Happy Holidays

I was hoping to get my kitties to co-operate this year for a nice Christmas card...
As you can see, not everyone was feeling photogenic!

This is my best attempt at a family photo!

Stormie, me and Sunnie.... ("Stormie" is the calm one, go figure!)

Aw well, ya gotta love 'em!

Here's to a new year filled with peace, joy and prosperity!!

God Bless.

"God...

is Everything or else He is nothing".

This statement is probably the only black and white statement that has a valid application and point in my book. The funny thing is, my tendency has been to apply the "black and white approach" to everything but this statement, at least up until recently.

In the circles I run in (makes me sound like a gangsta, doesn't it?!;) I hear this statement frequently. In the past it has made sense to me conceptually and intellectually, but it just recently made the transition from my head to my heart.

I am one of those people who cannot live successfully in this life without the help of a Higher Power. I have a deep, very strong desire to connect with whatever it is out there that is powering the Show.

I have attempted to do things on my own (with solely my ego at the wheel) and for a time I seem to be able to find some measure of success, but none at all of contentment. And for me, life without contentment isn't worth living...

So, I have played with this statement with some very big things in my life. I have given up control to my higher power -whom I choose to call God- in some major areas of my life and what do you know? Complete success. But, there were/are other things that seem "to small for God to handle". I mean surely I don't need help with everything?! ...Uh, ya. 'Fraid so.

The good new is I can help God help me. I can use the gifts I have been given of will power, self control, determination, patience and faith. I can use these gifts to change the things that need changing in my life, with God powering them from within me. I tried this and have had tastes of success. A whole new level of contentment and peace becomes available to me. At first it was only situational for me but then a whole day, then days and even weeks of peace.

But, as with any other thing this is something that will take continual practice and even though I don't always feel the same level of peace and joy; I know they are always there now somewhere in the background.

"There is nothing...

...Enlightened about shrinking so that others will not feel insecure around you," -Nelson Mandela. Lately on my quest for increased enlightenment :), my mind has opened up to embracing all the gifts I have been blessed with, as an expression of gratitude. I am not talking about the "stuff" I have or any external blessings, even though I am grateful for abundance in that area of my life as well... What I am talking about are the unique talents, skills, ideas, motivations, etc. I have inside of me.

God has given us this particular life, here on earth, in our particular bodies, as an opportunity to further increase awareness of Him and therefore increase the awareness of ourselves as a part of Him. But beyond developing our own awareness we are here to help each other collectively, develop this awareness.

At first some of us are only capable of thinking of ourselves (for a variety of different reasons) but with diligent effort and tremendous honesty we can move beyond our self-centered-ness. We can begin the realize that the gifts we have are not meant to take up residency in our minds, fighting with their neighbors; insecurity, fear and failure. They are meant to go out in the world to be expressed, embraced and used to help God and the world.

Whoa. Right? Sounds pretty grandiose doesn't it? But think about it...

To say that we have no gifts or that we have nothing to offer is kind of like saying to someone you love (God), "Thanks for the beautiful gift(s) you have given me but I am too embarrassed, insecure, afraid etc. to show it to anyone or use it. I'll just put it in a safe place out of the way to "protect it"". Unfortunately over time, we risk forgetting that it's even there and we miss our opportunity to be of Service while we are here.

Many people struggle to find their self-worth and special gifts and as a result end up feeling as though they didn't do anything they "could have" done while they were here.

I believe it helps to think of using the gifts we have as our responsibility. Our responsibility to the Bigger Picture, the world and everything in it. No matter how insignificant we think we are. It may also help to remember that expressing our gifts is an act of gratitude to God for all the blessings we have been given in our lives.

It is after all the season for Thanksgiving...Have a wonderful holiday and God Bless.

Dawn of a New Day!

It's hard to put into words the way this election has affected me.

What I can say is, for the first time in my life I actually feel the collective good in the world! And better than that I feel a part of that good!
At this early stage, many of us can only begin to comprehend how this historic event has impacted the world! What is immediately obvious, is the shift it has brought with it, energetically, philosophically, and intellectually.

My friend Kimberly wrote a beautiful blog on her feelings around this election, she has articulated it perfectly...

www.kimberlykingsley.com/reflections.html

Enjoy! And enjoy this new day!
Much love to you!!!

