January 25, 2026

Cheers to a new day Star,

Last week, we built a method for listening (here's the last issue in case you missed it). We gathered data from the world and from our souls. Now, what do we do with it? We use it to define our focus.​
​

This journey is about moving from unconscious reaction to intentional identity. I believe we operate from three primary levels of self, and understanding where you are is the map to where you’re going. If you've had a deep conversation with me in the last year you may have heard of these levels of self, if you haven't... lean on in.

⚖️ The Scale of Self

Level 1: Self-Sacrificing

This is often our first learned mode, especially in how many family are structured. We equate love and belonging with giving ourselves away. Do I have a witness? Cause I have definitely realized at my big age that I've spent alot of my life giving myself away.

At this level compromise feels like loss because often from this mindset of self-sacrificing, we are not actually compromising we are instead, shrinking. Shrinking our true self, our soul, down to a size that we think will be accepted or approved.
​
This is also the lowest level of conciousness. When we operate from self-sacrifice, we feel separate from the God/Divine Source.

Pause & Reflect
When have you felt most self-sacrificing?
What habits do you default into when you are operating from self-sacrifice?

Level 2: Self-Centered

This is often where many of us go when we are overcorrecting our self-sacrificing behavior. We are determined to make our lives and choices about ourselves, by any means necessary. It's a great practice ground for honoring ourselves when done in a healthy, harmonious way. Here, we get better at true compromise. My dear friend, Dr. Oliver Moreno (I say Dr. every time because I'm so proud of my friend lol), helped me reframe this: Compromise isn’t about loss; it’s a mixture of self-compassion and intelligent prioritization. ​
​
Let's look at true compromise as a coffee filter, knowing what to let through for the best blend for everyone, including you.
​
​Here we have a higher level of consciousness. When we move to self-centered, we begin to honor the divine within us. ​
​​
Experiment​
In your next conversation, ask: “What one thing—a habit, a behavior, or a perspective—would be best for me to change for the health of this connection?"
​

Level 3: Self-Focused

This is the pinnacle, where you give away 2/3 less energy than in sacrifice mode. This isn’t selfishness. As Dr. Moreno said so beautifully: “Magic is the change of the self.” To be self-focused is to be so aligned with your own magic (your change) that you become a conduit for it. A conduit for sharing your magic with the world.

Your thinking expands because you understand you are connected to everything. Your personal well-being is seen as integral to the collective well-being. You are a deep well that overflows and you give from your overflow, not your sacrifice. From the self-focused level you tend to think thoughts like "The universe is for me, because I am the universe." You take action with yourself and others from a place of compassion as your default. You know that by being compassionate to your needs, everyone benefits.

When we become self-focused, we realize we are an expression of God/Source, and our compassion becomes its instrument on Earth.

Where are you on the Scale of Self?

I've been pondering on this concept for over a year and decided that it's more of a scale than a pyramid because, we often slide up and down the levels of connection with the universe. As a scale this makes me think about the concept of bringing heaven down to Earth. The idea of bringing, divine peace into the physical world exists across multiple faiths and spiritual traditions. I did a little spiritual research to express the how unified traditions around the world are on this:

• In the Jewish tradition they say bringing light down: It is taught that originally, heaven and earth were one. Through human actions, kindness, and adherence to spiritual laws (Mitzvot), people are responsible for drawing down that divine light and making this physical world a "heavenly" home.
• In the Christian faith, The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:10): Jesus teaches his followers to pray: "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." This is considered the primary prayer for bringing divine order to the earthly realm.
• In Buddihist teachings, "Heaven in our own hearts": This teaching emphasizes that creating a calm, peaceful, and compassionate mind transforms the immediate environment into a "paradise" or "heaven on earth".
• In various spiritual traditions there is a knowing, "As Above, So Below": This Hermetic maxim suggests that the heavenly realm ("above") is reflected in the physical, earthly realm ("below"). Thus, changes in consciousness (above) directly impact the physical world (below).

I bet you didn't think you'd get a spiritual word from me this Sunday through talking about the importance of being compassionate to yourself, and I hope it's the reminder that you needed. Can I get a hallelujah?! When you realize how connected you are to all that is and treat yourself with compassion, you are helping to bring heaven down to Earth and we can use alot of that kind of energy in the world right now.

So, where are you currently on this scale?

No judgement, simply be aware. Sometimes we think we are in one place and then when we think about how connected and supported we feel in just being, being right here, right now. We all go up and down this scale, what's most important is that we realize that we can choose which self to embody, we just have to take on the behavior of that self to make the change.

Your Experiment This Week: Identity Embodiment

For one day, consciously anchor into the energy of a self-focused person or at least go up one level from where your are at this present moment. If you’re usually hanging out in the self-sacrificing level, what would centering look like? If you’re usually centered, what would focused abundance through all that is feel like?

• Write down 2-3 things you would change.
• For two days, don’t act. Instead, take these potential changes through your Method of Listening.
  • Let each one be a mountain.
  • Sense how you feel about it.
  • Open to your intuition.
  • What does your inner wisdom say? This is how you define your focus from the inside out.

Liberation is a lifestyle. It requires support.

• For a guided, intensive shift: My 3-week coaching package is a powerful container for moving up the scale. Book a complimentary call to see if it's right for you.
• For ongoing community & depth: Join my Patreon community, The Constellation, for member-only companion posts and discussions. All tiers get access.
• For your personal practice: Track your experiments in my journal, Relax & Remix: A 4-Week Journal to Get Unstuck and Evolve Your Life.

​
Next week, we’ll take our defined focus and learn to refine our response with clear, measurable self-agreements.

Be and focus well ✨
​Elayna Ayo

💛 Headlines with Heart

🏡 Police officer helps unhoused grief stricken widow get a home.
​
👨🏻‍🔬Japanese scientists have developed a plant-based plastic that dissolves in salt water.

🌎 The hole in the ozone at Anartica is the smallest it's been since 1992.

🦌 The largest wildlife crossing in the US has just opened in Colorado.

🌊 Norway has agreed to no deep-sea mining in the Arctic for the next 4 years.

⭐️ Upcoming Events

​
Join me at the next Gospel Brunch on Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 1pm at TaterQue in Pflugerville. I'll be your MC guiding you through games infused with church culture, biblical teachings and holy humor. I'll also be sharing a supportive scriptures during the "Connect with your Neighbor" segment. Come for the word, community and dem oxtails! (yes they are that good!)
​
See you there!
​
⭐️Check out this short video on Instagram for the vibe.​

Go Deeper The Relax & Remix journal: Craft a flow for yourself Have you found your rhythm for 2026? If not consider purchasing a Relax & Remix Journal. Understand your current baseline in detail Craft experiments to try based on the lessons you learn each week Document your dreams, prayers, habits, challenges and wins to deepen and personalize your experience. Create your rhythm. Track your truth. Remix your reality. Purchase your copy

Thank you for reading.​
If this sparked something in you, pause, reflect, and share that with me by replying to this newsletter! I love to hear how the messages land.

🎁 Was this gifted to you from a friend? Subscribe here to receive future letters directly.

💃🏽 Follow INFOLD Studios on Instagram for drops of magic and meaning. Follow me personally to learn about what matters to me.