The Power of Belief and Music

The one hit wonder Rapper M.I.M.S (This Is Why I'm Hot) said that his name stood for "Music Is My Savior" which I thought was great. Music certainly is my (and no doubt many others) savior as words are extremely effective (no matter who tries to deny it). Words can motivate, destroy, convince, manipulate, encourage, reward, build or break you, whether they be spoken directly to you by someone, seen in writing or heard from a Motivational Speaker/Preacher/Politician/Cult Leader or in a song. When words touch you, they touch you and in many cases really hit home so to speak. 

The past year I have been travelling around Africa (East and South this time) and much took place while I was working on my new book and considering a new country to plant roots. It became extremely adventurous and tumultuous as one can imagine, for me as a solo female traveller being extremely ambitious with my goals between very different countries. So much so that spiralling events began to take its toll, push me to the limit and have me seriously doubt myself, which is dangerous as much as it is scary especially for a Creative Freelancer and what have you.

Words and events often control what we think and believe. Despite all the wonderful things that I have experienced on my travels, recent events and bad words in my head including some from opposing folk whom I know personally, have lead (led to some of you) me to think the worst of the situation and truly disrupted my faith in my mission. Naturally this was soul crushing and was stopping me from moving forward or moving at all, because I had to get my mind right by putting sensibility before sensitivity in order to do what I came to do.

Never in my life have I become so spiritual (although still not religious) as my faith had to carry me through alot of sh*t, plenty of unforeseen sh*t and miracles that took place as a direct result of my faith and it was amazing! I have been left truly awe inspired in amazement at the great turn of events that worked out in my favour due to my new found heightened amount of FAITH & BELIEF, in what I wanted and needed to happen and it has just been astonishing. 

There were quite a few moments where either my life or my livelihood were in serious jeopardy; I panicked, refocused, believed in the seemingly impossible and got it together. With the help of those who love and support me but overall it felt spiritual on more than one occasion. In any case, regardless of the practical things that unfolded, I knew that I had to BELIEVE in my ability, my determination, zest and zeal to make it happen in order to even have the opportunity for my resources to become available to me. 

There was a particular stressful week when I was in Rwanda that was just unbelievably difficult, especially considering certain things that happened prior thus it felt completely unjust, I was in disbelief at what was transpiring and at a complete loss of patience. To take myself out of my stagnant sorrow I needed some inspiration and soul soothing words to basically hug and encourage me. 

Beyond playing my 'Uplifting/Motivational Playlist' that I think many people should create if and when in need, lucky for me I had my very own (written) self-help book to turn to of well thought-out, empowering,  motivational and inspirational quotes that I just published. Of which I wrote so passionately that I could quite literally turn to it myself when in need AND IT F'IN WORKED! By the way, I keep swearing because I'm excited, my vocabulary is emotionally driven at present, not decisively crass.

The quotes that I randomly read hit home so hard that it wasn't funny, but it was wonderful. Wonderful and necessary 'motivational quotes' indeed! The one I wrote about believing in one self by investing in one self, was what I needed to reconcile with to myself.

I had to remind myself that I didn't come this far, to only come this far. Nor was I going to allow myself to just rely on others to invest in me, or for me to half-step how much I was emotionally investing in myself when I knew that it wasn't enough. I knew that I had to fully invest in myself and my goals not just financially but physically and emotionally no matter how weak I felt at the time, and I sh*t you not my strength came right back! 

On more serious occasions I had to remind myself that I can move mountains and come out of the situations that I felt stuck in. It was this self-coaching mentality that got me by and believe it or not it was also certain songs that kept my goal-getting adrenaline pumping (not meant to rhyme).

The songs that I have been listening to on repeat lately due to my new need and new found attraction for them, are by Whitney Houston of all people! Specifically Step by Step and When You Believe featuring Mariah Carey (and written by Babyface!!!). I have a new found respect for Whitney's music catalogue of being so much more than just ballads, rest her wonderful soul. This was briefly echoed in my tweets and Facebook posts from last year for the same reason, as I came to realise that there were at least three songs that I can name (including the two previously mentioned and The Greatest Love of All which was taught to me at primary school in order for us to see our potential and develop self-esteem, which I took for granted at the tender age of six years old).

