These days, the world moves so fast, that a couple of months can seem like a couple of years. The world changes, and we also change.
When we last connected, I was on my way to see my aunt and uncle (who had just been given a stage 4 cancer diagnosis). I wasn’t sure what I was walking in to, but when family calls (even if it’s a distance) I know it’s my place to show up and help support any way I can.
I made the seven hour drive with my mother and I just held the space for my aunt and cousin to feel safe. We cooked and cried, talked and allowed my aunt to feel comfortable even in the silence.
I think anytime a diagnosis is given of that nature, everyone effected, even peripherally ponders their own mortality and life decisions.
For now, he is living and they are privately contemplating the end of their journey together. I am grateful to have witnessed their love story and to have learned so much from them.
One of the most valuable lessons I learned was that even when you have every single thing planned out to the “T”, when you’ve done everything “right”, when you are preparing for a different kind of world, you really don’t have any control at all.
As I drove home, I made a silent promise to myself, to live in the moment, take and appreciate every single day and to continue to eliminate the distractions in my life.
Now I don’t have to tell you that the world has become…how shall I say this…life doesn’t operate the way we thought it did.
That means that the same old tricks that use to work to make us happy suddenly don’t.
I’ve always been a happy-go-lucky, glass-is-half-full kind of gal and I like to share that joy with others. I feel like my super power is to make people laugh and inspire them to live a beautiful life.
It’s also my nature to question everything and to dig for truth, but after many years now of doing just that, I’ve come to the conclusion that being aware of something doesn’t mean you can change it. It will though contribute to hopelessness and despair, neither of which is helpful for a long and happy life.
I have been playing a little game for the past few weeks and I’d like to share it with you. It probably sounds childish and perhaps it is, but I return to this make believe every single day and I give you my word when I say, I haven’t felt this happy in years!
Are you ready for it?
- Suspend your disbelief at the world around you
- Surround yourself in a bubble
- Put on your rose colored glasses
- Remove all negative influences (people, media, etc.) that rob you of your joy or deliver bad news or gossip
- Only listen to music that uplifts you
- Only dress in your favorite color
- De clutter your home to make room to think
- Get a hobby
- Get new friends if the ones you have now have grown apart
- Move your body daily
- Limit your time on your phone (I keep my phone on silent the majority of the day)
- Be in the present moment with people in your presence
- Sing out loud
- Smile generously to those around you
- Do something nice for someone you love
- Eat on your best china
- Wear your best perfume or lipstick to the grocery store
I know you may be rolling your eyes at me, but this is exactly what I have been doing and it’s like a tonic for the soul.
I challenge you to try this for even 7 days and tell me you don’t feel better.
When I do these things, people close to me (and even strangers) react differently to me. It’s my little way of uplifting them.
The beneficial hormones it releases is great for your health so it’s a win/win.
I’ve included three very eye-opening videos for you below. If you are having a hard time finding happiness, the first video is a must-view.
The second and third videos will hopefully explain why you aren’t crazy by thinking we are living in a controlled environment.
These documentaries are not about conspiracies nor were they made in current times, but they both illustrate that everything we see/hear/feel about current events is indeed manipulated. That gave me comfort to know everything outside ourselves is pretty much a game.
When you understand the rules of any game, you can go from a participant to an observer. You can chose not to play.
Watching these films made me think back to the reason I left the cosmetic industry in the first place.
When the curtain gets pulled back and you finally see the Wizard of Oz, you don’t want any part of it.
I was interviewed last month by Canvas Rebel, and was asked to define my industry. I replied “My industry, the “beauty biz”, can be summed up in four words: smoke, mirrors, (white) lies and hope”.
Talk about truth in advertising. Read the rest of the story for more #truthbombs.
So speaking of joy, I spent most of April outside tending to my gardens (getting the benefits of grounding and sunlight). Do you remember the Barbie Garden I planted last fall? 25 pink rose bushes! They are all starting to bloom, along with the wisteria, hydrangeas, sweet peas, jasmine, gardenias and bright orange begonias.
I play show tunes while watering them all and they never complain about my singing. I’m going to leave you with this little gem to sing to your own plants.
Finally, I leave you with my recommended watch list: