The Reflection of Shadows: I Know

The Reflection of Shadows

A collection of moments

Society6

I Know

In my dreams I see a field
Of a land that's far away,
In a country I have been to,
In a place I long to stay,
Where my daydreams often wander,
Making my pulse race and rise,
Everyday I'm closer, closer
To the soil I desire.

In my heart I feel a sorrow
That I've buried deep below,
For the past that I have chosen
And the seeds that I have sown.
In my prayers I ask for answers-
What to do next, where to go,
How to break free from the prison
Where I've locked away my soul.

In my mind I know my purpose,
Though my logic makes me question
Such a reason for my being,
Why I feel I need permission.
Though this passion burns inside me,
Thoughts of leaping leave me waiting,
Every moment spent in wondering
Is a moment I am wasting.

Monday Mantra: Pursuing Passions

A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of "creating transformation".

Every Monday I will post a new thought, idea, or focus for the week. When you need a breather from life, when you need a little inspiration, or when you're about to jump over the conference table and strangle your co-worker, remember the mantra.

Monday Mantra: Make time for the things you care about

Society6
Robert Farkas

Think back to a time when you found something you loved doing. That thing that made you feel pure and utter bliss, even in the most frustrating of times. That thing that brought you joy, that felt right in your bones.

Maybe you loved knitting. Or cooking. Or writing.

Painting. Singing. Sailing.

Acting.

Volunteering.

Traveling.

Close your eyes and tell me: What do you love? Now, tell me: Do you still make time for it?

The things that matter to you should be a part of your life. Have you lost them? Have you retained the spirit of pursuit of this thing that you love, whatever it may be?

My mom used to paint as a young adult. Landscapes, vases with flowers, animals. This was her passion. But as she got older, and as life got more complicated, she let it go. Since retiring, she's rekindled her love of art. She enrolled in a local community college course and has been taking it for almost a decade now. The same class, over and over, simply because of her love for it (and because her teacher is amazing). She only paints animals because she decided that was the only thing she liked to paint. And she's amazing, you guys. She's not just OK or passable. Her animal portraits are utterly fantastic.

In the last few years, she's created portraits of our pets, friends pets, clients pets. People are constantly asking her to create something for them. In fact, she was so backed up last year that she's still trying to catch up on requests.

She is almost 70 years old and she finally got back to the thing she loves doing.

It's painfully obvious to me that, had she had this outlet of creativity in her life all those other years, she might have been happier. But she didn't make time for it because she didn't believe she had time. There was too much house work and work-work and raising me as a single parent. There was simply too much of everything else and not enough time.

Time is an illusion, though. We make of it what we want.

Every single week, I write. Sometimes a lot, sometimes a little. I schedule it into my life. Even when I'm swamped and even when it feels like work, I write. I do this with my other passions as well. I dedicate time to travel. I fit my photography into my adventures. I create, I carve, I mold my time to encompass the things that I love.

I do not wait for extra time to magically appear because I know it never will.

Remember that thing you loved, so long ago? Go back to it. Recapture the bliss. Create a schedule in your life that allows for the thing you loved so dearly. Make. It. Happen.

You deserve a life filled with the things you want to do, not just need to do; filled with all the things you love. Not just the people you love or the paycheck that puts food on the table, but the things that make you feel more like you.

Find the time. It is there. It is tangible.

Pursue the things you're passionate about.

It's a gift only you can give yourself.

The Reflection of Shadows: With Everything

The Reflection of Shadows

A collection of moments

Society6

With Everything

With every touch,
With every kiss,
With every moment filled with bliss,
With all I've got, with everything-
I'm loving you.

With every laugh,
With every grin,
With every moment I gave in,
With everything, with all I know-
I'm letting go.

For all you're worth, for all you do-
I'm loving you.

_

This weekend marks my one year anniversary to my wonderful, amazing, ridiculously handsome husband. The man who showed me love in a new light, a new depth.

A lot of my poems are about loss and heartache because that's my preferred subject matter - always exploring the darker emotions - but this one is not. This one is about how powerful love can be. How, by letting it fully take you over, you can let go of fear, of caution, of all the things holding you back from loving with your whole being.

Monday Mantra: Loud and Clear

A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of "creating transformation".

Every Monday I will post a new thought, idea, or focus for the week. When you need a breather from life, when you need a little inspiration, or when you're about to jump over the conference table and strangle your co-worker, remember the mantra.

Monday Mantra: Hold yourself accountable

Society6
CreativeAngel

I have this theory...

When I say something out loud in regard to a goal or dream I want to achieve, I feel like I'm making a promise. I feel like I've committed my thought to the air and now have to follow through with whatever it is that I said I was going to do. I imagine my words being captured by the wind and whisked off to to some higher power that holds me accountable to what I've promised.

