Y4 – Day 227 – Balance, Equanimity and Peace

A Japanese tea set lovingly placed on a comfy, cushy white silky looking bed cover is my inspiration and emblem tonight of balance, equanimity, beauty, simplicity and Peace. Thank you to V for photo shot in Osaka, Japan two months ago.14446466_10210105799712194_117048582_o

This represents balance in its purest, mathematical, visual art form. The cup on the left is turned upside down with its white, tall circle a counter to the right cup facing up with its deep, dark round shape.

In the center, the tea kettle, spout due north, its lid evening out the east and west circles, the handle a straight line, halving the tray. The entire rectangular snug design is outlined in gold yellow, popping and framing the arrangement in strict lines.

Meanwhile, the white background looks pillowy soft and feathered with shading that suggests the heft of the tea set amid clouds.

Ah, the yin and yang of it.

The equanimity, the beauty, the simplicity represented in this photo creates a masterpiece.

I don’t feel thirsty when I see this, I see a symbol of peace, a labyrinth garden, haiku, yoga and contemplation.

Look inside yourself and study it, what emotions show up for you?

Y4 – Day 226 – my revelation

After spending the day in wild nature with M, my great friend from way back when who volunteers at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden in Claremont, I realized I stopped writing. “Writer’s Block,” she said.

This is exactly what I had. And it is the weirdest feeling. It’s the feeling of not wanting to write, not knowing why and not writing, pretty much on purpose, without regret, remorse or even remembering that that is who I am, a self professed writer. It’s like when you are depressed and don’t even realize it. Someone has to care enough to point it out. And thanks to one reader, M, I got it. As I was suggesting she pick up her watercoloring again because she had a unique view (which is soft, gentle yet soulful depictions), it became evident I must have been revealing my own clues to my directionless past few weeks.

I may be other things besides a writer but I felt so unfocused I mentioned it to K the other day when she called to chat on her long commute. “What ever happened to that thing you were working on?” she asked, nonchalantly. Yea, what did happen? No wonder I feel I am not getting anything done anywhere. But I have a ton to do. “I always fill up my platter with activity when I don’t want to look at something,” she shared. That’s true, I have been willy nilly and accomplishing little because I was having a bit of a tantrum. Writing is a lot of work if you want to do it right and I was tired of the rules and all the advice out there. But what is right? and why can’t I break the rules? and who cares? Look at the election.

And there lies the key.

The answer was always in me.

I am done with feeling I need an Eng. Lit. degree, an Amazon author’s page or a twitter account. I just want to write whatever comes out of my head and it seems M knew exactly where I left off (E’s bday), K wondered where I was at and I myself have been questioning my lack of identity. And it was here all along. My lonesome blog waited for me to pull it together and give it some attention. “Here I am, Here I am!”

I don’t need more things to do, more projects, items, TV shows to watch or lists to accomplish. I have everything I could possibly want and more right here, right now and I couldn’t be more grateful to the Californian natives that reminded me of that today. That is a little nod to M, K, the native plants that spread their branching energy around me, sending me spiritual relief via plant healing today and all the people that volunteer, educate, create, build, water and enjoy 88 acres of entrusted land, thank you. “Wake up!” Remember the Goddess that you are! Remember who you are and why you are here!

M reminded me today about Victor Frankel’s account of his time in the concentration camps during the holocaust and the conclusion that the meaning of life is the meaning you give it, basically. I am simplifying. There is no need to write Gone with the Wind or Harry Potter, I just need to write daily on this blog because obviously, it keeps me sane.

As I post tonight, I think, how will tomorrow be different? The clue is right below.img_2225

Y4 – Day 225 – Happy Birthday E!!!!

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img_2418To my beautiful, youngest, E.

You are sunshine!

Your favorite color suits you well.

From Computers to Japanese, you shine.

Music, math and racquetball –

Your vegan baking and cooking, divine.

Dedicated, compassionate, strong and that’s not all,

You sing, you draw, you teach and excel,

And you have a heart of gold, everyone can tell.

We are so proud – our hearts just swell!

Happy 21 – you are one sweet doll!

MUAH!

