Entry #38: Lilac Trees Blushing Violet, Steve Jobs, and Attaching to Others Actions

Dear All:

Spring is exploding at the moment. The sky has a big bright blue smile today and the trees, shrubs and plants are beaming with green and ready for another spectacular season of flowering trees and bouquets! While the sun's warmth loves the blushing lilac trees, the "baby pink" and "June bride yellow" tulips wait patiently in the flower beds for their floral friends to appear.

As the birds chirp and flutter during the day's journey, perched nearby are the Morning Doves, often paired and quietly whistling their "who" songs of God's light. Their ringing of unique songs, among the clatter, gives me great joy this bright spring season. Let's hear it for the Zen in the backyard!

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1.  The Morning Doves, perched nearby, quietly whistle their "who" songs of God's light.
2. The Doves' presence and calm whistling, among the clatter, gives me great joy this bright spring morning (4/29).

As the lilac trees blush with violet and the tulips sit attentively in the garden, I see how attaching to people/events can be exhilarating or not, however we choose, right?

It is exciting to think of Steve Job's accomplishments and his impact on the world. Rolling Stone Magazine writes, "Steve Job's is the CEO of the most valued company in the world." When I read about his childhood, his rise and fall with Apple Computer and his later life, his path was to build the best computer in the world and also to attain self love and understanding like the rest of us. God bless Mr. Jobs for his inventive and intuitive computers, phones and astounding gateway to music!

With the exhilaration of Mr. Jobs and his Apple products, comes the continual "ego tugging" of attaching ourselves to people and/or events that do not make us feel good. I am amazed how much time we spend (as adults) discussing others actions, in particular when it has nothing to do with us. If we focus on our own thoughts and actions, (especially the ones we are proud of) then, 1) there is no conflict whatsoever 2) we are in a state of calm and in control 3) we can nourish ourselves more 4) we are working our emotionally healthy relationships 5) we are working our emotionally healthy selves 6) we are letting go of our self importance (ego) 7) we are demonstrating a higher level of communication to the world 8) we gain a new understanding of our responsibility in close relationships and how they make us feel 9) we stop the negative noise and 10) if we are living one of the universal laws, then nothing can go that wrong, right? 

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1. If I am focusing on my actions today, I am good to go!
2. I am responsible for everything I am feeling today. 

While full grown trees explode with this flowers and morning doves whistle their tender songs in the backyard, perhaps we can we look within to understand the ways in which our ego can "tug at our bliss".  If I am being present (which means thinking, feeling and discussing my own actions), surely nothing can go that wrong, right?

Let's pray for the women, children and animals who need our fierce and determined protection at all times.

With Love and Sincerely,

Kristen

Entry #37: April's Showers Happy Hour, John Muir and The Gift of Respect

Dear All:

The moderate temperatures have continued and the rain arrived yesterday morning. We are relieved because the trees, shrubs and plants are being served the cocktails they've been waiting for. The tiny buds have exploded into my favorite color jellybean green and are now enjoying the season's dance with their friends the tree branches. The backyard birds continue their flutter and flurry while building their dear little nests up and down the trees. The springtime frenzy in the backyard is magic at its best! 

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1. The backyard birds are chirping loudly which is causing a flurry this twilight evening.

As the puddle's pipe with raindrops and the shrubs beam with green pride this Earth Day, we celebrate this event with more respect each year and in particular the individuals who've made it their business to protect the breathtaking nature and wildlife that exists today. 

When I lived in Northern California I frequently strolled Muir Woods right in Marin County. I realize now (since I got my head out of my ass) that this great park with the biggest redwood trees ever, was named after Mr. John Muir.  "Today we celebrate the birthday of John Muir. His activism helped preserve Yosemite Valley and create Sequoia National Park. He's also the founder of the Sierra Club and is often referred to as the "Father of the National Parks."--Yahoo News

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1. God bless Mother Earth today and forever.

With the trees and plants getting their drink "on" in the backyard and Earth Day in full bloom, we thank the people who translated their ideas of preservation and respect into a monumental gesture. It is not easy keeping the developing "dogs" from chopping into the sweet pure earth. It wasn't easy then and it sure isn't now. The respect Mr. Muir demonstrated years ago has had such an impact for what exists now. Just imagine how respect could transform the understanding we have for ourselves and how our relationships and outlook could improve. 

The gift of respect is what I learned from my parents, Tom and Jane. To have self respect is a gift we give to ourselves. Respect towards others is another gift we give ourselves because the result is so positive.

If we could show respect towards others in a genuine way 1) when we have different viewpoints 2) when we have different cultures 3) when we do not interrupt others when they are speaking 4) when we show our friends/family respect (no matter what)  5) when we are truly happy for others 6) when we mind what we say  7) when we give others our full attention (not easy for me) 8) when we can agree to disagree 9) when we empathize and 10) when we continually find solutions to problems with others, then nothing could go that wrong, right? Let's hear it for loving ourselves til the cows come home (within reason) and continually finding a "way" toward others and our differences. I'm just sayin...

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1. How about we allow our differences to exist today?
2. "In a world of harshness, it is time to soften and expand how we go about our life."--OM Horoscope
3. I'll take a large glass of happy today with no ego please. Thank you!

