Miss Isabel's diary "ardent revolutionist of the heart... I dare you to love"

Do you know one of the ways you can recognize that you truly love someone? I know I love someone when the only thought or the simple view of that person being happy is making me happy and smile, even if the source of happiness has nothing to do with me and even if that person doesn't even know I thought or saw him/her...

I could feel so much love coming our way last Sunday during the Bla Bla Bla as you guys were laughing and smiling to see us go crazy and having fun...being happy. And I could definitely also feel and witness so much love radiating from inside the Studio through the walls, through the computer screens, through the distance that was miraculously banished as we were together in a common space and time. Did you feel the love in the numerous videos that our amazing video crew crafted? Could you imagine the smile of Kanu and the design team as they spent countless hours polishing each visual detail so you would feel glad to receive something so beautiful, thoughtful and meaningful? If you had a little warmth going through your cheeks as someone sent you an invite, a personal message, it's only because that someone poured out the best of love, energy and passion in order to reach you, touch you and take care of you... And the management team, the creation team, and the band, as we are a part of this truthfully loving family. Now you get why we're rock enough to create that "Everybody Loves Jeff" t-shirt!lol

www.yfestore.com

The description of the shirt is really worth the read:

In the spirit of the 60's, the "Everybody Loves Jeff" t-shirt is a perfect demonstration of what true and pure affection is all about. In a world built on individualism, self-righteousness, egotistic devotion and inconsideration…

Compassion, sympathy, altruism and empathy are needed more than ever.

As some people, like Jeff Beaulieu, opened the way, it's now time for every single one of us to make a stand and take the lead. Evil and hatred are never ashamed to show the colors of their apathetic nature. So how should we be, when it's time to embrace the quintessential essence of love... yes, we love Jeff... not only for the incredibly caring man he is, but because like him... we know the fruits that love can bare... today a t-shirt... tomorrow the whole world.

So wear your love and become an ardent revolutionist of the heart... I dare you to love!!!

Yeah... an ardent revolution involving each one of us. Ardent...Burning... As I was watching the new video-clip "Where Did We Lose Each Other", I was struck by one particular image. The whole video can touch you and I in so many ways and can take different meaning for each of us, but today when I look at how the light is omnipresent, so strong, overpowering the individuals, taking the whole place...the light and the sound... Even if the lyrics are quite deep and express a journey of confusion, loss, pain, searching for hope and redemption, transition and life... the light is always there... the sound never gives up... And then there is THIS SCENE, about 2 seconds long, that shows the whole band in the middle of our studio/church, shining like a furious flame piercing the surrounding darkness... When you know what we had to go through to stick together, take each of our places in that circle, to learn to feed our own fire and then fully embrace the vision of bringing the best of our light, energy and warmheartedness together, as one, united to shine even more and inspire more people to create their own bonfire.

To be united is very powerful. Together we can overcome anything that comes our way on a personal level. We have to learn to allow ourselves to shine... we might be shy or feel ashamed of what this light will reveal... and then on top of this another will shine on us and reveal even more?:P? My gosh!.. well... I understand the feeling. But, please, believe me or believe what you see, the more I let myself shine and the more I get close to people who are burning with passion, the more my heart is hot, the less I fear my own differences, the more I value the strength of others as they enlighten areas of my life that I'm weak in and they strengthen me! You might feel you're not a big flame... maybe you feel more like the tiniest coal... Let me remind you of something Alex said (excerpts from the"Love Is a Promise - Reissue" live chat )

"I guess I will always be fragile... maybe... but somehow, I'm not afraid anymore... in some standards, I'm a failure... and I rather be a hot coal than a frozen piece of gold... and that's alright for me... that's perfect for me..."-Alex Foster.

I'm proud of you all my "coal-mates"! Let's be hot together and fire up everything around us!

Miss Isabel

Download your song, video and so cool wallpapers NOW! it's free:)

"You are there with us living the moment... Let's create the magic!"

 My dear family HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Can you believe how lucky we are to take these steps all together as we move from one year to another? Really I see it as a walk we all are taking together on this journey we call life. Day after day I decide to look ahead envisioning where I desire to go in my life, my goals, the things I want to see change, evolve, disappear, grow... Keeping my eyes up allows me to dream and to have faith. Sometimes, especially when we are in a transition time, we look back at what we did, what we were, what impact it has had on us today. That allows us to measure our actions and decisions. And then, there's the present, now, how I walk now, my actions today, my thoughts, my feelings, what I do with my talents, my time, and my life. My friends, I want to thank you, because if it wasn't for being able to look around and see you, walking all around me, I would be the most unhappy, selfish and lost person on this life journey.

We often say "live the moment" and I know that for some of us it might sound so good but doesn't really mean anything in our every day life. The new year celebration was happening all around the world, fireworks, parades, feasts... but for so many of us just couldn't smile or laugh or have fun, dark feelings creeping inside, loneliness and hopelessness taking over the whole show... I know... I've been rejected by my own blood family. I felt like an orphan for so many years. I had little hope of being loved and feeling the security of a home. If my own left me, how can anyone love me, how could I deserve love... I have made a long journey since then! Years and years of decisions, many good ones, so many bad ones, but since the day I made that one decision to try to belong, to at least try to believe in the love of my friends, to try little by little to open up and to love in return, to try something different rather than putting up those same old self-defense walls in front of each little scary thing, since that day I can say I am alive.

During these past weeks, at the Your Favorite Enemies HQ, we took some time to really spend time together, not working on our zillion projects, just being friends... We went shopping, we watched movies, we cooked together, we did have so much fun and laughed until our abs were burning. Some of us created amazing events for the only purpose of living something joyful, encouraging and positive all together. We CREATED these occasions and it was up to each of us to LIVE that moment fully, to laugh without filter, to cry if we felt like it, to be affectionate with anyone we wanted to bless, to encourage one another, to share a joke or a story or just to listen and learn about one another with the conscious purpose to take part in the family, to be an important part of this family.

You saw one of the event we created just for fun: the ARM WRESTLING GALA!lol What a blast! lol That day, I believe it was Alex who sent all of us an email saying "Tonight you're an arm wrestler. Choose a song, choose a costume and be ready for the Gala at 10PM". We were all so excited!lol Yes it is weird, we're all adults and we do play like kids! I love it. It was magic... Just like the "Natto Party" we had also out of the blue... unexpected... I mean they had to take us by surprise to expect us to eat that very traditional super stinky, sticky, ugly, not so tasty fermented bean guck that is suppose to be good for your skin and brain but taste like... humm... I'll stay polite:) We pretty much all HATED it but we all ate it just because it was a family fun time and a challenge to be all together (in good times like in bad times I guess!Lol) All together... no competition...just seeding love in one another. Cultivating joy. I don't think it's natural for any of us, but we are taking that decision all together "WE WANT TO BE ALIVE, TO BE HAPPY, TO NEVER AGAIN FEEL LIKE ORPHANS".

Then you might say "Good for you but why put it on the internet? You can sell your music, but why do videos of your crazy games, why do live chats, blogs, etc?" The reason is simple and beautiful, we want to live that life journey with you, we want you to take part in it, to also laugh at what makes us laugh, that you also feel loved and cared for, that you can see how dreams are possible and get from us some courage just as we get courage from your stories, your sharing... That's why the Bla Bla Bla is so brilliant! We are LIVE together, we can exchange, you can take part in a moment with us!!! I always make sure I'm well prepared for the Bla Bla Bla, not only because I should look good and not make stupid mistakes... I get prepared because it's my rendez-vous with you:) I prepare my heart to be loving and caring... my soul to be open and sensitive for you. Each Bla Bla Bla is different, and this year more than ever we want to surprise you and spoil you! And again this year you can take part in this family as you are an important part of it... so BE there and laugh, and cry, and say jokes and listen... you are THERE with us and you will LIVE the moment and CREATE with us the magic.

Miss Isabel
p.s. can you guess if I won my arm wrestling fight?;)

Miss Isabel's Diary - "Reflection or incarnation. We all look at the mirror..."

When was the last time the sunrise was only for you... 

and the sunset whispered goodbye to your heart as if no one else could hear...?

We just came back from an incredible week of vacation by the sea and I still can feel the ocean licking my toes and the boys throwing sand in my ears...(NOT the opposite !lol) We needed it so much... Looking back at the few days (not to mention the few months!) before we left, I am just in disbelief at all that we did in such a short time! I think of Big Byrd as he flew all over Montreal to get all the elements, all the treasures that are a part of the SFCC official package (the Membership Card is just so cool... the pictures all with different quotes... DVD...and I won't even mention everything else PLUS the special t-shirt crafted in our own "Fabrik" YFE shop... wait to see it... you will... euh... maybe take your meds for seizures ok?;)...lol). I had the chance to help Stephanie assemble the packages the night before the Bla Bla Bla and to sign many little notes again, every time feeling such a connection with you. During the night before the Bla Bla Bla, I also had another chance... To dye Jeff's hair in pink!lol You have to know that Jeff HATES it when I have to put make up on him for videos so you can imagine when I had to dye his hair and wash it many times afterwards because it became more "beet" color than pink!LOL But he was so determined to surprise Sef! You have to see the rerun of that Bla Bla Bla because every moment was so surprising and filled with the love we all share. Of course, we spent the whole night awake preparing that Bla Bla Bla Live show as it included so many important things we wanted to offer you: the "Where Did We Loose Each Other" official video clip. the "Silence is Murder" human rights video, the retrospective of the sooooo crazy year 2011... images we all want engraved in our minds and in our hearts.

Right after the Bla Bla Bla I remember I was trying to prepare my luggage for the vacation but I was so tired that every movement I was doing was only making me turn in circles and move things uselessly...lol But it wasn't OVER! We were heading that very same day to downtown Montreal to shoot a very important video clip with an incredible movie team. My energy all came back as soon as I saw the set, the costumes, the movie team, their energy. The excitement overpowered our lack of sleep! I lived a true blast during that video shoot as the team was so professional and they were directing us marvelously which was kind of strange as we usually control everything and direct things ourselves. It was nice to feel passionate artists team up with us to create something that will be eternal for all of us, for all of you, our family. 

Once the video clip shooting was done we took a short 3 hour nap and we went to the airport to catch our plane, THE plane that would lead all the band and team to a dream destination, to rest, to have fun, to reinforce the strong bond we all have in our hearts for you, to give us a chance to savour the fruits of what we have all built together over the years.

I had soooooo much fun!!! I enjoyed every moment, I laughed, I shared my heart, I have learned life stories, I rested, I played volleyball, swam, did aqua gym, celebrated my birthday, danced, breathed all the salty air, caught all the sun on my SPF60 protected skin... And most of all I feel I grasped what was there for me, not letting anything slip between my fingers that could have been offered to me. On the very last day of vacation, here is what I wrote in my little personal notebook: "I see the sun birthing through the waters, from an ocean already tinted from a promising dawn... and as this light rises up allowing colors to come to life, inside of my heart I can hear : I love you." That same evening, I saw the most incredible sunset, the sun resigning to disappear under the horizon... a horizon made of sky and clouds as we were flying 36000 feet above an infinite sea that was collecting every precious drop of sparkling red, purple and yellow that the sun was leaving behind.

Now were back and I know I'm ready for more, more surprises, more love, more challenges, more craziness, more sleepless nights accomplishing our dreams. Alex wrote something so encouraging as we were leaving and I want to share it with you. It talks about us, it talks about you, it talks about what each of us, you and me, can live the second we decide to believe it's ours and we will NOT let it slip from our hands... 

IT'S OURS!!! It's mine!!! 

It's YOURS!!! Take it!:) -

Miss Isabel

"(...) root down and be fruitful. Not tomorrow. But now. It's a choice. Everything goes back to that fundamental essence of the freedom we have: Freedom... Regardless of who deserves such blessing, freedom is the gift we all received from God... Not religion. And unconditional love is the embodiment of such gift. Freedom... A dirty word for those determined to live in the loneliness and the shadow caused by every illusion. Freedom... Abomination for those covering every single one of their well paced self-righteous footsteps with a prefabricated halo of artificial light, perfectly set to be victimized through the impersonation of a confused walk and a dazed lack of comprehension. We are all experiencing that freedom by every single spark and every single flash of truth that lights our vision through the night of our own fool's paradise. Even if only for a second of a flash. Even if only for a second of a spark. Free...


The way you embrace the truth of your decisions, for good or for worst, will determine the nature of life; Reality or fantasy, whisper or climax. Either way, we're all free. And the call up is for every single one of us, wide awake or living dead. It's a daily decision, not the reminiscence of what used to be good, but the daily redefining incarnation of what it is, not what it feels, but really what it is, to BE... for what BEING is about ,truly... Some called that daily opportunity to BE an eternal second chance... me, I called it a graceful blessing to decide from which side of the mirror we want to look at our own life: reflection or incarnation. We all look at the mirror... Aren't we all the same ;)" -Alex

Miss Isabel's Diary "Today... I crawl or I run?"

Hey my dear family, my friends, my inspiration...

If only you were a little bat sneaking in the studio, the YFE HQ, the La Fabrik t-shirt making area and our Atelier where my partner and I are crafting jewelry, you would FLIP OUT to see everything that is going on, boiling and ready to explode, emerging from dedicated labour and a passionate will to build bridges to unite all of us together. Every day, I'm just so amazed at what I see blooming in front of my eyes...

Did you know we will present for the very first time the "Where Did We Loose Each other" video clip?!? I remember when we filmed that video clip... Everything that could possibly go wrong in the preparation, did go wrong, as if filming that clip had to test our perseverance and determination! The van broke down while carrying the equipment, we had trouble renting all the necessary lighting system, I even had a major ugly skin infection all over my face!lol (well....it's a big LOL now, but that day, I was more panicked than anything!!! Panicked and also very fortunate to have the help from a make up artist friend to do a big job of "face-camouflage"!!!Lol ) But I think you know us well by now and we're not the kind to let down a project that we know will touch everyone's heart and let all of us feel the power and freedom carried by the music and Alex's words.

Not giving up in front of adversity... Each day can be either a repetition of what we always live, always the same routine, the same people, the same conversation, the same habits, the same highs and lows...OR... Each day we can live our life making decisions to try something new, to dare to have fun, to talk to a friend about something that really is important for you... We all can spend our waking hours surfing on the same old waves... OR... Taking action doing something that could change our life or the life of someone we care about. LET'S BE BOLD!!! And if we go wrong... if we fail... if we get hurt... if... if... if... thank God we don't have the "faculty of fearing" so developed when we are babies, otherwise nobody would walk or run...we would all still be crawling!lol (hummm... interesting image in my mind of all adults of this planet crawling to work, crawling to the grocery store... "walking on two little feet? are you crazy??? I may fall!"... Babies don't think that way. I guess we learn to fear and forget the joy of discovering new possibilities, new sounds, new textures, new flavors, new people, new feelings, new landscapes, new aspects of ourselves...

I discover my musical sensitivity when I write and play melodies on the piano. I let myself freely explore my creative side with the jewelry project. The more I take risks not only in what I do, but in how I am honest with my friends and with myself, the more I see my life is yet to be written and discovered... I'm just so glad I don't have to be the same girl I was almost a year ago when we filmed "Where Did We Lose Each Other". I'm just so thankful that I found a love that frees me from fear.

In everything we do, music, shirts, DVDs, jewelry, Blogs, Video Clips, Live Internet Talk shows, and so on... We are learning to walk and run! Nobody can do that learning for us... We just try and fall and get back up and press on and get stuck and get frustrated and find solutions and explode with joy when we realize we made it! I hope we can be big brothers and big sisters for you, a helping hand to stand up, a voice to encourage you to sneak your head in the next room to see what's interesting there. I desire for us to be there when you do fall and get hurt, to heal you but also and mainly to remind you that as soon as your tears are dry you can laugh and run all over again. I have that quality of people around me: the guys from the band and the women and men from the YFE team. And we all dedicate our talent... our life to be there for you too.

Why? It's so much more fun to run with many friends than alone;) Up for it bro? Got your shoes on sis?

I love you

Miss Isabel

Miss Isabel's Diary "This is your first stop..."

Download the performance of “The Mightiest Of Guns” for free

Miss Isabel's Diary 

"This is your first stop... but be ready for something amazing: CHAOS AND COMMUNION"

Hi dear ones!

I always feel very lucky to know you just decided to read my humble words... I've been blogging for 4 years already and I have the assurance that I wouldn't be the woman I am if I hadn't poured my heart, mind and soul out this way... and if you guys hadn't been on the other side of these lines with your own inspiring comments sending back my way love, encouragement and invitations to think further. Over the years, I was also amazed by the expressive writing talent of Jeff and Alex who shared so much through their blogs as well. They have such a special loving way to write... both very different and reading them is like discovering a treasure and the more we sip in their words, the more we not only understand their meaning but also what place they can take in our life.

Now... I ask of you to do two things:)

First, go discover the new "Chaos & Communion" blog section on the Your Favorite Enemies website. Bookmark this page and anytime you feel like having a very unique insight on how a rock band is living through the musical and spiritual journey drop by "Chaos & Communion"!

Second, read Alex's post on the new section, sip in his words and leave for him, for the whole band and for everyone who might pass by, your own words... I believe your simple words sent back our way will have a huge impact on us and on so many people... Can you do that? I believe you can:)

I'll go read you on the amazing "Chaos & Communion":) I'm proud of you guys.

Miss Isabel

Redemption... by crowd surfing???

Hi !!!!!!!!!!

The set of the Bla Bla Bla "The Live Show" was the theatre of such an amazing event last Sunday. How was it so different than all the previous Bla Bla Bla?... In theory it wasn't so different... I mean I was sitting at the same place on the white couch as usual, we didn't really sleep as usual, there were many exciting things to talk about as usual and you were faithfully with us...as usual:) But I can definitely say that it was a unique moment that felt like nothing experienced ever before. How is that possible? Is it that I am consciously looking to live something new every day that I see it all this way? Is it that I'm growing and seeing things from another perspective? Is it that we are talking over and over again about living the moment and slowly but surely I understand what it can mean for me!?! I believe it's a combination of it all!

Right after we performed the song "The Mightiest Of Guns" (AA Bondy), Alex talked about something so interesting... He talked about redemption. The definition of redemption is to be forgiven and set free of the past sins, a deliverance from our present and past chains... The way Alex talked about it was so simple saying how redemption has nothing to do with religion. Redemption is available to everyone as it is a condition of the heart... it's to have the deep desire to turn away from what keeps us turning in a circle to actively and aggressively search for real life... the life that hasn't been pre-written for you by your parents, your culture, or even written by yourself many years ago... the life that we rarely see but can always recognize when we witness it in someone else... the life that isn't bought with silver and gold but the life that is seeded with hope and love. For some of us, we just don't believe in such a life. For some of us, the chains seem simply too heavy to even think about being free. For some of us the lies in our heads are so familiar that they sound just like truth...

Redemption... by crowd surfing???lol 

watch this video... 

I think you will understand even more what Alex is talking about just like it did for me!

What strikes me the most in this video is the thought that it's a personal decision to let go and jump even when we feel broken and fragile. I can see crowd surfing as an example of when you are supported and carried by people, you can feel such a connection, a deep sense of trust growing and, from that trust and surrender, a lot of things can be healed from the past. When was the last time we pushed away legitimate excuses to take risks, to let other people that are filled with life carry us? When was the last time we desired a real connection with one another? When was the last time we realized and believed our past wounds could be healed?

Yes we will repeat it over and over, and for as long as you need us to, just how important and marvelous it is to "live the moment". Yes we will use every tool possible, live chats, concerts, blogs, the fan club "SFCC", meet & greets, the new YFE website, messages on FB or Twitter, little personal notes on your orders from the YFE store, every and any occasion to connect with you. Why? Because the redemption we can taste is so delicious... why not invite you for a bite and share your delightful life as well?;) We need to surf on your freedom just as much as you can be elevated by ours... That makes my own freedom and redemption even more important as it doesn't only involve me but it does have an impact on you...and you are important to me.

I have never crowd surfed before. Hearing Alex makes me want to try!!!lol But there's one thing I know, you and I can experience redemption from our past, being healed by jumping to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, we can forget about our aches and pains to live the moment, each moment as a new beginning, each occasion as another proof that we were made to be free...

-Miss Isabel

Miss Isabel's diary "So... EXCITING!!! So... ALIVE!!! So... US!!!"

My dear family,

What a great week!!! The First DVD of Your Favorite Enemies is born!!! The past few weeks I saw the whole team lacking sleep as we were preparing the launch with all the care and detail you know we put into each treasure we want to share with you. There was so much to do...because there is so much we WANT to do for you! I mean... did you see the Welcoming page of the YFE Store? I mean... we don't have one store... we have 4!!lol And it wouldn't surprise me if one day we have as many stores as the numbers of languages you guys speak... because our heart is to include as many people as possible and we know how the language can be a barrier. Can you see how much impact each person who does the translation has, all for the love of you? Long hours of work so we can touch so many people who otherwise would not have understood the uplifting and encouraging messages.

