CLARITY

Here we are in January of a the New Year and I’m sure we all have a list of New Years resolutions we want to accomplish this year. I know I usually do. But this year I’m shortening that list. I've spent the last couple weeks reflecting on 2013 and my life in general; goals I’ve set and those I’ve broken. I’ve gone from being extremely proud of myself to completely beating myself up.  When I look back at where I was 5 years ago and where I am now I’m astonished at how much I’ve changed and grown, how much I better understand myself now than I did then. So why do I get so down on myself? Is it because I tend to be overly ambitious?  I think I set way too many goals for myself and limit myself from fully focusing on a few.  So this year my goal is this: I want to gain CLARITY. Clarity of what I want to accomplish in my life. Not material but more internal. My purpose – isn’t that what this whole blog is about? My journey to Nirvana – achieving my ultimate purpose? So here I am…... its January of a New Year  - I feel wiser and more aware of who I am and what I am interested in. I am more in touch with myself and what make makes me happy – so I guess I did accomplish something last year, something subconscious and intangible – but something great!

I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to do for my career, my day to day job you know the thing that makes you money so you can buy things and travel. I want my job to be my vehicle in helping me accomplish my purpose. If I’m going to be spending most of my time “working” why wouldn’t I want to be purposeful and accomplish something fulfilling, something that brings me closer to my true purpose. Doesn’t mean I’m ready to make a huge shift in my career and make a 180, but I want to gain clarity.  Get more clear on how I can create a career that draws me closer to my purpose. This is not to say I completely understand my purpose yet but the one thing I’m certain about is that purpose will create positive energy. I do know that my passions and interests make me happy an in turn create positive energy. So that’s where I start.

My interests. 

What am I passionate about and what makes me happy? 

To start – Spirituality; the deeper meaning of life and finding that internal balance. Things that bring me closer to that are yoga and meditation. Cooking – I love cooking and using organic and clean ingredients, being conscious of what I put in my body to increase longevity. Travel – I love traveling and exploring new places and even revisiting places that are saturated with culture. One of my favorite things to do is attending Art/Music Festivals – I get to spend time with some of my closest friends, making memories, listening to amazing music, exploring art, expressing myself and meeting new people. And a new interest of mine is Alternative/Holistic Health. I grew up in a household that always choose homeopathy over western medicine and as I got older I began to really understand its affects on the mind and body. 

So I start here – I dive deeper, practice yoga more often, maybe explore different forms of yoga and continue to meditate daily. Maybe I’ll even take a cooking class and explore new ingredients – be a little more ambitious in the kitchen. The travel is a done deal – I’m already broke thinking about it but can’t be more excited that festival season is just around the corner! And lastly Holistic health – I’ve already started following new blogs and reading more about this field. The more I read the more excited I get in incorporating these practices into my life. So next time anyone has a stomached ache – don’t you worry I got those “magic ginger pills”.

I’m putting it out there – doing more of what I’m passionate about and letting the universe orchestrate the rest.

So now I challenge you to take a moment and get clear about your purpose and objectives for 2014!

"Knowing how you actually want to feel is the most potent form of clarity that you can have. Generating those feelings is the most powerfully creative thing you can do with your life" - Danielle LaPorte

E.L.

New Year. New You

Here we are in Spring 2013 - Where is the time going? Last year was one INTENSE year. I experienced a deeper love, loss, a new job and most importantly a better understanding of who I am.

I learned that not everyone you meet and connect with will be in your life forever no matter how great of an impact and space they held in your heart. I learned more than anything to always believe in yourself and never allow someone to bring you down just because of how they see you. Everyone has their own perception of themselves and the world around them - sometimes it even feels like they are living in another reality. Someone you thought you knew inside and out can end up being someone you have no connection to or understanding of. I'm still growing and evolving and so are the people around me. You meet and connect with people at different stages in your life -- and only those that share your energy will continue on your journey with you. Whatever is not in alignment will be purged and everything happens for a reason. I am extremely grateful for the relationships I have made through out my life - everyone held a purpose.

This year already I have met so many incredible soul and traveled to incredibly serene places. My relationship with A is growing quickly and I am the happiest I have been in years. I'm excited for the life we dream of and the journey that lies ahead....

Here is a little glimpse of some of my adventures...

New Years in Lake Tahoe

I found my new guilty pleasure - CHICKEN AND WAFFLES - Pure Gluttony!

Valentine's Day in VEGAS - I HIGHLY recommend seeing LOVE by the Beatles!

I also discovered my new obsession of Martini's and Oysters --- Am I getting old?

I have always lead with my heart and positive energy - and this past year has been a testament to that. 

