Winter wonderland, otherwise known as my backyard

I’m feeling pretty lazy at the moment, and to the guilt that slowly creeps in every 10 minutes or so, I say “I’m not gonna take it anymore!”

This is the point of holidays – setting aside days without a to-do list ruling every moment, days that can mean wonderful conversations with loved ones, or just sitting on the couch, lazily checking emails, E!online, King of Queens in the background.

Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC

Movement

Greysey's not up for being confined

I know I will get up for that walk soon. I know I’ll make it over to my parents in enough time.

But for this moment, I can sit with my feet in front of the space heater, nibble on leftovers from last night, sip on some green tea, and thank the universe for my life.

What’s worth doing right this very moment for you? Think about it; the answer may surprise you.

Sweet Laziness

Snow doggie from next door

I hope you can take a few moments to just be lazy during this holiday season.

And I want to thank you so much for supporting Living Holistically…with a sense of humor this year. I hope it has supported you in more ways than one.

You all have taught me so much with your thoughts and feedback; please, keep them coming.

What’s Next

Next year, there will be even more wonderful content, and a few surprises, from which to choose as you continue your path to living the best, most fun, humor-filled life you can.

Happy Holidays! With lots of love and gratitude,

Christine

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It's snowing somewhere

We find ourselves at that point of the year. You know, the busy, insane part that ends up looking like sitting in traffic to get the presents bought and dragging ourselves to every last holiday party even though we hit our breaking point on December 2nd.

Funniest thing about all these shenanigans is that it’s actually just about the best time of the year to sit and reflect. I believe, even as I book my tickets for 85 Xmas themed events over the next five days, that this is the true point of December/Winter/New Year’s. But somewhere along the way, we lost that innate tendency to reflect as our lives, and desires, took over. Some of us (my generation, ahem) have never known it any other way.

Which is why, when I received two little gifts of stimulating questions on Friday, coupled with a piece I wrote at BNT several weeks ago about developing a personal manifesto, I looked up at the sky and said, “ok, I get it.” Time to ponder 2009, and slowly and gently bring it to a close.

Friendly ghosts of holiday seasons past

Although the two gifts I received are seemingly different – one is from the Superhero Journal and is simply titled, A Completion Ritual for 2009, and the other is from Tripbase, via my friend and colleague Lola Akinmade, asking for my top three travel secrets – they seemed to meld together in a way for me that made sense to combine the two as a reflection of my year of Superherodom and Travel.

We all have a superhero in us, and a lust for travel, whether that be in lands far off, or simply within our families, towns, and selves. Do yourself a favor and set aside some time to do this little ritual. It will make 2010 all that more clear for you.

Completion Ritual

1. What do you want to acknowledge yourself for in regard to 2009?

I created a website (along with some help) that I love. I became a part of Brave New Traveler and the fantastic, always inspiring Matador team. I performed freestyle for the first time. I learned how to feel my feelings, but also watch myself feeling my feelings at the same time – big difference. I helped create a writing group, Kanimoch, and put on our first event, For the Hullabaloo of It (which was a raging success, in my humble opinion). I was approached about hosting a holistic health show. I pushed some boundaries around sex and intimacy. I began meditating regularly again.

Photo: The Naked Artisan

I performed the crazy and intense choreography of one of my favorite routines since the 9th grade, If (Janet Jackson), on a Sebastopol club stage, the freezing back deck at Mission Rock on the San Francisco Bay at midnight, and on the Tribal Fest stage in front of a roomful of amazing dancers from all over the world. I sold half my stuff, stored the other half in my friend’s storage unit, tucked my cat at another friend’s apartment, and took off. I saw old friends, many of which I hadn’t seen for years. I forgave them. I forgave myself. I wrote for many other wonderful blogs, including Dream Studies and Mooky Chick, and for Conscious Dancer magazine. I was lucky enough to have many wonderful people write for my webzine. I set up shop in Asheville (for the moment). I spent more time outside during the month of August in Truckee than any August since childhood. I lived with my parents for three weeks and none of us killed each other. I stuck up for myself in a friendship that was painful for me. I let go of someone I think I loved.

