Have you felt the energy in a room or a virtual zoom?
At times the collective energy has a subtle scent of joy and happiness. And other times the energy is stifled and crippling.
Notice how you breathe in those instances - long deep breath or quick short breath. Notice how your body is feeling. There have been times where my body responds drastically and my stomach gets really upset - it happened twice in the past few weeks.
Those are signs and triggers that I need to take care of before it gets worse. I hate feeling helpless when I'm on the bathroom floor like on Sunday night and the only way is to flush it out of my system.
I started to pay attention to the energy around me - the aura if you will. It became a core element to my peace, happiness and joy in this world.
I love reading these messages on IG and this is the right energy for me versus getting anxious about what I have versus don't have.
I love my conversations with my fearless soul friend, always uplifting and sharing our journeys. Interpretations of life miracles and our creative love for sharing experiences in the form of art and music. We just talked about the ability to learn and unlearn in life. Sometimes, energy can feel that way. I always feel like I have so much energy after our catch up 😊
I make conscious choices every day to create my safe bubble and sanctuary and only channel the energy that feels at home. Interesting to think that I associate home with feeling safe. Sometimes it's mi gente and my true soul friends that make me feel at home and they genuinely care and reach out to ask how am I doing. Home is not a place or location it's wherever and with whomever we feel safe, cherished and loved.
What energy is around you today?
How are you feeling?
If you're not sure try the feelings wheel. Expressing how you feel is just as important.
https://feelingswheel.com/
There are times when you're in a conversation and you know the energy is off. It doesn't feel right. But at the same time you don't know what to do about it and you believe just being polite and staying in the conversation is the way to go. But perhaps not. The universe has a funny way of showing you what matters. Pay attention to the energy around you and the vibes that make you feel.
I have noticed since 2020 that the people who reach out to me and connect are folks that have a similar energy or complementary energy is another way to think of it.
When I reconnected a few weeks ago in San Francisco at first I thought it would be awkward since the divorce, but it was a pleasant surprise. It just felt right even though we have been distant for the past few years. I'm glad we got to catch up and share our journeys since Raleigh in 2021. I guess timing is everything and timing is nothing at the same time when you have a connection. Sweet of you to bring so many gifts based on what you remember from 5 years and my favorite Royce nama chocolate from Narita airport 🤗
Finding the right pace and rhythm of our energy is critical for our well-being, growth, and success.
Knowing where to draw the boundaries or windows or walls if you need, can help protect the energy around you.
Do what works best for you.
Nature's energy
My morning walks in nature are my source of energy. My daily appointment with the sun, the earth, and the wind.
When we start the day, think of our energy like the battery. We are recharged from a night of good rest and sleep and are now ready to take on the day full of energy.
When I start the day with mentoring or teaching that is the best way to start my day and the right source of energy to motivate me through the day.
Notice where your energy starts to deplete in what scenarios,
meetings or conversations.
Find a good balance so that you still have some energy at the end of the work day. When I complete a quest on Duolingo, it makes me fulfilled as I learn a new language and it charges my energy. Continuous learning and creativity are forms of energy for me. I recently discovered music on Duolingo and I have no rhythm clearly but it's nice to learn the music notes. Somehow a musical note 🎵 🎶 is part of my identity and in my signature style. As I've shared before, writing is therapy.
When I cook a meal mindfully it is a source of energy. Not being rushed and going with the flow in prepping and making a dish is pure bliss. Blending the ingredients in a recipe and transforming them to create something new and wonderful is my happy place. The flavor that feels at home. I noticed I haven't cooked much since I came to SF - just one meal for the week and eating leftovers from the weekend. Not ideal.
This is my meal prep for the week for breakfast - I love how the petit pots have come in handy to create my daily oatmeal with berries, dragon fruit, oats, chia, soymilk, nuts, and dark chocolate with a sprinkle of elderflower syrup, honey, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. It helps to make sure that I'm giving the right nutrients to have the energy for the day. #onemealatatime
And nothing like cooking and enjoying a dinner meal - burrata and sweet corn ravioli with panko-crusted salmon, garlic and cheese bread, and coleslaw. Discovering new food and restaurants is a source of energy, joy, and happiness.
Helping my community in meaningful acts of kindness such as a community cleanup on the weekends are ways to fuel my source of energy. It's a way to give back and also connect with folks who believe in a cleaner San Francisco. A sense of belonging is another beautiful source of energy.
On Saturday after volunteering at the Bayview 3rd Street community cleanup, I made a new friend - a 13-month-old pup Chase. That's interesting that it's 13 months old and Electra is 13 years old. I think this is a German Shepherd breed but like I said I don't know much about dogs. My skin is hyper-sensitive and got hives with the pup bites on my arm and hands. I think Chase was playful and eager to connect. I find it interesting that I'm comfortable with dogs even though I don't know what is the right thing to do. At least I know the energy felt right - lovingkindness and compassion.
Exploring San Francisco on the weekend is a source of energy after the community cleanup. A pure joy and bliss to see the city and the hidden gems in its glory.
Mindful energy and aura
Once a friend mentioned I had a white glow/aura. I didn't know much about Aura but I thought maybe it was true.
As I read more about Aura the different colors represent our energy source.
I love this message I read on IG - your purpose is not the thing you do. It's the thing that happens in others when you do what you do. I truly believe my purpose and ikigai is to help and mentor folks to be their true authentic selves. And to do the same for myself to be authentic always. No more pretending to be something that I'm not or to feel like I have to be something that I'm not. I can exist and thrive in this universe just as I am.
I love my conversations with my mentees because they bring the best in me and I aspire to bring the best in them. To find and be our true authentic selves.
I like to believe that the energy we give out is the energy we receive. The universe is always conspiring whether we see or feel it or not. So, let's be mindful of how we present ourselves in the world today. Small acts of kindness can uplift someone's day. That's what I aim for every day with my mentees, students, and team members.
But I'm also human. Not every conversation or interaction is going to be or feel right and I need to remind to be kind to myself. It's okay if some conversations are not ideal. It's part of the process of growth and unlearning. Knowing what works and what doesn't work for you is just as key. And I make a conscious choice to stay away and distance myself when it doesn't feel right from folks who have a different energy that is in conflict.
And some days you just don't have the energy to do anything at all. And that's okay too. We need to rest and take care of ourselves before we take care of our teams, family, friends, and communities.
Sun is my energy source
Waking up to the sunrise every morning is a beautiful way to get started and to feel connected with the energy source.
Seeing flowers in bloom, birds chirping, and waves in the bay are all sources of energy, calm, and peace.
There are different modes of energy, some high, some low, some chaotic and some inner rhythm.
As an ambivert, I have two modes of energy - high and low, on and off. There are times when I cherish my solitude and times when I enjoy a deep meaningful conversation. And I need the right balance otherwise one will just drain the energy out of me.
When our body, mind, heart, and soul are in sync we can feel the energy within. If any of them are out of sync, we can feel the shift in the energy. Sometimes it takes years to recover so be patient with how you feel and notice the rhythmic changes that are occurring so subtly that you might have missed it.
Every day is a blessing. So, bring your best authentic true self always and your energy will feel just right at this moment in time. We don't need all the answers today and we might not do all the right things today. And that's okay.
Be kind, gentle and spread loving kindness wherever you are.