World Traveling

A couple weeks ago I ordered a computer for someone, and because she wanted a few special options, it had to come from the factory.  It arrived yesterday after traveling half way around the world, and it got me to thinking.... this computer has been to places I've only dreamed of visiting!

It's been to Alaska. Dang it, I want to go to Alaska!  And I want to go across the ocean to Asia.

According to Google Directions, it would take me about 897 hours, that's almost 38 days, to get to China from here, and it requires a Kayak.  I wonder if I could build a raft instead?

But with the magic of modern transportation, via FedEx, it got here in just under a week.

Too bad it didn't take pictures of it's travels.  Hey, it's got a webcam, right?  Hmm.... maybe that's why it would take me 38 days vs. 6...... I'd definitely snap some scenic photos along the way.

At any rate, looking at this box that just came half way around the world to get here, I get a bit anxious about my own adventures, still slated to launch by the end of this year.

I can't wait to get started and I wonder if I'll get all the way to China someday too.  I sure hope so!

Another great reminder that things aren't always as they seem

I've often said that things aren't always what they seem and here's a great example.  This painting, by Canadian painter Rob Gonsalves, drives home an important point:  

Life is hugely a matter of perspective.

Sometimes the best thing to do is step back and see things differently.  New worlds will open up and you'll find possibilities and opportunities you never knew that existed.

See more of Rob's work on this blog and at his website.  Very cool stuff!

Garbage

This afternoon I took a walk around the neighborhood.  Monday is garbage pick up day and even at 3:00pm there were already some pretty substantial piles of stuff.  Some of it was pretty nice stuff in fact, and for a brief moment I thought about taking it home.  But only a brief moment.  As a minimalist I'm about less stuff, not more.  So I left it be and went on.

But it does make me wonder.  If people have this much stuff to throw out, how much more must they still have inside?  And where did it all come from?  And how much did all that stuff cost new?  I bet there was a small fortune sitting out on the curb today.

In fact I talked with a "garbage picker" for a minute - a guy who drives around nabbing treasures for himself.  He told me he's furnished entire houses just from garbage, and makes a nice side income picking stuff up off the curb and either selling or scrapping it.  Who knew?

Here's his truck as he sits poised to score more stuff:

And here are just a few of the piles I passed on my walk.  Again it was only 3:00 pm.  You should see the street by nightfall!

Metal detecting

After the castle adventure yesterday, I spent the rest of the afternoon with a friend going metal detecting.  I'd never done this before and we had so much fun at a local park, practicing our treasure finding skills!

We scoped out a sand volleyball court, the play area, several picnic areas, around trees and bushes, and then walked up the creek, sweeping the metal detector methodically back and forth as we hunted for the mother lode!

And find stuff we did!

It started with a button, then a toy firetruck, and then a penny.  Coins - now we're talking!

There's quite an art to honing in on treasure once the thing goes "beep, beep, beep," and more than once we found ourselves digging and digging just to find a piece of foil or old soda can.  We even found what my friend called the "requisite pop top and rusty nail."  WooHoo!

It was all great fun, and look at the treasure we found... I bet you're sooooo jealous :^)

Can't wait to do it again.....maybe next time we'll find a quarter!

Castle on the River

Today we had a great time visiting a local landmark, the Chateau Laroche.  Otherwise known as the "Loveland Castle."

This mostly full scale castle was built over a period of 50 years by Harry Andrews, who lived in it until he died in 1981.  I remember visiting as a little girl and sitting in Harry's kitchen listening to his stories.  I also remember the very scary skeleton in the basement dungeon.  Harry was such a nice man that my 10 year old brain couldn't figure out what that poor soul must have done to deserve dying down there.  The things kids think.. Ha!

To the left is a front view of the castle with 3 of it's ladies.  Otherwise known as my daughter and two of my nieces :)

And here's a side view from the gardens, which used to be Harry's vegetable gardens. 

My camera battery died before I got inside shots, but there is a games room on the main floor, dining room, bedroom and chapel on the second floor and other rooms that I'm quite not sure of the purpose.  There are also all sorts of artifacts from armor and weapons to hand carved furniture to paintings and trinkets, books, and other cool items.  And of course there's a video that tells you all about the castle and it's history.  If you're ever in the area the castle is worth a visit for sure!

