Ode to your own joy & freedom

I've had an intense and tear-filled last few days, rife with compounding confusion and seeming instability.
This morning a friend sent me the link to the video clip below, the intro to which sums up all that I would wish to convey today.

In it, the incomparable Leonard Bernstein gushes "This music is the closest music has ever come to universality. To all kinds of people, this music is not only infinitely durable, but perhaps the closest music has ever come to universality. No composer has ever lived who speaks so directly to so many people -- to young and old, educated and ignorant, amateur and professional, sophisticated and naive... And to all these people of all classes, nationalities and racial backgrounds, this music speaks a universality of thought, of human brotherhood, freedom and love. It has a purity and directness of communication...... 

That innocent spirit speaks to us of hope and future and immortality. And it's for that reason that we love his music now more than ever before. In this time of world agony and hopelessness and helplessness. We love his music and need it. As despairing as we may be, we can not listen to this 9th symphony without emerging from it changed, enriched, encouraged. And to the man who could give the world so precious a gift as this, no honor can be too great and no celebration joyful enough.  It's almost like celebrting the birthday of music itself."

Please note, the video is a 3-parter, each gloriously building on the last :)

Additionally [per Wikipedia]:

On December 25, 1989, Bernstein conducted Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in East Berlin's Schauspielhaus (Playhouse) as part of a celebration of the fall of the Berlin Wall. He had conducted the same work in West Berlin the previous day. The concert was broadcast live in more than twenty countries to an estimated audience of 100 million people. For the occasion, Bernstein reworded Friedrich Schiller's text of the Ode to Joy, substituting the word Freiheit (freedom) for Freude (joy).[34] Bernstein, in his spoken introduction, said that they had "taken the liberty" of doing this because of a "most likely phony" story, apparently believed in some quarters, that Schiller wrote an "Ode to Freedom" that is now presumed lost. Bernstein added, "I'm sure that Beethoven would have given us his blessing."

338-300-339

Things change fast.
Our lives can take a dramatic turn in literally seconds.

A friend was messaging me today telling me of an accident he'd been in while driving his truck.  He struck a woman who was walking in the dark, and feared he'd killed her. Fortunately, she escaped unharmed, but my friend is still shaken.  It all happened in the blink of an eye.

On a much less dramatic note, I experienced a strange occurrence on Facebook the other day, which resulted in my being reminded of the lesson that we can not allow circumstances to determine our mood, attitude, worth, or even reality.

I am in the first exciting weeks of launching a new business that I adore.  As part of my promotional campaign, I am working to build a community and fan-base on my business Facebook page.  Slowly but surely this is happening, with some truly lovely and endearing interaction with those who have clicked the coveted 'like' button.

Though I know that the quantity of 'likes' doesn't substitute for quality, I admit it is heartening to see the numbers climb.  So when I refreshed my page the other day and saw in a flash that those numbers had dropped by about 10% in a single second, I was momentarily devastated.  My mind raced. 'Oh no!  What did I do wrong?  What did I post that offended so many people? What sort of damage control do I need to do? And how shall I go about it?'
Even as these noisome worries crowded my head, a quieter thought calmly suggested, 'Why don't you hit refresh again...'  
Huh?

So I did...

And not only did the numbers jump back up to where they were, but I actually gained a new somebody.  The drop had just been some strange, inexplicable tech glitch.

I sat for a moment.... amazed at all of the unnecessary concerns and plans that had been swirling in my thought just seconds before.

Certainly this inconsequential little occurrence pales in impact compared to the kind of accident my friend was embroiled in.  But its simple message encouraged me to apply the same attitude to bigger, scarier situations. I can never be reminded too often that it's not what happens to me that determines the quality of my life. It's how I perceive it.

Your Dragon heart

Power.
Strength.
Good fortune.
Those are a few of the qualities attributed to the dragon, the symbol for the year 2012 in China.

Like most people I am fascinated by dragons and was especially interested in their use and symbolism when I was in China.  In that ancient civilization the dragon has long been used in conjunction with the Emperor, and thus is considered to be the symbol absolute strength and power.

As opposed to the European depiction of dragons as evil and destructive, Chinese dragons traditionally connote potent and auspicious powers, and Chinese legend holds that that China's first Emperors, Yandi and Huangdi, were both related to the Chinese Dragon.  Other legends tell of a peasant born with a dragon birthmark who eventually overthrew the reigning dynasty and himself became Emperor.

Whether we currently feel like our status is that of peasant or head of state, we can find within ourselves our own unique forms of power, strength and good fortune.  And not just for 2012.  If we take a moment at the end of any given day to look back on what transpired, we may very well be pleasantly surprised at all the ways we expressed qualities desirable in an Emperor... such as patience, wisdom, care for the people in your realm, decisiveness, fearlessness, confidence, strategic long-term planning etc.  