The night of the launch we still had a lot to do, but the main thing we did and enjoyed was to touch with our own hands what was already being folded and placed in mailing envelopes, and the first packages to be sent. We were all around the kitchen table writing notes to each and every person who supports us by getting the DVD, laughing and being just happy. I felt I was so lucky and so proud each time I was either folding a tote bag, writing an address on an envelope, admiring the shirt or the design of the DVD itself...not only because I could remember the tour in China and its great impact on me personally and on the band, but mainly because this whole “The Uplifting Sound Of An epiphanic awakening… The Enlightenment Of Letting Go” project is a HUGE family accomplishment, a "Do It Yourself" proof that we can achieve anything we want, any seed of dream can turn into a real living tree!

I was telling my band mates "I'm so excited to do any little thing in that process of sending our friends all over the world these bags and shirts and DVD... I feel like I prepare Christmas gifts for my family that I love... picturing already in my mind the smiles and the happiness everyone will have when they will receive it..."

Did you see the incredible special page about the project? The videos on there are parts of the DVD content, videos that can allow you and I to think more about our own personal dreams, our own life and how we can learn more and live something different by taking chances. What we share with you is our heart and we are just soooo blessed when you also share with us your heart, your dreams, your love and friendship. Make sure you drop by that page and add a part of your heart there ok?:)

“The Uplifting Sound Of An Epiphanic Awakening… The Enlightenment Of Letting Go” is the empowering representation of the nature of the “unexpected”, a moment by which we can personally incarnate the defining essence of a dream and collectively become the transformations envisioned by our faith in true everlasting love."

Come celebrate with us this sunday for the Bla Bla Bla the Live show!!!

I'll be waiting for you:)

-Miss Isabel

  

Miss Isabel's Diary "Treasures & Seeds" - We thought of you -

Ok... I was about to write something poetic about how excited we all are about the new release of "The Uprising Sound Of An epiphanic awakening..." DVD project and special package. Then I changed my mind as I just want to share with you simply why I am so proud of it and why you guys are at the center of it all.

We thought of you when we were planning the tour in China. We wanted you to see everything, from every angle possible, all the beauty and miracles that happened during this exciting journey... So we worked really hard ensuring our visual crew could do this and make it all happen for you!

We thought of you when the visual crew: Kim, YB, Kosho and Stephanie were spending sleepless nights working on the images of the day, to upload them for you so you could follow the action and feel a part of the adventure.

We thought of you when, back home, we made the "Hear It From The Band Members" Special Interview Series, because we had the feeling that if we could explain deeply what we felt, lived, learned, saw and gained from what we went through over there, you guys might gain something from that.

We thought of you when Kanu was sitting days and nights in front of his 27 inch imac...(maybe that's why he has a year round tan!lol) to find the design that could translate the best emotions in a picture with ambiance of the video, just as the frame of a beautiful painting allows it to take its place in a room.

We thought of you when Big Byrd ran all over Montreal to see the quality of different t-shirts, totebags, and other cool stuff and even choosing carefully the type of shipping envelopes to make sure you guys would already feel the excitement just from receiving your package.

We thought of you, our dearest friends, when we discussed extensively about the prices, wanting to make it as affordable as possible.

We thought of you, our family, as we chose the inspirational words and the empowering images that you guys could wear and carry around as a reminder of who YOU ARE... yes! these words and images are not those of Your Favorite Enemies 6 musicians... they are Your Favorite Enemies Family which is you, your impact on us and what you decide to create with what you see, hear and feel.

We thought of you, because we do love you, when we had in our hands the very first DVD entirely made by the family, the first t-shirt printed with ink that is still staining Big Byrd's hands, the first totebag, the first buttons... everything that we are so proud of because it reflects who we are all together and what we can accomplish because we are as one.

Yes... you truly are at the center of everything we do. So be proud too and live completely the joy we are living right now accomplishing by ourselves all these amazing projects, as they are yours too!!!

Your sister's still thinking of you while writing... for you.
Miss Isabel

GET YOUR COPY OF THE DVD NOW: CLICK HERE!

Miss Isabel's Diary "Treasures & Seeds" - Flying again or for the first time -

My dear ones,
You who I am blessed to be able to carefully whisper in your ear...

You make me realize that those whispers coming out of my heart result in much more than a personal release echoing randomly. No, in fact, they are powerful for me and their aftershock in your own life comes back to me with another round of energy and a positive driving force. You guys are really courageous. You might think you're not but you are... the moment you start thinking differently, the moment you allow yourself to think of pushing the limits set in your mind, the moment you believe in the fact that you can change, you can build something of your own, you can be yourself and use whatever you have inside of you to make a difference in your world... at THAT moment you are already a living courageous warrior!

Last weekend, I had the privilege to spend two whole days wondering around the most beautiful parts of Montreal and Quebec City with Sef and friends from abroad. We drove, crossing the stunning multicolored trees celebrating the glorious fall with all tones of reds, oranges, greens and yellows... We walked for hours, sure to discover some hidden parts of places we visited so many times...lol... We saw the sunset falling over Mont-Royal mountain and on the St-Lawrence river... We laughed so much and had great discussions!

One of these discussions came up as we were admiring birds flying over the water as if they were really just fooling around...playing with the wind...like friends surfing on the air just because they had wings and this was the coolest thing to do at that moment!lol I said "These flying birds really represent freedom...but what in them exactly portrays it?" Is it the fact that they have wings? Is it the fact that they use what they have to escape the ground? Is it that they know what they are and fully embrace everything that identity means?... My friend Jonathan gave me this picture he took and said "these birds were so hard to catch on camera!" yeah... exactly... that's the point of flying! Much easier to capture a walking bird (or step on it...yeah... ask Sef how in the world you can "step" on a bird...as he did it!lol) than catching a flying bird!

During our tour in China, Alex constantly declared to the crowd that they could fly, inviting them to try again or for the first time. Again or for the first time... I felt that our Chinese young friends were trying their wings for the first time encouraged by the music and realizing through Alex's words that they actually had wings they weren't aware of... It was maybe intimidating at first but as more and more people in the audience were extending their wings, starting to live what they felt inside freely, dancing, screaming, body surfing.. more people tried their wings as well for that moment. I truly believe that first "flight" made in such an encouraging and memorable environment is going to be a starting point for many, if not all, of them! I watched again their images and I felt emotional to see the powerful sparks of life that were born during these concerts... especially as I believe they are already growing into lifetime changes and even into a society shift. (click HERE to look at them... have you experienced something like this?)

Flying again... For some of us, watching these images is like a distant or fragile memory, as we actually did feel so free only a few times or a long time ago. We may find thousands of reasons why we decided to forget who we are and abandon the pleasure of just "being". Maybe we are "walking birds" and bitterness, fear, stress, doubts, insecurities are catching us way too easily. "I can't fly because my burden is too heavy" and what if it was the other way around: "Burdens get at me because I spend too much time on the ground instead of flying"...

