tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27584845741962520872024-03-13T11:31:17.448-04:00Rising with AplombAplomb: n. imperturbable self-possession, poise or assurance.Litahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-36361685160624603722020-11-22T17:54:00.000-05:002023-05-27T14:43:37.541-04:00Tiers of TrainingI recall ushering the New Year after with excitement for the unfolding of untold joy as we counted down at the Donna Summer concert, 2019.
Fortunately, untold joy met us around the corner during our ski trip as we were met with perfcct ski conditionsLitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-61846455229932520392020-11-22T17:47:00.000-05:002023-05-27T14:43:34.716-04:00Litahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-36072522528063645322016-07-05T19:43:00.004-04:002016-07-05T19:43:59.681-04:00The Wander Society<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I had this very vivid dream last night. There were two women in disguise for their own safety. Somehow I unveiled the fact that they were Greek Goddesses. One was Aphrodite and I'm unclear about the other. I slept quite restlessly last night. That fact carried over in my dream ... I dreamt people in my dream were at work as early as 3 a.m. <br />
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Anyway, I was staying in a room that got ramsacked and things I valued were taken. Somehow I was able to find a safer room and that's when it I discovered I was amid the goddesses.<br />
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I imagine they play significance in my current path. With respect to Aphrodite, I pulled a couple of cards for further understanding, and it still eludes me. "Admit Your True Feelings to Yourself" and "Your Wish is Granted"<br />
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I have been drawn to read this book I got not that long ago with Laura entitled "The Wander Society". by Keri Smith.<br />
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I resonate with it because it's not bound by anything other than the gift you see beneath the obvious.<br />
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I tried taking that awareness with me outside in our sanctuary of a backyard. The act of striving to document the nuisances proved counterproductive, as the magic was siphoned off.<br />
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This I love, from the book:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>"To wander is to pass through a secret portal to another plane of existence. </b> Time is altered, your mind opens. You're presented with a multitude of magical experiences, experiences meant for you. They are often sensory in nature ... " I sensed the vibrational dance of vibrancy, color and flowing water.</blockquote>
Today, a total of 4 Monarch butterflies emerged today. Two in the morning; one of which Bill released with me. The other two when I came home. Despite their already establishing he ability to fly they pause on my finger, as if taking taking the world into their auric field before they initiate flight beyond me. Each time I watch it, it reminds me of the first time I learned to ride a bike. Very wobbly and needing to land somewhere to build confidence on my abilities. <br />
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Litahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-42625950355428801612016-07-04T13:53:00.000-04:002016-07-04T13:53:08.906-04:00Writing Day 1 after Full Moon Oracle Spread<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Card 1 - <u>You are here</u>. What's going on for you in this present moment. Recognize this energy and decide if it's useful for your manifesting stuff. Do you Need to shift or change something?<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Card: <b><i>Whom Do You Need to Forgive? </i></b> Family who usurp my creative time.</li>
</ul>
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Card 2 - <u>Mental Shifts</u>. Gives you an idea of what mental shifts you could be making to help your manifestations come about or new mental shifts you want to manifest.<br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Card: <b><i>Ask for What you Want.</i></b> Become a healthy, clear vessel, perpetually in the flow of clear, concise, creative ideas, that serve to uplift me and keep me connected to my passions and inner self.</li>
</ul>
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Card 3 - <u>Spiritual Gifts</u>. Reminder of your gifts and abilities. Your spiritual connection can also represent some new spiritual stuff to call into your life.<br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Card: <b><i>Holiday.</i></b> Resolve fertilized by rest and time.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Card 4 - <u>Co-Create this</u>. Here's something you can totally manifest this new moon with a bit of help from the universe. This can come about in the next few weeks.</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Card: <b><i>Marriage</i></b>. Understanding, encouragement and support of spouse to enable me to proceed unimpeded by the trappings of guilt. </li>
</ul>
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Card 5 - <u>Ask for Help Receiving This</u>. You need help with this one. Ask people around you for a hand, or get connected with your spiritual team to really make this one happen. You can't do it alone and you don't have to. This could also be about a block you have with receiving this thing, so get that looked at.<br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Card: <b><i>Walk Away</i></b>. The understanding from others that I too have personal goals that require me to withdraw to adequately cultivate and nurture them.</li>
</ul>
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Card 6 - <u>Star Potential</u>. This is the long term potential of what you're manifesting this new moon. What's possible over the next few moons, or even further ahead.<br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Card: <b><i>Let Go</i></b>. The realization that it is already done once I get out of the way.</li>
</ul>
</div>
Litahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-89391101930510983142011-01-08T16:48:00.000-05:002011-01-08T21:37:05.556-05:00"When things go wrong, don't go with them." ~ Elvis PresleyName Today: <u>Ballerina</u><br /><br />Today I get to: <u>Breathe and catch up on chores</u><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><u>Aha-phrodisiac:</u></strong></div><br />Water can be therapeutic in so many ways. Climb inside a tub of nurturing warm water ...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10fMvZ3vN8XUmYlfxVtclejeic6vAoVkW7ZZTTxBPo7Nv4X_LpmaY3QYBUbhjKj2IYuFl9DVj53Zp2jWN6FNKJum56bRV7z9vwAP1yntI-OPFQHMprcPS0lvXwZvBftLd3avfPBKLz2xf/s1600/LitaBathingChicCrp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10fMvZ3vN8XUmYlfxVtclejeic6vAoVkW7ZZTTxBPo7Nv4X_LpmaY3QYBUbhjKj2IYuFl9DVj53Zp2jWN6FNKJum56bRV7z9vwAP1yntI-OPFQHMprcPS0lvXwZvBftLd3avfPBKLz2xf/s400/LitaBathingChicCrp2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Toast of the Day: <em>"Here's to the smell of a soothing bath salt."</em></div><br />Received Notice of Final Judgment ...<br />Found out where Bri was moved ...<br />Noting cumulative consequences of a lifetime of hasty choices and chaotic passions ...<br />Will I improve myself as a human and work daily to minimize my vices? ...Litahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-13209952200540870882011-01-06T22:00:00.000-05:002011-01-08T21:37:05.575-05:00Poetry is a packsack of invisible keepsakes. ~ Carl SandburgName Today: <u>Nina</u><br /><br />Of Interesting Note: <u>It's National Be On-Purpose Month!</u><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Toast of the Day: <em><u>"Here's to reading something you really like and realizing you wrote it."</u></em></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiLcQR0wwaISsQSxEtDM2TYT4BoLOeD9j8gd9S9zYI1HCfBs-y9Nrzp40mEXnGtH5epMiRhulHMpXXkHm0cGqpjpuOvwld5dKE4FKxhFSAbFynC2caLhyuU_tvB7_M0jc7HpUt5-OvDrd/s1600/LauraMuse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiLcQR0wwaISsQSxEtDM2TYT4BoLOeD9j8gd9S9zYI1HCfBs-y9Nrzp40mEXnGtH5epMiRhulHMpXXkHm0cGqpjpuOvwld5dKE4FKxhFSAbFynC2caLhyuU_tvB7_M0jc7HpUt5-OvDrd/s640/LauraMuse.jpg" width="624" /></a>(Model: Laura, my muse)</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><u><span style="color: #990000;">A Muse I Do Summon</span></u></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Too focused to wither, to let it all fall,</span><br /><span style="color: #990000;">A muse I do summon, to answer the call.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Imbue me with textures and tasty delights,</span><br /><span style="color: #990000;">Help it flow freely, the wave of insights.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">A map I do have, to show me the way,</span><br /><span style="color: #990000;">Resistance tugs; I shall keep it at bay.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Courage and discipline, I traverse alone,</span><br /><span style="color: #990000;">Help target from whence inspiration doth shone.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">The hierarchy of helpers, I do so implore,</span><br /><span style="color: #990000;">Effortless prose, shall now come to the fore.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">So shall it be!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #990000;">~ Lita</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpE2xOrI2p9IAh0NOVhJTHrirzZols_UV6G7FFUulGVCYpmnR0ZpDagcdBQXGM9_3omcl4kQkPksclgEBDjQ_qWmOulSU2Wmxoo2jEKGPTqnWmokU_H6xMTbad447gqnTZt5iyGccE2vw8/s1600/LitaBD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpE2xOrI2p9IAh0NOVhJTHrirzZols_UV6G7FFUulGVCYpmnR0ZpDagcdBQXGM9_3omcl4kQkPksclgEBDjQ_qWmOulSU2Wmxoo2jEKGPTqnWmokU_H6xMTbad447gqnTZt5iyGccE2vw8/s640/LitaBD.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>(Me in a past life)<br /><br /><strong><u><span style="color: #990000;">Dance for Yourself </span></u></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: #990000;">From the depths of the Earth to the core of our being </span><br /><span style="color: #990000;">the pulse of life beats, a rhythm unceasing. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: #990000;">Sounds take on shape with design and style </span><br /><span style="color: #990000;">forming patterns and motifs, enough to beguile. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: #990000;">With circles and lines, sways and curves </span><br /><span style="color: #990000;">zigzags galore, textures and swerves. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: #990000;">Movement emerges, like a wave from the ocean </span><br /><span style="color: #990000;">a dance they call it, all action and motion. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: #990000;">Diverse and varied, dance does come </span><br /><span style="color: #990000;">fulfilling needs in any spectrum. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: #990000;">From expression and healing, to birthing and fun </span><br /><span style="color: #990000;">exercise, fertility ... mostly celebration. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: #990000;">Too many to name, but many to favor </span><br /><span style="color: #990000;">Belly Dance is one I especially savor. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: #990000;">With flutters and shimmies done loosely or tight, </span><br /><span style="color: #990000;">undulations and accents, an amazing sight. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: #990000;">With women dancing for women is how it began </span><br /><span style="color: #990000;">to entertain and party, not seduce a man. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: #990000;">Keeping it sensual, not sexual, we continue to strive </span><br /><span style="color: #990000;">it takes commitment, skill and plenty of drive. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: #990000;">With varied styles based upon region, </span><br /><span style="color: #990000;">blending them wisely creates a nice fusion. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: #990000;">With colorful costumes of coins and beading </span><br /><span style="color: #990000;">the dance may look simple. This is misleading. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: #990000;">It takes muscle control to master isolations. </span><br /><span style="color: #990000;">This art requires energy and a lot of patience. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: #990000;">Regardless of age, shape, creed or race, </span><br /><span style="color: #990000;">Belly Dance can be done by anyone with grace. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: #990000;">Hired for parties, weddings and special events </span><br /><span style="color: #990000;">paid gigs and shows are not always incumbent. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">A thing to remember in any case </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">is dance for yourself first and the rest falls into place.