“ROOT DOWN… For Your People”
I remember how, as a teenager, I simultaneously tried to move away from what defined me in my environment in order to forge my own identity and, at the same time, desperately strived to be included, to fit in, to belong. Discovering who we are is a long journey with many ruptures and junctions, dead ends and crossroads, not only within our own self, our own perceptions of the world and how we evolve but also how we walk with others around us, letting them BE and letting them (or not ) touch us, change us, challenge us, question us, build us… I believe that quest for identity is an unfinished business as long as we allow ourselves the right and the privilege, to change our mind,to make mistakes, to aspire for a better life and the chance to live something fresh, true and unexpected every day.
When Alex unveiled to us the story behind the project “Ceremony And Jubilation”, I took a look behind, at the past, all the stories, experiences and people that impacted my life… all these events and people who helped me unravel the woman I am and the one I could be…or by faith I should say: the woman I will be.
“We thought it would be such a wonderful opportunity to look back a bit and recollect some of our lost memories, to honor our fans, brothers, sisters, loved ones and friends who lifted us up in time of deepest need and supported us in all the crazy projects we gave birth to over the years. It’s quite good to be able to do so… to look back without losing the perspective of the moment we’re living and the excitement of what’s ahead of us. Especially that we can do it without any bitter feelings or painful emotions.”
( About Ceremony & Jubilations )
It’s still hard for me to look back on some of the darker parts of our past, and even when we joke about it I rarely genuinely laugh…I wish though… that I could be completely at peace with it…not yet…but who is to say I cannot be happy and full of jubilation while I’m going in that direction. The road to freedom in itself being enough of a joy to scream in laughter. What helps me the most, is to embrace completely the love I live now, the reality I touch now and the faith I bite in now that everything ahead is already a blessing for all of us, including me. I’ve been hurt and graced many times, I loved and hated over and over again, I have stolen, redeemed and gave out of the best and worst of myself and others, but what I see mainly from the past 5 years is the commitment we all had to push through and stick together…sometimes for good, sometimes for bad reasons, but always with a deep sense that we were meant to walk side by side, destined for this adventure… called to be companions.
“An inspiring vision got us together, personal ambitions teared us apart and hopeless self-preservation almost killed us… but defining love lifted us up all over again… that’s the true story of that family, also known as a band called Your Favorite Enemies”. -Alex Foster
I wish you all can get what represents our roots, our people, you guys, where we come from as a band but also and mainly in my opinion, what we all built together with our bare hands, all from different countries, backgrounds, cultures and religions. To wear it like we wear the colors of our local sport’s team, as we grew up inspired by each other, laughed and cried with each of our failures and victories, because we DO belong although we never conform.
More exciting collectibles and surprises are to come during the whole year we called “Ceremony & Jubilation”, but this t-shirt is available only until July 13th! Can’t wait to see your pics!
Love you…
-Miss Isabel
Tags: Alex Foster, Ceremony & Jubilation, Miss Isabel, www.yfestore.com, Your Favorite Enemies
Comments (5)
Chris
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You refer to freedom as a road that we walk through…This is amazing, if freedom was something coming as a kit, a package or a piece in itself, how could we know it’s value and worth?
Freedom is something that we discover one decision at a time… and it’s the beauty of it. Being ”rooted down” in the road that we want to walk by….I loved reading this blog!! Totally truthful and close to reality….I am sure that I am not the only one who can relate! 😉
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Sonia
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Hi Miss Isabel!
All that we lived through in our lives, the good and bad, is what has made us become what we are now. Everything is part of the learning 🙂
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Heather
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Hey Sweet Sis!
I think that we can be faced in difficult times with things that will put us in a sense of worry, though we should never allow for anxiety to to take control of what we dream and hold close to our hearts. I love Alex very much, Miss Isabel, and I know that this family has been really an incredible support in trying to reach those dreams when it comes to aming for higher than we can envision. It is easy to want to give up because it seems difficult, though that is when we shouldn’t, and keep pressing forward. It wasn’t supposed to be an easy journey, but it is one worth taking and I don’t want to be among the numbers of people that had a vision and not see it come alive in time, as it would be heartbreaking. I know that progress is being made each day, and it should be with each step that we take. I am very thankful to God for all of you, and I couldn’t put my thoughts in words at the moment. I try though, and I think that what we should do is to remain in faith, and stay in hope, and speak words that will bring life to that dream and keep in God’s word in order to feel His peace and love, knowing that He is working to bring that dream to pass. BELIEVE, it is a simple word, but it is all that is required, to do just that. if we don’t there is no room for him to work in our favor, and this is where Hebrews 11:1 comes in for it is by faith we Believe.
Thank you sis, even though I’ve told you before, for your advice, as it is appreciated!
love from your sister, Heather
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Elizabeth
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Hi dearest Isa!
I read Mary’s comment before commenting myself, and she said something that I have always “felt” you reaching for as you have so faithfully shared your heart in these blogs over the years: “your weekly testimony of how you’re living your daily opportunities to grasp life in such a raw and honest way makes it accessible for everyone to make this vision of life suitable for their own!” (Mary) From my own interactions with all of you, I know that to be one of your deepest desires – to share whatever Light and Life you have with others in the hope that they will be able to rise up in their own place, changing their immediate environment in a positive way – these ripples of Light affecting the world far more deeply than you will ever know.. Lyudmila Saltykova, a Russian YFE friend, posted something that I read right before coming here to comment – it is very relevant I think: “The life I touch for good or ill will touch another life, and that in turn another, until who knows where the trembling stops or in what far place my touch will be felt.”
As you and Alex have both so honestly expressed, your touches to each other within the YFE central community and to the world have not always been healing, but that is true of all who hope to truly make a difference… This is one of the quotes from “About Ceremonies and Jubilation” that resounded most deeply in my heart (though all of did really) “In so many ways, Your Favorite Enemies’ story could be defined as an epic tale portrayed in some peplum movie, grand scale type of saga from which everlasting friendships go a long way with dreadful betrayals, the most uplifting blessings aren’t dissociable from the darkest of all afflictions, profound joys cannot be isolated from the deepest despairs. Even the most fulfilling accomplishments aren’t strangers to the most brilliant of all failures, from which a brother’s broken promises are as numerous as a passer-by’s faithfulness… as life vividly radiates alongside mournful mornings… as truth mirrors illusions and bright hopes fade away only to rise up all over again… I guess Your Favorite Enemies’ story paradoxes are as numerous as the different shades of colors reflected by the constant revolving spectrum of life. ”
I’m learning more and more that embracing paradox with the mercy and grace that action requires is a blessed avenue to peace and the freedom that flows from that gift. I’m ready to keep growing with all of you and blessed beyond measure that this family has become woven so deeply into my life.
much love and prayers always!!!! mom eliz
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Mary
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Miss Isabel, I love your desire to always move forward, grasp what is ahead of you even though you often mention in your blogs many reasons why you could simply stop believing, finding it too difficult, scared that the new opportunities and way of living are too good to be true… your weekly testimony of how you’re living your daily opportunities to grasp life in such a raw and honest way makes it accessible for everyone to make this vision of life suitable for their own!
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