“I ᗯIᔕᕼ YOᑌ ᗩᑎᗪ YOᑌᖇ ᖴᗩᗰIᒪY ᗩ ᐯEᖇY ᗰEᖇᖇY ᑕᕼᖇIᔕTᗰᗩᔕ ᖴIᒪᒪEᗪ ᗯITᕼ ᒪOᐯE ᗩᑎᗪ ᒍOY. ” I am home with my family – already cozy in my jammies with a full heart and a full tummy! I feel grateful that I can be with them- and I am truly with them. We talked and laughed and listened with each other. What a gift. There have been times in my life when that wasn’t possible. If you are struggling in any way, please reach out to me or someone … anyone. You are not alone. Please take care of yourselves and of each other. Please, let’s go out of our way for homeless, abused, or neglected animals. Everyone, every day, in every way needs Love. We are all one- in spite of how we may feel. Merry Merry and Happy Everything. Sending each and every one of you so much love. ♥️ Photo by: @ashleyjchavana Hair by: @coifsalon Skin by: @beautynursepdx
I ᒪOᐯE YOᑌ. YOᑌ’ᖇE ᑭᖇOᗷᗩᗷᒪY TᕼIᑎKIᑎG “YOᑌ ᗪOᑎT EᐯEᑎ KᑎOᗯ ᗰE.” ᗷᑌT Iᖴ ᑭEOᑭᒪE ᑕᗩᑎ ᕼᗩTE ᖴOᖇ ᑎO ᖇEᗩᔕOᑎ TᕼEᑎ TᕼEY ᑕᗩᑎ ᒪOᐯE.♥️ So much good is happening in the world right now. It gives me so much hope. That’s how I feel today… hopeful. Let’s all keep fighting the good fight!! Sending each and every one of you so much love. ♥️ Photo: @ashleyjchavana Skincare: @bensiskincare @bensimoncenter Hair: @cindycoif
ᒪOᐯE Iᔕ ᗩᑎ ᗩᑕTIOᑎ. This past week has been devastating. Let’s face it. Devastating. We have watched a man get murdered, we have experienced uncertainty, and we have seen a nation become destroyed by violence. What I have also seen is our community showing up together in connection and harmony. 1/4 of a mile from my house while looters were destroying businesses, there were also thousands of people walking together in peaceful protest. I feel for everybody. We are a nation divided. This is the hard reality. So… how can I help? What’s something I can do that will somehow make a difference? I can help the guy who’s store was destroyed, clean up. I can continue to send love out to everyone. I can sit in gentle contemplation and know that we are all connected. This may sound ridiculous to some of you. It may feel like it’s not enough. For me, the more present I stay in my life, the more service I can be to those right in front of me. This is an opportunity for me to show up in total love and in service. It’s not easy. Take good care of yourselves and each other. I am sending each and every one of you so much love.❤️ Skin care: @bensiskincare
LIVING IN QUARANTINE How can we stay open, honest, and willing during these uncertain times? How can we show up in joy and in service on ZOOM? How do we focus on what is good and true and correct? How we use our imagination and stay creative? Some days we thrive. Other days we don’t. Some moments we are laughing and filled with hope and joy. Some days we can’t figure out what to do or how we are going to survive. All of these things can be true at any given moment. Remember that everything is always changing. Nothing is permanent… Not our thoughts or our current situations or this world pandemic. This picture was taken by @jeffkobermeditation. He does what’s called Tin type photography. You must stay perfectly still when he is taking the picture. This picture of me looks so much like my Dad. He captured my dad’s essence perfectly. How is everybody doing? I am missing all of you and sending each and every one of you so much love! ❤️
ᗯᕼOᒪE ᒪOTTᗩ ᒪOᐯE♥️ That’s what we can give. That’s what I can do. No matter what is happening, Love is the only answer. Love for all creatures. Love myself. Love people who I disagree with. Love to anyone or anything I come into contact with. It’s not easy. It requires effort sometimes. There are days when I fail. There are moments that I think negative thoughts and must always come back. Come back to love. Sending each and every one of you so much love ❤️ Photo: @ashleyjchavana Skincare @bensiskincare @bensimoncenter
“YOᑌ ᗩᖇE IᗰᑭEᖇᖴEᑕT, ᑭEᖇᗰᗩᑎEᑎTᒪY ᗩᑎᗪ IᑎEᐯITᗩᗷᒪY ᖴᒪᗩᗯEᗪ. ᗩᑎᗪ YOᑌ ᗩᖇE ᗷEᗩᑌTIᖴᑌᒪ.” This reminds me that i don’t need to be perfect . That there is no such thing as perfection. That real beauty lies in the mistakes and messes of life. I don’t know about you but I can get caught up in things being a certain way. That if I can just get something to be “right” then I can… what? Graduate to the next level? Those are some old beliefs that I still have. When I allow things to unfold EXACTLY as they are, in Universal Order, then I am in much less danger of trying to control the situation or of being upset. Practicing meditation helps me to live in the impermanence of now. The mess of this moment. What a relief to know that we are all imperfect and flawed and permanently beautiful! I am sending each and every one of you so much love. ❤️ Photo: @ashleyjchavana Skincare: @bensiskincare