I am all about the love, but when stories arise of children being preyed upon (there is an investigation has been opened again from a 1979 case that took place right here in NYC's Soho district) I shake my head, look above and ask the Divine, why couldn't one of us be there to protect this dear little guy?

Let's pray for the women, children and animals who need our fierce and determined protection at all times.

With Love and Sincerely,

Kristen

Entry #36: Rainfall Cocktails Please, The Audacity of Fracking and The Relief of Getting Over Myself

Dear All:

The temperature is so moderate that it feels like Memorial Day, only it is early April. As we wait for this month's showers to nourish the trees, shrubs and plants, the cherry blossoms continue to dance and the tiny jellybean green buds giggle with their friends, the craggy tree branches. The heavenly ringing of the Cardinals' bells and the Sparrows' melancholy, yet amazingly pretty whistle becomes intense as they flurry and flutter with one another to this season's love dance. Let's hear it for the Zen in the backyard!

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1. Where the birds sing, there is light.
2. I will have a large glass of yellow sunshine today, thank you!

As the sunshine and tulips toast to us from the garden, waiting for their rainfall cocktails, it seems hard to ignore the gnarly headlines depicting the audacity of fracking (sigh) and the environmental ramifications.

Hydraulic Fracturing is a way in which to drill "inexpensive" clean, gas. The cost per barrel seems to be a relief from what we are paying now, but the toll in our dear Mother Earth is concerning, to say the least. There are some hard questions surrounding this issue, though. Instead of fracking, do we 1) maximize the use of coal or 2) do we fill the country sides with windmills and kill all the migratory birds and double electricity while doing this? At the end of the day I am going with the ladies, and that would be Mother Earth!  Where is the fucking EPA when you need them? Jeff Goodell of Rolling Stone Magazine wrote a scathing article claiming, "It is not only toxic, but it is more about flipping land than drilling for gas." With the GOP in the dog house this year, this kind of headline is not surprising. Thank goodness for social media on this one.

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1. "I think of plants as living things, and I respect them."--Florence Boogarets, Florence Boogarets Garden Design 

With Spring getting ready to bloom and Fracking being such a drag, is there any way to control our emotions when our loved ones may not be loving and kind towards us? I am the nicest person in the world when things are going my way. If we can lose our self importance (ego) with everybody & everything, we may just get some relief from ourselves. Yahoo!

So, if I do not react when loved ones 1) listen to me with judgment 2) say something of unbearable truth to me (but its true) 3) talk instead of listen 4) display unfavorable actions that I may not agree with 5) share something unfavorable that someone else said 6) withhold info that I am "attaching to" 7) shout at me 8) do not do what I have asked them to do 9) have passive aggressive tendencies towards me 10) cannot look within, then I am Getting Over Myself, and what a relief it is, right?  Yahoo! 

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1. I Got Over Myself today, what a relief!
2. If I let go of my ego today, I'm good to go.

As April's flowers sip one rain drop at a time, and as we monitor the Fracking bills being passed/not passed in Congress (via Social Media) and while totally Getting Over Ourselves even when others throw their ego bullshit our way, nothing can go that wrong right?

Let's pray for the women, children and animals who need our fierce and determined protection at all times.

With Love and Sincerely,

Kristen

Entry #35: Cherry Blossom Candy, Give2TheTroops and The Super Giant Tony Robbins

Dear All:

The arctic jet stream came and went and this week like a rocket. Luckily, a plentiful rainfall has given the earth the love it needs to conduct this Spring's spectacular bloom!  The fluffing buds on the trees are exploding into cherry blossom candy, good enough to eat. As their friends, the leafy shrubs return to their Easter jelly bean green, the backyard birds build their nests one twig at a time and the Cardinal's long drawn chirp, compliments the other dear birds ringing bells of heaven! 

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1. Early spring's buds have exploded into cherry blossom candy, good enough to eat today (3/31/12). 

As the very red tulips dominate the flower beds and more bushes get their blossom "on", I've been determined to find ways to bring comfort to the soldiers involved in the despicable Afghani/Pakistani war that is going very south at the moment. 

I found an organization www.Give2TheTroops.org that provides aid. I found out further from my girl Dana Courtney (at Give2TheTroops in Rocky Hill, CT), that they need more support in sending the goods overseas. I was so happy to have found my niche with this initiative. This way these men/women can receive the wipes, cookies and sunblock (the list is extensive) that they so desperately need. I suppose we are re-writing history at the moment, but I will never understand how the state of affairs can get so bad that combat is required. But again, I smell way too many flowers over here. 

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1. People are a wonderful universe.

With the trees dancing and Easter's promise of rebirth, some of us mommy's (Maggie Shaw, Stephanie Kanzler and Michele Giofree) are flying solo this weekend because the daddy's went to the Tony Robbins Seminar 2012. This juggernaut of an author, (The Giant Within), "uber" personal coach and motivational speaker seems to resonate with those of us looking for more relief from ourselves (not others, right?) and a short term/long term plan to gets things done. Bring it Tony!

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1. "Take control of your consistent emotions and begin to consciously and deliberately reshape your daily experience of life."--Tony Robbins
2. "The quality of my life is the quality of my communication."--Tony Robbins (via text from Toddy at seminar 3/30/12)

If I keep involved somehow in supporting the US Troops in Afghanistan/Pakistan (who are having such a hard time right now) while checking my thoughts and feelings and focusing on the way I communicate (no matter what), then nothing can go that wrong right?

