Good Stuff

The positive energy created by myself and others

Is the seed of happiness of all the world.

Lama in whom I always rejoice,

Turn the wheels of sutra and tantra

In accordance with the predisposition of beings."

"In the tip of the vajra between the eyebrows,

The light of the sun, moon and stars swirls in the drop.

By bringing mind and energy to that point,

The white bodhimind is forever increased."

Gyalwa Kalzang Gyatso, Seventh Dalai Lama

Wind is Here!

Just when I want or need it to

the wind comes back

right now she is gentle

but all the same

the stirring and movement helps me

in these moments,which have become hours,

of pain.

Please stay,wind and clouds.

Stay and ground me.

Streamline

Streamline

How do you streamline your life, whittling it down the to the basics, the absolute necessities? I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately.Not only about the material things you have (all those books!!!!) which seem to clog your room, but also about the processes you deal with, the way you go through things emotionally (or without emotion). Refreshment and renewal of the way you are handling your life, the direction you want to go and the perusal of your visions and fulfilling aspects should never be underestimated.

What brings me to this concept is a very beautiful book I am reading.Well,not only that.But back to the book! It’s called Blindness, by Jose Saramago. In this book, one person after another is instantaneously afflicted by blindness. The reactions of the people, as well as their domestic partners, the doctors they go to, is really quite amazing. It shows the depth and perception of human beings of all levels, and how their emotions really make an effect on their lives.

By nature and genetics I am a very emotional person. Sometimes I put too much emotion in things, other times I react in a visceral and dry way. It is a very difficult thing to plan your reaction to life events, which should never be attempted ! Yet at the same time, sacrificing too much of your energy and emotion into something really does drain you. It’s fine, normal and perfectly healthy to put your emotions and energies into the necessary things and people, but at the same time, an awareness of that and re evaluation of the way you emotionally live and exist is a very wise thing.

Another topic I’d like to touch upon is self evaluation. We live in a day and age, a society, where it is normal to sacrifice yourself for your career, your family, to attain a certain standard of life, appearance, and many other aspects. You are seemingly expected to be happy with these standards, to not question them, to be grateful for them in fact.

The wisest thing is to evaluate yourself not from the standards that society is pressuring you on, if you can. A gradual attainment of a healthy self image is imperative.It is not only based upon your physical appearance, but also your mental, emotional, essential parts of yourself. These parts are all significant components of your whole self, and it is SO very important not to neglect them.

At times, the hardest things for you may be the easiest things for others. Do not compare yourself with others, because not only do you devalue yourself, but it’s not really about others in the long term.It is totally about yourself, in a healthy and satisfying way. Not only can you learn to make yourself happy, generate self love and fulfillment, but when you exist on a level of true happiness, all the various aspects of your life will come together in the most beautiful harmony and manifestation.

So don’t ever give up…you may be frustrated at times, which is normal, but it is essential in the long term to devote yourself to the most important and relevant goal out there…

your true happiness.

I've Got Sunshine On A Cloudy Day

This year I started realizing how much happiness can affect yourself,your life, everything you do! and also patience with yourself and self love.Those are very vital. Well I'm just reminded of a song from the movie Father of the Bride..

"I've got sunshine on a cloudy day

When it's cold outside, I've got the month of May
I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?

My girl, my girl, my girl
Talkin' 'bout my girl
My girl

I've got so much honey, the bees envy me
I've got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees
Well, I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?

My girl, my girl, my girl
Talkin' 'bout my girl
My girl
Ooh

Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
Yeah

I don't need no money, fortune or fame
I got all the riches baby, one man can claim
Well, I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?

My girl, my girl, my girl
Talkin' 'bout my girl
My girl

I've got sunshine on a cloudy day
With my girl
I've even got the month of may
With my girl

Talkin' 'bout, talkin' 'bout
Talkin' 'bout my girl, my girl
That's all I can talk about
Is my girl"

and now I feel the epitome of those words,except I'm not a girl and not anyone's but myself.And it is just wonderful.

