This blog really has two purposes. Laurie and I want to provide you with some thoughts and ideas to help you tweak those places in your life that aren’t going as well as you’d like. We want to help reduce your suffering, in whatever form it takes, and inspire hope and courage to live your best life. The other purpose is so you get to know us. Then, when you or someone you know could use some counselling support, you feel like you know a few good people with some skills.

I’d like to share my own personal “Vision Statement” with you, for the purpose of meeting those two above objectives. The first relates to living a rich life, free of regret. Often, in the midst of daily to-do lists we miss the big picture of our lives. I often ask clients: “At the end of your life, what will have been important? What do you want others to say about you?” What experiences must you live so you can die without regret?” Taking time to write your own vision statement, or think deeply about these questions is one way to ensure you are living your life on track. The second, as I mentioned above, is because I want you to know me, and honestly, this statement is the heart of who I am as a human being. Plus, I am pretty darn proud of this piece of writing :)

So enjoy! And take some time to ponder your own vision, for your own precious life.

Cheers,

Christina

There are those women you just want to surround yourself with. You know them, the ones who radiate love, kindness, compassion and wisdom. I’m pretty sure a lot of them do yoga. These women are warriors of peace. Through compassion of self and others, I’m sure they leave ripples of love that will impact generations to come. Simply by being, they have changed the world in unexpected, profound ways.

I can’t imagine it’s easy being one of these women. Every day, every moment, every single time something hard or wonderful arises, you must choose one of two states of being: fear or love. In this world, I think it’s easier to choose fear. But I aspire to choose love every time. I want to be one of these women. Some days I get it right. Others I could do (a lot) better. Perhaps I should do more yoga.

I want to talk to people. Be curious. Get to know them. I want to learn their stories, victories, moments of joy, loneliness and grief. I want our stories to unite us in our humanity, in our own daily struggles of choosing love over fear. I want to be present enough in each moment to notice, and not just notice, but anticipate, when a fellow human is reaching out for connection and care. My greatest teachers, the source of my own inspiration, are those who have struggled and risen. Because truly, haven’t we all?

Earlier I mentioned wisdom. Wisdom is critical to embodying the brilliance of these women. I want to fill my head with knowledge. I want to pursue lifelong learning. I come alive as a student. I come alive when I make links between things I know intrinsically and what the academics and intellectuals tell us. But knowledge needs wisdom if one wishes to change the world. For me, wisdom is the cautious, thoughtful and deliberate application of this knowledge in ways that align with my heart’s mission as a warrior of peace. Learn, reflect, integrate, puzzle, observe, research, stop-talking, listen, dialogue, fall, fail, rise up, repeat… in no particular order; these are the ingredients of wisdom. I strive to be wise.

With this brain full of knowledge, heart full of wisdom, and mission for peace, I want to inspire. I want to teach. I want to ignite a passion for peace within others so that they may create ripples of change for generations to come.

I want to join with community for peace. To take a stand so all people experience freedom from poverty, violence, and discrimination. So all people may experience safety and belonging. And until then, may the community and those who inhabit it have HOPE. Hope that love shall overcome fear in the broadest sense- in our hearts, in our relationships, in our community, and in the world. Until there is peace, I will hold and share hope.

I could not write a life vision without including the owners of my heart. May I do my best, every day, to raise daughters who can shake the painful shackles of fear and the consequences fear brings, so they may love fully and live with peace. Maggie and Hannah, you taught me to love unconditionally and because of this gift, I am able to love others unconditionally. So thank you. Ripples, my children, ripples.

And while I am busy being and doing and learning and teaching and mothering and listening and yoga-ing and leading and loving, may I also be laughing and dancing and delighting in each miracle moment of this life. May I experience gratitude and JOY. And in my own moments of grief and loneliness may I be surrounded by one (or many) of the radiant, peace-warriors of the world, who will embrace me with love, kindness, compassion and wisdom. This is the vision I hold for my precious life.