Let's pray for the women, children and animals (in combat and everywhere) who need our fierce and determined protection at all times.

With Love and Sincerely,

Kristen

Entry #34: Yellow Kissed Daffodils, Women's Rights Now (WTF!) and Here's to the Bliss!

Dear All:

Spring is determined to blossom. We've still had very little rainfall and the unusually moderate temperatures are giving us the feeling that it is late April. As the yellow kissed daffodils smile at us to begin the journey of our days, the White throated Sparrow's pretty wavering whistle, the very hearty chirp of the large breasted Robin and the angelic calls of the female Cardinals, continue to humble me.

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1. The yellow kissed daffodils smile to us as the journey of the day begins, (3/24/12).
2. As the chanting of the bird's songs grow louder this morning, it can only mean that sunshine is on its way!

While observing the trees surprised look of spring's early arrival, and waiting for the sun each day, women everywhere are very concerned of the current GOP's discussions involving everyone else, but themselves.

Move On.org recently published a top 10 list of Women's Rights being adjusted by the GOP and not to our advantage. 1) They want to reduce women's access to abortion care. After a major backlash, they promised to stop, but haven't yet. 2) A Georgia legislator wants to change the legal term for victims of stalking to "accuser". 3) A South Dakota rep proposed a bill to make it legal to murder a doctor who performs an abortion. 4) They want to cut nearly a billion $ of food and aid to low income pregnancy, mothers, babies and kids. 5) In Congress, they have a bill that would let (certain) hospitals allow a women to die rather than perform an abortion. 6) Maryland reps ended all county money for low-income kids preschool programs, (women should be at home with the kids not out working.) 7) At the Federal level of this issue, they want to cut the program Head Start by 1 billion 8) Elderly women's funding is being cut 9) Congress just voted for Repub amendment to cut all federal funding from Planned Parenthood health centers and 10) There are plans to eliminate all funds for the only federal planning program. The social network initiative is powerful everyone, look how it took down Egypt! Who is in charge of this planet ladies? Not the bullies! We have to use our right to vote and arrange things differently in Washington, DC, starting now! Congresswomen Nancy Pelosi, Senator Barbara Boxer, Secretary of State, Hilary Rodham Clinton, Elizabeth Warren and Angelina Jolie (the badass of all badasses), are you out there?

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"As we cultivate our feminine energy, we can redefine the meaning of our strength."--OM Horoscope

With the sun light beaming and this month's magic, I look above for the strength to pursue my bliss no matter what happens. It is one thing to pursue bliss and another to obtain it, but how do I keep it humming? If I lose my self importance and stop attaching to everything and everybody (within reason ) and become realistic about my expectations on every level, then that nothing can go that wrong right? God is in the details, right? Here's to the Bliss!

Thank you all for reading in your busy days of early spring. By accepting this season's early arrival with happiness and putting the ladies in charge of our planet (seriously) we can keep the bliss humming, can't we?

Let's pray for the women, children and animals who need our fierce and determined protection at all times.

With Love and Sincerely,

Kristen

Entry #33: My Ever Loving Chickadees, The Revival of Darfur's Destiny and Doing What Is Asked of Me (No Back Talk Please)

Dear All:

Winter was completely quiet this year. It felt like spring all winter season, and it was beautiful. We've had very little rainfall and unusually moderate temperatures. Yesterday's sunshine was not of this world! Last evening's (thank you daylight savings time) twilight created a bird's clatter (with my ever loving Chickadees, with angelic Cardinals and my friends, the Robins) like no other, in the backyard. These birds and their genius are of-- the purest calling!

The branches are still craggy, waiting for their friends, the light green buds to join them for the "Dance of the Season." Trailing cherry blossoms are set to start the opening number which is, the cherry vanilla twirl (delicious, can't wait). Sweet purple crocuses are determined and popping up in the darkest of this winter's harsh soil. They don't mind because it is Spring! 

Get Over It Please Tweets

1. The birds clatter this spectacular twilight evening (3/14/12)-- is of the purest calling. Thank you!
2. The backyard birds are chirping loudly which is causing a flurry this twilight evening, (3/14/12).
3. How can you not feel hope when you see the flowers?

With the birds so happy and springtime's determination, I look above for the revival of Darfur's destiny and wonder how does a situation arise like this on earth, with so many good and caring people everywhere? On a lighter note, is love more than just having the same values? Is it doing whatever is asked of us-- with an open heart and no back talk please? 

Get Over It Please

People are a wonderful universe.

I am still amazed of unfinished business in the Sudan. Tomorrow, March 16 is the Day Of Action for Darfur. 500,000 men, women and children are now at risk of starvation in Sudan's Nuba mountains and Blue Nile (only place where they are safe) because of the god damn corrupt sudanese government whom are blockading food and humanitarian aid. While on the phone making my $25 donation, I asked my representative, "Does George Clooney still support this foundation?" She said, "He is here today testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the hearing, Sudan, South Sudan: Independence and Insecurity." I was relieved to learn that one of the most beloved actors of our time, is committed to helping these people out in desperate times, no matter how long it takes.

