Today's Inspiration: Feelings Are Facts

A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture, and transform. A woman knows that nothing can come to fruition without light. Let us call upon woman's voice and woman's heart to guide us in this age of planetary transformation.
-Diane Mariechild

From "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom," by Christiane Northrup, M.D. :

Health practitioners and women alike view even normal bodily functions such as menstruation, menopause, and childbirth as medical conditions requiring treatment. The attitude that our bodies are accidents waiting to happen seems to get internalized at a young age and sets the stage for women's future relationships with their bodies. Given what we are taught, it is no wonder that most of us feel ill prepared to deal with and trust ourselves. Our bodies have been "medicalized" since before we were born!

Our culture fears all natural processes: birthing, dying, healing, living. Daily, we are taught to be afraid. When my older daughter was seven, she was out with her father chopping down some brush in our backyard. Suddenly she started to cry and came running into the house with a bleeding finger. She had cut herself on a blade of grass. As I calmly held her finger under some cold water and saw that it was only a tiny cut, she looked up at me and uttered what I consider a major healing principle: "It didn't hurt until I got scared."

My father used to say, "Feelings are facts. Pay attention to them." Yet in my scientific training I quickly learned that feelings, intuition, spirituality, and all experiences of life that cannot be explained by the logical, rational parts of our minds or measured by our five senses are ignored or discounted. The addictive system fears emotional responses and highly values the control of emotions because it is so out of touch with them. Female bodies, long associated with cycles and subject to the ebb and flow of natural rhythms, are seen as especially emotional and in need of management. Our entire society functions in ways that keep us out of touch with what we know and feel.

Solitude

After the whirlwind birthday week, I'm finding myself craving some alone time, but not too much...I still want to socialize with friends & family but also need some space, some quiet moments to sit and reflect. As I wrote before, my life has changed so much in the past year, I just need to digest it all and figure out where, if anywhere, to go from here.

So forgive me if I don't post quite as often, I'll be sure to share my discoveries as they are revealed to me, however mundane they might be. *grin*

Today's Inspiration: Meadowbrook Nursing Home

In honor of Beren's Grandma, Jennie:
Dec. 9, 1913 - Aug. 18, 2007

Meadowbrook Nursing Home

by Alice N. Persons, from Don't Be A Stranger.

On our last visit, when Lucy was fifteen
And getting creaky herself,
One of the nurses said to me,
"Why don't you take the cat to Mrs. Harris' room
— poor thing lost her leg to diabetes last fall —
she's ninety, and blind, and no one comes to see her."

The door was open. I asked the tiny woman in the bed
if she would like me to bring Lucy in, and she turned her head
toward us. "Oh, yes, I want to touch her."

"I had a cat called Lily — she was so pretty, all white.
She was with me for twenty years, after my husband died too.
She slept with me every night — I loved her very much.
It's hard, in here, since I can't get around."

Lucy was settling in on the bed.
"You won't believe it, but I used to love to dance.
I was a fool for it! I even won contests.
I wish I had danced more.
It's funny, what you miss when everything.....is gone."
This last was a murmur. She'd fallen asleep.

I lifted the cat
from the bed, tiptoed out, and drove home.
I tried to do some desk work
but couldn't focus.

I went downstairs, pulled the shades,
put on Tina Turner
and cranked it up loud
and I danced.
I danced.

My Daughter the Mermaid

Happiness Is...

*watching my daughter turn into a mermaid before my very eyes! I can't believe that sneaky Marina was able to keep a big ol' secret from me, not to mention how conniving my Mom aka the Mermaid seamstress had to be! *shaking head* It's rare that someone's able to surprise me, I am admittedly a nosy Leo and can usually figure out when somethings going on that I should know about. Kudos to you guys, you certainly pulled a fast one on me!
In addition to complete surprise, I was completely overcome by other emotions..just absolutely bowled over that my daughter would do something so amazing for me! Kali, you are one amazing young woman, I am honored to be your Mom.

*being surrounded by family, new friends and old, having so many of the people I love around me...what a wonderful night!

*a surprise appearance by a hysterical and absolutely adorable Pirate Captain!

*staying the night in a lovely hotel, just steps away from the ocean.

*nursing a hangover in a cool dark Irish pub, followed by a fabulous family dinner at a very old Florida-style steak house. Love the piano player!

*exploring a historic monument, being overwhelmed by beauty in art, architecture, and horticulture. Bonnet House is absolutely breathtaking!

*a final lunch with my family before they boarded the plane back home, consoling ourselves with a beer and a little cigar at a cool new-to-us pirate bar.

*crawling into bed last night, completely exhausted but with a big smile on my face, feeling terribly blessed and completely loved. My 44th year is off to a helluva good start!

Today's Inspiration: Shakti

From the Daily Om: Divine Feminine Force
Shakti

The divine feminine goes by many names in many spiritual traditions, but at the heart of nearly all of these, Shakti can found. Hinduism specifically recognized the dynamic and potent feminine power that exists in all beings and deified it in the form of a goddess. Shakti, however, is not merely a single deity, playing a single role in the lives of humankind. Rather, she represents the fundamental creative force that is the root of all creation in the universe. In art, Shakti has taken on the outward appearance of many goddesses, but her anthropomorphized form is far less significant than the essential form she takes within each of us. Shakti's presence in our lives can be experienced in a deep and personal way, but we must first reach out to her so that we can draw upon the vital animating energy that is her gift to us.

