What sets your soul on fire? I ask myself this question every single day. Though, most recently, I’ve set my intentions on a new question. Who ignites your flames? These questions are equally as important.
The first is quite simple. DO SHIT THAT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD. Ever since I was a little girl people would ask me “how are you always so happy?” I’ve even had people tell me they didn’t like me before they knew me because they thought I was “too happy.” Which is ridiculous btw. Why? Because nobody on earth is feeling 100% all the time. Though every single day of my life I ask myself “What sets your soul on fire?” and then I implement those things in my daily life. For me it’s self care. It’s waking up early and greeting the day. It’s meditation, it’s yoga, it’s podcasts. It’s books, it’s poetry, it’s good conversation. It’s sunrises and moonrises and climbing up mountains. It’s jumping in the ocean. It’s kissing my soulmate on the lips. It’s laying on the floor and listening to records while looking up at the ceiling. It’s fish tacos and bloody mary’s. It’s boat days. It’s 70 degrees and sunny but windy. It’s being outdoors. It’s going on adventures. It’s meeting new people. It’s catching up with old friends. It’s exchanging ideas. It’s free-writing. It’s learning new words. It’s smelling the flowers. It’s taking a bubble bath. It’s listening. It’s comfy warm throw blankets. It’s live music and dancing. It’s growing.
So many people are satisfied with living a mediocre life. They fantasize about people that have what they want, instead of taking steps every single day to better themselves, and live the lives they truly want and deserve. If you want to live the life of your dreams, you have to channel the things and the people that stimulate your passions. The universe will not create your perfect reality, you are in charge of creating your perfect reality, and the universe will follow. I REPEAT: THE UNIVERSE WILL NOT CREATE YOUR PERFECT REALITY, YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF CREATING YOUR PERFECT REALITY, AND THE UNIVERSE WILL FOLLOW. This is step one.
Step two: Surround yourself with people that make you feel like fucking sunshine.
I’ve heard it said many times that the people you surround yourself with have a direct influence on your life. Do you surround yourself with people who brighten your light? Or are you stuck hanging with people who diminish it? The kind of people that build you up, that encourage your desires, that fuel your passions, that support you effortlessly, that love you endlessly–these are the people you need in your tribe.
My entire life I’ve given my heart relentlessly, even to those who don’t deserve it. It’s exhausting. I committed myself to the notion that all people are good, that anyone can be set free with love, that I could change people’s minds with a little extra effort. It has taken me many years to realize that this is not the case. I believe that everyone vibrates on different frequencies. Some people–many people, vibrate at a high frequency, which allows them to receive love and light willingly. These people are ever-growing, ever-learning, ever-changing. Then there are others that you will not be able to reach. This is because they are vibrating on a low frequency, and are unwilling to commit to change. The existence of high and lows is what brings balance to the universe. However, it is necessary to recognize what frequency you want to be vibing on, and to only allow people in your circle who elevate that frequency.
I follow a writer on Instagram @iambrillyant who wrote “dialogue is oxygen, conversations are energy, words are food, your soul is too vast to be feeding on anything that doesn’t fill you, you deserve exchanges that feel like full course meals.” CAN I GET AN AMEN? What kind of conversations are you having? Are they building you up? Do they have you day-dreaming? Are they sparking your imagination? Are they fueling your growth? If not, it’s time to reconsider who you’re letting in.
This year, like all others in my life, has been a year of growth. I finally let go of friendships that no longer served me. This was a hard pill to swallow. It still is. For months, it ate me up inside. It’s not that I no longer think of these people and the memories we shared. I simply learned that it’s okay to be selfish when it comes to your growth. I know the word “selfish” has a negative tone but I was once so afraid of being selfish, that I allowed people in my life that diminished my light. I am strong enough now to know that we are in control of our own lives. That we have the choice every single day to surround ourselves with people who fire us up. With people who are smarter or wiser than us. With people who are the best at their craft. With people that we look up to–that we’re inspired by. With people who walk resiliently in the direction of their dreams. And don’t settle for anything less.
I’ll leave you with this bit of inspiration from the Fresh Prince himself @willsmith.
“DON’T BE HANGING WITH NO JANK ASS JOKERS THAT DON’T HELP YOU SHINE.” Ya hearddd?
So answer me this: WHAT SETS YOUR SOUL ON FIRE? WHO IGNITES YOUR FLAMES? Write it down. And once it’s in front of you–ACTIVATE. Commit to bettering your life by manifesting the things that make you truly happy and by surrounding yourself with people that nourish your soul.
Until next time ~
💜 Nina
GOOD VIBES STUDIO 