wood, water, and dharma

Puzzle Pieces

2012-02-01T08:48:00.000-08:00

In an effort to switch things up one night last week, the Hubs and I decided to put a puzzle together, as our normal nightly routine consists of eating dinner, doing schoolwork, and then watching either an episode of the Office or a movie. Well, the puzzle was a fantastic choice to change things up. It was a 750 piece scene of a dockside marina in Amsterdam. A total of seven colorful buildings decorates the picture, in addition to a cafe or two, restaurants, and dozens of people. Needless to say, it took us a while to finish it, and the end product is one that is now beautifully displayed in our home.

While we were picking out the corners and end pieces, it was pretty overwhelming. I mean, that's 750 pieces to go through! The entire top of this puzzle is a blue sky, so that is a lot of thinking we had the right piece, only to find out it wasn't. Hours upon hours of working on that blue sky turned into days. Literally. But, eventually, it was starting to come together! As we took frequent breaks, I would walk by the table and just stand and look at the unfinished picture.

It was beautiful, even unfinished. A work in progress.

I slowly started to piece ideas together, as we were piecing the puzzle together. This puzzle is no different than life. Truly. While we are all unfinished works in progress, we still are beautiful. Its not the finished puzzle that makes it beautiful, it was the work that went into it!

I mean, think about it. When you have put a puzzle together, what happens when you are all done? It either sits there as decoration, is framed and put on a wall (as decoration), or it gets taken apart and put back in the box, just to be stored away and never looked at again.

Every day of our life is a process of finding the right puzzle piece that fits, and placing it where it goes. Sometimes we find a piece that seems to be the perfect fit, just to find out that its not. We then have to remove it and try again. Sometimes we find an individual piece that is beautiful on its own, yet we cannot find where it goes. And sometimes, we are able to build an entire section of our life in no time at all, only to just let it sit there and try to figure out how it fits in the big picture.

No one is a finished puzzle. We are all works in progress, and honestly, who wants to be a finished product, only to sit as decoration or thrown back into a box - never to be touched again?

Find a piece today, and figure out where it goes. Or, put a small inner scene together and take an effort each day to see how it fits into the big picture.

Just remember: All the pieces you need are within your reach, its your job to put them together.

Good luck, and HAVE FUN!!!

Beauty Through Destruction

2012-01-26T15:03:00.000-08:00

When was the last time you saw, heard, or felt something that made you literally stop where you were and ponder the beauty of it? In the scene shown above we see a young woman, dressed in a black turtleneck and black pants, hair pulled back into a ponytail, and black-rimmed glasses, taking a walk. Her hand is casually lingering on her hip, her head is turned to the left, a frown decorates her face, and her eyes are focused on something in the distance. The building she is walking past shows a contrast of light and dark colored brick while the dirt and debris-filled street she is walking can be reminiscent of post-war Europe. Strategically placed between this young woman and the building behind her stands an upright piano on plywood platforms engulfed in flames. Although beauty is oftentimes sought after in perfection, sometimes it is through the destruction of an object that it then becomes beautiful.

The entirety of this photograph is in black and white, giving the viewer a sense of significance and solemnity, which is accentuated by viewing the look on the young woman’s face. It is interesting to note that her gaze is not focused on the burning piano behind her, but instead on something in front of her. This young woman is on a journey, and does not stop to digest the destruction. She keeps walking, as depicted by the blurred movement lines on her lifted right foot. The beauty noted by this action is that while the burning piano is out of place, on fire and outdoors, this young woman keeps walking.

She seems to be oblivious to the burning musical instrument behind her, yet we suspect that cannot be. The heat of the flames makes her warm, the sound of the strings burning and popping alerts her ears, while the smell of the wood and veneer burning signals her nose. This piano on fire is not beautiful in the sense of destruction, but through the destruction beauty can be found in the way it affects the senses of the young woman.

While at first this picture portrays to the viewer a sense of gloom, devastation, and confusion, it is then through those initial feelings we can appreciate the warm, musical qualities that it exhibits through the two framed focal points: the beautiful young woman and the burning piano. Beauty can be defined as something that makes you stop, think, and appreciate.

We all have a choice to see beauty every day of our lives. We can relate to the old dilapidated building in the background by witnessing destruction in front of us, but still having the ability to stand tall. We can connect with the young woman who is on a mission- a journey- in her life and while she passes by destruction, she chooses to keep walking. In contrast, we can be like the piano who, when under fire, is still able to give warmth and a musical quality to those who see our despair. Finding beauty through destruction is your choice, and a choice that will affect the viewers of your life.

Life is Good.

2012-01-20T13:48:00.000-08:00

She cautiously steps out of the vehicle, warily gazing upon her new surroundings. Her life has been good – no, great – for the most part, and she anxiously walked about. The house was quiet and was situated on four acres of sprawling green grass. With not another soul in sight, she set out to explore.

A little creek was nestled at the edge of the property, and she dipped first her left foot into then, then the right. Before she knew it she was splashing around and became reminiscent of times past.

The creek was splendid, but the feeling of the grass between her toes made her shiver with delight. She found that the faster she walked, the faster she wanted to walk. Before she knew it, her snow white hair was cascading down her back and behind her, and she was running towards the house.

It was apparently close to meal time, because her food was set out for her when she arrived back at the house. Appreciating such a glorious day, she ate her food, found a nice shady spot of grass under a tree, and laid down for a long afternoon nap.

“Life is good”, she thought.

Not all of us may have the luxury of playing in creek beds, running through acres of green grass, or taking a nap under a tree, but we all have the choice to think, “Life is good”.

Did you wake up this morning? Life is good.

Did you take a hot shower? Life is good.

Did your car start today? Life is good.

Did you receive a hug from a child today? Life is good.

Have you had a cup of coffee today? Life is good.

Do you have loved ones in your life? Life is good.

Turn on some music, draw a bubble bath, light some candles, and pour some wine. Life is good.

Even in times when things are hard… Life is good.

So You Had A Bad Day...

2012-01-18T09:36:00.000-08:00

Striving for daily positivity can sometimes be a challenge. Not that it can’t be accomplished, but some days are harder than others. Let’s face it, some days you may be overwhelmed with the amount of things you must get done, coworkers or family members may disappoint or irritate you, or you may just wake up on the bitchy side of bed. I have found that for every negative thought I have, I must counteract it with a positive thought or endeavor.

One of the things that I have found to work well in order to pursue daily positivity includes cleaning. I know that sounds a little obsessive compulsive (and it quite possibly could be!), but a little hard work scrubbing your bathtub allows your hands to be busy, mind be distracted, and the instant gratification of a clean tub helps too!

Another thing that I have found to help the mind stay positive is exercise. I have noticed in my personal life that when I have had a stressful or overly-busy day that an hour of yoga will give me a calm energy for the rest of the night. Not only will exercise release endorphins (a natural chemical in your body that reduces stress and tension) but the long term effect of muscle strengthening paired with flexibility is a positive choice in the right direction!

Being creative is another avenue I travel in having an “off” day. Rearrange a piece of furniture, paint a piece of pottery, choreograph a dance in your living room, or go take some pictures. Using the right side of the brain will help you to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal communication skills, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.

Use your time wisely, my friends! Remember that no one will make you happy – that is YOUR job! Take time out for yourself, and keep yourself healthy by instituting positive thinking in every aspect of your life; and don’t give up!

"Artistic Tuesday"

2012-01-10T15:44:00.000-08:00

One of the things I love about my husband is that when he says he is going to do something, he does it. That may seem to be a trivial, minute observation or cause to love someone, but in this day and age that is something to be proud of. So many people say they are going to do something and then it never gets done.

John has deemed Tuesday to be "Artistic Tuesday". His goal is to express himself in a creative way on Tuesdays. Not that the other six days of the week are to be artistically neglected, but Tuesday is his day off and as far as goals go, consciously making an effort to let your creative juices take control is what he has set out to do. Today is Tuesday. He went on a photographic adventure in the park and then came home to refurbish an old cabinet that is now loudly and proudly displayed in my kitchen.

Tuesday is also piano lesson day. I teach an eight year old every Tuesday evening, and every Tuesday evening I am amazed at the progress she has made since her last lesson. As a somewhat vocal piano teacher I have come into contact with all sorts of people who express a sentiment of "I wish I knew how to play the piano". My response is very simply, "you can".

If there is something you wish to do, do it.

Honestly, it is as simple as that.

If you are sitting at your computer, I am assuming that your fingers work. If you are reading this, I am assuming that you know your alphabet. By drawing a simple logical conclusion based off the previous two assumptions then I am also assuming you can count. Those basic necessities are all you need to learn how to play piano.

What do you wish to do? Take a moment and think of what is holding you back. Is it fear of the unknown or of failure? Is it time? There are hundreds- no, thousands- of excuses for every wish that you wish to come true. It will not happen on its own. Make your mind up to do something and do it.

I wish you passion, drive, focus and commitment to your next adventure!

The Death of Sour Patch Kids

2012-01-07T16:22:00.000-08:00

I am addicted to Sour Patch Kids. The way that those little pieces of candy perform a perfectly orchestrated sweet and sour tango upon my tongue makes me shiver with delight every time I pop one into my mouth. I don’t get them often; I would be twice my size if I did!

Everyone deals with some sort of addiction at some point in their life. It may be you. It may be a family member. It may be a friend. In this day and age addiction is something that bombards us wherever we go and even if we do not go anywhere.

What can we do to break that addictive cycle in our lives? For some, it is replacing one addiction for another. Some recovering alcoholics will slowly over time replace their bottle with their work. Is this any better? Both the drink and the work will drive a wedge between loved ones, will cause physical infirmities and will essentially be the death of the addicted.

Where does this addictive personality come from? Is it genetic or is it an escape from truly knowing yourself? Most children who have alcoholic parents will drive themselves into patterns of gluttony, workaholism, or alcoholism themselves. Is this a sign of a genetic disorder? Or is this a behavior trait passed from one generation to the next of how to be oblivious to both your current surroundings and yourself?

If you are struggling with addictive behaviors, you are not alone. My grandfather was an alcoholic and my father is a workaholic. My addictive tendencies manifest themselves in different areas, one being Sour Patch Kids. Harmless? Not if I let those little guys control my life.

Turn your TV and computer off. Turn your iPod off. Close the refrigerator door. Put your magazines away. Take a day off. Make a date with yourself and get to know yourself over a cup of coffee. Meditate. Figure out who you really are and overcome these patterns with a healthy mindset of authority, control and belief. Fill the voids of your life with positive thinking! Then, and only then, will you have the power to overcome your addictions!