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">~ Lita</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yesterday was spent working out, catching up on E-mails and rest ... so I'll revisit yesterday's exercise this time next year ☺<br /><br />Due to my busy-ness, I had to keep today's post simple, and figured there was no better time to get maximum picture mileage. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">♥</span></div>Litahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-55757424716412555472011-01-04T22:41:00.000-05:002011-01-08T21:37:05.589-05:00Rising aboveName today: <u>Dorothy</u><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOv2UQxFlhFFiCyImzGwnlJYei9nSYniNvAPx2THjXxRmFSmmqSWG0VTF2U6iN7VM8gQwhE4FhzI1U454Pgi7NLt0ypd5fypyUwDmnwmjZmS4Eb0NWAOflmq3BGV_ACxVieFeFnXdstebf/s1600/BetweenCloudsFinalFlt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOv2UQxFlhFFiCyImzGwnlJYei9nSYniNvAPx2THjXxRmFSmmqSWG0VTF2U6iN7VM8gQwhE4FhzI1U454Pgi7NLt0ypd5fypyUwDmnwmjZmS4Eb0NWAOflmq3BGV_ACxVieFeFnXdstebf/s640/BetweenCloudsFinalFlt2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>(Model: Me ☺ ... Thanks to <a href="http://shinylaughter.deviantart.com/favourites/12613713#/d18gr39">Shadowed Light Waves</a> for the background pic)<br /><br />Today's image was inspired by today's exercise about lack of gravity. Of course, if there truly was no gravity, my hair and dress would be facing every which way ... <br /><br />One thing I can say about these exercises is I'm finally starting to process pictures that have been begging for attention.<br /><br /><strong><u>Aha-phrodisiac: Write about a day without gravity.</u></strong></div><ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><li><span style="color: #990000;">No one would have to worry about how much they weigh ... a scale would refreshingly have no meaning.</span></li><li><span style="color: #990000;">Most modes of transportation would be rendered useless.</span></li><li><span style="color: #990000;">Tethering ourselves to people and things we love would be useful.</span></li><li><span style="color: #990000;">Everyone could take a break from having to brush their hair.</span></li><li><span style="color: #990000;">Jumping off of a high cliff or building would be a viable option.</span></li><li><span style="color: #990000;">We could "fly" among each other, among animals ... both vicious and friendly.</span></li><li><span style="color: #990000;">Trying to "right" ourselves could prove difficult.</span></li><li><span style="color: #990000;">If desired, one can <strong><em>literally</em></strong> run in place.</span></li><div style="text-align: left;"></div></blockquote></ul>Litahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-63569811946884493352011-01-03T21:54:00.000-05:002011-01-08T21:37:05.602-05:00Savor a napEnergy levels exceptionally low today, so I picked only those exercises (from <em>The Awe-Manac</em>) that called for little words ...<br /><br />Name Today: <u>Dunham</u> ;)<br /><br />Today I get to: <u>feel how much progress I made from yesterday's bootcamp by all the muscle soreness I awoke with.</u><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywCHA2QcWcw3T0YyB3wSboPkrP5FquuQ0KtPmpeOgkF5UfZvgG5EFIiqsAaArztdFNziNGVeA9O2colCqFZsM-Us1wqbM7C-RS5HIZx_8LYkZsadXcxJ92S6w3iQ0UR8deLH2wKCF-f7n/s1600/WhistleDucksSleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywCHA2QcWcw3T0YyB3wSboPkrP5FquuQ0KtPmpeOgkF5UfZvgG5EFIiqsAaArztdFNziNGVeA9O2colCqFZsM-Us1wqbM7C-RS5HIZx_8LYkZsadXcxJ92S6w3iQ0UR8deLH2wKCF-f7n/s640/WhistleDucksSleep.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Toast of the Day: <strong>Here's to a refreshing midday nap.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><u>Aha-phrodisiacs:</u></strong></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Use the title <em>"Festival of Sleep"</em> for a collage, drawing, painting or doodling. Well, here ya' go:</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyU5Fl0U9TXwCQoCoqH2gnSnMGScB7uu5gs0YIczuwp3CFUqIow7tqXzm-jup2nzG8FwhNiixwIcXdSytX2KJfpE68mjBqEm7YIR1Weo-W_EzWHV4R6840BbnuzjUgIoR97-U_S_cMLpZ/s1600/LitaSleepingFinale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyU5Fl0U9TXwCQoCoqH2gnSnMGScB7uu5gs0YIczuwp3CFUqIow7tqXzm-jup2nzG8FwhNiixwIcXdSytX2KJfpE68mjBqEm7YIR1Weo-W_EzWHV4R6840BbnuzjUgIoR97-U_S_cMLpZ/s640/LitaSleepingFinale.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">♥</span></strong></div>Litahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-83382244527108848282011-01-02T20:34:00.000-05:002011-01-08T21:37:05.613-05:00It's January 2, 2011 at 8:33 pm, and I am ...fulfilling today's exercise from <em>The Awe-Manic</em>, as follows: <br /><br /><strong>Name today:</strong> <u>The world is my playground</u><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybvo_GbRlFKgDvbpv1ROkLYQ4gosjbNjiRlW8Eib7b6QBvzu_GbBPxA0BjJM6Jbv1oRPBVmUo_4FberJ1iKuSQEu6ttwAPVrh7OcK2vt9NS8bIatfIzoCyllfWpqXue4bYWpMFBmgb4-6/s1600/Kitty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybvo_GbRlFKgDvbpv1ROkLYQ4gosjbNjiRlW8Eib7b6QBvzu_GbBPxA0BjJM6Jbv1oRPBVmUo_4FberJ1iKuSQEu6ttwAPVrh7OcK2vt9NS8bIatfIzoCyllfWpqXue4bYWpMFBmgb4-6/s640/Kitty.jpg" width="528" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Toast of the day:</strong> <em>"Here's to the calm presence of a sitting cat."</em></div><br /><br /><strong>Today I get to</strong> <u>burn some holiday calories</u>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><u>Aha-phrodisiacs:</u></strong></div><br /><strong>Write a list of why you write or do art or why you want to. Pick one of those and write at length about it, getting deep into it even if it doesn't seem to make sense.</strong><br /><blockquote>I do it because I get such a natural rush becoming a vessel for creativity to flow forth ... Yes, to the thrill of becoming surprised by it, seduced by it, to fall in love with it ... Ahhh to basking in the afterglow that stays with you, keeping you addicted to it ...</blockquote><strong>Write down some event that happened recently. Recount it adding a few otherworldly powers and characters.