Hello friends!
I have spent some very serious time in some incredibly powerful scenarios and conversations these past few weeks and would like to share just a snippet if you’ll indulge me. You all know me by now, and my thoughts on wellness and its ability to shift and evolve as we do. It really is an individual journey... Our path is ours. We know when we are caring for ourselves the way we need to. Movement training, meditation, laughter, community, nourishment, all keys to a balanced happier life.
The Interior Festival was full of thought-provoking workshops and vendors who piqued my interest in many ways. The civic election is over now offering new voices to the mix with the foundation of wisdom from those who have stood unwavering through it all and lead with an open mind and ear.
Yet society... leaves me wistful at times. Not the direct community I’m so honoured to be part of, but society as a whole. We shift our attention to one place and completely immerse our lives in it. Female empowerment is top of that list, as of late. Yes, I am a feminist... but I am not here to demoralize men in any way. In my humble opinion, equality = love... for ALL.
Breast cancer/chest cancer (we could be more inclusive there) Movember now includes a mental health initiative as our men are struggling more than they ever have, it takes a village... our global village to acknowledge, support, validate and celebrate the achievements and powerlessness that resides within ALL humans.
Our brothers, sons, husbands, uncles, dads, nephews and friends need us to just listen to them too!
We know the ‘locker room’ mentality exists, that men are very hard on each other, much like women can be, but it’s very different. We tend to talk more openly about our experiences and traumas, without backlash from society, men are not truly granted a safe place to land on a regular basis to help them manage stress.
I have a couple of friends who are ridiculously talented and accomplished athletes who are the kindest and most compassionate men I have ever met, and they just don’t ‘fit’ into any stereotype or box that society would deem them worthy, let alone their male counterparts who won’t look past the fact that they hug chest to chest rather than the bro hand clasp hug that elements a real connection.
I think you all get where I’m coming from. These are observations, not judgements. Hoping to create a dialogue, that much needed conversation.
My love is a quiet and reserved man, he opens up with so much prying my heart’s fingers get sore from trying sometimes. As we’ve aged together our openness has evolved, but I know there’s more.
I won’t push, and insist... the way I often do. It doesn’t have to be my way, who am I to say how one should manage their stuff... their baggage. I know releasing trauma is incredibly difficult, it’s a daily practice, like anything else.
My lesson here is to listen... just listen.
Somewhere between the lines of work, family, finances, and pressures to ‘man up’ at the slightest notion of emotion, we need to just be there... listen and let them live to their fullest potential... ALL of us, together. Unity!
We all have a story. I promise to listen if you want to share. You know where to find me. Like Madonna says ‘Express Yourself’!
It’s your life... it’s waiting... live it now!