Your Life's Soundtrack

2012-01-05T14:13:00.000-08:00

As music is such an important part of my life, I tend to incorporate general musical attributes into my everyday thinking. Anyone who knows basic music theory knows that you need three notes to create a chord. Take, for instance, a “C Major” chord; you need a C, E, and a G. This is your basic “happy” sounding chord sound. If you wanted to play a “C Minor” chord, you would play a C, Eb, and a G. This is your basic “sad” sounding chord. As you can see, for both chords, you use a C and a G. The choice is up to you in choosing an E or an Eb to make it “happy” or “sad” sounding.

The same is true in any situation or circumstance you may come across in your personal or professional life, your physical or spiritual life, your day to day activities or long term goals. It is your choice to create a “happy” chord or a “sad” chord. Choose wisely, my friends! These chords create your life’s soundtrack – what do others hear when they think of you?

Coffee, Computers and Keys

2012-01-03T15:40:00.000-08:00

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and recently baked doughnuts fills my nostrils. I hear a bell chime and the door opens. A young couple, probably in their mid-thirties, walk in laughing. From my place in the corner I doubt they see me, but I have an unassuming and incredible visual of them.

Observing from the sidelines, the love they have for each other is very apparent. The laughter, the looks, and the life that exudes from both of them fill the small café. I smile and continue to work on my computer. Again, the smell of coffee fills the room.

"Whipped cream on your mocha, today?”

“Yes, please!” she responds.

The taller of the two starts walking around the café and observing the different pieces of art on the walls.

Reds and yellows and oranges fill a blank canvas to create the enamoring silhouette of a city at sunset. Blues and blacks and whites create an abstract painting of squares, yet always make me think of flowers.

I take a bite of my apple fritter, thankful it's the winter. Washing it down with my peppermint mocha latte (again, thankful it’s the winter) I watch the blonde meander towards the black piano placed inconspicuously in the back of the café.

Pressing a few of the keys, her eyes light up.

“Can I play this?” she asks the owner of the café.

“Of course, that’s why it’s there!” he responds.

She sits down at the professional upright and begins to play a soft ballad. I don’t recognize the song but it is beautiful. When she is done she just sits there with her hands in her lap, looking down at the keys. I realize that there is no smile, only tears.

Quietly observing the pair while appearing intensely consumed with my computer, I hear the taller of the two softly say “Mom loved to hear you play.” After a moment of silence they walk out the door together, the blonde’s head on the taller one’s shoulder. The bell chimes again and they are gone.

Pay attention to your surroundings, my friends! There is always a being that needs a hug, someone that could desperately use an encouraging word, a friend that needs honest advice, or an acquaintance that needs a gentle push to do something that scares them. It is our responsibility as citizens of humankind to help one another. It is our duty as residents of a common earth to demonstrate love towards one another.

“Do one thing that scares you every day.”

–Eleanor Roosevelt

Have Coffee With a Stranger

2012-01-01T20:49:00.001-08:00

A brand new year.

A new year full of adventures to be experienced, lessons to be learned, friendships to be built, differences to be reconciled, and love to be given. A new year bursting with choices to be made.

A new year to start from the beginning.

Your goals, aspirations, dreams and achievements are in your hands. This year is your year.

Climb a mountain. Learn to walk again.

Save your money. Give to the needy.

Have coffee with a stranger. Adopt a pet.

Call your brother. Draw a picture.

Play a game. Write a letter.

“Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.” - Helen Keller

What's It Going To Take?

2011-12-30T08:22:00.000-08:00

As I sit and wonder about the emotional wars many of my peers are fighting, I ponder the who's, why's, what's, when's, where's and how's of this war they are fighting. Not that I haven't fought this battle myself. On the contrary: I have fought it, and I've come out a victor. I've realized that every day I breathe is a gift to myself and a gift to my loved ones.

Some bask in the clouds of negativity, which will do nothing but encourage the thunder to roll and enable lighting to strike. Who wants to live in a constant state of paranoia, fear and doubt?

Choose happiness, my readers!

Choose life, my friends!

Choose love, my loves!

"I think you know, more than you say

You say it makes you happy when I stay

When I stay, I stay far away

What’s it gonna take for you to be happy?

I think you’re sad, I’m sad for you

You make no change, nothing you do

Will alter your thinking, and this is true

What’s it gonna take for you to be happy?

I want you to run to the wind

Laugh in the breeze

Sing at the top of your voice

I want you to dance in the rain

Don’t cry anymore

Don’t you know it’s a choice?

I think it’s time, time to move on

Look to the future, the here and beyond

You are not weak, but so very strong

What’s it gonna take for you to be happy?

I want you to run to the wind

Laugh in the breeze

Sing at the top of your voice

I want you to dance in the rain

Don’t cry anymore

Don’t you know it’s a choice?

I think you know, more than you say

You say it makes you happy when I stay

We’re only actors, this life is a play

What’s it gonna take for you to be happy?"

