Strength isn’t about power or might. Sometimes strength is simply smiling at another when you don’t “have” a smile or just being there to listen when you’re exhausted and want to do anything but. Strength is not always “seen”, but it is always FELT and you never know who is observing.

You might never know it, but YOU could change someone’s life. You could be the catalyst for them looking into the mirror and searching deep and asking themselves what they truly want out of life. 
You could be the one they look up to and aspire to “be like”, because they see what you do and know a little of your story. You could be a “reason” in their life that inspires them to become BETTER.

It might not seem like you are being strong sometimes, but what is and what is seen are not always the same thing, and people are so very influenced by impressions, even when they come to learn the “truth”, and sometimes the truth makes them take a few steps back and think and “see” more.

When it feels like you have none, draw on Him. There is a never-ending supply of strength and grace waiting for us if we just ask for it. In the times when we don’t feel strong or want to be, then it is time to let His power be the strength we need. Remember, STILL being here, is strength and you never know what that means or “tells” others and the impact that a single ripple can make.

Words: © Rosie Chee

Transformation is never easy. But never is anything worth being done. Transformation illuminates the soul, opens the heart, saturates the mind, "reconnects" your "being" as you "become". More. Better. Different. Changed. Awakened. Transformed. From the inside out. It will show. You will know. You will be more "you" than ever before. And that is beautiful. Wonderful. Glorious. Magnificent. Amazing. Blessed. You are. By Him. Give thanks and embrace the change, the challenge, the "coming". It will be worth it. You'll see. Believe. Trust the process. Transform.


Words: © Rosie Chee

SHE IS


Some days she's dark; some days she's light. No matter what, she's always true; she's always her - that you can trust. Her soul is dark with shimmers light, her heart black stained with crimson tears, her mind shattered but always sense. She holds madness in one hand and peace in the other, each as much a part of her as her smile, or tears, or eyes that look through your soul. She can hide with the best of them, assumptions and impressions all the world once knew of her, until she chose to share herself, and in her vulnerability let slip too much, the truth behind the mask now seen: The love behind the distance, empathy behind the cold, pain behind the indifference, an aching beyond the loneliness that she rarely sets free. There is a soul unlike any other, an oxymoron complete, for she is as she is not, a complexity few will - if ever - understand. Both woman and girl, enlightened though innocent and anything but, a soul forever young even as it has lived lifetimes; a Gemini is she, but so much more than can ever be explained by words. She just simply is and will always be. Me.


Words: © Rosie Chee​

True friends are rare. And a tribe of soul sisters even rarer. But they are there. And there is little more powerful than such a tribe... Of women who understand each other. Who are not intimidated or threatened by other women. Who do not seek competition with other women. But who seek to empower each other, give strength and support one another, individually and collectively as they journey through life... There is great power in such a tribe. Real inspiration in that power. To power through and conquer every heartache, setback and curveball that life throws. Power through true unity and friendship... Be one of those women. One of the beautifully broken souls that builds up other beautifully broken souls, encouraging a life of happiness and healing (for all encountered). Someone who creates and cultivates a culture of "tribe" with other soul sisters. The rare friend who is "family" true to soul...

Words: © 2018 Rosie Chee

Someone who has never seen or been near the ocean will never understand; even some who have do not. But for those who do, know that for some the ocean is more than just a body of water or "part of the scenery", as essential as breathing for complete vitality of energy and lightness of being. For some of us were born with its song in our soul, the most alive when we are near it, fading a little the further and longer we are away from the waves, like a mermaid who has spent too long on land. They say "home is where the heart is", and for the freespirits who have no "home", gypsy souls feeling almost constant compulsion of wanderlust, their heart belongs to the ocean, always drawn back to it, for rarely anywhere but there can their mind find calm and their soul peace.

Words: © 2018 Rosie Chee

Our challenges and struggles help determine our committment and strength. They show us depths of us that might not have been reached if we were not forced to dive into ourselves and seek out something to get us through. During them we learn what we can be truly capable of, both dark and light, and choose how we will fight. There are those who find comfort in and draw power from the darkness, but burn as bright as any fiery beacon for the rest of the world. There are demons and angels, but the greatest warrior of all is one who is BOTH. No one but you may ever know the full truth of your personal battles, but know that eventually, whether drawn by light of your fire or because you have no fear of venturing into the darkness, you will find others that understand the war you fight. The heart of the fire, even in the dark, still smoulders, remember that. Remember that.

