Zumba, Friends and Good Vibes in June

Posted on by Miriam

Do you ever feel as though the Universe is trying to send you a message?

That’s how it’s been for me the last few days.

The first text message came from Amy from across the road “Walkies in ten minutes?” she sent last Thursday afternoon, referring to our dogs. “I’ll pass” I reply. “Got a splitting headache.”

Then barely five minutes later another message arrived, from Lisa two houses up. “I’m thinking of going to Zumba tonight. Wanna come?”

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I sent her a similar reply “I’d love to but I have a bad headache …”

Then I reconsidered. It was like something was urging me to go. I typed,”Maybe it would do me good. I think I’m stressed. It’s not a definite no …”

So, two hours, two Panadols, a light dinner and a glass of red later there we were. It had been far too long for me.

By the time I left an hour later, after an hour of shimmying and shaking, the music had worked its magic.

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Lisa leads the way as we step back into Zumba
For an hour I focused on nothing but the music and the moves. The atmosphere in the small country hall that night was palpable, like an upbeat form of meditation amongst new friends.

I left full of energy that I’ve lacked this past month. My shoulders had lowered, my body had relaxed and it was like I could breathe deeply again.

Zumba is one of those feel good activities that allows us to lose ourselves in. We follow and yet we do our own thing, completely immersing ourselves in it.

 

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It reminds me of the blogging world where we each have our own voice and yet we’re a part of something much bigger.

Have you ever met someone with whom you instantly connect with, who you don’t need to pretend and who you can be totally yourself with.

That’s how it is with some bloggers when we read their words.

“I like who I am when I’m with you.”

Yesterday (Friday) I met up with Di, a fellow Melbourne blogger who writes such inspiring posts on her beautiful blog Matters for the Heart.

For over four hours we spoke about everything, from our families and upbringing, to our hopes and dreams and, of course, our shared love of blogging.

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Di is as warm, kind hearted and friendly in person as she appears on her blog and I felt as though I’d known her for years.

Already I would call her a friend. Sometimes we click instantly with people, just as I did earlier this year with fellow bloggers Louise and Deb.

That’s the beauty of blogging. Friendships are forged through opening our hearts and minds, through our connection of words, shared thoughts and experiences. By the time we meet we feel we already know each other. The 2017 version of pen pals on steroids.

This time next week the ABBAs will be held in London and Di and I jokingly commented that we should have our own bloggers get together in Melbourne.

Hayley, Louise, Kate, Lindsey, Kim, Sandra, Carol, Suzie, Peggy, Glenys, Mark, Barbara, so many online friends scattered around Australia  … and then there are my special overseas and UK and American friends. You know who you are.

Here’s to friends, both old and new and to virtual connections that become real and genuine friendships.

May was slow but I have a feeling that the pace is picking up. Just as the tempo picked up at Zumba last night I feel as though it’s going to be a month of good vibes ahead.letd dance

Let’s shake off the old energy as the month starts.

Let’s step out of comfort zones and take some risks. Phone a friend, hug someone who needs it, reach out and connect with the world … when days are dark make your own sunshine and dance like there’s no one watching.

Happy June everyone. Let’s embrace life, each other and keep spreading love and kindness into the world.

In light and love (and happy Zumba steps) 💃💃

127 thoughts on “Zumba, Friends and Good Vibes in June”

  1. Oh I simply LOVE this! I was just saying to Di that we three should meet up soon! What a delight – so happy to see my blogger friends meeting in person. I certainly agree that the connection is so very real for many of us here. I hope to be present at the next one, and I think a local blogger meet up event would be amazing! Maybe even all shake what our Mamma’s gave us on the dance floor?! hehe 😉 xx

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    1. Absolutely! We actually spoke of you Hayley and mentioned that next time we’ll definitely have to catch up with you too. How awesome will it be for all of us to get together … and on the dance floor too. I love that idea. Let’s make it happen. Big hugs xo 😊

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      2. Yes let’s! I actually thought you may be able to help Miriam, I know how well travelled you are here in Melbourne! My partner and I are looking for a nice cabin for a day or two this upcoming weekend, maybe open fire but not essential, close to nature! We’ve left it a bit late, any suggestions? Air bnb seem to be booking out fast – we’d like some privacy so our own cabin if you know of any! xx