"Clooney blames Sudan's President Omar al-Ashir along with two other men in his raids for the violence perpetuated in the Sudan."--CNN. He adds, "There are alot of ways to attack this problem, 1) one is to do what we did with terrorist groups, which is go after the money," he says. 2) "The other way is to actually work with China, not try and to guilt them, but work with them."  Thank you, Mr. Clooney!

Doing what is asked of each other (within reason), was a deal closer for Todd and I, right baby? You have mentioned this idea a few times since that cocktail evening at the Gansevort in NYC. So, if I do what is asked of me , 1) we will build more trust 2) you will do what I ask of you 3) it will reduce our conflict(s) 4) I am doing what I may not want to do, which means living in the moment 5) we are validated (yahoo!) 6) we are living in a higher principle of values 7) it is selfless 8) we are nourishing our partnership, not depleting it with noise 9) we are checking our own character(s)  10) our good acts mirror our reality. This is all asked under the condition that there is "no back talk, please." This is revealing, to say the least.  There you go!

Get Over It Please Tweets

1. I must listen to what is unfavorable about myself in a positive way.
2. I am responsible for everything I am feeling today.

Thank you all for reading in your busy days this early spring season. If the birds continue their genius banter in the backyard, and if Mr. George Clooney continues his brutal fight to save people from starvation (because of three fucking guys, that is how this got started?) and if I do what I am supposed to do in my partnership(s), cause I love you til the cows come home, (will you do the same for me?) then nothing can go that wrong right?

Let's pray for the women, children and animals who need our determined and fierce protection at all times.

With Love and Sincerely, 

Kristen

Entry #32: A Happy Butterfly of a Fish, The BioOrb and Others' Happiness

Dear All:

The mild temperature of this year's Valentine's Day (2012) have given the backyard birds another chance to dazzle me with their angelic ways. They swirl and twirl to and from the dark grey craggy branches just outside the window, who miss their green, delicate leaves this time of year. The Robins' continue piping along the leafless flower beds, the Blue Jays' loud mischievous cries still comfort me somehow and the White Throated Sparrows', (the most darling of all) clear bell of a whistle reminds me (like the bright sunshine on a cold morning) that God's light is right here.  

Brady's birthday gift was a black gold fish. He is like a remarkable butterfly (with flowery, dancing wings), only he is fish. When he is not slurping the filtered water on top of his globe, he is waving bubbles at us like the welcoming committee in the kitchen.  He came to us in a small bowl with some brightly color rocks. I thought to myself, "This fish cannot live like this, because these aquatic rocks are holding some hard core dyes that are unsuitable for a fish (James Fierro witnessed my expression and found great delight in my judgmental dismay)." I went to Pet Smart and purchased a BioOrb which is a natural globe of a fish tank (and quite decorative, may I add). Each time I pass the BioOrb, I wrap my arms around the tank, while beaming at this butterfly of a fish, and thank him for his endearing ways. 

While being dazzled by nature's ways and observing Brady's fish in a naturally green aquarium (yahoo!) I've often asked myself when did I understand the meaning/ feelings associated with love? Because we all know that love comes in very mysterious packages. 1) Is it the feeling it gives us or 2) is it the meaning/ understanding of love, that gives us so much satisfaction? Is it both?

In my relentless pursuit of happiness, I've been lucky to recall life's moments and the feeling(s) associated with the feeling of love/or being loved. As a baby, I felt love in my mother's beautifully tender voice and I see it in the way people love and adore their animals. My most dramatic and useful experience of its meaning came when I finally learned that the happiness of "others" is more important than my own (sigh). 

I realized that if I see others' happiness as more important than my own (from a place of strength), 1) I get to love everyone til the cows come (and we hope those cows never come home), 2) I am given the gift of "empathy" 3) If I am concentrating on others' happiness, no one can be disappointed 4) I will not be disappointed because, my goal is others' happiness 5) considering others happiness (feelings) can help me lose my ego, which is debilitating in every way  6) considering other's happiness can help me navigate my thoughts better 7) if I focus on other's happiness-- is that God being "in the details?" 8) focusing on other's happiness takes away from my selfish ways (ask Todd, he will tell you) 9) considering other's happiness will help me be present (actively listening), which is the best gift I can give to anyone and 10) focusing on others' happiness could bring me joy, because that is transcendence to another place other than myself? Is that what our spiritual leaders and masters are trying to say? 

Get Over It Please Tweets

1. Is love--happiness, or is happiness-- love? 
2. The world is about everyone else, not me. What a relief!

Thank you all for reading in your busy days this Winter. If the sunshine continues, then so will the bird's delightful songs (its all how you look at it) and if we are making more green products than ever before (BioOrb Aquariums at PetSmart available now) and if others' happiness is the path to our transcendence, then nothing can go that wrong right?

Let's pray for the women, children and animals who need our determined and fierce protection at all times.

With Love and Sincerely, 

Kristen

Entry #31: The Birds Delightful Songs, Our Solar Initiative & Kyle Richards of Beverly Hills Breaks A Universal Law Wide Open

Dear All:

Winter's spell is upon us. These days can be as mild as a late July day in San Francisco and/or as cold bone chilling as it gets. The dancing, curly leaves have left us and now we take notice of the rough, dark grey tree branches (no more velvet green or marmalade lollipops, good enough to eat.) As the craggy branches tap on our windows from the blistery, angry winds, they remind us of a brutally cold world outside and how "being warm" is a luxury. 

