And the winner is ...

I was filled with Joy when I opened my email to discover something that made my day, actually, it made my week ~ a Leibster Award.

The Liebster Blog award originated in Germany, “Liebster” meaning favorite or dearest, to showcase bloggers with fewer than 200 followers
. 
The first requirement of receiving this award is to show gratitude to the blogger who nominated you and link back to them.

So, here goes a big thank you to my friend, Noami, who has inspired so many people by sharing her words and beautiful photography.  Her blog, Poetic Aperture, is a about living an authentic and caring life.  Please stop by and visit with her.

After the music cuts off the “Thank you” speech to the Nominator, the second responsibility of the recipient is to copy and past the Liebster Award. 

Next, it’s time to nominate 5 other bloggers (who have less than 200 viewers) to pass this award onto.  This is a tough one, only because there are so many amazing bloggers I know.

The envelope(s), please.

Jenilyn who can warm anyone’s heart with her beautiful energy. She writes at holisticfertilityguide.

Loriportka who shares gratitude, truth, and beautiful art.

Fromchaoscomeshappiness is where Leanne spreads her wings, shares her thoughts and art, and lives her dreams.

Painted Path is real, raw, and inspirational. 

Lisa Dalke’s beautiful art is a reflection of who she is, at the very moment. You can visit her at artingwithlisa 

And, finally, tell your readers ten random facts about you.

Here are a few facts you may not know about me. Or, maybe you do.

I love Chocolate. I could eat it every day.

People who know me think I’m really organized.  It is so untrue.

It takes me a really long time to do most things (especially, making decisions).

 I’ve been writing poetry for as long as I can remember.

I don’t really have a favorite color.  I love most of them.

I am going to publish a book.

I have the most amazing family in the world.

I wish I did not change my major from Psychology to Journalism.  To this day, I wish to be a counselor, social worker, or therapist.  I know I would be a great one!

I am working on letting go of some of my missed opportunities.

I still believe in Magic.

Balance ~~ April OLW Blog Hop

Welcome to the One Little Word Blog Hop where members of Ali Edwards' OLW class share something about their word. On the first of each month, I’ll participate and then give you the link to the next person in line.

My One Little Word for 2012 is BALANCE.  And it's really a big word, with a lot of challenge in it.   

This month I will be focusing on balancing my seven chakras.  When one or more of our chakras fall out of balance, or fails to operate as it is designed to, essential parts of out psychic and spiritual expression become dysfunctional or shut down.

In Sonia Choquette's book, True Balance, she explains, "Our energy system governs our energetic and psychic well-being.  When our seven centers of energy are balanced, we feel feel grounded, emotionally safe, mentally in charge, receptive to love and loving, effective and creative in all forms of our expression, inspired and imaginative, and intimately connected to and guided by the universe."  

When our centers of energy are in alignment, we perform with ease.  Our thoughts, feelings, emotions, goals and values are in balance.

reflection time at  Esalen 

Every day, I am reminded that the need for balance begins in our heart and mind.  The thoughts we think of and the stories we tell shape us and act as weights, allowing us to be in or out of balance.  It is essential to be cognizant that we have the power at any moment, to change or shift any area of our life.  We can create a new or different path so that we can follow our deepest desires.  

What about you? What are your thoughts? What do you do to create balance in your life??   Do share!

Janet is next on out list, you can visit her at 

http://lifeinsideascrapbookroom.blogspot.com

Please visit the participants in the April OLW blog hop. 

Margie       http://xnomads.typepad.com/blog/one-little-word

Monica       http://scrapinspired.com/

Jill            http://jillconyers.com/

Jenn         www.studiojenn.blogspot.com

Kara         http://iwannabemewhenigrowup.blogspot.com

Cheri        http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com

Catherine    http://myview-catherine.blogspot.com

Nikki        www.inkyart.com.au

Cindy        http://www.cynthiacrysdale.com/

Lisa         http://backtoallen.com/category/one-little-word/

Donna        http://holimess.blogspot.com/

Coley        www.coleybelle.blogspot.com

Naomi        http://poeticaperture.com

Stephanie    http://playinghouseinmaryland.blogspot.com

Ruth         http://suburbansahm.blogspot.com

Eydie        www.whatwecreate.net  You care here

Janet        http://lifeinsideascrapbookroom.blogspot.com  Go here next


Orange       http://orangegearle.blogspot.com

Amanda       http://scrappnbee.blogspot.com

Jen          www.jenritchie.com

Melissa S    http://blog.mshanhun.com

Kaylea       www.myscrappylife.com

Missus       http://www.mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.co.uk/

Cindy        http://seriousplay.typepad.com

Beth         www.thesingularlyordinary.blogspot.com 

Tere         http://terecontodomicorazon.blogspot.com/

Kelly        http://mindingmynest.com

Heidi        http://mommy.heidimdavis.com

Source for Chakra chart

Wishcasting Wednesday: What do you wish to rise above?

