Permission Denied

"You can choose to disrespect me but I will not give you permission to hurt my spirit."

Lailah Gifty Akita

My mind is held open for diversity and offers respect to you as a person. This does not however mean my beliefs align with yours. I expect the same in return. If critical words sting my heart, my first reaction will be to defend myself. Then the realization appears that this is your own instability causing disrespect, not me.

Your character is reflected in your dishonoring me, and it is a clear sign that my energy no longer needs to be in this scenario. I will not coverup disrespect nor will I tolerate any form of aggression, verbal or physical. I have endeavored to be a good human, and I will not give you permission to change this evaluation.

I do not need to prove my worth to you, but I will learn from this unfortunate exchange. I will use my personal strength to move forward where I can continue to grow. My inner peace will guide me to others who understand tolerance, respect, and compassion. My inner light will continue to grow attracting others who feel safe within themselves.

Reach Out!

"With all your heart, reach out to your divine dreams." 

Lailah Gifty Akita

True, you may not be able to control very much about your day, but you can control how you respond to it. If you look to your surroundings, perhaps there is very little support, but you can pull your lovely self inward enjoying peace inside. While media bombards, you can choose what you actually allow into your heart consciousness.

When you are aware of the noise of life, you can begin to filter out the harsh elements, replacing them with calm. The phrase about 'turning the other cheek' can also be applied to turning your eyes and ears in alternate emotional directions. There is enormous choice as to how you can personally adapt to outside sources.

You simply tell your fine self stories about how your dreams are too lofty, too time consuming or too out of reach. Once you prioritize desires, investing your energy into supporting rather than denying, the Universe begins to support you through synchronicities and magical unfoldings. With all of your heart, engage with your dreams!

Heightened Peaceful Space

 

"Warm hearts with willing hands makes a happy humanity."

Lailah Gifty Akita

Autumn arrives, bringing many adjustments with it. Physically, we may begin to bundle up and return to our cravings for homemade bread and soup. Mentally, our thoughts may slow down focusing on a deeper level than the energies provided in the spring and summer months. Spiritually, we may gather all of our parts together, creating a warmth.

As leaves change colors and temperatures drop, we are daily reminded of change which we have zero control over. We are prompted to appreciate the fall colors in hopes of moving our connection to all levels of life. Leaves dancing and falling with grace role model to us our needed pace.

Holding the self accountable, we feed our bodies, minds, and souls. Whether we are appreciating comfort foods, diving into wisdom, or reinstating spiritual practices, we experience a greater sense of self. As we nurture ourselves, ripples of goodness are extended out into our relationships and communities creating a heightened peaceful space.

Eyeball to Eyeball

"The victory over our inner self is a daily struggle.

Be strong and do not give up."

Lailah Gifty Akita 

Imagine watching a stranger approach you. The way he or she walks seems confident and the style of clothing brilliantly shines.  Within moments your heart stirs with a familiar vibration, as you wonder who this unknown could possibly be.

Intuition kicks in and you instantly categorize this entity as someone who is trustworthy.  There is a knowing that he or she is destined to serve a purpose benefiting all.  You pick up on a sense of bravery inspired by faith in the Divine Spirit.

Standing eye ball to eye ball, you realize it is "you" who has come into view.  You are beckoned forward to blend into this intricate being of light, acknowledging the wisdom and power that will guide you for all of your days. Just imagine, finally becoming you!

Faced With Disillusions

"Deceit is the deepest delusion."

Lailah Gifty Akita

Shed the baggage and open to new realities.  Filled with trust, hope, and inspiration, we move forward into a new world.  We imagine viewing heightened kindness, uplifting communication, and as the world spins on its axis, we all become one.

Our inner visions can be pure and true, but if we are being encouraged by unseen  deceit, we will be faced with disillusions before we ever meet.  We believe the dynamics have changed and we have been perfecting detection to ward off disfavor.  We have believed in happiness for both you and me projected into the forever after.

Eventually, we find our selves in the middle of a broken spell.  We thought we had been so alert, perceptive, with heightened vision.  Yet, we find our feet deeply buried in delusions and defeat.  Our trust is broken,  loneliness overwhelms, and ponder how to survive this false behavior. 

To Keep It Crisp,Say Nothing At All

"In a moment, the world came to a stand still."

