Ever feel like a failure?

I haven't read a single Harry Potter book or watched any of the movies.

(I know. Call me weird haha).

But this speech. THIS speech! (Part 2 is here and Part 3 is here)

Such profound words.

This woman. W-O-W. So wise. So humble. Just brilliant. I may not have read or watched her fiction, but I watched this twice, and read the transcript a few times over. Ever feel like a failure? Ever hit rock bottom? I love her honesty so much.

Failure, hardship, heartbreak, loss and poverty are very real. I know I've been there. Listen to her so honestly speak of the fringe benefits of failure, and get ready to be inspired.

I just find the whole thing so inspiring. And when she speaks of her experience working for Amnesty International ...

"Unlike any other creature on this planet, humans can learn and understand, without having experienced. They can think themselves into other people’s places".

"If you choose to use your status and influence to raise your voice on behalf of those who have no voice; if you choose to identify not only with the powerful, but with the powerless; if you retain the ability to imagine yourself into the lives of those who do not have your advantages, then it will not only be your proud families who celebrate your existence, but thousands and millions of people whose reality you have helped change. We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better."

Great food for thought as you roll into your weekend.

Thought I'd share. Namaste!

Ever watch the power of myth interviews?

Got to thinking about the power of myth interviews with Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell this evening. Think it's time to watch the talks again. Regardless of your background or beliefs the talks are fascinating food for thought. Joseph Campbell was an amazing man full of insight and understanding.

“We have not to risk the adventure alone, for the heroes of all time have gone before us. The labyrinth is thoroughly known. We have only to follow the thread of the hero path, and where we had thought to slay another, we slay ourselves. Where we had thought to travel outward, we will come to the centre of our own existence. And where we had thought to be alone, we will be with all the world.

-Joseph Campbell

Regardless of your lot in life, you can build something beautiful on it. ~ Zig Ziglar

Denman Island is my favourite place in the whole wide world. It's magic. Its no wonder I cry everytime I have to leave. Click pictures to enlarge.

The peace, the quiet, the natural untouched beauty of Denman Island... and only 75 km from Nanaimo. The place is truly a dream. My partner grew up on this tiny island and I am so glad he did, otherwise I probably wouldn't have ever heard of it. It is two ferry rides from Vancouver and I can not recommend going there enough. There aren't even words. We feel so blessed to have many wonderful friends there to see and visit when we go, but even if you didn't know a soul, the people are really lovely and friendly. This place is peaceful beyond words. If you want to nourish your soul, your mind, your body, write, practice yoga, meditate, play music, heal or restore on any level, Denman Island is just a hop skip and jump away from our big city! Personally, I can't wait to get back. Keep in mind that this post does not even include any photos of Chickadee Lake or Fillongley Park. Two other really amazing spots you wouldn't want to miss. You really must go. My pictures don't do it justice at all. No photographs could. Its really that spectacular. Namaste.

reflecting? i am.

Reflecting on this past year? The good and the not so good? Its a natural thing to do. We can all find lot's of things to be thankful for even through we can't escape challenges and hardships. Thankfully we all have each other and can ask for help when we need it. Happy new year to you! It's going to be a great year! I really hope to see you at yoga.

Quite simply, the way yoga spills out into our lives and relationships just makes everything else better. We are able to handle what life throws at us a lot better, and things just aren't quite as hard anymore. We slowly let go of things that are unhealthy for us/no longer serving us, without even trying. And we just feel better. We get rid of those aches and pains, we sleep better, are more fluid, and have greater range of motion. The list just goes on an on. Its the best self care I know of. It isn't going to solve all of our problems, but it is the one thing that keeps us in shape and balanced, yet doesn't take our energy away. It gives us energy, and peace and clarity at the same time.

I really hope to see you at yoga. All my classes are really affordable and even cheaper when you double up to attend twice per week (yoga shouldn't cost an arm and a leg), so register away!

I wanted to take this time to thank you all for your support and for just being you xoxo

2011 is going to be a great year! Plus I am in another teacher training right now and am learning lot's of new snazzy stuff! ;)

I've got a ferry to catch so better run! namaste & see you at yoga xo

Read this quote this morning, and since my mind keeps wandering back to it I thought I'd share. I think it's quite wise, and a good thing to remember as the new year approaches.

"The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settled for." -Maureen Dowd

Ever wonder how to "stop" people from following you on social media sites?

I know that most people want want want followers but I woke up to see a hate group following me on Twitter and it turned my stomach before I even got my morning coffee into me. You can probably tell by my blog that I am not all that saavy when it comes to these things (haha...and thats putting it mildly)!

Facebook is another story. I love it and have loads of fun on there. I love that it is so interactive. I spend a lot of time on there each day laughing and joking with friends etc. Facebook is really my 1st blog to the people who know me. People know what I am up to all the time, we share reviews on things, opinions, and all kinds of information. There's the occassional debate which I also enjoy, but most of all lots of laughs. Lot's and lot's of laughs. Facebook is probably my biggest form of entertainment and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I hope it never goes away.

As far as Twitter goes I don't participate much on there. I haven't really spent much time on it and don't understand it very well. My posts generally just go straight from here or my facebook fan page onto my twitter, therefore becoming tweets of their own. I don't really have to do anything to make that happen so I don't often take notice of who's following me and such, but this morning a picture of a baby with a red circle around it and a line going through it caught my eyes in my follower list. When I looked closer I knew I needed to blow this person/group right off my twitter page asap but didn't know how. Luckily a friend gave me a link and I blocked them.

Thought I'd put this out there because I didn't know how to get rid of them. Followers are great, but I don't want just anyone following me. Especially if they hate something or someone that I love! And with twitter you don't have to accept friends/followers etc. They can just choose you. If you have to sell a part of your soul for for followers? No thanks. I'd rather have none. I'll pass on any haters of any sort.

Below is a link to ditch someone on your twitter should you have anyone who does not represent the person you are/causes you believe in etc.

http://support.twitter.com/articles/117063-how-to-block-users-on-twitter

I'm into sharing two things and hate isn't one of 'em. Sharing information and sharing the love. Namaste.