SURFING INSPIRATION

How many times have we done the same things over and over - expecting change, but nothing ever happens -  yet we stay in "repeat" mode - same ole same ole with no results -----

try the 24 day challenge  for a new you !!

YOU CAN'T CHANGE THE WAVE - BUT YOU CAN CHANGE HOW YOU SURF IT !!

 Loews Coronado Bay Surf Dog Competition with Unleashed by Petco

March 29, 2013

SUCKY VAMPIRES

I love vampires - books, movies, TV shows - but I do not like the ones that are mean and ugly - only the nice ones - only the cute ones -  Some vampires are nasty and leave you with nothing - and no energy to move forward -  There are many kinds of "suck you dry vampires" - stress - people - situations - thoughts - foods -etc.  So - in dealing with your health and well being - ask yourself these questions----

How badly do I want this?  What price am I willing to pay?   How much am I worth? What vampires are standing in my way ??  

At times when we feel that nothing is going right - or we have worked so hard towards a goal and do not see it happening - the word QUIT and FAILURE seem to take root.  BUT --It is not failure to dump things  - Some things need to be discarded -- and I am happy to say that the M&M vampire has not been allowed in my home since I started this new journey towards health and well being......and at times I really long for their company - I miss them -

“Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”
― Thomas A. Edison

ACHY BREAKY

The brain is a muscle, and I'm a kind of body-builder.
Karl Lagerfeld 

That intense massage the other day has my muscles rebelling - and altho I am achy - I am excited about the "breaky" part - breaking through to a new me - a healthy me - an energetic me - a happy me - and I am making progress !

The issue is that we have to first intellectually go about transformation.  Karl Lagerfield - a designer for fashion house Chanel  stated ---  "I suddenly wanted to dress differently, to wear clothes designed by Hedi Slimane. But these fashions, modeled by very, very slim boys—and not men my age—required me to lose at least 40 kg. It took me exactly thirteen months."

 So what did he do???  He mentally decided to change it up - he changed his mind set - got help from "people in the know" - and that allowed him to reach his goal.  I do not know what specific path he took or who his "people in the know" were - but one thing is for sure - he wanted it - thought about - found a way - and did it !

Use your mind  -  what is it you desire about your fitness, health and well being?  Follow the path  "those in the know" have created...  change everything by taking this adventure-- Life is amazing - make it so !!


"Change is the healthiest way to survive"
Karl Lagerfeld

NOT RUSTING

Helen Hayes
If you rest, you rust.

This is the way I have been thinking for days now - so much energy   - I do have to remember that I cannot go on and on like the energizer bunny - surgery takes a toll and healing is of the utmost importance -so the doc says I do need to find down time -  yet I find that each day I have more energy and increased desire to move about and do things -  AND - I am not wearing out -  This new program is working for me in  so many ways --- I am starting to feel like the old me -

added benefit - in addition to feeling better - lower levels or no pain in certain areas - I have been losing weight  - being able to move around is such a blessing !!

  I am not rusting and I know I still need a little rest !!  but not yet -  this weekend I am going to the fairgrounds - that will be a real test !! 

NEVERMORE

NEVERMORE will I take for granted the fleeting happenings of each day - NEVERMORE will I be too busy to live in the moment or be present for all the gifts that abound - NEVERMORE will I be upset or disenchanted with the messes made because....

there will be a time when I will.....

miss the toys left on the floor
miss the sound of barking dogs and crying cats
miss the dirty dish left in the sink
miss the voices of Dora the Explorer and the Chipmunks
miss the call asking if it is OK to come over
miss the laughter that rings through the house
miss the companionship of family living close by
miss the clutter
miss the sweet chaos that life brings when surrounded by those you love
miss the wonderful messes that make up my life

Treasure each moment  - be fully present -  life is short - say "NEVERMORE" to missing and finding joy of what is in front of you :)

WISHING WEDNESDAY

I love the idea of a WISH TREE - so I made one.. mine is a crafty, gnarly creation made from a paper bag -  it suits me !

The prompt  from Jamie Riddler Studios is  - How do you wish to nourish yourself?  Today I add the word "nourishment" to my tree.

We tend to think of all that we want to take in and treat ourselves to - but I also believe that nourishing takes on the action of bouncing things away - so it both taking and rejecting

Taking - treating -
* playtime
* quiet time
* laughter
* reading
* creating
*cooking great - healthy food
* meditation
* sing and play piano
* phone a friend


Reject - so my "being" can be flooded with the nourishment I give and not distracted
* negativity
* second guessing
* unrealistic expectations - mine or others
 etc........