Considering the Alternative

2011-12-29T07:48:00.000-08:00

A precocious four-year old little boy with curly brown hair and the biggest green eyes you have ever seen has a life-debilitating skin disorder. His big sister calls him “Bubba”, his parents call him “Sport” and his pediatrician calls him “Un-diagnosable”. Three and a half years of tests, treatments, and no results led this little green-eyed angel’s parents to Arizona where they were told of a medical facility practicing only alternative medicine. One round of allergy tests later and “Sport’s” parents were given the tremendous news that their little man has a food allergy which is causing his skin to break out. A lifetime of watching what he eats has replaced the worry of a lifetime of a skin disorder, and he is now a happy, normal, healthy little boy.

She was thirty-eight years old, overweight, and suffered from high blood pressure. Through the course of the winter months she developed a sniffle which then turned into a cough. Taking the matter into her own hands, she bought an over-the-counter cold medicine which in turn reacted with her blood pressure medicine prescribed by her primary care physician. Thirty-six hours later her friends and family were mourning the devastating loss of such a sweet woman. While traditional medicine is considered the norm in today's American society, alternative medicine should very rarely be the alternative.

The majority of America is familiar with the concept and tools of conventional (or traditional) medicine such as blood work, shots, x-rays, and prescription medications. What is the alternative approach? Alternative medicine is the use of plant and mineral based products for treatment in conjunction with physical and nonphysical therapies. Alternative medicine treats the body in a holistic manner; instead of diagnosing and treating one specific ailment (chronic back pain for instance), practitioners looks at the body as a whole and treats the body as a whole. According to the Hippocratic Oath, physicians are required to “prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.”

“Most foods today have been genetically altered, irradiated, over-processed and refined, tainted with pesticides, hormones, preservatives and chemicals. We are all exposed daily to polluted air and water. Our work and living environments contain radiation, microwaves, metal toxicity, (dental fillings) and an overabundance of electromagnetic frequencies. Sure, your medical doctor can put twenty dollar names to a million different diseases, but there is really only one physiological cause and one simple cure. This is why for decades, Naturopaths and other natural healers see their clients able to heal every disease known with simple broad spectrum natural healing programs,” explains Marcia Aschendorf, a physician of Naturopathic medicine.

Critics may dispute the fact that although alternative medicinal remedies have been in existence since the presence of mankind, the progress of science is a better choice for medical practices. Natural medicine is in actuality the foundation for modern medical practice due to the fact that half of today’s prescriptions derive from plants. The difference is that you are putting a one hundred percent natural product in your body, rather than one that has been processed in a lab and lost much of its integrity along the way. Alternative medication often brings other benefits beyond what you might expect. For example, you might take feverfew to get relief from a migraine, to then find complete and total relief from your nauseated stomach. These dual effects are what make alternative medicine holistic in approach and so unique.

Some may wonder how alternative medicine compares to traditional medicine in terms of cost, as many health insurance policies do not cover naturopathic physicians or herbs. A trip to see your primary care physician in order to receive a prescription for Claritin (for relief of seasonal allergies) will run you close to one hundred and twenty dollars; not including the cost of your prescription refill that will last you three months. An ancient practice that has proven to be accurate and beneficial is to take a teaspoon of local honey a day. Because of the verified effectiveness of eating this local honey it makes perfect sense to give it a try first.

Opposition will come in many different forms, as is the way for anything different or unconventional. While some may dispute the fact that “popping an Advil” for a headache is quick, convenient, and culturally acceptable, if an individual is taking care of their body by ingesting enough water throughout the day and increasing their awareness of environmental stresses to then alleviate them, the chance of even getting a headache is tremendously minimalized.

I, personally, struggle with respiratory issues twice a year. For the last ten years I have been in the hospital every October and every April for bronchitis and have contaminated my body with the use of steroid-filled inhalers, allergy tablets and prescribed narcotics to ease the pain of coughing. My bronchiolar episodes last an average of two to three weeks and makes living my life to its fullest capacity a chore during those times. This year, with the onset of my seasonal bronchitis, I started a consistent system of Echinacea, vitamin C, eight glasses of water a day, and plenty of rest. Within four days, and without a trip to the hospital, I am cough and congestion-free and feeling one hundred percent better.

Why then, is traditional medicine the cultural norm in today’s society? Do you take Paxil to ease your anxiety because that is what your mother did? Do you see your gastroenterologist because a friend suggested him to you? Take some time out for you and understand the dangers of polluting your body with chemical based medicines. You wouldn’t water your flowers with a margarita; why fill your body with something that doesn’t belong?

The Power of Positive Living

2011-12-28T08:30:00.000-08:00

The more I delve into the different areas of holistic healing and natural medicines, the more I learn how closely affected our physical bodies are to our emotional and psychological bodies. Take stress, for instance. For some people when they are stressed or anxious, knots can form in the back or neck. For others, stomach issues can arise; and again, for others, migraines take over their bodies and even immune systems can drop so the common head and chest colds gain control over day to day living.

While some of these issues are truly medical concerns, a lot of these concerns can be initially eliminated by taking several minutes out a day for yourself. I will attempt to lay out a simple plan that has worked for me, and I am hoping will work for you as well!

1. Before you even get out of bed in the morning, mentally list all things you are grateful for. My list will sound something like this:

* I woke up to a brand new day! A brand new day means a brand new page of my life's book. What shall we write in it today?
* I have a hubby who adores me, and who also is adored by me. Whether I have a busy day or nothing to do, I have a cheerleader and support system already rooting for me before I even open my eyes!
* I will get puppy kisses today.
* I have the energy and passion to accomplish __________ today!

