All the Love You Could Have Given

I've had that line from a Kate Bush song running through my head the last few days. It just pops up out of nowhere, sometimes when I'm meditating, other times when I'm just going about daily chores. Any time my mind comes to rest, it seems to want to remind me, "Are you giving all you could give? Are you fully using the opportunity of this day of life?"

Generally when I have songs I can't get out of my head I find it really irritating. In this case, I'm grateful for it, because too frequently I find the answer is "no" and realize I need to make an adjustment. I suppose it would be irritating if I found it difficult to make such adjustments, but fortunately I do not. In fact, having set my intention to truly take full advantage of the opportunity daily life presents to give love to others, I find more and more opportunities seem to be presenting themselves. I'm sure it is just that I'm noticing more, but either way, I am finding I am experiencing more beautiful moments in which I am able to touch someone's heart and support them in a loving way.

I've found so much joy in remembering this simple guiding principle, "Give all the love you can give each day," that I thought to share it with you. I hope you find it as useful a reminder as I do. It is so easy to forget the point of life. So easy to get lost in the striving for what we want, the desire to be entertained, or the warding off of what we do not want, that we easily forget that we always have the power to direct love outward to others, as well as savoring the love we feel for ourselves.

I hope you will take this inspiration to pause for a moment and truly sink into a feeling of love for yourself, and that in your next interaction with anyone you decide to direct that love outward with an openness towards them and genuine desire to contribute to their feeling good about themselves.

Everyone is an artist. Our works of art are our lives as we live them. Yet too many people die with their artistry unacknowledged, both by themselves and by others. Each time you help someone to appreciate the artistry of who they are, you help them to love themselves, and make more and more beauty out of the art of you. This is an invitation to become a connoisseur, but not a snobby one. Would you choose a world filled with people who are all loved and appreciated for their unique prism's reflection of the Divine light that shines through all things? If you would, then in each day, be alert and open to perceiving that beauty and artistry in anyone you encounter. Love them. Appreciate them. And someday die knowing you have given all the love you could have given.

Check out this great MSN Video: World's most dangerous volcano reborn

Check out this great MSN Video: World's most dangerous volcano reborn

Krakatoa, it appears, is going public again.

Uplifting Music - Remember Who You Are

I would like to share with you some of the lyrics of Shimshai, a World Fusion musician who weaves together the wisdom and sounds of many world traditions. Ever hear a song with Hebrew, spanish, Sanskrit and reggae flowing as one? It is an experience worth having, and also a message worth hearing.

"You are forever pure.
You are forever true
and the dream of this world
can never touch you.
So give up your attachment
and give up your confusion
and fly to that space that's beyond
all illusion."

~ Shimshai from the song "Suddhosi Buddhosi" off the album "Live on Maui"

"Pure, pure like the water,
let it run forever more,
to be clean, clean as the waves
come crashing to the shore.
It leaves me
smooth, smooth as a pebble,
polished in the depth of love
carried by the winds of grace
on the wings of a dove.
...
Arise and awake from your slumber
Kindle ancient flame
as witness to the waves of what's to change
though the essence remains the same."

~ Shimshai from the song "Pure" off the album "Deliverance"

If you like his message, you can read more about this beautiful music and what its message can mean in your life in the longer article I wrote on my blog today called Singing for your Freedom. Also find links to where you can listen to the songs or purchase downloads of them. Enjoy, and may you see the Truth in yourself, and find it again reflected back to you within every face you see.

VIDEO: Why Did They Cheat?

Hey Goddesses,

Tina Tobin's Luv Em Or Leave Em Question this week - Why do people cheat?

Of course we know that there are different kinds of cheating ranging from emotional to sexual affairs, and there are probably as many answers to this question as there are cheaters. Watch!

Abiola of PlanetAbiola.com...

Nando of Nandoism.com...

Tina Tobin of LuvEmOrLeaveEm.com...

Mwah!

What do you think?

Friend me up @abiolatv on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, blackplanet, or PlanetAbiola.com. Buy my novel DARE by Abiola Abrams wherever you buy books.

Have a great day being you~ despite the haters!

Velvet cupcakes & tiara kisses,

Abiola

VIDEO: My Fun Vistoso Bosses Interview!

Hey Cupcakes,

It's never crowded along the extra mile. The proof? The fun, motivational new girl group from Atlanta called The Vistoso Bosses. Recently, Mr. ColliPark of ColliPark Music sent them up to New York City to hang out with me and have an exclusive interview with The Planet Abiola Show.

WATCH & Support Them!

I LOVE sharing new artists. Didn't they remind you of another girl group from ATL back in the days? Yup, TLC!

What do you say?

Mwah! Share your inspiration.

Friend me up @abiolatv on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, blackplanet, or PlanetAbiola.com. Buy my novel DARE by Abiola Abrams wherever you buy books.

Have a great day being you~ despite the haters!

Velvet cupcakes & tiara kisses,

Abiola

Alpha-Political Verse 2009

From time to time, I write an alphabetical poem summing up a period’s zany and significant political moments, with links to my related satire.

Although Barack Obama’s administration is still relatively new, there’s already plenty of material for another piece of alpha-political poetry:

"A is for Alaska with its lovely Russian view.

B is for the Birthers who will rant and rave on cue.

C is for conservatives co-opted by the loons.

D is for each Democrat who caves and often swoons. ..."

(Alpha-Political Verse 2009 continues here.)

VIDEO: My Inspirational Convo With Malik Yoba

Hey Goddesses,

Let's have a Motivated Monday!

My personal intention for today is to try looking for the BEST not the worst. Sometimes I succeed and other times FAIL miserably, but it's usually FUN! I know that sometimes it's a daily battle for us with some people always trying to share their negativity.

That's why it was especially refreshing to have this conversation in Brooklyn, New York with Malik Yoba, the actor best known from 90's cop drama New York Undercover.

Don't you love it that America is a country that salutes the second act? Whether you decide to do one thing for your first act and become a star for your second act like Bea Arthur or Morgan Freeman who didn't become stars until after 50, or you decide to diversify like Malik Yoba who is now a playwright as well as musician, this is possible.

Watch!

What do you say?

Mwah! Share your inspiration.

Friend me up @abiolatv on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, blackplanet, or PlanetAbiola.com. Buy my novel DARE by Abiola Abrams wherever you buy books.

Have a great day being you~ despite the haters!

Velvet cupcakes & tiara kisses,

Abiola