Phoenix Rising

(Dumbledore and Fawkes from Fantastic Beasts - The Crimes of Grindelwald)

The phoenix, to many, represents strength. To be reborn from the ashes is no grand feat. Some will say it's a beautiful transformation while others may even say it's a magical spectacle.

That being said, no one really takes the time to see it from the phoenix's point of view. Which would be the pain and struggle of the actual rebirth process.

We have all had moments of great transition. Moments that have tested us beyond measure, which we have prayed that we would get through.

The tears and pain of the moment, unsure of what the next steps would be. Feeling helpless as the flames engulf you. Smoke suffocating you. It is ominous without any rays of hope or light. Everything seems lost.

As the phoenix withers away from its own internal combustion, it starts to ponder how it got there. Surely there is no God that would smite me this way? What did I do to deserve this grave punishment? What is happening? Is this the end?

The thoughts even more painful and torturous than the engulfing flames. This is it, today I die.

With a final burst of fire, the smoke begins to settle. What is this... did I... survive? Seeing a new body, unfamiliar to my own. Ouf. The pain, it stings. I can't move. I can't see.

HELP! Alas, no one can hear me. Of course. Darkness follows when the remaining embers burn out. Great. God or whatever higher power sure has a terrible sense of humour.

Light begins to softly fill the enclosure with the warmth of an incandescent candle. Wait...is it dawn? Could it be? I can see... just a little. Why is it so painful? Wait a minute... something's wrong. Oh no... Tears start continuously flowing through my eyes like a sad river. 

A sudden realization. I am alone. Where... is... everyone? Where is he... no... no... oh God no... why... no...

Silence.

It hits me... over and over and over again, like a vicious wheel hurdling towards me with the intent to kill without mercy. The thought attacking me again and again: I am alone.

Ahh! Something is blinding me. I slowly drag my scorned body forward. Every inch feels like an eternity. I eventually catch a glimpse of my reflection in a mirror. Wait, who is that? Oh. I realize that the corporeal form is me, not a ghost of my ancient ancestor. However, I don't recognize the image or being reflecting back at me. I am alone.

My body is weak, small, broken, and burned beyond repair. How can I go on? Maybe there's hope... I can die too... I don't deserve to live. Why did I survive? Where is everyone? Why did he leave me alone?

A familiar voice begins to echo in the empty halls. “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that. Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light. Dark times lie ahead of us and there will be a time when we must choose between what is easy and what is right. It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

It's Dumbledore. Could it be? I thought you were dead sir. How is this possible? Am I dead too?

"It’s the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more. Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it. After all, to the well-organised mind, death is but the next great adventure."

"You will heal. You will emerge again. You are a phoenix, my love. Phoenixes burst into flame when it is time for them to die and are reborn from the ashes. You will rise again, whereas I cannot. My calling is elsewhere at this time. However, you are not alone. You need only ask and help will be there."

So I live and I must continue to live on. I am not alone, I am reborn.

- SL

Welcome Back: A Heart's Journey

It's been a whole year and 4 months since I have written. A roller coaster of emotions and unexpected events has taken me away from this blog and all creative outlets, my expression.

An update? Well remember that move that happened in my last post? We ended up moving back. It felt right to do so. We came back as changed people and ended up gaining a lot more than was lost.

So many experiences and memories, some crazily uplifting and some crashing lows. In the end, I feel like we were routed back and our luck has changed for the better. No gain without risk, or so they say. I am grateful for this humbling experience.

I am still processing my life and the events that have led me up to this moment. Thoughts like, "maybe I would be better of if..." and so forth. Let me tell you, if you stay in a mindset like that for very long you will only torment yourself.

I had sat among the rubble and ruins of my life for months. Not knowing if life would shine its light upon my own self destruction. To give me salvation by enveloping me with love and compassion while telling me everything was going to be OK. I waited and it eventually came. I wept tears of gratitude for this miracle.

As I picked myself up, I no longer saw an empire that had fallen by the doings of my own mind. I saw hope, opportunity, and a new beginning. I smiled and for the first time in a long time, I felt compassion for myself. This was the key to unlock the beginnings of my healing journey.

