izzy's playlists!
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@thatgirlalia
Embracing Your Authentic Self
By: Alia Lewis
Empowerment Writer
Think about it. What is the natural, genuine, authentic you like? Who are you when no one is around, when it’s just you in your room thinking about your hopes and dreams? What things do you actually care about?...
Amazing article!
Hi, everyone! I’m stopping in to share an excerpt from an amazing book that’s worth purchasing! Also, don’t forget to check out tonight’s post (:
“September 20: The Enemy Within
We have met the enemy and he is us. - Pogo (Walt Kelly)
…..
The ego has everything to lose once your authentic self grows strong enough to act consciously on your behalf, guiding your creaive choices, decisions, ambitions, and actions for you Highest Good. What was standard operating procedure before - denial, sublimation, repression - is recognized for what it is: subtle self-abuse. When you become authentic, you become greater than you ever thought you could be, and this greatness allows you to heal yourself, your family, and your world. Your authentic self is your ego’s worst nightmare.”
For more on the ego, check out last Saturday’s post “Why Size Most Definitely Matters.”
By: Alia Lewis
Empowerment Writer
“I want to be happier.” “I want to read more.” “I want to play the drums.” “I want to get better at football.” “I want to make better grades.”
I want, I want, I want.
This is not a post about laziness, nor is it about ungratefulness and...
How To Get More By Doing Less
By: Alia Lewis
Empowerment Writer
“I want to be happier.” “I want to read more.” “I want to play the drums.” “I want to get better at football.” “I want to make better grades.”
I want, I want, I want.
This is not a post about laziness, nor is it about ungratefulness and self-satisfaction. This post is about getting more out of life by eliminating distractions.
How many of you still have New Year Resolutions from 5, 6, 7 years ago that you still haven’t accomplished? Have you actually achieved your resolutions? Reached your goal weight, been nicer, spent more time with family, relaxed more, or whatever else you listed? The answer is probably no. More than likely you haven’t achieved the New Year resolution that you have been repeating every year, but guess what? YOU’RE NOT ALONE!
Each one of us has to do list new year resolutions , bucket lists, that we still haven’t checked off. Why is this?
You see the solution is not the absence of goals, new year resolutions, to do lists or bucket lists, but simply a silencing of distractions.
Your phone, it’s apps, your TV, your clutter, all of the clothes that you never wear all are just distractions. How many times do you check Instagram or Facebook while doing your homework? How often do you read every other email but the email you were supposed to read? How many times have you been perfectly fine and content with what you had, until you opened a magazine and realized everything you didn’t have?
This post is not anti-technology, social media, magazines, or any of that. I love that stuff and I’m not suggesting you completely give it up. All I’m saying is focus on the things that actually matter and in life and understand that majority of the time your phone, TV, and computer are distractions.
Enjoy life! Spend more time doing the activities and hobbies you love. actually interact with your family and friends more. Finally check OFF that New Year resolution, to do list, bucket list that you have since you the great depression.
We all have 24 hours in a day. With 8 hours of sleep that still leaves 16. With 8 hours of work, you still have 8 hours left to enjoy your life to the fullest. That may sound unrealistic or , but turn off the tv, put down your phone, turn off your computer, and see how far 8 hours takes you!
-Peace, Alia
PS. Below are some websites to help you declutter and eliminate the distractions in your life.
The Minimalists
Tiny Buddha
Your post about body positivity.... 👌 thank you so much! I wouldn't say I'm skinny, I'm a D cup, but because of a fast metabolism I don't gain a lot of weight and people don't realize how much it hurts for them to call me skinny and to use phrases such as "only dogs go for bones." I think people need to realize it's two sides of the same coin and that we should empower all men and women to feel good about themselves and your post is a step closer to that 😘 thank you
Yes! Empowerment is the best message we can spread & thank you so much for sharing your story. There are a lot of people out there, on both sides, who face scrutiny. It’s really important for us to use these experiences to inspire & motivate others to love and accept the bodies they’re in.
Thank you so much for sharing your story, and for checking out our latest post. Stay empowered! ❤ ❤ ❤
- M.
Sappy Sunday Take 1: Your Strength vs. My Weakness
Sappy Sunday Take 1: Your Strength vs. My Weakness
By: Alia Lewis
Empowerment Writer
The other day I had the opportunity to write my first play! Better than that, I was able to actually witness it being performed. Needless to say, I was happy. I wrote the entire play in one day, as did everyone else who participated in the play event. Despite the short time period, I was pretty proud of myself. I mean I did think it was pretty corny, but overall I knew that I did a fantastic job with it being my first play.
Read More
Money & Passion
By: Alia Lewis
Empowerment Writer
Moolah, Gwap, Dough, Cash, Dinero, Cream, Benjamins; so many ways to say it, yet they all mean the same thing- MONEY
Humans have an incomprehensible obsession with money. Every day you see someone on the news killing, hurting,...
