The Wild Pomegranate

I woke up early this morning, after getting a good’s night rest.  It was a really busy and productive week, and I look forward to moving at a much slower pace today.  Photo shoots, car accidents (my son), industry lunches, strategy meetings, dinner with friends….If I were to pick one phrase that would sum up my life, it would be this:  “A body in motion tends to stay in motion.  A body at rest lays there for awhile, recuperating.”

Spring is here.  I feel it in the air and see it in my container garden on the patio.  This season runs neck ‘n neck with Fall as being my favorite.  Everything is so green and colorful! So full of life, and so full of promise.  Of course, seeing as I was born in Spring, maybe I’m playing favorites.  But I’m a huge believer in  ”New Beginnings” and “Do  Overs” and “Resurrected Life”…. whether it’s a Phoenix, a Christ, or simply a human heart that has healed from some pain or disappointment.

One of the things I find myself doing in my spare time these days - and with real pleasure - is cleaning out the ’stuff’ that seems to accumulate slowly but surely over the course of the year.  Just this morning, while sipping a cup of coffee and listing to the tweeties greet the sunrise, I did my makeup drawer (ok…am I the only one who has eyeshadows and lipsticks that seem to multiply all on their own??), I did my bill drawer and briefcase, and I just finished taking out two huge bag of clothes from the closet.   Call me Martha, but I just love (LOVE) the feeling of orderliness and freshness that comes with Spring Cleaning.  Out with the old that no longer fits, works or is required - and in with the new SPACE that is created.  Soon I’ll have a yard sale or drop some things off at the GoodWill.  Either/Or - it’s just an awesome feeling.  Maybe I feel more in control.  Or maybe I feel more gratitude for having “stuff” to actually clean out and give away.  Maybe it’s pride in keeping things neat and attractive.  Whatever this Spring Cleaning Feeling is - I love it.

But it’s not just my closets and drawers that are getting a good working over these days.  I’ve been opening the windows of my heart, too, and getting in there in some of those dark corners that can get furry from neglect - looking to see if there is any unforgiveness or worry or resentment I need to sweep away.  I’ve been propping up my own progress, even though sometimes that looks like two steps forward, one step back.  I’ve been tending to my meditations and breathings with more mindfulness.  And suddenly, after months of overwork, The Monkey is more silent.  My heart feels wide open and renewed.  The tension is gone from my neck and shoulders, and I am starting each day with quiet gratitude, and prayers of surrender and release.  And I’m seeing new opportunities, renewed hope, and fresh faith breaking through - and I’m so thankful.

Spring is here.   However you choose to spend this weekend - whether it’s with Vernal Equinox activities, Easter Sunday church with family, (both of which I’m going to attempt), or some other sacred celebration, my hope is that you will experience great Joy and Renewal.

…..and you may have noticed the name change here.   Why? Because I’m missing my original blog, so that’s where I’ll be writing again :)    You can find it here:  The Wild Pomegranate. 

Just today,  more Chinese soldiers have been deployed! We’ve GOT to raise our voices in solidarity with the people of Tibet!

PLEASE READ AND SIGN THE PETITION!  Thank you!

From the AVAAZ website:

“After decades of repression, Tibetans are crying out to the world for change. China’s leaders are right now making a crucial choice between escalating brutality or dialogue that could determine the future of Tibet, and China.We can affect this historic choice — China does care about its international reputation. But it will take an avalanche of global people power to get the government’s attention. The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has called for restraint and dialogue: he needs the world’s people to support him. Fill out the form below to sign the petition–and spread the word.

And read the Dalai Interview with Newsweek here:

Frozen in Grand Central Station

This is a prank on a “grand” scale.  Over 200 people gathered at Grand Central Station in New York to pull off a ‘frozen in place’ act.  The onlooking travelers who weren’t part of the act were mystified as to what was going on.

Wish I were there….

Tomorrow marks the 5th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.  What has been accomplished?  What has been destroyed?  What has been lost?

Nearly 4,000 US Dead and 30,000 wounded.

Between 100,000 and 1,000,000 Iraqi Dead and 4,000,000 displaced.

Almost $1,000,000,000,000.00 spent

ZERO reasons to be there.

Please join fellow peace activists tomorrow at an event near you.  Visit website 5 Years Too Many for a list of events. 

And for more information, listen to WinterSoldier testimony at Iraq Veterans Against the War

BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW!

Peace Out

THE WORLD ‘S SHORTEST FAIRY TALE

Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl, “Will you marry me?”

The girl said: No.

And the girl lived happily ever-after and went shopping, dancing, camping, drank martinis, always had a clean house, never had to cook, did whatever she wanted, never argued, didn’t get fat, traveled more, had many lovers, didn’t save money, and had all the hot water to herself. She went to the theater, never watched sports, never wore friggin’ lacy lingerie that went up her ass, had high self esteem, never cried or yelled, felt and looked fabulous in sweat pants and was pleasant all the time.

The End

(….this was sent to me today by my very dear and long-time friend, Toni. Thanks, Girlfriend! And I believe that noise you’re hearing is the creaking and snapping of vertabrae, from all the nodding going on….)

