Clearing Up The Confusion - 5 Things

Confusion / Misunderstandings can be such a dangerous thing if left to their own devices to get a life of their own and take off.  Yet so many of us prefer living in this state.  Whether it is EGO driven or that it feels safer, we tend to stay in the confusion / misunderstanding longer than we need to.  When we eventually sort it out, we usually ask why we did not do it sooner.  How much better would your life and the life of those that matter to you be if you took responsibility to clear up confusion / misunderstandings actively rather than let it unfold and get a life of it's own.  Now that is something big regarding service to relationships in your life!  Some CrazeeBee thoughts :

1. You are tapping into a belief system / a set of assumptions / an automatic story!  We all have that and in most cases, something triggers it and all that is looked at in the context of that story.  So your trick is to ask if it really is true for your life? Is that story that keeps playing in your head serving your best life?  
2. It cannot be a one-way conversation (that is all in your head) that leads to a conclusion and then that person is labelled and treated a certain way.  Maybe it is time to ask, what is this person here to teach me or enlighten me on?  Try that the next time you want to categorise someone and get them boxed and treated a certain way
3. It will never be the responsibility of another to clear up your confusion!  That is classic giving your power away, when you expect someone other than yourself to understand you and what you going through and treat you differently or gently.  It is your job to deepen your understanding and the sooner you get that, the better for you
4. It is the most wonderful opportunity to look at what you believe and decide if it serves you or not.  I think that it is incentive enough to go forth and unpack this for yourself in terms of why that confusion keeps coming up in your life.  The experiences in your life are there for you to deal with them and learn the message
5. Contrast makes you clearer on what you really want!  Life is meant to have stuff that does not make you happy as it gets you clearer on what you do want.  So these are perfect examples of what you to use to get clearer of what you need for your bliss

Through With It

This week is about claiming your power and responsibility back to navigate your life to make you happy.  And that no one really can stand in your way to get you to where you need to be.  You are the master of it all.  Whether you accept that or not!  You allow someone power over you.  No one, place or thing has power over you unless you allow it.  It is a scary thing to accept as it means work, it means stepping up and means that you only have yourself to look in the eye at the end of the day.  And not many people have an appetite for some looking at yourself in the eye and speaking your truth!

So this week, work on letting go of giving your power away.  Come back to your truth, your power and your choices to move you forward.  You are not a victim of another victim unless you choose it that way!

The Voice Behind All The Writing

Some Ocean Heaven!

So in honor of rest and restoring!  Below is my picture story of my current holiday.  I love oceans!  Cannot seem to get enough of them.  Below is my piece of heaven.  My message is that you remember to take the time to get recharged and be in your centre.  That is when you at your best for service!

Love the wild energetic water

Stunning Look Out Point!

Loved how the water hit the rocks

Morning walks on the beach rock

View from my place!  Beautiful!

The Story Of The Sandcastle

I have been stationed in Durban for a while.  Look out for some pics from my adventures on the beach.  The ocean has always been the one thing that repairs and restores my wholeness.  So I am very blessed and grateful to be spending time at one of my most favorite spots in South Africa.  A little piece of Heaven, just north of Durban.

So in my time of rest and restore, I have gotten back into my reading which is awesome as my mind needs some challenge and growth.  My current book explores how to access the Natural Leader that resides within you.  But I was really struck by the concept of how they saw change.

"It is in the midst of change that you experience chaos and like you are biggest idiot!  This is the place that your fears come up to slap you in the face screaming at you to stop.  That is when you know it is just a matter of staying the course to the eventual change that you working towards"

That was my take from my reading so far.  I am sure the author put it much more eloquently that I did.  It does ask the question, how do we know that what we have built is a sandcastle or a solid weather the storm type structure.  Sandcastles might look beautiful, but take so much effort and stress to maintain from the ocean, the wind and other potential harm.  And when they do get destroyed by the ocean or wind, we tend to try and rebuild them as they were without learning a thing or to.  And it seems like such a waste to let something with all that hard work be "destroyed"

What I am beginning to see is that breakdowns and destruction of old beliefs and ways to seeing are necessary for you to rethink, regroup and make choices to do it differently.  As Robin put it " You need a breakdown to breakthrough"  I found that very priceless and very profound!  You need limiting beliefs and fears to be shattered so you can rebuild using a new view.

