Tag Archives: Inspiration

La-La-Lockdown


Here we sit in 2020 with great hope and anticipation for an amazing year ahead. Thankful to say Good riddance to 2019. And yet oddly enough, here we are on the eve of isolation and lockdown. We haven’t experienced anything like this before and it seems this new change is not only quickly approaching but is here. Right here. Right now. Never having to minimize our lifestyle, nor certainly not remaining with our 4 walls for an extended period of time. As we, as a society, simply never shut down. Business and work ethic is seemingly inherent in our veins. Our DNA. Like it or not, that has been the legacy of America.  So now what? What is one expected to do when the world has come to a screeching halt?! Stay at home you say?

How does life go on….now that we’re on lockdown? Americans have always been known to be big consumers and with that comes supply, demand and plenty of options. Options for days. For anything and everything. From products to dating- we have come to expect options in every aspect of our life. Shop in the grocery stores now with little to no options, certainly is a lesson within itself. And dare I discuss the issue of toilet paper? I digress….
This may not be a big deal in say, France, where if you’re in the market for a bar of soap, you may have a few options. That’s it, C’est Tous. It is what it is. And to be honest, do you really need 543 different types of soap? Now, let’s be clear, I’m by no means saying I’m not a girl who loves her options…I certainly do. However, it’s times like these that we realize the excessive ways in which we live.  The times like these when our shelves of supplies are cleared out and there simply are no options whatsoever. (Once again excessive- only in this case, hoarding for hoarding sake.) We need to find balance in all this recently disrupted and ever-adjusted way of life. And hopefully find also a replenished stock of toilet paper and hand sanitizer!

How can we learn and LIVE from our global neighbors who have already been on lockdown? Well, for starters, The Italians have ALWAYS known how to live. And this time is certainly no exception. In fact, it only further demonstrates how much they embrace the joy of living each and every moment. Singing on the streets together while locked in their homes to avoid the spread of the virus. Instead spreading notes and words of cheer in moments of despair. Inspiring themselves, one another, and in the process the entire globe. This time of coming together as humanity is long overdue. Although this moment brings with it heartbreaking tragedy and daily news to reflect this, I believe this is also offers us an incredible opportunity to grow stronger together in a more connected, conscious and loving way. Maybe share a roll of TP with a stranger? My hope and belief is that we will see great gestures of love and humanity rise to the occasion. A girl can dream. And I encourage everyone of you to do the same. It takes a world to heal the world. With wishes for good health and good cheer, friends. 

Let the Wind blow you….

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