Tuesday, February 10, 2015

But I'm an Atheist, I can't be spiritual!?!

What are you talking about? OF COURSE you can! I am agnostic (mostly atheist but I'm hedging my bets...) but that doesn't mean I don't have an appreciation for and love of the sacred.

Warning: This next bit may offend some... Know that I think you can have whatever religious or spiritual beliefs that you want and I don't think mine should get in the way of that.

The concept of a rule book for life and an old man in the sky pointing fingers and planning my life has NEVER sat well with me. In catechism as a child I never identified with God or Jesus, maybe a little with Mary, but hey, she was a girl! I never thought people could walk on water or magically cure the sick, but I went along with it for the hour that I had to before I could go home and play "school" or "business-lady" with my classroom full of stuffed animals. 

I have always had a curiosity about religion and spirituality. For as long as I can remember I was talking about religion with friends, going to different churches and experiencing all sorts of spiritualities. In college I was part of an amazing performance group called Charisma! In this group we spent a year focused on our own spiritual life and exploring the religions of fellow cast members, culminating in a performance of original art and monologues. I took classes on religious reflection, theology of marriage, and mysticism. I've sung in all manner of churches and services. I've been to Christian mega-churches, Catholic, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist, Unitarian, and Jewish Services. I've meditated, done yoga, and walked the labyrinth. My relatives are Catholic, Agnostic, Atheist, Mormon and Wiccan. Suffice it to say I have explored some traditions in my time...

What I have learned from being exposed to all of these varied forms of religion, spirituality, ways of life, what ever you want to call it, is that ultimately at the end of the day we are all looking for the same thing. We want to be happy, safe and loved. We want our families, friends and lovers to be happy, safe and loved. And we want to spend our lives in ways that fulfill us and don't make us burn out.

So this is how I see it. It may be controversial as an atheist/agnostic/humanist/openly secular person to say that I am spiritual, and maybe that isn't even the right word... But I believe that each one of us can deeply affect people (directly or indirectly). I think of the sacred as a personal candle that burns within each of us. Sometimes my candle is a four-alarm fire, these are the times when I am so filled with love, inspiration, excitement, and ideas that I almost can't handle it. Sometimes my candle is a barely flickering ember, doing its best not to get snuffed out by the sadness and suffering in my world. But ultimately the candle NEVER goes out which means that someone can come along (maybe just a better happier version of myself) who can fan the flame a little, breathe life back into the little candle that could... Fanning the flame can be as simple as reading a silly article on Facebook, having an AMAZING cup of coffee, kissing my boyfriend, or as complicated as recognizing it is time to make a big transition like having surgery, going back to school or finding a new job.



Spirituality is personal, it is powerful, and it doesn't need to be a formal practice or come with thousands of years of history. It CAN and if it does for you, then FANTASTIC! But for me just being present, even for a moment, spending time with the people I love and who love me... THAT is spirituality!





Some resources:




Monday, February 9, 2015

Change is afoot!

I have started on a new adventure. I am training to be a life coach! I have always wanted to help people achieve their goals for business and personal life expansion and I am super stoked to begin this journey. I have had lots of idea's for posts lately but have had a hard time deciding on which platform or site so I have kept my thoughts buried in my head but they are dying to get out now!

So I invite you to join me as Curvalicious Diva transitions from just my crazy wonderful life to helping you create yours with Curvalicious Diva - Life Expansion Coaching. Because you deserve to live a big, beautiful, Curvalicious life!

Love, The Curvalicious Diva



Thursday, April 11, 2013

I have a confession to make...


In December 2012 I had a gastric bypass. This may come as a shock to my fans but I hope this post will shed some light on my decision and not alienate any of my readers.

First I want to say that I am still a HUGE believer in loving yourself at any size, the fact that I had weight loss surgery DOES NOT change that. I also still LOVE my curves and if on this journey I lose them I will be very sad indeed. 

So this is why I made this decision. After many years of struggling to lose weight and succeeding only to gain it all back I was frankly just tired of the yo yo. But more importantly, both of my parents have Type 2 Diabetes along with myriad other health problems, I also have PCOS and a genetic blood disorder which extra weight can exacerbate. 

I hope my fans understand that my desire to dress and feel curvy and sexy at any weight, is and will always be true! I may be smaller now, but my curves are still in tact and my fashion sense remains. I am still a huge advocate of size acceptance and will continue to support plus size companies and initiatives. 

Now after all this confessing I'm sure you'll want to see before and after pictures!! It's been 16 weeks and I have lost 70lbs already! Also what this means for you is that I have a whole lot more clothes in sizes 18-22 that are up for grabs and need new homes!! More posts to come in the next week or so with great pieces to add to your wardrobe!

Thank you for standing by me through thick and thin (literally!) 

Curvaliciously yours, 

CD

Would you like me to update you on my progress? Are you considering the procedure and want to hear first hand what it's like? Ask me any questions in the comments section and I'll answer!

And now without further ado....


Help this little opera company make $10k!

I don't usually post on this blog to support my other ventures but this is very important to me and to the arts so Ill make and exception. ;)

Many of you know that I am an opera singer as well as a Curvalicious Diva! A little company that I run in Boston is gearing up to present Carmen in May and we need to raise $10k. It would be amazing if you could help spread the word and donate, even $10 will make a huge impact on our success. Thank you for indulging me!

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

THANK YOU!!

Just dropping a quick line to say thank you to everyone who reads my blog! Today I passed 20,000 views and I can't contain my joy! Thank you all!!!

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Happy Easter!


Good afternoon ladies (and a few gents I'd imagine)!

I hope you are enjoying this wonderful sunday. Spring has FINALLY sprung here in Boston and not a moment too soon. Seriously, S.A.D is a real thing when you've been living in snow and fridgid temps for 3, 4, 5 months... There is nothing better than waking up way to early (6:25a) looking out the windo at the most robust orange sunrise, singing for a little while, and heading outside sans jacket to meet friends for brunch!

THIS is what Easter is about for me, sloughing off the doldrums of winter and welcoming the warmth and rebirth of spring. So, to you and yours i say, Happy Easter, whatever you believe and however you celebrate. Stay curvy!

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Back and on the Market!

She's Baaaaack! I've been MIA from here for a while and for that I am truly sorry! I hope you will forgive me, I have been working on starting a few new ventures.

After moving to Boston last summer, I learned that it seems to be a no-woman's-land for curvy girls. The options for plus-size fashion in Boston is just awful. Luckily The Big Thrifty, a big sale of vintages and used plus clothes inspired by The Big FAT Flea in NYC which I have been going to for 2-3 years, is coming back to Boston on May 4th. But what about the other 364 days a year? Well thats where I come in!
In it's infancy, but growing quickly, is my new Etsy shop, CurvaliciousDiva! I scour the countryside for awesome vintage plus size finds and present them to you for your fashion needs! Please check out my shop, there are currently only 2 items so far but many more to come!!

Also I have recently lost a bit of weight. This benefits you because I now have awesome clothes, from everyday wear to formal gowns, which need new homes! Etsy doesn't allow sales of non-vintage (made since 1994) items so I'll post them on the blog and Facebook. All you have to do is comment or email me if you want to buy! 

Here's to exciting new ventures! 

Thanks for sticking by me all you curvalicious divas!