join me on the path

possibilitarians

I'm blessed to work with and know so many creative souls—writers, artists, musicians, quilters, graphic designers, photographers—many of whom are using their talents to help Haiti. Kelly Rae Roberts is one of these amazing friends. Check out one more opportunity to make a big difference in a small way on her blog.

peace & love to you all

the winter of my discontent

When the sun broke through the ever-present clouds of our river valley today I laughed out loud. I rolled down the car window and felt the warmth on my face. But as quickly as it appeared it was gone again, and by the time I left work the snow was flying.

I'd like to shake the heavy feeling of this winter, but so it goes. It's a cold, hard time (as Dar Williams sings).

I keep practicing gratitude and trusting that this too shall pass. I touched base with the tribe today: my daughter (with the Bean jabbering in the background), one of my sisters, and a few of my girlfriends. I got a lot done at work, did a couple loads of laundry here at home, and started working on my tax return tonight. I played with the cat and ate a bowl of cereal just now.

It's a simple life; a good life.

peace & love

when it's tough to be little mary sunshine

Some days are diamonds, some days are stone. Sometimes the hard times won't leave me alone.

Those are the words to an old John Denver song, and today they say it best for my state of mind. Three coworkers were laid off this morning—three more hard-working, smart, capable employees in a long string of layoffs. I know these are very hard economic times. And while I believe that the people who have to make these kinds of decisions are doing the best that they can in difficult circumstances, the announcement left me feeling deflated and depressed.

Add to that the images and stories of devastation in Haiti this week after the 7.0 earthquake that hit and I'm feeling small and powerless. Even though I've contributed some items to a collection at work, and I've prayed and prayed that the Haitians receive good help quickly, I don't feel like I'm doing what needs to be done ... but I don't know what else to do.

When all else fails, I know it's time for a gratitude list:

1. I am healthy and cancer free

2. My home is safe and warm

3. The refrigerator has enough food in it for days

4. I am blessed with loving family and trusted friends

5. I do work that I love

6. All I have is all I need

peace & love

gardening goodness

These are some of my favorite blogs ... they focus mostly on gardening. Enjoy!

• plants and stones
• seasonal wisdom
• susan cohan gardens
• lawn reform
• garden rant
• gardens of the wild wild west
• red dirt ramblings
• outside clyde
• the view from here
• kiss my aster
• maggie doyne

peace & love

lovin' the disconnect

Spent the weekend out of town, with family and without Internet access. It was pure bliss! No Twittering, no obsessive Facebook updating and/or status checking, no logging in to work just to be sure all the ducks are in a row, no blogging, no home email ... nothing. nyet. nada.

Got home, unpacked, ate dinner, snuggled with the cat, called my sister, and logged back on. The time away and the disconnect has been good. I think I'll turn this laptop off again, watch the last NFL playoff game, and enjoy the rest of this weekend.

peace & love

help

What do we do when disaster strikes and we're thousands of miles away but thanks to technology we're experiencing the pain and suffering in up-to-the-minute sound bytes and images?

Haiti was rocked by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Tuesday afternoon. Hundreds of thousands of people are presumed dead in the poor country, authorities predict many more will die without food or fresh water. The Red Cross is mobilizing and countries around the world are sending aid, but even landing an airplane with supplies is a challenge.

Here is the link to the Red Cross  Visit their site to find out how you can help.  Even if you cannot send money, there are others ways to help.

Please join me in prayers for good help to the Haitians.

visualize swirled peas

It's supposed to be close to 40 degrees today and that will feel like a heat wave compared to the below-freezing temperatures we've been having here in our river valley. And if 40 degrees in January can happen, so can spring. I'm trying to stay in the moment and enjoy this part of the journey, but it's damn cold and gray!

This morning I watched a new exercise video while flipping through the Title Nine catalog and eating a healthy batch of oatmeal for breakfast. All those strong, healthy bodies are inspiring me to stay focused on eating right and keeping my body moving. Yes, I only watched the video but that's part of the visualization process for me. Trying to do a new workout without any idea of what comes next causes copious cussing (not good for my serenity) and usually at least one run in with the cat (who thinks she needs to be right on my mat as I stretch and strengthen).

Join me, won't you, in visualizing a healthy, strong, beautiful and happy you. And while we're at it, why not visualize world peace?

namaste

facing my fear

The answer for me comes without hesitation when this question is asked: What is your greatest fear?

My answer is: financial insecurity. Not being able to afford my home or food. Losing my job and not being able to find another. Being unable to pay for healthcare or medicines I need. 

Mind you, never in my life have I missed one meal nor been without a place to sleep at night. This financial fear may be irrational, but it is my fear all the same. And when a day like today rears its ugly head and I feel overwhelmed with responsibility for my life—when fear rules the day—here is what I think:
• Courage is fear that has said its prayers.

Here is what I pray:
• God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Here is what I've done:
1. Revised my personal budget for 2010
2. Checked all outstanding balances and assured the new budget will help me reduce debt as quickly as possible
3. Taken the time to journal about the differences between "want" and "need"
4. Thrown away every single catalog that has landed (or will land) in my mailbox, thereby removing the temptation to pull out a credit card and buy that "thing" with a click of a computer mouse
5. Reset my intention to find the simple beauty in each day and to express gratitude for all I do have

Whatever your fear, I wish you the courage to face it and to diminish its power over you. Let us always remember that which matters most ... peace & love

rules of the road

HANDBOOK 2010

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants, and eat less food that is
manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2009.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10.Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey
is all about.
12. Avoid negative thoughts.Invest your energy in the positive
13. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously—no one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. All you have is all you need.
18. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are
simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will
last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive ... it will free YOU.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing.
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. Trust your Higher Power, whatever it may be.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, get dressed and show up.
37. The best is yet to be.

38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank your Higher Power for the gift of another day.

39. Choose to be happy; choose love.

40. Pay it forward.

peace & love

on a walk in the snow i ...

1. tipped my head back and tried to catch flakes on my tongue (they got on my eyelashes)

2. sang (outloud) " snowflakes that fall on my nose and eyelashes"

3. made a mental note to watch The Sound of Music with the Bean

4. heard a flock of Canadian geese complaining about the snow, so I hollered, Well why didn't you fly south?

5. marveled at the beauty of still glowing Christmas lights blanketed under snow

6. felt the cold of snow falling down inside my boot

7. remembered one winter in high school when my boyfriend and I spent hours outside oblivious to the cold (ah, young love)

8. cursed an EX-husband who took me out onto a black diamond ski slope when I was a beginner and said You can do it as I stood there and cried

9. stopped at my sister's for a quick visit and swept off her porch

10. thought about dinner: warm brie and an apple

peace & love & warm toes