</strong><br /><blockquote>I walked into the studio eager, yet apprehensive. Would the hosts be receptive to me after my extended absence? Would I stick out too much from the rest of the bunch? What if I passed out from unconditioned exertion? <br /><br />I found comfort in familiar sights and sounds, in elements I hadn't had exposure to in a very long time ... Stray concerns ultimately evaporated once I was greeted by one of the hosts, Amasan. She and Kika developed the ability to transform into mermaids during my time away. I forgot to ask what it felt like. I also wasn't able to take pictures, because our entire group was immersed in intensive drills for the 3-hour bootcamp we signed up for. <br /><br />Words I heard a lot were "breathe," "just a few more" and "shake it out." The ladder being my favorite. <br /><br />Our host, for the last hour, had the ability to move at the speed of light, so it was hard keeping up with her. All in all, it was nice knowing that despite my modest amount of time in strenuous exercise, I could *somewhat* hang stamina-wise with these extraordinary beings ... although, it shined light on areas I could totally improve on. <br /><br />Is it bad that after putting myself through all of that I've been indulging in chocolate nonstop?</blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkyYNkjdWUECfbP40n-RAmjJUuLQveU2N34xJNnf8woiPkux4WexPLtkhUmr9bqM4SEEM-DUpTZ2hFgUkGw2q7sJHcpzEpUh56kXpLynRwqKR05BZIffscrhYl10kbZL4JQ5_s6y70tHs/s1600/bootcamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkyYNkjdWUECfbP40n-RAmjJUuLQveU2N34xJNnf8woiPkux4WexPLtkhUmr9bqM4SEEM-DUpTZ2hFgUkGw2q7sJHcpzEpUh56kXpLynRwqKR05BZIffscrhYl10kbZL4JQ5_s6y70tHs/s400/bootcamp.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kika snapshot this 3 hours in (we're such a blur since we we had to move lightning fast to keep up with the host ;)</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbm0NGnLf9MeAZ37T3UgkHmiBvyibmSx-qO1wDUpsBBgfiDP2qJ37wg5_YLpT1TjNcI7sNezpo9ErzcPiAlN3vdTPQtmvy2U0BQO3Y71LfTBDQH3vCz0tVDAbdYdJixwkbi1Uc0veBiEx/s1600/Mermaids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbm0NGnLf9MeAZ37T3UgkHmiBvyibmSx-qO1wDUpsBBgfiDP2qJ37wg5_YLpT1TjNcI7sNezpo9ErzcPiAlN3vdTPQtmvy2U0BQO3Y71LfTBDQH3vCz0tVDAbdYdJixwkbi1Uc0veBiEx/s640/Mermaids.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A picture where Amasan and Kika swim publicly at the Wreck Bar. You can watch them in action on this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRgvkfroK5Y">Youtube video</a>. </div>Litahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-66066524793627053672011-01-01T16:15:00.000-05:002011-01-08T21:37:05.627-05:00Happy New Year ☺ !<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3HbCGlRR3zQTyDB65jlI1dgQMRZWlYLCnsvShioY1KGs7UXl3JJpniNCWrnqAQC6e6aHL9ZmmS8Pk1bcL_uLHppI6JYX5bRv38r-Oh3okLLq28Vlzrlhio3lseF-hMRC7cdRLUFvw3ha/s1600/Pancakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3HbCGlRR3zQTyDB65jlI1dgQMRZWlYLCnsvShioY1KGs7UXl3JJpniNCWrnqAQC6e6aHL9ZmmS8Pk1bcL_uLHppI6JYX5bRv38r-Oh3okLLq28Vlzrlhio3lseF-hMRC7cdRLUFvw3ha/s640/Pancakes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Unplanned New Year's celebration at IHop! LOL!!! </div><br />It was SO fun getting together with close friends on this important (<em>to me anyway</em>) holiday. We intended to get high on kava, eat Mexican and come back for more kava at the stroke of midnight ... Instead we dined on some of the food laid out at the kava bar ... After our fair share of kava, the loud music and our general malaise had us seeking comfort in breakfast food.<br /><br />We improvised by shredding strips of IHop paper to use as our confetti that we tamely tossed at midnight =)<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvdi1EjnQIsl2x7wHuEEfiJiM2MNMeLy-QPybmfIMs1csQP2ecm2Dc4zpjQQmUzN530DSIcW93TODYMr2SmqD7TZYzk6ml471xEc0sg03M3TWFV9yAki-dkSrO9keQ7dsPalzrXgkgJld/s1600/NewYearsIhop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="568" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvdi1EjnQIsl2x7wHuEEfiJiM2MNMeLy-QPybmfIMs1csQP2ecm2Dc4zpjQQmUzN530DSIcW93TODYMr2SmqD7TZYzk6ml471xEc0sg03M3TWFV9yAki-dkSrO9keQ7dsPalzrXgkgJld/s640/NewYearsIhop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Breakfast with close friends an hour before the New Year ☺</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hUYoS5-wjAJ2x-aFJcytYoA_05Z85rfE3Ir_Yj8mw6v58VvGpTla9m5xv1xi_yU27-P7BlgZIplQvmPaIrrTE1ap9rsmF0hDRw07l2a0wu7CFT5R09_Luk87ysOk_39s3Pbw4YbPBmFB/s1600/LLCombo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hUYoS5-wjAJ2x-aFJcytYoA_05Z85rfE3Ir_Yj8mw6v58VvGpTla9m5xv1xi_yU27-P7BlgZIplQvmPaIrrTE1ap9rsmF0hDRw07l2a0wu7CFT5R09_Luk87ysOk_39s3Pbw4YbPBmFB/s640/LLCombo.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Loraine and Laura -- Virgin kava drinkers. Before and after their first sip of the Earthy-tasting brew, LOL ;)</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWVVSbONWI4lm8R9LwdCDG7aaBL9ZzfWgllJauqXUhvV4fKyfnvTJBmGLUu9FtswAUeGwtAIo_NnSgfhL2mo62Jaj4RCGsqYeSnPS1Qh19pWlphtcTClKJGYDdjglWnpceEPGY_WtBXSx/s1600/DebSmileCrpd2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="528" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWVVSbONWI4lm8R9LwdCDG7aaBL9ZzfWgllJauqXUhvV4fKyfnvTJBmGLUu9FtswAUeGwtAIo_NnSgfhL2mo62Jaj4RCGsqYeSnPS1Qh19pWlphtcTClKJGYDdjglWnpceEPGY_WtBXSx/s640/DebSmileCrpd2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAuRL8N-uyC_NIt_Jk2ucsN6rPRTiyqf1SHFN1_ga5ty7f6k2byyS3gEiYeES72DE6RCkDp-gFMfAEzv5qX22NTsBS5o67pkO-P0lEtFgkMLNdyq9k4R14Zipz8STtKIYldVPvIwKr3xa/s1600/DeboraTatsCrp4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="586" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAuRL8N-uyC_NIt_Jk2ucsN6rPRTiyqf1SHFN1_ga5ty7f6k2byyS3gEiYeES72DE6RCkDp-gFMfAEzv5qX22NTsBS5o67pkO-P0lEtFgkMLNdyq9k4R14Zipz8STtKIYldVPvIwKr3xa/s640/DeboraTatsCrp4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our photogenic bartender</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjeQby-A4nptAvgt6sR3MVgKxvkMa5DPW53FhqmgD2s6hLeJRjq_J0yf-BBmibZM1cawKgr9Arb3fF4ChIl2TrD3n2lqRa0cszqf7cKbNXYos9io4JuzSZYJmzvM46QLtf9DRroaoEs00/s1600/GaldownglanceBC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjeQby-A4nptAvgt6sR3MVgKxvkMa5DPW53FhqmgD2s6hLeJRjq_J0yf-BBmibZM1cawKgr9Arb3fF4ChIl2TrD3n2lqRa0cszqf7cKbNXYos9io4JuzSZYJmzvM46QLtf9DRroaoEs00/s640/GaldownglanceBC.jpg" width="524" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87D_bSK6i6LwrFXPsqN_aaiWQ9NICOlmsQAJkcybLWmwT61i76pP_N4dhgJhcM9IgTVSobKox9D0YaU10LhCnl33nLUUfWVEpVvRvPuFv5cmwIbHD41rdBFjKhSDx4c3ckOVLFjtjKiwl/s1600/GuyLookingPhone2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87D_bSK6i6LwrFXPsqN_aaiWQ9NICOlmsQAJkcybLWmwT61i76pP_N4dhgJhcM9IgTVSobKox9D0YaU10LhCnl33nLUUfWVEpVvRvPuFv5cmwIbHD41rdBFjKhSDx4c3ckOVLFjtjKiwl/s640/GuyLookingPhone2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Candids of strangers texting ... I may use it to propel future writing exercises (who are they texting? ... what are