Words: © 2018 Rosie Chee

This touched me yesterday, and after it and seeing, reading and knowing a few more things, I feel it is something that should be shared. I am not the only one who has dealt with and is still dealing with things throughout and in life, and while no one's struggles may the same, the emotions and feelings experienced may be similar, because those struggles are by no means any more or less significant to that individual than another's are to them, especially as everyone is different and not everyone is built or equipped to handle things the same. I want to remind you that whatever has happened in the past is BEHIND you, and that while it may have helped shape you, your true power is in the PRESENT moment - not then or in the future, but right here, right now. It might not seem like it, but right NOW you have the power to choose - what you want, what you will do, how you will respond, if you respond, and when you will step into or further towards everything that will become the future. Every day we change, even if it might not feel like it, whether it be something that seems so small as a thought, that you can later realize is as big as a shift in mindset. Every day. Small things add up. Every step you take. Every change you make. Everything is part of your ongoing and enlightening transformation to your highest awakened evolution of self. All those struggling right now, I want you to look back, but only for a moment, and only to remember where you were, and see where you are now, and realize how far you have come from there, how much you have overcome, how much you have changed to be able to do that, how much of a victory it is to still be here, and be PROUD of yourself - your heart for keeping you going even when it might have wanted otherwise, your mind for persevering, yourself for every victory no matter how small, and your growth through it all. Being here, today, alive, is no small thing, and it should be appreciated. Now stop looking back and look FORWARD. Being alive means nothing if you are not LIVING. So give yourself permission to LIVE, today and every day that you are blessed to have, and make every moment count as much as possible.


Words: © 2018 Rosie Chee

You cannot see it, but beneath the skin there lies a heart so deep it could drown the ocean. There is a soul that glows in the right light, even after it has been completely broken, although of late the darkness takes over more than is let known. But you cannot see it. For you have no idea what this woman has been through. All you have are superficial assumptions on everything about her based on how she looks.

You have no idea what makes her smile, or why her smile is the way it is. She smiles even when she feels buried in the dark, struggling to hold on, trying to decide whether her stubbornness to stay is hurting her more than the uncomfortable realization that if she simply disappeared it would likely make no difference. But you know nothing of that. All you see is a smile and to you that means everything is ok.

Her heart has hurt her more than once. With so much love to give, knowing no other way to be but non-judgmental and unconditional, it has taken more abuse than a heart should, and now it is tired. Her head is bowed, if only to rest her eyes for a moment, because her mind will not rest, not even for a second, scattered and shattered with more spaces and sights than reasonably existing in any one place.

Her story is not simple, even though she strives to make her life as simple as possible. Her simplicity is in the beautifully intricate weaving of the openness of her being with all that has wounded her, everyone who has ever crossed her path and the rare moments her soul found peace. Evolutionally ongoing, she is still learning how and trying to heal it all together.

© 2018 Rosie Chee​

Photographer: Carley Patmythes

MOTIVATIONAL OF THE DAY

God created you as an individual. He lovingly crafted every inch of your body and then chose especially the soul that would reside there. He whispered dreams and longings into your spirit that you alone would hear and be able to fulfil the need for in this world. He made you to stand out and be seen. He WANTS you to soar on the winds above the earth. He wants you to ride the energy of your own unique spirit, for when you do that, when you follow your soul on a journey even you might not know where, you are opening up your life to more power and blessings, you on the world and in turn being able to also see and receive them.

Refuse to let the world sully what He made with grace and love. Do not allow it to dull the gleam of your soul and clip the wings of your spirit. Stand firm and steadfast, strong in your faith, in Him and who you are and your purpose, understanding that the diminishing of your light affects not just yourself but those around you and whom you impact, knowingly or not. There is something inside you that only YOU can bring to the world, so do not let the world “take it away”, for it will only destroy what was pure and beautiful, turning it into something muddy and ugly. Do not let them desaturate your soul, but find your courage and strength on the energy of the healing winds of the heavens.