I had to laugh through my anxiety when I found myself breaking into song from a random lyric of Step by Step with 'Come on baby got to keep moving, come on baby...' and had to play it on YouTube immediately when I remembered where the lyrics came from. Yet nothing, can compare to the emotional response that I have in my adult age whenever I listen to the lyrics of When You Believe, of which I cannot believe that I only recently discovered was written by the same lyrical genius who wrote the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack oh my days!

'We were moving mountains long, before we knew we cooooouuuuld......Though hope is frail, it's hard to kiiilllllll.....Who knows what miracles you can achieve.....when you beliiieeeeevve....somehow you wiiillll, you will when yooouuu belieeeeeeve........and it's easy to give in to your fears.....but when you're blinded  by your faith.......'

Oh my goodness those diva's, TRUE DIVA'S- GONE ARE THE DAYS! Sang the f**k out of that song. Their brilliant range of vocals singing passionate words of reason, fill me with such optimism. Words and the gift of song are so damn powerful. That song in particular, as well as my 2021 mantra of "Faith above fear," made me check myself and elevate myself accordingly, on what became a literal journey of self-discovery. It was beautiful you should've seen it, I MOVED MOUNTAINS! Miracles happened and it brought me plenty tears of joy. Overwhelming joy.

Those instances affected me both personally and professionally in the best possible way. However, the song in the soundtrack to my life since that's what they are appearing to be lol, was Believe by Raheem DeVaughn which you will understand more when you follow my Instagram video link below. I heard that song differently a particular morning of an immense amount of unnecessary stress that had been piling up for weeks (in Namibia) on an empty stomach. Via YouTube's algorithm that song came just on time- and with no interrupting ads. It was a very mindful moment and reminded me to believe in myself as I stated in my quote book and to trust in my purpose, period.

I say all this to remind others in similar situations whose faith is shattered or on the verge of being so, perhaps dwelling in self-doubt and pessimism for whatever reason and generally feeling overwhelmed with discouragement and negativity- IT WILL PASS. YOU CAN COME OUT OF IT, STARTING WITH YOUR MINDSET. Just breathe....focus, reboot, reset, restart and HAVE FAITH in what you are doing and what you want the outcome to be. I'd like to redirect you to the video recording that I did the day that I came to that realisation and decided to share how I was feeling with my audience.

Watch my video clip on my Instagram

#WellnessWednesday

As this month of Mental Health Awareness marks nearly a full year since the limited release of my exclusive quote book from Infiniti Promotions merchandise, I will give readers a 25% discount for you to order a CUSTOM VERSION of personalised #ILoveMyselfBecause quotes for me to create for you (normally £100). Just put the discount code MHAM2225 in the subject line in an email, give me a brief of your request and send it to LKsamuels@infinitipromotions.co.uk. Making these quote books is one of the best things that I've ever done so I am more than happy to keep making them for those who need them most.

Love Lauren

New Book With a WELLNESS Special!

 

I recall a Chef once saying that his father taught him "Whatever you do in life, make sure that you're proud of it." And man, I am so unbelievably proud of this new publication as its purpose is so positively wonderful and its effect is immediate, it even works on me!

Such as my first book (a poetry collection), this came sudden and was prompted by the sad attitudes that rare their ugly heads around Valentine's Day. This year, I particularly found that alot of the hate and anger from those bitchin' about Valentine's Day was largely out of shame and bitterness for happy couples or towards those that had someone to love and was loved. 

At the end of the day, the common denominator from those vocal individuals, in my observational opinion, was that they did not love themselves. This is a common problem among many people regardless of the event, the country or generation and it's sad. Many of us do not truly, love ourselves, thus act like an arse and spew out negativity and hateful behaviour towards others and sadly ourselves as a result. I am not here for it!

Hence how the average grown bully or trouble-making child, are mostly found acting up because deep down they need a hug, have been bullied themselves, been made to feel unworthy and feel the need to take it out on other people with their foul actions and hurtful words. I am SO NOT HERE FOR IT. Especially the old ones that still want to carry on with such foolishness because they refused to work on themselves. YOU NEED TO HEAL. 

