Blog – Page 2 – Wander to Wonder

Move Mountains

If you have faith even the size of a mustard seed you can move mountains. This thought came streaming through my mind as I watched the mountains grow bigger and bigger before my eyes. Travelling through the Canadian Rockies was a first for me, and as I sat in the back seat on our way to the coast, I took in their grandiose nature. I had never really thought about how I felt about mountains. When I lived in Half Moon Bay for five months in 2012, I didn’t put much thought into the mountains so daringly placed on the coastline I called “home” for the duration of my fellowship. It was just mountains and ocean side by side. Perhaps that’s why the mountains never made me feel… the expansive ocean on one side kept me feeling free. The Rockies, however, are mountains on either side of [...]

Aelea 2018-09-02T01:41:50+00:00

My Thoughts on Yoga + Jesus

When you say the universe, I hear Jesus. When you say the divine within, I hear the Holy Spirit. When you say you are equipped with everything you need, that you are meant to be in this moment, that this is exactly where you need to be, I hear that with God nothing is impossible, that we are all called to bloom where we are planted, that no matter where I am, I can live out a purpose bigger than I am. Yoga has become a somewhat controversial topic in the realms of spirituality-- especially for Christians. For years I’ve been hearing about how ‘Christians shouldn’t do yoga’ and while the list of things Christians should or shouldn’t do could go on and on and on (and can vary, depending who you talk to!), the state of our heart is at the root of what we should or shouldn’t do. [...]

Aelea 2018-08-01T17:57:39+00:00

Comparison Is The Thief of Joy

I had a moment recently where I needed to stop and check-in with myself. Amidst new and exciting opportunities, pursuing personal projects, work and living life, I found myself unconsciously being caught up in comparison. As something I actively work on reformatting my brain to steer clear from, I’m met with mixed emotions; how did I not realize sooner that it was comparison at the root of my discomfort and anxiety? How can I be more gentle with myself when I slip into this old habit that we are conditioned to believe is a necessary part of life? How can I set myself up for success so it doesn’t happen again? And what immediate action do I need to do now? I started where I always feel called when I have an idea spinning endlessly in my brain-- to my words. I began to write. I opened a page, wrote [...]

Aelea 2018-07-23T15:12:49+00:00

My Theme For 2018 : Radiate

When I chose the word and theme of Balance for 2017, it’s because it was something I knew I needed in my life. Anyone close to me who heard this as my intention echoed me with an outstanding YES! Unfortunately, often what you need most can be the hardest thing to do. I began setting boundaries in a feeble attempt to regain balance in life, but it ultimately did not work. After hitting my own personal physical and mental rock bottom at the start of the early summer months, a change was forced upon me. I was mentally stressed to the max resulting in the strain on my most personal and meaningful relationships, I was physically unable to do the activities I enjoyed most, and there was a weight on my heart I could not shake. Tears in the yoga hot room dripping wet with sentiments of feeling like [...]

Aelea 2018-01-02T02:45:05+00:00

Social Media Detox

Social Media. I absolutely love the endless potential and inspiration provided by social media– the ability to scroll through a feed and see images of beautiful styling, informative posts on any topic you find value in, and inspirational quotes reminding you that you are enough. Instagram, especially, has allowed a whole new genre of creative to take focus and find a creative outlet that can also put food on the table. If you’re someone who has a flair for colour palettes, a keen eye for detail, and a love for pleasing aesthetic, Instagram has provided endless creative opportunities. For me, especially, the beauty found on Instagram has fueled my creativity and allowed me to express and share my outlet with those around me– from photo styling to my blog. The downside of social media is how addictive it can be. How we flawlessly reach for our phones every morning [...]

Aelea 2018-01-02T02:42:08+00:00

Prayers of Inspiration, Motivation and Execution

Today as I left yoga in my super zen state of chill, contentment, joy & awareness, I began to pray... I prayed for inspiration, but not just inspiration-- I prayed for execution-- the motivation and guidance to execute the inspiration that came my way. All too often I pray prayers of blanket statements without really thinking about the rounded out outcome. I don't just want to be inspired, I want to take that spark of inspiration and set fire to everything I set my hands to! I want to let that Inspiration unfold in unique and creative ways to be put to use in my work where, at the end of the day, I can stand back and go 'whoa, what an incredible day. I didn't think I had that in me, but it was God-breathed inspiration living through me and it's amazing to see.' Today, think of both [...]

Aelea 2018-01-02T01:52:14+00:00

Looking Out Windows

I love looking out windows.From the warmth and safety of my indoor haven, the mystery and unknown of the outdoors is beautiful and almost surreal; I can't feel it's cold, I can't touch its edges, I can't become exposed to its very being.Inside is safe.Inside is comfortable.Inside is where daydreams run wild and your heart longs for something more... to simply go outside.To go outside is to live the adventure your soul tells you is out there, waiting to embrace you. It's not the same embrace as the blankets of safety that enrobe you inside. It's the comfort of the wind at your back, the sun on your face and the knowing whispers of your surroundings singing 'go on; dream, live, there's more for you here.'But going outside; taking that first step is scary.What do I wear, how do I prepare for outside I've come to desire but haven't taken [...]

Aelea 2018-01-02T02:23:12+00:00

Today I Weighed Myself

Today I weighed myself... I haven't weighed myself in probably over two years. It's not something I take part in. From years of self-worth found in being skinny and continually telling the joke that "being skinny is all I had going for me" since I always felt there were always a million other girls a million times more beautiful than I, I came to a breaking moment where I knew the scale had to go. Not that I ever owned one, but when the temptation was around-- at a friends house or my parents-- I'd have to fight hard to stay away. You see, for some strange reason, I always had this mentality that if I weighed over a certain weight, that was it! The one thing I had going for me would be gone and who was I to be then? As I became an adult, and metabolism [...]

Aelea 2018-01-02T01:41:39+00:00