Words & Stories

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Humaness.

I can’t tell you how many times over the past months I have asked myself

Who am I?

As I look down and my nikes ( yep,  haha, not only has life gotten me into shoes, but nikes…woah)

My no longer sun kissed skin (white as a ghost, uhhhhgggg the crime…

Or my sad salt-less hair (these mermaid locks have not tasted the salty sweet waters of the sea in months…) 

And, ya know, it’s funny.  Because in this journey of living and loving – healing and growing I have realized that these things outside of me like shoes or clothes (or no shoes and bikinis) do not define who I am. Life is happy regardless.

On the inside I am the same.  We are all the same. 

I am not these clothes or these circumstances.  This accident and the injuries have essentially forced my life to go in one direction (at least for the time being) and defaulted me to a (short term) stagnant place. A physical place of not allowing me to choose the activities of surfing or yoga or traveling, or walking down the street or driving, or so many of the everyday things we are able to do when our bodies are healthy and well, this experience has violently shoved me in a direction, a direction that has led me to like myself even more than before. Even pale, and in shoes, and clothes, and layers, and broke… but smiling, always smiling.

So who I am has as nothing to do with anything external. I am someone who has seen a bit of a detour, a setback as some may call it, and learned to love myself even more. I am now, deeper, kinder and more compassionate. And that’s that thing about life. We have no control over what happens to us. Only how we choose to respond. We are truly not a reflection of our outside circumstances, and I don’t say this from preaching – I say this from my heart. I say it to remind you that if you find yourself faced with a challenging times, you yourself have to power to shape how you experience it. My hope for you is that you find the tools and see the benefits of taking the path of positivity. I’m not saying be happy all the time, cause even I lose my shit every now and then, but it’s about more than that. It’s about finding a way to enjoy life.

 

San Diego Christmas. Enjoying the waves in my mind =)
little bits of life’s sweetness outside the realm of normal activity
Mermaid loving
Birthday Party fun
New Years, and a gazillion reason to celebrate another day of life.

Speak to me only with your eyes…

–

Oh the ways Robert Plant can sing to my soul. I love this set of lyrics from Led Zeppelin. It’s always stirs a visceral reaction from me, but even more so now, that I have been pushed to  examine life from such a different perspective. For me it alludes to the magic mystery that exists beyond the physical – beyond the surface of clothes and shoes, skin color and accessories… it awakens our awareness to a Self that lives deep within. Words like this, and a seeking for greater awareness, that sparkle that lives in the eyes of awakened beings – is an invitation to find and  to live with joy. A joy that is so available in all of the everyday things we see – to me that’s exciting part about self discovery and a spiritual journey. Nothing has to change for this to happen, only the way you look at things =) 

And when you begin to look at things differently, the things you look at begin to change. You just have to be willing.

 

As FDR said. And which I know in my life to be very true.

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” 

–

Music, wisdoms like the one mentioned above, and the mystery of looking into someones eyes evokes so much meaning,  if we let in these vulnerabilities in we arrive in places of empowering awe and wonder, places we can only arrive to if seek what is beyond the surface….

–

There are so many things In life we can and will miss out on because (or if) we are afraid to look beyond the flesh. It is a fear. A fear that we will find something we are afraid of within ourselves. Fear of inadequacy, of unworthiness, of self doubt, or maybe the fear is even bigger than we can comprehend, so instead of diving in and finding out what vastness lies beyond, we choose to stand safe on the surface and wonder, but that unsatisfied wonder, only leads to more fears. We fear limitations, or perhaps the opposite, we fear the enormity, of the spirit, or the soul of life in its entirety –  it can be crippling. Or mind blowing. To really begin to imagine how very small yet simultaneously powerful we are. 

When we look within and see wounds to unwrap – know that these traumas are there to guide you to the parts that need to heal- they are not going to kill you, they are challenges that live has given you  to help you grow. They are there to teach you. Life is a students game. 

A quote I found through my spiritual studies, a quote that I return to often when I am feeling overwhelmed by the unknown is this. 

“In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, in the experts mid there are few.”

Shunryu Suzuki

To me this quote offers a perspective about not knowing, a perspective that says in the not knowing the possibly to learn is endless, and that potential is where all the magic of growth is waiting for us. Perspective is powerful. And there is another yogic practice called pratipaksha bhavanam. (That I’ll talk about soon, but its about our ability to cultivate the opposite of a situation when we don’t like how it is going or making us feel) =) …. Soon, i’ll share that soon – OR – ( The beautiful people at http://www.rebelandmuse.com have recently invited me to be on their podcast, and we chat quite a bit about this idea there….. go check it out! ) ANywho

We will only benefit from the continuous exploration of self. This injury, in my perspective, has only been good. Painful and life changing, yes, but ooey gooey dripping in epiphanies that take place driving on the freeway or by way of the hot steamy shower, at the gym of all aweful places, or sitting in my car in a parking lot in the rain…kind of good. Pain is a part of life, choosing how we respond to this pain is what dictates the quality of our lives. I absolutely had moments like this before the fall, but these are different. These come on the dawn of a cold dark night, and for some reason to me that makes them more profound. Maybe I guess then, the way I see it is, this experience has deepened my understanding of things that only have light shown on them by looking over the edge of darkness and sinking right into it.

