Month: December 2018

Categories
self discovery

Year 34

Today I turned 34.

Yes, it’s my birthday!

Some people may dread getting older, but I welcome it with open arms. As each new year of my life approaches, I feel grateful for all I have learned, everything I’ve experienced, and for another trip around the sun.

As an old soul, I always felt wise beyond my years. I finally feel I am catching up to how I feel inside. Perhaps some of you can relate to that.

It wasn’t an easy year, but it was a year full of growth. I’m thrilled to say hello to 2019, and all of the exciting new chapters I’m about to write.

Here’s to year 34!

Categories
conscious living

Believe: The Gateway to Self

German philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, “Magic is believing in yourself. If you can do that, you can make anything happen.”

On this 12/12, I have been thinking about everyday magic and living in infinite possibilities.

Keeping my eye out for synchronicities and signs, I have made a conscious effort to stay connected, grateful, and in my own truth.

12/12 is a magical gateway to transformation, helping to guide you closer to your soul purpose and passions. This gateway assists in feeling confident, empowered, and loved; the old will begin to slip away and make room for a newness that will be better aligned with your heart.

You can find magic each and every day- you just need to be open to what life brings you. As we stop listening to what others on the outside say and begin to listen to what’s inside, a new peace is found and unexpected doors will open.

All you need is to believe in yourself- then others will, too.

Categories
mindful at work self discovery

Life Works On It’s Own Timeline

Being stuck on the train is always a good time to start a new post.

Appropriately, this made me start to think about patience.

2018 has been yet another year for self discovery, picking yourself back up, and learning to think differently in this crazy world we live in. In January I set out with big hopes and dreams, got discouraged when they didn’t work out fast enough, and lost hope- briefly.

Then, at the end of August, I realized an important lesson: life has other plans for me.

Instead of looking at the outside to determine my success and worth, I began to look even deeper within.

I found myself going back to teaching this past fall while I continue to write, work on myself, and help others learn to live their best life. I hadn’t expected to start teaching again, but the opportunity appeared right when I least expected it.

We try so hard to perfectly plan each move we make, only to find that life works on its own timeline. Each detour provides a lesson to react differently than we have in the past, whether it’s a stopped train in Cambridge or coping with a loss.

As I work with others in every area of my life, I’m grateful for all the lessons I’ve learned in 2018 and try to implement them on a daily basis. On some days I learn patience with students, and on others I learn to let unkind words roll off my back.

Life certainly does have its own timeline, and it’s my job to make the most of everything it brings my way.

Categories
conscious living mindful at work

Calm in the Chaos

Taxi cabs, loud voices, and the shoving of people in a crowd- it sometimes seems impossible to stay calm in life’s chaos. There’s two types of chaos I can experience in my daily life- the hustle of the city and the ongoing stimulation of others around me.

At times, I would simply like to sit quietly by the water or live in a place without so many people or complications- yet my heart lies in the city.

Lately I have been thinking a lot about staying calm through the chaos life can bring. From gossip to managing room of students, both my personal and professional life can wear me down at the blink of an eye.

So, how does one keep their balance?

Somehow I have managed to retreat to my own little world- a world where I am limitless, peaceful, and content. A world where I find solace in my creativity, music, and nature. A world where I am able to communicate with something much bigger than me. A world where I live with purpose.

So, whether you’re frazzled at work or in the middle of an argument, remember to take a deep breath and look within. You’ll be surprised at the solace and can find within yourself.

Categories
self discovery

Someone to Quietly Sit With

Yesterday wasn’t anything out of the ordinary- yet it was a delightful Saturday afternoon.

It was one of those sunny, frigid December days; the type of day when you need sunglasses and gloves. With my notebook and planner in hand, I crept into a cafe for coffee and a warm place to write.

I spotted an empty seat by the window and hoped it would still be there by the time I ordered my drink. However, not only did I notice the empty seat- I noticed a familiar face at the spot next to what I hoped to be mine.

