Keeping it “Light”

I have been recently pondering the bumpy ride on this planet, here in the year 2013. There is a wealth of information scientifically and spiritually, and from many sources…that yes, we are indeed living in unprecedented times.

This planet is being infused with powerful energy from the sun, moon, and stars. “Higher” sources of divine energy have at last been able to “lift the veils” so to speak, from the dense and heavy vibrations that have permeated this world for eons. Why? Because enough of humanity has lifted their consciousness to “realize” that we’re all in this together. That means we are ONE. There is one Life here and we are all connected. As we undergo this planetary shift- all that is fear-based, all powerlessness, etc. is coming up to the surface fast and furious. It feels chaotic. It feels relentless. It can feel like we are living on “Planet Insane”, rather than beautiful Mother Gaia!

What do we do? How do we cope with the everyday “blues”? Sure, there is much “good” happening…But, turn on your television, laptop, phone, radio….and what are the headlines? Food recalls, shootings, auto collisions, disease outbreaks, earthquakes, crime, radiation leaks, sinkholes….bombings……..sigh   :0

No matter what is happening in this world of ours, it is important to work towards maintaining a high vibration!

Sure… it is natural to cry, to get angry, to grieve… It is part of being human. BUT, don’t LIVE in those heavy vibrations. Visit them when you need to…THEN leave. Leave to what will be your life boat and safety net. Holding higher and lighter emotional vibrations close to you = JOY, GRATITUDE, APPRECIATION will be what we reflect, and inspire other people to eventually live in.

Come back to your joy ASAP. It is by enough of humanity “seeing the light” that a shift has begun on this planet. And now, the work is maintaining “lightness,” – to act as beacons so others may choose to match our frequency and resonate with it. That is how the world becomes more peace-full. It is not easy work…but we all have to do it…..  :)

xo L

 

Tree of Life

Here is a photo from the Cherry Blossom tree. They are fully blooming now, and as I shared last week…a reason to celebrate. In Japan the flowering of the cherry blossoms is a powerful reminder for the beauty and fragility of life. The blossoming represents life itself, and then as the petals gently fall and blow with the wind- likened to the transient nature of our own lives.

I saw a quote yesterday…(not sure who it is from) that said: “Age is the amount of time that the earth has enjoyed our presence.” I thought it was a beautiful interpretation for what our culture tends to see as a foreboding consequence to being born. This quote became more profound for me this morning when I learned that a friend of my daughters died last night in an auto collision. (Sadly, my understanding is that the other driver was preoccupied with a cellphone at the time.) Another life has passed that only briefly spent time here.

This made me ponder how amazingly complex life is. It is both unpredictable and mysterious. Everyday in this world can be a roller coaster of emotions. We confront challenges, mixed blessings, and opportunities for how we will respond to all of our experiences.

Recently in the news, two young hikers who were lost for four days in a Southern California forest are found alive….Yet, a rescuer suffered a severe head injury from falling 60 feet…. Who knows how long our lives will be or what challenges we will face in the “future.” It is a mystery that we are not able to fully understand in this physical form. We feel sad, despairing, joyful, angry, confused, glad….sometimes all in one day. (I sometimes think that we need to congratulate ourselves for surviving days here on planet earth. It’s not easy!)

All in all, the metaphor of the cherry blossom tree comes to mind. No matter how the journey unravels…short, long, meandering, straight, bumpy, smooth….in the end we celebrate how we and the earth enjoyed one’s presence.

I’d like to turn those words around a bit to say: Age is the amount of time that one has enjoyed the earth!

May we all grow in “age” enjoying our journey, until it is time for us to be blown to other existences… L

Celebrating life and the cherry blossoms!

 

Eggcellent!

Spring has arrived. I have been ready for warmer weather for weeks. Cherry blossoms are about 80% in bloom here. It is a “cheery” sight outside my window. My neighbor Yoko is Japanese, and tells me that it is a tradition in that culture to celebrate the flowering of the tree. Tomorrow I will gather with her and a few  Japanese friends for tea and dessert.

