<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" media="screen" href="/~d/styles/atom10full.xsl"?><?xml-stylesheet type="text/css" media="screen" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~d/styles/itemcontent.css"?><feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:openSearch="http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearch/1.1/" xmlns:georss="http://www.georss.org/georss" xmlns:gd="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005" xmlns:thr="http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0" xmlns:feedburner="http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0" gd:etag="W/&quot;DUEGR3c4cSp7ImA9WhRbEUg.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135</id><updated>2012-02-01T22:40:26.939-06:00</updated><category term="manifesto" /><category term="boundaries" /><category term="hard times" /><category term="free" /><category term="courage" /><category term="paula deen" /><category term="losing weight" /><category term="change" /><category term="art" /><category term="relationships" /><category term="forgiveness" /><category term="prophecy" /><category term="self care" /><category term="creativity" /><category term="empowerment" /><category term="2012" /><category term="challenges" /><category term="empowered women" /><category term="self love" /><category term="humility" /><category term="class" /><category term="new year" /><category term="breaking rules" /><category term="happiness" /><category term="intention setting" /><category term="changes" /><category term="intention" /><category term="personal care" /><category term="growth" /><category term="scripture" /><category term="valentines day" /><category term="being queen" /><category term="joy" /><category term="spirituality" /><category term="relaxing" /><category term="life" /><category term="end times" /><category term="soul mate" /><category term="dieting" /><category term="friendship" /><category term="new years resolution" /><category term="kindness" /><category term="life challenges" /><category term="giveaway" /><category term="goddess" /><category term="gnostic" /><category term="men" /><category term="letting go" /><category term="love" /><category term="spiritual growth" /><category term="health" /><category term="not dieting" /><category term="blog giveaway" /><title>Sparkle Big!</title><subtitle type="html" /><link rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/posts/default" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/" /><link rel="next" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default?start-index=26&amp;max-results=25&amp;redirect=false&amp;v=2" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><generator version="7.00" uri="http://www.blogger.com">Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>36</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>25</openSearch:itemsPerPage><atom10:link xmlns:atom10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/sparklebig" /><feedburner:info uri="sparklebig" /><atom10:link xmlns:atom10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" rel="hub" href="http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/" /><feedburner:emailServiceId>sparklebig</feedburner:emailServiceId><feedburner:feedburnerHostname>http://feedburner.google.com</feedburner:feedburnerHostname><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;C0cCQn05cSp7ImA9WhRUFkU.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-4256447944864277620</id><published>2012-01-27T10:16:00.002-06:00</published><updated>2012-01-27T10:17:43.329-06:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2012-01-27T10:17:43.329-06:00</app:edited><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="art" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="valentines day" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="free" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="giveaway" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="blog giveaway" /><title>Giveaway! Nurture Collage Print</title><content type="html">&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;
&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;
&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gmFlQSfPM54/TyLN39nc9ZI/AAAAAAAAAL8/v0LNbDjGLUs/s1600/nuturecollagewatermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gmFlQSfPM54/TyLN39nc9ZI/AAAAAAAAAL8/v0LNbDjGLUs/s320/nuturecollagewatermarked.jpg" width="320" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In honor of LOVE day (aka Valentine's Day)- 3 Lucky, Random Winners will be chosen on Valentines day- 2012 to receive a Free 8x10 print of my New "Nurture" Art Collage!&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
All you have to do to enter the contest is FOLLOW MY BLOG by Email! &amp;nbsp;Enter your address at the left.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I will post the winners here on this blog on 2/14/12 and will contact the winners for shipping information.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Good Luck!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-4256447944864277620?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/QlQju143p7Q" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/4256447944864277620/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2012/01/giveaway-nurture-collage-print.html#comment-form" title="0 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/4256447944864277620?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/4256447944864277620?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/QlQju143p7Q/giveaway-nurture-collage-print.html" title="Giveaway! Nurture Collage Print" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gmFlQSfPM54/TyLN39nc9ZI/AAAAAAAAAL8/v0LNbDjGLUs/s72-c/nuturecollagewatermarked.jpg" height="72" width="72" /><thr:total>0</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2012/01/giveaway-nurture-collage-print.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;DU4CRn47eSp7ImA9WhRUEkU.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-3323079197720566217</id><published>2012-01-22T21:05:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2012-01-22T21:06:07.001-06:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2012-01-22T21:06:07.001-06:00</app:edited><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="joy" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="happiness" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="intention setting" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="intention" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="change" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="love" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self care" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="challenges" /><title>Watch where you're going!</title><content type="html">&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;
&lt;i style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;“If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.”&lt;/i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;- Lawrence J. Peter&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;I cannot tell you how many times my clients say "I don't know", when I ask the question, "what would give you joy in your life?"&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;It is so important before you head in any direction in your life to know where you are headed- but most importantly why you want to go there. &amp;nbsp;We do so many things because we are "supposed to" do them and many times we don't stop and ask ourselves if what we are doing is really helping us accomplish what we want to accomplish- or even if it's necessary for our true happiness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;Such as:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;What do I want my marriage to feel like?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;What do I want my job to give to me?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;What really makes me want to get up everyday?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;Just asking these questions and (most importantly) taking the time to answer them, can give you a direction, a focus for your energies.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;Take the time, every single morning, to ask yourself- what do I want from this day? &amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;The day is your gift- it is given to you, for your own enjoyment- so dive into it and expect it to give you moments of joy :) &amp;nbsp;Do not waste a minute on not knowing who you choose to be or what you want out of your precious time! &amp;nbsp;Every moment holds the potential for joy- if you remember you are looking for it..... and you take yourself off autopilot and be fully present in the moment you are in.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;Sometimes I think God loves to play hide and seek with me. &amp;nbsp;He hides the beauty and I love finding it. &amp;nbsp;Sometimes it's easy and sometimes it's tucked deep beneath a mask- but it's always, always there.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;If you find yourself caught up in busyness or the illusion of mundane- change it by simply focusing on what could give you pleasure in the moment you find yourself in. &amp;nbsp; If you are caught in traffic, look around you, find the beauty, the humor, the tenderness, look at the nature around you- I promise you it's somewhere waiting for you to find it- Offering you a smile, a sweet moment, a deep breath, peace and a "I'm glad I'm alive" moment. &amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;If you are doing the laundry, take a moment and smell the sweet scent of your loved one on the clothes you are about to wash, or feel the softness and notice the colors- the beauty is always there- always.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;When you are cooking a meal and you just don't feel in the mood to cook another dinner- notice the colors, the smells of the food and the variety of textures. &amp;nbsp;Don't let the idea of "have to" rob you of what is there, offering you the gift of appreciation. &amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;There is just so much joy offering life around you, and the truth is, you need do nothing to see it and know it but be present to it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;So, know where you are headed and as you go there- ENJOY the journey.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-3323079197720566217?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/19EBPLn7DmY" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/3323079197720566217/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2012/01/watch-where-youre-going.html#comment-form" title="2 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/3323079197720566217?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/3323079197720566217?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/19EBPLn7DmY/watch-where-youre-going.html" title="Watch where you're going!" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><thr:total>2</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2012/01/watch-where-youre-going.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;DEENSXs8eip7ImA9WhRUEEo.