​When we are younger we are told "No" when we are doing something against the rules. We tell our pets "no" when teaching them not to do something that could harm them.

It only makes sense that in our subconscious mind saying "No" is a "bad" thing. However as we get older if we keep saying Yes to everything we get burned out and can even lose ourselves to the "yes" madness.

Consider this your permission to say "No".

We spend a great deal of time trying to please and appease people we care about, or even worse people we don't care about, because we feel we need to look a certain way... act a certain way... etc. 

What if we only yes to the things that make us say "HECK YES! Let's do it!"
Instead of the yes, well, maybes... ?

How much could your life change by doing that?

What if, we gain more respect by saying "no" to those things we do not want and saying "Heck Yes" to those ideas that truly resonate inside us?

If your intuition is saying "well... maybe", are you really going to give it your 100% anyway? 

Here's to saying Heck Yes to the things we really want to do and saying "NO" to the maybes. Saying "NO" to the things that don't keep us moving forward and growing. "NO" the people pleasing. "NO" to the need to be/look/feel/act a certain way.

Be a Heck Yes person and give yourself the permission to say "No" to the "yes... well... maybes."

Loads of Love--HECK YES!,
​Jenn Rose

I kept it pretty low key this year, but a few others I know made it out to an apple orchard and baked. 
Did you celebrate and if so how did you celebrate the start of fall? 

Autumn Blessings, 
Jenn Rose

So what is an affirmation? Basically, a statement that you are reminding yourself the validity of. This is an idea I picked up from several self help/personal growth leaders; such as my ever favorite Gala Darling and the lovely Melissa Ambrosini.

These can range from small one-liners to huge eloquent verses, but I like to keep it simple.
For example:

I am Love.
I am bad @$$!
I recognize the light within me.
I am enough.
My body is beautiful as it is right now, today.
I love you. (while looking at yourself in the mirror)

The list goes on and on. I like to have a few that I repeat daily, but also like to see what my brain puts together first thing in the morning. 

I usually start with affirmations as I brush my teeth and wash my face. I'll continue, or start if I forgot!, while I brush my hair and put on my make-up. 

Ways to amp it up!:

• Light a candle at the start of your morning routine, while you say your affirmations. 
• Look yourself in the eyes through a mirror.
• Place a crystal next to your mirror (and candle!) to collect all that positive power--Carry it with you when you're having a tough day.
• Write your affirmation down in your journal every day.

• Repeat your affirmation as you stir your coffee (or tea/etc.), clockwise to stir up new things.

​Full discloser - I forget some mornings!
​We all have days that the alarm doesn't go off or something out of the norm happens. However, when I do make time for my affirmations, it makes me feel brighter and lighter. Of course, the more we do a certain thing, the less likely we are to forget it.

If you feel like you need some help remembering, put a sticky note on your bathroom door/mirror. You can also take this trick to the office and put a reminder on your calendar or as your cell phone background.

Do you use affirmations? If you are willing to share, what are some of your favorites? How do you make time or remember to say your affirmations daily?

We are Love.
- Jenn Rose

Like many, I struggled with my body image through middle school, high school and even into college. At one point I stopped eating breakfast and lunch. I ate one small meal a day at dinner, until my mom found out. I agreed to try slim fast, so I was at least "eating" something during the day.
Eventually this life style didn't work out.When I started to eat again I had developed an issue with my gall bladder. It stopped working.

Without getting too technical, your gall bladder works alongside your liver to store and supply digestive enzymes to break down fats. If your gall bladder isn't functioning properly, you generally find yourself in a lot of pain after eating. 

As a young teen, I was pushed between adult specialists and pediatric surgeons. There was some confusion as to who knew what to do with a non-functioning gall bladder in a thirteen year old. Eventually they removed it--huzzah!--and all was well. 

I started to devour any articles, websites and belly dance DVD I could get my hands on. I practiced in my bedroom and chatted in online forums. I researched classes and found an Egyptian style teacher and began attending once a week.

Then my teacher introduced us to the "maya" and "taxiem". My wide hips made this move look huge, even at the beginner level. I spent hours working on perfecting it; adding arm movements to it and level changes. Baring my belly in front of the mirror to see the fullest extent of the movement.

It was through dance and movement that I found all the amazing things my body could do and even showcase! Soon after, I had my first belly baring performance and I haven't looked back since. ​

​While dance was the thing that showed me my wide hips and body shape is beautiful, your a-ha moment might be different. Maybe bench pressing 300 lbs is your thing or scaling the side of a cliff. 

Know that, we are all shaped differently and we are all beautiful. Our bodies do so much for us and can truly show us how beautiful they really are. 

Love, 
​Jenn Rose