Tag: spirituality

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A Monday to Love.

Three months ago I had an accident that has largely shifted the course of my life. And honestly it’s been a blessing. Surgery sucks, being injured and being unable to work or  teach and practice yoga sucks, not being able to  surf sucks. But these are not the things that define our lives. Happiness in not attached to external circumstances. It comes from within. So although I have, and will continue to miss the ocean with every fiber of my being, I have been able to find bliss in my life, because life it’s self is the bliss. Not every day is like this, but today I was reminded of  a few sweet things.

Tomorrow will be 3 months of no surf, with a projected 6 more to go… I’m awaiting knee surgery that will “set back” the progress I have made, (so once again, no driving, no mobility in my knee, crutches for a month.. but hey, at least i’ll have ligaments back in my knee and FINALLY on the road to being recovered). And yes, of course, it could always, always be far worse!!

In the mean time I have chosen to make the best of it. My wrist has healed enough and my surgeon has said I am free to paddle. Its certainly not surfing the waves, but oh dang, the water and all it’s healing powers. SO SO GOOOD.  So, today I took my longboard to the lagoon and set off for the horizon. The salty water instantly satiated my dry mermaid gills. My heart is so full of stoke for all that I do have, that when I get to return to the activities that make my soul truly sing it will be icing on the cake.  As I floated around the lagoon, I came to the realization of how following my heart and my passions in life and finding my way via what sets my soul on fire is one of the things that makes this whole journey (of being injured, of being put on pause, of being “detoured” so to speak) okay. I know how surfing makes me feel, and whatever it takes to get back to that I will do, with humility and surrender. I know not all of you surf, and maybe you haven’t found your passion. But I’m here to encourage to keep searching. Try to new things, enjoy the fruits of being healthy and well. Because when things shift away from that, you will still have that feeling, and that feeling, of knowing that A- my life has been fulfilled just by the search of that, and I am happy regardless. But B – one day again I will get to return to the joys of surfing waves.

THEN, to top it all off, when I got out of the water and was drying off, feeling all floaty and high like only the oceans waters can make me feel. I got a a call from my guy! Yes, Ive got a guy.  Holy heart shaped eye emoji, over and over and over again. My friends, I am smitten. Love is one of those things. You can’t plan it, and the more you seek it out or “wait” for it the more elusive it becomes,  but here I was just living my life, learning about me, and in walks this handsome, funny, insanely talented, humble surfer guy, with the sweetest brown eyes, and a gentle strength that makes me melt like a popsicle in the tropics. (we did actually meet a year ago, buuuut- we never really had a chance to spend time together until last month in Utah) SO, had this injury not happened, I wouldn’t be sitting here today, or in Utah last month, and currently gushing over him and how magical it is to connect with  a love of the cosmos. With that being said, my post lagoon stoke was only amplified a gazillion fold by getting a call from him. =)

After last weeks doctors appointment I was feeling a bit discouraged by my news from the surgeon that yes, my ACL, MCL and meniscus all need fixing, and that a second surgery was also possibly on the books, but after spending a few days down, I digested the info and returned to my positive, motivated, inspired self. Its easy to get stuck in a “pity party” mood, but life is too short to let what happens to us dictate our happiness. Crappy news can get us down, because we’re human, but then its up to us, to rise above it. We have so much to be grateful for, and we are so powerful because how we CHOOSE TO EXPERIENCE life is completely up to us. And that power, and that knowing and recognizing this inherent wisdom born into all of us, is everything. When you think about it, everything is temporary. And whatever we are going through at any given time can’t be THAT bad, if death is as bad as it gets, we are all headed there anyways, so lets celebrate what we’ve got while we’ve got it. We could all always find something to complain about. But why? Choose the opposite, focus on the positive, and watch your life transform around you, and not because anything has changed, because you have changed. ( and then believe it or not, things do actually start to change, because you have changed and the law of attraction is real, and all the goodness you are putting out there is coming back to you. I didn’t make it up. You reap what you sow? I know you’ve heard it before, I’m just here to remind you=))

Today was a beautiful reminder of what a gift the simple luxuries of life are. Of how present opportunities are to experience happy feelings, and how very blessed we are to get to be living in these bodies, no matter how broken at times we may be, we have more positive than negative all around us flowing in and out with every little breath:)

