Dance is my medicine ✨ . . What’s yours?? . . Happy #selflovesunday 💗 . . . . . . #danceismymedicine #shakeitout #feeltherythm #moveyoursoul #getconnected #noshame #alllove #danceparty #ecstaticdance #soulfood #cantstopwontstop #sweatitout #leaveyourpantsathome #burningman #hiphoppoolparty #sogood #highvibetribe #heartexplosion #wildandfree #dancinginthedust (at Black Rock Desert) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoW57dQgbYK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=pabe8bgs71pd

Rimani gentile... Non lasciare che il mondo ti renda insensibile Non lasciare che la sofferenza ti lasci odiare. Non lasciare che l'amarezza rubi la tua dolcezza. 📝Kurt Vonnegut . . . . . #vanlifemitherz #innerspring #empoweryourperiod #period #embraceyourbody #moveyoursoul #selflovejourney #feelalive #keepgoing #smile #daslebengenießen #happiness #hellofebruary #enjoybeing #embraceyourself #innerseasons #menstruation #innercycle (presso Basilicanova, Emilia-Romagna, Italy) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZsNl0Zt67O/?utm_medium=tumblr

The Fire

There is a balance I haven't found A way of being I'm not sure how to be I don't even know if it's meant for me But I try and I try to fit in the world Just so you can simply see, this is me

I have this out of body experience whenever I am vulnerable. It's like I'm speaking another language, an alien to this planet, and in unknown territory. I can tell you so clearly what happened to me, why I am the way I am, what I've done to heal, but when I am authentically me I tremble. It's not the speaking of the past or how I felt growing up, it's how I feel now. Terrified, simply terrified that I will never find the balance to be understood, to be seen. 

I was born this bright little girl, with a very clear purpose from a young age. I became conditioned to the idea that my bright light needed to be protected at all costs. Never show anyone how you feel. Don't say you're scared, don't say you're mad, and never, ever, say you are hurt. Just smile and always consider your surroundings, other's feelings, and their needs. It is not safe for me to express myself, to say what I really think. After years of projected and misplaced outbursts, I've realized how damaging it can be to keep everything inside. So I started talking about how I really felt, what it was really like for me. Slowly I began to open up, but never in the moment, only about things that have passed. And even speaking of my experiences from years ago, I can become overwhelmed with emotion. 

To speak in the moment about how I feel seems impossible. I literally leave my body when I try. I feel like I am on fire and having a heart attack. I want to be at ease with sharing how I feel in the moment, but it's so tense and rigid every time. Even when I'm trying to express positive emotions, sometimes those are even more difficult to share. 

Since I've developed a habit of keeping things inside, I feel compelled to try and address certain feelings right away. I don't even take a breath, I just dive in and start sharing. As I do this, it's like a match is lit and I am burning and screaming, and just not who I want to be. Sometimes people say, you should let things breathe a moment, which sounds good, but for me feels like a bad habit. If I let it breathe, I won't ever say it. However, because I am having an out of body experience, I never actually express how I feel. It comes out like a person screaming because they are on fire, rather than what I really want to say. And then if they push back at all, I default to a warrior protective mode and I've perfected being a fierce and sharp communicator. I often end up hurting them deeply, in my attempt to protect myself. And then I'm left wondering if it's worth it to express myself. I hurt so deeply whenever I cause pain to others. I know who I am and I know my heart is kind, so it's a disappointment when I don't let that show. It's like I've betrayed myself. Just like learning dance steps, I can see them, understand the counts, but sometimes it doesn't translate to my body. 

Aligning my soul with my spirit, my heart with my mind, my feelings with my words, this is my work. I'm writing this because I believe we all feel this at times. My hope is that we find compassion for ourselves so that we may have compassion for others. That we can hold space for our feelings and the feelings of others. May we pour water on each other to put out the little fires of inauthenticity and work to understand what is in the ashes left behind. Continuing on my journey and beyond grateful for the souls that have experienced my fire, and choose to love me, even when I won't let them see me. Peace & love xoxo

We need salsa in our lives. Dance, move, let your body talk with your arms, legs, your facial expression. #friday #tgif #salsa #dance #dancesalsa #tropical #positive #positivedance #moveyourbody #danceallnight #danceallday #yourbody #movement #lights #danceclub #moveyoursoul #music #salsamusic #salsadance #positivequotes #positivequotesforeveryday #positivemind https://www.instagram.com/p/CAyNuF0lqsq/?igshid=3ffsn3vhnpnr

