Hey Pinkies, please welcome Amanda Miller, LE, CNC, and Bona Fide Bliss Bunny. Amanda is owner and Holistic Esthetician of Ananda Skin Spa & Sanctuary in Fairfax, CA, where she provides loving Organic Goddess Facials for women, while incorporating holistic nutrition consultation, and energy healing in her treatments. We can’t imagine any Pinkie who knows better than she about how to live like a Goddess. Deep bows of thanks to you, Bliss Bunny!
Got Bliss?
Bliss is the Divine nectar of the human experience. As Goddesses, it is our birthright to experience as much bliss as our hearts desire. Yet there is much programming that disregards bliss, telling us, “You don’t have the time!” or, “You don’t deserve it,” or, “You can’t afford it.” My heart desires lots and lots of bliss. And so, it is my mission to experience as much bliss as humanly possible in this lifetime while inspiring other women to do the same.
Slow Down and Smell the Bliss
When I lived in Italy several years ago, I was always impressed by how long Italians took to prepare and enjoy meals, regardless of what their day held for them. A “quick lunch” on a busy work day in Italy would include a home-cooked plate of pasta decorated with olives, fresh vegetables, and grated Parmiggiano and was inevitably accompanied by a glass of pretty darn good red wine. The meal would last for about an hour, complete with conversation and good company. If the Italians can find their bliss in a pinch, so can we! On your lunch break, think of something you can do to give yourself a special treat. Think roll-out mini Italian red-checker table mat with a glass of sparkling Pellegrino. Whatever it is, know that no matter how busy we are, as goddesses, we deserve these little additions–these doses of bliss. And that’s the bottom line.
Bustin’ the Bliss Busters
It’s funny to think about how programmed we are to focus on being ‘good girls’–getting proper schooling, working hard, and pleasing our friends, partners, and family; so much so that bliss can become an illusory accessory available to us only on occasion. We’re also taught to emphasize appearances–to look good, embody all that’s hot and sexy, and appear as if we’re in bliss, even when we’re having a rough day.
I’m part of a community of conscious dancers. The dance is about consciously expressing, loving, and healing ourselves. Despite these intentions, I often catch myself wandering away from the sacred experience of the dance, and find myself becoming the self-conscious little girl, or worse–the teenage queen desperate to look cool and get attention. When I dance to please others, I’ve strayed from my bliss. Plus, anyone who approves of the fake cool me is not honoring the real me, and this feels empty. Instead, when I dance and honor the authentic me, I express my true bliss, in whatever form it takes; and it feels deliciously satisfying, bold, and never boring. I hope my crazy writhing and wriggling bliss-fests inspire others around me to dance theirs, as this is always so much more interesting and inspiring to me than watching dancers simply trying to look cool.
You might ask yourself these questions: on average, every day, how much time do you spend living in bliss, compared to how much time you pass thinking about looking good to others? What blocks you from having more true bliss? How can you have a more authentically blissful life? Are there some small steps to incorporate into your life to make it more satisfying? I encourage you to write these answers down and play with your thoughts.
Bliss-firmations
It’s time to create a new paradigm that honors us as Goddesses living bliss! The first ingredient to a decadently blissful life is to realize that you’re worth it. That’s it. You’re worth the time, the energy, and the money (though bliss doesn’t have to be expensive). Next time you’re in front of a mirror, look yourself in the eyes and do this repeat these simple affirmations…or post them on the wall to read throughout the week:
“I forgive and release the blocks that keep me in fear, confusion, shame, and worry. I forgive myself for ever having deprived myself from the Divine blessings. I am worth it, and I wholeheartedly surrender to bliss. I welcome the Universe to fully bless me with as much bliss as possible!”
“Bliss is my birthright.”
“My flavor is the best flavor for me. My dance is the right dance for me.”
“I surrender to this moment’s bliss. I can always let go and find peace.”
Or, make up your own bliss-firmations, and say them every time you look at gorgeous you. Finding bliss doesn’t take time or space; it’s a state–it just takes some practice. So you don’t have to be a stay-at-home mom to achieve it–we can tap into bliss in under two seconds! Try it right now. Think of something fun, funny, that makes your heart sing, or just try on a smile and feel the bliss come. Remembering your favorite cute baby sometimes helps. It also helps to look in your eye and forgive yourself, all others, and all energies that have ever blocked you from experiencing your bliss. I forgive you Allan, for wanting me to be the perfect boring student! I forgive you mom, for wanting me to wear the itchy sweater because it looked cute!
Yummy Goddess Bliss Plans
To create a Goddess Bliss Plan, all you have to do is set an objective: how and why are you going to generate abundant, decadent, ridiculous amounts of bliss in this lifetime? Then, create a plan to manifest and maintain your bliss. To do so, I suggest setting weekly, monthly, and annual bliss goals. For instance, this week I will take a hot tub daily, go for three excursions outside in nature, dance often, and give myself a neck massage nightly before bed. Monthly, I will get my toes painted and call my amazing friend Lori in Omaha, NE, who always brings more bliss to my life. Annually, I will go to Bali, because it is the Bliss Goddess Capital! Write down your Goddess Bliss Plan, and share it here with the rest of us. I’d love to be inspired with more blissful options!
Bliss by the Bowlful - A Recipe to Live for:
Raw organic cacao nibs, coconut butter, banana, frozen berries, soaked wildcrafted goji berries, pure water, organic vanilla extract.
Mix all ingredients in a powerful blender until creamy and smooth. Serve with a garnish that makes you feel goddessy. It’s required! I like hibiscus flowers, mint leaves, raspberries, or a puff of whipped cream. Add a hit of bliss, and sit back on the chez lounge for a few goddessy moments….ahh. Enjoy! Much bliss to you this month.
Bliss: our pure and perfect essence blended with Universal love coming from Spirit.
Blissfully (how else?),
Amanda
The Red Tent, where they did programs for Moms and their adolescent daughters, was a way cool place to chill out, meditate, draw and appreciate your Yoni, and absorb the energy of awesome Goddesses. In fact, there was massive Goddess energy everywhere in the Goddess Grove. Even Matt loved the girly vibe there. I had to drag him out kicking and screaming (Okay, so Matt loves women. He’s never been a drag-your-knuckles, let’s-watch-sports kind of dude. He’s much more at home with the Goddesses. Lucky me!)
I have to give her credit. While she wasn’t still, she was indeed quiet. She poked around the tent, peaking at the meditating folks, but mostly enjoyed lying on pillows, closing her eyes, and snuggling with us. Nothing like a bit of down time in the middle of a crowded festival- my kind of festival! Me, I did the altar rounds, writing things I wanted to release on slips of paper to add to the bowl that would be burned later, and writing what I still grieve to honor those I’ve lost. Lovely.
Will we come back next year? My PINK crystal ball tells me yes, indeed.
