Why Paris Matters.

When my husband told me the news of yet another terrorist act in Paris from Friday night, my initial reaction was the all too familiar gut wrenching sensation in my stomach, the stab in my heart, and the racing fear in my head. “Why does this happen? Who is hurt? Are my friends okay?” As someone who is so fiercely intent on making the world a better place by supporting others in healing practices, I always find it so difficult to understand the reasoning behind such actions. My normal process after the shock of it all is usually bewilderment. This is quickly followed by anger. So much anger. Then powerlessness, hopelessness, fear.  I tend to feel a lot of confusion in light of my life experience and the many other humans in the world that are so loving, kind, and beautiful. It just doesn’t make sense.

Not even 12 hours after these horrific events, I was filling up my car after seeing a movie. I had forgotten all about this morning. I walked in to pay and made the normal small talk. The lovely man who served me saw me yawn and said, “Long day?” I replied, “It’s been a long week!” half joking but speaking truthfully with an undertone of dissatisfaction. “And you?” I asked. He enthusiastically said, “I’m good!” (which reminded me of my recent meditation teachings of gratitude). I bounced back with, “Oh I know, you’re right. I have nothing to complain about here!” When I got back into my car and turned on the radio, my memory returned.

I realized then that I do have power in this, and my power lies in my present. For me to honor those that have lost their lives, is to love the hell out of mine; to remember that today is a once in a lifetime gift that I will never have again; to love people in a way that is so unconditional there is no choice but to create a connection. Life is only enriched by the connections we make with others. And not just your mother, sister, or friend that looks like you and believes all the same things you do. But can you truly see past the color of their skin, their religion, career path? Can you open your heart and eyes to see a person as they actually are?

Can you connect on the sole basis of your shared humanity?

When people are disconnected from others and themselves, the world is fragmented and doesn’t often make sense. Our natural state is oneness, interconnectivity, and interdependence. What we do to ourselves, we do to others and vice versa. Let go of the illusion of separation. The way we think about ourselves gives other people permission to do the exact same thing. We must stop looking at our lives as something that is less than a miracle, less than good, less than beautiful.

We must love and be loved. Only this will change our world.

xox Megan

Well traveled company: a note to self

We are on the plane, heading towards Bali. It was a stressful start, but we made it in the air! We are finally on our way to get married!! Having just spent the last several months of my life giving every spare moment to planning a destination wedding with my fiancé, I've realised very quickly that doing a full time job you've never actually been trained in can be pretty daunting. I'm no wedding planner, but through this process, I've learned a few things...

As a bride, you are expected to organise every last detail from the type of flower to the type of cocktail. Decisions amount to monstrous proportions that any normal human being would find quite overwhelming to say the least. From getting all your best girls together for one day of pampering to sorting out the groomsmen's suits, these decisions are plenty. 

Many times over the last several months, I've been reminded that these decisions are not the important ones. One of the most monumental decisions a person will ever make is choosing a life partner. The importance of this decision is founded on the life altering effects it has on not only the couple, but the entire family unit on either side, the potential children that may come out of the union, and the many years of time and energy invested into the relationship. To many, it may all be a bit too scary and not their cup of tea. For others, what it boils down to is: who do you want to travel with? Who is someone that you can wake up every morning and choose to be your teammate, lover, and friend? When there are travel delays, lost baggage, or missed flights, can you honestly and whole heartedly say in the midst of it all, you are so grateful and lucky to be in the muck and mire with this particular person? That there's no one else you would rather be waiting in the airport with under dire circumstances....Can you work together, compromise, and let go of the little things?

Some of us are lucky enough to meet someone in our lives like this; one that we can travel the journey of life together supporting our triumphs, loving us in our darkness, and growing with us in our times of transition and change. If you are one of the lucky ones, consider yourself blessed beyond measure. Never take your travel companion for granted, but  when you do, apologise. Remind yourself that they are a gift, a rare precious gem that requires polishing and tender, loving care on a daily basis. Just like your relationship to self, it needs connection, healing, compassion. When we take time to cultivate these qualities, they cannot help but expand. Where our attention goes, energy flows. This is one great secret to well travelled company.

"Fear not the future as we know not what it holds. Release the past because it has brought you to this place. And relish every single, incandescent moment as the last one you will ever have." -me

xox Megan