I didn't know how to share my story, let alone know how I was going to get through another day. I wasn't suicidal, but life had become pretty unbearable at times.

Tragedies still exist but it's part of life. I am learning to not let these obstacles block me, but rather help me grow and become a stronger person. In hopes that one day I will be able to reach a hand out to someone else one day and inspire them. So that they remember how truly brave and strong they are too.

On October 10, 2018 it was World Mental Health Day. While this is a beautiful gesture, we should also take this awareness with us everyday. We all know how hard life can be. Let's try to be more compassionate and kind to others. You never know how far one kind word or gesture can do for someone. Think of the last time someone did something that deeply touched your heart. How did it feel? Wouldn't you want to spread that all around? Please do pay it forward. Let us all unite.

Recently, I had a work outing and had the deepest, most lovely conversation with 2 bright lighted individuals. Speaking with them made my spirit rise and become passionate. All we did was talk about things that truly mattered to us. The deep stuff. 

I was so inspired by the conversations and their stories that I wanted to express myself and start writing again. They are wonderful souls. I know they also walked away that night moved by our conversation. I dedicate this post to the two of them. Without you, I don't know when I would have written again.

A few individuals have also been encouraging me to write or have taken interest in my writing. Thank you. It truly means a lot to me.

To all of you reading thus far. Thank you for taking the time to do so. It is deeply appreciated. I don't know what this blog will turn into or what kinds of posts I will be writing going forward. But thank you for coming along with me on this journey!

What inspires you? What lifts you up and gives you life?

Much love, always,

SL

Minimalism, to what end?

Packing your life into a suitcase to move to a new city, what an adventure. Letting go of all the past baggage to start afresh. Creating a new identity for yourself so you can be who you want to be. Avoiding past mistakes. Sounds great...on paper. No one tells you what that really entails.

It's that time in my life again where I have to pack up what I have to start anew. Five years goes by way too fast. The opportunity came faster than my fiance and I had anticipated. But we knew it was the right time.

Sometimes it's hard to let go of good things: relationships, people, your home, and your stuff. I believe that you have to constantly let go in order to go with the flow. If you didn't how could you ever progress. You need to let go of the old in order to make space for the new.  As one of my favourite YouTubers, Lilly Singh always says, "live outside of your comfort zone." This is definitely not easy.

Now, the whole point of this post. Minimalism. It's trending right now. I've consistently tried to downsize my things during the past year. I thought packing was going to be a no biggie. Boy, was I wrong.

You never know how much you have until you try to stuff it into a suit case. I was appalled at how much I had. How embarrassing. I really had to sit and think about what was meaningful and useful for me to have. This was incredibly difficult, I felt like I had failed at minimalism. We had to store a bunch of things at his mom's place. All the furniture had to be given away.

I know that I still need to drastically downsize. Having so much stuff to the point of worry of where to store it is a telltale sign you've got way too much. How terrible. Our time and energy is precious and I don't want to waste it on things that truly don't matter anymore. 

I want to surround myself with things that add value to my life. Art is something that brightens and sparks my creative spirit. Rest assured that my inspirational goddesses from thisthatandthese and breathtakingly beautiful paintings from Mo'ology ended up in my suitcase! 

I look forward to starting my next chapter in our new town. We have visions of a nice, clear home. A peaceful sanctuary to rest, as it should be. I want to let go of all the necessary things holding me back in life. So that I may let all that truly matters in. I can't wait to consistently go back into my spiritual practice. Meditation will help me fill my empty void.

Let the journey to minimalism start: the unburdening of the mind, body, and soul.

What does minimalism mean to you?

Crystal Bar: Essential Chakra Kit Review

Crystal Bar is a vegan company started by Kat, an amazing Aquarius. Not only is she the CEO, she also takes part of every aspect of her business. Now that's a lady of power! Recently she's been posting on instagram about what it's like to be a small business owner. I'm learning a lot from these posts. 

Today I will be reviewing one of her top sellers, the Essential Chakra Kit. There is a soap for each of the 7 major chakras.