After we were done exploring, we headed down to the river for a picnic.  The girls had packed a delicious lunch and afterward we waded into the water and tried to skip rocks.  Wow I'm so out of practice!  But hey... I'm a pro at rock-clunking (yeah... that's what I'll call it.... I meant to do that :p), and I made several really big splashes!

Here's looking down the river...

 And here's looking up the river.  Such a fun afternoon!

We make it harder

I'm writing this from my sister's kitchen table, where I'm simultaneously watching my niece agonize over some school work.  She's 8, and reading a mere 2 paragraphs, 127 words... was pure torture!  Or so it would seem.  I think that simple assignment... read 2 paragraphs and answer a few simple questions... took 2 hours and you'd have thought I asked her to read a thousand page book in Old English. Ugh!

Got me thinking though about how often we make things harder than they really are.  How many times have I procrastinated and complained and whined for far longer than it would have take to just do whatever I was whining about.

So I'm sitting here writing this as I watch this little "mirror of Maria" show me that I need to just do it!

And she's done.... now we can go out and play :)

Release

A couple weeks ago I went through several days of feeling like I needed to cry. Not for any particular reason really, but no matter how weepy I felt the tears wouldn't quite come. As each day passed I felt worse and worse, until I reached depression and hopelessness.  Try as I might I couldn’t shake it - and I still couldn’t cry.

Then one evening after talking with a friend about it I finally shed a few tears.  Not many mind you, but those few tears did what I couldn’t do on my own in for almost a week. They released whatever emotion had built up inside, and I felt much better almost immediately.  

Whew!  Back to feeling energized, feeling hopeful, and ready to move forward once again!

So what’s the point?

 That emotions can and do build up in our bodies and sometimes we need to release them.  Physically. Which is exactly what those few tears did for me.

What’s your method of release? Do you cry? Do vigorous physical activity? Write? Talk? Sing? Play video games? Clean? Get out of town for a few days? Use a technique like EFT, EMDR or something else?  Whatever your method of releasing pent up emotions, make sure to use it regularly. It will keep you on a much more even keel and a lot happier too.

If you don’t, release pent up emotions then they’ll get embedded and buried deeper and deeper, until they begin to effect your life on a much deeper, and more detrimental level.

EFT becomes amazing

A long time ago I found about about this technique called EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), which is used to release trapped emotions and blocks by using certain words and phrases while tapping different meridian points on the body. Although I know all about releasing and have used many different techniques to do so, I have to admit that I didn't really "get" the whole EFT thing.  Despite spending hours doing exercises and tapping different points, it didn't seem to do a dang thing.  This frustrated me, especially because I have friends who have had great success with EFT.

So last week when a friend called asking me to view a video on using EFT to make money I was a bit skeptical.  But hey... I'm all for manifesting more money so I checked it out.

And *bing* the light bulb went on!  Now I not only totally "get" the power of EFT, but already I've manifested a few bucks and several income opportunities too.  Woo Hoo!

If you're not familiar with EFT then it's worth checking out.  There are many YouTube videos available to help you understand and use it in your life, and many other websites that explain more about what it is and how it works.

You can also watch the videos I watched.  And let me know how they work for you.... I love getting feedback :)

Tapping for Fifty Thousand Dollars

Tapping for More Income

Sitting at the kid's table

Yesterday we celebrated Father's Day and also my Dad's 80th Birthday!  Here's to wishing him 80 more..... oh wait, is that a blessing or a curse?  TeeHee....

Everyone had lots of fun in the pool, playing cornhole, and doing all that other cool "backyard stuff."

And then it was time to eat.  Burgers, brats and metts hot off the grill, corn on the cob, a variety of tantalizing salads, and later - not one but three types of desserts.  Left that party feeling satisfied and pleasingly full :)

At dinnertime, rather than sit with the adults I opted to sit at the kid's table.  Then then after dinner when they were all back in the pool again I moved to the grownup table to catch the conversation there.

What a contrast!

