On the subject of love - part 2.

I just realised how my previous post may be interpreted, as though I am now teaching myself not to expect anything from a potential partner. That is not how I meant it.

The way I see it, once you start feeling good about yourself, and to get a sense of security just being in your own skin (être bien dans sa peau, the French say!), you will learn to trust your gut feeling. This will, in turn, lead to making better choices when it comes to potential partners - if someone is not nice to you, you will no longer give them the time of day! This is because you are no longer desperate to be with someone, which makes you better able to see people for what they are, not what you are wishing they would be.

Similarly, you will begin to attract, and to gravitate towards, people you may share a meaningful relationship with. You won't expect them to give you something that you do not already have, as no single human being has got that kind of power! Instead you will find, that if you treat yourself with love and kindness, so will the people you choose to be with (and it goes both ways, of course!).

Pic: here

On the subject of love.

The other day, I was watching Reign, and I kept noticing how the characters were always talking about love in its romantic sense, saying how this and that person deserved to marry someone they loved. Also, the prince was declaring his love for Queen Mary, promising that he would be there for her always. I began to wonder, was this really how they talked about love in the 16th century? Or rather, have they taken our modern view of love and applied it on a tale where it does not really make sense, so that it may suit the contemporary taste?

Upon googling the subject, I found a very interesting article in Swedish, and it is all about how our behaviours and our views concerning love have changed through the ages. Nowadays, our culture is completely obsessed with the notion of romantic love. Paradoxically, the article states, while we are praising romantic love as never before, it is becoming increasingly difficult for it to survive. This is because of the expectations we have on that other person, to fulfil needs that romantic love are not actually meant to fulfil. There are other kinds of love that are important in life, such as the love of a child, or the love of a close friend. Furthermore, there are needs that may be fulfilled by a reliance on a higher power. In the old days, everyone believed in God, whereas in the culture of today, romantic love is idolised, and we are taught to think that we are in need of another person to save us.

Reading the article, it dawned on me just how much of my personal expectations in the area of romantic love that have been influenced by this way of thinking. I will go as far as to say I have been brainwashed. I remember when I was eleven years old, how I dreamed of finding that perfect guy, thinking that if I did, everything from that day on would automatically be a ball. Only much later on, did it occur to me that I needed to learn to love myself first. And that there were other things, beside romantic love, that mattered in life.

But even though I stopped waiting around for prince charming on a white horse to come around and save me, I kept having these unreasonably high expectations, and it invariably ended in disappointment. What I did not realise at the time, was that I was still placing my sense of personal wellbeing, of feeling safe and protected, in the hands of another human being. I needed to get that feeling from something else.

In time, in moments of feeling lost and insecure, I began to turn to a higher power. I started to believe everything happens for a reason, even if I may not be able to tell right away what that reason is. I now try to rely on that higher power to guide me through life, having faith that if I do, things will turn out for the best. I have some friends who do not believe in a higher power, but who get that sense of wellbeing from the strong connection of a group of fellow humanbeings, and by applying some basic principles that give them a sense of direction.

It is a work in progress, of course. The article reminded me of just how difficult it is to let go of the unreasonable expectations of romantic love, when our culture is constantly placing emphasis on it, making it out to be the cure-all!

Pic: here

The 13th arrondissement

In Paris there are twenty arrondissements. They are laid out in the shape of a clockwise spiral, starting from the centre. Each arrondissement has its own maire and town house. In fact, the arrondissements exist entirely for administrative purposes, and the borders have been set with no regards to where different neighbourhoods begin and end. The numerous parisian quartiers often overlap those borders.

Nevertheless, each arrondissement is known to have more or less of its particular style. The 13th arrondissement is a quiet residential area and perhaps not the first place you think to visit as a tourist.

The Le Monde newspaper is found in the 13th arrondissement.

Line 6 of the métro is airborne for a large chunk of the journey.

But it is also well known for its large population of Asian immigrants. If you want to visit China town, catch line 7 of the métro and head over to Avenue de Choisy and Avenue d'Ivry. This is where most of the Chinese restaurants and shops of Paris are found. When I lived in Paris, I liked to come here for inspiration on how to decorate my apartment - you can find nice things here, for cheap!

The town hall of the 13th arrondissement is found on the Place d'Italie, which is a large square with a fountain in its middle. Around it, traffic circulates. The town hall is on the north side of the square, and on the south side you find a midsize shopping centre, with prices and qualities ranging from budget to luxury.

The main métro exit of the Place d'Italie.

Chambéry

On last week's episode of Parenthood they were waxing lyrical about a place in France called Chambéry, which is in the region of Rhône-Alpes. Despite the fact that I lived in Paris for so long, there are many places in France I have never been, and this is one of them. Looking at the pictures, it is making my mouth water. I want to go!

Pictures were borrowed from here, here and here.

The Seine river

I thought it might be nice to write a little about different parts of Paris! After all, I know the city well, having lived there for a long time. My Paris is not a city of luxury, but it is one of beauty and diversity.

Like so many other cities, Paris was built around a river. The Seine river has got two islands in the middle of it, one of which is called the "Ile de la cité", but way back it was called "Lutèce" and the city actually consisted of this island.

On the island, the very well known Notre Dame cathedral is found. Along the riversides, it is nice to go for a stroll. Especially in summertime, there are so many things happening here! Artists are painting, dancing is organised, and musicians are singing and playing... There are restaurants inside some of the boats, but bringing your own snack here is equally nice!

On the St. Louis island, famous ice cream vendors are selling their italian gelato, and why not have your gelato by the Seine, overlooking the cathedral? When the weather allows it, of course.

Where I live

I realise this may seem exotic to a lot of people... The nature around here is just beautiful!

I do not have a car, so my pictures are just from around town.

This here is the town hall.

 And from a very popular park by the lakeside.

Why I love working out

Working out allows me to enter into a state of mind where I don't really think, I just do. At the best, I am completely focused. When I am in that state of mind, I have the firm belief that it is possible for me to achieve all that I am set on doing, to keep pushing myself just a little bit further. And since I believe it, I am able to do it, most of the time.

I used to hate sports, back in school, when it was mandatory. I had a small voice in my head telling me I was no good at it, and I chose to believe that voice.

You get what I am trying to say here - you just have to believe in it! It is good for working out, and probably for other areas in life, aswell.

My journey

It suddenly dawned on me this morning how much I missed blogging.

I stopped blogging soon after I left Paris. After all, what interesting stories would there be to tell about living in this small town in the north of Sweden? As opposed to living the life of my dreams in the city of light, where all the world comes together, and where beauty and romance is the stuff of new experiences, imagination and a lust for living.

Well, as it turns out - life does go on. And it is still every bit as interesting and challenging. Life itself can be looked upon as a journey!

I'm Jo. Here is my side of the story.

I turned around and headed back to where it all started.