Entry #22 I'll Have A Glass of Bright Orange Flowers Please, Block Island's Hopeful Universe and My Impatient Ways

Dear All:
Sur le bateau, je vous dis. Ca c'est formidable! On the boat, I have to say, it is wonderful! When Brady was just born, my mother's dear friend Anne Thompson sent us a note that read, "Brady, Bon voyage on the wonderful sea of life!"  Is that so true and dear as can be?


The sunshine is sort of dictating our days at the moment, yahoo! The walls of the boat splash continually all day and the sun's rise peaks through our port holes with no shade in sight just at the break of well--morning. The wooden cabinetry has gone from shiny/plastic beige to a deep sunset wooded tan of a color with shiny bright gold jeweled knobs. Hey KK, how long you been on that boat girl? yahoo! Thursday's (7/15) full moon (plus/minus the consecutive days) was as exciting and dramatic as promised. The full moon's shine made that evening's sky appear as light as the afternoon, only it was midnight!

Flowers are absolutely heaven on earth right? I had the pleasure of gathering two wonderful bouquets from the Sunday Farmers Market in Block Island. The fairy like snap dragons, the yellow summer rose buds and the sophisticated Dahlia's regal position in the flower world are making some wildly pretty bouquets at the moment.  These bouquets are decorating every house, every building, every marina and restaurant in the area - what about the gigantic garden going on at the restaurant, Harvest? I will have me a large glass of bright orange flowers today, thank you!


Les Tweets

1. I'll have a large glass of bright orange flowers please!
2. All I know is that I am going with the Flowers
3. "Live by the sun, love by the moon"--unknown
4. "Full moons have a tendency to exaggerate things."-Sally Brompton Astrology

As the summer vacation delights us, there is a profound sense of hope for our local environment. Block Island's success in preserving its natural resources and ecosystem have seemed to create a sound balance to its existence. Balance? Love it! But the hope that we observed changes every thing about every day, particularly on Block Island, what an exciting and environmentally savvy location!


"Block Island is a natural treasure formed by glaciers nearly 10,000 years ago, it is is made up a diverse array of geographical features and habitats such as beaches, sand dunes, coastal bluffs, moraines grasslands (never seen/heard of that word in my life) maritime scrub land, salt ponds, hold ponds, and various other freshwater wetland ecosystems."" The Nature Conservancy currently owns a substantial amount of Block Island's natural resources. Yahoo for the environmentalists on this one! Its no wonder that the nature Conservancy has designated Block Island "one of the 12 last great places in the Western Hemisphere."


The Nature Conservancy mission statement is: " Protecting, preserving life. You depend on nature--we're here to save it. We're working with you to make a positive impact around the world in more than 30 countries, all 50 US states and your backyard." "We're using a broader vision to take a deeper look."--www.nature.org.


Living by way of the sea on a boat is an adventure like no other, and Brady is one scooter of a toddler, oh dear! He is splishing and splashing all over Montauk Lake and having the best time ever! When I am thanking god for everything while worshipping the flowers, the moon and the stars, I still find ways to act out when I am impatient.


My impatience is very present in my life (I can blame it on Brady, but it is a bunch of self serving crap on my part) and it really is time to let it go - as soon as possible. Yikes. What a relief that is -- To Get Over Myself!

Les Twitter

My impatience is unproductive.

Impatience can be very brutal because we do not take responsibility since it is the circumstances that are causing this. Or is it our choices & actions that have become the circumstance? Impatience is one of the easiest character defects to let slip by.  It is a bit of a phantom when you think about it. I display lovely fits of infantile behavior when things are not as quick & nimble as I want. Being impatient is the route of all of our conflicts right? That is an easy one to pass along on someone else, but again, it is our silly bullshit that gets us there in the first place. Oh to the poor lambs who cannot control themselves, starting with me, Get Over It.


When I become impatient

1. I become angry at others (but it is my fault)
2. I react
3. I am critical and judging of those not doing what I need them to do
4. I yell (which is indulgent) 
5. I look irresponsible 
6. I shut off (cause only wrapped in my own agenda)
7. I act like an ego freak
8. I lack all control
9. I feel guilty so why do it in the first place?
10. I am just realizing the frequency of my impatience? That is the scary part.

So how about we toast this large glass of brightly colored flowers today and say, "Cheers to the pirates out in Montauk this summer, (best place ever,) and thank you for the brilliant universe that currently exists on Block Island (to name one of the millions) and thank you for helping me address my impatience and its frequency. If we keep on our paths of good thoughts, good will and hard work, what could go wrong right?


Thank you all for reading in your busy summer vacations. Gotta love the days filled with sun and shine, yahoo! 


