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CategoriesELEGANT TRAVEL, MANIFESTING INNER PEACE, MANIFESTING LOVE & PLEASURE, THE MAKING OF A SPIRITUAL WOMAN

The Making of a Spiritual Woman: Video #16 (**An Elegant Intention Come True**)

Chère Diary,

Clission was as beautiful as you’d image a Medieval town to look and feel like in France during the lead up to Christmas.

It has a gorgeous castle right in the middle of the old town and Christmas markets with trinkets, ornaments, food and mulled wine lining the cobble stoned streets leading to the art gallery.

Christmas music was playing in the streets and there was a gorgeous river flowing through the middle of the town. Oh my God it was beautiful – Sandra and I just couldn’t get over it!

The art exhibit was by Pedro, Guy’s friend. Pedro is an absolutely superb person and terrific artist.

His paintings are stunning and I so enjoyed looking closely at them to try and decipher the techniques he was using.

I felt so inspired to try and paint myself. I WILL paint in France.

We walked around the market and along the beautiful river. Sandra walked with her friend and I walked with Guy. I felt so at ease with him that the words were rolling off my tongue.

How could I feel so at ease with this person? And so quickly?

Clisson

He asked me why I was in France and it felt so amazing to feel comfortable to talk to him about reincarnation – that I felt like I once lived here and that is why I think my soul has been yearning to come live here ever since I was 8 years old.

He totally understood and “got this”. What???

Was I actually able to speak without censoring myself? Laugh without worrying I’m being too loud? Speak in French… with a man??? In France???

Clisson

After a while we got cold, so we went to a little cafe to drink un chocolat chaud and warm up.

We were all having such a great time so Guy invited us over to his place at 9:00pm. After the drive back though I felt very tired and suggested Wednesday instead.

We all agreed.

I cannot wait!

_________________
mercredi, le 21 decembre,1997 (Wednesday)

Chère Diary,

Youpppi! J’aime ma vie!!! (Yippeee! I love my life!)

We all met at Guy’s house tonight and his brother, the monk, and two other friends were there. Guy made homemade, traditional Chai tea and we all sat on the floor in le salon, where he teaches yoga, and just chatted and laughed for hours.

Everyone left except Sandra and I. We stayed until 4:30am!!!

We all shared personal details about our past relationships. God, it was fantastic being able to talk to him about yoga, births, changing the baby’s position by asking it to move, meditation, visualization, compassion, vegetarianism…everything!!!

It was the weekend, so I slept over at Sandra’s house. We slept in until 12:30pm then got ready to go meet up with Guy again.

He had invited us to a Buddhist talk. I really didn’t understand that much but it still felt great to be in the energy of the room when they chanted in Tibetan.

I just sat with my eyes closed and balanced my chakras. It felt incredible. I got “that feeling” again where I am lifting out of my body. Does that happen to everyone? I must ask Guy.

I also received 3 messages:

  1. It is absolutely necessary for me to balance myself and mediate as often as I can, if not everyday.
  2. It IS possible to heal my back, my hips and this damn acne that has surfaced on my face!
  3. I require more healthy eating, more meditation and more compassion for myself and others.

I now put out to the Universe my intention for my life…

My intention is to learn that life doesn’t need to have struggles. I want to be an example for people that you can be healthy, fit and happy, and that there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. It is more beautiful to be that (all that) than to endure hardships all the time. This is my goal.

I want to be an example like Goldie Hawn. People admire and respect her, and are in awe of her happiness. That’s me, and I’ll continue to get better and better as time goes on.

I am not interested in following Buddhism religiously but the philosophies are great and becoming one with the self and gaining compassion for all living things is fantastic and perfect for me.

Bonne nuit!

Join me HERE when a hilarious misunderstanding turns into l’amour of the deepest kind.

P.S. Do you have a wish for your life?  

Do you desire to BE a certain kind of woman  but don’t feel like it right now?  

Do you admire a certain woman (famous or not) and secretly wish that you could BE, DO, or HAVE what she has?  

Tell me about it in the comments below:)

ekurt
souls
CategoriesELEGANT TRAVEL, MANIFESTING INNER PEACE, THE MAKING OF A SPIRITUAL WOMAN

The Making of a Spiritual Woman: Video #15 (A Meeting of 2 Souls)

Chère Diary,

I’ve met a friend!!! Oh, thank the Universe! In my language class is a 25 year old Mexican girl named Sandra. She laughs like me and we have SO MUCH in common!!!

We went out to dinner and talked for hours and hours, sharing intimate details of our lives. It’s like we’ve known each other before.

