LOTUSLIKE

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit lotuslaloba.substack.com💫 Not a paid member yet? This one’s for you first.This month’s meetup is already up BUT if you’re not subscribed, you won’t have access to the full video. But here’s a taste of what your people inside got to sit with today. 👀🖤Here’s what we covered:🕯️ Ancestral Veneration: not the performance of it, but the intimacy of it. What it actually looks like to honor your lineage in ways that are personal, doable, and deeply felt. Including how to handle the complicated ones — the ancestors the relationship isn’t simple with — and how to stay centered and stand your ground when working with energy in general.🌕 Capricorn Full Moon Reading: the two-sided nature of this moon and what it’s asking of you right now.♌🪐 Jupiter into Leo: what this shift means for your power and your presence in the second half of this year.🃏 Two-Card Pull: specific guidance to help you move through this lunar energy with intention.🎵 Song Recommendation: leave you with a song to help you embody the energy of what we covered, not just think about it. The whole session centered on one truth: your darker instincts deserve a seat at the table. Wisdom lives there. Power lives there. And if you found your way to this community, some part of you already knows that. 🐍✨The Dark Divines is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my art, consider becoming a paid subscriber.When you become a paid member, you get:🌕 Access to this full video + every monthly meetup going forward🗂️ The complete archive — past meetups, rituals, EFT scripts, and somatic tools built to help you navigate your life with clarity and intention🕯️ Practices that will help you dance in the darkness and live in your light — for real, not for the aestheticThis is the space for the ones done pretending the light is the only place worth being. Come on in. 🖤

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit lotuslaloba.substack.comHappy Gemini season!!! As a Gemini rising with Mars in Gemini, this is one of my favorite seasons baby! There is something that Gemini energy that tells you to WAKE IT TF UP and we all need that boost of adrenaline for real.Here’s what I want you to do (before or after reading this) pay attention to where Gemini is showing up in your own chart, because that’s exactly where this season is asking you to move, speak, and grow.You’ll notice that the reflection questions overlap and even repeat - this is to ensure that you are showing up to the moment with as much clarity as possible. Take the time to answer them based on the wisdom expressed beforehand and then weave all the like minded answers together to build out what you need to focus on in this upcoming cycle.These notes are the deeper layer of everything we covered in the live so you can sit with it, study it, and come back to it whenever you need to.What to Expect in This Replay🌌 A full sky reading broken down so the astrology actually makes sense and you know what to do with it.🔮 A two-card pull for the Sagittarius Blue Moon one card for what is completing, one for what this portal is opening. If you are watching on replay, your timing is not late. It is right.🧪 A live look at the rum-based signature blend I have been fermenting since the Scorpio Full Moon — every ingredient, why it is in there, and how I actually use it.🧿 The full framework for building your own intentional blend from scratch so you walk away with a method, not just a moment of inspiration.📑The research and selection process for herbs, spices, and oils that are actually aligned with your energy, your lineage, and what you are calling in right now.Let’s get into it!The Dark Divines is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my art & magick, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.This week, we stepped into: Recovering a Sense of Possibility You don’t need to own the book to follow along. I’m reading and curating each chapter for us, editing it so it fits our language, our experiences, and our community. If you do want to dive deeper, I still recommend supporting a Black-owned or local bookstore.If you’d like to go deeper this week especially with the EFT tapping flow we used to release the virtue trap and realign with our Source connection — you can upgrade to a paid membership and access the full After-Party Notes. The written tapping sequence will help you move through it on your own time.The Dark Divines is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my art consider becoming a paid subscriber.Key Themes We Explored1. LimitsThis week we looked at how artists perceive limits & how dangerous that can be when we start believing them.Limits are one of the biggest illusions that block our creative energy. They keep us trapped in survival mode, where everything feels like a problem instead of a possibility. And that’s what we unpacked together: how to stop seeing life as a list of obstacles to overcome and start remembering that we’re