Hall of Warriors Spotlight: Otiti Jasmine

From time to time we interview an amazing warrior, and as a bonus we will give him/her a title in the hall of warriors.

You may have heard of Otiti, she is a wonderful rising star in the blogging world. We connected through Twitter and I must say she is one of the kindest persons I have ever met. She is truly energetic, that’s why her blog Radiant Soul Space has become a wonderful space to share her experience.

It took me no time at all to offer her an interview, and you will discover her answers are truly from the heart. Let’s welcome Otiti to our Hall of Warriors.

What are you most passionate about? And why?

Heartfelt expression! I feel too many of us have been silent for far too long and forced back everything our heart is trying to say. We’re so worried about what other people will think that we suppress everything we think.

I believe in speaking your truth and making your voice heard. Is your job sucking the life out of your days? Say it! Do you yearn to be an artist even though you’re in a great position on the corporate ladder? Go for it!

This is YOUR life to live and it’s important to listen to what your heart’s whispering day in and day out: “Hear me. I can make you happy. I know what you need. Trust me and leap for your dreams. Now. Now! Not tomorrow or next tomorrow. Now.”

What was your inspiration or motivation to begin your project?

I found myself thinking a lot about the soul and what it means to have a healthy one. Well, I should probably amend that to a fulfilled one. Fulfilment is my biggest thing and something I strive for on a continuous basis.

I started my blog as a way to explore feeding the soul and stirring it to live your dreams. Ask anyone what they’d love to do if anything were possible and watch their eyes light up as they excitedly describe their ideal lifestyle.
Some are blessed to already be living it or getting closer to doing so. Some are stuck just imagining it and believing it’s out of their reach. I had to write and show the latter group that it’s not out of their reach. It’s not impossible. They just need to believe in themselves enough to want it and love themselves enough to go for it.

What is the biggest reward you have received while working on your project?

Connecting with people like you who are just like me! Individuals who believe in honouring your heart and flowing with your intuition, who realise the importance of chasing your dream even if you feel you can’t make it or you don’t have the right to do so.

We are all worthy of having our needs met and our dreams materialised. We all have the right to live our passions and express ourselves unabashedly, unreservedly, with every beat of our hearts and every fibre of our beings.

My biggest reward has definitely been discovering like-minded souls doing everything they can to inspire and impact their world.

If you had the ability to change the world in any way, would you? And if so, how?

I would make people more open! So many negative and sticky situations can be avoided if people just say what they want and what they mean! Miscommunication abounds when we hold back for fear of offending or alienating the other person(s), but how real are we being? How true to ourselves and the world are we being? I think we need more authenticity and more boldness to call it like we see it and quit worrying about the negative effects of being outspoken.

What advice can you give to someone who is struggling to find happiness?

Ahh, this is a tough one. It’s so easy to spout meaningless platitudes that do nothing to ease the pain and bring lasting happiness. Let me give it my best shot, though.

“Be kind to yourself. Be gentle. The answers you seek are already in you and are accessible when you allow yourself feel. Feel.

Feel the real reason you keep looking to other people and things for your happiness. Feel the real reason you think you don’t deserve to be happy, the real reason you have to try so hard.

Was it something he said? Something she did? Was it something you were powerless to stop or an ill-advised action on your part?

Whatever it was, face it. Work through it. Only then can you let it go and free your inner space to fill up with all the love and happiness that’s waiting to be yours. You can give them to yourself. You can find them in yourself. But first you must admit the driving forces behind your struggle because they’re holding you back from achieving what you desire.”

Who is the most remarkable person you have ever met? And why?

My mother is my definition of a remarkable person. She’s wise, funny, full of love, has a delightful aura, and is so incredibly giving. I’m convinced I stand strong today because she believed in me when I’d lost the ability to believe in myself and overcome the negativity I absorbed through health scares and challenges.

What are some of your future goals or aspirations? Do you have a plan to accomplish them?

I’m going to spread my message to the world through my blog and my voice. I plan to create inspirational note cards, eBooks, great blog posts, and maybe even full-length books that stir people to get up and live their dreams. I have an action plan in place for all that and also plan to be a motivational speaker! Passion is our reality and something everyone responds to, and I intend to create opportunities to share my passion with others on a wide scale.

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced during your life?

Way back in 2004, I spent 5 days in hospital and emerged with a diagnosis of major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Fast-forward to 2007 when I graduated from university and promptly collapsed the day after graduation. It was very tough going to classes when I felt so bad inside, and it was even harder to cope when I came out into the ‘real world’ and started working. Although I’ve had to stop so I can get better and it feels like I’ve been fighting this battle forever, I also feel blessed to have come this far and be able to pursue my dreams in spite of it. Living with fluctuating emotional health is hard and often discouraging, but I am an indomitable soul and cannot be crushed by any challenge or circumstance. This is what keeps me going and what my loved ones remind me of when I forget or feel bad about stuff.

Tell us about your biggest success in life, perhaps something you struggled with that you were able to overcome above and beyond your own expectations

The answer to that is two-fold: making it through university, and elevating my blog from an online journal to a Radiant Soul Space where people can come and really connect with their inner selves. I never imagined I could touch the hearts of others when mine still felt broken and incomplete, but going for it anyway has been a healing process for me and also the beginning of many beautiful friendships with other radiant souls. Being a source of light to others even as I struggle to find inspiration and energy for myself is a humbling and mind-blowing experience.

What is something that you wish you knew before you started your path?

That it’s OK if you don’t have all the answers or know-how before you start! Just start! You learn by doing and waiting until you feel “ready” is nothing but a waste of time and energy. Follow your dream now and trust that the knowledge you need will come to you at the exact moment you need it. That’s been my experience since I decided to go pro with my blog and I’m sure many others have experienced it as well: when you stop wishing and start doing, things fall into place a lot quicker and easier than you expected. It may not happen overnight, but it will happen a lot faster than if you sit back and wait for someone or something else make it happen for you.

If you were a cat, which type of owner would you choose?

I’d be a sleek panther running wild and free! Do people own panthers? I don’t know, but if I did have an owner, she’d have to be open to sharing me with the wilderness. My fire doesn’t allow boundaries anymore and every connection has to be free and fluid. So I guess I’d just be a jungle cat, ha ha.

For her answers, beautiful and honest desire to help others reconnect with their emotions and truths, we give Otiti the title of:

The Radiant Heart Warrior

Otiti has taken one of the most important steps for any warrior, she connected with her heart and calling. Otiti is doing everything in her power to keep true to her calling and herself. her heart is pure and full of love. Take the time to read her powerful insights over at her place Radiant Soul Space and give her a warm welcome to our Hall of Warriors.