Monthly Archives: December 2015

Be Free, Elevate, Inspiration, Rituals, Spiritual Breakthrough

New Year – New Me?

Leave a comment

Yeah yeah, I know some folks dislike this time of year for the many tweets and Facebook updates of people talking about what their going to do different in the new year, who their cutting off and what type of goals they want to obtain.

But my whole thing is….

Why the hell you so mad?

To me this is great! When someone wants to get rid of old energy, anytime they want to set a goal and run after it like no ones business than I’m with it. I want to see people happy and having aspirations in this world, rather its on January 1st or November 19th, I could care less.

If a new year calls for you to bring out the “new year, new me” phrase than I support you 100%.breakingthefuckout

Life is rough, and it seems to be putting more and more people in a funk and when that happens a very thick cloud of funky ass energy starts to spread in the clouds. Would you rather have that? I doubt it.

New determinations mean that people still have hope in the future and that is a fantastic energy to have flowing in the air.

Everyday I try to wake up and set an intention for my day, week or month and yes I do the same for the New Year. Its like we are able to press the reset button of on our track record, we may still have the same problems on January 1st but at least we can look at them in an optimistic way.

We get to leave what we don’t want to take in the future, we also get to sign up for another 365 days of self determination, self love, gratitude, success and much more.

If anything this is a fantastic time to bring a “new you” to the scene.

Become the REAL you!

Put your plans in motion and take action into the direction of elevation!

No more holding back as you move forward in a direction that you trust…shit trust yourself!

The universe is working with us all in order for us to heal ourselves, each other and most importantly the Earth. Without us setting an intention for healing of Mother Earth than none of our goals will manifest….remember that.

We are going to win by stripping away old layers and habits. No one came move forward by staying the same! So embrace it, take advantage of the new cycle because you too can become something higher!

Set it off!

Ashe’

Be Free, Elevate, Goddess Moon Shit, Inspiration, Rituals

One way to celebrate the Winter Solstice.

Leave a comment

wintertreeAhhh the winter time is officially here, though in Detroit we are experiencing plenty of rain and no snow.

I won’t complain even though I am in need of the sun to come from behind the clouds and kiss my melanin but in due time Imani, in due time!

The first day of winter is here, bringing us another time to celebrate and do our rituals. This is a time to invite in the new season and deepen our appreciation for the “ever-changing flow of life” that we all naturally adapt to.

The December solstice marks the longest night and shortest day of the year, after the winter solstice the days become longer and the nights become shorter.

Our ancestors have been doing rituals since the beginning of time, and it’s nice to be able to carry on the tradition and find our own reasons to give thanks.

We probably have all read a million articles by now on how to celebrate the Winter Solstice and I won’t bore you with another one…I promise. I am just going to list one way to celebrate among the million.

I like to celebrate the new season coming into fruition by acknowledging the new season and what it has to offer.

We all usually dread the winter time, we dread cleaning off the car, we dread putting on a million layers and we dread slipping and sliding around in the snow.

The winter isn’t as miserable as we all make it out to be though, we actually can enjoy the winter months with activities that keep us happy and warm.

All of the pretty lights that are strung up around the city and all the wintery drinks that make you feel all tingly inside are something to look forward to.

Just being able to shift our approach and mind frame towards winter can help us open up to the many opportunities the season has to offer.

(nope that wasn’t apart of how to celebrate…more like how to get your ass in the Winter spirit!)

The one way I celebrate winter is by doing a fire ritual, I got this idea from MysticMamma.com which has information on all things spiritual.

The fire ritual can be done by yourself or with others.

The ritual includes lighting a toasty fire, indoor or outdoors (safety first,) and if your by yourself you can just get a nice size steel bowl and use that for your burning ceremony.

You would then write down on a piece of paper all the things you want to give away, it can be anything! Big or small! Whatever is on your heart, we want to dig for those things that we have been suppressing for some time now.

We want those things to be given away because they serve us no purpose in our elevation and we want to rid ourselves of suppressed energy because suppressed energy causes stress and stress causes sickness.

So once we have set and meditated with our thoughts and finally have gotten our giveaways down on paper we then can say a little mantra or affirmation as we burn our paper:

“I release all the energy on this paper and all the suppressed energy in my heart, soul and spirit.”

“I am open to release…(whatever is on your paper.)

“I am more powerful than these things, people and or situations and I release them into the universe never to find there way back to me.”

