Dear Lovelies,
Liberate Thyself with Warrior 3 (Virabhadrasana III)
It’s a new year!!
Wanna make changes??
Warrior III reminds me to do just that!
Take Action!
Changes within myself create changes out there in the world.
Don’t like the way something is? Make a change!
Namaste, Nikki
Contact me to learn more about the benefits of yoga! This teacher is happy to meet you right where you are at! Together, we’ll make a change!
Lovely Readers,
Liberate ThySelf with Warrior One (Virabhadrasana I)
Four shots, Two on each side.
Notice the differences.
I encourage you to accept the truth of where you are today.
Balance and stability is achieved through practice and an open heart.
Every day, every asana is different. Just like every day is a surprise party!
Much love, Nikki
Interested in learning more? Looking for a Yoga Teacher? I’m here for you!
Only a few Dressember Days to go!!
It’s been a good day overall. I am feeling tired, though, and a wee bit sad, but I haven’t had time to let myself go there yet. Days like this are the days I most need to remember all I have to be grateful for.
It also helps to have reminders that I have a Higher Purpose than I realize. Maybe, just maybe that is part of my mission here. Along with my @Dressember Sunflowers and Snow Teammates, I am finishing out a month of wearing dresses to help raise awareness for slavery. Think it doesn’t exist? Think again, and know that it is happening in our area!!
According to a 2011 report released by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, out of the runaways actually reported each year in Tennessee, about 1000 are trafficked. Virtually all trafficked youth have been abused and /or traumatized prior to their trafficking.
This 2011 study determined that minors who are trafficking victims are sold 10 to 15 times a day, six days a week.
THAT MEANS THAT EACH VICTIM IS “USED” 9,360 to 14,040 TIMES A YEAR!! I cannot imagine the level of trauma that would produce in a child?
End Slavery Tennessee, best sums up that 2011 study…
85 Tennessee counties: Reported at least one case of human trafficking
4 counties: Reported 100+ cases (a case usually involves multiple victims)
94: Number of children trafficked in Tennessee every MONTH.
**Sixty-eight counties in the state reported at least one case of minor human sex trafficking. The following four counties reported more than 100 cases a) Shelby, b) Davidson, c) Coffee, and d) Knox.
Have I mentioned that Knoxville ranks 4th…did you hear me? FOURTH!! in the heaviest sex trafficking market? I am not ok with that!!
Thank you @A21 and and @IJM for this eye-opening opportunity for me to learn more about modern day slavery!!
It’s not too late! If you haven’t yet, would like to be part of this team effort, Melissa West, Jenn Ashton, Madeline Hildek, Nicci Rea, Harmony Darling, Aynne Johnston, Laura Moyer and I would love to have you join Sunflowers and Snow.
Donate here to help raise funds that go toward rescuing human trafficking victims and their aftercare.
Or simply keep on with your “Likes” and Shares!
Namaste,
Nikki
Today’s Dressember Day…
A day of yoga devoted to ME!
With kids, work, Christmas, Dressember, planning yoga classes, etc, etc, I was desperately in need! I am exhausted. I know you all know what I mean!!
Not only am I tired physically, I’m tired on emotional and spiritual levels as well. It has not been easy to remain committed to human trafficking awareness. To walk away, would have saved time, energy, and heartbreak. To post a picture of myself every day has put me in a place of discomfort. I have had to overcome some major fear and trust that something bigger than me is truly at work.
From my morning morning coffee to sweet goodbye kisses from my babies to Yoga with Melissa West’s December At-Home Retreat to our community’s meditation meetup this evening…this day has been just what I needed.
My practices today have focused on restoring balance in the bladder and kidney meridians, grounding and balancing through the lower chakras, recognizing fears, and restoring energy and health. How sweet it is to connect with the Divine, when I come to my mat with no expectations and not attachment to the outcome of my practice.
Posting today’s pictures just might be the toughest yet, but I feel led to let them come from True Source. So, with my hair pulled back, in the shortest dress I own (which also isn’t very comfortable), and in my living room with all it’s imperfections I spent the day in prayer, meditation, and asana. The pictures aren’t pretty, but they are real.
