“The unicorn is part of the world of nature and part of the world of dreams and completely of the heart. In many ways, it is a symbol of our longing for the mysterious and the unattainable.”

When I was little, one of my favorite movies was ‘The Last Unicorn.’ If you haven’t seen it – you’re missing out. My parents and younger brother would get so frustrated with me because I could literally watch the movie three times in a day. She, the unicorn, absolutely fascinated me.

In the movie, a unicorn, who they eventually named Amalthea, learns that she is the last of her kind. All of the others were driven to the ends of the earth by the Red Bull. So Amalthea journeys off to find them and bring them back. Along the way, she is transformed into a human being and it is then that she experiences love pain and loss. The Unicorn and her entourage eventually track down the Red Bull and, fueled by anger and sorrow, Amalthea drives the bull into the sea, freeing the rest of her kind. She returns to the forest as the only unicorn to feel regret but also the only unicorn to know love.

Every time I watched that movie, I was drawn to Amalthea. What little girl doesn’t love a unicorn? Maybe it had something to do with her spirit. Unicorns are a symbol of purity, innocence, and childhood. Throughout the movie you learn of her struggle to find her own fairy tale within the cruel reality of her short, mortal life. In a way, I think I identified with her… As a young and innocent child people’s comments and stares rolled off my back like drops of water. Nothing really bothered me. In fact, I think my mom was affected by other’s perceptions of me more than I was. As I grew older, I became aware of how harsh society could be (and still is) and the perseverance needed to pursue my dreams. Even today, being open minded and accepting of myself, my stature, my abilities and ‘dis’abilities – it isn’t always easy.

Then it happened. A few weeks ago in the middle of my yoga practice, whilst my legs were quaking in a crescent lunge twist, I was turned facing the wall and I saw it – a very abstract(ish) outline of a unicorn head. Whaaaat?! I know, right?! I was practicing yoga alongside a unicorn! It’s the truth, I swear. That unicorn staring, watching over me for the rest of class – it was so refreshing and exciting that I was able to abandon judgment and see the pure beauty of my abilities.

Where I am. Who I am. Many of those dreams that I had as a little girl, they have come true.

Magic happens. Own it. Fuck yeah. That is all.

“Dreams are the playground of Unicorns.”

Love.