And then coming up smiling. Because well, it’s fascinating down there, deep in the depth of our wounds, it’s a vast majestic an if we dare to go there (with an open and positive mind set, of what can come from this situation)- anything is possible. I believe now more than ever in the power of our minds. This power is the same way people like Nelson Mandela survive lock up or humans survived the holocaust. And although I am no comparison to these kinds of hero’s maybe my journey can be an inspiration to other ordinary people like me and you. Maybe I can be a reminder that we are all capable of greatness, and that “greatness” doesn’t look the same for any two people. That’s the greatest part. As we change and grow our best also transforms day to day, and season to season. But believing in a bigger something, anything, the possibilities to overcome, to create, to learn, to forgive (ourselves and others), to grow, to let go, to thrive are literally infinite.

Being injured has given me an opportunity to be with myself. It has given me time to explore me. My thoughts, my feeling, with out interruptions to the things we as humans normally do to fill our days. And this opportunity has allowed me to fall even deeper in the love with with who I am. It has showed me parts of myself, sad parts, strong parts, injured, humble, simple gentle unadorned with life’s decorations parts…

(Below, the documentation of my knee’s sweet journey =) I am proud of what a healing machine it is!!)

Post Surgery. This is all it will bend.
And a leg that feels like the weight and pulse of a thousand raging, rushing furious waterfalls
and the bruising..
a struggle to bend this much continues,
and the wound =)
eeeeep! progress, painful process, but yay.
the journey of the knee, inside there are Malcom and Archie. My new MCL and ACL. yes i named my ligaments, it makes the process more fun!! =)
and here….
look at those beauties. heheheh.
and dang girl. look at that bend! Simple pleasures in full effect

 This essence of self, of life that maybe is only revealed in times of challenge , of woundedness, is what makes us strong. This injury has been a beautiful opportunity to see my body broken and in pain, but capable of healing, capable of finding the light, the positive, and what a miracle it is to see the body heal. To see myself in my lowest time, and still find the beauty in who I am, this my friends, is a truly humbling and empowering  lesson to learn. And for that, this process, this experience, maybe I will go as far as to say this gift of a different and deeper, more simple (even more simple than I already was) approach to life – well for that i am extremely grateful. I

Diving head first into the belly of injuries and recovery is honestly anything but cool. It’s not glamorous. But it is real. It is a process, it is a time to really sink my teeth into all the things I preach when life is healthy and thriving. It is truly a time to digest what exists beyond the physical world we live in. It is a time of letting go, of surrendering, of shifting the energy away from negativity and back towards gratitude. It is a time of patience, of acceptance, of love. Of looking myself in the eyes, and loving what I see. It is a path of gentleness towards self, of not judging the days when I want to be anywhere but here. And knowing that as a human, a spiritual beautiful divine being, but a human non the less, that it is okay to struggle. I am not any less of a yogi, a teacher, a leader a light bearer or a guide because I too face demons, demons that can paint even my light and sparkly  sky with darkness. And you sweet person are the same. Remember that with impermanence comes happiness and sadness and if you can just stay afloat when the seas are the roughest then that is enough. Not only is it enough, but it is a sweet victory when you rise to meet the new day, maybe naked, and battered but resilient, stronger and ever so beautiful 💙 so I send you this message,  to you inviting you join me on this humble journey to discover the limits of the universe, a reality juicy with life’s subtle joys, full of adventure and full of  love.

This idea of the mind and greatness and how no two things are the same from person to person, has been a duality I have been applying to the idea of success; and how it’s come to look and taste In modern society but that maybe that’s not actually what “success” is at all…

I feel good about it:) got that coming to you nexts

I hope my story inspires you of what greatness you have within you – as a human – as a divine magical being living inside a bag of flesh, stacked with bones, wandering freely on this planet. Trying to make sense of this wildly joyful life experiment.  Life’s great mystery is our prize.

Be well my friends. Be kind, Be love.

xo

Mermaid

ps. im also helping host an epic event tomorrow. here in the link =) if you are in town, come join us!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/yoga-daytreat-live-music-soundbath-energy-healing-vegetartian-lunch-tickets-52180804190?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

 

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Bliss is simple. The simplicity is the bliss.

The lines we draw, the paths we take, the simple joys, a simple life, I’m learning isn’t always (or at least completely) about the ocean. I’m learning that the simplicity of the ocean (in all its complexities) is the joy itself ✨ 

Try this idea on, it came to me a week or two ago, and it’s been sinking in really nice. I realized last month was one of the best months of my life (yes- injured and out of work, out of money & landlocked), I didn’t surf, of practice yoga asana once…

One morning, on a gray, glassy beach walk adventure, watching the waves crash into the rocks, feeling full of peace and joy I realized 

“Bliss is simple-The simplicity is the bliss”

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As one of my favorite authors put it “Samsara is Nirvana”

(If you haven’t read books from Jaimal Yogis – the Saltwater Buddha, and All Our Waves are Water, i would highly recommend it)

It’s funny, you see, when everything I thought I wanted was taken from me, (traveling, surfing, yoga, making $$, “progress”,) I learned that sometimes life is better than the waves. 