2. What is there to grieve about 2009?

I faced money issues (and am still fighting to face them) that are extremely uncomfortable for me, especially since I haven’t really had money problems in the past. I didn’t push myself hard enough around changing those money issues.

I felt alone. I never think my dancing is good enough. I’m still late most of the time. I realized that a romantic relationship wouldn’t heal my wounds, but I have hindered myself from both having one and deep connections with others. I still can’t seem to get a handle on something that might have happened as a child that I don’t fully remember. A couple of close friendships are ending. I look at others in my field and think they are so far ahead of me and wonder, why don’t I have the energy to do as much as they do? Will I ever? I sometimes feel like I ran away, and I will always run away. I didn’t make it to all the places I wanted to go, because I have yet to figure out how people actually balance travel and work. I looked at my friends marriages and kids and instead of feeling a pang of “I want that” I felt pangs of “Why don’t I want that?” I let go of someone I think I loved.

3. What else do you need to say about the year to declare it complete?

2009, you, my friend, were a wonderful building year. Without you, I wouldn’t know who I am, and you made that time between 2008 and 2010 that much more…um…buildinger. No, seriously, it was sweet.

Now, PEACE!

I declare 2009 complete…2010 is my year of being badass! (in a gentle, loving kind of way).

Three Travel Secrets

Above the Truckee River, a few minutes from downtown

1. Truckee, CA is kind of a love. Especially if you are a single, straight woman. I’m just saying.

Yes, it’s a horrible name. But besides that, it’s an amazing little hideaway off of I-80, with trees and water everywhere. Hiking right behind the house. Truckee River down the street for a perfect afternoon of sitting on a rock and letting the water come up to your knees, meditating on the tiny, rippling waves. Drinking beers (or other, gluten-free, beverages) as you float in a big, ridiculously expensive raft (but worth it) from Tahoe City toward Truckee. My favorite Mexican restaurant ever (I know, surprising) that serves up some seriously good flautas. An actual cheap and long-lasting rejuvenation option just 20 miles over the mountain at Sierra Hot Springs. And yeah, of course, it’s got that whole skiing thing happening in the winter for those of you into that sort of thing.

Ok, must stop before everyone moves there.

Ok, it's not the Castro one
Photo: calmenda

2. I’m not sure how secret this is if you live anywhere in the SF Bay Area, but hands down my favorite place for tea, yummy healthy food from around the globe, and sitting for hours, chatting with friends or typing away on a computer, is Samovar Tea Lounge. The one in the Castro, no doubt. Oh my God, I’m having Masala Chai tea pangs just thinking about it.

3. Sure, Asheville, NC gets all the love. Deservedly so, but there are certainly quite a few little towns in my home state (though far, far away from my hometown) that make this place worth settling into, for at least a little while. Necessity, and a bit of luck, got me to check out Black Mountain, about 20 miles east of Asheville. This funky, new-age-meets-Billy-Graham little town has a great mix of people, plenty of stores with crystals and homemade, organic soaps, all while having a Christian college up the street (and literally, Billy Graham’s retreat center just a few miles away).

Jollying it up in Black Mountain

I love the feel of working around the artists that call this mountainous village their home. I’ve only been here for less than a month, so still have a lot to explore. But running around the shops at the yearly Holly Jolly festival, chatting with the fun (and cute – but young) male baristas at the Dripolator, and taking in a show at the White Horse (where they actually have tables you can sit at! Good for my wary, almost 31-year-old feet) makes the place all that much warmer.

Ok, I trust that you won’t spread these secrets far and wide.

Your Turn

If you take on the challenge to close out 2009, looking back at your life, your travels, your ups and downs for the year, please come back and share it here, along with the Superhero Journal and Tripbase!