At the kid's table we had fun!  We told stories and riddles, pondered life's huge questions like "can you really control your dreams" and "what if TV was real and we were the fake ones" and "what if the world is just one huge video game?"  Fun stuff!  There was some food trading going on there and a bit of sip swiping from other people's drinks.... and lots of giggling!  The kid's table is always full of giggling and just plain fun :^)

Contrast that with the adult's table.  Not that you all aren't fun mind you but the conversation was way more serious.  More judgmental.  More putting importance on things we can't control.  And less tolerant of the kids should they wander into "the area."

Which has me reflecting today on growing up.  As in "why would anyone want to?"  It's so much more fun to be a kid!  Kids are so much more imaginative, full of wonder, and open minded.  And I have to wonder.... how do we lose that?

What happens to us to kill our imaginations and spirits?  And dang it... how do we get that back?

I'm gonna go play a while as I ponder it a little more....

Anniversaries and letting go

Yesterday was my parents' 53rd wedding anniversary.  In a world where many people don't even make it to their 3rd, that's a pretty big accomplishment.  Even better, they're very happy together and have found a life that is fulfilling and (mostly) peaceful on a couple as well as individual level.

Yesterday was also the 6th anniversary of the day I met a guy who, I thought would become the next great love of my life.  That one lasted over 5 years, and we broke up last fall when I realized it was mostly me having a relationship and he enjoying the benefits of my attention and devotion without giving much back.

Every year on our anniversary we had a little celebration - nothing big but special to both of us.  So as the day approached I was a little worried that I'd be a bit emotional, wistful, and feeling that emptiness I felt in the first months after I said goodbye to him.  I didn't :)

Actually, I remembered the day a few days in advance, then forgot about it until yesterday afternoon.  I thought about sending an e-mail or e-card, or even calling but couldn't think of anything to say.  So I back-burnered it for later, thinking we'd talk that evening.  Evening came and went, then the stroke of midnight and the day was over. 

And nothing.  Not a twinge of loss.  Not a sadness about "what might have been."  No anger, hurt or sense of rejection. Nothing.

If anything I felt a peace about it, a knowing that we are now friends in the limited capacity he is capable of and that's ok.  I have forgiven him, forgiven myself, and forgiven the world for not working out how I wanted.  I have moved into acceptance, and I know without a doubt that I could pick up the phone any time or easily spend an afternoon with him in the spirit of genuine love and friendship, and without all the baggage that wanting a "relationship" brings. 

Very freeing!

I'm sharing this for those who have been hurt by relationships and who every day still feel that sharp blade stabbing their hearts.

You CAN come to peace.  You CAN come to a place where you're ok and ready to move on.  It doesn't mean you stop loving that person but it does mean seeing the relationship for what is truly is rather than what you wish it was.  Taking this step is a HUGE leap, and it will change your outlook and your life.

You can do this.... really :)

Acceptance

Been thinking a lot about who I am and who I'm not, where I am and where I'm not, and how life is and how it isn't.

In some ways my life is very much the way I want it, and people tell me they're envious.  I have little responsibility, only work a few hours a week, have lots of alone time, and pretty much am queen if my little Universe.

On the other hand, what they don't see is that I make very little money, have dreams that seem out of my reach because of that, and get disappointed and frustrated because I don't know how to fulfill them.  Plus despite loving my alone time, there are times I get lonely and wish I had company.

Two sides to every coin huh?

Anyway, the last few days I've been thinking about acceptance. Accepting what is and coming to terms with "maybe that's all there is ever going to be."

Made me extremely sad at first but the more I came to terms with it the more peace I found, until now (and for the last couple days) I've been living in a state of profound peace and happiness.

Yes there are things I want.  But my world won't collapse if I don't get them.

There are places I want to see but I won't live in misery if I don't see them.

There are people I care about and wish I were closer to but I won't live a life of loneliness and despair if they don't care about me in return.

I wish I had money to do certain things but if it never appears then life will be ok.

I'd love to be a lot thinner and healthier but if it doesn't happen I'll still be me and keep doing what I'm doing and having fun with life.

And on and on.....

By accepting what is it doesn't mean I'm giving up on my dreams.  It means I'm ok with where I'm at as I reach for more. 

That puts the point of power in the present.  Very important.

Find peace and happiness where you are, right now, and from that platform step forward into ever greater adventures.

