November 25, 2014

Be the Best Version of Yourself || 11.25.14

November 25, 2014/ ekfriend

'Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.' ~Dr. Seuss

Especially during the holidays, we just need to be ourselves. Be it single or in a relationship, slender or overweight, sad or happy, rejuvenated or exhausted, we just need to be ourselves. Let all the weight of others' expectations fall away and breathe in your own skin. Allow yourself to breathe and be breathed by the joy of the season. There is no need to stress. Just be the best versions of yourselves in this crazy maze of life. Let Aunt Whatsis and Uncle Whosis have their peace -- answer their questions with honor and integrity, being proud of who you are, what you do, and how you live your life. And remember to always love. Love yourself and love others for all that they are and all they have become. We strive so much to project the perfect persona onto others -- unnecessary as all that we must do is find comfort within ourselves. A hard task but incredibly worthwhile.

Will you own exactly who you are this holiday season?

xxoo

[image]

November 18, 2014

|| The Mermaids Mantra || 11.18.14

November 18, 2014/ ekfriend

“I must be a mermaid...I have no fear of depths and a great fear of shallow living.” ― Anaïs Nin

"I must be a mermaid... I have no fear of depths and a great fear of shallow living." ~Anais Nin

I have this quote hanging beside my bed as a reminder. A reminder to be myself and not settle amid the shallowness of others. A reminder to be brave and daring and willing to escape and find the depth in other humans, in animals, and in places no one has ever been before. It doesn't have to be pretty or perfect or right. It just has to be exactly what I need in that moment. I truly do have a great fear of waking up one day and regretting what I did or who I became based on timid choices I made years before. How boring would it be not to be true and authentic to myself? I think it would be terrible to wake up and keep wondering what if. What if I just did it? What if we just went on a journey. Who cares where we end up. How we tell the story is exactly how events unfolded. We can choose if something was rotten or if it was a glorious invitation to our future. Have no fear of depth.

Be adventurous. Live life expansively and lovingly and true. Be yourself.

Plus, I've always wanted to be a mermaid. Anyone else?

xxoo

[image]

November 10, 2014

Places No One Has Ever Been || 11.11.14

November 10, 2014/ ekfriend

"The one who follows the crowd will usually get no further than the crowd. The one who walks alone is likely to find himself in places no one has ever been." ~Albert Einstein

Sometimes I read quotes and I realize that they are meant for me for another time in my life or for another person around me. This quote, however, feels fully intentioned for me as I contemplate my future, my choices, my life goals and purposes. It can be exhausting to get input from all those around you, and equally exhausting for ideas to bounce around in the mind without ever ceasing. I think sticking to our own choices, chosen only to better ourselves in the moments we are present, manifests a reality that is profound and fun and filled with laughter and love. Who doesn't want all of those things? I'd rather wind up somewhere extraordinary with me, myself, and I, than follow the tried and true path of a crowd, be they family, friends, or community. I refuse to believe that you either have to be alone or following the likes of others. Imagine if the crowd we choose to surround ourselves with was filled with wanderers, never without fascination or excitement, always encouraging self exploration and discovery? That would be truly lovely. And I believe it is possible that we can all find this. If not, let's enjoy our own company enough to cherish the moments we stand alone; enough to open our eyes when we journey into the unknown.