Bursted bubbles

I didn't accomplish a thing today. I ignored the dust bunnies and the mess on every surface. I braved the cold and went outside to snap a few pictures. Mathilde and I laughed as the saran wrap-looking pieces of bursted bubbles floated around us. It was glorious.

Gravity's law

How surely gravity's law,
strong as an ocean current,
takes hold of even the smallest thing
and pulls it toward the heart of the world.

Each thing 
Each stone, blossom, child
is held in place

Only we, in our arrogance,
push out beyond what we each belong to
for some empty freedom.

If we surrendered
to earth's intelligence
we could rise up rooted, like trees.

Instead we entangle ourselves
in knots of our own making
and struggle, lonely and confused.

(...)
This is what the things can teach us:
to fall,
patiently to trust our heaviness.
Even a bird has to do that
before he can fly.

-Rainer Maria Rilke, quoted by Bill Plotkin in Soulcraft, a great book I am reading right now.

I used to do so much

I used to do so much. I am slowing down now. Not rushing through everything anymore. I have no more to-do list. It's a big relief. But still, something doesn't feel quite right.

This really speaks to me right now and I understand better why I feel the way I do:

“Freedom does not come from a checklist, and a ‘zero inbox’ is not a life aspiration.

If liberation is a chore, it’s not really liberation.

You can’t contract your way to freedom.

You can’t punish your way to joy.

You can’t fight your way to inner peace.

The journey has to feel the way you want the destination to feel.

Let me offer this again, in reverence to your life force:

The journey has to feel the way you want the destination to feel.

And again, with respect to your potential:

The journey has to feel the way you want the destination to feel.”

~Danielle La Porte

Growing up

In the very same day, I get glimpses of her all grown up,
and then I look at her again, and she's still my little girl. 

When did I become that mom who feels like kids growing up is bittersweet?

On hats and wings

I am sorry if my post from yesterday worried some of you. This winter is quite hard on me. I suffer from SAD big time and our re-entry after 2 years of traveling has been hard. Harder still is the lingering stress that comes with the fluctuating income of freelancing.

We have big dreams and tons of plans, but those might have to wait. We have tough decisions to make right now. We will try to see them as the next leg in our adventure. Even if for now, they feel more like a detour.

There are many possibilities right now. Like as many hats that I keep trying on. The problem is: none of them fit. And they are all ugly.
I didn't want a hat. I wanted wings.

P.S. If you know anybody that requires translation (English and French), proofreading or editing services, contact us. We have more than 12 years experience. We are working on our website right now, but you can write at jfroldan@espacetraduction.ca

Finding peace

I  am terrified of what is ahead of us. I am trying to be at peace. I keep repeating to myself that sometimes really wonderful things happen in life when you least expect it. I could be surprised. I really wish I will be. 

Snow

A dark day with lots of snow outside. Inside: reading, a violin practice, dancing while making apple crumble. His hugs. Always. I feel loved.