Neil Pasricha: The 3 A's of awesome | Video on TED.com

Neil Pasricha: The 3 A's of awesome | Video on TED.com

Balance...

To know me is to know that I live a life surrounded by love, while loving the things that surround me. Life is so interesting in so many ways. With so much love there had to be Balance along the way.My life is full of gifts and blessings are boundless and of course with them come the lessons that make us grow. I wish I could say that they were painless but today I can tell you that they are not always. It is so hard to find something, an outlet whether it be creative or otherwise that inspires you, drives you or reminds you of who you are or who you are capable of being. It is more difficult when you have to let it go. Whether it be a drumming circle you love to be apart of, yet your back cannot handle the weight of the drum, whether it be a friend that invokes a part of your spirit that is unavailable, or whether it be an experience which you cannot afford or whether it is knowing that someone you love is ill and the remedy seems unattainable. It doesn't matter the circumstance, rather, it is the feeling of letting go something that had once made you dream. On this dreary Vancouver day, the exact kind of day that usually inspires me to dance naked in the rain, I am in a place of contemplation. Giving thanks for all, grieving the things that weren't meant to be, and wrestling with the things that I wish I could control. After spending yesterday on such a high, surrounded by people who are battling cancer and those who have survived, I spend today humbled by their spirit and courage, and feel shameful for feeling anything but gratitude for the blessings in my life. Tears have been my constant companion today- this year has brought me so much beauty and I am overwhelmed in away that finds my cheeks soaked as I type. With everything there is Balance, and today is the day where the shadows have creeped in and I only have energy to welcome them. Balance. The shadows arrive so that we may remember how glorious the light feels when it finds us. Today is a day of reckoning. A day of remembering who we are, who we want to be, and what we are modeling for our children. It can be so difficult to remember that when we choose these roles as friends, mothers, wives, daughters and mavericks. When we sign on to take these roles we are committing to sacrifice what is necessary for the greater good of those roles in our life. It is one of those small details that can smack you in the face when you find yourself on a path that you have arrived upon too soon in your journey or on a path that was never meant for you. Having to turn around and navigate back to your authentic self's path can be staggering, confusing and a real exercise in blind faith in our karmic belief of our destiny. This journey we so often talk about is the grandest display of Balance that we could possibly ask for. So many of my beloveds are facing real life issues right now, everything from cancer, divorce, unemployment, deaths, breakdowns and more. On the flip side, I have beloveds expecting babies, getting promotions, building new houses, planning weddings and having life changing breakthroughs. There is that word again, Balance. Our journeys may seem so different yet there really aren't. We just take turns exploring the peaks and valleys of this life. I have said that we come into this world alone, and we leave the same way. I take it back. I have seen and felt things in people that I cannot explain yet they have made me believe that we are never alone. Some kindred spirits find us again- remind us that they are here in our hearts and before we know it they are gone again- though their presence may be brief it is there long enough to remind us in this lifetime that we are not without them and vise versa. Letting go would be intolerable without this gift of remembering. On days where the tears just won't dry, at some point you just have to welcome them and let them cleanse your spirit. Let them wash away any misguided regret and allow these moments to be the ones where you reground yourself and rest so that you may wake up tomorrow able to brush yourself off and start fresh with the promise that each new day offers. Today is one of those days I find comfort in tragic beauty. The video I have attached is one of those tragically beautiful songs, where most of the words speak to my spirit and speak of good byes my spirit cannot say. Never say good bye, just say until we meet again. xo t.

Curious Times...