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-7715800023813517218</id><published>2012-01-20T10:15:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2012-01-20T10:24:58.572-06:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2012-01-20T10:24:58.572-06:00</app:edited><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="creativity" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="courage" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="intention setting" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="change" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="new years resolution" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="spiritual growth" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="spirituality" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self care" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="empowered women" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="happiness" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self love" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="goddess" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="intention" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="new year" /><title>LOVE THIS!</title><content type="html">&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.goddessguidebook.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2012goddessyear2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="242" src="http://www.goddessguidebook.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2012goddessyear2.png" width="320" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;I came across this incredibly artistic &amp;amp; creative planner for 2012!! I had to share it with you cause it's so beautiful and truly a gift for yourself. &amp;nbsp;When I came across it I thought cool idea and ten bucks- it's worth a shot..... Little did I realize, &amp;nbsp;the creator filled every page with color and watercolor art, along with thoughtful meditations, intention setting for 2012, and a monthly planner. &amp;nbsp;It ROCKS!&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This morning I made myself a nice cup of warm coffee and started working through it. &amp;nbsp;I loved it so much I have decided to make it a weekly ritual to help get clear on my intentions and to live a year of NO REGRETS (my theme for 2012).&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Hope you check it out and if you buy it for yourself- let me know how you like it :)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.goddessguidebook.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2012goddessyear2.png" target="_blank"&gt;Goddess Guidebook for 2012&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-7715800023813517218?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/dVeXn-jvxxs" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/7715800023813517218/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2012/01/love-this.html#comment-form" title="0 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/7715800023813517218?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/7715800023813517218?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/dVeXn-jvxxs/love-this.html" title="LOVE THIS!" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><thr:total>0</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2012/01/love-this.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;DE4ERns6fSp7ImA9WhRUEEo.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-6727130796519698878</id><published>2012-01-17T16:40:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2012-01-20T10:28:27.515-06:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2012-01-20T10:28:27.515-06:00</app:edited><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="manifesto" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="empowered women" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="happiness" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="courage" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self love" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="life" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="intention setting" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="intention" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="love" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self care" /><title>Mirror Mirror on the Wall</title><content type="html">&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;
My Poem: &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As I looked into the mirror,&lt;br /&gt;
I was gently surprised by the kindness looking back.&lt;br /&gt;
"How lovely you look today", said the eyes smiling at me.&lt;br /&gt;
As I peered deeper,&lt;br /&gt;
the kindness drew me into deep caressing waves,&lt;br /&gt;
comfortable and understanding- &lt;br /&gt;
a lifetime of pushing self away and pulling self back.&lt;br /&gt;
The cruel game is over,&lt;br /&gt;
this much is clear.&lt;br /&gt;
The eyes say it all.&lt;br /&gt;
I am loved.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I am only 41 years old and I really really like myself. &amp;nbsp;I do believe this is like finishing the race early.&lt;br /&gt;
I meet so many faces each day and I see the doubt, and self hatred splintered inside calling out to be loved. &amp;nbsp;"I've been there", I am reminded. &amp;nbsp;And I say a silent prayer.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I am blessed by own courageousness- I never gave up on loving me, no matter how scared I became at the pits of loneliness I found in my own heart and the mountains of neediness I discovered deep in my belly. &amp;nbsp;I never gave up on me. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
There were times I wanted to run- as I came face to face with my own anger and I knew she was going to kick my ass. &amp;nbsp;But, I didn't. &amp;nbsp;I stayed put, planted my feet, opened my arms and said, "I'm not leaving".&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Over time, I began to believe myself. &amp;nbsp;I let the love creep in, and clean out and heal.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I was worth it and so are you.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-6727130796519698878?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/8FxOmXkV_vQ" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/6727130796519698878/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2012/01/mirror-mirror-on-wall.html#comment-form" title="1 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/6727130796519698878?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/6727130796519698878?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/8FxOmXkV_vQ/mirror-mirror-on-wall.html" title="Mirror Mirror on the Wall" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><thr:total>1</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2012/01/mirror-mirror-on-wall.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;A0QARX46fyp7ImA9WhRVEk0.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-4398123142564372882</id><published>2012-01-10T09:15:00.000-06:00</published><updated>2012-01-10T09:29:04.017-06:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2012-01-10T09:29:04.017-06:00</app:edited><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="gnostic" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="scripture" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="life" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="change" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="spiritual growth" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self care" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="letting go" /><title>Don't Settle for Small Fish</title><content type="html">&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;
&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;
&lt;a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRl-Wjqzvnv17mf3DMB_vcdIDYlj_AuEChIHS4r75WFkN9a2yZd" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRl-Wjqzvnv17mf3DMB_vcdIDYlj_AuEChIHS4r75WFkN9a2yZd" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
One of my hobbies is to study scripture and find the deeper meaning of it- the hidden teaching that only my own soul can point out to me. Lately I've been exploring the Gospel of Thomas (which is a Gnostic Scripture- my favorites!)&lt;br /&gt;
This morning I woke and read this awesome but simple and profound truth:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;blockquote class="tr_bq"&gt;
And Jesus said: &amp;nbsp;Man is like a wise fisherman, who cast his net in the sea and drew it out of the sea when it was full of little fishes. &amp;nbsp;Among them the wise fisherman found a large good fish. &amp;nbsp;He cast all the little fishes down into the sea. &amp;nbsp;He selected the large fish without difficulty. &amp;nbsp;He who has ears to hear, let him hear.&lt;/blockquote&gt;
Well, Soul of Mine, mine ears are ringing with understanding.&lt;br /&gt;
Toss back the small fishes- aka let go of the small ideas that only slightly nourish your spirit and go for the "large good fish" that you know will fill and satisfy you. &lt;br /&gt;
I love that it also says, "&amp;nbsp;He selected the large fish without difficulty"- which for me means- It was right there in front of his face- easy to spot if he was willing to see it.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I've been slightly struggling with letting go of offering crossing over readings for a month now- it feels like small fish to me. &amp;nbsp;It no longer offers me the fulfillment and satisfaction- in fact in never really did. &amp;nbsp;I would have to honestly admit I offered the service all these years because I felt like I SHOULD (cringing).&amp;nbsp;I always got second hand joy from it- receiving satisfaction only from the joy it gave others. &amp;nbsp;Some may see it as selfish to want first hand joy- but I know better. &amp;nbsp;I deserve it and so does everyone else. &amp;nbsp;To me, JOY is the big fish :)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I am a big advocate of doing what brings you joy- not what brings you guilt if you don't do it.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
So, today, in prayer and humility I asked my Soul to remind me of my strength to let go. &amp;nbsp;To let go of all the small fishes in my life that drain my energies and rob me of the time I want for other things- like art and teaching and loving and encouraging others to &lt;a href="http://www.sparklebig.com/" target="_blank"&gt;Sparkle&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I can taste that fish already.....&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;blockquote class="tr_bq"&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;blockquote class="tr_bq"&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-4398123142564372882?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/b_BUhi17NKM" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/4398123142564372882/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2012/01/dont-settle-for-small-fish.html#comment-form" title="3 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/4398123142564372882?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/4398123142564372882?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/b_BUhi17NKM/dont-settle-for-small-fish.html" title="Don't Settle for Small Fish" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><thr:total>3</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2012/01/dont-settle-for-small-fish.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;A0MFQ3w7eSp7ImA9WhRVEk0.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-679507651444941469</id><published>2012-01-02T20:06:00.000-06:00</published><updated>2012-01-10T09:30:12.201-06:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2012-01-10T09:30:12.201-06:00</app:edited><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="prophecy" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="end times" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="2012" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self love" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="new years resolution" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="change" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="breaking rules" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="spiritual growth" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="kindness" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="growth" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self care" /><title>A New Year's Thought on 2012</title><content type="html">&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;