100% Anon, 100% Real
Hey, hey! Y’all don’t forget that we do offer advice on anything from relationships to spirituality to motivation and everything in between (and don’t forget to tell your family and friends!). You can remain 100% anonymous and trust we’ll keep it real! Want multiple opinions, one opinion, or just wanna vent? Let us know! Just click this link to get in touch.
- AHU Team
100% Anon, 100% Real
Hey, hey! Y’all don’t forget that we do offer advice on anything from relationships to spirituality to motivation and everything in between (and don’t forget to tell your family and friends!). You can remain 100% anonymous and trust we’ll keep it real! Want multiple opinions, one opinion, or just wanna vent? Let us know! Just click this link to get in touch.
- AHU Team
Video
You are not born with hate and this here proves that
Too sweet
I wish people were always this nice to each other.
Listening to Life
By: Alia Lewis
Empowerment Writer
“I may not have ended up where I intended to go, but God (life, universe, etc.) placed me where I needed to be.”- A friend
Have you ever taken out time to listen to life? No, I don’t mean standing outside and waiting to hear a loud...
I hope you enjoy this video! Below are some of the photos of celebrities I mentioned in my mini-rant, sans-photoshop. Also, check out Stop Hating Your Body! Annie’s blog is dedicated to body positivity in all its forms.
WARNING: SHYB does contain nudity and may be a trigger for some. In which case, proceed with caution. SHYB really does work to increase body-positivity. Join the revolution!
13 Male Celebrities Without Photoshop (via Buzzfeed)
30 Shots of Celebrities Sans-Photoshop (via Complex)
Just Do It
By: Alia Lewis
Empowerment Writer
Curiosity killed the cat. Procrastination killed the human.
Waiting until the night before to study for a test, delaying until the morning of to write a paper, lingering for the day of someone’s arrival to clean the house…. I’m guilty of...
Embracing Beauty
By: Alia Lewis
Empowerment Writer
It’s summer. It’s Sunday. The sun is gleaming between the trees. Its light is reflecting and mixing with the greenery, creating a unique balance and color gradient, light green to dark green. The sky is clear and the clouds are...
Embracing Beauty
Embracing Beauty
By: Alia Lewis
Empowerment Writer
It’s summer. It’s Sunday. The sun is gleaming between the trees. Its light is reflecting and mixing with the greenery, creating a unique balance and color gradient, light green to dark green. The sky is clear and the clouds are puffy. The only noise I hear is the chirping and ca-cooing from the birds of the air. It’s beautiful here. Where am I, you might ask? I’m in my backyard. The way I’m describing my surroundings, you would think I was in a foreign place. You wouldn’t think I was in the same house I’ve been in for about 7 years, sitting the same backyard, surrounded by the same trees, and warmed the same sunlight. What’s different? Today, I am embracing beauty.
Depending on where you live, life is fast faced. I live in the city so I’m encompassed in the hustle and bustle. This weekend I had the opportunity to just slow down and relax. Although I was pretty busy on the 4th of July, I still found time to just sit on a swing and admire the beauty that surrounds me daily. Outside is my happy place. Despite the swarming bugs and scorching heat, I’m at my most peaceful and authentic self. I acknowledge how big the earth is, which makes me understand how little my problems are. I embrace the abundant beauty life has to offer, which causes me to forget the things that I lack. Opening your eyes to see the beautiful, rich, diverse landscape surrounding you causes you to think. It makes you focus on the things that are important in life- rich friendships, abundant love, accomplishing your dreams. You’re able to slow down and reconnect with the earth.
This week, make time to embrace the beauty that surrounds you daily. Whether it’s a tree, person, animal, or lightning storm; stop for a second, disconnect from your phone, and soak it all in. A major part of enjoying your life is embracing the beauty within it. When you are aware and grateful of the natural things life has to offer- beauty, love, life; you will inevitably live a fuller, more rich and abundant life. Be blessed. Have a fantastic week!
- Peace, Alia
Visualizing Your Life
By: Alia Lewis
Empowerment Writer
Remember those “when I grow up” stories we all used to share as kids? “When I grow up I want to be superman.” “When I grow up I want to be a fairy princess.” Whether you know it or not, everyone still has a “when I grow up story” or as grown-ups like to say, a vision of what they imagine their life to be in the future. I’ve always said I wanted my future self to have a college education, achieve many accolades, make my family proud, live ON PURPOSE, establish a family of my own, and enjoy my life to the fullest! In order for me to achieve my desires and in order for you to manifest the vision you carry of your future, there are a couple of steps we must take.
Open Your Eyes: When I visualized what I wanted my life to look like, then opened my eyes, I realized that in a lot of ways I had already achieved what I said I wanted to achieve. Now, of course I haven’t achieved everything, or even close to everything I want to achieve. My dreams and visions are on another level and dimension. However, what I have accomplished is the foundation or beginning stages of the vision I want my life to look like. For example, I said I wanted to obtain a college degree. So far I have my high school diploma which is a preliminary and example of what I want to accomplish. By opening your eyes, you’re able to see the glass half full, and realize that you’re not far from filling it to the brim. Open your eyes and see that your dreams and ideal vision of what you want your life to be is not far away.
