Thursday, December 31, 2015

Happy New Year 2016


What if less was more?

We live in a society where we constantly feel like we need "more"... more stuff, more clothes, more activities, more projects, more money, more time, more space, more friends, more vacation, more furniture, more outdoor stuff...

What if all this "more" we need were incompatible?
What if all this "need" was not a real need?

What if this poem, "The paradox of time" actually was right?

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, yet more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; big men and small character; steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce; fancier houses but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

I truly believe this to be completely right...  and I have changed my life around a lot to actually reverse this tendency...  at least in my own life...

So in this time or "resolutions"... in this time where people will engage themselves to loose weight, eat better, travel more, exercise more, buy a house, get into a stable relationship, get a new car, upgrade their computer. find a higher paying job to increase their income, get more "like" or "views" on their social media, increase their number of FB friends... build their own business... you name it.... I will challenge you to do this instead:

Give your stuff away.
Make room in your home for walking around, lying down, doing yoga, sitting on the floor with friends.
Dress with less.  You can wear the same thing 2-3 times in a week.
Anything you did not wear in a season give away - someone will.
Meet new people in real life.
Invite your new real life friends home for tea.
Go for coffee with friends and no one can pull out their phone.
Close your social media accounts - all of them but one.
On the one you kept, clean up your friends/followers list - keep only those who matters.
Downgrade your smart phone so that people can't reach you 24/7 on social medias.
Alternatively, leave you smart phone home once or twice a week.
Read real paper books you get from the library.
Learn how to do grocery shopping.
Learn how to cook.
Eat real food.
Spend less money on food - you eat to much anyway. Yes you do!
Eat more at home and much much less out. Much less...
Walk/bike to places instead of spending money on expensive gym membership.
Play outside with your kids.
Go for a long walk with your lover - no money spent.
Start movie night with your family instead of going out or all watching different things.
Keep only one television set.
Find your passion - your real passion - you can really have only one or two real passions.
Slow down.
Delete some activities/obligations from your agenda.
Get some "me alone" time.
Figure out what you would like to do with your life.
Journaling, meditation, yoga will help. Even if you think you suck at it.
Figure out where your money goes.
Cut expenses that are not really needed from your budget.
Find a job you love even if it means less money - because you don't need that much anyway.

Be honest with yourself cause you deserve it...
Let go of "what will people say?" because you shouldn't care really... it is your life, not theirs.
Let go of society created expectations.  It is all bullshit. You do not need or even really want that life if you take the time to think about it. It leads you to work you ass off to make more money at something you don't like, to spend on things you do not need, to impress people you do not really care for.. to end up sick and broken... way too early!

Be happy.
Be nice.
Be true to yourself and others.
For it is all that matters.

Oh and one last thing... it is OK to be sad... upset... angry... it is OK to let go of people and stuff...  it's OK to have less "ambitions"... it is OK to not follow the masses (take of the m in masses and this is what it's made of)...

Be original as you were born that way!!!
Be yourself cause everyone else is taken!!

And if you need help, support let me know.  I am here for you.  Just comment on what you need help with and I can write more extensively about it.  You can also PM me on FB.

Be who you are... DREAM your life... LIVE your dream...
namaste
love&peace,
chloe
xox
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Monday, December 28, 2015

1 month down... 11 to go... :-)



As I am writing this, I am on the last day of my first month of 367 days shopping ban...

Perhaps the most difficult one as it is believe that it takes 21 days to create a new habit... but mostly because it is the Holidays... a GREAT time of spending!!  Especially for me....  before!

I didn't keep you guys very up to date so far...  but my first month was...

SUCCESSFUL!!!!

And I am really happy and proud of myself for it!  I did not buy anything for me on the last month... and only 2 books as a Christmas gift for my husband... Bought nothing else... food... chai latte... some sushi... and a few restaurants with my husband over the Holidays... also a movie!  I even had a few people over for a lovely get together and it did not drain my budget! So, this is working out so far... because I am not buying stuff, I am actually able to afford experiences!!! Exactly the point of all this...

Now the impact on my finances might take a few months to show up... but at least I did not get further into debts...  which I ALWAYS did over that period in the past.

Now, more importantly, you might want to know how I managed?  And how I feel right now?

Well, it was, in fact, much easier then I expected...  and I loved the outcome...  it forced me to give some stuff away as Christmas gift instead of buying... I also invited people over without them bringing anything as it was my gift to them...  I gave them time, food and my presence...  It was lovely and I think it is safe to say they also loved it!

I did not make a special effort to stay away from the mall or anything...  I did not have to refrain myself that much or return any impulsive buys... I just simple did not feel like buying anything!!!  My worse nightmare as always books and clothes...  Well I used the library for books and I used my own wardrobe for clothes! I have plenty of clothes I love and want to wear so I just reminded myself that if I bought anything more, I would have to wear less what I already own! And it made sense... finally!

I spent time walking.... reading...  and writing...  keep my mind doing stuff I love!

I even tested myself by going to stores I love and looking at items on sale...  but I did not buy anything!  Didn't even try anything! I swear!!!

As for how I feel?  Great!  Amazing!  Like I am doing something good for myself, my family and the planet! I feel, honestly, like this might be it!  I may overcome this shopping addiction... this dependence on clothes... this dependence on how I look instead of who I am...  I may not look as good in clothes as I once did (as per some people's opinion but not my own...) but I feel much better about myself.... more confident of who I am and what I want...  I feel like what you see is what you get... I am not hiding or pretending to be someone I am not by dressing according to what people expect instead of how I feel... The image/impression you have of me is exactly who I am... no surprise!  What you see is what you get.

I am also thinking that this way, because I look like I feel...  because I portrait who I am... I will attract in my life people who have the same vibration as I do... or people who care for the energy I send out... and those people are becoming my tribe and my family...

I use to shop to feel like I fit in... like I belonged to some group...  but always felt left out...  the odd ball in the game...

I stopped shopping and wonderful things started happening... my surrounding changed... and I met awesome people... and I now feel like I belong... like I am loved and appreciated for who I am... not because my net worth in clothes on my body today is over 500$...  My worth is no longer in $ of clothes on my body but rather in smiles and hugs I get and give away....

This shift happen... slowly over time (since I started my minimalist journey) but I can see it happening faster over the last month... and even though I sometimes still "miss" my old friends, I know I never really belonged with them as I was trying to be and/or portrait someone I was not... and never really wanted to be...

I am confident that this year will be a breeze... and I will do this 367 days shopping ban and succeed...

I will grow during this year...

And I am looking forward to it... it no longer scare or worry me!

Be who you are... DREAM your life... LIVE your dream...
namaste
love&peace,
chloe
xox
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Thursday, December 17, 2015

Stress reliving during the Holidays


This is a slightly modify version of a 2 year old post....  it still hold true to me... Hope you'll like it!

As magic as they want us to believe this season is...  it is much more than magic!!!  It can actually be quite stressful!  I have rarely heard anyone talk about how magical their holidays were... but rather how busy, demanding, stressful it was...  but it doesn't have to be like that!  It actually CAN be magical!!! Whether you've been a minimalist for a short or long period... or are not even a minimalist, there are steps you can take to make this few upcoming weeks more enjoyable...