2. Take five minutes to do several yoga poses and stretches. This gets your blood moving in the morning, and in the process of basic "exercise" you are able to mentally program your thought process for the day. Some different thoughts that I will think during my five minutes of yoga are:

- Breathe in alertness, breathe out sleep. Breathe in awakeness, breathe out sleep.
- Breathe in strength, breathe out weakness. Breathe in peace, breathe out anxiety.
- Breathe in the positive, breathe out the negative.

3. Remember that in all instances, in every minute of your day, you are responsible for the way you perceive all things. If someone is ugly to you, your response is your decision.

"How people treat you is their karma... How you react is your own"

Taking ten minutes out of your day for yourself is a lot less strenuous and way more beneficial than taking trips to your chiropractor or having a label slapped on your for having IBS. These small things have helped slow me down, has relieved years worth of back pain and has all in all given me the power to positively change my day. The power of positive thinking leads to the power of positive living.

Namaste.

Have A Nice Day!!

2011-12-27T16:58:00.000-08:00

John wakes up at promptly eight thirty. He gets out of bed, without hitting the snooze button and goes straight to the bathroom. I’ve always been envious of those “morning people” who don’t have to use the modern-day miracle of a snooze button. He showers his six foot frame and then proceeds to brush his thirty-two teeth. Clothed in a medium-size dark-colored shirt, thirty-two inch dark-wash jeans, grey Saucony’s and black frame glasses, he brushes his sandy brown hair, adjusts the stray hairs of his over-grown beard, grabs his black Velcro wallet and keys and walks out of the vintage, art-deco inspired loft apartment.

At ten o’clock on a Tuesday morning, not much is going on at Wally World. There are retired men and women going for their morning walk, as depicted by the nice khaki and black slacks, the rainbow of button-down shirts and white Reebok walking shoes. After the exercise, they congregate at aisle number six to pick out today’s Number One Doctor Recommended Vitamin Supplement For The Senior Society. Gathering the necessary weekly items of wheat bread, whole milk, and Fig Newtons, they march to the tune of “Blue Suede Shoes” to the register and check out.

Noon comes and goes with the rush of business professionals grabbing personal provisions. The hurried click of dress shoes resonate off the hard cement floors and up into the twenty-five foot high ceilings. A flash of black dress pants and a pressed, white-linen shirt speeds by to grab a “healthy” lunch from Subway (it’s better than McDonald’s, right?) and the aroma of Genoa salami, spicy pepperoni, Black Forest ham, lettuce, tomato, provolone cheese and freshly baked bread linger longer than the professional’s entire rendezvous into Wal-Mart.

It is now after five in the afternoon and the scene has changed. Busier, more hectic, and more vibrant is the atmosphere. Young parents toting small children and pushing shopping carts over flowing with frozen pizzas, Kool-Aid packets and diapers maneuver their way through the crowded aisles and to the line.

“Mom, I want this!”
“No. Put it down!”

“But I NEED it!”

“You don’t NEED anything; PUT IT DOWN!”

Teenagers are now rudely pushing their way between the young families, bouncing children’s rubber balls, riding bikes through the aisles and shopping for new clothes, makeup, and electronics. As John is walking the store, a young teenager catches his eye. She is wearing jeans that have multiple tears in the legs, a neon green tank top, a sweatshirt that looks to be two sizes too big, and on her shoulder is a cute multi-colored handbag. As she shops for eye shadow that specifically matches her tank top, she discreetly drops a small container of face cream into her bag.

Keeping his distance, but never losing sight of her, John follows her. She meets up with her group of friends and proceeds towards the checkout counter. As she digs through her cute multi-colored handbag to retrieve her wallet, one of her friends says something funny and all three of them start to laugh. She pays for the eye shadow and walks towards the door.

“Excuse me, ma’am, my name is John and I work loss prevention for Wal-Mart. I have reason to believe that you have something in your purse that you have not paid for. I need you to follow me to my office so we can talk more about this.”

After having her empty the contents of her handbag on the counter in his office, John finds three containers of face cream, a tube of mascara and a 100-count package of hair bands. Big blue eyes tear up as she takes a seat on the cold, ugly, brown leather couch.

“According Wal-Mart policy, I am going to have to call the authorities. Wait here while I go make the call.”

John calls police dispatch to get an officer to the store. The police officer shows up within twenty excruciating long minutes and the young teenage girl with the neon green eye shadow gets escorted off by the officer. As she is ushered out of the door, she turns around and exclaims,

“I’m sorry, sir! I promise, I will never do it again!”

“I am so glad to hear you say that, Miss. Have a Nice Day.”

Forty-five minutes of paperwork and one less indigent later, John walks back out on the store’s floor to look for another thief, another victim of society’s “entitlement fever”, another man or woman, another teenager or business professional. Digital cameras, face cream, dog food, DVDs, golf balls, and packaged meat are all under the protection of John.

A perfectly symmetrical circle, colored a pleasantly bright yellow with black markings inside the shape, depicting two oval eyes and a thin mouth. Brought into pop-culture existence in 1963 by American commercial artist, Harvey Ball, then internationally through the use of multinational public corporation, Wal-Mart, we now see this emblem and think to ourselves “Don’t Worry – Be Happy”, “Have A Nice Day”, or “Roll Back Prices!”.