Sunshine Shivers

Somehow I am cold and chilled even though it's sunny outside.So here I am with a tie dyed silk shawl over my shoulders.brrrrrrrrrrrrr. I still have pain sometimes, and I've been missing classes.I don't know when the pain will start, so I've been hiding out a lot.I missed a dear friend's birthday celebration and I really regret it. Due to pain. So I've been trying my best to eliminate any feelings or misconceptions which elicit the pain, or make it stronger.

Ah, a nice breeze.

Just thinking...about my time in NL,to be precise. The first day there, and walking and talking with a very sweet and creative woman. I miss that.My friends are scattered all over, and we are all so busy that we rarely can catch up for as long as we all want.

But hey,at least I've got cats to talk to.painting and editing and writing and creating,not to mention studying, to do.

Ok honestly someone has been getting stoned a few houses away for a long time and the smell is driving me crazy now.I think it's my neighbors' son.....wherever I go,there the smell is.

There were HUGE mosquitoes outside when I doing yoga today. I had to kill one,it gave me numerous bites.Of course I apologized and hoped it would be reincarnated mercifully.

I was feeling so icky yesterday, I actually went and bought a book at a...brace yourselves..Barnes & Noble.UGH.I am still in SHOCK.The only reason I went there was because it was on the way back home, and I didn't feel well enough to trot around to all the cheap used book places.I got a book called:

"Lost History, The Enduring Legacy of Muslim Scientists, Thinkers and Artists."

I was hoping to find something like that a while ago,except by an actual Muslim.Me and my silly ethnicity ideas.I think it's imperative to read about perspectives and experiences from the viewpoint of the person of the actual race/identity.

Well you can't be TOO selective I guess.

the sunshine is calling me...c'mon spf 70. Oh what a beautiful blue sky. Thank you thank you for this life.

Wistful Autumn Thinking

I wish to live in a place where autumn actually occurs someday. Crisp air, cooling temperatures, delicious leaves falling to the ground into large piles which I and children play in. The opportunity to wear sweaters and warm socks, drink tea and cider in front of a fire-oh, autumn sure is romantic to me!

Well I did live on Cape Cod, and in Seattle, but haven't lived in those places for a LONG time. So when I was in WA just over a month and half ago (has it really been only then!?!?!) it was truly exciting to pull on my lovely Norwegian sweater, rusty wool tights, hiking boots, and hat to watch the sunset on the edge of the east side. A mug of roobios tea accompanied me, and the colors on the horizon muted, blended and dimmed in a most unforgettable way.

There's always something I love about rainy,stormy weather as well. A sense of excitement envelopes me, and I rummage for a fleece or sweater to pull on right away. Then out comes a good book, and the cat arrives in no time flat, meowing plaintively as her fur is wet. I rub her off with a towel and tuck her in; you must be extra caring with 19 year old felines.

Anyway, up in WA it was so rainy and cool one day, so of course I went off for one of my three hours tromps. That's the word: tromps. It's a combination of wandering and hiking for me, punctuated with sniffing the air and keeping an eye out for my deer friends. Something about being outdoors when it's rainy, moist and cool, is so exhilarating as well as comforting to me. Everything takes on a seemingly new state, which is really hard to explain. There's stillness, but also there is the moisture that is falling, which gives a softness and a transience to nature.

The times I've gone running in a rainstorm are countless actually. Rarely anyone else ventures out, but I adore running in the rain. It kind of represents something for me, emerging and dissolving into another form. The rain keeps falling but you keep going, your cheeks get red, and pretty soon you are just a very drippy person, with very squeaky shoes! But I've rarely felt so free and so happy as when I've ran in the rain.

You should try it sometime.

Openheartedness

Openheartedness

I find this term very important in life. Functioning with an open heart really does change your whole existence and sphere in which you live. The benefits are endless:

-self loving (only when you love yourself can you truly begin to love others)

-honesty in all areas

-acceptance of the transient conditions of our existence (therefore enjoying and appreciating this life to the fullest)

-truthfulness to your self

-leaping beyond limits toward yourself, because once you set a limit, it can be totally crippling

-healthy goals to attain, which you find yourself accomplishing even without noticing at times

-a wide smile and friendly attitude towards those you interact with

-the feeling of true happiness all the time, no matter where or what you are doing

-total self fulfillment.

So go ahead and try to open your heart…once you do, you’ll never look back!