co-creators.When you believe you’re limited, you start making smaller moves. You edit yourself before you even begin. But creativity is a dialogue with Source & Source doesn’t edit. It expands & wants to move through you with permission & faith.We talked about how overthinking is often just disguised disbelief. Every time you tell yourself you don’t have enough time, resources, or talent, you’re reinforcing a false boundary. The truth is, limits dissolve when you move when you take that first small, faith-filled action.The opposite of feeling stuck is feeling sourced. When you’re tapped into that creative current, there are no walls, only directions you haven’t explored yet.2. The Virtue TrapThis was a big one.The virtue trap is that sneaky conditioning that tells us being good, nice, or selfless is the highest form of art or womanhood. But it’s actually one of the most effective ways to silence yourself.We talked about how this “good girl” energy shows up creatively saying yes when you mean no, hiding your bold ideas, or shrinking your dreams to stay likable. The truth is, it’s not virtuous to betray yourself. It’s exhausting.Being self-first isn’t selfish, it’s sacred. It’s how you stay connected to your Source. When you create from overflow, everyone around you benefits. But when you keep pouring from depletion, resentment, and obligation, your art & your energy starts to dry up.We used our EFT tapping session to release that pattern. To stop performing niceness and start embodying authenticity. When you let go of the virtue trap, you make space for inspiration again. You remember that your light doesn’t need permission to shine, it just needs alignment.🌑 In the After-Party Notes, we go deeper into this: how to identify when you’re in the virtue trap, how it shows up as burnout or guilt, and how to reprogram that energy into softness, self-trust, and possibility.Main Activity: Forbidden Joy + The Wish ListThis week’s main exercises are about remembering what it feels like to say yes to yourself again. So many of us are used to self-denial that we don’t even realize how often we tell ourselves “no.” Julia Cameron calls this The Forbidden Joy exercise, and I want you to treat it as a permission slip.One of the favorite tricks of blocked artists is saying no to themselves. And we get so used to it that it starts to sound normal. We tell ourselves we’re being responsible, mature, or realistic, but really, we’re just cutting off our life force. It’s astonishing how many small ways we find to be mean or miserly with ourselves without even realizing it.When I say this in class, people usually protest “I am good to myself!” and maybe that’s true on the surface. But when we dig deeper, there are always those quiet places where joy is waiting to be reclaimed.Exercise One: Forbidden Joy List 10 things you love and would love to do but have quietly decided you’re “not allowed” to do. Don’t overthink it - just write the first things that come up. It could be something small like going dancing again, buying flowers every week, or getting your hair done just because. It could be something bigger like taking a trip, starting a new creative hobby, or changing your environment.The point isn’t to make another to-do list; it’s to name the things you’ve been withholding from yourself. Sometimes the simple act of acknowledging them begins to dissolve the block.Once you finish, post your list somewhere visible somewhere you’ll see it every day. Let it remind you that joy isn’t something you earn after working hard enough. It’s something you’re meant to live in.Exercise Two: The Wish List We followed that with a speed-writing exercise that helps you access your desires before your logical brain has time to interfere. Wishes are allowed to be wild, frivolous, tender, even a little ridiculous. The goal isn’t to justify them, it’s to reconnect with your sense of wonder.Set a timer for five minutes and write as quickly as you can, finishing these ten phrases:* I wish…* I wish…* I wish…* I wish…* I wish…* I wish…* I wish…* I wish…* I wish…* I most especially wish…Don’t edit, explain, or censor yourself. Let the words move faster than your doubt. You might surprise yourself with what shows up when you let your spirit speak freely.Both of these exercises are invitations to remember that joy, imagination, and possibility are not luxuries they’re necessities. They keep your creative current alive and help you remember that your dreams are not unrealistic; they’re simply waiting for you to stop postponing them.TasksThis week’s tasks are all about rebuilding faith not just in Source, but in yourself. They’re small but potent ways to shift from disbelief to divine possibility.* The reason I can’t believe in a supportive God/Source/Universe is…List five grievances. Be honest, whatever name you use for the divine, this is your space to say what’s real. When we avoid expressing our disappointments with the divine, they turn into quiet disbelief. Let this be a moment of clearing.