Created by Storms – Believe

I stole this picture from my friend Bernice, who I would like to give a shout out today. I have followed her blog from the early ages, starting my own journey here on WordPress, while embarking on the beginning of finding myself. I was at the beginning of my awakening, knocking at the doorway, asking myself “If this was all there was to life?”

We don’t always talk, but a profound connection was made as I was hanging on to Bernice’s every word. I was so inspired, but most of all she helped me to believe. Believe in myself, believe that I was not alone, and believe that there was a whole new world out there waiting to be discovered. A world that would bring a sense of belonging, a sense of fulfillment, feeding a hole inside of me that felt empty and dark. A world that left me yearning for meaning. I’m not sure if I ever told Bernice what profound impact she had, especially during that time, and if not, it’s about time I do.

Today’s segment of created by storms is about “Believe.” It’s about strong women and men believing in themselves. These souls know exactly who they are and what they want from life. They let their inner voice guide their way. That’s how they’re always on the right track.

Bernice has definitely been such a person for me, inspiring me, guiding me, and ultimately making me stronger while believing in myself enough to explore and tap into this new world. I look back with gratitude at this storm, both beautiful and painful at the same time, and I am forever grateful for the role model, the inspiration, and guidance I have found in Bernice. May we always have someone by our side during the storms of o or life’s, and when we need a little help believing in ourselves. 🙏🏼❤️

Created by Storms – Pain

A random picture of myself throughout the storms of my life. A painful smile, as this one was taken in Germany after a failed attempt to help Mom. Problem was, she didn’t want help and took it badly. This one was actually a few years back, and not the last time I was there. It’s been a long time and a long struggle until she finally did accept my help. Sometimes it still feels it only was because she had no other choice.

As I got to thinking about this little series called “Created by Storms”, a brilliant idea crossed my mind, yep I’m gloating lol, and at least I think so myself, and it’s my way of giving back, paying my own recognition to you. You the people that have impacted my life during those storms, you who I am forever grateful for. With each of the next 7 posts I want to celebrate one of these amazing warriors, men and women alike that I have witnessed overcome such hardship, felt pains like no other, might stand a little crooked today, but are still getting up to fight the best fight they possibly can. My first shoutout goes to Kris and I wouldn’t even know where to begin to tell you all about her. You will have to see for yourself visiting her blog, but I am forever grateful that our paths have crossed. Together we have shared in the same journey, caring for a sick, dying parent, and together we could lean on each other, easing the loneliness and pain, always wanting the best, but never quite getting the approval and appreciation from our parent. I see you my sister and I continue to walk besides you, always. 🙏🏼

The storm I am talking about today is called “Pain”. Pain shaped us and strong women wear their pain like armor. They are survivors. These strong and brave warriors don’t let life’s challenges bring them down. Instead, they learn from their mistakes and carry on. Their failures are their greatest stepping stones.

I will never look at my attempt to help Mom as a mistake or failure, but surely there have been moments I question if I could have done more. My stepping stone was realizing that people must also be willing to accept help in oder to be successful in giving help. I believe I was in the end, but so much time was wasted. Of course this is only one small example, and we feel pain in so many different ways. Pain so great that they leave cracks in our soul. Cracks where the light we carry within can finally emerges and make Ilya glow. I remind you again to use these cracks and don’t look at them as flaws. It took each and every single crack to make you who you are today and it took this kind of pain to make you whole in the end. 🙏🏼

Created by Storms – Intro

I came across an article from Stephanie Reeds that spoke to me and woke a few emotions. Not only do I feel it relates to my own journey, but I also feel that it needs to be shared and that you need this reminder.

Life is painfully difficult, but some women just have a way with it. Not all of us let life’s hardships bring us down and discourage us. Not all of us get hurt by the “fire.” Some women emerge stronger and wiser, spread their wings and fly higher than ever. Just like phoenixes, they are reborn from the ashes. They survive the hardships, learn from their past mistakes and let their challenges create a better, wiser, stronger version of themselves.

These women are known as strong, independent human beings. They are the inspiration that we seek. The strength that gives us hope. The motivation that helps us move forward. The loving proof that everything is possible if you believe in yourself.

We are in Mars retrograde and I am picking up the energies. I feel your struggle, constantly trying to stay above the stormy sea. I feel you reinventing yourself, emerging a new version of yourself. Sleek and better than ever, but I also see the toll it takes and the price we pay for it.

Stephanie lists 7 admirable traits that define you, the women that are created by the storms of their life’s. This is not to exclude my dear male readers as these can apply to you as well and if not, might help you understand a woman like that in your own life. This introduction post will be the first out of 8 total, where each day we open the floor to one of these traits for discussion, motivation, understanding and inspiration.

Here is to understanding these storms and how they can have a positive impact on us if we get past the hardship and look for the silver lining. By making this public, I hope to create a space where we can share our experiences, and in turn help each other. For there is surely someone out there who needs to read these admirable traits and find new hope. 🙏🏼

A world of difference

Much is happening in the world every day. Things are ever changing with new opportunities and new challenges. There is much we have no control over and I’m sure there are things you wish you could change. And there are things we all can do, one person at a time, we can start a movement that inspires others and makes a difference.