The beautiful and talented Surface Earth tagged me for a meme…one which she created herself (and which I LOVE).  Since I needed something light to write about today, her timing was impeccable!  So…here we go!

A. List 5-10 things of commanility that you have in common with the human race and/or nature.

B. List 5-10 things that you may have in common with the human race and/or nature.

—————————————————————————————-

Things I have in common with Nature:

1.  We both have a high Water content, and we’re both salty…in fact, I am a Mineral Girl living in a Mineral World.

2.  We both ebb and flow, with the moon phases.  I feel it’s pull on my center of gravity.. on my moods…on my womans body. 

3.  We are both “Seasonal”.  I am currently in what would be “Fall”.  My favorite time of year, fortunately! lol

4. We constantly birth new life and death…creating & destroying

5.  We make noise.

6.  We contain a life force that animates us

7.  We are created objects, coming from the same Source

8.  We are spinning in space

9.  We are constantly in motion, somewhere in our bodies

10. We have both light sides and shadow sides

Things I may have in common with other Humans:

1.  A desire to leave some sort of positive ‘mark’ on the world before I leave

2.  A love of gazing into the fire, or up at the stars

3.  A passion for happy endings

4.  The need to be understood. 

5.  The need for loving touch

6.  The urge to dance

7.  A love for chocolate (hehe)

8.  A mind that wants to understand how my universe works.

9.  A sense of there being Something Greater than myself - A Divine Mystery - which oversees everything

10. A desire to CONNECT with others

EDIT!!!  Oh gosh…I forgot to TAG people for this meme!  Hope it’s not too late!  So, I tag

Hawk

Gypsy-Heart

Annie

CordieB

Enreal

and EVERYONE else who wants to play along!! :)

“And they did not live happily ever.  The End.”

Every ending is the Seed of a New Beginning.   Everytime we let go of one thing, our hearts and hands are free to receive something else.  And sometimes, we just have to reach a point where we can accept that some things are just not meant to be.  Our lives are a beautiful tapestry of freewill and destiny.  It’s up to us to learn which is which.

I read a very wise bit of counsel many years ago, from one of my favorite teacers, Caroline Myss.  It goes like this:  

When you push three times and nothing happens, don’t push the fourth time.

I’m done pushing.

It’s time to let go again, and get back into flow…..

Week one back in Blogville. I’m still playing catch-up after taking a hiatus, wandering through my blogroll and then some. I’ve noticed that many of the writers that I used to visit regularly (mostly women) are either not blogging much, or not at all any more.  Some have written apologies of sorts, or provided good excuses for not writing.  And some have simply fallen off the Blogdar completely, without another word.

It’s these folks that I can’t help but wonder about the most.  Did they just get tired of it all and move on?  Did they lose their jobs…their incomes…their IP connections?  Were they suddenly transported off the Earth by friendly ETs or have a sudden urge for an African safari they decided to make permanent?  Are they still alive and well, or did some event come upon them unawares….a car accident, maybe, or an aneurysm?

Guess I wasn’t the only one who felt a need to step back, regroup, and pursue Life Beyond The Blog.   And here’s something else I’ve noticed about those that are MIA….

They are all, in my estimation, amazing and strong women.

I became a Curves member back in January, although I can’t remember exactly what triggered it - other than quiet desperation.  Having recovered from a pinched nerve, I found I was carrying around some extra baggage.  And there was something about seeing certain body parts appearing wider and lower in the mirror that grabbed my attention by the throat.  Exercise has been a part of my regular routine for most all of my adult life.  I’ve aerobicized, jogged, stepped, yogaed and walked so many miles that the soles of my Nikes are thin.  But one thing I’ve never done is weight and resistance training.  In fact, I always cut a wide swath around the machines at the gym on my way to a class.  They looked too much like “work” to me - and if it wasn’t fun, I wasn’t going to do it.

But with the New Year and all, I really needed a change in my routine and *POOF*, suddenly I saw the Curves location just at the bottom of the hill and decided to give it a go.  And - 6 weeks into it - I can honestly say I’m not only have fun, but it’s working, too! The ironic part is that, while I’ve actually gain a few pounds, I’ve lost inches.  I would say upwards of 5 inches so far …2 around the waist, a few more around the hips and arms.  My coaches tell me not to worry, that I’m building muscle and burning fat.  Since muscle takes up less space, I appear to be losing weight - even if the scale isn’t cooperating.

How is it done?  Specialized Circuit training…in 30 second intervals…. in order to target specific muscle groups and give them what they need to grow strong and lean:  Resistance.

Which brings me back to my quiet Blogging friends - the Strong Women.  Each one of these wonderful gals, to my knowledge, had some sort of “resistant” circumstance that she was facing in her life.  It might have been a kid issue, a relationship challenge, a health crises or a creative block.  Whatever the case, these women were taking their stand against the waves of adversity crashing against their lives with a rebel yell!, “I’m Not Taking It Anymore!”  Each of them - intelligent, passionate, fearless - was sizing up her opponent and had determined to overcome it - no matter the price.   No matter what it took or how long it took.  They knew in their heart-of-hearts that there was Something More for them.  Something that called to them in the moon-lit nights and the rising sun.  Something that said, “You Can Do It”.

