12 Reasons to forgive myself.

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I once heard forgiveness to mean, ‘giving up the hope that things turned out differently.’ I firmly believe in forgiveness as it is one of the foundational bricks in building a stable house of unconditional love, with ourselves and others. 

I recently noticed that I had been forgiving others and forgetting to forgive myself. 

So, it is time to forgive, again. I forgive myself because: 

1. I am human and I will mess up. 

2. I am not meant to be perfect. 

3. Sometimes I can be crazy, mean, selfish, rude, inconsiderate, vengeful, resentful and unkind but I am working everyday to be a better person. 

4. Having negative traits doesn’t make me a bad person. 

5. Everyday I am a different person and I want to embrace who I am today. 

6. In forgiving myself, I can forgive others. 

7. Unconditional love begins with me. 

8. Projection and blaming others is stifling. 

9. Internal growth begins with me. 

10. The past has already happened and I can’t do anything but apologize where necessary. 

11. I forgive because now that I know better, I will do better. 

12. I choose to remove anything in the way of my happiness. 

3 Commonly used spiritual phrases that cannot be applied to everything and everyone.

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You could argue that everyday, more and people are becoming spiritual and waking up to a deeper awareness of themselves and why they are placed on This World. 

With the growth in interest of spirituality recently , we are looking to certain people to guide us. Which, is great! However, we need to remember that spiritual leaders and healers are a part of an industry, too. And, just like with other groups that market towards a specific demographic, a few people and ideologies tend to dominate over the majority. 

With that being mentioned, certain spiritual phrases have become catchy and are being used for everything. When that is not how spirituality works. Spirituality is not a one-stop shop where we state a phrase and then continue living like robots, it is all encompassing and based on compassion, understanding and love. 

Here are 4 commonly used phrases that cannot be applied to everything: 

1. Everyone is doing their best. 

The human (in me) who has tried their best to be a better person agrees with this statement; however, the side of me that has previously (and still) been given information but continued to do something that wasn’t for my benefit over-and-over again, would disagree. Yes, some people are doing their best but, some aren’t. My best is not someone else’s best. But, that doesn’t mean that I can see when someone isn’t. Sometimes we sell ourselves short. We might have all the information, money and tools that we need to improve but continue to live as though we don’t. Sometimes, we get in our own ways and we need reminders that we are capable of doing better than continually sabotaging our future. 

2. Everything that happens to you is a reflection of you. 

I completely understand the foundation of this phrase, that every situation is a chance to look within ourselves and see how we could’ve contributed to a situation. However, try telling someone who has been sexually harassed, raped or abused that what has happened to them is their fault. It comes across as insincere and lacks compassion, which is the foundation of spirituality. Yes! Most situations have required our participation but sometimes things happen to people and it’s more about supporting them and guiding them to the light. As opposed to unintentionally blaming them because you heard a catchy spiritual phrase that you need to repeat to someone else. 

3. What you focus on expands. 

As a daughter of two Scientists, this phrase is one of my favourites. It allows us to take charge of our lives and reminds us that we have power over our lives. The only contradiction of using this phrase for everything in our life is a similar one to the last paragraph, what if a predator seeks you out, stalks you and then follows you for extended period of time? Which, recently happened to me. I am certainly not a victim and in-control of my life; however, mentioning this phrase to someone who has gone through what I have been through, or a similar situation, can be callous. It is subconsciously blaming the person that it has happened to. 

I firmly believe in the power of focus; however, sometimes things happen to people that they were not expecting to happen. These situations could have happened to someone for them to learn a lesson, to grow or to lead them to another circumstance- not just because they were energetically focusing on something. 

Les 12 types de personnes avec qui je choisis de m'entourer.

J'ai récemment traversé une transformation interne sérieuse où j'ai dû réévaluer mes actions, où j'aimerais être dans le futur et qui vient avec moi dans ce voyage.

