Anger as the catalyst

Podcast

Anger can be a catalyst for profound change. Change is a natural part of the human experience, no matter how much it may be resisted. Learning to flow with change can transform you into your highest self. The you that isn’t afraid to pivot along your journey. Pivoting is what happens when you are dealing with a situation or experience that feels familiar and you decide to take a different course of action than you usually do. A pivot inspires new ways of being. Personally I’ve been pivoting my anger, trying different actions when I am angry as a means of letting it pass through me instead of blocking my heart.

Admitting that I was angry at all was my first step towards changing this aspect of myself. I didn’t fully innerstand what my anger was trying to tell me, or why I yelled even when it made me feel worse. Listening to myself shout let me know I was dealing with something deeper. There is always something deeper, right under the surface, and waiting to receive light. Our anger usually has a lesson to teach us, my anger came to teach me alchemy. Alchemy can look different for everyone, it can be brought about by any element of your life. Making the conscious choice to transmute negative energy into something positive takes practice. Finding your favorite ways to transmute can simply begin with taking care of your needs. I realized when anger comes up for me, my need to be heard and feel safe aren’t being met. These needs gone unaddressed could lead to years of unintended suffering, but by choosing to pivot I am addressing them head on and creating something beautiful in the process.

I am currently learning how to transmute my rage into artwork, writings, and dance. It feels liberating and I am excited to witness my alchemy strengthen to the point where anger doesn’t consume me, but instead guides me. Serving only as a catalyst for the change I so lovingly seek.

For more on the topic of change, check out my podcast that expands on the ways embracing change has aligned me with who I truly am. Thank you for reading and I hope these words helped you in some way, feel free to share this with someone who may benefit!

All the love-

Lee Sunshine

Live Reading of Anger As the Catalyst by Lee Sunshine

grayscale photography of person holding pen

Writers (Un)block

Creation, Poetry

*A windy Moonday afternoon, the fall has arrived*

Words long overdue, gone a bit long without writing

Felt like I’d forgotten how

Words aren’t overdue, just gone unwritten. You’ll never forget how as long as you truly listen 

Words come to me when I welcome them through 

Listening to words of affirmation replenishes my youthful spirit, replaces the doubt and “lack” of vision 

Words within my imagination waiting to be written

There is no such thing as the perfect time, only the now

Just listen

Words within me will not go unwritten

Words within me are not stuck 

Put pen to paper or hands to keyboard

No matter the medium, keep writing 

The more you write, the easier it will be


-Lee Sunshine

Reality Check

Podcast

Episode 7: You Too Are A Lovelee Being

Sometimes, you are the only one who can give you the reality check that you need. In this episode I share some more quotes from The Untethered Soul by Micheal Singer, a book that helped me a lot in 2021. Especially during the time of this recording, I was reflecting on what letting go means to me and honestly trying my best to not give into the trauma responses I was so use to relying on.

Unlearn aspects of self so that you can be the YOU that YOU want to be

I know I don’t have to hold on to hurt or negative feelings, and that letting go is a lifelong learning process. As I play this episode back, listen to my tone and the thoughts I shared, my heart is happy. Two months has gone by since this recording and I can say that Reality checks have gotten much easier. I welcome them now, It is refreshing to be ok with the reality of life. Living with as many blurred edges and out of sight, out of minds as I did left me at point where reality felt too terrifying.

Now I embrace my reality more and more each day, the joys of my life without running away from what is. I started saying new positive affirmations in the rising. Listening to this episode reminded me of one of my old favorite positive affirmations:

My Mind Serves me it does not work against me

Here are some of the quotes I mentioned from the book during the podcast. They each brought up so many feelings for me and made me realize how far I’ve come in my journey of self rediscovery. Reading words like these resonates now more than ever. I really love books, I am so grateful for their ability to capture thoughts for lifetimes.

Untethered Soul quotes

“Ask yourself “who am I” more often, you are not your thoughts”

“Talking releases energy”

“Reality is too real for most of us, so we temper it with the mind”

“True personal growth is about transcending the parts of you that need protection”

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcast and everywhere podcast stream!

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy the episode! For more things You Too Are A LoveLee Being you can follow my blog and Spotify.

