My beautiful friends, if I were to tell you that this week has been one filled with ease and inspiration on tap, quite frankly, I would be lying to you.
In the name of integrity and authenticity- it’s been a very challenging few weeks for me. Tears have come more easily than cheesy grins. I’ve defaulted to misery more than once, and I’ve even dropped to my knees a few times, with swollen eyes, looking up at the sky, whispering: I don’t know what to say…
There’s been fogginess and frustration. Conversations have been poisonous. Cracks are deepening, and my my mind, on the inside, has been screaming. I’ve grappled for an exit a million times over, despite knowing that the ‘right’ thing to do- the productive, enlightened thing to do- is to sit still and feel it. So I do. And I squirm around in my seat, and cry some more. And as I look out and see the sun rising over the buildings in front of my apartment, instead of breathing in the hope and beauty of a brand new day, I pray it doesn’t come with as much hurt as yesterday.
So why am I being so open?
In the name of honesty and transparency, I, Tara Bliss, am more than a life coach. More than an optimist. More than a big dreamer. I’m also a woman, having very human experiences, and if this weekly column exists so as to share with you the behinds-the-scenes of my life, then it would be remiss of me give you nothing but a Highlights Reel. I’d like this tradition to be built on honesty.
And maybe, just maybe, by sharing this, it’ll serve as a healing for me. Maybe it will for you, too?
When our lenses change according to our life experience, we may have to dig for what we’re grateful for. Gratitude is our saviour, and the only person who can adopt an attitude of gratitude is me. Is you. I for one am grateful that I have a choice- even when it seems as though I don’t. Maybe that’s what hurts the mosts sometimes- that we a choice in whether we suffer or not…
With gratitude comes beauty, and let there be no mistake, I am grateful. Despite my internal dance with resistance, beauty has come-a-knockin’ this week, in ways that have floored me.
I spent three nights in Byron, on somewhat of a rescue mission, and I instantly felt safer and more supported there. I started envisioning a life there, and it felt plain right. A place that supports the hermit, the artist and the ‘weirdos’ with everything they need: a lighthouse for hope and inspiration, a sleepy community for silent mornings, and nourishing local food-a-plenty. People smiled at me on the street in Byron Bay, and I’d be lying if I said that that didn’t make me a little misty, too.
I’ve taken a moment or two to consider the ‘Grass is Always Greener’ concept; one I used to live my life by, but it doesn’t belong in this situation. I love Burleigh Heads, my current digs, and I was certainly pleased to come home, but I can’t help but feel like I felt a piece of myself in Byron, to be honest. It’s a piece that’s calming me back. Who knows?
I also took a trip to Crystal Castle- which was a long overdue venture for this crystal nerd- and as is often the case when you’re feeling sensitive while simulatneously being in the presence of something beautiful, it heightened my emotions and I felt a little overwhelmed. In awe. I stared at the 16 tonne, hand-carved Buddha. Hey bro. I imagined myself sitting in the centre of the Labyrinth with my journal, writing about whatever needs to be written, and I left knowing that I’d be back sooner rather than later…
How I Celebrated Self-Centred Sundays
Yesterday was less about celebrating, and more about divine timing. After working through a few design elements with Alana for Party Girls Round 2, six hours of yoga teacher training is just what my soul ordered. I turned up frazzled. I left softened. Hours upon hours of metaphysics, chanting, sanskrit and beautiful company to cradle the spirit. Ah, that’s right. That’s what freedom feels like.
Here’s How YOU Celebrated! Hashtag that shit: #selfcentredsundays
Thank you! These images made me smile on this slow-moving, cloudy Monday morning. It looks like you had a fabulous Sunday.
Looking Forward
Speaking of divine timing, it’s time for me to head off to Vipasanna, which is obviously just what I need. Ten hours of daily meditation- at this stage- isn’t intimidating me one bit. I’m crying out for it.
Before I go, I want to thank you if you’ve read this far. Thank you so much for giving me this space to be honest with you. I feel compelled to be real. And I hope that’s okay with you. I’ll see you in the comments?
Love you x
Thank you for being so beautifully raw and honest Tara. Its been a challenging week for so many, me included, and its beautiful to know we are never alone in feeling like this.
Looking forward to hearing more from your soul when you return from Vipasanna.
Love to you honey xo
Frustration is going around hey? I feel it too. Thanks babe for being so honest, as always. Honest and open communication heals everything. When we stop denying what we are feeling and freely admit it, things start to shift.
love you babe x
Thank you confusion. Thank you resistance. Thank you for big salty tears and vulnerable hearts.