Je n'ai aucune animosité ni haine envers ceux que j'ai choisi de laisser derrière moi. Le processus de transformation m'a permis de voir clairement qui je garde dans ma vie et j'ai décidé, en allant de l'avant, que je voulais être entouré de ce genre de personnes:

1. Des gens gentils

2. Les personnes qui réfléchissent sur leur comportement.

3. Les gens qui sont heureux pour eux-mêmes.

4. Les gens qui sont heureux pour moi.

5. Les gens qui soutiennent.

6. Les gens qui sont honnêtes.

7. Les gens qui sont ouverts.

8. Les gens qui sont authentiques.

9. Les gens qui ont des motivations sincères.

10. Les gens qui sont respectueux.

11. Les personnes qui écoutent en premier et parlent ensuite.

12. Les gens qui pensent que l'amour est tout aussi important, sinon plus, que l'argent.

The 12 Kinds of people that I choose to surround myself with.

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I recently went through a serous internal transformation where I had to re-evaluate my actions, where I would like to be in the future and who is coming with me on this journey. 

I have no animosity or hate towards those who I have chosen to leave behind. The process of transformation has allowed me to see clearly who I keep in my life and I have decided, moving forward, that I want to be surrounded by these kind of people: 

1. Kind people

2. People who reflect on their behaviour. 

3. People who are happy for themselves. 

4. People who are happy for me. 

5. People who are supportive. 

6. People who are honest. 

7. People who are open. 

8. People who are genuine. 

9. People who have sincere motives. 

10. People who are respectful. 

11. People who listen first and then speak. 

12. People who think that love is just as important, if not more important, than money. 

4 of The Biggest lessons that I have learnt growing up in South Africa.

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This Article is dedicated to my late Grandfather, Anthony ‘Spabo’ Sithebe.

Although I was born in New York, I identify completely with being South African because I was mostly raised there. And even though, my family’s heritage is not completely Southern African, I identify mostly with this culture and what it has offered me and The World. 

I will start with this, not one country is perfect because a country is made up of people and in any group of people, there is diversity. Different minds, bodies and souls that congregate together and unite. 

Although, South Africa may have some problems, I am very fortunate to have had grown up in this country. I currently live in Los Angeles, a place that I love; however, my heart will always be in Africa, no matter where I go because (this continent) leaves an impression so deep in your heart that you can never escape it once you have travelled to it. 

These are 4 of the best lessons that I learnt growing up in South Africa. 

1. Ubuntu (togetherness). 

Ubuntu is a word that is a loose translation to mean togetherness and connection. We are raised to believe that this is first before anything else. Practicing Ubuntu, reminds us that people are valuable and no money, job or house can replace the connection that you can develop with another person. Togetherness is above race, religion, ideologies and currency- it is based on humanity and what is in your heart. 

2. Forgiveness. 

Africa is a continent that is resilient. It is the most colonized continent and has had the most of its riches taken from it. But when you visit this continent, you will meet the kindest, friendliest and most genuine people that you have ever met in your life because we are raised to forgive. The rest of The World may see this as weakness; however, this mentality has taught me that if you want to take my money, my materials and steal from me, take it! You can take anything from me but my joy and my peace- the two most important things in life.

3. Strength. 

Having been born into a family of two parents who are both Scientists, one of them who was a Political Activist and wanted by The Apartheid South African government, I have seen first hand what strength and belief can do. I am so proud of my parents, who were raised in Soweto, and went on to achieve some of the most incredible things in This World. They have been examples to me of what is around you is not the end. If you believe in yourself and a dream, that belief is stronger than anything else that you might encounter along the way because once you achieve it, you will have forgotten about anything that you had to encounter along the way. 

4.  Hakuna Matata. 

You might be familiar with this phrase from The Lion King, which is an actual fable from Southern Africa. In loose translation, it means no worries ever. Which Africa (as a whole) embodies. Yes, everyone has problems but once you start listing your problems, the list can go on-and-on forever. Problems are a part of our daily lives but how we look at them and what we do with them can make them into worries. And when we worry, we are the most affected by our worries by anyone else. This saying has taught me that if you can’t do anything about something, let it go. Life is meant to be enjoyed, not stressed over

12 Ways to Protect your Light.

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When we start to raise our vibration, it is important to protect the work that you have done in becoming a higher-vibrating being. 