Here’s to a beautiful, fruitful, loving, and hope-filled new year…

Seems there are many different outfits popping up to help people with the big problems in life, including being stuck on dating sites that mainly consist of ugly people, and advice about soft drinks and health coming directly from, you guessed it, Coke. I thought we should take a moment to think about how lucky we are to be living in the greatest of times.

But, this, without a doubt, is the greatest of the great: Gay conversion therapy.

On that note, after the “conversion” wears off, best watch this Single Ladies video and then make your way to 8 Worldwide Strip Clubs For Dudes Who Like Dudes.

Politics as usual, and unusual politics

How wonderful it is that the Dems are trying so hard to protect a woman’s right to choose as a part of the new healthcare bill. Not only will abortion not be covered by insurance, but neither will procedures needed around miscarriages, according to a piece at truthout. Take a minute to help keep reproductive health coverage in health care reform.

And, on the flip side, turns out wind farms in Spain supply the country with 50% of its energy needs. More importantly, “the total output of Spain’s wind farms exceeds the energy generation capacity of 11 nuclear power plants.” Ok, why do we continue to debate about the cost/viability of cleaner energy sources?

Simple beauty

I felt really lucky to be living by the Blue Ridge Mountains this year to see fall truly in action. But Lola Akinmade’s photo essay, Fall Foliage Tour in Maryland, made me realize there are many spots where nature both astounds and enlightens.

I will laugh, damnit!

I often forget how much this site makes me laugh: FU, Penguin tells the cute animals of the wild kingdom “what’s what.” Their latest takes on the colorful goodness of a Mandrill. Man, that stuff is funny.

In the end, all you may need is a little Muppet Beethoven to cheer you up.

Photo: Holy Taco

Yep, those Freakonomics guys are at it again. This time, they say that prostitution is the thing to do (especially if your white, “fall into it,” and love men and sex). See my reaction here. And it seems nowhere in the world can a women’s worth surpass her body; in Mauritania, the women are force-fed to be fat in order to attract a husband. Wonder what the Freakonomics guys would have to say about that?

Think that you’ve had a horrible (fake) tan? Nothing can compete with these peeps. Really, it just shouldn’t be allowed. My question is, why is almost everyone puckering their lips?

Ah, when in doubt, there is Texts from last Night. You can’t be more sad, pathetic, or unfortunate than these people. Unless, of course, you are one of them. Matador Nights just did a round up of some of their favorites. Experience them here.

Food and Flu. They go together like bread and butta.

Wow, they finally figured it out! Looks like processed foods are now officially linked to depression. Thanks, science community, we had no idea! Nonetheless, score for the “food is directly related to health” team.

Ok, ok, I know that the debate around the swine flu vaccine continues (just take a look at this piece at BNT), but here is yet another good overview of why it’s not the best idea to get the shot, courtesy of Dr.’s Len Saputo and Stacia Lansman.

Is TV good for your memory too?

This may be good news for some of you (and maybe me?). Looks like bad news can be good for people’s memory. An Australian study found that “being sad makes people less gullible, improves their ability to judge others and also boosts memory.” Sweet, my youth must have made me sharp, judgmental, and develop a mind like a steel trap.

Tomorrow is the official unveiling of Matador’s newest endeavor, Matador TV. Get a sneak peek at the latest and greatest travel videos here, from Burning Man to questioning, “What is Nirvana?” And be sure to contribute any great videos you have!

I smell (gluten-free) pumpkin pie in the air…

Rock On
Photo: Diego Cupolo

I’ve had a pretty powerful week when it comes to women. Here’s to orgs as big as Women for Women International, helping women who have been abused all over the world, and as small as the Orange County Rape Crisis Center, where I used to volunteer during undergrad. A big thank you to everyone doing their part to not “protect,” but bring justice to women’s lives all over the world. And check out my guest piece over at the Dream Study Portal (well worth looking through this entire site) for a discussion about something else many women close to home struggle with: body image and eating disorders.