We don't mind because we all know the magic of winter. The air quality is at its best and though the winter's sun provides warmth like no other, it brings the bird population back to the yard for early morning chanting and singing, yahoo!

As as the sun got stronger with today's journey, so did the the happy "fluffing and clucking" of the birds. Early this morning, the birds' energy seemed more blissful and alive than ever (1/17/12).  As the sun had its moment of bright today, I could hear the cardinals' long drawn chirping, the fat starlings' screechy cry and the sparrows' whimsical calls penetrating-- the sound of all the bird's clatter. It was not of this earth. I was again humbled by this "angelic suggestion" and the way it makes me feel. God is the birds delightful songs, right? As the bright sun light softened, so did their songs. Well, is God is light, so there you go. 

Get Over It Please Tweets

1. The birds sing their delightful songs this bright January morning (1/17/12). 
2. "God is the music."--Oprah Winfrey to Steven Tyler on OWN 2012

Just as God is light, sun is warmth. And while I was going to discuss warmth as a luxury, I've just asked myself why don't I know jack shit about Solar Energy and Power. Darrell and Jenny Ford of Bayport, NY are you out there? Is it working really well in your home and providing the warmth you had hoped for while reducing your energy bills? In all of our green efforts, why isn't solar power part of the fabrication of all homes, especially since Iran really wants to fuck with us now? Why aren't we accessing Solar Power on a higher level? Is the install too great an expense on our existing homes? Anyone? 

As the birds led their heavenly choir this morning and the sunshine warmed the day's journey, I came across one of the "stunning" themes of our beloved Kyle Richards of Beverly Hills Housewives, new book, Life is Not A Reality Show. She simply states, "A lot of people want love, but they don't give it (when given the chance). I see so many of my friends with their husbands; they don't think that they need the same attention as we do. I want my husband to feel like no one is going to love and adore him like I do. You'd be surprised when you give that much love what you get in return."--Kyle Richards. I was very surprised to learn that a huge celebrity, from Beverly Hills could articulate one of the most exciting and influential universal laws ever! 

So if we keep "giving love" from a place of strength (this goes for all of our loved ones, in addition to our darling husbands, partners and lovers) til the cows come home, 1) we "give all the love" we have no matter what 3) we "give love" even if it is not returned, we still have love 4) if we "give love" to others, they may learn how to give love back 5) if we keep "giving love" we cannot be disappointed, ever 6) if we continually "give love", our hearts become bigger 7) we can teach men how to be better at giving than taking, I'm just sayin... 8) we can teach the world at "giving love" in the difficult moments of conflict 9) if we "give love" we surely have less fear, right? 10) we "give love" to husbands like we do our children and animals, then we have a real chance at happy. 

Thank you all for reading in your super busy days of January (yikes). If we seek the divine just outside the back door, (and I am talking divine), we consider Solar Energy as a source of warmth and comfort, (but on a grander scale and I will get my head out of my ass on this one too!) and continually practice the art of "giving love" (thank you very dear, spunky and super famous at the moment, Kyle Richards) than nothing can go that wrong right?

Let's pray for the women, children and animals who need our determined and fierce protection at all times.

With Love and Sincerely,

Kristen

Entry #30: The Year 2011: Sunlight's Promise, Feeling A Hopeful Universe and Our Illumination

Dear All:

The sun's blinding rays at the moment (1/1/12) are just a glimpse of 2011's magnificent display of winter's fantastic, springtime's happy budding magic, summer's radiant bloom and autumn's explosive firework show. We've used these images to enrich our hopes and dreams this year at Get Over Yourself Please.  The backyard's illuminating ways and the sunlight's promise have  given us  "the feeling" of a Hopeful Universe. We've shared insights on our own ways to divinity, to the state of happy detachment, while eating our delicious humble pie, haven't we? 


While loving you all til the cows come home, it has been a LoveFest with Twitter, it's been a celebration of Love Lights Glowing while Loving Until It Hurts (because that is all we have). We've discussed winter's harsh command and its forgiving ways, we've discussed the feeling of joy, and September's happy shining days! 

We've observed heaven on earth right outside the window. The unquestionable Baltimore Orioles flurry (only come in May), our Baby Quails divine purpose (at Seatuck Environmental Center whom are working on eradicating the tick infestation), the melancholy cries of October's Blue Jay and our unforgettable Robin's determination and ubiquity. Lastly, I cannot leave out my Adorable Jelly-- The Ballerina, and her memorable dance of perfection, right in Sag Harbor. Let's hear it for the Jellies!

Twitter

1. Heaven on earth is the new breeze that comes in from an open window during the bright month of May!
2. Heaven on earth is September's daylight that illuminates every leaf, flower and tree with its happy smile, Good morning!
3. The backyard birds are chanting like angels in September's bright stillness.
4. Heaven on earth is the sun's bright light & the warmth it brings me this Indian Summer Season.

We have loved nature's backyard beauty (realizing how fragile it is & nourish our thoughts for its survival). We have honored our sun's daylight and happy cloud formations. We have had quite a parade of delightful flowers from Spring to Summer and Fall. How about the the explosion of june bride yellow bouquets picked to perfection from Block Island's Farmer's Market in mid July and the dark orange zinnias waving from the garden in August ? Lastly, we applauded the flower's beauty pageant (just hours before Hurricane Irene) right downstairs in the kitchen, on our window sill. I voted for Little Miss Orange Sunshine or was it the Giggly Preppy Pink Girls?

