bed.

Let's lie in bed all day. 

moon.

This past month has been wild and wonderful.

At the beginning of Fall, I decided to focus my energy and time into my dance career and taking it to the next level. After a summer of training, resting and learning, I'm now finding how to cultivate my power and use it in the most effective way possible.

Since the Canadian Thanksgiving, I've had a dance gig, show or performance every weekend, and will continue to until mid-December.

But some days are better than others. I remember reading an article where prima ballerina (and my idol) Karen Kain said she would wake up some mornings and feel like her ankles were shattering because she was in pain.

This past week, I woke up every morning with a new type of pain. Hip, knee, back, neck...places I've never been hurt before suddenly ached. I almost backed out of a performance, which I DO NOT DO, thinking about my body.

During the full moon the other evening, I laid wide awake in bed. I was exhausted but couldn't find a way to calm my mind and get my much-needed sleep.

Then it hit me: I was waiting and scared to go to sleep because of what pain I would wake up with in the morning. I was stressing myself out over something that I had little control over and had not even happened yet.

I got up, donned my leopard robe and went outside into the black night outside my apartment (thank goodness for my little private backyard) and looked up at the moon.

I'm not spiritual, but I do believe in the feminine energy and personality of the moon. I feel a shift and a change during it's movement, and find myself watching her whenever I get the chance.

Then it clicked: I'm in control of it all. My body. My mind. My pain.

Everything that was making my brain run wild is an opportunity, a gift and a challenge. But it's my choice - I could back out if I wanted to. Right now. Forever.

But I don't want to. I'm here. I want to do this with my life.

I went inside and drifted into the deepest sleep I've had in weeks. I awoke with no pain.

This is my choice. My destiny. 

Let's do this. 

Thank you Moon.

learnings.

I've learned a couple simple things about myself over the past year:

1. You're smarter than you think.
2. Go with the flow...but listen to your gut.
3. How to function on any amount of sleep.

Lesson One: After spending my first year post-university struggling to find consistent work, I can see how much I was my own worst enemy.

As a dancer, we're given "notes" at the end of every performance. I'm used to being called out for my mistakes in front of an entire company. I learned how to take those corrections, apply them and show a level of respect for the director, producer and cast.

It's true - even if you know 100 amazing and positive things about yourself, that one or two negative comments and critiques can eat you up inside. I was my own worst enemy last year, and although I projected a positive outlook, I beat myself up (mentally) often.

My solution to this was fairly simple: when you start to believe in what you're doing (and take no prisoners) others will too.

I was able to have a fresh start in Vancouver, and realize this strategy could have totally backfired. Luckily, it hasn't!

Lesson Two: As I've moved farther in the dance and communications world, my job can change in mere moments (especially when breaking news occurs).

Jumping on board and changing course is important. It is my job not to lose the audience. However, it is just as important to know when to jump off the ship when things are taken too far.

Don't be a social media bully - even toward a famous person - if you wouldn't say something to their face, don't say it online.

Lesson Three: Naps, Saturday mornings and one super early bedtime during the week is key.

Between handling my own clients, working in sales and as a dance teacher/performer, I have a lot of early mornings and very late evenings (again...going with the flow of when meetings happen!)

Besides a good cup of coffee in the AM, if I can hit the hay an hour earlier than normal on one night during the week, it makes a difference. When I get a weekend morning to turn off my phone, I take it.

Just a thought. Or three.

playlist.

This week has felt like one of those class summers from my childhood. Every day (so far) has been hot, lazy, and spent in the sunshine sipping on cool drinks.

I've also had the luxury of spending some extra time with my family and friends, which I haven't had a chance do to in well over a year since I'm usually teaching workshops or working a gig when I'm back. 

By the sounds of it, I brought back a bit of the heat - it's been rainy in B.C. since late May, so we're all out and soaking in the warmth as much as possible. 

Of course, we need some good tunage to go along with these hazy days - this playlist is a mix of my favourite pump up jams to listen to while snacking and preparing dinner, and also mellow favourites for hanging by the pool and under the stars.

Well, what are you waiting for? Pour yourself a drink, put on a floppy hat and turn on the tunes!

I want to know - what are your favourite songs of the summer? Share them in the comment section below, I would love to make a playlist of reader favourites soon. 

Enjoy! 

interpreter.

"Still, there are times I am bewildered by each mile I have traveled, each meal I have eaten, each person I have known, each room in which I have slept. 

As ordinary as it all appears, there are times when it is beyond my imagination."

— Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri

Yep. 

I'm leaving on a jet plane for a whirlwind adeventure to teach, emcee, choreogarph and see my friends and family in B.C. I'm over the moon excited. 

Needless to say, I'll be a touch off the grid, but you can stay updated by following me on Twitter and Instagram (@PortiaFavro). Expect behind the scenes photos, tidbits from the studio and more! 

Also, Happy International Dance Day! How appropriate is it that my class falls on this evening? Looking forward to working it out with my dancers before I go! 

b&w.

I think I'm en route to finding what happiness is. One piece of the puzzle is finding out that something you love to is actually something you do quite well. 

Former Cosmopolitan editor Kate White has put it best - "success is sweetest when you’re able to leverage it to do things in your life that fulfill you." 

What a fabulous afternoon teaching dance and celebrating a birthday - pretty lucky, pleased and thrilled. 

Have a lovely rest of your Saturday and weekend!