"Letting go from the illusionary security of gravity is allowing our heart and soul to turn our common dreamful desire of flying into the uplifting embodiment of what flying is truly about, 

which is the everlasting incarnation of freedom" -Alex Foster

Whatever our starting point, young or old, bruised or freshly trying to fly, once we jump it's up to us to know how far we go! Have you noticed the air has no starting point and no end? Infinite! limitless! We are not behind or further than anyone, we are just elsewhere. And if we are playing with the wind... surfing on the air just because we decide to, it won't matter where we were walking before except to admire even more how simple and fun it is now to fly. To whisper my heart to you is flying... enjoying friendship while walking in the old Quebec city is flying... playing with passion on my piano is flying...

How do you fly today?:)

Miss Isabel
p.s. I'll be waiting for you Sunday for the Bla Bla Bla!!! Our chance to fly all together;)

Miss Isabel's Diary "Treasures & Seeds": What time is it?

You guys touched me. Seeing all your comments flowing our way like true rivers gushing out of your hearts... I knew it wasn't any easier for you than for me and each of your words had to pass by rocks and dams before they could freely float and irrigate each and everyone who read them, filling us with hope, a sense of community and opening our eyes to more than ourselves.

I read all your comments and your words are now a part of what I meditate. When Danielle said " You were born to do that and to be where you are now!! " I remember that in everything I do I can cultivate a deep sense that my life has a purpose and I do have everything in me to accomplish all I wish to in my life. I said to Ben this past weekend that when I was in school I never really had to work hard to have good marks, and in most parts of my life I had just enough talent or I was just quick enough to make my way without really pushing my limits... well now that I see more clearly what I want I definitely need to work harder than ever to develop my talents, learn team work and just grow as a person.

"I know what I have to do today to stay in the fight, and accomplish what I know I need to accomplish today to stay in the race that is set before me, to strive after the hoped prize" -Sally

To hear Franca and Mily declare "I start to live again" and "I'm on my way to make (my dream) it real" is such a breath of life! It's also an invitation for Yukiko who wants to open herself to the world instead of making "an obstinate, beautiful shield of a fragile fantasy." Franca said: "Even gold locked up in my world I found the pain, loneliness, and then what to do?" Well sisters, I can say you've already overcame many shields and golden walls as you shared with us!! This time is a real :WOW... FANTASTIC!;)

Sebastien would love to have more hours in a day to do all that he wants and Mune believes that all good things come with time... time is so precious you are both right!!! But we have so little control over time... how can we make the best out of it? Do we need a "Time out!"?

"I have no regrets with the things I accomplish on a daily basis. Like you, I live in the NOW. Would I trade every conversation or task I accomplish on a daily basis for another? Sometimes. But, this is the life I choose. It's the life I live. It is all that I can accomplish in the moment." - Howard

In our last band meeting we were discussing about the upcoming DVD of the Shanghai Show that you'll be able to get after the next "BlaBlaBla: The Live Show" (look into the Facebook event for all the details!! ). Such an AMAZING project, I can't wait for you guys to get your hands on it!!! For some reason when I think of that Shanghai show, time seemed in fact suspended, as if it really didn't matter anymore, as if nothing would be too fast or too slow but just perfectly timed to allow many thousands of people to simultaneously declare "we're alive, we're important and we're determine to grasp everything that is for us in this life". It's a little bit like my sister Sandra emailed me earlier this week: "I want to take a step, not waiting for circumstances to change to be perfect... I want to charge forward knowing that I can have success with what I have in my hands whatever the winds against me... whatever I was in the past or what I should have been, what I should have done... NOW I really desire to be in motion you see?!" Yes I see!... the time is NOW!!!

We're all moving as one, united by a passionate fire for life... Our lives are all different and it's beautiful... Our lives are all unique and it's our treasure... Our lives are all meaningful and that's why we won't lose one minute and we're in motion in what we know... and we are hopeful in what we don't know:)

Miss Isabel

p.s. note on your calendar October 16th for the Bla Bla Bla... I want to see you there with us!!!

Miss Isabel's Diary... Treasures and Seeds

Hey hi!

Did you miss me as much as I missed you?  I have to admit the summer went by at such a fast pace!!!! I look back and I say "what? Already 2 months that I didn't post a blog!?!"  Time is a weird element.  I feel like 2 years of events happened in the last two months and, at the same time, I feel like July 14th was yesterday... oh well;)  I realized how much I missed writing this blog to connect with you as I am writing it right now!

During the summer I wanted to re-evaluate many things... I thought about my life and also about what I wanted to do next just as I was living so many things!!! Studio work, we went again to China, we spent the whole summer doing live chats about the reissue of the album "Love Is A Promise... Whispering Goodbye", 10 weeks, 30 chats, so many questions to answer and to think about!  It was such an amazing exercise for me and I truly believe I will see in the near future how these 10 weeks played an important part in my life journey!

Another important part of my life I thought about is this blog.  Sounds weird to say as really it is some weekly text launched in the virtual atmosphere, but I had so much proof that not only does it brings me further, it helps me to think and forces me to focus on what is important, but it also touches many of you (would I dare to say ALL of you?;)...).  In that process I asked you guys what I could do to improve this blog, what you desired, what you'd liked etc, and I was very happy to have your input!  Many of you said you loved when I responded directly to your comments and when I was talking about music and everything else that could surround me and touch me.

I heard you!!!:) I see this week's blog as the start of a brand new season of blogging for me... for US!  It's been 4 years that I have blogged on a weekly basis and now I just feel like enjoying life more than ever and sharing whatever I discover, touch, realize and feel.  Maybe in the past I needed to find a meaning behind what I was going through, I needed to share about my feelings and my understanding of this crazy life... now I would love to share with you simple things I discover, things I create, things I learn... all of these are treasures I want to share with you, my friends, my family...

Also, somewhere inside are things still unveiled, maybe frozen, some unseen gifts and realms that I haven't yet dared to explore or I am unaware of their existence...  I want to allow myself to get inspired by what I see and by you... I want to share with you my long time forgotten dreams and build with your help my new ones!  These dreams are seeds that will change my life and tint my tomorrows with your colors.

So here we are... the new Miss Isabel's diary... Treasures and Seeds...
I'm just so lucky and blessed to have you with me... hand in hand to walk this journey... this incredible journey that will bring all of us further...
all of us...
you and me,
my friend, my family.

-Miss Isabel  

p.s. Talking of treasures... did you get your new YFE gift??? 

GET IT NOW by clicking on "Download the free MP3 + HD Video"

www.yourfavoriteenemies.com/callup

A little break, a little question, a BIG chance to redefine what we want!

It's your time to help this blog go further!

Alright my friends!

This is the last blog of the summer as I'll take a little step back to think and evaluate the reasons and ways surrounding this diary.  I have the chance to share with you every week.  In fact, Your Favorite Enemies has already started to put everything we do under the microscope, allowing ourselves to find new ways to do what we're good at and find new paths to improve in things where we feel we can reach even higher levels,... and who do you think is the center of our attention?  If you said "ME?" you are.... RIGHT!  You will have a greater understanding of what we mean by opening up everything by watching the videos surrounding the re-issue of the album "Love Is A Promise Whispering Goodbye"... Videos that you just CAN'T MISS by the way!!!