It has been a good month since I last checked in. I have been working constantly preparing for many of the events I have committed to. I have learned a great deal about myself and my business in the past few months. In the midst of the Oscars hype I received many invitations and offers to participate and attend many events and fundraisers. At the the time I was eager to optimize the momentum I was gaining which has resulted in an incredibly busy schedule and very little balance in my day to day. These are the growing pains of success and I am learning... < br/> Beyond pearls and crystals, the last few months have been absolutely fascinating to me. Like most people, in the life that I have live I have met many people and many of them have impacted my life greatly, in unique ways. With the constant transition that followed my later teens and early twenties it became difficult to maintain connection with those people, never mind have any sense of good bye or closure with most of them. As a result it has left me with years of wondering where those specific people have landed? What has their journey looked like? Who are they now? Are they happy? Those who know me know that I live through my heart and once I care for you, I always care unless of course their is some sinister reason not to. < br/> Well, in the past few months almost all of those people that I have been wondering about have surfaced. It is absolutely cosmic and absolutely mind blowing the timing... everyone just started to bubble up to the surface at the same time. What is more exciting is that they are all doing well and are all living lives that are inspiring and fulfilling. What more could you ask for your friends, past and present? < br/> I have recently heard from everyone from my first boyfriend to my first dance instructor when I was 11 and many others in between. It is so rewarding to reminisce about what life was then and what it is today and to hear how the past 2o, 15, 10 years have treated us. Who we were and how are journeys have led us to who we are meant to be is a best selling book waiting to be published. The stories are heart wrenching, heart warming and remarkable. We never stop evolving and the experiences we need to endure and enjoy never stop coming, this is why I love running into people ever few years, I love watching the transformation. < br/> Transformation and freedom have proven to be the theme of this year so far. My business has exploded in away that was beyond the dream I had dreamt for it. The friends of yesteryear have caught up with me so that the time I used to spend wondering is no longer a factor and that has given me a comfort and given my heart a freedom that I can't explain. < br/> My inner circle of friends have all found individual happiness and bliss. This is the first time ever that my team of beloveds are all blissing out at the same time which also frees my heart from the burden my heart feels when someone I love so much is struggling. My own little family is gelling in a way that we have not ever before. When your children reach a certain age there is another freedom that arrives, and with it comes the allowance for The Silver Fox and I to reunite in away that was suspended when you have children who need you more than you actually 'need' each other. We have finally arrived at a place where we can enjoy the luxury of needing each other again. The Fox and I have made some heavy hearted decisions that will require a few sacrifices, but will allow our family to spend more time together and to enjoy the simple and most rewarding of life's pleasures... quality time together. I am relieved and ecstatic by all of the above. For the first time ever I feel like I have arrived. < br/> < br/> Disclaimer: < br/> With all of the bliss and gratitude I am also feeling overwhelmed by this place I have arrived to. I fully understand how I got here and that this was my goal destination. I am a person that needs a goal. I need to be driven by excitement. I have also arrived for the first time ever to a place where I see myself clearly as a single being. That must sound crazy to many, but my bff's know that I attach myself to those I love. I have enjoyed being apart of my loved ones lives in ways where sometimes I can get too close. In all of my relationships I have tended to see myself as part of the other person and I have felt a responsibility to partake and maintain the happiness of all parties. I don't know when it happened but I woke up one day and for the first time ever I detected my own aura per se, as being separate than anyone elses. It was a surreal experience and slightly startling until I realized how freeing it felt. I am my own person and I have my own right to be myself and to do what is right for my own singular spirit. That said, I don't know how differently I will live my life, ;) but the realization was exhilarating and long, long over due. < br/> Although I know and understand that I am responsible for my own happiness, I have just really realized at a cellular that is the only happiness I can control. Of course my children are under my wing and I will always advocate for them but I will invest as much time teaching them how to create their own bliss. In the last few weeks I have been finding new ways to nurture my own spirit and it is refreshing to be an individual and to have something that is just mine, just for me with the freedom and energy to do so. The Silver Fox has been a great model of self preservation over the years. He knows what feeds his spirit and he nurtures himself in kayaking, skiing, and running with regularity and always something he prefers to do alone. Those are the things that he does solo that are just for him. I have always felt the need to surround myself with many people when I am enjoying me time. The shift for me is that I am not looking to include maybe one other person instead of 5 and I am learning to appreciate the quiet of solace. My mind no longer fears the quiet and I am sure that is largely to do with my TM practice. Again, it is just another freedom I am enjoying. < br/> I have to encourage everyone to find another new way to nurture yourself. Go do something just for yourself that makes you feel alive and free. There is a rush to feeling that organic vitality that you can only find when you are living your authentic self's purpose. < br/> < br/> < br/> Love & Light, t.