* Start an Image File.If I had either faith or money, I would try… (list five desires).For the next week, be alert for images of those desires — clip them, buy them, photograph them, draw them, collect them somehow. Personally, I think this is where your Lotus Life Deck comes in beautifully. Use your abundance page, career page, or the one-sheet wallpaper that blends all your categories into a single digital vision. You can add these images directly into your Canva template so your desires live somewhere you’ll actually see them. Keep adding to it throughout this course.* List five imaginary lives.Have they changed since you first wrote them? Are you starting to live out pieces of them? You may want to add visuals or notes about these lives to your image file as well.* If I were 20 and had money…List five adventures.Add images or symbols of each one to your vision file — not for fantasy’s sake, but to remind yourself that youth and freedom are states of mind, not age.* If I were 65 and had money…List five postponed pleasures.Collect images for those too. It’s powerful to visualize the version of you who didn’t wait to enjoy life.* Ten ways I am mean to myself are…Just like naming what you want helps call it in, naming how you self-sabotage helps you release it. Make the invisible visible.* Ten items I’d like to own that I don’t are…You might want to collect images of these too. It’s not about materialism — it’s about allowing yourself to expand what you believe you deserve.* Honestly, my favorite creative block is…Maybe it’s TV, scrolling, rescuing others, or staying “too busy.” Whatever it is, draw or cartoon yourself doing it — not to shame yourself, but to meet it with humor and awareness.* My payoff for staying blocked is…Explore this in your Morning Pages. Every block has a payoff — usually comfort, control, or avoidance of risk. Awareness is the first step toward release.* The person I blame for being blocked is…Write it down and take it to the page. Let your journal be a space for truth, not judgment.Week Five Check-In* How many days did you complete your Morning Pages (or documentation practice)? How did it feel? Are you starting to notice your personal “page and a half of truth” moment — that point in your writing where the noise quiets and something honest begins to speak?* Did you take yourself on an Artist Date? What did you do? How did it feel? Have you taken one yet that felt truly adventurous or out of your norm?* Did you experience any synchronicities this week? What were they? Share them in the comments so we can build a collective thread of possibility together.* Were there any other issues or breakthroughs this week that feel significant to your creative recovery?We’re officially halfway through The Artist’s Way journey six weeks in, six to go. Next week, we move into Recovering a Sense of Abundance, where we’ll explore the energy of receiving, circulation, and creative flow through wealth. You made it halfway through the 12 weeks, and that deserves to be celebrated. Do something this week that feels like a reward, and let me know in the chat what you choose. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lotuslaloba.substack.com/subscribe

Thank you Sierra Jeter, Jack, Tori Rerick, Myesha, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.This week, we stepped into Week Three: Recovering a Sense of Power.First reminder: you do not need to own the book to follow along. I’m reading and curating each chapter for us, editing it so it fits our language, our experiences, and our community. If you do want to dive deeper, I still recommend supporting a Black-owned or local bookstore.If you’d like to go deeper this week especially with the EFT tapping script we used to release shame and anger - you can upgrade to a paid membership and access the full After-Party Notes. This gives you the tapping flow in written form so you can move through it on your own time without rewatching the full replay (it’s over two hours long).The Dark Divines is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my art, consider becoming a paid subscriber.Key Themes We Explored1. Anger We spent a good amount of time here because anger is one of my favorite things to teach on. It’s a tool of transformation, not destruction. Anger is information babes, it shows you where energy is being misused or where your truth has been denied. When anger is stuck in the body, it can show up as depression. When it’s trapped in the mind, it often feels like anxiety. Both are signals that your power wants to move. Through EFT, we learned how to let anger become motion and how it can clear space for creativity instead of consuming it.We also talked about what it looks like to hold anger in spaces where you don’t feel safe to express it, especially work or community spaces where code-switching becomes survival. Expressing anger doesn’t make you unstable or ungrateful; it makes you human.2. Synchronicity Synchronicity is the moment life starts talking