So today's tale is one of keep on EVOLVING!  That is how to stay of service to you and of service to others in your life.  When you allow change to come in and you start adapting and looking at how it grows you, you realise how it makes you better to deal with situations and allows you to move forward.

I am not saying this is easy and I personally am struggling to breaking through to a new way of seeing the world and my role in it.  But one thing I can say to you is that it is about easing into it and taking it one moment at a time.  Take the time to centre and get clear on what is important to you and decide today that you will do at least 2 to 3 things to make what you want a reality.  It could be as simple as just making the list today, tomorrow doing the first step and next day and the next day.  It is putting those snowballs of change in place and one day they will take on their own momentum.

So here is to stepping through the chaos one step at a time, one positive action at a time.  Here is to promising yourself some actions that take you closer to what you really desire.  Go Strong!

Currently reading "The Leader Who Had No Title" by Robin Sharma

Celebration

This week is about celebrating what is already in your life.  It basically is a reminder that no matter where you find yourself or your circumstance, there is definitely some good in your life.  I have had one of the roughest 2 weeks in my career, life and personal growth lately.  I do realise that I have stumbled across a strong fear and theme that I need to work with.

But despite all the challenge and some days when it feels all to much, I have my next breath to be grateful for, the love that surrounds me and the fact that when I calm down and focus on the moment that possibilities are still there.  That is worth celebrating.

So take a moment, deep breath in and out and focus on this moment.  Can you feel it.  There are millions of possibilities right in this moment!

Waiting To Die : 5 Things

OMG! I have no idea what is going on with my life but the craziness is insane.  I really just could not keep up with anything and find a space to breathe and be in my centre to make the best choice for my next steps.  It was like I was not allowed to get to that space to get my sanity.  The distractions were huge and so blatant!  It was in this state that I could see how distracted we can really get are as humans.  It is the very few that step up to their happiness and growing their understanding of themselves deeper that know where distractions can lead you to!  To a space where you simply "Waiting To Die"!  Some CrazeeBee Thoughts :

1. You know you are heading for this when you on a constant need to escape life!  Some do it via tons of TV, overeating, excessive partying or drinking or fear of being alone!  The day you decide to stop and face what you trying to escape, is the day you open the door to transformation
2. The pain in your life will increase and increase and increase till you cannot get away from it and you are forced to deal with it!  Life has a way of getting your attention whether you think you are actually getting away from whatever scares you
3. You actually get to a point where you hurt those around you!  Not being able to get yourself happy eventually takes it toll on the ones that love you
4. No matter what, you can turn it around when you decide to start being aware and use what scares you to start understanding yourself deeper.  You always have that power.  And it starts small.  Simply being happy that your next breathe is taken care of now in this moment, means God cares!  You can work with that and build on it
5. When you see this in others, know that your happiness does come first.  You cannot change someone, all you can do is create the space or support for them to make the choice for change

One thing, I am understanding more and more this week, is that we are USELESS to the world when we are USELESS to ourselves.  Service really does start with being able to give without it destroying the beauty and love that is within you.  It benefits all when you truly give from a whole place.

Somewhere

This song does not need many words.  It is just one of those songs where you need to listen and feel.  This week, partner and collaborate with the greater forces at play in this life and keep going.  You will get there.  Just keep going making each day better than the one before and see how beautiful life does become.

Somewhere.  Someplace.  Someday.

Mwah

Skinny Beef Burger

Another comfort food favourite of mine is McDonalds McFeast Deluxe!  I have found another great dish that is less than half the calories.  But who even cares about the calories, it is sooooooo yummy, I welcome it any day.  Indulge my darlins :

Ingredients :

• Ostrich / Turkey Mince
• 1/2 Onion Chopped
• Paprika
• One Chilli Chopped
• Garlic
• 2 Tomatoes Diced
• Red Onion Chopped
• Coriander
• Black Eyed Beans
• Melba Toast
• Avocado

Putting It All Together : 

Mix the mince, chopped onion, chopped chilli, garlic and paprika together.  Best to mix with your hands.  Then form some patties and start frying them to get that chargrilled effect.  To make the salsa, mix the chopped tomatoes, black eyed beans, red onion and coriander together.  

