I’ve Tapped into My Power- Have You?

January 7, 2014 sitagaia 1 Comment

Several years ago, I saw a counsellor during the summer after my first year of university. We talked about my body insecurities, the stress of university, and the parts of me that I was still trying to figure out. As the summer came to an end and our sessions came to a close, we had our very last session. We reviewed what we had done, and I told him in pure truth that our sessions had been helpful. Then at the end of the session, my counsellor turned to me and said, “Sita, I wish you could just tap into your power”. I stared at him blankly, and ever since then I have wondered what he meant by “tapping into my power”. What a weird thing to say after a summer of counselling sessions.

Fast-forward to five years later: Today I went to the bank to open a savings account for when I graduate university this coming spring. Realistically speaking, I probably won’t find a job right away, so I want some money tucked away for my future. After the appointment at the bank I went to a coffee shop for a cheap latte and to re-read my favourite book for the umpteenth time. While flipping through the pages of my decrepit paperback, it dawned on me: I was making the steps for an independent future, and I was being the driver of my own life.I was connecting to my own power!!! I wasn’t letting anyone else take the wheel of my life, as I know exactly what I want and I have figured out a plan to get there. Since I have grown attached to the city and people where my university is, I don’t plan to move back home with my parents. If I wasn’t the driver of my own life, I would just move home without trying to devise a plan to stay. I know where I feel my richest and happiest, so I am letting my heart speak to me and tell me what it needs. Finally! This is what it means to tap into your own power. Acknowledging your strengths, as well as recognizing that you are a confident and competent individual.

I can’t believe it has taken almost five years, but I finally understand what that counsellor said, so many years ago. I recognize that my success is not something that comes to only other people. It can and will come to me too! I’ve also realized that the smallest words can have the biggest impact, and as a future Social Worker, this gives me hope that I can inspire and empower future clients for the better. If I could, I would tell this social worker that he forever changed how I view my own capacity in my life, and that I can achieve amazing things.

Now it’s your turn. What words have inspired and encouraged you? Who has encouraged you to find your strengths? I wanna hear! Lots of love! xox

10 Random Facts about Me

January 4, 2014 sitagaia Leave a comment

I can’t believe that I haven’t posted this earlier. I mean, it’s a great way of learning new and weird things about the brains behind this blog. Anywho, here goes!

1. I Have Wanted to be a Social Worker since Age Ten
When I was a kid, my parents had a subscription to Time Magazine. I happened to get my hands on one of the issues, and the featured story was about a young boy who had Autism. The article absolutely fascinated me, as I had never considered that other people might see the world in a different way, and even have difficulty communicating with those in their life. I knew from that point on I wanted to hear about the stories in people’s lives, and have the skills to be able to help them with their issues. I never had any doubts about the direction I wanted to take in my life, so I volunteered in my community and worked with school aged children. I continued my dream by mentoring a young girl with a developmental disabilities, which taught me a lot about helping others. I am finally about to start my last semester of my undergraduate degree in the Bachelor of Social Work program, and I am so excited to actually get out into the field and start working!

2. I Love Plaid and Polka Dots
For some weird reason I am obsessed with plaid and polka dots. I have an amazing polka dot jacket that I am completely in love with. I also have two plaid shirts that look amazing with black jeans. One thing to note about my love for plaid and polka dots: I never, EVER wear them together. 😉

3. I Don’t Drink Coffee
Unless you have been following my blog for a while, you’d know that I’m not an avid coffee drinker. The only time that I drink coffee is when I go to Starbucks or some other overly-priced coffee joint and I order some sort of pompous drink like a gingerbread latte. Otherwise, I usually make myself tea, Earl Grey Tea being my fave along with Jasmine Green Tea. I am trying to drink less tea, but it is just so addictive!

4. I Have Wayyy Too Many Lululemon Pants
Okay I have a confession. I have a slight obsession with lululemon pants. If you don’t know what lululemon pants are, they are the most amazingly comfortable workout/yoga pants in the entire world. I would generally choose to wear lulus over a pair of jeans, and thankfully I’m still a student so I can get away with looking casual on a regular basis. YAY!

5. Hugs Are The Best
What else can I say? I have a quota of hugs to be filled every day. Minimum: 3. Maximum: There’s no maximum. DUH!