This past Sunday I attended a friends Memorial Service, he was a nurse and one of the most wonderful things about this friend was his ability to share compassion.  One of his cousins was sharing a story about him and how he was saying that from his time working in the ICU and listening to patients stories he learned the importance of love, and how when people are in their most vulnerable moments, the one thing they reflect on the most is the quality of love they had in their life. Living and breathing, loving and being present, learning how to be better – experiencing the moments as they come, is what life is about. So thank you today, and my dear friend Jeremy. May you rest in peace, I know your ashes are out there in the ocean, and as I write this now, perhaps that was what made my day on the water even more special than it usually is.

Love your tribe hard, and tell them as much as you can. Our time here is truly precious.

Namaste my sweet friends. Life is always looking up!

Katie Mermaid.

 

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Cultivating positivity- even when life gets all kinds of crazy. Staying humble and grateful amidst the madness.

Hello loves!

What a wild life it is. More delightful and beautiful everyday.  I’m not really sure where to start, so maybe that is exactly where I should begin. Over the last few months, since I was in Nicaragua frothing over life in the tropics, everything has changed.

But let’s backtrack a bit.

First and foremost, Nicaragua is in the midst of the worst political violence (and devastating oppression) it has seen in the last 20 years. I could go on for a while about the heartbreak and injustice happening to these beautiful people in this wonderful country. The reality is that when I bought my property, I could not have known that within two weeks of my signing date, the country would experience an uprising and peaceful protests that have resulted in over 300 innocent civilians dead in the streets and caused an exodus of expats and travelers alike. As the people push for a democratic solution, the economy has tanked and the tourism industry, in which I had hoped to thrive through my boutique surf bungalows, has crashed. My heart goes out to my friends and the Nicaraguans fighting this fight. I am fortunate to have other options and places to shift my focus and energy, as I hope and pray for a quick and peaceful solution for our neighbors down south.

After the realization that my Nicaraguan dream was on hold for a while, my mind shifted back to a free, gypsy lifestyle. I’d accepted, and quite frankly, was feeling stoked about traveling to new parts of the world, (South East Asia, Australia, Maldives, here I come) scoring waves, teaching yoga, and working in boutique hotels across the globe. In the meantime, I was trying to keep up with the American machine, working all the time, squeezing in surf when I could, and trying to grind out the summer months as I planned my next move.

My birthday was in June and if you asked me how I thought I’d spend the summer of my thirty second year of life, I probably would have shrugged and let a little grin dance across my face – let my eyes illuminate a little extra twinkle, as I fantasized about the limitless opportunities of where I might find myself on this gypsy trail, traipsing about this beautiful, magical planet.

Fast forward to now. (how about the “knee-kini” and the one piece?! lol

(and now meaning this time period form Accident unit today…Things have finally  started to heal a bit and I’m feeling like I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I visit my knee surgeon Tuesday- Ive been charging the PT hard just trying to regain mobility prior to surgery, fingers crossed we’ll set a date for incisions and things this week. As for the wrist, its on the mend. Casts are off, and Ive been graduated to being allow to carry what they ca;; “coffee cup weight” haha. Big things are happening! As for the smiles and this lovely salty hair!… I got I the ocean yesterday- first time in two months and if you know me- that’s like, LIFETIMES… (by getting in, I mean I sat in the shoreline with my arm above my head and let the waves wash over meeee. but oh the sweet giggles and  bliss of magic mama ocean. I feel like I know who I am again. Its certainly not surfing. But it will do =)

So I know for a fact, when musing about how I’d spend this summer, I wouldn’t have predicted surf-less days, left handed teeth brushing, complete immobility in my knee, lizard skin hands, torn ligaments, 7 screws in my wrist, family Costco adventures (I, for one, am not a Costco fan), puzzle night as my Sunday Funday, and for icing on the cake, sitting in the bathtub singing Al Green and Sade laughing so hard I can’t stop crying, as my mom washes my naked body. Yep, humble pie, served up whole. I told my mom it was bathtub music. Haha. A sense of humor is certainly a sweet medicine. And something I’d recommend you never leave home without. It’s been comedy hour around here… But check out these.. eeeep

 

