Tag Archives: friendship

Life

Alone (Together)

April 21, 2020 Francine

One of the biggest fears we tend to face in life is that of being along. And right now in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, many are facing the fact that they are home alone. Even if they have loved ones in their home, many are still having to quarantine or simply live through this time- alone.

The reality is, in this world, we are always alone. (Now before you hyperventilate or tell me how you’re not alone in this life. Please give it a thought.) As I realize that seems a bit off-putting, negative and mean girls of me to say. How could this possibly be true, considering the fact that we are often (and typically) surrounded by others? Though, at the end of the day, your life is lived alone. Solely by You.

The feelings you feel, the experience you experience, is lived by you and you alone. (Picking up what I’m throwing down?). I’m by no means disregarding the endless love and support of friends, family and those closest to us. As their involvement in life and their love bestowed upon is essential to our souls.

However, with that being said-
The more we are able to feel, acknowledge and own this “feeling of alone” is when we set ourselves free from the negative connotation of “being alone.” It allows us to find strength in being by ourselves. During this time of isolation, can we embrace and enjoy the experience of being alone? Work on the friendship we have with ourselves? We can’t go outside, so go Inside. Dive in deep. And I promise the feeling of being alone will no longer be so daunting. Before you know it, you’ll be coming out of this Lockdown stronger than ever. Ready to live life confidently knowing you can face one of the most stressful, anxiety producing, fear-in-your-face daily experience. And guess what you, you did it alone. Soon there will be time to unveil this even better version of yourself, emerging out of the COVID dust. Work on the friendship you have with you.

And when you’ve had your fill of being alone, throw on Dnice’s Club Quarantine playlist for your own private dance party or meditate with some of the best across the globe, easily within reach, playing on an Instagram Screen near you. Hello You. We’ll get through this (alone) together.

Some musical inspiration to get comfortable being alone & hope for togetherness soon…
1.) Go it alone: Beck
2.) Be Alone: Ben Harper
3.) Golden- Jill Scott
4.) We’ll be Together- Sting
5.) (INSERT YOUR SUGGESTIONS)

Life, Travel

Tinder moments in Madrid.

May 23, 2019 Francine

Although this is technically my second visit to Madrid. As my first trip to Madrid was back in 2015 when I decided to live for awhile in Paris. Turns out a friend I had met on a previous adventure in Belize en route to Guatamela was also in Europe the first week of my arrival. He asked if I’d be interested in a road trip from Paris to Spain where he planned to be. I thought why not? Here I just picked up my life to move to a new country by myself. What else was I to be doing?!

Upon arriving in CDG, I was picked up and whisked away to my new apartment in the 9th to quickly meet my air bnb host, drop off my bags and re-pack a lighter duffle for our Eurotrip. Mind you, my trip started in San Diego, to New York and finally arriving a day later into Paris. To say I was exhausted was an understatement. However, just like that, we were off! We didn’t have any real plans, just hit the road headed south for Spain. First official stop was in Lyon, enjoyed the town and continued on, ending our first day’s adventure settling in Biarritz. Which we loved so much we stayed for two nights before hitting the road again. Days spent sipping espresso and rose by the sea. Sounds cliche. Doesn’t it. It was and it simply didn’t Matter. It was pure bliss. Only “real agenda” was that we had to make it to Madrid by Saturday night as my friend had a random “Tinder date” that evening. The entire adventure was just that- what a true road trip should be. From stopping off in Pamplona to see the quaint town where the running of the Bulls occurs each year, to one of my favorites, San Sebastián. As he drove, I drank Spanish beers in the car and DJ’ed to the Best of my ability with French radio. When we finally arrived in Madrid I was ecstatic to explore a new European city. Though this Saturday night I was out to enjoy the liveliness of Madrid solo. As my road trip companion was out with his Tinder date. I found myself a bit bummed to be in this insanely lively city, feeling the need to be a bit more cautious since I was riding solo. Fear not, I still made the very most of my experience-having dinner in a crowded plaza. Sangria(S), live music and an exhilarating energy I was grateful to take in. The next day I was able to spend the day with my friend and his new friend from Tinder. Spending the day on Sunday with these two allowed me to feel I had the chance to authentically experience Madrid, though it left me wanting more…

Here I am 4 years later, returning to Madrid with a friend who has never been. His excitement and adoration for this city further inspired my appreciation for it and eagerness to dive back in. Making our way through the cozy streets and neighborhoods of the city. Stopping off in gardens and sampling some of the best tapas and Sangria this fine city has to offer. This was my time to truly surrender to the city and take it all in with a life long frend as well as my local friend. As life would have it, my “local friend” just so happens to be my friend’s “Tinder date” from my first trip to Madrid, just 4 years prior. Funny how online dating has turned into a life-long friendship with my non-date, from Tinder. I guess you could say meaningful relationships CAN come from Tinder after all.