It’s wild really, how life gives us moments, moments that may seem bad, (like breaking your arm, blowing out your knee, being out of work for 9 months, being laid up in bed, and having the days full of surgeries, physical therapy and doctors appts) are really not so bad at all. If we trust, we surrender & we are open to the possibility that things are unfolding as they should, that it could actually keep getting better then it currently is, or was, then it does. When everything you –think– you want is taken from you, and the direction of your life path is shifted, somehow, magically you, are given –more-, (than you could have imagined or dreamed you wanted) and the path you are walking on becomes more abundant…

 

Life is cool like that. 

The waves and I will reunite. But in the mean time, life has given me a love (yes I’m talking about that wonderful man again) and many other lessons from healing as well, that only makes my connection to the sea, and my adventure in this life, that much sweeter. When you practice gratitude, and believe in the laws of attraction, of the power of positive thinking, of life without adornment being truly abundant, then your life simply becomes that; A beautiful manifestation of things always being right. Even when they are wrong. That my friends, is the secret. To stop worrying, stop forcing, let go, recieve, and love. Oh so much love. And then show up and let life rain down on you it’s wisdom, and it’s bliss, and allow yourself to dance in the the pure golden sun shine glowing in the sky. It might seem silly to you, or cosmic, or daydreamy, full of fantasy like fluff, and maybe it is, but if our real lives can take the shape of these daydreams, then doesn’t it seem logical, to do whatever it takes to make that happen? I’m not any better or different than any of you, and I just wanted to share this story, because those of you who do know me, know surfing, and yoga and travel are my “everything” so to come to a place in life, where I can say I have had the best month of my life, and none of those things have been present, is a powerful statement. That realization propelled me to examine a lot of things within myself, and have helped me come to the realizations I’ve shared above. (Obviously finding love helps 😍😍) but that’s part of it!! Cultivating a mindset, and attitude, a way of living, that brings joy and healing from the inside, that trusts and surrenders to the “obstacles” of life, is what will transform the ordinary to extraordinary. So when you do find yourself in challenging situations, they are nothing more than opportunities, to learn and grown and become a better version of yourself.

Cheers my loves. I hope your weekend is full of sunshine and the things that make your heart sing.

Xoxoxox

Katie Mermaid 

– some of the fotos above are just captures of stoke that have filled my days up on the  path to healing. There is most certainly a new “normal” of resting and healing, but I am beyond excited to get back into routines of working, and surfing, and yoga, and travel. This time for reflection and rest is lovely, but I’m ready to move forward away from the inertia and begin to take on a bit more action 🙂 Surgery on my knee was a success and as I lay in bed, knee elevated, and crutch bound for a month, I’ve definitely began the 183 days countdown to return to the surf. I hope you’ll join me on that epic day of my first surf in 10 months!! (Projected day I believe is April 6th…) All jokes aside I’ll probably sit in the line up and cry like a baby. Tears of joy of course. Ah, but what a sweet reunion is will be. Playing in the waves is one of the best feelings in the world 🙂

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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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Yoga-Life-Water-Love

Yoga- Life- Water- Love

My heart is bursting with gratitude. Like the way lava lurches from within a volcano and devours everything in its path. Completely consuming and changing life as it moves towards the sea – love flows from me in this very same way. It is subtle, but it is a mighty an undeniable force to any who witnesses it’s movement. The seeds you cultivate and water in your life become the jungle that grows around you. Its simple in theory but life brings all kinds of challenges, and my yoga practice has taught me that that practice is indeed the reward, and we are undoubtedly mirrors of those around us. 

No matter the day I am having- time with self, in yoga practice, in meditation, silently dancing with the great expanse of everything, always resets my heart and mind. Yesterday, after a morning of great coffee talk, and inspiring creative brainstorming, I headed off to serve tables (and share smiles) at the restaurant. Days of waiting on people hand and foot can be rewarding but also an “energy suck” and after such a super charged AM of “big dream” stuff, that became a day of “work” I was feeling depleted, a bit unrewarded and in need of tapping back into  the sweet vast source self. The 5:30 pm class at YO (Yoga Oceanside) with amazing teacher the amazing teacher, and friend, Rick Worthington always ends in happy fuzzy yoga bliss. Come join us if you are in town! http://www.Yogaoceanside.com =)

So.

I am a woman with dreams and ambition. My wild heart calls me to rouge parts of the world, and although it may not be the most “safe or secure” path of life, I can not turn off the call of the winds that lure me to Nicaraguan Tropical Paradise. Its a simple life I crave, but in creating this vision, first I get to put in a lot of work. I am building Surf House Nicaragua http://www.surfhousenicaragua.com (check it out, just a basic page now, but so much more to come)  through this Boutique Surf style Accommodation I am creating   a community to spread the seeds of love (from my tribe here in oceanside) to people and travelers across the globe. 