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        1. Hmm, depends where you fancy going. How about Daylesford? I know of some gorgeous cosy cottages there that have fires and spas etc. Let me know what area you’re thinking of. I can always email you if you like. xo

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        3. Absolutely. We’ve stayed at lots of amazing places there. The Thai Villas are awesome and another place that really stands out is Bergamo.Google it and you’ll see pictures. The spa suite is gorgeous, think handmade bricks, wooden ceilings, gorgeous gardens. Have a look and see what you think …

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  3. Ok you have me all inspired up…let’s go Zumba! I feel like your the coach in the locker room giving us the pep talk before the big game…in this case the game is life and what an awesome send-off you just gave! Yes let’s shake off the old energy and don the new energy. I’m with you, June is filled with great vibrations, all we have to do is open up and receive them! How great to meet another blogger and yes there are many spread around in Australia, you should get together. You know Rob only lives like an hour and a half from me…someday I’ll have to go visit him. So glad you decided to get out it seems to have done you a world of good!! Big Zumba Hugs and Great Vibes Coming xo

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    1. Haha, that’s a picture, me a coach in the locker room! Well yep, okay team, let’s get to it and make some noise. 🙂 Seriously though, we both have some good vibes happening don’t we? I’m so looking forward to sitting down with your poems and my guitar next week (or even earlier hopefully). You should absolutely go visit Rob. Hope all’s well with you. Have a great weekend and we’ll chat soon. Big Zumba hugs back xo

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      1. Yes, we have great vibes going! I look forward to you sitting down with your guitar too and hearing what you come up with!! After your busy week you must be looking forward to a more peaceful, creative week. You’re probably off to bed or almost, so I wish you a soothing night’s sleep and we will talk soon! Much love & hugs xo

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        1. You’re right Deb, I’m just off to bed now, feeling very weary, but yes, I’m very much looking forward to some creative musical time soon. Have a lovely Saturday and we’ll talk soon.Big hugs xo

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    1. Oh, thanks Louise. So sweet of you to worry but I’m okay. Yep, Zumba was definitely therapeutic and the meet up with Di was lovely. Next time, when we go dancing, or zumbering or whatever, you’re coming too! xo

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  8. I think that the blogging friendships work so well because we really do bare our souls and put ourselves out there, Miriam, and that’s hard not to respond to. I’ve found several kindred spirits and I’m sure there are more.
    I’ve felt very doldrums, for a number of reasons, this past week or two. Going to go and shake it all away at zumba this morning. Thanks for the good advice, and I hope you are on an upturn swing. 🙂 🙂

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    1. You’re right Jo, we do bare our souls with our writing, far more readily than we’d sometimes feel comfortable doing in person. Can’t be a bad thing hey?
      Sorry to hear you’ve been in the doldrums. Hopefully a good zumba workout will fix that. Have fun. 😊💃

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  9. I keep meaning to give Zumba a try. You might just have inspired me. And you are so right about connecting instantly with some of the people you know/meet only online. I hope we’ll be able to meet in person somewhere, someday in Oz!

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  13. I haven’t tried Zumba but I do love a good dance. I was at a concert the other day and danced the entire two hours away! So nice to hear you got to meet a fellow blogger from Melbourne. I’m from Melbourne too and this is such a wonderful city we live in 😀 Here’s to more Zumba for you and have a good June 🙂

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    1. Thanks so much Mabel. I didn’t realise you were from Melbourne. A fellow dancer hey? Time I paid you a visit. 🙂 Happy June to you too.

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  14. Hello beautiful Miriam,
    What a wonderful post with your messages about reaching out, getting lost in moving our body to music, good vibes and new friendships.
    We learnt that there are all kinds of friendships, and heartfelt, real connections can be made from sharing our lives through the written word first.
    Thank you for such a generous and warm sharing of our meeting in person and one I’m very proud of. It was an utter delight to meet you and how the time flew…
    Until next time, and perhaps with some of the lovely bloggers you mentioned… anything is possible now.
    Happy June and to new horizons my friend.
    Hugs to you 💐💕

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    1. The time did fly, didn’t it? I think we could quite happily have chatted into the night if the cafe hadn’t been closing! 🙂 It was lovely to get to know you and I’m sure we’ll do it again soon with most probably Hayley and more bloggers to get to know, how wonderful. Thanks again and yes, happy June to us and to new horizons ahead. Big hugs 💕🌷

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  15. That’s so great Miriam! Glad you had the chance to zumba to your hearts content, and to meet up with Di (who really is AWESOME)! It’s inspiring to me to see you bringing so many of your virtual relationships into the real world.

