loooove nature. Time spent in nature, enjoying its messages, makes me feel close to myself. And I love it! What do you love? Let yourself love what you love.

Although self love is different for everyone, there are a few basic ingredients: patience, perseverance, forgiveness, joy, and peace.

~Amadella Clarke
self love

Remember 9/11:

Remember 9/11:

When you must fight, "you better know what you're fighting for." 

Lives lost- for what? I'm not quite sure. By who, I still don't know. But remember, for the reminder that life is bigger than you, that it is you, that you count, that you're countless, all in one. Remember for the reminder that what goes up, must come down, that down is sometimes right-side-up and up is sometimes up- side- down. Remember for the resilience of spirit. For those that refuse to die, still. For that unwavering flame within you, which surpasses all supposed life and bypasses all supposed death.

-Amadella Clarke, Author/Teacher

9/11

Table 9: The Experience of a Lifetime

Table 9: The Experience of a Lifetime

 
I remember the moment I decided to go on the publishing cruise. It was a sudden decision I made right around my birthday and I excitedly waited for the time to come. I’d decided to take a chance and treat myself and I was rewarded for my courage. Yes, it took courage! I didn’t even think about it like that initially. Then, I listened to the reaction from others when they heard that I went on that cruise…alone. I was excited for the adventure of being in new places and learning new things, but I did not know that the adventure would be in the wonderful women I would meet.

The adventure was a combination of bonding with my roommate, meeting the other amazing women that sat at table 9, and experiencing the adventures around the Caribbean islands with wonderful new friends. On the ship, those who were there for the workshop gathered each night for dinner. The first day, we had assigned tables, which allowed us to get acquainted with one another. Along with my roommate, I took my assigned seat at table 9, where I met several young women with purpose, vision, and drive. From day one, it felt as though our seats were divinely assigned.

To all the women of Table 9: Thank you for the experience of a lifetime!

-Amadella Clarke, Author of The Keys Are Inside

table 9 

Self Esteem

Self Esteem: Back to You

Self-expression is undeniably a part of self-esteem. As you come into yourself, and begin to express who you truly are, you develop self-esteem.

Yes, I believe that self-esteem, unlike what should be yours from birth—a sense of worthiness—is developed. 

We often hear of teens and tweens having low self-esteem, but low self-esteem is not restricted for the youngins.   I believe that the secret to having high self esteem is discovering your passion and expressing yourself! Do what you love and you will discover that you are what you love—that you are love.

There will be those times you doubt yourself but when you know a thing about what you love, you will get back to self-expression in no time. Then, you will get back to you.

-Amadella Clarke, Author of The Keys Are Inside

self esteem

Love

Love is....

Love is the ability to see others through the eyes of the Divine…

Love is unconditional because love always is.

Although the realization of love can strengthen over time and although the love you feel for another may weaken, love is always there, present. At any given time you’re either with love, or moving towards or away from it.  

You are in love when you feel aligned with your truest self. I know that many are looking for love. Love must be found within you before it is found outside. The love that you are will indeed be reflected.  

Do what you love; be who you love; love who you love. 

It’s simple. Love is never complicated. Even when you feel conflicted or weighted down, it is not the love that does this. Love uplifts. Period. Love is.

-Amadella Clarke

 Author, The Keys Are Inside

love 

Manifesting

Manifesting The Best

In one sense, manifesting is a process and in another it is instantaneous.  Like time, manifesting can be observed and experienced in more ways than one. Time is linear in this reality; yet, on a grander scale, it is infinite.

Manifesting your desires can be compared to the desire to grow a plant. Once you set that intention, the idea of it is very real. The idea can be viewed as the seed. The seed has infinite potential. Yet, it must be planted, nurtured and exposed to the light. Sending a plant loving intentions can help it grow. However, obsessing over it may cause it to wither. When you plant a seed, there is an expectation of growth. You do not stand over it saying, "Is it growing? Is it there yet...is it?" That’s kind of crazy, right? Yet, I have found myself doing just that when attempting to manifest my desires.

I have recently manifested wonderful things and still have some things I am working on. That is the beauty of life. With every dream fulfilled, another is born or refined. To manifest, one must be in a state of appreciation, not in a state of lack. I did not manifest until I felt grateful, creative, abundant and at rest with my current situation. It makes perfect sense really. A rich attitude and perspective can be linked to the richness of soil. If the soil is rich with nutrients, a healthy plant is more likely to grow.

-Amadella Clarke

Author of The Keys Are Inside

manifesting 

Wellness

Wellness is:

I believe in focusing on wellness rather than reliance on the healthcare system. Both of my parents are actually registered nurses and have been for over 30 years. I respect them as professionals; however, I often urge them (and everyone) to do their own research about food to exercise, and to think twice about pills and vaccinations. 

At the end of the day, the healthcare system is just that—a system. The healthcare system is potentially detrimental when people do not take it upon themselves to take care into their own hands. Maintain your well-being. It is empowering! 

The energy invested will return tenfold. It will not only return in physical energy. It will return in mental stimulation, a more balanced emotional state and spiritual upliftment (upliftment is not a real word but it should be). A pill won't do it for you.