In my dream-world/part-time reality, I spend my days surfing, teaching yoga, working in restaurants, traveling, playing my ukulele, painting, blowing bubbles, hula hooping, dancing, staring up at the clouds, writing blogs, and poems and short stories for my upcoming book (that will be published soon!), creating future surf/yoga retreats and last but not least, planning my big move to Nicaragua where I’ll be building those boutique surf bungalows. Whew… and when I say I’ll do all these things it mostly just boils down, once again, flirting with complete burnout and too much work. When I’m spending my days in Central America, time, freedom and play consume my soul. However, here in the States (even as a yoga instructor and restaurant server- fun right?), I often find myself overworked and uninspired. I would imagine that many of you can relate? 

As of recently ALL OF THIS (play and work) has been sidelined. For the short term, life has a different plan for me. LESSON ONE COMING IN HOT: we have no control- so let go. Release your grip on life. Whatever I thought I was going to do took a bit fat detour.  Plans are great, but sometimes they change and it’s far better to let the currents take you where they want rather than fight them all the way to shore. Cool?! =) I have learned, and am forever learning, that we don’t have control over what happens to us. We only have control over ourselves and how we choose to respond. And with this new found free time I’ve been enjoying, said activities (from Central America days…)

So I had a gnarly “skateboarding” (and when I say skateboarding, I mean I was trying to ride a one wheeled motorized skateboard thing) accident at the end of June, resulting in a severely displaced, broken arm requiring surgery, screws, plates, learning to move my wrist again and lots of recovery time. In addition to injuring my arm/wrist, in the same accident I completely blew out my knee, tearing both my ACL and MCL (on which I am still currently awaiting surgery, fingers crossed it will be soon.) I’m out of the water for up to 9 months, when it’s all said and done. No surfing, no yoga teaching, no working, no dancing, no driving, not too much individual freedom at all.  Though at least I can use the toilet by myself- hey- it can always be worse right? And, as I sit here and type this, I realize despite all that, one thing I have continued to do non-stop, is smile. If you know me, you know this to be true.

I suppose all those little whispers life was giving me to slow down should have been heeded. But being a believer that everything is unfolding exactly as it should (assuming you show up and do the work- which I do), should have, would have, and could have, are not parts of my vocabulary. Had said accident not happened, I would not be sitting here today, writing this to you. =)

Nobody wants to be injured, but injuries aside, life has given me a gift. Yes, I said gift, and again, I default to focusing on the positive, returning my awareness to all that is -good- in my life. And occasionally breaking down into tears, but if you want the rainbow, well…you need the rain!

Injuries are a beautiful time for growth, self-reflection and discovery. Right? (And what I really mean is more time for selfies and wine?!?! haha…) Jokes aside though, because now I do have more time to spend in good conversation, painting, making music, creating all kinds of projects, and enjoying friends and family. Everyday I am more aware of this opportunity to enjoy a different path that life is taking me on. A path, that I would have not chosen for myself, but here I am, embracing all the madness with a happy heart and an open mind. Humbled and awed by the magical mystery of this human experience. The blessings and lessons that continue to reveal themselves are abundant.

Obviously injuries do suck, but how you choose to experience life, the injuries, the heartbreaks, the ups and downs, is completely up to you.

LESSON NUMBER TWO

(Maybe a bit more subtle with this one, but your mind is a powerful tool, so use it. =) )

With that being said, and I say this a lot, we -always- have a choice. And you can choose to be grumpy, or the opposite. My mom used to always say “choose your attitude” and as a sassy, stubborn, know-it-all adolescent, this drove me nuts, but she’s absolutely right. If a situation isn’t ideal to begin with, why choose to make it worse with a shitty attitude. Instead, I encourage you to find the blessing. And it’s wild, and at first I thought, weird, but it’s not weird, it makes perfect sense. Where you focus your energy is where your life flows. So in looking at this accident as opportunity, in graciously and humbly receiving, surrendering to, and trusting what life is giving me – my mind has been blown by what has come in my direction. (Once again, coming back around to the power of positive thinking.)

In case you missed it, I’d like to say, I would not have chosen this for myself. But the lesson, one of many here, is that life is what you make it. And less than awesome things happen everyday, so it’s up to you how you choose to experience these situations. In yoga well call this Pratipaksha Bhavanam. Cultivate the opposite (If something is bad, your mind and attitude CAN make it better.)

