Y2 – Day 116 – Game 2 of Round One

Yes!  We win again!  If and when we win this round with Dallas, we get to stay in the playoffs and after winning three more rounds, we get the opportunity to win the Stanley Cup.  It is a long haul but we did it back in 2007, we can do it again!!!Here is our mascot – Wild Wing who came flying down from the high green ceiling of the Honda Center via a strong rope wire onto the ice and skated around with our flag and eventually exited by our team’s bench and into the locker room. Everyone gets a small orange towel placed on the back of their seats and when we score, the crowd goes wild and everyone stands and waves, swings and shows off the Ducks towels like flags!  The horn blows, the perimeter of the arena lights up ‘Goal!’ and people just scream and hoot and holler.  The announcer comes over the loudspeaker and officially restates what we all know and gives the details; who scored the goal, who assisted and at what time exactly into the period.  The play is replayed on the Jumbotron screen.  More hooting, hollering and general revelry ensues!  Not one person is seated, notice the towel/flag waving at left of picture and the replay on the screen.  The hockey players are rendez-vous-ing back to center for the next face off.

And here is a face off.  Hockey is a physical, speed driven, aggressive game.  Notice the legs of the players entwined.  This was taken micro seconds after the puck was dropped on the ice by the referee.  Tension, frustration and sheer competitiveness makes for lots of incensed outbursts with deliberate provocations which my husband describes as “it is getting chippy out there”, meaning the players are getting ‘scrappy’.  Booing and cheering are common fan responses according to ref penalty calls.  Emotions run high and the electric energy lights up the crowd!

Y2 – Day 115 – Confidence

There is a lesson in the workbook section of The Course in Miracles which instructs us to trust in a Higher Power’s strength.

On our own lone support, we acquire fear-filled negative thoughts because our minds are relentless and undisciplined, knowing no quiet or rest.

Knowing something, anything, whatever you want to call it, as long as it is not us, is following some law of nature, logic, probability, science or benevolence – calms me down.

It is a relief to know we are not the center of the universe and that we do not run it either.  It is a relief to believe and be able to count on our own inner connection to whatever this great almighty is.  With this faith, we can face any trial or tribulation.

This is what spirituality and Higher Power(s) mean to me and I am content with this idea, most of the time.  Of course, I question, I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t.  Especially when I listen to the news.  But when I am in sync with having and owning and feeling I have a Higher Power (or HP as I lovingly refer to it), I feel my life flow, my positive attitudes grow and my heart and soul glow.  I like to stay on the beam of light and wear my rose colored glasses, most of the time.  And these are the best of times.

Alone, we are a mere drop in the ocean.  Together, with the power of adhesion, we stick to each other, creating a great source or body of water.

The Course repeatedly asks us to sink down into ourselves in meditation, releasing and denying the ego, the false self.  In its stead, find and grasp the peace, beauty and vitality we have within.  “Be still and know that I am God”.

Journeying within helps us live amongst all.  Simultaneously acknowledging our ego’s surrender and the light within us produces serenity.  In an instant, when you least expect it, a spark of clarity, a flash of reality assures you all is well, you can do it, you can be the drop of water connected to all the other drops of water, breathing in and out like the tide ebbs and recedes, in and out, into one giant wave of life, rising to the top of the foam, now sinking into the depths, being carried by some force beyond your control and your little droplet of understanding.  All the droplets of water are important and they all need to cohere in order to be one strong force that abides the natural laws of the flow of life and motion.

The clearer I see nature, the truer I feel our connection.  When I whimper, whine or debase myself in self-pity, I am reminded of my weaknesses.  When I pause and remember that the power behind me is always greater that the problem before me, I flourish, I gain confidence, I move forward.

As the Course states, “There is a place in you where there is perfect peace.  There is a place in you where nothing is impossible.”  In the realm of my imagination, I find the key to my soul’s infinite awareness and I write about it.

Why not use my writing as an exploratory tool?  I pick a topic and then take off.  Why not take inspiration from the ether and then allow it to thrive on the page?  Why not write with a little more authority, truth and purpose?  The only person stopping me is I.  May I gain confidence.  You know I am determined.

The meek might inherit the earth but it is the diligent, gentle souls that will build the Ark.  The humble person comprehends the complete uselessness of the ego to reach nirvana.  It is the shedding of the ego self that opens the pearly gates to your inner world named ‘heaven’.

It is healthy for me to know I am one with this Power, within this Power, part of the collected Power, beyond the limitations of my small mindedness and instead flowing into and with this Power.  Here, is how I know I can be the best possible me, connecting to this Power source, using my body as an instrument, my writing as the form of expression, receiving and transmitting on a higher frequency.

For me, true self confidence building paradoxically begins when I rely on, not deny, that a Higher Power of my own understanding, exists.