Just like slavery. It is still very alive.
Currently in the State of Tennessee we have 3 missing children reported at The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
These kids were not with their families on Christmas. Obviously, they are greatly missed! I am certain Merry Times were non-existent at their houses! All three of these kids are still minors. That makes them prime targets for human traffickers, who prey on youngsters’ vulnerabilities to lure them into traps where they will then be used to raise big money. Crimes involving Sex Sells and Labor of Goods are just a tad bit behind drug crimes all over the world. If the ones that are enslaved do not cooperate, the are not only abused, they are tortured until they either do or die.
My daughter is the same age as all three kids mentioned above. That’s why I’m taking a stand to help end slavery. Will you help?
Melissa West, Jenn Ashton, Madeline Hildek, Nicci Rea, Harmony Darling, Aynne Johnston, Laura Moyer and I would love to have you join Sunflowers and Snow! Also, feel free to Donate to help raise funds that go toward rescuing human trafficking victims and their aftercare. A21 and IJM are doing a wonderful job!! Or simply “Like” and “Share” any Dressember posts you see!
Namaste!!
A Dressember Christmas Day THANK YOU!!
I’m fortunate enough to have most of my immediate family close by, and we are a close-knit bunch. I try not to take it for granted, but I know I’m guilty. Over the past two days, while spending time with my family, I have been carrying all those who are hurting or broken in my heart. No matter what the reason, there is a special place for them all there.
Every year around the holiday season, my heart hurts for all people who spend what should be a joyous time of year lonely, sad or depressed. There are so many reasons it happens, from a loved one’s death, to estranged relationships, to military sacrifices. There are addictions and arguments and resentments. There are illnesses and distances and financial obstacles. There are elderly folks whose families are too busy to visit them. Sometimes, it’s merely work that keeps people away from loved ones.
Right now I especially can’t imagine how families feel who have lost a child, or any family member to the evils of human trafficking.
THANK YOU to everyone who has helped our team Sunflowers and Snow raise awareness of how real, and how close to home human trafficking is! You have helped us raise over $2,000!!
All funds go toward the efforts of IJM and A21 to rescue human trafficking victims and to make sure they are provided the best possible resources to deal with their trauma afterward.
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Thank you for your donations. Your support. Your encouragement. Your “Likes”, Shares, and Comments!!
It’s not too late! If you haven’t yet, but would like to be part of this team effort, Melissa West, Jenn Ashton, Madeline Hildek, Nicci Rea, Harmony Darling, Aynne Johnston, Laura Moyer and I would love to have you join team Sunflowers and Snow. Donate to help raise funds that go toward rescuing human trafficking victims and their aftercare. Or simply “Like” and “Share” any Dressember posts you see!
Merry Christmas Eve Dressember Style!
I’m trying to be Merry, but It’s been a rough day.
Tears and migraine and now more tears.
Sometimes, I guess, they just have to flow.
Parenthood isn’t an easy thing. Tough decisions go along with the title.
It’s tough being the only parent to make and enforce those decisions.
I try to hold it all together. Really, I do.
There is just so much to do.
All the time.
I love my kids more than ANYTHING.
Sometimes, though, I want to run away!!
I cannot imagine what a child must feel that makes him/her want to run away from home.
What are they experiencing that makes them need to get away so badly?
I’ve had a tough day here today, but I pray with everything inside me that no matter how mad I get, my kids never doubt that they are my world.
Dressember Daily Fact:
In 2014, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children estimated that 1 in 6 endangered runaways reported to them were likely sex trafficking victims.
“NCMEC knows that child sex trafficking most often begins with a missing child, particularly the nation’s most vulnerable children. In 2014, one in six endangered runaways reported to NCMEC was likely a child sex trafficking victim. So far in 2015, more than 1,800 missing child cases that involve suspected or confirmed child sex trafficking have been reported to NCMEC.”
Want to help raise awareness?
Melissa West, Jenn Ashton, Madeline Hildek, Nicci Rea, Harmony Darling, Aynne Johnston, Laura Moyer and I would love to have you join Sunflowers and Snow!
Feel free to Donate to help raise funds that go toward rescuing human trafficking victims and their aftercare!