1) Clean up you calendar.  More often than not, we are booked day in day out... from morning to late evening...  Clean up some stuff... I am sure not 100% of those planned activities/events REALLY do appeal to you... Be honest with yourself...  what is not appealing is OUT!!!  It is that simple!

2) Make quality time for yourself. Even more in that busy period filled with expectations and "need to look good/interesting/fabulous/etc..." feelings, you need time alone...  quiet time alone... doing something YOU enjoy!  Take a bath... go to a spa...  read you favorite book...  watch your favorite movie... go for a walk in the snow (or not if where you're reading me from doesn't have snow!)... and if what you love is getting your hair/nails done or shopping, please try and figure out something else! You need ME time... not me time in between crazy busy people!

3) Make quality time with your spouse/kids. There is no homework, no lunches... take this time to do what your kids love to do... crafts... take some fresh air... try something new...  just have fun...  be creative

4) Go to bed early and wake up early. It is amazing the benefit you get from getting out of bed before anyone else in your home...  you can take this time to write, meditate, just stare at the sunrise...prepare a nice breakfast for your loved ones... or read the newspaper quietly...  It is like free me time!

5) Eat/Drink reasonably.  I am all for enjoying this period... indulging a little...  but a little is the key word..  if not the next day you'll feel crappie and be upset at yourself... what good does that do?

6) Keep you yoga/meditation/exercise routine as much as possible... this is what will allow you to "recenter" yourself, evacuate any toxins or stress on a regular basis to avoid build ups!

7) Spend only what you have.  This is a time of the year where it is soooo easy to overspend!  Try and avoid it!  You will then not loose countless nights of sleep trying to figure out how to pay the bills.

Basically, this is it... it is not that complicated to get out of this Holiday season without needing months of therapy...  or months to pay off you debts...  I started using those tricks a few years ago and as time passes by, I am actually looking forward this season as it is filled with time for myself, time spent with my son and husband...  relaxing in this crazy winter we have here in Moncton...  time doing stuff we love... rather then stuff we feel oblige too....  At first I was wondering "but what will people say?"... and you know what?  who cares... it is not "people" who have to deal with your stress in January... YOU have to do it... and even better...  those who truly care and love you will understand... and might actually feel compelled to do the same...  You have all year long to meet people you love... why cram everything in one week???

Be who you are... DREAM your life... LIVE your dream...
namaste
love&peace,
chloe
xox
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Monday, December 7, 2015

because we only live once...



Well...  I don't know who came up with that sentence... I can't remember when we started using it...  and I certainly can't remember exactly when we started using it so often and for the wrong reasons!!!

But is seems that today, we justify every silly, unjustifiable things we do/buy with that one sentence!
It also seems like big corporations, marketing people and the like are "using" it to get us into buying things we don't need, with money we don't have.... to impress people we don't like - well.... because we only live once!  So why not????

It seems to me that because we only live once, we have turned every wants into a need...

If I only live once, I really do need to eat that 30$ steak - even if I later get a heart attack! And buy the giant flat screen TV  - even if I need to use credit and loose sleep over it! Buy the latest newest trendy thing - because everyone else has it and I don't want to be left out!!!  And so on...

If I only live once, who needs to care about being healthy? and compassionate?  Who as time to think of the impact their action has on others???

We need to live NOW... because who knows when it will be over???

Well, I think this sentence who can have such a wonderful meaning has turned us into walking nightmares!

Because guess what?

 If you only get to live once, so does all the people who work in horrible conditions to provide you the "cheap" stuff you absolutely need even if you can't afford it!

If you only get to live once, so do the local business owner who can't live because you'd rather buy cheap jeans at 20$ and a t-shirt for 5$ from a big chain abusing workers in third world countries!

If you only get to live once, so do all the animals who endure horrible conditions so that you can eat them!

If you only get to live once, so do your children/grandchildren which will be left with very little to look forward to if we keep on going like that!

If you really only get to live once and want to make the most out of it, I think this is what you should do:

- use less resources to leave some for other generation to come
- buy local to help people in your community
- encourage fair trade
- instead of buying people gifts, exchange stuff you no longer need with the stuff they no longer need
- instead of buying gifts, bake/cook something, offer to babysit, grow a plant and offer it, make something, offer to run errands, ask what people really need!!!
- go to your local farmer's market and get most of your stuff there
- give stuff you no longer use for people in need
- find your real purpose in life
- think about the impact every action you do has on others
- volunteer at the hospital, in an elderly home or you local animal shelter - whatever make your heart beat!
- be an example to others , inspire people to be the best version of themselves
- instead of having a fancy pricey party where people need to dress up and bring a hostess gift invite people for tea and a hug - we need so much more hugs then anything else!
- be honest with yourself and others
- learn the difference between : use, need and want.  And apply it in your life

and I could go on and on.....

But basically, what I mean is:

LIVE A SIMPLE LIFE SO THAT OTHERS CAN SIMPLY LIVE

I read somewhere that "when you are born, you cry and people smile...  you need to live your life so that when you die, you smile and people cry".  I find that very inspiring! I can't remember where or who said it but it does resonate with me! Oprah or Maya Angelou maybe...)

So please, my lovely readers... you do get to live only once... But make it significant and worthwhile... it is so short in the span of humanity you can't leave a mark by buying the biggest flat screen TV ever! You need to do better then that!

And there is so much more joy to be taken out of the non-materialistic aspect of life...

Be who you are... DREAM your life... LIVE your dream...
namaste
love&peace,
chloe
xox
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Monday, November 30, 2015

4th day... of my 367 days shopping ban

You can get it here 

Well... I did survive the "Black Friday" week end... off to a good start I guess...

Did a lot of thinking... and talking with my husband... the timing to start this project is actually not the best... but it will be interesting.  I am going to some personal tough times...  where I would usually react by shopping a lot more... and now I can't! But really I could... there is no LAW per say... but I don't want to! I want this challenge to be successful! I am looking forward to it.

I also want to use this project to figure out where my money goes... technically, each month we have an extra 500$ or so... without my husband doing overtime.  Therefore, my debt should have gone done by 500$ each month... but it did not! Therefore it is pretty safe to assume that this money is obviously going somewhere...  but not toward paying debt or in my back account...

This is why I will pull out 210$ per week for groceries (and in my case groceries also include non food items such as soap, lotion, light bulb... and cat food/litter...)  I am pretty sure that this is not quite enough as toward the end of the week, I, most of the time, end up using debit at the grocery store.... but I also know that I use part of that for coffee and treats that should more likely be in another category of my budget.  By keeping all the bills of anything spend out of that 210$ per week... and by using this amount for grocery related items only, I will figure out where that money goes...  and if it is really needed, I can create another category in my budget... and if need be adjust my weekly grocery budget so that it actually reflects what it is. Having a much more accurate budget certainly is the key in my case. And knowing what could and should go towards debt re-paying will surely make it work - my goal is to actually have an amount assigned in my budget toward paying debt that won't be random month per month...

I am doing this because debt is slavery and savings are freedom!

I am currently reading the book "JOY in every moment" by Tzivia Gover.  It is quite interesting....

