When You're Having a Not-So-Good Day

"How to Beat Discouragement" by Leonie Dawson

I'm a big fan of Leonie, and I discovered this video when I wasn't feeling so great, and it helped me put things into perspective, and feel better. Enjoy!

Don't Let the Idea of "Prestige" Run Your Life

Here is a great article on why prestige is the enemy of passion:

http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2012/02/27/purpose-work-love/

Also, a great video on the importance of questioning one's notion of success by Alain de Botton:

 

 

Enjoy!

Acknowledge Enough

When You're Anxious About How Your Life is Turning Out

Sometimes I feel anxious and overwhelmed when I think that I haven't done enough toward reaching my goals, which can be a great motivator, yet, I don't think it should be. According to Loving What Is by Byron Katie, you can motivate yourself with loving thoughts and feelings. Unfortunately, that is not how I programed my self-talk in my mind. I can be mean and condescending to myself! Well, today I had a revelation; when I was feeling really down, and pressuring myself about not taking action (and all based on worries about the future, and if I'm going to be a success and whatnot) I thought to myself that a few people that I have really loved, or have influenced me, were not "successful" in the academic, career, or prestige way that most of us are used to defining success. No, these people were simple, family-oriented, wise, kind, and loving individuals who made/make this world a better place just for being in it, and my life would never be the same if they had not existed. One of these people didn't finish high school, and made minimum wage for most of their life, the other was an undocumented immigrant, who worked as a house servant for many years, and pretty much doesn't have any money saved, and the other never had a career.

One of these people has now passed away, and for his services, the church was so full, that many couldn't find a seat in the very large church. The other is so well respected and loved, that when they travel back to their homeland, they are like a celebrity, and everyone wants them over for dinner. She never has to eat out, because she's fully booked during her month-long visit. The point I'm trying to make is that even though these people were/are not rich, didn't have prestigious careers, etc. they were/are successful. It really calmed my nerves, and helped me put things into perspective. I might make my dreams a reality, but I should do it at my pace, and with love. If not, what kind of life am I living in the process? I should do things that feed my soul, act from love, and try to embody the traits that I admire in others. I think these people that I look up to embody some intangible qualities that are the secret to a good/well-lived life--and that's what I mean to strive for (as well as my goals).

Why I Created This Blog

 

Why I Created This Blog

We all need to create, and if you don't think that you're creative, well you're wrong! You just don't practice creating, that's all. I think most people feel too afraid to create when they get older, because they might feel that they will either be judged, or they are so programed to do things the "right" way, that creating can feel frustrating at first, because there isn't a right way.

 

Well, I've tried to live and do things the "right" way, as in following through with other people's expectations. I found myself trying to be good, and succeeding, because it brought acceptance and approval from my loved ones. It was Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay, "Self-Reliance," that helped me focus less on what was expected of me, and instead, focus more on what my heart (soul, spirit, inner-voice, subconscious, etc.) wanted. Since then, I have made a few brave, uncommon, and unorthodox choices, but I'm happy and authentically me!

 

Don't get me wrong, I still struggle. I still have to deal with anxiety, negative self-talk, self-doubt, and other well-meaning doubters. This is why I continue to read inspiring books, reflect, and continue to improve. I created this blog to share the books that I read, share my reflections, and share any wisdom and advice I might want to impart. I hope you enjoy my blog, and choose to subscribe!

 

Who I Am:

My name is Isabella, but I go by "Bella". I'm relatively young, and I live in Los Angeles, California. I love creating! I own a natural beauty product business called Velvet Botanicals. I live with my husband, Alfred, and our dog, Tato (Tah-toe). I don't eat meat, I adore animals, I spend pretty much all my free time with my family, I feel it's a necessity to travel at least once a year (usually twice or three times), I don't function well with less than eight hours of sleep, I love to cook, I love being in nature and all things natural, I wish I meditated and practiced yoga more often, and I always find myself reading more than one book, but never quite finishing any of them. I love Jane Eyre, The Alchemist, and The Game of Life (to name a few). I have 100 Pandora stations, but I mostly listen to my Phil Collins station, which plays Gloria Estefan, Sade, 80s, Disney, and other good artists.

 

If you want to hear more from me, I'm all over the internet! I have Instagram, Pinterest, another blog on natural beauty information, and Twitter. You can find it all under Velvet Botanicals.

 

Isabella@velvetbotanicals.com

 

www.velvetbotanicals.com