Or simply “Like” and “Share” any Dressember posts you see!
Dressember Stay Home All Day Saturday
See me taking a break during my full day of laundry and yet another attempt to restore order in the chaos that is my home? I look rough. Pictures should always be taken at the beginning of my day!! However, there has been some progress made, I am happy to say. I’m not sure, but is wearing a dress on my housework days helping somehow to get more done?! Hmmm…something to think about!
Mu daughter hung pictures that I’ve had sitting around forever. I got busy and forgot to eat, as usual so she also made sure I was fed. My Little Man helped with laundry. I’m thankful for them!
I’m also feeling thankful for friends tonight. My Little Man has kids in our safe neighborhood to go outside and play with. My Girl got a call from a friend she hasn’t heard from in a year or so, and I heard her giggle. I had an unexpected visit from a most precious person who always lifts me up and ignores my flaws, and I got to chat via text with another someone who offers me hope and brightens my day.
I am also very, very thankful for TBI, IJM, and A21. They are sincere in their efforts to help stop modern day slavery!
Last day for Davidson County info, as per TBI Newsroom,
Please take note that Knoxville is mentioned below!
jNASHVILLE – A three-day operation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and partner agencies to combat human trafficking in Nashville has resulted in the arrest of 41 individuals on prostitution-related charges; 34 men, six women and one juvenile. More than half of those men tried to buy sex from a minor. The Nashville anti-trafficking operation, called “Operation Someone Like Me”, is the sixth of its kind in the state between the TBI and partner agencies to help identify, investigate and prosecute trafficking, and rescue victims. Those arrested include a high school teacher, a college football player, a truck driver, a student and a state IT Specialist.
NASHVILLE “OPERATION SOMEONE LIKE ME” STATS
Since “Operation Someone Like Me” began in May 2015, there have been 143 arrests/ citations.
The investigation was conducted in Brentwood/ Clarksville, Jackson, Chattanooga (twice, once in conjunction with Georgia Bureau of Investigation), Knoxville and Nashville.
During the three-day trafficking operation in Nashville, 485 men responded to the ads we posted on Backpage.com. There were a total of 5,367 communication interactions made to TBI undercover Agents:
*Tuesday texts – 1,232
*Wednesday texts – 2,474
*Thursday texts – 1,127
*Total phone calls – 534
Want to help raise awareness?
Melissa West, Jenn Ashton, Madeline Hildek, Nicci Rea, Harmony Darling, Aynne Johnston, Laura Moyer and I would love to have you join Sunflowers and Snow!
Donate to help raise funds that go toward rescuing human trafficking victims and their aftercare.
Or simply “Like” and “Share” any Dressember posts you see!
Today’s Dressember Experience.
Well. I had a plan. I knew what I wanted to say tonight.
But I sit here, now, not knowing…
So whatever is coming, don’t say I didn’t warn you!
No gripes. No complaints.
Some confusion. Some fear.
Some happiness. Some excitement.
A more open heart than I’m use to.
New friends. New connections with old friends.
A newfound willingness to reach out.
Thankful heart. Grateful mind.
Strong determination.
Uncertainty.
Concern.
A hurting heart.
Tragedy struck today.
In my own way I hope I made a slight difference to somebody, somehow.
I tried, the only way I knew how. Not according to my plan.
But when is it ever, really?
Human Trafficking.
Juveniles being bought, sold, and traded for financial gains. I am most certain that is not part of any child’s plan.
Help me Help them?
Here is more about Davidson County, with the largest human trafficking stats in TN, according to TBI NEWSROOM –
NASHVILLE – Special Agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation have obtained indictments for three individuals in connection to an ongoing juvenile human trafficking investigation. Eight counts each of Trafficking for Commercial Sex Acts and two counts each of Money Laundering, and another indictment with one count of Trafficking for Commercial Sex Acts. Today, authorities notified all three individuals of their new charges at two local jails, where they remain incarcerated on unrelated charges. All will subsequently be booked at the Montgomery County Jail at a later date.