Of course you can make up your own if your not feeling those suggestions.

Once you are done with your giveaways you or your group of Goddesses and/or Gods seal off the ritual by banging on drums, shakers and or bells. Then you gather for a release dance (which just involves you closing your eyes and moving your body to the spirit and energy you just created.)

You can also add in a toast once you have completed the ritual, toast to getting rid of the unwanted and inviting in the greatness to come.

No matter what type of ritual/celebration you choose to do know that we are celebrating and giving thanks and millions of others around the Earth are doing the same. It’s a beautiful thing.

Side note: you can add your own flavor to this ritual, if you have some of your favorite crystals, candles, incense and/or pictures of ancestors please bring those to the gathering.

Enjoy!

 

Birth to Underground Music, Music/Entertainment Reviews

Birth to Underground Music.

Leave a comment

This mix will have you in the mirror feeling all over yourself…or maybe that’s just me haha.

When I first heard JETS “U-N-I” I automatically put it on my next Vinyasa playlist that shit was that ill. The way the mix flowed I knew the rest of their music was magic!

The amazing duo includes Jimmy Edgar and Travis Stewart b.k.a Machinedrum. Both of these multi-talented artist have been creating acid trips such as their EP The Chants since early 2012.

Both Edgar and Stewart are solo artist but came together to create this intensely vibed out EP, collaborating with some major underground hitters such as Jesse Boykins lll.

The four-track  EP will sure leave you wanting more as they have a way of using exotic drum beats, glitchy rhythms and fluid melodies that will have you dazed out.

Sit back and enjoy!

 

 

 

Be Free, Detroit, Inspiration, Writers Tips

To all the folks that don’t read my blog…

Leave a comment

supportyourlocaldeepthinker

 

Welcome…

I just have something to share with you…

I spend hours writing….always with no regret in my heart.

I’ve written my whole life, my soul is tangled in this shit.

I can’t beg you to share my post, like or comment but it is weird to go through your Facebook and watch you share a million articles a day about the same shit.

It becomes discouraging to watch this.

I asked myself what the point of writing if you wouldn’t read it…

I came to a conclusion though, one that was profound!

To the ones that don’t read my blog….

I am okay with it.

Why?

Because I know that what I do is important work, and you may just not realize it yet but when you do I will still be here putting out good shit.

You are sucked into a world of internet illusion….that one day you will realize it isn’t so bad to support your actual local deep thinker.

Yeah it looks cool to have blogs like “YogaAnonymous,” on your timeline but don’t forget that they have millions of readers a day…

Think about people that really need support…and start supporting them.

And to all my local dreamers….keep dreaming it’s coming!

With love,

Imani

Be Free, Expression/Poetry, Goddess Moon Shit

Oh yeah…it feels like.

Leave a comment

brinakentward

I’ve discovered love and it feels like what I’ve always imagined it to.

It feels like that one time you learned to ride a bike, it was hard, shit got shaky, you fell over a few times but in the end you were rolling down the street with “I’m a boss” written all over your face.

It feels like that one time you stepped into your favorite restaurant and you were seated right away and the food was so good you went home and fell asleep.

It feels like that one time you found twenty dollars on the ground right after checking your bank account and realizing your broke as hell.

It feels like that one time in December you woke up and looked out the window and realized there was no snow on the ground, and it was 50 degrees.

It feels like that one time you washed all your clothes the night before and was invited to a party and you didn’t have to worry about digging around the dirty shit.

It feels like that one time you were hungry and you called your mom up and she said she just fried some chicken and made a whole five course meal.

It feels like that one time you fell down in preschool but learned that you will fall many more times in life, but the point is to always get back up.

It feels like that one time you sat in class and knew you would ace the test because you studied all night.

It feels like that one time you were able to go on vacation when you wanted to.

It feels like that one time you danced with the moon and received affirmations that shit was going to be okay.

It feels like that one time you never thought you would find love because love is hard to find.

It feels like that one time….

-Imani Smith

Detroit, Listicles, Travel

7 COOL PLACES in the D.

Leave a comment

7.You know sometimes you have to get your ass off the coach and force yourself to study, plan, execute or simply browse the net for unnecessary reasons.

If you’re like me you want to sit somewhere where it’s either nice and quiet or full of live music, in an open airy space that serves beer – like any of us will be more motivated with a damn beer in our hands.

But hey you never know, maybe that beer will inspire your next million dollar plan.

