Tag: InkMann Press Series

InkMann Press–Paying Attention

by Kai Mann, posted in Uncategorized

Love, honor, and cherish the spaces that you find yourself in, for life can change rather quickly.–Kai Mann

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I have found myself in a space of take-it-all-in’edness. I know that’s not a word but it so describes the spirit I am in. I have been paying attention to what the Universe has given me privilege to partake in and to view from the seat of my own soul. Perceptions and perspectives have changed over the last twelve months allowing my spirit to open wide with transformative intentions. I would be lying if I said the entire twelve months I have gone willingly. You would have thought I would; I would’ve thought I would, but there were parts of me unwilling to open the eyes of my understanding to see past my own lids. Some things I fought against like a child holding on to its last days of childhood forbidding going into adulthood. That part of me has decreased today as the more adult me is able to talk the child into moving forward when the motion is necessary out of future pain or suffering.

 

You see, rarely do we understand that what we might feel now will not compare to what we’ll feel later if we do not move when the opportunity presents itself. If you’ve ever gotten the chance to live when others have not: or to witness life happen to someone else in a way that if misconstrued you’d get the rest of life  all wrong, then you knew that it was purpose. It was purpose that granted you access to see the view at the top of the mountain, to tell a story, to learn a lesson, or to help someone else. I thank God that I have been able to see and feel life from a different vantage point. A vantage point, that if I had not seen correctly, I would’ve missed the advantage.

 

For most of my life I hated to see people about to get into trouble, be in pain, or anything that could hurt them. I’d turn away. I couldn’t even watch a movie that I could feel the protagonist’s trouble before it happened and would get up to go do something so I wouldn’t have to watch that part of the movie. My DNA is programmed to want others to win and when it would look as if they weren’t I would turn my head away so as not to see them lose. One thing I had failed to realize was that I hated to see my own self lose. I’d turn my head away from me when I felt I was about to get into trouble, make a mistake, or be in pain just so I wouldn’t have to witness it.

 

Today what I have learned from that behavior was that the pre-warned feelings were giving me the opportunity to change course, correct my sail, or to just do something different. I hadn’t realized that my instincts were protecting me so I wouldn’t have to experience whatever trouble, mistake, or pain so drastically. Me diverting my attention or closing my eyes would cause the most intense pain because I’d still have to drive right through it even with eyes wide shut making the devastation much worse.

 

On a different street but in the same neighborhood I too realized that shying away from the experiences of others would leave me hallow. To live life as a shell of a person who lacked depth because she had denied herself the privilege of experiencing life through the eyes of another. I can’t say that it has been easy but the connections I have made just opening myself up to experiencing my own life, as well as the lives of others, has added value to my soul. No longer will I allow myself to miss out on the moments for fear that they may turn ugly, when all of life is so beautiful.

InkMann Press Series- Movin’ On Up!

by Kai Mann, posted in Uncategorized

InkMann Press Series- Movin’ On Up!

“The destination isn’t necessarily determined by where you are, but more so what you’re doing while you’re there; and what your plan is to move forward.”

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We all have those moments when our minds are made ALL the way up, and we come to grips with the fact that we have to GO forward, work inward, and “move on up”. Sometimes after a burst of Inspiration we believe that we’re ready for a change or an upgrade so to speak. Often we believe we’ve mastered a thing and we feel that we can handle going to the next level or dimension.

Believing it’s time to move on we set our sights to do so. We step out on faith and begin to get our balance when we notice a shift. Just as we get our footing we’re challenged with something that we were sure that we had conquered. We thought ourselves skilled in that particular area, but we quickly realize that we’re not. We’ve got two choices and those choices define our character and everything else about us. What we do next is the most important move we’ll ever make.