Twitter

1. I'll have a glass of bright orange flowers, please.
2. Sunlight enriches my experience with everything!
3. "Flowers are like human beings, they thrive on a little kindness."--Fred Streeter
4. I'm going with the flowers.

We have thanked our amazing Joseph Campbell (Author of The Power of Myth) for helping us understand that we are in charge of our hearty adventure (in darkness and in light). We have referenced at great length, my favorite Hindu, Deepak Chopra (whose reflections have had positive influence on my behaviors ), our adorable Dalai Lama's Kindness Policy (which is not easy from where he resides) and our determined and radiant Mother Theresa. She says, "Keep loving and then keep loving more." I have to thank Maya Angelou's tale on NPR one day (who's QuoteTeam follows Get Over It Please/kkshaw47 on Twitter, what an honor!) We have seen the lessons in failure with Jimmy Carter who went from an unfavorable presidency in the 1970s to winning a Nobel Peace Price in 2002 (maybe there is hope for President Barack Obama.) Lastly, we were grateful to Oprah Winfrey, the spiritual leader of our time, for lifting us, time and time again.


Twitter

1. "I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love."--Mother Theresa
2. "I don't have to have faith, I have experience."--Joseph Campbell
3. "My religion is very simple, my religion is kindness.:--Dalai Lama

We have honored the Hero , which is a central theme in Joseph Campbell's writing. The hero who sacrifices for others has given life "great meaning". We have begun to understand the power of a Hero's consciousness (more now since I recently got my head out of my ass, sigh). We are now observing our problems abroad in Iraq (16 fucking suicide bombs go off at the same time the day we are withdrawing our troops, WTF kind of message is that?), Afghhanistan and now Pakistan. We learned of Pat Tillman's story and its devastating cover up. We've begun to look at our government in a different way. We now ask, just who's in charge in Congress and The House of Representatives in our districts, exactly? We have questioned Corporate America's Lobbying initiative ( lobbying can be effective in environmental /wildlife protection, by the way). We are starting to ask ourselves, can we "re-write" laws to further protect the women, children and animals of our community, our nation and the world? Yes, we are going to try til the cows come home, right?

We have saluted our environmentalists, Seatuck Environmental Center and The Nature Conservancy. We have declared Block Island, The Hopeful Universe. We have considered Rain Barrells as an alternative solution to water supply and Wind Energy too.

And finally, Getting Over Ourselves, which is never dull, starting with me. We have gone within ourselves to question the purpose of our egos (that is useful when you are growing as a child and young adult) and its destructive path. We have learned about our Reactive Crazy (again, can I get a trademark here?) and using Acceptance as a key to our problems as a coping tool (thank you Narcotics/Alcoholics Anonymous).

Reactive Crazy is the "culprit? in most major/minor conflicts. Reactive Crazy is the bruised, hurt, nasty, comeback to anything we are not prepared to hear about ourselves. It is a huge disappointment for me to observe and when I act out myself. Why can't we hear anything that is unfavorable about ourselves, in order to grow up? How can we achieve spiritual illumination?The misuse of our ego and our Reactive Crazy is revealing in marriage, family life, friendships and in our careers.  I'm just sayin...

Twitter

1. I fired my ego today!
2. Has anyone brought your ego and its silliness to your attention and you thanked them for it?
3. "Those who are free of resentful thoughts, surely find peace."--Buddha
4. I Get Over Myself when I allow my loved ones to completely disagree with me.
5. I Get Over Myself when I must accept what I do not necessary like in a positive way.
6. If someone I love is struggling for whatever reason, I have to let them have their feelings, right?
7. No ego with that please.
8. My reactive crazy never disappoints me, yikes!

We've discussed the ramifications of karma. We've observed that our thoughts and actions have everything to do with our reality. We have realized that humility is a gift as well as active listening and focused attention (our dear children teach us that every minute of the day, right)?


Twitter

1. "Understand Karma. No debt in the universe goes unpaid."--Deepak Chopra
2. "Total attention is the best gift I can give anyone."-- Deepak Chopra
3. "Your imagination will create drama out of nothing unless you live in the moment."--Yahoo Astrology
4. "Good thoughts cannot produce bad results, bad thoughts cannot produce good results."--James Allen

We have learned that losing our self importance could give us peace and calm. Once I let go of my version of disappointment and my self protection (that was my ego) I was somehow relieved. When I Got Over Myself, I was in a state of relief from my senseless attachment to all things good/bad.

Twitter

1. Is to let go a way of being in full control?
2. Does your self importance cause you emotional gridlock with yourself and loved ones?
3. I made friends with the abyss long ago
4. Thank you for the abyss, it saved my life.
5. I Got Over Myself today, what a relief!

As the fireflies have waved goodbye in late summer along with their friends, the trees that turn the color of tangerine lollipops (good enough to eat) and with the sun's blessing, we say thank you for reading in your busy days this year. If we continue to nourish our thoughts for a Hopeful Universe (no matter what is happening) and we lose our self importance and attachment to everything good and bad, then nothing can go that wrong right?