My three year old grand-daughter made her "nourishment" wishes by pasting things on paper that would make her "feel good"

You are never too young to wish !!!  In case you are wondering - that is a dinosaur tooth and dinosaur toys - She is going to be a scientist - I just feel it !!

"WOO - HOO - NESS"

 This is my dream-board for today - what is hidden beneath the snow - all those woo hoo moments that slip or storm by that I ignore or do not notice --

When I saw this "doodle" - all I could do was smile.  I spent my entire day hearing whispers of "WOO HOO."   I was reminded that excitement in life can happen at any time -  we need to be open to it - let it surprise us - let it knock the breath out of us - expect it - work for it - follow it - love it  -

There can never be too much "woo-hoo-ness".....


I contacted Eric at Wisdom Heart for permission to use this "doodle" - Check out the web site at www.wisdomheart.org.  

THE KEEPSAKE NOTEBOOK

We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they are called memories. Some take us forward, they are called dreams. - Jeremy Irons

The notebooks I create are not only for me but also for my children and their children and their children throughout time - with hopes that they will see life as a joy even through the challenges - to know that life is a journey even though there are resting and stopping points - and that learning to give, love, and achieve no matter what the circumstances keeps dreams alive.....


My keepsake notebooks are so much fun  - I will be giving a local  workshop on a summer one-- but my favorite is creating a yearly notebook - This is how mine looks, why I do what I do, and where to find some of the pages I use.

* One 3 ring notebook with a place to inset front page  - This year my cover has the year and my word for the year - FREE - the picture came from a calendar that I received - and google images did the rest -

* Calendar page for each month - I print these out from various sites.  This year I used
               www.dltk.com- you can get actual pics/paintings like this horse or cute clip art-

           
* Journal entries - I use notebook paper - I  also paste, glue, draw and tape all kinds of things that remind me of the growth and dreams I wish for each year in this area- I  use small sticky notes with affirmations, reminders etc--I love sticky notes ! I place the  journal section after the calendar --


* "KEEPING TRACK " -- I  put this page after each journal section - these are the titles I track monthly and yearly  - yours might/will be different -  I leave enough space after each so there is room to write- I experiment with all kinds of colors and fonts just for fun....and at times clip art- I have used this list for the past three years- It is fun to look back and see where there has been growth and dreams fulfilled and what areas remain stagnant and need more attention--

                LEARNING-READING-EDUCATION
                SOCIAL
                HEALTH AND FITNESS
                JOYS
                CREATIVITY
                FINANCES
                CAREER
                HOME
                SPIRITUALITY
                FAMILY
                DREAMS

*Pocket dividers - I only use 2 - one in the front and one in the back in which  I stash things I find or am in the process of doing - half written poems or stories - photos - etc  - When time allows I finish writing -tape - or toss-  This way my desk is not covered with papers that fly on the floor when the cats decide to help me type!!

my typing companion

*** WORD FOR THE YEAR - I do several things with this - I use  www.wordle.net to create a word
           cloud to use as my first page.  I also make a colorful "vision paper" of what that word looks
          like in photos, quotes, drawings, poems- etc, and put that in the front of the notebook-

 This year I also included a Monthly Meal planner page to track healthy and inexpensive recipes that are also tasty and fun--not sure I will keep that one going tho -

AND - I add photos of my family - notes from studies I am involved in - copies of posts - and all things uplifting-

 I LOVE to personalize - there is never enough room or the right kinds of pages for the specific things I love in store bought items- so creating my own makes me happy - gives me what I need - is an  outlet for a little creativity and fun  - as well as a gift of memories to the family :)

Gather your family and friends - get creative - laugh - enjoy - and make a keepsake -

What do you wish to welcome in ?

This is the prompt for today from Jamie Riddler studios-

I wish to welcome in --

all that is positive
peace
understanding
sunshine
smiles
love
laughter
joy
music
creativity
excitement


I wish to welcome in the knowledge that all is well - that I am the creator of my life - that I am on a one person journey -ready to take off and fly !!!