But if that’s too far out there for you…winky face, kissy emoji…I get it.

I just wish you all were close enough to come to some of my yoga classes (and not the extreme pretzel, literally make-you-sweat-your-face-off classes, but the body, mind and spirit, slow-it-all-down, enlightening breathwork classes) so I could shower you with the  ancient wisdoms I have learned, that make my heart feel happy, my soul feel peaceful, and my face smile. But for now, one-handed and chicken-pecked stories on my computer will have to do. =)

I’m aware this might sound like being positive is easy for me, but it’s work, it’s a daily practice, one that I absolutely love and is as necessary as breathing. I’ve come to learn that the practice is the reward. If I can advise you in any way, add some tools to your tool box, help you cultivate a better attitude, might I recommend meditation, some restorative yoga, a slow walk in nature, a self-help book, listening to music, painting, ecstatic dancing, cooking yummy meals, trying a new hobby, whatever it takes. But you deserve a life that makes you feel drunk on the delight of both the challenges and the rewards. A life full of joy.

So, if I can sum it all up with a little lesson number three, it would be to emphasize an awareness around the importance of slowing down. Live a mindful, conscious life. Society moves fast and our time here is precious. Enjoy where you are at. Embrace the moments as they come. Make happiness a priority- and whatever road that is to you- take it. Listen to your heart; the longings never stop. Greet yourself and others with compassion and love. Everyone has a story. Focus on the positive; it is forever present. We are beautiful beings on a cosmic journey, all doing the best we can to make sense of this incredible human experience.

Namaste. Aloha. Pura Vida. Blessings.

Your Mermaid,

Katie

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On a side note, my friends, these beauties above (you can find them at) http://www.thiscolorfulworld.com have brought me on board to help them out with all kinds of fun communication specialty tasks and I’m just beyond stoked to be a part of their powerful, uplifting, conscious lifestyle community. They run a video production company, and have an have a beautifully amazing youtube channel as well! So wether you have video production and photography needs, or just enjoy learning about life hacks for topics ranging from relationship maintenance – self care- mental health –  and so many more… check them out! xoxoxoxo

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7oNjpoRhx2OY0VTGGHEsFQ

 

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Surf House Nicaragua When dreams become reality 😍

Traveling is one of those things- you can never know what to expect. I suppose this can apply to life in general- but specifically when you travel. The possibility of what can happen when you are away from home, not in normal routines, on the road, is exciting to me. I like the unknown- I feel so comfortable moving about- it’s weird. I almost feel more uneasy when I’m only in one place for too long. I find the growth and insight that comes from constant change is profound. For me, it seems that maybe the secret is finding consistencies- routines- normalities- within the change. By this I mean, findings constants, the things that keep you grounded and secure, within the comforts of your own (magical, divine) self. I am always pretty stoked to spend time with myself. I can only speak from personal experience but the allure of the unknown, of the potential challenges, what I learn from new people, places, things, is what drives me to move, to expand, to create and to love. At this point in my trip (which is now the end- haha since it took me a month to finish writing anything) I’ve been all over the place. Costa Rica to Nicaragua, Nicaragua to El Salvador, El Salvador to Nicaragua, Nicaragua to Costa Rica, and currently back in Nicaragua. And lots of cities in between. Playa Grande, Liberia, Asseradores, Managua, La Flores, La Libertad, Puerto Sandino, Leon, Playa Negra, Nosara, Garza, and at this particular moment I’m in laying in my bed in a hotel room in Granada thinking how silly it is that I haven’t wrote yet. Although I do use my social media to share, it’s not the best avenue to actually tell stories- and I believe it’s our stories that tie us together. These stories allow us to realize that we are all human beings with the same basic need of food and shelter- to love and be loved. We are citizens of planet earth and that is why it is so very important to be kind and spread love to one another.