“When a dog looks at you, the dog is not thinking about what kind of person you are.” This makes me laugh- mostly because it’s true. I can get so caught up in how I am being perceived, what people are thinking about me, what they’re saying about me. I can fill my head with thoughts that I “shouldn’t have said this” or “wish I wouldn’t have done that…” That kind of thing. Let’s all be so kind to ourselves today. Let’s speak with the utmost respect and honor ourselves for the amazing people we are. I am sending each and every one of you so much love.
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. “Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves WHO AM I TO HE GORGEOUS, TALENTED, and FABULOUS? Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing my enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you….” This quote from Marianne Williamson is my favorite of all time. I experience moments of doubt and insecurity and then flashes of the knowing that all is well and I am living my best life. I think of what “other” people may think of me and it doesn’t seem to be kind or positive. My Higher Self ONLY wants me to thrive and to lead with LOVE. My lower self, shadow side, ego… is always trying to make me doubt and believe old ideas about myself. Today I am choosing to live in the Light. Today I am choosing my to Lead with Love. I am sending each and every one of you so much Love. ♥️ @mariannewilliamson Photo: @jenniferalysephotographer Hair: @cindycoif Skin: @beautynursepdx
“ᗯOᖇᒪᗪ ᑭEᗩᑕE ᗷEGIᑎᔕ ᗯITᕼ IᑎᑎEᖇ ᑭEᗩᑕE.” These times are difficult. The world is divided. How can I stay connected and whole throughout all the disconnect? With prayer and meditation. By de-exciting my mind and tapping into our God given bliss. That is the teaching of @jeffkobermeditation . I am grateful today that I can sit with myself and practice kindness regardless. I am sending each and every one of you so much love. ❤️ Photo: @ashleyjchavana Skincare: @bensiskincare
“ᑕᒪᗩᖇIᖴY ᗯᕼᗩT YOᑌ ᗩᖇE ᖴOᖇ, ᑎOT ᗩGᗩIᑎᔕT. TᕼIᔕ Iᔕ TᖇᑌE ᑭOᗯEᖇ.” My post birthday days have been lovely. I am feeling more and more at ease with myself. I am grateful for every difficult and dark time i have had. That is a pretty bold statement – since there have been many. I am showing up today and willing to look at myself square in the eyes. In fact, the other day i looked in the mirror, wished myself a happy birthday, and told myself how proud I am. I spoke to myself the same way i would speak to someone that I love very much. Thank you for everyone and everything that has crossed my path. I am truly living my best life- regardless of the outside circumstances. Sending each and every one of you so much love.❤️ Hair: @cindycoif Skin: @beautynursepdx
♥️LOVE EVERYTHING ♥️ #fbf flash back Friday with my angels. This picture was taken in 2015. I was living in my home town Portland with Omar and Grace. I haven’t been on social media for the last few weeks- something came over me and I started paying closer attention to my life. Don’t get me wrong, love Instagram and Facebook. I love following and liking the pictures of friends near and far. I received a message from @jeffkobermeditation reminding me to LOVE EVERYTHING. That’s means all the perceived “good” and all the interpreted “bad.” The universe is Conspiring FOR our HIGHEST GOOD. Let’s all remember that today. Whatever we view as an obstacle, is Nature nudging is in another direction. The direction of YES. I am sending each and every one of you so much love. ❤️ Photo: @lavendascloset
“ᕼOᑭE Iᑎ ᑌᑎᑕEᖇTᗩIᑎ TIᗰEᔕ” Whenever people ask me how I have been during this time, I always seem to answer “I’m grateful.” I know that sounds corny yet… it’s true! I have been keeping a routine. I don’t know about you but I need a schedule -some kind of regimented activity. I have been running in the morning , doing a daily meditation (twice a day @jeffkobermeditation!), delivering food to elderly, walking the dogs, calling my mom, and staying open to side job opportunities. That said, I can still feel restless, irritable, and discontent. Fear creeps in. Then I remember that we are all something greater than our small minds and ego. When I get overwhelmed, confused, or scared I get to remember that it will pass. All of it. The highs and the lows. The delight and the despair. Let me know how you’re doing… if you’d like. I love to hear from you! I am sending each and every one of you so much love. Photo: @jbheadshots Skin care: @bensiskincare @bensimoncenter Hair: @cindycoif
ᕼOᗯ ᗩᖇE YOᑌ ᗪOIᑎG? Have you noticed the change in people? How kind and generous they can be during this time? How they’re outside walking and riding their bikes? Neighbors are having block parties and kids are running around in their yards. Right now, A lot of us have time. More time than we’ve ever really had. And each day is completely different (even if it can feel the same!) How are you spending your time? How are you taking care of yourselves and of your loved ones? How are you adding to the flow? What’s changed in you? And how can we keep this generosity of spirit when everything opens back up?? I love hearing from you. Please let me know how and what you’re doing! Some of you DM me- which I LOVE!♥ Sending each and every one of you so much love. ❤️ Photo: @jbheadshots Skin care: @bensiskincare @bensimoncenter
“Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.” This feels so applicable right now. We are all in this together. I am understanding the reality of this epidemic. What I don’t know about are the consequences of it. All I can do is stay calm, quiet, loving, and in service. That’s it. That is all any of us can control: our attitudes and our efforts. That’s it. There is no amount of toilet paper that can change our attitude and outlook on life. What we can do is to understand that who we are never changes. Our Spirit is what lies underneath all of this. It exists always. Never changing. Always present. I am sending each and every one of you so much love. Today. Always. Stay safe and continue to wash your hands!! 😷
“You are what you believe yourself to be.” This is so fitting for me right now. I have been practicing gratitude and abundance for the past month or so. It is changing the way I think which is changing the way I feel which is changing the way I view the world. The other day i had a hard time dealing with unemployment benefits. Can anyone relate? It was very difficult and frustrating to navigate through. Today I feel different. It passes. It always passes. Today I am grateful for knowing that everything comes to pass, it doesn’t come to stay. Sending each and every one of you so much love. Skin care: @bensiskincare @bensimoncenter @beautynursepdx Hair: @cindycoif Photo: @ashleyjchavana
“Sometimes the source of your joy is your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” The other way I think of that saying is “when we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change.” I have been experiencing beautiful days these past couple of weeks. Truly enjoying and bringing joy and service wherever I go. There is some facet of my life that is NOT bringing me joy. Some person and situation that is bothering me. I can either complain and gossip about it or I can remember two things: 1. nothing is personal. The only thing I can control is my attitude and outlook. 2. Whatever the situation is, I will only add more discourse if I fight it and retaliate. What I CAN do, is make a decision. I either stay in my present circumstances , accept what is happening, and change MY position OR I can leave the situation all together (in love and in service) and move on with my life. Those are my options. I am pretty sure I know the answer (it’s the 2nd one!). I would be lying if I said I wasn’t feeling afraid. I am sending each and every one of you so much love. ♥️ Photo: @ashleyjchavana Hair: @cindycoif Skin: @bensimoncenter bensimon @abbabensi
Yes. I let me dogs kiss my face. Nope. I don’t think it’s gross! I know…I know. Dogs can eat stuff that you don’t want near your mouth. I get it! I simply love dog kisses. I do. During this time of quarantine, how are you holding up? How are you staying positive? What are you doing to stay in the FLOW of life? Are you playing your guitar that you hadn’t touched in years? Are you reading those books that You said you wanted to read? Doing online yoga? Playing outside? Simply getting some long over due rest? It doesn’t really matter what it is as long as you are doing it with love. These are different times. We are ALL in a state of uncertainty- all of us. I have talked to people who are absolutely thriving and people who are planning the end of the world because all they do is watch the news. I choose to do the former . I choose to stay present in today and to not let my speculating mind freak me out. Yes there are moments when things feel odd yet overall, I am trusting that everything is okay. One of the keys to staying grounded for me is meditation. If you’ve been doing a meditation practice for a while, this is a good time to continue. If you’ve never done it, this is a perfect time to start. If it sounds ridiculous to you, I get it. I just know that for me, it has helped to pass along love and service to others who may be struggling. I am sending each and every one of you so much love. Photo: @lavendascloset Face: @beautynursepdx
“A new freedom and a new happiness…” Thank You. That is how i feel today. So much to be grateful for. It’s true what they say- “What we focus on grows.” This holiday season, may we all take one moment every day to look around and see the beauty, the abundance and how truly connected we really are. We are ONE. When my thinking strays into separateness and misunderstanding, I become alone with my thoughts and can believe the old negative beliefs that keep ME from YOU. I am sending each and every one of you so much love.♥️ Tank by: @go_om_yourself (Check them out!)