The most important moves we make are affected by the chances we take and the decisions we make. You can either stay stuck or you can recognize that you still have work to do and seek to do it so that you get better. What you do at this point defines the movement you’ll make, if any. Every so often I have the opportunity to talk with a woman, who I believe is the wisest woman I know. I’m not just talking people that I personally know either. Anyway, I digress. We were talking about movement. She suggested that movement can also be linear and people not realize it. They are doing events, speaking engagements, but everything that they do is just like the last thing with no movement into another level or dimension. The reality is that they think ALL movement is consistent with growth and that cannot be farthest from the truth. When movement is linear, there is no real growth or success to be had, although they are doing everything to go higher, they’re not moving at all. You see, we can be in a particular geographical location working feverishly on our passions and not be able to move past the city limits. To be able to make the most impactful moves that will lead us outside of our normal borders we have to work from the inside out.

In life we are often challenged and given the chance to take full ownership of our lives and master ourselves. It’s not easy either. This step is not taken for the faint at heart. Deciding to go to a new dimension has to be more than just an idea. You have to be ready to execute on a level higher than you’ve ever been. Think of levels like escalators to Dimensions. The way you think on each level helps you to move to the next level. When moving to a dimension you have to take everything you’ve learned on each of those levels to take you into another atmosphere. Inability to think past your immediate surrounding will only yield linear movement and not dimensional movement. Dimensional movement does not imply a shift but a total transformation.

A lot of times we say that we’re ready to do the work but when it comes down to it, we allow ourselves to get distracted. Sometimes, we believe that it’s too much work so we procrastinate or never finish what we start. Saying you’re ready to do the work but not be willing to change will make your job that much harder. Not because you’re not ready but because you’re unwilling to change. When you want to be the best you that you can be, your actions have to match your words.

During the process we come across the work and sometimes seeing how much work it costs, we begin to faint. Sometimes it’s not the requirement of the work but the act of being responsible for the work. It’s different when someone else is responsible and we’re not held liable. Unconsciously some of us think that if we focus on everyone else it exonerates us from being ready. But when we step one leg at a time into our big girl and big boy pants we tap into the power that we have to move forward successfully. When we are willing to get our feelings hurt, die to ego, let our lights shine, and be ALL that we have ever wanted to be we surpass levels and move into dimensions.

Speaking of dimensions, I’ve heard Oprah say that nothing is ever wasted and as I look back over my life I realize that she is absolutely right. Oprah has moved into many levels and dimensions in her lifetime because she has used everything that she has ever learned.

I too have begun to use everything that I have ever learned without leaving any stones unturned. Even the things I thought were useless have been used in some way. When it was time to move closer to my dreams I added a coach to my life. My coach holds me accountable to do only those things that involve dimensional movement. I have to be honest and say, at first I didn’t enjoy the coaching experience because my ego was in the way. I had a problem with being told what to do when I had been doing it for forty-seven years. She even tap danced on my nerves a couple times, but it took me a minute to understand that she was trying to help me and not hurt me. Even still, it was me who said that I wanted to move dimensionally without full knowledge of what that meant. Full understanding teaches that Dimensional movement allows you to hear the truth, learn the lesson, and execute.

When I used the lessons that I learned I began to feel that I was accomplishing things even when the situation looked like I might not. I learned to see everything as a win because I gained knowledge. Now that I consistently and continually cultivate the lessons that I learn, I find it easier to move on up.

InkMann Press- Balance Rewards

by Kai Mann, posted in Uncategorized

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In 2011 I started a publishing company called Scriblical Vibez Publishing. When I wrote out the business plan for Scriblical Vibez nearly five years ago, my plan was to publish my own works; and to help others publish theirs as well. Since then I have grown as an individual, a business, and a brand. Currently I work to create the life I want by choosing to be an entrepreneur and there is nothing like its reward.

I made the conscious decision to step out on faith and dare myself to create my life from the inside out. I’ve come to learn that stepping out on faith is not just a one time event it’s actually something that you do continuously. Daily my goal is to bring into existence the life that I’ve envisioned. Since this decision I’ve worked diligently to master me, my thoughts, and my actions; all while managing my time. Having the optimal life means knowing which specific actions will create the best results and bring me closer to the vision.  I want to build a life that I could be proud of, filled with memories and priceless moments that would not only help in building my legacy but improving my quality of life.  Although the process has taken time and some parts of the journey have been difficult, my mind has been focused on getting the lesson. You learn that there is always something more at stake. We must understand the lesson for what it is and not see it as punishment. There is always more at work in the grand scheme of life. The lessons you learn today may be the tools used for tomorrow. When you understand that each lesson is a key to unlocking a door to another level or dimension in your life or business, that’s when you learn how to use the key. I chose to use my key to unlock the door to entrepreneurship.

