Wise Words: Because I Am A Queen

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while now, you’ll know that I adore India Arie and her positive, self-loving, soulful music and lyrics. Her songs never fail to lift me up and make me feel as magical and wonderful as a fairy riding a unicorn over a double rainbow 🙂

In the spirit of 30 Days Of Beauty, I would like to share with you one of my favourite songs in the history of the Universe; ‘Video’ (also known as ‘Because I Am A Queen’), by India Arie.

Enjoy the tunes, feel the love and use the lyrics below to sing your heart out!

To watch the music video for this song (which won’t play here), click here.

“Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don’t
Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won’t
Depend on how the wind blows I might even paint my toes
It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul

I’m not the average girl from your video
And I ain’t built like a supermodel
But I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I’m not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I’m wearing I will always be
The india arie

When I look in the mirror and the only one there is me
Every freckle on my face is where it’s supposed to be
And I know my creator didn’t make no mistakes on me
My feet my thighs my lips my eyes I’m loving what I see

I’m not the average girl from your video
And I ain’t built like a supermodel
But I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen (yeah)
I’m not the average girl from your video (woo)
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes (whoa)
No matter what I’m wearing I will always be
The india arie

Am I less of a lady if I don’t wear pantyhose
My mama said a lady ain’t what she wears but what she knows
But I’ve drawn the conclusion
It’s all an illusion
Confusion’s the name of the game
A misconception a vast deception,
Something’s got to change

Don’t be offended this is all my opinion
Ain’t nothing that I’m saying law
This is a true confession
Of a life-learned lesson
I was sent here to share with y’all
So get in when you fit in
Go on and shine
Clear your mind
Now’s the time
Put your salt on the shelf
Go on and love yourself (love yourself)
‘Cause everything’s gonna be alright (love yourself)

I’m not the average girl from your video
And I ain’t built like a supermodel
But I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen (yeah)
I’m not the average girl from your video (woo)
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes (whoa)
No matter what I’m wearing I will always be
The india arie

Keep your fancy drink and your expensive minks
I don’t need that to have a good time
Keep your expensive cars
And your caviar
All’s I need is my guitar
Keep your cristal and your pistol
I’d rather have a pretty piece of crystal
Don’t need your silicone
I prefer my own
What god gave me is just fine
(Oh hah hah hah)

I’m not the average girl from your video
And I ain’t built like a supermodel
But I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen (yeah)
I’m not the average girl from your video (woo)
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes (whoa)
No matter what I’m wearing I will always be
The india arie”

Stay beaYOUtiful,

Jen ♥

Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/i/india_arie/#share

Wise Words: Strength, Courage & Wisdom

To continue with the theme from my last post, which was everything you need is within, I want to share this song with you. It’s called ‘Strength, Courage & Wisdom’, by the beautiful India Arie.

When I first heard this song, I remember really listening to the lyrics & feeling so deeply connected to it, as though it was written specifically for me. A new layer of awareness of myself emerged, & now I always listen to this song whenever I’m feeling insecure or doubtful.

The lyrics always remind me that I already possess all the qualities that I need in order to overcome challenges & live the life I’ve always dreamed of.

Lyrics:

“Strength, Courage & Wisdom”

“Inside my head there lives a dream that I want to see in the sun
Behind my eyes there lives a me that I’ve been hiding for much too long
‘Cause I’ve been, too afraid to let it show
‘Cause I’m scared of the judgment that may follow
Always putting off my living for tomorrow
It’s time to step out on faith, I’ve gotta show my face
It’s been elusive for so long, but freedom is mine today
I’ve gotta step out on faith, It’s time to show my face
Procrastination had me down but look what I have found, I found

[Chorus:]
Strength, courage, and wisdom
And it’s been inside of me all along,
Strength, courage, and wisdom
Inside of me

Behind my pride there lives a me, that knows humility
Inside my voice there is a soul, and in my soul there is a voice
But I’ve been, too afraid to make a choice
‘Cause I’m scared of the things that I might be missing
Running too fast to stop and listen

It’s time to step out on faith, I’ve gotta show my face
It’s been elusive for so long but freedom is mine today
I’ve gotta step out on faith it’s time to show my face
Procrastination had me down but look what I have found, I found

[Chorus]

[Bridge:]
I close my eyes and I think of all the things that I want to see
‘Cause I know, now that I’ve opened up my heart I know that
Anything I want can be, so let it be, so let it be:.

Strength, courage, and wisdom
It’s been inside of me all along,
Strength, courage, wisdom
It’s been inside of me all along, everyday I’m praying for:

[Chorus]

I found it in me, I found it finally
I’m sure to keep it’ cause I like it, I say thank you”

Have you ever heard a song with so much truth to it?

Everything we need is within us right now.

In Other News…

Happy Chinese New Year!

Feb 3rd marks the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit, & as someone who was also born in the year of the rabbit in 1987, I have a good feeling about 2011 🙂

I found a website that has some information about what the year of the rabbit means, so if you’re interested, check it out.

As I said in my last post, I’m in Beijing at the moment so please forgive me if it takes a little longer for me to reply to your comments & emails, but I hope you are all having a great week!

Stay AWESOME!

P.S I’ve made something for you, keep an eye out for my next post! 😀

Jen ♥

♥ Gift of Acceptance ♥

Image by volume12 via Flickr

Just a quick post to show you a new music video just released from the beautiful India.Arie & Idan Raichel, which is only online for 24 hours.

They just sang it at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, & I have to say, it is just so beautiful.

As I said in my last post, when it comes to music; positive, empowering & meaningful lyrics are a must for me. This song is the perfect example of amazing lyrics.

Here are a few lines from the song that India just posted on Twitter:

“Red, black, yellow, brown, or white, a man with a husband or a woman with a wife,

We can debate til the end of time, whose wrong and who is right, or I can honor your choices and you can honor mine,

Gandhi was a Hindu, Martin Luther King a Christian. Regardless of religion they knew love was the mission.

Give the world a present, give the gift of your acceptance. Give the world a present, give the gift of your acceptance.”

I’ve always loved India Arie; I listen to her music every single day. In my opinion, she is one of the most empowering & inspiring female musicians there is.

This is the real truth of the world. Imagine what we can all achieve if we just give up our needs to be right & instead give our acceptance.

Keep Smiling 🙂

Jen ♥

Have A Beautiful Day!

Before I get started on my Day 6 creation for Art Every Day Month, I wanted to share this video with you all. It’s a song by the beautiful India Arie, & it can turn any day into a beautiful one!*

*Note: you know what else can turn any day into a beautiful one? YOU! You can choose the kind of day you want to have – so choose wisely.

Have a beautiful day, everyone! See you again later with another post.

Keep Smiling! 🙂

Jen xo