Anyway if you’re a Native of Detroit you may know some of these places already and if you don’t I hope you find yourself stumbling in for a cup of tea and good vibes.

1. Detroit Vintage Coffee Shop

Detroit Vintage Coffee is a cool little coffee/tea shop that has been open since 2013, sitting right off W. 8 mile rd. This shop is known for the calm, electric vibe that it brings to the usual chaotic 8 mile.

Detroit Vintage Coffee Shop specializes in their Michigan roasted coffee beans that are freshly grounded in house daily. Coffee is more than just a drink that people spend $4 a cup on, Detroit Vintage Coffee makes sure that your experience is enjoyable each and every time you step foot in their shop. At Detroit Vintage Coffee Shop, coffee is more than a business, it’s their passion.

**Poetry Night & Clean Open Mic on the first Friday of each month. 6 p.m – 9:30 p.m.**

Open WEEKENDS only! 

Saturday-Sunday 10am-6pm

10335 W. 8 Mile Rd.

Phone: 313-341-4810 

 2. The Bottom Line Coffee House

The Bottom Line Coffee House is fresh and new! The black owned family business just opened up last summer, and is already a go to place in the city! You will find a small collection of different types of coffees that are simply…damn good. Nothing fancy! Just damn good coffee!

Located in the neighborhood, the neighborhood that was once known as Cass Corridor, where there use to be fiends hanging on the steps before gentrification.

The Bottom Line is you should check out this clean, sleek environment and grab one of their tasty pastries on your way out.

4474 3rd St, Detroit, Michigan 48201

Mon-Sat:10:00 am-12:00 am Sun:12:00 pm-9:00 pm

Phone: 313-502-5479

3. Always Brewing Detroit

Always Brewing Detroit is one of those places that is on the outer edges of all the “happening” in Detroit but it still finds a special place in your heart rather you live close or thirty minutes away. Always Brewing Detroit host some of the best poetry and comedy nights in the city every Thursday.

They serve locally roasted coffee from Chazzano Coffee Roasters and tasty Eli Tea that you can’t deny to be anything other than wonderful. Always Brewing also has some great ass pasta salad too along with pastries and handmade soups also made locally.

19180 Grand River Ave, Detroit, Michigan 48223

Phone: 313-879-1102

4. DIA Kresge Court

I have to admit I was just introduced to Kresge Court in the DIA a few days ago, well I knew about it but never made my way in and when I did I fell in love! This place is perfect for your chill, inspired get shit done type of mood. Kresge Court offers a nice sleek menu with different sandwiches, soups and appetizers. They also have a nice beer and wine selection for those people like me that just want to drink a glass of wine…just because it’s Tuesday and the sun is shining.  The space is open and vibrant with plenty of conversation to get into so make your way down if you haven’t already and be sure to grab those Motown Pretzels!

5200 Woodward Avenue Detroit, Michigan 48202

Phone:  313.833.7900

5. Trinosophes

Trinosophes (“tree-no-sofe”) is one of those places that you want to visit weekly. Everything from the art on the walls to the soft music playing in the background. Trinosophes is quickly making a name for itself as the one of the hippest scenes in Detroit for underground art and performances.  Hosting some great live performances to go with your delicious pour over coffee, if your one of those hipster people then this is the place for you to go. Pull out your fancy MacBook and get to grinding.

1464 Gratiot Ave, 48207

Phone: 313.737.6606

6. Cafe Con Leche

Cafe Con Leche is serving up all your favorite Mexican treats including Mexican hot chocolate and Las Chulas Champurado which is just full of greatness. In the heart of Southwest Detroit, Cafe Con Leche brings together the community for a nice cup of love and friendship and has been doing this very deed since 2007.  So your next time in Southwest be sure to check out the owners and ask about their famous logo the “Coffee Calavera.”

Southwest location: 4200 W. Vernor Highway Detroit, MI 48209

New Center location: 2990 W. Grand Blvd. Detroit, MI 48202 

Phone: 313. 554-1744

7. Sweet Potato Sensations

I mean if you haven’t been to Sweet Potato Sensations at least once in your life then what the hell are you waiting on? At Sweet Potato Sensations every day you can get a fantastic, mouth watering have you flat on your ass begging for more sweet potato pie. This family owned business has been in the neighborhood since 1988 and has held their title of the “Sweet Potato Lover’s Heaven on Earth” since then.

17337 Lahser Road Detroit, MI 48219 

Phone: 313.532-7996