There is no one motive that drives all beings to expend effort in the act of creation, which is precisely why Shakti can be the embodiment of power that is both constructive and destructive. Giving substance to inspiration helps to restore balance—sometimes by breaking matter or ideas down into their base components and sometimes by building them up into an object never before seen in the world. Shakti energy is intense yet multifaceted. It is simultaneously subtly illuminating and darkly fierce. There is a temptation among those touching the Shakti within themselves to ignore those elements of this powerful force that do not suit them. But to disregard this energy is to reject the fact that the elements of existence that are the most transformative and life-affirming are often those that are intensely challenging. If our aim is to become consciously balanced, we must accept the Shakti within as a unified whole rather than an amalgamation of isolated qualities.

You have likely felt Shakti's touch in your soul, even if you could not give the resultant feeling a name. When the goddess turns her gaze toward you, she recognizes the potential you embody, and her gift to you is the inspiration that allows you to realize that potential. Shakti exists in all thought, feeling, and matter, which means that you need only act upon your creative impulses to connect with the feminine power that has been a part of you since the universe's conception.

Why is it That...

..in the midst of all the wonderful things happening in my life, so many of my friends joining me tomorrow night to celebrate my birthday, I am focused on the couple of folks who aren't going to be there? Why is it that people who barely know me are going out of their way to attend, family is flying in from out of town, yet my oldest friend(s) aren't able to make the time? I know, we don't always see each other, that people drift, but what better occasion to reconnect? So many people have been there for me through the really hard times, have held me close while I sobbed and life around me completely fell apart, and I know that those same women would be there should I need them again, but what about the happy times? I want them to join me now in celebrating the many fabulous things that are happening, how far I've come, how much I've grown! I want them to lift their glasses in toast, hold my hands & heart and rejoice with me that so much sadness has past, that this is truly a New Year, a fresh step in a positive direction! Is that really too much to ask?

I'm sure I'll get over it but it certainly does make me take stock of my relationships. Perhaps that's another thing I need to change for this "new year." Note to self: Focus on the people who are there for you, and be willing to gently let the rest go. Not forever, perhaps, but for the time being. I need to surround myself with those who are there for me, good times as well as bad.



P.S. My wonderful friend Susan/Benzaiten posted this on her blog, in honor of me, and of herself, both of us Leos. It seems rather timely and perhaps can explain a bit of the above.

Thank you, Benzaiten, for validating my feelings and understanding my sensitive Leo ways as you always do. xoxoxo

"Loyal, and sometimes rather traditional, Leos are, after all, a fixed sign. They'll hold on to situations and people for a very long time before they give up. There is an unmistakable idealism to Leo's view of the world and the people in it. Often, Leos have a very noble inner code that they answer to. Although on the surface, Leos appear rather confident, they can actually be some of the most humble souls around. They are the first to blame themselves when something goes wrong. Once again, it's the Leonine self-importance at work, and this characteristic works in unexpected ways. Instead of being the conceited, self-absorbed show-offs of reputation, they are usually very self-aware, self-conscious, and, yes, even humble."

On My Hearth: Caribbean Style Black Beans

I'm going to make this simple little recipe tonight, appeals to my constant craving for heat & spice! I'll serve it over brown rice with a huge salad on the side, dessert will be cool melon wedges. Perhaps a bit of Cuban coffee as well?



Caribbean Style Black Beans

Serves: 4
Serving Size: approximately 1/3 cup each

Cilantro, green pepper, onion, and garlic give this bean dish a spicy kick. Recipe courtesy of the National Turkey Federation.

INGREDIENTS
1 can (16 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup tomato juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon green pepper flakes
1 tablespoon dried minced onion
1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic

DIRECTIONS
1. In small saucepan over medium heat, combine beans, tomato juice, cilantro, green pepper flakes, onion and garlic.
2. Cook 10 minutes or until heated throughout.

NUTRITION INFO
Calories: 79
Fat: 0.4 g
Carbohydrates: 16 g
Protein: 5 g

Why I Have a Crush on You, UPS Man

I read this on the Writers Almanac this morning and just had to giggle. How many of us have a tiny crush on our UPS man? Several years ago I had one who wasn't particularly attractive but he was so sweet to me, always taking a few minutes to stop and chat. It was during the holiday season and I did lots of online ordering so he was at my house every day or so, allowing lots of opportunity for quick yet flirty banter. For some reason he got transferred to another neighborhood and I never saw him again. However, one day he showed up when I wasn't home, my then-husband answered the door. He said that Mr UPS was making all kinds of excuses for being there, asking to use the phone, etc. when T knew full well that he just wanted to see me. *wink* Wonder where he is now?


"Why I Have A Crush On You, UPS Man"

you bring me all the things I order
are never in a bad mood
always have a jaunty wave as you drive away
look good in your brown shorts
we have an ideal uncomplicated relationship
you're like a cute boyfriend with great legs
who always brings the perfect present
(why, it's just what I've always wanted!)
and then is considerate enough to go away
oh, UPS Man, let's hop in your clean brown truck and elope !
ditch your job, I'll ditch mine
let's hit the road for Brownsville
and tempt each other
with all the luscious brown foods —
roast beef, dark chocolate,
brownies, Guinness, homemade pumpernickel, molasses cookies
I'll make you my mama's bourbon pecan pie
we'll give all the packages to kind looking strangers
live in a cozy wood cabin
with a brown dog or two
and a black and brown tabby
I'm serious, UPS Man. Let's do it.
Where do I sign?

by Alice N. Persons, from Don't Be A Stranger.

Daily Inspiration: Birthday Horoscope

If Today is Your Birthday
Forecast for 2007-2008

Born August 20

There is nothing light or superficial about your life this year. Getting your finances and your love life in order plays a big role. You are set to make important changes to the way you live your life and express yourself, and you are likely to feel quite invigorated as a result. This is an excellent year in which to make big improvements to your life. You have the determination and energy to do so!