These are attributes we can make our own regardless of birthright, astrological sign, our living & work environments or the economy.  Each day affords us the opportunity to embrace our own inner dragon and use our strengths to bless those in our world.  May the dragon in you reign on this auspicious day and every day to come.

Happy Chinese New Year, dragonheart.

Have a groovy Sunday

When was the last time you allowed yourself to slow down and enjoy a leisurely day?
Won't you join me on a Sunday drive chauffeured by Simon & Garfunkel

live, the 59th St Bridge Song

Slow down, you move too fast,   
you've got to make the morning last
Just kickin' down the cobble-stones, 
lookin' for fun and feelin' groovy

Feeling groovy

Hello lamp-post, what's cha knowing, 
I've come to watch your flowers growin'
Ain't cha got no rhymes for me, 
do-it-do-do, feelin' groovy

Feeling groovy

I've got no deeds to do, no promises to keep
I'm dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep
Let the morning time drop all its petals on me

Life I love you, all is groovy

peace...

Serenity

It is raining here
which for me means I am spending the day in Heaven
I absolutely love rain and all that it imports
the cleansing purity
the fresh smell
the soothing sounds

So for today, on this wintry Saturday, I offer you simply a soundtrack of rain

Can it get any worse?

How often have we asked that same question in reference to our lives, only to have a friend retort, "Don't ask that.  The minute you do, things always get worse!"
As responsible adults we care deeply about the safety, well-being, security and futures of ourselves and loved ones. That is what makes us worth our salt as humans.  Unfortunately, because of economic factors and health issues, many of us spend an inordinate amount of time fretting... ruminating... worrying... fretting some more... it can be a never-ending cycle.

But what exactly is it we are so afraid of?
Lack of funds?  
Gasp...
What if you actually lost your home?
Or worse yet, 
what if you lost all your money?
What if you lost all of your possessions... everything you'd ever owned?

To which, I further ask, 
Do any of those things define you?

What's the worst case scenario... absolute worst case?
That you have nowhere to live?
I heard an interview with a homeless shelter worker who said that 'most' of those in the shelter actually had friends or family they could stay with... but for whatever reason, they chose not to.
Are you completely without any options as to where to live?
Are you utterly incapable of earning an income, even at the minimum wage level?
Do you REALLY foresee this as your permanent future?

If so, then you have some planning and problem-solving to do; otherwise you will have some challenging, uncomfortable hungry nights ahead. But... if on the other hand... you are not facing homeless foodless life on the streets, then your constant ruminating and fretting is doing you no good.  In fact, it is most likely stealing the joy of the moments you devote to worry.

Most of us say that what we most want out of life is 'to be happy.'  Given that fretting does not make us happy, perhaps that is where we should pitch our battle.  Once we have gotten down to the brass tacks of what happiness is all about, by the time we realize that fine 'things', while pleasant, do not actually bring lasting happiness... by that time we will realize we are already happy and not care a jot for all of the trappings we used to spend so much time being concerned about not having.

hugs
J.

Expect the unexpected... and expect it to be wonderful

Yesterday I had somewhat of a tough day.... actually a tough birthday.... I didn't hear a well-wishing peep from those I expected to hear from immediately.  One ended up texting me later to ask what I was up to. I mentioned it was my birthday and the only words I got in response were an apprisal of the unseasonably cold weather conditions in his neck of the country.

Then the person who had invited me out for dinner materialized hours later than expected.... with a to-go box.... containing my dinner ...... though I'd long since eaten.  He then darted off to go 'kick it' with his girlfriend whom he'd spent the better part of the day with.  Evidently he had a to-go order to deliver to her as well.


Add to that the fact that I could not take myself out to do anything celebratory since i am due a great deal of backpay, the bulk of which I was promised I would receive yesterday..... Put it all together and it was easy to fall into the pouty poor poor pitiful me syndrome... which I did... despite knowing better.

And then....... then......
I got a text
from a friend in India of all places
wishing me a beautiful birthday.
A friend who I had no idea knew when my birthday was and whom I've been missing for quite awhile.

And then......
I was chatting with a friend on Facebook... when the birthday came up ... when he sent this reply, "Sorry I can't be there to spoil you".... I've never had anyone say anything like that to me before.  It floored me.  I have said that to a few people... and meant it... but to be on the receiving end was very humbling.

And then....
if that wasn't enough,
I received this message from a a friend I'd only recently been getting to know "You're remarkable, funny, brilliant and beyond beautiful. Beyond beyond! Happy Birthday, Joy!!!  So happy to know fabulous you!"

