The Ideal

Ok, so today was a day of complete peace, joy and love. I started out with my morning ritual, a cup of tea and a beginning of the day contemplation… “Where am I going and what am I doing?” Then an early workout, followed by a meeting with my girls and off to the island.

Once on the island, I spent the day surrounded by the most inspiring and amazing people in my life. The people that take absolutely no stress for me to spend time with, just sit and chill. Ahhhhh… relax. I think I am starting to get what that means. Relax. To let go and enjoy.

It’s funny what happens when I do that. The world seems warmer, more visual. Small things become huge and every moment lasts longer. I was so busy looking ahead I forgot to taste the food in front of me. It is a constant reminder; A game that consists of “Stop, breathe, look around. Take your sunglasses off and squint into the sun. Really, look around”.

I think the biggest difference between my life now and my life one year ago is that my skin fits. I feel like I am starting to understand what I like and forgive myself for what I don’t like. I now know what I think is beautiful to me, for me. That is such a cool discovery in my mind.

Something beautiful to me:

  • Paulyn

    It DOES look like a beautiful f*ckin day.

  • Shane K

    sounds like an amazing day in the amazing life of Allison Mack :P
    makes me wish i could sort of see things the way you do, maybe i wouldn’t be so tense.

  • taylor nikole

    bah… hopeless… I can’t see pictures on this phone… or whatever it was.
    anyways sounds amazing :)
    my birthday consisted of my friends being out to fathers day brunches :) … and sitting alone at a park testing out my 55-200 mm zoom for my nikon.
    I like to think that somehow I ‘fit in my skin’ but ya know I have the rest of my life to experiment… enjoy and find out who I am.
    ehhh curious.. isn’t it? to me it is…
    at this stage I never see myself growing out of who I am right now.
    then its.. oh shit… life with no change
    but its funny… you really make me see how life can change and how things can get better… and how someday I can be ‘me’…
    even if not directly its nice to have someone sit there.. write and explain about what growing up can be like…
    I don’t think I’ve had anyone do that for me ‘sadly enough’.
    but then again I guess life is experience and in a way you’re blogs… and somehow through reading them.. finding myself… or another side of myself…isan experience all in itself… and learning is truly amazing and exciting…
    thanks for the experience

    happy brithday for another hour! wooo!
    and sorry… sometimes I can’t help but wrte a novel on here or in my journal… im a writer at heart afterall

    <3 taylor nikole

  • Nikole

    I used to look at my desire to slow down and take time as something that was more of a burden because I might not be at the same pace as everyone else. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to fit in doing everything that I wanted to, yet now I’ve seen that taking a step back and really enjoying life is so much better that the alternative of rushing through. It’s all about quality over quantity.

    I’ve been trying recently to appreciate that trait in myself, because like you said, the world DOES seem warmer and more visual, and much more worth living.

    It’s always nice to be reminded, so thanks for that! I am absolutely with you on those beautiful sunflowers. What a treat.

  • Tabby Chapman

    I think one of the most ironic things about this video is that there’s this beautiful piece of nature that she’s filming and there seems to be chaos and noise in the background audio. Its beautiful, really, to be reminded that amidst the chaos, there’s always beauty.

  • silvia

    WOAH you have a relax birthday,it was a bautiful video i like the sun and the color of the flowers, i remembered my last birthday was one month ago i just stayed at home to share with my family and few friends and at night i went to the disco i am 23 now and i don’t when was the last time that i stoped to smell the flowers or look the sun or the stars, thanks to remember me ,there are beautiful things out there..

    take care Allison
    from a big fan in Ecuador

  • http://www.myspace.com/marvin_shyguy MaRviN

    yes,everyday is beautiful…
    …Something beautiful to me: sun,stars,sky…….. you!!!
    =)…greetings since ens.B.C,mexico

  • Arfis

    Just a technical piece of advice : do not shoot the sun directly with your phone/camera, you will end up burning the sensor (BTW you can see the black spot in the middle of the sun, this spot happens when the sensor cells are saturated).

    So many other things to say. So little time.

    Happy birthday Allison (a bit late).

