Category: dreams

If You’re Complaing, You’re Not Doing

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If you’re complaining, you’re not doing. I see glimpses of my dreams, hopes and desires like a mirage far off in the desert; It’s haze shimmering between time and responsibilities. I fear and hope more than I do. Constantly wishing, praying for my deepest desire to come to fruition. Trying to find courage instead of fear. Taking one step at a time in spite of the swarm of anxiety humming beneath my breast-plate. Just keep going I say, Just stay focused I say, Just never give up I say. Whispering into the light of the moon so the sun may know my heart when tomorrow begins again. 

BEautifullyODD

Love,

Olisa Rachele

 

Developing Rituals

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Hey Creatives,

Today I bring to you some tips for developing your very own morning ritual. Now look, I too struggle immensely with this whole getting up thing at the crack of dawn and being a productive member of society… ready to accomplish my every goal. But by taking baby steps, implementing one tip at a time if need be, I know I can get a handle on my mornings and you can too.

So let’s get to it…

  1. MUSIC!! There is nothing like waking up to your favorite songs. I would suggest waking up to songs that motivate you, or inflict you to start twerking or twitching in your bed as the beat gets your heart pumping and ignites your inner beastmode. I downloaded Umi which is an alarm clock that connects a playlist from your spotify account and it has truly been helpful these last couple of days.
  2. LIGHT: If you can jump right of bed, I envy you. In the summer when you see the sun coming through your window it’s a bit easier but in these winter months it can be even more daunting to get up. Who wants to wake up in the middle of the cold, dark night. If you have one of those artificial light alarm clocks, you fancy, and more power to you. But my trick is to crank up the brightness on my phone and let it burn my retinas. lol. Like I put that sucker right up to my eyes, wide open, probably isn’t even good for you. Eveuntually I’ll reach for the lamp. All jokes aside don’t underestimate the power of natural light in the morning.
  3. . MANTRA: Those silly, pesky mantras are powerful like mustard seeds. Find a simple phrase you can repeat to yourself at least until its time for the next step. This is hard for me… I blame it on short-term memory. But I do know the power of it and I think the bottom line is that you immediately start talking positively to yourself in the morning. Don’t give yourself an opportunity to resist and justify. Remember all of the reasons why you need to show up, not only for your dreams and family but for yourself.
    • Rituals arm you with confidence and self-reliance.
    • Be the best you can be for the day.
    • Start your day with purpose, intention and joy.
    • Show up: I like this one… your mantra need not be some complex, long drawn out mission statement but a single word, as long as it reminds you what you’re fighting for.
  4. Review todays goals: I keep my bullet journal by my bed so that in the morning I can open it up and remind myself why I want to jump out of bed. Looking at my goals helps me remember what I’m working towards and helps set my mood and excitement for the day.
  5. EXERCISE: There is no way around it. You have to do it. If you plan to still tie your shoes when your 80 and not climb stairs panting than guess what. I prefer a morning work out, the endorphins help set the mood for the day. But it doesn’t have to be anything crazy. Just get your body moving. Perhaps you want to do cardio or you’d rather just do a 15 minute pilates video or a short yoga session. Just make an effort to move your body even if it’s just you stretching in bed.
  6. NIGHTLY INTENTION: I love this one because it helps you set your mind frame before you even get up in the morning. Make a list or update your planner so that in the morning when you look at it there is no confusion about why you need to get up and seize the day.

 

I think the whole point is that we realize we have another day, an opportunity to get closer to our dreams. So wake up to the music, dance off any stress from a dream or any negative feelings and take the time to remember what your fighting for.

BEautifullyODD,

Olisa Rachele

 

Hope Before the New Year: 7 Ways to Start the NY’s off Right!

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I have seen this quote floating around recently, “If you haven’t started working on 2017 by now you’re already behind.”

I don’t know how everyone else is feeling, but man I feel it.

Up until a few months ago; I was feeling a bit stuck. To be honest I’m still trying to fully dislodge my self from the iky-ness I have experienced. Not only this year but the previous too. It seems like these past two years have weighed heavily on my heart. Despite my challenges, I have been able to grow in a sense; Mainly in part because I launched the blog.

And for all of it I am grateful because in spite of it, I keep trudging along. There is still so much I want to do with the blog and I am so excited about its potenital and the arrival of my sewing machine. It has re-sparked my flame. Trudging isn’t always feeling so depressive now; I’m actually starting to skip again. I still have my bad days. But boy it’s BeautifullyODD when I have my moments of peace and creativity.

All I want is more of those sweet moments in 2017.

