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

Love Token 25 - Lunch in Paris

Today Vicky and I had a french themed lunch. We walked to a french decor/clothing store and then stopped in the best french cafe in the city.

Le Pain Quotidien.

If you have not gone yet - stop what your doing - GO now....when you walk in, it feels as if you left Canada and entered the sites and sounds of Southern France, the pastries, the croissants, the bistro caffiene, the "free" sample of pecan pie (to die for).

It unleashed a new set of endorphins I didn't even know I had.

Perfection, bliss and happiness --- check check check.

xo
M

Love Token 24 - Love thy hair

In the past few years, as part of my mind, body, spirit connection I have tried to really take care of my hair.

Natural products, no dye/bleach, no chemicals, less straightner/blowdryer.

Today is day 3 with out washing it -- and guess what? It is fine, happy and healthy.

So treating your hair well just like any other part of your body is key, great results do not happen in a day, month or even a year...but the rewards are priceless...which equals easier to manage to hair!!!

Thank you hair gods!!

xo
M

Love Token 23 - Reunions

This past weekend was great. I really had some GF bonding time. One of my best friends from Vancouver came back for the week, so we got to catch up and it was as if no time had passed.

I also had all my bridal party together for the first time in a while. We went out for brunch and then dress shopping. It was a real fun and bonding experience.

The variety of outings, the great talks, the different scenery that played to the background of this whole weekend was amazing.

Thanks girlies for a good time....always

xo
M

Love Token 22 - Spa day for Louis

Call me crazy, but I enjoy giving my dog a bath. It is hilarious and bonding at the same time.

There is a sense of vulnerability and trust a dog gives you when he lets you drench him in water and scrub the crap out of him.

I laugh when he shakes the suds off his fur and of course all over me, or when he dives in and out of his towel when trying to dry him.

So a strange love token maybe, but it turns out to be something we do together that I enjoy and takes the seriousness out of the day.

Thanks Lou-man for keeping me giggling always and for being such a character

xo
M

Love Token 21 - Reconnecting with lost connections

This Saturday the immediate family went to visit my Aunt Nancy on my Dad's side, whom we haven't had a chance to see in the last 15 years or so, due to certain circumstances.

However, love finds a way... true love is non-judging, forgiving and forward thinking.

It was as if we all saw one another yesterday...

We had a great time, good eats, lots of laughs and a looking glass into how our Aunt is doing now.

She is happy, she is loving life and was glad to share a Saturday for Thanksgiving with her brother and his family.

Sometimes people come in and out of your life for a reason, sometimes they never return, but if they do, savour those moments for what they are "now", who that person is "today" and enjoy your time together.

Spend time with your loved ones on special occassions who really appreciate your presence and vice versa.

Thanks Aunt Nancy, Hank and Shadow for a great thanksgiving at the cottage.

We all hope to do it sooner than later

xo
M

The Curse of being TOO critical in the Big Smoke

Maybe my patience has run out for the critical, judgmental and "all too knowing" individual's out there, or maybe I am just noticing more that people feel this false sense of entitlement to be so critical and judgmental towards others.

I support opinions and points of views, but personal distaste and dislike for a person who is inflicting no harm on themselves or others, but just views things through a slightly different "looking glass" is just plain shameful.

Now maybe I am being critical and judgmental (or ahem preachy)of these people, but I get this sense that Torontonians esp. Downtowners have this urge to try so hard to be something, anything, call it different, that instead of genuinely enjoying these qualities in others (which should be organic in nature), come out in a green eyed monster type of play.

Critisicm is good when it is constructive and meant to better a person you care about, criticism to display hurt out of jealousy or dislike, is not an admirable quality.

Love one another (the best you can), appreciate the differences, if something bothers you confront those issues, but realize not everyone in this world is going to agree with your point of view or even believe in it...and guess what?

That is okay.

xo
M

Love Token 20 - Knit Tastic

I have embarked on a journey to learn how to knit. Another talent to add on my resume of fulfilling my life.

As the winter season approaches, distractions are key from the cold weather.

There has been some general consensus across the board that knitting can be therapeutic.
The payment towards these 4 classes is a life investment.

If my first project is successful, I'll post a pic... stay tuned

Happy 140th Birthday Gandhi!!

Today marks the 140th birthday year for Gandhi.