For now, and a temporary now, I’m living in my hometown Oceanside, CA. I work at the   a super fun spot called Local Tap House (which I do love) but it’s not my passion or how I want to live my life long term. I am also blessed enough to teach yoga and give reiki in the amazing Yoga Oceanside yoga studio. 

 

For the last few days my friend Caroline has been in town visiting me.  She is a boss babe, full of fire, passion, ideas and an work ethic second to none. Her thought process I so different than mine and she only challenges me to think about things from a different avenue than my natural thought process; not to change my way of thinking, but to simply expand my mind to consider other possibilities.

In our relationship, being the yoga teacher and energy healer, I am the “yogini” but her ability to understand this power of mind makes her a yogini in so many ways she doesn’t even know. One of my favorite yoga quotes that I teach often in class  is this “As the mind so the man – if you believe you are bound you are bound, if you believe you are free you are free” Its a quote from Patajanli’s Yoga Sutras a book loaded with all kind of amazing esoteric wisdoms. Its a great read even if you don’t have a physical asana practice i’d recommend gibing it a read.

 My point to this story is I have gotten comfortable, “bound” perhaps, to limiting thought and beliefs about how and when I can make my dreams happen- and as I write and reflect I’m becoming aware that maybe thats  the reason I’ve been feeling stuck. I’ve adopted a routine for the first time in my  life, and it’s a beautiful routine, but Im  now feeling it’s time to shake it up.  In life we go back and forth from protection mode to growth mode. From times of getting grounded and rooted, (feeling safe and secure) to times of radical growth and change. When I returned home from living in Costa Rica, a year ago today, I was in big need of this nurturing, I had massive emotional healing to do and was in need of finding stability and happiness within in myself. So this “groove” here been 100% necessary and everything I’ve needed for the past 12 months but its not the place I can stay if I want to live the biggest, and most vibrant version of my life. It’s perfect for right now, but that’s no excuse to get complacent. If you have dreams, that have found their way in to the back ground maybe it’s time to shift all your energy into these dreams, manifest them and create and work them into fruition. Or maybe for you its time to slow it down a bit and continue to water them and wait for them to grow- either way having awareness around this cycle and process makes you a powerful being. 

This awareness leads me to a  big lesson that continues to present its self to me in big and small ways. Im a believer that is that life is about learning to wait. This “wait” I’m refering to is not sitting back and doing nothing. It’s embracing the pause or grounding phase of life that has to happen in order for things to grow.  When we slow down long enough and listen to the space between what we thing we know, that is where the answers are revealed. Jimi Hendrix said “knowledge speaks but wisdom listens.”  To me this quote implies that to arrive at wisdom we need to slow down, turn off our own ideas and truly hear whats being said by those around us, and to our self within.

Turing my attention to my root chakra has been not so glamorous, but where I lacked in “glamor” it has made up for in power, and connection to source. Growing deeps roots creates the foundation for a sustainable and fulfilling life. As I started writing this last night I  realized that today is my year anniversary from moving home from Costa Rica. (a place where I was lusciously, flippantly and superfluously living in my heart space, which is a good place to be as long as proper roots have been grown, which they hadn’t which is maybe why the tree fell (me) the way it did- but it was what was needed to happen for the seeds to spread and grow as they have… Ah, the joys of trusting and surrendering, embracing what comes our way as opposed to what we think we know or want. Ive said it many time but heart break is a fucker. But I am only greatful for the deeply satisfying lessons I have learned  as a result. As I reflect on how much my heart  has softened, but also my soul empowered, and the growth that I have traversed in the last year, it’s incredible. We as human beings are capable of great feats, physical, emotional, mental, spiritual. Everything I wanted to happen continues to. Maybe not the exact way I’ve imagined, and not to say Ive gotten everything I “wanted”. But life unfolds everything we need. When you are able to get specific about what you want and let go of how it comes about, it always, always always comes. This is where he power of a yoga practice becomes the best tool. I can only speak from my own experience but my yoga practice is the reward. Despite the ups and downs this last year has contained my Yoga practice has given me tools  to know that everything is not just okay, but perfect, even when its not. Life isn’t happening to me its happening for me. And although the jungles and in a bikini is where I want to be, and where I will be, through a devoted practice I have arrived in a place of the sweetest contentment within myself regardless of life’s external circumstances. Not to mention, a life here in San Diego cocooned by so much sweet sweet love is blissful. To keep it all in perspective if surfing in a wet suit is the worst part of my its really not so bad hey?

