Food For Thought

pardon the poor pedicure.

"I am an excitable person who only understands life lyrically, musically, in whom feelings are much stronger as reason. I am so thirsty for the marvelous that only the marvelous has power over me. Anything I can not transform into something marvelous, I let go. Reality doesn't impress me. I only believe in intoxication, in ecstasy, and when ordinary life shackles me, I escape, one way or another. No more walls."
— Anaïs Nin

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2 years ago on my 26th birthday I got a tattoo on my right foot that says, in Italian, fuoco nelle vene. While the literal translation is fire in the veins, the expression itself has a meaning of living very passionately. And that's pretty much what I strive to do daily--live a passionate life from sun up to sun down, in the boldest of moves and in the most mundane tasks. From taking trapeze class (!!) to appreciating every bite of my breakfast croissant (seriously, it's heavenly) to planning my next big trip (Fiji? Bali? Africa? World, you shall be my oyster).

I've gotten some grief over the years from folks who worry about this life mentality and I don't necessarily blame them. I know a lot of very happy people who live simple, quiet, humble lives and I recognize not everyone is cut from the same caution-to-the-wind cloth as me. But I've gotta tell you--this way of living, though occasionally getting me into (big?) trouble, has mostly afforded me a plethora of adventures and experiences that I wouldn't trade for anything. It has connected me with folks who have changed my life, sent me into fits of pure, joy filled laughter and helped me explore the world from the corners of my own neighborhood to exotic lands across the seas.

And when I fail? Man do I fail big. You could even say I fail passionately, with gusto, pizazz and a burst of pink glitter. But I also always get back up. With each passionate failure I am able to bring down with me another wall and this, dear friends, is the most important part--that our hearts, spirits and general excitement to be alive continue to grow, widen and deepen. That we continue to take down walls and allow love and light to flow from us and into us; that we connect, persevere and try, try again.

There is a sign in my kitchen given to me by my best friend a few years ago that resonates with me deeply. It reads "I live simply, but deliberately". You don't need big frills and grandiose schemes to live a passionate life; you can be very happy living humbly in your own lovely nook of the world. You simply need the courage to deliberately start each day with an open mind and heart; to give thanks with each breath. You can turn anything into the marvelous simply by remaining in a state of child-like awe, curiosity and appreciation.

You have the power to be utterly intoxicated by your wonderfully ordinary life.

So today I challenge you to take down a wall. Big or small. Knock that sucker down and be amazed by your boldness, your strength and the wonders that will finally wiggle their way into your life now that you've given them a chance. There isn't much in this world we have true control over--just ask anyone on earth whose best laid plans have gone haywire. But we can choose to live passionately...live deliberately...and let the wonders of ordinary life amaze and delight us.

From the boldest of moves to the most mundane tasks--put a little a fire in your veins.

In Gratitude,

Trish