We are involved with you in a multitude of ways, music, live concerts, blogs, Q&As, chats, live shows, newsletters, social media, SFCC, human rights actions, and at this point we are excited to explore everything and redefine what we want and how we want to achieve it.  Music for us is a bridge to help all of us live a new life, new experiences, a new freedom... Music is for us a safe oasis where human hearts can connect, where the silence of loneliness can be broken and where hopelessness is quieter than the power of freedom flowing through melodies, sounds and words.

I realized a long time ago that I'm lucky to evolve in this oasis and even more I get to add my own little touch to it with this blog... a touch that helped me belong... a touch that helped all of us gather and discover more about each other.  But even if what we are reaching together each week is already amazing,I do believe there's something even more refreshing for all of us, a touch through this blog that could lift us even higher!

So just before I do my road trip towards inspiration, renewal, and redefinition I want to have your input as this blog without you would really only be a bottled message into an infinite empty sea.  So if you were waiting for the best time to leave a comment...the time is now!!!;) Tell me what you like about this diary... tell me any ideas as to how it could be improved... tell me anything that comes to your mind if I say "Miss Isabel's diary"...

I'm waiting to read you... and I have the whole summer to do so...So... Don't be shy to write!!!

-Miss Isabel
p.s. did you know the deluxe and remastered re-issue of the album "Love Is A Promise Whispering Goodbye" is now available?  Get your COPY now!!

Running through the rain of estrangement, catching pure drops of diamond bliss.

More than a bootleg... a revealing story...a touching music flow.

Right after the Bla BLa Bla of last weekend, I jumped on my computer to download my own version of the Bootleg filmed in Kyoto as I, just like you, was about to see the images for the first time! I know it sounds special that even if I'm in the band I didn't even see the bootleg before it's release!lol

Thinking back, I remember what happened that day, what I felt and the sharing I had with our Japanese family who joined us in the temple as the rain was persistently veiling the sky and surrounding the music with it's chant, but as I started to watch the bootleg, I had the precious chance to have another perspective, to live it in a fresh way, to give to it a new place in my heart and allow myself to grasp it's numerous gifts.

Silently watching the beautiful images, I was touched to see the simplicity of the moment, I was amazed by the soft peacefulness flowing through the room, I was noticing all the smiles and the eyes closed which were surely very sensitive to all that can't be caught on camera, I was also impressed by the face of Alex expressing such honesty. He was telling a story of his own, sharing such intimate memories. This time, music wasn't loud enough to cover any feelings or to shade any truth, this time music was uplifting every single detail of every word, every emotion, every offering of life passing away the borders of Alex's lips as we, musicians, were trying simply to craft a cradle that could rock gently, respectfully, carefully the moment that was birthing in front of our eyes. That moment was made of courage and of love as we all heard a song about suffering and doubts, about betrayal and isolation, about a quest and revelation, about the reality that a journey is made of so many colors that can take time to understand, to grasp, to accept and to let shine freely... Can't you see these mysterious colors in the mirror? I sometimes prefer not to look at all in any mirror... Alex was strangely singing a story that could be mine, that could be yours... and if we had also that courage to expose our story... and if we could find the strength to love ourselves enough to take one more step in this journey toward freedom and dreams... and if we were to trust, stepping out of the loud music and rumbles, stepping out in the light, letting ourselves be known, letting ourselves be touched... letting ourselves be known...

For me the title "Running through the rain of estrangement, catching pure drops of diamond bliss." means that the same thing that can make me want to run away, to hide,protect and isolate myself, that very same thing or situation can in fact be a source of refreshing blessings, new visions and enlightening revelations. I might be completely wrong... but to me, the whole concert gathering people of different cultures, ages and religions in a centenary temple, the whole context of the violent rain protecting more than threatening our peaceful communion, all these paradox were a demonstration that opposition doesn't mean impossible, that HOPE, FAITH and LIFE are reachable from anywhere we're at.

Catching pure drops of bliss... I want that:)
Miss Isabel

Visit www.yourfavoriteenemies.com for more free downloads!

Family, Studio time, Music creation, Dreams...

Gifts we take care with open hands

My dear family, the one I chose, the one I've been chosen, the one I believe in, the one that believes in me...

It's easy to think that we are separated because our reality is different, because our daily lives don't look alike, because we can't talk or spend time together as much as we would love to. Of course our brothers and sisters living in other countries can feel this way, but I can tell you that it's also how we can feel sometimes even here at the YFE HQ within our house, the close crew, the ones sharing the same roof, the same table. As we are back in studio recording right now mostly keyboards, lead guitars and vocals (oh... and we also have a section called "Chaos"!lol...), we are again quite isolated in the cocoon of the Studio. The five guys and I, Big Byrd and Sean are spending all day in that one room, letting the music we carry inside of us flow freely, trying every idea, encouraging each other to take part in what we believe is our destiny. We get out of the studio only to grab a coffee, a tea (for our English producer Sean), to go pee and we take a short break for lunch and dinner giving us the chance to see if it's raining or sunny as we walk the 30 meters between the studio/church and our house. This little time away from the mics and instruments is also our occasion to talk and share with the rest of the YFE crew who are working so hard in their office based in the YFE house... Do we feel separated sometimes?... I do. But I know how to break that feeling and first it's by believing we are united by the love we decided to build, by the trust we have, and that we care for each other, by every little note, hug, short conversation, the inside jokes, and also by knowing we are all walking for a common dream to touch the world with our common vision, our common heart.

It's so refreshing to evolve in an environment that is filled every day by laughter... We always find a way to laugh, to joke around, create some kind of crazy story that has no other purpose than gather everyone and have fun, whether it's by eating something weird (have you ever eaten squid beak???... I did... YEUK!) or impersonating a fake, over the top character (yes.. our imagination allows us to think about even more weird things than what we already are!Lol).

It's such a blessing to grow alongside people who are able to see in each other more than what's on the surface and, desire the best for one another, are willing to speak out and help to find ways to improve, to change, to be transformed, to bloom.

It's so rare to have such an environment made of more than 25 young people living together with such a commitment...

It's my strong belief that we couldn't do anything of what we are able to do right now if it wasn't for that committment... The dream we have is too big to be carried by only 6 band members... it feels too big for the 25 of us all together... I strongly believe that's why we are blessed with our family all around the world... blessed to have you that also carry this dream of seeing freedom, love, faith, cultural revolution, personal emancipation and so much more than what our imagination can envision blooming from the sharing of music.

One thing I've noticed since we got back from the tour in China and Japan, I appreciate more the time I spend in studio, I feel lucky, I feel blessed, I feel good, I feel I'm at the right place at the right time, I feel nothing is worth taking the place of the joy I have of taking part in the making of this album... such a historical moment for us. Just as every day while on tour I was thanking God for waking up in such and such city and living such intense human communion with new brothers and sisters, the same way I am thankful for every time I can participate in the recording whether I play or give an idea or am just a quiet witness of the birth of the songs. I can assure you that the spirit in studio is more than positive, it's the combination of all the life we experienced, the life we witnessed, the life you guys are sharing with us and the life we all believe is yet to be discovered.

