days of our lives August 21, 2008

Not just a bad soap opera, it’s also part of today’s thought, Wahoo!

 

I liked today’s thought for it’s simplicity and truth. It’s the day to day living, the everyday experiences, sharing, efforts and work that make up our lifetime, our health, our relationships, etc. Lets all try to think about how we’re choosing to spend our day today, since everything that’s happening in our life is ultimately our choice. And try to notice what is getting the majority of your time and energy. Always wanted to be an artist? Then did you spend any time practicing your craft today? Want a balanced and healthy life? Then did you take time out for your loved ones? Or to go for a walk or meditate? Or did you spend all day on work? You may want to rethink whether your actions today are aligned with what matters to you (or what you say matters to you). Maybe some adjustments could be made to make space for what you truly value and want out of this life.

 

Make it a great day!

 

“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”

-Annie Dillard

Detox August 20, 2008

Good Morning!

I watched an interesting interview last night between Oprah and Kathy Freston, who was on to discuss her book “Quantum Wellness.” Their dialogue focused primarily on conscious eating (which is a topic and interest of mine unto itself, but that’s a different post for another time) but she also discussed what she felt were the eight pillars of ”Quantum Wellness.” During the interview Kathy said that she feels it’s important to turn toward the darkness sometimes. She said she felt like we needed to turn toward the dark places in ourselves, in our communities and in our planet because those are the areas that needed work, needed healing and needed the most understanding. She said it’s important to work on those dark places and to heal them, because we can’t hide from them, and they’ll catch up to us eventually. That really got me thinking.

 

I’ve been trying to reprogram some of the dark places in myself for a while now. The places that say I’m alone, that I won’t be able to make my career a reality, that no one is reading this or that I made a mistake leaving Park City, that I won’t have a healthy, fun, loving relationship. It’s really easy to talk myself back into my dreams and to keep trying some days. Other days I feel like the nagging little me in the rather melancholy part of my soul is going to win. But I think with each day we get a new opportunity to try to reprogram thoughts and truly work through the dark places inside, and outside.

 

So today’s thought comes from that interview, but also from Marianne Williamson’s “A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles.”

 

“Progress is like a detoxification. Things have to come up in order to be released. Once we have asked to be healed, then our unhealed places are forced to the surface.”

 

Free Falling August 19, 2008

Today’s thought is again about being bold, about taking action and about going with the direction your life is flowing. I still feel like I’ve been struggling a little, swimming upstream, when I could be getting a lot further, faster if I joined the current headed the proper direction. My mom and I were talking about this last night and I had this image of Finding Nemo (I have a seven year old niece - I’ve seen Nemo about 100 times - it goes with the Auntie territory) where the fish finally sync up with the turtles and ride the EAC (East Australian Current - I think??). The turtles are totally flowing and the fish finally get to see how easy and fast ocean travel can be when you’re in the flow of things.

Ah, philosophy from children’s cartoons, apparently the cough syrup is still in my system!

 

“Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith.”

-Margaret Shepherd

 

 

(Thank you to my beautiful niece Brooke!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs August 18, 2008

After a several day hiatus, I’m back. What a weekend. I haven’t been sick in a long time, a few years actually, where it wasn’t self inflicted (i.e. big night out, food poisoning, etc.). This was just an awful flu run rampant, wreaking havoc on an already tired body. Little bear suggested to me last night that perhaps is was psychosomatic. I can’t deny that there must be an element of that in there. I’m going to try to turn it around and re-frame it in a positive light though. I want to look at it as some kind of massive purging of my former self. Maybe I was that sick to get rid of the old and make space for the new. In any event I feel much better today. Not yet 100% - but much, much better. My fever broke late Saturday night/early Sunday morning (thank you to Bella for the midnight soup, saltines, tea and Glamour run - again, how much do I love you? Let me count the ways!!) and my body feels much stronger.

 

The two things being sick always makes me realize are how important your health is and who are your real friends. So getting better seems like a re-alignment with those two important principles; being healthy and healthy relationships. It’s a good reminder of what matters. Today’s Buddhist Offering fell in with that concept, and so it is today’s thought.

 

“Let us reflect on what is truly of value in life, what gives meaning to our lives, and set out priorities on the basis of that.”

