(Repost from August 2016...because I found some old stuff I thought was lost)
With all the feelings still fresh in my heart, I sat down to write about my summer. Once I began, I realized I was looking back on all the ways the love of friends can transform you…and aid you in the journey of transforming yourself.
“To love is to recognize yourself in another.” – Eckert Tolle
Before Marie Claire arrived in Los Angeles this summer, I’ll admit that I wasn’t quite sure what to expect – but my intuition was right, and it was such a treat to have this lovely soul from Paris stay with me for a month! From the moment I picked her up at LAX, we were lost together – literally lost on the drive home because we were telling stories and laughing so hard! And when we finally arrived home, she immediately jumped on the reformer for some Pilates, laughter still warm in both of our voices. She quickly became ‘Auntie Marie’ to my beloved kitty Aster, who loved her from the start (and was beyond thrilled to have an auntie who whispered to him in French!).
Marie Claire swiftly and truly became the kind of sister that I’ve always hoped for – and she even came with a French accent and all the Parisian flair I could have dreamed of! Living together, in the close quarters of a loft downtown, was an enlightening experience to say the least. She became someone to entertain, to cook with, to exchange life stories and milestone experiences, all while discussing our shared passion for movement. This was someone who reminded me that the richest things in life could also be the simplest things: relaxation, communication, fun, beauty. We supported each other in creating new goals, observing mindfulness each day, and finding new ways to honor the self.
Ultimately, by embracing each other’s individuality and perception of the world, we were able to expand our own awareness. In this way, she reintroduced the structure and stability that left my life half a dozen years ago, when I moved from Oakland to San Francisco to begin my career transition – and then moved from San Francisco to Los Angeles to turn my Pilates dream into a reality.
Marie Claire was able to understand that her sisterly love would benefit me after this uphill battle, not only because she has been through similar experiences herself, but also because our fundamental view of the world – and our passion for mindful and empowering movement – is completely in sync. In her thirty short days in Los Angeles, Marie Claire challenged me to go further with my workouts, helped me gain a renewed respect for the philosophy and purpose behind the methods I use, and guided me toward a deeper appreciation for other practices from which they were born. Through it all, we maintained a harmonious dynamic of water and earth that made it easy.
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I feel very fortunate to reside in a universe where I am surrounded by brilliant minds on all sides. As we know, there are stars and planets always waiting to be discovered – and, this summer, I was lucky enough to have connected with some truly vibrant bodies. I always get a spark from these types of interactions. An electric charge.
In my world of movement, discussion, learning, and openness, it is common for profound friendships to blossom from a brief encounter. Energetic flow is consistently present in my professional and social circles, and I believe that this keeps us open to positive experiences. Friendships like this usually stem from an innate sense of trustworthiness...and empathy. With this undercurrent of trust, one can gain an honest appreciation for different lifestyles: different forms of communication, senses of humor, and mechanisms for moving through the world. I have been reminded what it’s like to try and find some steady footing in a new place, to try and gain some understanding of and be understood by a new culture. On a deeper level, I have been reminded that the greatest risks require a grand sense of adventure combined with a hell of a lot of courage. And the most impressive friends I’ve made this summer have those qualities in spades.
Now, as the days get shorter and there’s a hint of autumn chill in the air, I’m left figuring out the most effective way to apply all of these experiences that nourished me alongside the summer sun. What remains? What fades away? What lessons did I learn from these moments – and how do I use them to better my practice and my life? How can I incorporate the energy from all the extraordinary characters I’ve encountered into both my client work and personal lifestyle? I’ll be the first to admit that it’s been difficult getting back on track with my career after such a sparkly summer, but I am figuring out how to do that and slowly settling back into a more focused mindset. I am trying to follow my dear friend's advice and remember to embrace the now even in the midst of chaos. I fully trust her wisdom.
With the warmth of this summer and its cherished memories still fresh in my heart, I look forward to carrying this glorious energy into the seasons ahead – and into the future.