they texting about? ... etc. ) </div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidww5pAWLKY_-MY9wXsPaXUofUBQjB3VJYpj4otnimIasIXd67T8cWo5aV2LtF4GxFXHICxRugagQWa8fwp94ADUk8pBw2OTeTzFTZXjUxCXkoDmLZf0yVsR_q09fd-9zt0nlS5L4WkrKa/s1600/Candles2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidww5pAWLKY_-MY9wXsPaXUofUBQjB3VJYpj4otnimIasIXd67T8cWo5aV2LtF4GxFXHICxRugagQWa8fwp94ADUk8pBw2OTeTzFTZXjUxCXkoDmLZf0yVsR_q09fd-9zt0nlS5L4WkrKa/s400/Candles2.jpg" width="342" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZiZ2wh4AH0OYD-ZUP7mJLNkMbQnx79xoHFOsz-emhcP1A1lpTJAqTpBLsHcttOMquiaOD1MtgMRX09-N3Hs2leOqUbVyJaKStKPw7wAoYFwtd_5uROcerbZIiq7kk1p3I6cy8YcopQan/s1600/YoungArt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZiZ2wh4AH0OYD-ZUP7mJLNkMbQnx79xoHFOsz-emhcP1A1lpTJAqTpBLsHcttOMquiaOD1MtgMRX09-N3Hs2leOqUbVyJaKStKPw7wAoYFwtd_5uROcerbZIiq7kk1p3I6cy8YcopQan/s640/YoungArt2.jpg" width="548" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kava bar ambience</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKDLoHeT-2Dsy9iIw1jlZ5Ptx3tuV1coG35t_s7XEzRrxYyJtn7eWo-yKtYPenEm2MxgUfYG5Z4lPBbW7S84u9O97UMJtKEFb-T6MD0YO3j_Iz7JMlwHoCPpIXd8gP-tsGiK6s1lxyujL/s1600/GirlsNewYearsKava.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKDLoHeT-2Dsy9iIw1jlZ5Ptx3tuV1coG35t_s7XEzRrxYyJtn7eWo-yKtYPenEm2MxgUfYG5Z4lPBbW7S84u9O97UMJtKEFb-T6MD0YO3j_Iz7JMlwHoCPpIXd8gP-tsGiK6s1lxyujL/s640/GirlsNewYearsKava.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bula!</div><br /><br /><u><strong>Today's Notes:</strong></u><br /><br />Finding my bed at 4:30 am ... Awaking at 8:30 am ... <br /><br />Watching the shadows of trees sway through my curtains ... Open the glass sliding door to get a feel for the weather, and it's <em>heavenly</em>. Under the warmth and light of the morning sun, I thumb through <em>The Awe-Manac</em> book ... Looking through tired, yet excited eyes ... Totally falling in love with all phrases of inspiration ... <br /><br /><em>The Awe-Manac</em>'s genuine claim is it will:<br /><blockquote><span style="color: #660000;">" ... make you younger by providing a regular diet of creative thought. It will enhance your sex appeal because creative people are known to be more sexy, uninhibited, and resourceful. And no dust bunnies were harmed in the writing of this book ... "</span></blockquote>Begin to process pictures from the night / morning prior ...<br /><br />Picked up the <em>The Awe-Manac</em> book again to get a handle on current <em>Daily Dose of Wonder</em> exercises ... I am instructed to go to a bookstore to discover what my message is on page 56 of any book I find there! I will so blog about that after my next bookstore trip. ☺<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><u>Awe-Manic Exercises:</u></strong></div><br />Ebbing: what will you release 5 percent of this month? <u>Reasons to complain</u>.<br /><br />Flowing: what will you increase 5 percent? <u>Time spent in homeostasis</u>.<br /><br />Vessel of strength: What self-talk will keep you afloat? <u>"There is nothing like a dream to </u><br /><u>create the future."</u><br /><br />Today, I get to <u>begin the most wonderful year EVER</u>!<br /><br />Make one of the things that worked for you last year a New Year's resolution: <u>Giving in to temptation</u>. ;P<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Journal Juju: <em><u>I wrote my 1st entry in my physical journal. (Laura, so loving having a physical journal to play on and in; thanks so much!)</u></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">... Off to possibly nap ... catch up on e-mails ... get my daily dose of chocolate ... and if I'm lucky work out ...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">... Also, I have older pics I will process and post ... but will do so later ...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">♥</span></div>Litahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-33544058845234913412008-12-10T15:29:00.004-05:002023-05-27T14:43:07.810-04:00Letting go of resistanceFrom today's Daily Motivator:<br /><br />Wednesday, December 10, 2008<br /><br /><strong>No more resistance </strong><br /><br />Allowing the best of life involves nothing more than becoming aware of your resistance to it. Shine the light of awareness on your resistance, and that resistance dissolves into nothing.<br /><br />Allow life's richness to be, and it flows freely into your experience. See your pain and frustration for the resistance that they are, and suddenly they are no more.<br /><br />If you focus on the concerns of your ego, the resistance builds up. Realize that you are not your ego, and suddenly the resistance has no basis.<br /><br />Resisting the limitless abundance of life is your own choice. As soon as you understand you've made that choice, you can quickly let it go.<br /><br />Imagine what will happen when you simply stop judging, criticizing, and resenting yourself and others. You open yourself to a whole new world of beautiful possibilities.<br /><br />Feel the resistance that you've created within your own life, and know that you can choose to peacefully let it go. Let it go, and come fully to life.<br /><br />-- Ralph MarstonLitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-90746778318200995172008-10-20T14:34:00.003-04:002023-05-27T14:43:04.046-04:002 quotes I came across that I liked :)<blockquote><p align="left">In order to be free, we must learn how to let go. Release the hurt. Release the fear. Refuse to entertain your old pain. The energy it takes to hang onto the past is holding you back from a new life. What is it you would let go of today?<br /><br />~Mary Manin Morrissey<br /><br /><br /></p></blockquote><blockquote>'But I don’t want to go among mad people,' Alice remarked. 'Oh, you can’t help that,' said the Cat. 'We’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.''How do you know I’m mad?' said Alice. 'You must be,” said the Cat. 'or you wouldn’t have come here.' </blockquote>Litahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-41527755694543543942008-07-23T09:56:00.002-04:002023-05-27T14:42:59.774-04:00Be you<strong>Be you </strong><br /><br />You were born to be real, not to be perfect. You are here to be you, not to live someone else's life.<br /><br />Every day you make some progress and every day you make a few mistakes. Through it all, your wisdom continues to grow and your experience continues to broaden.<br /><br />Be gentle with yourself. Accept who you are, where you have been, and what you have to work with, for in this moment you can make positive use of it all.