This week for Wishcrafting Wednesday, the inspiring and creative Jamie Ridler asks:

What do you wish to rise above?

I didn’t really need to give much thought to this question, the answer was clear and appeared quickly.


I wish to rise about self-doubt.

Self doubt is something we all know.  It’s a very common human experience.  It undermines our ability to make decisions, step forward in life, and express our natural talents and gifts.

It usually grows from a troubling and persuasive voice that holds us back.  It can be the voice that lives in our own heads, or the voice of others who hold judgments about us.  Wherever the voice of self-doubt originates, it holds us back from seizing opportunities.  It keeps us from living our authentic life.  It silences our intuitive voice, our knowing voice.
  

Yes, I wish to rise above self-doubt.  I wish to let go of what others think, or more so, what I believe others think about me. Rising about self-doubt  will begin when I can let go of the should haves, could haves, and would haves, when I know, believe, and trust I have made the right choices, said the right words, and have let go of who I believe I am supposed to be. Then, and only then, I’m able to allow myself to step forward in my life, express my natural talents and gifts, and deeply believe I am enough.

It is Wishcasting Wednesday again.  You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. It’s easy. Answer the wish prompt above on your blog and then add a direct link to your post in the box on Jamie Ridler Studios page. Support wishes by visiting other participants, leaving a comment saying “As (insert name) wishes for her/himself, so I wish for her/him also.” It’s that simple. There is great power in wishing together.

Happy BIrthday, Sage

Dear Sage,

Today, you will be wishing on 12 candles,

  plus one for good luck,

and I will be secretly wishing

to turn back time.

Back to the days of lullabies and patty cake,

finger painting and bubble blowing,

curls piled high on your head,

pink, poofy, princess wear

simple days at the park,

and cozy nights in bed.

You still haven’t lost your skip.
 I wonder
when do we?

They all told me,

“don’t blink,”

“time flies,”

“enjoy every minute.”

I didn’t really believe them.

Now, I understand and tell others the same. 

Don’t blink. Time Flies, Enjoy every minute.

I secretly wish I could turn back the clock.  

Back to when life was simple,

when I was more sure,

when decision were easier.

I want to keep you

curious, creative, uninhibited, confident, and kind.

It has always been your light

that warms my heart, allowing it to stay wide open.

Your gentle soul is what has taught me valuable

life lessons.  Knowing how to let go and when to hold on.

The love you share

has shown me
 how to give it back
 without conditions.

And, it’s within your breath I find the stillness

bringing me back to my center.

You’ve always been my little princess,

now you are my amazing rock star.

I am so very proud of you.

So very honored to be your Mom.

Happy Birthday,

Sage

Celebrating my Dad

1990

  Today is my Dad's birthday.

 He would have 77 years old. 

I continue to miss him

 deeply. 

There are so many memories I cherish,

and so much I wish I could have shared with him

 during these past 20 years of my life.

I feel his presence 

watch over me,

 and I know in my heart,

 he has been with me 

during the precious moments

of my life.

photo source

Every year,
on this day,

for the past 20 years,

I write love notes

 on a big, bright, balloon.

I hug it,

let it go,

 sending it off with lots of love

 as I watch it fade and disappear

into to the vastness above.

It continues to heal my heart.

My Daughter shares this ritual

of sending love up to the heavens

to her Papa.

It deeply heals my heart.

Today,

I celebrate my Dad.

Tomorrow, 

I will celebrate my daughter's

 12th birthday.

It will be a day of pure 

JOY.

Note: My daughter started her birthing journey on my Dad's birth day, 12 years ago, today. She shares her birthday tomorrow with my grandmother (Dad's Mom) who is also gone.  The connection of their birthdays fills my heart with JOY. 

Say “YES" to yourself

Poster from Patti Digh’s recent Newsletter

Patti Digh, amazing author and speaker, recently asked in her latest newsletter, “why is it so much easier to say yes to other people than to ourselves?"  Next, she grants us permission to skip over the why, and to proceed directly to the "practice of saying yes to ourselves”. 

Years ago, I engaged in a workshop about self empowerment which initiated a life changing awareness for me when I heard a statement that went something like this;  If you can't say “no", than you really don't know how to say "yes".  That statement made such a huge impression on me and continues to remind me of the importance of being  grounded in my power, allowing me to know how to really say “YES”.  More imporantly, it has taught me how to say “no” without having to make excuses or feel I have to explain myself. 