Certain reality TV stars come to mind as I express this and recall some dreadful, 'asking for a slap' behaviour that I have witnessed on television (rightfully deemed as "the idiot box" quoted by Spike Lee) but I shall not credit or shame them on my post of excitement. What I have to share is honestly coming from a positive place my loves, I just have to explain myself to bring more context for you to understand why and how it came to be.

Now I know that many people talk sh*t, preach at you and like to judge while reprimanding others about their short-comings without offering to assist, that's not me. I am offering to assist, my book was made to assist you with that struggle (if you have it) which does not need to be as 'uphill' as it may seem. 

Naturally, as a Writer I know for a fact that words are extremely powerful and can be very healing, uplifting or damaging, which is why my purpose is to reduce the negative and malicious words being put out there or lingering in your mind about how you value yourself (during any season that may make you feel otherwise) and to increase, better yet replace it with positive inspiring words to engrain in your brain and thrive with emotionally. Your mental wellbeing is everything, EVERYTHING I tell you.

This book is about encouraging people with a low self-esteem, those with any level of self-hatred, those dealing with any sort of depression or self-pity, whether you are a man, woman, single, boo'd up, promiscuous, married or divorced. This brilliant book which I very much consider it to be, is to get you to believe in yourself, think highly of yourself (humbly), to generally feel better about putting mindful practice into your personal growth! Pick yourself back up, correct yourself, check yourself, comfort yourself mentally as opposed to beat yourself up (too many of us do that, I've been there) and most of all LOVE YOURSELF! 

Love yourself, respect yourself, know yourself, better yourself, hug yourself with your kind words instead of criticism. Certain messages that I wrote in this book came with the aim to stop you (some people I know personally) from the bad habit of rejecting yourself of feeling better about yourself, and subsequently stop pushing others away because you have a habit of doing as such out of fear of being accepted or not being worthy. YOU ARE WORTHY IF YOU ACT AND ACKNOWLEDGE YOURSELF AS SUCH.

Ahh! You have no idea how much this means to me. I put alot of energy- POSITIVE ENERGY into this my lovelies. This self-help book of motivational, inspirational quotes and affirmations has also enhanced my own personal wellbeing. This is due to all the primary and secondary research gone into it, writing, re-writing, editing and proofreading drafts of the somewhat spiritual (it hit me spiritually) content that helped me keep my own mental health in check, during the process of indecisively selecting and more so repeating said quotes back to myself consciously. 

By the time I got to the final draft, I was shouting them out like I was in the last round of a group therapy session being cheered on by fellow participants, theoretically speaking. I felt great, and proud of what I had achieved emotionally in my own life from what I had written. I always like to practice what I preach so to speak, and if I am going to publish something that has a certain type of message or strong influence, it is important to me that I believe in it too or I won't release it. I have to feel as good or just as inspired as I want my audience to feel. And I do! It feels wonderful. Yet again, I was working on another book project which was long-awaited and no doubt angry with me (I humanise my projects such as many others humanise their cars etc), then I spontaneously released this project replacing its priority....but it was and is worth-it as it will help many (not meant to rhyme).

So in honour of Mental Health Awareness Month of which I only became aware of far into the month by the way, I am offering an added discount off of the books' pre-release price. It has yet to be released on my Infiniti Promotions website of where it will be on sale as official merchandise, hence the branded colour scheme. Appropriately titled #ILoveMyselfBecause, of where the hashtag was additionally intended to contribute to the social media conversation and the lack of social conversation in this regard.

To get your hands on your doubly discounted copy or to buy one for someone you know in need, simply message me via email, comment or DM me on my blog or social media pages; Twitter, Instagram, Facebook quoting the discount code! I will then send you back an invoice with secure payment options applicable for any currency, just as I would do for my card service and post the book out to you. Get your orders in people and regardless of the month or celebration; better yourselves, be kind to yourselves and take care of yourselves mentally and physically.

Love Lauren

ORDER NOW

#ILoveMyselfBecause

(PRE-RELEASE PRICE) £17.99

EXTRA 25% OFF DISCOUNT CODE: MHAW25