If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life.  With confidence, you have won even before you have started. – Cicero

 

Y2 – Day 114 – A Sea of Orange

Back in 2007, the Ducks went all the way and won the Stanley Cup.  It was a sea of Orange and likewise last night at the Honda Center, each time we scored, brought that orange toweled energy waving frenzy, crazy loudness from the fans and the winner’s spirit momentum back.  

 It was 4-0 and it looked like our goal tender, Anderson, was going to have a shut out.  The aggressive and frustrated Stars retaliated and rattled our gate keeper several times, the last time, seemingly knocking into ‘accidentally on purpose’  his face.  That finally got under our net minder’s nerves and the Stars went on to score 3 more goals past him, crossing the blue line and into our webbed area between the posts, lighting up the flashing, spinning red light signaling our offense had scored.    

Final: 4-3 and we win game one. The Ducks win their first game of Round 1 against the Dallas Stars. They are the Pacific Division Champions.  They have the best stats in the entire NHL league.  Tomorrow, Game 2 of the series and then off to Texas our fowl will fly.  Could this be another banner year?  Hopefully!

        

Y2 – Day 113 – Back to Training

People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents. – Andrew Carnegie

 I don’t agree with this.  There are just some things that need pushing and I am one of them.  I am highly motivated but I just need some supervision.  Constantly it seems.

I hurt myself back in December and discontinued for the most part any sort of resistance workouts.  It seems my form must be watched at all times.  So, I called my good buddy J, the trainer and I AM BACK!  I am a visual learner so I asked her to take a few pictures so I would remember what my silhouette should look like and how to proceed.  I always need to be reminded of the things I need to be reminded of and the photos help.  I love any ball exercises!Squats are my favorites!Here’s a shirt my husband recently gifted me with.

Although I believe he meant it for Cindi, I will take it on and… if I was mediocre I wouldn’t even be trying.  So there – Mr Carnegie!

Y2 – Day 112 – Vegan Easter

You can have a delicious Easter Sunday meal without harming bunnies, hens or pigs.

Start with appetizers or munchies.  No matter what swanky bashes you are hosting always have available: Nuts, Olives, Guacamole, salsa and chips.

Then add more vegan options if there are more people like: Hummus with warmed up Pita Chips, Eggplant dip, an Italian caponata, grilled artichoke hearts, Bruschetta with olive tapenade or tomatoes, garlic and basil atop, sliced lavish rolls with red pepper spread and veggies, vegan stuffed mushrooms, crispy baked spicy chickpeas –  and the list goes on.

For starters:  A Carrot salad or a Fennel salad or a mixed greens salad with toppings like vegan French Fried Onions or chopped pecans with a strawberry balsamic vinaigrette.  Perhaps a spring pea soup if it it is cold out or your first gazpacho of the season if it is hot.

For the main course: Serve several veggie dishes like sweet steamed carrots, spring peas tossed with spring green onions, sweet potato fries, crispy broccoli and cauliflower sautéed with garlic and/or baked beans with some grains like quinoa, brown rice, cornbread or whole wheat pasta.

Or make one big dish of Saffron Spanish rice with peas and carrots served with lemon wedges, roasted red peppers and olives. Or, Pasta Primavera – after all, the name means Spring Pasta.

Then for dessert: How about a Vegan Lemon Cake with Lemon icing served with fresh spring strawberries?  Maybe ice a few organic pansy flowers and decorate the top and sides with mint leaves and pansies.

Of course, vegan chocolate treats work well too like chocolate coconut truffles rolled in coconut flakes.  Use your imagination!

Bon Apetit!

Y2 – Day 111 – Miracles

I know I am inspired by my Goddess if I am changed, giving joy to others.  WE are the ones that block the sunlight of the spirit.

I usually tend to tell another person, what I need to hear.  When I give encouragement, it is meant for me too.  When I give advice, it is meant for my ears as well.

Miracles are an extension of love, through you.  A miracle is a change in your perception and comes from within you, a source of love.  I am love, therefore.  You are too.  Our identity is the perfection of love and pure joy enveloped in the peace of mind.  You and I perform the miracles, here on earth.

Everything is either an extension of love or a call for love.  Follow your heart and take your brain with you. In everything, ask yourself – ‘what is the purpose?’  ‘What is my motive?’  The answer will direct your course or direction and you will know how and where to put your effort in the future.  Are you a hostage to your ego?  Or are you a host to your highest self?  Have the openness and willingness to have your best self correct your thoughts and perhaps change your view  – choosing joy, love and peace.

In your most elevated mind and manifestation, you are strong, powerful, unlimited, knowing, certain, real, and in the light.  Your highest self permeates the space between your ears.   We get to choose miracles with a new thought pattern.  We connect principles with our minds.  We separate and disconnect with our false egos.  Thoughts travel faster than the speed of light so keep your level high.

My Goddess is an idea but I am also an idea held in the mind of my Goddess as a thought.  Love is an energy transferred between us.  A vision we sense through action.  Embrace your identity of pure love, joy and peace and spread it.