"These vegan and handmade soaps have been combined to create our Essential Chakra Kit. Each soap is unique and inspired by one of the 7 chakras, each bar was created to enhance the energy and experience of the stone within." - Essential Chakra Kit

Each set is housed in a beautiful box and includes a detailed product card for each soap.

I am no stranger to Crystal Bar soap. I first tried the Enchanting Love soap from my Goddess Provisions October box. I instantly fell in love with how special and magical it was. I've made a couple of orders since and have expanded my collection. The customer service has always been lovely.

Once you have finished your soap, there is a crystal inside for you to keep! I love using the soaps to wash my hands with. Washing with the intention of the crystal as well as love and light has truly uplifted me.

My set was missing the product card for the sacral chakra soap, so I decided to take a picture of it. You can see the shimmer and golden glow in this bar. Look at those layers! They are even more gorgeous in person.

Overall, these soaps get an A+ from me! I wouldn't change anything about them. They have fantastic concepts, look beautifully magical, and each soap is so unique. They are handcut and made with love. Every kind of soap has a different crystal, smell, colour and design.

They make fantastic gifts. I tried a bathbomb from them before and it was just a lovely experience. Spoiler: they also have crystals inside as well!

So what are you waiting for? Check out Crystal Bar.

Edgar Cayce's Apple Detox: My Experience

"Edgar Cayce (pronounced Kay-Cee, 1877-1945) has been called the "sleeping prophet," the "father of holistic medicine," and the most documented psychic of the 20th century. For more than 40 years of his adult life, Cayce gave psychic "readings" to thousands of seekers while in an unconscious state, diagnosing illnesses and revealing lives lived in the past and prophecies yet to come."

Cayce's Apple Detox Diet. I couldn't find any in-depth personal experiences of this. Challenge accepted. Join me as I take you through my apple cleanse journey.

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Minimum of 6 apples per day. Drink lots of water to flush of the toxins. Olive Oil to finish it. Sounds simple, right?

My experience was one to remember. Three days of eating nothing but apples and drinking lots of water. I learned a lot about myself. It was a struggle. 

First of all, I do not like raw apples. Actually, Cayce says that raw apples are poison to your body unless you eat them alone. Combining them with other foods will greatly upset your body. I don't fare well with acidic foods: they make me sick. These apples made me feel very ill indeed.

Day 1 wasn't too bad because I was at work. I'm used to not eating much on busy days. Luckily I was on vacation after that. It wasn't bad other than having to eat nothing but apples. The cravings started. I wanted pizza: something fatty, salty, and comforting.

Day 2 was the most difficult. The cravings kicked in hard. I wanted SALT. I kept daydreaming about french fries. I was a little delirious. I peed like crazy too. My energy dropped a lot. I was maddened by my cravings so much that at times I thought I was going to crack.

Day 3 was much easier. I think I was kind of used to it. I went out and did some errands. That distracted me for a good chunk of the day. I also did a lot of spiritual things. It was the easiest day by far. My near pitfall was an image of french fries came out of nowhere to tempt me! My mind has issues!

Finally, on the third night, it was time to drink the olive oil. Completion at last, yes! But first...ew. The first 2 teaspoons were fine, the 3rd almost made me gag. BUT I DID IT! Had I not done it with a few comrades, I'm not sure I would have made it through. We all completed the apple detox together! Success!

Now what you have been waiting for: the results. I peed...a lot. More than ever. My body felt lighter. My appetite decreased. I felt more spiritual and strangely energized. I also lost a few pounds.

I ate exactly 8 apples per day. I couldn't do more than that. But because I was crazed at times, I allowed myself black coffee and tea. It kept me sane. I made sure my coffee and tea were low acidity and drank lots of water afterwards. What also helped me out was distraction. My favourite was watching movies. It makes time fly!

I recommend doing this diet if you are not working or doing much for a few days. It requires rest. Expect your energy to drop. Cayce suggests doing this a few times a year as a "spring cleaning" for the body. Excellent in aiding the removal of accumulated toxins from your vessel.