  • http://www.chloe-jimmy.blog.cz Pospola

    Yay Allison!
    This remembered me on yesterday.. I must work all the day in our garden.. It was horrible, the weather was so hot and I was so tired… But then slowly comes the early evening, and the sunset… I just sit in the grass and watch the sun… And it was so beautiful and I just relax in the last light rays… :) It looked like in your video, but I had in my view a small corn field :)

    I love sunrises and sunsets.. Sometimes, it’s so many colors there, especially in the evening when is red sky..

    This is a view from my balkon… :)
    http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/Pospola/?action=view&current=Rajsna.jpg

    and this is a photo from our park..
    http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/Pospola/?action=view&current=Zpadsluncezparku.jpg

    it’s not so good like in your video, but I like that two photos… :)

    Anyway… Enjoy your day!

    Your fan Pospola from Czech Republic ;)

  • mar1013

    I know i´m a little bit late, but i wanted to say that i hope you have had a happy birthday.

    Relax as much as you can and be happy, because sometimes we have to much worries in our mind and can´t appreciate what we have around us.

    Hugs
    Mar

  • http://www.daybow.com David Hayes

    … and then those flowers get a little older … and seedier … and they can’t hold their heads up anymore. But they had their days in the sun.

  • The Friday Philosopher

    I would say that I’m very lucky, not because of money or anything trivial like that, I am lucky because, as far back as I can remember; I have always been able to fit into my skin.

    I know life is different for everyone, but, for me, I feel that because I started writing at a young age, when I grew and evolved, so to did my writing as I would unintentionally put part of me into whatever I was writing. The realisation of something in me would come when I would proof-read the work and find some words or even paragraphs that I don’t remember writing scribbled on the paper. I would read them and think, “Yeah, I know exactly what you mean!”

    It was this method of writing that changed my life. As a young man, I was not very nice, but it was only when I read my work did I actually begin to despise who I was becoming! If I’m honest I would say that this realisation scared me into changing who I was; over time I then began to become more aware of what is beautiful in me and with it, this brought the ability to see the beauty in others.

    Don’t get me wrong, The Sun is beautiful, the moon and the stars are beautiful, the birds the bees, the flowers and the trees are all beautiful too, however, I live in the countryside; my garden is like the Amazon rainforest compared to most of the cities in the world. In fact as I write this, I’m being stared at by a Red Kite that has chosen to nest in a tree right outside my window. Nature is beautiful but also abundant.

    Unless we continue to destroy it, that is!

    There is nothing wrong with absorbing some of natures beauty from time to time, in fact I recommend that we do it every chance we get, however, don’t forget that people can be beautiful also! There is no more proof of that than to read some of the comments left on this very site.

    Take care

    Friday

  • Pamela

    Im so glad you had such a relaxing enjoyable birthday. It’s so important to take time out of our lives to just relax and take in all the beauty that surrounds us. Whether its a walk along the beach hearing the waves crash against the shore or listening to the birds chirping in the trees. We can get so caught up in our “busyness” and forget to enjoy the simple things in life. The vid you posted with the sun and the flowers is a typical example of the wonderful things that we sometimes fail to notice and enjoy.

    What you said about your skin finally “fitting” is something I hope will happen me in the next few years (Im only 21). I want to get to a point where I am comfortable with who I am, what I like and where Im going in life. I think it’s such a great thing to feel content with who you are as a person.
    That is one thing I wish for everyone out there- that they will find themselves and their place in the world and be thankful and happy with who they are.
    Anyway that’s my ramble for today :)

    Pam

  • me Rachel

    When I see beautiful scenery like something worth tacking a picture of, I never do take the picture because I dont want to remember that beautiful moment as me spending time to try to remember that moment. I just want to enjoy it.

  • Jennygirl

    I have grown huge sunflowers many years in my garden, as they ARE so lovely. But when mine are THAT tall…the greenery of them look skeletal…as they are eaten up by the birds. But the plump little finches that eat them are every bit as adorable as the sunflowers were beautiful, so I don’t cover them with netting, and they are fun to watch.

  • Netra

    Sittin on the dock of the bay wasting time!!!

