KIA...not like the car or a person's name. No its KIA as in KIAI. It means to yell. This is at the end of all of my posts. Its a Japanese term meaning to yell. We Kiai in martial arts for several reasons: It releases your inner chi, It tightens up your body to dispel the power of a received strike, it alerts others to an imposing threat against you.

Sometimes we all need to scream and let out whatever is plaguing us. Sometimes we just need a release. Sometimes we want or need someone to hear us, to recognize our humanity and send up a signal that they get us and hear us. We want others to see our pain and say they get it. We all want to know that we are not alone in our journey and experiences, to know that we aren't crazy. I leave each blog post with a KIA as a beacon of hope to someone that needs encouragement or a good laugh. I hope you can find your inner strength to carry on. And not simply exist but to thrive. Life is hard and soft and crazy and beautiful but most of all it IS worth it. Although at times it may not seem like it. So, when you read my posts feel free to KIA with me. For, you are NOT alone!.... God Bless and KIA!

This was actually written several years ago. I never knew at that time where that journey would take me. How amazing! Please read on:
I can't sleep. I'm very peaceful in the silence while my mind reflects and seeks clarity on deeper things of the heart. I am thinking about the importance of knowing my value. I suddenly became aware that I don't quite fully embrace it or know it. That is deep. I consider myself a confident woman but in the dark and silence my heart tells a different story.
We all have value. The danger of not knowing this is that we fall into a detrimental state of being a permeable membrane. We change ourselves around whomever we deem has greater value in order to gain acceptance. We do not accept ourselves completely. We do not love ourselves unconditionally.This is quite sad, dangerous, and detrimental because we are all unique and have something that only we can give to the world.
I deprive the world of my unique essence and beauty endowed to me by the Creator of the universe when I fail to see my value and seek out acceptance instead of accepting myself in order to allow my uniqueness and my value to shine forth. The world needs me otherwise why would I be here? I have value. I have purpose. There is something that only I can give. I love me. I embrace me. I accept me unconditionally. I pray that you too will awaken to your value, love and accept yourself. Amen. God Bless and KIA!!!!!!!!!

The other day I was perusing Facebook when I stumbled upon a video of two couples dancing. They were dancing in synchronization. They were very sexy and skilled. I enjoyed the video, but I noticed something. I began feeling bad about myself! I began thinking about my body image, and to use a now coined phrase I was body shaming. I shamed the women and myself. Now that I am more aware of my value and I do self-work daily, it wasn't long before I realized what was causing this internal discomfort and conflict. In my thoughts I was comparing myself to the beautiful women that were dancing. 

It happened so quickly that it almost snuck past me. Once I became aware of the comparison I was able to redirect my thoughts. I consciously stopped the thoughts. I created new thoughts by saying internally I am enough. They are enough. My value is not defined by my perceived physical perfections or imperfections. My value lies in the fiber of my DNA. I am valuable because greatness makes up who I am.It is the same greatness that was used to create the universe! They are valuable for the same reasons. I then chose to celebrate their outer beauty and their skill. I cheered for them as they slid with their partners all hott and sexy across the floor!

My mood and the conflict were lifted! The sneaky comparison confidence stealer was slain! KIAI!