All shapes and sizes of people will walk into a Wal-Mart store at any given time – day or night – at any given location. Upon seeing this American icon when entering the store, it is their choice, as well as yours and mine, to “Have a Nice Day”.

water: the year of sunbathing and reality

2011-06-07T10:12:00.000-07:00

So today marks one full week of being twenty-nine years old. I have to say, all the months, weeks, days and hours leading up to the thirty-first of May were ones of agony, reflection, and unbelief. This year marks my last year of my twenties, and then I will be thirty.

A terrorizing thought.

Or so, it was.

After many hours of reflection (up on my roof, sunbathing, of course), I started to think about not so much how old I will be on my next birthday, but what I have accomplished in the last twenty-eight years of my life. It truly has been 10,227 days of growth, adventure, tears, praise, and love. I have accomplished much in my short life already, and I am proud of who I have become and all I have experienced. So I therefore, right there up on my roof, deemed the age of twenty-nine as the year of the woman.

A day or two after that revelation of not being scared of my age (or wrinkles, flabby arms, crows feet, etc), I was again deep in thought about many different situations, scenarios, and circumstances we all face in our life. The who's, why's, when's, where's, how's and what's of life always tend to keep my gears cranking. This thought then came to me in a moment of meditation.

"I create my own reality."

Isn't that true for everybody? Do we not all take the pieces of our lives, and those around us, and form what we see as being what we want to see? Whether is be a positive or negative experience, we all tend to make situations what we want them to be.

My younger brother and I had the exact same experiences as children, due to the fact that we were two years apart, homeschooled, and very rarely did things on our own. We did school together, played together, ate together, etc. All of our memories of our childhood should be the same, right?

They aren't.

We tend to take "snapshots" of different parts of our life and then hold on to them for dear life, claiming that those snapshots ARE our life, and no one can tell us differently. This may not be a bad thing, but I don't think it is a very healthy outlook on lives in general.

Things happen.

People evolve.

Breathe in, breathe out.

No one can make you see your life as anything other than what you choose is your own reality. Surround yourself with negativity, and your reality is negative.

Surround yourself with positivity, and your reality is then positive.

So with these thoughts I was thinking (which is more like rambling, I know), added to the revelation I had about twenty-nine being the year of the woman, I decided that twenty-nine is not the year of the woman,

but twenty-nine is the year of reality.

Defining reality, living reality.

Or maybe twenty-nine is just the year of twenty-nine.

It's your reality, you decide.

water: my family tree

2011-05-20T11:48:00.000-07:00

What defines a family? Taken from a website I frequent, I found a definition of the word "family" as this:

A group of people who are generally not blood relations but who share common attitudes, interests, or goals and,frequently, live together.

I would think that this means more to today's society than the more common definition of man, woman, and children, of blood descent, and who share the same biological line. Honestly, who do you go to for support, wisdom, a hug, and to share news? Is it your father or little sister? Or is it usually the ones that share common attitudes, interests and goals? I say the latter. That is definitely more so the case for me.

Why is this? Why as adults do we generally bypass the biological connections and migrate towards our friends? I know for me, I have created a family of friends that support me, defend me, correct me, and most importantly, love me. If love is what connects people, than that gives great reason as to why so many biological families fall apart: there is no love.

Here is where I decide to either discuss why this is on my mind today, or discuss how great my friends are. One will leave me in a perpetual state of negative bewilderment, and the other will force me to meditate on the positive in my life. I choose positive.

Kelly,

you are my Buddhist Bell. I smile whenever I think about you (which is quite frequently), I laugh at your messages on my voicemail, I cry when I feel your pain, and I love every minute I spend with you. I look forward to your hugs, your laughs, and your inspirational words of wisdom. Thank you for being you.

Ben,

you are one of the most beautifully talented people I know. Your passion for life amazes me. Your passion for amazement is alive. I know that every person you meet is touched by your generosity and beautiful nature, and I am so blessed to call you brother. Thank you for being you.

Sarah,

you make me laugh like a child. That good ol' deep belly laugh, that resonates from the tips of my toes to the top of my head, tickling every part of my insides on the ride up. I haven't known you very long, but I know you well enough to share with the world that you are one of my closest friends, a sister.

Thank you for being you!

Bruce,

dad, fellow piano player. Your sarcasm and cynicism are only coverings for the amazing person you really are. You have a heart of gold, and I feel so lucky that I am one of the few that know that. I always look forward to seeing you, basking in your political, social and theological wisdom, and walking away a better person, just because I was with you. Thank you for loving me, and thank you for being you.

Ashley,

my dear, I miss you tremendously. It has been over ten years since I've last seen you, yet every conversation we have is like no time has escaped us. Even when we were kids we had an emotional and psychological connection that couldn't be explained, and I have long since tried to do so. You speak truth, you live life as if it is your only life to live, and you aren't afraid of who you are. Thank you for being you.

Kurt and Bek,

we were a unit at one point, and that memory forever will keep me in check! You guys are go getters, truly talented individuals, and amazingly beautiful people. I know if I were to pick up the phone right now, we would be on it talking for hours, laughing like crazy, and reminiscing about Uncle and LHB. It is because of the two of you, extending the invitation to join you on your adventures, I am who I am today. Thank you for that, and for being you.

