Inspiration

Summer vacation as a kid – it was pure magic. No school. No alarms. Just the sweet freedom of doing whatever the heck you wanted.

I remember the first day of summer break. It was like the whole world was yours. You’d wake up late. You’d eat cereal in front of the tv, like it was your job, and then make the bold decision to go outside and play.

No plans. No schedule. Just the general vibe of “let’s see what a day takes us.”

You know there’s a moment like a switchboard in your brain that you realize: you are done. You are so done. You are so done with shrinking yourself for anyone.

You spend too much time people pleasing, biting your tongue, and making space for everyone else’s opinion.

But now, now, you’re like “nope.” Nope. I am putting my foot down. I matter just as much as anyone else. And you feel it in your soul. The power that comes from speaking your truth.

You can literally feel the universe backing you up. Like “Yes, keep that energy.”

Hi my name is CC Arshagra and I want to share a story with you about how an emotional child can be broken by what is called rote learning and what rote learning is is that you go to school and uh they give you a one and a plus sign and a two and you give them back a three and they pat you on the head and you're on your way to being educated uh on on on how to learn but by doing what you're told it doesn't give room for thinking feeling or questioning and that at the a at the in second grade is what broke me.

Sometimes, the weight of the world feels heavy, but even in those moments, there is always a spark of hope. Like the sun breaking through the clouds after a storm, kindness — whether given or received — has the power to shift energy in an instant. 

Today, I challenge you to be that light for someone, even if it’s just with a smile or a kind word. You never know whose storm you might brighten.

Dr Russell: I am Dr Russell Rising. I have a PHD in Nutrition and Physiology, and I can tell you one thing. Exercise is everything. I have friends that are older than me. For example, my partner in tennis is 81. We played tennis yesterday in 100 degrees for 2 hours.

So, the next person who whines about age, I’ll shoot them, because he is 81 and in great shape.

I’m 67. The same as that lady over there that you just interviewed.

You work that you may keep pace with the earth and the soul of the earth, for to be idle is to become a stranger unto the seasons, and to step out of life’s procession that marches in majesty and proud submission towards the infinite.

When you work, you are a flute, through whose heart the whispering of the hours turns to music.

I feel there is lightning in words, a power way beyond just casually talking.

I feel words with intent can crumble stone.

I’m not saying it’s easy.

You have to be in the mood, the frame of mind, to do this, to speak the words as part of an inner chant, so they pull upon another realm, and weave it here.

I feel words are sacred, like rays of light from the soul, when spoken with knowing their deeper power.

Do you climb the mountain of prosperity?

Do you climb the mountain of health?

Do you climb the mountain of the perfect mate?

Do you climb the mountain of awakening?

Seeking a solution at the top? Day after day?

Here’s what I found helps me.

To sit quietly and feel that I am at the top of the mountain, in tune with the Creator, the guru, the wisdom at the top. Sensing what it feels like to be exactly where I want to be, right now.

I say an affirmation or two, a few times, out loud. Simply, “I am prosperous.” “I am healthy.” “I am awake.”

Do you recognize that sound?
Can you hear it?
Listen
The sounds of nature
There all around us
Can you figure it out?
It’s like life
Can you figure it out at times?
When you don’t understand
Can you trust?
Do you have faith?
Do you have the faith enough to know all is well?
To embrace each day, the gift of your life
To find the joy, happiness and the peace in solitude
Or out there amongst others
I hope you can hear the sound and recognize it
It’s all around us all the time
Do you sense?

It seemed like it would be our ordinary 30 minute walk around our neighborhood, the same route, like every other day – but far from it this day.

First, as we approached a corner, we suddenly noticed a huge turkey vulture sitting on top of a telephone pole with its back away from us.

It was completely unfazed as we stood there for a few minutes admiring this unusual, beautiful sight.

But nothing prepared us for what we were about to come upon in the next few minutes.