Burgers needs sauce and the cream factor is the way to go.  So blend avocado with some garlic to get a lovely creamy sauce.  I normally eat this with melba toast.  I find it fresh and delicious.  Enjoy!

Skinny Fried Chicken

So I have a weakness for Kentucky Fried Chicken.  It is the best comfort food I could ever ask for.  But I have found a skinny version!  I love it and it is so versatile with what you can mix it up with in terms of dishes.  So see how simple it is to make.

Ingredients:

• 2 Chicken Breasts
• 1 Egg White
• Polenta
• Parmesan Cheese
• Cayenne Pepper
• Bulgarian / Greek Yoghurt Fat Free
• Crushed Garlic
• Chilli Sauce
• White Pepper
• Parsley

Putting It All Together : 

Start heating up your frying pan.  Loosen some egg white in a dish.  Mix polenta, some grated parmesan cheese and cayenne pepper in another dish.  Slice your chicken and start the dipping process.  First in the egg white and then in the polenta, parmesan and cayenne pepper mix.  Simply fry till crispy!  In terms of sauce, mix crushed garlic with a little chilli sauce, greek / bulgarian yoghurt and parsley.  Add some white pepper for seasoning.

I normall add some melba toast to give me that eating a crispy chicken burger feeling.  Love it!

The Gift Of Talent

This week I have been reminded of how we have our own talents and when we step into it and shine our light, how it allows others to show their light.  When you watch a master at play and stay aware and observe, there is so much you can learn from that person.  It is comforting when you decide to stay open to what the gift that person offers in the form of their talent.  When you go from that feeling of insecurity and open up to how can I do today better than yesterday, the people around you offer you the insight, inspiration and gift of "how" in the form of them being in their talent and using it to add value.

Open up to seeing how others can enlighten you and offer you gifts to grow who you are.

The Story Of Transmution

Today's tale is a rather simple yet powerful one.  And the one I believe is essential to one's evolution and moving on to greater things.  Feel what needs feeling and surrender it to be transformed!  

Energy can never be destroyed, just transformed from one form to another.  Emotions are such powerful forms of energy and our job is to feel them fully so they can pass through and transform.  It is those unprocessed emotions / feelings that go into shadow that are dangerous to us.  They fuel such confused behaviour from us to others.  We lash out, get a buttons pushed, snap or simply hate situations or people not fully knowing why.  We can take on destructive behaviours such as smoking, overeating, drinking too much etc.  They relate back to unprocessed emotions.

So today know that you are strong enough to lean into what you are feeling that seems like the tip of the iceberg of darkness.  And it is ok to feel it fully.  It is after that, that you come to a place of choice and can allow it to transform into beauty and serve you rather than cripple you.  In your service to others in how you treat them and how you are a gift simply by being you.  There are very strong reflections between you and another to look at emotions and feel what needs feeling.

My life today constantly reflects back to me how I need lean into my power and talents to respond as my best. I feel like I have a constant call to just be at my best all the time.  I could feel the pressure to always be the best so that I could feel that I could add value and contribute to whatever I was dealing with.  But I am human and there are times where I want to just be without a title or expectation and I feel like a failure when I feel like wanting a break or some time out to just breathe.

The truth, I am good just as I am even if I did nothing!

Recently, I finally leaned into it and felt that feeling of failure and the unforgivable feeling for simply wanting to take time to breathe and be me without having to contribute to the better of the world, my team or anyone else.  It felt like crap and was pretty painful.  But after leaning into it, I can now surrender that to God and ask to see it differently to choose differently going forward.  And I can admit, I can now see the support I need to give me some breathing space to allow me to get my oxygen mask working so I can give to others without depleting me.

Feel what needs feeling and surrender it to a Higher Power to inspire you in seeing it differently.

