September 25, 2024 my husband and I celebrated our 20th Wedding Anniversary. Honoring our commitment to each other, and our family we made sure to celebrate in the best way!
5 days in Halifax, Nova Scotia and exploring a good part of the province! The beauty is spectacular, the food absolutely incredible and that fresh sea air… we both slept awesome yet not much! Felt extremely relaxed and … oh my… the photos!
The best way I could ever share any of my experiences, words simply cannot do it justice… plus as they say a photo is worth 1000 words ;)
Last week I was faced with a few “people challenges” last week… all in one day. The icing on the cake was receiving registered letters from our insurance company that my husband and I had both been removed from financial interest of our home insurance policy.
The day began with what should have been a quick software update and resulted in hours downtime, the downfall to everything being electronic and computer based. I did however have time to pick up the garbage bags I had forgotten the week before, small win for me lol!
Smack dab in the middle, while out walking my dog on a walk, I realized that a person who owes us money, who hired us to fix his jobs mistake and promised to pay, was doing a large job locally. I will admit I was triggered in a sudden and big way, so much that I was shaking by the time I got back to the office.
As Ive become more of me, Ive realized that Integrity is something that my energy must have in all areas of my life. My gut has gotten good at giving me a heads up many times, that I am very grateful for. I will admit, I ignored the warning before doing business with this person.
Its truthfully, frustrating, stressful, energy sucking basically to be lied to, flat out and then have the nerve to show up locally. Whats even more frustrating is the provincial and federal governments allow people to hide behind corporations, giving them permission to do this to people.
After you’ve been scorned, whether personally or in business, these triggers can naturally happen. Something I am working on, as there are many times, the apology or payment may never come.
That’s on them. Let Them.
Then I read this…
I cannot fix the world, I can however love me with all that I can and be the best person I can be. By living an honest, truthful, life with integrity and ethics and values for living my best and most authentic life!
When is that most challenging, when working with people on a daily basis. There are some really challenging, liars out there and thankfully, there are waaaaay more really good, honest people out there – those who I align with and am so grateful for.
So let them.
Let their choices be of the devil, that is what lying is, a dark dense and heavy energy. That can become trapped in your body and even begin to cause physical pain. Truth of it is, as much as I want this person to come good to their word, I cannot make them, so me holding onto this anger and frustration, is merely only hurting me. Karma is very powerful, and energy doesn’t lie so it is much healthier to detach and pray what is right will be done and all can move on.
The reminder, the life lesson… only good people can make good choices, if people choose to make bad choices, they can right them, but only if they want to and only if they do the work. I will be the first one to support someone in making the shift, you can heal from lies and betrayal with only the best intentions.
Ironically, truthfully, the planets this week were also shifting – I wont pretend to know all about it, however I do know my energy is sensitive to the planetary shifts and astrology, I actually find that all very cool. I even went for a Reiki treatment to help shift the energy and that was significant!
The real reminder, just be a decent person and live an honest life.
There are times in our life where things may feel like a coincidence… until you realize there is no way it just keeps happening like this.
The other night we had my parents dog at our place, as I was about to turn onto our road with her, it hit me… this is the first time shes been back to our place since we (and her) said good bye to our senior dog Becker back in May…
As that thought came into my mind, a song began playing on the radio… Pieces by Muscadine Bloodline. This song began playing one day, as the time changed to 11:11 and I heard … “Guess you really love me to pieces for a reason. Tryin’ to find a silver lining and see it…” As I heard those words, I knew it was my boy speaking to me.
That evening, as I turned onto our road and after thinking this was her first time back, the song began playing, I was shocked but also not. Beck was communicating to both of us.
***They are LIVE!!!*** A new upload of my bee friends thoroughly loving on our hydrangea trees in our garden!
I am grateful when I see bees in our garden, I approach with ease and a sense of comfort. Speaking to them as I approach with my camera. Pouring out the friendship energy that I will do no harm.
All images and more can be viewed HERE! Images are copyright Pamela Zmija – do not copy or reproduce without Pam’s permission. Contact Pam if interested in ordering a print or canvas.
“Authenticity is Your Truth – Living Your Life as Art with Pam” is such a compelling topic and one that fires me up!
TRUST – Trustworthy aligns with being Reliable and Honest. This word comes to me every single day. Healing deeper wounds and understanding the power of full belief and full trust that all is well!
Lets break down T.R.U.S.T
T – Truthful – Belief in the Quality of the reliability, of what YOUR truth is and aligning with that! Can you stand in your power and your truth? Do you have any demons that need to be cleared – this is huge to move forward!
R – Respect – Valuing yourself, and others’ feelings, rights and traditions. Do you respect yourself first? Do you have the discipline and understanding to know what you need and what respect means to you.
U – Understanding – Taking the Time to know something or someone in depth – How do you integrate IN your life
S – Spirituality – Mature Selfless Love with Compassion, Gratitude, Forgiveness and Humility. Spirituality is beyond thinking of a church or religion. Many do align with God or the Universe. BEing in touch with your soul.