Spooks, Wieners, and Christopher Walken: A Winning Combination

Think Halloween isn’t just for humans and wanna see some pissed off dogs? Check out From Wieners to Superheroes – Halloween is not Just for People. And take a few minutes to watch this super cute rendition of Thriller; you’ll be both impressed and have a little laugh. Lastly, if you are a Christopher Walken fan, and NOT a Lady Gaga fan (ahem), you’ll appreciate this little ditty.

All About the Kiddies

For all the parents out there just trying to do their best with their kid’s health in times of swine flu and pandemic cheetos-not-cheesy-enoughomea, there’s a great new resource for you: Kula Mama. Founded by one of my colleagues, Heather Haynes Ybaben, this site is chock full o’ info about raising your kids from a holistic (and humorous – yes!) point of view. Another great place to check out parenting tips and life in-between trips (with kids) is Matador Life.

Shake What Yo’ Mama Gave Ya

Now that I’m “settling in” (whatever that means) for a few months, I’m slowly making my way back into dancing. Needing inspiration, I watched a few old performance videos, and was reminded of my love for the art.

Here’s one of my favorite collaborations:

To check out a few more videos, go here.

Welcome to Christmas! Oh, wait, we haven’t had Thanksgiving yet, right?

Photo: Source

Will BNT Get the Colbert Bump?

This week, an article I wrote for Brave New Traveler a few months ago charging United Airlines with fatism, showed on up on ‘The Colbert Report.’

Seems the fatism (or “weightism,” as Colbert trademarks during the episode) debate is all the rage these days, what with babies being turned down for health insurance and models getting fired for being too fat. As usual, Colbert rages against the injustices of “Big Government,” this time for trying to slim down the US population. I definitely chuckled uncontrollably during this segment, but am thankful that he had a Professor as a guest who makes it clear that being large does not equate being unhealthy.

Check out the video here, where the article shows up at 1:31.

Cancer Schmancer

Cancer seems to hit more and more people everyday, and it not only seems to strike younger and younger – it truly does. To honor those with the most common form to hit women, Breast Cancer, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Check out Leigh Shulman’s piece on what you can do to protect yourself, and to help others, sometimes in truly unconventional ways. Which is just the way we like it.

The A-B-Cs of C-L-A

Interested in getting (back) into shape before the holidays hit? Then check out Nutritionist Sylvie Nalezny’s piece, How I Lost Those Last Ten Pounds: A Birthday Present to Myself. She takes a holistic approach to weight loss, including carving out time for herself and the all important saying “no” more often.

Plus, you can read about her secret weapon supplement. It’s one I knew about, but she’s the first person that I’ve personally known who has followed the routine, and it really worked for her.

Tar Heel Born, Gluten-Free Bread (or Cereal)

Something new for you gluten-freers out there. A friend sent me a link to a new site called Custom Choice Cereal, where you can create your own gluten-free cereal from three different bases – granola, corn flakes, and ‘good morning’ flakes. The site takes you through dried fruit and nut and seed choices, and then you get to name the cereal whatever you would like.

I haven’t tried it yet, and choices are minimal at this point. But they do make the cereals in a dedicated GF facility, and the site is easy to follow. I’m sure they’ll add more fruit and nut options as time goes on.

Plus, the founders are UNC-Chapel Hill business school grads, so gotta show some lovin’ for any Tar Heel that is establishing a healthy product.

Other worthy links:

• Hal Amen shares his experience of the disappearance of a Bolivian glacier.
• We still live in tribes, whether you think so or not. David Logan explains the hows and whys.
• Think you’ve seen all the best videos on You Tube? Well, test your viewing expertise here.

We decided to skip fall and head straight to winter where I am. Hope you’re staying warm wherever you are!