As I write these lines, we just finished dinner... we can feel our body being tired... but everything we see and everything we hear is deeply inhabited by a spirit of joy... A joy not based on a problem or a challenge free situation, but a joy rooted in knowing what you have is a gift, recognizing its infinite value and realizing that somehow you've been chosen to take care of it with open hands. If you're reading these lines you are a part of that incredible gift... each person who joined us for concerts, lifted us by their scream and their will to live the music is an important part of that gift... each note that flows through our instruments and voices aren't taken for granted... each word that simply appears on this computer screen and miraculously takes life as you decide to breathe into them are undeserved but very welcomed presents...
Tonight, I'm just happy, happy to be here, today, doing what I do, sharing with you, conscious (although, only partially as there is so much more than what I can see for now) of the beauty of the life I live... and all those dreams... all those dreams I now know are possible... all those dreams that are telling me that we are not separated... those real dreams that invite us to believe we are united by the love we decided to build, by the trust we have and that we care for each other and by knowing we are all walking for that common dream to touch the world with our common vision, our common heart.


-Miss Isabel
Your proud and happy sister...

Bla Bla Bla: The Live Show (Back From Tour!)
from Your Favorite Enemies on Vimeo.

Coming back from more than a dream...

The YFE China-Japan tour

My dear family,

Even though I got to write a bit every day while on tour about what we were living and witnessing in my little notebook, I feel like writing to you is different and I missed it... sharing with you every week encourages me to take a look within myself and you give me the grace to be a witness and a supporter of what could bloom from that personal journey. I don't always understand how that connection we have empowers me and how your life can also be inspired by these simple typed words of mine, but I am thankful it is all possible and happening. When I meet you and you tell me that this blog is a part of your life, I'm always so moved and I think to myself "This is so much more powerful than me or anything I write... this is how you, my friends, are alive and are changing your own life with determination and using everything you can find...not because what I write is so good but because your will is strong and you decide to give your all to live more and more free".

During the tour, I've witnessed a lot of power. The music was releasing such a freedom and a boldness that carried crowds all over China and Japan, including all the guys in the band and crew. I saw the real demonstration of what it is to let go and trust... Alex letting himself fall backwards from the second floor balcony into an ocean of vivid hands... People who some nights were laying on stage eyes closed, hearts pumping, singing melodies... their own melodies born of their blooming spirits and exhilarating souls... We could feel the power, we could try to identify it, we were amazed how it could take different forms every single night, we were thankful we could experience it...letting it flow through us, teaching us, transforming us...

I wish I could say that while on tour everything in me was beautiful and worth being shown in the light of the stage, but just like all of us, even if we are 100000 miles away from home, we still carry our ugliness and beauty. So, just like for all of us, the power of music and its movement among us was an open invitation to believe we have the power to live our dream. I've embraced my dream during that tour... and now that the tour is over, I still believe there is more for me and that the invitation is only going to bring me and all of us into another chapter of this wonderful dream we decided to nurture. When we live our dream as a family an incredible thing can happen: it becomes bigger and more extraordinary than anything you could have imagined... it also becomes an incredible way to grow and learn from each other.

In China, I learned a lot about living the moment. I used to think that the best way to live the moment is if you just don't care about tomorrow; so might as well live to the fullest now... tomorrow might never come... But the experiences we had and the way everyone was living it helped me to see things differently. Tomorrow will come and it's out of trust that we can live the moment without fear or restrictions, on the contrary; to live to the maximum BECAUSE it will have an impact on the tomorrow we desire! Everything has a consequence; each action has an impact, on us, on others... We can choose to take that fact with the fear of messing up or with the honor and gladness to have the power to change our own life and lives around us as well, in a beautiful and positive way.

In Japan, we visited the volunteers of the shelter in the devastated city of Minami for the HOPE project. It was very intense emotionally as we talked with them and heard their stories but mainly when we heard and saw their courage and their determination to protect life, dignity and hope. Ordinary people, young and old, women and men, they were all joining whatever energy, knowledge, resources and heart they possessed to honor the lost ones but mainly to take care of the living. They had all the reasons to be depressed and weary, but they were making the decision to feed something other than these reasons, to live something else beyond this sadness, to protect life, dignity and hope. I learned from these people... and I thought I was one who would give them something... witnessing their courage gave me so much! They asked us to thank you for the HOPE project, for your words, for your prayers, for believing like they do that Japan will rise up from the rubble.

As I am still processing all that happened, I'm sure I will keep on discovering treasures of truth and how what we lived all together is opening doors and breathing life... a life that will carry us so much further... carry us in wonderful lands we never imagined existed... Our family is on a journey... all the Your Favorite Enemies family is involved... In China...in Japan...in your bedroom... and like Alex would say, that journey starts with a simple dream... a little idea...

Have another look at the stunning images of the amazing journey in China and Japan... and don't miss reading the words of Alex, Jeff, Stephanie and myself describing what we witnessed and lived there! You will not only feel what happened but I truly believe you can also get a lot from them!

I love you sweet dreamers... I love you ideas crafters...

-Miss Isabel

http://www.yourfavoriteenemies.com/china
http://www.yourfavoriteenemies.com/japan

Mirror Mirror tell me...

Bla Bla Bla the "LIFE" show

I'm trying to look back at what happened last weekend...trying to grasp what I can learn from what I see, what I have experienced.
It's one challenge to live for real the moment and another to keep going without forgetting what we could have gained or learned from that moment.  So many times we are running endlessly from one experience to another pursuing a bigger thrill, a more intense feeling, a diversion in a linear journey... forgetting each time what this experience revealed about ourselves, about where we are heading and about what we need to change in order to live more freely and more happy too.  I've been told that it's foolish to act that way and that a wiser way to live is to always look at experiences like we would look in a mirror, wanting to see our true reflection and remember what we saw as we move on. 

Let me tell you what MY mirror told me...
Last Friday night we had a rehearsal for the Bla Bla Bla the Live show.  There are so many technical aspects to be tested...lighting, plateau set up, sound, internet connection, camera coordination, video projections, and for the band to review the different subjects we will talk about, for Marie and Stephanie to coordinate their different roles, one being the channel between the band and you on the chat, the other in charge of letting the "cat out of the bag" (to reveal all the secrets).  It may look easy and smooth when it's on the air but now you know there's A LOT of preparation involved as we want everything to be more than good for you, we want it to be AMAZING for you because... you deserve the best! 

