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 "What are the voices inside your head?"

Hi sweet folks!

Is it only me or is time just flying? As again I find myself in front of my computer screen wondering what I have in me that could be bright, inspiring, simply loving or just good enough to bring us closer to each other... Too often we can feel life is like a carousel; it's beautiful, music is sweet, the colors are vivid and appealing but soon we realize that the fake horse doesn't take us anywhere other than this everlasting same circular scenery, we kinda feel it's time to step off, stop the circus and walk with our own legs towards a different horizon.

These past days I've been feeling really really good, consciously feeding my heart and mind with the truth of what I really am and what I'm meant to live. Every day I am challenged to do either what I know is right for me or just say "Whatever... I'll do what I feel like doing and don't care about the consequences". When I chose that second option of "whatever, I don't care" it always brings me away from what I really desire to be and live, but what for? to satisfy a very short term pleasure?... For the opposite, when I do what I believe deep inside is right, I can appreciate so much more my own freedom of choice and enjoy the long term and empowering sensation of walking the right path.

I want to share with you something that helped me make those right choices! Every day I have a talk with myself, many times a day in fact...lol... I know it sounds weird, but to actually THINK is something I'm still learning to do! What am I telling myself?lol well... I tell myself "I am a beautiful person, so that is why today I am choosing to eat the proper food to keep being this way", "I am a woman of conviction, that is why I will stand by my word and do what I said" "I am a loving friend, that is why today I will go out of my way to help others". The truth is that I know perfectly well I can and want to improve in each of these areas. I want to continuously work on my body, my mind, my heart, my qualities, my abilities, BUT when I talk to myself like this, I am in fact saying out loud what I believe I'm meant to be even if I'm not perfectly "IT" right now.

Sometimes I feel stressed, I feel I don't have what it takes to wear "Miss Isabel's shoes", I have thoughts in my head telling me all kinds of negative stuff that only lead me to isolate myself, hide, put on a fake face and lay low to make sure no one would notice me... Do I have to cope and keep these thoughts? NO! I have learnt and still practice to push away the thoughts and fight back!!! Music is so true, so precious that I can't live in it and be hand in hand with lies... It's one excellent place where I have to let go, be totally defenseless and expose my true heart. Not only because it's music and it touches me deep inside, but also because I see and hear my brothers, my band mates, who are themselves dedicated to be true and to let go of their own boundaries and limits!

Being confronted in what we are by being open to what others are living and what they would say... it's a scary thing! But once we realize how it can make us grow... we see how much of a treasure it is... and how much we miss by running away from it... Someone said "iron sharpens iron". Do we want to be sharp? or only "look" sharp? and if we want to BE sharp, to shine, to be relevant, impacting people around us... are we willing to be sharpened?;) Are we avoiding confrontation with every possible tactic from agreeing with everyone or by staying away from everyone and laying low? Or... are we true to ourselves keeping a humble heart to hear and think about what others have to say to help us grow and become even better.

It is NOT easy, I personally struggled for a long time just to WANT to hear what others have to say about me in a positive way, but believe me... it IS POSSIBLE because I am experiencing it right now and I am so amazed at how I can grow, become a better person, see new horizons, touch amazing things, feel much better about myself, believe even more in love and hope...it's not a carousel...turning round and round...it's LIFE!

What are the voices inside your head?

You can count on us to always be behind you and tell you how we believe in you and think you are amazing... and you can count on us also to always be there to remind you and encourage you that there IS MORE for you!!!

Miss Isabel

"BLA BLA BLA The Live Show"

Miss Isabel's Diary "What I AM and what YOU are in US..."

My dear family,

Since last week I've been in touch with something really cool that I want to talk to you about. In my last blog I was talking about how we are all united together very powerfully. I'm so amazed to see how people from so many different backgrounds, countries, cultures, ages and education can relate to a music that is true and then open up even more as we all look deeper into what we all are as a group and also as individuals. We get to know each other because we have a common love which is the music but it doesn't stop there! In fact it's just a starting point!

A starting point... Alex just came back from Japan filming as the only band member for one of our next projects. He told me it was such a wonderful experience for him personally and he was even more excited about what a positive impact these images will have in the near future. We are all proud of Alex fulfilling his dreams and I started to really observe him getting excited about little things like shoes and vinyls and learning about the Japanese culture.

