Here’s a short video of an impromptu interview before he was arrested.

Read more about this here.

Without a doubt, life has revealed the presence of this flow, this movement, this protection. Lately, I’ve been getting just what I need, whether it’s a momentary break from the imminent stormy weather long enough to see me through a beautiful, dry bike ride to work, music that makes me smile or puts me face-to-face with myself, a kind word, or a highly unlikely situation that restores my spirit and inspires me. Even with the challenges that accompany life, lately I’ve been feeling even more inspired, more in-tune, more connected to the magic and wonder this world offers. And I’m so very apreciative of it.

This snippet of Oprah’s Master Class where she discusses how The Color Purple taught her about the importance the role surrender plays in the process of getting what you want. It was so amazing and powerful, I wanted to share the entire videos from which the snippet was excerpted. If these videos are too much for you to commit to, please do watch this. It’s much shorter, yet incredibly powerful and inspiring.

Returning to the idea presented in today’s #notetoself, “God can dream a bigger dream for me, for you, than you ever could for yourself.” Thanks, Oprah.

Best wishes on your journey.

love&light…

Below is a video of him performing “Teacher Don’t Teach Me No Nonsense”. You may not know what he’s saying, but you feel the music and understand the vibe from the title.

Image Source: 3-Way Street by ronconcocacola

.

this is the importance of practice.
discipline.
flexibility.
strength.

Apparently this is the Fraggle Rock Crew from Seattle.

The more I understand about highly sensitive people, my curiosity grows. Is this me? Perhaps…

Is it you?

Take the test and learn more about Elaine Aron’s research on the highly sensitive person at hsperson.com.

Once upon a time, I was a health zealot. Whether or not you asked, I’d gladly and immediately inform you of the contents of your food and any health risks they posed. My intention wasn’t to be a zealot; it was to be helpful. I was open and ready for that information and assumed everyone else was, too.

I was wrong.

Over time, I’ve ebbed and flowed with health. It’s prominence rises and falls. Over the course of the last year or so, it’s fallen. I’ve had beef (I thought it was veal), I’ve had pork (I knew it was pork), and I’ve consumed lots and lots of sugar. As of late, however, my attention to health has been on the rise.

It’s not even necessarily what’s present in my diet, so much as what’s been missing: easily digestible, nutrient rich plant-based foods.

Preventative health, mostly based around diet, used to be such a large focus in my life, and over time has dwindled away. But I miss it. I believe in it. I want it back.

That said, last week, I decided to detox by eating raw foods for two weeks. At first, I was super nervous, even tentative about lasting the entire time. By the time the first day arrived, I was mentally prepared and fully committed. On the second day, I realized it was my one year anniversary of moving to New York (sentimental, I know) and decided to, on day three, treat myself to a dinner at the raw restaurant near my house.

Best decision ever. I’m so about to eat lots of raw foods. Not just for the next two weeks, but period. I’m interested in optimal health.

I saw the Forks Over Knives trailer posted above and thought you’d be interested in knowing that optimal health is at the end of your fork.

If health and food politics are of interest to you, you may also like:

• Sucker MDs
• Food, Inc.

Here, she discusses three types of people and does one of my favorite things ever: find the good! Enjoy.

Inspiring and on-point, JK Rowling’s commencement speech at Harvard is definitely a must-see to remind us all about the beauty in the labyrinth called life. ‘Mistakes’ and ‘failure’ can lead us to our greatest successes if we learn. There is an up-side.

Find the good.

Born and raised in Vancouver, Severn Suzuki has been working on environmental and social justice issues since kindergarten. At age 9, she and some friends started the Environmental Children’s Organization (ECO), a small group of children committed to learning and teaching other kids about environmental issues. They traveled to 1992’s UN Earth Summit, where 12 year-old Severn gave this powerful speech that deeply affected (and silenced) some of the most prominent world leaders. The speech had such an impact that she has become a frequent invitee to many UN conferences.

Lupe Fiasco – “Beautiful Lasers (2 ways)”

Since before “Kick, Push” hit the scene, I’ve been a big fan. Lupe’s an important artist and an important rapper. Obviously brilliant, he adds another dimension to the idea of who a popular rapper is and what they’re “allowed” to be. He’s not a commercial artist. He’s part of the young, black and gifted who wants to uplift his people, open people’s minds and bear light at the same time. Even in the pain that’s sometimes in his music, you can hear love.

“Beautiful Lasers” is one of the most emotionally honest songs I’ve heard in a really long time. It shatters the facades and probes into heart of things: this world, our selves, private struggles we all have had at one point or another, but won’t voice. I’m always reminding myself and others to be courageous. Vulnerability takes courage, and to create this, Lupe was courageous. Have to respect that.

Lupe is a true product and amalgamation of the black music lineage in the United States, which is a rich progression of music starting with spirituals, then blues, jazz, rock n’ roll, R&B, then hip hop. Although not as apparent on LASERS, which the label was intent on making commercial, his previous albums blend elements of all these genres quite nicely and rather organically. He’s obviously influenced by jazz, and I even like to consider him a ‘jazz rapper’, meaning his music requires the same level of attention as jazz because of its complexities and nuances.

Listen with care!

Lupe Fiasco – “Shining Down” feat. Matthew Santos

Lupe Fiasco – “Ghetto Story” (from the original version of Food & Liquor)

Someone highly recommended I watch this TED Talk on vulnerability after reading yesterday’s #notetoself:

The journey ahead won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. This, I know.

Visit BreneBrown.com to learn more about Brene’s work on the importance of vulnerability and authenticity.

The journeys life takes us on are simply amazing. I’m often unable to find the words to fully express the magic this world and the heart are capable of producing; I’m just along for the ride, practicing opening all my senses to experience as much of it as I can.

My Name Is Khan is a visual account of the power of love. Honestly and tenderly, it addresses post-9/11 racial profiling with Shah Rukh Khan starring as Rizvan Khan, a Muslim man with Asperger’s syndrome who moves from India to the US and falls in love with the beautiful, spirited Mandira. They begin a happy life together, then 9/11 happens and their life together falls apart. He travels all across the country on a quest to keep his word and return to his wife.

I didn’t know much about the film before watching it, except that it was well-received, so I don’t want to give too much away about it. I remembered a lot of great pearls and wanted to share.

• Love is verb. This man, who had difficulty expressing emotions, clearly loved this woman. Show and tell your love.
• We must teach our children love. The hate they learn is the hate we teach.
• Watch what you say. Speaking out of anger has led to some pretty hurtful, regretful things.
• Fear, hatred, and willful ignorance are killing people…everyday.
• Let go of anger. Love can achieve what hate never could.

Rizvan is such an interesting character, so quirky, yet so endearing. He’s on his own hero’s journey, facing his fears to reach his goals. Even though he can’t fully understand emotion, he represents pure love. My Name Is Khan is profoundly touching and inspiring.

Even while urging viewers to explore their prejudices, this film isn’t without its own annoying stereotypes, but the message about the power of love was redeeming enough for me to overlook them.

If you want to journey into your love and your prejudice, watch this film.