People seldom change; their style may change, favorite color,  who they vote for may change. But a person,  the true definition of a person seldom changes. Its our perception that changes.
Their comes a point in almost all relationships where it feels as if the other person's changed into a stranger... we may recognize the face,  the eyes, the smile but we don't know who it belongs too. What we once thought was self-confidence now seems cocky,  the independence we admired is now distance or the affection is now clingy. All these things still mean the same but it's our thoughts, mood and perception that's changed them into either something positive or negative. 
The same goes for those girls who you swore you'd never be like suddenly want to be your friend. They haven't changed, I promise you that. Your perception has, you've allowed yourself to see past what you believe to be wrong or right for momentary popularity or attention.  Well how about life long happiness and attention? It's out there,  it just may take a little longer to find. 
Be true to yourself,  surround yourself with people who are going to support you and encourage you. You should never feel shamed or disliked for a choice you believe is right. I truly believe things happen for a reason and we need to fall to learn how to pick ourselves back up. And every time you stand up you become a little wiser. You can't appreciate what you have at the top until you've lived at the bottom. Be humbled by everything you do.
Should you ever forget,  remember the reasons why you fell in love. See your partner for who they are and LOVE them for it.  You can only wish they will do the same. The little things you used to think we're cute, now drive you mad, let them make you smile. Remember when this person used to make you smile with just a glance or without even being in the same room. Go back to falling in love. Nobody ever said it has to stop, we get comfortable and complacent and then its routine. I say dont just be in love, fall in love every morning and get swept off your feet every night. And dont forget you've gotten complacent,  what are the little things you used to do when love was the most exciting thing in your life. Your partners noticed. Show love, be love.

Don't ever change who you are,  be willing to bend and forgive but your roots are planted and once you come to accept that you can then begin to appreciate your strength and beauty. For me I'm stubborn as a mule but after 22 years I realize I'm stubborn because I'm sensitive.  I wear my heart on my sleve and to protect it I get defensive and I've been known to shut down. This isn't the person I want to be,  I'm appreciating and respecting my sensitivity.. It's who I am and even if I could change that about myself (which I've wanted to) I shouldn't.. and I won't. The people in your life,  the good ones,  the ones who are meant to stay. They will understand you,  they see your roots and they won't want to change you. Instead you'll find people who water your roots and admire your strength and beauty,  and remind you should you ever forget.
My mother planted a seed and watched me grow,  she's seen me torn down and bare but she's also seen me stretch for the sun and she's admired my colors. My mother's known my roots,  because she planned them, watered them and loved them.  But she gave me the freedom and space to discover them myself. And that's an amazing gift, to slowly find out who you are and what you stand for.
There are people in my life who have torn down branches or made me forget my roots but that's okay I didn't need those beaches and sometimes we forget. But in the end,  I remembered. Those people are going through a journey themselves to find their roots and maybe they had a few branches taken off themselves so forgive them. 
I'd like to think I've found people in this world who are going to let me stand tall and strong in a storm and offer them protection and shelter when they need. Trust that I'll never break and take a nap under the shade I provide.  But in the winter when my leaves have fallen and I'm no longer radiant those same people will come and love me no different. Because that's who I am. I'm still discovering my roots,  they are long and secure but every day I discover a little more about what makes me happy or sad or what I believe is wrong or right. And one day my roots will cross paths with somebody else and we'll decide to grow together and you can't un-grow or retreat,  you can only grow more and when all the space is taken you can only grow deeper.

The path we travel may be steep and sometimes narrow. But as hard as it is dont forget to stop and be amazed by your surroundings! This world is a beautiful place,  sometimes you'll have to climb a few hills and sometimes you'll have to do it alone but you'll always be surrounded by beauty and love!
This is a photo I took off my mom and I on a trip to Bermuda!

Be good to yourself. Be good to others. Be good to those who dont know how to be good back. Dont let anything dim the light you shine on the world.

Gratitude Monday.. on Tuesday

  Be grateful for all the things you have, I lose sight of this sometimes. It's easy to focus on what you don't have so I'm challenging myself to participate in Gratitude Monday. It's simple, say what makes you grateful today. here. now.

- I'm grateful for my family, my crazy family. Thick and thin we have grown together and loved together.
- I'm grateful for my boyfriend, Im grateful for the fact that we've gotten to the point in our relationship where we are comfortable being grouchy. There's no limits to our love and we are just scratching the surface.
- I'm grateful for my body, who I still struggle with but my body has yet to fail me.
- I'm grateful for my opportunities in this world.
- I'm grateful for all the beauty I've seen and Im grateful for all the beautiful things I have yet to see!
- I'm grateful for friends and excitement when somebody else can finish your sentences.
- Finally, I'm grateful for handstands. I've been practicing and practicing and I'm grateful for the little progress!

Happy Tuesday. I wish the world a peaceful day and soft landings!

Be motivated

Athlete's typically use their bodies as their tools, weapons. We use our bodies in our work, our play. What we don't do is connect with this beautiful machine, we don't listen. For me, I used and abused my body for my sport. I fuelled it with garbage and then asked it to perform.  It took 2 knee surgeries for me to actually listen.. and now i do.
I used to do yoga in high school, I taught 'Yoga and a Story' to young kids where we would read a story that had a valuable lesson and then do simple yoga poses that resembled animals. What I wish I realized then was those lessons were just as valuable to me as they were to the kids. Im now just rediscovering my passion for yoga and all it entails. This blog is my journey and my outlet. Yoga isn't about the fancy clothes or the poses (although they can be exciting), it about the connection between body and mind, soul and the earth. I've changed a lot during my college years and my perspective of the world is different now from what it was. Im learning to love, cherish and forgive. I see selfishness and it teaches me selflessness, greed teaches me generosity and hate.. hate most of all teaches me love.