Love Token 32 - Massage for a fight vs. flight

If you got 'em use 'em.

I have coverage for massages under my benefits and by golly I am planning to use them up before the end of the year.

My sympathetic nervous system gave up on me this year - lets just say I handle stress internally, even though on the outside I think everything is hunky dory.

Meanwhile, like an snippet from Osmosis Jones my insides were going bazerk this past year and inevitably a war was going on, and my adrenal glands pumped all they could until they looked at each other and said "lets get the heck out of here" hence "FLIGHT" and took a first class ticket on flight sympathetic nervous system airlines, instead of putting on the boxing gloves and "FIGHTING" it out.

Meh, it happens...and now I know my body's limits....so this past year (as you know) I have really been interested in learning the whole mind and body balance, and what your body is trying to tell you through it's actions (very interesting). I have got various perspectives from my GP, naturopath, RMT, facialist, dietician, etc., and I feel much more informed...so at least it has been a good learning experience.

Either way - the last bit of balancing myself back out will be these massages and hopefully everything will be back to normal and the universe of Melissa will be a content state of chi.

And who knows, maybe next time, I will be more prepared and the boxing gloves can go on instead...

xo

M

The Power of Love

Love Token 31 - Winter Sweetness

I usually do not place myself in one box:

For example:
"YES" I am a person who likes sweets
"YES" I am a person who likes salty
"YES" I am a person who likes savoury

I am a person who LOVES food. Which is why my curiousity of the food industry has grown.

But when that barometer drops, my sweet tooth dominates the food spectrum and the idea of cookies, chocolate, fudge, cupcakes, cake etc float through my mind in a euphoric dance.

So I will succumb to the temptation but in moderation of course...because really - it is declicious and what else do you have to do in the winter?

xo
M

Love Token 30 - Food Inc.

It is no secret that I have become very curious/concerned/passionate about food products in general and the industry that manages (ahem controls/monopolizes) it.

I am not going to get into all my detailed beliefs, but I think awareness of what you are putting into your body and knowing where it came from, how it was created/produced, is something the human race cannot be ignorant towards.

Food Inc. is an incredible documentary that highlights the food industry in the States.

Go watch it, judge for yourself and remember the act of eating is the most "intimate" thing you do with your body --- you are ingesting. digesting and nourishing your body --- so why such a disconnect and lack of regard for what we eat... interesting concept ... and it (as always) stems from $$$.

Food Inc. will be out on DVD very soon.

Food is wonderful, and we are LUCKY to have such a wide array of what it can offer, so do not take advantage, appreciate it and just BE AWARE...

xo
M

Let the love rain down

Kindness

Love Token 29 - Little Bits of Beauty Blog

Daily Bits of Beauty via http://www.dailybitsofbeauty.com/ is a great concept and a great blog.

It has so many inspirational and uplifting quotes and imagery.

Go explore - have fun - get lost in love...

xo
M

The essence of kindness...

All you need is love...

True Love

What most people need to learn in life

is how to LOVE people and use things
instead of using people and loving things.”

- unknown

Love Token 28 - Nana's embrace

Two Sunday's ago, my family celebrated my parents birthday at my (now) cousins home (former) grandparents house.

I love returning there, because memories of my childhood race back into my mind and I feel connected to my grandparents.

Just before the night came to an end my cousin grabbed me to show me something she came across.
We went upstairs to her bedroom and she pulled open a drawer and out came my Nana's change purse.

Flashes of memories came flooding in.

I closed my eyes and I am transported to:

• the corner grocery store where the old italian store owner flirts with my Nana as she digs for change to buy some big green grapes
• the used clothing store, where she carefully pulls out her bills and slowly unfolds them to make sure she hands over the correct currency (English not being her mother tongue)
• the main grocery store, where she clicks open one side of her change purse for exact change, the other side for bills
• me departing from her house every weekend, her pulling out a 5 dollar bill and shoving it in my hand with the fear of god pulsing through her eyes if I refuse

I am overwhelmed
I am emotional
I am happy to see it

My cousin could see it, and she gave me this touchstone that connects me to my Nana.

I love it, I touch it, I smell it... I feel connected to her spirit

The passing of this gift is priceless and I will look at my newest love token (not from me to me) but a part of my past, history, heritage to me... and I exhale and smile

xo
M

Love Token 27 - The ecstasy of the written word

It has this pull on me, I lose all forms of will power, I tell myself daily, I will not give in, I am in control of myself and no tangible object will ever take that strength away from me.

But yet the universe loves to humour me and sigh, I look to the right of my office, a second hand book store, I look to my left, a massive Chapters.

I

LOVE

BOOKS

It is my endorphin, happy button, de-stresser, de-toxifying, DE - everything LOVE.

I love the feel of a bookstore, the smell of bookstore, and even if I cannot buy a book due to my depleting income... I ensure to run my fingers ever so lightly over the book covers to show my love and appreciation for the written word.

The journey, exploration, adventure, call it story, a book takes you on, is intoxicating, it pulls you in and your imagine is excercised at it's primal peak (if you allow it).

A bookstore is my safe haven, I could get eaten up by it and lost in its bookshelves for hours in complete compliance and bliss.

So once again, I pay homage to my book gods/authors who allow me to indulge in my pleasure...and revel in what is True Love.

xo

M

Love Token 26 - Take good care of your eyes, you only have one set

Within the last month or so, I have impaired my vision. My corneas are scratched and my vision has equated to looking through a dirty beer glass.
The frustration of having impaired vision, is nothing like I have encountered.
We take the simplest things for granted and thus when they are taken away (whether temporarily or permanently) we do not realize the daily impact they have on our lives.

So my love token to myself - is appreciating my eyes, taking care of them, healing them and LOVING them when they fully return to a clearer looking glass

xo
M