During the rehearsal I didn't feel right... I was stressed... I was feeling negative and even though I wanted to do my part to make the preparation easy I just couldn't get rid of my negativity.  There was no way I was going to look like a fool or vulnerable (thanks to my pride...damn pride!) so the only way I found to "survive" was to be fake and hide my real feelings, playing a role, saying what I thought would sound nice and being who I thought people around expected me to be...  I left the set after the rehearsal with a disgusting feeling and a growing fear of how it would go for the Bla Bla Bla.  Then I remembered... a certain mirror...  the reflection of myself I saw with the first "The Confessional" where I was confronted and invited to be real and not to give the “good” answers in order to look good... that mirror had been quite choking for me at that time but I definitely remember it and now I wasn't going to let myself fall into the same trap.  Why? Yes, because I remembered the pain of the first time, but MAINLY because what I wanted to happen during our Bla Bla BLa was too important to ruin it by being a proud fool... I wanted to express myself about the tours, I wanted to share my excitement, I wanted to tell you LIVE how everything we share is one of the most precious things in my life, I wanted you to see and feel that together we are powerful and limitless...

I'm so blessed because I had my bro Max and my sisters Chris, Miriam and Golain who stepped in to help me change my perspective and encourage me to take action motivated not by my feelings (in this case negative) but instead according to my desires and my beliefs.  They reminded me to simply be me and that "me" was exactly what was needed...good enough...perfect without the pressure of perfection.  So I spent my Saturday focusing on what I wanted and not on what I felt, I was like an athlete visualizing myself in action, meditating on what I had to say in its most simple form, training my heart to be open and not to hide...

After a little nap between Saturday and Sunday...lol... I was ready!  I knew what I wanted to accomplish for the Bla Bla Bla, I knew I was supported by my family, I knew I might face more negative feelings but I KNEW I was able to focus and live something incredible.  Nothing would steal from me the joy of sharing a live moment with you.  And I MADE IT!  I was so happy during and after the chat because I definitely won the gold medal and as I look in the mirror of this experience I see myself as a winner that had to face an obstacle, had to get partners, accept training and persevere.  What can I learn for next time?  Mirror tell me...
First: I'm in a constant evolution and can expect to deal things better and differently. 
Second: I have to figure where that negativity is coming from and how can I be in assurance enough to avoid it.
Third: I'm an even bigger winner when I allow others to jump in and let them help me focus on the goal and on my ability to get to it!  Sharing the challenge and sharing the victory too!

So if you saw me all smiles during that chat, being comfortable and in assurance, it's not without a proper fight with my own barriers... but it was real... it was a victory... it was a reflection in the mirror that I will remember as an encouragement for many more experiences to come!

-Miss Isabel

Learning to live? Sounds funny isn't it...

The one subject we should all be excited

to review over and over again!

My dear friends,

Do you feel sometimes the world swirls around at such a high speed or in such an unpredictable movement that it's hard to grasp what is really going on?
Do you at times look around you and take the time to realize that all these nameless faces have a life of their own, millions of stories, miracles and faithless dreams out of a multitude of motivations but born of our common human heart...
Do you ask yourself the question: "Why is it that we know immediately how to breathe but we have to fight to learn how to LIVE?"

Lately the pace has been even more crazy than usual... The recording of the album is an everyday marathon, the rehearsals and preparations for the tour in China and Japan is like getting ready for a wedding; we want everything to be perfect! Setting up for the Bla Bla Bla this weekend, giving the finishing touches to the amazing bootleg package that will be presented that day. Plus many more videos, pictures, texts, interviews, designs, anything related to this amazing journey we are creating with Your Favorite Enemies, it is like boiling oil on the oven ready to explode and set fire to the whole place! It's hard to contain ourselves and at the same time we have to stay focused not to miss anything as we want nothing less than the best for our family, for you.

In that tornado of projects and good news, challenges and pressures, the occasions to learn and grow are numerous! We encourage each other to live every moment...but what happens when the "moment" is a failure of a project? What happens when that "moment" is an invitation to do something really amazing but really stressful too? You heard me say or write many times that I'm getting prepared for the upcoming tour on a musical level but also on a personal level and I have to admit that my desire to be prepared didn't expect so many occasions to overcome my own limits, insecurities and shortcomings... My desire to LIVE for real is pushing me to FACE reality and see what I'm made of and then decide if I want to change or not. The good thing is that I believe I can change things; I can overcome things that kept me in failure so many times.

I am learning how to live really... sounds funny... sounds weird even but when I look back at how I was, how I wouldn't let anyone influence me or challenge me, how I just hoped to stay out of trouble and put up a fine face, how I really couldn't feel anything... I couldn't live much... no big joys, no big pain, no big deal, no big anything... But the day I tasted LIFE that was outside my box, outside these borders I thought were ME, the day I believed I was meant for more than this golden cage of safety made of my illusions about the world, about my friends, about how life is supposed to be lived and about myself, On THAT DAY I knew I would not want to go back... I would want to not only taste a full life but embrace it and share it.

One of my sisters was encouraging me the past weekend. She was telling me how I didn't need to try to be someone, that the more I "tried" the less I was myself with all that is good in me that others can enjoy. She told me that I was probably the only one not believing truly that I had what it takes to fulfill my destiny and be "good enough". She was right. Her words gave me strength and helped me see my life differently, it gave me perspective... It was nothing new to my ears but it was a definite sign for me that I'm worth giving the effort, in order to go beyond my usual thinking and usual way to find security and purpose.

Our life can be a tornado; our life can be more like a silent dew... We can be happy to breathe, we can also be excited to learn to live and create life around us! At this point, I'm still in a state of unbalance, holding on to my family, trusting their love, relying on their faithfulness, growing from our sharing. Every day there's an invitation to live the fullness and intensity of life...it's up to us to accept it, pursue it, expect it and learn through it!

-Miss Isabel

To a place we’ve never been...

To touch people like we’ve always desired

As we were starting to build a web community 5 years ago, we could only dream about visiting our growing family from China. But as we received the invitation to play in the biggest Asian festivals, it was clear for us that the dream wasn't about big crowds,
it was all about reaching out to our Chinese friends on a personal level, getting to touch their hearts, letting them teach us and impact us, sharing with them an experience that will be an anchor point in each of our lives... So we made sure to tell the promoter that we wanted to play in venues where that personal sharing would be possible, contact that might be challenging to create when we'll be in front of 80 000 people...lol.

So we got what we wanted! We'll be in fact the first North American band to perform in some "smaller" cities... ( a million people is the average for a small city!Lol) What an honor! Many people told us it was risky to do so... telling us about the differences
in culture and lifestyle and how it might be hard to travel so much every day and perform at night in such a context... but as you know us: We don't care about that... we don't care about big hotels, we don't care about easy traveling and 5 stars restaurants, what we DO CARE about is getting as close as possible to people, to be as close as possible to the heart of what they are living, to be fully present as one and growing together through music and pouring out the best of what we are and have. We'll have the opportunity to play with local bands and feel the beat of the country.  It will be so fabulous to discover what gives them drive, what they need to scream, how they feel alive, what place music takes in their life and dreams.

It's hard to imagine exactly what we will live, but we are for sure preparing ourselves for something incredible, intense and precious...

As I write these lines, Alex tells me we'll have surprises to announce soon about our time in Japan as well!!! Of course we'll bring your words through the HOPE project to heal and comfort Japan. So, really, you are coming with us on this crazy journey! You know how we are, we can't go anywhere without you... because it's not about where we are but about
how we can be together, about relationships that go above any differences in culture, distance, generation or religion...
Ready for this journey?


-Miss Isabel