LIVING IN THE RAINBOW

"Light shines on shattered glass producing sparkles and hues of illuminating magic.....  "
       
excerpt from  RAINBOWS AND SHATTERED GLASS- a guide for finding your rainbow -  your way -  no matter what ----


I am  "re-doing" - "renewing"  -  "revamping" - "finishing" -  a booklet I wrote "way back when" for all of us who are  searching for our rainbows - wanting to find an intuitive and artistic path -  feeling there should and could be another dimension to life  -  and for all of us who realize that when the sun shines on even the tiniest piece of  shattered glass  - the light grows and glows and sparkles..... This is a work in progress  -  I anxiously await the finished product to share - but am enjoying the process of "new light" as well--

All our journeys are different - While hopes, beliefs and dreams may differ,  I am enthused to see all the posts on various blogs that deal with - faith - creativity - music - healing - being kind to yourself   - and all the ways that each person stretches and searches for that specific rainbow they call  "HOME"......

 I have decided to post a few blogs/sites that caught my eye -- hoping that you will feel blessed by reading about the journey of others - about their passions and directions - and realize that we all have a rainbow - so different yet so similar -

Please comment by sending your favorite blogs, quotes, and sites so that we all can incorporate the little drafts and whispers found within to gain further insights as we find our own pot of gold--    That would be so spectacular!

http//jamieriddlerstudios.ca
www.kristinnoelle.com
behappy.com
www.imagineself.com/blog
http://aaronnagle.blogspot.com
www.pilgrimsmoon.com
http://abbeyofthearts.com
http://todayithink.wordpress.com/
www.spokanemusicinstitute.com

"It doesn't happen all at once, said the skin horse, you become."  The Velveteen Rabbit

EMBRACE LIFE

The video was posted on YOUTUBE and became a viral sensation --It is the highest ranked and viewed educational video according to recent stats....

  http://embracethis.co.uk/


What steps do you take to embrace your life?

WISHCASTING WEDNESDAY

"A man when he wishes, is the master of his fate."       Ferrer, Jose


 What is your Love wish?

                                            photo from Jamie Ridler Studios

This Wednesday prompt from Jamie Ridler Studios could be for everyday - all year long...It is a great reminder of what I sometimes put on the back burner as I go through my daily routines.  I need to take time to really ponder and think about what my love wishes are - for myself and for others ....  so..........

I wish that I will have the wisdom and creativity to surround myself and others with positive and uplifting energy and love -

I wish that I will take time to meditate about this daily-

I wish to love the world by making a difference - no matter how small - a smile - a card - a thank you - picking up litter - planting a tree............

I wish to show love to myself by - taking care of this body  that houses my being -

I wish to be open enough to let my creativity fly to new heights

I wish love to my family - may they find peace and rest in their busy lives

Actually - I wish to send out love to everyone who reads this and all those who do not :)

                                                          

Letting Go.... Mourning and Miracles

We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the life that is waiting for us.                   Joseph Campbell


"Letting go" is a phrase I hear all the time when people are in flux  - but the question for me is what am I  letting go of?   It seems that I tend to want to let go of circumstances and take a break from attempting to "fix" things... after all - these "things" are disrupting the life I dreamed of and/or worked so hard to obtain - but I keep running on fumes and old visions that never materialize.

Recently I have been forced to look at what "letting go" really means and  discovered it is a much longer process than I have practiced or prepared for over the years and requires a great deal of introspection ---- what am I willing to let go of?------  what do I have to let go of?---- what things were not my choice to let go of?---- and just as important ----how am I  mourning the loss?  I had surgery last week that did not go as well as anticipated.  The surgeon realized that my condition is rare -   and now - there is a side effect unlike the doctors or I have ever seen.   As I sit in bed hour after hour - feeling boredom, pain and the enormous desire to get up and go about my life - I realize that I cannot deal with things as before - I have to rely on others for my care  - I realize that my home will not be as I left it - but I feel the deep gratitude for those who are willing to give it their best shot and with love are helping me- I will not be disillusioned that their idea of cleaning or dinner or conversation or care might not be exactly like mine- I am lucky to have those who care enough to do anything and all else takes a back seat -

So - exactly what are some things in my "letting go" process?

disappointment -
memories - the way it was
hopes and dreams that may need huge revamping
control
health
desperation
communication the old way
anger
fear
pain
hopelessness
and just about everything else that affects living and past perceptions-

This is a deep inner dive - but I am making progress - chipping away until the true meaning of the crisis/obstacle/feeling finally appears - I might be disappointed and angry with someone  - is the anger because of the way I am handling these events?   Am I worried about the choices made and the repercussions - not only by others who are caring for me but by me as well?  Am I afraid  that something worse will come along?  Do I want it to be the way it used to be?.... on and on and on .................each of the answers only brings forth more questions and each question needs to be answered before going on to the next piece of the puzzle. 

