<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:blogger='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005" xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345397898029236535</id><updated>2024-11-01T00:32:08.343-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Seeking the Serene</title><subtitle type='html'>Obtaining peace from within</subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default?redirect=false'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>Monica</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13070058851208837144</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='20' height='32' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnA58FvdSC9KdEs46fuKNamlYQBTE2xL0SGAEumuQhZ_AKomtAm7XFqcw2QfOQxQUSKpplmXRupZSDniT0SLeoVN26jtSIZpi0a0hDEK5Ufur-k32Yci-Je8kEiiEtA/s1600/me%252B3.JPG'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>13</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>25</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345397898029236535.post-6558619520953885635</id><published>2014-06-12T14:09:00.003-07:00</published><updated>2014-06-12T14:10:49.352-07:00</updated><title type='text'>My furrbaby is gone, questioning my path and I did this because you told me to....</title><content type='html'>So it&#39;s been a long week.&amp;nbsp; Yoda, my furrbaby, no longer exists.&amp;nbsp; He 
had either a spinal injury that was caused by nothing or spinal 
meningitis that no one knows how he could have gotten.&amp;nbsp; Needless to say,
 the poor boy couldn&#39;t walk anymore.&amp;nbsp; It was so painful to lose him and 
even worse to watch him hurt.&amp;nbsp; But, in the end, I had to not be selfish 
because of my own need for him and let him go so he could be at peace.&amp;nbsp; 
Peace or... non-existent.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
They said it would be like being put 
under for a surgery.&amp;nbsp; Have you ever been put to sleep for a surgery?&amp;nbsp; If
 you have, you know that there is absolutely nothing, and I do me 
NOTHING, there.&amp;nbsp; Pitch black and no memory.&amp;nbsp; Man, that scares me 
shitless.&amp;nbsp; Friday, I was crying that my dog just no longer existed.&amp;nbsp; I 
no longer believe in the fairy tales that I told my son about Yoda being
 some place playing ball and just waiting for us to join him.&amp;nbsp; I no 
longer believe the idiocy of such a stupid lie.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
They say that 
ignorance is bliss and I really, really want to believe that stupid lie 
and fairy tale.&amp;nbsp; My emotional state needs that comfort.&amp;nbsp; But why?&amp;nbsp; 
Because I was raised to believe that and now as I have gotten older and 
learned more, I realize that what I was taught to believe was not true?&amp;nbsp;
 So if I know the &quot;facts&quot; (done in quotation because what the hell are 
real facts when it comes to this shit) why can my heart not move on?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Ah,
 the heart!&amp;nbsp; It&#39;s a fickle little fucker.&amp;nbsp; Never really knows what it 
wants, does it?&amp;nbsp; Not for sure anyway.&amp;nbsp; Mine isn&#39;t cut in stone at 
least.&amp;nbsp; It wanders around and dreams, rants and raves.&amp;nbsp; Sometimes it 
settles for a minute and then it can be all &quot;up in arms&quot; again.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I 
want something more than me.&amp;nbsp; I want to look up into the great space 
that surrounds us.&amp;nbsp; I want to be awed and feel small, but I want to know
 that I&#39;m a part of it and have some sort of control.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Control is 
an illusion.&amp;nbsp; And maybe, just maybe, because of the losses that we 
experience we would like a little bit of the illusion.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Bye-bye, my baby.&amp;nbsp; You will be sorely missed&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;https://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/yoda.jpg&quot; href=&quot;https://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/yoda.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;yoda&quot; class=&quot;size-medium wp-image-259 aligncenter&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/yoda.jpg?w=168&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/yoda.jpg?w=168&quot; height=&quot;300&quot; width=&quot;168&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/feeds/6558619520953885635/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2014/06/so-its-been-long-week.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/6558619520953885635'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/6558619520953885635'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2014/06/so-its-been-long-week.html' title='My furrbaby is gone, questioning my path and I did this because you told me to....'/><author><name>Monica</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13070058851208837144</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='20' height='32' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnA58FvdSC9KdEs46fuKNamlYQBTE2xL0SGAEumuQhZ_AKomtAm7XFqcw2QfOQxQUSKpplmXRupZSDniT0SLeoVN26jtSIZpi0a0hDEK5Ufur-k32Yci-Je8kEiiEtA/s1600/me%252B3.JPG'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345397898029236535.post-5923853069371087035</id><published>2014-04-23T13:45:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2014-04-23T13:45:15.115-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Original Thought...</title><content type='html'>I have been watching Cosmos.&amp;nbsp; Every single time it blows my mind.&amp;nbsp; I 
sit in front of the television, entranced by the amazing, charming and 
intelligent Host.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&quot;Talk nerdy to me, Neil!&quot;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/neil-degrasse-tyson-tells-us-why-star-trek-is-so-much-better-than-star-wars.jpg&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/neil-degrasse-tyson-tells-us-why-star-trek-is-so-much-better-than-star-wars.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;neil-degrasse-tyson-tells-us-why-star-trek-is-so-much-better-than-star-wars&quot; class=&quot;alignnone size-medium wp-image-229&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/neil-degrasse-tyson-tells-us-why-star-trek-is-so-much-better-than-star-wars.jpg?w=300&quot; height=&quot;225&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/neil-degrasse-tyson-tells-us-why-star-trek-is-so-much-better-than-star-wars.jpg?w=300&quot; width=&quot;300&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
While
 watching, I have been pondering my own existence and that of everything
 around me.&amp;nbsp; I love thinking about the fact that I am surrounded by 
earth at all times.&amp;nbsp; My office desk, the walls, the floor, the chair I 
am sitting in.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; All are made of the earth.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; All encompassing.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
So
 I have been thinking about this and reincarnation.&amp;nbsp; So we are all a 
bunch of star dust.&amp;nbsp; Elements and DNA and stuff.&amp;nbsp; I say stuff because 
the technical terms for all the &quot;stuff&quot; we are made of escapes me and 
honestly, I just don&#39;t know.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
Anwho...&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
We
 all die and become worm food.&amp;nbsp; Plan and simple, right?!&amp;nbsp; I&#39;m not so 
sure.&amp;nbsp; What if reincarnation is basically our bodies decaying and being 
consumed by other things?&amp;nbsp; We disintegrate and transform and give 
nutrient to the dirt which in turn becomes part of the grass, the grass 
that the antelope eat, the antelope that the pregnant mother eats that 
nourishes the unborn child that is growing within her.&amp;nbsp; Those elements 
and molecules carry our (the form we are in now) &quot;stuff&quot; and combine 
with the new life.&amp;nbsp; Are we so very different for the leaves that fall 
from the tree?&amp;nbsp; I guess this would be something similar to the caste 
system, but organism up.&amp;nbsp; I don&#39;t know a lot about it.&amp;nbsp; Maybe that could
 be further reading.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/regeneration_circle_of_life.jpg&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/regeneration_circle_of_life.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;regeneration_circle_of_life&quot; class=&quot;size-medium wp-image-232 aligncenter&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/regeneration_circle_of_life.jpg?w=272&quot; height=&quot;300&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/regeneration_circle_of_life.jpg?w=272&quot; width=&quot;272&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&quot;There&#39;s always a bigger fish&quot; - Qui Gon Jinn&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
So
 the next question is consciousness.&amp;nbsp; What level do we have of 
consciousness?&amp;nbsp; The thought of no longer existing at all frightens me a 
bit, I must admit.&amp;nbsp; Must go back to the core of our existence that we 
have to survive.&amp;nbsp; Survival instincts are what have kept us going.&amp;nbsp; But 
do we become a different mind with our transformation?&amp;nbsp; Do we still have
 an amoeba personality?&amp;nbsp; What kind of personality does and amoeba have?&amp;nbsp;
 Do the elements, DNA and &quot;stuff&quot; that reside within us have memories 
and personality of their own?&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/our-dna.jpg&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/our-dna.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;Our DNA&quot; class=&quot;alignnone size-medium wp-image-241&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/our-dna.jpg?w=300&quot; height=&quot;202&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/our-dna.jpg?w=300&quot; width=&quot;300&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
Further
 more, past life regression?...&amp;nbsp; Is it just our &quot;stuff&quot; made up of 
previous people who give us residual memories?&amp;nbsp; That feeling that we 
remember something we possibly couldn&#39;t?&amp;nbsp; Deja Vu?&amp;nbsp; Maybe something we 
ate or ingested, embodied something from someone and somewhere that had 
that memory.&amp;nbsp; Ancestor worship can fall under this thought process too.&amp;nbsp;
 Every living being and person before us are a part of us.&amp;nbsp; So all of 
their &quot;stuff&quot; make up what we are today.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/voodoo-2.jpg&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/voodoo-2.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;voodoo-2&quot; class=&quot;alignnone size-medium wp-image-243&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/voodoo-2.jpg?w=300&quot; height=&quot;234&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/voodoo-2.jpg?w=300&quot; width=&quot;300&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
So
 many weird thoughts Cosmos has caused me to have.&amp;nbsp; Mind melting.&amp;nbsp; I 
labeled this post Original thought because I feel that we have been on 
