Saturday, June 20, 2020

Solstice, New Hat and Love


Hello again, dear friends and followers!
HAPPY SOLSTICE!
I know, it's been a while since my last post, and I can't tell you how many times I tried to reconnect with you all, but something just didn't click. Thank you to those of you who reached out via email, Instagram and Facebook, I really appreciate your thoughtfulness. I also would like to say thank you to people who buy my books. I don't know how you find them, whether you read my blog or not, but I want to say that it touches my heart every time when it happens, it just doesn't get old! I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Life has been a whirlpool of changes, events and emotions in the past several months for all of us, and even those who fortunately didn't have personal losses still experience loss and grief. Psychologists say it is normal at times like these.


 Both health experts and spiritual gurus suggest sticking to a routine, meditation, walks (preferably in nature), a good night's sleep and connecting with family and friends, as well as a broader community. But even though the advice sounds really healthy and helpful, sometimes it is easier said than done. Our feelings run deep, and all the chaos that we hear from the news can result in anxiety and depression. If you find yourself feeling sad and anxious, I just wanted to say that I feel for you. With all my optimism and positive outlook on life, there are times when I feel completely overwhelmed, when all that's been going on just feels too much. 


Illustration source and the article about the movement 

I admit that for the first couple of months since the beginning of the pandemic, I was doing pretty well. There were some changes in our life routine, of course, but we still had loads of work and also enjoyed making the new house our home. Late May and June became harder to take and brought many tears. I know, it sounds naive, if not ignorant, but try not to be too quick to judge - not always silence means that we agree with injustice, sometimes we are just not ready to face the truth, all of us, and I am no exception. But when the truth stares you in the face, it is impossible to stay naive or ignorant any longer. I am heartbroken to realize how much hatred and even violence went unnoticed or barely noticed not only by myself, but by a huge part of our society for way too long, and it had to change. Nobody genuinely loves a crisis while it happens, but from both personal and historical points of view, we know that it is there for a reason, and not just any reason, but a good one, and the reason is 
CHANGE


 While it might still be a long way to attain world peace, we can take small, manageable steps. If more and more of us start with ourselves, finding more and more acceptance in our hearts, it is the first step to a change. I come from a multiracial, multinational country which has a long tragic history of genocide. One side of my family are Europeans, and the other are Asians. I myself have a multicultural, multiracial family - my own daughter is biracial, many of our family friends, neighbors, colleagues, my students come from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. We all are a part of each other's lives. Racism and violence are barbarian. People, citizens, friends, brothers and sisters, we are better than that! While we all are unique people, living in different bodies, wearing different clothes, eating different foods, listening to different music and doing different things in different countries and on different continents, we at the same time, most and foremost, despite all the differences, underneath our appearances are
SOULS 
having one common, universal experience - 
we all came here to learn how to do one thing only, and it is... 

 

LOVE.
Love those who are nearby and far away.
Love those who are like us and who are not.
Love in happy times and even more in sad, turbulent ones.
Love heals, understands and accepts.
Each day, every time, always.
Let us remind ourselves of this one simple truth. 





That will be all for today. Just wanted to add that I've changed my header - it seems to reflect me better right now. 

My outfit is a mix of old and new, from various brands. The hat is from Nordstrom, a collaboration with charming and talented Blair Eadie a.k.a. Atlantic-Pacific, who was one of the first inspirations for my starting this blog.

Photos by Anya and Justin
Seattle, WA

Thank you for reading!
Love to each and all of you!


11 comments:

  1. Awwwwwwwwwwwwww you are back 🎉 ❤️I missed you!
    Natalia your words are magic and you are right. All lives matters, human and animal. Your hat is amazing you look gorgeous. I love the green pants and the ruffle blouse with this big black ribbon.
    Have a good time and stay safe and healthy, huges of hugs Tina

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  2. Have really missed you, so glad you are well and back in blogland, wishing you the best from downunder,

    Lynette, Melbourne, Australia

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  3. hello dear natasha!
    first - you look gorgeous - like a agatha christie heroine from the 30s! love the back of that blouse - cute bow!

    @ your thoughts: yes! especially in such complicated times its more then neccessary to act with love and kindness.
    not easy always, but we should try.

    your new header is fab!
    much love to you - saty safe! xxxxx

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  4. So lovely to hear form you and glad that you and your family are well, considering. Your post captured a lot of thoughts I have as well, but lack the right words so often. As usual, your fashion is stunning.

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  5. So glad to see your post pop up in my reader. I love the new header and you are looking fabulous! I am generally prone to anxiety and, if not depression, then certainly bouts of feeling down, and I have pleasantly surprised myself by how well I've been coping so far. But obviously negative thoughts do creep in. I can be fine for weeks, and then suddenly cry without any apparent reason. I abhor hatred and violence, and agree that love, kindness and an open mind are the way forward. Especially but not exclusively in these trying times. Stay safe and sane, my friend xxxx

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  6. Natalia!!! I am SO happy to see you and read your words and feel your heart today. Thank you for posting these beautiful photos and thoughts from a life well lived. I have missed you but have known that your life and influence are expanding and that you are being a blessing in a whole new way. But thank you for dropping back in here and letting us know how you are and what you're thinking.(And wearing!) Love and kindness are never out of style and you exude both. Hugs to you and Justin and Anya. Stay blessed.
    xo karen from just across the border.

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  7. Hello dear Natalia , so lovely to see you again and read your as always thoughtful post. I so agree that change is slow and painful but love and an open mind must always over ride hate and prejudice.
    I do like your new header and it does reflect your new direction . You look as stylish as ever in your bow blouse and pants , a nod to times times. Much love, Jill xx

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  8. I've almost miss your post!, which would be so sad as this is a fabulous post, and it has warmed my hearth!. Love to read your lovely words, and they've made me feel better inmediatly. Open minds and love!, I'd like to have more of them around me (and also into myself!)
    You look adorable in your summery outfit, the colors and details are so fabulous and I love your new hat, such a cute accessorizing!
    besos & amor

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  9. Long time, no see! Welcome back! I feel that when it comes to blogging, it is important not to force things. Sometimes we just need the time away to recharge or to make sure we're posting in an organic way and not just for the sake of posting. Over the years I found that it is easier for me to blog more frequently (or I forget about it), but I also found that breaks are a necessity for me. There are a million reasons why one blogs and at the end of the day it is important that it is something that makes us happy. Naturally, I'm happy to hear from you and to see your new post. The outfit you presented is very pretty and chic. The green pants are a lovely pairing with a striped top and the sandals are very cute, I like everything about it, the pants, the hat, the bag and the top. The striped hat is very chic. I always say that a good straw hat is a must during summer. I'm not surprised you like Blair because her style is so colourful and I know you like colour. I always like Blair outfits too, there's something so cheerful and positive about them.
    Speaking of positive things, I loved your text today and what you wrote about how we all souls and that we are all her to learn and love. Beautiful words. There are many things that make me sad right now, from COVID to the numerous issues in the wold and I think we need love and kindness more than ever.

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  10. Oh dear, just saw you are back. So great, missed you. We all have to go through complicated times and have to carry our problems through. Hopefully we are marching towards sth better, I hope so much. Just saying: You look great, love your trousers so much. Best wishes and a hug, Sunni

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