Gandhi was born October 2nd 1869 in Porbandar, a small town on the west coast of India.
He died January 30th, 1948 at the age of 79.

I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.

Take a few moments out of your day today and refresh your memory on how powerful the act of nonviolence can be.

xo

M

Love Token 19 - Ok... "I do".

I decided to suck it up and go to the bridal show. To be honest those things creep me out. It is this crazy sense of wedding conformity that sucks all identity out what the celebration of two people should actually be.

But... they sometiems have some great free swag, so me and Sarah went to check it out.

It was a lot of what I feared, but we made the best of it and ended up having a great day together.

We went earlier in the day to a bridesmaid shop and Sarah turned into my model for dresses, she was great and we had a real riot.

It was my first official day actually going out and doing some wedding planning stuff since January, and it was fun because I had a great friend by my side.

Sometimes it is not what you do... but who you decide to do it with that can change the whole outlook of your day.

xo
M

Love Token 18 - Coffee, Pool and Drinks

Saturday was a day to enjoy birthdays past.

For brunch I took my sister to my favourite place in the city in little Italy that has the "best" coffee I have ever had. It also has a delicious and healthy menu. We caught up, exchanged stories and spent some quality time together.

Then i was off, to visit my good friend Donna and her kids. I visited her family, who I am very close with, she made me a belated birthday dinner and then we went out for drinks and played about a billion games of pool. For usually sucking at pool, I held up my own for the most part, which ended up being pretty fun!

I had a great time with those ladies, who I don't get to see too often, but cherish the times I do.
It is these efforts that keep me happy and content with my friends in life.

xo
M

Love Token 17 - Take me out to the ball game

This past Friday, Matt and I treated ourselves to $9.00 seats at the Blue Jay game, we grabbed beers (which were more expensive than the seats!) and some classic ballgame peanuts.

Ballgames are always good times and def a must to do at least once per year.

To me, I equate it with great childhood memories of me and my dad, going to the games with my baseball glove, score card and voice ready to heckle.

It is great to have those reminders of what feel good moments are like.

xo
M

Happy 48th Birthday Peace Corps!

1961 U.S.A.

Peace Corps Established 22nd September 1961 :

President John F. Kennedy signs legislation establishing the Peace Corps as a permanent government agency which could provide a new and unique weapon in the war against communism and reinvigorate U.S. foreign policy by improving the lives of people in less developed countries.

To find out more information visit

http://www.peacecorps.gov

Love Token 16 - Umbrella of Love

It was a busy week --- I loved me --- but didn't have a chance to record it all down and I have the worst memory...

My week summed up with these wonderful tokens:

• Started a great new novel
• Lunch with a girlfriend (all day breaky!)
• Went for a tan
• Got my hair trimmed and restyled
• Hung out with some lady friends for wine, book discussion and snackies
• Had engagement photos taken

All in all a great and wonderful week - no complaints, loved and surrounded myself with love... and I wish nothing less for everyone else.

xo
M

Love Token 15 - Love and Respect thy wallet

So the weekend of September 11/12/13th. I decided to not beat up my wallet anymore and stay in - catch up on my soap, do some laundry -- hang out with the animal kingdom and veg.

In the past 2 weeks I celebrated my annual holiday of "fall shopping", it is part of my belief system that you weed out your closet - pass those old and over used clothes to Good Will and fill your closet up with a few new trinkets .. just a few... plus it lets you realize clothes you already have that you forgot about.

Every fall I change the order of my closet - where things are positioned and lined up - so it makes me feel like my "whole" closet is new and fresh and fun ... that's what a girl on a budget who is paying down debt has to do...

But, I was happy with my "new closet" and some trinket fashion gems I picked up and let my wallet take a nap for the weekend... because really if my wallet had a nervous breakdown... I would be screwed...

Love thy wallet
Honour thy "real $" amount in your bank account
Respect the mantra of moderation

xo
M

Love Token 14 - Friendtime

So my beautiful and worldly good friend Laura came back to T.O for a visit, as she currently resides in Calgary.

I was fortunate enough to snag dinner and drinks with her, play some catch up and enjoy our time together, with giggles, antics and stories.

It is days like this when I refuse to make excuses for "not having the time" to see important people in my life.

I make the time, I cherish that time because we are only here for so long and you never know what tomorrow will bring.

Don't let those opportunties pass you by to absorb the awesomeness of your friends and to share moments together to stash in your memory banks.