I know you are tired wondering about when it’s finally your time to catch a break. Well, maybe this break just looks a little different from what you visualized, and much joy, gratitude and good karma can come of it. You see, as the world fights to figure everything out, I’ll be holding doors for strangers, letting people cut in front of me in traffic, saying good morning, keeping babies entertained in grocery lines, stopping to talk to someone who is lonely, being patient with sales clerks, smiling at a passerby.

Why?

Because I will not stand idly by and live in a world where love is invisible. We can show kindness by understanding, and judging less. We can be kind to a stranger, give grace to friends who are having a bad day, be forgiving of ourselves, today and every day.

Together we can BE the change, BE the light. Together we can start, and together we never stop.

Astronomical Ring

My 16th century German astronomical ring. The ring has various symbols and lettering, including astronomical signs.

Open, like pictured above it stands for the world and the universe. Closed it stands for our love. You could wear it as a ring or charm, open or closed.

The symbolic meaning for me is that I carry my love for the world and the universe always with me.

Proud

One of my acrylic pour paintings called “Modern heART”.

Let’s start this week with a little inspiration. I’m still soooo behind answering all your comments, but I will catch up this week and I do see you and all the beautiful things you do. I see your heART and today I say that I am so proud of you.

I’m proud that you keep showing up, every, single day. I’m proud of all the tough decisions you had to make and that even though it was hard, you stood your ground. I’m proud that you never gave up on yourself and kept fighting for everything you love. I’m proud that despite everything you’ve been through, you still wake up and find ways to smile every day. I’m proud that even though you’ve seen so much darkness, you always continue to search for the light. I’m proud of you and how far you’ve come, and I’m even more excited for everything that’s still to come.

-Nikki Banas – Walk the earth

Happy Monday everyone 🙏🏼

Transmuting the darkness

When your demons show up, it is for you to love them. When the devil in you appears, it needs your compassion, not your judgements. To heal your wounds, Love is the only thing powerful enough to transmute the darkness.

The seven wonders

To see

To hear

To touch

To taste

To feel

To laugh

And to love

An awakened Man

An awakened man is a warrior of the heart. He has heard the deeper calling. He is conscious of his feelings and speaks the language of love. He sees the beauty of the world around him, is present-minded, and knows the way of the divine. He is compassionate, authentically cares about people, and has the highest respect for the feminine. He adores the woman who calls to his soul, knows how to listen and communicate to her heart, and understands how to satisfy her deepest desires. He is comfortable being vulnerable, looks for the answers within, and is not afraid to surrender to truth. He learns from the pain that each life-lesson teaches him, admits when he is wrong, and is always accountable for his actions.

He actively uses his sword with a dual purpose – to strip away his own ego so the light can stream in while also protecting those he loves. He is a champion of those who do not have a voice, strength to those who need encouragement, and a light to the ones who have lost their way. He is confident and strong, but he is also a promoter of peace, an agent of humility, and a model of grace and forgiveness.

He calls to other conscious men to join the revolution, to lay down their ego, and with true masculine energy, demonstrate what it means to be a man who is connected to his heart.

~Daniel Nielsen

🙏🏼 namaste to all the warriors of the heart. I see you and you are being heard. ❤️

Learning Grace

I learned something that left an impact on me. I thought it might be good to share, and here it is.

It’s been awhile when someone asked me for a Reiki attunement. I have stalled performing and giving it, because my beliefs don’t agree with how this person acts the majority of the time. I don’t agree with the negativity, the way others are treated and talked to, and the victim mentality that is often displayed. I feel bad karma just around the corner, but time after time the lessons are never learned and the bitterness just deepens. I found it in direct conflict with my beliefs, and viewed it impossible to go through. I didn’t know how I could muster the compassion and love that I pour into my Reiki sessions, trying to be the best conduit for divine energy to flow right through me, while supporting the best healing to commence. I felt that my own energy would interfere, and then it hit me, and I saw a quote. A message from the universe that changed my thinking, allowing me to see this from a completely different angle. It had to do with grace and understanding a little more. Here is the quote – unknown.

“When you finally learn that a person’s behavior has more to do with their internal struggle than it ever did with you…You learn grace.”

This has stopped me dead in my tracks and there is much to consider. I believe in surrounding yourself with positive energy and people that bring out the best in you, but what happens to the ones not winning the battle with the internal struggle? The ones that turn onto victim alley, the one that leaves you bitter and negative? I also think that people like that need help, and that we should at least try. So, for myself I have decided to do my best, considering their inner struggle and fight, knowing that it is cause for part of their behavior. I think I can feel compassion for their fight and struggle having read this. Perhaps inspiration can be given to make better choices when bad things happen, to stay away from victim alley, and head towards opportunity lane. I might even make an impact and change something and someone into a positive spirit. Fingers crossed.