Quotable Life Lessons: Don't be a prisoner

    Inspiring quotes can provoke you to set intentions and become closer to your truth. Quotable is a series where thought provoking lines from various sources are brought together and lessons can be learned from each one. 

   Tune in to either set your intention for the week and learn more about yourself to get closer to living in your highest truth. All past posts can be found over on the Quotable series page. 

        Ever since we passed the age of pure innocence, we constantly are looking for approval from everyone around us.  It is like a nagging feeling that just will not go away.  It can stay with us even till adulthood.  Not only do we seek it from our parents but also our bosses (some times teachers and partners). For me it was my parents throughout University. Every piece the first few years I showed them, but every time it felt half hearted. Now I know this was not their intention but something that I made myself see.
        In my last year (and beyond), I decided to just do things for myself to express how I am in that moment (no mater the subject matter).  By letting go I was eventually able go further. But letting go of the need for approval from others is a struggle, one you need to take one day at a time.
   The most recent struggle is with the mental voice which represents all of you. I ask myself am I making the right choice for a post, this picture or that and even am I the right person to write this?                You have to make the choice to trust your intuition and do it. For me this is writing posts that talk about tea in a different way and trusting that all of you will stick with me.
    Take a chance for the good of being true to yourself. Listen to your intuition. It has your best interest in mind.

    Have you been "prisoner"  to the opinion of others before? Share your story with us in the comments below. Much love everyone.

Quotable Life Lessons: Find fun in every task

    Inspiring quotes can provoke you to set intentions and become closer to your truth. Quotable is a series where thought provoking lines from various sources are brought together and lessons can be learned from each one. 

   Tune in to either set your intention for the week and learn more about yourself to get closer to living in your highest truth. All past posts can be found over on the Quotable series page. 

   If you have been following me on instagram the last few days you will have seen the progress I have made on my "Room Oasis" project. I am kicking myself for leaving this on the back burner for over a year. Who would have known that it was this much fun to put a room together which you spend most of your time in.
    That leads me to today's Quotable. Mary Poppins said it best, there is always a way to make a job be fun. While painting my room I started small with the window sill and worked outward from there. I learned very quickly about the paint and materials I was using.
   The fun part for me was seeing the room come together and approaching painting like I would usually (child like and free). Once all the walls were dried I put up some art in frames (or washi taped the prints up for now). It feels so much more livable than before.
    Next task for this project is to use the "KonMari" method to tidy my room (blog post on this soon, till then check out this video by Lanvenaire). Removing things that no longer brings me joy will be hard but I am looking forward to living with what does.

What ways do you make your projects/tasks become fun for you to accomplish? Share in the comments below.

Quotable Life Lessons: Let emotions flow to see the sun

    Inspiring quotes can provoke you to set intentions and become closer to your truth. Quotable is a series where thought provoking lines from various sources are brought together and lessons can be learned from each one. 

   Tune in to either set your intention for the week and learn more about yourself to get closer to living in your highest truth. All past posts can be found over on the Quotable series page.

 
   After two weeks I am finally back with a quotable to get back into the grove here at Tea Journey. Loosing Shuuhei still is tough at times but the necklace I put together with my Mom has helped. This weeks quote I found within my Google Keep account and thought it suited the occasion.
    This quote was from The Sound of Music, Maria was asked what do you do if someone does not love you and replied with it. The situation is different but it sill applies for grief over any kind of loss. Love, family, job loss, stress, and even losing someone.
    When any of those things happen we always feel like its the end of life itself. Asking ourselves how can we go on and what should I do. We can not truly start to see the sun till we let ourselves cry a little. Bottling emotions is bad for the body and causes you more harm than the initial trigger.
     This weeks post is to everyone out there (past present and future) who are going though a tough time in their lives. My heart goes out to you all in hopes that you too see the sun when it comes out. And remember, it always does.

If you are going through something right now (or have in the past), please feel free to share it. We are here for eachother, the internet lets us help eachother out in tough times. Let's share the love and support for each other. Many blessings friends.

Quotable life Lesson: Be content with life by living intentionally

    Inspiring quotes can provoke you to set intentions and become closer to your truth. Quotable is a series where thought provoking lines from various sources are brought together and lessons can be learned from each one. 