Lastly, let's pray for the children who need our fierce protection at all times on a local, national and global level. If our awareness is heightened we can be there to help everyone and everybody! We're so on it.


Tweetie
Remember the Children - Darrell Ford Jr.'s Button 


With Love and Sincerely,
Kristen


P.S. Love you til the cows come home.

Entry #21: The Bumble Bees' Dramatic Return, July's Liberty and The Privilege of Sweating the Small Stuff

Dear All:
The shrubs are beaming green, the trees are proud and the leaves are as giggly as could be on one of the most breath taking days of the year.  Our sprinklers are singing; the flowers are bejeweled in every rich color that exists and I have to say, July is radiant in its final bloom. 


Brady and I spotted a ruby headed Woodpecker this morning on our south lawn as this wizard of a bird; popped, popped, popped on the maple tree, then clucked, then chirped, and quickly shot away. I was like Brady, "Let's put this sighting on the calendar"!


As we watch nature's beauty each day, (realizing how fragile it is & nourish our thoughts for its survival,) we are honoring our independence on Monday - which is amazing if you look out into the world and observe the continual struggles for freedom. If we reflect how fortunate we are and are in agreement that sweating the small stuff is a privilege, right? We already knew that though, of course!  


Lately, the bumble bees' have us in wonder of their unique behavior and potential collapse. However, bees had their moment in Chinatown earlier this spring - which was as always, phenomenal. 


It seems a swarm of about 15,000 bees descended on a lamp post in Chinatown, which is one of three that have hit Manhattan this season. Good things are happening if these bees have showed up in NY of all places! 


I experienced a swarm -- the width of my block & approximately fifteen feet high (on Coleridge Street in San Francisco) on my way to work one morning. As I looked up and quietly passed along their sweet calm humming, I was not afraid, just stunned of how many there were. I remember thinking to myself, oh boy, I have to walk through this?


I did mention this to our dear guide Peter at Seatuck Environmental and he explained that this occurs when the "Queen Bee" is being replaced. 


"There is a definite seasonality to swarming. Bees of all ages join a swarm but the majority are younger (4-23 days old) bees. Most swarms settle within three meters (ten feet) of the ground but some land on the ground while others cluster at higher locations."--www.dailymail.co.uk.  


As July enchants us (like Memorial Day) with its red, white and blue fun, we should honor this day where we signed the US Declaration of Independence! We can all laugh now that I am trying to even discuss the Declaration of Independence. He He, KK Get Over Yourself! 


But when you think of the the people fighting for their lives at this very moment (Mid East and Africa) for their freedom to vote as they want, marry whom they want or worship who they want, you have to take a breath and thank god everyday that we live in this country. 




July 4th is the day we signed this controversial piece of paper and made our rich lives what it is today. "The sources and interpretation of the Declaration have been the subject of much scholarly inquiry. Having served its original purpose in announcing independence, the text of the Declaration was initially ignored after the American Revolution. Its stature, particularly over the second sentence, a sweeping statement of human rights."


"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights, that amount these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."--Wikipedia. How dear is that? 


I suppose I am going within for the answers on this one, but how can we dare sweat the small stuff when people really have no chance out there, even when they are born? Everyone knows I am always up for a negative yak every now and again, but inside I know it is not right to complain of the heavy rains, or the traffic (because I am late) or other's actions that I may see as unfavorable. I do not believe any of us take being "free" for granted - ever. But maybe when we are bibbling about the super small stuff that we don't really have any control over, we may look inside for a little light to guide us in the right direction.

Thank you for reading in your busy days. I am sure that the bumble bees are much smarter than we give them credit for, "take that" they buzz! I am going to thank god everyday for giving me freedom (to vote; to marry whom I want, and to worship nature if I please) right here in the United States. I am going to look for the light inside to guide me in the right direction when I am not focusing on what is important. 

Also, please keep "hope" close to the heart & pray for the women, children & animals who need our fierce protection at all times. 

With Love & Sincerely,

Kristen

P.S. Love you all til the cows come home!

Entry #20: The Baby Quail's Purpose, June's Hosting of the Summer Solstice and Accepting the Unfavorable in a Positive Way

Dear All:
Every leaf of every tree is emerald in its state of velvet smooth green, chattering among themselves and their respective branches. Some of the flowers have come & gone already, like our delightfully blush pink peonies. The Cosmos Ladybird Scarlet flower is still waiting for the six second visit of a dazzling hummingbird's feed. June's lovely breeze is giving us a deep healthy inhale before the oppressive humidity inches its way into our summer days.


Nature continually tries its hardest to keep us alive & well on the planet. Our visit to Planting Fields Arboretum reminded me of that today. June's nature spectacular is as compelling as always. However, I've realized that there is no time (at this time of the year) to sit and smell the flowers that have worked so hard to bloom! Lastly, as I enjoy June's trance, I continue my pursuit of losing my self importance and work on Getting Over Myself when there is something I do not like, that I should be accepting in a positive way.