Ben

And then I started to look around more to find out that Ben was starting to restore an old vintage bass in his rare (and late!) spare time...
I listened to him talking with so much excitement about how he would find the missing parts and sand this bass body until perfection and then put that color etc...
Do you remember when Jeff, Big Byrd, Alex and Momoka went to San Francisco? They went there with the only purpose in mind to live each minute as a dream coming true... And if I look at myself, I just can't go one day without thinking of my jewelry project and when I work with my glass artist partner she just can't stop saying "I love your happy face!" laughing at me as I get excited with every little idea and possibility!

I realize with all of this how what we live as a family, this common dream we share opens up not only a way to touch the impossible all together, but it also helps us find our own personal way in the midst of it! I really think we truly get to know ourselves when we are living with others closely. Why? Because we can either say "wow...I'm the same, I do react like that too, I would have done the same thing... I can just feel what that person is going through..." or "I am definitely not like that, I just don't know how this person can do this, I would have done the opposite...I don't understand why this person is feeling like this". It's important not to judge others but that doesn't mean being isolated!!! In fact it's the opposite, if love brings us together, we can not only accept others but also learn about ourselves through them.

"You share with us all these magnificent things that you live daily... it allows us to keep in touch and stay close to each other, that's what we call friendship..." -Marlène, CANADA

How do we react when we see happiness around us? Are we jealous? Are we trying to find what's wrong so we don't have to think we're missing something? Or are we sharing the happiness... opening up our own life to see if we could also add to this happiness with our own joys. We can feel joy for many things, a beautiful sunset, a promotion at work, a good mark in school, a successful project. Joy transforms into happiness when we share it with others. That means it is so important for all of us to feed these personal joys and ALSO to share them with others to give life to our own happiness and to be involved in the happiness of those we love.

Someone said one day: "Find your people and you'll find your purpose". I do believe in this. The day I found my band, my family here, that day I knew I would have a safe ground to heal, a cheerful home to grow and a supportive strong love to help me find my way, my purpose. We've had many amazing discussions the band together, simple friendly talks about what we see, what we dream of and how we plan to accomplish our next big craziness. But for me the most amazing part about these discussions is that I saw how we were all equal yet so different, all excited yet for different reasons, all talented yet in many different things, all enjoying our common friendship and dream yet looking at it from a different perspective and living it in such a different way... I found in that discovery such freedom...

Do we all have to talk like Alex or jump like Ben or act like Jeff or groove like Moose or like the same things as Sef to be united with the Your Favorite Enemies family? no.
We believe in the commUNITY.
Unique and united...
Pushing toward a common goal and sharing common love AND adding to it our own individual color, our own individual crazy dreams, our own individual life...
And when times are harder, the joys of others will help us still touch happiness...

And when we're at our height of success and strength, others will allow us to taste it fully, to make it worth even more by making it so much more meaningful.

There is US and and there is YOU and there is ME and there is this miracle that unites YOU and ME and US and makes ALL things possible.

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 & Seeds "Abracadabra... Not!"

First I want to thank Hachi, Masha, Danielle, Samantha, Elizabeth, Irene, Dennis for leaving comments on this blog on myspace and blogger page...it means a lot to me and I surely hope many more will follow you and share with our beautiful family their own impressions/feelings/thoughts and experiences.  

I truly want to share with you what I learn, what I see, what I feel and learn from you as well, that's why I invite you to leave comments and share... this is not a monologue... my deepest desire is for this diary to be a mutual sharing.  

Talking of sharing... let me lead the way by being honest about what happened in the past week.  

I was so excited about what happened during the "BLA BLA BLA the Live Show" (did you see it? if not, i'm telling you YOU'VE GOT to see this more than any other TV show out there!!! ok... wait after you read this blog, write a little comment and THEN come back up here to CLICK HERE to watch this pure bliss of true life and fun entertainment!).  The truth is I've been in the band for what, 10 years?, and it's ALWAYS been a challenge to just be "Well" and feel everything between us was not only "ok" but was wonderfully positive.  Lately we are finally LIVING IT!!! it's positive, we are enjoying each other's company without the personal confusion that tinted each of our relationships... We always were a family and what we went through allows us today to explore a brand new level of what friendship can be... a friendship based on the fact that we are equal, valuable, entitled to personal happiness and dreams, different and miraculously assembled strongly for a higher purpose.