And then....
I realized how fortunate I was... how the love I craved was there... I had just been looking in the wrong places, and wanting it from the wrong people.

And now....
I am a little bit wiser than I was earlier in the week... when I was younger :)
and I am grateful for the gifts of grace and kindness I received for my birthday -- gifts that will remain with me and mean more to me longer than any boxed item ever could, no matter how pretty the wrapping.

gratefully yours...

Censuring Censoring

The SOPA censorship piece of legislation which looks to threaten the free exchange of internet  information has given me pause.  I literally 'live' online.  And I have often quipped that the internet was created just for me.  I use it.  I love it.  I appreciate it. 

And the idea of not being able to get what I want when I want from wherever I want is not a prospect I relish.  But above and beyond any so-called Big Brother politics, I started thinking about the whole concept of censorship... and how and when it applies.

Turns out I intend to do a great deal of it myself.... within my own thought.  I realized that far too often I allow unhealthy and perhaps even inaccurate ideas to enjoy free reign in my consciousness. These should be censored.  Thoughts that would cause me to harbor unfounded ill-will towards my fellow man or myself must not be tolerated, lest they breed and wreak havoc on my personal relationships and business dealings.

So I intend to be responsibly vigilant and alert to that which would seek to undermine my reason and wellbeing.  I owe it to myself and everyone I know. Perhaps if more of us did the same there would be less call for outside intervention?

with wishes for a clear conscience...

The Symphony of Life

I have been experiencing same rather strange life activity lately.  Even stranger is how it all looks to coincide and work together.  Inexplicably, certain people and projects are going away and coming to a halt, while others are showing up and taking off.  None of it seems to make sense, but it somehow all appears to mesh.

In trying to make sense of this phenomena, the metaphor of a symphonic orchestra came to mind. Each individual musician plays his instrument.  There are a number of artists who play the same kind of instrument and all do so together.  Similar types of instruments support each other in groups - for example you have the horn section, the strings, percussion, etc.  Parts have been lovingly crafted for each instrument by the composer who gave birth to the symphony.

As directed by a conductor, the entire orchestra plays together to create beautiful, soul-ascending music.  Let me reiterate.... all the musicians play together... at the same time.  A symphony is not a series of solos, each musician doing his bit, showcasing his personal talent with a performance he has honed to perfection on his own.  

The idea of all of these individual elements sounding off at the same time should signal chaos and aural disaster... yet it just does the opposite.  It epitomizes the concept of harmony.  And that is because there is a design, a structure, a plan, laid out on sheet music by the composer and brought to life by the conductor whose job it is to ensure all the disperate elements of the score work together, each doing their part, each having their turn to shine in the melodic phases of crescendo and diminuendo.

There are only 7 basic musical notes... but think of what just those 7 can do!  They can soothe the savage beast. They can stir emotions and bring back memories in a way that few other things can.  Such is the power of music.

More important, such is the power of working together..... to offer up our painstakingly practiced abilities to a project bigger than ourselves.  That is when our life becomes more than just a pleasant little musical ditty... it becomes a rich, complex, full-bodied symphony.

With that in mind, I will do my best to keep perfecting my craft, trusting that whether I know what lies ahead, what glorious music awaits on the next page of sheet music, that it has all been arranged in advance and done so beautifully.  I trust the composer and conductor of my life to ensure that I will play seamlessly with my fellow musicians, and that together we will create the unspeakably exquisite music of the one song .... the Uni-Verse.

harmoniously yours....

Brava, she sang!

They say it's never over till the starvation-challenged female sings... that's me trying to be p.c. here.

The other day I wrote about receiving my first 'hate' post on my new business' Facebook page.  I mentioned how I had forgiven the perpetrator and her follower, and how I felt about the whole thing.  I was glad to put it behind me.....

.... And then she posted again.

Even though I was in no way angry with the young lady in question, I still was shaken by the situation... literally.  My fingers were trembling as I typed for hours thereafter.  I sat for a moment and thought about how to handle this latest situation.  I had merely deleted the initial untoward post, but clearly that did nothing to stop the problem from happening again.

This time I decided to write to both the girl in question as well as her concurrer. The primarily poster and I ended up writing back and forth to the tune of perhaps a dozen entries total.  I opted not to chew her out in any way, but tried to approach her in a friendly manner from a place of kindness and compassion, with appreciation for her concerns.  

At first she maintained her righteous indignation.... but at length.... she agreed to put the kibosh on the vindictive page posts.  I even invited her to come to one of my business' events as my guest, as well as to feel free to stay in contact!  And while I would be very surprised if she ever did contact me again, I can say with all sincerity that I was grateful not only for the experience and its resolution, but for making a new contact with a girl who is obviously very passionate about her beliefs.