So what does wellness look like?

Wellness is peace.
Wellness is love.
Wellness is recognizing that your body is meant to move.
Wellness is moving your body.
Wellness is creativity.
Wellness is a balance. 
Often, wellness is a state of being, rather than a state of doing.

A big part of wellness is knowing yourself. Nature is therapeutic for me. What brings you tranquility? Nature generates a feeling of wellness because it is always happening, now. What is, is. And what is, is accepted by the earth. She works with the storm and the rain, the sunshine and the waves. She recognizes that they are all a part of who she is. Wellness is being at peace with what is. Still, wellness is striving for better. We are always evolving.

Wellness is an ongoing pathway with simple retreats along the way.

Amadella Clarke 

Author of The Keys Are Inside

wellness 

Gender Roles

Gender Roles: A Two Lane Road

I believe that each human being is a combination of feminine and masculine energies. A balance is necessary. A woman needs a bit of charge and a man needs a bit of sensitivity. No, I don't believe a woman or a man needs to "stay in his or her own lane", and I acknowledge that there is nothing black and white about gender. After all, there are those individuals who are biologically one sex, yet feel more aligned to the opposite gender. That being said, I believe there is something positive about gender roles. 

Gender roles are... natural.

 

That may sound a little taboo in this society but that's the thing about societies--societies are often manipulated in the name of so-called development. If you have any doubt that gender roles are natural, look to nature! Animals in the wild take on specific roles. It's a matter of survival. There's something to that.

As for me, I'm very attracted to masculine energy. I like the man to be able to fix things, to be physically strong, to be mentally stable (not that a woman is the opposite of these things). Still, I like a balance: I love a man that's in touch with nature—the natural flow of things in the natural world, a man that can communicate and listen, that is thoughtful and sweet. 

I believe that feminine and masculine energies work best hand-in-hand—both in a partnership and in an individual.

-Amadella Clarke, Author of The Keys are Inside

gender roles

Maintaining Passion and Purpose

Maintaining Passion and Purpose in the Face of Life's Challenges 

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Yesterday, I bought a shirt that says: "Driven to Win."  And a full jogging suit...sneakers and all. I'm going to use it all as a metaphor to keep going, to tie my shoe laces, to face the cold, to put one foot in front of the other. To remember that, although I'll end up where I started (home), it's all about the journey. When I was younger, I was so good at it: maintaining passion and purpose in the face of life's challenges- so good, I didn't even know I was doing it! I used to roller-blade everywhere. I didn't realize it then but it was a great way to keep things rolling. I had to be in the moment, present...what a gift.... 

-Pray. Meditate. Silent your mind, the fears. They don't rule you. Some people do scrap books, some read, some take a walk, some clasp their hands in prayer, some ride a bike, some cook, some drive...

-Stay in touch with your aspirations and let them be a driving force in your life...when you feel lost, challenged, even when you feel right on track.  Write down your dreams/ goals, allow them to take form, even if it's only on paper for now.

-Know that challenges are a part of life, the natural cycle of things. I've been watching National Geographic Wild, and Planet Earth...envisioning visiting some of the wonderful places, witnessing life. I see how animals prepare for the winter, protect their young, travel together, let out their calls, and I think of us. We've created a life far removed from the true nature of things. If we look closely, though, we'll see that although we have houses for protection, we too must sustain the winter, we too must protect the young, we too must travel together, we too must let out our calls.

-Challenges are a part of the natural cycle. We must remember this and know that we have what it takes to sustain difficult weather. It's important to do and enjoy things that help you focus on the moment at times and on dreams at other times. Clarity about the future happens in the moment.

-Amadella Clarke, Author of "The Keys are Inside"

passion and purpose

Switching

Switching Our Outlook

I like the idea of "switching our outlook" because it sounds automatic, like switching the light on in a dark room. Watching "James and the Giant Peach" as a child, I remember a distraught James looking up in the clouds unable to see the any images. His mother suggested, "Try looking at it another way." Instantly, he saw an image his imagination had previously suppressed. About ten years ago, Wayne Dyer captivated me on a PBS special when he said, "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." And just this week, I heard a woman say, "If there's a lesson in it, then there's a blessing in it too."  These things ring true for me.

We are not always able to see that every negative has a positive, that light can lead the way in the darkest of times. There is "no way" to see the stars when you are not looking to the skies. Sometimes what seems like (or very well may be) rotten, confusing, chaotic, homeless times, can switch before our eyes. The switch makes new ideas and pockets of inspiration possible.

When you're in a "bad place" and you get a sense of hope, joy, light, or inspiration, grab a pen, a paint brush, go for a walk in nature, paint a picture, make some music, dance, take a moment, breathe it in.

-Amadella Clarke, Author of The Keys Are Inside

 thank you bamboo

Prosperity

Success And The Mindset of Prosperity

 

I define success as the ability to fulfill what I believe to be my life’s purpose. In order to make things happen and to allow, it is important to create a sense of clarity around your goals, as well as to create space. 