-The 14th Dalai Lama

 

The currents will shift August 15, 2008

A simple two quote thought will sum up today’s inspiration. Sometimes you have to just roll along with where your life is going. Frustration comes from fighting against the direction of your life’s flow. I feel like I’ve been frustrated a lot the past week - which is a very good indication that I’m fighting against what is in my life. I keep trying to remember to let go of the outcome and what I think is “good” for me and just go with where things are headed, having faith that the universe knows what is good for me in a big picture then I can in my vacuum. Like the Yogi told me, “It’s all coming for you.” So I should just ride it out and enjoy the journey.

 

Hopefully we can all enjoy the journey and have faith in our destination’s arrival. As I mentioned to my Rumi Roomie the other day, I feel like I’ve been sailing along the coastline for months now, but I finally had to just steer out to see and lose sight of the shore. I’m crossing the ocean with faith that there’s another side, a new world, to land on. But sometimes it’s hard to remember when I’m sitting in the middle of the ocean with nothing on any horizon but more water!

 

Eek! I’m going to try to make it more thrilling and adventrous then terrifying.

 

“You can not stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.”

-Goldstein

“I’ll ride the wave where it takes me.”

-Pearl Jam

 

Everybody I love you August 14, 2008

Good Morning. Well the creativity has been flowing the past few days and I’ve been getting a lot done. Progress on Duchess is inching its way closer to a finished product and I’ve been partnering with my Mom to finish her retreats website. Once it’s done I will share the link so you can check it out.

 

In the meantime I had a very productive and very relaxing day yesterday. It’s weird to put those two words together, they seem counter-intuitive, but I love the work I’m doing for Duchess so much and I find myself relaxed after finishing it up. I love getting things done for the website and I really enjoy the research behind my ideas. I think that’s how the experts say you’re on to something. Doing what you love. I never have understood that before now.

 

But I’m also loving the journey - Duchess isn’t a destination for me, it’s a lifestyle. It’s a creative process where I’m doing the writing, reading, workshops, collaborative thinking, research and building that I love every day. It’s not about Duchess being “done” for me, because I don’t think it will ever be done. Duchess is a living, breathing entity, she will always be morphing, changing, adapting, expanding and growing. That’s the life I’m trying to breathe into her.

 

So today’s thought is to love where you are, enjoy and create the process, and keep yourself present in the moment now, while holding goals of your purpose.

 

“There is nothing that you cannot be, do, or have; and we want to assist you in achieving that. But we love where you are right now, even if you do not, because we understand how joyful the journey to where you want to go will be.”

- Manifest your Desires (Ester and Jerry Hicks)

 

Say, say, say what you want! August 13, 2008

I chose say what you want, because I’ve been rather good at that the last few days. Friday night I spoke with someone about how much I loved the yummy (but very bad for you!) peanut butter french toast at the griddle. Yummm! I also was thinking about how much I love to go out for breakfast on the weekend, especially Sunday morning. It’s probably one of my all time favorite things to do. Then Sunday when I woke up, Shar said, “Would you maybe want to have breakfast this morning?” YES PLEASE!! I told her it was her choice, to which she said, “I know it’s bad for us, but I really feel like a waffle from the Griddle.” Synchronicity.

 

We started out to brave the terrible parking and long lines of the Griddle at noon on a Sunday. As we left Shar said, “There’s going to be a great parking spot for us.” And when we got there, there was. First row in the parking lot. If any of you have ever tried to park at the Griddle (or really anywhere in LA!) you know what an amazing manifestation that was. So how’s that for saying what you want and getting it! 

 

While we were standing waiting for a table, I said to Shar, “I really want flowers - I think this week, the flowers are coming.” You can imagine how happy and shocked (but almost not shocked) I was when, coming back to my office from lunch on Monday, there was the MOST beautiful arrangement of flowers. The moment I saw them I just KNEW they were for me. And sure enough, they were! I won’t say who they’re from, but you know who you are, thank you SO much, they are so beautiful and so thoughtful and I love you so much! The person who ordered them even called the florist and specifically instructed, “No roses. She loves Gerber Daisies, and Hydrangea, and Orchids. And make it modern looking, she likes that.”  Thank you!