When I was younger, I used to think that the more light that I developed, the more light that I had to give to others. Which (in theory) sounds great but in practice can be tiring. 

I have learnt that each of us are responsible for our own light. Yes! We can be influenced but our internal work is up to us. 

Here are 12 ways to protect your light: 

1. Acknowledging and accepting your truth. 

2. Standing in your truth. 

3. Aligning your chakras. 

4. Meditation. 

5. Prayer. 

6. Saying no to things and people that suck your energy. 

7. Saying yes to things and people that elevate your existence. 

8. Rest when it is time to rest.

9. Appropriate crystals. 

10. Cleansing, internal and external. 

11. Almost-daily physical movement. 

12. Practicing gratitude, abundance and seeing the silver-lining in situations. 

I looked in the mirror and found…ME.

I looked in the mirror 

And discovered beauty. 

I looked in the mirror 

And found a story.

I looked in the mirror 

And saw magic.

I looked in the mirror

And said sorry. 

I looked in the mirror And found forgiveness.

I looked in the mirror 

And I smiled. 

I looked in the mirror

And I fell in love. 

I looked in the mirror 

And I made some promises to have boundaries. 

I looked in the mirror 

And I laughed. 

I looked in the mirror 

And I understood. 

I looked in the mirror 

And I felt complete.

I looked in the mirror

And I found me.

12 Things that I would rather be other than skinny.

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We see the word ‘skinny’ everywhere: Try a pill to make you skinny, try a particular diet to make you skinny or even, try drinking some potions/teas to make you skinny. The list goes on and on. 

In our desperate effort to be skinny, we forget about the amazing things that our body is doing for us.

It has taken me many years to realize this but being skinny is not the biggest accomplishment that I want to achieve in The World. 

There are so many more things that I would rather be. Here are 12 of them: 

1. Healthy. 

2. Strong. 

3. Graceful. 

4. Grateful. 

5. Present. 

6. Kind. 

7. Brave. 

8. Courageous. 

9. Smart. 

10. Authentic. 

11. Humble. 

12. Intelligent. 

Pourquoi est-ce que je veux me pardonner?

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Parce que le résultat est que je pars avec plus que je ne suis entré dans cela.

Je me pardonne car j'ai choisi d'être optimiste et avec le bien vient le mal.

Je me pardonne parce que compter toutes mes erreurs ne fera que me rabaisser. Je choisis d'avancer avec amour et pardon.

Je me pardonne parce que le passé peut être un bagage ou une sagesse, je choisis si j'apprends ou si je reste coincé.

Je me pardonne parce que j'ai fini d'être déçu et embarrassé de choisir d'être avec quelqu'un qui pensait que l'argent pourrait acheter et conserver un effet de levier sur mon cœur.

Je me pardonne parce que le passé n'a que le pouvoir que je lui donne. Si je crois en ce moment, je choisis de laisser tomber le passé

Why do I want to forgive myself?

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Why do I want to forgive myself? 

Because the outcome is that I am leaving with more than I entered into it with. 

I forgive myself because I chose to be an optimist and with the good, comes the bad. 

I forgive myself because counting all of my mistakes will only bring me down. I choose to move forward with love and forgiveness. 

I forgive myself because the past can either be baggage or wisdom, I choose if I learn or stay stuck. 

I forgive myself because I am done being disappointed and embarrassed about choosing to be with someone who thought that money could buy and hold leverage over my heart. 

I forgive myself because the past only has as much power as I give it. If I believe in this moment, I choose to let go of the past 

What happens when you decide to live in abundance.

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Inspired by Mother Teresa, written by Hall Tsotetsi.

When you shine, people are jealous of your light. Shine anyway. 