My loss of peace is always about an incorrect perception.  Your interpretation of reality may be veiled.  Surrender what you believe to be true.  Surrender judgment and enter discernment instead.  Be vigilant and expect miracles.  Oneness.

Y2 – Day 110 – Clouds

First, Happy Birthday to J, the red-headed, ravishing trainer.

Second, I feel it’s a good day to just be.  When I look out at the beauty, the majesty and the uniqueness of nature – I am in awe. Look at this picture my husband took coming up the hill. It is breathtaking in its scope and grandness.

Third, after seeing the movie Noah and reading anything by Colleen Goudreau as well as many vegetarians and vegans, I concur on the message of not harming animals.  I have respect and appreciate vegans.

For me, this is what I have always wanted to be – compassionate and contributing to the world by taking care of my health and not killing or ingesting any animals. Needless to say I have strayed like a lost soul yet as my spiritual journey has broadened my horizons, my road to authenticity has narrowed.  But like the prodigal daughter that I am  – I no longer linger, hesitate or tip toe on the fringe of my personal beliefs, needing anyone’s approval.  I proudly own them full heartedly.

Having mercy and enlightening others on the plight of animals is just an extension and forward movement towards having mercy, showing grace and enlightening others on the plight of humans.

Why have we come to believe animals are less than us?  We naturally and inherently are curious, innocent children adoring, identifying with and eager to be gentle with animals.  As we became domesticated by eons of societal credo, we make ourselves rulers of all living and non-living and even the unknown on this planet and beyond like arrogant, egomaniacs – distancing our pure hearts from the reality of eating meat.  We shut our eyes and are in complete denial about the cruelty and the needless consumption of flesh. The jaded become complacent.  The masses march to fear driven theories and we walk like zombies.

It is not enough to say we must not wage war.  It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it. – Martin Luther King Jr.

Instead of conforming, the inner child speaks to us and rebels.  That’s how you know avoiding killing and eating animals is the most basic of human kindnesses and the least harmful to each other, our planet and us.

It is because fish eat kelp and seaweed that they are full of omega 3’s.  That is where they get it.  You can get it too.  Eat kelp, nori, etc.   Walnuts and flax seed also supply this essential nutrient.

The calcium in cow’s milk comes from the fact they are nourished by greens we could eat directly ourselves.  What other animal drinks another animal’s milk?  And not even calves drink their mother’s milk after they are fully-grown for goodness sake.  The “got milk?” campaign and the relentless consumption of dairy products are driven by billions of industry dollars.  We could go directly to the source and eat more kale, chard, broccoli, cooked mustard and beet greens.  But that’s not big business.

We can get all of our needs in peace, without harming a fly, without chemicals, without mills of hormone induced livestock, without antibiotics because of the monstrous ‘living’ conditions, without genetically modified two headed fish that disrupt the entire water eco systems, without polluting our air, water and soil, if we just let biology and nature take its course and live in the Garden of Eden.  What other animal on this planet destroys its own habitat?

“There are only two ways to live your life. 
One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” 
― Albert Einstein

When we assure ourselves and believe we ARE the miracle, we will see the miracle clearly. – Cecilia

And hopefully act accordingly!

Y2 – Day 109 – Updates and Pictures

Check out the similarities between Cindi at an outdoor cafe and a gigantic statue at the Orange County Museum of Art in Newport Beach.Our one and only Haas avocado.  Number two is still on the tree.

Heirloom Sweet peas scented so sweetly from seed (soak them overnight and plant in fall/winter) in bloom and our collection of miniature roses have blossomed.

Wreath for April – Lavender Larkspur Heart – Leaves and grasses are the background to preserved myrtle, yarrow, sinuata, larkspur and strawflowers.

Y2 – Day 108 – Boundaries

Afraid of confrontation, disapproval or change, I have dishonored myself and others by not having clear boundaries.  At this ripe old age of more than a half a century, I am finally realizing it is not about pleasing everyone. Drawing the line in the sand doesn’t have to be unpleasant, unkind or controlling.  Without communicating plainly the behavior I will and will not accept, I am not being emotionally honest.  This can lead to all sorts of misunderstandings and resentments on all sides.

Working on self- worth  validates the importance of making sure that no matter what the job description, no one should be allowed to abuse, make fun of, say snarky comments or hurt you.

Setting up boundaries takes awareness, compassion, detachment and self-love.  It is self-preservation and respect for all parties.  Be willing to commit to not overstep in another’s life as well.

Keep yourself well informed about your authentic self.  Know what constitutes self-esteem, integrity and decency for your dignified, classy self.  You don’t deserve to be talked to or treated in any way that makes you feel uncomfortable.

Thought for the day:  I am emotionally strong.  I have a lot to offer.  I am a miracle.  I contribute and I count.  I believe in myself.  I have strong values, strengths and gifts.