I had an organic, fresh, ripe mango waiting for me in the fridge.  I took it out and sliced it the long way in half.  I twisted the two halves and released.  Voila!  That is how you begin.  Then I took one half and used a spoon to carve out the juicy, tender, orange-yellow flesh.  I pared out the flat seed with the same serrated knife and shaved off all the fruit I could off of the pit.  Then, I proceeded to scoop the rest of the goodies out of the remaining half.

I placed the cut up mango in a nutribullet.  I added fresh squeezed lemon juice (@ 1/4cup), a few drops of stevia, a pinch of cardamom ground spice, 1/4 cup water, 1/8 tsp raw vanilla dust or try 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, 1 Tbsp. chia seeds and one package of low fat organic tofu (12.3 oz.). I whirred up the ingredients and enjoyed a very low fat, low caloric, organic, healthy dessert for two.

A blast from the past occurred yesterday as I walked in the woods by Lake Gregory.  I came across some Silver Dollars.  No, not real coins, but close.

When I was growing up on Long Island, these were a common plant in our clump of forest behind our home.  Imagine my excitement and pleasure as I laid eyes on a childhood memory on a CA mountain trail.

Lunaria Annua or Money Plant was a frequent visitor in my ‘back east’ life.  Growing like a weed, from mid to late summer, the Silver Dollar plant gives forth a fushia or purplish four petaled flower at the end of its two-three foot stem.  As the flower turns into a pod, it is encased in a flat, silvery, paper thin disc in the fall.  It is easy to see why the Pilgrims who brought it over on the Mayflower called it the Silver Dollar.A clump in its natural habitat.I found the Money Plant stash and lottery!!An extreme close up of a twig from a Silver Dollar plant that was broken and blown away, exactly like the seeds are sown.

“Your passion is waiting for your courage to catch up.” – Marilyn Greist

You may have an ideal, a hunger or a dream but putting it into place and the logistics of reaching your great, new heights of success may be off-putting and lengthy and complicated.  Do not despair.  If it is meant to be, consistent steps taken towards your goal  (even if it feels like you are going around in circles), is all that you need to proceed.

When your enthusiasm matches your zeal, your energy will vibrate on a higher level.

Go with confidence and slay the dragons.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal.  It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

About three (sometimes four) times a year, we go through Mercury in Retrograde according to Astrology.  The backward movement of the planet’s course is actually an illusion but it still affects our planet.  Be wary of miscommunication or misinterpretations during this time.  It is a time when things may break down, like your car, appliances, electronics, etc… Therefore, it is a great time to use your positive affirmations, repair anything, re-visit any unfinished business and make plans getting to events and appointments earlier (just in case).

Saturday, October 4 – Saturday, Oct. 25th will be the direct retrograde however, there is pre- and post- shadowing that happens about one week before and after too.

We have been advised in our Metaphysical classes to write down goals, actions and events we want to walk through without too much turmoil before Saturday.  This allows us to prepare and remind us plus send the energy of intention for all to go smoothly, to the Universe.  Even if you think this is baloney, it doesn’t hurt to write down what you want to accomplish and need to attend to in the next few weeks.

It is a great time to let go of anything that doesn’t serve you anymore and it is a superb time to lose weight.  It is also ideal for self-reflection and meditation.  This is good.

My lists consist of three categories:

1. Aspirations      2. Incomplete Projects     3. Trips, Occasions and Rituals

Since Mercury in Retrograde can mess up communications, time and business dealings, I made sure to look through my calendar and simply jot down what I intend on accomplishing in the next three weeks or so.  Probably re-confirming times and places is a  smart thing anytime of the year, anyway.

I also checked my itinerary and all events and wrote this out.

Finally, I have one billion gazillion ideas I could be completing or re-thinking.  What an intelligent way to get me to complete projects.  De-cluttering comes to mind immediately.  Finishing up half-read books is also on my list.  As well as, all the fixing or altering I have been putting off.

It sounds about right that about three to four times a year, we need to re-evaluate and review our lives and have extra awareness of our words and behavior.  We might encounter delays or upsets however our responses will determine the amount of drama we invite into our days.  Let’s look for the good!

Can you clue me in we are just in Mercury Retrograde when no one gets me, understands me or things don’t go my way?  And, I will be happy to refresh your memory  – when I am late calling or meeting up with you, in return.