   Tune in to either set your intention for the week and learn more about yourself to get closer to living in your highest truth. All past posts can be found over on the Quotable series page. 

     The last few weeks have been fantastic. That is because I have been hustling to get through goals for this month. Mainly the two that have been my focus are Project Life pages and my blog business plan.

  When I picked this weeks quote, these two goals came to mind. Through both of them I feel content with what has occurred in the past and what is to come. Both of these tasks, the first being goal planning and the other being memory keeping, are part of intentional living.

   When you live intentionally you feel calm and have few worries (we all have a few small ones). I hope you start living with intention by setting goals for yourself and start memory keeping. Move forward and look back at the fun times.

    P.S. If you want to keep track of your goal planning a planner is a great idea. Even I got on the planner bandwagon and have ordered  a gorgeous Kikki. K planner.

Do you goal plan or scrapbook? How do they make you feel? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Till next time.

Quotable Life lesson: Be true to yourself

    Inspiring quotes can provoke you to set intentions and become closer to your truth. Quotable is a series where thought provoking lines from various sources are brought together and lessons can be learned from each one. 

   Tune in to either set your intention for the week and learn more about yourself to get closer to living in your highest truth. All past posts can be found over on the Quotable series page. 

Over the years I have noticed that we have an odd human trait, conformity. The desire to "be like the rest" or "normal".  We change our ideas, what we say, do and even buy. All to fit in, while hurting ourselves in the process.
    In High School I changed how I dressed to fit in with my group (and to impress a guy). Looking back on those times I know I was not being fully myself. We all go through it and just need to look at ourselves. Realize our mistake and begin to live true.
   When we move away from what society is calling "normal" and truly begin to be ourselves we receive joy. It takes time and effort but it is well worth it. It took till I was 26 to realize why everything felt wrong. So give yourself time. You are worth it, because there will only ever be one you.

Quotable Life Lesson: You can't have everything

    Inspiring quotes can provoke you to set intentions and become closer to your truth. Quotable is a series where thought provoking lines from various sources are brought together and lessons can be learned from each one. 

   Tune in to either set your intention for the week and learn more about yourself to get closer to living in your highest truth. All past posts can be found over on the Quotable series page. 

A few weeks ago, I finally began to sort through my clothes from when I lived in Toronto. With about two and a half garbage bags full it was no wonder I was overwhelmed and "never had anything to wear". Sunday came and all of it had been sorted through. It felt like a mini episode of what not to wear which left me with about 25% left that I will wear.
    This weeks quote relates to this very idea of living lighter. I had so many clothes but I had no where to put it all. After donating what no longer served me I felt lighter (and my dresser is not stuffed). It's a very valuable lesson that can be applied to any part of your life. Really think about what is truly serving you and only keep those.
   What kind of spring cleaning are you doing?

PS. Keep an eye out for posts about the last few weeks. With a few excursions over the last week I can not wait to share what happened. This week I have a trip to the Toronto Yoga Conference as well. Please look forward to these posts.

Quotable Life Lessons: Do what you can not

    Inspiring quotes can provoke you to set intentions and become closer to your truth. Quotable is a series where thought provoking lines from various sources are brought together and lessons can be learned from each one. 

   Tune in to either set your intention for the week and learn more about yourself to get closer to living in your highest truth. All past posts can be found over on the Quotable series page. 

Doing new things can be scary, just like when you first tried to ride your bike without training wheels. Think back to how it felt once you got the hang of it. I bed the feeling of freedom and accomplishment flooded your body. Now latter in life that same fear of trying something new gets us.     To work those muscles of learning new things keep a list on hand of things you would love to do. My recent fear is painting my room, I have never done it before. While I do have the paint in the house it has been such a struggle to get started. Thoughts such as, "will that colour look too bright for a basement room?" and even "will I like that colour for the celing?". It goes on and on, but I have begun to get past it.
   By starting to coordinate colours of fabrics, accessories and even floor pillows (I love sitting on the floor), I am on my way to getting this room done. My next step is to take everything off the walls and wipe it down, before filling in all the holes. Once I am there It will be an adventure to get the room painted.
   The key to learning something new, (matter how scary it is to start) is to do it all in baby steps. After completing each step, celebrate and move on to the next one.

Is there something you are scared to learn? Tell us about it and how you are facing it.

