Meditation is Important.....and Easy!

Living a healthy lifestyle is more than just eating right! Healthy living involves all aspects of this precious life that we are given. Healthy living manifests itself in everything thing that we do on a daily basis. Ever notice why active people seem to be energized and happy all of the time, while those who don’t emphasize being active are more stressed, negative, and downright depressed. It is important that every single day we make time for ourselves by ourselves. I know life can be hectic, work, school, children, bills, a man and anything else that seems to take up so much time that there is never enough time for you. Ladies you may think that taking time out for yourself is getting your hair done, nails and toes did but relaxation is more than those things. Relaxation is the time you spend connecting with yourself so that your inner self matches what is on the outside. I offer four solutions to healthy living that we will cover over the next few months and feel free to email me with your tips for healthy living. My four steps to healthy living include (1) Meditation/ Positive thinking (2) Nutritious Food (3) Exercise (4). Sleep

Meditation is so important to me because it saved my life and helped me to get in touch with my true desires that I didn’t even know were there. I discovered that Meditation is for everybody not just Buddhists and hippies. When I first began meditation I thought that I was too hip to sit still and chant with other idiots willing to waste precious time in their day for this foolishness, but once I began I was hooked. Meditation is special because you learn how to see within yourself. When I began meditation things in my life were hectic, I was a full-time student with two part-time jobs, no car, and no money. I felt everything was fine in my life until I really began to look within. What I discovered was that I had no balance and my life was a result of the negative thoughts I carried day in and day out.

Meditating requires practice since our brain is constantly working thinking of the next duty that needs to be done and the next dollar that needs to be made. Once I began to take meditation seriously thirty minutes seemed more like three minutes, and so I began to need more. For thirty minutes a day I could see my life the way I always planned it. Where ever I wanted to go I was there in my mind, the job, the friends, the money……you name it I could envision. Stress was a foreign word to me. Everything was COOL in the most stressful situations. Meditation has helped me to become the person I always wanted to be, because I learned how to FOCUS on what is important now and my true desires.
I have discovered that many successful people meditate on a daily basis. Oprah Winfrey and Russell Simmons are my two favorite moguls who have incorporated meditation into their daily routine, but you don’t have to be a mogul to meditate….. Meditation is easy and free!!

Ok Ready? All you need is a stopwatch, a candle, some music if you like, a comfortable place to be still, and no distractions.

1.For first time mediators I recommend setting your stopwatch for 15 or 20 minutes, you can gradually add more or less time when you become more experienced.

2.Find a quiet spot in your house where there will be no distractions.

3.Light a candle if you wish, I recommend a scented candle.

4.Soft instrumental music can be used; there is a lot of meditation music on you tube.

5.Get comfortable on the floor or a chair. I like to sit Indian Style.

6.Close your eyes…think of one pleasant thought and focus on it.

7.Inhale deeply and then exhale.

8.Do this over and over again until the only thought you have is the pleasant thought that you’re focused on.

9.You will know when meditation has come to an end because you will slowly become aware of what is around you, other thoughts that you have become louder, your eyes open and you can’t sit still anymore.

10.Get up slowly, reflect, exhale and smile.

11.Now your day can begin!


In Russell’s own words enjoy!

The Beauty Within.....What It Means To Me!

The Beauty Within

“You got to have style and learn to be original and everybody gonna want to diss you!” -KRS-ONE, My Philosophy.

My Philosophy in life…… Be original!! I love hip-hop with every bone in my body! Hip-Hop music has had a tremendous effect on my life. As a child of the culture, the way I view the world and even the choices I make, good and bad, and the way I view the world at times stem from hip-hop.  The reason why I want to talk about hip-hop is because when I was thinking about my health and nutrition tips this week, I kept thinking about originality. In our society it’s so hard to be original and be accepted. A lot of rap music today is not about originality. Most artists express themselves not through words and poetry, but through negative symbols and sex. So often, hip-hop music glorifies drug use and alcohol consumption without mentioning the side effects that occur as a result. Rappers rarely touch on topics like good nutrition and meditation.

While thinking about my topic my mind began to wander to 1988 when I got my first record, Criminal Minded by Krs-One. This following quote has always stuck with me since I was ten years old: “You got to have style and learn to be original and everybody’s gonna want to diss you!” It stuck with me throughout my whole life because I was ostracized for being different. I never really fit in anywhere, I tried to wear the trendy clothes, but I never looked cute enough. I was just too tall, too skinny, too black, not black enough you name it. Basically I always got dissed.  Since my first rap record until now I have gravitated to original thinkers.  Artists like A Tribe Called Quest, Jungle Brothers, X-Clan, Public Enemy, The Fugees, and Outkast have always been my mentors because of their originality and awareness. KRS still inspires me to this day, he is a little like a father figure, always encouraging me to eat right, love myself, and stay aware and educated about issues affecting my community and the world. Currently I have Dead Prez in heavy rotation on my I-pod, their song Beauty Within always reminds me to accept myself and be myself. I am reminded that I am beautiful simply because I am.

Femme Noir’s Ten Tips to the Beauty Within:

1.       Be Original! So what your outfit didn’t cost $400, actually you got it from a thrift store, but if you like it and it makes you feel good wearing it then wear it with confidence.

2.       Express yourself through whatever talents you have, communication, writing, singing, drawing, dancing, let your life be an expression of the way you feel on the inside.

3.       Embrace all of your imperfections and highlight your best features. If you have great legs throw on a pair of skinny jeans, or a pair of killer heels.

4.       Avoid negative music and suggestions that make you feel like you are not special. Surround yourself with images that lift you up and allow you to be the best that you can be.

5.       Watch your alcohol intake, you look beautiful now, but in a few years alcohol can add many years to your face and body.

6.       Indulge in a massage whenever possible, if it’s too expensive I recommend trying a local massage school where students will do it for a fraction of the price a licensed massage therapist would charge, and they are just as good if not better.

7.       Repeat positive words (affirmations) out loud to yourself. Here’s one of mine, I am beautiful on the inside and the outside. See how your mood changes after saying that ten times in the morning and again at night.

8.       Believe in yourself and believe that you are an original! There is nobody else in the world exactly like you.  Dare to be different.

9.       Take care of yourself.  Stay hydrated by drinking eight glasses of water every day. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, exercise, and get plenty of rest.

10.   Meditate.  Take at least thirty minutes a day to let your mind wander and bring forth the brilliant plan that you have within.

Remember that we are here to live not merely exist. Embrace your beauty within!