Strong from that empowering spirit, I had my own idea of how I could explore even more all my dreams, how I could develop myself even more as an artist, I had plans in mind and many new projects and mainly  ways I wanted to see things happening for me.  I have to admit...I love having zillion projects, do many different things, to touch and learn as many subjects as possible and all of that is cool but what about being faithful in the things I know I have to do... what about focusing on what is needed and finishing things I already started... ouch.  We had amazing talks all the band together.  We talked about how much we accomplished already this years and what other surprises we were going to reveal for you guys before December... we talked about the pleasure we now have relying on each other and how we felt united like never before as we all push in the same direction... we talked about how we were planning things but in the end the most important thing was that we were united, assured of what we wanted and not how it would come to life...  

The more we were talking the more I realized I wasn't going to have that "new setting" to explore what I wanted and get to develop myself the way I thought.  Are you like me, wanting circumstances to be completely different so you can change habits or give you the kick in the butt to accomplish what you desire to see happen in your life?  I wish exterior things could magically make things happen in my life.  I would love my schedule to be different so I can have plenty of time to develop my voice, my piano abilities, so I could explore the fashion world and develop my jewelry collection with all the freedom and no limits or pressure... AH! is this a girl thing to believe in magic?  I don't think so... maybe some guys can testify that they also have their own illusions.  Well, the beauty of my family is that they don't let me sink in and go round and round losing precious time waiting for something that doesn't exist!  

No, my daily life and schedule won't change.  I cried as my illusions faded away.  But as soon as the blurry fog of illusions were out of sight I could clearly see in the eyes of my friends and as clearly in my own heart this truth: "even if my circumstances don't change, my desire to see things happen in my life are still very valuable and they can still come to life... they are true and they are more than dreams, they are destiny."  Does it take more courage? I think so.  Does is take more effort? Yes.  Am I worth it? I believe it.  Does it feel easy? No.  Does it feel real? Yes! 

Believing the truth is a bigger job than I thought!lol  But I have more chances to win than if I don't play at the real life game by feeding myself with paralyzing illusions!  So here my friends you are my witnesses, I will develop my voice, my musician's skills and artistic design projects in the context I have NOW!  And of course your support helps so much... you see in me things I can't figure myself... and when you speak out and seed life in me I grow and I gain courage.

Now... my question to you: " What would you like to see happen in your life but are waiting for something to change?  What is between you and what you truly want?".  For me, what I want is real and important but what I was waiting for was a mirage and excuses for the distance between what I am now and what I know I can be.  What's the distance between who you are and what you want to be?  What about taking one real step with me toward what we want today?:) 

your sister...

Miss Isabel

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!!

Can you be more honest?

Our journey with you through 

"love Is A Promise Whispering Goodbye"

Life goes so fast. it's a statement we all hear or say numerous times. It's something we use to excuse the fact that we seem to lose control and are helpless seeing precious moments slipping through our fingers like sand. We look back and we can see a landscape made of victories, regrets, major turning points, persisting battles, reasons and remaining interrogations... Am I getting old to find myself looking back?lol Or maybe it doesn't have anything to do with age but with a desire to fully embrace the full spectrum of life knowing that the past contains treasures we might have left behind or lessons we might find useful now. Of course we can do that introspection personally but we decided, as a band, to allow ourselves to look back on the time we created the album "Love Is A Promise Whispering Goodbye" and see...see if there were any hidden treasures...see if we could 3 years later admit what really happened during that troubled season... see how we are now the fruit of that experience, how we learned, how we grew... see and try to explain how this album impacted each of our lives, the lives of you, our friends, and how this album is still today helping us to move forward and dream for more.

Some of you have been with us just a couple months and some maybe just discovered the band...well WELCOME:) Some of you are long time friends and you have witnessed and supported us through numerous seasons and journeys. But all of you will be amazed as in the next couple weeks when we will release intimate videos showing all the band members sharing so openly, so truthfully, so bluntly about everything concerning the album and the circumstances in which it was created. I don't want to spoil the surprise but let's say there are many things that were already revealed 3 years ago about how it was a troubled period filled with pressure, stress and difficulties but there's also a lot that, at that time, we didn't feel we could reveal... or maybe we just didn't want to first admit it to ourselves, things that we were so ashamed of and didn't know how to deal with. The fact is that many things that you will discover through the series of videos kept us away from really appreciating the amazing chance we had to share music with all of you and to taste what it is to release a creation like the album "Love Is A Promise Whispering Goodbye". It literally slipped through our fingers...

