As you may know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, a much worthy cause, cause although the numbers are decreasing, it is still the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Other than donating directly to a Breast Cancer organization, to support the cause you can also purchase any of the items shown below. During the month of October they will donate 100% of the proceeds towards breast cancer research. For further product info, please click on the image for source and details.

Switching gears ever so slightly, last month, September, was Childhood Cancer awareness month. An artist who was recently asked to be the ambassador for Hyundai Hope on Wheels', supporting this cause, was the Canadian artist Melanie Fiona. Having supported many other causes, she's never stood behind paediatric cancer, and found this a worthy philanthropic effort cause if there's anyone who should have hope for the future, it's children, seeing as they are our future. I wrote more on the importance on giving back and helping Michelle Obama here. You can also hear more on Melanie Fiona's thoughts about Hope on Wheels in the video attached at the bottom. However to learn how you can help and support yourself, watch this video.

Back to Melanie Fiona. She's due to release her new album after a 3 year hiatus this year, titled Awake. She says in an interview with Vibe Magazine that she named the album this because it's a sense of rebirth, an epiphany. She feels like her best self. In the interview attached below she explains that she took the past 3 years living, learning, growing, and choosing happiness. Choosing happiness is what choreographer Fatima Robinson also did after becoming a mother. 

Melanie goes on to explain that this better version of herself (cause that's the only person you should ever compare yourself too, yourself) is someone who's comfortable with being vulnerable. How many of us can say the same? I'm getting there (I think, lol). I may somewhat be able to bare my soul in writing, face-to-face is different challenge all together. Melanie reveals that she bares her soul in this new album, something that benefits both the audience and her. 

Being an artist of any kind is a lot about connecting. Connecting with oneself and with the audience. The only way to truly connect is by being honest, true, and authentic, and at times that requires being vulnerable. It's important to get to a place where you're comfortable with this or you'll end up putting on a persona that's not the real you, a rabbit hole you don't want to jump into. 

One of the greatest lessons that Melanie further came to learn as she expresses in the interview, is that of letting go. Letting go of things outside your control and enjoying the ride. These are 2 of the 5 things to Overcome Your Past to Pursue Your Future. Letting go, being vulnerable, becoming your best self is all part of a growth process. Growing is not only good, it's essential to being happy. I heard Tony Robbins say that a sense of accomplishment is part of feeling and being fulfilled. That's why a truck load of money alone won't make you happy, hence the saying "money can't buy happiness". It's what you do with the money that will change and affect your life, hence the saying "whoever said money can't buy happiness, simply didn't know where to shop", which is also the motto for my store ;)

What do you think is the hardest part of baring your soul and being vulnerable? Is it the opinions of strangers or the opinions of loved ones we fear the most? Comment below.

Be blessed!