Most of all, I was delighted to have the opportunity to see the power of love in action.

Defamatory disclaimer: Should there be any confusion, the dear one in question is NOT a 'fat lady'... that's just an expression. She, on the other hand. is a svelte and attractive girl.


joyously yours...

For You... from the Universe

"Life is the flower for which love is the honey." ~Victor Hugo

I posted a status update on Facebook this morning asking what I should blog about today.  A sweet friend suggested I just let the topic come to me... so I did... 
And what came first was the idea of flowers.
This is not surprising to me... that I should immediately think of flowers when considering a blog post about love.
Flowers, to me, are the most perfect examples of the beauty of the universe,
and how loved we are by our creator.
They are rife with metaphors that touch on every aspect of the human condition.

So today I leave you with a question, as opposed to my usual homily.
What do flowers tell YOU about how loved YOU are?

Please take a moment not only to stop and smell those roses, but to reflect on what they are telling you.  I would love to hear what 'comes' to you! 

joyfully yours...

Loving Haters

I have just officially launched a new business... and when I say 'just' I mean as of 2 weeks ago.  The bulk of my promotion is done online, with most of the interaction generated via my Facebook page.  Yesterday I received my first 'hate' comment.... with which someone concurred by clicking the 'like' button.

The post stopped me in my tracks and was written IN ALL CAPS WITH LOTS OF EXCLAMATION MARKS!!!!!!!!!!!!  It was only two sentences long, and came from a teen-early 20's girl who seemingly misconstrued the nature and purpose of my business.... but it still rattled me.

I went to her Facebook page to learn more about her with the idea of leaving a loving and explanatory response, but no information was available to the public and her settings do not allow messages from strangers.  I then determined that perhaps was just as well, as one seldom makes much headway when the other party is clearly upset and potentially irrational or unreasonable.

So what is one to do when met with anonymous meanness?  Lash out in retaliation?  Come up with juicier jabs that will really put that person in their place?  Whenever I am made aware of instances of senseless hate, I tend to reflect on the story a few years back about and Amish community where a fellow went on a shooting spree and then took his own life.  What was so remarkable was the way the Amish who had lost children in the attack treated the perpetrator's parents.  They did not threaten or even lambast them.  Instead they showed up on their doorstep that very night and embraced them in loving forgiveness.  I am starting to tear up just typing about it!

That lesson has meant more to me than just about any other I have learned in life -- for it was love in action, immediate unconditional love, that refused to bow down to hate.  I have no idea what I would do if confronted with the same sort of nightmare, but I do know that ever since hearing that story I have understood much more about the power of love and how it is alive and well in our world today.  I am grateful to all who inspire with acts of courageous unflagging love.  Bless you all.

The little grey cells of a super sleuth

"One must seek the truth within--not without."
~Hercule Poirot

I don't know about you, but I am tickled by a good mystery.  Frumpy unassuming Columbo and Agatha Christie's meticulous egg-headed Poirot are among my favorite detectives.  To me, what makes for a great detective is attention to detail, and the patient determination to stick with the case until every last clue, no matter how trivial or minute, has been exposed and extrapolated.

Imagine the solutions we could discover in our own lives were we to apply some basic sleuthing skills to the issues and problems that perplex and vex us.  We must be vigilant if we hope to ferret out the needling but sometimes difficult to detect things that would dam up the free-flowing living we seek.

Having a moment of clarity or an epiphany is an elating feeling to be sure.  But once the truth has been discovered, a good detective does not just leave things there.  He makes sure his culprit is apprehended and brought to justice.  We must do the same.  It is not enough to just uncover hidden issues or unproductive ways of thinking that plague us.  They must not be allowed to run around our thought willy nilly.  They must be manacled and dealt with.  In essence, unhealthy thoughts or habits must not only be detected, they must also be rejected.

Then, we may settle in with a cup of comforting tea, knowing justice has been served and that another malefactor has been dispatched and will not be able to wreak any more havoc in our lives. 

LIGHT 24/7

I dubbed this blog and its accompanying Facebook group LOVE 24/7.  Not only do we all need love, but we need it at all times, and in a variety of ways.  More and more, I am learning the value and importance of constancy and consistency.

Yesterday, out of the blue, I posted these words as a Facebook update: "To the sun... there is no night..... ever".  I had no idea why I decided to post that, but it did get me pondering.  We tend to think of the good in our lives as being cyclical and fluctuating. The axiom 'It's always darkest before the dawn', while meant to cheer and bolster one who is going through a rough patch, still includes the concept that the sun's light is not constant in your life.  That things may be dark now but they are bound to get better.  