<br /><br />Reach in and touch the purpose that makes you feel most alive. The world around you is filled with places where that purpose can do great things.<br /><br />It is never too late to offer your unique and genuine gifts to life. Now is the time to do great things, even in the smallest of ways.<br /><br />Choose to fully and graciously live life as it comes. The richest rewards by far are the ones to which you most sincerely give of yourself.<br /><br />-- Ralph MarstonLitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-53882672686738366222008-07-21T14:34:00.004-04:002023-05-27T14:42:55.859-04:00Value in the doing<strong>Value in the doing<br /></strong><br />Behind every fortune is someone who has labored long into the night to make it real. Behind every important discovery is a person who often grew weary searching for it.<br /><br />Behind the magnificent work of art is an artist who spent hour after hour, month after month toiling at tasks that were tedious and seemingly endless. Behind the beautiful, soaring music is a composer who carefully arranged each note, each pause, each crescendo into place.<br /><br />Take heart. Your effort cannot help but pay off.<br /><br />The fact is, your effort is the payoff. The fortune, the discovery, the work of art, and the music, as grand as they are, serve as mere tokens of the achievement.<br /><br />The real achievement is in the achieving, and the real value is in the doing. Sincere, focused effort makes your life rich, even as you do it.<br /><br />Make the effort and the reward is guaranteed. For the biggest reward is in the doing.<br /><br />-- Ralph MarstonLitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-55494367253425156932008-07-18T13:56:00.003-04:002023-05-27T14:42:52.579-04:00Where there is a purpose<strong>Friday, July 18, 2008</strong><br /><br /><em>Where there is a purpose</em><br /><br />When there is a reason, there is a way. Where there is a purpose, there is a path.<br /><br />You are capable of reaching higher and higher levels of achievement. The reason you have not yet reached some of them is because you have not yet had a compelling enough reason to do so.<br /><br />When thinking of what you can do, stop thinking only in terms of what you have done. Think in terms of what you desire, what you can imagine, and what you can dream.<br /><br />Think in terms of your purpose. Connect your awareness to whatever drives you, and it will drive you far indeed.<br /><br />Purpose will find a way around the most stubborn obstacles. Purpose will bring the most meaningful and valuable possibilities into reality.<br /><br />Follow the purpose that is truly you. And effectiveness, enthusiasm, achievement,<br />joy and fulfillment will all flow into your life.<br /><br />-- Ralph MarstonLitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-42570056380531824942008-07-06T11:38:00.011-04:002023-05-27T14:42:47.994-04:00Place in between placesI'm at a place in between places. Ideas of where I'll emerge are sketchy, but it will be a place of my own design and a place of momentum until my next metamorphisis. The time illnesss brought has afforded me the chance to take inventory of what serves me and what does not, and to appreciate the gift of simple luxuries. I am impressed most by self-discoveries and self truths of what is beautiful to me. I tarry no longer ...<br /><br />At present, I am tickled by:<br /><br />Naked truth<br />Bold flavors<br />Subtle shades<br />Fresh ideas<br />Playing pretend<br />Creation and genuine appreciation<br /><br />My power today lies in <b>gratification</b>. The fruits of my labor already exist in my values. My garden of purpose is perennial and forever in need of tending but I am surrounded by the results I have intended to create. I am empowered by the splendor that is my life and my asset is personal validation. And so it is and so shall it be!Litahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-21603118954523545352008-07-04T18:33:00.005-04:002023-05-27T14:42:44.924-04:00Always do your bestI found this incredibly timely to my life at this time, especially since I've been sick for what seems like forever, and have been frustrated that my life is wasting away until I recoup.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Agreement 4:</span><br /><br />Always do your best - Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.<br /><br />~By Don Miguel RuizLitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-62677576920177509632008-06-05T11:30:00.003-04:002023-05-27T14:42:39.530-04:00AuroraThe moment Aurora shut the door, she plopped into her chair and let exhaustion take her. She sighed in frustration as she thought of what else she could try. She labored with everything the fairies suggested, but all efforts to try to tap into her supposed powers proved futile. If not for their insistence, she would discount possessing a trace of magic.Litahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-28406632749704528212008-06-04T09:25:00.005-04:002023-05-27T14:42:36.713-04:00Through eyes of a wounded soulI need healing. I’m seeing the world through eyes of a wounded soul. <br /><br />I’m being surrounded by talks, discussions and photos of those showcasing their young. Their milestone graduations and accomplishments ... while my son is locked up, a victim of his own ignorance and dare I say stupidity. <br /><br />I’m in a mood ... a mood where I want to shun the world. I know a lot of it is hormones. Turbulent hormones. We met with Hunny’s grandmother and she kept asking about B. We lied about his whereabouts because she is too old and frail to handle the truth. She spoke of her dream where she saw him, asked for a hug and he said he couldn’t. It rips my heart out to hear such things. To lie about such things. I lied to someone recently about him because I just didn’t have the wherewithal to go into the whole story, so I took the fewest and simplest words possible and just lied so the subject could be quickly dropped. <br /><br />Moment to moment, breath to breath. This is how I am living.<br /><br />I am reserving judgment about everything. Everyone is doing the best they can with what is before them. <br /><br />More talk about the economy on the radio. More talk about the election and how it’s not our votes that count but those of the electoral college. Exactly how much control do we really have then?