I do feel like there is a shift happening in the world and that if you haven’t already jumped now is the time to do so. (Check out Steve Harvey’s Book: Jump)

Ways To Start The New Year Off Right!

  1. Clean! Remove anything of no use. Get Rid of it. No clutter. Amazing, clean, organized workspace. A clean environment leaves room for inspiration.
  2. REFLECT: I encourage anyone and everyone to sit down and seriously reflect over the past year. What did you accomplish, what did you struggle with. Take the time to be honest and ask your self some questions to help better guide you in the new year. Google: year-end reflection journal prompts to help get you started.
  3. Go WithIn: With all the reflection I feel the need to sorta meditate and even do some yoga this weekend to just focus on what I want to manifest for the new year. To open myself to the peace and harmony I want for the new year and making peace with the past!
  4. CELEBRATE! I love to crack open a bottle of champagne! I’m actually partying this year. But whatever you want to do… do it. Get a masage, burn some candles and sit in the tub. Go to dinner by yourself. Just find some way to celebrate the ringing in of a new year and all of its possibilities.
  5. Intentions: Goals are always important and after all the reflecting you did in#2, you should have a better idea, of some of the things you want to change, improve upon, try and or enjoy in the new year.
  6. Don’t Be Fooled. Yes, every day is a chance to start your life. Hence the reason people are like if you haven’t started then you are behind. But don’t let that discourage you, let it be the reason to proceed. With the power of the winter solstice upon us, we come full circle when the year ends and there is something magical in that moment. Something formidable. It may only last for a second. But it’s within that second you have communed with the universe. All your hopes and dreams are wrapped up in that very moment. Which leads to…
  7. Get to WORK! It’s up to you to make it happen. If you have to, take small steps by making a plan or schedule and then stick to it. Just do the work and before you know it… your garden will be in full bloom.

BEautifullyODD

Olisa Rachele

Finding Peace Through Nature

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People are hurting. I feel so much empathy for those experiencing such rude and awful discrimination. My heart breaks. The only hope I can give is to remind all of you that we have a right to achieve our “American” Dream. Do not waste it. Embrace it and be proud of your efforts. Do not run ashamed. Do not fear. You do not stand alone. And I will not stand idly by as bystander. And regardless of your country, continue to fight for your right to dream. I can’t imagine the hate people are experiencing but let that shit be your motivation to rise higher. I can’t let my anger and sadness get the best of me. So today as I was leaving the pharmacy at Kaiser I decided to purchase a bouquet of silver dollar eucalyptus. I say this to suggest a trip to the local park,  some time away from the news is what we need. We need to reconnect to hope, to nature. Tap into it.

To all races, men and woman, LGBT, and religions I stand by you.

Continue to BEautifullyODD

Olisa Rachele

BEautifullyODD

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I am so excited to be reintroducing my blog, BEautifullyODD! It has been a VERRRYYY long time since my last post… years. In short, I had decided to go back to school and am pleased to report that it was a successful endeavor. As much as I wanted the art school experience, I felt that community college was in my best interest. I just wanted the opportunity to learn the basic skills and philosophy of design and run off with it. And now, that time is here.

Eeeee!!! Like wtf am I doing!?!?!?! I ask myself this every day, ten times a day, and by golly I’m tired of all the self doubt. I’m sure everyone who’s blogging about art or about the process of it, can’t stop referencing, Elizabeth Gilbert’s, “BiG MaGic”. BUT I too am blessed for the wisdom she poured forth. She reminded me that this artistic journey we so choose to follow is suppose  to be a fun and exhilarating process. That spark you feel when you get an idea… it’s like a breath of fresh air. I live for that. And I know that regardless of what I do… art will always find a way to manifest it’s self back in to my life; as it has been a constant solace, a beacon of light.

I’m not promising any frills. What I’m promising is authenticity. I don’t have an up and running store, hell, I don’t even have product. I don’t even have designs. Shit, do I have the skills? I do have a tiny bit of skills. And tons of fairy dust. I think that’s a perfect combination. It’s just enough to begin. We all begin somewhere and this is a documentation of that. And to be clear there is no time table; I’m invested in the long term. Rome wasn’t built over night, right? Pursuing art is my passion and what is most important to me is that I enjoy myself, grow and possibly encourage a few others to do the same.

Come BEautifullyODD with me!!!

Olisa Rachele

Southern Comfort Part 2

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The wind blows in my face… there is this odd mixture of old and new in this aged town. Between the parts of trees are old shacks; lakes and swamps with trees sprouting from them. Homes that look like the purple Polly pocket house my uncle bought me when I was six. Even the the clouds and sun seem brighter. Plantation land. Homes that are aged seem to want to fall apart, but they tell a story of the past.