John.

Where to start? You bring a smile to my face the moment I wake up each morning, and before I fall to sleep every night. You make each day brighter, each laugh longer, each tear smaller, and each day better than the last. I appreciate, more than words can express, how hard you work so we can live the way we do. I've never known another man who is as beautiful, talented, and passionate about life as you are. I am happy to call you my best friend. I am blessed to call you confidant. I am amazed to call you my love. I am so extremely lucky to call you husband. Thank you for loving me the way you do, and thank you for being you.

I am a very blessed woman to have the most amazing people in my life. My friends. My family. You guys mean the world to me, and I would do anything for each and every one of you.

water: finding the "O!" in GOD...

2011-05-05T11:47:00.000-07:00

Finding The “O!” in God…

I was raised by Christian parents, as was my husband. My father was a pastor, as is my husband’s. So, many of our extended family members, friends, acquaintances, co-workers, etc. call themselves “Christian”. We are then labeled as “black sheep”, “prodigals”, or just “heathen” by being just plainly, who we are. Because we aren’t members of a local church, we drink, dance, smoke, and lived together before we were married. This may have something to do with the fact that there was a moment, in my early twenties (ironically, the same for my husband, although we were not in communication at that time), when I had an “O!” moment.

John and I met at Bible College. We were deemed as the “troublemakers”, “bad kids”, “there for the wrong reasons”, etc. It is all true. His reason for going? You will have to ask him. My reason for going? I was nineteen, a college dropout, longing for change, and my family was living in Memphis, Tennessee. Did I mention this Bible College was located in upstate New York? It was a no-brainer. Go.

The first inklings of my “O!” moment was there in the Adirondacks. “You mean, we CAN’T go to the movies?!” “Even though it is -16 degrees outside, I HAVE to wear a skirt to class?” Now, don’t get me wrong, I did choose this school. Found it, picked it out, packed my own bags and was out the door before I could think twice about it. But seriously, a skirt in the middle of winter in upstate New York? If I wore pants, did that mean I would spend a lifetime of eternal condemnation? Going to the movies was really going to affect my “crown” in Heaven?

This “O!” moment came mid-school year. I’m not talking about the delicious “O!” moment you get mid climax. No. This is an awakening moment. The moment when you sit back, relax, take a logical, realistic, and observant look at the artificial world of “church” and realize how everyone addicted to this lifestyle are really puppets of their own man-made universe.

“O!”

Now you’re with me.

So what next? You have this “O!” moment and then what? You research. You ask questions. You engage in intellectually stimulating conversations that dabble in other religions and philosophies. Which then, in turn, cycles back into researching, asking questions, engaging in more conversations. An endless whirlwind of philosophical debates, investigations, and dialogue.

So far, I have found that those who ONLY know the “Christian” lifestyle, are either:

1. Oblivious to other people around them. These people have the mindset of “I am going to surround myself with other Christians, so I will not be tempted. I will not stray. I will not fall away from God’s grace. I will only read the bible (KJV, of course), and other ordained literature. I am a child of Christ!”

2. Openly deceiving themselves and others. Using their Christianity as a crutch. “I am a child of the king, so therefore, you must repent from your wicked ways in order to associate with me!”

Can we maybe try a little humility in all of this?

A recent stumble across a Wikipedia page (yes, I am addicted to Wikipedia) left me speechless. In a list of prominent figures, there are seven accounts of Buddhist men and women who have converted to Christianity. There are twenty accounts of world renowned men and women who have converted from Christianity to Buddhism. I am not saying that Buddhism is the way to go. I am not saying Christianity is not the way to go. I just found it a little strange that we are raised thinking that the only “real” religion is the way of the Christians. But, so it is for Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hindus, and Muslims. All these doctrines clearly define their religion as the only way to go. I may not be the brightest crayon in the box, but something is telling me that this cannot be true.

If you are complaining of a constant ache in your head, what do you do? You go see a doctor. Good job. What doctor do you see? Your primary care doctor? Maybe they will refer you to go see a chiropractor, a neurologist, a podiatrist or a dentist. Your chiropractor will find a disc that is out of place, your neurologist will tell you that your headaches are in reality migraines, the podiatrist will diagnose that awful ache in your head as a manifestation of bad arches in your feet, and the dentist tells you to stop grinding your teeth at night. In actuality, you have allergies. What do we learn from this little analogy?

That wherever you go, that’s what you will find.

If you look for “signs, wonders, and miracles”, you will see “signs, wonders, and miracles”. If you only read the King James Bible, you will only know the King James Bible. Who is to say that the additional books in the Catholic Bible are not true accounts of history?

So, I leave you for the moment, hoping that if you have not already had that “O!” moment, you will.

I am a believer.

A believer of love, hope, respect, and growing within myself, my loved ones, my neighborhood, country, and world.

water: its raining gobbledygooks!!!

2011-04-27T11:55:00.000-07:00

I found this website that is completely AMAZING.

I haven't decided if I will share the actual site name in this post, or build up the suspense and then spring it on you when you least expect it. Either way, this website made my day.

It is an alphabetical list of fun words.

Words that no one really knows the meaning of, or even of their existence.

Words that sound like pebbles crashing into each other at the bottom of a creek in the

middle of a storm as they roll off the tip of your tongue.

