If money were no object

One of the most fun discussions people often get into is the fantasy of “what would you do if you won the lottery tomorrow?"

It usually escalates quickly and people get more and more creative and detailed in their plans as they talk about it.

I find it to be a way in which people reveal their true values.

via a well traveled woman

Would you first:

• Instantly go buy a luxury car or mansion?
• Throw an insane party?
• Buy a plane ticket to somewhere exotic?
• Round up your friends for a trip to Vegas?
• Take you family out for a fancy meal?
• Walk into your favourite charity with a big cheque?

What would your long term plans look like if money was no object?

It’s always fun to think about.

Personally, I know if I won the lottery I would instantly:

•  Hand over a big chunk to my family to make sure they were completely taken care of.
•  Grab my passport and disappear for an around the world trip.




Willem de Kooning's Studio

Long term I would:

• Not want a big house (no matter how much money I had) just have a couple small condos here and there to touch base at between trips.
• Have a beautifully renovated airstream trailer and take as many road trips across North America as I’d like.
• Have as many creative outlets as possible. I would have a studio (larger than my own living space) to use as a creative space for myself and friends to work on whatever projects floated their boats. Things such as music, painting, textiles, pottery, circus arts etc.
• Do careful research and get involved in reliable charities for environmental and wildlife conservation as well as human rights. I would try and make a real difference in the world.
• Eat ridiculously well and buy organic and locally whenever possible.
• Support small local businesses and artisans.
• Make sure everything in my homes had a story and was not from a big box store.
• Seek as much adventure as possible.

Once you have your ultimate list it becomes pretty clear what your dreams really are.

So ask yourself “what would you do if money was no object?”

Now that you have identified those values and objectives, scale back a bit to see how you could implement those things into your regular non-lottery winning life.

love & light

-Katie

Act like a kid. It might do you some good.

via babynameslog.com

I think we should all make more of an effort to embrace our inner child.

As we grew we were all taught to follow rules and try and "fit in".

Between childhood and adulthood we've all squashed down so many traits that we should really be trying to cultivate.


Consider the following:

• Kids don't hate, they are taught too
• Kids are curious and follow the urge to explore
• Kids aren't self conscious 
• Kids marvel at the wonders of the world
• Kids dance the way they want to
• Kids colour outside of the lines
• Kids dress how they want because they thinks its pretty or interesting. Not because it's trendy
• Kids like to build and take things apart to learn how they work
• Kids aren't afraid to show love and will give hugs without worrying about what it looks like
• Kids like to create for the sake of creating



via thesavvyphotographerblog.com

• Kids aren't afraid of getting messy and understand that dirt won't hurt you
• Kids will sing along to songs without fear of judgement
• Kids use their imagination
• Kids can play by themselves without fear of missing out
• Kids question the "rules" and always ask "why?"
• Kids value experiences and seek out fun
• Kids respect animals
• Kids think nature is cool
• Kids don't count calories
• Kids don't sugar coat their truth

So take a moment. 

Remember what it was like and how happy you would be if you still acted that way. 

Maybe we should all let our inner child out to play every once in a while.

love & light

-Katie

Spring is nature’s way of saying “lets party!” - Robin Williams

Well everybody it's been a long winter but yesterday was officially the first day of spring. 

(even though the snow is still in the process of melting)

I am starting to get really excited because as we all know Spring is basically just the segue to Summer!

I have always been a summer gal. I love nothing better than the warm glow of the sun on my face.

So with the warmer weather on the horizon I thought it would be fitting for today’s post to be my Summer 2015 to-do list!

• Meditate outdoors as much as possible
• Go stand up paddle boarding
• Hike the Bruce trail
• Go camping
• Do yoga in the park
• Have a barbeque with my friends
• Walk all the way down to the lake from my apartment
• Fly a kite
• See a movie at the drive-in
• Go berry picking
• Paint/ do an outdoor art project
• Have a picnic
• Go skinny dipping
• Get tanned
• Take a road trip somewhere just to eat something weird
• Go for a really long bike ride
• Have a nap on a blanket and figure out what each cloud secretly looks like
• Master the art of skipping rocks
• Have a pool day complete with pool noodle war and cannon ball competition
• Have a silly summer themed photo-shoot with my best girlfriend
• Experiment with as many different summer salads as possible
• Go kayaking
• Get ice cream from a truck

I encourage you to make you use your imagination and come up with your own summer to-do list! 

Dreaming of those warm days will really get your spirits up! 

love & light

-Katie

Don't settle for any less than good vibes.

Lately I have been reflecting on the shift in my social life.

I used to be what some may refer to as “the life of the party” or a “social butterfly”.

 I was gregarious and loud and could make a friend wherever I went and was proud of that fact.

I used to surround myself with as many people as possible just for the sake of not being alone. If I was not out on a Friday night doing SOMETHING then I felt that I must be missing out on something. At that time I was terrified of being lonely because it meant I had to be alone with myself, a person that I did not really like or care to get to know very well.

Because of this I maintained relationships with people that I did not necessarily connect with on a genuine level. I had a small group of true close friends and an enormous group of friend/acquaintances. I remember turning 21 and having 50+ people show up at my party, all of whom I knew but I can now, 4 years later, count on my hands how many of whom I have remained in contact with.

Over the last couple of years I have made a real conscience effort to get to know myself better.

I have come to appreciate myself and truly enjoy being alone.

This has been a catalyst for my much more selective view on relationships and for letting many friendships drift away.

I realized that unless I can connect with someone on all levels authentically then there is no point in keeping them in my life. This does not mean that I don’t like that person or they have necessarily done anything “wrong”. I would just rather be alone enjoying “me time” than force an interaction that does not resonate on multiple levels.

I recently came across a quote that really embodies how I have been feeling about the changing dynamics of my interactions with others.

“I no longer have the energy for meaningless friendships, forced interactions or unnecessary conversations.

If we don’t vibrate on the same frequency there’s just no reason for us to waste our time.

I’d rather have no one and wait for substance than to not feel someone and fake the funk.”

― Joquesse Eugenia

This is now the only way I know how to live my life happily. It has resulted in my friend group shrinking in size but growing in value and authenticity.

I guess this is all just part of growing older, wiser, learning about yourself and becoming more selective in who you share you life with.

I am valuable. My time and love (just like everyone else’s) is precious. For this reason I choose not to waste it on people or in circumstances in which it will not truly be appreciated. Anything short of a real connection is disingenuous and is disservice to yourself and to others.

Be you.

Surround yourself with people who appreciate you and see you for who you are.

love & light

-Katie