 Knee jerk reactions are silly and simply do not work - too bad because I am so good at them!! -   so I am determined to take my time -  be patient and gentle with myself  - realize that letting go is time consuming - liberating as well as painful.  It can make a hole in my life or make room for new things - it can defeat me or make me grow.  In the process I  empty out and let go only to be filled with new wonders and miracles.  I need to let go of so much as I prepare for another surgery that looms ahead......but on the flip side..... I am anxious to see what will be flowing in even as I mourn all that is gone and lost - I will stay the course - and look forward to the unfolding miracles that I never dreamed existed.

Once all struggle is grasped, miracles are possible - Mao Tse Tung

Rested Radiance

There is more to life than merely increasing its speed.
                              GANDHI

Wayne Muller wrote an insightful book on rest - I read Sabbath and find that I continually look back at my notes - recall my thoughts - and then start again.  I refer to this book that I bought at a second hand store over and over when I am deeply exhausted physically, mentally and/or spiritually.  Sabbath, meaning rest, is crucial to our very being, and we do way too little of it.

" A 'successful' life has become a violent enterprise.  We make war on our own bodies, pushing them beyond their limits; war on our children, because we cannot find enough time to be with them when they are hurt and afraid, and need our company; war on our spirit, because we are too preoccupied to listen to the quiet voices that seek to nourish and refresh us; war on our communities, because we are fearfully protecting what we have, and do not feel safe enough to be kind and generous; war on earth, because we cannot take the time to place our feet on the ground and allow it to feed us, to taste its blessings and give thanks."      from Sabbath by Wayne Muller

 Many of us take the time to cook with joy -- knowing that we are providing healthy meals to our families ?  Many of us do not - When we are exhausted and time deficient, the drive through is nearby and will have to do.  The tradition of meal planning and cooking that were once passed down through the generations are being replaced by bad habits and rushed meals.  Is there a way to change this?  Do we want to change this?

 We think we are giving our children quality time as we pedal them from school to sports to dance to music - stop for a quick eat on the run and finally home for homework - off to bed and repeat every day- This is draining.  What happened to daily talks about our day and our dreams....to sitting at the table and eating or playing games.....Is there a way to do better?   Do we want to do better?

The thought of sitting still (taking it slow) for the sake of renewal is merely a faint whisper.  We are too busy - our minds and bodies are racing - there seems to be no time for rest  -- so I decided to sit still - and for a task oriented person who loves the hustle and bustle of life  -  that is quite a challenge.  I honestly find it extremely difficult to rest -physically or mentally -  but I heard a whisper calling to me - telling me that if I did not take time to deeply ponder - to unconditionally love - to inhale joy - to slow my pace - that my entire being would suffer - and so would the lives of those I love .... I wanted to do better....

  So -  I took the last few months and sat into my issues ...I sat into my dreams and hopes ...  I sat through storms and rainbows ... I deeply inhaled and sat with visions and joys ... I sat through sadness and hope ... I sat and sat and sat - and the end result was so much more than I ever expected...... RESTED RADIANCE !!!!   I wanted to do better....I did... ..How about you?

YOUR SONG

"Music takes us out of the actual and whispers to us dim secrets....."
                                                    Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803 - 1882


My song includes---
Carving out times of andante and allegro -
Circumstances and people in legato and staccato-
Challenging minor nuances and sharp projections -
YET - it is by these deviations and resolves that life becomes joyful and full -

Not long ago I came across the website of Lynn Jericho who offers wonderful, insightful studies with ideas to ponder and encouragement to look deep within..... a specific thought from one of the studies spoke of the gift of music.

"  How do we receive and give melody, rhythm, tone to each other.   Can you play the major or minor reality of another?  More importantly, can you play your own minor and major keys with equanimity and fierceness?  ....  Your song, not the song of your family or your friends or your enemies, but the song that is uniquely and joyfully you".  Lynn Jericho,  Inner Christmas 2011

Are you playing your own song?
What themes are prevalent in your composition?
What music do others hear when in your presence? 
What measures do you want to add?  delete?  keep the same?

Take time -  dig deep - compose - your way - your path - your music - the world is waiting....