T – Thriving – Flourishing and Successful. When all is aligned, success is present – we thrive, you get to define what success means to you!
It seems to blend the idea of living authentically with the concept of treating one’s life as a form of art. If you’re looking for ways to explore or discuss this concept, here are some ideas and points that might be relevant:
Understanding Authenticity
Definition: Authenticity means being true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character, despite external pressures.
Personal Expression: Emphasizes expressing one’s true self and values, rather than conforming to societal expectations.
Living as Art
Creative Self-Expression: Approaching life with creativity, seeing everyday experiences as opportunities for artistic expression.
Mindfulness and Presence: Being present and mindful in each moment, much like an artist is absorbed in their craft.
Practical Tips for Living Your Life as Art
Self-Reflection: Regularly reflect on your values, passions, and goals. Journaling or meditating can help clarify what authenticity means to you.
Embrace Vulnerability: Be open about your true self, even if it means being vulnerable. This can lead to deeper, more meaningful connections.
Pursue Passion Projects: Engage in activities that inspire and fulfill you, whether they’re related to art, hobbies, or personal growth.
Design Your Life: Make choices that align with your true self. This might involve setting boundaries, pursuing new interests, or changing your environment.
Potential Discussion Points with Pam
Personal Stories: Share personal experiences about moments when living authentically felt like creating art.
Challenges and Rewards: Discuss the challenges of staying true to oneself and the rewards of living authentically.
Practical Exercises: Explore exercises or practices that help individuals discover and express their true selves.
As a visual person, this is what I envision coming out of of the past 4 years of our life. Coming out of the weeds, 2 steps forward and at times 1 step back.
Living “out of the weeds” can be a metaphor for stepping away from the complications and distractions in your life to focus on what really matters. It’s about clearing away the clutter—both physical and mental—so you can live more intentionally and with greater clarity.
Here are a few steps to help you achieve this:
Identify the Weeds: Take stock of the areas in your life where you feel bogged down. These could be unnecessary obligations, toxic relationships, or habits that don’t serve you well.
Prioritize What Matters: Focus on your core values and long-term goals. What are the things that genuinely bring you fulfillment and joy?
Simplify and Declutter: Remove or minimize distractions and complications. This might mean organizing your space, simplifying your schedule, or letting go of commitments that no longer align with your goals.
Set Boundaries: Clearly define and maintain boundaries to protect your time and energy. This can involve saying no to things that don’t align with your priorities or learning to manage your time more effectively.
Practice Mindfulness: Stay present and aware of your thoughts and feelings. This helps you stay connected to what’s important and avoid getting lost in the minutiae of everyday life.
Seek Balance: Strive for a balanced life where work, relationships, and personal time are harmonized. Balance helps prevent one area of your life from overshadowing the others.
Reflect and Adjust: Regularly take time to reflect on your progress and make adjustments as needed. This ensures that you’re continually aligning your actions with your goals.
By living out of the weeds, you create space for growth and clarity, allowing you to navigate life with a renewed sense of purpose and direction.
After a heart full weekend, I was excited to download my photos. Its such a gift for me to BE in the moment and also capture to create memories. Before I downloaded the images I noticed a beautiful swarm of bees on the hydrangea trees.
I grabbed my camera, threw my 100mm macro lens on and went out to see what I could capture. As I was watching them all flying from bloom to bloom, I could feel myself becoming frustrated – “to get the shot”. I took a deep breath, as resistance simply causes more resistance, whereas BEing in FULL Trust and knowing… can create magic!
Had I sat in resistance and allowed frustration to take over my energy, I would have missed this incredible shot. The universe is always directing me in the most perfect directions, when I lean in and listen with full trust and gratitude!
Building meaningful connections in your life is akin to crafting a rich, vibrant artwork. Just as an artist integrates relationships and themes to add depth and color to their work, you can weave connections and experiences into your life to create a fuller, more enriched existence. Here’s how you can foster these connections:
Cultivate Deep Relationships:
Invest Time and Effort: Spend quality time with the people who matter to you. Invest in relationships through shared experiences, meaningful conversations, and active listening.
Be Present: Engage fully in interactions with others. Put away distractions and focus on the present moment to build stronger, more genuine connections.
Expand Your Social Circle:
Seek New Connections: Explore opportunities to meet new people through hobbies, events, or community activities. Each new relationship can bring unique perspectives and experiences into your life.
Diverse Interactions: Connect with people from different backgrounds and cultures. This diversity adds richness to your experiences and broadens your understanding of the world.
Build Shared Experiences:
Create Memories Together: Engage in activities that create lasting memories with others, whether it’s traveling, volunteering, or simply spending time on shared interests.
Celebrate Milestones: Recognize and celebrate important events and achievements in your and others’ lives. Shared celebrations strengthen bonds and add joy to your relationships.
Foster Authentic Connections:
Be Genuine: Show your true self in your relationships. Authenticity fosters trust and deeper connections, allowing you to form bonds based on who you really are.