back. It’s the signs, the perfect timing, the message or person that arrives right when you need it. These aren’t coincidences, they’re confirmations. Once you start honoring your art and listening to your creative rhythm, the Universe meets you halfway. You just have to stay open long enough to recognize it.3. Shame Shame is one of the most silent creative blocks. It’s that inner voice that says, “Who do you think you are?” or “You’re not ready yet.” It often hides under perfectionism, procrastination, or over-giving. We talked about how shame isn’t truth; it’s old conditioning. When you name it, you neutralize it. The more compassion you bring to your shame, the less control it has over your expression.What We Didn’t Get To (but is important)4. GrowthWe didn’t have time to dive deep into this one live, but it’s essential. Growth is erratic forward movement. Think two steps forward, one step back and that one step back still counts. Creative recovery is not a straight line. It’s a spiral. You might have days where you feel unstoppable, followed by days where you don’t feel like showing up at all. That doesn’t mean you’ve regressed. It means your energy is integrating.This process is about gentleness. You can’t bully yourself into brilliance. You’ll always grow faster when you nurture your creative self instead of policing her. Resting is part of the rhythm,pausing is still progress & ease accomplishes more than effort ever will.You are learning how to build trust with your creative energy again, how to let it move through you instead of trying to control it.InsightsWonder vs. Worry Worry drains your imagination before you even create. It convinces you that your ideas are unsafe, unrealistic, or “too much.” Wonder, on the other hand, opens you. It asks, “What if this actually works?” or “What if it turns out beautifully?” Choose wonder, that’s where possibility lives.Elders vs. Old FoolsWe also talked about discernment in learning the difference between true elders and what I call old fools. Elders share experience that’s been integrated and lived through reflection. Old fools just repeat the same cycles without growth and call it wisdom. Seek out those who pour into your artistry, not those who drain or redirect it.Being the Black Sheep (or Outlier) We closed with a conversation about what it means to be the outlier in your family, workplace, or community, the one who thinks, feels, or dreams differently. Part of being an artist is learning to get comfortable with your light and your darkness. It’s about finding spaces where you can exist without shrinking or explaining yourself. Titles like “boss,” “parent,” or “partner” don’t automatically make someone equipped to guide your artistry. Wisdom has to come from alignment, not authority.Main Activity: Detective WorkMany blocked artists are powerful people who were taught to feel guilty about their own gifts. They’ve been the batteries in their family systems, used for their creativity and energy but rarely affirmed for it.This week’s exercise helps you recover the self you abandoned to stay small. Let your memories speak without editing. Allow emotion to rise.* My favorite childhood toy was…* My favorite childhood game was…* The best movie I ever saw as a kid was…* I don’t do it much, but I enjoy…* If I could lighten up a little, I’d let myself…* If it weren’t too late, I’d…* My favorite musical instrument is…* The amount of money I spend on treating myself to entertainment each month is…* If I weren’t so stingy with my artist, I’d buy them…* Taking time out for myself is…* I’m afraid that if I start dreaming…* I secretly enjoy reading…* If I had a perfect childhood, I’d have grown up to be…* If it didn’t sound so crazy, I’d write or make…* My parents think artists are…* My God thinks artists are…* What makes me feel weird about this recovery is…* Learning to trust myself is probably…* My most “cheer me up” music or playlist is…* My favorite way to dress is…Week Three Tasks* Describe Your Childhood Room Sketch it if you like. What was your favorite part of it? What’s your favorite thing about your room now or what could you add to make it feel like home to your inner artist?* List Five Traits You Loved About Yourself as a Child.* List Five Childhood Accomplishments. Then, treat yourself to one of your favorite childhood foods this week.* Examine Your Habits. List three obvious habits that interfere with your self-nurturing, and three subtle ones that quietly drain you.* Make a List of Friends Who Nurture You. Notice who reminds you of your capability and who subtly reinforces helplessness.* Call a Supportive Friend. Let them remind you who you are.* Follow Your Inner Compass. Spend an hour doing something that clears your mind — walking, cleaning, creating — and see what rises.* List Five People You Admire and Five You Secretly Admire. What traits connect them?* List Five People Who’ve Passed That You’d Love to Meet. What draws you to them?* Compare Your Lists. Notice the difference between what you think you should admire and what your spirit actually loves. Follow your wonder, not your logic.Week Three Check-In* How many days did you complete your Morning Pages? How did it feel?* Did you take yourself on an Artist Date? What did you do?* Did any synchronicities show up this week?* Any new insights or shifts in how you experience your power or creativity? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lotuslaloba.substack.com/subscribe