•⚡️Strength⚡️• . Your strength is seen, in your spiritual poise your deep inner awareness. No matter what life brings there is a core of yourself, that you know you can trust. You are strong, and wise. Connected to the Divine. As you go through your week, may you remember your strength. The pure, and true light, of yourself, the soul. As you have the sacred intention to be in this light, you will find yourself moved more and more, by your inner truth. You will know what to do. Remember, too, as you take a step of courage, the Divine takes thousands with you. . . #mondayvibes #moonchild #moveyoursoul #light #love #innerpeace #youllalwaysbeok #courage #strength #dignity #intention #innerbliss #findyourmana #youareworthy #betruetoyou 📸: @pasvisuals (at Temecula, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B34cU9EnmPF/?igshid=av78zyequd20

#musicislife🎶 #poetrywithpurpose #poetrywithpersonality double tap #ifyoucanrelate if you always just #feelitforyourself #moveyoursoul #createyourownmagic #lifemusic #dontletanyonedullyoursparkle #yourewaytoobeautifulgirl #sometimes #iam #allof #mydarkmindscreams #hopesanddreams #suicidalthougts #mybrainwaves #backandforth #wesway n #weslay #ourhustle #yourhustleismyhustle https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz1zX6bBOPr/?igshid=ylsy8auequgk

I DEFINITELY prefer the mode of transportation on the right..Asher is totally taller than my car 🤣 #horses #equestrianlife #americanwarmblood #palomino #bigwhitepony #kia #kiasoul #newcar #horse #adorable #moveyoursoul

I've def got the #MOVE disease! Best thing EVR & it's tru! I was walking thru KL yesterday 2 the MRT actually caught myself strutting like #Taemin on that bridge(in the MV) It's worse if ur listening to the song I now got stuck on REPEAT. It makes the day more #bearable tho. It's a great #disease tbh and a #confidence builder no doubt. 😂💀👏💕 #leetaemin #kpop #jpop #albumdrop #artist #dancer #yougottherythm #moveyoursoul #sexyface #legend (at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

Via @jendotcohen #Repost @lashlust1 ・・・ If you know me, you know I'm always singing, dancing, or grooving to some music. It's in my bones, I get it from my grandma. I may not go to formal dances or join flash mobs like her, but I've always got a song I'm singing and moving too. We dance like fools in the rain and don't care if anyone watches. We dance for so many reason but mostly because some days you just need to dance it all out 💃🏻🕺🏽👯 happy #internationaldanceday Go #shakeyourbooty #dancelikenobodyswatching #moveyoursoul #danceischeaperthantherapy #startyourdaywithadanceparty

The quite stunning Langen Two Stroke... • • #salonprive #concours #concoursdelegance #blenheimpalace #classiccars #carshow #vintagecars #classiccar #carbon #countryhouse #statelyhome #racecar #weldporn #bikes #motorcycles #motorbikes #langen #langentwostroke #langen2stroke #2stroke #twostroke #stroker #vtwin #vins #madeinbritain #moveyoursoul #braaap (at Salon Privé) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFflCkSh6Q1/?igshid=jqgvuaplzpnp

#ImOnThat #WuTang Type Flip . InspiredWordNYC #KhalilGibran #Rumi #Yogananda #PharrellWilliams #Floetry #MosDef MoveYourSoul #Inspiration #LupeFiasco #JCole #DeLaSoul #Roots #LaurynHill #JillScott #DigablePlanets Healing #LightWorker #WorldTraveler #SpokenWord #Poetry #Poet #Artist #Creativity #Authenticity #BlackExcellence #BlackGirlMagic #BlessedAndGrateful #PoetsOfInstagram @missjillscott @indiaarie @erykahbadu (at New York City, N.Y.) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4ardxdlTTI/?igshid=81toig7ujpx4

@bullnationteam Awesome western clothing for cowgirls amd cowboys. 🐎🏆💕 #bullnation #westernclothing #cowgirl #cowboy #moveyoursoul

Three Spoons

The most impactful day during quarantine was the day I used three spoons. 

I have always been a minimalist and mindful of taking up space. To many, it seemed extreme, and yet it’s all I know. From how I pack a bag for travel; always having everything perfectly in place and priding myself on bringing as little as possible. To having nearly no furniture, trinkets, or home furnishings. When staying as a guest, often my host would say, “it’s like we don’t even know you’re here, it’s okay to unpack if you would like.” Each time I heard something like that, my stomach would drop at the thought of taking up too much space. 

Growing up I would use the same dish for everything. I would never use a bowl for salad and a plate for the main course. To this day, I make a salad and eat it before having my pasta in the same bowl. We never had a full set of dishes or matching silverware. It was all a mix of thrifted & gifted items. 