Early this month we arranged to have an nursery school type hike for Brady and his friends at The Seatuck Environmental Association. Seatuck is a non profit org that preserves & educates the public on the environment & wildlife of Long Island. 


While we waited (in the bird observatory room) for our guide to organize and get us out on the trails to study bugs and examine fox foot prints, there was was a glass tank of approximately 50 baby quail chirping up their own little storm. At the time I thought this could be a project for the local schools, but then I wondered why they were not baby chicks, so I asked our guide, Peter. He told me that quail eat ticks! I thought this is a one solution to our tick problem, yahoo! He added this idea will work if the fox population inside the sanctuary do not eat the baby quail for breakfast. I will honor the quails (and all life) everyday. Hows about we take the ticks down with those baby quail?


In my household we love June for its pure bounty & nature's delight, but also because it is host to the Summer Solstice party, to name just a few reasons. Mostly because it is beautiful Todd's birthday (6/21). Happy Birthday to my dear honey. 


The Summer Solstice is a major celestial event known around the world. It results in the longest day and the shortest night of the year.  One of the most enduring modern ties with the Solstice were the Druids celebration of the day as the "wedding of Heaven and Earth". Give me a wedding of heaven and earth and a couple of smashing birthdays (Happy Birthday to my amazing Deirdre McGinnis 6/23), and I am good to go!

My love affair with Twitter continues. Brady can be helpful with his ideas about life on Twitter  too!

1. "I am dancing like water." - Brady 3 Years old
2. "The wind is here." - Brady 3 Years Old
3. "I make wishes."--Brady 3 Years Old

Lastly I am so thankful to Get Over Myself (can I get a trademark here Donna Henry?) every second of each day because then there is no point to any of this right? I am so lovely & easy to get along with when is all is going my way. But how about when Todd calls me on my distracted ways or my defensive behavior or there is a random situation that does not sit well with my silly rules, what a buncha crap, right?  Finally, how about my contempt toward people who toss their cigarette butts out their car window?  Honk honk and fuck you! This is when I can be snarly & self righteous which at the end of the day is a pity for me! I have to get over it if its bad, and I have to remove my "feelings" from the situation, right? 


I believe the most important lesson for me has/ is to accept everything the way it is even when it is not great. It takes practice, like pilates, yahoo! If I lose my self importance in just about everything I say & do, then I'm good, right? Here are some tweets that got me here:

Tweets

1. I Get Over Myself when I allow my loved ones to completely disagree with me. 
2. I Get Over Myself when I realize that I must accept what I do not necessary "like" in a positive way! 
3. Get Over Yourself if you care what others say about you good or bad, because they are right somehow.
4. If someone I love is struggling for whatever reason, I have to let them have their feelings right?

Lastly, thank you for reading in your busy days. I am routing for those baby quail, I am going to worship this year's solstice til the cows come home and I am going to always look within for acceptance (of everything good/bad) in the most positive way that I can. Let's keep "hope" close to the heart & pray for the men, women, children & animals who need our fierce protection at all times. 

With Love & Sincerely,

Kristen

Entry 19: Summer's Truthful Twilight, Honoring Other's Sacrifices this Memorial Day and My Everyday Amusement

Dear All:
Summer exploded this week like a sky rocket. Every tree has bloomed & the blossoms are emerging slowly, one by one. The branches are finally dressed in their ruffled shades of green; patiently waiting for June's dance to begin. May is the month that everyone plants their magnolia trees, their bright yellow rose trees & blush pink peonies, just to name a few. We have had three full days of summer which is amazing to see, but nothing can compare to night's fall. As the sun begins to set, the sky becomes more vivid, the birds get in a frenzy of a chatter & the night's magic begins (the best part). There is nothing more truthful to me than a summer's twilight.


While nature illuminates us, Memorial Day is a sigh of relief. Memorial Day is so dandy with its red, white & blue fun! However, this year I feel my sensibilities tugging at my heart strings for the soldiers who have (in the past) & are fighting some intensely difficult wars at the moment. On a sunnier note, while the path to god is moving along, how about adding "amusement" to the situation to enrich this journey?


I have surpassed 1,000 tweets on Twitter this week which means I have input 1000 + thoughts from Get Over It Please! Yahoo! 

Tweets 

1. Heaven on Earth is the new breeze that comes in from an open window during the bright month of May!
2. How will we illuminate the world today? 
3. All things grow with love.

Memorial Day is a wonderful holiday and we just love a good parade. As I chirp in my kitchen with friends & family about my bullshit, I do not ever remember addressing the gnarly wars in the past or present that deserve not only my protesting, attention, or money, but a discussion? Yikes! 