Although owning a business can be a lot of responsibility and scary at times; I knew that I wanted to make that step. I realized that a lot of people want to do “big” things in the world but forget that the biggest impact you make is within yourself first. Knowing this inspired me to start an “inner movement” as I worked on getting my entrepreneurial endeavors off the ground, so that I could become the best at what I was good at. This “inner movement” to cultivate self-love and self-growth from within became another key to unlocking everything that I would do in my personal and professional life.

When I started SVP (Scriblical Vibez Publishing) I didn’t know what the future would hold but I knew that I wanted to grow beyond my wildest dreams. I wanted to follow the desires of my heart and be successful at it. Besides desiring to write books with themes of self-love and self- growth, I wanted to leave a legacy to my family. Leaving a legacy for my children’s children would mean that I would change the course of all of our lives. Our family legacy would be the model for everything done thereafter for any of us. I knew leaving something of this magnitude would mean that I would have to test my limits and the possibilities every chance I got.

Self love is important to every aspect of our lives; especially when owning a business. Having a healthy sense of love for yourself gives you the ability to maximize your impact thus helping you to be confident. If you believe in what you’re doing you have the ability to gain supporters, fans, clients, and customers.

Self-love and self-growth come at the experience of self awareness. Self awareness in business is a key factor because it allows you to know your limits, the things you enjoy doing, and the things you would rather someone else do. This was one thing I had to learn. When I first started my business I would take on everything as I have always been opened to learning but I soon realized that there were some things I shouldn’t be doing because it took up too much of my time. As I grew I became more aware of what those tasks were and stayed away from them or hired someone else to do them.

In business, self growth makes you work differently than others because you know that in order to see your company grow you have to grow. Self-growth opens the door to another tool, self reliance. Growing isn’t always easy but someone who practices self-love can motivate and encourage themselves during this process whether others are there to do it or not.  It’s not to say that we don’t need others just that we can depend upon ourselves because we love us enough to show up for everything in our life including business.

The beginning of SVP (Scriblical Vibez Publishing) meant something major was to come. On the way to major though, I learned that you must always be thankful for the things you’ve accomplished in between. This determines if you’ll receive more. Although thankful, I would sometimes forget during times when I wasn’t where I desired to be. From the beginning I thought that being open was enough, and I was right, it was. Being open to possibilities creates even more opportunities. Since starting SVP in 2011, I have started two other companies, but not before being a WeJay on an internet radio show.  If I had not been open to living, my life would not have completely changed its direction.  Every time it asks more of me I give it more. It’s not to say that I haven’t given more kicking and screaming but I was able to give life more because I wanted more of what life had to offer.

When you want more from life you understand that it is an opportunity that comes at the highest of rewards.  This means that the stakes are even higher and that you have to learn quicker. You must know who you are, what you stand for, and what you believe. In an effort to be real, the decision to give more and to have more does not come without sacrifice.

I myself have had to make sacrifices that have not stopped short of losing those treasured people and moments. Giving more sometimes means that you are required to spend a lot of time creating opportunities and strategies for you and your business and not be able to attend every event that’s going on. Sometimes that’s the sacrifice, but in order to have the best results in the end; sometimes we can’t have it all in the beginning. That is not just hope speaking either. With every step of the way I have gotten confirmation even when things seem to have not gone as planned. It was later discovered that was the plan.

In life as we work toward the next level or dimension we have to be willing to stretch and seek to apply the lessons we have learned. We must use those lessons to make ourselves, our company or our brand better. It is through self-love and self-growth that we are able to do so. It’s no longer just about financial gain but about creating a work life balance so that we are successful in every area of life.  What is money if you have no peace because you lack balance? Strengthening every area in our life is important; being a master of one area but not the others is not healthy.  It perpetuates and breeds imbalance and deficiencies. Deficiencies leave you open and susceptible to the climate rather than the climate being susceptible and open to you.