I still don’t have a full set of kitchenware, but I do have a full set of silverware, including ten spoons. Recently, thanks to quarantine, I’ve been experimenting with cooking. One of my favorites is vegan tacos. I have all the fixings; lettuce, tomatoes, rice, seitan, black beans, guacamole, dairy free sour cream & cheese. For several weeks I would make this dish and use one spoon to scoop all of the fixings, just wiping it between each scoop. Using the corner of a paper towel ripped off, and then use the remaining for my meal. One day I thought, does everyone do this? I quickly answered myself knowing that mostly, everyone does not. 

I am grateful for my mindfulness and living an eco-conscious life, however there is a deep emotion attached to this behavior that has nothing to do with the environment. 

It wasn’t until we were placed on a Stay at Home order, that I began to contemplate why I am a minimalist. I realized, my need to use as little as possible, is directly related to my need to express as little as possible. 

Most of my life, I never said how I felt and even today I struggle with expressing present moment emotions. It’s taken me over thirty years to start to express how I felt about things from long ago. 

Now that I have created a safe space, I am doing my best to let myself unpack, and fully live. So I started with using three spoons. I made my vegan tacos and pulled out 1, 2, 3 spoons to scoop fixings. And I cried and cried, because it was the first time I ever let myself use more than necessary, just so I could be a little more comfortable. In my own home, in my own space, all by myself, it was still the first time! Even as I’m writing these words, tears are streaming. I’m so excited to live and be free. 

Although quarantine might feel limiting, it’s where I’m finding my freedom. 

May we all find some freedom within. 

Peace & love xoxo

#dancinginthestreet #livemusic #moveyoursoul

Keep Going

“All great changes are preceded by chaos” ~ Deepak Chopra

I recently got in the car and ran away. I needed to be removed from my life. Without going into the details of the chaos that ensued, because the story is not in the chaos, it’s in the change, I was faced with all stable areas of my life being uprooted in one single day. I knew these areas needed attention and I told myself, “let me get through this week and then I’ll make a plan.” The conscious decision to stay in a situation that was less than authentically me caused a ripple in the universe that grabbed me by the throat and choked me until I tapped out. I tapped out of my life, I let go, I moved on, and I looked forward. I made a promise to be Authentically Me this year, and that included investing in relationships that serve the greater good. The Universe was not going to allow me to break my promise. I have immense gratitude for the power of the protection I receive, for truly knowing that the Universe always has my back. 

I called a friend and told him that I was jumping in my car without a plan and driving to NYC for a few days. His response was a clear indicator that I was headed in the right direction. He said, “Great, I have a business proposal for you, can you meet on Monday.” To which I replied, “Umm yeah, I’m free, I have no plans, my life just got flipped upside down, I’m scared, and yes, my answer is yes, whatever the proposal is, yes!” 

I arrived in New York to a restorative yoga class. A class that would break me down to my core and whispered, “relax, you will be okay, and you are exactly where you should be!” The class followed by a spur of the moment run in the city. This run changed me. I wanted to stop, so my friend paused and took a breath with me. He then did something that reminded me of who I am, he tapped me and said, “let’s keep going”. I do that, I keep going, no matter what, I don’t stop, I wake up everyday and I KEEP FUCKING GOING! 

The next day included a meeting where my opinions were valued and challenged. A meeting where I was put in a position to grow and offer my experiences to enhance the present moment. It was another whisper of being exactly where I should be. This meeting was followed by two grueling classes led by my kind of people. People that have felt all the depths of life and choose to motivate others to keep going. I wanted to quit, but the honor of being in their class was a reminder to just KEEP FUCKING GOING! 

On my final day in New York, I had another meeting. This time I was digging deep to help my friend tell his story, to give him space to be vulnerable. When he looked up and I could see his soul, truly see him fully, the universe whispered again, “ you are EXACTLY where you should be!” I ended my day with another grueling workout and my body was not feeling up for it at all. But my dear friend, that I met with earlier in the day would not let me quit, he wouldn’t even let me complain...he was screaming KEEP FUCKING GOING SARA!!!!

I left in the middle of the night to drive back for a meeting in Cleveland in the morning. A meeting with a person that doesn’t know me, doesn’t see me, and certainly doesn’t value me. The meeting ended with a very clear message...KEEP GOING! It can be hard when others don’t see you fully, but it’s even harder to live an inauthentic life. 

So I keep going and I listen for the whispers of the universe along the way. I am proud I take risks and keep going even when I’m scared. This is being alive, and this is being authentically me. I’m destined for a life of endless growth and transformation and I trust the universe fully to continue to provide that for me. 

To my people, you know who you are, thank you! You give me strength and courage to walk blindly and trust the universe. Let’s all KEEP GOING, and listen for the whispers of the Universe that tell us, we are exactly where we should be, so we can change the fucking world! 

Peace & love xoxo

Go Dakota 🙌💚 #moveyoursoul #millenniumdallas @mrlaw_21 awesome choreo by Shawn Lawson (closing ceremony performance) (at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)