March 29, 2010

{Express Your Beautiful Self!}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
In Ayurvedic wisdom (the ancient healing system from India) the color blue is linked with the throat chakra—or energy center—and inspires balance in our true self-expression. Hmmmmm. Did you ever think that wearing your bridal “something blue” could support you in being more articulate and eloquent?

If that’s the case, then being a bride is a perfect time for a powerful declaration of clarity: “I freely express my thoughts and feelings. I always communicate clearly and effectively.” With clarity comes a stronger sense of purpose. Where in your wedding planning world to do you need to get clear on exactly what you want? Who do you need to talk to in order to clear up some fuzzy communication?

Slow down and take a deeeeep slow breath, then another...and find your true voice. Honor your word; speak your truth; live your purpose; inspire eloquence. Then as though “out of the blue” you are living the life you love!

Love. Listen. Let go.
....with love from Cornelia

[Photograph: Jimmy Clemmons]

March 25, 2010

{Token of Abundance}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
The folkloric "something old, something new" bridal rhyme ends with "...and a sixpence for your shoe."  This was a way of calling forth abundant wishes in the couple's married life ahead. If you can’t find an old sixpence coin to use for your wedding, perhaps you can find a penny minted the year you were born or a shiny new one that promises “a gracious plenty.”

Whether you use an old or new coin as a bridal token for your wedding day, remember that it’s only a token. True abundance is a full heart of love...love that you give away unconditionally. And a full heart is one that stays open...ready to receive the love back a hundred times over!

Love. Listen. Let go.
...with love from Cornelia

[Photograph: Kristin Spencer]

March 22, 2010

{Something Borrowed from the Heart}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
Women have a long lineage of sharing their precious garments, textiles, and jewelry—as well as things of the heart—with other women to mark a special occasion, especially for weddings. And many times the treasure shared becomes the bride's “something borrowed.”

Sometimes what is offered is more of a symbol, more ephemeral, yet deeply personal and heartfelt. Carol McD. Wallace recounts in her book All Dressed in White: “Each of the women who worked on Princess Elizabeth of England’s wedding gown embroidered a strand of her own hair into the gown, as a way of embodying her good wishes for the princess bride.” There is no limit to how we can share our love.

As you reach out to a future bride to keep the loving connection of beauty and generosity going, your friendship and a hug may be the best “something borrowed” of all!

Love. Listen. Let go.
...with love from Cornelia

[Photograph: Courtesy of Getty Images]

March 18, 2010

{Smile Away the Blues}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
Here's a little more about “having the blues” and the rewards of smiling! There are so many choices to make when planning a wedding—finding the right date, place, dress, invitations, flowers, service, officiant, attendants, favors, etcetera—and sometimes it all flows and sometimes it seems like it's all too overwhelming. Although your upcoming wedding is a happy occasion, you can get the blues from the weight of it all, yes?

The “blues” are heavy, but smiling lightens the heart and lights up the world around you. Take a deep, long inhale and a slow, full exhale and allow a smile to ease across your face. (Here's a secret: If you allow yourself to smile as you breathe in and out slowly, deeply and with grateful pleasure—no matter your circumstances—you will change your world on the spot!)

Smiling away your blues just may get a little grin from others as well. So be generous and give the world a gift—smile! Then keep on smiling...there's so much to be grateful for...yes?

Love. Listen. Let go.
...with love from Cornelia

[Photograph: Jason Hudson]

March 15, 2010

{Just Smile}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
Okay, so being a bride is not always full of fun and delight. Planning a wedding can become overwhelming, and you just might “get the blues” sometimes. Here’s a little secret about feeling better in the moment from a wise woman affectionately known to many as Dr. DooLady: “What you do is simply turn up the corners of your mouth as if you were smiling. The mind translates that as being happy—as in, ‘Oh, we’re smiling, I think that means we must be happy!’”

See how fast this little smiling mind trick can lift your spirits until you’re remembering how much you have to appreciate, how much you are loved, how much you really have to smile about!

Love. Listen. Let go.
...with love from Cornelia

[Photograph: Marla Aufmuth]

March 11, 2010

{Take A Breather}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
Here's a little heavenly blessing to breathe in right this moment:
“I deeply inhale and bring light into my body; I slowly exhale and feel my body relax, bringing me closer to my inner spirit. I deeply inhale and exhale and offer blessings both ways.”

Keep this breathing prayer with you so you can use it anytime you need to “take a breather” and find a bit of ease in the swirl of your busy day. Write it down in your diary or journal -- or in the Wisdom Journal section of your copy of The Bride's Ritual Guide so it will be just a breath away! Write it down as though you are handcrafting a promise to yourself.

Love. Listen. Let go.
....with love from Cornelia

[Photograph: Drew Newman]

March 8, 2010

{Be Breathtaking}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
After the months of planning, after the final words of the ceremony, after the last toast of the reception, after stepping out of your wedding gown, after your wedding day is complete—what image do you want to remain in the imagination of your wedding guests? How do you want to be remembered—happy, serene, gorgeous, sexy, “at one with the universe”?

What really remains unforgettable and inspiring is not just the vision of a lovely woman in a beautiful dress, but the image of a woman with her heart open, grounded in her love and expressing it freely. Now, that’s not only breathtaking but also inspires others to open their own heart a wee bit more as well.

Love. Listen. Let go.
...with love from Cornelia

[Photograph: Marla Aufmuth]

March 4, 2010

{Borrowed Blessings}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
There are lots of stories in wedding folklore about brides receiving good luck if they wear a "borrowed" something from someone for their wedding day. So borrowing a piece of jewelry or a handbag or headpiece from a friend or family member for your wedding day provides you blessings from them as well as a beautiful accessory to use.

Continue the tradition. Offer another bride-to-be an item from your wedding, perhaps for her “something borrowed.” However, if she already has all she needs, it’s okay; you are offering her your blessings, and they are a keepsake forever.

Love. Listen. Let go.
....with love from Cornelia

[Photograph, circa 1958: Courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society]

March 1, 2010

{A Little Something Blue}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
Do you have a favorite book of poetry, or meditative musing, or perhaps a copy of my new book The Bride's Ritual Guide that you can read for a quick bit of ease during your busy wedding planning time?

Find a pretty piece of blue ribbon (perhaps recycled from your wedding presents), scent it with a drop of soothing lavender essential oil, and use it as a bookmark. Then each time you open up the book, take a deep relaxing breath and say a little blessing for all the people who have guided you to this tender place of love. And soon, as though “out of the blue,” love comes back to you on the wings of angels.

Love. Listen. Let go.
...with love from Cornelia

[Photograph: RGS Photography]