Kids say the darndest things. They really do. I taught a grade one class in Australia and I told the students that I would answer any questions they had about either Canada or me. Two of my favorite questions were:

Miss J can you do donuts in your car in the snow? –Harley

Miss J you look like a girl, you smell like a girl, but why do you sound like a man? –Sara

Haha! Oh Sara, you definitely win for best question. How do I even answer that? Kids are so curious and honest- I love it.

I know I was no exception. I was always asking my mom questions. I still do!

First of all, yes that is my beautiful mother featured in the above picture. Yes, it is hard to believe that she is such a vibrant stunner and has three grown children, but what is even harder to believe is that she is even more beautiful on the inside. Okay wow I am crying already!

Mom your inner beauty is blinding. You have been a true inspiration for all 27.88 years of my life- yes I did the math. There is so much you do to inspire everyone around you, but just like your beauty- the greatest source of your inspiration is deep.

Mom it is not what you do, it is how you do it that inspires me most. You were never the pushy, overprotective mom that made my decisions for me- and I thank you for that. Thank you for letting me wear my rubber boots with dresses, even when they weren’t always the best choice, because you wanted my true colours to show. Thank you for choosing laughter over judgment when I told you I sent some random guy pictures of me, in a bikini, doing yoga postures for a potential “modeling” gig. Thanks for giving me the strength I needed to dive deep and explore the depths of my curiosity.

When I had a decision to make you would tell me to listen to my heart. I thank you now for this advice, but seriously mom in the past it made me furious. I would get so confused when I would try to do it, the whole listening to the heart thing, and all I could hear was- thump, thump. What does that even mean? How do I listen to my heart? I would think to myself. When I was at a crossroads, I desperately wanted someone to just tell me what to do.

You know you are going in the right direction when you lead from the heart. –my mom

Well mom you will be proud to know that I found my heart! Just when I found the little love muscle more questions arose. Are you sure I can actually trust it? No seriously mom I am asking. Is my heart leading me in the right direction? Should I really be airing my dirty laundry for all those to read on the internet? Will those bikini pictures come back to haunt me if I even decide to run for mayor?

One that was especially challenging this week in my quest to live yogically was- Should I really be airing my dirty laundry for all those to read on the internet? After last week’s post I was visited by three ghosts of relationships past. One of which congratulated me and we both shared a laugh after I assured him he was not one of the ex’s I was referring to in my post. The others let’s just say did not feel the same way. I started to worry about what others thought and it was clouding my judgement – my brain was taking over. But when I took a moment to listen to my heart, I realized that maybe some people did not receive my honesty well, but what I wrote was coming from my heart and I trust it. Everything I write in these posts comes from a genuine place, and I want to keep it that way.

I know that there are always going to be times when I will question my heart’s path. Luckily I have a reading that I can turn to that supports both my mom’s advice and gives me the confidence I need to listen to my heart.

You must always keep in mind that a path is only a PATH; if you feel that you must not follow it you must not stay with it in any circumstance- a path is only a path. But your decision to keep on the path or to leave it must be free from fear or ambition. Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think necessary. Then ask yourself and you alone DOES THIS PATH HAVE A HEART? All paths are the same they lead nowhere. Does this path have a heart is the question. If it does then the path is good; if it doesn’t then it is of no use. Both paths lead nowhere, but one has a heart and the other doesn’t. One makes for a joyful journey; as long as you follow it you will be one with it. The other will make you curse your life. One makes you strong, the other weakens you. Each individual can judge for himself which path has a heart of him. Where paths cross there is union; where they run parallel there is peace, provided that each path loves and honors the other.
-Don Juan

I vow to always search for the rhythm of my heart. I vow to honor my curiosity and truth as I seek out my path. I vow to trust in its power- no matter how confusing the questions seem.

Peace, peace, peace

NAT

NEXT WEEK HAPPY BIRTHDAY JERRY! Jerry turns 2 years old! In his honor I will tap into my inner 2 year old. This does not mean eating those little fish crackers, saying NO to everything and wearing pull ups- it means I think back to what inspired me at such a young age.