this planet for too long for anyone to not have thought of something 
previously.&amp;nbsp; We have been &quot;thinking&quot; for so long throughout our tiny 
scale of a history on this planet that I am sure I have not come up with
 something original.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/index.jpeg&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/index.jpeg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;index&quot; class=&quot;alignnone size-full wp-image-247&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/index.jpeg&quot; height=&quot;225&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/index.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;225&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
But is that just a product of the &quot;stuff&quot; that is already within me... Inquiring Minds want to know...&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
It
 is highly possible that this has been a well-known thought process and I
 am just now catching up.&amp;nbsp; Better late than never, I guess.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
Woot!&amp;nbsp; Go me!&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/science-cheerleader-pic.jpg&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/science-cheerleader-pic.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;Science-Cheerleader-Pic&quot; class=&quot;alignnone size-medium wp-image-245&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/science-cheerleader-pic.jpg?w=300&quot; height=&quot;200&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/science-cheerleader-pic.jpg?w=300&quot; width=&quot;300&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/feeds/5923853069371087035/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2014/04/original-thought.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/5923853069371087035'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/5923853069371087035'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2014/04/original-thought.html' title='Original Thought...'/><author><name>Monica</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13070058851208837144</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='20' height='32' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnA58FvdSC9KdEs46fuKNamlYQBTE2xL0SGAEumuQhZ_AKomtAm7XFqcw2QfOQxQUSKpplmXRupZSDniT0SLeoVN26jtSIZpi0a0hDEK5Ufur-k32Yci-Je8kEiiEtA/s1600/me%252B3.JPG'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345397898029236535.post-3897253852006400152</id><published>2014-01-31T13:53:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2014-01-31T13:53:20.679-08:00</updated><title type='text'>More Like Her, Silver Springs, Seven Wonders</title><content type='html'>Everything happens for a reason, right?!&amp;nbsp; I mean that&#39;s the bullshit 
that we tell ourselves because that&#39;s what we have been conditioned to 
think by the people around us.&amp;nbsp; GOD!&amp;nbsp; I&#39;m trying to make my own 
destiny.&amp;nbsp; I was told yesterday that since I care so much about what 
others think that I must have no idea what I think.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Oh my.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I am fake.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Do it!&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kill me with a plastic knife, slowly please. Right now.&amp;nbsp; It&#39;s all over.&amp;nbsp; *drapes arm over forehead in a dramatic fashion*&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;img alt=&quot;&quot; class=&quot;aligncenter&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://www.lubanpack.com/images/plasticknife.jpg&quot; height=&quot;212&quot; id=&quot;irc_mi&quot; src=&quot;http://www.lubanpack.com/images/plasticknife.jpg&quot; width=&quot;294&quot; /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
I
 don&#39;t even get it anymore.&amp;nbsp; I curse those who fashioned me out of their
 genes and thought patterns!&amp;nbsp; CURSE YOU PARENTS! *shakes fists*&amp;nbsp; I curse
 them for making me indecisive.&amp;nbsp; Every time a holiday came upon us and I
 had to stand, tiny girl with light brown curls and brown puppy dog 
eyes, in between them and decide whom I wanted to spend time with.&amp;nbsp; 
Which you know that was whom I loved more, right?! Yeah, right!&amp;nbsp; NOT!&amp;nbsp; 
(am I even allowed to say NOT anymore, or is the reader saying, &quot;That&#39;s 
so 90&#39;s!&quot;)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;img alt=&quot;&quot; class=&quot;aligncenter&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://childrenstorytales.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Tears-2.jpg&quot; height=&quot;259&quot; id=&quot;irc_mi&quot; src=&quot;http://childrenstorytales.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Tears-2.jpg&quot; width=&quot;326&quot; /&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
Give me my flannel and my Doc Martens I need to brood!&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;img alt=&quot;&quot; class=&quot;aligncenter&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://www.rejects.com.mt/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Grunge_clothes2-1.jpg&quot; height=&quot;260&quot; id=&quot;irc_mi&quot; src=&quot;http://www.rejects.com.mt/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Grunge_clothes2-1.jpg&quot; width=&quot;388&quot; /&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
Lots
 of kids go through this and I damn well know the entire world is not 
living their lives for everyone else and base their entire universe on 
doing what makes others feel good.&amp;nbsp; Is it the stuff from my early adult 
hood?&amp;nbsp; Things happened.&amp;nbsp; I made bad choices.&amp;nbsp; We all do.&amp;nbsp; But I don&#39;t 
pay child support on mine and I don&#39;t have to raise them.&amp;nbsp; But I do live
 with those choices every day.&amp;nbsp; I felt as though I deserved it.&amp;nbsp; The 
Fates did that to me to make me slow down.&amp;nbsp; To make me realize that I 
was moving to fast.&amp;nbsp; To keep things from me to punish me.&amp;nbsp; I only 
thought of the moment, never the....&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#39;m tired...I don&#39;t wanna do it anymore.&amp;nbsp; All I know is I know nothing.&amp;nbsp; That&#39;s it.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;img alt=&quot;&quot; class=&quot;aligncenter&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/27a79-picsmeme-time-quote-25.jpg&quot; height=&quot;212&quot; id=&quot;irc_mi&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/27a79-picsmeme-time-quote-25.jpg&quot; width=&quot;212&quot; /&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
Anywho,
 so I&#39;ve written about AHS Coven and there were two songs in the last 
episode that I just thought were fabulous and I want to share.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
First was Silver Springs...&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/myrtle-2.jpg&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/myrtle-2.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;Myrtle 2&quot; class=&quot;size-medium wp-image-182 aligncenter&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/myrtle-2.jpg?w=300&quot; height=&quot;270&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/myrtle-2.jpg?w=300&quot; width=&quot;300&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVsy717Ej7U&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
And the second was Seven Wonders...&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_nqHuFQCRQ&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I
 really like the lyrics to both of these songs.&amp;nbsp; Ya know, because I am 
always looking for the words.&amp;nbsp; I hope they actually link the video 
instead of just have the link in there.&amp;nbsp; If they don&#39;t, I hope you don&#39;t
 mind leaving the page to go enjoy some beautiful vocals by the amazing 
Stevie Nicks.&amp;nbsp; I know I wouldn&#39;t.&lt;br /&gt;
I found this picture and it 
cracked me up.&amp;nbsp; It&#39;s a bit of a spoiler but not so bad and I don&#39;t think
 it alone ruins it.&amp;nbsp; And I have horrible allergies so I take this stuff 
frequently in Spring and Fall.&amp;nbsp; And it kills witches.&amp;nbsp; Go Figure!&amp;nbsp; HA!&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/delphine.png&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/delphine.png&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;delphine&quot; class=&quot;wp-image-184 aligncenter&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/delphine.png?w=200&quot; height=&quot;301&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/delphine.png?w=200&quot; width=&quot;200&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/feeds/3897253852006400152/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2014/01/more-like-her-silver-springs-seven.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/3897253852006400152'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/3897253852006400152'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2014/01/more-like-her-silver-springs-seven.html' title='More Like Her, Silver Springs, Seven Wonders'/><author><name>Monica</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13070058851208837144</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='20' height='32' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnA58FvdSC9KdEs46fuKNamlYQBTE2xL0SGAEumuQhZ_AKomtAm7XFqcw2QfOQxQUSKpplmXRupZSDniT0SLeoVN26jtSIZpi0a0hDEK5Ufur-k32Yci-Je8kEiiEtA/s1600/me%252B3.JPG'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345397898029236535.post-6413562373485755493</id><published>2014-01-31T13:48:00.002-08:00</published><updated>2014-01-31T13:48:36.996-08:00</updated><title type='text'>AHS: Coven</title><content type='html'>&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/burn.jpg&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/burn.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;burn&quot; class=&quot;alignnone size-medium wp-image-152&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/burn.jpg?w=231&quot; height=&quot;300&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/burn.jpg?w=231&quot; width=&quot;231&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br data-mce-bogus=&quot;1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
On Wednesday, we wear black.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/coven-1.jpeg&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/coven-1.jpeg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;coven 1&quot; class=&quot;alignnone size-medium wp-image-146&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/coven-1.jpeg?w=300&quot; height=&quot;221&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/coven-1.jpeg?w=300&quot; width=&quot;300&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br data-mce-bogus=&quot;1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
First
 of all, I want to point out how very much I loved this show.&amp;nbsp; I thought
 it was utterly amazing and had extremely talented people who I really 
enjoyed watching, especially the three matriarchs.&amp;nbsp; There were moments 
that I laughed out loud, giggled, was horribly shocked and cringed! 