Quotable Life Lessons: Learn to be calm to gain happiness

    Inspiring quotes can provoke you to set intentions and become closer to your truth. Quotable is a series where thought provoking lines from various sources are brought together and lessons can be learned from each one. 

   Tune in to either set your intention for the week and learn more about yourself to get closer to living in your highest truth. All past posts can be found over on the Quotable series page. 

   Finding an inner calmness and allowing yourself to be in the moment really puts a smile on your face.  Learning to find that calmness, either through meditation (tea or even yoga), can bring you a happiness that seems unbelievable. This April will be the one year anniversary of my practicing yoga and trust me it still feels the same way. It's also not just yoga, but also my tea and meditation practice that gives the same feeling.  It is hard to not put a smile on my face.
   Finding something that helps you learn calmness is the key, and it can be anything that makes you feel that way. Perhaps it is running or even playing a sport (or video games even), as long as you take a moment to understand why it makes you calm. That in itself will help you be on your way to happiness.

Quotable: Accepting that we are not perfect

    Inspiring quotes can provoke you to set intentions and become closer to your truth. Quotable is a series where thought provoking lines from various sources are brought together and lessons can be learned from each one. 

   Tune in to either set your intention for the week and learn more about yourself to get closer to living in your highest truth. All past posts can be found over on the Quotable series page. 

This weeks quote is about accepting yourself as you are. When the topic of self-acceptance comes up we tend to feel a little anxious (I'm feeling it). That is to be expected as it can be scary to go on that journey. It takes time and effort, but when we do get there it will help you become an even better version of yourself.

      We can be build it through practices such as yoga,meditation , tea and even art. Each of these offer you a chance to really experiment without the worry of making a mistake. You are instead given the freedom to experiment, and that is the beauty of these practices. Learning what works for you as you as you play and learn from your "happy mistakes".
        Have fun, get messy and make mistakes!

Quotable: Learn from your experiences

We have many experiences though our lives. Everyone offers lessons. Oprah Winfrey explains this well in todays quotable. I have learned a lot through out the last year and a bit such as relationships, change and even trusting your gut.

Tough relationship

   Speaking of gut feeling last year I had a sinking feeling while visiting an ex, not just once but every time I was over. I first thought, what is this? What does it mean? Meanwhile I was spending time with them, I found out latter, had begun to close the chapter in their life with me in it. Apparently being on "a break" means that the relationship was over but I did not know that is how they felt.
   For three years I thought that we were trying to grow our friendship , as they told me. The actual end had happened and I had missed it. Friends and even co-workers told me to get out, it was over. I did not listen.

Time to end it

   It was not till November last year that I made a decision to end it. A weight was lifted off of me and I began to see things clearly. My intuition told me that they were now with their roommate, little did I know that it was right. After ending it, I saw them both twice. I stopped there because I wanted to only have positive people in my life.

Listen to lifes lessons

   Clarity quickly came in the following months as I carefully choose who I wanted in my life. With that I rekindled a friendship and now we are closer than before. I learned that life can throw us these lessons in the form of a problem or even a person. We just need to understand that it is an assignment and we can not get around it.
   My lesson was to listen to my intuition and be selective who I hang around with. Negativity is something no one has time for because theirs can bring you down as well.

P.S. Did you know that this weeks Quotable was created with both tea and watercolours? They are a few of my favorite mediums to work with. I am a little shy when it comes to my work, so I am going to to share it with you to work through it.

Till next time!

Quotable life lessons: Allow yourself to be strange

    Quotable is a series of little life lessons that can be taken from quotes. Learn about little ways to improve your life, learn more about yourself and find balance. It is a great place to learn a bit about Dao and Zen, without all the jargon. More Quotable Life lessons can be found here.

Perhaps it is because I went on a "Alice in Wonderland" binge today, but this quote just was begging to be shared. Think about it how many quirky things do you do. I personally talk to my cat by imitating him  or just talking to him like he could  understand. Oh but thats just one of the things I do. I bet even you have a little list.

     These little things are part of us. They give us the unique beauty that only we have. They make us stand out from a crowd when someone gets to know us. Like how you have a large collection of steamy romance novels  or a large collection of zombie movies. They help create who we are, no matter how strange.
   So embrace it and never let it go, be yourself!