I liked it where she mentioned that "...the sun and stars are always shinning..." It is true...  and it reminded my that when we have a cloudy day (weather or life related) we tend to forget that the sun is still there... and so is our inner JOY or happiness.... it may be overclouded but not gone.  At any time, we should remember that and be able to tap into it!

Be who you are... DREAM your life... LIVE your dream...
namaste
love&peace,
chloe
xox
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Tuesday, November 24, 2015

couple of days left....




I am a couple of days short of my 367 days long shopping ban!

I am still not freaking out and pretty confident I can do that this time around. Unlike the first year I tried it and lasted 6 months...

I would like to add to my "rules" that if I ever replace something that broke.... or have a weak moment and actually buy something, I will, for the sake of transparency share with you what it is, where I got it and how much I paid for it... and add a picture.... unless it is underwear... in which case I will skip the picture as this would just be "weird"!   After all, I do get to see some of my readers on a regular basis...

And if I do "fail" once, I am not off-the-hook!  I still am into this for 367 days!  Last time around, once I failed, I went back to my old habit...  not this time!

My main concern, or what I think my weakness will be is if I do get to see stuff I like, and by stuff I mean clothes, as I can pretty much resist anything else, I know I tend to make myself believe that "it is really my style", "it was made for me", "what if next year there is nothing I like"...  "it's a really good price", "but it's on sale"... and all that bullshit!  Years of shopping addiction can make you come up with the silliest excuse to buy something you do not need!  Then I might give in and buy something...

What should help me is "The true cost movie" and all the documentaries I have seen in general...
I should remember why I do that:

I am trying to find more sustainable solutions... I am trying to lower my impact on the environment AND on the poor people working in horrible condition so that we can enjoy cheap/throw-away stuff here in America.

I like to think that if I can remember why... it will be easier!

I am ready!
I can do this!

Be who you are... DREAM your life... LIVE your dream...
namaste
love&peace,
chloe
xox
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Thursday, November 19, 2015

My shopping ban!



Hello!

remember a few days ago I posted something about the documentary "The true cost" ? I had also said that it triggered in me a desire to jump on another challenge...  but I had to work on the details...

Well here it is:  I will go on a shopping ban between Friday November 27th 2015 (yes Black Friday) and Friday November 25th 2016 (which is most likely going to be next Black Friday) inclusively!

I chose that day to start as it is one of the worse shopping day of all year in America and I certainly do not wanna be part of it!

If you remember correctly, I started this blog to help me with my shopping addiction and because I had declare a shopping ban for 2011.  It lasted just about 6 months and then I gave in...  I must say that over time, I still worked on my minimalism and shopping issues and after seeing this movie, I felt like I needed to do that. Shop much less and smarter.

My motto is now:

Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.

I had many discussions with my husband on how to address this in a sustainable way and to avoid setting myself up for failure again...  I wanted to be strict... but also allow for some fun...  I wanted to be able to do stuff I like while not hurting others as much...  I wanted to decrease my carbon footprint furthermore without feeling like I cannot enjoy myself or get stuff I need - and sometimes just want.

Now, about needs and wants...  I need to define those terms... as we tend to have transferred all out wants into needs.  At least here in America.  We need this new perfume... or this new winter jacket!  We absolutely need this new color of nail polish... or that purse!  And who could live without this new Christmas china???  But all those created needs are not real needs.... they are barely what our society makes us believe we need even if we can't afford it.... just so some of us (no you nor me obviously) gets richer while all the others get poorer!

Therefore, as of next week, a "need" is going to be something I absolutely can't do without cuz my life depends on it! And that should not be many things as our life really do not depend on that much aside from some food, a roof over our head and some clothes...  after all, it is kind of cold here in Moncton New-Brunswick!

Therefore, after several discussion and debate with my husband, I cam up with the following rules that I will need to follow and that he will try and follow with me.  Please note that this really is just my thing....  as usual, my husband is lovely enough to jump on that crazy new adventure with me but I will not hold a grudge if he jumps off when he's had enough... Also, this, in no way, does concern my son.  Although he is a very reasonable shopper, I understand that being a teenager is not the best time in one's life to stop/avoid consumption of goods.... but I am teaching him to think before he buys... only buys if he has the money... prioritize his needs/wants and most of the time the one-in-one-out rule so that he stays away from clutter... I must say, he is much better then I was at his age!

Rules:

1)  I can only buy personal stuff if I need to replace something. One-in-one-out kind of!

  And if that happens, first I need to look at locally what I can find...  then second hand...  if all that fails, I am allow to go to a store BUT I must make sure that I will beat the crap out of this item and that it will need to die before I replace it with something else.... and that I get the best quality I can afford.
And I MUST say, that as it stands now, I really do not NEED anything for my personal use.  I have enough clothes/jewelry for all seasons... enough stuff for my kitchen... enough books to read...  and these are really the only things I buy for myself.

There will be one (OK two...) exception to the second hand stuff:  underwear/socks and footwear. I really do prefer to buy those new for hygienic reasons.

2) I will accept gifts...  but strongly suggest to people wanting to offer me something that it be something that I can use up (food, tea, candles, incense...), something that is local... or second hand. Or a plant!

3) If I want to give something to someone, I will gravitate toward the same thing as in 2)...  or something I made! And do not thing this is me being cheap... I need to do this for a year!  You will survive if I can!

4) If I run out of books.... or want to read something different... there is always the public library!

5) Obviously, magazine are out the window...  because their only purpose really is just to make you wanna buy stuff... The only exceptions would be a National Geographic or Scientific America type magazine... and then again, only if there is something in there really interesting me.

I think this covers pretty much everything...

As for leisure, I am still allowed to "do" stuff like movies...  or other type of entertainment... or take time away in other cities...
I can still go out for meals or tea with friends...
I can still take a yoga class...
I can still support some local artisans from here and elsewhere in the Maritime...  but not use this as a mechanism to spend all my money... it has to be random and justified...

My main goal is to learn to shop yet more intelligently and spend my scarce money in a much better way!  My second goal is to pay off debt  and put some money aside for early retirement.  I am starting with 1 year but secretly hoping I could do this for 3!  And then retire...

Is there anything you think I may have forgotten???
Anything else needs to be covered that I cannot think of?

Be who you are... DREAM your life... LIVE your dream...
namaste
love&peace,
chloe
xox
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Monday, November 16, 2015

And yet, another year as passed by...



As you may know already, I like to reflect upon my life when my birthday comes by...not on New Year's day or around that time... to me, the years are marked more by the time I was born then anything else... It is more significant to me.

It makes birthday not as easy and perhaps I should stop doing that...  I had said to myself, that this year, I would not do it...  but it started happening again this year over the week end. I couldn't help it...

I will soon be 43!  And I really have no problem with that...  I am at a place in my life that I enjoy...  I have a loving husband and a wonderful teenage son.  I can work less hour doing something I love...  I have sufficient time to do the things I love like reading, cooking, baking, walking and enjoying tea with friends... I have plans for short and mid-term... I am almost done with debt...

I am becoming more and more who I wanted to be... although, I will never be a psychologist, like I would have wanted to, I am becoming more at peace with that and I am trying to see that even without the degree in itself, people do come to me to talk things through - like they always did!  I may not get the pay that comes with it, but the rewards of helping others is still there... and worth more then then money that could come out of it.