Photo: eye of einstein

Movers and Shakers

• A big premiere, that I’m sad to have missed, happened in my old hood last week: Matador Goods contributor Austin Chu’s movie, The Recess Ends, made its way onto the big screen at the Victoria Theater in the Mission district (I used to live 2 blocks away). The film chronicles how the recession/depression has affected people all over the US, as Austin and his brother road-tripped and interviewed people throughout the 50 states. Check out their website for further engagements.
• Although the season premiere of House has come and gone, check out this video from the first episode’s gala in LA. Bridget O’Neill hosts and questions the stars of the “most popular show in the world” about the importance of social media in their lives. Filmed on location and edited by my friend, Joshua Johnson.
• I was in NYC a couple of weeks ago, and got *this close* to meeting Matador’s managing editor and ridiculously hard-worker, Julie Schwietert, in person after having worked with her via the web for the last six months. But then she had to go and have her baby the day we were supposed to meet. Fine, I guess it was a good enough excuse…congrats, Julie, and please take some time off!
• Love Carlo Alcos’ post on trying to get an interview with Jamie Gatto of 1 Giant Leap. Ah, the trials and tribulations of being a writer and editor, and attempting to get the types of stories you want done in this crazy, fast-paced world. Luckily, fate stepped in, as it often does. Looking forward to reading the interview on BNT.

I’m Salivating Just Thinking About It…

Wanna give a shout-out to the ladies at Babycakes in the lower East Side of Manhattan. I walked in there a week and a half ago and happened upon some lovely girlie conversation (of the deep, reflective relationship and not hair-and-nails variety), and they apologized to me as I was looking around. I quickly let them know they certainly didn’t need to stop on account of me – that’s my favorite kind of conversation – especially over some seriously good gluten-free, dairy-free, refined-sugar-free (the list goes on) treats. We then debated the highs and lows of kombucha (the Whole Foods in New York has it on tap, but I’m personally tapped out on the stuff), and how we as an American culture take everything that is healthy in moderation entirely too far.

Loved the atmosphere, loved the cornbread, loved the cinnamon toasty (later enjoyed in Central Park with some red wine and an old friend), but most of all, LOVED the donut with chocolate frosting. San Francisco, time to take notes (especially as there is a Babycakes opening soon in LA).

Things That Make You Go Hmmm…

• Undoubtedly, the thing that made me laugh the hardest this week was Tom Gates’ piece, The Five Worst Pizzas In the World. He says about a pizza in Florence with fries on it, and I quote: “Please, put this miserable, suffering beast of a pizza down.” Worse even, a pizza pie in Buenos Aires: “Toss on green olives the size of human testicles, just to make the whole thing seem even less palatable than…testicles.” Ummhmm, tasty.
• The second thing that made me laugh the hardest this week came from calls-it-like-she-sees-it-woman-extraordinare, Kate Sedgwick. Her new blog, Yes. There is such a thing as a stupid question, tackles topics such as “How do you use a toilet brush? (apparently, some of her previous tenants had no idea), and “How do you use a bidet?” (bottom line–do NOT puke into it). Keep checking this one when you need some good toilet humor (or other life lessons).

Holy Crap! They Are Finally Starting to Get It!

What alternative experts have been saying for years–that all autoimmune diseases have the same underlying causes–is finally making its way into the mainstream. A recent article in Scientific American about Celiac Disease states that, “essentially the same trio—an environmental trigger, a genetic susceptibility and a ‘leaky gut’—seems to underlie other autoimmune disorders as well.” Can we make the link that celiac, and at an even deeper level, gut permeability, is the true cause of autoimmune disorders and that healing the gut will turn around or even possibly eliminate these diseases?

It’s not as simple as “not eating wheat.” It’s about sugar, it’s about antibiotics, and it’s about stress. Save your stomach, and health, by eating nutrient rich foods and staying away from nutrient-depleting ones that trigger you, ingesting herbs that heal the stomach such as marshmallow root and aloe, and PRO-BI-OTICS. Do whatever you can to bring down stress in your life. Take some more probiotics. Bring down the caffeine and sugar.