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    1. Oh Gabe, she really is awesome and blogging friendships are so real. Anyone who says otherwise just doesn’t understand the nature of what we do and how amazing this community is.
      Hope you’re having a great weekend.

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  16. It is wonderful when you meet people you just instantly click with.. 🙂 I was delighted to read your headache soon disappeared. And I used to go to Zumba classes a couple of years ago with a dear friend.. 🙂 now though my gardening is enough exercise 🙂 lol..
    Lovely to read and meet your friend..
    Sending thoughts for a Happy Weekend ahead
    Sue 🙂

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    1. A fellow Zumba lover, how wonderful. Yes, I love my garden too but somehow music and dancing just energises me like nothing else.🙂
      Glad you’ve met Di too through my post, she’s pretty amazing. Have a lovely weekend Sue. xo

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  17. Ohhh yay! So I’m not the only one who feels that the universe occasionally reaches out to me. Sometimes I get confused if I’m reading​ too much into stuff that’s perfectly normal. I’m happy for you that you found a way to relax. Zumba sounds great. I’ve never tried it but maybe I’ll give it a try sometime in the future! Blogging is such a wonderful way to connect to so many people across the globe. The community is so warm, welcoming. The motivation and confidence that we get by being a part of such an incredible community is too much to be expressed in words. That was a great post, Miriam! Here’s to taking risks. Wish you a great weekend! 😊

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    1. Hey Shweta, I agree that the motivation we get here is pretty amazing. Glad you enjoyed and that you could relate (to those signs that we sometimes get). Hope you get a chance to try zumba one day. You’d love it. Have a fabulous risk taking weekend. 🙂

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  20. I agree. Making friends even in the blogging world is such a wonderful thing. Unfortunately I haven’t met any of them as none are from my city but we do interact via the phone. And that’s always something better than nothing.

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  22. You’re so right, Miriam! Sometimes when we feel the least able to do something, that’s exactly when we need to do it. I’m so glad your friend encouraged you to go to Zumba and that brought you out of your funk. And I totally agree with blogging, the sharing our our thoughts and feelings has led us to connections and friendships that never would have happened if we hadn’t found the nerve to put our writing out there on the internet for all the world to see. And thanks for being one of my special blogging friends….

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    1. Aw, thanks so much Ann, I consider you one of my special blogging friends too. Reading your posts always makes me feel as though I’m sharing a comfortable, relaxing afternoon tea with a good friend. But you’re right, if we hadn’t had the nerve to put our writing out there (and boy did I have doubts initially) it wouldn’t have happened. Cheers xo

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  23. Your words resonated, I recently returned to my weekly early morning yoga class and realized how much I need this hour spending time in meditation and lovely stretches…your posts are like poetry and I love how they wash over me!

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    1. What a beautiful comment, thank you. And yes, I bet it’s good to return to that yoga class, we need that quiet time don’t we. Enjoy it all and have a great weekend. 🙂

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  27. Miriam, I’m always enthralled how far your posts travel on topics and geography! From the freedom and joy of Zumba lifting your spirits, releasing the pain in your head to the depths of friendships developed near and far away on this platform of blogging. Friendships are pivotal in our lives even from a young age. There is magic and spark in that instant connection of true friendship, when you can be yourself…when years apart seem only minutes when meeting up again. When I started here on WP I never expected to form, what I consider, to be very close and meaningful friendships, I feel blessed and heartened to be proved so wrong. Thank you for your lovely post celebrating friends, the vital role they play in our lives and your inspiring message to us all. Yes, love and kindness is the way to go! hugs, my friend xx😀❤️ PS. I can’t stop smiling at Harry off to Zumba!! Unadulterated joy!

