elevate

I’m in Sunny Miami, Florida visiting my family during the holiday weekend. I passed by my old neighborhood in Little Haiti where all of my fondest memories took place and for once I realized how small my block was. It’s off street parking in that neighborhood and only one car can drive down the street at a time. When I was growing up my block seemed so big. I swear 4 cars could have driven down the street at the same time. Although we no longer own the house, I still walked up to it just to inhale the feeling again. The 12-year old Jodine that thought she knew it all and didn’t want to listen to her mom. The 8-year old Jodine that use to act like she knew how to play football cause I had something to prove to the boys. The house seemed so much smaller, felt like it decreased in half from when I use to live there.

Sitting there I wondered, did the house get smaller or did I grow? Not just physically cause I am 5’8 now but mentally, spiritually in all aspects of my life. Has that ever happened to you when visiting your old block? My life in Miami was on 50th Street and that’s all I knew. I occasionally travelled to visit other family member in other cities but for the most part, my life was 50th Street. Going back and sitting on the sidewalk like I use to do while eating a Mickey Mouse ice cream bar made me realize that my old neighborhood is so small cause of the possibilities beyond this place. Little Haiti was such a great city to groom me into the woman that I am now but this life is bigger than 50th Street. I made a pact with my block, I’m going to come back every now and then and continue to measure how much smaller she is getting.

Thank you 50th Street & North Miami Avenue. I appreciate who I am because of you!

"I guess if you want to save something you've got to save all of it." ~Alix Olson

I was watching Alix Olson's documentary, Left Lane, about her life and experience on a year-long poetry performance tour. There's a scene where she and her road manager, Sam Farinella, blow a tire on I-90 on their way to New York. They pull over and try to address the situation. While waiting for roadside assistance to arrive, the tour manager, Sam, spent the time picking up caterpillars that were crawling towards the highway and placing them back in the nearby woods. Back and forth she went saving caterpillars. Alix, whose life work revolves around changing stereotypes and gender discrimination worldwide, responded to the unique situation by saying "I guess if you want to save something, you've got to save all of it."

The entire situation, in my view, perfectly symbolized life! Think about how many times you unknowingly crawled towards harm, yet lovingly, someone in your life picked you up and placed you in a safer and warmer space -- like their embrace.

So many times we look at situations or people or circumstances and just want to write them off. We're done! We're fed up! We can't take it anymore. That's the easiest response. Challenge yourself. Is there a way to pick up the situation, the circumstance, the person and turn things around and direct it into a healthier, harmless place?

Remember, today's catepiller is tomorrow's butterfly! There's a reason why you are being challenged. Amaze yourself!

~Chezon Jackson

"That's the risk you take if you change: that people you've been involved with won't like the new you. But other people who do will come along."  -- Lisa Alther

At this stage in my life, I truly feel that I am an authentic person. In the past, I lost people who were important to me because I was afraid to tell the truth about who I am or who I wanted to be.

I grew up in a household where my father was a powerful religious leader in our congregation. My mother has always been an extremely opinionated woman. When I was younger, I believed I would lose their love if I expressed opinions and desires that contradicted my father’s religious faith or my mother’s, sometimes, overbearing views. I kept my opinions to myself and went along with everyone else so as not to rock the boat.

When the time came for me to accept the academic scholarships that were offered to me in my teens, I began to have anxiety attacks. I did not want to disobey my parents’ wishes. Ultimately, I followed what I believed they would want me to do and turned down the chance to go to college.

The further I stepped into my adult life, the unhappier I became. The life I lived was not being steered by me. I was moving only in the direction other people preapproved for me.

It’s been a long journey for me to get to where I am now. It took a lot of soul-searching and numerous heart-to-heart, honest conversations with the people I love in order for me to take the reins of my life. Some people could accept my new stronger attitude, others could not. But I feel it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made!

Now, I am enrolled into college and taking classes that will help me obtain a degree in sign language interpretation. I have friends that share with me the love of art and literature. I am dating a man who loves me, regardless of what my family, friends and peers may feel about whom I should be romantically involved.

Every day I focus on two (ultimate) goals for the day. I ask myself if I am really happy. If the answer is yes, I try hard to hold that feeling close to me all day long. If the answer is no, I focus on writing a list of things I can do to make myself happy and then aim at crossing off at least one thing from that list – the rest I prioritize for the immediate future. The other thing I do each day is ask myself what I can do today that would make someone else happy. If I’m truly happy, the second question usually fills that day’s to-do list.

In whole, this is how I feel I live my most authentic life.

--Chezon Jackson

Greetings,
as we enter the month of February, a few keywords to keep in mind: clarity, love, transition.

Clarity
is a rare and an important quality to have. When we have a clear mind, we can make accurate decisions that enhance every aspect of our lives. In fact, being clear allows us to move forward in life with assurance creating a serene lifestyle.

Getting clarity can be challenging in traditional society being that over time, the mind can get addicted to various types of stimuli such as, 5'o'clock traffic, stressful work environment, social gatherings, personal relationships etc. There are also physical stimuli such as sex, food, exercise, medication, recreational drugs, etc. This list goes on and on.