As we speak of balance, today I sit here with “The Smooth Jazz All Stars Radio” station on Pandora, a huge Mahogany Teakwood candle burning, and my laptop. I’m in my element and feel like all is right with the world. For me, this is one aspect of balance: spending time with me. The other aspects of balance are spending time with a significant other and family. Of course, work life is another area on the wheel of balance. I’ve learned to define what time and balance looks like for each area and to be consistent.  I used to spend more time working than I did in every other area which meant that as I was successful in business but I wasn’t able to fully deliver every time in my home life. Success to me now is being able to balance every area consistently.

Anytime that you are looking to master any of these qualities you must take a moment to access the situation.  This was something that I’ve learned to do over the years. Assessing your situation isn’t a one time thing; it’s something you’ll have to do often to determine if you’re on the right path. I noticed that as the journey deepened and the dream got more defined the more I needed to reflect upon my life. Upon reflection I would think about my ability to do more and would ask myself “What does more look like?”  I knew it was important to know what more looked like so I wouldn’t be surprised or caught off guard. In the past I have agreed to things before knowing what it entailed and have had a hard time manifesting them.

Today with self love and growth I utilize the tools that I have acquired in my arsenal to accomplish the more in my life. The reward has been personal and professional success.

@kaiology

Scriblical Vibez Publishing

http://scriblicalvibez.com/

Twitter: @scriblicalvibez

Eyeology INC 

http://www.eyeologyinc.com/

Twitter: @EyeologyINC

 

 

 

InkMann Press Series–The Secret Place

by Kai Mann, posted in Uncategorized

InkMann Press Series — The Secret Place

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There comes a time in our lives when the journey calls for complete transformation. This part of the journey is a root deepening and soul defying phase that often asks us to transform in unique ways. In the past we would allow ourselves to get away with behavior unbecoming but when life calls for something more many of us try to answer.

In life we are given a number of opportunities to go deeper within ‘self’ and become the person that we are ultimately destined to be. Sometimes in order to avoid ‘self’ we invite the most unlikely of people or situations into our lives. When we use people to distract us from ourselves we end up stunting our own growth. When this happens it throws us back to the beginning to start over at the same point we were in before we met that unlikely person or began that situation. Basically, because we didn’t take the time to separate ourselves and grow, we remain stagnant.

Sometimes the road to transformation comes because something happened to provoke change or we simply realize its time. Some of us grow through this phase by allowing ourselves time to heal. When we don’t allow healing to occur, we disrupt this phase and it puts us back at the beginning so to speak. Avoiding growth because ‘it’s too hard” is like self-development suicide. Many people never get through the transformational phase because they don’t stay long enough. They either feel they’re ready when they’re not or they think it’s too hard and quit. The transformational phase calls for a mirror so to speak to give us the opportunity of looking at ourselves to work on those under developed areas and bring out our most authentic nature. During this phase where we get to be with ourselves most people opt out because it’s soul work. Soul work requires that we look at ourselves in all areas no matter how tough it is to do so. It’s that vow that you make to yourself to keep going and staying the course because you believe in its reward.

When we do the work and master ourselves we become the hero in our own lives. And like most heroes there is a tale of heroic proportion about what the hero had to do to survive.

In the transformational phase there is this secret place so to speak.  The secret place is where the hero gets nourished, replenished, and energized in order to transform. The secret place offers different stages of each depending upon the level or dimension the hero is embarking upon. During this time the secret place is used as an incubation period. Or like the ‘pupa’ phase of a butterfly. During this phase the cocoon represents the nourishment, lessons, and growth. Although you’re alone working on your work, this phase is most crucial because any change in direction can alter the life of the butterfly.

