Lotus & Avenue

Hi, I’m Aujha!

….although everyone calls me Auj (but with a soft "j" like Taj Mahal). Or, if you’ve ever watched Austin Powers in Goldmember, Goldmember refers to his dad as Fauja, which rhymes with my name. Naturally, since that movie has been released, my dad is referred to as Fauja on a daily basis.

I am a blogger/writer, salon owner, hairstylist, mama to a tiny human and two fur babes, & a loving partner to my soon-to-be hubby!

I'm also a lover of discovering more natural ways to live with better products, a spirit junkie, a meditator, and an open-book when it comes to any questions.

I’ll be honest, I started this blog because I like to write and I’ve put it on the back-burner of my mind for years. I’ve always been afraid of judgement from people I know, and that fear is FINALLY dissipating.

Not only is Lotus & Avenue a place of love for anyone who lands here, but it is my place to share on-going personal growth and provide helpful tips that have worked for me, as well as products that make life safer and better for my family. I also share other peoples’ stories to provide you with hope for uplifting outcomes to some seemingly tough times you may be experiencing. Maybe you’ll relate to some circumstances, maybe you’ll shift your perspective on something, maybe you’ll find a little treasure you didn’t know you needed. Or, maybe you’ll leave this site a little happier than when you arrived.

My ultimate goal: to spread some happiness as far as I can, make you feel at home, and provide you with insight and tools to make your life better—even in the tiniest way. Whatever you resonate with here, take comfort in knowing my intentions are only positive.

Some background: I enrolled in the Writing Program at Western University, and I did not graduate! But I did get my hands on a huge variety of writing courses and styles, as the writing program was just starting to flourish during my time there. I took forensic writing, writing for publication, writers’ studio, introduction to expository writing, introduction to screenwriting, fundamentals of creative writing, contemporary grammar for writers, introduction to short fiction, and more. Although, my time at Western did not end in a degree, it was definitely the stepping stone I needed at the time. I couldn’t justify spending tuition money on courses that didn’t interest me just to get a degree in writing. I really imagined myself in an office one day writing a book, so after all those courses, I decided I needed to take something else I loved to support my writing career.

Bottom line, choose what you love, and if it goes against the flow of society just check in with yourself to see if what you’re doing makes you happy.

What else do I love? Cosmetology! After finishing my writing courses, I decided to pursue a hairstyling career, dabbling in makeup along the way, and learning about various products that work best but are also good for you. I attended the Aveda Academy in Toronto, landed an amazing job immediately after graduation, which led me to be a co-owner of a high-end salon with two other talented friends and stylists. Thus, The Beauty House was born. The best part about being a stylist though, is all the connections and friendships I’ve made over the years. That, and making people feel fabulous, inside and out. I think the universe had a plan for me to come full circle back to writing, after experiencing the joy of hairstyling and making people feel good. I was already spreading joy, offering insight for all my client’s stories they felt comfortable sharing, and uplifting everyone who sits in my chair. It feels like it was foreshadowing to this blog!

I’m going to take a minute here to express gratitude to everyone who has supported me along the way: everyone I’ve ever had a conversation with. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. Thank you, tremendously.

What does Lotus & Avenue Mean?

Lotus flowers symbolize inner strength. They bloom, and retreat, and bloom again (often in swampy, muddy waters). Humans do this continuously as we navigate through life, overcoming obstacles we (maybe) never thought we could. The lotus flower was my very own semicolon symbol, reminding me that when I'm going through "shitty" times, I can always keep growing and rise above. There's also several deeper spiritual symbolisms that resonate with me, but I'll dive further into that in a blog post later.

The one definition of “avenue” I fell in love with is: a way of approaching a problem or making progress toward something. I don't know about you, but this really speaks to me, and reminds me so much of my favourite quote: ‘Obstacles in our lives are detours in the right direction,’ (I fully believe this - thanks Gabby Bernstein). Life is a bunch of avenues, and you get to choose where to go! Occasionally, there will be some road closures that cause a disruption, but generally you always find a way to get to your destination. "Avenue" is meant to remind you there are many paths you can take to reach your goals, and neither of them is more "right" over the other - all that matters is the fact that you’re finding a way to what you want.

That's really why you're here, I think, to find your way towards something better.

Let Lotus & Avenue guide you to brighter days, and assist you in adding wellness practices to your daily life, no matter what you’re going through.