I have got to honor & thank the soldiers wholeheartedly for putting themselves on the line for me time & time again. I was not coherent during the Gulf War - were you? In the last few years I find myself thinking of the men/women/children & animals who are embroiled in conflicts of The Sudan, now Yemen, Afghanistan & Pakistan (of course) and the drug war (in Afghanistan specifically) --  just to name a few. I thank everyone for the uphill fight for justice! These guys are dodging the explosions of suicide bombers, they are on the front line of chemical warfare & they are in charge of rebuilding infrastructures in the middle of chaos like no other (and asked not to lose their minds). More sadly though, these soldiers are losing their friends in this abyss, the ones they can talk to & trust.


Just this year I am thinking about sending a box out to the troops. Please take note I have not done it yet, but so going to try! Recently, this dear 20 something kid came to our house to fix our "reverse osmosis water filter system" who had served in the Gulf War. He told me that soldiers want wipes & cookies. That is all I can do? OK we're on it some how, some way!


I have always said that Getting Over Myself has been amusing to me in every way. Again, if I lose my self importance in just about everything --I should be fine, right? Is being amused how we look at things?

More Tweets

1. "You will never be bored if you can appreciate the amusing nature of everyday life!"--Yahoo Astrology
2. I am going to try me some of that humility today!

By losing my self serving ways, it means 1) not making others' actions about me, 2) not reacting when someone calls me on my bullshit, 3) accepting the terms of all my relationships (good/bad/indifferent) in a positive way, 4) learning how to dismiss my ego bullshit with my family when it flares up, 5) being very mindful of what I am thinking & its consequences, 6) being patient & try hard to listen (some days are better than others), 7) realizing that all of Brady's actions that piss me off are a direct result of what I have said or done (oh god), 8) try and not be judgmental ever, 9) be joyful at all times if possible, 10) crush my destructive ego every chance I can. By losing my silly ego & finding amusement in everyday life (this is where Buddha comes in --  even in the most mundane moments) is really all that I can strive for right? Love it!


Tweet 
Get happy everybody because this is as good as it gets. Yahoo!


Lastly, thank you for reading in your busy days. I have to thank the soldiers today, tomorrow & forever for their "larger than life sacrifices" and its impact on myself & the world. Let's keep "hope" close to the heart & pray for the men, women, children & animals who need our fierce protection at all times. 


With Love & Sincerely,
Kristen


P.S. You are all sweet, talented & gorgeous! 

Entry 18: A Baltimore Oriole's Flurry, Our Global Family Chaos & Thanking Oprah for Lifting Me

Dear All:
The bright light of May is dim at the moment as the 3rd day of rain continues. It is a Cat in the Hat Day which means that (from our windows), we are watching sheets of rain relentlessly pound the earth with no end in sight. It is all a blessing because we know that our friends - the trees, the plants & flowers are getting a long & well deserved drink.

As we observe our backyard nature in awe, our drive to be happy continues right smack in the middle of some serious "global family" chaos. As the full moon looms in a thick grey sky above, our farewell to Oprah (next week) seems more sorrowful & sadder than ever. We are saying goodbye to one of the greatest spiritual healers of our time.

On a bright note, Brady & I spotted a Baltimore Oriole yesterday at approx 9am right outside the kitchen window. Its colors of bright marmalade, black stripes & spots of white were astonishing as always. It appeared in its usual magical flurry. It zipped up, it zipped down & around the bush and--- puff it was gone! This was my 3rd Baltimore Oriole sighting since we have moved here (all in the month of May). You take notice when you see a bright orange bird fluttering round your back yard.

I am grateful to be sitting in the house at the moment. There is some gnarly energy out there and it must be that full moon again. I read in Yahoo Astrology yesterday that our golden Buddha was born under a full moon in the month of May. How wonderful is that?

As our unfavorable events concern us and our "global Family" is challenged,
I can only go within for the answers & pray & ask how to help "keep the balance" of this planet in check.

The fury in Afghanistan, Pakistan (what the fuck?!), Syria, The Ivory Coast and even our own Gilgo Beach have us all in wonder of where are we going here... All I can do is Get Over Myself, be more informed, be less emotional and never give up on helping and protecting those that need it most.

Do you guys remember when I said once, (Jess Eldridge loved it the most). "I am sending Puffy (my 7 lb. dwarf bunny) to take Osama Bin Laden down. Do you see what Puffy did all the way from heaven? Miracles are everywhere!