When you are your best, people question it. 

Be your best anyway. 

When you think that you are worthy, people might tell you that you aren’t. Think you are worthy anyway. 

When you stand firm in your truth, people might be intimidated. Stand firm in your truth anyway. 

When you are authentic, people might tell you not to be. Be authentic anyway.

When you decide to be successful, people might try to stop you. Be successful anyway. 

When you discover that everything that you needed is within you, people might call you arrogant or conceited.  Be everything that you need anyway. 

Because ultimately, our lives belong to us. We cannot wait for others to recognize and see our worth, we need to see and recognize our worth first. 

7 ways to get closer to your dream life.

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Article written by Diana Athena

As kids we all have had our dreams. Someone may have wanted to become a doctor, a singer, a fireman, an actor, a designer. But what has happened to those dreams? Have we simply grown out of them? Have any of our dreams come true? Or, have they gotten lost under the pile of everyday tasks?

I don’t think dreaming is a way to distance us from reality, but a way to access the heart’s deepest longings. In the constant chase for a better life, it is easy to forget who we wanted to be when we grow up. We waste our energy stressing out about paying bills, managing our schedules while getting a decent amount of sleep. We rush, we worry, we run after our goals. But are those goals helping us to get closer to ourselves? I like to look at dreams as a way for the heart to communicate, as a way of healing and coming closer to a child inside of us.

Can we remember and stay true to our dreams?

I find these few ways being extremely helpful to silence my thoughts and to dive deeper into my heart, giving it permission to bring magic into the world around me.

1. Finding time to relax.

Busy schedules are demanding.Life is flowing and the clock is ticking. And, there are still so many things to be done! Somehow the fastest way sometimes is to go slower, to step back and get yourself together first, before you start putting together everything else. That simply may look like 5 minutes in your car before you get on the road, or an extra stop on the way home to take in whispering of the trees.

2. Meditating.

Meditation is a great way to tune out your thoughts and into your heart. Creating space for yourself to be simple and free without anything else to do, without anywhere else to be. Just. Simply. Be. You.

3. Being in nature.

Big cities contain a lot of pollution; not just environmental, but also energetic. Which, in turn, results in heavy layers of protection around your softer Self. It is important to take short trips/walks somewhere, where the nature sounds are louder than the city noises.

4. Writing.

Writing can be used as a therapeutic tool to access deeper consciousness. The mind can spin one thought over, and over , and over again, but once you make a choice to write it down the mind has to focus on forming it into words, which breaks the spinning pattern. Don’t just believe me? Try it! Write it down first, and then add some spiciness by providing a description!

5. Giving yourself permission to enjoy life.

If the first thing which came to mind is going out with some friends on a Friday night (nothing’s wrong with that), scratch it out! Look within yourself! What do you actually want to do? What activity could possibly bring a smile to your face? Be creative! Explore your interests! And don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Come up with the things you want to try, instead of searching among the things you already have.

6. Acknowledging your victories.

The change doesn’t have to happen as a storm breaking everything along the way. It can start by simply finding awareness that you are not in the place you want to be at. Don’t beat yourself up for that! Instead start making small baby-steps towards your desirable outcome. And don’t forget to give yourself some credit for your hard work! The goal is to enjoy life! Remember? And not to set up more goals, just yet.

7. Creating new dreams.

Find gratitude, as your dreams slowly start blossoming into your life. Welcome and celebrate them. Notice how it feels like to have your wishes come true. But remember to keep on dreaming!

You do not have to run through deserts and cross deep seas to meet your heart’s desires. You just have to believe that you deserve the life you want and that the dreams are meant to come true!

The magic is just beginning!

Diana is a full time yoga teacher and a writer based in New York. 

Diana has started practicing yoga in 2012 and has been teaching since 2016. Yoga practice has taught her to connect more deeply with her body and to discover the depth of her breath. It has taught her to be more aware of her habits and choices, both inside of the yoga studio and outside in the real world. Stepping onto the mat time and time again has given her an opportunity to get to know herself better and to find inspiration and courage to follow her heart. 