I have been waiting for the year 2012 for more years than I can remember. &amp;nbsp;This long awaited time of prophecy and world changes has been a motivator for me in many ways.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I cannot profess to know&amp;nbsp;(and I think no one truly knows)&amp;nbsp;what this time will bring for our planet and our spiritual consciousness. &amp;nbsp;But I do know what I long for and what my prayers are filled with- PEACE and the REMEMBERING OF OUR DIVINE NATURE.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The fact is, even with all the mayan prophecy hype, the end times stories that fill the internet and many churches across our nation- we cannot know what is to come. &amp;nbsp;But, we can take advantage of the momentum of change that permeates the consciousness of so many, and use it to our advantage. &amp;nbsp;We can live BIG and live HAPPY. &amp;nbsp;We can Give our Full SELF to the world.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I have decided to live with the greatest integrity I can this year- to live like I was dying- as the famous country song proclaims. &amp;nbsp; I will make each day matter. &amp;nbsp;I will love as deeply as I can. &amp;nbsp;I will Share my light and wisdom in every opportunity that presents itself. &amp;nbsp;I will smile at myself in the mirror each day and remember to say "I Love YOU" to the face looking back. &amp;nbsp;I will take the time to play, to drink margaritas with my husband and play my mandolin while belting out my favorite songs, and to laugh at my humanness more than not.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I will be kind to my children and touch them with gentleness at least once a day.&lt;br /&gt;
I will break rules that need breaking and challenge shame in every moment.&lt;br /&gt;
I will not hide myself from anyone- I will let my light be seen by anyone who is willing to witness it.&lt;br /&gt;
I will fall more deeply in love with my Creator and I will show this love in my actions towards others.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I hope in my heart that I am sitting as I sit now, in Jan. of 2013, with a smile on my face and a warmth in my heart for the whole last year of my life- whatever the cycles of life bring my way.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
2012 Bring it on...&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-679507651444941469?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/jZFGB5ZPVBY" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/679507651444941469/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2012/01/new-years-thought-on-2012.html#comment-form" title="0 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/679507651444941469?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/679507651444941469?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/jZFGB5ZPVBY/new-years-thought-on-2012.html" title="A New Year's Thought on 2012" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><thr:total>0</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2012/01/new-years-thought-on-2012.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;A08ASX87fSp7ImA9WhRVEk0.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-7512897284385635865</id><published>2011-12-15T07:34:00.000-06:00</published><updated>2012-01-10T09:37:28.105-06:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2012-01-10T09:37:28.105-06:00</app:edited><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="happiness" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self love" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="spiritual growth" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="kindness" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self care" /><title>May you Know.....</title><content type="html">&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;
&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;
&lt;object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/NfJAh6hrCzw/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"&gt;&lt;param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NfJAh6hrCzw&amp;fs=1&amp;source=uds" /&gt;
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&lt;b&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"&gt;This Holiday Season may you remember.........&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;
&lt;i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"&gt;May the Grace of God be with you always, in your heart&lt;br /&gt;
May you know the truth inside you from the start&lt;br /&gt;
May you find the strength to know that you are a&lt;br /&gt;
part of something beautiful...&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;
&lt;span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"&gt;
&lt;span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-7512897284385635865?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/0AhYG3OCRxw" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/7512897284385635865/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/12/may-you-know.html#comment-form" title="0 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/7512897284385635865?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/7512897284385635865?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/0AhYG3OCRxw/may-you-know.html" title="May you Know....." /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><thr:total>0</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/12/may-you-know.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;A0MMSX05fSp7ImA9WhRVEk0.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-5827562481019529960</id><published>2011-10-19T20:16:00.001-05:00</published><updated>2012-01-10T09:31:28.325-06:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2012-01-10T09:31:28.325-06:00</app:edited><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="forgiveness" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self love" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="friendship" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="humility" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="life" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="spiritual growth" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="kindness" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self care" /><title>Forgiveness and Humility</title><content type="html">&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;
Tonight I was touched by Love.&lt;br /&gt;
I realized I have been angry about a lot of things I haven't allowed myself to even deal with and this has led to some harsh behaviors on my part.&amp;nbsp; Yuck, yuck, and ouch.&lt;br /&gt;
While I do not feel shame, because I truly love myself and know I'm doing the best I can, I do feel remorse- Remorse for not having allowed myself to be more patient and let my steam cool down before I responded.&lt;br /&gt;
Because I didn't wait, I burned two people who didn't really deserve my fire-y words.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As I sat down tonight, became still and relaxed a familiar voice came forward.&amp;nbsp; It melted my ice and opened my heart and healed my thoughts.&amp;nbsp; I let go of my anger which served as a wall guarding my heart.&amp;nbsp; I opened my eyes and saw the innocence of the two women I mistreated.&amp;nbsp; I cried and I woke up- to myself, to love.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I am human. My life constantly reminds me.&amp;nbsp; I am love. My life constantly reminds me.&lt;br /&gt;
I asked for forgiveness and in the asking alone I am already whole.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Thank you God for loving me.&amp;nbsp; Thank you for your gentleness and for not pushing me to move forward before I was ready.&amp;nbsp; My heart is full with gratefulness.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-5827562481019529960?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/Wqsef_9QFjI" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/5827562481019529960/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/10/forgiveness-and-humility.html#comment-form" title="0 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/5827562481019529960?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/5827562481019529960?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/Wqsef_9QFjI/forgiveness-and-humility.html" title="Forgiveness and Humility" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><thr:total>0</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/10/forgiveness-and-humility.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;D0YGR3Y8eCp7ImA9WhZaFU4.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-8350268897421059979</id><published>2011-07-01T10:45:00.000-05:00</published><updated>2011-07-01T10:45:26.870-05:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2011-07-01T10:45:26.870-05:00</app:edited><title>Winners of Free Art Giveaway!!!</title><content type="html">&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;I drew the 3 winners this morning for the Free 8x10 print of my painting "Grateful Heart"&lt;br /&gt;
Congratulations to: email address is omitted for privacy of subscriber&lt;br /&gt;
1-mmealey                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           &lt;br /&gt;
2-msjewels99&lt;br /&gt;
3-susan klopfer&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I will be contacting you via email to get your mailing address :)&lt;br /&gt;
