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Release

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I heard an African proverb today that says: Cut out the thorn that you know will prick you.

Thorns

(image via flickr)

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There is no way for me to hear the word release and not think about yoga. To this day, I do not think I have felt a better release in my life than through yoga. I am committing here and now to get back to my practice.

This video was shown to me by my friend Bonnie and is so beautifully inspiring. It just reminds me of the calm, strength, power and release that yoga brings into your life.

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(Image found here)

I have been working on the westside of Los Angeles and there is a serious case of June Gloom happening over there. Gloominess doesn’t tend to be a word that brings tons of positive images, however I am enjoying the gloomy break from the sunshine. I get to wear some other clothes from my closet and not feel bad about missing the sunny days while inside. The weather has also led me to listen to certain songs I wouldn’t otherwise be listening to. Here is my June Gloom playlist.

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L:  Do you have a personal mantra (in general or right now)?

F:  I have been reading Dr. Junger’s new book Clean Gut.  In it, he tells an ancedote that ends in a lesson of “Don’t worry. Don’t hurry.”  Ever since I read that, I find myself thinking it or saying it out loud. It is mostly a reminder to slow down.

L:  What have you learned after your first week on the job?

F:  I have learned a lot. Most importantly, I would say that I never truly realized the value of having a strong community of liked minded people around you. Everyone that I work with is more awesome than the next. It makes a huge difference to be around people who are nice and share your same goals.

L:  What’s the best meal you’ve eaten recently?

F:  When Julie was in town we made an intuitive meal which consisted of a shaved brussel sprout salad with lemon and avocado, sauteed red cabbage with balsalmic and homemade, gluten-free breaded chicken tenders. It was fantastic!  Honestly, I can not get enough of home cooked meals.

L:  What’s the last song you listened to?

F:  Oh man, Teddy and Kelley (our brother and soon to be sister-in-law) showed me this nutso video by Diplo. I used to listen to Diplo all the time and after seeing this crazy video I am hooked on the song.

L:  What do you do if you can’t sleep?

F:  I have started to sleep with a sleep mask. I feel like a reality tv star or something, but I try to have the room as dark as possible, not to eat close to my bedtime and have the best most, relaxing wind down – slowly easing into bed.

Hope y’all had a wonderful weekend full of sunshine and summery things. Here are this weeks pictures:

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Tricia – Eugene, OR

Rocco at his skate party for his 8th bday

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Jessica – Topsail Island, NC

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Lauren – New York, NY

Vacationer on the roof of the Mandrian Soho. Summertime!

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Farrell – Los Angeles, California

My friends and I went to see the beautiful, lovely and inspiring, Gabrielle Bernstein and it was truly amazing. One of the best workshops yet.

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Carolyn – Bernardsville, NJ

Saturday at the swimming hole

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This week I have been listening to a lot of podcasts during my morning commute.  Almost every morning, without fail, a story gives me chills or makes my eyes watery.  I have loved “This American Life” since I first heard it when I was younger.  No matter how many more podcasts I am turned onto, “This American Life” always remains my favorite.

I listened to a two part series of “This American Life” that was extremely powerful.  They sent reporters into Harper High School in Chicago for 5 months; the year before the reporters were there, 29 kids were shot in and around the neighborhood.  They follow a couple students and social workers throughout those months.

Haper High School, Part One

Haper High School, Part Two

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Last week I was featured in New York Magazine for a story about international home exchange (I’m on page 3).  The point of the story was to showcase what types of overseas home swaps are available to New Yorkers.  I chose between homes in Italy, Cambodia and France.  Click thru to see which one I chose.

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(Photo: Courtesy of the owner. Illustration by Zoey Kelemen.)

Also, if you look closely, you can see that I forgot to move one of my shoes out of the shot in my bedroom.  I guess it gives more of a lived-in look, right?!

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This week I started my new job at the Clean Program and I am sitting with my best friend drinking a green juice. What more could a girl ask for?

This weekend we are going to this. We are also going on some hikes and having a picnic on the beach. Life is but a dream.

Something funny to start your weekend

 

Lauren is the question master this week, so looks like I have some answers for you!

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L: What trait do you most like about yourself?

F: I feel like I can get a long with almost everyone. Also, I rarely get nervous about going into unknown social situations.

L:  What’s the last song you listened to?

F: “Africa” by Toto. I listened to this with Al (boyfriend) and David (brother) and we just talked about how awesome it is throughout the whole song. It is so awesome I am going to share it here.

L:  Have you been meditating?

F: I have been meditating every morning. I only do about 20 to 25 minutes since I stopped for a bit. I need to work my way back up to 35-40.

L:  Do you go to a farmers market in L.A.?

F:  I sure do. In fact, I go every Tuesday and Saturday. I am obsessed with mint. I put it in my smoothies and tea, so I get that about twice a week. I also buy my spinach there every week.

L:  Will you take a video of something and post it?<

F: Here ya go:

I just watched this TED talk by clinical psychologist Meg Jay. Although I just turned 28, it is starting to feel like all of my peers are turning 30 or older; and there is a lot of 30 talk on the blogs that I read. I found this talk through one of our own contributors, Erin, from Well in L.A. The topic is very interesting to me as my friends and I always find ourselves in conversations about our generation.  As the economy has changed, I think it’s a strange time to be in your 20s. Meg Jay has some insights on how to get through them in a more beneficial way.

Here are her 3 tips for 20 somethings:

1. Get some identity capital – Do something that counts toward the person that you want to be.

2. Use your weak ties – connect with your weak ties for new friends, jobs and potential life partners.

3. Pick your family – Though you might not be able to pick the family you grew up with, you can start to pick the family you will have of your own.