lumi

Snow life. 

It's snowing, so there's snow.

What is it with me and winter this year. 

Strange.

But serene.

I almost don't want spring to come with its incessant need, once again.

Demanding and clawing at the skin and bones of every living thing.

Just to claim its prizes. 

And usually it's my favorite.

But now.

It's nice to dwell under the cover of ice.

Kind of secret.

Spring drags everything out of the frozen ground, out in the open.

Somehow exposed in its need to make new life.

Kind of pornographic, you know?

Winter is hidden and it's silent and demure and unmoved.

Like a Sunday morning under covers.

Or words that only you can hear and eyes meant for none other.

It's like, sinking and submitting.

The tranquil looks of giving in.

It's as dirty as it's pure. 

The ice just ties you up, in its dungeon, and then the fire makes you free.

As carnal as it's holy.

Winter - the true soul home of Erotica.

Apparently this is what I now like.

Again, and always, I have love for all of you.

Yours truly.

M.

 

Today

Another crazy day.

Good singing things today.

Actually, excellent. 

Excellent singing things.

I've got super loads of lyrics to learn this week but I'm getting started tomorrow so that is all doable.

I've currently got something under 6 hours till my alarm goes off.

But all the excitement from the day is keeping my eyes open like an owl.

Tomorrow morning I'm gonna have some lovely breakfast, somewhere.

Then rehearsal 11am, and a proper home evening.

I really need to learn the switching off business. 

For now, I bid you all a superb night, from  the Spaniards bed.

Love and light.

Yours truly.

M.

Rachel

I mean, I don't really remember how many times I've posted about Rachel Brathen, but quite seriously, I find her so positive, and positively inspiring!

So therefore.
Just some shameless link-giving.
http://www.rachelbrathen.com/
http://instagram.com/yoga_girl
http://www.facebook.com/rachelsyoga?hc_location=stream

I just find her super awesome.
Simple as.
And promoting really healthy ideas, and images of women, men, people, dogs and whatever.
And courage.
Courage to more from Sweden to Aruba (??), in your early twenties, and do things your way.

Seriously.

This also goes hand-in-hand with my constant reminder at the back of my head: "Hey, Maria, do yoga. Why are you not doing yoga."
I love it, yet I'm not doing it.
Shall be fixed.

Thursday for Rachel.

Yours truly.
M.

today

The weather today is literally divine.


So, what's your definition of being successful?

There's this blog I sometimes check, when in need of something. I'm not her biggest fan, but sometimes she hits the right notes.http://www.bexlife.com/
I was listening to Bex's half an hour talk earlier on. And she stopped on the question of what we perceive as "success".

I mean, success is what people crave, very often. But what exactly do we perceive as "success"?
So, success for me, I guess, is living a life with health and family, a life in which I do what I enjoy, have people to share it with, and get paid good money. Enough to have freedom to travel, and explore the world. Challenging myself, and excelling at being Myself.

She had some pointers, some of which I really enjoyed -Identify your passion, write down things you love doing (even if this is watching trashy TV, or growing chickens in your back yard), circle the things that people might pay you for, and what people thank you for on a regular basis.
All extremely and I mean extremely useful things to do.

"Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard."
AEM said this to me, back when I lived in London. And he's right. I don't work hard enough, for my own measure. I used to work hard, now I pretend to work hard.
At this point can I just say I rock at deceit. I really do. I can convince everyone, including myself, of how "hard-working I am".
Lies.

Another one that I've always enjoyed, so much -
"Success happens when opportunity meets preparation."
This should put everyone's fear of failure (the greatest hinderance) to rest.
Do the preparation, do the homework, the go and channel it at the right people.
Boom.
I mean, life really is that simple.
We just like over-complicating it, starting with your's truly.

And so what I took from her and what I really plan on doing is this.
Work from "success" backwards.

In other words, take your idea of success and break it down, tracing it in backward steps.
Is doing whatever you're doing RIGHT NOW going to help you in the life you want, or is doing what you're doing the behaviour of the kind of person you want to be?

In order to be, you have to do.
There's no way around it.

So ask for opportunities, ask for favours.
And be ready to return them.
The asking for opportunities is something I really have to start doing.

And let's be honest, the whole aim of the game is to learn how to be "Best at being me".

I mean, I want to get to a point where I have opportunities of singing and making other art and/or connections in Europe and around the world, so I have to start behaving like that person.
As opposed to shutting myself off, and building this ridiculous shell.
Makes no sense.

In order to be, you have to do.

And after-all, it's summer, everything is fine, it's a Thursday, and the sun will rise tomorrow, so why not give it a go.

From the depths of Yoloheim.
Yours truly.
M.

love

http://dani.metromode.se/

I've spoken about Dani's blog before.

This time she was talking about love. Not my usual topic, but it was just so simple.
Enough of the introduction, I'll just forward what she wrote.

‘’Love is what we were born with.  Fear is what we learned here.’’ Marianne Williamson.

LOVE BEGINS WITH YOU: Your inner voice is where your story of love begins: It is hard to feel worthy of love if someone is criticizing you all the time and especially if that someone is talking in your head.

True love isn’t about being inseparable; it’s about two people being true to each other even when they are separated.

Love and kindness is a way of living.  Where there is love, there is no judgment.  Where there is judgment, there is no love.

Love is the great transformer,  the greatest medicine to heal the whole world.

Love is something you and I must have.  We must have it because our spirit feeds upon it.

Love is the greatest healing power of all.

Love fuels passion, hope and desire. It generates creativity giving us purpose and making us feel alive.

 All your love matters and makes a difference.

 Love is accepting others as they are, allow them to be themselves and stop trying to change them.

"Our life is a reflection of what we believe we deserve."

"

So what do you think you deserve?

Love.
M.

Frida

Frida Kahlo.

The trailer doesn't do it justice, but there you go.

Frida (2002).
M.

too short

Life is too short for small compliments.
And small entrances, and small exits.
And small sunsets, and small rainbows.
Life is too short for small careers.

And small kisses.
And small friendships.
Life is too short for small hugs.

Small ideas. Small concepts. Small statements. And beliefs. TOO SHORT

Life is too short for small passions.
For small love.
Life's too short for small families.
And small weddings.
Life is too short for small rings.


Life is too short, for small rings.


And small casts, and small budgets, and small stage sets.

Life's too short for small heels.
And small amounts of eyeliner.
And small eyelashes.

Life's too short for small glasses of wine.
Or small bottles of champagne.

Life's too short for small slices of bread.
Good, home bread.
Life's too short for small risks.


Life is too short, for small risks.



Too small.
Too little.


If there is more to give.


And there always is.


I'm ready for my next tattoo.
With love.M.
(disclaimer: this is NOT A POST ABOUT MONEY.)