
Well hello there and welcome to Day #2 of the Blog Love Affair!! Whahoooo!
First of all THANK YOU for all the sweet comments yesterday. I didn’t even consider the ripple effect this little love affair might inspire, but I am so stoked to hear that some of you might join me in re-igniting your blogging relationships. Gotta love the inspiration train!
So. I found it really interesting to witness my wild people-pleasing imagination trying to come up with all kinds of clever things I could write about here today. After concocting very elaborate and amazing plans, I would eventually notice that I was doing this AGAIN, and each time I had to shake off my desire to plot and plan (and worry). I realized (big time!) that it was all about LOOKING GOOD. Ugh. Not the thing I really want to admit, but pretty much the truth when I get down to the basic core issue of why I have been avoiding writing these posts in the first place. Well, I’m sure there’s some other factors involved such as my blocks around speaking my truth, etc. (geez, that’s a whole different post), but perhaps all these issues are just different sides of the same coin?
I’m pretty sure I’m onto something here…and wow, it’s only day two.
The other major realization I had today (as if realizing my core desire of needing to look good was not enough…ha) was how much I freaking love to ride my bike…a little bit more of a light-hearted realization! It’s not that my love of bike riding is new information (I have been a bike rider my whole life), but today I realized how this simple choice of riding my bike instead of driving my car has the power to turn a somewhat ordinary day of errands into a BIKE ADVENTURE. It slows me down, puts the wind in my face, saves me gas and parking stress, gets my heart rate elevated and allows me to move fluidly through the city.
From the perspective of my bicycle, everything felt a bit magical out there today. The fact that it was literally raining flower petals here in Portland certainly added to the magical vibes, but it was more than that. Maybe it’s just the Springtime energy? Maybe it’s just ME? I’m not really interested in questioning why the day felt amazing. I’d rather just languish in the goodness of it, knowing full well this is not how everyday feels.
I suppose my errands were not exactly typical or boring either. My first stop was at my energy healer’s office where I painted a gold tree on her bathroom wall. We trade energy work (she is seriously one of my angels) for art. Kinda of a win/win situation in my opinion. Here’s a little bit of the tree—hard to get the full shot in the tiny bathroom, but you get the idea.
Second stop was to get my hair cut—a ritual I always enjoy. I tipped my beloved hairdresser, Jen, with a copy of my book today and I think I might have made her day. I love when it’s that easy.
From there it was over the bridge (again…so much more fun on a bike than in a car) to the bank and then back over the bridge to my first ever rolfing experience. Have you ever done this?! It’s a type of massage that is all about myofascial release and structural integration. I’ve been wanting to check it out for years and today was the day. I gotta say, it was interesting. It was not about relaxation AT ALL and it actually kinda of hurt, but I do feel pretty amazing now as I’m sitting up tall typing this. I might even go back for more.
And, now…I have a date. Yes, a date with a guy. Perhaps you’ve noticed that I never ever write about my romantic life online? Hmmmm? I think it might be time to change that. Let’s just say, I think my next book might be called, Brave Intuitive Dating. Ha ha. Wish me luck.
Alright. That’s it folks. My first official blog post where I simply talk about my everyday life. My “trying to look good” self hopes you were not bored with this, but I think I’m going to choose to exhale that worry right on out of my body and carry on.
God, that feels good.
Much love.
xo flora
The magic is when you stop trying to look good, that’s when you really shine. xo
What a great idea !
I know I’m thoroughly going to enjoy your chatter !!!!
You always inspire me!!
~Bee
I used to trade piano lessons for massage. Love that you’re doing this too, Flora! It’s so rewarding. I don’t know why we are interested in each other’s lives but we are! Job well done. My husband is an avid bike rider, too:)
Good ole honest sharing from the heart connects us to ourselves and you are doing that AND you are aware of the patterns running in your head, that run in all our heads. Pleasure to read about it and thanks for sharing so deeply on JUST day two.
Such a beautiful post – thanks for sharing your day. And if you can blog everyday, I can comment everyday. Go Flora!
good luck with your date!
xo
Riding bikes are so good for you and the environment. I thought about getting a bike to go around (e.g. grocery shopping etc.) but then ditched that idea because it is way too hot and the sun way too much for bike riding in Sydney.
Flora you are awesome! It is lovely to really get to meet you! I am just starting a blog and I am going to face my fears too about showing my true self! Not just all the pretty stuff I want people to see! Authenticity is just so much more refreshing and relatable! Like Brene Brown says what the world needs now is for all of us to be vulnerable because that’s where all the beauty in life resides! Love this! 🙂
I can see I am going to LOVE reading your blog! I love your open and honest sharing! Up until now, you were a well-known and successful artist in my mind. Now we get to see that you are also a real person with real vulnerabilities! So cool. Hoping and praying I get to take one of your workshops someday!! You are awesome!
Loved reading this blog – I’d like to know more about energy healing – and I would so so love to ride a bike again and feel the freedom that it gives one. Hope you have fun on your date tonight……….
I call my bike my Freedom Flying Machine. A bit of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a dash of a Nimbus 2000 to send me soaring along the bike track where I live.
i totally get what you’re saying…to put ourself out there on blogs is scary…and to be real is even scarier! oxoxo
thank you for being real always…
This post has made me want to buy a bike…I can just imagine you riding around all over the city spreading colour like an exotic bird, would love to see some pics of that 🙂
Awesome. Love this blog love affair. Thanks for being real.
I knew it I knew it ❤ I felt it from the beginning YOU ARE IN LOVE writing like that just brings the message out.
I wish you the best of luck, enjoy every moment of it.
Love affairs in different levels
The more you write, the more the performance anxiety aspect will lessen….. you intuitively knew your best therapy 🙂
Hope yo have a wonderful time tonight!
<3 your ramblings. 🙂 And you are beautiful! Good luck on your date. 🙂
Reading and rooting for you. Life is good. Painting, writing, moving, traveling… food for the soul.
Hi Flora,
I just love your book! Wrote a wee bit of a post about it today on my blog http://www.aninquisitivekat.blogspot.com. Looking forward to hearing more about your adventures.
All my Best,
kat
Love it! Love the honesty and the details of your day to day life {I always like to know what other people do and how they do it}. Really looking forward to the rest of the month. 🙂
Completely understand the “wild people-pleasing imagination”! And I always feel closer to the world from the seat of a bicycle. Pedal Power!
Thanks for sharing your realness. You’re an inspiration! 🙂
Loved reading this post Flora, loved reading about the different exchanges of energy going on. Think I have fallen in love with the tree you painted!
Yes, the wanting to look good struggle. Wanting to write a blog people will like because they will like it rather than it being about me, or you. It’s a blog challenge. You’re getting it.
I am so glad you decided to do this! It’s making me want to start a blog… Anyway, I hope you’re enjoying writing it as much as I’m enjoying reading it.
Hi Flora,
I took your workshop in Malibu. (Nov of 2011, I think) I loved it!!! It was so inspiring to be with you in person. You created this loving, creative enviornment that was peaceful and relaxing yet also had an electricity to it that anything was possible. It was an amazing space to learn in and to create in. Maybe you will remember me. You had us painting around the room and I tripped, dropping my baking sheet palette with a huge clatter onto the linoleum floor and then proceeded to fall down. So embarrassing!! But you were so kind… you gave me a hug and didn’t pull away as you noticed the tear trickling down my cheek. I did have a great weekend and I learned so much. I come back to your blog to get a little taste of that magic I experienced in Malibu. The authenticity of who you are, the boldness of your colors. It doesn’t have to be perfect. As you shine your amazing light, you give others permission to do the same. Thank you for the ways you let us into your world thru your painting, your book, your teaching and your blog! Love to you, Heidi
Flora – It makes me giddy you remember me. Thank you!!! Keep doing what you are doing. You are an inspiration.
Oh i love this – just getting a glimpse into your life and not just the big wonderful painting moments and successes. Thank you for embarking on this 30 day challenge and sharing it with us. I am just catching up on some blog reading today and loving it. Thinking i am feeling in a bit of a blog-writing slump myself and what a lovely idea this is. x