    I love to watch thunderstorms, with lightning that fills the sky, to me that is natures most beautiful display…From my balcony I can see for miles there is nothing to see but trees and this great old white church on a hill with a steeple that looks like it touches the stars!!! We just had one of the most spectacular storms I think I have ever seen. The clouds billowed out like a mushroom cloud being pushed sideways, they reached from the sky to the tree line, its all I could see. On one side of the sky there were blue skies and puffy white popcorn clouds, on the other a churnning mass of dark gray, it looked like something out of a movie!! The lightning stikes were so close to my house that I truely was afraid that I was going to be struck. It was invigorating, and scary, beautiful, but damaging….there were houses that were struck by lightning that caught fire, trees were uprooted and everyone in the area was certain that a tornado was going to hit, but none were reported. My area of the workld does not get earthquakes, tsunami’s or tornados (that often) – So when we do have a killer storm (not as in dead bodies) it’s that much more exciting!!

    So thats what beauty is to me, and so are all of you insightful, and lovely people here at allisonmack.com….Much Love To All, ~Netra~

  • Jennifer

    That was a beautiful video Allison,very relaxing. Looks like it was indeed a beautiful fuckin’ day.Hope you had a nice birthday.

  • Neil

    I am so very glad you had such a nice birthday. Top it off with nice weather, and you got it all going on. Isn’t life a wonderful discovery? And that there is no “magical number” age-wise? Never stop learning. Gather it all in and don’t just analyze it, learn to enjoy what you’ve discovered!!
    In the end, what we’ve learned makes us who we are destined to become.

    Lotsa Love!

    Neil

  • Sergio Mendoza

    I always say something must live each day as if it were the best of every day because every day there is new to enjoy everything that we like and everything we do, we need to improve day by day, which I Bun Like the way you see things you are a very special person and above all very smart.

    command you greetings.

  • Amanda

    I wish I could start my day out like that (well, except for the cup of tea. I’m Southern and I like my tea cold, sweet and in a glass-haha) But, in general to have such a peacful start to my day only occurs on my days off. Hmmm…I might need to work on that.

    I love when I can escape for even a few hours and get away. No cell phones, no time table, no internet, no one bothering you or needing something. It’s so refreshing. What a great way to spend your birthday!!

    P.S. I couldn’t help but think about the opening to Oklahoma at the first shot of your video…Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day…

    what can i say, I love musicals!

  • Billy George

    Hi Allison, “Peace, joy and love”, that’s great. I’m very happy for u. I like the video a lot, ’cause I can see one thing that you love: Flowers. I only hope you have had an excellent day. Have a nice 26. Querer te. Translate it. Adios.
    Billy.

  • Lydia

    I have learned to leave the craziness behind me and relax too. The small things and little joys in life make it worth living. I derive pleasure in watching the ducks doing acrobatics in the pond, taking a deep breath of fresh air in the early morning, watching a dog having fun and wagging its tail, listening to my favorite music…or just sit, enjoy the silence and get in touch with my heart and hear my own voice in my mind. Such blissful moments are good for body and mind.

    It took me a few years to figure out what I like and don’t like, what I want and don’t want in life. But, most importantly, I have discovered that I shouldn’t feel embarrassed or ashamed about it. Before that, I had little idea of how important that realization is to be able to truly be myself and enjoy life.

    This entry makes my heart smile. I’m happy for you.
    You are living from the inside out. I think your life is going to be a fun, astounding, enriching and wonderful jourrney.

    Thank you for this enchanting video.

  • http://www.allisonmack.com/2008/07/24/actions-vs-being/#comments Matthew

    Your rigtht that is beautiful.My grandma has been in and out of the hospital latley so i think it would be beautiful if the next MACKEVENT was something for the elderly…i mean they are partly the reason were here.they are very wise and deserve respect..so it would be awsome if you took that into consideration..thanks!!

  • Aysha

    Hey Allison,

    It seems like you are becoming more comfortable in accepting you as you are. That is what I strive for and hope that I can fully accept myself and become comfortable in my own skin.

    It’s amazing how you enjoy life as it comes at you! Never change because it makes life that more enriching!

    Take Care,
    Aysha

  • Maria

    Cool Video!! And I thought i was the only one who had this amazement with the nature around her! Taking videos and pictures of it!!

    But I loved how in your birthday you just sat down and relaxed. I always love going to the beach and just sitting on the sand and sink my hands in the sand and look around and hear the waves. It’s so relaxing! And especially when you have your friends and family around. Honestly, that would be my dream birthday. My family and friends around and just the beach or any place with just nature around!