What was the first thing that I ate after the detox? You can bet your bottom dollar that it included some great homemade fries ;) However, one must note that it is not wise to retox after doing such an extensive detox. I am just weak.

"You have to have a sound relationship with your mind and your body. You have to develop your health." - Marshall Vian Summers

Etsy Focus: Mo'Ology Art

For as long as I have remembered, looking up at the stars has always brought me great joy. To connect with the universe and its grand beauty is a love I can not describe in words alone.

Today will be a very special post about a very special person. The spotlight is on my favourite artist at the moment, Michelle a.k.a. Mo'Ology.

Michelle is a Galactic Artist on Etsy. She paints so many different kinds of things in that realm. I would say her painted galaxy stones would be one of the most popular!

Her pieces speak so deeply to me that I can't help but feel amazed and speechless at times. To gaze into her wonders is to be breathless because you can feel a part of her; that's a special connection.

I purchased a galaxy necklace from her awhile ago. When I first saw it in person, I couldn't believe how much it touched me. I wear that piece with gratitude and will always cherish it.

Recently I saw her making grids on Instagram. Every so often when she's working on something, she'll ask people if they want to adopt her pieces before they're finished and customizes them for you. There was one that called to me. It's very hard to get them because of the demand. I jumped on it and was so lucky to get it! The personal meaning it has for me is unexplainable. I will have it for many years to come.

I thank Michelle for her work and the joy that she puts out in the world by her personal expression. She makes the world a much more beautiful place through her loving and magical touch.

Please do check her out on her website and instagram.

Thank you Michelle! Many blessings to you! Keep shining your light! 

Much love!

Inner Reflection

"I think there's a terrible price to be paid 

when your exterior life is not an honest reflection of 

your interior life." - Gene Robinson

"To understand your deeper premonitions and the urgings of your heart, you must begin to listen. Listen within yourself. Listen to the world without judgement and condemnation. Listen for the signs of what is coming. Listen to how you must respond.

Listen to who to be with and who not to be with." - Marshall Vian Summers

Some days you need to take a step back and take a good look at yourself. See who you are, who you are with, and what you are doing in life. 

Self-reflection is an amazing tool to help ourselves feel grounded and gives great clarity.

It's a reminder that you are still present in an ever changing world. 

To face yourself takes great courage.

Realizing that sometimes thoughts and feelings may not be yours at all can be empowering.

Awareness is key to many things. It is useful to help you navigate throughout life.

To compassionately accept and forgive yourself would be one of your ultimate gifts to yourself.

You give power to those 

who you allow to dictate your life. Be free. 

Follow what you know is right. 

Let go of what isn't.

Goddess Provisions Review: December 2016

Receiving the December Goddess Provision's box was such a pleasant surprise. Everything they've included is truly part of a "Sacred Celebration." Which is perfect considering all the pre-holiday festivities a foot. Let's discover these gems!

First up, we're getting into the edibles. I was very curious about the Addictive Wellness Raw Chocolate in the flavour love. I was very surprised to open it up and see 4 mini cups of chocolate. They use Ayurvedic and Taoist super herbs as well superfoods from all around the world. This particular one has ingredients like cistanche, mucuna, epimedium, and reishi mushrooms. It really is an acquired taste! I'm not really sure what I'm tasting but I love that it's sugar free.

Next up is Rawxies cranberry pecan nutrition bar. This is the second time I've had a product from them, these bars are fantastic! Don't let this delicate heart shaped treat fool you. It's made from raw ingredients and jam packed full of nutrients. I prefer the taste of this bar than the chocolate. 

It's crystal time! This month it's a green aventurine pyramid. I love geometric shapes and this crystal is gorgeous. I love how it sparkles and shimmers in the light. Associated with the higher heart chakra, this stone helps you to heal emotionally and protects your heart centre. It is also known as the stone of adventure and prosperity. I know I always feel good whenever I hold one.

The lovely background of all of these photos is The7Directions crystal grid. I really enjoy the peaceful flower of life design and colour of the fabric. As you can see in the first picture of this blogpost, I made a grid with the green aventurine, some rose quartz and clear quartz. The world needs more love and peace, we should start with ourselves. Looking forward to making more grids in the future.