Goal: Think about and surround yourself the achievements you’ve accomplished so far, keep in my mind your accolades, and experience. Nothing is too small or too unimportant. Even if you have to dig up a perfect attendance award from 5th grade, do it to let yourself know that you are already equipped and empowered to do whatever it is you desire to do.
Speak To Your Life: What are the differences between I want and I am, I will and I did? Think about the power “I am” holds. Sometimes you must convince yourself of the gifts and talents you already possess in order to activate your power. Think about it. People who have not yet gained monetary success write a book about it and consequently achieve monetary success through that book! Rappers who are penny less say they have millions and are better than your favorite rapper, yet in reality, can’t even get your favorite rapper to acknowledge them. Because they speak who they want to be as if they already are, they quickly become who it is they envisioned themselves to be. Start speaking as if you are accomplishing or have already accomplished that which you have put your mind to. Instead of saying I am going to live an abundant life, say I am living an abundant life, I am successful. I am operating in my purpose.
Work Your Vision: Belief without action is worthless. No matter how much you visualize, you must work toward becoming the person you desire to be. You must pull out the expressed image of what you want your life to be. I want to be a great writer/storyteller. In order to do that I must practice by writing. I can’t become discouraged when my writing doesn’t read like someone else’s. I am developing. The same applies with you! What you have right now is not the finished story, the final and end result. In life, you must remember that it’s not about how good you are, but it’s about how good you want to be. Keep that image of who you want to be in your mind, whether that’s nicer, more successful, happier, etc. and actively do the things that will produce those results!
You are more powerful than you let yourself believe. The ONLY PERSON WHO CAN STOP YOU and prevent you from becoming all that you were created to become IS YOU! Break away from fear. Tell yourself not that you can or you will, but you are, and then work at it every day as if you are. If you are skeptical, work until you can prove to yourself that you are worthy. Use yourself as motivation.
Overall, you have a vision of what you want your life to be like. You are in control of that vision. No one is going to manifest it but you. You have the power! If you want to be smarter, study! If you want to be kinder, love. If you want to be happier, look at the bright side of things! When you open your eyes, speak to your life, and work your vision, you have no choice but to see the vision of yourself and your future unfold right in front of your eyes.
Have an amazing week.
-Peace, Alia
Finding Faith
By Michelle Norsworthy
Culture & Spirituality
For a few weeks, I’ve been debating on whether I should do this post or not. Something told me to go right on and so I listened. So, y’all, I’d love to hear your responses! Just tell me what’s on your mind right here. (:
When I was a kid, church was more about spending some time with my maternal grandparents than anything. I restlessly sat in the pew with them until Sunday School started, bugging my Mema until she gave me a piece of peppermint to keep me quiet. I enjoyed Sunday school though. We played games, won prizes, learned (yes, I was a nerd, sue me). Revival at Mt. Tilla Baptist Church, with my late Grandma Della, was full of loud, soulful, joyous singing. There was praise and worship.
But I didn’t really know anything. I only knew what I felt: joy, love, and peace.
Aside from those feelings, and the memories, only a fraction of what I’d been taught was internalized. I knew some of the stories in the Bible, thanks to Mema’s after-church recaps and children’s books. In times of great fear, I recited the Lord’s Prayer to calm myself. Other than that, I didn’t think much about religion, faith, or any of that stuff. Don’t get me wrong, I always thought of myself as a spiritual person when it came down to it. But it wasn’t part of who I was until high school.
Family and personal issues left me in a dark place where I started to question everything. But I wasn’t the only one. People I knew would always ask, “Why is it always the good people who get punished?” I saw that they doubted their faith, just like I doubted mine. It wasn’t that I believed only good people got punished; it was that I struggled to see some greater design.
It was then I decided to research every question I always wanted to ask, but was told not to. Questions I never thought to ask were being answered. That’s when I started to meditate; the Internet doesn’t exactly make the spiritual journey easier. This led to an almost-five-year journey.
I re-evaluated the things I’d been taught, the new things I’d learned on my own, and what made the most sense to me. It was a process of trials, errors, and more trials. However, at the end of it, I found my own type of faith – one that took what I knew as a child, and what I’d learned since, and smooshed them together. My experiences, my journey, resulted in a stronger faith in something bigger than myself.
While there are many people who never doubt their faith, there are still just as many who do. If you happen to be in that boat, take a breather. Ask yourself why it is you believe what you do. If there’s something that leaves you doubting, it can mean two things: you haven’t yet understood it, or it doesn’t resonate with your existence like it should.
People are unique, multi-faceted beings who think and operate in different ways. What speaks to one person – what moves them to sing, praise, and worship – may not exactly be the same for another. I learned a reverence for all life, the earth, and renewed my faith in the teachings of my childhood. Honor these differences in yourself and others, and never be afraid to follow your faith.