© Rosie Chee

MOTIVATIONAL OF THE DAY

OPEN your eyes to the world you live in. Open your HEART to the blessings you have been given. Allow the WONDER of everything to seep through your soul.

Think of the MIRACLE of life. Think of all the POSSIBILITIES that exist. Know that you are BEAUTIFUL in this world filled with ugly.

Believe that everything happens for a REASON. Believe that you CAN make a difference. Embrace the experiences that life has given you and the love you are surrounded by.

He knows your heart. He knows your mind. He knows infinitely more about you than you could possibly fathom.

When you open yourself to the fullness of everything, open your mind to the potential of anything, and open your soul to believe in the glory of Him and all you have and are, you will see that life truly is pretty AMAZING. REVEL in that knowledge, that feeling, the emotion evoked in the core of your being. Revel in it and LIVE it – an amazing life!

© Rosie Chee

MOTIVATIONAL OF THE DAY

It's not about being better than anyone ELSE. It's about being a better YOU. It's about being better than you were the DAY before, the HOUR before, the MINUTE before. It's about striving for CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT IN YOURSELF...Life is a journey. No, it's not JUST about you, but if you do not focus on you and becoming the BEST you that YOU can be, you cannot possibly give of your best and help anyone else become the best that THEY can be. Your life is an EXAMPLE to inspire and motivate OTHERS into becoming BETTER.

© Rosie Chee

MOTIVATIONAL OF THE DAY

Many people in this world are searching for something. Something that will make everything better, change the way things are; allow them to experience the "magic" of life. STOP searching, for there is "magic" all around you: In a smile, the eyes of another, a hug or warm embrace, the beating of heart, the bloom of a flower or blossom on a tree, the hint of life or the beginning of one, change, hope, love. There is magic if only you open your HEART and your eyes to SEE...However, while there is "magic" all around you, there is also no "magic" unless YOU create it. Those who WAIT for it will never find or experience the satisfaction of it, for while there is always POTENTIAL for "magic" to be, the same way that dreams do not come true unless YOU pursue them, "magic" does not happen unless you MAKE it happen...if you're looking for "magic" today, STOP looking. See what is and start CREATING your OWN "magic" to ADD to the world!

© Rosie Chee

MOTIVATIONAL OF THE DAY

YOU ARE UNREPEATABLE. Not just for the fact that no one else can ever be you, but because, whether you know it or not, acknowledge it or not, there is something about you that has its own "magic". There is a magic about you that cannot be emulated or replicated by any soul but your own, for it belongs only to you and you alone can wield it...You have within you a light that no one else can hold or shine. Your light springs forth from the dreams in your soul and the hope in your heart, cast just the way it is because of everything that you have experienced and the darkness you have to manoeuvre around. Your light can never be lit in another soul, even though it has the power to spark alight the light of another soul...Your life is an example, you an example that others look up to, look to for guidance, for "light". You are a motivation, even if you do not know it, and your life through your actions speaks volumes to other souls who might be needing the very thing that you are not saying. You touch more lives than you know, so never ever stop being you and doing what you do!

© Rosie Chee

 

 

BEAUTIFUL

MOTIVATIONAL OF THE DAY

BE YOURSELF

It can be hard to realize that to be truly HAPPY you must be YOU. You – as you ARE, in your ENTIRETY. No hiding aspects of yourself away, but letting the world know by seeing how BRILLIANTLY you can glow – the way you have let others see you glow and the way you unconsciously glowed before from the touching of another soul against your own.

In that time you were happy – completely and unadulteratedly HAPPY. You were FREE to be you, with those who only longed to see more of the soul you had started to let peek out at the world. Somehow, between then and now, it ran away and hid again, and now you have to STOP that and let it back OUT – you need to OPEN up your trembling heart to the winter frost to find the sun and its warmth.

NO more hiding. No more shying AWAY. You have so MUCH potential inside you. You have so many DREAMS, so many HOPES and plans for the future. Let them OUT. Give them VOICE and see that there IS support – there are those who want to see your soul bloom like it did once before, and grow beyond that to FLOURISH.