Diana has started to develop interest towards writing as a teenager, writing poems and short stories. After moving to New York from Russia when she was 19 years old, Diana has rediscovered her passion for using the art of words to express herself and has started exploring  writing in English. After performing one of her poems as her monologue in an acting class and receiving positive feedback from her acting coach, Diana knew that writing was her calling. Diana is currently working on her poetry book and is using a net of well chosen words to share her views and to inspire.

12 Things that I will no longer let stand in my way.

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I am a firm-believer that everything happens for a reason. I also believe that obstacles and problems are lessons, as long as we stay open to what we can learn from them. 

Sometimes it takes having obstacles in our way, removing them and moving forward to realize what was in our way. 

Here are 12 things that will no longer stand in my way: 

1. Someone else’s ideals. 

2. Game-players. 

3. Fake friends. 

4. Manipulative people. 

5. Insecurities. 

6. The past. 

7. What other’s think of me. 

8. Lies. 

9. Haters. 

10. How my finances ‘should’ be. 

11. Betrayal. 

12. Negativity. 

12 cosas en las que creeré sin importar qué.

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Soy un firme creyente de que lo que hablas en este mundo se manifiesta en la existencia. Por eso la creencia es tan importante, porque lo que crees a menudo se manifiesta a través de acciones y palabras.

Es fácil creer en nuestro futuro y positividad cuando las cosas van bien; sin embargo, creer en ellos cuando las cosas no nos han ido es aún más importante para que podamos ser claros en el camino por el que nos dirigimos.

Aquí hay 12 cosas en las que creo, sin importar qué:

1. En el amor.

2. En mi mismo.

3. En el poder del conocimiento.

4. En el poder del yo.

5. Que todo estará bien.

6. En la humanidad.

7. En la conservación del Medio Ambiente.

8. En el cuadro más grande.

9. En la fuerza interior.

10. Que todo lo que he estado buscando está dentro.

11. Al volver a empezar, no importa la edad que tenga y lo que cueste.

12. En el perdón.

10 quotes to help spark change in The Environment.

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It is clear that we need to improve the state of our environment. So that we can restore what we have destroyed, for ourselves and the later generations. 

Here are 10 quotes to help inspire this change: 

1. ‘I only get angry when I see waste. When I see people throwing away things we could use.’- Mother Teresa. 

2. ‘We don’t have a society if we destroy the environment.’- Margaret Mead. 

3. ‘Nature is a miracle we depend on.’ -ANON. 

4. ‘If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.’ Van Gogh. 

5. ‘Be a part of the solution; not the pollution.’ - ANON. 

6. ‘We make the world we live in and shape our own environment.’- Orison Swett Marden. 

7. ‘Take care of The Earth and she will take care of you.’- ANON. 

8. The future will either be green or not green at all.’ - Bob Brown 

9. ‘The only way forward, if we are going to improve the quality of the environment, is to get everybody on board.’- Richard Rogers. 

10. ‘What we are doing to the forests of The World is but a reflection of what we are doing to each other and ourselves.’- Chris Maser. 

A Playlist for new beginnings and moving on from heartache.

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There is nothing like music to invigorate your body, mind and soul- particularly during difficult circumstances. There is a lot of power in hearing lyrics matched with composition to express that we are all here for each other. 

This is my playlist for starting a new life after heartache: 

1. Wide awake- Katy Perry. 

2. Out of Reach- Gabrielle.

3. Time flies- Lykke Li.

4. I wanted you to feel the same- The Radio Dept. 

5. So This is Goodbye- Will Fitzsimmons. 

6. Part of me- Katy Perry. 

7. Sweet Disposition- The Temper Trap. 

8. Nostarè- Bebe.

9. Closer- Goapele.

10. Off I go- Greg Laswell. 

12 Things that I will always believe in, no matter what!

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I am a firm-believer that what you speak into this World, manifests itself into existence. That is why belief is so important, because what you believe often manifests itself through actions and words. 