Recipe for a good time.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/american-horror-story-cast.jpg&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/american-horror-story-cast.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;American-Horror-Story-Cast&quot; class=&quot;size-medium wp-image-140 aligncenter&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/american-horror-story-cast.jpg?w=300&quot; height=&quot;168&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/american-horror-story-cast.jpg?w=300&quot; width=&quot;300&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br data-mce-bogus=&quot;1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
I
 did have some mixed feelings while watching this show.&amp;nbsp; I identify 
myself as a witch.&amp;nbsp; It is a belief system to me.&amp;nbsp; It is so very hard to 
ask people who have no idea about any difference between fact and 
fiction, to understand I am not what is presented in mainstream media.&amp;nbsp; 
So in the past, it has upset me when they used the word witch and then 
have a character who does outrageous things.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I am not a joke.&amp;nbsp; I 
am not some circus side-show.&amp;nbsp; I am not delusional and just &quot;playing&quot; at
 being a witch.&amp;nbsp; I believe in God and Goddess and The Fates.&amp;nbsp; I take my 
ideas about things seriously, but not too seriously.&amp;nbsp; And that is where I
 have found that I can enjoy this show.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I decided that if 
Christians can have Highway to Heaven and Touched by an Angel, then 
there is a place for these stories too.&amp;nbsp; Because we all know those TV 
shows did not even border on the edge of reality.&amp;nbsp; They only used a 
concept and the fiction just spiraled out from there. Okay, same thing 
with witches.&amp;nbsp; Got it.&amp;nbsp; Hope everyone else can grasp the same idea.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
So back to the things that I loved about the show!&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/coven-poster.jpg&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/coven-poster.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;coven poster&quot; class=&quot;size-medium wp-image-147 aligncenter&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/coven-poster.jpg?w=199&quot; height=&quot;300&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/coven-poster.jpg?w=199&quot; width=&quot;199&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br data-mce-bogus=&quot;1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
I
 will start with the matriarchs.&amp;nbsp; I think Kathy Bates is such an AWESOME
 actress.&amp;nbsp; I have loved watching her since the first time I saw her in 
Misery.&amp;nbsp; By the way, this was from the hobbling scene which, to this 
very day after seeing this movie hundreds of times, I have never 
watched.&amp;nbsp; I always cover my eyes.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/misery.jpg&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/misery.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;Misery&quot; class=&quot;size-medium wp-image-148 aligncenter&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/misery.jpg?w=300&quot; height=&quot;168&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/misery.jpg?w=300&quot; width=&quot;300&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br data-mce-bogus=&quot;1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
Ms.
 Bates has an amazing way of making a most hideous character almost 
likeable.&amp;nbsp; I say almost because she has the ability to bring you right 
to that edge where you could fall over and feel sympathy and then with 
just a small twist, have you standing straight again.&amp;nbsp; It feels like 
listening to an unknown symphony watching her do her craft.&amp;nbsp; She has 
such talent, you have no idea that she&#39;s even doing it. As Madame 
Delphine LaLaurie, she did not disappoint.&amp;nbsp; Horrible woman.&amp;nbsp; Horrible 
woman in history.&amp;nbsp; But Kathy Bates has a way of seeming sympathetic so 
you want to watch, and yet not really like the woman. I think that&#39;s 
amazing.&amp;nbsp; Go Kathy Bates!&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/womantime.gif&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/womantime.gif&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;womantime&quot; class=&quot;size-medium wp-image-141 aligncenter&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/womantime.gif?w=300&quot; height=&quot;168&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/womantime.gif?w=300&quot; width=&quot;300&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br data-mce-bogus=&quot;1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
Jessica
 Lange is gorgeous.&amp;nbsp; And she made Fiona absolutely evil and 
awe-inspiring.&amp;nbsp; I was always a little bit envious of her inability to 
care for others because she just did what she pleased.&amp;nbsp; It was part of 
her undoing over all but the ride was fun while it lasted, at least it 
looked like it was.&amp;nbsp; Fiona was a tortured soul, but she didn&#39;t sit down 
long enough to acknowledge it.&amp;nbsp; That would have been weak to Fiona and 
there is nothing weak on the outside about this character.&amp;nbsp; She is tough
 as nails and just as dangerous and deadly if dealt with the wrong 
way.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; At least that is how I viewed her.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/large.jpg&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/large.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;large&quot; class=&quot;size-medium wp-image-150 aligncenter&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/large.jpg?w=300&quot; height=&quot;168&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/large.jpg?w=300&quot; width=&quot;300&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br data-mce-bogus=&quot;1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
Angela Bassett.&amp;nbsp; Oh my G O S H!&amp;nbsp; Can I just say that I loved this woman from this very moment.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/waiting.jpeg&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/waiting.jpeg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;waiting&quot; class=&quot;size-full wp-image-143 aligncenter&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/waiting.jpeg&quot; height=&quot;194&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/waiting.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;259&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br data-mce-bogus=&quot;1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
This
 was Waiting to Exhale.&amp;nbsp; Loved this character and her evolution.&amp;nbsp; She 
started out absolutely knowing things, things she just knew with all of 
her being, only to change and evolve and learn that things are not 
always exactly as they seem.&amp;nbsp; But that&#39;s another movie...&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Lovely, 
talented Ms. Bassett plays beautiful Madame Marie Laveau.&amp;nbsp; This is 
another part that I have a hard time separating.&amp;nbsp; Historical Madame 
Laveau was a beautiful and kind woman, so it is said.&amp;nbsp; She is very 
important to many people as a figure for their beliefs to this very 
day.&amp;nbsp; I only wish they would have used another name but, they didn&#39;t so 
whatcha gonna do?!&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I wish she would have had more screen time.&amp;nbsp; 
She was beautiful, strong and had every reason to be pissed off and 
vengeful.&amp;nbsp; Oh, and she was.&amp;nbsp; Maddeningly so.&amp;nbsp; Another tortured, strong 
woman with no time to think of her trials and tribulations, just the 
answers to the problems and her progress forward.&amp;nbsp; Forward for her was 
survival.&amp;nbsp; Such wonderful twists with her story.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/madameb.jpg&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/madameb.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;madameB&quot; class=&quot;size-medium wp-image-154 aligncenter&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/madameb.jpg?w=209&quot; height=&quot;300&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/madameb.jpg?w=209&quot; width=&quot;209&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br data-mce-bogus=&quot;1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
Cordelia
 is the daughter of Fiona, the Supreme.&amp;nbsp; She has always been in the 
shadow of her mother.&amp;nbsp; Never quite good enough for her mother or 
herself.&amp;nbsp; This put a lot of doubt in her and she never reached her 
potential.&amp;nbsp; The character of Cordelia is so beautiful, kind and 
doubting. The one most overlooked.&amp;nbsp; Watch out for those you think are 
weak.&amp;nbsp; And sometimes the weak ones can even surprise themselves&lt;br /&gt;
.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/cordelia.jpeg&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/cordelia.jpeg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;Cordelia&quot; class=&quot;alignnone size-full wp-image-159&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/cordelia.jpeg&quot; height=&quot;266&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/cordelia.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;190&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br data-mce-bogus=&quot;1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
When
 I grow up I want to be Myrtle Snow.&amp;nbsp; She was so magically, amazingly, 
beautifully ridiculous.&amp;nbsp; With a hint of insanity and high fashion backed
 up by an extreme amount of genius and insight.&amp;nbsp; Myrtle is a matriarch 
in her own right.&amp;nbsp; Never reaching her potential, just like Cordelia, 
because of also being in the shadow of Fiona.&amp;nbsp; Jealousy and being held 
down can be the catalysts to all of our failures.&amp;nbsp; When it comes down to
 it, I guess we are all always our own worse enemies.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/myrtle.jpg&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/myrtle.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;myrtle&quot; class=&quot;alignnone size-medium wp-image-158&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/myrtle.jpg?w=200&quot; height=&quot;300&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/myrtle.jpg?w=200&quot; width=&quot;200&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br data-mce-bogus=&quot;1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
