Paris - A ball of a time

Paris Metro - Palais Royal, Musee du Louvre

This Image - F.B.

One of my favorites, Canadian singer Chantal Kreviazuk

MarieC1

Paris - Vintage Couture

Jardins du Palais Royal

MarieC1

In this Velvet

♡

~A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself~

Josh Billings

MarieC1

My life lesson today

What I saw on the street of Champ Elysee today reminded me to be grateful for life's blessings. I met a gypsy asking for water so that she can have her medication. I have been warned about gypsies begging in the streets of the French capital but in the case of this old woman.....I could not walk away especially knowing what my father said before he died, "If a man is 'dying' and asks for water to quench his thirst, never hold back to share the gift of living water".

There is a light in this world,

a healing spirit

more powerful than any darkness we may encounter.

We sometime lose sight of this force

when there is suffering, and too much pain.

Then suddenly,

the spirit will emerge

through the lives of ordinary people who hear a call

and answer in extraordinary ways.

Mother Teresa

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Lumix GF1 - 20mm lens

A secret Garden

A Secret Garden

By MarieC1

Recycling Emotions can change lives

Everything can be recycled including emotions

Lots of things can cause an emotional turmoil. For example, some people might have had a relationship that ended before they were ready. Others might have strong feelings for someone who does not feel the same way. Or maybe a person feels sad and angry when a close friend ends or abandons the friendship. Or one might loss an opportunity because of making a wrong decision and the list goes on. The causes may be different but the feeling of loss is the same; heaviness, emptiness and sadness.

All rejections touches the old wounds that have yet to be healed. It is therefore important to first examine the abandonment wounds in order to move forward.

Grief is a natural part of human healing process

You will experience many painful and conflicting emotions, including anger, resentment, sadness, fear and confusion. Don't hold back....don't be afraid to "Cry me a river". Tears can be cleansing and healing.

Things you should know as you begin the journey to recovery:

1. Spirituality - the basis of everything in life

Meditation or practice breathing.

The Power of Now - Eckhart Tolle

2. Sleep Deprivation

Sufficient sleep gives you the energy and strength to cope with life's adversity.

3. Nutrition

Proper nutrients for a healthy mind and body.

In the beginning, you may loose your appetite or the reverse which is understandable. However the mind is unable to function if the body is starved of the life source ...food

5. Exercise - A healthy state of mind

Physical activities promotes the release of happy hormones endorphins and mood lifting adrenaline.

6. A Lifeline

Talk to a close friend you can trust, a family member, a professional or join a support group to help understand what you are experiencing. Only through opening up your heart can you really begin the healing process.

7. Distract yourself - for example:

a) Indulge yourself in your favourite hobby and that itself will simulate your mind to a more positive outlook in life.

b) Treat yourself to a spa vacation to unwind.

c) Do volunteer work e.g.help out in SPCA, old persons home etc. Remember, there is always someone worst off than us.

8. Music

Music can change a persons mood. Try listening to uplifting music.

A simple guide how to start the healing and recovery process:

STEP 1 - Identify the problems (self awareness)

1. Pen down your thoughts and emotions of what needs to be recycled. When you notice, label, and release feelings as they show up in smaller portions, they don't have a chance to build up inside.

2. Isolate the recyclable ones from the rest.

4. Examine what your frustrations are.

4. Look into what is causing the pain. e.g. betrayal, insecurities, jealously, unworthy, low self esteem and so forth.

STEP 2

1. Let us not look back in anger nor forward in fear. Stop getting angry, blaming yourself or others for your failure. Getting stuck in these hurtful feelings like blame, anger and resentment will rob you from valuable energy preventing you from healing.

2. Use your frustrations to create a positive energy by writing down your new defined goals. As you grieve the loss of the future you once envisioned, be encouraged by the fact that new hopes and dreams will eventually replace your old ones.

3. Remind yourself of your good qualities .

Give yourself time

Rome was not built in a day.

Healing takes time yet it does not need take years either.

The 3 Ps

Patient, Perseverance and Be in the Present

Just because you are feeling emptiness in your life right now, doesn’t mean that nothing is happening or that things will never change. Consider this period a time-out, a time for sowing the seeds for new growth. You can emerge from this experience knowing yourself better and it is through these life experiences that you grow into a stronger and wiser person. There are no mistakes, only lessons.

~When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us. ~

Alexander Graham Bell

MarieC1

On the street.... In Paris

Fanny , 24

Coat & Shoes : thrifted , Scarf & Bag : Louis Vuitton

Personal Style : Classic, I like to mix it around because I don't have one kind of style, I visit a lot of vintage stores

Marc, 24

Pants: Dior Fall '09 , Shoes : Vans, Blazer : Balmain

Sense of style : I love Geometric pieces, peices that are fit, tight, black, grey, Anything classic

James, 25

Personal Style : Everything , I like to mix it around

Vilde , 22

Skirt : H & M , Top : thrifted, Brooch : Vintage jewelry from her grandmother, Coat : Topshop, Bag : Juicy

Personal Style : I visit a lot of vintage stores in Le Marais or Etienne Marcel, very laid-back, flexible, a lot of layering

Nervil, 18

Pants :The Kooples , Blazer : The Kooples, Shirt : American Apparel

Personal Style : I love shopping in Colette, The Kooples, American Apparel, L'eclaireur and vintage stores in Le Marais. I stick to bowties, hats, and blazers. I always have a bag to complete my look.

By MarieC1

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