**Quick disclaimer- now that I’m reading all this after a month of non publishing it’s eh- average, but I wrote it, so here you go. Hope you at least enjoy the pictures:)

 

Up until this point I’ve taken a hiatus on finishing this blog (twice) and have spent a day and a half in the town of my future home, could 9 is floating all around. (Yes- one more writing break to come before I actually finally finish this story, but it’s hard to be inspired to write on my cell phone especially, when I can lay in a hammock and watch nature and be endlessly entertained- clouds and animales, trees and waves… absolute uninterrupted stoke)
So I’m dreaming. But I’m not. And it’s bliss. I’d found myself speechless with a silly smile plastered to my face, and for those of you who know me, the smile is normal. But speechless, haha- pretty special moment in my life. Ive never been so excited for so much hard work. Yes rad- to find something you are passionate about sharing and want to do nothing but enjoy the path of that dream. I can’t help but feel excited and inspired by everything around….

And then haha- took another hiatus from finishing this story yet again, cause life continues to happen and the “distractions” of nature and waves and naps has been keeping me busy- still (was, until this morning) in this same town, still in love with everything I see in front of me, but just a few days away from finishing up this month long adventure..

Let’s rewind a bit. I started this trip In Costa Rica-

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because sometimes I don’t know what the heck I’m doing and let’s be real- i didn’t plan this one well at all… all part of the journey. Se la vie. And when you have no specific “plans” you go with what you know- so I flew into Costa Rica. Less than 24 hours later, a quick trip to and from the beach at playa grande, a random encounter with a friend of a friend of a friend in and from Costa Rica (yes it’s a small world), and back to Liberia I go. So back in libera I’m pumped to head north, buss ticket in hand, El Salvador bound, via Nicaragua…

 


But In Liberia is where I stay, holding true to the idea of is something can happen it will, even if you actually properly planned (and for once I did). Well the bus never came. Prepaid ticket in my pocket, i waited for that damn buss for 3 hours. Long story short, I caught a cheap cab to the border scooped up some Imperials on the way and wondered what the heck am I doing from here. As I’m walking across the boarder from Costa Rica to Nicaragua I hear a voice holler at the back of my head “katie! Is that you?!?”

 


Ha. Yes only me. And from here the long way home continues. I took at ride with my friend 4 hours out of the way north and 4 hours all the way back south to Managua the very next morning. Being a “yes” girl gets me in some funny situations, but I always end up with a good story to tell. My detour oddly enough took me Into the town I’m moving to, I met some new friends, caught some waves and then continued my journey north, with another 12 hour travel day Into El Salvador.

El Salvador-
What a beautiful country. Everyday we have choices to make. And if I listened to the things people said to do, to play it safe, my life, I feel would be boring, unsatisfying, and average. I believe I am not here to be average. I’ve been here before, I’ve learned some things and it’s my role is this life time to share this inspiration, this passion to live life fully, with others. Code orange. Says the president. Code love says Katie. El Salvador is a little bit sketchy, but at no point did I ever feel unsafe. I planned a week Tour with a rad company based out of LA called AST. First stop in El Sal, was the location at the “east” of the county called Las Flores. Anywhere the jungle meets the sea is absolute perfection for my salty soul. Add in a Birdseye view of a fun playful right hand point break- Cherry on top:) Oddly enough, El Salvador is a country on the pacific coast of the americas that actually faces East. So every morning the fiery blood red sun levitated into the still, calm sky. Absolute Bliss.

 

I’ve got a whole blog on AST coming up next, but go visit these people:) I then stayed at their Punta Roca location. The hotel is perched on the edge of another epic right hand point break, I saw some waterfalls, ate delicious food and I am hoping to be hosting a surf and yoga adventure here next year!:)

From El Salvador. I go back to Nicaragua. In addition to my life being a gypsy trail of places it is also a wild journey of love and heartbreak. If you follow my shenanigans, you know my transparency about feeling the feels, loving hard and my practice (of yoga, a practice goes much deeper than the physical poses) – it’s trusting, surrendering and learning to let go of things that no longer serve you. This part of the path is sweet. A love story, tender and pure, it’s softens me to the edges of everything.

