Open This And Smile

Listen as your day unfolds

Challenge what the future holds

Try to keep your head up to the sky

Lovers they may cause you tears

Go ahead, release your fears

Stand up and be counted

Don’t be ashamed to cry

 

You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser
You gotta be hard, you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm, you gotta stay together
All I know, all I know love will save the day
Herald what your mother said
Read the books your father read
Try to solve the puzzles in your own sweet time
Some may have more cash than you
Others take a different view
My oh my heh, hey, hey..
I woke up this morning with this Des’Ree song stuck in my head and realized
1) these are seriously the best lyrics of the 90’s, and
2) it’s so simple, yet so true.
 
 
You see, we make things complicated.
 
We place all these external validations of things we need to take OURSELVES seriously.
  • A certain degree
  • A certain income
  • A certain number of followers/ subscribers/ readers/ listeners
  • A certain level of “success”
  • A certain type of house or lifestyle
While it is GREAT to strive for success, we too often entwine our identities with it. We forget who we are without the external validation and feel we need to get to a certain place to finally become happy.
So we strive and we strive and then finally we get there, to that level where we believed “happiness” exists.. and then see we feel the exact same.
“Oh happiness isn’t here,” we tell ourselves and then make the decision that the summit of happiness is just another mile up.
Another degree extra.
Another raise more.
Another 100k followers more.
Another award more prestigious.
Another year longer.
Another house bigger.
Don’t you see?
Happiness is just a decision.
That you can make right now.
It can look like listening to this incredible Des’Ree song that I serenaded you with above,
cuddling your kids/ pets/ partner,
walking in nature,
going for a dance class,
doing some yoga,
calling your old friend,
watching your favorite movie,
laughing for no reason.
This realization hit me like a bulldozer this week when I caught myself in this constant state of doing. My podcast hit #1 on iTunes, my book is the #1 best-selling Ayurveda book, my next book Eat Feel Fresh is coming out in October and I’ve written 2 more that will be out next year (an Ayurvedic Entrepreneurship book and a children’s book.)
I have achieved so much that I’ve worked so hard at for years.
But really, I felt the same.
Proud, tired, wired, but the same old me, whose happy place is walking her dog by the ocean.
I realized that no matter what I achieve, I’m still me.
And that the world won’t collapse if I just take one measly moment to just realize how far I’ve come.
And to drop the guilt that I have to be everything for everyone.
That the world would be okay without me. (Don’t worry I’m not going anywhere)
That I don’t have to fix everyones problems.
That I’m just a human being, not a human doing.
This was a major awakening for me, as my lifelong identity has been tied to “saving the world” and “fixing people’s problems.”
I’ve always seen myself as the one that has to create change and really what it came down to is my own fear that if I don’t do it, no one else will.
 
 
Can you relate?
 
 
What I had to realize is that my desire to serve is a beautiful thing, but it’s not all I am.
That it’s safe to just breathe and watch the clouds go by for a little bit.
That the world won’t collapse without me trying to save it.
It’s all too easy to watch your life go by while you’re in the never-ending quest to save the world, make a certain income, achieve a certain title or whatever your version of success looks like.
The truth is, we humans were built to constantly want more, it’s part of evolution’s design to keep us achieving, so no matter where you are, your version of success will always be an arms reach away.
That doesn’t mean you have to give up, hang the towel and retire on a beach (though you gladly can.)
But it just means you can loosen up your belt of expectations and just breathe.
Because you’re here.
Because you’re already done so much.
Because you work so hard on yourself and helping those around you.
Because you are a freaking superhero.
Because I love you, just for being you, outside of what you’ve achieved, given or performed.
So just take a few moments to think about where you were last year, 5 years, 10 years ago. How far you’ve come. How much you’ve done. How grateful you are.
And just smile.
Because life is perfect as is.
Because we are here temporarily.
Because there’s still so much beauty to come.
Because we are here in this precious moment.
 
 
If you want some high vibes to listen to this week, I’ve got some new podcast episodes for you:
086: Why Feminine Doesn’t Mean Weak and Masculine Doesn’t Mean Strong with Sahara Rose
085: Awakening the Shaman Within with Alyson Charles
084: How To Meditate (and Stick With it) with Shannon Algeo
083: How To Meet The Most Influential People in the World with Alex Banayan
082: The Thing About Doing Your Dharma with Sahara Rose
You can tune into Highest Self Podcast FREE on on iTunes (Mac/ iPhone) or Soundcloud (any type of device.)
 
 
 
Be sure to subscribe so you can stay updated on the latest episode.
Speaking of doing less and being more, I’m so excited to share with you the newest Highest Self Podcast supporter, Splendid Spoon, which is the first ever plant-based, organic Ayurveda-centric food delivery service that delivers delicious soups and low-glycemic smoothies nationally (yes you read that right!)
Check out my interview with the founder Nicole here about how to stay healthy while busy.. and just give yourself a break from doing everything.
You can get $25 off your first order on splendidspoon.com/sahara (I’m obsessed.)
 
 
So take a moment.
 
 
Look out the window.
 
 
Hug yourself.
 
 
And know that you already are everything you are seeking.
 
 
I love you,
Sahara Rose
Scroll to Top