It's a crazy concept, but it works for me.

When it's in my head, it's not real. It hasn't become solid, tangible, accessible. There is no plan and I don't have to take action. But when I say it out loud, I'm making it known that I will do this thing, whatever this thing is, and I will give it my all.

This concept of speaking my ideas out loud keeps me in check. I feel an instant accountability to give it my best. I've chatted with friends about this and they too feel there's something about getting the idea/goal/dream out of your head and spoken out loud that activates a switch inside of you. A switch that your hand may have previously been hovering over, scared to flip from OFF to ON.

Flip the switch, my friends. Now is the time. Use your voice and speak your dreams and make it happen. Make a commitment to yourself that you will try, try, try whatever it is you need to try, try, try. Give your words to the wind and give your idea/goal/dream everything you've got.

You can do it. You can and you will.

_

This will be my last post for a little bit, folks. Taking some time to get things done and enjoy the nice weather before it turns into a lava pit here in AZ.

The Reflection of Shadows: Calm

The Reflection of Shadows

A collection of moments

Society6

Calm

Ever calm, serenely balanced-
Nothing fazes you that passes.
Change will come and change will go,
But you don't flinch within its hold.

All my plans- destroyed and ruined.
Blue skies darken to my bruises.
Anger and frustration setting,
All my work is now unmending.

Holding my hand, gently, calming,
When I know the sky is falling.
You open my eyes, try to show me-
Nothing's actually unfolding.

Monday Mantra: Let What You're Seeking, Seek You Out

A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of "creating transformation".

Every Monday I will post a new thought, idea, or focus for the week. When you need a breather from life, when you need a little inspiration, or when you're about to jump over the conference table and strangle your co-worker, remember the mantra.

Monday Mantra: Let what you're seeking, seek you out

Society6
Maisao

I couldn't tell you how many poems I've written. They're everywhere; Word files on my computer, college lined notebooks in desk drawers, notes typed into my phone. Poems scribbled on whatever pieces of paper I could find - grocery lists, receipts, napkins. Most are finished, but a solid amount have yet to be finalized.

Some are simply ideas; a sentence here or there. A title. A thought. Some are complete, in the sense that they are, technically, fully written poems. But I can't bring myself to call them complete because there's something off. Something that's missing. Something that needs to be adjusted.

For a long time, I've let them sit untouched. I suppose I gave up. Many felt close to perfect, but so very off that I had deemed them failed attempts. Lately, however, I've been challenging myself to look at them with fresh eyes, an open mind, and a willingness to say, "You must be dismantled entirely so your true form can emerge."

It's been an exiting adventure in trust, creativity, and letting go of what I think something should be for what it is or needs to be.

Some poems emerged better than I ever could have pictured. Some came out perfectly aligned to what I had thought they might be so many years ago, but better in ways I never saw coming. Others have changed in direction, intent, tone. Some, it seems, are writing themselves, with words and phrases leaping out of thin air.

This practice in trying again has taught me two important lessons:

First, things that at one time seemed ruined may, in fact, have never been ruined at all. Maybe they just needed a second, different life. A second chance to become what they were meant to be all along.

And second, when something is not working out the way you hoped or when an idea isn't fully emerging, leave it be. Stop, walk away, and let it come back to you in its own time. Forcing something to work will never yield the same results as letting is naturally unfold. When the time is right, everything will be revealed.

Have patience when you dig through what you've deemed to be ruined. You may just find a treasure.

The Reflection of Shadows: Wind and Time

The Reflection of Shadows

A collection of moments

Society6

Wind and Time

Golden-red, the leaves are plenty,
Hanging by a thread with care.
Waiting for the music's rhythm
'Till they dance with you in air.

Playing in a nearby meadow,
Lifting here and there a tune,
Rising up and plunging downward,
Dancing to a deaf man's tune.

Branches creek as you blow by them,
Knowing now it's time to rest.
All their leaves have left them lonely,
Now they welcome snow and mist.

Children hurry off the playgrounds;
With your strength you bring the cold.
Tiny swirling crystal diamonds
Flutter down to those below.

All the shivers, all the moments-
First the fall and then the night,
All the whispers that you've stolen
Captured in the breath of time.

All Around the World: Victoria, B.C.

Victoria, B.C. 

You know how you can go to a place just once and enjoy it so much you decide that one day you might just live there? That's how Victoria was for me. I loved everything about it. Not too big, not too small. Delicious food, great shopping, amazing views. Nature all around and just the right amount of city. It's easy to see why people come here. It's easy to see why people decide to retire here. It's gorgeous.

Things To Do in Victoria, B.C.

Shop! Shop your heart out and then casually stroll back to your hotel because everything is so freaking close. The shops are unique and fun, filled with all kinds of great finds.