The box smelled amazing when I opened it. Upon further inspection, I found it was the Plantlife's Uplift Blend. The aroma of bergamot, lemongrass and citrus is quite energizing and truly uplifting. I need to get an oil diffuser so I can try this out!

The most anticipated item for me was Meow Meow Tweet's deodorant stick. I'm already using their Lemon Eucalyptus one and love it. I can't wait to try the Lavender Bergamot one! I've tried for so long to find an all natural deodorant that works. My winning combo is using a solid crystal stick first and then applying the Meow Meow Tweet's stick after it's dry.

Ever have those days where you want to just shut your eyes and be away from all the chaos of the world? Then Lola's Handcrafted Nag Champa Perfume is for you! It smells exactly like you'd think it would. I have a pretty stressful job at times and will definitely be reaching for this daily. Whenever I need to breathe deep and just be in the moment, I can now just smell my wrists instead of having to burn incense 

Overall, this box is just perfection! I loved everything this month. My super favourites are the green aventurine pyramid, deodorant, and nag champa perfume.

The holidays are fast approaching! How do you destress from holiday overload?

Goddess Provisions Review: November 2016

Goddess Provisions has done a box upgrade! I absolutely love the new purple box. It's so much more personal and special, well done! 

Now that the excitement of the unveiling of the new box is over, we can get into November's box. This month's theme is: "The Herbal Remedy." It's jam packed with health wellness products. I was feeling a little under the weather, so I was super pleased to see everything. Let's see what I first dived into!

I immediately gravitated to Herbally Grounded's Herbal Defense Oil. It's a combo of myrrh, echinacea, and peppermint oil. There is also a bit of apple cider vinegar in it. Once you can get past the taste you're good to go. I used this for a few days until I felt better. I much prefer it to the over-the-counter stuff. I will use this again!

Going green and switching to non-toxic products has been a long journey for me. I've tried so many things. I am happy to report that Oral Essentials Whitening Toothpaste is a win! My teeth felt really clean and shiny after the first use. There is no weird taste—it's refreshing.

The crystal of the month is Pink Tourmaline on Quartz Matrix, also known as Rubellite. It has a nice, healing energy to it. It's a stone of unconditional love so of course it helps your Heart Chakra. The Rubellite feels really nice just to hold in your hand as your relax.

Speaking of love, Mullein & Sparrow Rose Hydrosol is a nice hydrating rose water spray for the face. You can also use it as an air freshener or even to cleanse your aura. The next time I have a bad day, I'll be reaching for this.

Having to speak a lot for my job, my throat often gets sore. Adoratherapy's Communication Blend roll-on consists of peppermint, chamomile and sage. While my throat isn't any less sore, I do feel more relaxed. Which is essential to good health!

Lastly, the edibles of the month! There were a couple of different Flora Health teas you could have gotten. I received the Lemon Ginger Echinacea. The description says it's good for digestion but I know that it'll be good for when you're under the weather. I love the taste and that it's organic.

Chocolate in any box is a great thing! Lakanto's Chocolate bar with Almonds is sweetened with their special Monkfruit sweetener. Know what that means? No calories! I can only eat a little bit at a time, given its richness.

Overall, a fantastic box! I adore their new purple design. Everything was really great, no negative comments here :)

What are some natural remedies that you use?

Goddess Provisions Review: October 2016

In October, Goddess Provisions celebrated their one year anniversary! The anniversary box's theme is: "Call in Abundance." Being so close to the holidays, who couldn't use more abundance in their life? Let's get into it.

Himalayan salt candle holders and lamps have been coming into my life as of late. I was very excited to see the Evolution Salt tealight candle holder. The colour of it is so beautiful and unique and it only gets more stunning at night. The candle light glow is a special touch. It now lives happily on my desk.