As always Love, Sunshine, Peace

-Lee Sunshine

Affirmations to lift you UP

Podcast

Episode 2: You Too Are A Lovelee Being

Saying kind words to myself everyday is one of the ways I have transformed my life. I am a firm believer in the power of spoken word, in this episode I share some of my own affirmations and reflect on why I chose these words to lift me up everyday. For some fun context I recorded this episode in a local park near my home in West side Chicago, IL. As I was sitting in the park a family of ducks were migrating to the other side of the land and it really added to the moment for me.

This year involved a lot of firsts in my life and saying affirmations on a daily basis, even when I didn’t feel like it, was a major first. I consider myself an optimistic person so saying positive things seemed easy enough but I quickly learned that there is much more to affirming ones self than the words alone. All of what we say, our words, have strength and the intention behind them is what really makes the impact that is felt. Wether you believe what you are affirming to be true or not, starting with the words and then flowing into the embodiment of what they mean can create a whole new world of meaning.. This flow is what carries the affirmation from our mind and into our hearts. I am still in the practice of really accepting the flow for what it is. Below I included the affirmations I discuss in this episode. I hope they lift you up and inspire you to create some affirmations of your own.

Affirmations

I am that I am, nothing more nothing less. I am me, blessed. Bless

I can inspire others just by being myself, I am enough

Everything happening now is happening for my ultimate good, everyday I am growing

In this moment and in all moments I am exactly where I am supposed to be

Available of Spotify, Apple podcast, and more!

As Always love and sunshine, Peace

-Lee Sunshine

Value: Lessons from an artist

Podcast

Episode 3: You Too Are A Lovelee Being

There is a lot of greatness to be believed and a lot of greatness to be had in this world.
Lee Sunshine, YouTooAreALoveleeBeing Season 1 episode 3

Streaming on Spotify, Apple podcast, and more!

In this weeks episode I share some of the lessons I learned in the past week when it came to being a full-time artist. I speak about valuing yourself, your gifts, and being in a state of gratitude. Throughout the episode I share some of the positive affirmations I use to reaffirm myself during times of self doubt. 2021 was the year I started to believe in myself in ways that I never have before. I use to rely on external validation to motivate me to go after anything I wanted. It took ample time alone and lots of reflection to realize there is much more value in self validation, especially for talents or personal gifts. I mean who else knows better than YOU, of what YOU are capable of? Learning to accept help even though I have gotten use to, and comfortable with, accomplishing things on my own. It is vital to ask for and accept help while we are on this journey called life. Accepting these aspects of life have helped me step out of my way slowly but surely and allow more blessings to find me. Below you will find the affirmations I discussed in this weeks episode. May they help you when you are in need of a reminder 🙂

AFFIRMATIONS

I will step out of my own way today and I will seize all the opportunities meant for me

There is an infinite amount of potential for your life to be as great as you want it to be

I can do anything I set my heart to do, I know my worth and I value myself

Living in a state of gratitude is the gift that keeps on giving

The little things make all the big things matter, the little things are just as valuable

I will uplift people with my art

As always love and sunshine, Peace.

-Lee Sunshine

My Top 5 Songs of 2021

Music Reviews

#1: Love by Kryptonyte

Not surprised at all that this was my most played song of the year. Spotify blessed me with what has become one of my favorite songs; Love by rap group kryptonyte, and rappers Lord Byron and Pink Siifu. The whole song is a vibe straight from the 90s, it sounds like they went back in time and had a studio session with some west coast favorites of the time. The title does the song justice, each bar hitting a different perspective of ways to show love. The song starts with this bird whistle; a sound hinting at the start to a nice day. Wether helping out a little homie or chilling with your girl and watching Charmed. It is the little things that can show Love the most sometimes.

#2: GEMINI BY PRINCESS NOKIA

In case you were wondering, I am indeed a gemini. Princess Nokia never misses with what she puts out. I just knew once I listened to this double album I’d be a fan for life. After listening to this song everyday for months I earned myself a spot in Princess’s top 0.1% of listeners on Spotify. Listening to this feels like I made the song myself, rapping along to each line, I feel heard when I sing along to this song. The combination of astrology, self portrayal, and poetry creates a song that any gemini can be proud of. The flute sound really does it for me.

#3: EYES WITHOUT A FACE BY BILLY IDOL

I’d heard Billy Idol before, but this quickly became my favorite song of his. My favorite thing about this song is the french lyrics as the hook and the guitar. I imagine how awesome it must have been back when this first came out and people were listening to this live or at clubs. I always end up playing the air guitar at the ending. After a few months of hearing the song I wondered what the meaning behind it was, so naturally I Googled it. Turns out Eyes without a face is based on an old black and white film about a girl without a face. Not only was she faceless but her father spent most of the movie taking the faces of other people to craft a new one for his daughter. Creepy…yet inspiring?