Your free prints will be mailed out July 5.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Thank you to all of you who signed up!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-8350268897421059979?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/1W2lAsQeZlk" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/8350268897421059979/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/07/winners-of-free-art-giveaway.html#comment-form" title="0 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/8350268897421059979?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/8350268897421059979?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/1W2lAsQeZlk/winners-of-free-art-giveaway.html" title="Winners of Free Art Giveaway!!!" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><thr:total>0</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/07/winners-of-free-art-giveaway.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;A0IGR3g5cSp7ImA9WhRVEk0.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-7453484926819054966</id><published>2011-06-24T12:39:00.000-05:00</published><updated>2012-01-10T09:32:06.629-06:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2012-01-10T09:32:06.629-06:00</app:edited><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="not dieting" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="losing weight" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="paula deen" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="happiness" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="dieting" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self love" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="life" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="change" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="breaking rules" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self care" /><title>Shake it Baby!</title><content type="html">&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;
I recently purchased a new exercise video series due to so many recommendations by some&amp;nbsp;&lt;strike&gt; skinny bitches&amp;nbsp; &lt;/strike&gt;friends of mine.&amp;nbsp; It's called Zumba, and yeah I know, it's been out in the world market a long time now. My body, however,&amp;nbsp; was just recently &lt;strike&gt;shaken silly&amp;nbsp; &lt;/strike&gt;introduced to it. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Holy smokes and hell fire- it's hard!&amp;nbsp; "It's so fun! You'll love it!" they all said.&amp;nbsp; Define fun please.&lt;br /&gt;
I should have asked.&lt;br /&gt;
If watching yourself and your sagging breasts bounce around like your ass has been disjointed and you're trying to seduce the tv- then yes, it's fun.&amp;nbsp; &lt;br /&gt;
My arrogance, oh my old smart ass self, said no problemo when I bought it.&amp;nbsp; I used to be a dancer, this is gonna be easy peasy.&lt;br /&gt;
Popped it in and find myself heaving and panting with sweat stinging my eyes and that was only after watching the "how to" beginners tape.&amp;nbsp; Shit.&lt;br /&gt;
After flushing my stuck up self down the toilet, I looked in the mirror and said, "Girl where did your youth go?" at which point my stuck up self's head popped up out of the toilet and said, "down here with me".&lt;br /&gt;
Bitch.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-7453484926819054966?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/9OJNZF2gy58" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/7453484926819054966/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/06/shake-it-baby.html#comment-form" title="1 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/7453484926819054966?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/7453484926819054966?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/9OJNZF2gy58/shake-it-baby.html" title="Shake it Baby!" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><thr:total>1</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/06/shake-it-baby.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;A0IDQHo-fCp7ImA9WhRVEk0.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-67826115162342522</id><published>2011-06-11T09:00:00.000-05:00</published><updated>2012-01-10T09:32:51.454-06:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2012-01-10T09:32:51.454-06:00</app:edited><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="manifesto" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="creativity" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self love" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="change" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="spiritual growth" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self care" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="personal care" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="being queen" /><title>Personal Manifesto</title><content type="html">&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;
Thank you Queen Dani, my bff, for the &lt;a href="http://danisutliff.blogspot.com/p/current-workshops.html"&gt;awesome workshop&lt;/a&gt; on becoming a sovereign woman.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
My favorite part, which honestly required the work of all the weeks before it, was writing the personal manifesto to and for myself.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
To read it daily has been an attunement, an alignment with my true self.&amp;nbsp; To know the words are my own and come directly from my own heart and my own life experiences have made it incredibly effective in comforting and encouraging me to keep embracing my life.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Respect yourself. Only say YES when you really mean it. Remember who you really are and what you are worth.&amp;nbsp; Be authentic.&amp;nbsp; Apologize when you make a mistake.&amp;nbsp; Honor your agreements as long as they honor you.&amp;nbsp; Remind yourself everyday of what matters to you.&amp;nbsp; Never give up on your dreams.&amp;nbsp; Allow change.&amp;nbsp; Give freely of yourself.&amp;nbsp; Don’t hold back, SPARKLE BIG.&lt;br /&gt;
Receive.&amp;nbsp; Give.&amp;nbsp; &lt;br /&gt;
Be patient with yourself.&lt;br /&gt;
See Beauty in yourself and all others, even if you have to look deeply to see it.&lt;br /&gt;
Be Willing to Forgive.&lt;br /&gt;
Be Kind to all of life.&amp;nbsp; Honor the Earth.&lt;br /&gt;
Explore.&lt;br /&gt;
Be open minded.&lt;br /&gt;
Keep Learning.&amp;nbsp; Keep Teaching.&lt;br /&gt;
Taste everything.&lt;br /&gt;
Desire.&lt;br /&gt;
Make Love often. Open up to being seen &amp;amp; loved.&lt;br /&gt;
Cry openly and often.&lt;br /&gt;
Rejoice in goodness.&amp;nbsp; Stand up for Fairness.&lt;br /&gt;
Keep Grounded in Truth.&amp;nbsp; Speak what you know to be true.&amp;nbsp; Listen and make room for the truth of others.&amp;nbsp; Be open to changing your truth.&amp;nbsp; &lt;br /&gt;
Challenge Repression.&lt;br /&gt;
Rest often. Play everyday. Create Freely.&lt;br /&gt;
Radiate Joy with wild abandon.&lt;br /&gt;
Embrace your humanity.&lt;br /&gt;
Love the way you want to be loved.&lt;br /&gt;
Never forget life is temporary.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-67826115162342522?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/MOjlBcIM304" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/67826115162342522/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/06/personal-manifesto.html#comment-form" title="1 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/67826115162342522?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/67826115162342522?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/MOjlBcIM304/personal-manifesto.html" title="Personal Manifesto" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><thr:total>1</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/06/personal-manifesto.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;CUMBSXw_fip7ImA9WhZUFk4.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-6564558518769888501</id><published>2011-06-09T10:30:00.002-05:00</published><updated>2011-06-09T10:30:58.246-05:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2011-06-09T10:30:58.246-05:00</app:edited><title>Free Art Giveaway</title><content type="html">&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;I'm giving away 3 free 8x10 prints of "Grateful Heart" my newest painting.&lt;br /&gt;
All you have to do is FOLLOW MY BLOG, and you are entered to win!&lt;br /&gt;
3 random winners will be selected and announced on July 1, 2011.&lt;br /&gt;
Here is a picture of the painting.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OZRrlFVnbOI/TfDnHLoEAQI/AAAAAAAAAHc/ynnWykxbZ4w/s1600/gratefulheart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OZRrlFVnbOI/TfDnHLoEAQI/AAAAAAAAAHc/ynnWykxbZ4w/s320/gratefulheart.JPG" width="228" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-6564558518769888501?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/fu6CKLpawA4" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/6564558518769888501/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/06/free-art-giveaway.html#comment-form" title="5 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/6564558518769888501?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/6564558518769888501?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/fu6CKLpawA4/free-art-giveaway.html" title="Free Art Giveaway" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OZRrlFVnbOI/TfDnHLoEAQI/AAAAAAAAAHc/ynnWykxbZ4w/s72-c/gratefulheart.JPG" height="72" width="72" /><thr:total>5</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/06/free-art-giveaway.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;A0EGRH4zfSp7ImA9WhRVEk0.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-2178759977085197478</id><published>2011-06-09T09:31:00.001-05:00</published><updated>2012-01-10T09:33:45.085-06:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2012-01-10T09:33:45.085-06:00</app:edited><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="empowerment" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="empowered women" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self love" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="friendship" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="spiritual growth" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="kindness" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="spirituality" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self care" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="personal care" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="being queen" /><title>Wear your Cape &amp; Crown</title><content type="html">&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;
&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;
&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BRdpH0MuLKc/TfDZEvfExCI/AAAAAAAAAHY/Y-7BI3wSOqY/s1600/capeandtiara.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BRdpH0MuLKc/TfDZEvfExCI/AAAAAAAAAHY/Y-7BI3wSOqY/s200/capeandtiara.jpeg" width="198" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
I have a card that sits in my art room, that I purchased at &lt;a href="http://www.sisterspirit3.com/"&gt;Three Sister's Spirit&lt;/a&gt; which reads:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;i&gt;I'm fairly certain that given a Cape and a nice tiara, I could save the world&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
Now, aside from the literal translation- I love this card and it's truth because of what it reminds me about myself and my life.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
My "Cape" is my faith of a divine plan for my life.&amp;nbsp; I carry it on my shoulders as a sense of responsibility to myself and to my fellow souls on this Earth.&amp;nbsp; I know in my heart I am here with a very clear purpose and that my life will flow and carry me in each moment towards expressing that purpose.&amp;nbsp; If I enjoy it or not, it's my choice.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I discovered my purpose in 2001 at my ministerial training retreat.&amp;nbsp; Our teacher had suggested that we go sit with God, alone, and listen to why we had been called to the ministry.&amp;nbsp; I admit I was afraid, not of hearing nothing, but of actually hearing something that felt too big, or heavy to take on.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It wasn't long before I heard that internal sweetness inside my soul, whispering to me of things I had forgotten.&amp;nbsp; "You are here to remind them they are LOVED UNCONDITIONALLY"&amp;nbsp; A simple simple statement- with a deep deep understanding attached to it.&amp;nbsp; Tears came easily as I felt that Grace touch my heart.&amp;nbsp; I knew, I remembered my purpose.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
