It’s hard to believe that another year has flown by for Skylar…seems just yesterday that she wasn’t sleeping through the nights as an infant and here we see she’s blossoming into a beautiful young girl.  If you are wondering, yes, the boy in the picture has been her boyfriend since first grade-crazy cause her mom’s first boyfriend was as a junior in high school.  Maybe going to an all girl school for so long contributed, but I’m not exactly sure…lol.

At any rate.  Most of you know how dedicated I am to creating special gifts for people on holidays and birthdays.  It’s been my goal to make, grow, or reuse something for the past 5 or so years.  This year is no different but this will be the biggest project I’ve taken on as a SURPRISE for Sky’s 8th birthday.

Some of you aren’t from Charleston so I should probably explain what the gift is so you don’t think I’ve lost my marbles, because the name of this gift could give some wacko looks if you don’t know what it is.

At many restaurants and parks it’s very typical for their to be a fun game called, Cornhole.  It’s a simple game that you can play with just two people or 4.  Basically you toss bean bags into a board with a hole in it and Skylar is not only a huge fan of this game she’s incredible with her cornhole throwing skills.  (see picture to the right to see an example)

So, I’m asking for any scrap wood that you may have that’s PRESSURE treated, because this game will be outside.  Many of you are in construction or know people who are so any contributions for wood or other supplies I will need i greatly appreciative.  I would love to say that this was made for recycled, reused, or left over supplies that would otherwise been thrown away.

So here is what I will need:

• 1/2″ thick sheet of plywood – one 4’x4′ or two 2’x4’s
• 8′ long 2×4’s (4)
• 4 1/2″ long 3/8″ diameter carriage bolts (4)
• 3/8″ flat washers (4)
• 3/8″ wing nuts (4)
• 2 1/2″ wood screws (1 box)

So any contributions that you or anyone you know can share would be fantastic.  Mom and Dad will be providing a custom printed vinyl cover for the boards (possibly with a print out of both Skylar and Parker).  This cornhole game will have lots of love put in it by those who contribute and laugh at me while I put it together

Thanks again ahead of time for helping!

The strength we think is outside of us is not.

For within lies the most beautiful “secret garden” of all possibilities.  It can be our choice to live from that place of co-creating our lives or we can allow the outside world to dictate what we get.  For it is my belief that the world is always conspiring to do us well; it’s our thoughts that can run wild and tell us different.

Inside lies the field of all possibilities, like a blossoming flower has the ability to spread its pedals wide and explode with the most fragrant of smells; we too sit in this fertile world where we can take the sun that’s warming our bodies, our spiritual practices that feed our soul, the water that can move us like a river and food that can give us the energy to expand our hearts, minds and souls and share it with the world.

Eyes wide open, heart expanding, wings soaring and ready for takeoff!
Om shanti.

Being Wrong is Right

I might have done it all wrong, but it was just right.

Regrets are non existent
Insights prevail to flow into the future.

From broken bones to broken marriages.
Moving beyond fear to freedom.

From narcotics to supplements.
Stepping out of the haze into clarity.

From drunken stupors to vibrant, energy filled moments.
Leaving behind hangovers and enjoying the naturals highs of life.

Feeling lost, insignificant, and co-dependent.
Now growing wings of strength that could fly through any storm.

Keeping my dreams a secret and my passion locked inside.
With a microphone I now shout to the world these desires of my heart.

I might have done it all wrong, but it was just right.

So thankful for my journey!

I had the honor of being asked by my great friend, John Lowery, to be the guest speaker on his Master Mind Blog Radio Show…I seriously was blown away at this opportunity.

I was interviewed by John and was able to share a bit of my life’s story and about a new program I recently created, called “The Stress-B-Gone” system through The Health Fix.

I can’t wait to get your feedback, so when you get a chance tune into the replay of the radio show and let me know your thoughts.  Click HERE to listen in.

Thanks for all your love and support!

So after a life changing trip to Guatemala (which I will be blogging about soon), I had a slight head cold after being in such a dirty environment.  I had a runny nose, sore throat and a cough every now and again.

I know that many people would freak out and run to the doctor but yall know me by now, I ran to my JUICER and my SHOT glass.  Yes that’s right my SHOT GLASS, but not for alcohol but rather the wellness shot.

The wellness shot is juiced ginger, fresh lemon juice, oil of oregano and cayenne pepper…not a shot for sissies to say the least but it’s an immune booster like you wouldn’t believe.  As soon as I shot that concoction I felt so much energy and warmth in my body-AMAZING.