Emotion is greater than reason

baby steps

A wise old man once told me " Life is a journey, not a destination". This pretty much sums it up. Everything in life the good the bad the ups and downs, its all part of your journey. My journey… or so my road has had many twists and turns. But I have learned to embrace it all. Everything has shaped who I am in the present. I am thankful for my "mistakes" and for the lessons I have learned a long the way. I am thankful for the makeups the breakups and all the friends and people I have met along the way. 

A lot has been going on since I last wrote. I finally got the courage to break-free from a terrible job situation . I got a new job. I did some more traveling....and eating :-). I have loved.. A LOT… and most importantly I have reflected. 

First. The job. I had been applying to all sorts of non profit organizations for months now..probably since January, not getting anywhere. Then I got a call to take an interview with a big producing Real Estate Agent who was looking for a Team Leader. At first I was stuck…real estate…again…ugh I'm just not getting anywhere. But I had to remind myself that I had to take baby steps. I had to just go on the interview. The location was appealing. 5 minute car ride from my place vs the hour commute  I was doing each way to work. So i went… and sure enough it didn't just go well it was hands down the most incredible interview I've ever gone on. She. The boss. The rainmaker is one spiritual lady. The interview was almost 2 hours and we spend more than half of it just talking about our lives, who we are , what inspires us and the role energy and spirituality plays in our lives. We had connected on so many levels and the energy was flowing. We vibed. I left excited, motivated… but puzzled. Would taking this job help get me to where I want to be? The pay was much higher, the growth was there… and the distance was a joke. But there was something there that made me feel so right, I was being drawn to it. Guided. So its not in the field i want to be in...yet...but its a skill I know well and it would give me time to learn, grow and make some extra cash to travel and venture. So I took a leap of faith. 

I had planned the transition from my old job to my new job in a way where I was able to travel in between. I NEEDED IT. My soul was yearning for some adventure. 

First stop San Felipe, Mexico. I am blessed that my best friend's family has an incredible home on the beaches of a small fisherman's town in Mexico. The town is small and cozy but the beaches are vast. I got to spend a lot of time decompressing and mentally preparing for this next part of my journey (with the help of an abundance of food and tequila). It was time to grow up. This job was about to get serious and I'm about to get focused. I had to constantly remind myself to never loose focus of my goals. Never loose focus of constantly striving for happiness. I had my first week that involved a lot of crying, no sleep and heavy drinking. The hours were long and A was in town so of course I just wanted to be home. I had a lot to adjust  and I'm not too sure the coworkers realized my purpose yet. But the energy was amazing and I was finally feeling appreciated for the hard work I was putting in. I had value.  By the end of the 2nd week I had requested a few days off prior to starting to take a road trip up to Napa for a friend's end of the summer soirée in Napa. We decided we'd make a road trip out of it and stop at a few of our favorite places along the way. 

                                                 Off to Berkeley.  We stayed in a cozy Victorian Bed & Breakfast on Telegraph Ave (The Rose Garden Inn). It was perfect. We walked the campus, the downtown area, the neighborhoods….took in all the history and simply daydreamed. The knowledge that flowed throughout that campus was inspiring!

Next stop San Francisco... What more do I have to say. I can never get enough of the amazing food, the people, the beautiful buildings, The Castro...and of course The Haight. 

A's best friend lives in Napa and his girlfriend's family was throwing an end of the summer party. "Haywoodstock" to celebrate the Summer of Love…how perfect. We spend the night dancing to the top 40s of the 60s and 70s, dressed like a bunch of hippies and just spreading the love.  We spent the next morning driving the beautiful windy road of Napa Valley. The wineries…the hilltops…the greenery…I could of driven those roads for days. Napa is  such a beautiful & peaceful place. There was some time to kill before my flight out so of course we decided to head back to SF to Cioppino's at the Wharf.. A drink, some clam chowder and a big ol bowl of Cioppino to top off the trip. 

But then It was that time….time to say goodbye. The hardest goodbye yet. Who would of 

thought a year ago I would be where I am today. I thought I had it all figured out. The sex and the city life…my 20's.. being single …free….finding myself. Then BOOM it hits you..like a ton of bricks when you least expect or want it….Love.  Not now …no way. Yes. Yes way. It was something so out of my control and I couldn't help but to follow it. My heart was driving and there was no stopping it.  Now its consumed my life in the most incredible way. He's become my everything and I cant even imagine my life without him. 

So here I am. Happy. Proud to have followed my gut and trusted in myself to take that leap of faith and I continue to follow my heart and good energy. I might not be exactly where I thought I'd be but I'm well on my way. Baby Steps.

Cheers to life my friends. And remember life is a journey not a destination. Make it worth while and follow your heart. Le Chiem!