Lastly, we are saying goodbye to Oprah Winfrey very soon. I have to thank everyone who reminded me to tune in (since 2004). Not only did she reintroduce me to our dearly beloved, Maya Angelou, she illuminated the message of the amazing Eckart Tolle and his groundbreaking ideas of life without the ego (thank you Mr. Tolle for saving my life) and even to our very dear Goldie Hawn's 10 minute version of meditation. Goldie swears by happiness, I love that one.

Today Oprah met with Ralph Lauren & his family (on his Get-Away Ranch). The man and his family are as blessed as could be. These people are beaming with happiness (from the right place). Their success is happiness. I twittered him today. Please read below.

"I am inspired by the world."--Ralph Lauren on Oprah Winfrey 5/18/11

Other than Oprah's ability to bring her heart, her interpretation of this lovely world, her offering to others, is her calm & assertive voice. I will miss her voice each day at that time. I can thank Oprah for her deepest message and that is to listen, give your heart & never stop loving. She lifted me on many days. I hope that I get to meet her someday (I am using the Secret Laws of Attraction here; wink wink) and thank her myself.

Thank you everybody for reading in your busy days. Being a grown up means that we are so busy all of the time. Ha Ha Mommy - you are going down!!! Everyday I try my best to Get Over Myself (can I get a trademark here?) and my bullshit ways, and keep "hope" close to the heart. Let's all pray for the women, children & animals who need our fierce protection at all times.

With Love & Sincerely,
Kristen

P.S. You are all awesome.

Entry 17: Heaven On Earth, Jimmy Carter's Fail Better, & Keeping "Hope" Close to the Heart

Dear All:
Winter has taken its last inhale and we are all waiting patiently for its release! The blossoms are starting to reveal themselves, but seem anxious that Jack Frost could reappear one more time this year. We look for the sun's happy smile each morning and are again welcomed by the relentless-- cold grey air that will not budge (as crazy as San Francisco in the month of July). The best part of spring not coming-- is that it hasn't arrived yet.

As we thank god for heaven on Earth (did you see the children, animals & flowers today?) and also thank him for kicking our ass every day (love those failures cause you learn those superior life lessons), to do & be better and lastly, promise to keep "hope" very close to the heart. If we promise to keep "hope" close to the heart, what could possibly go wrong?

Today is Earth Day, one of another 364, right? I'm like, "Today is Earth Day?", " Come on, isn't every day Earth Day?", "Please!"

Even though winter is lingering, there are many dear little buds cuddling the branches. Our red tulips are preparing for their commencement ceremony on the east side of our yard (all 200 planted, thank you Daddy!) Some have opened their petals for the sunshine & then close them at night for the stars. I call this heaven on earth no matter what.

We all know Mother Nature has had about enough and her protective rage has begun. So while keeping our eyes & hearts tuned into the news abroad, maybe we can do a little  here & there on our own.

It could mean 1) taking your garbage bag in the car & picking up garbage (which was fun one sunny afternoon on Railroad Avenue in Copiague, NY last week when I had a babysitter.) 2) It could mean (whatever your flavor) making it our business to "be informed" on how local legislature is managing $ to protect the coastline, rivers /bay/ocean water or wildlife in our community or 3) learning how to "break" down the paper recycling that requires twine when put out to the curb. It seems to be this very big task for me, but for goodness sakes Kristen, Get Over it and do it, right? Sigh.

I am on Twitter/Facebook - as much as this Mommy can be, yahoo! Love it.

"Save the Landfills"--Kristen

"Mommy, what planet are we from?"--Brady Shaw

I am amused by failure. It is a huge part of my story. How many times did I get fired you guys? Seriously? I think I got fired because I needed to get fired, right? Getting fired made me work harder & harder and keep working. Failures really make you stop, think and awaken. Nothing is as good as that humble pie, BAM! right in the face. Thank you for that humble pie because I needed it.

No one knows more about humble pie than elected president of the US in 1976 Jimmy Carter. He kept on his path of helping others and there was no looking back for him.


Jimmy Carter, (of  The Carter Center www.cartercenter.org)  elected president of the US in 1976, presided over a country crippled by ongoing int'l crises & the worst economic recession since the Great Depression. He was soundly defeated in the 1980 election by Ronald Reagan after one term in office. After his presidency, Carter dedicated himself to humanitarian projects, both in the US and abroad. In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. 

"This world is not about me, it is about everyone else."--Kristen

I recently purchased a pocket sized book entitled, "Fail Better," by Herter Studio. The cover reads, "Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail Again, Fail Better." I am the queen of failure that I can thank ADD for & my formerly misguided ego!  My failures kicked my ass & taught me how to keep going & keep going which is a lesson right there! That's what I'm talking about!