I am happy to say that 12 years after being diagnoses and just about 18 years after my first symptoms, I still have vibrant health...  Becoming vegetarian, then vegan was the best thing I ever did for myself...  Jumping on the minimalist wagon was the next best thing I did.... and as years passes by, I do not regret those decisions... and I am becoming more and more convinced that these are the best ways to live a healthy life...  for myself, others and the planet. In doing so, I live a more compassionate life then I ever did...

I have become more assertive of those values of mine...  as well as being a pacifist and environmentalist...  I have had my share of ups and down about being able to "change the world" but I think that in a way, as long as with all of you guys, we are changing it.  Slowly... but surely... I also discovered that I cannot be quiet about those things... and I cannot change my mind...  Being a minimalist and vegan are the healthiest way to live...  I wish everyone was... and then we would probably have peace on heart and a wonderful planet to live on...  If I could, with a snap of my fingers change it all, I would.  But I have come to realize that it doesn't happen like that.... I can try and talk about it and plant seeds in people's head but I cannot make that seed grow... it is up to each and everyone of them to do so.  However, what I can do is keep on planting more seed.... and leading by example...  Gandhi said "be the change" and I will keep on doing just that.

Time will take care of the rest...

Of course, going against mainstream comes with a price... but I do realize now that the rewards are so much more then the price to pay...  it is all worth it!  I can sleep better and look at myself in the mirror without being ashamed of who I am - as I am the best version of myself I could ever be... and day after day, I try and work on it...

Over the past year, I have lived a very simple life - simpler then ever before...  I read a lot...  met amazing people... traveled a little to discover my new part of the country...  Perhaps I did not do as much yoga as I wish I could have done...  I will work on that this year.  Also, I probably spend, still, too much time on social media and not enough in nature...  I will also try and address that this year...

All in all, it was a good year...
This year, I want to do more yoga and less social media...  I also want to learn to spend more time in nature... These objective will help with mid-term goal.

I am looking forward to the next 3 years as I see my son mature and become a young adult...  He has amazing plans that I am helping him on... He is turning into an great guy... and I am so very proud of him!

I am also looking forward to a few years after that as our retirement plans are awesome and I can't wait to do them. (Yes, as you can add up the years, I am planning to retire a few months before I turn 46!)

And yet, enjoying more and more here and now. I now feel free to have good and bad days... I feel free to be quiet...  I feel free to not get back to everyone right away.... I feel free to do things that I like/love and not the other stuff... I feel free to cry when I feel like it.... smile when I want to... and laugh as loud as I feel like!

As my life becomes more and more enjoyable, I have an easier time to be here and now.  I am not trying to run away of make up for things I don't like in my life...  because I have cleaned those up...

In retrospect, being 42 was good!  And I am expecting 43 to be even better...  and I know it will be because I am the one to choose how my year will go.... no one else can do it for me!

Be who you are... DREAM your life... LIVE your dream...
namaste
love&peace,
chloe
xox
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Tuesday, November 10, 2015

The true cost




http://truecostmovie.com/


hi lovely readers!!!!

Last week end I watched the above documentary...  It made me cry my face off...  It was really just so sad... And it got me really upset!!!

To be honest, it has been on my list on Netflix for a few weeks now but I was avoiding looking at it...  because I kind of knew what was in it.... and I preferred avoiding it! I knew that my life would never bee the same after...  and as an ex-shopaholic who sometimes has week moments, I suspected this would not make my life easier.... I was being selfish.

Well, after watching this, I can say that it was ALL I suspected.... and much much more!!!

It opened my eyes even more on that industry.... the superficiality and selfishness of it... and of us consumers! In general.

In resume, it brought me to think about the impact my $ spent have around me...

I am at this point where I am becoming more aware of the impact each and every one of my move has on our capitalist system...  and most of the time, they are not a positive impact!

I am not quite sure what impact the viewing of that documentary will have in my life... but I am thinking about a few options and one big challenge...  I need to refine details but you will soon find out!

What I know is that I cannot tolerate and be blind to the conditions the textile workers in Bangladesh and other countries are working in... I cannot pretend I do not know the impact all that pesticide laden cotton fields have as an impact to the workers and surrounding citizens - here and elsewhere on the planet...  I cannot pretend I do not know that all those heavy dyes and pesticides applications are not hurting kids in India with cancers and mental illnesses... I can't ignore the chemicals cheap leather worker have to endure...

Our behavior as a consumer in America has an impact on pretty much the whole planet...

Because:

-of pesticides used to grow cotton - impact on the land and people
-of chemicals use to dye fabrics
-of chemical use to treat leather
-of horrible working conditions textile worker have to endure (did you know that some of them got beaten because they tried to get a union in to protect themselves?)
-of throw away fashion that is not biodegradable and ends up in third world countries land fields...
-of polluted water source in India to mention only one place....
- death of workers working in really bad shape manufactures

and I could go on and on... but you could watch it for yourselves...

Our cheap-throw-away-after-a-season-clothes are actually tinted with blood.... the blood of those who loose their life so that we can have a pair of jeans at 20$ and a t-shirt at 7$ in some very well known stores...

But how did we get to that point?  Well someone somewhere...  probably more then just one person...  figure out that if they could provide us with cheap clothes, we would be more likely to buy them.... and change them more often.... and hence they would make more money! In the same line of thoughts, instead of having 4 collection a year, some store now have 6 to 7 collections per years... and one well known store even has new stock coming in weekly!!!

And us, as consumers...  did not realize what we got ourselves into...  we bought and bought and it slowly got us hooked...  and we didn't even see it coming...  advertisement is such a wonderful thing!!!

It makes us believe that as we change our clothes, we are following trends...  and making friends... and being loved...  and looking young... and sexy...  and pretty... and it also gives us the illusion that if we change our clothes more often we are RICH! Rich people do not wear the same things over and over again... so we believe!

However, if this was the case, if we were rich because we could afford to change our clothes at such a fast pace, how is it that we are more and more in debt???  Look at your credit card bill, bank statement..  how much $ do you put in a fashion industry while still feeling that you can't keep up with trends and that you have nothing to wear?  How much time do you spend at the stores every week?  How much time spent in front of your closet every day trying to figure out what to wear?

We are not rich... we are in debt.. with closet full of nothing to wear...  because we do not know what our style is... we are so often bombarded with images of what we should look like that we forget (or did not even find yet) what we want to look like!

Our clothes are suppose to tell a story about ourselves... our lives...  who we are... they are the outside image of what is inside...

Well, if this the case, I can say is that most people are just the same as they are all dress alike! But I know this is not true... we are all different... and is no one-size-fit-all fashion!  Despite what we are lead to believe!

Don't get me wrong.... I have been guilty of that for years too!  I use to spend hundreds of dollars on clothes every week!  New stuff would come into my home every other day or so... I had a humongous wardrobe... but still needed more... I was in debt... and stress... and sick...  I worked on this for years...  slowing and then controlling my shopping addiction...  but I am not out-of-the-woods!  I still have a weakness for "fashion" and "trends"...  but I have worked hard on figuring out who I am and what I love and what I want people to get from me when they see me walking down the street...