Twitter

1. We are in this world together.
2. "Remember The Children"--Darrell Ford Jr.'s Winter Coat Button
3. "Dear God, help me to be gentle and kind to every living creature."--A Prayer A Day

Let's pray for the women, children and animals who need our determined and fierce protection at all times.



With Love & Sincerely,

Kristen

P.S. You are all awesome!

Entry #29: Getting My Jolly On, We Are In This World Together and My Reactive Crazy

Dear All:

Winter's quiet chill had its first dress rehearsal last night. The sun's warmth and abrupt winds melted Jack Frosts silvery art work on each happy bush and tree in the front yard, now adorned with cheery Christmas bows, lights and holiday fantastic. When twinkling lights illuminate every tree inside and out, where Christmas trees are beaded with mermaids swimming in their aqua glitter, where hand painted boats sail on their own faithful branch and where ruby feathered cardinals perch, what is there not to love? Winter has its harsh ways for sure, but this season is forgiving like no other. The air quality is peaking, the dramatic puffy clouds have their own language and a winter's moonlight is as bright as any sun's shine. All is calm in winter at the moment and a Full Moon is brewing.  Get ready everybody because winter is never dull! 

Get Over It Please Tweets

1. Heaven on earth is the Full Moon's (12/9/11) silvery smile on our roof tops tonight. 
2. "Santa is the President of Christmas."--Brady Shaw 3.5 years old

While making spirits bright and thanking the universe for winter's magic, I've been delighted by nimbus, puffy clouds that stimulate my imagination when I find the time to look up and notice. Not only do I enjoy the stories I create, but sometimes (when I am smelling too many flowers) I think, "Are the clouds telling us something other than what the weather will be like tomorrow?"  When I was young, my mother and I could see anything in a cloud passing by. She'd say, "Look, I see a turtle." or "I see a king, there is his crown!" Today, Brady said, "That is a bow and arrow!" and "That is lighting!" Let's raise our icy glasses to the clouds, their memories and the simple joy they bring. 

As the tree lights twinkle and sing their Christmas carols each night, I am hopeful for a productive universe that seems to be in the works. However, my heart becomes heavy each time I open up my Yahoo news page. With our planet hungry (which is no peace promoter) and a predator against children potentially getting off because of the New York State Statute of Limitations (it is time to eradicate the Statute of Limitations concerning this fucked up and menacing issue. Knock, knock Senator C. Schumer) and a particularly gruesome situation happening against women right here at our beaches (just to name a few incidents occurring at the moment), I am like oh dear god help us down here. The way we manifest our anxiety is part of growing up and I have no control over any of this, however, how do you get through these feelings when you have a little lamb of a guy to get through this as well? Knowing that we are in this world together is the only way out. The only way to keep "up" is make a pact that we have one another to lean on and to understand. If anything supernatural should happen, its not like any of us will be singled out, we will be together somehow, because we are now, right?  

Tweets

1. We are in this world together.
2. "Dear God, help me to be gentle and kind to every living creature."--A Prayer A Day
3. "Understand Karma. No debt in the universe goes unpaid."--Deepak Chopra

As I become aware of the ramifications of my thoughts and the impact of karma, you would think I had enough strength to withhold my ego bullshit when things aren't going swimmingly. For the most part I do try and "shut it" and it does have a positive impact. However, when Todd and I are having any type of tense conversation about how to do things (his way or my way) my Reactive Crazy (can I get a trademark here?) starts blazing --quickly. It is a great comedy show, starring me and my asshole ways.

Reactive Crazy is the "culprit" in most major/minor conflicts. Reactive Crazy gets out of control if 1) anyone calls us out on the unfavorable (even when they are right) 2) it is the bruised, hurt, nasty comeback to anything we are not prepared to hear (which is 99% of the time) 3) it is the monster within a seemingly non defensive person 4) it is alliance(s) against an individual(s) who may be uncovering some truths 5) it is a lifetime story for some of us who never wanted to hear our own reality 6) it is a state of mind that does not allow for authenticity with oneself 7) it is a way in which to be cut off from honesty with loved ones who have our best interests in mind 8) It does not allow us to take responsibility for our actions because we immediately lunge into our own defense) 9) it causes pettiness which is the root of all evil 10) it is a defense mechanism that inhibits our spiritual illumination.

Tweets

1. My Reactive Crazy never disappoints me!
2. How did your Reactive Crazy navigate you today? Oh dear.
3. If I do not take responsibility for my actions today, there is no point.

Thank you all for reading in your busy days of everyday. If I Get Over Myself and my jolly on, if I remember that we are in this world together and more importantly, check my Reactive Crazy bullshit each day, then nothing can go that wrong, right?

Lastly, let's pray for the women, children & animals who need our determined and fierce protection at all times. 

With Love & Sincerely,

Kristen

P.S. Happy Birthday to Lynne Campisi (12/10) and Sarah Kain (12/14) who are two of the brightest lights I've ever known. 