"How simple", I thought.&amp;nbsp; Geeze, that's it?&amp;nbsp; No going out and saving the world?&amp;nbsp; Feeding the hungry in 3rd world countries?&amp;nbsp; Nope, just remind them they are loved- completely and totally loved.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I cannot explain the excitement and peace I felt in this moment.&amp;nbsp; I knew not only that I could do this, but how I was to do it.&amp;nbsp; I knew that as a healer and counselor I was to show those who crossed my path how to release shame.&amp;nbsp; I was to wear a Crown, a knowing-ness of my own worth, my own perfection, in the eyes of God.&amp;nbsp; And wear it proudly so that others could feel safe in wearing their crowns around me and eventually feel safe in wearing their crowns into the world.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As Marianne Williamson says, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;h1 style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;
&lt;span style="font-size: small;"&gt;“Your playing small doesn't  serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that  other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine,  as children do.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;h1 style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;
&lt;span style="font-size: small;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;h1 style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;
&lt;span style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;So, today, I invite you to wear your crown and put on your cape.&amp;nbsp; Stand in the truth that there is a plan for your life and that you are loved completely.&amp;nbsp; And as you suit up to face your day, be ready because you will, undoubtedly affect the life of another and help to make this world a better place.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-2178759977085197478?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/YXNFnA7zRNY" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/2178759977085197478/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/06/wear-your-cape-crown.html#comment-form" title="0 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/2178759977085197478?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/2178759977085197478?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/YXNFnA7zRNY/wear-your-cape-crown.html" title="Wear your Cape &amp; Crown" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BRdpH0MuLKc/TfDZEvfExCI/AAAAAAAAAHY/Y-7BI3wSOqY/s72-c/capeandtiara.jpeg" height="72" width="72" /><thr:total>0</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/06/wear-your-cape-crown.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;DU4BRHY6cCp7ImA9WhZUFk8.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-5508522380503255536</id><published>2011-06-09T08:56:00.001-05:00</published><updated>2011-06-09T08:59:15.818-05:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2011-06-09T08:59:15.818-05:00</app:edited><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="art" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="creativity" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="class" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="being queen" /><title>Being Queen: giveaway</title><content type="html">&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;&lt;a href="http://danisutliff.blogspot.com/2011/06/giveaway.html"&gt;Being Queen: giveaway&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I just finished this online art/healing course and wanted to share it with you all!&lt;br /&gt;
Queen Dani is even giving away two spots to the next class FREE.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It's really quite fun, but most of all it helps you define who you really are.&amp;nbsp; Dani is such a wise and fun teacher who walks the talk.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-5508522380503255536?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/ivZoKErcTpo" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/5508522380503255536/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/06/being-queen-giveaway.html#comment-form" title="0 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/5508522380503255536?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/5508522380503255536?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/ivZoKErcTpo/being-queen-giveaway.html" title="Being Queen: giveaway" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><thr:total>0</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/06/being-queen-giveaway.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;A0EDR3k4cSp7ImA9WhRVEk0.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-327015326303097999</id><published>2011-06-03T10:35:00.001-05:00</published><updated>2012-01-10T09:34:36.739-06:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2012-01-10T09:34:36.739-06:00</app:edited><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="empowerment" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="hard times" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="empowered women" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="boundaries" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="life challenges" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self love" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="life" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="spiritual growth" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="kindness" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="spirituality" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self care" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="challenges" /><title>Ferris Wheel of Life</title><content type="html">&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;
&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.freestonerr.com/assets/images/ride_ferris_wheel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" src="http://www.freestonerr.com/assets/images/ride_ferris_wheel.jpg" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
Life is a ferris wheel.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It goes around and around, up to the top, down to the bottom- where one day we choose to get the hell off. Sometimes the circle flows slowly and lingers at the top, feeling spectacular and fulfilling. And other times, it's f***ing nauseating and feels like the guy running the machine has lost his marbles.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Some days I sit back and wonder- is my life just stuck in high gear?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I am a perfectly sane, deeply aware and grounded individual, but the chaos around me is almost too much to bear at times.  Yet, I'm sticking it out, cause I like that view from the top.  Might even admit I'm addicted to it.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I love the moments after hell has broken loose, faith was held, truth was spoken and feet were planted firmly in who I am, that I find peace and a deep quiet sense of "see everything does work out for the better".  AKA- the View is Great from UP HERE.&amp;nbsp; Today I'm in that place.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The wheel's been spinning fast these last few months. I've definitely had to use my "barf bag" option. With white knuckles gripping the handrail and screaming at the Universe "ENOUGH!" on the down swings- I've made it through a sickening ride.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
So maybe my hair looks like I was attacked by horny crows and I almost shit myself once or twice- but I made it through, I f***ing made it through.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Now, just say a prayer the guy running the show will go eat lunch and I can get a break.....&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-327015326303097999?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/qAZajNvFq2Q" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/327015326303097999/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/06/ferris-wheel-of-life.html#comment-form" title="1 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/327015326303097999?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/327015326303097999?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/qAZajNvFq2Q/ferris-wheel-of-life.html" title="Ferris Wheel of Life" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><thr:total>1</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/06/ferris-wheel-of-life.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;A0AFQXs4fSp7ImA9WhRVEk0.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-3532822693120461059</id><published>2011-05-09T14:52:00.000-05:00</published><updated>2012-01-10T09:35:10.535-06:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2012-01-10T09:35:10.535-06:00</app:edited><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="forgiveness" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="happiness" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self love" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="spiritual growth" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="kindness" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="relaxing" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self care" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="personal care" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="letting go" /><title>Melting is good for you...</title><content type="html">&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;
I'm melting today.  You know the feeling, when your body goes all soft and tired and you feel like a wet noodle just pulled out of hot water. Yep, that's how I feel.&lt;br /&gt;
My essence is leaking out all over the house and it's looking like someone else will have to do the clean up- LOL, cause there's not much of me left but ooze and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Do you ever get to the point where your body takes over and says, "that's it, lights off- you're done my dear."?  It seems I think my tank can run on empty and even when the vapors are evaporating I try for just a wee bit more- then..... I melt.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I know some of you are gasping, "my how unhealthy" and "you should stop sooner", but my lovelies, I've learned it's how I work.  And, it works really really good for me.  In fact, when I try to do it the other way, taking frequent breaks, etc.  I just don't thrive.  I LOVE GOING FULL ON and FULL OFF.  And, I'm not gonna fight it anymore.  You just can't get to that place of total let go if you don't give life your everything, everyday.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
