"Do not hesitate to LOVE and to LOVE deeply." - Henri Nouwen
I have been wanting to start this blog for a while (hey, maybe this is one of my new years resolutions...and I am doing it a few days ahead), because people hear me say all the time how I am in LOVE with Portland, Maine. I had moments in the summer when I was running along the East End trail by the water towards Commercial Street, when I just wanted to lift my arms up and scream out, "I am in love with Portland, Maine!" I remember mentioning that to someone the next day who had been in that area around the same time, and he said had I known, we could have screamed together! ONLY in Portland.
I have heard many people say people come to Maine to HEAL. YES, I would agree with that. I feel like every day I am growing, becoming more aware, finding time for silence and solitude, becoming more open, speaking my truth, trusting...I have no doubt that this growth is partly, if not largely, due to the support from the beautiful people that make up this city, the love from the mother nature that surrounds us and the ocean that is by our side mirroring the waves of our breath. Even when I am in some dark places in my mind, I can step outside in the Portland air and undoubtedly, I will find a speck of inspiration or shift in perspective that will keep me from completely withdrawing.
So, if people know me, they know I am in LOVE with Portland, Maine! This "small city" with a cozy town feel has everything you would want in a big city (art, theatre, delicious cuisine, cultural experiences, just to name a few) AND at the same time also has such a strong community of conscious people, a warmth of a tiny neighborhood, and natural beauty that is beyond words.
I found myself in Maine for the first time (well, I think we went on one family vacation in Maine, but other than that we frequented Cape Cod) when I transferred to Colby College back in 2004. I stayed for a summer in Maine after college to work on a documentary film, called
Ugly Ducklings, and worked as an Americorps volunteer with
Lots to Gardens. After that, I ventured out to Berkeley, California, because I always wanted to experience living out there, found my way back to Massachusetts where I grew up, and then headed back up North in 2009!
This is where my in LOVE experience began to grow! Shortly after being back in Portland, I started teaching yoga at
Yogave Generosity Yoga in Falmouth, a donation based studio that has now been open for over 3 years. Immediately, I felt at home, and started to develop a community. I did various things in addition to teaching yoga to adults and kids, and then a year and a half ago I began planning with my now dear friend and business partner to open a juice, smoothie & vegan cafe in the city that I love.
In August of 2012, we opened
Roost House of Juice at 11 Free Street, and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to serve the Greater Portland community yummy and healthy food and drink and invite those who come through our door to relax and rejuvenate, laugh and smile, dialogue and listen, and just roost.
Someone just said to me the other day that it feels like Cheers at Roost, where everybody knows your name. I feel like that describes my experience in Portland...I will be out and about and run into people around town, and it just feels like a big extended family sometimes, a family I want to embrace with open arms. I only hope I can be as welcoming and generous as those who have graced my presence here.
My blog will consist of highlighting events, experiences, wild happenings, need to know businesses, photographs, and more of this lovely city and its surrounding towns, as well as some quotes, and musings and insights from my own heart and mind.
Happy New Year!
Jeanette