Encourage Openness: Create an environment where others feel comfortable sharing their true selves. Open communication and vulnerability are keys to strong, meaningful relationships.
Learn and Grow from Relationships:
Reflect on Interactions: Consider how your relationships impact your growth and vice versa. Each connection can teach you something about yourself and others.
Adapt and Evolve: Be open to changing dynamics and evolving relationships. Growth and change in your connections can lead to richer and more fulfilling interactions.
Contribute to Others:
Offer Support and Kindness: Be there for others in times of need. Acts of kindness and support strengthen relationships and build a sense of community.
Share Your Passions: Share your interests and passions with others. This not only enriches your interactions but also allows you to connect on a deeper level through shared enthusiasm.
By weaving these practices into your life, you create a tapestry of relationships and experiences that add depth and vibrancy, much like the diverse elements that bring a piece of art to life. Each connection and experience contributes to a richer, more colorful existence.
Embracing growth involves seeing challenges and failures as integral parts of your development, similar to how an artist refines their craft through practice and experimentation. Here’s how you can adopt this mindset:
Reframe Challenges:
View Obstacles as Learning Opportunities: When faced with difficulties, ask yourself what you can learn from the experience. Each challenge offers insights that can contribute to your personal and professional growth.
Shift Perspective: Instead of seeing setbacks as failures, view them as stepping stones on your journey. This mindset helps you stay motivated and resilient.
Embrace Failure:
Normalize Failure: Understand that failure is a natural part of any growth process. Even successful individuals face setbacks; what matters is how you respond to them.
Analyze and Reflect: After a failure, take time to reflect on what went wrong and why. Use this analysis to make informed adjustments and improvements.
Cultivate a Growth Mindset:
Believe in Development: Adopt the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed with effort and perseverance. This mindset encourages continuous learning and resilience.
Celebrate Effort and Progress: Recognize and celebrate the effort you put into overcoming challenges, not just the end results. This reinforces the value of persistence and hard work.
Seek Feedback and Adapt:
Ask for Feedback: Invite constructive feedback from others to gain different perspectives on your performance and areas for improvement.
Be Open to Change: Use feedback to adapt your strategies and approaches. Flexibility and openness to change are key to ongoing growth.
Set Incremental Goals:
Break Down Goals: Divide larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks. This makes the process less overwhelming and allows for incremental progress and learning.
Adjust as Needed: Regularly assess your progress and adjust your goals and methods based on what you’ve learned along the way.
Reflect on Growth:
Track Your Progress: Keep a journal or log of your experiences, challenges, and the lessons learned. Reflecting on this record can highlight your growth and reinforce your commitment to development.
Acknowledge Achievements: Take time to acknowledge and celebrate your successes and progress, no matter how small. This reinforces your growth journey and keeps you motivated.
By approaching challenges and failures with a mindset of growth and learning, you can continually refine and develop your skills, just like an artist perfecting their craft. This perspective not only helps you overcome obstacles but also enriches your personal and professional life.
Embracing authenticity is about being true to yourself and allowing your genuine self to be present in all aspects of your life. Here’s how you can cultivate and express authenticity:
Know Yourself:
Self-Reflection: Spend time reflecting on your values, passions, strengths, and weaknesses. Understand what drives you and what makes you unique.
Accept Yourself: Embrace all aspects of who you are, including your imperfections. Self-acceptance is the foundation of authenticity.
Be Honest:
Speak Your Truth: Communicate openly and honestly with others. Share your thoughts, feelings, and opinions, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Stand by Your Principles: Make decisions that align with your core values, even if they go against popular opinion or are challenging.
Express Yourself:
Show Your True Colors: Whether in your personal life or professional settings, let your unique personality shine through. Don’t conform to others’ expectations at the expense of your own identity.
Be Creative: Use your creativity to express your individuality. This could be through art, writing, fashion, or any other form of self-expression.
Build Genuine Relationships:
Connect Deeply: Seek out relationships where you can be yourself fully. Surround yourself with people who appreciate and encourage your authentic self.
Be Vulnerable: Allow yourself to be open and vulnerable with others. Authentic relationships are built on trust and genuine connection.
Align Actions with Beliefs:
Practice Consistency: Ensure that your actions reflect your beliefs and values. Authenticity involves living in a way that is consistent with who you are, both in private and in public.
Integrate Values: Incorporate your values into your daily actions and decisions. This creates a sense of coherence and integrity in your life.
Embrace Growth:
Evolve Authentically: As you grow and change, let your authenticity evolve as well. Being true to yourself doesn’t mean being static; it means being honest about who you are at any given moment.
Learn and Adapt: Be open to learning about yourself and adapting your self-expression as you gain new insights and experiences.
By embracing authenticity, you create a life that is true to who you are, fostering genuine connections and a sense of fulfillment. It’s about living in alignment with your true self and allowing that self to shine through in all that you do.