Crystal Bar Soap's Enchanting Love soap bar was the next product to catch my eye. I've been waiting for Goddess Provisions to partner with them for some time now. A crystal suspended in soap, giving off it's healing vibes? Yes please! This is an exfoliating poppy seed blend with an apple scent. In the heart of the bar is a Moss Agate stone to help with abundance, success and prosperity. I wash my hands with it daily now, the scent is pleasantly uplifting.

Okay... this break at home geode wins coolest concept. The little kid in me was jumping for joy and couldn't wait to open it. It was very difficult to break because my geode was almost completely solid inside. It was instant gratification when it cracked open. I gave away several pieces to share the love. Geodes have such a magical sparkle like no other. If you've never tried opening a geode, it's definitely an experience to remember.

Another success of this box is the Moondani Natural Breath Mist. It's a much more healthier alternative to regular chewing gum and mints. The convenience factor is great, just spray and go. It's a blend of ginger, cardamom and fennel. 

The best smelling thing in the box is the BehatiLife Money & Abundance Oil. The mix of bergamot, basil, and thyme relaxes and soothes me instantly. There is also reiki energy infused into the blend and a small crystal quartz to help amplify its effects.

Now we're into the double chocolatey goodness of the box. First up it the Navitas Naturals Superfood Bar. It's an energy bar full of clean, superfood ingredients. I shall be having this as a snack sometime soon.

Lastly is Florapothcarie Chocolate Mud Mask. The ingredients are non toxic and great, especially for the upcoming colder months. The clay, coconut, and cocoa helps to hydrate, soothe, and exfoliate the skin. I will be saving this for when the harsh winds of winter begin. 

Overall, October's box was full of little magical goodies and a lot of fun. I really loved the smell of the Bethalife Oil and Enchanting Love soap. My favourite item is the Himalayan salt candle holder.

What are your thoughts on this month's box?

Goddess Provisions Review: September 2016

Yesterday I was gifted this beautiful terrarium which definitely already has improved the vibes of my home. Coincidently, the September Goddess Provisions box is all about Positive Vibes. I definitely felt positive opening it, since it's my birthday month it feels extra special to me. Let's get into it:

The crystal was a surprise this month, you could've gotten either a Fluorite or Sodalite wand. So naturally first thing I did was open the bag. It was a Sodalite wand! I'm totally sensing a theme in my life, in my last post I talked about the Throat Chakra and Sodalite is perfect for that. This crystal is known for aiding with truth, communication, learning, and helping to retain information. It also helps with the Third Eye Chakra as well as with clairvoyance and psychic abilities. The wand is quite big, so I'll be doing some research on how best to use it.

The Blue Lotus Chai's instant Golden Chai was delicious. It's hands down the best instant tea I've ever had. It has a really robust taste and warming quality. After adding a bit of sugar and almond milk, it was perfection in a cup. This is the tea I'll be turning to in the winter months.

This month it's a bit crystal themed, we have a cute crystal shaped soap bar from Moon Souls. I agree with Goddess Provisions... it IS almost too cute to use! I want to put it on display but I think I'll have more fun washing my hands with this magical soap.

We received another pin, this time it's from Enemy to Fashion. I'll be gifting this one to a friend that could use some positive vibes. I really like how this box is full of tools that you can help yourself and others with!

This next product has an interesting concept. The body oil from Dancing Love Organics is meant to be part a ritual to help with meditation. The most inquisitive part to me is that it's paired with a Malachite crystal. I've used Malachite before and it brought up a lot of emotions for me. It is a very powerful crystal. I don't know if I could relax and mediate with a Malachite! However, I do know just the person who this set would benefit right now so it will make a lovely gift.

Unfortunately I don't smudge or clear my home as much as I should. This smudge spray from Momoko Therapeutics seems like it will rectify that. I'd like to charge it with the full moon's energy before using it.

Another negative energy cleanser was included, a blue sage smudge stick. This one has a very potent smell so I think I'll use the smudge spray after using it. Sage is amazing to clear yourself and your space.

Overall, a great box as usual. My favourite item was the Blue Lotus Chai and I look forward to using the Sodalite wand. I can't wait for October's box! I wonder if it will be fall themed.

What is your favourite thing to do to bring in positive vibes?