I remembered this person from the summer- we had sat next to each other at the window on the opposite side of the cafe. Just like me, he seemed to prefer the window seats- and just like the time before, I had my journal, planner, and black coffee.

We said a few words this time- chatting about the cold weather, our birthdays, and the dark winter days. He offered me his New Yorker magazine after writing in silence, looking out the window, and sipping warm drinks.

You always wonder what will come out of something like this; you wonder what the stranger sitting next to you will say, what they’ll do, or if you will ever see them again.

However, Saturday afternoon was perfect; because sometimes it’s just nice to have someone to quietly sit with.

Categories
self discovery

Two Years of Living Beautifully

Time flies when you’re making the most out of life.

When I moved to Boston two years ago I didn’t know anyone, but I found comfort in my writing. I started this blog to share my journey, process my feelings, and learn the power of vulnerability.

Two years later, I’ve grown so much, connected with amazing people, and learned to be much braver. Thank you for following along, sending emails, and for all of your love and support.

Here’s to year three!

Dunkin at Tiffany’s

Categories
empowerment mindful at work

You’re Not Responsible For What Others Think Of You

As I walked through the Harvard Coop the other day, I passed the self-help section for inspiration.  Per usual, something stuck out:

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Just when I needed it, this book struck me (and now I’m #1 on the waiting list to check it out at the library… more thoughts on it to follow!). 

Over the past few months I have been working on setting healthy boundaries, staying in my own lane, and speaking my mind without cowering down.  Not only have I been attracting people who have been in alignment with my values, people at a lower vibration haven’t been approaching me as often.  Some people in my life have even thanked me for my honesty; I’ve shared things they may not have said themselves and have helped to inspire them to be a little bit more transparent.

Although I’ve never thought of it this way, it’s a courageous act to put an end to relentless people pleasing.  As Dr. Wayne Dyer said, “What other people think of me is none of my business. One of the highest places you can get to is being independent of the good opinions of other people.”

If I were to walk into a room with 10 people, there would be 10 different opinions of me. Do I need to take each one to heart?  Do I need to conform to please each and every one of these people?

Of course not- that would be silly.

One of the biggest freedoms I have found is being happy within my own skin, independent of what the outside world has to say.  One of my biggest joys is to connect with other people on a deeper, meaningful level, but it’s not possible to please everyone.

First, you must be comfortable within your own truth.

photo-54

Categories
conscious living mindful at work

Sunday Self Care: The Importance of Taking a Mental Health Day

We are a society always on the move.

We go to work, fill our schedules, and tend to the everyday tasks required to be productive and responsible people. More often than not, “self care” isn’t on those to-do lists.

Today, self care is #1 on my list.

It’s Sunday, and my alarm went off at 7AM. As I heard rain falling outside my window, I began resenting the things I had planned for the morning. I couldn’t remember the last day I got to spend simply caring for myself. I looked around my room and spotted the book I was reading and thought, “wouldn’t it be nice to just stay home to read and journal all day?”

So that’s what I’m going to do.

It’s important to stop and pause when we begin to feel restless or irritable. The two questions you need to ask yourself are:

Why am I feeling this way?

What have I done to care for myself?

You’ll probably find a correlation between the two answers; and it’s likely you’re caring for others better than you’re caring for yourself, whether it’s your family, your job, or other responsibilities. When your intuition tells you it’s okay to just stay home, say no, or relax, listen to your inner voice. It’s a gentle tap on the shoulder to remind yourself that it’s okay to sit still and take a break.

Self care Sunday is a perfect way to reset for the new week and to recharge your batteries. Whether you choose to do some yoga, enjoy a long meditation, enjoy a sea salt bath, or go for a walk in the park, these moments to yourself are crucial to living a happy, balanced life.

You’re the only one who truly knows what you need, so I hope you can take some time out for self care today, too.