My family owns property that stretches a mile and half long. The land and trees try to talk to you. The trees are a deep forest green with golden yellow sparkled leaves and have magnificent animal like shapes. Butterflies of all colors dance at their feet. Something deep burns in me. A passion, a determination. This moment can not be forgotten. Roads that stretch as far as the eye can see. I was meant to be here to see this aged world. In the past, my motivation seemed to be running on low. I’ve been recharged in some spiritual way.

Our family history is as old as the land. I have a dream that brings me to tears. Something, someone, God, my ancestors are telling me to achieve more. I met a man, Preal Frye, today. My family and I went and visited his famous garden that people from around the country travel to see. And as most say, he believes that you have to work hard in order to achieve your dreams. It takes blood, sweat, tears, and more than eight hours a day to achieve them. “I can do this”, I think to my self. It’s not coincidence I heard this man speak today.

My family believes in me and because of that I have to believe in myself. Fear can no longer be apart of my vocabulary. I sit here contemplating what all this means, knowing that when I come home, life can not go on as it once did. I can easily shrug my experiences here; I can come home and do the same old things, but now, I have found new meaning.

I didn’t expect for all this to happen. I had hoped for a second that my paradigm would shift but it was over-ran by my immature feelings about coming out here in the first place. I was adopted. But I have been very blessed and fortunate to be a apart of this family. Regardless of who I am, I know that I have a family that loves me as if I were there own flesh and blood. Something that may be irrelevant to many of you is something that makes me different and unconventional. Through them and the life I’ve lived, to this day, has shaped me into who I am now.

I am strong: I am capable of tremendous creativity. I am able to achieve my every dream. I can not be scared , I can not forget once I get back home, that all of my beautifully odd dreams can be achieved. I am somebody. I am Olisa Rachele and I will give my 127% in all of my future endeavors.

love me, Olisa Rachele
My past can no longer hold me down…

Do you have a dream?

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For a second there, I was ready to give up on this damn blog! Why, I can’t really say. I guess it’s cause I’m always doubting my capabilities. See, the thing is, I decided to stop giving up on myself. Some of you may have your life totally together. And like I said in another post, then maybe this isn’t for you. But if your anything like myself, then you can admit that, ”LIFE GETS FUCKING DIFFICULT!!!” Yes, I cursed, but it’s the truth. Now I also better warn you that I believe in God. I know, the cuss words above say something else. But hey, ‘I ain’t perfect!’

Bottom line is that I have GOALS THAT REACH FAR BEYOND THE BIG DIPPER. What about you? I pray, that each of you follow your heart, and achieve your every dream. Something deep burns in me. “This little of mine, I’m gonna let shine”. Each and every single one of us, has a light burning deep within our soul.

Now, has your light ever been blown out!? Some of us (humans) have been at the bottom and seen some ugly things. And I have to admit, I have had it good. Unfortunately there are a few folks out there, that have gone through some serious shit! And it amazes me when I meet people who still, get the hell up, in the midst of it all.

I don’t know your situation!? Maybe your light is as bright as a forest fire a flame, or it flickers like a candle ready to go out. All I can say is that I believe there is a light in all of us. I choose to call him God, others: Spirit, Soul, Devine, Jesus, Lord and Savior, Buddha, I don’t know. But, it doesn’t change the truth.

What is the truth? I’m still on that Journey. I’ll keep you posted. But in short, it’s that I believe 127% that God is the love in my heart. And with that love, came a purpose. Maybe you haven’t found it, and if not, then ask yourself why. If you have, then by all means, don’t you ever give up.

In end, sometimes life can be hard and I’m just trying to relate to those who agree. Especially, if you’re trying to make something for yourself. Whether its to have a family, obtain higher education, a career, or etc.; we can achieve our dreams! Let your light shine bright. Let it be your fuel. And yes, it may flutter from time to time. But just throw some gasoline on that shit and it will burn bright!

Love you guys!!!
Thank you

Quotes:

“What does it mean to believe in God? It means learning to honor your own inherent Godliness.” Iyanla, Vanzant

“Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility.” Harold, Kieth D.

“Enthusiastically chasing dreams.” Harold, Kieth D.

“Remain open. There is something bigger than you know going on here.” Vanzant, Iyanla

“We are each a unique expression of the Divine Mind living to fulfill a divine mission and purpose.” Vanzant, Iyanla

“God believes I can do it.” Vanzant, Iyanla