So, knowing myself as well as I do, I'll not fight it anymore, I'll just melt.  Ahhhhh.... oozing out onto the couch, nothing to be, nowhere I have to go.  Yum, it tastes good this lazy daisy-ness. No guilt, just letting go.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I love that my body is healthy and can go, go, go and then melt into stillness.  Not sleeping, mind you, RESTING, MELTING INTO Blissful no-doingness. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I've even caught up on my favorite soap opera today, and can see after 6 months, I haven't missed a thing.  Sammy still doesn't know her husband is a fake and Chloe's still crazy.... I guess some other things thrive on stillness too.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-3532822693120461059?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/1w1tvnK8bVE" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/3532822693120461059/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/05/melting-is-good-for-you.html#comment-form" title="1 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/3532822693120461059?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/3532822693120461059?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/1w1tvnK8bVE/melting-is-good-for-you.html" title="Melting is good for you..." /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><thr:total>1</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/05/melting-is-good-for-you.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;A08GRXw_fip7ImA9WhRVEk0.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-5509403756649000722</id><published>2011-04-19T08:50:00.000-05:00</published><updated>2012-01-10T09:37:04.246-06:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2012-01-10T09:37:04.246-06:00</app:edited><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="life challenges" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self love" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="relationships" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="humility" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="soul mate" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="spiritual growth" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="men" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="love" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="kindness" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="spirituality" /><title>If you are a man who loves a woman- it's time to be conscious</title><content type="html">&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;
This video was sent to me by a friend.&amp;nbsp; As I watched it I felt deep sorrow rise up for release, healing.&lt;br /&gt;
I cried for myself, for my daughter and for all women, tears of gratitude.&lt;br /&gt;
I did not even know the depth of wound that was within my own soul for the injustices of the divine feminine.&lt;br /&gt;
I felt the sincerity of these men and my heart wept, my soul celebrated at their bravery and humility.&lt;br /&gt;
I feel hope for what could be- do you?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/K_uRIMUBnvw?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-5509403756649000722?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/cnkSSCSW2gw" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/5509403756649000722/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/04/if-you-are-man-who-loves-woman-its-time.html#comment-form" title="1 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/5509403756649000722?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/5509403756649000722?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/cnkSSCSW2gw/if-you-are-man-who-loves-woman-its-time.html" title="If you are a man who loves a woman- it's time to be conscious" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/K_uRIMUBnvw/default.jpg" height="72" width="72" /><thr:total>1</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/04/if-you-are-man-who-loves-woman-its-time.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;C0QNR3s4eip7ImA9WhZQEUg.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-4961664773514707130</id><published>2011-04-18T12:33:00.002-05:00</published><updated>2011-04-18T13:29:56.532-05:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2011-04-18T13:29:56.532-05:00</app:edited><title>For All Mothers of Daughters</title><content type="html">&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;&lt;table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FpolfrquZN8/Tax1ufyUmeI/AAAAAAAAAGw/udvEnbvShTI/s1600/IMG_4279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FpolfrquZN8/Tax1ufyUmeI/AAAAAAAAAGw/udvEnbvShTI/s320/IMG_4279.jpg" width="240" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"&gt;Tay's Birthday wish with her Grandma watching&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;&lt;/table&gt;This is from Tina Fey- one of my favorite comedians.&amp;nbsp; It is a Prayer for her daughter, and being the mother of a 16 yr. old, I can so relate.&lt;br /&gt;
Enjoy!&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-3859971399929986754" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;i&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: small;"&gt;First,  Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor  Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the Beauty.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
When the Crystal Meth is offered, May she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half And stick with Beer.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Guide her, protect her&lt;br /&gt;
When  crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean,  swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the subway platform,  crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms,  getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing,  leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels,  roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of  Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock ‘N Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,”  and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Lead  her away from Acting but not all the way to Finance. Something where  she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and  get outside sometimes And not have to wear high heels.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
What would  that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I’m asking  You, because if I knew, I’d be doing it, Youdammit.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
May she play  the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart with the sinewy strength  of her Own Arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Grant her a  Rough Patch from twelve to seventeen. Let her draw horses and be  interested in Barbies for much too long, For childhood is short - a  Tiger Flower blooming Magenta for one day - And adulthood is long and  dry-humping in cars will wait.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
O Lord, break the Internet  forever, That she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers  And the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna  Get Stabbed.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
And when she one day turns on me and calls me a  Bitch in front of Hollister, Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her  directly into a cab in front of her friends, For I will not have that  Shit. I will not have it.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
And should she choose to be a Mother  one day, be my eyes, Lord, that I may see her, lying on a blanket on the  floor at 4:50 A.M., all-at-once exhausted, bored, and in love with the  little creature whose poop is leaking up its back.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
“My mother did  this for me once,” she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby’s  neck. “My mother did this for me.” And the delayed gratitude will wash  over her as it does each generation and she will make a Mental Note to  call me. And she will forget. But I’ll know, because I peeped it with  Your God eyes.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Amen.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-3859971399929986754" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-3859971399929986754" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;-An excerpt from Tina Fey's new book -&lt;i&gt;Bossypants&lt;/i&gt;, 2011 &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-4961664773514707130?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/zdpWM6J9Wr0" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/4961664773514707130/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/04/for-all-mothers-of-daughters.html#comment-form" title="0 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/4961664773514707130?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/4961664773514707130?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/zdpWM6J9Wr0/for-all-mothers-of-daughters.html" title="For All Mothers of Daughters" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FpolfrquZN8/Tax1ufyUmeI/AAAAAAAAAGw/udvEnbvShTI/s72-c/IMG_4279.jpg" height="72" width="72" /><thr:total>0</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/04/for-all-mothers-of-daughters.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;A0AARHw6fCp7ImA9WhRVEk0.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-4218083272536978708</id><published>2011-04-11T15:01:00.001-05:00</published><updated>2012-01-10T09:35:45.214-06:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2012-01-10T09:35:45.214-06:00</app:edited><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="life challenges" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="courage" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self love" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="life" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="breaking rules" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="spiritual growth" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="spirituality" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self care" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="challenges" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="letting go" /><title>Life can be messy but Courage cleans it up</title><content type="html">&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;
&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;
&lt;a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D-OO4qR31Oo/TaNcI277xYI/AAAAAAAAAGg/Y78bIX2_e3s/s1600/couragetobeme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D-OO4qR31Oo/TaNcI277xYI/AAAAAAAAAGg/Y78bIX2_e3s/s200/couragetobeme.jpg" width="200" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
I took this self portrait a few days ago.&amp;nbsp; The necklace, which reads "Courage to be ME" was something I made for myself years ago.&amp;nbsp; On the other side of it is a picture of Calamity Jane, cowgirl boots and her gun included.&amp;nbsp; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Some days, I just need to wear it.&amp;nbsp; Life has been messy and challenging lately, things are changing all around me and inside of me.&amp;nbsp; Don't get me wrong my love, I'm up for the challenge, as long as I've got my cowgirl boots and gun at my side (grinning).&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Really though, joking aside, it's my courage that I find to be my greatest asset in life.&amp;nbsp; The courage to keep getting up, keep telling the truth, and even when I'm tired to keep asking for more.&amp;nbsp; It's how I'm made and I trust the one who put it inside of me to teach me how to use it in the best way possible.&amp;nbsp; So, courage has to be challenged to grow and fear has to be stared down in the face with a bring it on attitude in my world. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