Nothing Stays The Same

Before I even launch into writing what I really want to say, I need to acknowledge that this darn blogger site has somehow changed a setting that allows breaks between my paragraphs. When I am composing my post I use paragraphs and they do appear on my draft but once I publish they disappear. Forgive me- I am still trying to resolve it. I am constantly trying to create balance in my day to day life. Aren't we all? There are times when the challenge is greater than my ability to manifest it. These are the moments when I usually allow for myself to engage a little bit of auto pilot. What I mean by that is that I have come to expect certain people in my life to participate and behave a certain way. I know ideally we should expect nothing from anyone ever in life; however, when someone has been in your life for several years or decades even, you innately choreograph a certain dance that you engage in. We all represent a certain 'role' in one another's lives. The complication in this scenario is when we do not allow for the acknowledgment that we are constantly evolving and morphing into who we are meant to be. It is difficult to look at someone one you have known for your entire adult life and to see them with fresh eyes, especially when who you see is not who you remember them to be. There are always allowances we give to our nearest and dearest friends. When friend 'X' is always late, you think to yourself 'Ah, well she has been late for all of our lunch dates since we were 21, that's just her.' Well, my recent revelation is that I am no longer okay with these 'allowances'. My attitude now is that we are nearly 40 now, get a watch. It's one thing to be chronically late and it's another to disrespect someone else's time. Let me say, I do not have an issue with any of my friends being chronically late, it is just a great example. Recently, 'Princess' was in the heart of the Christchurch earthquake. If you have followed my blog you know that she is more like a sister to me than anything else. Needless to say, having her there was heart wrenching for all of us who love her. Luckily, by the time I knew of the situation there had already been word that she and 'The Aunty' were fine. Traumatized, but physically unharmed. My heart continues to go out to those who live in and have lost in New Zealand and to all of those who love them. I feel selfish to even say it considering I was not involved in the quake, but it was life changing to be here and helpless while 'Princess' was there. When you face the thought of losing someone so close to you, you naturally reevaluate your life's meaning and those within it. Hence the fact that I am now looking at all of my relationships and viewing them with fresh eyes. Life and time is so precious and so fleeting. What behaviors are no longer feeding my spirit? Which ones are draining my limited supply of energy and time? It can be difficult to face the reality of who your beloveds are vs. who you thought they still were. That said, check yourself while you are at it. I experienced a huge revelation in this regard a few years ago. There was one girl who had been in the peripheral of my social circle. We used to have this repetitive courtship where we would try to engage in a friendly way but it always ended in drama. She blames me, I held her accountable and it just was not becoming for either of us. It was after I read 'A New Earth' by Eckhart Tolle that I realized that we were both feeding off the drama of it all. We both subconsciously knew that the other would engage in the drama and we learned to expect it from one another. It was a humbling experience to realize that I was equally responsible for this childish, exhausting behaviour that I had always given her credit for. It was amazing to realize that we were playing roles. We had created this dance of drama that we learned to count on the other one to engage with us in. Since then I have freed her and myself from any contact. It's just better that way. We really don't have to be friends with everybody. We really only need to be polite and gracious. Amen! It is okay even to not like someone, that's right! I said it! I said it! Wish them well and see yah! A friend sent me the link I have attached to this blog post. It speaks to this very subject and I love the way it is written. I encourage you to take a look at it. It really makes you think. Life is short. Make sure the people who you are giving your love to are mirroring it back to you. We are all busy, we all have lives and responsibilities there is never an excuse to take friendships for granted, nor should we. We risk the chance of being 'reevaluated'. On that note, go call your 'nears and dears' and tell them how much you love them! Love & Light, t.