You’re precious x
Sweetie, this post made me want to give you a big hug. Sending you love and I hope the Vipasanna retreat is transcendent xo
There must be something in or out if cosmic alignment because I’ve been feeling it too! It’s comforting to know that the battle is not mine alone though I must fight my own fight. Sending you light and love
Thank you for such an open and honest post gorgeous! You have no idea how much I needed to read this today. I’m not feeling myself these last few days and regardless of my many attempts to surround myself with a beautiful and peaceful environment to centre me and pull me out of this negative, self-hating, resenting others headspace. You’ve helped me realise it’s ok to feel like this, to stop judging it and to allow myself to be in this space, feel it and learn whatever I am meant to from this experience. It’s certainly not much fun, but it is what it is. Love you big time sweetheart, sending you so much love xx
So many friends, so many clients and especially myself…feeling out of sorts and off kilter: eyes upward, desperate pleas of what do I do?, tears a plenty. Energies are shifting, calling us to move along with them, to let go, to just let things be as they will be. Silence is hard when you are filled with frustration and sadness, when you have more questions then answers. I’m giving myself some space and working on my self love and compassion. It’s helping…slowly. Sending extra hugs and gratitude your way Tara. You’re a beautiful soul. Thanks for being you for us, just as you are.
I LOVE IT! I Love you girl. Your words are inspiring, touching, enlivening and supportive to all those who need to hear them. Life is never all happy days and bright roses. We all know this. We all live it. Yet most of us have a hard time telling people about our sh*t days, assuming they only want the good. The sh*t is the good babe! Without it there’s no good, and without sharing it, you’re not being as real as you could be. Thank you for sharing. A MASSIVE THANK YOU for sharing. It takes guts. It’s tough. I only hope you feel a release in putting pen to paper (fingertips to keyboard buttons – same same) for your healing. Enjoy Vipassana. Breathe it in. I look forward to hearing from you on your return xxx
Beautiful Post Tara, something we can all relate to. This is life, and I’m having some massive heartbreaking shifts too. There is definitely a calling for us to let go and be who we truly be. Sending love, and I look forward to hearing about your retreat! xxx
Oh I just emailed you and THEN read this. Oh honey, there is certainly something in the water right now. Do we choose to suffer? Maybe. And that hurts. But by opening ourselves up, sharing the suffering with each other, we create space to truly heal. This retreat could not have come at a better time for you, I hope it brings you everything you’re searching for right now. Love you x
Beautiful post Tara- Your raw honesty and authenticity is inspiring. Thank you for sharing :)
There is definitely something in the air…thank you for being your authentic self as always T. A post it seems, many of us can relate to right now x
Nothing as beautiful as someone not afraid to be truthful … ♥
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. For being real and honest and showing the dark that exists in everyone’s life. My dark has been a hellish three weeks: bronchitis and two, yes two, car accidents. What am I doing now? Lying still. Hoping for clarity and to hear what is being whispered. I’ve decided to stop outrunning the tears, the exhaustion and the sense of defeat. I’ll sit awhile and see what shakes out. Blessings to you as you sit. May the darkness recede and the light return. Xxxx
Thank you so much for sharing lovely, I hope you received your healing by writing this, you’ve certainly helped me in my healing. Knowing that I’m not alone in these difficult energetic shifts helps so much. Thank you for being so honest. Sending you loving vibes, enjoy your retreat hun xxx
Beautiful post. Moving to Byron Bay was the best decision I have ever made. It has not always been easy but I feel so supported here! I would highly recommend! Connecting with like minded individuals, amazing food, lifestyle, the ocean. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. x
Thank you for your beautiful words Tara. This is why I love you so much. I love real people and since becoming true to myself and becoming me, I am surrounded by so many beautiful souls.
These are the kind of words that give us hope.
Thank you
xx
“You are not broken” Quote,Tara Bliss.
I love these words and turn to them whenever I need to.
“And this too, shall come too pass” is another I hold dearly.
Love and light to you Tara.
Much love to you, Tara. Your honesty helps others with theirs. :)
Tara, can I just say that your honesty is just so beautiful. I have to go back and re-read this now as tears were welling up the first time! :)
Much love xx
Another beautiful post honey. Be as real and raw as you need to, everyone comes to your space because what you say matters. Being authentic and brutely open is scary, because we’re in a society where we are constantly shhh’d about being too tender. The people who need to see it will stumble across it, whether now, or in 2 years time. Keep being real and honest, after all, that’s what you are growing your life and your business on. xx