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    1. Annika, I always love your beautiful comments, you always seem to get to the very heart of my posts and I really appreciate that. Thank you. 🙂 You’re right about that instant spark of connection, when we can truly be ourselves, because we’ve already bared ourselves in our posts. Yes WP is pretty special in that respect. Big hugs back my lovely friend xo 💜

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  28. Love those messages from the universe! What a wonderful way to spend your time! Those connections are like soul food just so transcending! Lovely post, Miriam! Thank you.

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  31. Oh my God, Miriam! I am so touched by this post. I love you, and I love Di, and I am so glad that you met up. The photo is amazing, and I bet the four hours went by so fast. 💓 Very Happy for you both!!

    I am one of your American friends, and please know that I send you ever so much love. Debbie
    PS -I love that peanuts graphic. Would you mind emailing it to me? My email again is weloveyou@forgivingconnects.com

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    1. Thanks for your gorgeous comment Debbie and you’re right, the time with Di just flew by.
      Of course I’m happy to send you the peanuts graphic. Next time I’m on my laptop I’ll email it to you. Big hugs and lots of love xo 💕

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  32. Hi Miriam– I’ve been wanting to try zumba– thanks for he encouragement to get going on it! And– you are so right– I’v emet some precious people writing back and forth on our blogs. great post friend! xo

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  33. Oh I love Zumba too and you are so right, it just helps you to let go as it makes you only focus on your steps. I also feel yoga is doing the same thing. Anyway… wouldn’t it be fun to have a Melbourne blogger get together? And we will catch up soon as well. Promise!

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    1. Oh yeah, it would be awesome to have a Melbourne bloggers get together. I can definitely see it happening, maybe when I get back from my big trip up north I can organise something. And yes, you and I too! Promise. 🙂x

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  35. Make it summer and I’ll be in!! It is quite amazing how personalities show through in blogs and the number of people that you just click with. Same likes, same humour. Great post Miriam you’ve got us all thinking how lucky we are.

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  37. I know I’m supposed to say something like ‘How lovely’ or ‘Good for you two!’ But I really want to say…I’m so jealous!! 😉 you both look amazing and happy and I bet it was the best 4 hours! ❤

    I've never done Zumba but that's not I feel after yoga. I bet Zumba is fun thought.

    Fantastic quote from Wayne. ❤

    And yes, I love that feeling of an instant connection. It's like two souls who already know each other. ❤

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    2. Aww Nikki, if I could click my fingers I’d whisk you over here for hours and hours of talking, laughing, sharing … you name it. 🙂 Kindred spirits from afar my dear friend. The connections run deep, even over the air waves and ocean. xo 💖

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  38. It is 1:30am in the night here and I was about to turn in but when I saw the instgram post that I had missed earlier, I knew I had to drop in just to read this post. Di, and you are two women I adore and respect and ti feels amazing to see you both radiating positivity and love just like in your words. ❤

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    1. Oh Amo, I’m so glad you visited and it’s lovely to see you here. Thank you my dear, the blogging community is so very special and I feel so blessed to be part of it. And to have you part of it too. Big hugs to you and sweet dreams (or good morning!) xo 💕

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  42. As always Miriam, you left me feeling inspired and immensely happy after reading your post. I am so glad you reconsidered and let yourself go on the Zumba floor!

    And, I am thrilled for you and Di, and the hours you were able to spend together. You are two beautiful souls, and I am not at all surprised that you connected and became friends. One day, I hope to make my way to your neck of the woods and visit with you both! xo

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    1. How absolutely awesome would that be! I’d love that Tanya. 💕
      So many of us here have connected and formed bonds through our words and sharing our lives. It’s such a powerful platform isn’t it. I hope you’re well. Have a lovely weekend. xo 🙂

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  43. I’m very behind in my postings and answerings but I so enjoyed this one Miriam. I’m glad you took up the challenge and went to zumba that day it seems it did you the world of good. XX

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    1. Hi Barbara, I know exactly what you mean! I’m now on a road trip up north, heading towards Uluru and have got limited wifi but just checking in now. Thanks for your comment. Hope all’s well with you back in sunny Vic! xo

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