The city of Toronto offers the opportunity to enjoy many
unique experiences. At the end of May we explored the city through Doors Open
Toronto, an annual free event that offers rare access to more than 130
historical, architectural, cultural and social significant buildings across the
city. Some of the sites we were able to get an inside glimpse of this year
included: TTC's Leslie Barns; St. James Cathedral; Billy Bishop Airport; The
Bata Shoe Museum; Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library; Campbell House Museum; Old
City Hall; and the Bridgepoint Administrative Building -Historic Don Jail.
As I sorted through our photos ... something about the photos taken at
Bridgepoint Administrative Building - Historic Don Jail, really struck me...
While we may not be imprisoned criminals ... we often are self-imprisoned.
The hardest prison to escape is that which our thoughts create...
Have faith, believe in yourself and consciously turn all those negative thoughts to positive ones.
I always like to use the example of a heating bill during the bitter cold of winter: when you open that bill and see the huge amount owing ~ most often the reaction is "SH@T! Look how much this is! I can't afford this!" ~ instead: when you open the bill - say "wow it really was a cold month - thankfully I had heat to keep me warm". Yes I know there may be worry about how one will pay for the extremely high bill (we have all been there at one time or another - I know I certainly have) ~ trust that there will be enough to pay it.
When you start pushing away negative thinking and replacing it with positive, consciously focused thoughts,
it will become easier to start taking action steps forward ... the heavy door you have created will start to ease open.
Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!~ Audrey Hepburn
The temperatures have really started to climb here - think high 30s C. with the humidity. To stay cool and still look stylish I reached for one of my Lilly Pulitzer dresses. Knowing all the walking this day would bring I chose a simple walking sneaker - this one is by George.
Outfit details: dress: Lilly Pulitzer (many seasons ago); sneakers - George; accessories: watch - Cartier; silver/blue bangle - (gifted from Mexico); blue ring - old.
___Shop the look___
5 Tips for Breaking Out of Self-Imprisonment:
1. Be YOU: You are an amazing person, don't try to be like someone else. Be the unique soul you were born to be. In this social media world we are living in, it's too easy to compare our day to day life with the "best" of someone else's life reel - on Facebook, Instagram etc.
2. Release the Fear: Fear causes us to stay put - stopping us from moving forward. Allow your self to dream how you want your life to be; create action steps to bring this dream to life; have FAITH!!
3. Schedule "ME" Time: Each day make sure you are in your schedule - whether it's 15 minutes or an hour - taking time to rest/recharge your mind is crucial to reigniting your joie de viver and for the pursuit of your goals/dreams.
4. Gratitude Journal: Writing down the things, people, experiences that we are thankful for - not only gives us reason to reflect on our day - it becomes a record of all that is good in our life. A gratitude journal is especially useful when we are faced with challenging times ~ going back through all the good will keep us positive - that this too shall pass.
5. Affirmations: Use affirmations to create positive thoughts ... fuel the positive energy and watch your thoughts and life begin to change. Remember our thoughts create our reality - so keep them positive.
What do you do to breakout of your Self-Imprisonment?
You are the curator of your life so live it luxuriously ,

Stay in Step with High Heeled Life ...






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Such an amazing point! I love the points you made and am learning to set myself free! This was perfectly timed to keep me going forward. Keep up the good work! Downloaded my journal - I love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you ... looking forward to seeing how you personalize your Resilientista Planner ...:)
DeleteWonderful post, Celia - thank you so much for these reminders! Life is good. xox
ReplyDelete-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Dearest Celia,
ReplyDeleteYou made those photos to very good use and aside from the criminal jail, indeed there exists also a mental jail that people 'freely' inflict upon themselves.
Such a real jail is quite shocking in many ways and this one had also a women's section in its West Wing. Not to think about the execution... How could one live with something like that on his/her retina?
Let's indeed focus on the positive sight of life, which always works best. We have to have something to look forward to all the time. That keeps us driven and picks us up.
At times it is difficult because we cannot always fill in the blanks when relying on others.
We're waiting for the painters to come, pressure wash our garage and part of the outside. Also the stair case area needs painting.
So we're kind of trapped until they show up and finish the job.
I will be very happy when we will be 'free' again!
The rain we get now is from the tropical storm moving over our area into the ocean. That too will go away but it makes a day dark and dreary looking and it is about 10°C cooler too. No biking today!
Sending you hugs,
Mariette
What a thoughtful post. Toronto has so much to offer and I am glad your trip to this jail museum made you realize all these things. Very rarely I have been in a self-imprisonment. I usually snap out of it quickly and think of all life has to offer.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Lilly Dress too. Check out the pretty dresses I am wearing lately. Thanks, Ada. =)
Very good post. I know that we are often our own worst enemies or downfalls in some regards. We often take for granted the little things in life, but I remind myself each day of how I am grateful!
ReplyDeleteLove the bright dress too!
Thanks for linking up with Turning Heads Tuesday
jess xx
www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Such a powerful and thought provoking posts. I really enjoyed the tips you shared on how to break out of this cycle. I really like your pretty and colorful dress, too. Thanks for linking up with The Ageless Style link-up!
ReplyDeleteI agree - often we stay in the way of our own happiness, self-imprisoning is probably a great term to summarize it. Thanks for linking up to Ageless Style. I hope you can join the Top of the World Style linkup on Thursday. I love your dress.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a resonating post. It's hard to be positive all the time, but it does help to think of the silver lining in every cloud. It really helps to deal with the cloud that is passing by! Love your beautiful dress on you!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said Celia! I appreciate your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up to "Bloggers Who Have Inspired Me"
Rachel xo
http://garaytreasures.com
Great Post Celia!
ReplyDeleteI actually had a friend who spent a few weeks in the Don Jail back in the early seventies over being busted for a few joints of marijuana. I went to visit him and it was a terrifying experience. We spoke over a telephone in a very decrepet and depressing room.
My Blogger account is having issues, so I had to change my account to hermesmerized-theduchessofh.blogspot.com.
What fabulous story ... (not for your friend). Yes, the cells were so tiny and even with the renovations there remains a sadness as you walk about. Popped over to your new blog url ... it changed to .ca after I clicked on it ... great photos of your Italy trip. C.
DeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteThe biggest limiter on our lives is our own mindset.
Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute Lilly dress! Thanks for joining in our Friday fashion fun & have a fab weekend!
ReplyDeleteOXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
Lovely post, Celia. Thank you for commenting at So What to Twenty. I appreciate the kind words. I lived 48 years in a self induced prison. I finally broke free at 48. Now I fly with an amazing freedom to just be ME. There is such an utter peace.
ReplyDeleteGreat posts and love the photos that goes along with it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for being a part of TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you soon!
Alice
www.happinessatmidlife.com