 

 

 

Y4 – Day 224 – Debate Night

This could be a doozie – A new low – or even a revealing explosion of new information. Who knows?

The bottom line is: this is not a good reason for the third presidential debate of 2016 to have so many spectators. Some people are having viewing parties. Most are going to watch with a bowl of ice cream or popcorn like it is entertainment. Not such a great message to our young people who will be voting in the future or even this year.

It has turned into a circus because we let it. Higher ideals and values have not prevailed. The debates might have been dull in the past but they had decency. People discussed topics at work and sometimes even swayed their buddies. This year, friends aren’t talking, families stop calling and tension between the politically minded have heightened. I guess the instantaneous, impatient and jaded viewer must be entertained this year. What a shame.

I haven’t wanted to publicize my opinion outside my home, on this website or on FB even with a like this election. The fear of recrimination, the historical revenge and the callous disregard for the truth have frustrated my voice.

The similarities of this year’s themes with past dictatorships and the fall of order as we know it, is scary. My parents immigrated to this country because they fled this rhetoric and chaos. I will be damned if I have to witness what we already have condemned.

 

Y4 – Day 224 – Still Have Peppers!!

“If you are going to do anything artistically – even if it’s cooking a meal – you’re opening yourself up to criticism.” – Mike Woolf, musician when free, health consultant by day. And – “Don’t let anybody tell you you’re not worth it, and it’s a waste of time.”

img_2209We still have peppers, cherry tomatoes and basil. My garden keeps on delivering.

I am still creating seven to nine home cooked meals a week due to my vegan life and my husband’s non-vegan lifestyle.

We have used and abused this kitchen over the years. It is not huge and yet it is still one of the easiest, most functional spaces I have ever cooked in. I have used it to cater, entertain, teach and grow a family. My kids have used it as an experimental lab while testing out their skills and now to make delicious snacks and new meals for us.

I am so grateful for this life I live and this wonderful home we get to house our dreams and play in.

Maintaining a positive outlook spreads hope!

I cannot wait to make a vegan fudge cake today!

The right time is any time that one is still so lucky as to have. – Henry James

Y4 – Day 220 – Infinite Mind

I sometimes remember to ask the Infinite Mind of my soul and existence to help me write and let the words flow. Unfortunately, the messages that download right onto the page are not internet or public ready. That is, they are so personal and intimate, I could only share them in private, if ever.

In everyone’s life story there is the tale of the hero’s journey. The search always ends up with the answers coming from within, even if the events are external. The struggle or the turmoil and the solution or the conclusion are inside the inner sanctum. What we may see, appears to be playing out on the surface, but it is not about that.

Joy, serenity and happiness replace shame, remorse and repentance when we allow gratitude to fill up the hole, that void within. Replacing – negative tapes inside our heads, the inner critics or ‘the three stooges’ as I call them, the labels we inherited and believe we still need to believe in and carry around, the false identities or masks we wear – with new perceptions and our authentic selves makes us all alchemists, poets and artists.

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Y4 – Day 217 – Passions

I love this by Joss Whedon. It is a truly veritable paragraph that grabbed my attention and made me think. What do you think?

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I am highly passionate about almost everything.

My rooms are not hollow, blocked or stagnant.

Passion speaks to my intuition and informs most of my decisions.

It lurks within.

Y4 – Day 216 – Dear HP Journal

I created this for myself and thought you might like to print it out and try it out for yourself. It helps me focus when I am out of focus. Take what works for you and process it and leave the rest for now. It is like mad libs.

 

Dear Goddess, My intention is to _____________________.

I wish I were more _______________.

Then, act as if _____________daily.

Here is my gratitude list:

I am grateful for my ______ and __________ and ________.

I am most grateful for the________, _________, ________, and ___________.

I am ever so grateful for ______.

From now on, the new_______ is _______ and ______ and _____ and does (this)______ for myself.

I have ____________yet I desire ________. I need ________but I want _________.

I like to _________. I am a _______ and a ________. I love _______.

I want to make sure I make time to __________.

I also need to ______ and be ______ plus ______ everyday.

I am the change in my life and I co-create with Goddess to grow and expand my awareness.