To Vote or not to Vote

I was talking to my 18-year old niece a couple of months ago and I asked her who she was going to vote for in the election (now that she was of age to vote). She told me her choice. I asked her why she had chosen this party and she said "Because that's who my dad is voting for.".

So, I asked her if she was going to do any of her own research on the candidates, just to make sure that she also thought this particular party was the best choice for her and for the country...her reply was this "Hell no, I don't have time for that...It's summer and I have softball!"

Tragic. Because she doesn't think taking time to improve her awareness and making a choice she thinks is best is important, and because up until a couple of years ago, I didn't either.

I used the excuse that there are too many liars in politics and the media. And you will never really know if what you think you are voting for is what you are going to get. This was a "cop out" of coarse, for being afraid, not wanting to research, and not really caring about anything but myself.

Today I have grown in awareness and believe that it is important that each and everyone of us takes a look at what our options are. Its important to be grateful that we live in a country that allows us the opportunity to have a say in our future.

Now, I am an idealist by nature so I know politics can be very discouraging at times...but persevere!

This is an important time for us; our world is evolving. Change is in the air and this is a good thing! Just remember nothing ever lasted that has stayed exactly the same.

Go out and vote this year for the candidate YOU choose!

What?

Life is short, thoughts run deep

What's it all for? Are we all sheep?

There must be more, an unseen plan

Can't seem find it, head in the sand

Fear runs deep, what will I find?

Love is strong, disregard the mind

How much unknown, tick tock tick tock

A sense of urgency, or am I in shock?

Its the end of the world as I know it

and I feel fine...

-G. Garrisi 08

Reason, Season, Lifetime

(I am not sure of the author here but I like the idea and wanted to share it...enjoy)

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person...

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn...
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant. Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

Constant Prayer

There are some of us who are born into this life with a very strong sense of purpose; a desire or hope that what we do in life will matter and make a difference. That however does not mean we will actually do anything at all with our lives...

There are so many obstacles in the way for some of us, despite our desire. Without the proper support as children and guidance as young adults many of us can become depressed, discouraged and lost.
Personally, I came into the world this way and ended up just the way I described at the mere age of 28.

Without direction, support, and encouragement, dreams can get muddled and we end up living lives that belong to other people in an effort to find something that fits...

Usually that is where rock bottom comes in for most of these types of personalities. At the end of their rope, their only choices seem to be to step off the chair, or pray.

Thank God I prayed.

I would love to say there was a great shining white light that scooped me up in all encompassing joy and handed me a list of all the things that I was to do next to ensure my life was fulfilling and I am content here...
Ya....no. That didn't happen. But I did find relief from my fears and my unhappiness, and I became open to letting people give the support and guidance I had been neglected as a child.

Over time I have learned that the guidance is within me. I have to meditate, listen very close in silence to what is behind it and that is where I will find the answers.

Having had 28 years to practice a different way of operating, this new idea seemed difficult and too slow....but practice makes progress and year after year I keep trying and I don't give up.

It is becoming clearer to me now, that voice within, and much easier to access.
Now when I feel off coarse or unsure I know what to do to get help and to find direction.
The new challenge for me is in actually doing it.

2008 Regional Yoga Championships!

The 2008 Arizona Regional Yoga Asana Championships will be held, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., on Saturday, October, 25 2008 at the Arizona Historical Society Museum.

This event is open to all practitioners of Hatha yoga who would like to participate. This event is also open to everyone else! -whether you practice yoga or not- come and watch, be inspired and support our growing yoga community!

For those who want to participate...there are two levels of competition and four champions: a male and female adult and a male and female youth. Regional champions will compete at the 2009 National Championship in Los Angeles.

The yoga championship is not just about individuals competing - but provides the impetus to challenge each to rise and be the best he or she can be. It also is about the promotion and general understanding of yoga throughout the general population. An ultimate goal is to lobby the Olympic committee to create a competition division for yoga.

Yoga competitions have been taking place in India for over a thousand years. In describing a competition organized in India, Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Bhavanani of the International Yoga Federation said: "The aim of this competition is to help the youth of India to understand, explain and express the true meaning of yoga as a way of life, as well as a spiritual path to self-actualization and self-realization."

"Inner peace, grace, composure, charisma, discipline and determination are what create champions. A championship is an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the full potential of a regular, disciplined practice. For those who are interested in taking their yoga practice or anything they do to a new level, there is no better impetus than entering a contest," says Nora Jeanne Walsh.