Quotable Life Lessons: Let Nature Inspire

    Quotable is a series of little life lessons that can be taken from quotes. Learn about little ways to improve your life, learn more about yourself and find balance. It is a great place to learn a bit about Dao and Zen, without all the jargon. More Quotable Life lessons can be found here.

   We walk through it everyday and dismiss it, just because it has become routine. When you take the time to actually take in the "riches" of nature you will find it easier to think. Over the years I have made the effort to take in each season as it sets in. It is something I have learned from studying Chado ( Japanese Tea Ceremony). 

  

The very act of "bringing nature" into the tea room makes the ceremony itself a work of art. Every aspect is thought of in advance while looking at nature. Its no wonder that the impressionists looked to Japan for inspiration for their style. When you look at any of Monet's works you can almost feel the wind on your face and hear the water as it flows through the park.

    Why are these two art forms so profound? It is because they take the time to take in their surroundings. Next time you look out the window, go out for a walk or get out of the car. Look around you. Breath in and take in the seasons as they happen. Let them clear your mind so that it can inspire something new for you.

Quotable life Lessons : Take time to sit and think

    Quotable is a series of little life lessons that can be taken from quotes. Learn about little ways to improve your life, learn more about yourself and find balance. It is a great place to learn a bit about Dao and Zen, without all the jargon. More Quotable Life lessons can be found here.

   Very often with the holidays slowly creeping up on us we forget to take time out to just sit. Taking just even a simple moment will change your day for the good. So with Thanksgiving creeping up on us here in Canada, take the moment to just sit and think about yourself. 

  While this sounds selfish, it is not. When we take time to do something for ourselves out of our busy day, we further ourselves. Perhaps you wanted to enroll in a course to further yourself or finally tell someone your feelings. This moment will allow you to follow through.

  This moment can also help you recall things that need to be done for the holidays even. How many times over my life have I forgotten to add something to the shopping list? Too many to count, this moment would allow the mind to become calm and you will gain focus for what is to be next.
   
   If you really need a true moment just for you then try to meditate or take time to brew a cup of tea. Such simple acts will lift your mood and help you focus.

Quotable Life Lessons: Protect your sincerity

    Quotable is a series of little life lessons that can be taken from quotes. Learn about little ways to improve your life, learn more about yourself and find balance. It is a great place to learn a bit about Dao and Zen, without all the jargon. More Quotable Life lessons can be found here.

   

   There is sadly always a moment in our lives where we realize somone was not as sincere as ourselves.  These people, concisously or not, decive us and use us for their own gain.  It hurts our very core to find out the truth. 
    In todays quotable from Buddha, he teaches us how hurtful these types of people can be. Indirectly he is warning us to be weary of them so that our sincerity is protected from them.

  About a month ago I was informed of a few things in the past, that a friend had done. Lies and deceitful words were spoken but the truth was not told by them. A true friend would be upfront and share it with you, even if it hurt. They would offer a shoulder to cry on and open their arms up for a large hug.

      The lesson for today is to hold on to your sincerity and be weary of the "wolf" in sheeps clothing. Hold on to your truth because you know who you are, so bee true to you!

Quoteable: You are a work of art

    Quotable is a series of little life lessons that can be taken from quotes. Learn about little ways to improve your life, learn more about yourself and find balance. It is a great place to learn a bit about Dao and Zen, without all the jargon. More Quotable Life lessons can be found here.

  Every now and then we need a little pick-me-up mid week. This weeks quote came to me in a Julep Maven box, it was a nice little addition to the box itself. Madonna is a great inspiration to all and more so women.  This quote only makes her a stronger inspiration

   Self-esteem something that we all gain and struggle with as we get older. When I was a child I hated my red hair, pale skin and even my eyes. Over time I learned how unique I am which boosted my own self-esteem. 

   

      This self-love is what I try to inspire in others. Faith in ones own truth , love of ones body and trust in ones own judgement. They are all important to our very being. When we begin to go against them it hurts us inside and out , on many levels. 

   Take a moment today and look at yourself in the mirror, tell yourself you are beautiful. Stay there for a full 1-3 minutes. Do this every day. See the changes that happen. If any negative talk pops up in your head use this line to combat it : " I choose love over this" from the wonderful Gabrielle Bernstein.