The best areas for shopping are: Lower Johnson Street (LoJo - Johnson Street between Wharf and Government). Fan Tan Alley is famous and worth a visit, but I have to say that the Market Square area was my favorite. To be fair, it was decorated for Halloween, so that's an automatic win for me. It was so wonderfully weird and awesome.

Saltspring Soapworks (in Fan Tan Alley)
I found the yummiest smelling body scrub at this place. The product is so fresh you have to use it within a month or it goes bad. Now that is some serious attention to quality and freshness. But here's the kicker: the item (Cranberry Orange Body Gelato) had gold shimmer in it. I came out of the shower shining brighter than a diamond, just like Rihanna always says to do. They only make it once a year (fall) so if you want to get your hands on this baby, plan accordingly.

Silk Road Tea
This store is for everyone. There's tea, body products, and a spa all at this magical little piece of heaven. My favorite thing about Silk Road Tea is the sample sizes. Can't decide which one to get because so many sound good? No problem. Get yourself the little two ounce tins and get as many samples as you want for a reasonable price.

Don't let my love of shopping make you think that's all there is to do. Oh no, no no no. Walking around Victoria is an experience all by itself. The visuals, the nature, the ooo-ing and ahh-ing you'll do. For example, these things:

Ogden Point
Holy wind, this is one heck of a lookout. My recommendation: Walk here in the late afternoon/early evening before sunset. Have yourself a snack or cup of tea at the restaurant right next to walking path, and then head on out to the point at sunset for some amazing views.

Galloping Goose Trail
Rent yourself some bikes and ride along the Galloping Goose Trail. It. Is. Beautiful. The city did one hell of a job creating this walking/biking path. You can go for miles on it, easily, with views almost everywhere you look. It was a highly enjoyable experience.

Fisherman's Wharf
Three words: Awesome boat houses. I'm talking houses floating on water of all shapes and sizes, decorated in all kinds of ways, right on the wharf. That, plus a few dining options, ferry tours, a little bit of shopping, and oh, hey, did I mention the adorable boat houses???

The whole harbor area is amazing, night and day. At night, in particular, everything lights up. The city is a gorgeous sight to behold. The Empress, the parliament building, and of course, the harbor area are all must-sees.

Russell Books
When I say this place is jam packed with books, I'm not lying. They are stacked from floor to ceiling on every level of this place, and there are many levels. Head on in for an adventure in book searching and finding.

Alright, you guys. I saved the best for last...

Sunsets at the Beach Along Dallas Road
First of all, this is not your California Movie beach. It's different, but beautiful. You want to get here for the sunset. You really, really do. Get there early enough to scope out the best views because you have a LOT of options.

Market Square...or Scare for the holiday

Russell Books

Boat Houses

Galloping Goose Trail

Gluten Free Dining in Victoria, B.C.

The Empress - High Tea
I'm going to start you out with my most favorite thing ever: tea tasting. I love, love, love trying out high tea/afternoon tea when I travel. Every place is different and every experience is amazing. The Empress took care of me in every possible way from a gluten free (GF) perspective, too. I didn't miss out on a single experience and, I have to give them credit, because the scone was impressive. Normally, GF scones can be really tricky aka hard and crumbly. But not here! The scone was soft, sweet, and delicious. The selection of teas available was impressive and - I love this -  they support their local tea store, Silk Road Tea. Win-win in my book. Note: Make sure you give them advance notice that one (or more) people need gluten free options so they can be ready.

Nubo Japanese Tapas
There are some pros and cons to this place, but the pros definitely win. There are a good amount of GF options, but finding the right server that knows them is the tricky part. However, once you do find the right person, you'll be delighted with the various options. There aren't as many as I'd like, but I still had a great time trying all kinds of new and delicious things. Make sure you get here early or you'll be waiting for sure.

Fishhook
This place was an unexpected open faced sandwich surprise of awesomeness. The menu is unique and mouthwatering and they have a lot of GF options, which always makes eating somewhere way more exciting. I enjoyed this place so much that I think about going back to Victoria just to eat here. No joke.

Blue Fox Cafe
Yet another amazing place with a boatload of GF options. The service is also noteworthy. These people take care of you. The hubs and I both got the french toast because it was so original and one-of-a-kind sounding that we had to try it. I should note, they are VERY popular so be prepared to wait. It's worth it.

Olo
Ohmygoodness, this place was not only yummy but also super cute. I had a killer steak and veggie dinner here with an excellent grilled octopus starter dish.

Crust Bakery
A must for a snack or baked breakfast goodie. All my GF friends know this: baked goods are the trickiest. So when you find a place that has multiple ridiculously good GF baked goods, you know you've hit the jackpot.

Fishhook

Nubo Japanese Tapas

Olo

I'm working on the pictures still, but I'll get the good ones loaded to my Society6 page soon for those who are interested.