"The event itself serves two purposes; it propels the contestants to rise to their personal best physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually, and, in turn, inspires the audience through their performance," Walsh says, adding, "The overwhelming response from those who have competed has been amazement at both what they were able to achieve and the way the whole process changed their lives. Those in the audience have walked away with a desire to learn more about yoga and some are inspired to achieve similar results."

Complete details and entry information are available through links from this web site. http://www.azyogachampionships.com/

For questions about the Arizona Regional Yoga Asana Championship, contact Nicole Stroud at the Bikram Yoga Paradise Valley Studio, 602-971-6999 or via e-mail.

I hope to see you all there!

"Intiutive Guesstimation"

I saw an interview with "Richard" (a character in Elizabeth Gilbert's book, Eat Pray Love) and he was giving his opinion on the topic of soul mates, he said and I am paraphrasing- that a soul mate isn't necessarily someone we are destined to fall in love with and live happily ever after with...as a matter of fact, if we do find them, we may not even like them all that much.

He suggests, our purpose in getting in touch with our soul mates may only be for them to act a mirror for us or vice versa. To point out the very characteristics in each other that need to be adjusted in order to live the life we intended to live coming in to this world. So we feel very drawn to them, yes. But are we meant to live forever with them? Maybe not.

For a while now I have been tossing around this idea...What if we decide before we come into this life experience all of the experiences we would like to have? What if we pick our parents, our status in life, our physical assets or defects, all in a plan to provide us an opportunity to overcome them and or help others? And then, having ultimately been successful at navigating these challenges, the outcome will be that we will rise to another level of higher awareness? One step closer to enlightenment...If that is the case, then this soul mate business would make sense to me.

Its fun to visualize myself (spirit self) discussing this with some other (spirit self) about how we will meet each other in this lifetime and what we would like to learn from each other etc...

On a side note to all this though... sometimes, I wonder why in the heck I went and picked some of the things I have, if I had an actual choice?!

Maybe I will take the next round off and just be a Rock Star! ;)

As an Oak would Be

I believe that it serves no purpose for us to take our emotions too seriously.

Emotions are transient, very transient. They are the most inconsistent part of us. This is the nature of our being, too feel. That is pretty much it. We move from experience to experience, feeling the emotions of it, or rather letting the emotion flow through us. The more experiences we have, the bigger spectrum of emotions available for us to feel and therefore the more life available for us to live.

The graceful-ness with which we are able to "go with the flow" of our emotions identifies our individual level of peace within our own being.

For example, picture a large oak tree in the middle of a field...whether the sun is shining, there is a snow storm, a wind storm, or torrential rain pouring down on it, the nature or state of being of the oak tree is the same. It simply goes with the flow and if for some reason it is uprooted and its' life is ended, then it sinks back into the earth to start again...

I am hesitant to say anything definitively these days but I am leaning less and less on the idea that we need to learn to master our emotions. I think life is more about being able to experience as much emotion as we can. Whether we are warmed by the sunlight of love or our soaked in a sea of despair, all we can really do is just experience the emotion and go with the flow...knowing this is the point of life, to feel.

Fighting against emotions or trying to hold on tightly to a particular emotion causes depression, disease and eventually pre-mature death. I know that sounds extreme but I have no doubt that it is true. So what choice do we have? We must learn to relax and take it easy, to let emotion flow through us without obsessive analysis.

It is unthinking of us to teach our children that they have to be happy and to strive for continual happiness. This cheats them out of their life and can only inevitably cause misery. Lets instead teach them to have as many experiences as they can in this one, very short lifetime and to embrace each and every feeling that gifts itself to them. So, at the end of their precious time, they can look back at all that they've felt and know they've really lived.

RaNDom tHOUghts ON LoVe...

The actual "meaning" or description of love as an emotion is almost impossible to describe. People have spent ages trying to do it justice and have -I suspect- barely even come close to it.

I am by no means an authority on it, that is for sure...but I am a seeker of it -as we all are. It seems to elude me on a regular basis though...I get a brief glimpse, what feels only like a second- just to be disappointed at the disappearance of it once again...

Is love a sustainable emotion between people? Even within the sacredness of family? If it is, don't we have to tap into something much deeper, something much bigger to really, truly experience it?