The Easter holiday is tomorrow too. I painted an egg on paper, rather than dye eggs this year. I have been thinking about what I want to give “birth” to with this new season upon us. I think love, love, and more love. I am nearing the end of a big project, and now make an intention to put more energy into my social life…And let’s see…there are so many other creative ideas I want to gestate too! All in all, I’m looking forward to an excellent Spring!

What new ideas do you have “hatching”?

Happiness always…L

 

Making ART

I have been teaching some of my young students about famous artists the last couple weeks. Henri Matisse was the first artist we explored. I am a big Matisse fan not only because I just love the rich use of color in his paintings, but also his impressive skill in cut paper collage. I read a story to my students that told how Matisse wanted to be in a circus, or a magician, or an actor on stage when he was a young boy. This idea horrified his very practical parents who were shopkeepers. They wanted their son to follow their footsteps, and be assured of a good livelihood.

As the story continues…Matisse made himself sick just thinking about not pursuing his own dreams. He convinced his parents when he was older to let his brother succeed in the family business, he himself consenting to attend law school. But being a lawyer eventually turned his stomach into knots also…for to him it proved to be a dreadfully boring existence. After landing in the hospital for stomach problems, stress, and sadness… he was given a paint-set and some canvas to pass the time. Painting opened up a whole new world filled with excitement and opportunity. All the imaginings inside his head could now dance their way onto the paper!

Matisse was determined to follow his passion for painting, and earn a living from his endeavors. He worked hard through art school, and for many years after exhibited his works gaining respect and admiration. As an ailing bedridden man in his later years, he was no longer able to stand at an easel. His eyes became sensitive to bright colors; but that did not deter him from “painting with a scissors.” He proceeded to cut paper into amazing shapes and created wonderful collages. These pieces are considered his greatest achievements. He snipped and made art til the day he passed. Henri Matisse left behind an immense volume of art pieces that clearly showed someone loved what they spent much time doing…

Henri Matisse HAD to create art. It is what helped to heal him from a “stomach tied in knots.” Georgia O’Keeffe painted happily well into her nineties. Alexander Calder played with wire and created a whimsical traveling circus that amused many people around the globe. These are the three artists my students and I have been looking at thus far. My students then created a piece of art inspired by each artist’s style and life.

I have been thinking how grand it is that these artists followed that inner calling to play; for their passionate play resulted in masterful works of art for all of us to relish.

Is your work PLAY? Are you creating the life that you dreamed as a child? What was it that you always imagined doing? It is so important to listen to your own creative muse as to how to “play out your life.” If you have unfulfilled dreams, think of ways in which you can seek support and take that first step towards a more fulfilling life.

MEANWHILE…remember to take time to just play! It is when we have endorphins humming in our body that we gain valuable insight for ourselves!

Love, L

 

I Can See Clearly Now…

 

 

It is the beginning of February already and I feel like I have finally woken up from a long winter’s slumber. Did that groundhog see his shadow or not? Here in Berkeley, California the weather today feels spring-ish. Hurrah! It has been very cold the last few weeks, having to defrost my windshield in the mornings….A touch of the flu and the icy air had me lumbering about and taking long rests until just recently. Now, there is a “Spring” in my steps! I feel rejuvenated and ready to focus in on the new year -2013. Personally, I have set an intention now to really “check in ” with my body and how I am feeling numerous times throughout the day. My mental activity tends to eagerly push me in many directions. I then neglect hearing that small still voice and my body giving me messages to slow down, eat, or take a walk…

 

 

As we embrace 2013 and beyond, the plan of our new earth is to have its occupants be guided and directed first by our feeling nature. Our heads must take a back seat and be of service to the heart. This brings forth a more compassionate, and loving place to live for all of the planet’s life forms. It is really all about love. Simple, but the truth. It has been said that love is the only true emotion. What does that mean? My understanding tells me that our divine nature is love, and expressing this love is our purpose and ultimate identity. Perhaps everything else is just our ego talking. Our creative nature that lives inside us and the infinite intelligence that is always available to guide will steer us through tumultuous times and challenging situations. We must be still and turn lovingly within to feel and listen…

 

Lately, I have been drawn to images of a river. I have a couple of photos hanging near my desk. In one a raft is carried along by the fast current, and in the other autumn leaves gently flow as the water directs their destination. I was once told by a wise mentor to stop being the conductor and just play the cello. I thought it was funny at the time, but more and more I take those words to heart. There is a great divine conductor who will orchestrate for our highest good. We just need to follow the cues and play our “cellos.” Feel all your feelings. Honor them all and let them direct you on your journey.