    Adios

    Maria

  • Robin Hebert

    Thanks. I love sunflowers, what island are you talking about?
    You know, I think mastering learning how to relax and enjoy the moment is something that keeps people young at heart. Its work to learn how to train your brain, if you hadn’t always been that way….but once you get into the habit, life does indeed become more enjoyable.
    In fact, I’m in Starbucks in WA, just listening to the music that is displayed on the lcd and typing away, smelling the smells of starbucks and watching people go by…..There are so many more layers of my experience….but I’m intent on enjoying it….I even love this plush purple chair!! God bless, have a good day. Robin

  • Tammy Ayon

    I just want to say that you are incredible. Reading your words, it reminds me that no matter what your status in life…we are in many ways all the same. I have been tortued about the thaught of turning 30 this September….I always had that golden age of reason in my mind…and still it has not yet arrived, I have wasted so much time..complaining about the things I did not accomplish yet, thinking that age would come…about the path’s I should of taken and did not. As of late I am begining to finally realize that the people around me are my greatest achievments. My beautiful four year old daughter Gabriella and how currious she is about the world around her, my loving friends and family and how has we get older we connect differently, it is no longer our stories that unite us but the stories of our children and how everything they do is an art form to each of us. I am greatfull for every breath of fresh air and every moment of angst and greatness…without those moments, I would not have had my daughter, I would not have had these experiences that make me human. For the first time in years ( I have been a musician since basically birth) I wrote a song that truly came from the pits of my belly and I remembered that no matter what age I am the artist in me will always live and breath with the same passion it did since her birth. Thank you for the reminder, we all need to remember to be greatfull and feel blessed for even the simplest of things.

  • Dick B

    It’s ok to feel lousy too, if it fits the occasion.

  • http://www.bebo.com/purplefrog08 jonny

    what is that island? hope its fantastic for you being 26.

    i loved being 26, but i dont like 27. i feel all old. please dont rub it in my face that youre a year younger than me, because i feel like an old man.

    I LOVE YOU AND HEART YOU AND PRAISE YOU AND WORSHIP YOU AND LOTS OF OTHER PSYCO fan STUFF lol.

    I DO LOVE YOU THOUGH :)

    Jonny.

  • http://www.bebo.com/purplefrog08 jonny

    what is that island? hope its fantastic for you being 26.

    i loved being 26, but i dont like 27. i feel all old. please dont rub it in my face that youre a year younger than me, because i feel like an old man.

    I LOVE YOU AND HEART YOU AND LOTS OF OTHER PSYCO fan STUFF lol.

    I DO LOVE YOU THOUGH :)

    Jonny.

  • http://www.bebo.com/purplefrog08 jonny

    oops double post soz darling

  • http://www.milliejewelry.blogspot.com Jenny

    Can I just say, my favorite thing of all about this new glimpse into the life of Alison Mack:

    You have a potty mouth that rivals my own. I LOVE that you can take a simple “what a lovely day” and raunch it up a bit. Thank you for making me feel a little less alone having a truckers mouth attached to a 2o something, sweet/innocent looking, educated girls face. I do so appreciate it :)

  • Marilyne

    The island…as Vancouver island? :D

    La vie est belle!

  • Brittany

    Hey Allison, I like your adjectif for the day. (How beautiful the f*cking day is.) I hope you had fun and a wonderful warm day of relaxation. Mmmmm, tea haven’t had that for awhile. I do have to stop myself sometimes and say whoa…relax,,, where am I? What am I doing? I believe you do have to stop yourself sometimes because time passes by so quickly without realizing it. It doesn’t hurt to take a breather and observe the world around us. Sometimes we miss the smallest things which are quite amazing if you take the time to look around. The beatles can definetly inspire us with their “Dear Prudence” lyrics. I’m so happy for you to feel good in your skin, I’m still struggling with that but I’ll get it. Much love and peace, Brittany

  • http://www.daybow.com David Hayes

    “Small things become huge and every moment lasts longer.”

    Hmmm. “Honey We Shrunk Ourselves” flashback?

  • Kyle

    Yeah, I agree with you. Sometimes we are so busy and are run hectic and wild we forget to appreciate and enjoy the things around us. I think I need to do that more; that’s for the reminder. The video of the sunflowers and the sun was cool.

    I like what you said about fitting better into your skin. For a second I thought you were making a weight joke.

  • http://heithermatthews.blogspot.com/ Hev

    Hi Allison….It’s me again…

    I’m probably annoying you but you have said you enjoy art…Please look at my site (in progress..)