Life is cyclical indeed. So this positive, unattached, loving, humble, vulnerable, open free life style and mindset  does not deny or negate that bad things can and do happen, it’s just a shield, or tool, to constantly remind me to stay in the present, to let go, to trust and surrender to forces beyond my control. It is a knowing that  sun sets, and it gets dark, but then the sun rises and it is light again (not to mention the magic of the moon while the sun is away). This way of living to protects me from unnecessary struggle that could lead to drowning in the same currents that float and pull me safety. We can let go or be dragged. We can work hard for what we want, as I have, but in this hard work and of following my dreams am in constant flux, remembering to stay fluid, and let things happen as they should- finding a perfect balance between working your ass off, and going with the flow. (Of being in that place right where the tide changes, it goes from a dead low beings to push in, the winds switch offshore, and what looked like shitting conditions, transform into an epic session of pumping waves.) Sorry… haha, couldn’t got a whole explanation of life and love without some kind of ocean reference, default I suppose of being a mermaid =) Anywho, Letting go of what we think we know, and accepting what is, this is  Aparigraha. Aparigraha is a yoga philosophy that teaches abundance and recognizing the blessings off all things the come our way. Embracing its wisdom has saved me many many headaches, and soothed many heartaches in reassuring me that despite external circumstances that everything is going to be fine, and in clinging to an outcome I desire and not accepting what is only causes more suffering.

As Im nearing the completion of my 31st trip around the sun I feel so grateful, so empowered and so excited to share with you the secret powers of a yoga practice that I have been fortunate enough to receive. None of these wisdoms are my own.  Im am however a believer in myself. My wild passion and free spirit are viscously infectious, and as I get to know myself more everyday I I feel more honored to share my stories and my sparkle with you. 

I’ve got a few poetry books I hope to be publishing soon full of inspiration and yogic wisdoms and short prose about nature, travel, and love. Some beach cleans ups in the works and if you follow me and my merbabes at the _mermaidmafia_  on intsagram and FB we are always filling your days with positive ideas about how to live a more mindful eco conscious life.  Also always promoting, check out Avasol. They are skin safe, reef safe sun protection product and Avasol is a company I endorse who heartily.

As for my big dream, my big vision – Surf House Nicaragua is reaching its dawn. Its a bit scary, but I’m stoked for the adventure into business ownership and the opportunity to create something that has a positive lasting impact. Any one who has ever watched the sunrise knows what a moment of great magic this is. 

In addition to building an epic space to host travelers and share my love of yoga and surf, In the next year I will also be hosting a Yoga and Surf and Volunteer adventure to a tropical Latin paradise not far from here… Hope you can join me =) =)

I am a woman on fire, inspired, in love with my self, with life and engaged in this magic mystery as it unfolding all around. I can only thank the people closest to me who continually uplift me, guide me, love the heck out of me, remind the importance of following your dreams and teach me to live a full vibrant life.

So many blessings and so much love-

The mermaid.

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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.

FC58C150-4D69-444E-BCF1-70193D612CD8
Have a beautiful day 🙂
The mermaid gypsy

 

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Travel.Surf.Yoga.

Travel.yoga.surf.

A few days ago as I was winding through the mountain roads of Guatemala en route to the magical lake I felt a smile grow across my face as everything began to slow down. The essence of why I travel. Which is the same reason I surf or practice yoga. It brings me peace and joy of the tender bliss of living in the moment -In my proper Cali beach slang, it makes me stoked 🙂 It takes me out of my comfort zone and brings me into present- it is the opportunity to savor and enjoy life as it’s unfolding. It separates me from the agenda that is conformity and creates an experience that represents all of eternity. It is in these moments that I feel most alive. They are without a time stamp -these moments deepen the perspective of relativity. And confirm the reality that life is happening all over that planet- and you are only relevant, only important, only as connected, complete and whole as you choose to show up. And these
moments are what life is all about.

 

The more I dive into my yoga practice, the more I learn- about love, about life, about spirituality – the more I learn to let go, the more able I am accept and adapt to all facets of life. Yoga, my friends, has very little to with the shape of your body- and everything to do with the vibrance of your soul….

Yoga -surf -travel – and not in any particular order have shaped me more than anything else (with the exception  of my wonderful goddess of a mom of course)

These 3 things also have also been especially relevant to different phases of my life.

Travel
When I was young the wanderlust was infused into my being. I spent quite a bit of time with my mom (and/or/solo/brother) on the road; headed out to nature- new campsites, fun adventures to hike mountains or across continents to the ghettos of Brazil and Mexico to learn about others, and the value of service and loving one another. Receiving the gift of perspective and learning that barriers are man made and we are all inherently the same.

Surfing.

Surfing has been the newest adventure – Its a passion I have learned later in life but has no doubt profoundly affected my plight of my existence on this planet. It is unquestionably the single most task I have dedicated my time to over the last 3 years. Honestly, as soon as I found a surfboard everything else took a back seat and I’ve genuinely not spend too much time doing anything but chasing waves and warm water since then ….Knowing the ocean and waves have such a consuming effect on me Im actually quite happy that I didnt find surfing Until later in life. i feel confident in saying I would not have done the amazing things I have done, had I grown up with the ability to surf. The ocean has always been a constant in my life, the salt is in my blood but a powerful love affair with waves is fresh. It’s crazy actually how everything works our just the way it’s supposed to, and Im so grateful for all the landlocked experience, that lead me to the salty sea, that have lead me to here (which is currently the Tijuana airport waiting for a red eye to Guatemala ) which has become a palatial lake side estate perched aside lake afilan. Before all this tho, the love of surf…