Here’s to making beautiful music together in 2013! L

Happy February! L

 

 

 

 

Onward and Upward!

 

Happy New Year!

I have been feeling kind of giddy today. It is the beginning of a New Year and I am SO ready! 2012 was exhausting on many levels for me…. It has been so sweet to rest during the holidays and rejuvenate. Last night I spent some time “releasing” some old patterns of behavior that no longer serve me: like control, and not trusting others, and impulsive tendencies…I want to listen to my intuition more, and follow my heart’s desire full throttle this year… I will be conscious more of my thoughts, deeds, and words. They are all creating my life every moment!

 

AND…I will be MORE gentle with myself! No matter how you are feeling today at the start of this new year…It is OK. If you are not shouting for joy from your roof top, but are in disappointment, or heartache…be gentle and forgiving.

I have a friend who just turned 40, and she celebrated by sharing with me how her life thus far is not what she had hoped. Career not where she wants it, not married, financial woes, etc….”Be gentle with yourself,” I told her. “You have done nothing “wrong.” Everything you did has gotten you to this moment, to glean the wisdom and start the next chapter of your life.”

 

Sounds simplistic. It’s my truth. What do you think? I remember living chapters of my Book of Life that were so harrowing I look back and am amazed how I got through. Determination…yes. Hope…yes. Faith….yes. Courage…of course.

 

Courage = the ability to conquer fear or despair; is a MUST. Dig deep if you are not feeling it at this moment. We all have it. It is sometimes just buried under FEAR.  Grab hold of your COURAGE and start this NEW year making YOUR life more beautiful. We each have a part in making this NEW Earth a peaceful one by first living and anchoring ideals within ourselves. Start NOW, and if you “trip up,” start again. A New world …and a New year depends on YOU!

Follow YOUR heart’s desire…  

Blessings and love to us all in 2013!  L

 

 

 

 

 

The Flying Pancake

It’s the title that I gave to a story I often repeat to an enthusiastic group of enraptured young children who relish my story telling. “And then I lifted it off the plate …and opened the window…” (I ask the kids to pretend they are opening a window with me.)…and I flung that pancake out over the lawn, and watched it sail like a frisbee!” The kids all laugh.

“Now tell us the one about Whitney the cat lost on the mountain,” they plead with their wide-eyed faces. (I am pleased that they are quiet and sitting close around me,) …”Ok,” I reply. “I decided to take a long trip in my car. I packed it with everything I would need…food, pots, sleeping bag, books, clothes, boxes of things big and small…and my kitten, Whitney,” I begin.

I have a collection now of amusing stories that I love to relay aloud. Storytelling is a great way to share our personal journeys and to keep family memories alive. I may sometimes engage my listeners by having them make sound effects, or repeat a phrase that I have woven into the story. Using a “story bag” that has a few related props, is also a wonderful way to add interest and fun. Perhaps one day I will write them down, but what I really enjoy is interacting with my audience.

I look forward to telling the children about my newest “funny” adventure. I will call it, “Something Under My Bed.” Yes, there was an opossum under my bed the other night! It somehow sneaked in through the door, probably lured by the smell of cat food. I got the eager help of two bored police officers who got the critter out about three in the morning. In the end of this story the opossum goes home… and I finally get to sleep. zzzz….

What stories could you share from 2012 that might bring a smile to others?

Looking forward to that new year 2013! L

P.S.    If you subscribe to my post and are not “seeing” the photos…just click on the blank boxes and they will come up. Thank you for reading and subscribing!  :D