Making friends with myself, the different parts of myself that I see so clearly reflected in form in my outer world. Through different people, environments, animals, bugs, life experiences. All different facets of my own self playing out right before my eyes. To wonder and marvel at, to engage, participate and play with. 

How deep does the love for myself go? Can I truly love each part of myself as each person who might bother, annoy, challenge me? Can I really say that I love these parts that conflict with other stronger beliefs I might have? Can I really accept other people and other lifestyles? Can I honor myself and my individual needs while also honoring those of others? Others who appear to be 'other' than me, but are in fact just another aspect of me. Maybe i was that same person 5 years ago, maybe i had those beliefs before, or maybe i will have them in the future. Maybe my mother had those beliefs and quirks, and it reminds me of something i wanted to rebel against, and really it has nothing to do with the belief or thing itself, simply the fact that i wanted to rebel against whatever it was.

So many intricacies to why we reject different parts of ourself and struggle and engage in conflict with..others..within... But there is a point of choice. Do i want to continue engaging in battle with this concept, or do I want something new? Something more inclusive, tolerant, loving. That loving choice always feels better ultimately, but it may be the most difficult one to choose, in a moment where old, die-hard beliefs and concepts are being challenged. We've had so many experiences in the past that continue to prove the loving choice always works out to be the best. It always feels better, it feels truer, and more aligned with our deepest desire to just be nice to ourselves and others. If all these experiences keep showing us love is the way, then we will know, with more and more conviction, even in the midst of a challenging tug-of-war of indecision...we can remind ourselves, oh yes, the loving choice, that will be the one that works. I can just trust that, even if I may not be sure. I can just trust. 

There is always a point of choice. Will it be the loving one or not? Will it be born of a fresh, new loving intention, or will it be a replay of old, safe, familiar habit? When we choose love, we choose to love ourselves, all parts of ourselves, even the outward, seemingly 'not us' parts. When we love ourselves, we love all of life. 

Then there is nothing else but love.
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This cow with a numbered label attached to its body is eerily reminiscent of Jews being stamped with a number in concentration camps. This is also much like how black people were treated in slavery. These races were not seen as human. They were seen as lower level vermin. Another species that were certainly of lower value and importance than the white supremacy. Not considered worthy of humane treatment. Expendable. Do we not see that this is EXACTLY how we view and treat animals? We think of them as lower, less important, that their lives have much less worth than ours, and we are entitled to treat them however we want, and exploit them for our own benefit. Because we are, of course, a superior race.

It is difficult to be eating the flesh of a murdered animal and claim to not be racist. The very beliefs that produce racism are the same that permit and justify abuse and production of animal products.  Consuming animal products requires continuously making a choice to value your life above another living creature's. That justification worked when we lived in the jungle and had to compete to fend for our survival, but that is now no loner the case. We discriminate against animals because they don't speak our language and they don't look or behave exactly as we do. It's the same thing we still do to other humans. We think they're different because they look different, communicate differently, need different things. But they are living, breathing creatures on this planet who feel pain and suffer, who innocently exist on this planet and deserve the same care and respect as any other living being would want. They just want to play, love and have freedom to enjoy their lives, the same as we do.

People ask me, do you really live on a tropical island? Your life is just paradise? The short answer- Yes, but I call it Paradise..with a twist. It's a yummy cocktail, but there is definitely still a sour twist. It's not just sunshine, rainbows, butterflies and unicorns ALL the time. Sometimes the unicorns take a break. They book themselves a vacation on some other island, and when they leave, a whole swarm of mosquitoes come to take their place.

People ask me, so there is sunshine, luscious greenery, fresh coconuts, breathtaking sunsets, starry skies and clear turquoise sea with white beaches? Yes. It's absolutely gorgeous, and I feel so grateful and blessed every single day. Wow, and you have all the healthy food options served to you right outside your doorstep? And friendly, smiley, open-minded tourists from all over the world who are looking to explore, expand their perspectives, know themselves deeper and heal together? Mmmhmmm. And you guys all have this amazing community with tons of events and offerings every day like dance, yoga, all kinds of healing, fun and play…and it's all super affordable??? Um, yeah.

So your life is totally carefree and perfect??! Sorry my friend, no. ​Life is still life. I am still human. Everyday problems and challenges still arise. And as trite as it is, wherever you go, there you are. No matter how many fairies, frolicking hippies and beach sunsets you throw into the mix.