30 Days of Wonderful™ in December ~ Day 30

2012 by Ava

This evening was full of experiencing other parts of the planet. Exotic sounding songs kept playing on Pandora, and they brought me to images of a Middle Eastern outdoor market, with dates for sale, cloth hanging from the wood that makes up the stalls, and warm sand at my feet. If I ever feel cold, I’ve been known to put on music from India or Turkey to make me feel as though I’m in a warmer land.

 

I also went into coffee bliss over what is the 2^nd warm latte I’ve ever had in my life. Yes, it was my second. I haven’t ever acquired the coffee habit, and I coach clients away from drinking a drink that dehydrates us, acts as an addictive stimulant, and makes breath stink.

It was a small latte – only about a 3^rd of a cup size. It was decaf – regular caffeinated coffee makes me feel like I’m having a panic attack. It was fair trade and organic. The odd thing about this cup of coffee was that it was relaxing to me. I thought that coffee is supposed to make a person jittery and stressed afterward. Before I drank it, I told myself that every sip must be appreciated. I wanted to experience coffee for the pure pleasure of imagining myself in Italy, with a shot of espresso (something I’ve never had). I paused to breath deeply every time I drank.

A really good idea came to me as I was basking in that cup of coffee. I’m not ready to share it yet, but it will fit perfectly into my life if I choose to pursue it. I have been in what Abraham Hicks would call “the vortex,” where ideas surface with inspiration. I still don’t plan to order coffee when I go to a café on Saturday morning, and I won’t be buying beans and my own coffee machine anytime soon, but I may drink a cup once or twice a year if I can have that experience again.

 

Before bed, I also did a meditation to music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQA5gQQNkIo) where I felt myself on a quick bullet train speeding through the Swiss Alps. I felt what it is like to run down steep hills and then jump off of the mountains while attached to a hand glider. I gazed over the balcony of the Gimmelwald Mountain Hostel in the crisp air. I felt the shivering and enthralling speed that my life is moving at.

 

 

 

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About Ava Waits, HHC AADP

I am a Nutrition Mentor, Global Nutrition Concierge™, and the Founder of www.ParisianPicnics.com. Behind the scenes, you’ll find me reading personal growth books, basking in the bliss of life, eating quality food, and letting my dreams come true.
The “30 Days of Wonderful” project is a personal endeavor, and I feel compelled to share it publicly because of the life-changing success that I experienced during my first 30 days in the summer of 2011. One of my nutrition programs was also named in honor of this project.

 

© 2011 Ava Waits

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30 Days of Wonderful™ in December ~ Day 26, 27, 28 & 29

2011 by Ava

I’m selectively omitting several days and their details here, and this is why: My aim is to focus on the best parts of my life.

These few days have been a practice of keeping myself out of a dreary place. It happens to all of us, and for me, things have felt kind of “blah.” This post could be about everything that I didn’t enjoy, but that’s not the goal here. This 30 days is about what I do want to remember.

I am grateful for all of the skills I have gained along this journey, because I know what it takes to pull myself out of any dips. Music works for me, and so do walks. One of the best parts of this week was the amazing meal that celebrated the beginning of the New Year. It was nearly all raw, with crackers and goat cheese on the side. I’m stunned at how much raw food I can consume in one sitting, and I felt very content and energized after this dinner. I send my love to the beautiful women who were there to help me to appreciate and release 2011. I’m thrilled for 2012! It’s a big step for me to say that. About 5 years ago, I thought 2012 would mean the end of my life, but I’m so ready for this year now.

 

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About Ava Waits, HHC AADP

I am a Nutrition Mentor, Global Nutrition Concierge™, and the Founder of www.ParisianPicnics.com. Behind the scenes, you’ll find me reading personal growth books, basking in the bliss of life, eating quality food, and letting my dreams come true.
The “30 Days of Wonderful” project is a personal endeavor, and I feel compelled to share it publicly because of the life-changing success that I experienced during my first 30 days in the summer of 2011. One of my nutrition programs was also named in honor of this project.

 

© 2011 Ava Waits

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30 Days of Wonderful™ in December ~ Day 25

2011 by Ava

Merry Christmas!

My Christmas stocking is a foodie dream, with dried organic mango, organic honey, a pomegranate and a raw revolution chocolate bar.

Homemade gifts are so special to me, and I received many pieces of artwork today. My creative and whimsical Uncle gave me a painting that he named “Parisian Picnic.” It has a scene of people eating on the lawn in front of the Eiffel Tower, with fruit and drinks on the table, and cherry blossoms floating through the air. It’s exactly what I want to do with my clients, after we’ve toured the markets and health food stores in my favorite cities in Europe. The painting will go up near my bistro table desk as another reminder.

 

Another intention of coming to Vashon Island was to gather a bag of photos from one of my trips in Europe. I have always created large posters for my wall with photos and cut-outs from each of my trips abroad, and it’s time to do it for a trip in 2007. I also write reminders on these posters to flood my memory of funny events, stories of snakes eating baby hippos, an influential meal, and people who flowed into my life for just one memorable day or event. I would stay up right now and finish this poster, but I think that a cozy bed is calling.