This
 show is filled with such amazingly diverse women.&amp;nbsp; I was struck by the 
plain humanity of each one of them.&amp;nbsp; Fighting their own individual and 
unique battles.&amp;nbsp; They are neither good nor evil.&amp;nbsp; They are women doing 
what women do.&amp;nbsp; Humans, doing what humans do.&amp;nbsp; They are climbing the 
ladder, raising children, living as an example, living with anger, 
regret and loss all in a mystical wrapper.&amp;nbsp; They find strength, honor 
and courage in their lineage and traditions.&amp;nbsp; They are inspirational.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
And
 if all this boring information about women I have grown to admire 
hasn&#39;t pushed you over the edge to give this show a chance, maybe this 
will.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/stevie1.jpg&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/stevie1.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;stevie1&quot; class=&quot;alignnone size-medium wp-image-171&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/stevie1.jpg?w=300&quot; height=&quot;198&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/stevie1.jpg?w=300&quot; width=&quot;300&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br data-mce-bogus=&quot;1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
Yes,
 that is the beautiful, magnificent and timeless Stevie Nicks.&amp;nbsp; This 
lovely lady is in two episodes and her music is throughout.&amp;nbsp; Yeah, I 
really liked this show.&lt;/div&gt;
</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/feeds/6413562373485755493/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2014/01/ahs-coven.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/6413562373485755493'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/6413562373485755493'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2014/01/ahs-coven.html' title='AHS: Coven'/><author><name>Monica</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13070058851208837144</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='20' height='32' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnA58FvdSC9KdEs46fuKNamlYQBTE2xL0SGAEumuQhZ_AKomtAm7XFqcw2QfOQxQUSKpplmXRupZSDniT0SLeoVN26jtSIZpi0a0hDEK5Ufur-k32Yci-Je8kEiiEtA/s1600/me%252B3.JPG'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345397898029236535.post-8235820634444190152</id><published>2014-01-29T05:50:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2014-01-29T05:52:04.269-08:00</updated><title type='text'>I think it’s time for Old Man Winter to get Mother Nature drunk, and have a little fun making Spring…</title><content type='html'>Ya know, I am dreaming of the Caribbean right now.&amp;nbsp; I&#39;m the idiot for
 saying so but that&#39;s on my mind.&amp;nbsp; And not just because of the weather.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;img alt=&quot;&quot; class=&quot;aligncenter&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSfzu3jA_-xy3hP1ZdBqev_2HgWqPU5cacwhYyL4sObcQuLrS9hpA&quot; src=&quot;https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSfzu3jA_-xy3hP1ZdBqev_2HgWqPU5cacwhYyL4sObcQuLrS9hpA&quot; /&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
Everything is beautiful, right?!&amp;nbsp; I mean really.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Yesterday
 morning I was standing in front of my car and looked up to see three 
crows flying over head.&amp;nbsp; There was a gloom in the air, a light dreamy 
snow, the homes that were nearby had chimney&#39;s billowing out smoke and 
it just felt majestic.&amp;nbsp; I felt honored to be in that moment and see that
 beautiful sight.&amp;nbsp; I think sometimes I am the only one who notices these
 things.&amp;nbsp; Watching a snow blower eject snow in an arc that has the sun 
behind it, just makes me smile.&amp;nbsp; I am sure the person pushing the snow 
blower doesn&#39;t see the beauty that I do, but maybe they should.&amp;nbsp; Might 
make snow blowing a bit more enjoyable, or possibly not.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/winter-11.jpg&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/winter-11.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;winter 1&quot; class=&quot;size-medium wp-image-122 aligncenter&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/winter-11.jpg?w=225&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/winter-11.jpg?w=225&quot; height=&quot;300&quot; width=&quot;225&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br data-mce-bogus=&quot;1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;span class=&quot;mceItemHidden&quot;&gt;I
 feel like my camera never catches what my eyes do.&amp;nbsp; This was a 
beautiful picture of the serene snow, crescent moon and the sun just 
starting to come up over the tree line.&amp;nbsp; It was &lt;span class=&quot;hiddenGrammarError&quot;&gt;breath taking&lt;/span&gt;.&amp;nbsp;
 Or maybe, it wasn&#39;t.&amp;nbsp; That&#39;s why the picture doesn&#39;t look so great.&amp;nbsp; 
Maybe the picture actually captures what&#39;s there and I am making more of
 it than what it was.&amp;nbsp; I am actually glad most people do not see the 
world the way that I do.&amp;nbsp; Then we would all be pretty messed up.&amp;nbsp; YIKES!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;img alt=&quot;&quot; class=&quot;aligncenter&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/b8/e8/c0/b8e8c00d79f163a840d4eece6b3e6cf9.jpg&quot; src=&quot;http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/b8/e8/c0/b8e8c00d79f163a840d4eece6b3e6cf9.jpg&quot; height=&quot;236&quot; id=&quot;irc_mi&quot; width=&quot;236&quot; /&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
So
 driving to work in the winter has always been uncomfortable for me.&amp;nbsp; 
Ever since my brother died, it put a new perspective on life.&amp;nbsp; Ya know, 
because if he could die at the age of 25 I sure as hell could too at the
 age of 20.&amp;nbsp; Some years have passed since then.&amp;nbsp; I have passed his age 
by almost 12 years now.&amp;nbsp; And the fear has never left me.&amp;nbsp; The fact of my
 mortality.&amp;nbsp; At least I&#39;m not a shut in anymore.&amp;nbsp; Went through that for a
 bit but,&amp;nbsp; I can go out now.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span class=&quot;mceItemHidden&quot;&gt;My &lt;span class=&quot;hiddenSpellError&quot;&gt;Impala&lt;/span&gt;
 has been really good to me.&amp;nbsp; She&#39;s a tank.&amp;nbsp; Sturdy and comfortable.&amp;nbsp; 
She has made me feel so safe and gotten me through anxiety filled 
moments while on the snow and &lt;span class=&quot;hiddenGrammarError&quot;&gt;ice covered&lt;/span&gt; roads.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/winter-41.jpg&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/winter-41.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;winter 4&quot; class=&quot;size-medium wp-image-123 aligncenter&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/winter-41.jpg?w=225&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/winter-41.jpg?w=225&quot; height=&quot;300&quot; width=&quot;225&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br data-mce-bogus=&quot;1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;span class=&quot;mceItemHidden&quot;&gt;During
 this storm, they have been talking about the blizzard of 1978 a lot.&amp;nbsp; 
When I was growing up, that storm was legend.&amp;nbsp; I think it was really 
hard on my parents because I had been born so sick.&amp;nbsp; I was only 5 months
 old when the storm came.&amp;nbsp; I had just had open heart surgery 2 months 
prior.&amp;nbsp; My dad would always talk about having to ride the snow mobile to
 the store to get me formula or how they were going to get out if they 
needed to take me to the hospital when the &lt;span class=&quot;hiddenGrammarError&quot;&gt;snow covered&lt;/span&gt;
 the front door.&amp;nbsp; I have been a mess since I took my first breath.&amp;nbsp; I 
cannot imagine these roads in a rear wheel drive car.&amp;nbsp; Must have been an
 adventure.&amp;nbsp; Possibly no power steering either.&amp;nbsp; And think, no ABS!&amp;nbsp; 
Dear God, ya had to pump the breaks.&amp;nbsp; That, by the way, is a hard habit 
to break.&amp;nbsp; I still try to pump my breaks.&amp;nbsp; Oh lord.&amp;nbsp; &lt;span class=&quot;hiddenSpellError&quot;&gt;Whatcha&lt;/span&gt; gonna do?!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/winter-21.jpg&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/winter-21.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;winter 2&quot; class=&quot;alignnone size-medium wp-image-124&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/winter-21.jpg?w=225&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/winter-21.jpg?w=225&quot; height=&quot;300&quot; width=&quot;225&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br data-mce-bogus=&quot;1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
A
 very large mound of snow just off from the sidewalk.&amp;nbsp; It&#39;s been really 
cool.&amp;nbsp; I feel like I am walking through tunnels.&amp;nbsp; Watching my little dog
 trying to jump through the snow is really hilarious.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a data-mce-href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/winter-5.jpg&quot; href=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/winter-5.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;winter 5&quot; class=&quot;size-medium wp-image-126 aligncenter&quot; data-mce-src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/winter-5.jpg?w=225&quot; src=&quot;http://evoketherandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/winter-5.jpg?w=225&quot; height=&quot;300&quot; width=&quot;225&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br data-mce-bogus=&quot;1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span class=&quot;mceItemHidden&quot;&gt;Outside
 of work where I go to smoke.&amp;nbsp; That&#39;s the winter gear from far away.&amp;nbsp; I 
think I gained the pounds that were lost. But, I&#39;m going to say that 
it&#39;s just the heavy winter gear making me look all fluffy.&amp;nbsp; Fluffy&#39;s not
 &lt;span class=&quot;hiddenSpellError&quot;&gt;soo&lt;/span&gt; bad, right?!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span class=&quot;mceItemHidden&quot;&gt;We
 all deal with things in our own ways.&amp;nbsp; I am crafting more.&amp;nbsp; Laundry 
