Phoenix in Paris
Musings from my time living in Paris
-
Phoenix in Paris
I lived in Paris during a very difficult transitional period of my life. I began a blog to share my thoughts (as well as some local destinations I liked). I’m re-sharing some of those posts here; please be advised that many of the themes are more mature in content than elsewhere on my website. About: Growth, expansion, development ~ and Paris. Author: I love to learn, ask questions, explore things from different perspectives, and reflect. Pheonix photo credit
-
On Human Dignity and Shared Experiences
I had afternoon tea yesterday. I had afternoon tea with a stranger. I met this stranger because I had afternoon tea yesterday at Patisserie Valerie, where tea is only served for two, in St. Pancras International Railway Station. Because the seating area at Patisserie Valerie is open to the rest of the station, I shared afternoon tea for two with a stranger who was asking customers for spare change. I shared tea because my heart was softened when the woman my stranger first approached shared some of her money with her and treated her with kindness; and because I am learning to listen to my intuition and to not be…
-
I am more…
… than just a paycheck; or a vagina; or a uterus. I am more. I am responsible for my effort and my attitude. Beyond that, there is little I can “control.” My worth is more than the luck I have with “succeeding” in a career that is valued monetarily. I have worth even if I fail at every career. I am more than a vagina. I am worthy of love, even if I cannot give you sex; or sex that meets your standards. I deserve intimacy. I am more than a baby-making machine. My worth is not dependent on the number of children I have; or don’t have. I believe…
-
Healing through Yoga // Affordable Yoga & Fitness, Paris
I’m overhauling my life. This choice was not entirely voluntary and comes with a great deal of pain; yet I feel incredibly grateful to have to the opportunity I do right now to grow. Every day I am bombarded with new ideas and perspectives that challenge old beliefs and allow me to view the world, and myself, in a different way – to reflect and delve deeper into my being, if I only choose to allow myself to be open and vulnerable. To be a phoenix. And yes… this is often overwhelming. Yoga is one of the “constants” I’m clinging to. The physical benefits seem minor compared to the inner peace and calm…
-
Compliments That Aren’t About Physical Appearance
I struggle with linking my own self-worth to external achievements and other people’s opinions. It’s so important to recognize (and praise) your unique internal qualities and character; things that aren’t dependent on outside conditions. Thanks to Dorkchops for sharing this list of lovely compliments that are more than just skin-deep. “A lot of the time we get complimented on the way we look and we start to think that it’s the most valued quality about ourselves but it’s important to notice how skilled we are and how empowered we are as individuals. I found this list below that has a number of compliments we can start using that focus on how great…
-
Pain au chocolat – Boulangerie Thevenin (6th arrondissement)
It’s hard to go wrong with breads/pastries/viennoiseries in Paris (it’s like pizza: even if you get a bad one, it’s still decent), but Boulangerie Thevenin is my current neighborhood favorite for pain au chocolat. One HUGE flaky, buttery, chocolaty treat will run you 1,25 € – the best bang for your buck I’ve seen in the area. Conveniently located by the Saint-Placide metro (line 4) in the 6th arrondissement, it’s a great place to stop for a treat before visiting the Jardin du Luxembourg or wandering around Montparnasse 🙂 Phoenix photo credit: https://wall.alphacoders.com/big.php?i=104284 #bakery #boulangerie #food #JardinduLuxembourg #Montparnasse, #PainauChocolat #Paris #SaintPlacide #Thevenin #Viennoiserie
-
Doctorates, Down-Dogs and the Challenge of Self Talk (Guest Post)
This blog is new to me – but I find this post incredibly applicable! I have been practicing yoga on-and-off for the past year and notice remarkable differences in my mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing when I practice consistently – which is why I’m currently prioritizing it as part of my “life reorganization” (more on that later). I look forward to reading more from Fit Is a Feminist Issue! “The day I submitted my PhD dissertation was also my 95th day of a self-imposed 100 day yoga challenge. I had never intended to complete both tasks in such quick succession. Indeed, the fact that I actually completed either task at all…
-
What is Art?
Art is anything that speaks to our soul. Art is the tangible representation of the language of the soul. Art is how one’s soul communicates with the world; a mystical thread that connects us – to each other; to something greater than or different from or outside of ourselves. It is beauty; simplicity; complexity; diversity. Art teaches us something. Beautiful, painful, necessary lessons. Art is a way to share emotions and experiences, while still each experiencing something unique and personal and individual. Art is nature; sound; picture; sensation. Perhaps the truest art is not man-made; it is what exists naturally, but that so few notice. Artists bridge the gap between seen…
-
Process, Not Results
Why do we focus so much on results? This morning as I painted my nails, I found myself impatient with needing to apply several coats of this particular polish for full coverage, and thinking about brands that claim to only need 1 coat… which reminded me of this post on a friend’s blog about nail polish toxicity. I don’t have any real idea what is in this stuff that I regularly slap on my body to “enhance” it. And I don’t have any idea what happens to a formula when it’s modified to need only one coat, or dry more quickly, or not chip, for my convenience. How is that achieved? What…
-
A little philosophy, courtesy of “The School of Life”
I started reading L’étranger (The Stranger) by Albert Camus after discussing a passage from it in my French course. Yesterday, this video on Camus popped up in my e-mail, from The School of Life’s YouTube channel, which I subscribe to and highly recommend. Favorite takeaway this morning: enjoying the magnificence of this life instead of pining for another one (i.e., heaven). That led me to Michel de Montaigne, “Camus’ favorite philosopher,” according to The School of Life. Though some of his ideas are not unfamiliar to me, I haven’t read any of his works (yet!), and I’m very intrigued by this introduction. Some ideas that resonated: authenticity – value and pursue what is useful/appeals to you; value your own mind; recognize…