Service Starts With Yourself : 5 Things

So in the art of service, it does start with coming from a honest and pure source.  There has to be fair exchange from a giving and receiving point of view.  And this does not mean like for like.  It is you giving naturally what is of value to another and receiving what is of value from another that they give naturally.  When that situation exists, it is a magical exchange.  So the idea to work towards is that when you give service, when it comes from a whole space, the results are  mutually beneficial for all parties concerned.  Some CrazeeBee thoughts on the matter of being of service, where can you begin in terms of foundation :

1. First get your oxygen mask in order and secured before tending to another's oxygen mask.  This has been one of the most profound metaphors I have encountered.  You are of no use to another if you are gasping for air and dying!  So work on understanding what keeps your oxygen mask functional and working
2. Be of service to yourself and know what that feels like.  Decide to give yourself the best service and truly feel and enjoy that gift to yourself.  This does not have to be grand gestures but starts with the little things.  Lovingly applying awesome body lotion, savouring awesome food, enjoying the presence of you in the quiet, taking the time to take in beauty and be in beauty etc
3. Create the space for inspiration.  Clutter is the biggest area that shows you that you are dealing with a distressed mind and cannot open a space for you to think and be clear and get inspired.  Look for areas to de-clutter and open up space for inspiration and clearer thinking
4. Honour your desire and feel the joy of having it actualise.  Look at ways to start looking forward to the next moment by giving your desire a space to breathe and then honouring them coming true.  That is your clue to what service will mean to someone else.  The ability to help honour desire
5. Deepen your ability to understand yourself and the situations around you.  The more you stay curious and aware, the more you allow yourself to understand yourself and the situation around you deeper.  That powers up any of the above points

Good Luck and let's start getting that foundation strong to be able to give back without losing who we are.  Mwah!

Skinny Chicken Chinese Food

The Dish CB was Inspired to Make

I discovered this recipe watching the series Cook Yourself Thin on BBC Lifestyle.  I absolutely loved this and have added this dish to my recipe book!  Happiness!

Ingredients:

• Basmati Rice (my favourite) or normal rice or brown rice
• Chopped Spring Onion
• A chopped Red Pepper
• Sliced in half Sugar Beans
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Sesame Oil
• Soya Sauce
• Sweet Chilli Sauce
• Chopped Chicken Breasts
• 2 Eggs
• Chopped Coriander
• Sesame Seeds

The Egg Pieces Technique

Putting It all Together:

• Boil your rice and ensure it is ready before you start with the rest of the dish
• While rice is boiling, prepare and fry your chicken pieces in a pan. Chop them into bite sizes and fry.  I usually fry mine with some white pepper and some paprika.
• Chop up all your ingredients and get them ready for tossing in the pan / wok.  This includes the Spring Onion, Red Pepper and Sugar Beans (I usually chop the sugar beans in half)
• Prepare your sauce by adding sesame oil, soya and chilli sauce.  I vary between 1 to 3 tbl spoons for my flavour
• Whisk your eggs like you getting them ready for scramble egg
• When your chicken and rice is ready, start the stir fry process
• Add in your chopped spring onion, red pepper, sugar beans, ginger, garlic and rice.  Toss it all together
• Make space in your pan/wok and pour the egg in one corner of it to allow it to set.  You ideally want egg pieces mixed in rather than soaking the food in it.  See pic above.
• Mix in the egg pieces and then add your chicken and coriander
• Add your sauce with some sprinkles of sesame seeds
• Mix all together and Enjoy! I love the flavour and colour of this dish!

The CrazeeBee Version

February 2012 : Being Of Service

February is traditionally the month of love and romance.  But in the Crazeebee Livin world, there has been inspiration to BE OF SERVICE this month.  So I invite you all to join me in the adventure of being of service to this world.  It goes without saying that to be of service, you need to come from a place of goodness and wholeness for it to truly reward on all levels.  And as we journey let's unpack that when you give, it is truly fair exchange!

For CrazeeBee, service comes in so many forms, but the ones I would like to work with this month are around giving back to Mother Earth.  This theme has been screaming at me from all angles, so I need to look at what this means.  I would like us to explore how we be of service in our romantic relationships as it is an area of personal growth in the past few months for me.

Watch out for food recipes that I will be sharing in my Food Is Love section.  I am finding such rewards from healthier delicious recipes and would like to share them with you all.  I lost so much weight just by planning the right meals for the week and getting them prepared earlier in the week.  Lastly, I would like to explore how one embraces stewardship and leaves the wisdom available to the next generation.

So let's take this month of love and look at service and how we can inhabit that!  How we can give without losing who we are.  How we live the concept of fair exchange between what we receive versus what we give.  I can see that those that give effortlessly and stay whole are given back so much more for their lives.  Worth exploring!

Mwah