soap, bath salts that I made for presents for my sister group for Yule.&amp;nbsp;
 No, no one got naked and turned into cannibal zombie &lt;span class=&quot;hiddenSpellError&quot;&gt;freakazoids&lt;/span&gt;.&amp;nbsp; Darn it all!&amp;nbsp; I know EXACTLY where to go when the zombie apocalypse happens.&amp;nbsp; At least I used to know where to go... :-/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div data-mce-style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span class=&quot;mceItemHidden&quot;&gt;I
 have also felted some wool balls for homemade fabric softener for the 
dryer.&amp;nbsp; Doesn&#39;t have all that nasty plastic coating on it to mess up the
 inside of your dryer and actually &lt;span class=&quot;hiddenSpellError&quot;&gt;drys&lt;/span&gt; the clothes quicker.&amp;nbsp; &lt;span class=&quot;hiddenGrammarError&quot;&gt;WIN WIN&lt;/span&gt;, I say!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
So
 now I am just waiting to collect too many cats and you might see me on 
an episode of hoarders talking about&amp;nbsp; how much I love my babies.&amp;nbsp; At 
least that&#39;s the sort of future for people who make laundry soap and 
felted wool balls is, isn&#39;t it?!</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/feeds/8235820634444190152/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2014/01/ya-know-i-am-dreaming-of-caribbean.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/8235820634444190152'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/8235820634444190152'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2014/01/ya-know-i-am-dreaming-of-caribbean.html' title='I think it’s time for Old Man Winter to get Mother Nature drunk, and have a little fun making Spring…'/><author><name>Monica</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13070058851208837144</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='20' height='32' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnA58FvdSC9KdEs46fuKNamlYQBTE2xL0SGAEumuQhZ_AKomtAm7XFqcw2QfOQxQUSKpplmXRupZSDniT0SLeoVN26jtSIZpi0a0hDEK5Ufur-k32Yci-Je8kEiiEtA/s1600/me%252B3.JPG'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345397898029236535.post-621294049612188728</id><published>2014-01-10T08:27:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2014-01-10T08:27:28.679-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Wonderful winter wonderland with trees.</title><content type='html'>This winter has been magnificent. Beautiful and awesome. This has been the most &quot;real&quot; winter we have had in years.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
It started with a nice storm.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both;&quot;&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
At least the sun is shining and smiling through the storm. The one on my fence anyway.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
Beautiful rays from the actual sun was a stunning site. Shining next to the frozen branches of a tree.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both;&quot;&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
Then, there were the holidays. I had Yule with my circle. We celebrated at my house and for the first time ever, I lead ritual. I was nervous but I was determined and I succeeded.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both;&quot;&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;div&gt;
Part of ritual was writing things down that were negative or we no longer wanted from the darkness. We are thankful for the darkness. It is a part of us. Embrace it and learn from it. These are the things we set aflame. We released them back because we had gained what we needed. &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;div&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
New life came after the holiday. A bouncing baby boy. He&#39;s so very precious and soft.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
It was so comforting to sit in the hospital and hold him and just stare at him. He&#39;s my nephew and I am so blessed to have a sister in law that allows me to go goo goo over her children.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
Then the big blizzard came. Beautiful and intense. Frozen pipes, dead cars and slippery roads. Keeping me young with all of the excitement of driving.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
Scenes from the aftermath.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;div&gt;
The branches were so heavy they were touching the ground. Well, the two feet of snow on the ground.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
We keep it interesting here in Michigan, as you can see. This morning we woke up to freezing drizzle and we are going to reach a balmy 38 degrees today after just a few days ago having a windchill of -48 degrees. Variety is the spice of life.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both;&quot;&gt;
&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzxQGwV9qhTeLcq511M5VckR7mNG3eVJkcy63ZQgppWmrYrJfMFEXxHgtxkOscmjsKUNAp7MxPVUJo3Et3BxuBJxGYrXbF22fRiSlcZu3oVEXcPiUutpXbbABpByhysvKM8MZ-LYcHxc/s640/blogger-image--2127269061.jpg&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img border=&quot;0&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzxQGwV9qhTeLcq511M5VckR7mNG3eVJkcy63ZQgppWmrYrJfMFEXxHgtxkOscmjsKUNAp7MxPVUJo3Et3BxuBJxGYrXbF22fRiSlcZu3oVEXcPiUutpXbbABpByhysvKM8MZ-LYcHxc/s640/blogger-image--2127269061.jpg&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
That&#39;s not snow falling. It&#39;s fog. Made seeing on the drive to work a bit challenging but that keeps me on my toes.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both;&quot;&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6o8zqCPLQBBlD8beU_nhfOUZEWu2yB52iOELRzrt-_ajFpuH41bCc4p4UZC-XGfCM3iJd1j-A2Tacbdu4UVzd74Q-LrTVPzhOzdUUOahYJhmBOzBt3nUgNt3OpP5iyzOVKPEnhLnVOk/s640/blogger-image--1036420017.jpg&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img border=&quot;0&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6o8zqCPLQBBlD8beU_nhfOUZEWu2yB52iOELRzrt-_ajFpuH41bCc4p4UZC-XGfCM3iJd1j-A2Tacbdu4UVzd74Q-LrTVPzhOzdUUOahYJhmBOzBt3nUgNt3OpP5iyzOVKPEnhLnVOk/s640/blogger-image--1036420017.jpg&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
So that&#39;s my winter update for the moment. There&#39;s a spot for two, if you can stand the snow. I hope you enjoy the trees.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
Take care and be blessed.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/feeds/621294049612188728/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2014/01/wonderful-winter-wonderland-with-trees.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/621294049612188728'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/621294049612188728'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2014/01/wonderful-winter-wonderland-with-trees.html' title='Wonderful winter wonderland with trees.'/><author><name>Monica</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13070058851208837144</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='20' height='32' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnA58FvdSC9KdEs46fuKNamlYQBTE2xL0SGAEumuQhZ_AKomtAm7XFqcw2QfOQxQUSKpplmXRupZSDniT0SLeoVN26jtSIZpi0a0hDEK5Ufur-k32Yci-Je8kEiiEtA/s1600/me%252B3.JPG'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvgdOii9PMgR7dXDX7rmosJS4eXUNSk3xF43EXe6kJZMFkA93RtZzX_jNWCkveF1LT46qf7NUk9O7HeZbfPbuUoDcVvTCgE8lRJoau44KtPW9pWcb5JpQD-uL25aqgIzEW7eP9T_GB-s/s72-c/blogger-image--878684915.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345397898029236535.post-8963334198098906690</id><published>2013-12-24T09:29:00.002-08:00</published><updated>2013-12-24T09:29:16.740-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Persephone, Queen of the Underworld</title><content type='html'>&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;img class=&quot;irc_mut&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYGAU6qomj_gkfSjTEvhKmbwqT_Cv8a4WeNo5c6SfG2C9YxTWmP4FIUaaLT4Ais-8OAZhB_P56DYDZH63U8RKy5vXUSh0yQoeG40Z5CMxckJRJx6ufCwTxKtPx0_Qkzm240ALWOdI7EPt/s400/Persephone.jpg&quot; height=&quot;304&quot; id=&quot;irc_mi&quot; style=&quot;margin-top: 128px;&quot; width=&quot;303&quot; /&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: large;&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;Hymn to Persephone&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: large;&quot;&gt;by K.S. Roy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Glorious Goddess Persephone,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Maiden turned Queen of the Sacred Way,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;The path to the Underworld,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Lit bright by Hekate&#39;s torches,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Accompanied by swift-footed Hermes,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Once each year in the Spring,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;and once again each Autumn.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;The maiden who brings Spring&#39;s growth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;With her arrival above,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;And brings hope to the spirits of the dead&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;With her arrival below.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Wise Goddess who sees all that has gone before,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;And knows best how to lead us&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Into what is to come next.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;She leads us on our &lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;journey&lt;/span&gt;,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Along that road she knows so well,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Taking our souls with her&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Into the light of rebirth,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;And the hope of new beginnings,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Granting us our chance to strive,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;To earn our place in the Blessed Isles.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Great Goddess, guide our steps,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;So that we may not falter,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;That we will make our choices wisely,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;And will ever seek your wise counsel,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;So that we may have no fear&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;When we make our journey&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Back to your sacred realm.