Ahhhhhh acceptance..... such a sweet place to be :)

Newsletter and roots

Did you know I write a weekly newsletter?  Been doing it for over 5 years now.  It started out about Law of Attraction but since has morphed into all sorts of inspirational, philosophical, and other topics.  Check out the latest issue online and then subscribe if it feels right.  You'll also get the FREE How to Manifest Kit which is also pretty cool :)

Roots

Over the weekend I was talking with someone and all of a sudden it hit me - I have no roots!

I really don't feel tied to the planet at all, and in fact sometimes feel like I'm just hanging out waiting for something better to come along.

This is evidenced in how I live, the work I do, my social life, and everything else.  And it bothers me.

I mean, did I really come here to simply hang out waiting for it to be over?  Am I supposed to be living in a sparsely furnished, completely undecorated apartment which still has boxes I never unpacked when I moved in over a year go?  Am I really supposed to be working part time, seasonal jobs that barely sustain me?  And is my vocation - helping people live happier, more peaceful lives - really just a labor of love and pipe dream rather than the foundation of a LIFE and viable business?

Big questions!

As I pondered these things it hit me that I didn't used to be that way.  There was a time that I was happy in my own home (decorations and all), an active member of the community, reasonably prosperous, and moving forward and making plans.

So what changed?

Loss.  Big, life-changing loss that I couldn't (at the time) do anything about.  Not just one but one after another after another until I had virtually nothing left. Nothing.  The only thing that is the same in my life today is my Daughter, parents and siblings.  Everything else is gone.

And that shattered my trust in life.  My trust that life can and will work out.  Because it didn't.  And when it didn't work out multiple times I finally threw in the towel and said "why bother."  Why bother building a home, career, family, health or any life at all when it can all be ripped out from under you? Why suffer the pain yet again?

So I haven't and that's why I feel as though I have no roots.

I'm not writing this to make anyone feel sorry for me.  Now that I understand what's going on and why I am where I am, I'm actually quite content with it.

I'm writing this because I know there are other people out there in the same situation.  People who don't feel settled or have given up on trusting life and they don't know why.  I'm hoping that my story will spark something in your own, so that you can figure out what's going on in your life too.

By the way, now that I've uncovered the issue I'm working on growing some new roots.  I'm thinking about what's important to me and step by step learning to trust again - to embrace life rather than wait for it to be over.

Pretty cool - and I know it will allow me to reach out and help even more people than I already do!

Peace out :)

Florence Y'all

Hey Debra... Just wanted to let you know that in these here parts it really is y'all :p

Paleo Update - Getting back to it

I haven't posted anything about eating paleo for a long time because - well because I haven't been so good at it.

In our very neolithic world things like ice-cream and freshly baked bread and cherry soda pop are just so dang good that after several months of going without them I broke down and went sugar-nutso :(

They say it takes 21 days to form a new habit but when it comes to me and food that's hog-wash!  I could avoid sugar completely for years and still jump right back on that train at a moment's notice.  And I have.  Again and again which is why I have so many different sizes of clothing in my closet.... ugh!

Unfortunately, I'm at the point where the "fat clothes" are too snug.  Plus my joints are aching, I don't feel very good and I've been experiencing depression again - largely due to junk food overload.  Did you know too much sugar and simple carbohydrates can lead to depression?  Well it can so if you're depressed try eliminating it for a bit and see if you don't feel better.

Anyway, had a lovely paleo-ish dinner at my Mom's house the other night and that reminded me how very far I've strayed from the path these last couple months.

Ok the corn and rice don't count (but they were soooo good), but the ox-tails (yes, I said ox-tails) and salad certainly do.  And I had plenty of each too!

So I'm back on it as of yesterday!  Sugar be damned... I'm not eating anything sweeter than a carrot for the next month!  Can I do it? Let you know around July 4th or so.

Things aren't always as they seem

The other day I spent some time at the river, contemplating life as I watched the water and canoers go by.  I sat there for a long time with my feet in the water, made some pebble sculptures including this cute little foot ==>

took a few pictures and generally enjoyed a nice, quiet afternoon.