Did I mention you should take probiotics?

Fall…it’s yummy.

Photo: the trial

I’m very excited to announce that Matador has started its very own travel-writing school, MatadorU.

Already featured on Soma, Mashable, The Guardian, and Daily Candy, this 12-week program teaches the ins and outs of travel writing for the new generation, including how to write for the web and the most efficient ways to promote your work.

And for a short time, the course is being offered for only $225, after which it will return to its normal price of $300.

If you are tired of your desk job and want to break into writing, this course will teach you everything (and more) that I’ve learned as co-editor of Brave New Traveler, editor of this website, and even beyond travel to publications such as Healthier Talk, Cream Soda, and Conscious Dancer.

I can’t recommend it enough–you will not be disappointed. Click the “Learn How” button at the top right corner with the of this page for more info.

Burning Man updates and pictures

• Here’s the video and a pic of the Raygun Rocket Ship “launch”, sent to me by my friend Drea Roemer, co-habitant of one of the rocket’s designers, Sean Orlando.
• Bhaskar Banerji’s photos never cease to amaze, so check out the coverage of his fifth trip to BM. Best photos of this year that I’ve seen.
• Ian MacKenzie gives his roundup of his first BM, with photos and videos, in BNT’s Best Of The Week: Burning Man Roundup.

Lovely Ladies and Health

Another one courtesy of Ms. Roemer, UCLA Study on Friendship Among Women, shows us that hanging out with girlfriends lessens our stress. Well, duh, but it’s good to have a study back it up anyway.

While you’re at it, check out my piece at Matador Goods about the toxins you’ll find in most beauty products and what to do about it–Toxic Waste: The Problem With Beauty Products.

Enjoy the beginning of fall!

Photo: My iPhone (yes, I have an iPhone now)

My first full day out of the Bay and on the road (though only two hours North on I-5) chewing the fat (literally, this bacon is pretty darn greasy) and looking around the casino buffet I find myself in.

Yes, I’m currently eating lunch in one of the scariest places to try and remain healthy.

My hope is that you’ll be able to find some tips that can help you to stay healthy when traveling.

What Decent Looks Like

For me, I gotta stay away from wheat. Yep, I’ll probably hit some hidden here or there, but anything that I know that possibly has gluten–such as terriyaki chicken, any kind of sauce on meat or vegetables, and pretty much any dessert other than fruit–is a no-go for me.

Today? Decent salad bar (they have chickpeas, and beets that looked too dark to have come from a can–that is about what constitutes a decent salad bar for me), so I got my cucumber, tomato, and carrot on, with a few greens thrown in for good measure. Also, they have some sort of mixed cucumber/tomato/onion salad with Italian dressing (usually not a problem) that I had a few bites of.

Welcome to America

Little bit of a breakfast bar provided me with eggs, bacon, and hash browns (all the meats were drenched in sauce or fried), and I had a bit of refried beans with the cheese on top pushed to the side. They also had some white rice with almonds and raisins that I threw some cooked (yeah, not even closed to steamed–but that’s ok) veggies on.

Eggs, veggies, and hash browns were most definitely cooked in veggie (usually corn, soy, or canola) oil, which isn’t the healthiest in the world, but I’ll survive doing it once and a while.*

Ok, full disclosure–I had some half and half in my iced tea. I just can’t do black tea without some sort of cream, and you guessed it–they don’t exactly have a choice of soy, rice, almond or hemp milk at the Colusa Casino buffet.

And give and take.

*Yep, contrary to what our current food pyramid says, veggie oils are NOT good for you, and many believe contribute in a big way to heart disease. Stick with Olive, Grape Seed, and Unrefined Coconut Oil to cook with whenever possible.