The components of my goals are ever-evolving. I believe in the importance mapping out dreams and aspirations. This can be a challenge, especially when dreams seem far away. But it is important and beneficial. Visualizing and writing specifics of your goals can be the magnetic force that helps you to achieve them. 

It is important to create space around your goals to allow them to grow as you grow. When there is space around your goals, you can better allow change; you can better allow your creativity to flourish.

-Amadella Clarke, Author of The Keys Are Inside

prosperity 

Feel Grateful and Abundant- You Are

Feel Grateful and Abundant- You Are

Abundance is first a foremost a state of mind. Don’t roll your eyes just yet. Listen. Your state of mind dictates your perception. Your perception shifts your reality: What you believe, you will see. Look at your world around you: You are always right.

I personally understand the potential frustration in what I am saying. Just a few days ago, I felt burdened by my troubles. Like many, I am currently job-seeking. I was frustrated because I’m asking myself why it’s so hard; why can’t I just get what I’m looking for so I can be happy and proceed with my goals? Then, I said a prayer that changed my outlook, from a glass half empty to one half full, from lack to abundance. The prayer actually came in the form of a Facebook update: 

 Dear God, renew my strength, faith, patience, peace, love, compassion, drive, mission, service, vision, hearing, feet, destiny, determination, smile, kindness, light, soul, purpose, clarity, belief, mojo, spirit, body, mind, knowingness, style, warmth, sunshine, twinkle, flesh, aura, health, wealth, perspective, eyes, hands, healing, voice, sound, creativity, life.

In retrospect, I believe that this prayer was inviting abundance into my life. No, I have not received a job offer just yet, but I am well on my way. I know because of the way I feel. I have been more productive, creative, positive, and happy. Yes, I am back! I feel joyful and I am well on my way.

The saying comes to mind: You are what you eat. So go ahead: feed yourself with that which you want to attract. Feel grateful and abundant. You are.

Amadella Clarke

Author of "The Keys are Inside"

abundance 


Leave a comment below if this helped you in anyway!

What-I-Want-In-A-Partner lists

The List Goes On...

There are many types of lists: bucket lists, 3-5 year plan lists, to-do lists, grocery lists…the list goes on. Sometimes when I feel overwhelmed I make a list. 

It is usually simple: When I feel I may be running late, I might make a timed list to keep myself on track. Sometimes I make a list when I feel a little anxiety setting in, even when I am not sure what the uneasiness is about. 

That kind of list usually consists of the things I want to do for the day. I put a cute little box next to each line and love it when I get to check them all. Well done. That works for me. And then there are those What-I-Want-In-A-Partner lists.

I didn’t think there was anything wrong with my list until I heard it out loud. During a conversation with a new friend about relationships, I dug up “the list” on my computer. I read it to her out loud and we ended up laughing out loud. Sure, there were many important qualities on the list, but some things were down-right ridiculous. 

I’m almost embarrassed to say that my list actually stated: Must have great eyesight, and Must love angels. I smile when I think about the ridiculousness. Of course I was keeping that person at bay, because he doesn't exist!

My friend helped me to select the truly important qualities on the list. Now, although I have no clue where the revised list is, what I want is definitely in my heart. And my heart is open.

-Amadella Clarke, Author of "The Keys are Inside"

Family Ties

Change and Transition

Change and Transition

Change and transition, although sometimes wearing a daunting mask, is a necessary and beautiful part of life. I absolutely understand the potential frustration of transition.

Sometimes, I feel like I’ve been transitioning for too damn long! When is the real change going to come? This is a question I sometimes ask myself. When will the evidence of my steady reach towards my goals be in the palm of my hands?

Yes, things have been transitioning for a while now. The changes in our world sometimes seem to mirror transitions in our personal lives. We, as beings on this earth, are on the verge of something: a breakdown, a breakout, or a breakthrough, as I like to say. I choose a breakthrough- at least ultimately. 

I find peace in my accomplishments, big and small. I am learning the meaning of my mistakes. One step backwards can mean propelling along your path with clearer vision and purpose.

Even as I look outside, the beautiful season of change is here. 

-Amadella Clarke, Author of "The Keys Are Inside"

Change and Transition

Follow Your Inner Voice

Follow Your Inner Voice:

I believe that your inner voice is always there. Whether you are able to hear it is another matter altogether. To hear and listen is to be in a state of allowing. Sometimes, we fumble for the right answer, we weigh in and out the logic, we fall to our knees. And sometimes, we surrender. 

That moment of giving "up" may be exactly what you need. No, you are not quitting: you're releasing your worries to God (giving "up"). Release your troubles for an answer, a solution, relief. 

I am learning a clearer path to my intuition, my inner voice. That whisper is always there, within. I had been going back and fourth, contemplating whether I wanted to pursue an endeavor. I simply was not sure. Money was an issue. And whether this endeavor would help me on my path was unclear. I am still uncertain (like I once heard in a song sometime: I'm only sure that I'm not sure). But today, I made a decision. You may not always be at ease with a decision granted by your intuition, that whisper. There may be screams trying to counteract that soft, knowing voice. Be patient with yourself. Learn the sway of her presence. 

-Amadella Clarke  Author, "The Keys are Inside"
inner voice