NASHVILLE – Special Agents in the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Human Trafficking Unit, assisted by Drug Investigation Division Agents and the Clarksville Police Department, have arrested and charged a Clarksville man accused of trafficking a juvenile for the purpose of sex.
NASHVILLE – Special Agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation have obtained ADDITIONAL indictments for two individuals ALREADY facing charges in connection to an ongoing TBI juvenile human sex trafficking investigation.
Melissa West, Jenn Ashton, Madeline Hildek, Nicci Rea, Harmony Darling, Aynne Johnston, Laura Moyer and I would love to have you join Sunflowers and Snow, Donate, Or simply “Like” and “Share” any Dressember posts you see!
Namaste,
Nikki
Keep scrolling if you can’t handle it. I’m gettin’ real here.
Can you imagine your daughter or son, or your next door neighbor’s child being the victim of sexual abuse?
What if it happened over and over and over and over again?
What if it happened over and over and over again and you did nothing about it?
What if nobody ever did anything about it?!
I’m wearing a dress the rest of the month to help raise awareness of human trafficking. Kids are sex slaves. Are you aware?
It is Dressember!
With my heart breaking, I’ll share straight from the TBI Newsroom —
Davidson County has the largest numbers of human trafficking in Tennessee. Here, a couple of reports involving children.
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has obtained indictments for two Georgia men, accused of statutory rape in an ongoing TBI human trafficking investigation.
NASHVILLE – The Rutherford County Grand Jury returned indictments, charging with one count of Trafficking for Sexual Servitude, one count of Conspiracy to Commit Trafficking for Sexual Servitude, one count of Rape, and one count of Aggravated Statutory Rape. TBI’s casework into this specific operation has led to charges for an additional six individuals.
Care to help raise my team raise awareness of Human Trafficking?
Melissa West, Jenn Ashton, Madeline Hilde Sicinski, Nicci Rea, Harmony Darling, Aynne Johnston, Laura Moyer and I would love to have you join Sunflowers and Snow, Donate, Or simply “Like” and “Share” any Dressember posts you see!
Namaste,
Nikki
MONDAY!! Whoa?! Who said that?! Surely it wasn’t me?! I don’t like Mondays!!
Today has been ok though. Hugs and kisses from my Grandson who is spending some time with his daddy. Unfortunately, we had to meet at the doctor because he isn’t feeling well, so prayers and healing energy very much appreciated!!
Work was pretty smooth sailing today, with most people I interacted with in happy moods. I got an unexpected text that made me smile. I had a realization that I am starting to reach out to people, not out of desperation or obligation, but because I want to! Anybody who knows me well, knows I am terribly afraid of inconveniencing people, so I am pleased to know that I don’t always! 🙂
I hate going grocery shopping. Absolutely dread it. Any kind of shopping, really, but bare cupboards and hungry kids aren’t a good match. So off I go. Right after work. I pulled into the busy, crowded parking lot and thought not so nice thoughts. I forced my anxiety away so I could go inside, and found myself chit chatting with a stranger and her little girl in the produce. On my way to the health food section, I was stopped by a lovely momma friend for a quick “gripe” about how fast all the kids are growing. I found almost everything on my list in one store. The rest could be substituted or could wait. I was headed to check out so I could go pick up my son from his friend’s where he’d already been for 24 hours, when I was approached by a grandad/dad of whom I have great admiration. I loved catching up with him about our girls.
Speaking of kids…My heart is hurting…terribly…these numbers keep growing…
Take a look at these Dressember Facts from End Slavery Tennessee :
Worldwide:
In the U.S:
In Tennessee:
My apologies. I cannot bring myself to look at the numbers closer to home yet.
Care to help me and my team as we wear dresses for the rest of the month for Dressember? We are raising awareness of modern-day slavery, rescuing victims from all over the world, and helping to provide after care.
We are Sunflowers and Snow. Melissa West, Jenn Ashton, Madeline Hilde Sicinski, Nicci Rea, Harmony Darling, Aynne Johnston, Laura Moyer and I would love to have you our team: Sunflowers and Snow!
Would you consider making a donation?
Simply taking the time to read this is a huge help in helping raise awareness of human trafficking!
Namaste,
Nikki
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