“Please help me to set aside everything I think I know about you, everything I think I know about myself, everything i think i know about others…” When I think I know everything, I am unteachable. When i am unteachable, i am unreachable. I can get into thinking I know what’s best for you or me when what’s really going on is that I am afraid. Afraid of the unknown. Today, I am going to say that “set aside prayer” every time I think I have all the answers. I am going to pause when I am “certain” about something and let whatever comes to me, come to me. None of us know. All I can do is to show up in love and in joy and in service- moment to moment. That is my Intention. Sending each and every one of you so much love. ❤️ Tintype Photo: @jeffkobermeditation Skin care: @bensiskincare @bensimoncenter Hair: @cindycoif
“The theatre is so endlessly fascinating because it’s so accidental. It’s so much like life.” I had the best time doing BIRTHDAY WISH at @loftensemble. We opened to sold out shows and closed to sold out shows. I had not done a play since I was in Portland 4 1/2 years ago. It was exciting, difficult, energizing, painful, fun and life affirming. I LOVED it! Thank you to everyone who came to see the show. Your love and support means the world to me. I am beyond grateful to be living out my life’s dream in Los Angeles. This is the only thing I have ever wanted to do and I get to do it!! That said, It’s hard. Some days I’m not sure what I am doing or how to do it! Some days I wake up with full Spirit and Intention – other days I get out of bed unable to see clearly. When those days happen, I sit on my meditation chair and remember that I am connected to something greater. A Higher Source that is ALWAYS Conspiring FOR my Highest Good. I do this when I feel I am in the flow and when I bump up against obstacles. This is true for all of us. We are ALL connected to something Greater. We are ALL filled with joy and love and spirit. All we have to do is remember. Sending each and every one of you so much love ❤️
SO proud to be a part of the world premier of BIRTHDAY WISH at @loftensemble. Sold out opening weekend is a thrill. We have added 2 shows next Saturday and Sunday. Come check it out! https://www.artful.ly/loftensemble/store/events/19691 Thank you @heyvictoriaanne This amazing cast and crew, and for all the people out there who have survived their crazy families.
TᕼE OᑭᑭOᔕITE Oᖴ ᗪIᐯIᔕIOᑎ Iᔕ ᑕOᑎᑎEᑕTIOᑎ. My intention today and every day is to stay connected. To not buy into the belief that we are separate. We can stay in LOVE. We can remember that who we are under all of this is LOVE. This is my vow. That regardless of what the world tells me, I am ONE with YOU and I love you. Sending each and every one of you so much love ❤️
“ᑕOᗰᑭᗩᔕᔕIOᑎ Iᔕ TᕼE GᖇEᗩTEᔕT ᖴOᖇᗰ Oᖴ ᒪOᐯE TᕼᗩT ᕼᑌᗰᗩᑎᔕ ᕼᗩᐯE TO OᖴᖴEᖇ.” I’m so happy to be a part of this new @bensiskincare promotion through ShopBensiSkin.com (link in bio). You can save 10% on your entire order by using promo code JANALEE10 at checkout!! I know that a lot of you are just as serious about Cruelty-Free living as I am. There are so many skincare and cosmetic companies out there that still send their products to other countries for animal testing. BensiSkin products are all vegan, Cruelty-Free, and safe! This promotion ends June 15th: I highly recommend you go to ShopBensiSkin.com right away! Sending each and every one of you so much love. ❤️