I went from a fashion victim to a stylish person...  is my style fashionable?  not at all...  but it is mine and it speaks of who I am...

All that said, I will now have to look into how I spend my $ on clothes...  and figure out what I can do to minimize my impact on those poor people... and our planet!

As I said earlier, I am giving myself a few more weeks to come up with something... some sort of a challenge to make things interesting...

Be who you are... DREAM your life... LIVE your dream...
namaste
love&peace,
chloe
xox
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Monday, November 9, 2015

And I will I keep on going... because this is my calling...





Hello!

I started this blog almost 5 years ago.... in January 2011.   I wanted to write to help me overcome my shopping addition... and help me go deeper into my minimalism... I did this for me, never thinking anyone would really read it...  I am not a writer!

It has helped me on my path to minimalism and veganism...  it has been that and so much more ever since...

It has helped me come up with major life decisions...  it has helped my deal with a great deal of emotions...

It has allow me to figure out who really cared for me and let go those who don't... it has allow me to meet new friends (awesome people) all around the world!

If you've been following me for a while, you know that...  you also know that I have had my ups and down about writing here...  I have taken breaks... and even shut it down on a few occasion...

I have a love/hate relationship with writing here...  a healthy one!  Let me explain...

Love:  when I do it for myself...  more like journaling... when I get feedback from you guys that I have helped you sort something out...  when it helps me deal with emotions and/or make decision... when I honestly express myself without thinking about what people will say... when I see things changing around me...

Hate:  when I take this too seriously and think of making a business out of it... when I censure myself not to offend/hurt anyone...  when I feel like I have to write because you guys are waiting for it... when I get nasty/plain mean comments...

I am now re-opening this blog once again...  yeah... you may think I am crazy or neurotic but really???  I don't care.... I want to write here when I want... about what I want...  what I am passionate about and what I believe in...  It is my blog...  I promised you guys I would be honest... and I have been... BUT, I have been quietly honest... avoiding stuff not to lie to you...  avoiding some subject not to hurt anyone I knew...  However, I am at a point where people I knew who loved and respected me will stay and the others are gone anyway...

I do not want to pretend/hide/tell half truth anymore... lately, I have my fair share or nasty emails from people I never though I would get them from...  I felt attacked... and betrayed.... and hurt... I never thought someone could treat me like that...  I will not even share with you as repeating those words would be just as horrible as saying them in the first place...  As I usually do, I pulled away to protect me and my son... but that doesn't help...  I am not happy when I am pulling away... I need this community to feel alive! I need to write to create whatever change I can...  by initiating small changes around me, I have to realize that there is the butterfly effect and, in the end, it ends up being so much more then just my small change!  Thanks to you guys!

I needed to find another way to protect myself.... and even though nothing is ever perfect, I think I found part of the solution...

In order to protect myself I had to recreate myself... I changed the blog's name... I needed to do this to start over...  Hope you won't be offended by this... and if you are, I am truly sorry... I also changed my FB name...  I know some people can still find me... but I am eliminating a few...  and if you subscribe here before, you are still getting emails of new post... I have no control over that...  I have to accept that haters are gona hate and just ignore them! Because it is not for them that I do this... but for all of you who llike to read me...  I also came to realize that anyone who doesn't go mainstream will get their fair share of nastiness but this is actually good news:  it means you are rocking people's boat!

So here, this is what I wanted to share with you...  I am back... I took time to heal and think how I could make this work... I made changes to this blog so it reflects me more...  I will be more honest then ever and more direct then I have ever been... because this is how I want it to be... if I want the world to change, I need to say how I think it should be and not pretend otherwise is still OK...  because it is not! We have work to do my friends... on ourselves and the one surrounding us!  If you are in for a lifestyle change and to make this world a better place I am happy you're here! I hope to hear from you soon....

I am becoming the real warrior I was design to be... because I am ready for it...

The caterpillar has emerged into a fierce butterfly!!!

After all, as I have read somewhere, without the eccentrics and crazies the world would not progress ... well, then, I will be as eccentric and as crazy as can be and we'll see what happens!!!

p.s. I am not promising any number of posts... at any given frequencies...  I am also telling you that I will not disappear again and take this off-line.. problem is solve now. No one will shut me up. Period.

Be who you are... DREAM your life... LIVE your dream...
namaste
love&peace,
nath
xox
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Thursday, October 15, 2015

what makes my world go round... take 4


I like to do this post every now and then.... especially when I feel like I am moving on to a new phase of my life... and this is such a time.  I, myself, like to tell people not to hold on to bad-relationships for the wrong reasons... I should follow my own comment.

This post always makes me realize the life is AMAZING.... no matter what...  keeps me positive and going...  after all, I've had my share of rough time... I've seen worse then what is going on now! And actually, I am quite peaceful about it all.... as if a huge weight had been taken off my shoulder.

So what does make my world go round here and now???

Making breakfast for my son and husband and then sending them off to work/school
Drinking tea looking at the lake
Working part-time even if it means making much less money
Walking around the lake with my husband 
Watching old re-runs of Friends
Cooking a new whole food, plant-based, low fat meal for my son and husband
Walking around the lake by myself and taking picture of fall
To see people around make subtle changes to improve their lives
My yoga practice
Modifying pieces of clothes I own so they feel like new at no expense
Taking a bike ride
Looking at the sunset
Reading "Healthy at 100" for the 2nd time
Talking about this big project my husband and I have
Saturday night movie night with my son and husband
Buying my first pieces of second hand clothes
Fat free homemade roasted potatoes, lemon juice and salt  as a snack, at room temperature
Saving for a Christmas trip to Halifax
Customers smiling at me on the street
Buying local veggies at the market
My job
All the new awesome people I've met
Japan Go - my fave sushi place
Seeing my son grow into this responsible/goal driven young men
Working on re-paying all my debts
Doing nothing and feeling good about it
Writing my blog
My virtual friends from all over the world
Testimonies I get from you guys who've I helped
Entertaining people in my home
Being free
A hot shower
Nag Shampa incense
Silence
Dressing like I want to and not caring if it is "age appropriate" like I learned
Vegan Pumpkin muffins
Apples - Apples - Apples
Knitting fingerless mitts for my friends
Pears
Living the simple life


Be who you are... DREAM your life... LIVE your dream...
namaste
love&peace,
nath
xox
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Wednesday, October 7, 2015

The sunset and seasons of life...


I am lucky enough to have the perfect location to see the sunset...  every night!
This one is from late September this year...

I have lived at the same place for over a year now and I noticed that even thus there is a sunset every single day,  they are always different!!! Every single day... for 465 days...  and counting!

And then comes the seasons...
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter

All four of them...  years after years...  they each take their turns...

Nature has the perfect flow and balance.

We are now approaching fall here where I am...  my favorite season.

The thing with seasons is even thus we get each one of them every year when you look carefully, they are always different... somehow... just like the sunset day after day.

Where am I going with this?

Well, us human, tend or try to have life as fix as possible...  contrary to nature! Especially when it comes to relationship and who we surround ourselves with.

But we are part of nature...

Because human do not like change and are afraid of them. We are scared we'll end up alone so we'd rather stay in poor relationships then find new ones.  This is for all kind of relationship...  not just your spouse.