Here is a remedy you can try to invite clarity into your entire life including your aura.
Take 15 minutes every day to sit quiet and look at trees or your favorite tree. Being next to a tree is great, yet viewing through a window is just as powerful. Set your mind to do this everyday for at least 2 weeks.

Love
can be described as the acceptance of all things, and yet for many, love has been used as a  reactionary verb that is given as a reward. This kind of love/action has been passed down by the way of religions, for an example: the bible reads, For God so loved the world, that He gave/sacrificed  His only begotten son, so that you may have everlasting life. Although I am not positive who or what the human sacrifice was to, many can translate that statement as being "proof" of love. Although this type of love is exercised daily, it creates emotional dependency.

This month, may call for a self examination in regards to personal relationships and how you view love, and what you will do to get it or show it.
If you find that after careful examination, you have harbored, guilt, resentment, fear, or jealousy in your love relationships, you may want to consider converting the energy of love, into the energy of truth.
Develop truthful relationships and avoid associating love with titles- Mother, Father, Sister, Brother, etc.
Example: if a mother was/is abusive toward her child, and the child grows to be resentful because he/she feels a mother's job is to "love", in this scenario, the concept of love, should be replaced with truth. What is the truth in the relationship.

Acceptance of truth breaks the spell of the concept and romanticism of love and can lead to a healthy transition. Once this is accomplished, one can begin to feel love as being the acceptance of all things and understand that everyone regardless of title must and will live out their lives as they feel to.

If love has been emotional dependency in your life and you want to free yourself, you may want to try this: before going to bed each night, view yourself in a mirror for 3 minutes making constant eye contact with your reflection.

For the Astro Heads, this month the Zodiac Physical recognizes the feet.
Energetically, the feet represent the path that must be taken. It represents delicate and abrupt change, the possibility of relocating, and finding spiritual grounding.
Physically, pay attention to how you walk, your travel time and experiences, shoes and proper feet support.

For those who are having issues with change and direction, I recommend getting reflexology by certified reflexologist, Jan Mitchell.
She can be reached here: www.heartcentertheraphy.com
If there are feet issues and you are not able to physically address them, in this case, hands can be considered your feet.

Water

Cancer- this month living in a fantasy world can be quite exciting especially when others are getting on your nerves. Take needed time for yourself, and then jump back into the reality of your life. This month, take the necessary steps to create your reality. You are supported.

Pisces- everyone loves a confident and giving person especially when they are the recipient. This month, create an inner defense team that assists you in utilizing discretion when needed. Being a martyr or doormat is no longer attractive to you. Make changes Pisces.

Scorpio- this month, exposure is the name of the game. This applies in all ways. Your feelings, motives, deeds-good or its opposite are revealed. There is no "negative" outcome, rather the experience that takes you to another level.

Earth

Capricorn- a feeling of stagnation and then a feeling of explosive energy gives you a unique boost to bring ideas and unfinished projects together and in a successful way. In the month of February, learn to transform any emotion into whatever you need it to be-you are the master of your emotions.

Taurus- this month your welcoming power sets the mood for an addition to your life. There may be a new person entering your work or private space. Your strength and compassion is the perfect earth quality that supplies a fruitful grounding for all parties involved. A good time to be a Taurus.

Virgo- movement, travel, dis-comfort, and unsettling scenarios may stimulate an uncomfortable feeling in the stomach. Incorporating an enzyme in your diet may make this time of transition a little more comfortable. Make time for readjusting your physical diet in the month of February. How you physically feel play a huge role in your daily life.

Air

Aquarius- television, text messaging, computers, and other frequency enhanced devices are interrupting your natural cool vibe. In the month of February, take time off from excessive technology use. Sounds impossible maybe, but you'll feel so much better. At least give it a try-you need a break.

Libra- if you use the phrase, "too good to be true" this month, readjust your thinking and avoid recalling past experiences that have disappointed you. What is the purpose of being a free air sign if you have limited thinking. For the month of February, be a Libra and get some balance in your life. Too much negative thinking or too much of anything for that matter isn't a good look for you. Go with your natural soul (you can use that line if you want-it is free).

Gemini- everybody plays the fool, and this month the fool translates as going into something with innocence and or renewed thinking. There is so much more to discover about yourself, your talents and your relationships when you view them with a fresh pair of eyes, heart and mind. This month, allow your inner child access into every part of your life.

Fire

Aries- gambling with your life or the lives of others is a serious spiritual offense-maybe, or maybe not depending on how you look at it. February is about playing your cards right and playing the cards you were given. Bluffing doesn't work this go around. Be serious about your health/life and those who are in your company.

Leo- moments of solitude is the only remedy that will appease the urgency to bite someone’s head off this month. Be cool; make your plans, and most of all take time out and to yourself before going into meetings and addressing family situations. Use silence as your chosen weapon this month Leo.

Sagittarius- running away from a situation in others eyes may be viewed as coward behavior, and yet what others think should not have an impression on your life. If you need to run, by all means run and run fast. You will only be traveling in the direction of your destiny.

If you want your own personal reading for this month, contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Comments or questions for Damaris, visit: www.thestarrbar.blogspot.com