Just be YOU. Not what the world wants you to be. Not what others want you to be. Not what you think you should be. Just be what you ARE and be UNashamed of it – do not forget your beauty, your wings, your UNIQUENESS and everything about you that stands you apart from anyone and everything else. Let your soul back out and simply let yourself BE.

When you can do that, KEEP on doing it. LIVE your dreams. Let the joy of refinding the passion that had slipped away infuse back into everything you do. Let the smile in your soul sparkle from the depths and light the smile of another. Give yourself permission to FLY again and GROW ever more into the person He intended you to be. Let the HAPPINESS become a way of life again.

© Rosie Chee​

MOTIVATIONAL OF THE DAY

Wild creatures were made to roam free, not tied down, wandering souls exploring the world in all its wonder, dancing from one experience to another, living and loving and learning every shade of ecstasy possible. The free spirit does everything in its own way and time, knowing ultimately that what is meant to happen will without requiring force, having faith that whenever beauty is sought it will be found, because like-minded souls are instinctively drawn to one another, regardless of time or place. Let passionate soul loose, releasing any inhibiting bonds from its restlessness, to watch it flit its way through the tapestry of life, leaving glimmers of light like flickering glow-worms in its wake.

© Rosie Chee​

MOTIVATIONAL OF THE DAY

Sleep eludes, but sometimes in the quiet solitude of darkness there comes truth in our soul. Softly creeping, almost as if not to reopen emotion and wounds desperately trying to be healed, even as the soul tears are crying out to Him to give a new heart. Truth whispers and reminds to boldly chase your dreams, refusing to let another hold power over the heart that acts upon the desires embedded there since forever, because those dreams mean everything and hope is the only thread holding this soul to the world. Let not your unique soul slip away, but reveal and speak itself with daring and such passion that others cannot help but hear the heart hidden, knowing and understanding even the words unspoken. Allow such freedom of soul and self that random is expected, not always knowing what will come even as instinct might, tentatively holding open a fragile cocoon encased with ice and hardness because it still has faith and wants to believe that even if it hurts again, it has to be better than what was. The truth whispers as you've always been, wanting more, asking more, expecting more, knowing what beauty and light have been seen and can be again, strength more than can be imagined but not always needing to be proved, allowing self to simply be. Soul whispers be yourself, simply unapologetically, perfectly imperfect, uniquely beautiful, crazy wonderful, you as you are.

© Rosie Chee

BANDAID

MOTIVATIONAL OF THE DAY

Infuse your uniqueness into everything you do. Let your energy sparkle and infect everyone you meet with light. Smile true with happiness and let your inner joy reflect into your world. Be the difference you want to make and remember that any change you desire begins with YOU.

© Rosie Chee​

MOTIVATIONAL OF THE DAY

RELEASE

The smile that was glowing flickers a little and the spark that was becoming brighter suddenly whispers like a ghost in and out of time. Everything that was once so alive feels tired and before you know it days have turned into weeks. When you suddenly become AWARE that you have let that which once did not bother you creep inside and settle on your heart, you need to stop and take a moment.

Your soul longs for the sound of the waves upon the shore. Your body longs for the feel of the sand beneath your bare feet. Your heart longs for the PEACE that can be found in the solitude of losing yourself in the beauty around you and the sheer magnificence of something greater being born in the stillness.

Close your eyes and imagine. Let your mind wander along the shore, your dreams bold in planting their footprints in the sand, unafraid to splash through the waves, your smile and laughter unaffected and pure again. Let your soul out. Release all that which “holds you down” and give it up to the One who always knows and sees and has been waiting for you to UNDERSTAND.

Remember how it felt to be so “light”, the “glow” diffusing throughout your being, your aura “rippling” out like a wave in positive vibration. Remember the joy that turned even the most mundane things into “moments”. Remember the smile that lit you from the inside out so that even YOU noticed the change in yourself and wanted to be “out there” sharing the “happy”.

Sit back and close your eyes. Remember the emotion. Remember the feelings. Remember waking every morning and sensing that something wonderful was about to happen. Something wonderful WAS, because your soul was open and light and ready for anything. Go back to that time and let your soul relax as it releases everything clouding your colour, to once again be FREE.

© Rosie Chee
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Photo by: Danny Fittro

MUA: Katrell Mendenhall