Such fun, incredible, ridiculous words.

For instance, I learned today that like many other members of my immediate and extended family,

I am a bibliobibuli.

Yeah, thats right.

This has been my boondoggle for eh, maybe the last hour or so.

In my not-so-healthy addiction to this website, it occurred to me that some words make total and complete sense in their definition and origin. Others, not so much.

Take these words for example:

sanguinary - bloodthirsty; murderous.

sanguine - cheerfully confident or optimistic; also, having a healthy, reddish color

How can these two VERY similar words have such opposing definitions?

Would a sanguinary sanguine be a sun burned, upbeat killer?

water: normality vs. fantasy vs. nonsense

2011-04-15T14:16:00.000-07:00

Most days (I've absent-mindlessly noticed), my thought process and general observations of things, people, feelings, etc., are somewhat expressed in a one-way interview format. I am not sure if this is a normal thing, or if I have multiple personalities, constantly talking to myself as other people.

Example:

Wow. I cannot believe that you really just knocked on my door and asked me to make my dog stop barking. You. My only neighbor. Who consistently takes my laundry out of the washer and puts it ON TOP of the dryer so you can start YOUR OWN load of laundry. You. You know what? I will make my dog stop barking when you make your crazy, psychotic cats stop running in your apartment, back and forth, back and forth, like they are training for the Ironman Triathalon. Are you serious? Make my dog stop barking. She will stop barking when YOU stop barking, ya old witch.

And the thing is? My neighbor really is a sweetheart!

Most days...

Its almost as if I have a perpetual tape recorder in my mind, playing conversations that never have occurred. Is this normal?

Do other people experience this as well??

I guess I just always want to be prepared to say the "right" thing when I am confronted?

Who knows.

Oh the brain. What a curious, curious thing...

I remember my mother one time having a conversation with my sister in law, about always thinking.

She just told my mother that when she is tired of thinking about something, she just turned her brain off.

Mom and I still ponder this phenomenon to this day.

HOW, exactly, do you turn your brain off?

Which makes me think of that ago old tune from that age old musical based off that age old book.

"If I Only Had a Brain"

And in closing, I leave you with a quote from my all time favorite,

the incredible Dr. Seuss.

I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells.

Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living.

It's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope.

Which is what I do.

And that enables you to laugh at life's realities.

water: i feel pretty

2011-04-14T11:45:00.000-07:00

some days i just want to look pretty. working full time at the cafe up until recently never really allowed me that chance. constantly covered in mayo and grease doesnt do much for one's "pretty" factor. now doing childcare, i find myself throwing jeans and a t-shirt on, which sometimes looks cute, but rarely...

today i felt the need to look pretty.

i showered (yes, that is something worth mentioning) before noon, and even washed my hair (again, something worth mentioning). foundation, bronzer, AND eye makeup applied. hair (kinda) done. i mean, i didnt blow dry or straighten it, that would have been too much work. but at least its curly and pulled back into what my adoring hubby calls a "cheese biscuit". not sure why, but thats what it is now deemed.

then the clothes.

skinny jeans/ capris. brown tank top. ADORABLE new white shirt (that the again adoring hubby bought for me last night). and multi toned brown wedges that have a silver buckle on the toe and are at least four inches high.

in my head, this was an adorable outfit.

i put it on and felt like a puerto rican coke princess from 1987.

but i feel pretty...

water: "Jog, Fwog, Jog!"

2011-04-13T10:49:00.000-07:00

Will, my daily five year old responsibility, is in Kindergarten, and is learning how to read. So, after school (PM classes) everyday, we have reading time. Sometimes it is school assigned, and sometimes it is Dayna assigned. Either way, it is an entertaining adventure.

Yesterday, it was "Jog, Fwog, Jog!". (Translated "Jog, Frog, Jog!" for all of you that CAN pronounce your "r's"). At one point in the midst of reading time, I tell Will to NOT look at the pictures and guess the words, but to sound them out. His response?

"Oh! THAT'S why they call this a "weading" book!"

Being with Will so many hours a day, makes John and I both wonder what our children will be like. Will they look just like us (Will is the spitting image of his mother)? Will they have a ton of energy or be content "weading" a book? Will they be carrying on intellectually stimulating conversations at three? We often joke that our children will be wearing tie-dye and flip flops, with dreadlocks in their hair at the impressionable age of four.

Which then always throws our conversations back to when WE were children. Oh, the memories...

Sitting on Dad's lap while he read "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut".

With his eyes shut.

I shall never forget those inspirational words...

So with that in mind, I am going to go grab my new novel, lounge on the couch with my coffee in hand, cuddle with my puppy, and have a little "weading" time...

water: a first for everything

2011-04-12T10:29:00.000-07:00

being a stay at home wife now has its many advantages.

my house is (sort of) clean. i have a hot dinner ready for john (almost) every night. and i have amazing philanthropic conversations with my attentive puppy, dharma, an entertaining five year old who readily responds to me with the transformers theme song or "sticking" me with spidey's web, and myself.

i can only call john so many times during the day.

so my light bulb solution this morning was (drum roll please...) to blog.

i am no author. i am no visionary. i am no intellectual genius.

i am a wife, daycare provider, pet owner, piano teacher, and now a BLOGGER.

there is a first for everything...