"I have not failed, I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."--Thomas Edison

I Get Over Myself when challenges present themselves & make me uncomfortable which means I am in a growth spurt."--Kristen

"I Get Over Myself when I see how failure has been part of my journey & helped me accept things more realistically."--Kristen

As I sit here cheerfully typing away on loving kindness & eternal light, I am in denial (my favorite place) about current events & local news (the local news is a challenge on the south shore of Long Island at the moment!).

I will always remind myself to keep "hope" close to the heart. I am part of a generation of chaos--yes, but of much more hope & promise. Do you all see why denial is my favorite place? "Hope" is an idea I will continually chase, nurture & thrive on.

I very am sure that people are dear, kind & good. I see it over one million times a day. I am hopeful that we will all strive to be better if we just, Get Over Ourselves Please, starting with me!

Today we visited the Holstville Ecology Nature Center which is an animal rescue center, zoo & green house. There are bob cats, rescued hawks & bears (to name a few). As we breezed by the owl cage, there were peacocks with the most vivid blue feathers I have ever seen. This amazing bird was lounging on his bird house, like a regal king. He was majestic. I was in awe! I said to the woman standing next to me, "Don't tell me heaven does not exist on earth, because there it is." She totally agreed, yahoo.

"Just about every time I look at a stranger in the eye and then smile, they smile back. It is very dear."--Kristen

"Get happy everybody, because this is as good as it gets."--Kristen

Thank you all for reading in your busy days. Enjoy heaven on earth, cause it is right outside our windows. Let's keep "hope"' close to our hearts because "hope" is all we have at the end of the day, right? Let's pray for the women, children & animals who need our fierce protection at all times.

With Love and Sincerely,
Kristen

Entry 16: Loving Until It Hurts, The Dalai Lama's Simple Message & My Ego Beat Down

Dear All:
All is very quiet at the moment, chaos feels like it is going to break open at any moment for some reason. The sky is a cloudy dark grey and the wind is screaming across the roof tops. I love the wind but it sure has a mind of its own lately. The tree branches are growing tired of the cold and wishing for the sunlight's warmth. Spring will be here just as soon as it can. 


My research and devotion to learning about the path to peace and love is still maddeningly fun. The simple truths of his holiness, The Dalai Lama are giving me great clarity on where I belong in this spiritual vortex and the tools I am using to "Get Over Myself", sigh. Can we get a trademark here? "Getting Over Myself", hands down is the best cocktail ever. It is better than any pinot noir I've tasted from Northern California's Russian River! That is saying something.


From what I see here in my very small world, there is much to be done in helping others. I suppose it begins with ourselves. To go within for the answers. To go inside of ourselves instead of blaming others, to be mindful of our thoughts and take responsibility for actions. It sounds good on paper, but some days are easier than others, let's be honest. Helping ourselves is the first step to helping others. 


Mother Theresa says it best. In sum she means, keep loving & loving until it hurts, and then there is still love. This is so true! I just love that. The moment I learned that life is giving and nurturing and giving more love that you every thought possible, would bring such profound happiness? (aside from parenting the very bumbly Brady Shaw) It keeps you, dare I say, in balance? Balance is not a word I would ever use to describe my life and here it is. Never say never, right? 


I love Twitter and its immediate gratification. I am pumping out daily tweets (this week lots of Buddhism for some reason) with each cup of coffee, I go go go! Here are some tweets to perk us up:


Twitter/Facebook


"Humility is truly a gift!" - Kristen


"The act of nurturing endlessly is the path to peace and happiness. We are so in the moment of loving kindness, we forget to be empty."- Kristen


‎"Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace."-Buddha


This week is Buddhist intensive with a little bio on the courageous and humble Dalai Lama. Living next to China is not easy. 


‎Bio of Dalai Lama
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is both the head of state and the spiritual leader of Tibet. He was born on 6 July 1935, to a farming family, in a small hamlet located in Taktser, Amdo, northeastern Tibet.  At the age of two the child, who was named Lhamo Dhondup at that time was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso.  The Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and patron saint of Tibet.  Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who have postponed their own nirvana and chosen to take rebirth in order to serve humanity.

I find this all very interesting that I have no particular faith. How can I be so passionate about loving kindness and with no formal education or faith? I guess it doesn't matter because its what my heart is telling me. I'm surviving I guess. I enjoy his Holiness's simple way of expressing his thoughts. I find Zen Buddhism confusing for some reason. I have a crush on the Dali Lama in this entry, don't I? He is helping me understand the most meaningful message of all - to be kind. 

"If you have a particular faith or religion, that is good. But you can survive without it."-Dalai Lama


 "My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness."-Dalai Lama

‎"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible."- Dalai Lama

"Getting Over Myself" is hands down the best cocktail ever! In all of my conflicts, ego flare ups, and misunderstandings, I am looking over my shoulder for that ego waiting to take me down. My ego wants me to appear self righteous, self serving and mostly ridiculous! Oh thank god for the "ego beat down" because I need a relief from myself at all times. 