It is evident that when we do not take the allotted time to learn, grow, and transform that we do not understand the importance of mastering oneself. Finding and mastering yourself before giving to and mastering another teaches you self love at a level that is profound and often unheard of. What I know is that to love and be better for you is to love and be better for others. What value is it to come into anyone’s life and disrupt it by coming in broken or lacking self-development? It profits them nothing more than heartache and pain. When we love others we want the best for them and if we are not the best we must choose to ‘be’ the best. But not before we become the best for ourselves.

When I think about the transformational period I liken it to the stage of preparation. In the midst of transformation is always preparation. This reminds me of Mr. Miyagi and how he prepared Daniel in the ‘Karate Kid’ before his big transformation.  Mr. Miyagi not only taught Daniel karate moves but Mr. Miyagi taught Daniel life lessons while working on his level of understanding. Mr. Miyagi gave Daniel the space to learn his “why” and the significance of it. The Creator does the same thing with us. He prepares us for transformation so that we can walk in our purpose with a full understanding as to ‘why’ we are being transformed. The Creator offers us the opportunity to slow down, to get the lessons, take notes, and grow so that our transformation is lasting and not fleeting.

The way to ensure lasting change is to stay in the moment of where you are. Take the time to get the lessons, write them down, and put them into practice daily. Know that every situation you encounter is a chance to learn something new. Always look for the lesson. When we allow ourselves the spiritual space, God teaches us how and when to move. How you handle the issues of life determine ‘if’ you’re learning or not. Trust me, there will be a test.

When  you’re learning there will always be a quiz and then a test at the end. How you fair is based upon how you studied. The determining factor whether or not you’ll move ahead depends on if you studied for a quiz or if you studied for a test.  The way you study for each is different. When we study for a quiz we learn with short term memory which makes it easy for us to not know the answer days after the quiz. But if you study for a test you study using long term memory because the question could be asked a number of ways and you must be fluent in them all. So again, the difference in the quiz and the test is that you may pass the quiz today but if you were asked the same information again tomorrow you could very well fail. Always study for the test because it defines the points in which you will move to another level or move into a new dimension. It is important not to die on the vine and quit during this phase. Don’t jump out of it, stay the course no matter how tough.

When we work to change the way we think, speak, and act; we summon the courage for mastery. And often mastery calls for us to be unplugged, to get with ‘self’, or be one with spirit in order to move into a new dimension. The way we master ourselves says a lot about who we are. Remember, it takes a hero to master himself.

InkMann Press Series ~ 2015

by Kai Mann, posted in Uncategorized

2015 came wrapped with numerous lessons, blessings, fulfillment and joy. While there were some difficult moments, 2015 has still been amazing. As today marks the last Tuesday in this year, I contemplate on the wisdom I’ve gained while spending most of my time cultivating and preparing for the next dimension of life.

 

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As hindsight is always 20/20 I see how those lessons will later tie into my life now. I won’t lie and say that the lessons that require you to utilize more faith aren’t the hardest. They are, but when you want more, you realize that you have to do more.  I believe that 2015 brought in a need for everyone to do more. We were all encouraged to do something different from a soul level. A Soul level would require a complete transformation. The soul level always wins out for those who cannot settle. Especially a soul that thinks in dreams with vivid pictures that capture the mind’s eye to allow at any moment a peek into what will be your future if you dare try.

I am proud of the many accomplishments that I’ve made this year. I’ve been granted the opportunity to expand and grow so I did.  And for that I am proud. My creativity and thoughts have expanded because I’ve worked hard to get the lessons. While some areas have grown tremendously, others are still growing. I count it all joy for every experience has been beautiful.

How has your 2015 been? Share some of the lessons you’ve learned with me.

InkMann Press Series ~ Divine Order

by Kai Mann, posted in Uncategorized

I’ve been taking a part my life lately and I can see how things would’ve been different if I chose a different path. Although I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ve made some serious sacrifices, my belief is that the reward will be in line with my purpose. In the end I know that the fruit will bear witness to the sacrifice. As a matter of fact, I believe that my life is in Divine Order.

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When I began to take a part the fabric of my life I saw first how I’ve moved in the world. I saw how I’ve mastered the skill of detachment. A gift given to me when I was about two years old and have since perfected.  Many people would not see being detached as a gift but a flaw. A character flaw no doubt because most people associate being detached with being aloof or an unloving act. That couldn’t be farthest from the truth. When someone detaches from you it doesn’t mean that they don’t love you, it just means there is something more at work.