It’s easy to believe in our future and positivity when things are going right; however, believing in them when things haven’t gone our way is even more important so that we can be clear abut the path that we are headed in. 

Here are 12 things I believe in, no matter what: 

1. In love. 

2. In myself. 

3. In the power of knowledge. 

4. In the power of self. 

5. That everything will be okay. 

6. In humanity. 

7. In the conservation of The Environment. 

8. In the bigger picture. 

9. In inner strength.

10. That everything I have ever been looking for is within. 

11. In starting over again, no matter how old I am and what it takes. 

12. In forgiveness.

6 More things I wish I knew before my first break-up.

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A break-up can catapult you into one of the biggest changes of your life. And like with other things that change, it is our choice how we use the cards that are given to us during these transitional periods. 

We can make ourselves victims or victors, it is up to us. 

Here are six more things that I wish I’d known before my first break-up: 

1. Everything is going to be okay. 

You might be crying and it might be hard to get out of bed and have hope but there is always light. Whether the light appears in a day, a week, a month, a year or many years- one day it will be better. When that day comes, you will be grateful that you held on. 

2. If you believe in your future, make choices that align that way. 

We can say that we believe that we will be okay but how are you manifesting into your life? Our lives are made up of choices and if you are making choices that take you back, how can you shift that to make choices that lead to forward to where you want to be? The great thing about choices is that only we can make them. So, we need make them wisely. 

3. You are not alone.

I know that it feels isolating and you are wondering how you can go on. However, I guarantee you that you can. You can because there is someone else going through exactly what you are going through, if not worse. Heartbreak and pain is felt by every single person alive. If they can get through it, so can you. 

4. There is a reason for it. 

It took me two years to understand why my five- year relationship didn’t work out. And, during that process, I found myself judging myself. I had to remind myself that healing is a process, however long it takes is okay. Only now do I understand why it ended. With that being said, once you have experienced a break-up, it may not be clear why it happened. But, i promise the reason will reveal itself. Let God reveal the reason when it is time. 

5. Greatness is on the way. 

I am a firm-believer that everything happens for a reason, whether we agree at that moment or don’t. Beyond every challenge is a breakthrough but it does require working through it to get to greatness.

6. Forgiveness is power. 

We can spend our lives counting the wrong that someone has done to us and find ourselves dwelling in negativity, thinking about the other person. When the person is living their best life. Hate is heavy and is only truly felt by the person who thinks hateful thoughts. The only power that can set us free is forgiveness. So, try to forgive. Even it is painful and revealing. Better to work through pain than to project it into yourself and others. 

12 Things you should do everyday if you want to be a kind person.

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Maya Angelou had a quote that said, ‘If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.’ 

Which seems contradictory to so many things going on in The World right now. We have been bought the idea that success equals money, status and sexy bodies. But chasing after those things will not make you happier or kinder.  If we want to make true change, it starts with us, including kindness. We won’t always get it right. However, trying is half the battle. 

Here are 12 things you should do to be a kind person: 

1. Be grateful to have each day. 

2. Be grateful to have a body. 

3. Smile most of your day.

4. Focus on the positivities of life. 

5. Greet people who are of service to you. 

6. Say thank you to people who are of service to you. 

7. Limit your cellphone use in front of others. 

8. Look people in the eye when speaking to them. 

9. Be considerate of those around you. 

10. Speak from a place of compassion. 

11. Speak from a place of humility. 

12. Let go of the need to be right.

Letters to my unborn child.

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Dear child,

You are beautiful. Regardless of what you wear or how you look on any day, you are beautiful because you are you. You have been created with your beautiful skin, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, legs, arms, fingers, toes and hands. They are beautiful because they will help you create actions that will allow you to live in this world with a purpose.

Some people may call you beautiful because of how you look but, please don't believe them! Don't believe people that compliment you because of what you look like. You are and always will be unique and, that is beautiful.