Performance pictures of me on social networking sites prompt people I knew in high school and college to exclaim, “Wow! You look great! That organic thing is really working for you!” and I want to say, “Yeah, that’s not what I look like most of the time”– apparently, considering people I haven’t seen in six months will say the same thing. Trust me, I do not look that different from six months ago. Yoga teachers that I’ve taken classes from for a year don’t recognize me out and about in town, or question me by email if I was the person that they danced with at an event the weekend before. I performed at a function a year ago where the man who puts on the event, whom I have met and chatted with on several occasions since, asked a friend, “Who was that?” after I walked out the door. And all of this has happened just in the last week. It is enough to drive a girl insane.

And yes, I do sometimes feel that way.

Why, exactly, does no one (ok, very few people besides my friends, colleagues, etc.) recognize me? As if the universe really wants to make its point, one of my closest friends is recognized by everyone whenever we are together, whether or not he has actually met them (or if he can remember meeting them…ah, the life of a DJ). I’ve been pondering this dilemma quite a bit lately, sometimes feeling the humor of the situation (really? You don’t remember telling me about the son you gave up for adoption and then reunited with 20 years later only to find out he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and only had a week to live? REALLY?), and other times feeling the pain (why am I not memorable? Or, why am I only memorable when dancing/dressed in costume/with makeup on, but not in my “everyday me” look?).

I’ve had many a conversation with close friends about this issue, with most reassuring me that I do look like the same person either decked out for a performance or dressed in sweats (“It’s their memory issue, not you”), while a few note, albeit gently, that I in fact do look different, but that one way is not better than the other (what the hell??). Over the duration of these conversations, which I have stopped having both for the sake of my friends, and my own need to accept what is, I realized this feeling, this sense of not being seen, has been around for quite some time.

As a young child, I danced in front of the shared mirrors at department stores while my mom tried on clothes, spellbinding groups of women who were planning to look at their potential clothing from three sides, who instead found me in their way. I played Tinkerbell in my first grade play, throwing pixie dust on my fellow cast and the audience like it was my job. Where did that little girl go? Did she get lost in the five or so times I moved during my youth, or when the audience snickered as I made my way to the podium in sixth grade to give a speech, or maybe when my black girlfriends made fun of my moves at an eighth grade dance? I became afraid of being seen somewhere along the way, and yet a part of me desperately needed it.

For years, I have written and danced, and yet I could never call myself a writer or dancer. How could this be? I felt like a fraud saying either—I would tell people I was in a dance troupe, and they assumed it was a side project, or if I told them I had minored in creative writing as an undergrad, they would ask if I had a blog. At least saying that I was getting my Masters in something (although most people had no friggin’ idea what Holistic Health Education implied for any sort of a job prospect) seemed to satisfy people. But there came a time when I had to graduate. And I had to say I was doing something. So finally, finally, very tentatively, I said I was a writer. And dancer. Well, most of the time at least.

The point to this brief history of myself and current trauma-inducing issue is to show the extent to which each of us denies parts of ourselves to others, and well, also to that little brain of ours. How does this impact the way we are seen by others? How can we be truly healthy when we think that even a small part of us is not valid, does not live up to our expectation of what a “professional” or “expert” looks like in the field to which we are drawn (whether artist or doctor), or what we think isn’t accepted by society in general needs to be shoved way down?

There is so much emphasis placed on food, exercise, sleep and stress in terms of health. While this is all true, and we need to be aware of each of these areas in our own lives in order to be healthy (which, I want to remind you, is a relative term), what about that part of us that is meant to express our passions in this life? To be seen for those qualities that we possess that are unique to us? How many people die with a book, or a song, or a dance, or even a math equation in them?

Be who you are this time around. And if you believe there is only this one time around, isn’t it all the more important to express yourself fully?

An important point I wish to note is to refrain from hurting others in the process. No matter what your inclination is, there exists both a healthy and an unhealthy way to express it. This area is definitely something to ponder as you follow your path. Other than that, enjoy the hell out of whatever you do.

And go be seen, loud and clear.