This is one of the reason we decided to create a re-issue of the album, as this time we feel we are ready to revisit this troubled period that still gave birth to music that is a part of our daily life, music that allowed us to travel as far as Europe, China, Japan, USA, and Indonesia.. music that inspired you, music that impacted so many people all around the world! I guess above all we needed to revisit this period of time to fully appreciate and move on from there and that's why we decided to answer very specific questions about the music and about our personal life surrounding it, putting our guts on the table, jumping with no safety net, daring to say the truth and all of it.

It's funny how we are all eager for "The Truth Behind" type of documents... well it's another thing to expose yourself! Well... we did it and we're still alive!lol More than that we are glad we did and we're now excited for you to see these videos, to rediscover the album and its re-issue with a new perspective, with its whole story in mind... we are just happy to feel so supported by you that YOU allow us to free ourselves from past illusions and YOU allow us to build the present, the moment without ignoring the past and even a chance to reappropriate what slipped through our fingers and today enjoy it's beauty and power.

I'm telling you guys, not only we're determined to share with you everything but we want to REALLY SHARE with you...:) So... after every release of the videos, we'll be together for a LIVE CHAT to talk about it! 3 different chats every week...one in English, one in French, one in Japanese...LIVE to have your input, how YOU lived it, YOUR questions, your side of the story too so we can all grasp the hidden treasures... Are you excited??? I AM!!!

Miss Isabel
p.s. I will be chatting live about this blog on our Secret Family Cult Club this Saturday July 9th at 11 am (eastern time)! If you're not a SFCC member yet make sure you look into it and join us! (www.yourfavoriteenemies.com/sfcc) and if you are a member don't miss this family rendez-vous!

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!

Who's there to connect with my heart?

An invitation as simple as a mouse-click

Hi sweet friends:)

Most of you are thinking of summer vacation and maybe even going more than 10 meters away from the computer screen for more than 2 hours... That's scary!!!lol
Technology and communication is such a big part of our life that we can't imagine a whole day without the internet, our cellphone, our ipad or AT LEAST our ipod (preferably including wi-fi to connect to the internet...lol). Yet, in an era of extra accessible communication, loneliness and human disconnection is still so critical, painful and insidious. Every hour we connect to internet...but who's there to connect our heart to... clicking through the lives of others, can some pictures and videos help us to reach the level of communion we once believed in or heard about? I do believe it because when I open myself to you, when I share and I hear your stories, your life that you share generously with us, then when I look at your pictures I do feel the connection, I feel I relate to you, I feel that happiness to see you smile... Isn't it weird that sometimes we still are the ones who fear to connect with anyone?

Even if I use the web and communication all the time, I can't pretend I talk to each and everyone of my internet friends...unfortunately... but I believe that one of the ways to really have a connection with people is to push away any fear and to get involved with others. By really and sincerely interacting on a level that can start little but as we get to know each other can also get deeper and stronger, we are getting involved, we are opening up... Surely getting out of our comfort zone to taste a new freedom.
I want to invite you... This upcoming Sunday we are broadcasting a BLA BLA BLA, this show is more than a "talkshow" it's a way to really get in the action and participate in something that opens our horizons. Why is it such a great occasion? Well, first, we all have the opportunity to speak out, to comment, to say what we think and ask the questions burning our lips...you in the chat box, us on the BLA BLA BLA famous couch, in a safe environment in which everyone is accepted. Second, there are people joining the BLA BLA BLA that are from all parts of the world, from all ages, religions, cultures and backgrounds, so it's a great way to be exposed to something different, learn and again broaden our horizons. Third, you should know that every time we exchange a word from the heart with our YFE family, it has a HUGE impact!!! It really does as maybe that day we would need to know you are there and made the effort to get up early or to stay up late to be with us, to support us...maybe someone on the chat will have his/her question answered because you dared to ask first... maybe someone will be inspired by that moment we'll live together to go further with her/his own dream... maybe...I should say FOR SURE all of that will happen and impact all of us!

I truly believe we can bring our human relationships further even by using such a nonhuman and cold media such as the internet...we just need to add some love to it and mostly to get involved... What do you think? You're up for a try? :)

I believe in you...
Miss Isabel

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