Lailah Gifty Akita

The world stands still for various reasons ... notification of birth or death ... experience of ecstasy or repulsion.  For some, the world stands still for the remainder of their lives while for others it can be microscoptic making a person question whether it happened at all.

If a person notices the world standing still, does she collapse upon herself or does one become overwhelmed by insight or vision?  Often, as time passes, we convince our lovely selves that it never happened at all. When there is no concrete way to document the extraordinary, we tend to turn to denial, refusing to believe in our own experience.

Whether we are referring to aliens in space or Jesus wrapped in white robes, an unusual presence triggers a mirage of feelings.  If we have nothing to compare it to, a seemingly unbelievable event may appear to be less factual and more like fiction.  Translation into reality is nearly impossible.  Perhaps the best way to keep the perception crisp is to say nothing at all.

Stillness in the Storm

"Be still in the storm."

Lailah Gifty Akita

When the storm blows in, I immediately retreat to my safe place which resides within me.  It is my spiritual hide out where I can detach from uncertainty, and the unleashing of the world around me.  I have learned that my limitation of control during chaos is best treated with the my strength of silence.

When debris, emotional or physical,  flies around me,  I become perfectly still and wait for calm to return to me.  Going deeply within, I experience areas of pain, and by continuing to delve into my sensitivities, origins surface.  Acknowledging my triggers, clarity returns adjusting my perspectives.

Once ego and fear are silenced, whispers of wisdom can be heard.  As my spirit becomes aligned my focus rekindles trust and faith.  My inner flame warms my heart and soul as I then feel connected rather than isolated.  Be still, and then I know that I am.

The Author Controls

"Write your dreams in a  journal, a note book or on a card. When

you pen down your dreams, an inner strength and divine power is

activated for you to work towards the fulfillment of your dreams."

Lailah Gifty Akita

In grade school, I discovered the pleasure of writing.  Diaries available to me were just too small, not leaving enough room to embrace my rather large unruly penmanship.  Black and white marbled composition books filled my need.

In high school I became more discreet about my dark writing, but treasured the outlet it had become.  Under the guidance of a college professor, my writing began to have a more positive direction.  Imagine my surprise thirty some years later, when I read "Journaling" had been educationally recognized and therapists reported journaling to be an important tool in healing.

Throughout my career, I have encouraged both young and old to pick up the pen and to allow the inner thoughts to flow uncensored onto the page.  One can write in phrases, poet's lines, or throw grammar to the side and express inner thoughts through sketching.  Save it, burn it, or savor the words expressed.  The author, after all, has absolute control to change names and places or rewrite history.  Pick up the pen.

Intention to Begin

"May the people walking in darkness

see the dawn of a glorious light."

Lailah Gifty Akita

Step through the doorway, tightly closing the door behind you.  Turn around and face the light.  You may be thinking 'what light' ... but it is there.  One person may have to simply close their eyes to see the light; whereas, others may catch a glimpse in the eyes of a child.   Let the light shine through however it may,  allowing it to feel welcomed into you.

You are facing a New Year during which the Universe can bring you a multitude of light ... new relationships, promotion, location change, ... but it becomes positive action when you see it in  deeper perceptions.  When you leave the lovely self to be open to new options, daily scenarios can transcend into inspirational revelation. 

Are you viewing a New Year with dread or a mirage of blended color?  As the artist of your life, will you use bold abstract colors crisply defining one day from the next or will you blend days with hues of peaceful inspiration?  Today is the first day of the year, so at least pick up your brush with intention to begin.

Sustaining Strength

        

"If you saturate your mind with positive thoughts,  it will sustain you in any situation."Lailah Gifty Akita

Distinction between our original thoughts and emotions absorbed from others, will assist us in maintaining a positive outlook.  People can only make us unhappy if we allow them to penetrate us.  Boundaries need to be flexible to allow ourselves the ability to expand or retract, but they need to be strong enough to hold our own in the presence of overbearing or negative people.

In our heart, we may feel strong as we accept our limitations.  We grow stronger as we heighten our strong points.  We learn to be comfortable in any situation as we have developed the ability to discern between our personal makeup and the emotions of others.

While others choose to be unhappy or focused on drama, we can respect their space and still disengage.  Kindness allows the others to speak, but respect for the self nudges us to resist negative energy.  If we develop a strong sense of kindness in our heart, we can move smoothly through most any situations.