Finally, someone to share this experience with. I’ve been feeling so lonely.

My typical day is:
– wake up
– take the boys to school
– teach
– come home
– meditate, do some breathing exercises, and then some yoga
– write letters, do some chores
– go pick the boys up, do homework with them
– then play games with them
– eat dinner, do dishes
– read with Maelle and Jean – Do. in le salon
– go to bed

It’s very low key and my French is getting much more fluid, but I don’t feel like ME. I’m bored.

Being with Sandra makes me feel like I’m ALIVE again. She’s been here longer than me so she knows a few more people.

YEAH! I cannot wait to begin living life like Erin again!

In fact, I have “Felt my fear and done it anyway”  and asked to use the car so Sandra and I can drive to La Rochelle, a beautiful city near the ocean, tomorrow!

Chère Diary,

Well, we were all set to go to La Rochelle when Sandra told me a friend invited her to an art exhibit in Clisson, a nearby town, and would I like to come?

She thought I’d be excited to know that another friend is coming along who is a yoga teacher.

To be honest, I was really disappointed. I’ve never been good with plans changing at the last minute. And, why was our plan so easy to toss out?

I felt a bit of anger arise within me, but now that I’ve been reading the Dalai Lama and Deepak Chopra books I am trying to go with the flow more. There must be a reason this is happening, so I changed my attitude and said, “Okay.”

Maybe I could get some good yoga tips for my butt! It seems to be growing by the day with all the cheese and patisseries I’ve been eating!

Chère Diary,

I can’t write much right now because I’m so tired, but today was magnificent!

Sandra and I went for lunch and the yoga teacher was going to come and meet us and take us to where Sandra’s other friend was waiting.

Secretly, I wondered, “Is he going to be handsome?” I craved love and attention.

While we ate dessert, Guy, the yoga teacher walked in.

He wasn’t the dark haired French guy I was envisioning…in fact his hairline was receding, but WOW, he had incredible energy. What WAS that?

Guy sat with us and was so at ease. I liked this. Oooh, I LOVE being around people who have beautiful energy. This was going to be a fun day after all!

Sandra, Guy and I got in the car and on the journey we all chatted so effortlessly about yoga, how he teaches from his home, how he is a Buddhist (WOW! I’m reading a Dalai Lama book right now!!!), how his brother is a Buddhist monk (WOW! Maybe I can learn from him!), how he loves cooking and eating and playing the pan flutes….

I was getting a buzz out of this conversation!!!

I went from being lonely and slightly depressed to feeling ALIVE and excited and so, so curious!

Talking about spirituality, yoga and Buddhism thrilled me! And yes, with so much in common, I began feeling a slight attraction to Guy.

Somehow I feel a connection to his soul and I can’t explain why.

Guy, Sandra and I finally arrived in Clisson and it was magical…in every respect.

Join me HERE when I share with you the magic that occurred in Clisson, as well as some of the pictures I took on this very day!

Love,

Erin Kurt

ekurt
speaking french
CategoriesELEGANT TRAVEL, THE MAKING OF A SPIRITUAL WOMAN

The Making of a Spiritual Woman: Video #14 (Speaking French Mishaps!)

Ahhh…so much to share!

I’m here in my bedroom and missing home, my family and Tony.

This is real.

The family is very nice. I think the boys really like me as they hang around me, tell me all sorts of stories and beg to sit by me at the dinner table.

Today, we went for a long walk in the countryside then came home and had an aperitif with Jean Do and Maelle – nice tradition!

The boys joined us and had juice in special cups and then we had a lighter meal of steamed broccoli with almond sauce.

And, they always have a cheese plate and baguette after dinner. Another nice tradition!

I’ve been reading The Art of Happiness and Seven Years in Tibet that Tony gave me and I’m feeling such a peace inside. I don’t know why!

Why am I feeling so connected to this?

Perhaps this year will give me the time and space to develop my spirituality more – something I have been desiring since I took that meditating course at University.

Tomorrow Maelle is going to take me to the school to meet with the principal and then to my own language class.

Gosh, when you actually live in a country they speak the language SO quickly. I am really finding it difficult speaking french and understanding people. I’m feeling so dumb! Plus it’s leading to so many miscommunications…

The other day, Maelle got really angry with me.

The boys were home with me, as kids don’t go to school on Wednesdays, and after lunch, Maelle came home. She asked one of the boys if they had had breakfast and he said no. She turned to me and asked why and I said that when I asked him he said, “Pas Encore” so I thought he didn’t want any thing else.

Turns out, “Pas Encore” also means “Not Yet!” How have I never known this??? I have only heard it used as “Not again”.