Why I created this for youEvery day, the world asks us to perform, to pour out, to give. And if we’re not careful, we forget to pour back into ourselves. We forget that magic is not something we chase - it’s something we open to, invite in, and embody.For some of us, that daily practice is scripture, like how my family lineage leans on Psalm 23 as a grounding prayer. Many of us recite what feels empowering, when I was younger, I used to read Maya Angelou’s Phenomenal Woman out loud to myself like a spell. And for some of us, we’re still figuring out what anchors us, what connects us to spirit, what keeps us from disappearing when life feels heavy.This invocation is here to be your anchor. Use it as a framework, not a rulebook - feel free to modify the words to align with your own faith, spiritual practice, or personal magic. Say it as it is, re-write it in your own language, or adapt it so it speaks directly to your journey.You can speak it aloud each morning, whisper it as a reset in the middle of the day, or let it be the last words you carry into your dreams at night. You can also weave it into your practices, speak it while tapping on your “sweet spot” or moving through the nine or ten EFT points, letting each phrase sink deeper into your body.✨ The InvocationToday, I rise in my power.I invite my ancestors, my angels, and every divine force that walks with me to step forward now.I invite magic into my day.I invite blessings into my day.I invite miracles into my day.I invite unexpected gifts, sweet surprises, golden openings.I invite love in all its forms.I invite the kind of energy that makes people want to care for me, honor me, and bring ease into my life.As I breathe, I feel my aura expand and strengthen.I am safe in this world.I am seen by those who are meant to see me.I shine in this world and inspire others to shine too.I am a beautifulI am a beautiful being of bliss.I am a blessing & I bless others.Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lotuslaloba.substack.com/subscribe

Thank you Sierra Jeter, Jack, Summa⭐️, Tori Rerick, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.The Dark Divines is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my art, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.We’re stepping into The Artist’s Way journey. This first week isn’t about diving straight into “doing” it’s about grounding ourselves, setting the tone, and getting familiar with the tools we’ll lean on for the next twelve weeks. Think of this as orientation - laying the foundation so the rest of the journey has somewhere solid to land.If you watch the replay, here’s what you’ll see me cover:✨ At-a-Glance: What We Covered* Spiritual ElectricityWe started with the idea that creativity itself is spiritual energy. Every time you create, you’re plugging into Source. You’re not just making art, you’re reconnecting to that divine current that already lives in you.* The CensorWe also talked about the Censor, that inner critic voice. For some people, it’s harsh: “You’re not good enough.” For a lot of us, especially as Black women, it sneaks in as perfectionism: “Do more. Be more. It’s not ready yet.” And when that voice runs the show, nothing ever feels finished, and our work never makes it into the world. That’s a dangerous loop self-sabotage dressed up as achievement.* The Ten Basic PrinciplesThese are the spiritual truths that run through the whole book. They’re meant to be read daily so they sink into your system like a mantra. (I’ve listed them below.)* The Two Basic ToolsThese are the practices we’ll keep coming back to every week of the journey:* Morning Pages → three longhand pages written first thing in the morning. No censoring, no editing, no performance. Just clearing out the noise so you can actually hear yourself.* Artist Date → one solo date a week with your inner artist. It doesn’t have to be big or expensive. It just has to be intentional—a café, a coloring book, a walk, a concert, anything that feels like play.✨ The Ten Basic PrinciplesThese are the reminders that keep your creative channel open. Read them out loud every single day if you can let them move from the page into your body.* Creativity is the natural order of life. Life is energy: pure creative energy.* There is an underlying, indwelling creative force infusing all of life—including ourselves.* When we open ourselves to our creativity, we open ourselves to the creator’s creativity within us and our lives.* We are, ourselves, creations. And we, in turn, are meant to continue creativity by being creative ourselves.