But what if you lived at the center of that sun?  Would you look out on a bleak canvas of blackness?  Or would you see your rays going out in every direction, lighting everything they touch, and doing so constantly... 24/7.  Now picture the same as it applies to the good and the love in your life.  Just because you may not see the sun or good or love for a time does not mean they are not there, nor does it mean they have dimmed or diminished.  

If your eyes are closed or you have ensconced yourself in a dark closet you may not be able to see the sun, let alone the wonderful things it is illuminating all around you.  But the fortunate news is, it is all still there.  You only need to get out of that closet or open your eyes.

The sun is there.
The good is there.
The love is there
24/7.

with light and love.....

They aren't considered the greatest of all time for nothing

Musical artists and pop groups come and go.  Sometimes they come, make a quick fortune, and then go .... the way of the dodo.

Not so for the musical quartet who have reigned as the best of the best among musical groups for the last half century.  And there is a reason for this.  Not only were they innovative, possessed solid musicianship and could write the catchiest of hooks, but they had a conscience, and love for the world in which they lived.

It was no surprise then that when the historic Our World global telecast was planned, the UK selected The Beatles to be the voice of their nation. The BBC requested the band come up with a song that contained a message simple enough to be understood by all nationalities. And what was the message they wanted to send out to the unprecedented 26 countries and 400 million listeners tuning in?  It was as simple and profound a sentiment as can be imagined.... the idea that all you need
is
love.

Manager Brian Epstein remarked, "The nice thing about it is that it cannot be misinterpreted. It is a clear message saying that love is everything."

To which John Lennon added, "I'm a revolutionary artist. My art is dedicated to change.'"

For the broadcast, The Beatles were seated on stools, surrounded by friends and acquaintances who sat on the floor and sang the fade-out refrain, many of whom were British pop stars themselves.

Released in the UK two days later, it went straight to number one.

Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love.
There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game
It's easy.
There's nothing you can make that can't be made.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you
in time - It's easy.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
There's nothing you can know that isn't known.
Nothing you can see that isn't shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.
It's easy.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
All you need is love (all together now)
All you need is love (everybody)
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.

with love...

A Core Shift

When there's a whole lotta shakin' goin' on....

Over the last couple of weeks I have seen scores of social media posts talking of people making a clean sweep of their lives -- focusing, refocusing and realigning themselves and their priorities.  The pronouncements of intentions have been momentous, and remind me of the kind of tectonic shift that takes place as a result of a massive earthquake.

"At the Earth's surface, earthquakes manifest themselves by shaking and sometimes displacement of the ground. When the epicenter of a large earthquake is located offshore, the seabed may be displaced sufficiently to cause a tsunami. Earthquakes can also trigger landslides, and occasionally volcanic activity." [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthquake]

The effect of 2011's 9.0 temblor in Japan was so profound it altered the coastline of the country by 8 feet and actually changed earth's axis by 4 inches, causing the earth to spin a tad faster and shortening our days by just under two seconds.  You can't get much more powerful than that!

The devastation in Japan could have been significantly more extreme if the country did not observe vigilant earthquake preparedness.  From drills for school children to the Bullet Train's automatic shut-off function to the elaborate precautions and countermeasures planned into architectural design, Japan knows how to cope with the forces that could easily unsettle and topple the small island society.

Are we as prepared for the earthquakes that shake up our own worlds?  What happens when we face financial catastrophe, betrayal by a loved one, illness, accident, or even something positive as when our thinking shifts in light of new information or inspiration?  Are we thrown into a state of emergency and panic?  Or do we move to safety in order to ride out 'the big one', knowing we have done all that we can to equip ourselves to handle just such a situation.

I find when I start my day in quietude, getting in tune with universal good and handling the thoughts and temptations that could potentially cause me to crumble, my days go much more smoothly and I am better able to be a blessing to others.

Things do shift.  Nothing stays the same.  Not even the composition and orbit of the earth.  It is how we handle the shifts and changes that makes the difference in our 'world'.  So let's invest in that ounce of prevention and preparation.  It will be well worth it when the continental plates of our lives begin to shift beneath us.

preparedly yours....

Take the Curtain!

Nearly half a century ago a television show generated an unrivaled and rabid breed of contestants, all vying for the attention of host Monty Hall in order to be chosen to make a deal.  Here is the wiki description of the iconic Let's Make a Deal:

"In the simplest format, a trader is given a prize of medium value (such as a television set), and the host offers them the opportunity to trade for another prize. However, the offered prize is unknown. It might be concealed on the stage behind one of three curtains, or behind "boxes" onstage (large panels painted to look like boxes), within smaller boxes brought out to the audience, or occasionally in other formats. The initial prize given to the trader may also be concealed, such as in a box, wallet or purse, or the trader might be initially given a box or curtain. The format varies widely."

