I miss you.

Just a sweet little note to say how much I am looking forward to catching up with you all and reconnecting.
Hola from Mexico!
See you soon.

Do You Utilize Your Power of Choice?

I know it's unlike me to post consecutive days, but my creative juices are flowing at the moment.  My mind has been-a tickin', I tells ya, so I'm just going to roll with it.
Do you know someone who niggles the absolute life out of you, rubs you up the wrong way?  Maybe you don't quite feel like yourself around them?  Maybe you try a little too hard, or maybe you completely withdraw from them altogether?  Maybe, on occasion, you feel as though their entire energy has taken residence in your body, and you know that with out exchanging words, or even eye contact, that something has gone down.

What about work?  How's business life?  Feel resentful, impatient, suffocated, anxious?  Maybe you feel under-appreciated?  Do you ever stop for a moment and wonder how on Earth you are in this moment right now?  You know, the moment when you realise how unauthentic this situation is for your Goddess of a soul?

Hmmmm...

How's your sanctuary, or do you even have one?  Horrible neighbours, nasty landlord, is the place falling apart?  How's the energy there?  Are you uninspired when you come home?

Confession:  I have been uncharacteristically impatient with certain situations of late.  Normally I can sort through all the mental garbage and come up with a gentle solution: 'This person is here to test my patience', 'This is only going to be happening for a little while longer', or 'I'm exactly where I need to be, everything will work out'.  And so, with those reminders, I'm able to float on through life.  Easy.
I've caught myself out a few times recently, having been totally possessed by my ego; like horrifically, ashamedly possessed, and it feels like yucky, thick, grey goop has been poured all over my otherwise divine consciousness.  I'm sure you know what I mean- suddenly you are attacked by jealousy or resentment, of perhaps self-doubt, maybe even self-hatred?  Stupid ego.

                                                                                                   Source: Uploaded by user via Tara on Pinterest

It's a battle.  But there is a very empowering realization that each and every one of us has a choice, we are so fortunate.  If we can't shift that stagnant energy within us to deal with above said weird relationship, or we can't communicate better with our neighbours/ flat mates/ landlords to ensure that our home is indeed our sanctuary, or we can't pick ourselves up on Monday morning and be grateful for our employment, or be thrilled with this new day, then it is totally okay to let these things go.  


That's my gentle reminder as we move into a new month.  We all have a choice; whether we want to be patient or frustrated, kind or nasty, compassionate or jealous.  Realising this has been empowering to me over the last few weeks.  It's okay to let friends go, it's okay to skip town (something I'm very good at), or remove yourself from a situation that isn't bringing you utmost bliss.  Of course, sometimes there are obstacles in the way: maybe there's a job contract, a lease agreement, or some sort of verbal commitment in play, but trust me- even these situations aren't unbreakable.  I've wrestled my way out of a few lease agreements, that's for sure.

Bottom line- I believe that the more we can train our voice of love to speak to us louder than that of the ego, the 'better' we become.  We choose to transform into love, into all of the good stuff: kind, compassionate, patient, loving.  But please, do not be scared to step away from situations where your ego is too loud, too dominant, too repulsive for your soul of love!

                                                                                          Source: chrissydaniels.tumblr.com via Tara on Pinterest

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April's Awakenings

What a magical month: frustrations were overcome, lessons were learnt, goodbyes were said, hearts were healed.

Any minute now, it's due to tick over to May 1, and inspired by new friend Tink's recent post, I felt compelled to begin monthly wrap ups here on the blog.  Truth be told, I jumped into this month high on love and inspiration and that giddy I've-just-found-my-soul-mate-friend feeling.  I ventured interstate for a solo trip to Banff and Calgary, and reconnected with two very special people.  Rach (pictured directly below) and I used to play volleyball together back in our hey-day, and it was precious to see her living the dream in the Rocky Mountains of Canada.  Gone are the days of me lecturing her to 'save more money so you can start traveling!'.  She's walking the talk fo sho.

My Sarah Bear...

 

{She's the blonde bomb shell.  I'm the other muppet.}
Ah!  I want to cry just thinking about this girl.  In fact, I don't think I'm going to go into it too much, because no narration can do the loyalty and love I feel for her any justice.  We met three years ago in Perisher, Australia (the same place I met Glen) and were both more than a little messed up.  I was running away from my reality and was boobies deep in booze and pills and she was unhappily married.  We were both 22.

I was nervous traveling to Calgary to reunite with Sarah, but I shouldn't have been.  Without even knowing it, we have grown up together, stormed through the pain, and are now living a life of peace and joy, as kindred spirits.  In many ways we are still such strangers having spent so little time together, but looking at Sarah is like looking at a mirror, or looking back at a past life- we've known each other a lot, lot longer than 3 years.  It's pretty radical!