Then I was helping her with dishes and she saw an empty milk bottle and says, “Francois-Clement didn’t have his bottle?”

I replied, “Non”, wondering what she was talking about as this was the first I was hearing of any bottle giving.

She was fuming!

I said, “He has a bottle every morning?”

“Oui, une bouteille de lait chaud!” (A bottle of warm milk)

“Okay” (A 4 year old???? Who ever heard of giving a 4 year old a bottle!! I was to hold him in my arms and feed it to him. What???).

I became silent and wanted to pack my things and go home. I’m a professional who’s been married and through a recent divorce! I don’t need this!”

I went to my room and and read A LOT of my book “Seven Years in Tibet”. It makes me feel good inside so I calmed down and gained perspective.

The boys came to get me for dinner and I decided to be the bigger person and try to make conversation.

Slowly, everyone opened up and we had a nice time.

I think I will decorate my room and try to make it feel like ME. I will hang up my photos and pictures and add some candles. That should make me feel better.

I’m really looking forward to going to Language school tomorrow so I can meet people and learn words and phrases that I never knew existed!

Join me HERE when I meet not 1 but 2 friends and learn a lesson that I live by to this very day. (In fact it’s one of the main things I teach in The Art of Living Elegantly).

Have you ever moved or lived in a different country?  Have you experienced similar language barrier issues? I’d love to hear about them in the comment section below!

With so much love,

Erin Kurt

admin
arriving in paris
CategoriesELEGANT TRAVEL, MANIFESTING INNER PEACE, MANIFESTING LOVE & PLEASURE, THE MAKING OF A SPIRITUAL WOMAN

The Making of a Spiritual Woman: Video #13 (Arriving in PARIS!!!)

Dear Diary,

Well, here I am, on the airplane travelling to Paris. This almost feels like a dream, like I’m not REALLY experiencing this.

Yet, at the same time, I feel SO ultimately ready for this that I’m quite calm inside.

I think my leaving was a huge eye opener for people around me. It made them think about the purpose of life and going for your dreams.

I have such a heightened comfort with myself right now. In fact, I am remembering when I used to travel on planes with David.

I would look around at people travelling alone and feel sorry for them that they had no one to talk to…and yet, I secretly envied them. How were they able to travel all by themself?

And now, look at me!!! I am totally content being by myself! No pressures, just able to do what I want when I want!

I am in LOVE with this feeling of comfort and security.

Only 4 more hours until Paris!!! Wow…
_____________________________________

Dear Diary,

I’m here!!!! I’m in Paris!

Yikes!

All their phones need cards – no change! So I had to figure that out.

Then I had to figure a way to use la toilette while lugging my 2 HUGE suitcases. The toilet paper is dark pink!

I got my period – the timing! Thank God I had something in my purse!

I am starting to feel tired but I have to try and stay awake until I catch the TGV to go to Nantes.

My CD player stopped working which isn’t nice as that would have kept me awake.

Oh well, maybe I’ll get to see a lot of the countryside.

__________________________________
Dear Diary,

Okay, I should be in Nantes, but I’m not! I’m still in Paris!

I have just survived an incredible ordeal. I REALLY need to sleep now and I just want to cry to let out my frustration!

Everything was going well while I was waiting for my train. I didn’t see it arrive, even after the scheduled time, so I asked someone to watch my baggage (NOT SMART!) and ran up to ask someone what happened.

The ticket lady said the train had already left. Oh My God!!!

Now I had to take buses with my 2 heavy as hell bags and buy a new ticket.

I put the ticket in the passway and while pushing my first huge suitcase through the barrier locked! It wouldn’t let me or my second suitcase pass through!

My back is aching and I’m exhausted beyond belief so I thought, “Screw it!” and decided to take a taxi.

Well…. the cab drivers dusted off my seat and were SO nice to me and I’m thinking, “Paris is so great!”

The cab driver starts asking me if I want to see the Eiffel Tower and La Louvre because it’s so close to where I need to go.

I say sure but then I see the meter running FAST! It’s now up to 172 francs!

So I tell him to just go to the station as I don’t have much money.

He keeps talking and driving, showing me the Paris tunnel where Princess Diana died, La Seine, etc. etc. and now the meter is 240 francs!

I am frieking out inside so I tell him, “I only have 270 francs so please just go to the station.”

He got really angry and scoffed, “I should just drop you off here!”

I say I’m sorry and we don’t talk the rest of the way.

We finally arrived at the station and somehow I got my bags in an elevator, not knowing where I was going. Suddenly the doors opened and a girl stood in front of me and said, “Do you need help?”

