This week begins on a somber note as the tragedy in Orlando weighs heavy on my heart. I woke up in Florida on Sunday morning to the news of the mass shooting in disbelief that we’re here in this same spot again. I went about my day as normal and as I was on the treadmill watching CNN, I was shocked to hear that it was President Obama’s 14th time making remarks after a mass shooting since he took office and the sixth within the past year.
It’s clear that change has to happen, in our national stance on guns, in the treatment of mentally ill individuals and in our overall tolerance as a human collective to those who are different than us. In the aftermath of these types of tragedies, it’s easy to feel completely helpless but each of us must continue to crusade for love and peace and to be walking examples of it every single day of our lives.
Sometimes I feel that I live in a bit of a bubble in my day-to-day life in Charlotte. Our yoga studio, the place where I spend the majority of my time and so much of my energy, is a place where people from all walks of life are accepted with open arms. We have students and employees with extremely diverse religious, socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds as well as from all sexual orientations. And we all practice and work right alongside each other in a community of love, hugs and encouragement. One of our brand pillars is that we are unapologetically true to ourselves and we push our students and employees to live in authenticity, honesty and love. It can be easy to forget that this mindset is still sadly the exception and not the norm in so many places and among so many people both at home and abroad.
It has been wonderful to be home visiting my family for the weekend. My birthday is this week so my mom and dad offered to fly me down for a visit. I am grateful.
Days have been spent enjoying the beach. (Bathing suit top is Victoria’s Secret Bralette – so comfy and cozy and on sale right now!)
Lots of dog patting.
Family dinners.
And on Saturday evening my parents took me on a sunset dolphin cruise. It was amazing.
We saw tons and tons of dolphins. They love the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and our captain was supposedly one of the best in the area at tracking them.
The highlight of the cruise was seeing a baby dolphin! Apparently there are quite a few of them swimming around this summer.
I am so happy for a few days to spend time with my family. It’s vacation season here at the beach so my parent’s condo complex is packed with families. Seeing them all run around, soak up the sun and play is such a great reminder of what’s truly important…love, happiness, belonging and family.
Sending all of you wishes for love and acceptance, for both yourself, others and the world around you.
xx,
jen
so nicely said. i have a new niece. not quite 12 weeks old yet and i was thinking the other day she will grow up in a world where a women can run (and hopefully win) the American Presidency and how much has changed on that forefront (my great grandma used to tell us stories about the first time she voted, etc and how women couldnt vote when she was young) and how lucky she is to grow up todays world. I contrast that with Orlando and all these other shootings. I think that she will grow up in a world where there will be shooter drills at her kindergarten or she might fear going to a movie theater or nightclub. There is so much more work to be done on acceptance of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc. its heartbreaking. my thoughts are with those affected and their loved ones.
it is always crazy to think about how rapidly things change over the course of history. always in so many positive and negative ways.
That bikini top is super cute on you. We share the same birthday week — happy birthday to you!! xo
Thanks Hillary and happy birthday week back at ya!
Beautifully said. Thank you.
Thank you Jerri. <3
Lovely words and thoughts at a difficult time. As a Canadian reader and fan of your blog I hope more people will voice similar opinions. We have far stricter gun laws in Canada and way less gun violence. The events in Orlando are heart breaking.
Thanks so much. It’s been so terrible.