* Creativity is God’s gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God.* The refusal to be creative is self-will and is counter to our true nature.* When we open ourselves to exploring our creativity, we open ourselves to God: Good Orderly Direction.* As we open our creative channel to the creator, many gentle but powerful changes are to be expected.* It is safe to open ourselves up to greater and greater creativity.* Our creative dreams and yearnings come from a divine source. As we move toward our dreams, we move toward our divinity.✨ Practice with them this week: The invitation is to read all ten every day, but here’s one way to make it more alive: from now until our next session, pick one principle each morning and let that be your intention for the day. Then notice how does your life shift? What comes up for you when that truth leads the way? And of course, share your reflections in the group chat - I’d love to hear how this unfolds for you.That’s the foundation for Week 0. Go watch the replay if you haven’t yet, and start weaving these principles into your daily rhythm - they’re real spiritual medicine.If you want to go deeper into my private class notes, the personal reflections I pulled straight from the margins of my book, and starting next week, a weekly EFT script designed to help you regulate and flow with each chapter scroll down and join as a paid subscriber. Be on the look out for a second drop exclusive for my paid subscribers This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lotuslaloba.substack.com/subscribe

This week, I’m reflecting on the powerful alignment of the Aquarius New Moon and the Lunar New Year in the Year of the Snake. These cosmic forces invite us to honor the cycles of death, rest, and rebirth, where small, intentional changes ripple into bold, lasting transformations.I’ll also share how sisterhood and ancestral connection have been guiding my path, reminding me of the sacredness of community and the wisdom we inherit through the love of our Ancestors. I’ll highlight the Snake’s energy, both in Lunar New Year tradition and as a symbol of dark feminine power, teaching us to shed what no longer serves, trust our intuition, and move with deliberate grace.This is the time to rest, release, and align with the cycles of transformation that are shaping your next evolution.Energetic Highlights of the Fragrances:* Lemongrass awakens vitality, sharpens the mind, and clears stagnant energy. It’s a scent that helps you step fully into your power.* Arabian Rose is the embodiment of soft strength. It’s delicate yet powerful & opens the heart chakra, encouraging love, sensuality, and emotional harmony. Its energy invites you to embrace the fullness of your emotions and exude an irresistible aura of magnetic beauty.* Vanilla brings warmth and comfort, but its magic lies in its ability to attract. Energetically, it amplifies beauty by drawing others closer to your light.* Frankincense & Myrrh grounds you in sacred energy, creating a connection to higher realms while providing protection and purification. These ancient fragrances carry the wisdom of the divine feminine, amplifying intuition, resilience, and grace.This Week’s PrayerMay the love of your Ancestors ground you and clear the way ahead.May the New Moon remind you to honor the beauty of rest, reflection, and renewal.May the Snake teach you to shed what no longer serves, trusting your intuition to guide your next steps.May your relationships—both earthly and ancestral—hold you in spaces of love, beauty, and transformation.Ashe and Amen.Affirmations for the Week* I trust the sacred cycles of life as I release, rest, and rise.* My intuition is my guide, connecting me to divine wisdom and ancestral love.* Small, intentional actions create lasting, effortless transformations.* My beauty holds the duality of creation and release, light and shadow.* I am deeply supported by my relationships, my intuition, and the divine.Journaling Prompts* What parts of your life feel ready to be shed, much like the Snake’s skin?* How can you honor the wisdom of your Ancestors in your daily actions?* Where in your life can small, intentional changes compound into bold shifts?No Gathering This WeekTake this week to rest and reflect. Revisit past replays on Devotion and Discipline and explore how you can integrate the wisdom of the New Moon, the Year of the Snake, and the love of your Ancestors into your life. Trust that even in stillness, transformation is unfolding.I love that you exist songs: sweet music by joomanji ft saara Mariafind a way by tribe called quest fajas by sparklmami This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lotuslaloba.substack.com/subscribe