Isn't love something that needs to be cared for and nurtured, grown and then finally harvested...? Or is it there with no effort at all? That is what we are told, "love is everywhere" but I don't know... I mean just because we are supposed to love someone doesn't mean we will... and just because it's not in our "best interest" or someone might not be the best person for us doesn't mean we will stop loving them once we already do...

I am sure I have only begun to understand and experience this emotion. And maybe its not an emotion for understanding... but I hope to become much more familiar with it...I honestly hope we can become the best of friends, Love and I.

Eat. Pray. Love.

In between the 100,000,000 things I have to do everyday and the 1000,000,000 things I want to do everyday I am reading this book called Eat Pray Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert. I am sure many of you have heard of it. It is about her journeys to Italy, Indonesia and India after she is devastated by a divorce....She is in Italy right now, speaking(learning) Italian, eating good food and enjoying the dolce vita (the good life)...

I am from Italian decent. My mother grew up in Vicenza, my dad was second generation Sicilian, and most of my relatives still live there. I have been to Italy a few times so I as I read along I feel like I am right there with her. There is a part in the book where she is talking to one of her Italian friends and they are comparing the Italian vs American work habits.

Her friend tells her that the Italians work very very hard but they actually resent it because what they are most interested in, at the end, middle and beginning of the day, is cultivating a well know Italian philosophy of Il bel far niente...the beauty of doing nothing.

As for us Americans, Gilbert points out the statics that say Americans have an inability to relax...as a matter of fact most Americans feel more happy and fulfilled in their offices than they do in their home!! To directly quote her "Americans work harder and longer and more stressful hours than anyone in the world today...and they seem to like it...of coarse we inevitable work too hard, then we get burned out and have to spend the whole weekend in our pajamas, eating cereal straight our of the box and staring at the TV in a mild comma...Americans don't really know how to do nothing."

Wow, did this ever ring true when I read it! I have made some great strides away from being that American but from time to time I can still find myself on the couch!! So, I don't know about you but I am going to take lead from our Italian friends and start cultivating...Il bel far niente! In between all I have to do of coarse!!

Karma and Meditation

So I was reading out of Deepak Chopra's book, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success about Karma and what you can do about it...

I have mentioned before that I am a big believer in Karma and the belief that every that is happening to me now, is a direct result of my previous actions or choices.

For example, if I want happiness in my life I have to make choices that will sow the seeds of happiness for myself and those around me...

In this book Chopra talks about 3 ways to address your individual Karma. One way to simply pay your Karmic debt, and by simply I don't mean easily...sometimes this can involve a great deal of pain. Another way is to transmute your Karma by asking yourself what you can learn from what is happening as a result of your choices and be consciously aware of the life lesson presented to you and how you can apply it to helping others. Third way to address your personal karma is by transcending it. I thought this was so interesting. I can simply go within and get in touch with the Souce for extended periods of time in meditation, and receive a kind of shower for my soul. He says, each time you go into your meditation, you are cleansed a little more of your karma, "you wash the seeds of your karma"...

On an intuitive level I understand how excellent and healing meditation can be, on a physical level I can feel the benefits from meditation in my body and mind, and now on a spiritual level I can transcend my collected karma and actually wash my soul! How wonderful.

Vision Board Party

Quite a while ago I wrote a blog about three women that Oprah had on her show; Louise Hay, Martha Beck, and Cheryl Richardson. Now, I don't watch Oprah so it's no coincidence that in the past year both times I've turned her on the same show was on!

All three of the women she had on are authors and have been inspirational to many people in transforming there lives and learning to love who they are. During the show they spoke about (and showed) their Vision Boards.

A Vision Board is a poster or collage that you create to manifest whatever you would like to see happen to you and your life. You can cut out photos of things you want or pictures that represent a feeling or idea you would like embody or express in your life...

They showed their own past vision boards and spoke about how what they consciously, intentionally focused on and placed on these boards actually manifested in their lives.

As I have been speaking to people about this during the week I have found out that some employers do this with their employees to improve their companies success and even some high schools do this with their students to help them get a clear picture of where they would like to go with their lives...

I haven't been able to get this idea out of my head since I saw the show (for the second time!) so...I've decided to have a vision board party! I am going to get together with my friends and we will all have a party focused solely on our dreams for our lives! I am very excited and I think it will be so uplifting for everyone!

I will let you know as my intention starts to become a reality in my life!!