We like to keep people around as comforters, security blanket. Nature has no security blanket... ever.

We don't let go of people...  because we think they define who we are. And they do in a way...

So look closely at who you surround yourself with... is it really who you want to be with?

People will be in our life for different period of time... some will be there longer some not as much... every one has something to bring to you at one point but once their "job-is-done" they have to go.  You also have a "job-to-do" in someone else's life... But you have to recognize when it is time to part ways...

Don't hold on for the wrong reasons.

You will never be completely lonely.

No matter what people say...

I've had people tell me that if I continued on my path I'd end up alone...  I would have a lonely life...  Because no one would follow me in my vegan minimalist lifestyle - eating nothing and being poor.

But it never happened...  It won't... It can't...

I feel more loved and well surrounded then ever before in my life.

Because no matter who you are, how you live your life...  if you sent out the right vibrations, someone will come along...

There are other people just like you out there.  But you can't find them if you have no room for them in your life.

There is more then one sunset... more then one season... and nature changes...  but always finds it's way...

Why wouldn't you???

What could be so wrong with you that you couldn't find anyone???

Not a couple of people love you on this planet where we are 7 billions???

I know I'd rather be alone then surrounded by the wrong people...  but that's me...

Then again, I don't recall seeing a rose bush growing dandelions...

Just like nature cannot hold on to one perfect sunset... just like a tree cannot keep the same leaves forever...  just like the wind blows pollen around... just like the moon direct the tidal bore...

Just let life happens... let it bring you where you should be... have faith!

Nature is perfect... you can trust her.

Be who you are... DREAM your life... LIVE your dream...
namaste
love&peace,
nath
xox
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Monday, October 5, 2015

a long walk home...





This post may be the hardest I've had to write so far...  and honestly as I am writing it, I am not even sure I will even hit "publish"... as it may only serve me...

I am now home...
It took me almost 43 years to be there...

It was hard for me to admit it to myself... let alone to others...
But most of my life is a lie.  I have lived the life I was "suppose" to... I have lived the life my family and friends expected me to... I always felt I was in the wrong place... I was always uncomfortable...  I felt like I did not belong... ALL MY LIFE!  Even if it didn't always show and I got really good at pretending otherwise.
I came off as a hypocrite... when I was really just lacking self-confidence.
I came off as a fake... when I was just lacking strength to be who I wanted to be.
I came off as not knowing what I wanted... when I was really just testing the audience (family and friend) and see what I would get as feedback...  then go back to my hypocrite/fake self playing the game to be liked...

Most of my life I was someone I didn't even like because I wanted other people to like me... and believed that if I was myself no one would actually love me!
Most of my life I played along... to get people to like me...  to get people's approval... to get job I didn't care for... to live my life like everyone else did...  because this, so I was told, was what I was suppose to do.

Consciously or not, my environment (family, friends, teachers...), knowing where I came from decided where I was suppose to go...  maybe I was not strong enough... maybe I lacked confidence... maybe I should have done then I what I am doing now and say "fuck off - no one knows better then me the life I should have"...

But I did not...  and I payed the price for it...  and I know it came with a price for many other people whom I may have hurt because I have later on "let-them-go"... or shock them in ways that made them let me go...

I no longer keep track of ghosts in my closet... I no longer keep count of who left me... or of who I left...
I no longer know who reads this blog or not that really knows me... or use to know me...
I am not even sure if people I may have hurt are reading it... but if you are one of them I must say I am REALLY SORRY... but I had to do this... I had to stop lying to myself first and to all of you after.

I am genuinely happy you shared my life at one point... all good memories remain... but I am OK with the fact that it is no longer the case... I hope you are to.

I had to go from a caterpillar to a butterfly... I needed it as I was suffocating in my cocoon... It was slowly killing me... normally people do that during their teenage years.  I was to shy, afraid, lacking self-confidence at that point to be able to do it... there was a teenager in there with dreams and passions and wanting to scream at the world... there was a teenager in there wanting to be an artist... a vegetarian...  seeing the world...  and perhaps try and save it!  I never did those things and assumed they were just teenager dreams...  and buried them deep down within me...  and it passed..  and I went on with my life... my adult/mature/responsible life...  whatever that means! Until I had a few really though experiences in my adulthood and then they re-emerge.. slowly but surely...  and refused to be buried again.

I really feel as if it was the Universe speaking to me and refusing that I stay in my cocoon...  saying we need more butterfly like you, please come out! I will give you no other choice!  Therefore after all those though moments, whenever my life started back to be "normal" another one came... until I understood... until I changed...

Then I started making changes to my life... some obvious and others less...  my accomplice was, and still is, my soul mate, my best friend, my lover and husband...  he's there for me... he's pushed me out of my cocoon giving me the strength to be myself.... stood by me when I felt lonely and wonder if I was doing the right thing... stood by me when I was insulted... and hurt by people...  stood by me and saw me emerge...  and become the amazing butterfly I am today... I will never be able to thank him enough for that!

Later on, at one point, it became obvious to me that all the changes needed to be obvious to everyone... I  could be myself home but it was still not enough... I needed to be myself every where and with every one! And this, may have been the hardest step....  letting the people, who have known me all my life, know that I am not who they think I am... that all this time I was just "playing nice" when inside me there was this huge burning desire to be someone else! This was the last step of my transformation... and it really just happened... and if you've been attentive to my FB posts, you may have notice a switch in gear...  They are more direct, more straight to the point... more exactly like what I think... and it does not please everyone... I know.  But that is OK!  If we were all the same, life would be so dull...

I am now bringing my own color to this world... that you may or may not like...  At thins point, I no longer care.
It took me 42 years to get the exact color I wanted to portrait...

It was a long walk home... but the best one ever and I honestly wish that YOU, each and every one of my reader, can one day, find your home. As it is the best place to be even it is mile away from where you are now.

Be who you are... DREAM your life... LIVE your dream...
namaste
love&peace,
nath
xox
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about buying second hand clothes


This week end I finally did something I've been working on for a couple of years now...

Since I am a minimalist I've worked on buying less clothes... and I've had my ups and down....  Many blog posts here on that...

BUT...  where I stand now is this:

I have much less clothes then 8 years ago...  I possibly never had that little clothes in my adult life.
All the clothes I own I wear on a regular basis - some more often then others but wear them all!
I also have no more "orphans" items - items that do not go with anything else - in working on my wardrobe, I chose the color I love and came up with pieces that mix and match quite easily...

I still think that I have more clothes then I could get by with... but I really do love clothes... and all the ones I kept reflect my style, fit in my lifestyle and really fit me well!  I do not see the point of getting rid of them...  and after all, using up all those clothes will help me not having to buy some for years to come technically!

And this is where I run into a problem... because I love to buy clothes...  especially this year's clothes as the all seem to be my style!

Thing is, I want to really work on my debt... and for that reason, I have included no budget for clothing per say...  Everything is accounted for in my budget and there is no room for clothes for me as there is no need really...  therefore I have to find "solutions" to the few items I would like to add to my wardrobe:  a plaid shirt, a burgundy cardigan and a beige huge comfy scarf!  I found a solution for that... I sold a winter jacket I am no longer wearing - hence I can buy the items - using my 40$ per month allowance to cover what is missing! And still work on my debt!