Twitter/Facebook 


"All day long I am dismissing my ego, I'm like, "Beat it."-Kristen


"I get over myself when I do not react if someone I love is struggling and angry. It is their emotion, not mine!-Kristen"


"I am getting over myself today by staying calm through chaos in general and removing my self importance when my ego flares up w/ my family."-Kristen


"Why is it so hard to hear the truth about ourselves? What is so wrong about not being perfect! I am so flawed thank goodness."-Kristen


‎Thank you all for reading in your busy days. Let's try and keep our perspective light while trying to understand why the world brutalizes itself. Are people just hungry and cold out there? Please pray for the children, women, and the animals  as they need hope, promise & mostly warmth. I guess we all do.


 "I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe."-Dalai Lama


With Love and Sincerely,
Kristen

Entry 15: Love Lights Glow, Acceptance is the Key to My Problems and My Tears of Maya Angelou's Tender Tale

Hi All:
The sun is a dim dark yellow sphere high in the foggy sky these days. The chilly air is blowing through our mittens and the snow drifts are melting now with gnarly spots of black slush. Spring's air appeared late this morning and I have to say, it was a magnificent refreshment to us all. Since early December we've had a total of eight snowstorms. Whatever nature brings us here in New York, we are happy to take on! 

Today is Valentine's Day and it is the day for all love to abound, to share, to twinkle and remind us that romance is a state of mind, depending on how you look at it. I sourced these proverbs below (www.valentinesquotes.com) and posted them early this morning on Twitter, my favorite love fest. 

"Candle light, moon light, star light, The brightest glow is from love light." ~Grey Livingston

"I need the starshine of your heavenly eyes, After the day's great sun." ~Charles Hanson

"When love is not madness, it is not love." ~Pedro Calderon de la Barca

Why is love so interesting and important? Is it the enjoyment of giving, nurturing and providing the constant flow of love? Is it the way in which to openly and honestly receive/accept love? Perhaps it is learning how to be in the constant state of loving kindness and while willing to accept love on an unconditional basis. I like that! 

Laurie S. has been one of my closest friends since 1968. She is mid way through her fifth year of clean time with Narcotics Anonymous. The "program" is very effective and has worked miracles with her personal growth and development. Laurie and I speak of our journeys often and recently we spoke in depth of relationships and living and loving and forgiveness and somehow acceptance came up. 

She said, "One of the steps is, acceptance is the key to all of my problems."
It knocked me down because of its relevance to ourselves and how it can assist in solving our petty conflicts while nurturing our most important relationships.

I had to search for the definition of acceptance. Acceptance is a person's agreement to experience a situation, to follow a process or condition without attempting to change it, protest, or exit.

So "acceptance is the key to my problems" can apply to; 1) ourselves, 2) our strengths without guilt, 3) our weakness without shame, 4) our acceptance of someone else's feelings, (good and bad) 5) acceptance of our lives, (if not good then you can learn how to change it), 7) acceptance of others reality, 8) acceptance of our own reality and why we feel like we do, 9) acceptance of the state of the world and the list could really go on, you know? The relevance of "acceptance" and its power provides great clarity for me. Thank heavens for clarity!


Thank you Narcotics Anonymous for helping my dear Laurie and millions of people who are struggling from addiction each minute of each day. Yahoo, Laurie you will always be a rock star!

I have to share a small story of hope and love that I experienced while listening to the Diane Rehm Show in 2008, (which is produced by NPR member station WAMU 88.5 and distributed nationally by NPR) and her interview with the lovely and amazing Dr. Maya Angelou. 

Dr. Maya Angelou is one of the most renowned and influential voices of our time. Hailed as a global renaissance woman, Dr. Angelou is a celebrated poet, memoirist, novelist, educator, dramatist, producer, actress, historian, filmmaker, and civil rights activist.

Diane Rehm has a distinctive voice. While she is introducing Dr. Angelou for this interview, there is sheer joy and delight radiating from the car's sound system. 

During this interview, this utterly sweet and lovely tale unfolds on how a young man is walking down the street while on the way to taking his own life, this was 100% his intent. Just before his desperate action, the elegant and proud Dr. Maya Angelou happened to walk by him. As bright as the sun and as peaceful as the wind, she elegantly says to him , "good morning". 

Somehow her vibrations permeated his hard and confused shell. It shifted his direction in a heartbeat. I believe that he felt a ray of hope from her. Right then and there - he decided to continue his magnificent life. Even on our bad days, our lives are magnificent, its all how you look at it. And that was it. He wrote her a letter to thank her for saving his life. 