<br /><br /><br />--------------------<br /><br />Here is my card from the Osho Zen Tarot stack:<br /><br />CHANGE<br /><br />The symbol in this card is an enormous wheel representing time, fate, karma. Galaxies spin around this constantly moving circle, and the twelve signs of the zodiac appear on its circumference. Just inside the circumference are the eight trigrams of the I Ching, and even closer to the center are the four directions, each illuminated by the energy of lightning. The spinning triangle is at this moment pointed upward, toward the divine, and the Chinese symbol of yin and yang, male and female, creative and receptive, lies at the center. <br /><br />It has often been said that the only unchanging thing in the world is change itself. Life is continuously changing, evolving, dying and being reborn. All opposites play a part in this vast circular pattern. If you cling to the edge of the wheel you can get dizzy! Move toward the center of the cyclone and relax, knowing that this too will pass.Litahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-86052517043679207162008-06-03T09:33:00.006-04:002023-05-27T14:42:31.848-04:00Seduction of Darkness"Seduction of darkness, too strong to resist;<br />Every reason to succumb, nary one to subsist. <br /><br />Light and laughter, a distant memory;<br />Replaced instead, by dread and drudgery.<br /><br />A nightmare this is, choosing to wake up now;<br />Sight beyond illusion, will show me how."<br /><br />-------------------<br /><br />I keep having dreams of driving over overpasses and dying as I go over. The moment I realize I’m dead, I wake up. Significance? I don’t know.<br /><br />I’m starting to feel like that character in Joe Versus the Volcano. Working under florescent lights, and dealing with the daily drudgery of existence. I look around at our economy and feel forced to feel grateful for what I have. Always compare to those less fortunate, right? But there’s got to be a better way than living by comparison. I want to live, leading with my heart and soul, but I’m afraid. So afraid. I see the men in my life; so good. But do the good die young? Does the good guy finish last? Is this truly a dog-eat-dog world? Is daring to trust foolhardy? <br /><br />My reflection is of a woman I don’t recognize. Her light dim, and always running from shadows. Does age and experience really cause bitterness? Does the weather of time, really taint the spirit? I just want to weep. Weep for my son, weep for my regrets, weep for time lost; weep for the sorrows I see in my loved ones. I am weary and weathered. Is victory of this Earth? I think not.Litahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-49484415344769797842008-05-22T10:16:00.008-04:002023-05-27T14:42:28.163-04:00Innocence tempered with wisdom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDcDMKeekvUelGQ7aelltA-NcLAimZE_FW4ZQH4qe9zX-k7sw-xtYuVuBkwj4pB8653T1-tgQ62nqg4q30sH_qFGU1XnFBfqXoCg8iGmJPH4YKtEv1kEayNfJ9mfHmowwUGVl2mWcxHt_/s1600-h/ls2i.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDcDMKeekvUelGQ7aelltA-NcLAimZE_FW4ZQH4qe9zX-k7sw-xtYuVuBkwj4pB8653T1-tgQ62nqg4q30sH_qFGU1XnFBfqXoCg8iGmJPH4YKtEv1kEayNfJ9mfHmowwUGVl2mWcxHt_/s320/ls2i.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204013407536552770" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I look in the mirror and see a grownup version of myself. I’m ambivalent about that, as I’ve always wanted to retain youthful, ignorant innocence. But now, I am approaching a different kind of innocence – one tempered with wisdom.<br /><br />The recent wave of hard knocks has gotten me off the path of beauty and creativity. I am finding my way back, as that is where life is teeming.<br /><br />Through my “travels” life has taught me that we are not an island onto ourselves. I’ve never considered others reliable enough to endow my trust or time, but there truly is no other way to live – happily anyway. I must continue living as the Fool (as represented in the tarot deck) -- continuing to trust life and others, despite what past experience has shown.<br /><br />I have to remind myself that everything we do is an expression of love or a cry for it. That is where our motives lie. I have been exercising my expression of love, as that is certainly more empowering than doing things to obtain it. Love is inherent, and I choose to remember that. The more love I give, the more I get. I’ve played the role of selfish and choose to play another. For me, being selfish is a symptom of fear. Fear that what I have will be taken from me – whether that’s peace of mind, comfort or security. But I choose to remember that my “glass” will always be replenished if I let go and allow it.<br /><br />This is a very introspective post so far. Will take a break to work and may come back later ...Litahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-66275195700266582842008-05-16T11:08:00.006-04:002023-05-27T14:42:22.968-04:00Proactive<p>Now that B's sentencing is finally over, there is no excuse not to get serious about a lot of my goals. I have set about some tasks below.<br /><br />I am down today. I could elect to change my mind and choose to be bright, but I’m under a cloud. Thinking about B, his sentencing, his life -- it’s overwhelming ...<br /><br />Also, my life feels like a question mark. I don’t know what’s going to become of it with work and such. I guess I just need to take a proactive stand and work on things currently within my reach -- within my control.<br /><br />These are the physical activities I intend to do per week, assuming my health is not challenged:<br /><br />Walking 2x<br />Yoga 2x<br />T-Tapp 2x<br /><br />These are the days I intend to incorporate them:<br /><br />Mondays - T-Tapp<br />Tuesdays - Walking<br />Wednesdays - Yoga<br />Thursdays - T-Tapp<br />Fridays - Fun<br />Saturdays - Walking<br />Sundays - Yoga<br /><br />Three activities I not only want to do, but need to:<br /><br />Photographing/processing - I don’t need to think about when I’ll fit this in – it seems to happen on its’ own. I actually need to reduce time spent on pictures until I have a better sense of balance toward the rest of my needs.<br /><br />Flickring - I will spend a maximum of 30 minutes per day commenting.<br /><br />Writing - I just got done reading a triology; and I will comb through it now for style. I will spend 5 minutes every morning writing. I will awaken, putter around the house or yard for a few, then begin writing for 5 minutes non-stop. This means I need to awaken at the latest by 7 a.m.<br /><br />Other stuff:<br /><br />Housekeeping: I have to come up with a plan as far as housekeeping goes. It has taken the lowest priority and I need to change my mind set about it. I have to figure out how I can see and approach it differently.