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/feeds/8963334198098906690/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2013/12/persephone-queen-of-underworld.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/8963334198098906690'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/8963334198098906690'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2013/12/persephone-queen-of-underworld.html' title='Persephone, Queen of the Underworld'/><author><name>Monica</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13070058851208837144</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='20' height='32' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnA58FvdSC9KdEs46fuKNamlYQBTE2xL0SGAEumuQhZ_AKomtAm7XFqcw2QfOQxQUSKpplmXRupZSDniT0SLeoVN26jtSIZpi0a0hDEK5Ufur-k32Yci-Je8kEiiEtA/s1600/me%252B3.JPG'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYGAU6qomj_gkfSjTEvhKmbwqT_Cv8a4WeNo5c6SfG2C9YxTWmP4FIUaaLT4Ais-8OAZhB_P56DYDZH63U8RKy5vXUSh0yQoeG40Z5CMxckJRJx6ufCwTxKtPx0_Qkzm240ALWOdI7EPt/s72-c/Persephone.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345397898029236535.post-5111773839952012030</id><published>2013-12-16T14:36:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2013-12-16T14:36:13.603-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Crafty and Confidence.</title><content type='html'>So, I have always been the person who is too afraid to move because I am afraid of failure.&amp;nbsp; Many people are afraid of things and still find the courage to move, experiment, and grow.&amp;nbsp; I am working on becoming a mover.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I started this weekend with a craft project.&amp;nbsp; I was very insecure but I just had to do it.&amp;nbsp; My priestess is a very creative woman.&amp;nbsp; I assume she doesn&#39;t create the wonderful things she does by looking down her nose at a book.&amp;nbsp; Well, maybe some ideas she has gotten that way but she puts her own &quot;spin&quot;, works with what feels right.&amp;nbsp; I admire her immensely.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
During my crafting session I decided that I was going to follow the directions at first but then I was going to &quot;flip it up&quot;, just a bit.&amp;nbsp; I started throwing in the ingredients the recipe called for but also other items, just to try it out.&amp;nbsp; I mean, what the hell?!&amp;nbsp; If it turned out bad, all I had to do was scrap it and start over. No biggie!&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
They actually all turned out pretty well.&amp;nbsp; I felt really good doing it.&amp;nbsp; Standing in my kitchen, drinking a bit of liquid courage, I felt close to my coven sisters even though they weren&#39;t physically there.&amp;nbsp; I felt their confidence in me and their encouragement.&amp;nbsp; It was very empowering.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Remember...Now that I no longer have to be perfect, I can be good. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I will write more about what I made after Yule, because I don&#39;t want to ruin the surprise.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Until next random thought...&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Toodles and be Blessed!</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/feeds/5111773839952012030/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2013/12/crafty-and-confidence.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/5111773839952012030'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/5111773839952012030'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2013/12/crafty-and-confidence.html' title='Crafty and Confidence.'/><author><name>Monica</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13070058851208837144</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='20' height='32' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnA58FvdSC9KdEs46fuKNamlYQBTE2xL0SGAEumuQhZ_AKomtAm7XFqcw2QfOQxQUSKpplmXRupZSDniT0SLeoVN26jtSIZpi0a0hDEK5Ufur-k32Yci-Je8kEiiEtA/s1600/me%252B3.JPG'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345397898029236535.post-4990669249503854004</id><published>2013-12-13T10:13:00.002-08:00</published><updated>2013-12-14T05:41:58.448-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Fulfillment, Full Circle, and Fabulous Revelations!</title><content type='html'>Times have changed.&amp;nbsp; Feelings have changed.&amp;nbsp; Circumstances have changed.&amp;nbsp; So 
goes it for life though, I suspect.&amp;nbsp; Roll with the punches, so on and so 
forth.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I’m happy.&amp;nbsp; I’m happy because I choose to be happy.&amp;nbsp; I choose to look around 
and be thankful for all of the things that I have.&amp;nbsp; I am even thankful for the 
things that I do not have.&amp;nbsp; If they were meant to be in my life, they would be 
here.&amp;nbsp; So that means I am supposed to have exactly what I do have.&amp;nbsp; And be 
grateful for it.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I have missed my sister circle immensely.&amp;nbsp; I have missed a lot of things 
actually.&amp;nbsp; I spent too much time with “things” that were not important.&amp;nbsp; I 
thought they were extremely important.&amp;nbsp; Maybe that means they were at that 
time.&amp;nbsp; But, they no longer are.&amp;nbsp; The “things” of the past have gotten from me 
what was needed, and vice versa, and moved on.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Being grateful is a conscious effort.&amp;nbsp; I have to be mindful at all times.&amp;nbsp; At 
one time in my life I felt this was fake.&amp;nbsp; That I should just embrace the “shit” 
feelings and ride them all the way through.&amp;nbsp; It’s easier just to delve into the 
negative and hang out there being snarky and unforgiving.&amp;nbsp; I wish I knew why it 
was easier.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I do not think easy is ever the answer.&amp;nbsp; If we reach a point in our lives 
when we no longer feel challenged, we have quit.&amp;nbsp; I am not a quitter.&amp;nbsp; I may not 
say things the way others want, choose things others choose, practice religions 
others practice.&amp;nbsp; But that, right there, is what being brave is all about. And 
growth comes from bravery amidst the struggle. &amp;nbsp;If you are driven to do 
something, don’t second guess it. There are going to be choices, hard choices.&amp;nbsp; 
And there might be times when you wonder why exactly you did what you did.&amp;nbsp; 
DON’T!&amp;nbsp; You did it for a reason.&amp;nbsp; Embrace it.&amp;nbsp; The reason might reveal itself 
later.&amp;nbsp; Hell, it might not.&amp;nbsp; But know, that whatever you said, did or chose was 
EXACTLY what you wanted.&amp;nbsp; End of story.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I have found that finding forgiveness is the hardest thing.&amp;nbsp; From others and 
yourself.&amp;nbsp; Forgiveness and trust are connected but are not always granted at the 
same time.&amp;nbsp; When someone tells you, or you tell yourself, that you’re forgiven, 
I think this is only a first, tiny, itty bitty, baby step.&amp;nbsp; It’s granting you 
the ability to build trust again.&amp;nbsp; Do not be discouraged.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I am a child of the microwave age and I think everything should be hot and 
ready right now with no extra effort.&amp;nbsp; This&amp;nbsp;thought process can be very 
detrimental when nothing ever works like a microwave and a microwave doesn’t 
really make the best of stuff anyway.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Think about it!&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Pizza rolls in the microwave are all right.&amp;nbsp; They are sort of warm, sort of 
good and sort of cold and squishy.&amp;nbsp; But hey, they are done fast.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Now think of 
Pizza rolls in the oven. They take longer for sure but they are crispy, warm all 
the way through and delish!&amp;nbsp; If you like Pizza rolls that is.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
You get my point 
though, I think.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I am a work in progress. There was something that a friend of my posted that 
said, “I am done trying to be perfect so now I can be good.”&amp;nbsp; Good is so much 
easier than perfect.&amp;nbsp; It leaves room for error.&amp;nbsp; Error is expected, except when 
you expect to be perfect.&amp;nbsp; When we aim for perfection any imperfection feels 
like utter failure and you become inconsolable.&amp;nbsp; This leads to feelings of 
anxiety, anger, hopelessness, insecurities and so many other negative feelings 
that are a COMPLETE waste of our human existence.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Fear leads to anger.&amp;nbsp; Anger leads to Hate.&amp;nbsp; Hate leads to the Darkside.&amp;nbsp; ~ 
Jedi Master Yoda&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
And we all know what happened to cute little Anakin Skywalker! *breathes 
heavily through a respirator*&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Now I’m getting all nerdy after all my randomness.&amp;nbsp; But I have decided to 
“Embrace the Monica!” I will stop judging me.&amp;nbsp; I will stop over thinking, but 
don’t forget to think completely.&amp;nbsp; For me, that last part is extremely 
important.&amp;nbsp; I am a creature of extremes.&amp;nbsp; Love or hate.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I was drawn to paganism in my early 20′s.&amp;nbsp; I felt like I was coming home.&amp;nbsp; I 
felt something full of balance.&amp;nbsp; It was something I so desperately needed in my 
life and something I still strive for.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I am a work in progress, as we all are.&amp;nbsp; We need to learn to love others and ourselves.&amp;nbsp; Embrace all that we are, all that we can become and all that surrounds us.&amp;nbsp; Trust in yourself and never be too hard on yourself.&amp;nbsp; Remember, now that I no longer have to be perfect, I can be good! &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Well that’s it for this time.&amp;nbsp; Tune in next random blog post to see what 