I believe she was an angel sent from up above.  There was just such an angelic energy in the air.

I felt like weeping at her feet I was so grateful! She took me exactly where I needed to be and was gone as quickly as she appeared.

Lord, please let me sleep soon, this is enough…

Au revoir.

Join me HERE where I share my first days in France and the very unexpected things that occurred.

Have YOU ever travelled or moved to another country?  What were your first experiences?  Any funny, odd, or angelic experiences such as mine?  I’d love to hear about them in the comments below!

Or, perhaps you’ve always wanted to but are nervous.  Let me know as I can give you some great pointers that will save you from having to experience what I did – LOL!

A bientôt!

Erin Kurt

ekurt
moving to france
CategoriesELEGANT TRAVEL, MANIFESTING INNER PEACE, MANIFESTING LOVE & PLEASURE, THE MAKING OF A SPIRITUAL WOMAN

The Making of a Spiritual Woman: Video #12 (Moving to France!)

Dear Diary,

Oh my God, all this paperwork is incredible! And the money it’s costing me to get everything notarized! I’m so stressed!

But… I am SO invigorated. I’m doing it! I’m actually going! My dream is coming true!!!! I’m moving to FRANCE!

God, I am so happy and grateful and excited!

Today I have a phone conversation with the father of the family I will be living with – he speaks some English Thank God! I’m nervous!!!

Later…

Oh MY GOD!!!!!!!!

I have just been on my knees sobbing. You are never going to guess what has happened.

While on the phone with the father (who was so nice by the way) he timidly said, “I have a question for you.”

Oui?

“The French government has declared that every school must begin an English program and the teachers at our local school feel terribly unprepared to do this. Would you be open to setting up and teaching the English program since we don’t really need much from you except to drop off and pick up the boys from school?”

Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I replied, “Bien sur!” I would LOVE that!

The Universe had taken care of me. I honoured myself. I went after my dreams and the Universe gifted me exactly what I required to earn money & be a teacher in France!

Afte the call I literally dropped to my knees, sobbed and repeated, “Thank You , Thank You, Thank you!

I love me. I love my life. I love God.

I cannot believe that I leave in 2 weeks!

Side note:

I spent the next two weeks rushing around saying good bye to everyone, shopping and preparing for my move.

Matt never did return the phone call I made after returning from New York.

I didn’t care because I was so proud of myself.

I have done a lot of thinking recently and I realised I had put him up on a pedestal . The last month I was with him I always felt I had to look perfect and be perfect. I am at the point now where I won’t accept a relationship where you don’t feel like you can be yourself and feel accepted.

Like I feel when I’m with Tony.

Ever since returning from New York, he and I have been practically spending every day with each other.

We continued to laugh, sing together, go for countless nature walks where he taught me about different plants and birds (he was a forrest ranger), watched foreign films and ate yummy vegetarian meals together…that he cooked.

We have healed each other.

He brought me back to nature and the complete appreciation of it’s beauty. I will never look at a mountain scene or a tree the same way again.

He accepted me for exactly who I was. I could completeley be myself.

He was totally into music which reconnected me to a part of me that I missed. (I got to SING! – My Dream!!!)

I reconnected with Art and so many different styles of music – Shakira to name just one.

He reconnected me to laughter and my own sense of humour. He told me I helped him gain his self-confidence back and I am so happy I could give him something in return for all he’s done for me.

Honestly… I have never felt so at ease with myself.

Even when I went to the school to say good bye to the teachers and pick up a few things to bring to France for teaching.

I walked into the staff room, feeling so womanly, happy, confident and proud of myself and there was Matt.

I chatted with people and could see he was staring at me the whole time.

I finally turned to him.

He said, “Hi, how are you?”

“Good, really good.”

“I hear you’re off to France.”

“Yes!”

“That will be an amazing experience. I travelled around there one year.”

“Yeah, I ‘m very excited. Thanks. Well, I’d better photocopy these things and get going.”

“Have a great time,” he said.

“Thanks” I said with a warm smile.

As I drove away from the school I saw movement at the office window. It was Matt, standing alone, watching me leave. And that was the last I saw him.

Tomorrow I leave for Paris – Ahhhhh!!!!

JOIN me HERE for the post where I get on the plane and fly away to Paris!!! And, of course, you know that at this time in my life there was always drama, so come see what happens once I land in Paris.

I’m curious… what do you think about the whole Matt story?  Do you think if I had stayed in Canada we would have sorted things out and gotten back together?

Do you think he was for real or just a person sent my way to get me away from my marriage so that my next evolution could take place? Let’s chat in the comments!!

Bisous!

Erin Kurt

ekurt