How often are we too offered opportunities with unknown and uncertain outcomes?  Should we choose the wrong door or path, we could get 'Zonked' like one of those disappointed contestants.  But if we choose wisely, we could find success and abundance.  So how to choose?  Do we opt for the traditional 'bird in the hand' wisdom?  Or perhaps go 'the grass is always greener' route? Is the result dependent upon luck?.... fate?.... precedent?.... our own devices?


I have found far more often that not that the absolute best conclusions have come about when I have trusted my intuition... that quiet, unassuming voice that speaks patiently and repeatedly until I heed it.  OK, sometimes it shouts.  Even so, in order to be able to tap into that inner inspiration or 'gut' feeling, we must cast aside all preconceptions and assumptions about potential outcomes... no matter how 'fact-based' those assumptions might be.  There is no way I ever would have chosen the business ventures I've enjoyed most had I not been quiet and listened.


So what is the voice within whispering to you today?  What is it telling you about the incredible opportunities awaiting you this year?  And what will you do with the inspiration that comes to you?  The choice is always yours, but be careful. Even the best 'intel' can get you zonked.  Your inner compass, however, will take you to amazing places you may have never even known existed... and that is a deal worth making!


expectantly yours...

Huh, you say something?

Wouldn't it be lovely to [doorbell] be able to do one thing [dog bark] at a time and do it well?
To take on [dryer buzzer] a task and see it [baby cry] through to [phone ring] its tidy completion
That kind of [ooooh shiny] scenario is becoming less and less [sneeze] common in our [ouch!] distraction-laden tech world.

More and more often, people are getting fed up with the dangers posed by distracted drivers on the road.  In the area where I live it was reported that over New Year's weekend, drivers would be cited not only for texting or talking on cell phones, but also for eating and applying makeup... anything that could be considered a distraction from the focus need to drive safely and alertly.  The 'no drinking and driving' issue is no longer up for debate.

Early on in my texting days I would have been lumped into the pool of miscreants behind the wheel.  I was very VERY careful... but still.... there were a couple of times where I took my eyes off the road to glance at my cell screen for 'just a second'.... and nearly collided into someone or something ahead of me who had moved unexpectedly or stopped abruptly.  I eventually learned my lesson, without incident, thankfully.

The distractions we fall prey to in our daily routine can be far more subtle.  Aside from the obvious.... TV and the internet.... what kinds of things crop up and seemingly try to derail you from the task at hand?  I live with someone who is committed to interrupting me every ten minutes to impart trivia he's already shared numerous times, or ask me questions he already knows the answers to.  I lose my train of thought and have to 'start all over' trying to figure out where I was, what I was doing and where I was going with it all.  I have estimated that these interruptions cause me to require 4 hours to accomplish anything that should take me 1 hour... It's disconcerting, at best.  I also have a shockingly loud neighbor and a whiny pup who can not bear to play second fiddle to my computer or phone. 

What are your distractions?  And more important, how can you manage them in order to stay focused on what most requires your loving care and attention?  One thing is clear, if we do not handle distractions, they handle us.  So regardless of the means we employ to revoke distractions' powers, we must do so deliberately and consistently.  Little things like a microwave buzzer may not put our lives at risk the way a distracted driver could, but they still must be put in their proper place of priority and perspective in order for us to shine as brightly as those shiny objects we love to ogle.

with focus and joy 
xoxo

Says Who? Says Pooh!

My favorite poem from my favorite childhood book has been flitting about my noggin for days on end.  And so I share the sweet innocence and timeless wisdom of A.A. Milne's Now We Are Six

Us Two 

Wherever I am, there's always Pooh,
There's always Pooh and Me.
Whatever I do, he wants to do,
"Where are you going today?" says Pooh:
"Well, that's very odd 'cos I was too.
Let's go together," says Pooh, says he.
"Let's go together," says Pooh.

"What's twice eleven?" I said to Pooh.
("Twice what?" said Pooh to Me.)
"I think it ought to be twenty-two."
"Just what I think myself," said Pooh.
"It wasn't an easy sum to do,
But that's what it is," said Pooh, said he.
"That's what it is," said Pooh.

"Let's look for dragons," I said to Pooh.
"Yes, let's," said Pooh to Me.
We crossed the river and found a few-
"Yes, those are dragons all right," said Pooh.
"As soon as I saw their beaks I knew.
That's what they are," said Pooh, said he.
"That's what they are," said Pooh.

"Let's frighten the dragons," I said to Pooh.
"That's right," said Pooh to Me.
"I'm not afraid," I said to Pooh,
And I held his paw and I shouted "Shoo!
Silly old dragons!"- and off they flew.