 

 

Spring's been poking it's head out here in Whistler, momentarily.  When the sun is out, I make a conscious effort to enjoy it, but unfortunately the weather has been a little more dreary than I'd like.  Though there is one thing this miserable weather is good for: getting Glen and I excited about our month-long trip to Mexico.  Only four days to go folks.  Four days.

I got me some more crystals.  Enough said, really.  They're so divine and magical and I love the time I spend with them (yeah, I know, I'm a weirdo).  I'm really enjoying experimenting with their effects on my dreams.  Fascinating stuff.

Mini moments...
Finishing up at work.  A mixture of nostalgia and relief.
Developing my intuition and spiritual trust.  Life is better now- fact!  It's no secret that I encourage you all to land your butt on a meditation pillow and work your visualization muscle.
Saying good bye to Whistler Blackcomb yesterday; it was my last day on a snowboard here in Canada.
Packing up our life.  Can't say I enjoy this one.  What a pain in the ass.
Listening to the all the little birdies chirping (while also consciously keeping an eye out for bears- excitement!)
Endless daydreams of how glorious Mexico's sunshine is going to feel on my shoulders.
Receiving super rad emails from my online friends (vlog coming soon in response to one of them!)
Saying goodbye to all my friends, which I did about an hour ago.  Surreal, but nice.  We're all on our path... :)


So, things are rounding up here in Whistler and we're on the move again.  Some of you might be new around these parts, but others have followed me on my travels the world over.  I hope you'll stick around with me for a little while longer; I'm not sure how regularly I'll be able to blog in Mexico over the next month, but rest assured when I return to Mount Buller, not only will I have all the time in the world to post, but I'll also have an industrial kitchen to work with- so food and recipes and deliciousness will be making a come back to Such Different Skies!

Be good to each other.  Eat your vegetables.  Say 'Om'.

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Super Juicy Blogs

Here are 5 websites I've fallen in love with lately; a beautiful mixed bag of inspiration, health, life and gorgeous recipes.

A Life of Perfect Days

Tink Simplicity

The Best of This Life

 Live Healthy Simply

Green Kitchen Stories

I have to also confess my joy at how mostly Australian this blog list is.  I have loved connecting with North American bloggers while living in Canada, but have also discovered, through my own online community, gorgeous 'new' Aussie websites to swoon over.  In October this year, (after another winter stint in Mt Buller), Glen and I are taking a break from our travels and will be somewhat settling down for about 18 months in our homeland.  Where, we're not too sure yet, but we feel a pull towards either Sydney. Melbourne or Perth.  Wherever we end up, I'm looking forward to further connecting with my new online friends.  It's amazing how quickly we can form such close bonds, having so many similar interests; I hope I get to share a conversation with you over a glass of organic red wine, or maybe a soy latte!

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Hitting Pause on the Blog and Play on Life

We often see conversations circulating the blogosphere about the guilt that both ourselves and our fellow bloggers feel when we spend too much time away from the computer; the overwhelm that can encompass us, realising how many blog posts we have to catch up on and how much twitter action has passed us by.  We scratch our brains for new content under guidance from our ego, and what results may be a fluffy post about nothing all that authentic, but merely a projection to the online world that says 'Hey, I'm still here!  Don't forget about me!'
I'm thrilled to tell you that the last month or so hasn't felt this way to me at all.  I have been relishing beautiful moments away from the screen and have felt powerful amounts of relief at my not minding a bit of me time.  I've fallen in love with new interests, been connected with meant-to-be people; feeling as though I'm being swept along effortlessly on my path, and it's glorious!
And while I know that none of you mind me stepping away from the blog from time to time, I'm so happy to share with you what's been keeping me wonderfully distracted from this online hub...

Reiki

My Crystal Collection

Meditation

Almond Milk London Fogs {both profesh + home made}

Chakra Study

Planning for Mexico (and Pinterest in general)

Snuggles with my Glen

And... This amazing youtube channel



See a trend here?  Yep, this once health obsessed, outspoken, ready-aim-fire young woman is jumping aboard the train to Spirituality.  I invite you to join me!  I'd love to hear about what's been turning you on lately.  What's been getting you all zesty and fired up (or maybe totally chilled) on life?

Have a beautiful weekend...

Photo sources: 1, 2, 3, 7
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Beautiful Banff

Here are a few images from my recent trip interstate to Banff and Calgary, Alberta.  I hope these, along with my photos of Whistler, inspire you to put Canada on your go-to list of travel.  There's nothing quite like big mountains to protect you, great lakes to mesmerize you, and gorgeous elk to keep you company while you're having a photo shoot on the train tracks!