….. And I hope that they will come back, if they haven’t already, and share their stories with us.  We could use some stories of hope, courage, and triumph of the heart

We need these strong women.

News Flash: Occasionally, happiness freaks me out.

As in F-R-E-A-K-E-D out.

Don’t get me wrong. I luxuriate in being happy.  I get absolutely giddy over those sorts of days when you get the very best parking spot, your favorite mascara is on sale, and your boyfriend text messages you “I love you!” just “because”.  I get seriously silly and downright dorky when I get happy.  I mean, just try to keep me from singing “Fergalicious” like I was 20Something. Yeah, and I bust a move while I’m doing it, too.

For weeks and weeks now, I’ve felt a little like a 5 year old all dressed up in Mom’s high-heels and pearls -with Carte Blanche to go anywhere my imagination can take me!  All I have to do is decide on What it is that I want!

Most everyone who knows me, knows I’m a firm believer that we are all born with the capacity to experience amazing amounts of bliss, contentment and Dreams Coming True.  Like a perpetual Good Hair Day, Life is about experiening radical Joy - the joy that we can create for ourselves, right there with the Amazing Graces that the Universe loves to dump into our laps for no other reason that We Are Here.

So why-oh-why have my good times been ambushed by buzz-kill thoughts like:

…”Is this too good to be true?”
…”Is this going to last…?”
…”Am I going to die soon?” (Really! You’d be surprised at how many times I’ve thought that one lately -as if the Gods were throwing me a Bon Voyage Party for a trip I don’t know I’m taking, replete with all of the presents, friends and yummy libations!)

Here I am asking myself, “What is UP with the weird doomsday thoughts lately? Where did they come?  What causes these dorky, stupid illusions that somehow I can be separated from the GOOD in life, so that it can come and go like a fickle lover? 

I thought I had this one down, you know? After all, I’ve been practicing affirmations and positive thinking for decades now, more or less, and I know (or think I know) for certain that every thought and every action COUNTS.  It seems like I’ve been watching my thoughts forever, trying to make sure that I’m thinking about what I want, and focusing on a positive outcome, etc.

So why now, when Love has been renovating my life like a scene from “Flip This House”, would I struggle with these unwanted thoughts?  When I ‘think’ about it, it doesn’t make logical sense!  My life is incredibly wonderful and I’m loving it!  However, when these ‘thoughts’ float up into my awareness from somewhere deep insidde of me, I feel something different.  I feel fear!

Is it possible that the thoughts of my mind and the thoughts of my heart are NOT the same thing?   Can they be at odds with each other, arm wrestling for the dominant position in my experiences? Do they have to be treated differently…possibly even seperately?  Mentally I can assent all day long to the idea that Life is Meant to be enjoyed 24/7.

But my heart…does it have a mind of it’s own?

And why would it be afraid?

Somewhere out there, the God’s are giggling and winking and jabbing each other in the ribs as They look down on my life these days.   Seriously! Even I’m laughing and shaking my head  now that I understand what They’ve been up to in these last few months.  Silly Gods.  Silly Universe who likes to answer our questions and quests for spiritual growth in the most shockingly unexpected ways!So what is it that’s happening in my life that has inspired me back into Blogland? 

Ohhhhh, this is rich. This is juicy.  This is the sort of Cosmic Banana Peel tossed onto the Road of Life that (honestly) I just love- , even though I know in the deepest parts of me - that if I’m not careful, I could end up flat on the butt of my enlightenment with the bejesuz knocked out of me.

See, I have been given the most amazing opportunity - I get to live an almost exact life scenario I was in about 3 years ago only this time, I’m living it from my partner’s perspective. Yep, it’s like we took each other by the hand and stepped through the Looking Glass into Wonderland where - SURPRISE! - I am now ‘him’ and he is now ‘me’ and all of a sudden we’re looking at each other going, “Holy crap!  NOW I get it!  NOW I get what you were going through..how you were feeling and what it was you were trying to say….I’m totally getting what challenges this presented to you and us.  Now I understand….”

Hummm….more and more I wonder if the “purpose” of life isn’t to be given as many opportunities as we will open up to, for living life from every conceiveable (and yet-to-be-convieved) perspective.  I wonder if life isn’t about the God Inside desiring to experience physical existance from a leading edge experience born of our own spiritual creative chaos.

Maybe the purpose of life is to walk a mile or 10,000 in the shoes of another, in order to learn empathy through experience….. acceptance through understanding.

Mercy through forgiveness.  Of self and others.

Maybe the purpose of relationship, afterall, is to have the best Laboratory for conjuring up the prime conditions necessary for working through all the ‘conditions’…and there are a bazillion differing possibilities….in order to get to Unconditional Love.

Suddenly I find myself inspired.

Suddenly I find so much that I want to say.

Suddenly, all the words are back.