Mental?! No! My Health's Fine...

So it's been a while since I've been here, but I felt the need to express my mind...

The other morning on the way to work and in particular a Mental Health and Wellbeing event, I experienced what is known as stigma towards a young black man on the Tube,

I could not hear what was going on, as had headphones in listening to music and was distracted from the book I was reading, but it was the slightest

glance up and the reaction and vibrations I felt from other passengers, that made me put my book down to focus on what was going.

The guy in question was asking an old Jamaican guy sitting next to me if he could move and let him sit there, the Jamaican guy - not realising this man was a mental health patient - then started speaking back loudly saying he wouldn't move.

I took an earpiece out to let them know he was a mental health patient, but the elderly man did not care and was being defiant about not moving.

The reason I knew this guy had a mental health disability, was only because I had seen the same guy a couple of weeks prior to this, on a fairly empty tube standing by the doors and shouting at them in transit.

I looked at the young man, offered him my seat...he said no, he wanted the elderly man's seat next to me, the elderly man was getting angrier, I then stood up, politely pointed to my seat and suggested the guy to sit there...he sat on the edge, looking afraid of everyone else starring at him around him...

Within 3 minutes said same guy stood up, walked towards me (I was now sitting diagonally opposite to where I previously was) and asked the lady next to me if he could sit in her seat, which happened to be on the left side of me.

The young lady (having been witness to everything that had happened) stood up and allowed the guy to sit down. He took his coat off, finally relaxed, then rested his hand towards the side between us. He remained relaxed, quiet and calm even after I got off at my stop...which goes to show he just wanted to feel comfortable around someone's energy - makes me feel he must have felt threatened by those around him and that is incredibly sad, as we are all people with feelings...

Anyone getting on the tube afterwards would never have known the commotion that was going on, but it made me think, of all the Disabilities, there is no badge or physical sign for those with mental health issues, bearing in mind the MAJORITY OF US have either have had some form of experience whether it be PERSONALLY or whether it's SOMEONE WE KNOW AND /OR LOVE.

Why in 2016, is this subject STILL SO TABOO?

In a world where sex advertises regularly on TV, where murder is shown on the news to scaremonger, where drugs are open to everyone, but many people are still afraid to speak up about mental health?!?!

So the next time you're out and about and see someone talking loudly to themselves or acting strangely, how about doing something different, like showing some love and compassion instead of steering away and laughing...

Because you never know one day, that person could be someone you know or even you...

'Til Next Time,

Sunshine Xx

Empowerment - The Gift We Should ALL Be Giving.

So it was recently after meeting another random soul along my travels, they brought it to my attention that the traits I possess and have always had, are not naturally encompassed by all.

I have always been an empathetic person, from as far back as I can remember and aware of people and my surroundings, but I find it hard to understand why everybody isn't..?
I mean, it's really not that hard to keep an eye out for people...

Why is it easier for people to knock others down, instead of building them up and encouraging them to be the best they can be..?

It's becoming more and more apparent with people from what I am witnessing around me.

I am luck to be blessed with a loving network around me, who inspire me as much as I do them, but if we all took the time to do this, then it would encourage people to feel better about themselves and start building confidence from within and it's the core which we all need to continuously work on.

This also crosses over into class divides too, seems the higher class of person is respected and treated better than the working class, but WHY?

WE ARE ALL HUMANS WHO FEEL.

It appears that if people start progressing and thinking they have the abilities to follow their dreams, it is frowned upon and that people start getting "above their stations" just because they have the determination to live a life more content.

Do people do this because they are scared if someone has higher self-esteem they will progress further than the next person?

So what if they do?!?
Have you ever thought to yourself...if they are your true friends, they would be accompanying you on the journey to a better life anyway...or perhaps the question should be, are these people really your friends?

And what is it within ourselves that makes many of us afraid to break the chain of negative thinking? 
Yes it is hard, yes it is a struggle and for some of us, it's all we know from our life's trials and tribulations and the way we are raised...

But when we start changing this self-demeaning habits, life begins to turn around into may positives, it's a lot easier and happier living with a positive mindset, than a negative,"it's never going to happen for me" one. 
But it's all about re-training our brains to believe that WE ARE ALL WORTH IT, WE CAN DO IT AND ACHIEVE WITH IT!!