So let the changes come- let the world I had thought I'd created crumble down to make something new.&amp;nbsp; I've got my heart of gold and the courage to ride it out.&amp;nbsp; But most of all I have my faith that there is goodness in all things and things fall apart so they can fall together.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
So me and my cowgirl boots are ready for life's next adventure with courage in heart.&amp;nbsp; Yee haw!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-4218083272536978708?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/bP9AjA5I3Rc" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/4218083272536978708/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/04/life-can-be-messy-but-courage-cleans-it.html#comment-form" title="1 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/4218083272536978708?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/4218083272536978708?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/bP9AjA5I3Rc/life-can-be-messy-but-courage-cleans-it.html" title="Life can be messy but Courage cleans it up" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D-OO4qR31Oo/TaNcI277xYI/AAAAAAAAAGg/Y78bIX2_e3s/s72-c/couragetobeme.jpg" height="72" width="72" /><thr:total>1</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/04/life-can-be-messy-but-courage-cleans-it.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;A04EQX09eSp7ImA9WhRVEk0.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-1119277310663935398</id><published>2011-04-08T16:49:00.000-05:00</published><updated>2012-01-10T09:38:20.361-06:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2012-01-10T09:38:20.361-06:00</app:edited><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="forgiveness" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="life challenges" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="courage" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="friendship" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="spiritual growth" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="spirituality" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="challenges" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self care" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="empowerment" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="boundaries" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="empowered women" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="happiness" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self love" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="growth" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="kindness" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="letting go" /><title>A Love Letter to Myself (&amp; to you)</title><content type="html">&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;
&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;
Oh my dear sweet heart, how I cherish you.&lt;br /&gt;
Your tender heart is soft with tears and open open open. &lt;br /&gt;
How I long to hold you close to me and bring you a cup of tea, to wrap you in love blankets and sing you a song of you.&lt;br /&gt;
The world is busy and full, but you can take your time my dear sweet heart.&amp;nbsp; You will not be left behind.&lt;br /&gt;
Oh, how the Universe sings when you sit quiet and listen.&lt;br /&gt;
The freckles on your face remind me of all the angels who have kissed your cheeks whilst you were sleeping.&lt;br /&gt;
Rest my sweet heart.&amp;nbsp; Rest your angel heart &amp;amp; wings.&lt;br /&gt;
All is well and life holds itself awake for your return.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/erURt5LAWlI?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="425"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-1119277310663935398?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/iNtDZEahITE" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/1119277310663935398/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/04/love-letter-to-myself-to-you.html#comment-form" title="0 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/1119277310663935398?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/1119277310663935398?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/iNtDZEahITE/love-letter-to-myself-to-you.html" title="A Love Letter to Myself (&amp; to you)" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/erURt5LAWlI/default.jpg" height="72" width="72" /><thr:total>0</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/04/love-letter-to-myself-to-you.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;CkMBSXs9fyp7ImA9WhZSGUg.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-1360010667126590802</id><published>2011-04-04T15:54:00.000-05:00</published><updated>2011-04-04T15:54:18.567-05:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2011-04-04T15:54:18.567-05:00</app:edited><title>Time to fly</title><content type="html">&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JI97Fet9Go0/TZovkpSnMKI/AAAAAAAAAGc/APRSIVaP_Ao/s1600/204637_1522070746675_1681794104_985513_2864251_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JI97Fet9Go0/TZovkpSnMKI/AAAAAAAAAGc/APRSIVaP_Ao/s200/204637_1522070746675_1681794104_985513_2864251_o.jpg" width="150" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;I found out in the last week that my son is moving away.... far away, 9 hours to be exact.&amp;nbsp; He is only 17 years old, but life's twists and turns have opened a path that he simply cannot refuse. It's time for me to let go and watch him "fly" literally.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Out of his boredom with school (he was a junior) he decided to play around on the computer system, which lead to his expulsion.&amp;nbsp; Yep, explusion, no more chances- you're outta here.&amp;nbsp; All our expectations for how his life would flow in the last two years of high school, prom, senior year, graduation- gone, in one day, all gone.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Once the shock and anger wore off, the question arrived, "How do we turn this into something good?"&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
God brought the answer, albeit an unexpected one.&amp;nbsp; Logan's dream is to be a pilot, he is 4 short hours away from taking his final check flight for his private pilot's license.&amp;nbsp; A dream he has been working on for 16 months now.&amp;nbsp; My father, who lives in southern Missouri is also a pilot and restores old airplanes.&amp;nbsp; So when he offered to give Logan a job fixing up airplanes and working towards his instrument certification, he chose to accept!&amp;nbsp; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It is bittersweet and confusing in some moments for me.&amp;nbsp; I go from elated and excited for the potential ahead for him- to walking past his room and feeling the edge of a pit of sadness I know I will need to visit soon enough.&amp;nbsp; My sweet boy is growing up and moving on.&amp;nbsp; Life has shoved him out of my nest a year before I was expecting it and I am numb.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I know when I make the long journey home, returning from delivering his things, I will begin to thaw.&amp;nbsp; I know my tears will flow and I will open my heart to all the other mothers in the world who, too, have had to let go.&amp;nbsp; Who have wished their son a life of dreams fulfilled, not knowing where the path ahead will truly lead, but trusting the force that guides them on it to watch over them.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I will be grateful that my son is not going off to war, that he will be surrounded by a family who loves him, that his opportunities will be more than he or I can even imagine right now.&amp;nbsp; I will find my way to peace, but for now, I will just be a mom who's letting go.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-1360010667126590802?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/TQTj2hn5xws" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/1360010667126590802/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/04/time-to-fly.html#comment-form" title="2 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/1360010667126590802?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/1360010667126590802?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/TQTj2hn5xws/time-to-fly.html" title="Time to fly" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JI97Fet9Go0/TZovkpSnMKI/AAAAAAAAAGc/APRSIVaP_Ao/s72-c/204637_1522070746675_1681794104_985513_2864251_o.jpg" height="72" width="72" /><thr:total>2</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/04/time-to-fly.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;A0AMR3o6cSp7ImA9WhRVEk0.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-2575379477511139464</id><published>2011-03-31T09:57:00.000-05:00</published><updated>2012-01-10T09:36:26.419-06:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2012-01-10T09:36:26.419-06:00</app:edited><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="creativity" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="life challenges" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="courage" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="life" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="health" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="change" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="spiritual growth" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="spirituality" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="challenges" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="personal care" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self care" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="empowered women" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="happiness" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="self love" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="growth" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="letting go" /><title>Hypertension &amp; Honoring the Body's Voice</title><content type="html">&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;
The best way I honor my body is to "listen" to it aches and pains as cries for love and attention.&lt;br /&gt;
Recently  I had my blood pressure taken and it was 128/86 !!!&amp;nbsp; I was shocked and  also, paradoxically, not so surprised.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I went home and sat with the  information in meditation. It came to my attention that my  "hypertension" was really inner anger.&amp;nbsp; I couldn't immediately identify  what I was angry about, but, when I found myself yelling at my son and  my husband the next morning about having to micromanage their lives I  witnessed myself.&amp;nbsp; Yikes...... there's my anger and it's ugly today.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