It doesn't have to be grand and pricey - but just ensure it is quality at the very least.

Thanks Laura for the fun times - and looking forward to seeing you at Christmas

xo
M

Love Token 13 - Bloor West Village

My optimism - grew (slightly) for my current residence called "T.O", I entered new territory on Tuesday, September 8th 2009. I ventured to Bloor West Village.

Bloor West Village is amazing, a great vibe and I was still coasting from my Vit. D intake from the cottage - so lets just say "happy was the state of mind".

Bouncing from coffee shops, to stationary stores, to clothing stores, I enjoyed my me time and relished in a part of the city I have never been too.

Which is great about this city, it can always be full of surpises and you really can't be bored.

Bloor West Village reminded me a bit of gastown out west with a coolangatta oz vibe, if you will.

I am def. adding it to my list of fav. spots on the city.

1. College West/Queen West
2. The Beaches
3. Bloor West Village

I will relish in what this city has to offer while I am still here....

xo

M

Love Token 12 - Vitamin D - yes please!

So the sun gods were finally in my favour - as I was whisked away to a cottage for the labour day long weekend and had beautiful weather the whole time - there is nothing better than having the warmth of the sun hit your body and have the sound of water surrouding you completely.

That is my heaven - and as an added bonus, I look to my left and my best friend is right beside me, a beer in my hand, my dog lying at my feet and the love my life fishing right in front of me.

Bliss... can you picture it?

xo
M

I Heart LUSH

New to LUSH?

Our beliefs are at the heart of everything we do.

Use Fresh ingredients
Make Products By Hand
Protect The Planet
No Animal Testing
Support Our Community

Our Core Beliefs

We believe in making effective products from fresh, organic* fruit and vegetables, the finest essential oils and safe synthetics.

We invent our own products and fragrances. We make them fresh by hand using little or no preservative or packaging, using only vegetarian ingredients, and tell you when they were made.

We believe in buying ingredients only from companies that do not commission tests on animals and in testing our products on humans.

We believe in happy people making happy soap, putting our faces on our products and making our mums proud.

We believe in long candlelit baths, sharing showers, massage, filling the world with perfume and in the right to make mistakes, lose everything and start again.

We believe our products are good value, that we should make a profit and that the customer is always right.

* We also believe words like fresh and organic have honest meaning beyond marketing.

So it took me a while to get on this bandwagon, because my skin is so high maintenance I was afraid that I would have a reaction from LUSH, like I have had with the Body Shop in the past (minus those amazing body butters!).

And I have really tried to go more organic in my foods, sundries, lifestyle etc. in baby steps.

So in Vancouver visiting some friends, I timidly tipy toed into LUSH and bought two products...and I LOVE EM!

Then for my birthday two of my girlfriends bought me a whackload of LUSH products having no idea of my new love affair with it...and I was sold and in heaven.

LUSH is the first organic shampoo (and trust me... i have tried many) that leaves my hair feeling squeaky...yes squeaky clean, without a residue feeling.

So if you are intrigued by LUSH and haven't jumped on the bandwagon, take it from a person with extremely sensitive skin - it is worth it! (LUSH should make me their marketing person...)

This is a MUST DO FOR YOU

xo

M

Love Token 11 - SATC Season 4

Oh what the heck... what is Season 3 without a little Season 4.

Plus, Aidan is a STUD in season 4.

Enjoying my Sex & the City bubble

xo

M

The epidemic of being rude

In this day and age the escape outlets for interacting with others and the many technological walls that we are granted has lazied society's manners toward one another...and it's just plain obnoxious. You do not have to like everyone or agree with everyone, but you never need to be rude when trying to get your point across...

I feel one of the biggest social epidemic's is the lack of respect toward one another, which can spiral into bullying, hate, abuse, violence, war etc.

An excerpt from "Choosing Civility", from Dr. P.M Forni:

"When we slow down the pace of attention we do justice to life by taking it seriously. When we pay attention we do justice to the presence of others in our lives. Attention entails a transcending of the Self. Through it we confer value upon the lives of others. When I show you that you are worthy of my attention, I am acknowledging and honoring your worth.

Although attention is a reading of what is around us, it is also timely self-awareness. We want to be aware of how we are reacting to the circumstances at the very time we are reacting to them. We want to make sure that there is a good fit between how we feel and what we do. Somebody's words hurt us and we perceive a swell of outrage inside. Let's stop for a moment to pay attention to it. Is it warranted? Are we overreacting? Are we about to respond in a way we will soon regret?

