Happy Anniversary to my lovely parents.
At 34 years I think I can fairly say they've really been through everything together and they're still laughing. What's their advice to couples trying to go the long-haul? Mom: "Learn to bite your tongue." Dad: (smiles and looks down) I think Dad's advice needs no words. Love you both. Jacqueline
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Most of us perpetually want to close ourselves off from the pain of the world. Some have been hurt so deeply they never want to feel it again. They believe a BIG, hard shell can be their shield. A cold shoulder, a closed heart. A dark corner. We dream of a perfect life where we do not fight. Where we are so zen nothing can break us.
I could be one of them if I so chose. But it's impossible. We're meant to feel. We we're made to bear these challenges and move forward. When we open ourselves to the world, yes, we open ourselves to the pain as well. But in the process, we also open ourselves to more love. Joy. Happiness. This is what I'd rather do. Either way, pain is still going to happen. It will always manage to penetrate the heavy shield. This way, though, I feel more prepared. I've opened myself knowing it's coming. But I get to enjoy the love along the way. Closing ourselves off makes no sense. It just hurts us more when we inevitably fail at keeping all the hurt out. We're set up to fail. So open up. Embrace life. Experience. Learn. Love. Laugh. Find wisdom. Feel joy. Weather the storm. Jacqueline One of my favourite things is when my phone vibrates.
Why? Because this is unusual. I hate the vibrate option. However, I can't figure out how to change that option for DropBox. So what's so exciting about my DropBox vibrations? It means my art photographer has just sent me new photos of my current work AND I can now share it with you! Four new pieces just added to 'Unhinged'. Enjoy! Let me know which you like best and why. Jacqueline What is healthy? Healthy is about respecting yourself, loving yourself and realizing that you're deserving of all the good that comes from being healthy. No one ever said we NEED to be SKINNY. They're just saying TREASURE YOURSELF and all that you're WORTH. You DESERVE it. I believe that health and beauty is not about perfecting your make-up or wearing the coolest clothes, or all about having a flat stomach, it's about loving yourself. No matter who you are or what you look like or where you're at in life, that self-love shines through. I believe the 'ugliest' people in life are also the saddest. The ones who are still holding onto pain and refusing to open their hearts to the possibility of becoming unstuck. The possibility of happiness, love, growth. It's not about "Gucci, Gucci, Louis, Louis, Fendi, Fendi, Prada". It's about searching for and finding out who you are and what you're all about. It's about accepting yourself for all it's worth and sharing that love with the world. When we are happier so is the world around us. You're no longer just bettering yourself. Yes, it is selfish to an extent, focusing on ourselves. But, in the end, we're affecting everyone else around us. We're affecting the world. When we love ourselves, we show others it's okay to do the same. When we love ourselves, it's easier for us to love others. When we love ourselves, it's easier for us to allow others to share their love with us. The other day someone went out of their way to tell me I had "the sweetest smile". Someone thanked me simply for smiling. Did I walk away feeling special and pretty? No. I walked away with an even bigger smile because what they'd confirmed, was I was right where I needed to be. My happiness was shining through. I loved myself, I loved life, I loved others. Life is good. That's healthy. Be beautiful today. For yourself. For the world. Jacqueline In the summer my yoga studio notified us that the renowned Hali & Kevin of Real Evolution yoga would be visiting and holding two classes.
I wanted to pick one. Yoga has helped me so much that I aspire to further my knowledge with it. Due to my practice I have a basic knowledge of asanas and several chances to easily learn more of them. However, meditation is something I wanted to take further. So I eagerly booked it and awaited the date having no true idea of what I was getting myself into. On Saturday I arrived to a full studio of yogis ready to learn, and I'm sure, just as uncertain of what this class was all about. We began slowly. Introducing ourselves. Connecting. Learning to trust one another. Pushing our boundaries. Then a simple, quiet meditation furthering into chanting. Chanting, like drumming, is an incredible experience of union. Beginning with your own beat and slowly becoming one with the beat of the group as a whole. It is where I felt focused. Grounded. From there we moved into our asana practice. Hali and Kevin sharing the role of instructor, each offering their own positions, switching back and forth. There were many long hip openers, which I gain most from and as we hit the mat for savasana I felt the first wave of emotion hit me. We then moved into our more intense self actualization portion where a roller coaster of emotions barrelled through the class. At least 80% of us openly breaking down. Tears were flowing. Hugs being given. Tissues handed out. Connection. Pure and simple. Laughter, joy, growth. SO much was learned. More than I can explain but I'll attempt some pointform bits and pieces.
In the end I won TheMat (thanks to Dale Lee Kwong), wisdom, strength, human connection and huge inspiration. Not only from the instructors but also from the beautiful, broken, REAL people I met in the process. Forever changed by a simple interest, stepping out, trying something new and listening fully and completely.
Is there something you've been 'thinking' of trying? Jacqueline |
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March 2020
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