6. I Re-Watch Shows and Movies ALL the time
You know how some people watch a tv series and then just move on to the next one? That seems to be the ‘normal’ thing to do, but I love re-watching tv series and movies. I find that I usually see something different the second time round watching it. I have watched season 1 of Orange is The New Black twice, Happy Endings, and parts of United States of Tara twice. I’ve also re-watched each episode of Four Weddings Canada at least twice. What can I say? I have no problems appreciating good TV.

7. I Love Black and White Photos
For some reason I feel that black and white photos reveal more about a person than colour photos do. A black and white photo shows a persons character, while a colour photo shows the person plus their surroundings. I also just love that old fashioned feel of black and white.

8. I Love to Dance
When I was a kid, I used to be really shy and was too self-conscious to take a dance class. Now that I’m older, I’ve learned not to care what others think. It’s one of my favourite ways to work-out, and I love that I get to listen to some of my favourite music while working up an awesome sweat. If I could choose, I would have to say that Zumba is my favourite type of dance. I’m not the greatest at couples dancing, so Zumba is perfect as I don’t have to depend on a partner or worry about messing up the steps and stepping on someone else’s feet. I have also taken a Burlesque class which was amazing, and I’m hoping to take a Pole Dancing Class once my seizures are really well controlled.

9. I Love Bad Jokes and Terrible Puns
I am kinda known for my bad puns, and most people groan at how awful they are. I, on the other hand love bad puns and stupid jokes. It’s just fun to laugh and be a dork. Why would you not want to laugh?It just makes life more fun!

10. I Always Save Room For Dessert
I love going out for dinner. There’s someone making food for me, and I can just relax with my friends/boyfriend while I ask the waiter for more water and anticipate the arrival of my meal. I’m not going to lie though, while I’m deciding on my meal, I always scope out the dessert menu to see if there is an amazing chocolate cake or brownie sundae on it. Sometimes a girl’s just gotta save room for some sweets. 😉

There ya go! Hope you enjoyed the Random Facts about me! Your turn! What are ten random facts about you? Love you lots! xox

Living with Epilepsy

2013: My Year of Discovery

January 2, 2014 sitagaia 5 Comments

Hey Friends. So I sat back and thought about what I learned from 2013. I ended up coming up with a helluva lot.

2013 was my year of discovery. I continued to carve my path of self-acceptance and made some medical breakthroughs that have forever changed my life. This year I have learned to take each day one day at a time. Each day is precious, and loses its value when you begin to dwell on past mistakes or worry about the potential challenges of the future. It is easier said than done, but I have learned that never giving up on yourself can lead to magnificent things. Even though the road you carve might be bumpy and painful, you are still going faster than those who just sit there and never even try. Your path you carve will not be in the exact direction of your friends and family, but close friends and family members have taught me that it is okay to go in my own direction. Everyone has their own journey, but it is important to remember that every single person that you come into contact with has their own struggles. Nobody has the perfect life or situation, even though it may seem that way. Some struggles are obvious to the whole world, and some struggles are invisible to the outside world. Sometimes it feels like the bumpy road on your path seems like it will never end, and I have learned that I have control over how it affects me.

I have learned from wise souls that I can grieve the life circumstances, while still holding my head high and working towards my goals. I started to teach myself that I am still amazing, despite ongoing health problems. I have started to understand the fact that a person can be more than their diagnosis, and that I can make plans for the future, despite the uncertainty of my medical problems. I am living for me, and not for a diagnosis. Issues will arise, but I can’t let them take over my entire life. I will have bad days, but I remind myself that it is one day out of my entire life. At the beginning of 2013 I just knew it was going to be a good year. I don’t know how, but I felt it in my bones. I was right though. I knew that some changes were going to happen, and my mom’s sighting of a little owl at a bird sanctuary confirmed it. (If you don’t know this already, I am a superstitious and symbolic kind of person. I also love Owls).
I continued to look for the signs, and they kept coming. I was able to go back to school, and even though it was far from easy, I made it there. After these past few months, I have really began to understand what it means to be grateful, and I have a deep gratitude for my friends and family, who have never once complained about helping me or being a support. In addition to self-acceptance, gratitude is another value that I have really begun to understand. Even though this path has been a challenge, I am grateful because it has taught me what it means to have gratitude. This has taught me to enjoy life even more, even on the days where I was down and out.

So thank you, 2013. This past year has been amazing and I wouldn’t change a single thing. I was right about it being amazing, and I know 2014 will be even more fabulous. Love you all and I’m wishing each and every one of you a happy new year! xox

Life at Full Volume

Monthly Archives: January 2014

2013: My Year of Discovery

A Blog about Living a Whole Life With Epilepsy