Moments & Milestones Aug 2023

THANK U

I was recently listening to the song Thank U Alanis Morissette when some of the lyrics hit particularly hard. The moment I let go of it was the moment. I got more than I could handle. The moment I jumped off of it was the moment I touched down

Life, with all its myriad twists and turns, often dances to the tune of poetic irony. When we clutch with white-knuckled determination to our beliefs, our fears, or our desires, we often miss the symphony of possibilities that play just beyond our grasp. But, there's profound magic in surrender, in allowing life to unfurl its secrets in its own rhythm and time.

The moment I let go of it, Was the moment I got more than I could handle.

There's a certain profoundness in this realization. Picture a bird, perched high on a branch, staring at the vast expanse of the sky. While the branch offers comfort and stability, the skies offer boundless freedom. The moment it decides to release its grip and spread its wings, it discovers a strength and expanse it never knew it had. Similarly, when we release our preconceived notions, our self-imposed limits, and our fears, we open ourselves to an influx of experiences, blessings, and growth that we previously deemed unattainable.

The moment I jumped off of it, Was the moment I touched down.

It's one of life's greatest paradoxes. We often believe that taking a leap of faith might lead to falling into an abyss, but more often than not, that leap is what propels us towards our destiny. Like a trapeze artist, swinging with

with grace and poise, the moment of true magic is in the jump, the release, the trust in the unknown. And just when we think we might be lost to the void, we find ourselves landing on new ground, richer in experience and wisdom.

The universe is a vast canvas of interconnected moments, waiting for us to paint our stories. Every time we step outside our comfort zones, every time we dare to dream beyond our perceived boundaries, we add vibrant strokes to our life's masterpiece. Embracing change, taking risks, and trusting the journey doesn't just add depth to our story; it transforms us into storytellers, inspiring others with our tales of courage, faith, and growth.

So, the next time you stand at a crossroads, torn between the safety of what you know and the allure of what could be, remember that life's richest rewards often lie just beyond the horizon of the known. Let go, leap forward, and allow the universe to weave its magic. For in the dance of uncertainty and faith, you'll find the rhythm of your soul and the song of a life fully lived.

Photo by Kid Circus on Unsplash

INNER ODYSSEY

In the intricate maze of existence, it is often in our moments of seeming disarray and confusion that profound clarity emerges. Being lost, whether in our thoughts, emotions, or even a physical space, forces us to confront the essence of who we are. It strips away the superficial, the preconceived notions, the societal norms, and the routine to expose a raw, unfettered self. It is a disconcerting realization that the external world, with its fleeting distractions and ephemeral pleasures, often veils our inner truths.

When the familiar landmarks of our lives disappear, we are compelled to navigate the unmapped terrains of our psyche. It is here, amidst the uncertainty and the void, that we stumble upon fragments of our authentic selves. We start to discern the whispers of our soul, the desires long suppressed, the fears seldom acknowledged, and the dreams forgotten in the chaos of existence. In essence, to be lost is not a mere absence of direction; it is a poignant journey towards self-awareness, a pathway that may be dark but invariably leads us to the light of understanding.

Navigating the deep currents of self, fnding meaning in chaos, and charting a course through life's most perplexing and enlightening moments.

Photo by Tirza van Dijk on Unsplash

EMBRACING THE LEAP

Throughout history, tales of adventurers, pioneers, and seekers have captured our imaginations. They ventured into uncharted territories, faced countless perils, and embraced the unknown. What drives this spirit of exploration and discovery? Let’s delve into the art of embracing change, taking risks, and fnding the transformative power within life's uncertainties.

The Paradox of Letting Go

Life’s journey has always been a balance between the familiar and the unforeseen. We find solace in routines, well-trodden paths, and predictable outcomes. This comfort, while reassuring, often becomes a golden cage, limiting our perspectives and potential.

Take a moment and think of the bird, content on its branch, yet with an innate capability to soar the vast skies. Like this bird, we too are often unaware of the freedom and opportunities just a leap away. It's ironic that when we muster the courage to release our grasp, life often floods us with more than we could have ever envisioned. It's as if the universe, in its infinite wisdom, rewards the act of letting go with abundance and adventure.