 

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About Ava Waits, HHC AADP

I am a Nutrition Mentor, Global Nutrition Concierge™, and the Founder of www.ParisianPicnics.com. Behind the scenes, you’ll find me reading personal growth books, basking in the bliss of life, eating quality food, and letting my dreams come true.
The “30 Days of Wonderful” project is a personal endeavor, and I feel compelled to share it publicly because of the life-changing success that I experienced during my first 30 days in the summer of 2011. One of my nutrition programs was also named in honor of this project.

 

© 2011 Ava Waits

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30 Days of Wonderful™ in December ~ Day 24

2011 by Ava

The bus brought me to Vashon Island today, and I had time to be still, sit in meditation, listen to music, and shut my eyes while we drove up the freeway. That is one of the things that I appreciate most about being driven by someone else. It is the liminal time between leaving my home and doing what needs to be done. Walking between meetings is my time to listen to the one song that will put me in the best mood possible. Hopping on the shuttle bus in Olympia has turned into a sacred time, where I prefer to sit silently.

Today I had new music that I heard for the very first time, and I discovered more songs that give me the chills (in a good way). A man sat next to me for the bus ride. We had very little conversation, but he surprised me, because as he left, he wished me a “Merry Christmas” in French! How did he know that out of all of the people on the bus, I would most appreciate that gesture.

 

The largest realization I had on the ride today was that I am basing a current decision on an outdated reality. When I was about to leave for college, I decided to not own a car. I assumed that as a student, I would acquire a near minimum wage job (which is what I expected at the time). At 19 years old, I looked at the math, and didn’t think a car would be worth it. I told myself that the amount of time I would spend waiting for buses would be much less time than the amount of hours I would have to work each month at minimum wage to pay for keeping a car. It seemed smart to me at the time.

Now I don’t take home minimum wage, and I see that this math in my car decision is severely outdated. I’m still not sure that I actually want to own a car, but I’m so glad to have finally peeked through a blind spot in my own thinking.

 

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About Ava Waits, HHC AADP

I am a Nutrition Mentor, Global Nutrition Concierge™, and the Founder of www.ParisianPicnics.com. Behind the scenes, you’ll find me reading personal growth books, basking in the bliss of life, eating quality food, and letting my dreams come true.
The “30 Days of Wonderful” project is a personal endeavor, and I feel compelled to share it publicly because of the life-changing success that I experienced during my first 30 days in the summer of 2011. One of my nutrition programs was also named in honor of this project.

 

© 2011 Ava Waits

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30 Days of Wonderful™ in December ~ Day 23

2011 by Ava

I’m up late again, with many things to finish before I head to my home Island tomorrow morning. I have inspirational YouTube videos playing, presents scattered in the room that I am wrapping up, and all of the clothes I’ll pack for Christmas.

 

You must be happy in this very moment, because it determines the course of the rest of your life.

Sometimes there are people in my life who say things that make me feel insecure or feel like I’ve done something wrong (the perfectionist in me has a hard time with this). I used to stay upset with what these people said, but I’ve come to realize that if I dwell on the interaction too long, it slows down my huge dreams. It’s important to find something joyful to give my energy to, and get over the interaction that shook me up. Europe is more important. So are my wonderful meals. They are worth more than a small event that didn’t feel good. Before I sleep tonight, I’m going to raise my energy and feel really happy about my life. Each thing that I do for myself is like eating a piece of candy, whether I’m listening to one song, watching my MindMovie, or indulging in a piece of food that I love.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About Ava Waits, HHC AADP

I am a Nutrition Mentor, Global Nutrition Concierge™, and the Founder of www.ParisianPicnics.com. Behind the scenes, you’ll find me reading personal growth books, basking in the bliss of life, eating quality food, and letting my dreams come true.
The “30 Days of Wonderful” project is a personal endeavor, and I feel compelled to share it publicly because of the life-changing success that I experienced during my first 30 days in the summer of 2011. One of my nutrition programs was also named in honor of this project.

 

© 2011 Ava Waits

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30 Days of Wonderful™ in December ~ Day 22

2011 by Ava

On the winter solstice, Dylan was moving the seats around in his new car, and as he put them back into place, a silver pendant dropped onto the floor. It was a popular round depiction of the Mayan sun god, which you’ve probably seen before. I think it’s interesting that on the darkest day of the year, the Mayan sun god drops into our life. A friend of mine knows Mayan culture deeply, and I’ll ask her more about this coincidence when I see her on Tuesday.

It’s deep in the darkest part of the year right now. You are allowed to sleep, and I am allowed to nap if I desire. We’re at a time where we can’t expect the body to stay energized for as many hours as we did in the summertime. Stay cozy. Light a fire. Sit with hot tea. Appreciate this wintertime as your opportunity to grow internally. When spring comes, we all get to shoot up, surprise everyone with the amazing things that we have been up to, and in surprise, they will all ask, “What happened to you!?”

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About Ava Waits, HHC AADP

I am a Nutrition Mentor, Global Nutrition Concierge™, and the Founder of www.ParisianPicnics.com. Behind the scenes, you’ll find me reading personal growth books, basking in the bliss of life, eating quality food, and letting my dreams come true.
The “30 Days of Wonderful” project is a personal endeavor, and I feel compelled to share it publicly because of the life-changing success that I experienced during my first 30 days in the summer of 2011. One of my nutrition programs was also named in honor of this project.

 

© 2011 Ava Waits

read more