So, over the next  few days the anger began to seep up from my blood vessels to my  awareness.&amp;nbsp; Lordy lordy, I'm seeing anger all over the place in small  doses, adding up to a hell of a lot.&amp;nbsp; So, it's boundary setting time  again in my world.&amp;nbsp; Time to pull the word NO back out of my pocket and use it.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I've also booked a trip to Mexico for JUST my  husband and I- no kids.&amp;nbsp; So what if that money could be used for "other" things like college money, or a car for my daughter.&amp;nbsp; There's always gonna be something I could give my time, energy, or money to.&amp;nbsp; But the question is, how do I give it to my own dreams and say "screw you" to the guilt? Well, I just do :)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'm  admitting to myself the strangulation of my own pleasures and the taking  care of others first, issues. (Damn, I thought I had mastered this!&amp;nbsp;  Here we go again)&amp;nbsp; But, luckily, I've traveled this road many times.&amp;nbsp; I know it's twists and turns, know where the potholes are and how to get where I need to go without getting lost.&amp;nbsp; So, away I'll go, knowing full well how great it's gonna be when I get to my destination again.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Maybe that's why I keep taking this road?&amp;nbsp; It feels so good when I arrive.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-2575379477511139464?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/xUECHhz9rZ0" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/2575379477511139464/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/03/hypertension-honoring-bodys-voice.html#comment-form" title="2 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/2575379477511139464?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/2575379477511139464?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/xUECHhz9rZ0/hypertension-honoring-bodys-voice.html" title="Hypertension &amp; Honoring the Body's Voice" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><thr:total>2</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/03/hypertension-honoring-bodys-voice.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;A0YGRXc4eyp7ImA9WhZSFEQ.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-6093764660875418674</id><published>2011-03-29T20:07:00.002-05:00</published><updated>2011-03-30T10:32:04.933-05:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2011-03-30T10:32:04.933-05:00</app:edited><title>Shape Shifting</title><content type="html">&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;&lt;iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4A4ZarhnwnY?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
For 10 years now I have taught the spiritual mastery program in person.  I have filled many a group with my vivacious, rowdy &amp;amp; playful teachings on God.  I have committed myself to being fully present once a month to teach, heal, motivate, challenge and love each and every student I work with. But ladies and gents, I'm tired.  I want it to be easier, funner for me. I need it to be new and fresh again.&lt;br /&gt;
It is time, in fact, I venture to say it has BEEN time for awhile now, for me to take this show "on the road", the cyber road that is.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I'm ready, I'm willing and I'm gonna learn a heck of a lot teaching in this new way. And, my creative juices are flowing again and that feels pretty darn good.... (sigh)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.martinaschmidt.com/martinaschmidt.com/spiritual_mastery.html"&gt;Website to Register&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp; or to read more about it ;)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.martinaschmidt.com/martinaschmidt.com/spiritual_mastery.html"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-6093764660875418674?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/qMJquPNQLN4" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/6093764660875418674/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/03/shape-shifting.html#comment-form" title="0 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/6093764660875418674?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/6093764660875418674?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/qMJquPNQLN4/shape-shifting.html" title="Shape Shifting" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/4A4ZarhnwnY/default.jpg" height="72" width="72" /><thr:total>0</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/03/shape-shifting.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;AkYNSX47eyp7ImA9WhZTGE0.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-5181562772329053253</id><published>2011-03-22T10:36:00.000-05:00</published><updated>2011-03-22T10:36:38.003-05:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2011-03-22T10:36:38.003-05:00</app:edited><title>Best Friends &amp; Lollipops</title><content type="html">&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t69Ab4bXKXw/TYjAesnOmCI/AAAAAAAAAF8/MTtcunqBeEQ/s1600/DaniMartina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t69Ab4bXKXw/TYjAesnOmCI/AAAAAAAAAF8/MTtcunqBeEQ/s320/DaniMartina.jpg" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
What can I say, I have GREAT friends.  One of whom decided to get me to play hooky from my life recently and tempted me with a lollipop!  Not just any lollipop, but a pink lollipop made of cake and icing, with tiny sprinkles of love.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I love every bit of that sweet little treat- and I do mean the friend, not just the lollipop.  To have those in my life who know how to spoil and cherish me, to encourage me to say yes to play and silliness, these are the treasures I keep near to my heart.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Today, I simply say thank you- to all of you who have made me laugh, let me be me, enjoyed my stupid jokes, and encouraged me to give you more.  I love you and treasure you.  You are my true lollipops in life.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Consider yourself licked! LOL.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-5181562772329053253?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/w6SBIf8GCkw" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/5181562772329053253/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/03/best-friends-lollipops.html#comment-form" title="0 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/5181562772329053253?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/5181562772329053253?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/w6SBIf8GCkw/best-friends-lollipops.html" title="Best Friends &amp; Lollipops" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t69Ab4bXKXw/TYjAesnOmCI/AAAAAAAAAF8/MTtcunqBeEQ/s72-c/DaniMartina.jpg" height="72" width="72" /><thr:total>0</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/03/best-friends-lollipops.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/&quot;DEUFSH0_cCp7ImA9Wx9aFkU.&quot;"><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630359284837395135.post-4487871720021019807</id><published>2011-03-09T09:37:00.002-06:00</published><updated>2011-03-09T09:56:59.348-06:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2011-03-09T09:56:59.348-06:00</app:edited><title>Ask for help, ask for help, ask for help</title><content type="html">&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zdSe95KSmcE/TXeeYzy46xI/AAAAAAAAAF0/KoAEjeXtMR0/s1600/toddhelping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zdSe95KSmcE/TXeeYzy46xI/AAAAAAAAAF0/KoAEjeXtMR0/s320/toddhelping.jpg" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;No matter how many times I say this to myself, it seems to be my last resort- to ask for help.  Why???&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Am I just a stubborn ass?  Yes, my darling, I am.  I want to do it all myself.  I don't want help, until of course I do.  And then, I'm usually screaming and stomping for it :)&lt;br /&gt;
  &lt;br /&gt;
My mother tells me a story about a 2 year old Martina on her first day of Daycare, insisting that her mother stay in the car, that "she could do it by herself".  My mother watched as I marched up to the door of the church daycare and smiled while I jumped up and down trying to reach the door handle, to no avail.  Eventually, I turned around and stomped my feet, hands on hips, and shouted for her help.  Ugh.... it continues to this day, I admit.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Life is so much easier when I do ask for help.  No shit, right? In fact, I think I've convinced myself, I'm pretty darn good at asking for help until I find myself irritated and snapping at everyone because "nobody's helping me!"&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Usually when these words come out of my mouth I hear an inner bell... and it says "Duh! Did you even ask?"&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I am reminded that not only can I ask for physical help from family, friends, clients, etc. but also spiritual help from my guides, loved ones, etc.  It is most certainly an underused privilege of mine- and I am determined to master the skill of using it!&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I asked the Universe for help in planning a new Art camp I want to create: Creative Soul Camp &amp; voila! while I was too busy to start my "to do" list for it- the Universe took charge.  A retreat center was suggested to me by a friend and another friend asked if she could "intern" with me for FREE as a event planner!  OMG I love when this stuff works!!! (I'm laughing at myself right now)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Last night I came home exhausted from a day at work, drooling at the spot on the couch my butt is best friends with.  My husband was there working away in the kitchen doing the dishes.  Wow- porn for me.  Thank you thank you thank you.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1630359284837395135-4487871720021019807?l=blog.sparklebig.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sparklebig/~4/IQwPCOKPiWg" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</content><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/feeds/4487871720021019807/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/03/ask-for-help-ask-for-help-ask-for-help.html#comment-form" title="0 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/4487871720021019807?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1630359284837395135/posts/default/4487871720021019807?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sparklebig/~3/IQwPCOKPiWg/ask-for-help-ask-for-help-ask-for-help.html" title="Ask for help, ask for help, ask for help" /><author><name>revmartina</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06653769125479484995</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="32" height="31" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7HjA4xcVQ/TxWcOo-2V3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/pu32WkgMkG4/s220/Photo%2Bon%2B2010-09-23%2Bat%2B13.58_2.jpg" /></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zdSe95KSmcE/TXeeYzy46xI/AAAAAAAAAF0/KoAEjeXtMR0/s72-c/toddhelping.jpg" height="72" width="72" /><thr:total>0</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://blog.sparklebig.com/2011/03/ask-for-help-ask-for-help-ask-for-help.html</feedburner:origLink></entry></feed>