The Magic of the Leap

Imagine standing on the edge of a cliff, wind tousling your hair, heart racing, gazing into the vast expanse below. The leap may be scary, filled with uncertainty and doubt, but it's precisely in this vulnerability that we often find our true strength.

There's an inexplicable beauty in embracing the unknown. It pushes us out of our comfort zones, challenges our preconceived notions, and often leads to self-discovery. Each leap, each risk, and each venture into uncharted territory brings with it lessons, experiences, and stories that become an integral part of our life’s tapestry.

Life: A Canvas of Interconnected Moments

Life isn't just a linear journey from birth to death; it’s a magnificent and complex artwork. Every moment, every decision, and every experience contributes a unique shade or stroke. The safe choices might form the background, but it’s the bold, unexpected, and daring decisions that bring the artwork to life, giving it character and vibrancy.

Some might argue that staying within established boundaries ensures safety and predictability. While this might be true, it's also the experimental strokes, the splashes of unexpected colors, and the willingness to venture beyond the familiar that add depth, texture, and intrigue to our life’s masterpiece.

Becoming the Storyteller

Every individual, regardless of background or circumstance, is a living story. But those who embrace the leaps and uncertainties of life become the storytellers, the weavers of captivating tales. Their journeys, filled with challenges, victories, heartbreaks, and joys, inspire and light the way for others.

These are not just stories of adventure but tales of inner transformation. They serve as powerful testaments to human resilience, adaptability, and the undying spirit of exploration. They remind us that life’s true essence is not found in the mundane but in the extraordinary moments that take our breath away.

The Symphony of Trust and Transformation

Life, in all its unpredictability, is like a symphony. There are highs and lows, crescendos and pauses. And while it's easy to get lost in its complexity, those who truly embrace its nuances find a harmony that resonates with their soul.

Each leap into the unknown adds a note to this symphony, enriching it, giving it depth and resonance. It’s in these leaps that we discover parts of ourselves we never knew existed, understand the true meaning of trust, and undergo profound transformations.

The Dance of Life

As the world spins and time flows, life offers us countless crossroads. At each juncture, we face a choice – to stick to the familiar or venture into the unknown. While the familiar path offers comfort and predictability, the unknown beckons with promises of growth, discovery, and transformation.

It’s this dance between the known and unknown, the safe and the daring, that defines our journey. To truly live is to embrace this dance, to trust the music of the universe, and to leap with an open heart, knowing that each leap, each risk, and each adventure paints our canvas with tales of trust, transformation, and timeless beauty.

True abundance transcends the confines of material wealth. It isn’t gauged by the figures in our bank accounts or the possessions we amass. Instead, it is deeply rooted in our self-worth—the value we attribute to our inner selves. A robust sense of self-worth gifts us a life enriched with contentment, gratitude, and an innate sense of prosperity.

It equips us to find joy in simple pleasures, value in introspection, and wealth in human connections. In this paradigm, the richest person isn’t the one with the most, but the one who feels enough within. For when we truly recognize and embrace our intrinsic worth, we unlock an abundance that is immeasurable and boundless.

VESSEL OF ABUNDANCE

“What we can or cannot do, what we consider possible or impossible, is rarely a function of our true capability. It is more likely a function of our beliefs about who we are.”

– Anthony Robbins

Ingredients

6 ounces strawberry infused vodka

1 ounce Cointreau (or triple sec)

1 ounce lime juice (freshly squeezed)

Garnish

3 strawberries (washed - one of them hulled and the other two with a slit cut on the bottoms of them)

Instructions

1. Place the hulled strawberry in the shaker and muddle it until the juice is released and the strawberry has been mostly pulverized.

2. 3 strawberries

3. Add ice to the shaker.

4. Add the strawberry vodka, Cointreau and lime juice.

5. 6 ounces strawberry infused vodka,1 ounce Cointreau,1 ounce lime juice

6. Cap the shaker and shake for 15 seconds.

7. Divide and strain the cosmo between the two glasses. You may have to clear the strawberry bits from the holes in the shaker cap, but keep doing it until all the liquid has been poured.

8. Add the two strawberries with the slit in the bottoms on the side of the glasses.

STRAWBERRY COSMO

"The only journey is the one within." – Rainer Maria Rilke