(PUBLISHED 3:01 PM)

Have you ever taken the time to look through something or someone? To look inside in order to see what you could've possibly missed from before?

I believe garnering new eyes contributes to HOW we see things. You can see something or someone ONE way, but if you take several looks maybe even more you begin to see it differently. Kinda like a movie you've seen 10 times, yet you learn something new every time you watch it - a new layer.

In relationships sometimes folks can take their spouses for granted due to not "seeing" them. Some spouses complain about bein' bored with their lovers, but is it boredom or is it that they can't "see" them? And IF it is boredom maybe you both aren't vibin' at the same frequency; one may be into some things the other may not be and vice versa. In that case, both people should either take the time to learn one another or move on to align with someone more compatible.

"Seeing" the deeper meaning behind things and people, will always serve us well in the end.

Peace & Blessings,

~Shanda 

(PUBLISHED 3:34 PM)

A mental bomb went off in my head that I needed to learn how to be more of a "receiver".

Everyone gives and receives but some of us can find it difficult to do more of one than the other. Por ejemplo: one may find it difficult to "receive" a compliment from others.

I use to be guilty as charged regardin' the latter but NOW, if someone tells me how gorgeous I am or intelligent I am in my mind I'm like "YUP! Yea, you're right!" 

But it all stems from self-love and how I view myself now versus how I USE to view myself. Life experiences can make you feel less than, because we always seem to allow others to validate our feelings FOR us instead of doin' it FOR ourselves.

Havin' a hard time acceptin' a compliment came from being bullied for being pretty; just keepin' it real. Although I never viewed myself as "all that", there was always somebody tellin' me that I thought I was "all that" - when all I was doin' was bein' myself. It forced me to people please 'cause in my mind I'm like "Well, if I'm just really nice maybe they won't hate me for being pretty or smart." 

I know...I know...but this was my thinking. I was bullied for being smart too, and was constantly called "white girl" because of my eloquence. I also recognized it was difficult for me to receive, because whenever I really needed help or assistance and would ask for it I'd almost always get shutdown. THEN I'd get yelled at about how much of a burden I was being due to asking for help. 

So I made up in my mind that I'd try to NEVER have to ask anyone for anything ever again, this way I wouldn't be a burden and left feelin' so vulnerable. I NEVER wanted to NEED anyone for anything; I upheld this commitment for almost 20 years. Now after almost 20 years, I've been put in a situation that forces me to "need" and too have to learn how to "receive" without feelin' bad about it. It makes me feel like I'm bein' prepared for something, but for what I haven't a clue. All I know is this lesson needed to be learned for a reason.

Once you reflect to recognize where some of your hang ups come from, you can then do the work to start changing your outlook/perspective on things. We're always evolving and being a student of life ensures our growth. I think it's sad when people just exist and refuse to grow. Yes it can hurt to grow but it is oh so necessary, and learning how to properly "give" and "receive" is a part of growing.

Peace & Blessings,

~Shanda

(PUBLISHED 4:46 PM)

Becoming a true student of life will take you on journeys unimaginable, but the best part is exploration and learning.

You have to be sound enough within your own mind to do your work, to study your past and your present, to understand human behavior.

You may not always know what a person is comin' with, but your mistakes/failures in life will always be the key to opening the next door on your journey - it becomes your wisdom key.

So don't ever seek to erase your past because without it, you won't be able to realize ya future. STAY WOKE PEOPLE.

Peace & Blessings,

~Shanda

(PUBLISHED 3:14 PM)

I couldn't sleep and had to get out what was on my mind; I was "minding my mental" by doing so lol.

Relationships can be great but there are some parts that can be not so great. Sometimes the "not so great" parts end up bein' a bigger deal down the road if it isn't properly handled. 

Some things can be fixed I believe but for those things that can't, for those things that do more harm than good - those relationships you must distance ya'self from. 

Emotional and verbal abuse is just as bad as physical abuse, the only difference is all scars are internal. I give advice on how to handle such situations (or what worked for me). I also give advice to those dishin' out the abuse, so perpetrators you're welcome to listen.

Peace & Blessings,

~Shanda

(PUBLISHED 4:22 PM)

This is an original spoken word. 

Peace & Blessings

~Shanda

(PUBLISHED 10:03 PM)

This is an original spoken word song in its entirety.

I hope you feel my words! Feedback is appreciated.

Peace & Blessings,

~Shanda

(PUBLISHED 1:41 PM )

AGAIN, I stated 2020 at the beginning of the recording! Please forgive me!

Okay, HOMES!!!! One of my favorite things!

For some reason I needed to speak on my unique appeal to houses, and what I'd like to see change about them. During my convo I got overly excited (hence the title of the pod lol) so please excuse my passion oozing outta of my pores, I really can't help it! When I'm passionate about something or even someone, it definitely shows even when I "try" to hide it. 

I'd love to hear ya thoughts on this episode! Happy listening.

Peace & Blessings,

~Shanda

(PUBLISHED 5:13 PM - I mistakenly stated the year 2020 at the beginning of the recording)

Have you ever wondered why some heterosexual women end up marrying gay men or men that have more feminine energy?

There's a lot of prejudice around this topic and I felt it was necessary to speak on it. Granted, I understand there are some folks who are on "the downlow" and cover up who they are by marrying the opposite sex, but sometimes it can be a different story. I speak on the different story.

All feedback is appreciated!

Peace & Blessings,

~Shanda

(PUBLISHED 8:08 PM)

Okay I'm havin' fun with this topic lol! But seriously, why has masturbation gotten such a bad rap over the years?

If you google about it, you'll even find articles talking about bad habits from doin' it but it couldn't be further from the truth!

Why are people always tryin' to prevent folks from feelin' good, havin' fun or bein' in love? 

Anyhoo, I'd think people would approve of masturbation since it's the safest sex practice you can do. In the pod, I speak on the benefits of masturbation and how one can use it as a form self-love. Self-love is the best love!

Peace & Blessings,

~Shanda

(PUBLISHED 7:25 PM)

When in doubt about choices go within and listen to your heart.

You live for you and you create your own life - no one can do it for you. Raise You, is about breaking the chains of conditioned thinking in order to 

create your morals and value system. 

You are not who raised you - you are YOU, and YOU must decide your own fate.

To thine own self be true.

Peace & Blessings,

~Shanda