Living in a world that is constantly evolving makes you wonder if you can keep up sometimes. Fades and fashion, technology and medicine, music and art, can all change in a moment's notice and before you know it, you're clearing out your closet for the next best thing but is it wrong to stay in a place that's become sort of a familiar normality? Over time I can recall hearing about a new phone coming onto the market and before I could wait for a sale to purchase an inexpensive case, a newer more fresher model was being marketed. I there after realized that I could either keep up or choose which fades and trends I wanted to keep up with. The same as with dating and relationships. So many things have changed or maybe I've just been blissfully unaware of it all.  Commitment has dwindled and may sometimes as a mere fallacy while casual dating a normality but the fact still remains that we all have individual choices. What we choose to do and who we choose to become doesn't have to be predicated upon the "latest thing". So when you're making life choices, stick to what you're most comfortable with both naturally and spiritually and be less influenced by latest media swing.

Davina S.

How many times have you heard someone say, "I just want to be happy"? Well what steps are you taking to ensure your happiness? Often times we depend on others to fulfill this area in our lives instead of looking within. At the age of thirty, we pretty much have learned how people can travel in and out our lives so why would you hold anyone besides yourself accountable for your joy? Make an effort to do the things that you love, execute drawn out plans, and embrace who you are. That's happiness! When you can wake up in the morning or afternoon, look in the mirror, and be totally pleased with who you are and not what portion of you will make someone else happy is an awesome feeling. You don't have to be everything to everyone just yourself for yourself. Those that are meant to be apart of your life will love you and remain. Love yourself and you'll be happy!!!

Davina. S

Love thistles that run deep can be intoxicating. That unexpected love. Have you ever met someone with the intent of being only friends? Never requiring anything else and then the unexpected happens. One day you look into each others eyes and you see more than just a friend. I believe this to be one of the most genuine ways to come across love, to find it in the least expected place. So if it's so wonderful, you may ask, why have I characterized it as a thistle? Thistle flowers can be considered very exotic in appearance and quite beautiful to some, but they are also considered weedy. Cirsium Canums, a thistle plant, however, are rare, beautiful and if properly cultivated, bear no weeds. It is an exquisite plant and because of it rarity, has been given the title, 'Queen Ann's Thistle'.
Like the Cirsium Canum, because of previous love experiences encountered, we sometimes associate love with a lot of weeds so to speak. If never loved or given the opportunity to love, then I can assure you, there would be no life vest needed to get you swimming in the pool of affection. It's only when we tie past hurts, regret and resentment to it, that makes one apprehensive about the joyous endeavor. As Oscar Wilde quoted, "Keep love in your heart, A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead". Don't get rid of all of your  Cirsium Canum' just yet.
Embrace new beginnings and explore new possibilities. Love has its proper place in our lives, we only need to cultivate it.

Davina S.

The Bible describes our bodies as being our temple, which makes perfect sense. When we start our yearly self improvement projects, it usually begins with us altering or changing one thing at a time. Sort of like cleaning a house. One room at a time. At the beginning of our work week our homes may look as though we've hired a professional cleaning service. By Thursday, however, things drastically tend to change. Same as with our lives. In the beginning of the year we have all of these new year resolutions and a strong desire to eliminate any toxic relationships that we currently have from our lives and some of us actually follow through. By June, it seems as though we've added at least two back to the repertoire, finding ourselves in the same predicament. Why?

Well, by nature, we can all be quite forgiving people. I often fall into this category, which isn't a bad thing. It only becomes bad once your willingness to forgive someone allows existing toxic ways entryway back into your life, causing recurring hurt. Have you ever heard the saying, 'forgive but don't forget.' One may argue that if you hold on to the memory of past transgressions or offenses, that you haven't really forgiven. I beg to differ. Remembering can have its share of benefits. You become aware of the person in which you are dealing with, you understand the limits of expectations, and if you want them in your life, you understand their potential. Now this isn't saying people don't change or evolve, only that their past can be an indication of what may lie ahead.

Taking into consideration that change  is very well possible, in remembering, we also have to be careful not to allow old hurt to give way to resentment. What a bitter road to travel. After all, if you're willing to forgive and allow one place in your life, then the least you can do is enjoy it. If it's a family member, that would make it all the more important. If an old friend, there must've been something cherishable for you to give them such a title. An old flame, the possibility of endless happiness.

So while embracing the spirit of change and self cleansing of things or people that may be weighing heavy in your life, remember that these things often takes time. Cleansing the rooms of your temple may require you to clean one room at a time. That may or may not involve replacing, refreshing, and or replenishing. You decide.


Davina S.

We all have things that we would like to accomplish and the majority of us tend to push them aside because we either think that they're outlandish or unattainable. Where do you fit? I personally have dreams in which I would like to see come to pass but as of recent, that desire has become more of a definate goal...I have to fulfill it. There is no other option for me than to dive straight into the possibilty of success or failure, but if you try with everything that's in you, than I don't believe that you can ever fail. So without sounding like a self help booklet, I would encourage everyone who has a dream or a goal, to put their best foot forward. We only get one shot at this thing called life. Why waste it with fear?