When I was little, my grandma used to tell us that if we went out swimming on Good Friday we would turn into mermaids. Just in case, I’ve always taken it easy these days leading to Easter. Wouldn’t want to accidentally turn into, I dunno, a video camera maybe.

But all silliness aside, this seasonal pause has me feeling a bit sentimental. And then mix that up with a pinch of PMS + you have yourself a recipe for La Vita è Bella-type sobbing. Hubby is a saint.

This may or may not make coherent sense.

In June of 2010 (holy smokes!) I began this online roller coaster ride as a way to spill open my hopes + fears + passions + epiphanies + worries + questions + all the beautiful mess in-between. I confess I’ve never really followed any treasure maps, instead I’ve relied on the purest life force I know, my inner compass, to propel me forward + pave the way.

With my gut as captain, I’ve sailed this ship away from the safe harbor, still amazed it’s managed to stay wreck-free. Bruised, yes, but never wrecked. Knock on wood.

Sounds epic? Should I write an auto-biography? Want my autograph? Should I change my name to Magic Carles? Nah! The truth is, I’ve spared myself + everyone who’s come along for the adventure an Armageddon only because I have granny as lighthouse + mom as life vest + hubby as fuel + the whole fam’ providing free claps, plus hors d’ouvres.

Bring it on turbulent waters, I don’t even need the infamous vomit bag. I have my peeps. Pow!

If Oprah calls though, I will need a lot of seats.

It’s one thing to dream, “Oh, wouldn’t it be so cool if…”. It’s another to see God + the Universe + Lucky Charms, heck call it whatever you want, manifest your wildest wishes right before your eyes. Faith is all you need.

I’ve never shared my spiritual beliefs out in the open before for too many reasons. I’ve purposely edited details like that:

• I went to an all girls Catholic school.
• I have big issues with institutionalized religion.
• I love our new Pope Francisco because he makes me smile + gives me hope.
• I believe human design is influenced by the stars.
• I mostly pray on airplanes, specially when I think it’s going to crash.
• I will love my husband for every lifetime.
• I sense there are hairy hands underneath my bed that only come out at night.
• I think we reincarnate as lizards + barracudas or rocks when we are mean to each others.

I told ya’, I’ve got reasons. Talk about a spiritual jambalaya.

But for the sake of today’s hiatus + passing reflection, here’s what I must share:

Have a little faith in you. In me. Open your arms wide to catch. Look up with big shiny eyes. Expect an avalanche of miracles. Boom! Turn off everything with an “On” button. Flip the faith switch instead. Activate it. Magic is always waiting to happen, if you only let it freaking be. Can you feel it?

I believe in you. But that’s not enough, you must learn to trust your deep breaths. One Mississippi. Two Mississippi. Three Mississippi. What do you hear when the noise is gone? When the party glasses are removed? When no one’s looking? When the world’s cynicism is washed out? When being cool is no longer important?

Use your new Easter Bookmark Notes to open up. Share your incoherently beautiful story.

Stop! See what happens when you do.

xo,

Mayi Carles