 

I found my way back (to an epic little reef in central Nicaragua) and really, the important part, into the arms of a man, (the vibrations of a soul) I have loved for millions of years. I do believe we are from the same star. And although our time together always seems short, I’m learning with this kind of love there is no hurry. And I’m also learning the graciousness and humility and peace that comes with acceptance of things as they are, regardless of how you want them to be. My soul needed to see him and touch him after 10 months of “exile” from one another, it felt like…
One of those things, that’s leaves you staring up at the stars for hours in comple awe of things you can’t explain, and this is one of those things- I don’t have words to explain…and maybe it would cheapen it it if I did. I feel at peace to know one way or another he and I have reconnected. AND to know all the wonderful things I feel in my heart, despite our physical distance we had- are true.

From here pura vida time:)
Yew!!!
Oh how I love Costa Rica. I can’t afford it. But having so many magical souls there I get to call my friends, and so many fun fun waves to surf- no price tag can keep me away indefinitely.

 

So I crossed the boarder (again) and rented a car this time right at the border. Epic. If you travel to Costa Rica and find yourself on not too tight of a budget- I would recommend this entirely. So easy. Almost felt too easy. This simple process sure beats busses and dragging around my stuff (surf board bag included.) My heart and soul are pleased to the heavens with my decision to splurge a bit. Fuck it, it’s just money right? I love Costa Rica road trips. Well, any road trip for that matter, but especially ones through the wandering, winding roads of this magical place- something special, particularly reflective, healing, and wonderful always happens to me as I move… especially solo, especially in this part of the world. First stop. Playa negra- good friends- bright shining love friends, always bringing me the best little unassuming moments and conversations. Moments that fill my soul, that make life worth living. These are the times I live for, connection to others. I believe it’s one of the things we are all really searching for. I’m so grateful to have this “home” my body, my soul, that I get to move about in and with all across the globe and connect to others. The very best way to experience life is through the lens of your true authentic self. I spent the next morning surfing a secret spot, an outer reef tucked somewhere in northern Costa Rica. Then having coffee, doing jungle yoga, and enjoying the company with one of the most generous, brilliant beautiful souls I know. Woohoo, positive vibes pumping, and off to Nosara I go. But first a poem inspired by the blessing of true friendship and a handful of morning spent like this that always seems to linger long after the moment.

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-Friendship-
Can be better described in flavors…
Like Morning coffee talk.
The sweet organic taste of
::Fresh roasted smiles::
Straight from the mountains
And into my heart.
Porch hangs.
Chats about love and life.
-All positive everything-
Time well spent
Doing nothing but indulging.
In our stories, in our dreams.
Sharing our secrets with the trees.
Laughing like wind
Celebrating this simple bliss.

 

Nosara.
Welcome home.
I never realized what beautiful words these are to hear. It’s weird to you go back to place where your heart broke, and you haven’t been since. But it’s also powerful to be able to return to that place and be reminded of those emotions that used to be so painful…and no longer feel pain. I have done so much self work since I left this place broken hearted and broke- its wonderful to come back and to be in such a positive, grounded, inspired, loving physical, mental and emotional space. I am now able to greet these feelings with nothing but peace and gratitude for the growth and lessons they have given me. I encourage you to not let life not make you bitter. I instead encourage you to stay humble and try to receive the high and lows as they come, search for the blessings. Embrace the sweet mystic joy of life in its entirety. The journey is indeed, the destination. Final stop….

Northern Nicaragua.
Asseradores. Santa Maria Del Mar
Surf House Nicaragua.

From Costa Rica back to Nicaragua I go and finally to spend some time in the place I get to call my home. Oh man, smiling heart shaped eye emoji. It’s perfect here. Perfect is relative. But it’s perfect to me. As David Henry Thoreau so nicely put it-

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”

And I see beauty all around. It’s amazing actually, I’ve been here just a little over a week- and even though time moves slow here, in the best kind of way, it seems like so much has happened. For this part of the journey I randomly scooped up an Aussie friend of a friend on the way, and for a woman who loves to go
solo, having a side kick to share this huge week of my life with was a very special gift.