#4: THIS PAINTED WORLD BY SILK RHODES

If I had to choose a song to be the opener to the coming of age film about my life, this right here is IT. I’d never heard Silk Rhodes before hearing this song and it blew my mind. The groovy yet melancholy guitar accompanied by the dreamy lyrics made me seriously reevaluate my reality. I heard this song at a time in my life where I was in need of a perspective change, listening to this everyday gave me that perspective change.

This painted world, life is a dream of reality
now is the time
anything you wanna be

These words helped teach me that I, and no one else, got to decide who I am and what I wanted out of this life. Deep I know, but music is like that. I heard this and had an epiphany, someone else could hear it and it makes them cry. Regardless, the impact will always be there. I am grateful for this song. Thanks Silk Rhodes.

#5: LET THE DRUMS SPEAK BY FATBACK BAND

During my percussion deep dive at the start of the year, I came across this gem. A funky and soulful classic from Fatback Band, Let the drums speak takes you away to a time when music was always performed live. The horns, the drums, the keys, they all speak on Let the drums speak. I love to play this when I want to dance around after sitting for awhile or if I just need a pick me up. The chant in the song are so lovely:

let your love flow to a sweet and simple tune 
let your love flow , let your love flow

I love love and any song that encourages me to affirm love is a great song in my book. Let your love flow freely and enjoy the healing that music can bring. Joyous and upbeat, Let the drums speak speaks straight to the spirit and is sure to get you into the groove.

Thanks for checking out my top 5 of the year, till next week. Peace

-Lee Sunshine

reach for the and blue moon neon signages

Feelings of Inspiration can be Fleeting

Creation

Playlist as I write

Feelings of inspiration can be fleeting. I spent the past week riding the roller coaster that is inspiration. For a series of moments everything truly does feel possible. Everything. Then, for a series of moments things look gray, that is when the worry and or uncertainty begins to cloud the vision. I consider myself a dreamer, someone who feels on the optimistic side of life. Reading books based around spirituality, self-care, and self-love have helped me to strengthen this way of believing. Lately I have had an abundance of inspiration all around me, I am so grateful for it all. Wether I’m at the grocery store or at home watching a documentary, I often find myself inspired by what I witness.

In light of these moments, I had the realization that a dream needs action behind it to come to fruition. Action and commitment despite what may happen along the journey to meeting a dream face to face in reality.

I titled this post ‘Feelings of Inspiration can be fleeting’ because I want to acknowledge the feeling head on. I don’t wish to let the moments of doubt or uncertainty overshadow the motivation I have to seize moments of inspiration for all they can be.

Surely, I am making my way towards my dreams and I’d encourage anyone with a dream to believe in it.

For the moments when the shadows come marching in I like to affirm to myself:

I can do anything I set my heart to do
It is ok to take your time, rushing isn’t a solution
I am free to think, do, and believe as I please
Society doesn’t set my standards for living, I do
Faith leads to success
Put spirit first and everything else follows
Nothing is worth the sacrifice of happiness, nothing

May these help others in times of need, keep on dreaming dreamers and feel the vibes of inspiration all around!

– Lee Sunshine, K.H

The Sounds of Ivery Mack and Remy Shand

Music Reviews

IVERY MACK

First up this week we have Ivery Mack, a local Chicago artist who just dropped his first collective project The Ivery Mack Experience . I had the pleasure of collaborating with Ivery in the making of the Artwork that accompanies this EP. Listening to each track from start to finish you truly get what the title calls for; an Experience. With 6 songs, this EP gives new and og listeners of Ivery Mack a look at what he is capable of. Genre has no restriction to this project. With a beautiful combination of lyricism and original flow, The Ivery Mack Experience is an exploration of multiple sounds with one voice leading the way through. From fiery rock and roll tracks like Fight the machine to the country twang of Little Wings , there is something for everyone who listens to The Ivery Mack Experience.

One of my favorite songs is 1000 MPH. Real movie music vibes, main character working towards his victory type energy.

"The whole world traveling 1000mph 
whose gonna stop you now? "

Clearly nothing is stopping Ivery Mack, not a thing.

Artwork and music go hand in hand with this EP, check out the lyric videos below to see some of the magic behind the cover art.