When we realize that there is something more at work we can see that every one of us on the planet has a specific job to do.  Each job comes with different tasks as well as different set of skills needed to carry out the purpose or plan.  The job or purpose of some seems to lack value when you look at them individually, but when you take a look at it as a whole you’ll see that it is all part of a bigger plan.

There have been times when I for sure knew what the plan was and drove head long towards the mark. Then there were times that I felt like I was losing or as if what I was doing was wrong. But when I looked deeper I was able to see the vision with purpose in mind. The doubt has since subsided and now I am willing to look ridiculous to get something I’ve never had but I know that I want.

Since I’ve been dissecting myself, I’m finding the intricacies of how I work, and how I operate best. I could not have done this work without going within to that deep place inside.

In the beginning that deep place inside felt alone  and  I didn’t understand fully why it needed to be that way. Once I reconciled that I needed to be alone, I knew that I would have less distraction and could work on me and put my energy and focus into me. That’s when I began to feel differently. I sought the knowledge of self so that I could get back to self. The self I had lost through trial and error. While alone, I dealt with the things that could’ve left me scarred forever, feeling guilty and ashamed. Especially at times when I wasn’t as strong and positive as I had always appeared to be.  But, no matter how hard it was I was determined to do it. I was determined to deal with my issues for my future self and for the future people that would get to experience me because I now wanted to give my best self to the world.

As I sat many times before, I questioned what the best me would look like and what that person would have to offer. Then it came to me that before I could offer anything to the world, I first needed healing. Healing from all of the things that has happened to turn my world inside out, a healing that only comes from the core.  The kind of healing that you can only get from forgiveness. Not the forgiveness of anyone else but you. A required forgiveness from within.

Most of us hardly ever think to forgive ourselves for things that we’ve done to us; but we even forget to forgive ourselves for things that others have done to us, or things that we have allowed to happen to us. Most of all, we need to forgive ourselves for the things that almost destroyed us and kept us from moving to a new dimension. Once we have done that, then and only then can we start to become our best selves.

That too would not be easy. but the first step to forgiving was to deal with all of the issues. Although uncomfortable I had a need to get down to the core of the issue because I knew that issues that weren’t dealt with would cause discomfort. The mere fact that something would cause discomfort is a clue that I must not only look at it but I had to do my best to find a way through it. When I began to work through my issues I began to strengthen my core. My foundation worked to become rock solid because I always wanted to do my best.

Most people think Divine Order is a perfect life without mistakes or flaws but that is so untrue. Divine Order is a continual process that allows for mistakes as well as correction. Divine Order is the process in which it takes from conception until the return to spirit. It is all Divine Order since it all is of the spirit.

InkMann Press Series –Letting Go Of Ego

by Kai Mann, posted in Uncategorized

Sometimes the challenge is to put ego aside; especially when you’re coming to know what ego really is. Old patterns and habits are hardest to break.

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There are times that we need someone to bounce ideas off of and for many of us that someone is our partner or closest friend. When we’re looking to share we usually go to someone who has insight into the things that we would like to accomplish. Often we have the problem of  sharing at first because those are our most intimate thoughts about our hopes and dreams.  As I thought about this  I realized that I had to put down my ego if I wanted to learn and grow. I had to be able to hear the truth about my ideas, hopes, dreams, and whatever else I was trying to do. I don’t know if it’s because we think that we are submitting our best, or what. I am not yet certain that when the time comes for our partner or friend to challenge us to dig deeper  why we sort of feel threatened a bit.  Like we’ve been attacked.

It isn’t until we can understand that the person we’ve entrusted our most intimate thoughts with, would not hurt us. That the only answer has to be that they’re pushing us to do better. They are pushing us to do better because they see our potential. So. I’ve decided to do things a bit different because I believe that the person that I’ve chosen to be on my team, wants me to win. Why else would they be pushing me to do more and to be more.