 

Around June I realized the tropical jungle daze and salty Central American adventure had to be put on the shelf for a bit. It was time to come back to San Diego to explore my own landscape: the wild universe of my dreams. It was time To create more magic, to get grounded and rooted, to reconnect to self. Although returning has brought so many challenges my simple minded self didn’t anticipate, after quite a bit of stubborn resistance I am now accepting. I’m learning being grounded does not mean stuck. It simply means growing deeper roots to grow a bigger tree to spread my love as far and wide as possible, all while staying connect to the nurturing earth, but allowing the wind to float the seeds where it may. My time is San Diego is a wonderful opportunity to feel safe and secure. To manifest and plan ways to finance this wanderlust, this gypsy mermaid lifestyle. Cause wether I like money or not, seashells I love to discover I the sand are not a currency that will pay for my dreams.

On a side note and the more I think about the period of my life ( Los Angeles living) where none of those things 3 things were present, I realize that was quite possible, the most shallow and empty times of my life. That’s not to say I wasnt growing or learning, I just perhaps wasn’t fully present. And I believe whole heartedly that time period, that pain, that lack of substance or depth despite the excessivess of “things” needed to happen in order to be here today, it’s just an interesting realization to come to in Hindsight. I doesn’t negate how grateful I am for that time, just like all the others…

Getting back on track-
let’s talk about yoga-
Yoga which is most dominant in my life right now is a teacher of so many things. When I began to learn about yoga philosophy it shifted the paradigm through which I see the world and how I experience life. It opened up Pandora’s box to vast exsistence I was unaware of. It compliments my already positive disposition by teaching this….
Yoga philosophy is magic- it says that everything is good. People are good, experiences are good, pain is good because in traversing all of these things you become the best version yourself. And all of these things the highs and lows have to be present in order for you to learn and expand and experience bliss. Even the bad is good- because it is. Experience can be neutral. Yoga encourages you to be a witness. Feel every moment as fresh and new and it allows life to be as tender. so perfect. Full of abundance and oozing with gratitude. I don’t mean yo dumb it down. But it really can be that simple. If you are looking for some books that share this info 2 of my faves are Bringing yoga to life by Donna Farhi. And The Yama and Niyama book by Deborah Adele. These two pieces of literature take yoga practices that you may have seen as peculiar or outdated and apply to our lives right here in the 21st Century. The qualities it teaches of how to live the largest life available are something that are times. I mean really, who doesn’t want to experience a life with as much joy and as little suffering as possible.

So that brings me back to now. My skin is no longer brown. I’m slightly sunkissed at best. And When the waves at home are good. They are FIRE. Like 4-5 straight days of pumping barrels, but the air is crispy, the water is cold, the tan lines form around the cozy edges of a wetsuit. And then, the swell passes and magic mother ocean goes flat. Knee highs waves, singles fins, and wavestoms. After the spoils of the tropics Im still challenged to percolate enough stoke to charge early mornings with booties or frozen toe nugglets. For a girl who believes life is better in a bikini, or naked at that, all this necessary neoprene is a serious task. I’m learning though, my need for the ocean is greater than my distaste of the cold. Im also learning however, the beauty of balance and less surfing is an opportunity to dive into other things that feed my soul. Perhaps this is the universe telling me balance is possible as she gently grabs my hand and leads me into an energetic, spiritual and physical place where I can surf, travel, do yoga, teach yoga and profit from it all at once. I know Nicaragua is not far away. And when the times comes it where I will be.

Patience. Trust. Surrender.
I’ve got some exciting business (surf-yoga-service retreats) and some bi-country living in the works.
Although leaving Costa Rica felt devastating at the time. I’m now able to see it was necessary. All the growth I went there to do was done. And it was time to return.

And so I will let the winds blow me south again. Even if it’s just for a short while. My heart feels excited for the adventures Guatemala continues to offer. For me on this trip no waves. A little bit of yoga. But mostly a gypsy soul in search of the unknown – traveling to new countries, with artisan food, deep culture and beauty that extends beyond the visible eye.

 

Ultimately the lessons from the ocean, the breath and traveling the planet have all been the same, they have just come about in different ways. These lessons confirm my belief in benefit of living beyond our fears. That there in fact a plan a greater matrix working beyond our control- but we have to show up. Buy the plane ticket, paddle out, sit still in nature- whatever “it” is to you that brings your right smack into the center of it all.

In my modest experience I have learned to follow my heart, stay humble, practice gratitude and live with love. lifeand from here life continue to reward me for being willing enough to take the risk, to embrace the challenges and live the life I dream.
With all my salty and sunkissed love
we’ll chat soon 🙂 complete story on Guatemala travels will be up next week!

xo
The mermaid.