"I wasn't afraid," said Pooh, said he,
"I'm never afraid with you."

So wherever I am, there's always Pooh,
There's always Pooh and Me.
"What would I do?" I said to Pooh,
"If it wasn't for you," and Pooh said: "True,
It isn't much fun for One, but Two,
Can stick together, says Pooh, says he. "That's how it is," says Pooh.

Let Your Imaginals Soar

Yesterday I jabbered on about how we are destined for more than the life of happy little caterpillars.... we are here to emerge as ineffable and majestic butterflies.  The parallels between the stages of caterpillar-into-butterfly transformation and personal/spiritual growth are uncanny.  Here are the 'facts' about this fairy-tale form of life, and how it serves as a superlative example of what we can expect from ourselves and our lives... and how effortless, painless, and peaceful the transformation can be.

Imaginal Cells and Transcending Change 

The genesis of the caterpillar’s transformation begins with the appearance of what scientists have termed “imaginal” cells. Researchers have no idea where these cells come from, or why they appear. 

They are termed ‘imaginals’ because scientists can only hypothesize that their purpose is to ‘imagine’ something incredible that is about to happen. 

At first, the imaginals are fought off and destroyed by the intelligence of the caterpillar organism. But the imaginals keep coming back and eventually form clusters of cells to strengthen their domain. 

Soon the clusters form bonds where they pass genetic type information to one another. The clusters resonate at a higher frequency then their host and begin changing the physical make-up of the caterpillar. 

At a certain point in time, the long string of clumping and clustering imaginal cells switches gears from simply being a group of like-minded cells into the programming cells of the butterfly. They literally reach a critical mass of influence where the caterpillar’s destiny is altered to become a butterfly. 

The pictures on this page show the beginning of the physical transformation the caterpillar undergoes, and certainly connotes a temporary state of chaos. 

What is happening amid this clump of goo is old caterpillar cells transforming into wing cells, into antenna cells, into digestive tract cells, and so on. A new consciousness being born. [wethechange.com]

The stages of growth and emergence in the life of a butterfly are clearly defined, each stage fulfilling a specific purpose necessary to achieve maturity. The 3rd & 4th are those that seem most magical, if not down right impossible.

1st Stage: Egg 

2nd Stage: Caterpillar 

3rd Stage: Pupa (Chrysalis) 

The pupa stage is one of the coolest stages of a butterfly’s life. As soon as a caterpillar is done growing and they have reached their full length/weight, they form themselves into a pupa, also known as a chrysalis. From the outside of the pupa, it looks as if the caterpillar may just be resting, but the inside is where all of the action is. Inside of the pupa, the caterpillar is rapidly changing.
Now, as most people know, caterpillars are short, stubby and have no wings at all. Within the chrysalis the old body parts of the caterpillar are undergoing a remarkable transformation, called ‘metamorphosis,’ to become the beautiful parts that make up the butterfly that will emerge. Tissue, limbs and organs of a caterpillar have all been changed by the time the pupa is finished, and is now ready for the final stage of a butterfly’s life cycle. 

4th Stage: Adult Butterfly 

Finally, when the caterpillar has done all of its forming and changing inside the pupa, if you are lucky, you will get to see an adult butterfly emerge. When the butterfly first emerges from the chrysalis, both of the wings are going to be soft and folded against its body. This is because the butterfly had to fit all its new parts inside of the pupa.
As soon as the butterfly has rested after coming out of the chrysalis, it will pump blood into the wings in order to get them working and flapping – then they get to fly. Usually within a three or four-hour period, the butterfly will master flying and will search for a mate in order to reproduce. [thebutterflysite.com]

May you also gently unfold your wings and soar this year like the monarch you truly are...
joyfully yours

Dethroning the King of the Caterpillars

I, like many people, derive heaps of inspiration from nature, especially the whole caterpillar to butterfly example which I am convinced was designed as a beautiful metaphor to encourage us to hang on, not give up, and hope and EXPECT to be and experience the very best, most glorious and unlimited life possible.

I will touch on the caterpillar->butterfly goop soup metamorphosis process tomorrow, but for now I want to mention a sweet little epiphany I had about the experience of being a caterpillar.

While in the caterpillar phase of life, we all do our very best.  We strive to be the most successful, attractive, kind, lovable and useful caterpillars we can be.  We even dream about life at the uppermost echelon of society.... oh to be the king of the caterpillars.