All Work and No Play

Anyone remember that scene in The Shining where Jack Nicholson is sitting at his typewriter (with writers block) typing over and over "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"...? Well I don't think I am on the verge of a psychotic break like he was ;) but I definitely need a break.


I have finally scheduled myself 6 days off -in a row! This is a big deal for me because I haven't taken a real break since the first part of 2007. I think there are just some of us out there that like to work and I am one of them. I will go and go until I cannot go anymore and physically I will have to stop. Gratefully, that is not the case this time. I am in good health and want to keep it that way.

I am by nature a very independent person so I think it's fitting that my time off will fall over the holiday this weekend.

I am not sure exactly what I will do with my time...I didn't want to schedule too much to do... So, I most likely will head up into the mountains for a day or two. This helps me tremendously to re-charge my body, mind and spirit.

Have you taken a break lately? You don't wanna end up like Jack do you? ;)

100 Questions...

Why are we hear? What's it all for? Why do some people seem to receive their hearts desires and other continuous struggle? Why are some of us born into wealth and others born into disease and poverty?Is it Karma? Fate? Luck? Completely Random? Does it matter why? What would we do differently if we knew all the answers? Would life feel like it has a purpose or would having all the answers take the hope out of it? What happens when we die? Do we go on? Reincarnate? Blink out into nothing? Does that make a difference in how we live our lives? If we knew this was it...one shot, then nothing, what would we do differently than thinking we may meet our maker and have to answer for all that we had done? Why does it seem like sometimes there is no God and then other times there is no question of something infinitely greater out there? What would we give for the answers to all these questions? Do we really want to know?

Anyone?

Good things come to...

those that wait...

My lesson these days seems to be all about patience. I am an instant gratification-type person so for me learning to slow down and enjoy the ride is a challenge. I have been at both side of this coin...full speed, one thing after the next, taking on way more than I can handle, and full stop depressed and unmotivated to do anything.

Today for me, it's all about balance; finding that happy medium and hanging out there. I used to think this would be way too boring of a place to be, but now I understand that was just fear. Once I actually slowed down and brought my awareness into the present moment for the first time, I was forced to take a look at who I was and what was happening with my life. All kinds of questions had time to creep in like "who am I?" "what have I done with my life so far?" and "why am I here?"...these types of things initially brought fear to me because I didn't know the answers and I didn't like who I was. But as time has passed and I have made a conscious effort to slow down, think and intentionally do, Life has slowly begun to blossom for me from the inside out.

Many of us don't plant a rose seed and sit patiently and wait for it to bloom...we go straight to the flower shop and by the rose... we bypass it's entire journey forgetting it was once only a small seed buried under a heap of dirt. Today, when I look at a rose I think of where it started out and I can't help but have much appreciation for the effort it took to create its beautiful blossoms.

Underneath it All

In a country filled with superficiality and materialism, it can be very difficult to get in touch with each other and see each other for who we really are.

Several years ago I had a paradigm shift and I began see people differently.

I don't know what the percentage is... and if I had been raised differently, maybe I would think the percentage of people who draw conclusions based on other peoples appearances would be very low... But as a child, I was taught that it was extremely important how I looked and how I "acted"... I was taught that it matters a lot what face I show to the world. There was very little encouragement to figure out who I was or to express my own innate personality. As a result of that I was lost and didn't know who I was for a very long time...

The more I get to know and understand who I am the more I can see people for who they really are, underneath it all. Even though they may be buried deep inside whoever they are trying to be.

Maybe it's because the people I surround myself with today tend to know who they are a little more than the ones I knew before, but I feel as though there is now a collective shift happening and more and more people are realizing the futility of burying themselves. More and more people are trying to let go of their facades and express who they really are.

Their are many still who struggle and get sucked into societal pressures, to them the only thing I can say is, let it go and live the Life that is waiting for you.

A Beautiful Memorial

Both my father and my brother passed away when they were 37 years old...

My father's body was never found (he drowned) and my brother was cremated and his remains are with his wife in Montana. My sisters and I have always talked about wanting to create a memorial for them to honor their lives and to be able to go and sit and reflect.

This year my sister Theresa purchased a beautiful spot in one of the local cemeteries and placed this piece there:

She arranged it so a few servicemen would be there -my father was a veteran- to perform a ceremony honoring his military service... it was all very touching.

It was nice to have a place to go today to actually place some flowers and see their faces...thanks T. I love you and appreciate all your hard work putting this all together.