Created By Lee Sunshine

REMY SHAND

Remy Shand is one of my brothers favorite artist. I use to hear the song Take A Message over and over when I was a kid. I didn’t get it then, but I get it now. Take a message is what I like to call a 50/50 song. 50% of the beauty in this song comes from the message Remy is sharing (haha get it Message). The other 50% are the bongo backed instrumentals and movement in the sounds that shape the song. I haven’t listened to much of Remy’s music, but if this song is any indication of what he is capable of then I imagine it sounds great. I can see how my brother would listen to this and nothing else all night long. This song makes me feel nostalgic and loving, perhaps the way Remy felt?

Mind, Body, Spirit: The connections that make us

Health is Wealth

10/28/21 a dreary Thursday, looking for balance

Being a human being feels like a lot at times. We must take care of ourselves on so many levels. Levels that I am just now discovering as I learn more about who I am. This week I felt off. It took me until today to realize this feeling was because I’m lacking on my me time. The time I spend alone allows me to recharge, to reconnect with me. I am getting familiar with what its like to live comfortably in my solitude, without anticipation. The feeling of being interrupted has always created a sprout of disturbance within me. I realize now that this is because I have not yet grown use to having a safe and peaceful place to just be me. I have had this change in my life, only two years since the time in my journey where I was genuinely lacking in a safe space to just be. I love the space that I have now, I’ve tried to get here and am steadily taking my time to experience and just be with myself.

When I am alone I am able to connect with myself in ways that I am not yet able to when I am around other people. As an empath it usually takes up until I am feeling the unbalance that comes with being a human sponge for all things emotion and energy. My mind feels so expansive, my body feels light today, my spirit feels heard because I am expressing. When I suppress the way I feel the alignment amongst my Mind, Body, & Spirit is compromised. It usually starts in the mind, a preoccupying thought or feeling that I choose to ignore yet think of constantly. Then it affects my body and I push back eating or forget to all together because I am Thinking so much, the mind begins to surpass the body. At this point my spirit is very much alerting me to the disease that my mind and body have now welcomed, this is when I start to grow quiet and turn within. I’ve found that when you speak to your heart and just listen, truly listen to yourself, it will tell you everything you need to know. Our hearts are the center of our Mind, Body, Spirit connection. This week I felt off balance and now I know why, I needed alone time to restore myself and rest in a way that allows silence to open my heart.

I find that lacking expression leads to suppression, to suppress is to help balance become undone. I will take care of myself, health is about more than just our bodies and neglecting one for the other can be harsh in the long run. I am trying harder each day to just let myself be, life is for being. I will be calm,

Yoga: healing through breathing

Health is Wealth

“Spiritual energy is the kind that never runs out.” –

Deepak Chopra (Truth teller)

10/18/21

Where: Moonday Night in the Studio~~~~.

Today was semi-unexpected but turned out pretty cool. I woke up to the pleasant surprise of the Sunshine, it has been pretty yet gloomy here in Chicago, so seeing The Sun so bright was so exciting to see and feel. I began my day and began my yogis on the balcony, right in the sun. With my eyes closed, it nearly felt like a mid-summer day. I was grateful, none the less, with my eyes open to the beauty that was the sky, trees, sunshine and little birds. I started practicing yoga in spring 2020, what a time that was. Like a lot of things, yoga found me. I didn’t take classes or follow along to a video until many months into my new experience with movement, my breath and body. Yoga found me at the perfect time, my time of solitude and silence, with all that time I still wanted to move around. But without too much effort or strain. I was flexible as a kid so falling back into stretching on the floor day to day felt natural to me. Sometimes I like to play music or flow in the quiet. Around the same time I began my daily practice, I quickly realized I’d developed the habit of holding my breath. Having to relearn something I’d been unconsciously doing for so long was tough, it was like I was afraid to breath at times. Baffled at the abundance of air that could flow through me at each moment. Now as I write this I am breathing through my nose and from my stomach. Yoga has gifted me with the power of my breath. I am no longer afraid to breath deeply or even to sigh every now and again. Breathing feels good. I proclaimed a year ago that I would feel every breath I take for the rest of my life, they are so precious. Connecting with my breath through yoga each day, even when I don’t physically feel like it, has helped me to build strength. Physically, mentally, and spiritually. Being able to sit in silence and just breath is one of the most peaceful experiences that I will treasure for life. Take time to connect with your breath, it keeps you going, it makes your heart happy. Life is truly a healing journey. I am choosing to heal one step at a time, in all the ways that will find me. Bless