It was wonderful, and reminded me how vital nature is to my well being.  Especially water.  In fact I've decided to make it a point to spend a few hours or more each week relaxing and recharging as I absorb the serenity and peace nature offers. Ahhhh....

Contemplation

One of the many things I contemplated was a tree growing on the far bank of the river.  Yes the tree on the left.  And on the right.  Same tree.

Pretty amazing, huh?

Despite being mostly uprooted and completely horizontal, that tree still lives and actually appears to be doing pretty well.  What a good reminder that (a) things aren't always what they appear and (b) it is possible to survive, and even thrive despite what seems to be a pretty severe handicap.

As humans we often make snap judgments about things, especially things we deem inferior or "off" in some way.  And we often do this without knowing the whole story (tree on the left).  By taking time to step back and see the entire scene (tree on the right), we can gain much better understanding of the world around us.  We can also come to understand that what seems like a handicap or shortcoming to us may not be, and that people can and do thrive despite them not fitting into our little box of "normal."  Something to think about, huh?

Insights on ceremony and ritual

Tonight is another full moon, in Sagittarius this time which happens to be my ascendant (rising sign).  I've been doing full moon ceremonies for a while now, calling in the energy of that which I want and sending off the energy of that which I don't want.

But tonight was different.  In the middle of the ceremony the notion hit me that the only power anything has is the power I give it.  This is important so I'm gonna say it again:

The only power anything has is the power I give it.

That goes for full moon ceremonies, shamanic rituals, religion, politics, belief systems, other people, stop lights, and everything else in the world.  It only holds power if I give it that power.

Yes, I know that there things that appear to have power over us.  I've had some pretty amazing experiences in my life that sure point to something "out there" exerting great power over me.  But does it really?

Not unless I say so.  Nothing - and I mean NOTHING - can hold any power over me unless I let it.

Conversely, things can hold great power if I create it.  Which is exactly what I do on a full moon ceremony.  I create power which I then send forth from myself into the world.  I choose it. I call it up from the depths of my being.  This is the true power of any ceremony or ritual.  The power within.

We all have it. What are you going to do with yours?

Just when you think you know someone

Last week I ran into a guy I've known a long time.  One of those relationships where you don't see one another often but when you do meet up you talk like you saw each other yesterday.  You know?

Anyway, quite frankly he's kind of an ass, which is why we're not very close.  But as we stood there talking a saw something in him that will forever change our relationship.  I saw fear.  A very deep fear of life and a belief that the world isn't safe. 

It's why he's an ass.  It's why he drinks too much and hides behind a computer monitor.  It's why he keeps people at a distance, only talks about "safe" subjects like what's on TV and the latest sports thing, why he's way overprotective with his kids (to the point of smothering them), why he gets mad and walks away when you mention anything that might rock his safe little boat, and why he has such a low tolerance for people.

I've known this man for years and until last week I never saw it.  Not a glimpse!  And now that I have seen it I'll treat him differently and with more kindness because I *see* the truth of who he is.

The reason I'm sharing this story is that I think it's important to look at those around you, especially the really annoying ones, and see them differently.  See the wounded child, the traumatized teenager, the adult living in fear and pain.  See how they're trapped in a prison of their own making, unable to expand, grow, or truly let love in.  See the truth of who they are.

And seeing them differently, decide how you will treat them from now on.  It could make a huge positive impact on both your lives.

Happy Sunday!

Getting ready to head out to do a healing session but I wanted to check in and wish everyone a very Happy Sunday!

Actually, a Very Happy EVERYDAY!

Life is too short to spend it being unhappy.  Yes, we all have moments but if "unhappy" becomes the rule of your life then it's time to rethink a few things.

Maybe you can't change everything all at once.  Maybe there are some things you have to wait out.  Like if you're miserable at school but only have a month left.  Just get it over with.  But if you're in the first month of a 5 year degree and it doesn't get any better in the second or third month then it's time to rethink your major.

Or if you hate your job then maybe it's time to rethink that.  Personally, I'd rather make less money doing something that makes me happy than a lot of money to be miserable.  Lifestyle can be changed.  Things can be downsized.  My happiness is way more important than any of that "stuff!" 

So is yours!

Just a(nother) reminder to take a look at your life and if it's not working - change it!

I'm off to the river... have ya'll :^)