Gucci Earth Mother

It wasn't that long ago that my friend 'the decorator' coined the name G.E.M. for me. I have mentioned this before and ever since many of my beloveds call me the Gucci Earth Mother. I can admit that I see how she came to the name. For example, yesterday I strapped on my Blundstone boots (earth mother), grabbed my Chanel sunglasses (gucci), my Coach purse (gucci) jumped into my Suburu (earth mother) and headed to the beach to meditate by the water (earth mother) and then headed to Holt Renfrew (gucci). I can own that I am a complicated girl and a vast spectrum of contradictions. I guess I could pretend to be one or the other or I could pretend to be neither... but the reality is I am both and even more. If I had to claim one or the other, 'Gucci' or 'Earth Mother' ( yes, I am using both as adjectives) I would have to say Earth Mother. I am happiest in the outdoors, surrounded by tall trees and the sound of birds and water near by. Yet, when I am driving through Kits, I am quickly reminded of the days of yesteryear when I would be driving down 4th in my convertible, heading to some event at some chic hotspot. There is something about that time when I was very comfortable in the 'Gucci' domination of G.E.M. These days, the older I get and the deeper I fall in love with my family, the more I settle into the comforting nuances that find you when you come into who you were always meant to be. As more opportunities surface on the heals of February's Oscar buzz, I am faced with situations where I it feels like I am needing to define my stance on G.E.M.- it seems like I am a bit of an oxymoron. Wouldn't be the first time I was deemed a strange bird, nor will it be the last, but more than ever I am sure of who I am, who I am not, and who I won't become. I have received literally hundreds and hundreds of emails this past month from people with the warmest, most complimentary and encouraging words for me. Every message has been heartwarming and I could not articulate how truly meaningful and supportive these emails have been. The phone calls from parents of my friends, old co-workers reaching out has been so touching and unexpected. I have been humbled and re-humbled daily throughout this amazing journey and every single day I shake my head and pinch myself. My heart is bursting with white light and love. This is such a magical time and every blessing that comes is paid forward I assure you. This past week I was invited to participate in the M.T.V. Music Awards Gift Bags. I am honoured by the invitation and look forward to participating in future years. Right now I am focused on filling the ever growing mountain of orders that continually are coming into and filling up my in-box. In my spare time, (yeah right!) I have chosen to focus on my 'new way' to support the people in my community. I recently reached out to the Ovarian Cancer Agency of B.C. to offer a piece of jewelry for their silent auction at their latest fundraising event, Gala-Glam-Give which was hosted at the Birks flagship store downtown. If you have not been in this building you really must go to check it out. It is a gem of a building. The envelope of the structure is exquisite and the jaw dropping bling within is equally as lovely. Unfortunately, because of the venue other designer jewelry was not kosher to have involved in the silent auction; however, the organizers of the event were in need of thank you gifts for the volunteer models who were also local celebs that were doing their part in the name of the fight against cancer. I was happy to donate 20 necklaces for the models. It was another expense that was saved and monies that could be put towards cancer research. I was also contacted this week by the Canadian Red Cross who were looking for a donation for their silent auction that will be apart of their own gala fundraiser at Blue Water Cafe. I am happy to help. Tonight I was contacted by Music B.C. Foundation looking for support for their fundraising event. I am delighted to help my community and I appreciate that through the recent Oscar attention that my business has enjoyed, I have been enabled to in turn support these causes. Love is only good if you have it to give. Tomorrow I am meeting with another local artist Carla D' Angelo. I have been a huge fan of her work even prior to knowing that she was a local artist. I encourage you to check out her unique work at www.claudiaalan.com she is very talented. I am looking forward to joining forces with other artists for the greater good of our community. Stay tuned... this is going to be good! There is lots of good things on the horizon... I can hardly wait to fill you in. Stay tuned! Love & Light, t.

It's Oscars Night!