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What the Hell is Going On? Part 2

A few weeks ago I wrote of my concerns on what we as a collective community are feeding our kids.
Firstly, I'd like to thank everyone who contributed to the conversation by adding their comments.  And, secondly, I need to apologise for my passions, which can often be mistaken for obnoxiousness.  Too often in the recent past I have found myself grinding my teeth with anger, rage even.  It's a hard pill to swallow sometimes, baring witness to the atrocities in our world.

Nonetheless, life goes on, and through deepening my spiritual practice comes the realisation that the most effective way to change the world is to lead by example; to live compassionately,  to forgive those that frustrate me, and also to forgive myself for becoming frustrated in the first place.

Image found here

We could linger in the darkness of negativity, but I truly believe that there's a revolution in full swing.  More and more people are adopting vegetarian and vegan diets, or at least flirting with them, which will surely put a sizable dent in the catastrophe that is the factory farming industry.  When we eliminate these foods we experience what I call a permanent state of Ingested Fear Detox (think: ingested hormones and antibiotics, and the fear and suffering that we're physically digesting by consuming these foods).  Interests in juicing, raw food diets, macrobiotics, and whole food has sky rocketed!  People are curing themselves of obesity, diabetes, depression and anxiety and other chronic diseases, all over the world, right now!  People the word over, even skeptics, are welcoming the presence of a spiritual practice.  Yoga, meditation, visualisation and prayer (conventional or otherwise) are becoming mainstream, as are other ritualistic practices of self care, such as dry body brushing, aromatherapy, lighting candles and affirmations.

Rather than spiraling negatively, I would like to turn this situation on it's head and take an opportunity to find something to be grateful for.  My initial concerns regarding the anti-foods and non-nutrition we are providing for our kids are real, these concern terrorizes my thoughts, regularly.  But in all seriousness, what time are we better equipped to deal with such negligence than right now?  We have the information and we are starting to uncover the truth.
We now know better than to trust the food pyramid which is funded by the meat moguls, dairy crew and agri-business.
We know that the fruit and vegetables sold in our no-so-super-markets are sprayed with poisons at best, and genetically modified at worst, unless labeled otherwise.
We know that we shouldn't be buying that 'cereal' for our children; that what's in that box isn't even technically food any more.
We are starting to doubt our doctors, not because they are awful, terrible people, but because many of them have been detrained in nutrition, and are taught that chronic diseases are incurable (I'm not sure how much more proof we need to suggest otherwise) and can only be controlled and repressed with radical treatment and drugs.  Which brings me to my next point...
We are starting to distrust the drugs we are prescribed, the ones that leave us feeling more desperate than before.
We know that we can afford organic produce in the long run; that buying organically reshuffles our priorities to health and self love.  That organic carrots are far cheaper than countless medications, doctors visits, and the pain of losing a loved one.
We are starting to use our intuition again, that glorious voice, or that gut feeling, that will always lead us down our path.
We are coming out of the fog.

And if you didn't know about these things, well now you do!  :)

Last time I wrote on this topic, I mentioned I was going to follow up with some information on how food is affecting the behaviour of our kids.  This is still something I want to address some time soon, but for now, I'm going to flex my positivity muscle.

My advice to anyone even moderately intrigued by what I've written today: start asking questions!  Peak your head over the fence (not literally!), turn off the news, put down the newspaper and contemplate looking inside for guidance.  Go get yourself a library card and get readin'!  I have some brilliant resources on my pinterest page.  Take yourself on a date to the farmers market, let all the colours and smells seduce you into an organic frenzy.  Read your food labels, and while you're there, forget about the calories, I truly believe that's one of the reasons we're so sick as a society. When you read the food label, look at the ingredients.  Hint: you're looking for food.  If the ingredients list is too long, has words you can't pronounce, or numbers, then forget about it.  Consider natural therapies, meditation and visualisation as realistic options in facilitating your healing.  Give those gorgeous kids of yours some home made goodness, bring joy to the kitchen table by creating food with love, and since we're at the dinner table, let's enjoy each other's company, let's put away the iPad and be wonderfully grateful for our food.  When dinner's over, maybe we can pack the kids a healthy lunch for tomorrow?  What about jumping on a meditation pillow or a yoga mat?  What about telling yourself how beautiful you are, even if you don't believe it?  What about changing this world wide perception from fear to compassion.  When this shift happens, we automatically take better care of body-minds, and those of our kids.  We buy the organic spinach instead of the Advil, we choose to forgive and release past hurt rather than making ourselves ill with resentment.

And the good news, if this feels impossible to you or someone you know, we're in a time where there is a whole generation of people willing to spread the love and the light.  People like me!  We want to help you transform, because when you do, you start to spread the light and the love and from there we create a blissed out snowball that will, I repeat will, change the world.


At the end of the day, folks, we all need to practice a little more of this...

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