I drove my car that day, with tears streaming down my face (with my chubby Brady sleeping in the back of the car), thinking how the act of kindness, saying "hello" or "good morning" can bring life to the most fragile soul out there. Its the kindness of people that I find so moving! 

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou

"Flowers are like human beings . . . they thrive on a little kindness." -Fred Streeter 

I love all of your feedback, it is so important for me to grow and learn here, so keep it coming so I can get over myself please?

Let's continue to pray for the women, children and animals of this planet who need our love and protection at all times.

With Love and Sincerely,

Kristen

P.S. I am nothing without you guys.

Entry #14: Twitter--The Love Fest, I Will Love You Til The Cows Come Home and The Great Master Joseph Campbell

Hi All:
Life is vibrant and quite bright here these days and not for any particular reason; just sort of humming along. The amazing "powder" finished falling this morning and it is spectacularly beautiful. The trees are giggling and bristling from the gusts of wind and the brilliant sunny snow crystals remind us that we are smack -- in the middle of a "harsh" winter! 


I am surfing twitter like long board champion surfer, Laird Hamilton and I am loving the mammoth swells of activity! It is quick and fast and when I have a thought or idea, I just zip zip and it is out there. It is such a Love Fest (our kind of unconditional love Fest) too. I am quite delighted to be receiving "I am following your  tweet" emails that have been revving up my creative writing engine!   I have been blessed with interest from  an online life coach from Missoula MT, a vitamin health nut as well as Dr. from NYC, and a radio host from Vancouver BC, to name a few. 


You can be sure that I am stalking Deepak Chopra (my favorite Hindu) and the wonderful Jenny McCarthy! I also really enjoy Russell Simmons from www.globalgrind.com , can anyone say Def Jam records? He is a is hip hop mogul turned yoga devotee.


So if you guys don't mind a bit of redundancy, here are some sling shots from my Twitter account - "Get Over It Please", account kkshaw47.

1. Getting Over Myself is the best cocktail ever, which means nurturing everyone and everything around me, I am so lucky!
2. When I remove myself from interpersonal situations, everything becomes very clear to me.
3. My intent is to nurture my husband when he is struggling, instead of becoming stressed and making it about me.
4. Getting Over Myself is becoming thoughtful and mindful of others that requires non ego spiritual guidance, what a relief from myself!
5. The world is about everyone & everyone else, what can I do for you today?What do you need? We're on it.
6. Get Over Yourself when you always do what you want to do and are content due to some one's boredom or sadness. 
7. Get Over Yourself while defending yourself for all of your bullshit all day long - even when you are right!
8. Get Over yourself and tell your mom/husband/child/friend that you love them and that they are beautiful , because you do and they are.
9. Get Over Yourself and stop believing your own lies, sorry we are all over it.
10. Get Over Yourself for being angry at someone because they are angry at you first (within reason), sorry that is bullshit.
11. When in conflict, why not turn inward and think of our responsibility? Why blame others? We're over it.

One of the dearest twitters I read yesterday from www.lorimoreno.com  was, 


  I will love you till the cows come home, Love Quote. -Posted on Twitter by Lori Moreno


Isn't she so dear for that? I will never get over that wonderful saying, because it is true!


Lastly, one of the greatest lessons in my life (where architecture, religion, poetry, writing, etc.) all came together in the most perfect circle for me was the great master and ground breaking Joseph Campbell. No one compares to his happiness and clarity, period.


Joseph John Campbell (March 26, 1904 – October 30, 1987) was an American mythologist, writer and lecturer, best known for his work in comparative mythology and comparative religion. His work is vast, covering many aspects of the human experience. His philosophy is often summarized by his phrase: "Follow your bliss."^[1]

1. Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.
2. I don't have to have faith, I have experience. 
3. Life is without meaning. You bring the meaning to it. The meaning of life is whatever you ascribe it to be. Being alive is the meaning. 
4. One way or another, we all have to find what best fosters the flowering of our humanity in this contemporary life, and dedicate ourselves to that. 

Darrell and Jenny Ford, do you remember watching the Bill Moyers tapes at my parent's house in 1989? We were following our bliss all the way back then!


As I sign off and finish the best cocktail ever, Getting Over Myself, (with is so much love to give, people to listen to and laughter to share) I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for reading Get Over Yourself in your busy days, how busy is 2011, incredible right?  This sounds contrived, but the more I love and listen to my family, even in conflict, ask them what I can do to love them better (this goes for Finney too, oh my dear that Finney!) , life just keeps getting better.  Maybe it is Finney's unconditional love that started all of this in the first place. Its all how you look at it maybe...


Please let's pray for the children and animals, who need our love and protection at all times.


With Love and Sincerely,
Kristen


PS You are all amazing today! Oh, let's not forget beautiful!