Smile, Breathe, and Go Slowly

 

 

 

Gratitude has been one of those topics that's been on my mind a great deal lately. It's an incredible feeling when you physically feel overcome with joy out of sheer gratitude. For me it's one of those emotions that sneaks up. A number of things call forth this emotion; post Savasana bliss after an exceptional power yoga class, a gorgeous hike on a bright sunny, day, or the simple delight from a fresh, home-made meal. It never seizes to amaze me the tremendous power that this feeling brings forth. A joy arising simply from marveling over all that you have been lucky enough to receive in life, the people you have been fortunate to cross paths with, and the opportunities that have unfolded before you. As much as its become almost a fad to give this oh-so cliché pointer, simply taking a few moments out of your day, each and every day, to stop and truly revel in the beauty of your life can make it just that...a very beautiful life. 

Beginning with this new year I have been quite blessed with an extraordinary new work opportunity which has granted me the opportunity to experience many of my day to day joys; biking to work, enjoying the waking hours of the morning with exercise, coffee, and a good breakfast, and learning something which I am truly excited to gain additional knowledge. Considering my naturally risk averse nature...being a Virgo primarily and holding sole responsibility for my financial security secondarily, this opportunity and new start came through more of a leap of faith than through any amount of luck, and for that I am very grateful that I had the courage to take the jump.

These photos are a collection of the many things which I derive much of my happiness and simple joys from: beauty in nature, yoga, eclectic cities, works of art, and of course, cute men on bikes! 

Photos: www.yogadvd.net, Studded Hearts blogspot

Visions Of A Gentle Coast

 

Gentle coastlines, white-washed cliffside villas, and ornately blue and white painted alleyways by day. Pulsating beats, illuminated yachts, and nights stretching into the early hours of the morning. Mykonos finds itself quite easily on both ends of the spectrum, and as such proves to be the perfect getaway locale for the 20-something looking to take a break from reality. While I cannot say Mykonos was one of those places which provided a cultural or self awakening experience, I can say it was one of the most rejuvenating and revitalizing trips I have taken so far. It is near impossible to forget all of your foolish cares and day-to-day stresses when you have nothing to fill your days with but blindingly blue coastlines, ATV rides high into the island's hills, overflowing plates of grape leaves, moussaka, tzatziki, and an abundance of wine. This trip proved to remind me of the joy of the simple things in life, and the importance of not taking anything too seriously. And if there is one thing which will permanently serve to remind me of the surreal beauty of the Greek Isles, it is the memory of the sunsets casting a gorgeous glow over the white-washed, cliff-side deco.

Photos: Bergdorf Goodman Resort 2012 collection

Baby Went to Amsterdam

Amsterdam is an astounding city, and not in the way you'd think it to be conventionally. Yes, the lack of censorship and the liberating laws of the city are great, but the greatest aspect of the city is the overall quality of life. Everyone in the city is so much more relaxed and peaceful than I've ever witnessed in a city of its proportions. Even people coming and going to work, biking through the vast intersections, or along the shady, cobble-stoned paths lining the canals appeared to be completely at ease, so content in their present state of being. Exactly the pace and quality of life I envision as perfect for myself. These city-dwellers clearly know how to slow down and truly enjoy the beauty of life while still managing to be a part of a highly successful and productive nation. You could almost refer to this city as Utopian. Yet at the same time, the tremendous diversity and uniqueness of the place makes it nearly the exact opposite. The seemingly conflicting values of the city manage to blend together so perfectly. A city full of art, beauty; people biking about, dining out on boat decks on the canals with large groups of friends on a Monday afternoon; yet also a city bursting to the brim with the so called "sins" of the Red Light District. Amsterdam is a breathe of fresh air and a must return place of mine, perhaps future place of residency...after all every girl looks fab on a bike!