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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

 

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Back to Cali ☀️

Finding inspiration in the day to day grind can be challenging.
Then I go outside and I am reminded of what a beautiful planet we live on. Backyards vibes are pretty sweet. All kinds rad trees and plants. Succulents are such a trip. And Incredibly brilliant. They can survive, in just about any and all conditions. If you break them off, and replant then, you don’t kill them- they are almost like a Voulenteer for more & more life 🙂 very cool.

I sit and watch the bees enjoy the nectar of the blooming trees, hear the birds and feel the wind. It’s October and I’m writing in a bikini, in a hammock and the waves are just a bike ride away- So I suppose you can say it’s a bit of a paradise.

Making magic with these sweet mermaids
Happy place. Surf and smiles 🙂

It’s easy to get caught up in a desire for “perfection” when sometimes you have to take a step aside and realize that this IS perfection- the perfect day is happening to you right now. It’s all a mater of being present, having a positive mental attitude, and experiencing the joy within the reality of whenever you are at—-
Blah blah blah.
What am I trying to say?
Well 2 things specifically.

The adventure is in your mind. The more time I spend at “home”, in San Diego, the more I tap into my yoga practice and the more I am reminded of “as you think so you become.”

The mind is a powerful tool to create and manifest any and all things we desire. And that everything we are all “searching” for resides inside of us:)

So as life happens we have to remember- everything is temporary- it’s always changing. No matter what phase of life you are experiencing you have to stay grateful- wether you are wandering through tropical jungles and surfing warm epic waves or navigating the concrete jungle, traffic lights, and censorry overload of a high pulsed society of an industrialized nation- this too an adventure. There’s always a lesson to be learned and with the abundance of our lives there are always a millions reason to stay stoked and keep smiling.

The no wave solution
Front yard magic
Making stuff for local art shows 🙂
Ah the joy of the journey
Underground backstage fun at the pepper and Fortunate Youth show at red rocks. Brrrr

The second thing if was trying to get at is importance of remembering that everything is a cycle- and within this cycle all the attributes of nature are always present. In yogic philosophy these attributes are called the gunas. I refer to the guanas to help me stay calm, content and at peace within the center when ever I feel the extremes of nature pulling me in every direction.
So what about Gunas you ask?
It’s pretty simple really- it’s a great tool or reference to use to stay in balance (or at least to be mindful of if we feel our lives being affected by super positive or negative energy or as we encounter times of happiness and sadness). My favorite example is this cycle is the growth of a seed. All seeds (even us a humans) starts in tamas- inertia, stillness, little to none movement or activity is present as the seed planted is in the ground, from here the seed begins to grow- and rajas happens- imagine all the force and activity that is need to be present for a seed to break out of its shell, sprout out of the ground and begin to become a plant. This is where the growth is happening and from human standpoint, this phase may seem overwhelming or consuming or exciting and uncertain. Ah- but what happens next is nothing short of magic. From here sattva occurs. Balance. The flower or tree is in perfect bloom- the fruit is ripe- and any individual looking at this plant would think its a magically beautiful representation of perfection. However, at this point – we must remember what a journey the plant went through to achieve such brilliance, and remember where it is going. The tree then drops its fruit, the flowers die- the soil is replenished and the cycle begins again.

In my life i just returned from the dreamland of tropic jungles and great waves- it was “perfection” however I was living reality that was not sustainable and now back Cali I am realizing (only 4 months later, yes, sometimes I’m slow to get on the bus) that is my time to sow the garden again. To get rooted, grounded, connected- and manifest and create new journeys and adventures. This part of the cycle might not be “glamorous” but we are only as solid as our foundation, only as strong as our roots and so I am finding the joy of this phase of my life because from here all things grow stronger. Also remembering that within this phase there is so much delightful magic that is present and to be grateful for abundance and lessons here and now.

last weekends yoga retreat with rebel & muse up in the mountains of SLO – an early morning shot of the setting full harvest moon:)
Scored some Sunday afternoon waves in Ventura
Stoked to be an ambassador for Avasol skin care:) checks out the ladies and I at Mermaid Mafia to see what it’s all about
The best part of travel the friends you meet along the way- a buddy i met in Nica, from Ventura- party time!!
Surf. Yoga. Music. Create. Travel. This photo says a lot about me

So, these Gunas important to remember because within our entire macro cycle of life this micro cycle is spinning, daily – weekly- monthly- yearly. We must be patient and gentle with ourselves. It’s not necessary to have all the answers. We have to remember we are a part of nature and it’s imperative to trust and surrender to the forces around us. Otherwise we cause avoidable suffering to ourselves and others. The sun will set and rise. The tides will rise and fall and In the end everything is going to be okay:) if it’s not okay. It’s not the end…
These are just a few of the many gems of wisdom I have learned from the yoga tradition that I am oh so happy to share with you.

