It Only Takes A Smile

On our 10 year anniversary , I dedicate this blog post to my husband. I notice I tend not to brag about him and his accomplishments, but I am quite proud of him. 

He has relocated to the UK with me.  As a chef who has worked with some of the world’s greatest culinary leaders, he could easily have had his selection of top jobs in The industry.  Instead he chose to pick a lower ranking job with a top chef. He only wanted to work for Heston Blumenthal at one particular restaurant: Dinner. His Taurus mind was set. He only applied for one job, and had no back up plan. He had faith in himself and he got it! 

I could never work his 18 hour days, standing on his feet the entire day.  Yet surprisingly this is the industry, and he loves and thrives in it . 

I realise how seldom I tell him how proud and in awe I am of him . He needs to hear that . 

Think of who in your life may need to hear words of encouragement , and share it

(He’s in the blue shirt above with his favourite band Wild Beast). 

We recently brought a large group of families to Nottingham Forest for the Robin Hood festival. Who knew the real Sherwood Forest existed ? We took in the love of his story of stealing from the rich to give to the poor, and encouraged our 75 individuals to give a kindness coin to someone when they caught them Doing something good. 

So much of the time we focus on how strangers and others frustrate us: driving on the roads , in line at a supermarket , or  at work. Catch a moment of positivity and let them know how it impacted you. They will appreciate it and pass it on.

I just discovered Improv Everywhere and am addicted.  If only life were a musical…

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Curtis Mayfield plays in the background as I enter s coffee shop. Instantly I am taken back to my barista days , where times were simpler. No major bills , responsibilities , or serious relationships . It seemed easier to be kinder to strangers that time , serving customers . I noticed the regulars who would come in , looking for a place to study or for a place to call home .

I heard a Lena Dunham podcast yesterday in which she interviewed her artist mom. Her mom only thought she could herself be an artist her entire her life . Nothing else was an option. But as she aged she discovered and developed qualities such as patience , kindness , and humility where she could now be in areas to serve others such as being a waitress . What an interesting concept . We think service industry jobs are entry level jobs that anyone can do , but in reality to be truly good at it you need skills of such high caliber… You must be centered and on your game in order to be friendly and open to others.

Think of that as you leave your next tip;)

I notice I am always in a rush. Rush for what ? I heard someone say today that we are in a rush towards death, and missing life? Why ? What keeps us from appreciating right now ? Are we concerned we are going to miss something more spectacular than now? What could be more precious than this breath , this space , this time. You will never get it again. Slow down and perhaps see what arises for you . What do you notice now ?

Sometimes you want to share emotions with others. And it’s not always possible to convey what one feels. The other day I felt such joy and tried to share this with someone who was so down. I felt it in turn brought me down and robbed me from my happiness I momentarily had. Instead of dwelling on it, I let it go and later reached out to that person again but this time simply said I wanted him to try and practice singing with me in the future. Our conversation and mood shifted so quickly, and I was once again able to retain that glee until the next morning. Those small moments of being content are so precious , and we must guard that with our hearts. Perhaps we should be cautious of who we allow in that time of pocket that emotion with care to bring out for another time to dwell in. It’s always available for you to revisit . Simply take that memory out of your library and press play .

Allow
By Danna Faulds
There is no controlling life.
Try corralling a lightning bolt,
containing a tornado. Dam a
stream and it will create a new
channel. Resist, and the tide
will sweep you off your feet.
Allow, and grace will carry
you to higher ground. The only
safety lies in letting it all in –
the wild and the weak; fear,
fantasies, failures and success.
When loss rips off the doors of
the heart, or sadness veils your
vision with despair, practice
becomes simply bearing the truth.
In the choice to let go of your
known way of being, the whole
world is revealed to your new eyes.

There are certain countries that pull at me. Each time I visit I know will not be the last. Ireland is one of them. I am generally drawn to beach towns, pure warm relaxation. But for reason there is something about the hospitality of the Irish that touches your heart . I can’t pinpoint it. Perhaps it’s the beautiful words of the famous writers who were born and bred here : james Joyce , WB yeats, and Oscar Wilde to name a few. Maybe it’s the smile most of the people engage in , or the phrase “that’s grand,” which is endearing . It could be the playful self deprecating humour they have, or the surprise that every Irish person is a performer . The land is green , leprechauns originate here, and somehow the locals are proud about where they stem from. I guess it doesn’t matter why I feel drawn to here , but to simply notice it. I heard today someone describing how she felt, and she said she felt like Ireland …welcoming, cheerful, and reflective

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Reflecting on how I can focus less on sharing on social media but sharing on what’s touched me on here. I realise the most important thing we can give to others is our authentic selves. The beauty I appreciate when I travel is simply observing . Although it is quite touristy, I appreciate hearing the local musicians, dancers, and street performers. My musician therapist friend Gretchen who is an ultimate New Yorker mentioned once hoe grateful she was for performers on subways because they make people happy. Through choosing to harness their voice and bodies, they themselves become instruments of energy and passion that is shared with others. When I travel and I actually see traditional performances , how moving it is to witness tradition and history being translated for you ! So often we pass by them quickly , feeling guilted into giving a tip. But next time observe , feel what’s being shared , and show your gratitude .