Hi, thank you for being here with me. April brought a little of everything, including joy, fear, discomfort, excitement, and peace. It was a month of learning to let myself feel hold space for all of it, sometimes all at the same time. Amongst lots of work, I loved walks with Finley, time in the sunshine, watching tennis, taking care of myself, and experiencing some special moments with people I love. In April, I feel as though I really soaked it all in and embraced being human. Therefore, I am especially looking forward to sharing my thoughts, feelings, and learnings with you in this edition. I hope they connect with you and May is good to you.
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Not everything needs to be controlled and some things are more beautiful with trust. When you trust yourself, you know that regardless of what comes, you can handle it. When you trust in others, whatever happens, you know you are supported. When you have trust in life, you realize what is meant to work out is already working out. Life becomes lighter when you let go. Your heart becomes more open and free when you release. In not needing to know, not needing to force, and not needing to hold on, space is made. Where control lessens, space for possibility expands. You can move from fear to freedom, and from pressure to peace, when you realize that things work out more beautifully than you could ever make them. What makes it beautiful is its unpredictable nature and the way in which you are always being guided.
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You do not receive what you hope for. You are given what you are brave enough to ask for. You have to know what you want, what you need, what you are asking for and then be willing to communicate it. You have to articulate yourself, not only through boundaries or in what you decline, but in what you are choosing, moving towards, and desiring. People cannot meet needs they are unaware of. They cannot respect boundaries you have not expressed, nor build a vision with you that you have kept to yourself. There is nothing impolite about asking. There is nothing selfish about being clear. It is your fear of rejection that is holding you back, but there is no way around it. Sometimes, you will hear no, you will be misunderstood, and there will be people who are not able to meet your needs. Be prepared for that, but do not let it stop you from giving it a chance. Know what you want and dare to say it out loud. Be specific in your desires, and at the same time, remain open to how they evolve. Learn to express what you feel, to ask for what you need, and to move towards what you desire. Communication is an expression of being yourself.
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Coming home to yourself will teach you more than any path that leads you elsewhere. You learn who you are choosing, who the person is you are forgiving, who you are offering compassion to, and who you are coming home to. You find out who you are learning to give your trust to and who it is that will be there for you through it all. To come home you need to know which place it is that is so sacred with arms wide open to be wrapped around your body to hold you. Along the way, you realize that loss, change, grief, and love were never standing in your way. They are challenging you, letting you change, bringing you closer to your heart. When you are connected to yourself and present in the moment, your own love becomes what carries you home.
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leave my comfort zone, accept discomfort, and lean more into growth. It does not have to be all the time, but I will make it a practice to let go of the familiar, to try new things, and allow myself to step into new places and take opportunities that are given to me as well as seeking out more chances with intention. I will expand what is possible,
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change the way I connect with others. I will work on overthinking less, especially releasing the pressure of saying the right thing, being perceived a certain way, or holding myself to some of my own or others’ expectations. By living more with my heart, I will allow myself to be more open and more myself.
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April was a lot, in the best and hardest ways. In between all of it, some of my highlights included time with my family and friends, and the many days I was able to work in the sun. I am also unbelievably grateful for the wonderful humans I had the chance to photoshoot with, as well as everyone working on my upcoming book with me. This month, I made time to savour the small moments of being alive.