With all my salty and sunkissed love
Namaste

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Northern Nicaragua Dreamland🇳🇮💙✨

🐚💕💕
Mermaid treasures and all this magic ✨
Feeling A- a little bit sick🤒
But B- mostly just stoked.
To be a surfer, even an average one at that, is a beautiful life to live. I can’t speak for everyone who surfs- but when fresh fish and the quest for waves are the two most basic pre-req’s to keep me smiling and moving forward- life is good.
Simple- but full of the most magic, in the most minimal of things…
The ocean never fails to satisfy and you know that adventure is always a breath away.
I may never have a million dollars in my bank account- but I have lifetimes of stories, of connections, of memories not all the money in the world could buy. All the inspiration I continue to find in the different facets of life is humbling and mind blowing at the same time. ✨🌈
The life on the gypsy trail continues to provide the most abundance 🙂 I spent a the day alone yesterday. The only guest at these rad surfing/ glamping bungalows- (www.tapasandsurf.com) and the day was pure sweetness…..

Beachside ranchitos- sal y limón peanuts, toña and some good reads to pass the day while I wait for the tide and winds to change. And About sal y limón?….. put-it- on…everything!
and make life taste better:)
carrots, cucumbers, guac. Sure 👍🏽😋
and about my reading materials?

–proper literature when traveling is a must- been digging into “Barbarian Days- a Surfing Life” by William Finnegan. A fabulous memoir/ autobiography perfect for any surfing or wandering soul who likes to travel and discover the secrets of the planet and the secrets of man kind—

when that became “boring” as if sitting by sea can ever really be called that… I decided to wander. Around the point to the south- on to rocks and reefs filled with crabs and critters surrounded by the most delightful secluded mermaid cove- millions of shells of every color- so vibrant- neon pink and purples- pearl luminescent mini treasures – creating the sand- heaven.

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At this point a sunset glass off surf session would have been epic, but the day called for dinner and what would be the most fantastic daily offering- a sunset on land 🙂
I ordered a cocktail. Because how can you not when flor de caña is like $2.30…The affordability of Nica compared to Costa is pretty wild.
And then, I ordered some grub.
Two perfect sized tapas plates for my sweet little mermaid self. Fresh local ceviche, and camarón a pil pil (shrimp in a spicy garlic sauce). Holy mouth orgasams- or- I was just really hungry. Either way- the meal was delucious. They have roof top lounge area gently tucked among the almond trees, with a beach view and waves in the background. Of course to my delight Mother Earth offered a divine show of the setting sun free of charge. There was fire in the sky glowing every color or love….

I’ve got a slightly confused and broken heart on the mend. (Buuuuut. Haha. what else is new- I am so open, vulnerable, full of love that I experience the lows not as often but as intensely as the highs)… none the less, like a kitten, I always land on my feet- and I learn and accept the lesson. Everything that happens in life -good and “bad” -is an opportunity to be better, stronger, wiser and more full of love for it- I refuse to let life harden me, so when anger, or hate or resentment, are not options, it seems that love always wins…

Anyways. This day of solitude, spent with my one true love- myself – and the sea and all this nature was exactly what my mermaid soul needed to remember that everything we seek out there, is in here. And by here, I mean ourselves. I’m at point in life where I love my own company as much as that of anybody else and sometimes even more.. and I feel so beyond grateful to arrived at this point. Sometimes I’m lonely, but I’m human—and that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy being alone, It’s just better to be alone than in bad company.

So after dinner, at like 7:30, I cruise to bed… yep, although I do like to party, the regular routine of nights that become mornings for the most part, are a thing of the past. I lay in my tent/cabin bungalow, listen to the sounds, the bugs and the waves and some R&B from the 90’s- Thanks Spotify 😜- and then wind it all down and drift off to dreamland with the soothing, hypnotizing sounds of Ali Farka Touré (yes- you need these amazing vibrations in your life— look up these incredible musicians).

After some wild dreams, and sassy roosters – morning is upon me.
And you know what that means….
Surfing Time! 🏄🏽‍♀️
I don’t feel amazing, like I mentioned, but I’m here, and there are waves, so I surf:) it’s never a bad idea. I caught a few fun ones. And then the rain started. Ah, sweet droplets of nectar- the source- Liquid love falling from the sky- then some thunder thunder, cool:) but then. lightening struck a little too close and I was out of there!! The wave here is called nahualapa- and it’s got tough competition with the boom and other firing breaks near by, but, fun enough for a few hours on this mystic morning in Norhtern Nicaragua. So I write this to you over coffee, pancakes and fruit.. and pancakes!?!? Oh man:) 😍🥞😍got me daydreaming about chocolate chips and peanut butter rolled up into like magic breakfast taquitos of love. Hahaha: and I’m not even stoned. I don’t miss much about home- obviously my tribe of beings who make my heart beat- but what I’d do for bottles of wine and some good pure dark chocolate— see you in June Cali, who wants to go on a date…..🍷🍫

Anyways. Who knows where today will take me, but this moment, is a grateful one- and for all the average pop, bachata music that has been played here over the past 24 hours of course bob Marley just came on:)
❤️💚💛
and with that…

Be kind to others, and yourself. Your blessing are more abundant, and all us creatures here on this planet are way more alike, than you may want to recognize.
Be positive. Stay humble-
Life truly is a precious gift.
From my gypsy mermaid heart to you
💜
•all love• all the time•

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