     Another little activity you can do, is create a list of all the things you have done over your life. Small to big, it does not matter. I even encourage you to list out achievements such as first apartment, going to a new place, creating a blog etc. There is bound to be a long list, but if you are having trouble talk to friends and family. They will tell you things that ,perhaps, you did not think of.  

   Remember you are beautiful and your own work of art. Keep working on it because your masterpiece is not yet near completion. 

Quotable Life Lessons: Being Present in Your life

    Quotable is a series of little life lessons that can be taken from quotes. Learn about little ways to improve your life, learn more about yourself and find balance. It is a great place to learn a bit about Dao and Zen, without all the jargon. More Quotable Life lessons can be found here.

Every now and then we need a quote that inspires us to just be a better version of ourselves. It can give us new perspectives and perhaps even stimulate a larger change with in you.
   As today is Labor Day, a day where we gain appreciation for the work we do in the world, I picked a quote that felt right. Day after day working with our co-workers or family (if you work from home) certain emotions can pop up. They pop up when we are not living in the present.

      In that split moment that we let ourselves fall into thoughts that hurt us, whether we know it or not. You are not alone, I do this as well. It is learning and reteaching yourself to stay in the moment. when I let myself think of things from the past (regrets, pain, betrayal etc) it holds me there. The same goes for the other way, the future can be scary but it is not determined yet.

   
    Forgive yourself , its hard I know. Even I am working on forgiving my past and allowing the future to become the present by living in the moment. By living in the moment or present, you can begin the healing from a new direction. When you are at work next focus on the task at hand, not what you have to do when you get home. Enjoy working with customers or clients. Laugh often and be free.
    You will be thankful for this advice as you can enjoy the small things in life and not let small things like drama get in the way of your happiness.
   Happy Labor Day everyone!

Quotable Life Lessons: Inspire Courage

    Quotable is a series of little life lessons that can be taken from quotes. Learn about little ways to improve your life, learn more about yourself and find balance. It is a great place to learn a bit about Dao and Zen, without all the jargon. More Quotable Life lessons can be found here.

   Finding the right thing to post is hard, especially since there is no "right" thing. Funny right? Today was especially hard, I started like three other posts and eventually decided this was the one to share.
   The quote was found on a cup sleeve from Starbucks and it touched my so I kept it. I have it posted right next to where I am writing right now.
    It may be simple but to do it it does take courage. You need to those negative thoughts where they belong (in the trash aka. Banish those baddies). Take the comments from others with a grain of salt ,especially when they are along the line of you old negative thoughts (if they are then again, put. them. in. the. trash.). Then there are just life roadblocks. It makes us want to scream!
    but, if you are doing what you want then you will still be happy and that is what counts. Don't sweat the small stuff and live how you want to live! or take steps to create it.
     My small steps have been working here at Tea Journey, getting my portfolio website up and going, working with a designer to get them all sparkly and new and working on my Entrepreneurship class. The last is the hardest.  But working towards doing something I LOVE full time is my dream.
 
  What scary thing are you working on or towards that you are building up the courage to do?

Quotable Life Lessons: Inspire Peace

    Quotable is a series of little life lessons that can be taken from quotes. Learn about little ways to improve your life, learn more about yourself and find balance. It is a great place to learn a bit about Dao and Zen, without all the jargon. More Quotable Life lessons can be found here.

Being in the moment and "stopping to smell the roses", helps you enjoy the little things in life. For example enjoy being at the cottage with family (where I am now) and enjoy the sensation of water as a dog shakes it off. It's a simple thing but let it happen as truthfully you can not gain control of every action of the universe. 

Namaste,

Katherine

Free Printable : Inspiration

    Quotable is a series of little life lessons that can be taken from quotes. Learn about little ways to improve your life, learn more about yourself and find balance. It is a great place to learn a bit about Dao and Zen, without all the jargon. More Quotable Life lessons can be found here.

   Every now and then we need a little inspiration for our day. This series will pop up every now and then with a free printable. Feel free to download and have a copy where ever you may need it. I personally have a collection posted in my Studio (bedroom :P ) and they help me get through those tough moments.

  This series was inspired by all of you, as you keep me inspired to keep going. Thank you for your comments, e-mails , 1+ , etc. I feel blessed to have such a great community here with all of you. Big thank you to Ginny , King Koh, and Nicole. I love you all. 

xxoo Katherine