Such Different Vixens – Vienda Maria

Vienda Maria.

Notice the way that rolls off your tongue? It’s friggen divine, isn’t it? Somehow, with a name like that, it’s easy to believe the life that this modern day gypsy lives.

“So, ah, Vienda Maria, what it is that you do?”

“I’m a gypsy.”

“Well, with a name like that, sure, makes sense!”

Of course, that’s a totally imaginary conversation, and to be honest, I’ve only REALLY started digging into Maria’s stuff quite recently- but rest assured, a spell has been cast. She refers to herself as a futuristic maximiser, among many other things, and I don’t know about you, but I’m dying to know MORE. Tell.me.more.

Sum up your mission in one sentence.

I help women be empowered by teaching them to love themselves; to trust themselves and their intuitions and to live their lives on their own terms. It’s all about getting real with yourself and love, truth and freedom.

Can you share with us one of your most vulnerable moments (and in hindsight, what made it so beautiful?).

I love vulnerabilty because in its true form, it holds incredible power. About 6 months ago I was living in Amsterdam and I had just ended a relationship with my beloved at the time so I was feeling incredibly tender and saddened by our parting ways.

On this particular day, a very sweet friend invited me to join her for a group meeting called Conscious Sunday, in order to get my mind off things and because it was a meeting of people who were willing to shed their egos and openly share themselves with one another. One by one we went around the circle and everyone spoke their truth, about where they were in that very moment within themselves. At the time I was feeling so very vulnerable and sad and hurt by the end of my love story but I decided to just allow myself to be free and open up to a circle of strangers. I shared with them how vulnerable, raw and sad I felt in that moment. I shed tears. My voice broke and shook and my lidos trembled as I spoke. And with all the love in the world this noble group of strangers took me into their arms and held me, cried with me and consoled me, giving me the space and environment to feel my feelings and allow myself to be openly vulnerable rather than hiding this part of me away.

It was an incredibly enlightening and powerful experience, not only in the beauty and compassion of human beings but also in observing the reaction that these people had such vulnerability and the tenderness, kindness and respect they regarded it with. I never went to another Conscious Sunday meeting again but did make a very special friend whom I admire and hold dear to my heart from that experience.

What turns you on?

The intricate details of life that occur naturally, like the way the that leaves drift in the wind or grass tickles softly against your feet,, the smooth edge of an almond when you bite it in half, people’s facial expressions and unconscious habits such as how they move their eyebrows, which I find endearing. And what people FEEL like to be around, and the slight nuances that change that feeling depending on where they’re at in their lives at that moment.

What makes your blood boil?

I am incredibly peaceful and accepting of life in general but I suppose what saddens me the most is people hurting themselves or others, be it through thoughts or actions; verbally or physically. I think as a society we are developed enough not to have this in our world any longer. We often still see people’s egos running rampant and creating a lot of pain and suffering which is unnecessary but also and important experience in order for us to grow and evolve as a species.

How do you define confidence?

Confidence lies in the KNOWING of your truth. It is complete and utter acceptance and understanding of who you are and where you’re at right now, combined with the flexibility of recognising that this will continuously change and loving oneself wholly and completely throughout. We are continually evolving creatures and allowing yourself to be so, and moving with the flow of life as well as alway honouring yourself builds great confidence.

When was the last time you experienced pure, unadulterated joy? Can you give us the juicy details?

I am so blessed to have cultivated a life that ignites joy in me on a daily basis. I went to Doloris Park here in San Francisco with some friends this morning and when we arrived there, someone had placed an old wooden piano in the middle of the park with a sign that said PLAY ME. Before long a gangster looking black guy started playing the piano as if he were Mozart, and was shortly followed by a massive wooden bass, and electric ukelele and a hula hoop dancer. As people moved past, different songs were played and we sang along with Aretha Franklin’s Rolling on the River and Stairway to Heaven amongst many others. It gives me such great joy to be a part of spontaneous musical moments such as this!

I’m also getting great joy out of answering this interview. I’m all snuggled up on my friends leather sofa, drinking tea and writing. That is pure joy and happiness to me!

What makes you feel most ENLIVENED?

Perhaps it is that we all can choose the skies we see, and so for each individual what we see is such different skies. Each of us has the power to project to see what we wish and even when we all agree that the sky is blue, that shade of blue varies for each unique individual.

Amen, gypsy woman. Here’s to a thousand shades of blue!

Vienda Maria is a writer, empowerment coach and modern day gypsy. She is the creator of The Empowerment Project + the Build Your Own Business Blog guide. You can immerse yourself in her musings over at VM HQ, connect on Twitter + join her on Facebook.