The other thing that is bothering me, is this documentary on my "to watch" list on Netflix that talks about the truth about clothing... I know it must not be pretty...  I am not yet ready to watch it - and I feel selfish for it....  but I know I will watch it eventually!  Knowing myself, I know it will trigger a huge shopping strike!

I have been concerned on and off about the clothing industry for a few years now... and for that reason, I have been trying to buy second-hand clothes... but it never really work out...  for many reasons!  One is I truly could never really find something that I loved and that fit me.  OK, you may say I did not really try hard enough and maybe I didn't but I did look around and try on a few items...  no luck I guess!  I was told, by friends, who do buy them, that you have to go often and not think of anything specific but just browse and keep an open mind! Second reason, is that I was not raised that way.  In my childhood, we use to give clothes we no longer wanted or no longer fit us to "poor" people... therefore somehow I equated second-hand clothes to being poor in my head. Now I am not rich... and far from it...  we are just above poverty as per our income in the country we live - but I am not complaining... this is something we chose to do - to do work we love! Our minimalist lifestyle allows us to do that...  but it comes with a price!  I only work 20h a week and at a salary just a little above minimum wage...  therefore I am not comfortable spending crazy amount of money on clothes - plus, there is no need for it! Where it is more difficult is that we use to have an income 4 times what we have now...  and buying clothes was a hobby -that created debt.. I know! So, now I have to overcome the fact that second-hand clothes are not only for poor people (as I know wealthy people who buy them too) AND the fact that I am indeed poor now (by choice but still)!

All that to say that this week end, I spend 21,24$ on 3 items (I had a 15% discount on that so initially they were 24,36$).

I found Roots pyjama bottoms for 3,99$, a corduroy skirt for 4,99$ , and a velvet embroidered jacket for 12,99$.  They all fit well, are within my style...  used my allowance for it! I have now officially break the cycle... and I am confident I could go back there and buy more stuff if I needed to!

I also feel good about it not only because I saved $ but because it is a better choice for the environment too! We buy and throw away so many clothes every years in America that it doesn't make sense anymore!  When I decided to minimize my wardrobe I decided to wear my clothes until they "die" on me...  this will save the landfills... I also decided to give or sell what ever I no longer want when it is still wearable...saving the landfills some more...  and decided to bring to H&M unusable clothes as they recycle the fabric... landfills people.... and now if I can buy more second-hand, this means not using as much new material!!!    And using my creativity to mix and match and sometimes "modify" items I find to make them a better fit for my life!

Now, what about you?  Do you buy second hand clothes?  What are your reason for it?

Be who you are... DREAM your life... LIVE your dream...
namaste
love&peace,
nath
xox
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Saturday, September 26, 2015

12 yoga poses or so that I think make a complete practice


After my last post, I have had a few questions which I would like to address here...

But first, I would like to mention that I forgot 2 important days each month where it is also best not to practice:  Full Moon and New Moon.

Also, please note that those "interdiction" (Saturdays, Full Moon, New Moon, Women's cycle, state of illness) are not set in stone... as yoga is about being flexible, sometimes Saturday is the only day you have to practice... in which case, you can still do it is just that your practice may "feel" different then if you were to do it another day - and maybe more difficult...  same for the others "preferably-no-practice-days".  These no-practice-days are also based on the traditional Ashtanga practice which I base most of my lifestyle on even thus to me the actual Ashtanga series are to physical to complete with my condition - it would be long to explain why here, but it has to do with the Doshas and the Chakras. My daily practices are inspired by it but modified to fit my health condition. Also according to Ashtanga, you have to practice 6 days a week which I do not ...  3-4 are as good as it gets for me now... and that is OK too.

What you have to remember is that you should practice as often as you can.... but don't beat yourself over it...  slowly your life will adapt to allow for more practice and remember that practice is NOT ONLY ASANAS...  practice is the complete lifestyle of a yogi (so in that respect, I do practice every day after all).  You can do 2h of Asanas per day and never be a yogi.  Practice compassion, empathy, change the way you eat and the impact you have on all living being around you, this is ALSO practicing yoga.

One of the question I got was why no practice on Saturday... and basically it has to do with the moon which is associated to that day.  Any serious Ashtanga yoga website or book will address it but you can read more about it here for a basic explanation.

As for all the others questions, they were ALL related to what are the 12 positions to get a complete practice.  Well, I must say that this is my own personal best...  I am no yoga teacher - I did start my training as a yoga teacher but stopped for personal reasons... but I have learned over time that in ANY course you'll go you'll end up doing those...  that those Asanas ensure all your body is solicited and that all your Chakras are impacted.  This is MY personal routine and I am happy to share with you... If I was not so self-conscious, I may add a video or pictures but I am not ready for that yet...

So here it is, my personal daily practice, it does the job for me!

I always start sitting down cross-legged, eyes closed and take really deep breath for a few minutes. Kind of like a meditation where I clear my mind of everything - or try to anyway.
Then I do a few neck stretches, stretch my arms and side by bending my torso left and right...  proceed to rotate my torso in a twist.  I always do this starting with the left and then the right (why you should start with the left has to do with your digestive system).  I then bring the sole of my feet together and do butterfly for a while to open my hips.  Then stretch my left leg and right leg independently.  All this with my eyes closed while deep breathing. I then go into child pose for a few deep breaths.

I then proceed to 5-6 sun salutations  (if you are new to yoga and have no clue what the sun salutation is, you can look it up on YouTube)
Then I have my own flow of Asanas I like to continue with:
Mountain
Tree - both legs
Warrior 1, Warrior 2, Triangle, Warrior 3, Reverse side angle pose. (then switch side and do the same)
Then, Crow pose for arm balance, Boat pose, Bridge and either Headstand or Leg-up-the-wall for an inversion.
I always end up with closing my hearth - lying on my back, and holding my legs with my arms on my abdomen.  Then a few twists on each side always starting with the left and Savasana for as long as you can.  It allows your body to "digest" your practice.

I do all Asanas for anywhere between 5-8 deep slow breaths depending on how I feel.  I try to hold the Headstand up to 12 breathes.

When I feel like doing more, I can do more Sun Salutations...  maybe do the "warrior-triangle" thing twice on each side...stay longer in meditation or do a few more stretches at first.  I can try and Handstand or any more difficult Asanas.  I can also look up YouTube to find great teacher on-line that post free routine you can do while watching.

This is about it... I hope it addresses you questions and concerns and please do not hesitate if you have more... it is always a pleasure to hear from you and see you are interested in improving your lives.

Be who you are... DREAM your life... LIVE your dream...
namaste
love&peace,
nath
xox
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Tuesday, September 22, 2015

about yoga...


I've been wanting to do a post about yoga for a while.... but did not know how to address it...

I wanted it to be clear and simple and wanted to address pre-conceived ideas people have about yoga...

I was thinking something about what yoga is and what yoga is not...  and then it was not clear and simple anymore...  Therefore I decided to go with what yoga is...  it was much simpler... and anything else you've heard or read about yoga is just pre-conceived ideas...

