Listening is Loving

Listening involves complex affective, cognitive, and behavioural processes - it can be difficult to do especially in moments when our inner and outer worlds are noisy. Listening is especially important when things are difficult to listen to — 2020 is begging us to upgrade our listening both interpersonally and systemically. Will you do so?

Fear and self- loathing are the perfect combination. They go together like PB + Jam, Avocado + Toast, Cookies + Milk…you get the point! BUT hating yourself is an awful tactic, less satisfying than any and all of those combinations and that shit has to STOP.

Take care of your body. It is the only place you to live - Jim Rohn . When your body is ready, every essence of your being will alert you and disclose what is needed. The innate wisdom and intelligence urging to make a change. Shift directions. Take a pause. Carve out an alternate pathway. Surrender sweetly. Raise your vibration.

I believe that one of the biggest obstacles to our progress is something we’ve all likely been doing in some way or another for most of our life: A V O I D I N G. Humans, like all species, are continually evolving and adapting to the environment around them. When it is cold, the body works to warm us up. When wounded, the body is able to heal. When scared, we are alerted to fight, freeze or flee.

Today and every day, I encourage you to create a more personal resolution based on a deep understanding of yourself and what matters most to you. As you leap into this new beginning be sure to take a sacred pause to reconnect and recalibrate. Moving forward, take only what you must from the past and consider leaving the rest as memories, growth or nothingness.

At the end of the day, like deathbed end of day, the majority of us humans agree that the ‘things’ we own do not make us who we are, nor are they thing things that provide a sense of true importance, meaning, happiness or belonging. Do we really believe it? If we did would be so damn concerned about black friday, cyber monday or fret about checking off the christmas lists?

It's easy to focus on the things we need to improve and it's often natural that we perseverate on what we don't want in our lives, the negative, the weakness, the flaw. Notice when you speak with people and ask them how they are if the first thing they share is negative. Become increasingly interested in how people share themselves with you, it is most common that they speak to their hurt or frustration, complaint or upset. It doesn't need to be like this.

Your beliefs will guide you whether or not they are in your best interest. Choose them wisely. Maybe you believe that you are incapable of having a healthy intimate relationship, or that you aren’t attractive to others, or think you will not live a long life. Or perhaps you have a strong conviction that you are very lucky, or that people in general are basically good and trustworthy OR the complete opposite. Truth is, your beliefs, whether they are within your conscious awareness or not, direct and influence your life.

There has never been a better time to start or stop. At any given moment you can make a new choice. You can commit. Experience an upgrade. Set a clear intention. Declare what you need. Purposefully decide what you desire. Raise the bar. Forgive. Forget. Let go. Give in. Hold out. Go towards.

It's been just over a week since I have arrived back In Canada after facilitating our Take the leap retreat in Bali with the most inspiring group of humans I could have ever dreamed of + the best copilot @createthelove. Words do not even begin to explain how grateful I am for this time together, the learning, sharing, the tears, laughter, the pool parties, epic rooftop yoga and the gentle spirit of Bali that cradled us as we busted down barriers, broke down walls + cracked our hearts wide open.

Whether you are in conversation, listening, learning a new skill, parenting, sharing a meal, making love, immersed in Nature, healing your body/heart, playing a sport, facilitating a meeting, executing important business transaction, practicing yoga or at home with a cup of tea: P R E S E N C E is pivotal.

Crisp fresh air, beautifully coloured leaves and the crunch underneath my favourite boots, the potent warmth of the evening sun, long slow walks, wool, wool + more wool, the comfort of a warm drink, delicious hearty soups + cozy couch cuddles are a few of my favourite things throughout Autumn.

Words can inspire and words can destroy. Choose yours well. I have always been fascinated with words and more specifically the power and energy behind words. They can captivate and control human emotion. The ways words are said reveal the condition of the heart and the status of the circumstance.

All too often we allow ourselves to get swept up into a frantic way of existing. We feel rushed, anxious, overwhelmed and our nervous system is working overtime to find some kind of balance within our being.

There is danger in disconnection. Disconnection is both the source and consequence of shame, fear and blaming. Insulting, judging others, labelling, stereotyping and raging are all forms of disconnection. These types of fear-based behaviours are fairly easy to recognise in yourself and in others.

Love is kind of like having house plants. We all know that by choosing to have living plants in our space it greatly benefits our mind, physical body + mood, can make us feel uplifted + generally more connected. Same same with love/relationships. Having a plant doesn’t work out that well though if you plonk it on a windowsill, walk away and hope for the best.

I'll admit that there have been moments in my life where I have felt that humanity has gone to absolute shit. This thought is based on fear and has shown up in situations when I have witnessed or learned of violence, hurt, sadness + ignorance. I have often wanted to close down my heart, protect it, shield it and I've felt that the world was a bit too much for my sensitive soul.

It continues to amaze me (gives me goosebumps in fact) what can happen within communities during times of need, trauma or crises. People instantly forget the every day pressures of life, the hustle and bustle, the stress and worry, and they immediately set out to create solution, calm, love and support.