21st Century Commitment

Smartphones are an incredible tool to have in our hands during the day and night. I work in the travel industry so this allows me to be connected to my home when I travel and be connected to my friends around the world when I am at home. But what I have noticed over the last 2 years of being a smartphone user is a lack of commitment from myself and others I interact with. The ability to make plans in an instance also allows for the ability to break plans in a instance. 

I find that people, and I am guilty of this too, will put out feelers to their friends via text messaging and wait for the best offer to accept. As soon as something "better" comes across our paths we are easy to cancel our original plans. This takes an integrity that we once spoke right out of our word.

I find this mentality with relationships too. Are we really living in the present moment and enjoying the time spent with our current partners or are we just "buying time" until the next best thing comes along? Now, we are not just competing with the other women in our community to find a partner but with women all around the world. Think about the baby boomer generation, most of them met in highschool, university or at clubs in their respective cities. I find that I meet people away travelling and they remain in the back of my mind because I can stay in constant contact with them via what's app, Instagram, Facebook etc. I do want to be fully present in a relationship but it is easy to drift into dreamland and create a story of running away with that guy I met in France (just for example's sake, I have never been to France). So to avoid this "grass is greener on the otherside" or in this case "relationships are more romantic in another country" it is most important to practice honest and open communication. This allows for each person to know their true intentions and fully commit to their time together instead of wondering what else is out there.

Summer Solstice: A Day of Reflection

As I lay down and think about my day I am ever so blessed to have such amazing people in my life; to teach, guide, love and support me. My existence on earth is ever changing. Non attachment is an incredible skill I practice that allows me to grow, change and develop while not holding on to certain ideals or standards that once were. 

Gossip is a reflection of how one views themselves, so what bothers us in other people is actually what we need to change or bring awareness to in ourselves. When I talk about a certain characteristic of someone else it is just a reflection of my own traits or patterns. Tonight, it was so clear, I saw how I can be closed off emotionally, distant and cold. I continue to focus on opening up my heart a little more each day and I am mindful to carry love for myself and everyone around me all the time. When my heart is filled with love there is no room for fear. Travelling with this indestructible love will allow me to release stored tension and bring to life my dreams and aspirations. 

Happy Summer Solstice! 

Do men ever want to get married?

Romantic relationships are very intriguing to me. I am 25 years old and have yet to officially call someone my boyfriend. On the North American timeline I am a little behind but I'm not too worried. What I am more is curious; curious about long term monogamous relationships and how they come to be. 

Growing up as a child in the 90's I have a  skewed view of love, mostly due to Disney movies and then later exacerbated by romantic comedy movies. I am waiting for that undeniable love at first sight of Princess and her Prince Charming. After talking with my friends, viewing other relationships from a  far and quizzing my parents and my friends parents, my view of finding "the one" is dramatically different than originally thought out to be.

I want to get married not because of the church, not because that is what North American society has said but for the reason of growing together with an amazing being and becoming a team who support each other through the ups and downs in life. I believe there is a man out there who feels the same way. But recently I have began to wonder. Do men ever want to get married?

 I have "surveyed" countless couples and it appears that there has almost always been an ultimatum from the women,  "Marry me or I'm outta here!" A recipe for a lasting relationship, hard to judge but boy is that a familiar story. We can't deny that biologically women do have a window to have children and therefore they put the pressure on their man to decide if that's the next step they will take together but I never knew the women were the ones who actually asked for their partners hand in marriage. That down on one knee stuff should really come from the women! 

Perhaps this is just a west coast way (and I will have to share my opinion about the dating scene in Vancouver at a later date) but I still pray that the man I marry is equally excited to spend their life with me and rise together in love and not just propose due to a fear of losing me.