I was at a women's gathering recently where the speaker's message was, "No more excuses",  I loved how she gave examples on how we can graciously say “no" to others, and “yes" to ourselves.  A few of her examples went something like this:

I am so honored that you have thought of me to volunteer my time to offer workshops for your organization, however, I am not available to help.  Your organization has such a great following, I’m sure you will find someone who is available to volunteer.

Thank you for thinking of me to help stuff 1000 envelopes for your next charity drive, unfortunately, my schedule is full at this time,  I know your organization does amazing things for so many people, and I am sure you will find someone else who is available to help.

So, you see the speaker’s formula.  Express appreciation.  Say no.  Conclude with a positive statement.   It’s that easy.

I can still remember the excitement bubbling up in my body when the speaker offered that formula.  It felt so freeing, so empowering.  I was actually looking forward to my next opportunity to design my own amazing sentence that would set me free and allow me to be loyal to myself.

Oh, it feels to good to genuinely say "NO" without feeling the need to make excuses.  It opens space for us, without room for guilt.   

Patti invites us to say, “yes" to ourselves for 37 days.  “ See what if feels like to honor yourself, your energy, your need for space and quiet, and whatever you long for.  Practice saying "no" without apology in order to say "yes" with great enthusiasm to yourself." 

What are you going to create for yourself today, by saying, "yes" to you?

Read more about Patti Digh and why she chose 37 days.

obsession

photo source

I crave you

I obsess you

I consume you

each mouthful gets me high

only to be let down

wanting more of you
never getting enough

I am so deeply dependent

not knowing moderation

or how to set boundaries

and each time I let you go

and purge you from my body

I shake
as my world spins

eventually

I withdrawal and lose myself

as you are slowly release from my body

 I always come back for more

craving you 

to lift me

energize me

satisfy me

and fill me up

but instead

you pound 
unwanted weight 

onto my love handles

as you leave me

singing the sugar blues

The Gift of Time

Time is the most undefinable yet paradoxical of things; the past is gone, the future is not come, and the present becomes the past even while we attempt to define it, and, like the flash of lightning, at once exists and expires.  ~Charles Caleb Colton

Sunrise at Esalen

I thought it was the rain that woke me at 4:30 this morning, then I realized, it was actually the thoughts that were pounding in my head.  Sometimes, they  move in like little pitter patters, yet this morning, they were as loud as the rumble and grumble of a thunderstorm.  

These thoughts usually have the same theme.  

They're mostly about Time. 

About not having enough of it.  

Not enough time to get everything organized, repaired, and beautified in my home.  

Not enough time to actually make those healthy recipes I've clipped and filed.  

Not enough time to do all the things (and, there are so many) I want to do with my daughter before her childhood abruptly slips away from me.  And, it really is, slipping away.

Not enough time to brush the dog's teeth, comb out her knots, take her for daily walks.  

Not enough time to show (really show) my husband how important he is to me, and how much I love him.  

Not enough time to drink 8 full glasses of water each day (and all of the other things I should be doing to take care of myself).  

Not enough time to blog every day like so many of my creative and inspiring friends do (yes, you know who you are).  

Not enough time to compose handwritten letters and mail them.  

Not enough time to really put the energy into developing my creative biz.  

Not enough time to comment on all the blogs I read and love (I hope you know how often I visit).  

Not enough time to hang out with friends (I really do miss you). 

Not enough time for me (I really miss me). 

Not enough time to just be. 

There simply is not enough time. 

So often, I hear myself say, (and I know you do, too) "If only I had more time".  More time to do all the things we so desire to do.  So, how and where do we find the time?

Today is the day. 

This is the year of "the Leap Year”.  

It only comes around once every four years, 

and today is the day to relish in the gift 

of an additional 24 hours. 

Here are the facts.  Leap Years are needed to keep our calendar in alignment with the Earth's revolutions around the sun. It takes the Earth approximately 365.242199 days – or 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds (a tropical year) – to circle once around the Sun. So if we didn't add a day on February 29 nearly every 4 years, we would lose almost six hours off our calendar every year. After only 100 years, our calendar would be off by approximately 24 days!

We have been gifted with 366 days this year.  

A whole extra day, filled with 24 hours.

And that day, is today.  

February 29.

image found here

What are you going to do to make the most of your extra day?  Are you going to make time for more self care?  Will you catch up on those things that have been calling out for your attention? Are you going to choose to “just be?”   

Whatever you choose to do today,

 I hope you enjoy every single one of your 1,440 extra minutes.