Entry #28: Indian Summer's Firework Show, Minding My Lucky Stars and Listening without Judgment

Dear All:

The sun's relentless shine this November and the very late summer's hearty rainfall have given me nature's performance of a lifetime. The sweet dear leaves of our friends the trees, have remained a vivid green while the bold firework show of bright & zesty gold, delicious tangerine orange and "rosy cheeks" red have provided an exciting display of Autumn's richest quality of colors. The leaves twist and curl to the ground with more grace each day and today's (11/9/11) Indian Summer's mild temperature gave me more peace and calm than I can remember. Soon the trees will shake and shiver to Winter's harsh command and I will say good bye to this year's bloom, bounty and harvest and thank them for another spectacular season. 

Get Over It Please Tweets

1. Heaven on earth is the sun's bright light & the warmth it brings me this Indian Summer season.
2. Sunlight enriches my experience with everything!

As trees explode with bright gold and bushes looking like tangerine lollipops good enough to eat, I can always rely on the sun and the inner warmth it brings me. Each time I look up at the sun for the answers (don't we all?), I am greeted by my lifetime friend and remember the "super fun and exciting days" spent on Fire Island in the 1970s, and/or the sun's relief during the cryptic foggy summer days of San Francisco. When I observe the sun's bright rays on the small tree branches close by or the way the early morning sun lights up my backyard, I am reminded that maybe our dear God is never that far away. Let's hear it for the sun shine and all the warmth it brings!

With the sun's blessing and the Fall's non- stop firework show this season, I look at this Veteran's Day with as much compassion as I can. War is (and has been since the Gulf in 1991) part of our lives. I think to myself, how naive of me to think that with the existing global poverty,  (isn't that the root reason for war?) that war could not exist?  I will observe each Veterans Day with more respect and honor (again since I recently got my head out of my ass) and mind my lucky stars here in the non war zone (because of soldiers fighting to save their sanity and the world's freedom) and groom myself to "learn" the art of listening without judgment, sigh. 

With war being a part of life and our country actively involved in a nasty conflict with The Taliban on every level, I thank God for my freedom (at the moment) and the heroes that (have) put themselves in the line of fire for my safety. Veterans are more than the elderly men marching in the Babylon Memorial Day Parade. I have to thank them for giving up the many days in their lives that they may have felt weary, while being put in harms way. I've touched on these types of thoughts in recent entries, the Heroes Sacrifices, my initiative to send over boxes of cookies and wipes to Afghanistan (still on it) and the horrific story of our Pat Tillman's death by a US soldier, so I will just leave  "as is" this Veterans Day 2011. I will pray for the people of will and character who show me every day what sacrifice means. 

Tweet(s)

1. "Barack Obama announces the End of the War in Iraq! All troops Returning Home by 1/1/2012"--Associated Press
2. God bless the soldiers that save our asses everyday !
3. If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."--Mother Theresa
4. "It is necessary to help others in our daily lives, merely praying for them isn't enough."--Dalai Lama

According to our beautiful Mother Theresa and our drop dead gorgeous Dalai Lama, it is one thing to love each another (and keep loving), but we must also "do" and "give" til the cows come home. I do much discussing of what should be and what is, but actively "doing for" is always a challenge, because I never have enough time? These spiritual teachers swear that by loving and giving and doing, that life long happiness is possible. I can think of my close friends that do these things on a daily basis and always have. I wonder why I am not the first one out the door to go and help and do? What's up with that shit, KK?

Tweet

1. "Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."--Mother Theresa
2. We are all in this world together.
3. As long as I am Getting Over Myself today, I am good to go!

While gaining strength from the sun light today and always, I am amazed how distracted I can be and judgmental while listening to just about everyone, whether I agree or disagree. I think we all do it. Toddy does with me. He "booms" at me with his perspective or opinions and I just get so reactive crazy (this is a new one for the record, reactive crazy). When we are listening with judgment, aren't we missing out on some new and interesting idea ? Does listening with judgment mean, 1) we do not listen at all 2) we are more comfortable talking 3) we continually have to match the idea or story because we have to "up" the person telling the story (isn't it anti climatic for everyone?) 4) we are not even listening to the person because we want to tell a completely different story (about ourselves) 5) when someone tells us a story we don't even hear it and say nothing (because we are thinking of something else) 6) if someone proposes an new idea or thought and we provide a short negative response because we can only agree based on our own experience (we make it all about us)  7) we are not having an honest conversation 8) it causes monumental marital blow outs 9) listening is hard enough and with judgment it is impossible to have a genuine conversation  10) we are totally lost if we cannot actively listen, right? It is a huge character defect of mine that I am not going to blame my ADD on (for once). I'm just sayin...

Tweets

1. "Listening without judgment has got to be part of my story today, otherwise there is not point."
2. "Do your best to listen carefully when people start telling you what's what today -- they might actually know better than you!"--Yahoo Astrology
3. "Total attention is the best gift I can give anybody."--Deepak Chopra
4. I'm going to Get Over Myself today and listen without judgment (not easy for some reason) and have me a piece of delicious humble pie!

Thank you all for reading in the very busy days of this bright Fall, good enough to eat, really. If I continue my love affair with the sun light and "do" til the cows come home, while keeping my thoughts focused on listening and not judging, nothing can go that wrong, right? 

Lastly, let's pray for the women, children (the weekly tabloids broke a devastating story of children/ young adults not properly taken care of by very wreckless adults which blinded me with rage) & animals who need our determined and fierce protection at all times. 

With Love & Sincerely,

Kristen

P.S. You are all awesome!