Today’s post is all about connecting and going beyond innocuous small talk. Sometime in late February I read Tia Sparkle Singh‘s post 11 Questions you’re NOT asking that could change your life and realised that we do live our lives asking and saying the same things over and over and OVER again. Kinda boring when you think about it, right?

So today I’m taking a stand to change the way we perceive communication. I’m taking a chance and putting my truth on here because I don’t want to wake up one day and find that I lived my life too afraid to share what was truly important to me.

Chances are you don’t either, yes? I mean, what’s the point of being here if we can’t be true to who we really are and what we honestly feel?

These are my answers to the 11 questions. I hope you’re moved to share yours as well.

1.) What is your dream job?

Earning a living combining my passions and interests, namely travel, writing, motivational work, and humanitarian philosophies. I guess that means I’ll either have to work for myself or find a very specific work position, yes? 😀

At the end of the day, though, it’s less about the actual job for me and more about the sense of fulfilment. Any job that makes me feel most powerful and truly alive is the one for me.

2.) What fulfils you?

Connection. Interaction. Community. Rubbing minds with like-minded souls and touching hearts with those who live according to The Love Principle, which is really just about loving yourself with the depth you deserve, and loving others with the compassion and understanding they deserve.

I’m fulfilled when I know I’ve made a positive change in my world. When I’m able to inspire deep thinking and new ways of life through my words, my actions, and my personality.

I’m fulfilled when I’m able to share love and support and encouragement, which really are the things that matter most at the end of the day, and when I’m able to learn from the wise souls who share their wisdom with warmth and empathy.

3.) What’s your greatest fear?

That I’ll look back at my life one day and realise I could have had it all but I let it slip through my fingers.

My greatest fear is fear itself; the fear that I will let timidity and uncertainty steal: my light and my brilliance, my great projects and the authentic expression of my truest self, and my path/my calling.

4.) What do you want more of in life?

Oh wow, so much. SO much. More joy. More love. More bliss and fulfilment (regular readers know I mention these two ALL the time). More freedom. More compassion.

I want a greater range of expression and a wider horizon of experiences. More colour. More passion. More fire.

Intrepid desires. Deep-rooted boldness and faith in my intuition. The courage to speak and live my truth regardless of what anyone else thinks.

5.) What is your greatest accomplishment?

Making it through university even though my health wasn’t as robust as it should have been. Oh, and opening my blog! 😀

6.) What are you most ashamed of?

I’ve let my anger and sense of betrayal poison important friendships, and let the desire to please another override my natural instincts and silence my intuition.

Thankfully, all that’s in the past and I’ve kept them out of my present so far.

7.) What makes you sad?

Thoughtless, hurtful words. Intentional physical and emotional abuse. Manipulation. Oppression.

People too afraid to ask for help because they think they’ll be perceived as weak. People suffering in silence because they’ve been conditioned to believe they don’t deserve any better. People too scared to love at all because they’re terrified of getting hurt.

8.) What’s the hardest thing you’ve experienced?

I’ve lived through emotional cruelty and psychological abuse. I’ve been told negative things about myself that I absorbed as gospel truth until I found the courage to believe otherwise and shed the burdens I bore. I’m not yet whole, but I’m more complete than I used to be.

9.) What is great about you?

Well! Where do I begin? 😀 I’m often laughing or smiling or both. It’s ridiculous, really. Some call me “Sunshine” or “Smiley”, which of course always makes me blush (did I mention I blush a lot?). I’m tickled by the most random things and I love to laugh.

I’m a pretty fast reader. I took down Gone With the Wind in two days; that’s over a 1,000 pages in about 12 hours or so. Oh yeah. I’m that good. 😀 I average 100 pages an hour, I think; 60 if the print’s really small.

My heart’s really big and I encourage every venture my family and friends dream up. Life is too short not to follow your dreams, right? That said, y’all can stop trying to get me to drink or visit strip clubs. I refuse to yield, LOL. You know yourselves. 😉 :p

I’m also a love warrior. I think we could all do with a lot less indifference + animosity and a LOT more love, which is exactly why I had to find an outlet for my love for you.

Yes, you. Reading this right now. I’ve got love for you. Not the scary “Oh my God, she’s gonna stalk me” kind, but the wishing you well and hoping you’re OK kind. The wanting you to live life at your fullest kind. The big-hearted, can’t help it, rootin’ for ya kind.

10.) Who are you?

Soul visionary. Heart hugger. Huge love advocate. Nourishing and inspiring your soul. Get lifted! 😉

I am a daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. The cheerleader you want in your corner. The voice of encouragement urging you on when you just wanna chuck it all in. The safe space where you can just be yourself without fear or worry of  negative repercussions.

I’m a lover of all things beautiful and uplifting. I adore positive people and am more likely to choose reading a good story over, oh I dunno, watching television? Speaking of which, I barely watch the tube anymore. But that’s a story for another day.

Expressing myself through my words is vital to me. Reading and music are close seconds. I have faith that I shall learn an instrument or two before I shuffle off this mortal coil, LOL.

I’m all about connection and meaningful interaction. I believe you might as well be your real self because the truth always comes out no matter how hard you try to hide it, so why bother in the first place? Those who’ll love you for who you are will, and those who won’t, won’t. It really is that simple. 

Besides, it’s more about having the freedom to live authentically and less about having a fan club ’cause you’re popular. Nothing wrong with having a fan club, by the way. I’m always looking for new members. Takers, anyone? 😀

I adore travelling. Totally dig it. So far I have lived in 3 different countries and am gunning for a fourth pretty soon.

My faith keeps me going through the dark times. Reaching out to others re-ignites my spark when I’m too down to do it on my own. Admitting my worries out loud helps me see they’re not that serious and life is a journey at my own  pace, not a race.

11.) What inspires you?

People living out loud. From their heart. From their gut. From their core.

Brilliant souls dedicated to enlightenment, wisdom, and positivity.

Women bold enough to say what they want and go for it.

Men bold enough to admit the strength and depth of their emotions.

Those who are strong enough to believe in their radiant visions and bring them into reality.

Those who are brave enough to love over, and over, and over again. Deeply, unreservedly, and unabashedly. Every time.

And you? Will you answer these questions and share your answers? Better yet, will you ask them of another? I hope your answer is yes.