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Did I mention I bought property in Nicaragua?… No big deal. Holy everything… Non stop, puppy wiggles, super happy, stoke fest, little kid on Christmas kind of dance party…
But first- Waves, nature, conversation, and latin men, just a few of my favorite things:) Then there was Saturday. Saturday was super special. I went on a beach walk- into the black sparkly sand and past all the broke down palaces lining the palm tree shores. I saw a mama and baby horse grazing in an abandoned yard.
Then as I continued on to the beach two more beautiful wild horse crashed through the jungle trees and paused to look at me from afar. They proceeded in my direction and joined me for several minutes and we wandered down the sand and through the waves together. It was magic- so pure. The most raw level of energies, horses and human, nature and human- finding a place together on a secluded beach in Northern Nicaragua. Something happens when you slow down enough to receive and witness the miracle of life coexisting, breathing and thriving as one. The flocks of birds living in the trees graciously celebrating and announcing every sunrise and sunset. The chickens, little baby chicks, and roosters roaming around the yard. Pelusa the kitten, who I’m convinced thinks he’s half dog – sleeps, plays and snuggles with religion, he loves to chase toes, frogs and spiders at night, and snuggle in my lap purring with delight.
The yellow chested birds baithing in the pool. The sweet gimpy puppy who adopts you for half the day to join you on your afternoon walk about, panting and smiling the whole way. The goats and cows gently grazing and passing the time in sweet innocence. Life here is simple. The man with his 3 daughters who lives in the beach side property and is kind enough to let us walk through their property to enter the waves. These precious little girls told me the want to learn English and I asked them If they also wanted to learn to surf. With sparkles in their eyes and giggles in their bodies they said yes. I am beyond grateful life has brought me here, to live and share, and teach. To empower and uplift and ultimately to learn as much as I get to share. Life after all is one big give and take. It’s reciprocal, cyclical and forever full of endless knowledge. From books, the sea, to the poor family living in peace, there isn’t a soul or thing from whom we cannot learn.

 

So now- my property. Daaaaannng. Boss babe things in full effect. My property is perfect. I feel so happy when I stand on it go near it and envision what a place of conversation, connection, and love it is going be. Surf House Nicaragua is a dream- my dream- that is now a reality- in the making. I’m full of humility and happiness to be living this life. Inspired. Humble. Excited and even scared. Fear is good. It’s in this space I am finding we learn and grow.

I left this magical paradise this morning and am now in Leon, feeling moderately assaulted by over stimulation of a busy city. Honking horns, loud music, cars and motos zooming by. But as the sun began to set I was naturally drawn west and made it just in time to a Euro vibe room top bar called el mirador. 🙂

 

It’s not the beach, but still special to watch the sun fade away, off shores blowing solid, sweeping the sun below the roof tops and shadowed city scapes. As my trip comes to a close it’s nice for once to actually be looking forward to going home. Every other time in the past I have felt so sad to go back to the states. This is the first time ever I have been so content with where I am, and where I am going, and where I have been. I’m stoked to work, and keep the ball rolling as I stay focused in my dreams. I guess my point for all of this, and it’s not something I’m preaching, but truly living, is to believe in yourself. And to believe in your dreams. Yoga and the breath, and my practice in mindfulness, daily intentions and positive affirmations continue to shape my life and my dreams exactly as I imagine. And when things don’t go my way, my practice allows me to accept and understand that this too is all part of the plan. So live your life my loves. And remember, keep smiling, be kind, be patient (life is about learning wait). Take your sense of humor with you every where you go, and go with love. The law of attraction is real. What you seek is seeking you, and the people crazy enough to dream the dreams are the people who actually see them come true.

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Have a beautiful day 🙂
The mermaid gypsy

 

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Buddhist Monks, Boxing Classes & Babes

A trifecta of sorts.

Yep:) it’s been quite the week or two..

Writing stories is always a wonderful opportunity to re examine all I have to be grateful for-

So check it out,  I believe in lots of things:)

like fairies and rainbows, mermaids and unicorns

-Believe it or not actually been to the place where the unicorns arrive at the salty sea and enter the ocean and become mermaids for a while- I’ve also sat on the thumbnail moon as she floats in the sky and let my legs dangle over the edge but that is a whole different story to tell 😘😘(and no. in case your wondering acid is not a part of my diet)…I’m high on life 🙂 🙂 🙂 and maybe a bit weird, but life is short, fantasies are fun, and weird is never ever boring. If I dare invite you to walk with me on the wild side, you’ll like it – my only warning is that your face might hurt from nonstop giggles and smiles.

But Back to beliefs. Nothing written in stone, just practicing things I have learned along the way- Defining things that dictate how i live my life- my own personal truths of sorts.