Yoga is a healthy lifestyle.  Period.
It entails breathing and stretching exercise...
It entails asanas (physical posture to strenghten your body)...
It entails rules on how to conduct yourself towards your own body/mind/spirit and towards that of ALL other living being - human or not.
It entails rules on how you should feed your body.
It will change you body/mind/spirit for better - in due time.  It is a long process.

Yoga as, unfortunately, became really complicated with it's arrival in America... it can be overwhelming.

All you need to remember is that you need comfortable clothing (not necessarily expensive - your pyjama can do)...  a room big enough to put your yoga mat (basically a floor space 6'x3')...There are really just about a dozen positions that you need to have a complete practice...  You especially DO NOT need a heated room... Meditation is NOT easy but is MANDATORY... and no matter how long or short your practice is, you HAVE to do Savasana at the end for about 5 minutes.

Now for a few rules to remember during your daily practice:

Yoga is NOT practice on Saturdays but can be done all the other days.
Yoga practice can be as long or short as you need it to be or have time for it to be.
Consistency is the best thing - better to practice 10 min per day then 2h one day a week.
Yoga is not practice on the most abundant day of your period.  You need to rest on that/those days.
Yoga routine can change from day to day according to your mood and how your body feels.
Inversion should NOT be done during your period.
You do not need to do an asana that makes you really uncomfortable - respect your body.
You do not need to be thin, young, flexible - it will come in due time.  OK maybe not the young thing but the rest will...  ;-)

And this is about it... 
Yoga is simple...
Demanding but simple...
It requires time, discipline, practice...
But what doesn't?

It is really rewarding once you involve yourself truly into it.  It will change your life forever! Maybe not how your expected.... maybe not how you wanted it to be...  But it will make you your best self...  it will show you your way... It will teach you more about yourself and others then anything ever did.

Be who you are... DREAM your life... LIVE your dream...
namaste
love&peace,
nath
xox
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Monday, September 21, 2015

in a way... I always knew...


that I was different... way different... then where I was... like if I was born in the wrong place and time...
but I was shy... and I was looking for affection and love... and only thought I would getting it by fitting in... by being like most people... so I tried... and tried... and tried...  and succeeded to some extent...  I did do what was expected of me for years...  for pretty much 30 some years... and then it all came loose...  it all came apart slowly but surely... 

I like to think that MS diagnosis was the kick in the ass I needed to finally understand I was different...  and the following years, were life transforming for me... after all, if I was gona end up really sick within a few years why not be who I wanted to be in the mean time?  cuz then I would have to be back to "normal" anyway when I would no longer be in charge of my own life but MS would...

Little did I know that actually assuming who I wanted to be and live the life I wanted to live would actually put ME in charge and MS on the back burner...  It was gambled... and I won... 

By actually becoming who I wanted to be...  or as close as can be for now...  I have became less stress...  less tired...  more honest with myself...  and others obviously...  I have disapointed some people but I have gained confidence and love for myself! It came with a price all worth paying...

I have gained confidence in life: there will always be another job... another friend... another place to live...  another anything basically... options of everything are endless!

Basically, what I am trying to say is:  to you, the one who think they are the black sheep who does not fit in no matter how hard they try, who's to say you have to fit in where you are now???

Take a leap of faith...  dream your life and then live your dream!

Change...
Move...
Quit....
Break up...

and then...

Love
Be grateful
Do what you love
Surround yourself with like minded people

You may be the black sheep where you are now but when you surround yourself with black sheep, color no longer matters... and you fit in... as YOU ARE!  no need to play a part... or a game... 

Just be yourself... and in a little while.... OK maybe a long while in some instances...  it took me almost 10 years to find exactly where I belong (but they were enriching 10 years for my soul)...  You will find it and your life will be a DREAM come true!!!

Be who you are... DREAM your life...  LIVE your dream...

love&peace,
nath
xox
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Thursday, September 10, 2015

Fall wardrobe update

Hello guys!

It's been a while since I wrote about my clothes...  in fact, I have been kind of lost over the last few months (to much criticism tends to make me doubt myself but then I get all those requests and testimonies that I ended up realising that those who love and need me are more important then the others... - getting side tracked here! lol)  but I am getting back on track.... and writing on what I love... Clothes being on of the things I care deeply about...  and fall being my favorite season, the fall wardrobe is something I care a LOT about! 

As we are pass labor day, I updated my wardrobe this afternoon... It always leaves me a bitter taste to put away summer clothes as it reminds me that winter will soon be there...  BUT the in between is lovely... 

By now, most of my wardrobe, I would say 60% is 2 seasons with and extra 20% being 3 seasons... there are still a few summer things I put away so that when next summer comes, I will feel like I have new things! Also, I am pulling out the warmer clothes... but in a few months, there might be a few 3 seasons items that are definitely not winter wear that will go away! But we'll see when we get there...
As of now, I have 30 items in my wardrobe... this excludes lounge wear, underwear, and outer wear.... as these are "the rules" of Project 333 that I use as inspiration to "limit" the amount of items in my wardrobe...  I do not count jewelry and accessories in there like she does but as Courtney says herself her rules are the rules that suit her... everyone can come up with their own rules! Oh and I do not add work clothes as they are NOT something I wear outside of my working hours!

Here are my items:  (I would like to add that personally, I still think this is way too many items...  BUT, I love them all and by wearing each less I will extend their lives... which allows me to work on paying off debts instead of replacing my worn off clothes!)

2 pairs of wide legged corduroy pants (one grey and one fuchsia)
3 pairs of jeans (one torn up, one boyfriend cut, one wide legged)
1 pair of harem pants (mustard)
1 burgundy patterned skirt
1 pair of corduroy shorts
1 navy skirt
2 plaided skirt (one in flannel)
1 white shirt
1 short sleeve doted burgundy shirt
1 elbow length sleeves African patterned shirt
2 black sleeveless tops
1 green sleeveless top
1 burgundy sleeveless top
6 short sleeves t
2 elbow length sleeve t
3 dresses (one more summary but deep purple, 2 patterned) *
1 patterned knitted sweater

you add to that quite a few scarves, 2 pairs of ankle boots and one pair of converse shoes...  plus a few cardigans, a jacket and a jean jacket and you have my fall wardrobe!!!
Everthing or most everything actually match with each other...  this is what makes dressing in the morning so much more fun as I do not have to think about what goes with what.... it also makes it so that I do not have 2 items that I always wear together because they only match with each other!

Now the items in purple are what will go in a few more months when we settle down for winter...  This will leave my with 21 items which is OK because winter really is not the season I go all out! Hopefully one day I will not longer have to handle winter which would be awesome!!!  In the mean time, I still need to put away all my favorite clothes for 4-5 really cold months!

* a note on the dresses.... I am really not much of a "dress" person in the sense that I never know WHEN to wear them.... however, I love the idea of dresses and this is why I have a hard time parting with them... and this is why, I bought the deep purple one this summer and one of the other 2 right before my shopping strike started!

What about you?  How many items of clothing do you have in your wardrobe?  Do you even have an idea???  What if you were to guess, try and list them and then actually double check with what you have?  You go ahead, try it and give me some feedback... I and my readers would love it!!!  And it could be fun... I know not too long ago I could not list 20% of my wardrobe for a specific season...  What if you forgot some items?  Maybe you really didn't care for those so much did you???

love&peace,
nath
xox
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