It was January 3rd when I returned home from our xmas holidays. I had big plans to get organized in my home and mind and to continue on the path of our incredibly family focused journey that 2010 had created. Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans. Within four days of returning home, the Red Carpet email came in and it has been the focus of my everyday since. The past 8 weeks has been the wildest ride I have taken in a long time. It has proven to be an incredible week on so many levels. It is amazing how defined time can feel when you have a deadline. I have a very vivid time line of happenings of the past month and a half. Being invited to have my jewelry included in the Oscar Gift Bags was absolutely a highlight in my career. I explained it to a friend that it was like I had arrived or that I was finally legit when people asked me what I do ( which i still think is the lamest question ever... i am not what i do- and i feel so sorry for those who actually believe that the letters behind their name give them anymore credibility as a decent person than those without) and I reply that I am a jewelry designer. Really, I am actually an artist first and jewelry is just my most successful medium. I am so grateful for the amazing opportunity that has found me. I have put every effort in maximizing every aspect of the benefits that can be derived from this situation. I have aligned myself with the PR GURU that has worked with me as a partner and together we have landed some incredible media coverage. This month I have been seen and heard on Global Morning News, Global Noon News, The Express, eTALK, Entertainment Tonight Canada, I was on the Cover of the Vancouver Sun, I was in The Edmonton Journal, The Ottawa Citizen, The Windsor Star, The Phoenix Star, 24 hrs, The North Shore News, The North Shore Outlook, The Mike Bullard radio show, News 1130, QMFM with Mike & Tara which will air tomorrow, and more local print that will come out in the next few weeks. It has been an incredibly humbling compliment to have been invited to be featured on all of those different media outlets. Every experience was amazing and I have learned a great deal. I mean quite honestly, to land the cover of the Vancouver Sun is quite an accomplishment. Even the 'Silver Fox' was a bit confused by it... he looked at the cover and his first words were..." How did you get a bigger picture on the cover than the Sedins? lol Seriously... so funny. The next round of media will be in the bigger magazines. I was contacted by the company that is presenting the Oscar Gift Bags and they informed me that their press release has gone out to all of the media/ magazines with photos and names of the gift bags and the contributors. So keep your eyes posted while you are perusing through the magazines in the next couple of weeks and watch for the gift bag and watch for the lariat on all of those lovely starlets! Let me know if you see anything! Beyond working really hard to prepare all of the jewels for the Oscars I have also seen some real life action. In one week I had 2 sick babes, 1 traveling husband, a root canal, a clogged toilet (thanks B.Man) , a sick dog, and of course the rest of life's dailies. It was full on and in the midst of all of it all I was watching my email stack up with dozens of orders from across the country. It was a range of emotion that only continued to seek extremes when the next week a friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer that has taken over her body. The week after that, last week I had one of my closest bff's get caught in downtown Christchurch where the earthquake hit. She actually watched the spire on the church collapse. So if you want to talk about polar opposite emotions... as I was watching my Entertainment Tonight interview I was also texting with my friends trying to source the latest information on our bff and her journey back to Canada. ( Thank God she is home safe and sound!) Although I try really hard to live in the moment I have actually been waiting for today to arrive for 8 weeks. I feel this huge relief. The work is done. The celebs have my work. The blessings I have bestowed are working their charm just by being in their possession. Now I need to trust that the love I have put into each piece will find its way to the person who needs it most. Tonight the Oscars will air. I had big plans for a red carpet affair for tonight but alas I am home with two sick babes who just need to have Mama envelope them in the warm mama love that seems to make feeling ill just a little more tolerable. No matter what I am or what I do, I am a Mama first and nothing I do could ever be more important than making these two little spirits feel loved and cared for. While some will be sipping Champagne tonight and donning their finest silks, I will be sipping left over chicken noodle soup that I will make for the kids tonight and that Champagne will be replaced with decaf Earl Grey tea. That is my speed and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to call these sweet spirits mine to nurture and to love. There is no other award greater or more valuable to me than having the honour of hearing them say to me "Mama, how come you love us so much?" Those words affirm that I am doing a great job by doing what I truly love most. I love to love my family. That said, eyes peeled for the lariats! ;) love & light, t.

Watch Entertainment Tonight... TONIGHT!

Tonight we will be featured on Entertainment Tonight Canada! If you missed our segment on eTalk lastnight you can catch it again today at noon! Good Times!