Aitken Family Wisdom

I feel energized and inspired from a visit to Le Garet, my Grandad Martin's charming house in the mountains of France. The whole Aitken Family and friends, twenty-five people in total, were there for the week to celebrate his ninetieth birthday. It was a magical week around amazing people with stunning personalities and beautiful spirits that shine lovingly and genuinely through their wise and humble personalities. All spectacularly unique, yet completely in sync with the rhythm created by the essence of the Aitken Family & friends.

Here is some of the advice and realizations I gained from a week with my wise family:

Look for an adventure everywhere and anywhere.

Make sure to trust yourself and the process to avoid a fall.

Our egos can be easily wounded, but shine when we speak about the things we love.

We live in reality where our dreams come alive and are filled with beautiful souls and threatening fears that should all be embraced.

Our essence will alway shine through... even in our silence.

It's necessary to listen to our inner child, allow it to play... and appreciate the joy that is created.

Sometimes it's necessary to let our inner child know that it can't have everything it wants.

It's fun to embrace the thrill of a romance.

It's a thrill to keep the innocence alive in romance.

If you ask a question, make sure you listen for the answer.

Old stories are the classics, and should be shared often.

Joy and admiration comes when learning about our past from the people who helped create it.

The importance of a Patriarch is to bring family together, to shelter and protect us, to encourage us to work together, and enjoy what's created when we all play together.

The importance of a Matriarch, the strength and energy required to smooth out the details and ensure that the whole family is sheltered and fed superbly.


The key to a long life:
A teaspoon of cod liver oil a day
A glass or two of wine a day
Lots of steamed vegetables, good cheese, fish eyes & wooding
An occasional swim in the lake
Frequent walks in the woods

 Click here to view a slideshow of all the photos!

Majesty & Worthiness in Portugal

I recently visited Lisboa, Portugal with my mom and sister. We had a fantastic time, visiting majestic churches, palaces & castles, interesting museums and enjoying the beautiful architecture, art & spectacular views.

We were struck by the many derelict yet beautiful buildings scattered throughout the city and our conversation tended to land on the struggles of society and the deserving and worthiness of the less fortunate. My caring and empathetic mother naturally chose to share what she could with anyone we passed who was in need... of whom there were many.

Being slightly hardened from living in big cities towards people on the streets, I noticed that my compassion towards these people depended on how they asked for money, if it seemed their money would go to drugs, and whether or not they were doing something productive.... Shamefully, I asked my mom why she gives to just anybody. She pointed out that everyone has a family and you never know how many children they have at home to feed..... Admiringly, I learned that our true worth can only really be found in our potential.

Our day trip to Sintra to explore the Palácio da Pina and Castelo dos Mouros is one I will always remember with clarity. Perched high up in the hills above Sintra, the scenery was bliss and my thoughts were high from the inspiring artwork, intricate details and vibrant history found inside.

While exploring I contemplated the meaning of worthiness, and made an effort to stay aware of the feelings inside my body, I noticed distinctive changes in my thoughts and emotions throughout the day when my environment changed.... from room to room, from one site to the next, and when others were near or far for instance.

It was the lightness of the clouds, the details of the stone structures, the deep blue of the sky, the chill of the wind, the comforting presence of my sister beside me and the appreciation of being inside my own body and life that kept my thoughts the highest, my emotions of joy soaring, and created feelings of excitement to explore my own worth.