    It was a college task : http://heithermatthews.blogspot.com/

    It’s my photoshop stuff and soon I will be posting my illustration which you will probably enjoy… I’m probably annoying you and I am sorry but it is for a very good reason as to why I want my name out there… (No vain reason..very personal though..)

    Anyway..it’s always great to read your stuff and I hope you had a great b-day…I’ll be 20 soon and I feel old enough as it is…:( Anyway I realy hope to hear your thoughts both on here and what you think of my work so far…

    Hev from the NW Midlands..

  • viviane

    this place seems to be very calm and beautiful!
    I like this peace also … it is good to reflect on our life! is relaxing! D =

    Take care Allison! love!

    Viviane From Brazil

  • http://allisonmack.com Lori Bennett

    Hey Allison, funny thing-you fitting in your skin at 26 i can totally relate. I was around the same age myself. Believe it or not it is accepting yourself as you are and finally being able to enjoy who you are and what you stand for. No it doesn’t mean you have everything figured out or that your any less than what you know yourself to be on the daily basis, rather you accept that as part of your unique quality and love yourself because of it. No need to change it or get rid of it. Reading daily your blogs on how you see yourself knowing you are just a regular person makes it that much enjoyable cause you’re upfront and open about the flaws you think you have. Love you girl. Thank you for showing the beautiful sunflowers-love them!!!

  • http://www.chloesullivansite.com/ Bouroux

    Hi Allison.
    Allison you’re right, we must agree time to relax. Always be busy to avoid thinking has a disadvantage.
    Indeed, to relax, we should not be busy.
    You start your new year with an amazing day with your amazing freinds.
    The new season seems to be the season of change for Chloe.
    I have heard in one of your interviews that Chloe is no longer a journalist. It is a major change in her life and she seems to take things quite well. I hope that she was not brainwashed in prison. We like the personality of Chloe and the journalism is a part of her. Chloe is not the kind of person who like 180 degres turn.
    You are amazing in all your interviews.
    Take care of you
    Bye
    Claude.

  • vale

    It’s so cool to just stop for a second, forget about college, a job, resposabilities and just breath and take in everything that life and earth give us =)

  • Arash

    “At sunrise, the faces of most sunflowers are turned towards the east. Over the course of the day, they move to track the sun from east to west, while at night they return to an eastward orientation.”

    “The wild sunflower typically does not turn toward the sun”
    ———–
    Sometimes we ask ourselves how come some people are so lucky,
    well take the sunshine as luck and if you want to be lucky then don’t be a wild sunflower.

    The sun is shining on every body equally.

  • SmallvilleRulz

    ur a very positive person….ur very lucky

  • SmallvilleRulz

    i wish i was as positive as u….u seem to wake up and luv the world and all the people in it

  • http://UnderConstruction Joey

    Good Morning Miss Mack,

    As Arash told about the sun, i just would like to tell that the sun is inside of us as well and we are the new rays of this powerful sun. It is a precious and amazing gift, we have to use it carefully. So happy trail.

    My regard to Tabby too.

    Your friend always,
    Joey L.

  • Kathy

    It sounds like you had a truly introspective birthday experience–that’s awesome!

    Knowing who you are is one of the first steps to becoming the best “you” you can be–WELL DONE :) :)

  • nat

    I’m glad you know more about yourself now than what you did a year ago. :D Keep going! ;)

  • Gilles Belanger

    thats pretty cool the video allison. im more of a night person looking up at the moon and stars. i’ll just be out on my ramp outside looking. hope u had a great birthday aswell

    Gilles :) xo

  • Kevin

    I have never visited this page before. I just read a few of your entries and I really feel compelled to tell you how refreshing it was. It just reads as truly honest, and unintentionally so. Perhaps I’m over-identifying with some of the perspectives, but I’m okay with that. -So thanks.

  • http://trains-lolipops.livejournal.com Kurt

    I totally know what you mean. I mostly have these moments where I’m walking to or from school or uptown and I just take a second to look up and I am completely amazed by the beauty of the sky.

    Like there are other locations where everything is just so beautiful but often the sky is enough. I’ve been told that it’s more bluer here in Australia, but all I know is that it’s something that just stops me in my tracks.

    You just stand there and realise how beautiful the f***ing day is.