It's then UP TO US to spread the word to others to make us a POSITIVE GROUP COLLECTIVE of MAJORITY.

Prime examples in the news recently have been Will Smith boycotting the Oscars and Beyonce's Performance at the Superbowl - it is so refreshing to see people who have positions in power trying to make a statement for others, as it done with heart, yes it may bring them more attention as a result, but they included in the message they are trying to communicate.

I have opened doors and encouraged many people, often without a thank you, but I do not do it to be thanked...
I love nothing more than planting seeds, observing people as they evolve and grow confidence within themselves to realise their own abilities then watching them fly!!

I - and many other inspiring people I have a the honor of knowing - are proof that you can do anything if you put your mind to it.

Ask the Universe it will guide, direct and show you the way...sometimes along the way you then discover it's not what you wanted and then it might take you into a different direction, which is usually considered by others to be the harder road but more often than not an immense amount more fun to travel down!

The people in my life know the dream is to create empowerment to strengthen Communities and I have already made steps to do this and plan a bigger impact, but in the meanwhile I will use my posts as a tool to sound the Trumpet and celebrate the awe-inspiring projects, ceremonies, the small businesses and music functions coming your way, the unknown unsung Warriors and Angels who are bringing light and love to the environment around them.

In the meantime when you're out and about and you notice something great happening or somebody doing something magical - tell them!

If you think a friend has a talent they don't know about, make that suggestion you might have been holding back for years...it really is that simple!

By empowering others, we also enrich ourselves with serotonin-like feelings, as you cannot help but feel great when you know deep in your heart you've done the right thing and turned someone else's day around and shone your light their way.

So if you do know if anything happening in your areas and would like me to feature you, please reach out and send me a message and I'll be more than happy to shower you with light and make your cause shine brighter!!

2016 - Welcome to the Year of the Monkey.

Here in lies today is the start of Year of the Red Monkey - Happy New Years to all my friends in Asia, here and across the World!!

The Monkey is known for being playful and quick witted, so with that in mind, I think it's going to be a fun year -regardless of it being thought of as one of the unluckiest for some - that does not mean us all!
There'll be a big celebration in Central London (usually Soho) this Sunday 14th Feb, which is the biggest outside of China, parade starts at 10am.

So it's already been a busy start to the year, what with Birthdays, a fab surprise weekend in Liverpool and some live band fun at Mardi Gras 7 Suns and BYOB were particular highlights @ Pop, Brixton.

I've noticed a lot of bars are now encompassing Sports, which I've been invited to, those being Plonk & Bar Kick in Hoxton and Bounce in Farringdon. 

I can highly recommend Plonk and Bar Kick for a get together, but I'm not yet sold on Bounce yet as it's more of a club vibe and I think a dance floor should be used for dancing, unless the DJ's aren't any good so they need to fill it for that purpose...

Anyho, back to the year ahead and it's already a goodie...

The end of this month will find me somewhere rather spiritual, but I'll report on that when I get there, as it's a surprise!!

Next month we find one of my favs it's it's my Earth day month, Easter and the official start of Spring and that means warmer weather - WHOOO HOOOO!!

https://www.facebook.com/DeepIntoSoul/?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/events/1954187791473158/

http://www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?796007

I'm super excited that one of my funnest musical nights in the calendar just so happens to be on and will definitely be dancing my toes off at Deep Into Soul 5th Birthday Bash -Prince of Wales, Brixton, London- with the rest of my beautiful Birthday crew. 
Those tickets are nearly gone hardly surprising with a line-up like that?!?
I've included the link for them above, be fast and good luck with getting those and don't say I haven't warned you!!

Easter will see Black Coffee at the Electric Ballroom on a quest with his "We Dance Again", which I reckon will also be one for the memory bank!

http://www.wedanceagainlondon.com/

There are quite a few bits in between and some great interviews coming up, but I'll instagram those along the way...

Hope to be seeing some of your exquisite dancing souls while out and about and here's to a Monkey Magic Year! ;)

Sunshine Xx