other random randomness might be happening in my brain.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Toodles!&amp;nbsp; And be blessed!</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/feeds/4990669249503854004/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2013/12/fulfillment-full-circle-and-fabulous.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/4990669249503854004'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/4990669249503854004'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2013/12/fulfillment-full-circle-and-fabulous.html' title='Fulfillment, Full Circle, and Fabulous Revelations!'/><author><name>Monica</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13070058851208837144</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='20' height='32' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnA58FvdSC9KdEs46fuKNamlYQBTE2xL0SGAEumuQhZ_AKomtAm7XFqcw2QfOQxQUSKpplmXRupZSDniT0SLeoVN26jtSIZpi0a0hDEK5Ufur-k32Yci-Je8kEiiEtA/s1600/me%252B3.JPG'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345397898029236535.post-8605103325955963094</id><published>2012-04-21T07:09:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2012-04-21T07:10:35.891-07:00</updated><title type='text'>It is what it is...</title><content type='html'>I am supposed to be seeking the serene. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I really hate when someone says to me &quot;It is what it is.&quot; &amp;nbsp;Too me that means there is no hope for change. &amp;nbsp;I think that you can change anything if you really want to. &amp;nbsp;Wherever you are must be exactly where you want to be because if it wasn&#39;t you would do something different.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Fear keeps me from moving forward. &amp;nbsp;Fear of the unknown. &amp;nbsp;Fear of what I think I do know will happen.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
So is &quot;It is what it is&quot;, a total form of indifference in my opinion, just a way to reach the serene? &amp;nbsp;Is it just throwing your hands up and giving up? &amp;nbsp;You feel powerless.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But...is my delusion that I feel that I can always change something the real problem? &amp;nbsp;Maybe I should just give up and go with the flow. &amp;nbsp;I don&#39;t really do anything to change to what I really want anyway. &amp;nbsp;I just think, dream and hope about it. &amp;nbsp;Change needs action.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
My mind needs peace and in that comes the calm. &amp;nbsp;The acceptance of things being what they are is what will get you further to the serene. &amp;nbsp;Stop fighting the inevitable even if you do not like the answers.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#39;m not giving up, I&#39;m just giving in. &amp;nbsp;It is what it is.</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/feeds/8605103325955963094/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2012/04/it-is-what-it-is.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/8605103325955963094'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/8605103325955963094'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2012/04/it-is-what-it-is.html' title='It is what it is...'/><author><name>Monica</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13070058851208837144</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='20' height='32' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnA58FvdSC9KdEs46fuKNamlYQBTE2xL0SGAEumuQhZ_AKomtAm7XFqcw2QfOQxQUSKpplmXRupZSDniT0SLeoVN26jtSIZpi0a0hDEK5Ufur-k32Yci-Je8kEiiEtA/s1600/me%252B3.JPG'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345397898029236535.post-3632446357939297764</id><published>2012-03-14T14:21:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2012-03-14T14:21:52.331-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Meditation</title><content type='html'>I have never been a big fan of Meditation.&amp;nbsp; I have many theorys as to why I have not been.&amp;nbsp; Too boring, too long, too quiet, not able to focus, rather be doing something, no time and the list goes on.&amp;nbsp; In the past I have been requested to meditate to complete a requirement for something,&amp;nbsp; Begrudgingly I do it.&amp;nbsp; That all changed very recently.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Per a suggestion from a friend, I cleared off my altar and set before it and just did some breathing.&amp;nbsp; I breathe in calm and breathe out peace.&amp;nbsp; I do this until I feel releaxed.&amp;nbsp; Then I create a &quot;loop&quot; of love.&amp;nbsp; I breathe in the love of the Gods and breathe my love back to them.&amp;nbsp; I do this for about 10 mins a day.&amp;nbsp; It seems very simple but it makes me feel very calm and at peace and full of love, which appears to be the point.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I have found I need this time to focus and release and relax.&amp;nbsp; My job consists of people that are angry and tell me about it all day long.&amp;nbsp; I try not to take it personal.&amp;nbsp; I know that these people are really not mad at me, even though they are saying very personal things. I must separate. Disconnect from the negative.</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/feeds/3632446357939297764/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2012/03/meditation.html#comment-form' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/3632446357939297764'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/3632446357939297764'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2012/03/meditation.html' title='Meditation'/><author><name>Monica</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13070058851208837144</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='20' height='32' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnA58FvdSC9KdEs46fuKNamlYQBTE2xL0SGAEumuQhZ_AKomtAm7XFqcw2QfOQxQUSKpplmXRupZSDniT0SLeoVN26jtSIZpi0a0hDEK5Ufur-k32Yci-Je8kEiiEtA/s1600/me%252B3.JPG'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345397898029236535.post-5541473562456256888</id><published>2012-02-18T20:46:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2012-02-18T20:46:38.999-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Fears</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;Fears have no place in the serene. &amp;nbsp;Tonight while visiting some friends I was confronted with one of my greatest fears and experienced a great sense of loss. &amp;nbsp;In their home was a three week old baby. &amp;nbsp;She was so beautiful and so precious. &amp;nbsp;She started to cry and I asked if I could pick her up. &amp;nbsp;When I picked her up and laid her on my chest she immediately stopped fussing. &amp;nbsp;At that very moment I felt the intense fear and sense of great loss. &amp;nbsp;I knew that was the most precious thing in the world. &amp;nbsp;I knew there was so much joy in that moment, and that will be a moment that will never be mine. &amp;nbsp;I always ask my friends if and when they have babies if I can be there with them. &amp;nbsp;I want so much to experience that, but never will. &amp;nbsp;I am trying to live vicariously through others. &amp;nbsp;I almost feel as though I am stealing.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;I have made my choice. &amp;nbsp;I will never have that exact experience. &amp;nbsp;I do not want to feel envy and loss when I am around babies. &amp;nbsp;I want to feel joy and happiness for they are perfect wonderful gifts.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Sometimes I say negative things about having children. &amp;nbsp;I say these things, I now believe, as a defense. &amp;nbsp;I am deflecting my real feelings about it. &amp;nbsp;In order for me to step through this I must face it.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;I am going to be honest about my feelings about making a choice to never give birth and never raise children I have given birth to. &amp;nbsp;I do feel a sense of loss. &amp;nbsp;It does hurt me to hold someone else&#39;s child and know we do not share the same DNA. &amp;nbsp;It does make me envy the mother that has that natural bond with that child. &amp;nbsp;But I believe in admitting that, I can further explore why I feel that way.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;Why is DNA important? &amp;nbsp;Is it just the experience that I am hurt about loosing? &amp;nbsp;Has it just been ingrained in me that I need to give birth to a child to be an actual mother? &amp;nbsp;Has that been ingrained in society? &amp;nbsp;Do I envy the fact that a mother or father can look at a child and say they belong to them? &amp;nbsp;What defines the belonging? &amp;nbsp;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;When a child is born, they are aware of their mother and father and grow up knowing that is a fact. &amp;nbsp;I have three beautiful, wonderful children, two that live with my husband and I full time. &amp;nbsp;They are his children and I am their step-mother. &amp;nbsp;I have been with them for the last seven years. &amp;nbsp;I love them with all of my heart and my soul. &amp;nbsp;There is not a thing I would not do for them. &amp;nbsp;I am honored that I have been able to help raise them. &amp;nbsp;They love me because I earned their love. &amp;nbsp;I am very proud of that fact. &amp;nbsp;They did not have to accept me, but they chose to. &amp;nbsp;I am truly blessed.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;In order to step through this fear, I need to see the positive that surrounds me every day. &amp;nbsp;I have recognized the hurt and loss. &amp;nbsp;I need to embrace why I feel that way in order to recognize it and step through it. &amp;nbsp;I have experienced many things in my life, and I am grateful for each and every one.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;I guess what I am trying to say is we all cannot experience everything. &amp;nbsp;We are individuals with individual experiences. &amp;nbsp;I am here. &amp;nbsp;I am doing what I am doing. &amp;nbsp;This is where I am supposed to be. &amp;nbsp;There is no other place on the earth I would rather be. &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;i&gt;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/feeds/5541473562456256888/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2012/02/fears.html#comment-form' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/5541473562456256888'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/5541473562456256888'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2012/02/fears.html' title='Fears'/><author><name>Monica</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13070058851208837144</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='20' height='32' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnA58FvdSC9KdEs46fuKNamlYQBTE2xL0SGAEumuQhZ_AKomtAm7XFqcw2QfOQxQUSKpplmXRupZSDniT0SLeoVN26jtSIZpi0a0hDEK5Ufur-k32Yci-Je8kEiiEtA/s1600/me%252B3.JPG'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345397898029236535.post-9202465051826467541</id><published>2012-02-17T12:42:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2012-02-17T12:42:40.935-08:00</updated><title type='text'>What exactly am I in search of...</title><content type='html'>&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;header&quot; style=&quot;background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; word-wrap: break-word;&quot;&gt;