We engage in all sorts of worthwhile and laudable activities in order to lead a life of purpose and service, while pursuing happiness.  We show up for work everyday... we try to forgive (or at least not flip off) the driver who just cut us off causing us to slam on our brakes and splash our coffee all over our new designer duds.... we fight the urge to cash in our 'dysfunctional' family during the holidays in favor of being with the friends we call family ..... we pay our taxes, send birthday wishes and bake cupcakes for the fundraiser.
Wow.... we're busy! .... and doing such selfless good things to bless the caterpillars around us.

The problem we run into is when we STOP there...
because.....
the truth is.....
we are not meant to live our lives as cute little caterpillars at all....
we are meant to become magnificent butterflies.

We are not meant to plod inch by inch on our tummies in the dirt to get where we are going... we are meant to flutter over the meadows in an effortless dance on the breeze.

It is time for each of us to recognize, embrace and surrender to the exquisite butterfly within.... for that is who we truly are.

with flutters of joy...
xoxo

"You've been let go"

Most of us try to let go of things that no longer benefit us at the top of a new year.  There are people and relationships that we let go too, as part of our internal fresh start clean up.

But what happens if YOU are the one who has been let go?

Frankly, it can hurt.

I have been dismissed far more often than I have ever dismissed anyone.

The unedited wreath image used in this post sums up what just occurred in my life.

During the holidays, a few people close to me chose to render me obsolete.

I have no clue as to why.  Things were absolutely affable, amicable and all the rest.  No strife, no stress, no reason that I know of as to why I was discarded as no longer profitable or desirable as a friend.

The temptation for me to feel rejected and unwanted the last couple of weeks has been very strong.... and yes there have been a few bewildered tears.  But I have been determined to look for the silver lining that I know must encircle the cloudy emotions I've been feeling.  I thought about my best friends, and how they treat me -- the kind of friends you can go months or even years without speaking to and pick up right where you left off without any sense of awkwardness or hurt.... because you know, truly know, that they love you.... and always will.

I decided to stop looking at those who have severed ties with me as being people who obviously don't love me.  Instead I am looking at them as my brothers and sisters with whom I share a mutual affection as part of the family of man.  Whether or not they show love to me, or even feel it, I know it exists -- because we were created to love one another, pure and simple.

What a wonderful opportunity to start the year without the bogged-down feelings of rejection I wrestled with during the holidays, and, as always, to love more fully, deeply, and universally.

with love,
joy

This is the kind of pink slip I'd prefer, please

The Greatest Escape

A friend and I were chatting on Facebook yesterday.  He had several days off from work (unheard of for him) and after some contemplation, he came up with the following assessment of his present lifestyle:

What are my "escapes"?

• food/cuisine/cooking

• travel and exploration

• creating art

• reading

• the one thing I'm missing most is pampering apparently

My heart went out to him.... not because he wasn't getting the pampering he feels he is in need or want of.... but because of the whole concept of needing 'escapes'.  I was tempted to ask what it is exactly that he desires to escape 'from', but thought better of it, considering it would most likely come off as insensitive or non-understanding.... though I truly did want to know!

My heart goes out to anyone who seeks ways to escape his life.  I have been there myself.... but not in a very long time.  I am self-employed and choose to work more than twice the number of hours that most people deem normal and acceptable.  Routinely, someone will advise I get a massage or soak in a jacuzzi in order to relieve stress.... 'What stress?' I respond.

Each day I am learning more and more that our attitude, well-being and 'reality' has little to do with our circumstances and everything to do with our perspective. It takes some mental elbow grease and a ton of discipline, but when we wrangle with and overcome the incessant temptations to bemoan our plight of the moment, we empower not only ourselves but the good in our lives.

I am finding stress is in the eye of the beholder.  And so I choose to escape to reality... to the very real beauty and wonder offered to me in countless ways each day by every connection I make, each inspiring idea I am exposed to, and each opportunity I have to see loveliness, grace and kindness all around me.

Won't you join me in a stress-free escape to reality?  The water is perfect... and the view is even better. 

joyously yours...

Y'all packed?

C'mon...
.... What are you waiting for?
Let's go!
We have a whole year to visit!
Have you packed yet?

I made a packing list last night of the things I wanted to bring with me on this next leg of my life's adventure.  I noted tried and true keepers, items I've carried around for ages that have worn out their usefulness and are no longer needed, things that I had been dragging around most of my life that I never should have taken ownership of in the first place, and new things I wanted to have more of.

Of course I am not referring to physical items, but thoughts and qualities.  I have no interest in lugging around sorrow, stress, pain, heartbreak or lack.  And I am delighted to load on as much patience, joy, unconditional love, peace, self-worth and abundance as I can get ahold of.

This year looks to be pivotal for so many people in so many ways.  What will you bring with you into it and what do you expect to get from it?  Please come and join our little love circle on Facebook to share your inspiration and love.

Happy happy new year and new adventure to you!

totally joyously yours....