 

On Tuesday I didn’t have any milk, so I had to skip my breakfast tea and was feeling a bit grumpy (probably from not having my morning tea or coffee!). But on the walk to work I thought, “No, I’m adjusting my attitude. Somehow I’m going to get some coffee or tea this morning.” I just believed that passing thought, let it go, and walked to work with no idea on how that would be, just that it would be. And sure enough one of the women at work called me about an hour later saying she was at Coffee Bean, was running late to our meeting, and could she grab me anything. Victory was mine!

 

Finally, today I needed a day off. I’m feeling exhausted and pulled in a lot of directions, so I called in and took the day off. And as I sat down to write the blog this morning I thought of the Griddle, the parking spot, the gorgeous flowers, the coffee and today off of work and realized - I got everything I asked for so far this week. Everything I wanted I recieved. What a great week and what an awesome excercise. I’m feeling very lucky, and very grateful and blessed for my charmed life here in L.A. It’s a lot of work sometimes, but it’s very wonderful and there is so much freedom in what I’m doing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s poetry in motion August 13, 2008

Every once in a while I read a thought, quote or story that instantly leaves an impression on me. It’s as though all the pharamones between me and the words in front of me have communed and there’s a physical reaction to how amazing the piece of work is. This little piece of poetry was that for me. I found it strikingly beautiful. It is so crucial to be present in every moment of our days, and lives. And to be grateful and not judge events as “good” or “bad” - they just are. They make up the context and meaning of a lifetime, and often the “bad” end up great in the long run, and the “good” sometimes end up breaking your heart. I don’t think it’s up to us to decide, just to show up, be really present, and make our efforts and energy flow with where we’re headed.

 

And to let go of what isn’t working.

 

“I know

it’s hard to be reconciled

not everything is exactly

the way it ought to be

but please turn around

and step into the future

leave memories behind

enter the land of hope.”

-Zbigniew Herbert,

from A Life

Rebel Yell August 12, 2008

Today’s thought is more of a statement, but I think it’s a good state of mind to be in. I think it goes along with being brave, with taking action, with going in whatever direction your path takes you. It reminds me of the ever blond and wonderful lyrics of the 80’s wonder - Billy Idol - and his “Rebel Yell.” Classic, I know.

 

It’s a special post-dedication blog for my little songbird Bella, who piped out some great variety-pack vocals last night and once again, blew me, her friends, and total strangers away with her integrity and talent. I love how inspiring the women in my life are! They’ve sounded the rebel yell more than once. And taught me a thing or two about following your bliss and your own path.

 

“Every woman is a Rebel.”

-Oscar Wilde

 

great heights August 11, 2008

Today’s thought comes from Marrianne Williamson’s “Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles” - say THAT three time fast. Ha!

 

I like the idea as I’ve posted before that what you see and feel on the inside is basically what you project to be the world around you. If you think scarcity, there is scarcity. If you think abundance and grattitude, you see a beautiful and blessed world. As within, so without. I just read a really good excerpt from my “Ladies Who Launch” book about the importance of women (people in general, but in particular women) helping and supporting each other. The book was saying, do you network and rejoice in your fellow women’s successes? Or do you come from a place of scarcity and think, “oh she got that job, client, man, etc. so there’s less for me?”

 

I hope we can all rejoice and help in each others success. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Until we are all healed, no one is healed.”

 

I am feeling very grateful for the incredible women in my life today. That they read my blog, that they get something from it, that they share it with their friends. It means a lot to me. It’s the purpose of getting up early every day, and it’s so rewarding to me to hear people read it, and are getting inspired by it.

 

But I digress . . . today’s thought is to remember to look at life as bounteous and great. Share in your sisters success, support and love each other, and remember that if we look at life as full of everything we could ever want and need - that is exactly what life will hold for us.

 

“Our self-preception determines our behavior. If we think we’re small, limited, inadequate creatures, then we tend to behave that we and the energy we radiate reflects those thoughts no matter what we do. If we think we’re magnificent creatures with an infinite abundance of love and power to give, then we tend to behave that way. Once again, the energy around us reflects our state of awareness.”

-Marianne Williamson