Dark Divines DevotionalThis week’s devotional focuses on stepping away from absolutes and finding strength, faith, and purpose in the grey spaces of life. By releasing extremes of fantasy and fear, we embrace the fullness of being human - holding grief and joy, chaos and beauty, at the same time. This grey space allows us to honor our ancestors' resilience and softness, while creating room for us to rest, dream, and live fully.This Week’s Prayer:May we walk the middle path with grace and courage.May we hold space for grief and joy, knowing both are sacred.May we trust in our faith, even in the face of uncertainty.May we honor the resilience of our ancestors who found laughter, beauty, and rest, paving the way for us to do the same.May we live softly and joyfully, knowing that doing so is a continuation of their dreams.This Week’s Affirmations:* I honor my grief as a reflection of my love.* I trust in my strength to rebuild, even when life feels uncertain.* I hold space for beauty and connection, even in moments of heartbreak.* I carry the joy, rest, and dreams of my ancestors as I navigate life’s dualities.This Week’s Gathering:Join this week’s digital gathering as we dive into Redefining Discipline. Together, we’ll explore how discipline can be reimagined as a practice that nurtures and supports us, helping us create structure in the grey spaces of life without losing our softness. Replays will always be available on youtube.🗓 When: Wednesday, January 15, 2025🕙 Time: 10:28 AM EST📍 Where: Insight Timer | Instagram | YouTube This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lotuslaloba.substack.com/subscribe

In this fast-paced world, prayer offers us a quiet refuge - a chance to turn inward and connect with our higher selves and the divine. I love weaving prayer into my podcast because it allows us to engage with something deeper. Each prayer is crafted to uplift and inspire, guiding us on our unique journeys.The Phoenix Blessings prayer resonates so deeply with me. It beautifully captures the essence of starting anew, reminding us that no matter where we find ourselves, we hold the power to grow and heal. Every fresh beginning is an invitation to realign with our highest selves, and I’m here to encourage you to embrace those moments of change as sacred opportunities.The Beautiful Symbolism of the PhoenixLet’s talk about the phoenix—a magnificent symbol of rebirth and resilience. This mythical creature rises from its own ashes, embodying the truth that we can emerge stronger and more vibrant after facing our challenges. When I think of the phoenix, I’m reminded that transformation isn’t just possible; it’s a beautiful part of our journey.Just like the phoenix that is reborn through flames, we too can rise from our struggles, shedding what no longer serves us. Embracing the spirit of the phoenix allows us to release self-doubt and outdated patterns that have been holding us back. It’s an empowering reminder that we can rise again, time and time again.Welcoming New BeginningsLife is full of opportunities for new beginnings, isn’t it? Whether it’s stepping into a new job, starting a passion project, or simply choosing to let go of negativity, each moment offers us a chance for renewal. The Phoenix Blessings prayer serves as a daily reminder that we can redefine our lives at any moment.This prayer invites us to trust in the journey, even when the path ahead isn’t fully clear. It encourages us to embrace those pivots in our lives, understanding that they’re not sources of fear but rather beautiful opportunities for elevation. Speaking these words aloud sends powerful waves of energy into the universe, aligning us with our true purpose and passion.Trusting the ProcessWhen we pray, we’re not just sharing our hopes; we’re cultivating trust in the process of life. The prayer reminds us to have unwavering confidence in our ability to navigate change, knowing we’re supported every step of the way. As we breathe deeply and open our hearts, we become receptive to the divine guidance surrounding us.In those moments of uncertainty, let the phoenix be your symbol of hope—a gentle reminder that transformation is not only possible but necessary. Each time we pray, we clear our paths, empowering ourselves to move forward with clarity and grace.As we continue our journeys, let’s hold onto the power of prayer and the beautiful symbolism of the phoenix. Together, we can embrace renewal, transform our lives, and rise from the ashes of our challenges. By integrating prayer into our daily lives, we open ourselves to endless possibilities and allow our spirits to soar.Journal Prompts for ReflectionTo help deepen your exploration of these themes, I invite you to reflect on these prompts:* What new beginnings do I wish to embrace in my life right now? Take a moment to jot down any changes you’re feeling called to explore.* How can I let go of outdated patterns that no longer serve me? Reflect on specific habits or beliefs you wish to release and how doing so could impact your journey.* What does the symbolism of the phoenix mean to me personally? Consider how this imagery resonates with your experiences of transformation and resilience. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lotuslaloba.substack.com/subscribe