I believe we all are here because we have a story to tell, lessons to learn, love to give and wounds to heal. It has been a big week spanning the spectrum of experience. It’s cool how life comes at you if you stay open. I’m no longer staying in a close minded space or entertaining the idea of feeling “stuck” here- Ive come back around and am open to receiving the opportunities to get grounded, connected and enjoying the blessing of a space to manifest and create- feeling stuck is only a matter of attitude, not a physical manifestation. My life in California has begun to unfold in the absolute perfection of something only in proper alignment with the flow of nature could reveal…
Whew.

Here it goes.
Building on this idea of “perfection” that i was talking about last time. The power of the mind is strong and where you focus your energy your life with follow. This has rang true in my life over and over again- and I’m sure if you create an awareness of your thought and patterns you will see a similar flow in yours. The power of positivity might sound annoying- oh but it’s so real. And SO juicy good—

As I feel the need for a softened heart- I also feel a calling to harden the muscles. Not being able to surf 4 hours every day has left me with an appetite for more fitness and a desire to return to a boxing/kickboxing routine.

After my healing journey and blessing with The llama-
yes- i was fortunate enough to spend some time in the presence of a Tibetan Buddhist Monk who chanted mantras, rang bells, lit incense and preformed a sacred ritual using figurative sparkly effervescent light which he then wrapped up in robes and sent off any negative energy to far away place where it can no longer reach me. Powerful to say the least. Although it may sound far out there to you, it seems to me that any opportunity for growth and healing is worth experiencing- isn’t that what is life about anyways?

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Also being a yoga teacher and reiki practitioner, this was a chance I couldn’t turn down and anyone who had ever had/received energy or body work knows what a wildly powerful exchange this is…

After leaving the monk I found myself drawn to return a distant yet familiar place. The gym of a friend and who I believe to be a legend. Higley fit. Alex Higley is a local man, professional fighter and creature of love, light and positivity. His passion for life and commitment to share his dream is contagious and super uplifting. Often a gym or fitness class can be intimidating, but I would recommend trying out Higley fit to anyone who has boxed for years or is new to the sport. Check out his craft at http://www.higleyfit.com

From there the good vibes ensued, and of course, within the next few days after stopping in to say hey, I found myself w my gloves back on and elbows deep in the bag and mits. Smiling and sweating and stoked to surrounded by other people with the same positive attitude.

Part three of this trifecta is where the babes come into play. Traveling has shaped me beyond most other influences in my life. Not only the places you get to see, but the magical beings you meet along the way. Something special happens when you step outside your comfort zone and Into the wild vast unknown. I met Maya in Costa Rica, but I have known her for millions of years-she has recently returned to the states for a bit and was on a cosmic adventure to Cali:) Being mermaids and lovers of all things it was only natural to host her in my home. Surfing and andventures with the ladies is always rad. Sharing love and light, and stories of adventures and heartbreak and waves never gets old. I’ve said it a million times and I’ll say it again, life about accumulating moments that make your soul sing- and time with mermaid friends and wine and waves is certainly that. Maya Luna love has since left and our lives continue to journey on…

And that’s really all it is. A journey. Not a destination, but appreciating all we have in any given moment and the joy that comes from simply being alive and well… as I posted on my IG yesterday y-

“These flesh suits we wear sure can be deceiving. The universe keeps sending me angels all dressed up a humans. From the grind of LAX, to the grind at the coffee machine at Frazier Farms, to the grind of waves at the beach, and all the way back to my heart with a good old fashioned phone call with a cosmic friend living on the other side of the globe- Authenticity- inspiration- and love. Give love. be love and witness and experience the opening of portals unimaginable by a limited heart or mind. Stay open my friends 🙂 Do not find excuses to shut down or close off- we are all so very connected. The energy and pure love that has come my way in the last 12 hours is mind blowing, humbling and magically beautiful:)✨ Unlimited amounts of love and bliss are everywhere- in the depths of the seas, the space of the galaxies, the vast eternity of every moment- of every sunset- of these magical October skies.
Live with love
Pura Vida.”

San O 🙂 Epitome of Southern California surf lifestyle. Singles fins and sunshine
Epic October skies and Indian summers. San Diego loving

salty and sunkissed besos-
Katie