Acknowledge others' existence, their importance to you, their feelings, and the things they do for you. Acknowledgment comes in many forms: remembering someone's name, paying a thoughtful compliment, summarizing what was just said for a newcomer to the conversation, holding a door open to let someone through, welcoming, thanking, and just plain saying hello."

"Every action done in company, ought to be with some sign of respect to those that are present."

—George Washington

xo

M

Love Token 10 - A healthy dosage of Carrie & Aidan

Treated myself to watching Season 3 of SATC all over again (for the bajillionth time)... I am always TEAM Aidan, because he is genuine, knows what he wants and offers ZERO bullshit.

Girls look for too much drama and let self absorbed, game playing guys put them down way too often... men should be like Aidan - always!

xo

M

The States got "something" right with the prison issue

Worth a look:

http://www.puppiesbehindbars.org/

This is a great program to help rehabilitate and bring back the concept of love to certain inmates and pass that love on to returned soldiers from Iraq

Since the past cannot be undone, at least this is an attempt to mend the future.

War does not determine who is right - only who is left (B. Russell)

Love Token 9 - Groovin to the tunes...

Enjoying the lyrical genius of Marvin Gaye, "What's Going On"

Mother, mother

There's too many of you crying

Brother, brother, brother

There's far too many of you dying

You know we've got to find a way

To bring some lovin' here today - Ya

Father, father

We don't need to escalate

You see, war is not the answer

For only love can conquer hate

You know we've got to find a way

To bring some lovin' here today

Picket lines and picket signs

Don't punish me with brutality

Talk to me, so you can see

Oh, what's going on

What's going on

Ya, what's going on

Ah, what's going on

In the mean time

Right on, baby

Right on

Right on

Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong

Oh, but who are they to judge us

Simply because our hair is long

Oh, you know we've got to find a way

To bring some understanding here today

Oh

Picket lines and picket signs

Don't punish me with brutality

Talk to me

So you can see

What's going on

Ya, what's going on

Tell me what's going on

I'll tell you what's going on - Uh

Right on baby

Right on baby

xo

M

Love Token 8 - Morning Bubble Bath Bliss

Today I woke up and treated myself to a nice relaxing bubble bath.

Took some time and unwound in the blissful bubbles.

Bubbles supplied by the oh so fabulous LUSH. Can products get any better than Lush? Not likely.

xo

M

Love Token 7 - I TAKE THE VOW

PEACE

LOVE

HAPPINESS

That is all I have been preaching in the last year or so...

sappy...

cheesy...

maybe...

but it is what I truly feel is necessary to achieve a sense of fulfillment in life.

One of the most inspirational people I have learned about is:

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

a.k.a

Mahatma Gandhi

I remember first being introduced to him as an adolescent and thinking ... this guy had it right ... the act of non-violence and peaceful resistance, showed me that "anything war can do, peace can do better".

I do not believe in violence, nor war, nor hate ... I have no use for it.

My love token to myself today was "taking the vow" through Deepak Chopra's movement via

http://itakethevow.com/en-US/home

If you are in agreement with what this website is trying to acheive... take the vow...be another addition to the world who believes in peace, happiness and love to get through life's trials and tribulations.

xo

M

Love Token 6 - Chillin out, relaxin and all that stuff

I am human

I get exhausted

I feel pain

I can reach a peak and/or a wall

I am not immune to the complexities of the world nor the obstacles it brings.

However, I always have a choice on how to embrace what life throws my way...and how i want to pitch it back into the atmosphere (aka karma?)

I realize my physical, emotional, mental, chi (etc.) limits and I am happy to take it easy, to relax, to let me body "wind down" ...

Which is different than being lazy... this is a choice to take it easy, not a lethargic ignorance to do nothing and plateau in motivation or drive...

So my latest love token -- is letting my body relax, recoup and enjoy the bliss of daydreaming and zoning out...

So here is to my brain nap... happy "zzz's"

xo

M

Lyrical Musings

If everybody is grateful, how come nobody's satisfied (Ryan Adams)

Appreciate life, what it offers you and what you can take from it - constantly wanting MORE for the sake of never being satisfied is an ugly and bad habit.