Beautiful architecture, surrounded by picturesque gardens

Life

It’s the little things…

April 27, 2017 Francine

It would appear as though I’ve been on a bit of a hiatus. Sometimes LIFE just happens and you can get all caught up in it. Although I’ve been writing, I’ve been keeping most of my writing to myself. For it’s been a great lesson to understand the vulnerability and openness that comes with “sharing” through a blog. (Something I’m still learning to gage my comfort level) I’m thankful I’ve been busy experiencing life, though I love nothing more than to take a moment to write and reflect on the “little things in Life” worth noting. Like today. I was touring a client at Westfield Century City and arrived early so I walked the center to check in with some of the retailers. As a man who, at first glance might appear to be not necessarily homeless, though not someone you’d more than likely to stop and chat with. Nonetheless, I offered him a smile and he quickly responded: And how are you today my sister? “I am well, my friend” I responded. That was it. You would have thought two friends were reunited at that very instant. For he then went onto tell me how he appreciated my smile and for it he had a gift. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small white rock. He said that the gift was not from him, but from my grandparents. (Believe me, I’m sure most might think…Time to go. Walk away. RUN!) Though to me, this was a real gift indeed. As I have grown up without grandparents as unfortunately they all passed away either before I was born or at a very young age. And yet despite this disconnect to them, I feel so connected to my root of my family through them. I relate so much to my mother’s mom who our family has forever joked that I am actually her reincarnated. How’s that for a deep thought?! So, needless to say, receiving a random white rock from a random encounter was pretty magical. He then went onto say that just like the rock is strong and solid, that I am to remember that I, too am strong and that even when others try to break me to keep in mind my strength. He said this was the lesson and gift from my grandparents. I hugged this man and thanked him for such a kind gift. As he walked away, he told me that it is my smile that makes a difference in the world and offers a gift to others. Words can’t describe the love in my heart as I walked along my path after a beautiful and random encounter with a complete stranger. These small gifts are truly life’s most beautiful treasures.

Life, Travel

Let the Wind blow you….

October 28, 2016 Francine

Most of my life I have been a “planner.” The ironies of it all, are that most of the joys of life come from the spontaneity of life, not through planning. Though finally the winds of life blew me to Paris one year ago. It wasn’t just a strong gale wind or anything that finally allowed…or shall I say, forced me to change up how I was living. Though it was pretty close as it was one of the most powerful change ups of my life to date.

I had been through some major life changes, including my job which, although loving the company, the role itself had left me feeling unfulfilled. Uninspired, lacking typical enthusiasm for the day to day made me realize something had to change. I knew I wanted more for my life. I needed a change…a surge of inspiration. To LIVE and experience life for myself. Not thinking about work, a relationship or what anyone thought or cared about how I went about my life. Not to mention, I had come out of a very tumultuous marriage and I suppose was going through what maybe called a renaissance of my soul.

I had come to realize the many ways I went about, accepted and allowed life to HAPPEN TO ME. I thought life is what you’re here to LIVE in, participate and engage in. And at times, it feels that life is throwing you off track, though if you pay attention, it just so happens it’s not off course that you’re been thrown off, more like putting you exactly ON course, right where you belong. Thankfully I had (finally) become tired of what I was allowing for my life. I had given my self-fully to all that I am, for my entire life. Even writing that now makes me overwhelmed just thinking about it. The feeling of caring what others thought, working to “prove” myself to my job, my family and the like. All while dismissing what I wanted and needed for my life. To think about all the love, passion and energy I have poured into every job and relationship was enough to make me feel like a narcoleptic… and pass out on my keyboard right here and now! And yet, its a struggle as I truly believe we are here to LIVE. And with PASSION. And to bring the very best of who we are to everything we do, touch, interact with. This is my view of Life.

Though at times it can seem that giving passion and enthusiasm to life that you can end up feeling quite beat up at the end of the day. So, I called my ‘soul sister’ to get it off my chest as I was simply drained. After explaining that I can’t turn off my passion for what I do, as it isn’t how I’m programmed. We went on to talk about random whatevers that we were getting into for our Saturday. As we often talk in circles, tangents and a conversation that you think isn’t really going “Anywhere” in actually is going EVERYwhere. As it often turns into some of the purest, most divine discoveries of some of life’s biggest treasures. Soul seeking truths, all by talking about the random activities we do each day. It’s as if life’s secrets and clues are being blown over to me, through the phone lines with my gal pal. And it happens so organically that it I’m pretty sure it’s what you would call a sacred whisper.

I often wonder where the wind will take me and teach me along my path. Though I’m finding that it’s the day to day wonderment and paying attention to the magic that surrounds us that is the biggest gift of all. To trust that if we surrender to life we can allow life to take it’s course and guide us on a beautiful journey. So my friends, I encourage you to enjoy, embrace and let the wind blow you where it may. I believe you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see where life leads you trusting in life takes you to places you hadn’t even imagined. Better than what you could have even wished for. Trust and let life guide you. Enjoy the ride. xo