Tag: art

J’ Adore Paris

Travel Quotes Paris 25+ Ideas | Paris quotes, France travel, Paris travel

Breathe Paris in. It nourishes the soul – Victor Hugo

Is there a country or city that captivates your spirit?  That instant, the airplane arrives at this sacred destination, you feel at home?  Everything becomes clear.  You begin to glow, exhilarated and full of possibility.  For me, this is Paris, France!  The moment my heart arrives in Paris, I am reborn.  I recognize, there are many of us who have shared this calling when traveling.  You can not explain it however, being in a specific city or country makes you feel utterly free.

Paris is not a city; it’s a world – King Francis I

Oui Oui Paris

I’ve been blessed to journey to Paris on several occasions.  Have explored this sacred city in all seasons as well.  Often, I am asked why Paris?  The country of France has appealed to me for decades.  I AM eternally drawn to the magic of Paris.  The culture, food, art, history and fashion are a few aspects which are captivating.  One of my favourite activities is walking along the Seine River.  Sitting close to the water, and absorbing the energy.  Getting lost in the city streets, people watching in local cafes are a must.  Exploring Boulevard Saint-Germain is on top of my list as well.  Having a baguette, trying every type of dessert is an absolute treat while in France.  One of my fondest memories in Paris was watching a film  at the Parc de La Villette.  It was full of local Parisians, who were enjoying the simplicity of life.    

My firm belief is that there is a calling to Paris.  One trip does not suffice.  You will rediscover other parts of the city and sites every time you return.  I am sure many have seen the nostalgic film called “A Midnight In Paris”.  Watching the movie evokes a yearning always.   Every aspect of the film I can relate to.  I feel the writer in me, is influenced by philosophical narratives that derived from Paris and France.  There is an inclination that I will relocate there one day soon.  The soul has an inner knowing of where it needs to be next.   

Paris is a place in which we can forget ourselves, reinvent, expunge the dead weight of our past -Michael Simkins

Highlights of Paris

Traveling is a personal journey.  Particular sites or attractions may appeal to you and are uninviting to others.  My advice is to immerse yourself wherever you go.  Learn the language, meet locals and be open to everything.  Listed below are a few highlights that may be of interest:

Jardin de Plantes – A botanical garden located  in the heart of Paris.  The Museum of Natural History is also located in this garden.  Be prepared to spend hours taking in the aesthetics of horticulture.

Rodin Museum – Visiting the Rodin museum in Paris will leave you in awe and inspiration.  A must see in Paris. 

Sacre Coeur Basilica – The Sacred Heart of Paris, located at the top of Montmartre.  The interior of the Basilica is mystical, you will feel a deep connection to spirit.  The Montmartre area will leave you breathless with artists, performers and shops in proximity.      

Montparnasse Tower – Has one of the best views of Paris.  You can take in the whole city of Paris from here! 

At night I would climb the steps to the Sacre-Coeur, and I would watch Paris, that futile oasis, scintillating in the wilderness of space. I would weep, because it was so beautiful 

 – Simone de Beauvoir

Why do you travel?  

What motivates you to travel?  In my perspective it’s a soul calling.  Spiritually speaking, could it be that you have had past-lives in a particular country, city or region?  Perhaps your soul is being called back for some inner awakenings?  Personally speaking, I have had vivid dreams of traveling to Paris.  Sometimes it is unexplainable why we gravitate to particular places.  The world is your oyster, it is meant to be discovered and explored.

Traveling is invigorating.  I encourage you to visit all parts of the world.  It is getting out of your comfort zone which helps you to learn and mature.  When you travel on your own, it’s relying solely on yourself.  You expand exponentially on a soul level once you venture out on your own.   You answer to no one but yourself.   This experience  is worth traveling.  You have the opportunity to evolve, make ever lasting contacts and discover a new way of living.  When are you leaving for Paris? 

I love Paris in the springtime
I love Paris in the fall
I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles
I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles

I love Paris every moment
Every moment of the year
I love Paris
Why, oh, why do I love Paris?
Because my love is here

-Georgia Gibbs 

A Hero Lies in You

img_3547There’s a hero
If you look inside your heart
You don’t have to be afraid
Of what you are
There’s an answer
If you reach into your soul
And the sorrow that you know
Will melt away
Mariah Carey – Hero

Music the gateway to the soul, with each lyric, rhythm and melody it has the ability to alter one’s attitude. I always have a song playing in my the background of my subconscious and find music to be therapeutic. The song Hero had kept on playing over in my mind over the past few weeks. Growing up, I loved songs by Mariah Carey and clearly remember her very first song called “Vision of Love”. Although a young girl, at that time I remember thinking that this song meant so much to my spirit. After recently re-reading the lyrics of Hero, my heart was deeply moved.

Let’s backtrack; first question Who is your Hero? Is it a teacher, comic hero, family member, musician, historic or religious figure? I can name a countless list of individuals who are my hero’s. First and foremost are my parents. They left their homeland of India in the 1960’s, and headed for the United Kingdom. By the late 1970’s, with three young children in the middle of winter, they settled in Canada to start a new chapter in life. My parents had little money and friends however, built a lifetime of memories on the foundation of love. They had to make plenty of sacrifices, and leave there comfort zone. They are my hero’s for they seized opportunities and never looked back.

Historically, I have always admired Master Jesus, Mother Theresa, and Leonardo Di Vinci. They were divine beings who were ahead of their time. Collectively they conveyed messages of love, compassion and reawakening. In June 2016, my best friend and I traveled to Spain and Italy for a soul vacation “soulcation”. Our first destination was Barcelona. We were surrounded by the art and architectural influences of Antonio Gaudi, Salvador Dali and admired the modern ambiences of Barcelona. Gaudi is now added to the list of hero’s. He created a masterpiece with constructing the Sagrada Familia, and dedicated his life to having this cathedral built. His enthusiasm, passion and devotion to the divine are felt in all of his creations. Gaudi was a selfless human being who lived within his means, a life of simplicity and vision.

Originality implies a return to the origins, original is returning to the simplicity of the first solutions. —Antonio Gaudi

A modern-day James Bond 007–Bruce Wayne, a hero of mystery and stealth, can only be described as the “iconic” Batman. Who wouldn’t love this character of intelligence, sophistication, edge and charm! In my first year of university, I was introduced to The Dark Knight which depicted the life of Batman. On a whim, I had taken an introduction class to Media, Information and Techno-culture. I had no idea that the Dark Knight would become one of my favorite comic books of all time. From an early age, we see the protagonist’s desire to fight for the oppressed and challenge the corrupt. He is haunted by the death of his beloved parents and carries this grief with him into his adult years. Batman is a symbol of rebellion and justice, a self-made hero whose actions are for the city of Gotham. He is confident; single-handedly fought alone, and followed his instincts. A hero we all undeniably adore and secretly wish we could be. Ultimately, he relies on no one but himself, the hero within.

In hindsight, we are our own hero’s; all we have to do is look in the mirror and into our hearts. Take time to value who you are and affirm your greatness every day. Understand that you do not need to look outside of yourself. All heroes stand alone and have to battle internal dialogues to find the peace and salvation they are seeking. They sacrifice, struggle and lose a bit of themselves along the way. As cliché it may seem, they never give up. Life is constant ebb and flow of ups and downs, always know that you are the “Hero” which you are seeking. The hero is not on a magazine cover, television or internet, it is “YOU”. Mariah Carey’s song, Hero is a reminder to reflect on all that I have become and accomplished, to never stop believing and forge ahead.

Heroes are made by the paths they choose, not the powers they are graced with. — Brodi Ashton