&lt;h2 class=&quot;me&quot; style=&quot;color: black; display: inline; font-family: &amp;quot;Arial Unicode MS&amp;quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;&quot;&gt;
se·rene&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;sup style=&quot;bottom: 1ex; font-size: 0.75em; height: 0px; line-height: 1; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;&quot;&gt;&lt;/sup&gt; &amp;nbsp;&lt;span class=&quot;pronset&quot;&gt;&lt;span audio=&quot;http://sp.dictionary.com/dictstatic/dictionary/audio/luna/S03/S0357000.mp3&quot; class=&quot;speaker&quot; default=&quot;http://dictionary.reference.com/audio.html/lunaWAV/S03/S0357000&quot; style=&quot;background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://sp.dictionary.com/en/i/dictionary/newserp/Sprite_Serp.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -619px -478px; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 19px; padding-left: 3px; width: 20px;&quot;&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span class=&quot;show_spellpr&quot; style=&quot;display: inline;&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;prondelim&quot; style=&quot;font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;[&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;pron&quot; style=&quot;display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;s&lt;span class=&quot;ital-inline&quot; style=&quot;display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;&quot;&gt;uh&lt;/span&gt;-&lt;span class=&quot;boldface&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: 700;&quot;&gt;reen&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;prondelim&quot; style=&quot;font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;]&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;a class=&quot;questionmark&quot; href=&quot;http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/Spell_pron_key.html&quot; style=&quot;background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://sp.dictionary.com/en/i/dictionary/newserp/Sprite_Serp.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -622px -429px; color: #333333; display: inline-block; font-size: small; height: 16px; position: relative; top: 2px; width: 16px;&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;span class=&quot;pron_toggle&quot; style=&quot;display: inline;&quot;&gt;&lt;a alt=&quot;Toggle for IPA&quot; class=&quot;pronlink&quot; href=&quot;http://www.blogger.com/&quot; style=&quot;color: #999999; cursor: pointer; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11px; margin-left: 11px; text-decoration: underline;&quot; title=&quot;Click to show IPA&quot;&gt;Show IPA&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;body&quot; style=&quot;background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; margin: 0em 0px 0em 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;&quot;&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;pbk&quot; style=&quot;font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span class=&quot;pg&quot; style=&quot;display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 3px;&quot;&gt;&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;position: static;&quot;&gt;&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; name=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;cursor: default; position: static;&quot;&gt;adjective&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;luna-Ent&quot; style=&quot;background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span class=&quot;dnindex&quot; style=&quot;color: #7b7b7b; display: block; float: left; font-weight: bold; width: 28px;&quot;&gt;&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;position: static;&quot;&gt;&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; name=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;color: #333333; cursor: default; position: static;&quot;&gt;1.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;dndata&quot; style=&quot;font-family: verdana; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;position: static;&quot;&gt;&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; name=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;cursor: default; position: static;&quot;&gt;calm,&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; name=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;cursor: default; position: static;&quot;&gt;peaceful,&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; name=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;cursor: default; position: static;&quot;&gt;or&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; name=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;cursor: default; position: static;&quot;&gt;tranquil;&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; name=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;cursor: default; position: static;&quot;&gt;unruffled:&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;ital-inline&quot; style=&quot;display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;&quot;&gt;&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;position: static;&quot;&gt;&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; name=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;cursor: default; position: static;&quot;&gt;a&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; name=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;cursor: default; position: static;&quot;&gt;serene&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; name=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;position: static;&quot;&gt;landscape;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; name=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;cursor: default; position: static;&quot;&gt;serene&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; name=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;position: static;&quot;&gt;old&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; name=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;cursor: default; position: static;&quot;&gt;age.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;luna-Ent&quot; style=&quot;background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span class=&quot;dnindex&quot; style=&quot;color: #7b7b7b; display: block; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; width: 28px;&quot;&gt;&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;position: static;&quot;&gt;&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; name=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;position: static;&quot;&gt;2.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;dndata&quot; style=&quot;font-family: verdana; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;position: static;&quot;&gt;&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; name=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;position: static;&quot;&gt;clear;&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; name=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;position: static;&quot;&gt;fair:&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;ital-inline&quot; style=&quot;display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;&quot;&gt;&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;position: static;&quot;&gt;&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; name=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;cursor: default; position: static;&quot;&gt;serene&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;span id=&quot;hotword&quot; name=&quot;hotword&quot; style=&quot;cursor: default; position: static;&quot;&gt;weather.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;dndata&quot; style=&quot;font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;I am a wife, lover, mother, daughter, sister, friend, pagan, coven sister and all things in between. &amp;nbsp;We all play many roles in our lives. &amp;nbsp;If you notice everything that I listed, &amp;nbsp;is actually what I am to other people. &amp;nbsp;What am I to me? &amp;nbsp;I guess that would be simple. &amp;nbsp;I am just me. &amp;nbsp;I do not have any requirements for what I am to myself, I do not fill a specific roll to me. &amp;nbsp;That is serene. &amp;nbsp;I am the only person that doesn&#39;t require/want/need anything from me. &amp;nbsp;That thought freed me more than &amp;nbsp;you can know. &amp;nbsp;Turning inward is important for our &quot;feeding&quot;.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;I am going to be Seeking the Serene from within and will be sharing my techniques and view points on information I obtain. &amp;nbsp;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;The Goddess resides within me. &amp;nbsp;I must get to know her better and I will gain further knowledge of the person she is occupies.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/feeds/9202465051826467541/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2012/02/what-exactly-am-i-in-search-of.html#comment-form' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/9202465051826467541'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8345397898029236535/posts/default/9202465051826467541'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://seekingtheserene.blogspot.com/2012/02/what-exactly-am-i-in-search-of.html' title='What exactly am I in search of...'/><author><name>Monica</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13070058851208837144</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='20' height='32' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnA58FvdSC9KdEs46fuKNamlYQBTE2xL0SGAEumuQhZ_AKomtAm7XFqcw2QfOQxQUSKpplmXRupZSDniT0SLeoVN26jtSIZpi0a0hDEK5Ufur-k32Yci-Je8kEiiEtA/s1600/me%252B3.JPG'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry></feed>