<br /><br />Appearance:<br /><br />I need to allot time toward upkeep like hair and nails. My problem is not wanting to take the time to sit there and interact – not wanting to have to tip, even if I’m unhappy with the service. I need to overcome these petty concerns.<br /><br />I need to body brush every single night, without fail. There simply is no excuse unless sick. </p>Litahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-54961644154696642142008-04-29T12:21:00.003-04:002023-05-27T14:42:19.749-04:00Sweet n' juicyI am so grateful for thoughtful and loving family and friends. I am rich with love. <br /><br />I realize throughout my life that I have always been afraid of being without. Although I have not yet experienced material wealth on a high scale, I have always had all I needed and all I really wanted. However, I still felt lack. It’s an unfounded fear and feeling which goes back to early conditioning. I now choose to let those fears and feelings go. <br /><br />Somewhere along the way I feel I lost my sense of worthiness. I now reclaim that. I am worthy of all that I have and so much more. We all are. We just have to open up to it and own it. I hereby claim ownership of it. I claim the beauty that is me. The love that is me. The brilliance that is me. <br /><br />I just ate a fully ripe papaya and it has the perfect amount of sweetness and juiciness. That’s me: the perfect amount of sweetness and juiciness, LOL.Litahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-84924168819764116112008-04-28T12:57:00.005-04:002023-05-27T14:42:17.247-04:00Easy-goingMy patience and tolerance is low today. I am always regretful when I feel this way, especially when I become short with someone. I think it is because I’m tired. I slept ok last night, but my energy level feels low. I lack the desire to do much of anything. Productivity is not on my vocabulary today. I only want to rest and be lazy.<br /><br />With respect to photography, I think I will start focusing on different stuff. I’d like to document more what it’s like being me -- Day-to-day of life as Lita ... and then post it on my blog. I’ll start bringing my camera with me to work and see what happens. Nothing may happen ... or a whole world of everything may happen. But I’ll never know unless I at least have my camera on hand. I was thinking about my days long past as a belly dancer. This morning, I listened to a CD I made during my performance days. It’s a 20- minute compilation of some of my favorite belly dance songs, and it sounded so fresh. I’d like to take pictures of something belly dance-related; something reflecting my history in it. It will require creativity, which is what I’m up for.<br /><br />I wish I were more motivated to work on practical things, like my garden. But I guess practical is a relative term.<br /><br />I spoke with my Mom last night and sought to lift her spirits by reminding her to list all that she is grateful for; all that she takes for granted. I know this is what I do when my morale is taking a nose dive. She, like most of my family, has been feeling helpless and sullen over B’s predicament.<br /><br />I’m seeing my reflection and I look so much like both of my parents; but our mind sets and temperaments are nothing alike. Other people may say otherwise, however.<br /><br />My life is perfect. It’s a perfect representation of my conscious and unconscious creations. I choose to be more conscious so the results will be spot on.<br /><br />But as a mere human, I will always have issues regardless of what I do, so I’ve come to accept that. Things and people just are. And I am.<br /><br />It’s approaching 1 PM and I’ve managed to probably consume all of my caloric requirements already. But I care not because it was all whole foods ... raw foods. ... It, like everything, is what I make it -- and I make it good; I make it rich; I make it abundance.<br /><br />So about work ... I haven’t done much today ... and again, that is good because it is in keeping with my motto of leading a simple, easy-going life.<br /><br />-----------------<br /><br />Checked the Daily Motivator and it was so timely :)<br /><br />Monday, April 28, 2008<br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Frame of life </strong><br /></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">The way you frame your life has a major impact on the way your life unfolds. The way you see yourself and your place in the world determines who you truly are.<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">The unstated assumptions upon which you rely are constantly exerting their influence. Your deepest, most sincere feelings about life have a way of coloring every circumstance.<br /><br />The events in your world do not just happen without reason or source. They are driven by your most fundamental expectations of how you will find life to be.<br /><br />In each small moment and in every large undertaking, your frame of life sets the stage. So choose to frame your life with love, with respect, with beauty, grace and a focus on the most magnificent possibilities.<br /><br />The way you see the world determines the kind of world you see. So decide to assume, expect and look for the very best you can imagine.<br /><br />Live with a positive, enthusiastic and thankful frame of life. And within that empowering frame, you will create a masterpiece that grows more beautiful with each moment.<br /><br />-- Ralph Marston </span>Litahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758484574196252087.post-67226418522036266462008-04-25T11:26:00.004-04:002023-05-27T14:42:11.261-04:00I Am HappyI feel in complete alignment with all that is good today. My spirits are the highest they’ve been in a long time. I must've woke up on the “right side of the bed” today. Strange how that works. Perhaps it’s also because any trace of the lingering cold have vanished, and because I am well rested. I am cloaked in “good attitude” and so welcome the feeling. <br /><br />Yesterday was a partial cleanse day. Let’s see if I can do a full one today. If not, then no sweat; there’s always next time. <br /><br />The episode of Lost was awesome last night. I so love that show. The writers confuse me sometimes, but that's OK because all the characters are interesting enough to make up for it. <br /><br />I am surrounded by loving people. I love my life today. I am happy :) !!!Litahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16783766902000798264noreply@blogger.com0