It’s been over a week since I’ve been home, so my juicer was “itchen” to be used…I grabbed a “small” 25 pound bag of organic carrots today at the store so I could partake in the goodness of what they have to offer-juice style.

Test Me

Ok besides the fact that I’m a girl and enjoy having nice skin, hair and nails (like most woman I’m sure), I also love to see well, have strong teeth and bones and a properly functioning thyroid…all of which carrots help with through beta carotene that converts into Vitamin A.  Outside of all those wonderful benefits of carrots it helps with immune function and cleans the liver of unnecessary elements that could cause damage to my system, hence why I’m using the next 24 hours as a test.

I am on a carrot juice “fast” to see how quickly I can knock this head cold out of the way, in 24 hours.  I will be drinking plenty of water and some other live foods in between my juicing.

And for those inquiring minds, I do add apples and celery to the juice because personally I find it a bit difficult to down just pure carrots.

I’ve had 3 glasses of carrot juice so far, roughly around 60 carrots, 10 celery sticks and two apples…I can honestly tell you that I feel better, my throat isn’t hurting as bad and I haven’t coughed in hours.

Consuming living foods is not only fun, easy, it’s inexpensive (especially this time of year when so much is in season you can get fresh from a local farmer’s market or farm), but incredibly healing and a great prevention of illness and disease.

Bitter Sweet

I must say I’m thrilled I can turn to such natural healing ways in my life, that make me feel great inside and out…however, it’s bitter sweet because I realize that the kids at the orphanage I was at in Guatemala don’t even know what a juicer is much less have access to one.  I am thankful for having access to my own “health care system” and wish that I could provide such knowledge and access across the world to those who are unaware of living (raw) foods and how beneficial they can be.

I’ll keep you posted as to my progress.

Most of you know by now that I have found one of my Spiritual Homes to be the 2nd oldest church in Charleston, SC, The Unitarian Universalist Church.  The moment I was in the presence of this congregation and the guest speaker that first visit, I knew this would be the church for Skylar and I.  It’s NOT a non-denominational church but rather a church with “no creed.”  Meaning that the church truly and honestly supports all walks of faith and even those with no faith in a higher “power”/atheists.  They welcome black, white, gays and straights with open arms and anyone in between.

They don’t just say that either, the preacher, the vestry, all the volunteers and congregation honestly live a very liberal and service oriented life-where they respect and honor each walk of life.  At UU they are very socially active in the community always doing their best to be activists for good causes and help those who are less fortunate…it’s all about social justice-just my kind of place.

At any rate, the Chair of Worship Services, Hillary Hutchinson asked if would be one of the guest speakers to do the sermon on Yoga a while back; I gladly said I would…Well, this past Sunday was my day and I have to say it was the most amazing experience.  I felt blessed to be able to share from my heart about Yoga’s philosophy and my own personal story as well.  My family at UU (the congregation) were so kind, open minded and I believe they might have learned a little bit about Yoga that they were unaware of when they walked in that morning.

I have to say that I’m really not the teacher here, but rather I have learned from some amazing teachers I’ve been blessed to have in my life that helped me make my sermon what it was.  They are, in no particular order: Trace Bonner, Deepak Chopra, and Sri Swami Satchidananda (indirectly of course because he’s left the body but his teachings remain in books and thru Trace who studied physically with him)

Opening Words

We come together this morning to remind one another
To rest for a moment on the forming edge of our lives,
To resist the headlong tumble into the next moment,
Until we claim for ourselves awareness and gratitude,
Taking the time to look into one another’s faces
And see there communion: the reflection of our own eyes.
This house of laughter and silence, memory and hope,
is hallowed by our presence together.

~Kathleen Mc Tigue~

First Four Limbs of Yoga: By God, Spoken Through Me

*You may need to turn your speakers up a bit*

Click here to view the embedded video.

Closing Words

For all those who haven’t found happiness, joy and everlasting peace
just follow your heart and let your breathe take you there.
You are a Divine creature of the Universe and deserve to
Unveil that happiness that resides within.

There are truths in many paths-find the path that’s right for you.

“Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love.” Rumi

PS…Thanks to my friends and family all over the world who have supported my journey.  I love each of you!

Yeah so that’s probably an obvious title for anyone who knows me and my past-that for sure Sharla is not a nun nor a priest in any way form or fashion.  In fact until a couple years back I wouldn’t have considered anything about me spiritual or religious, in fact quiet the opposite, I was pretty solid against those things.

After finding that side of me, that spiritual connection I never knew could feel so amazing I was “hooked.”  I’ve been devoted to my spiritual growth and devotion from that point on.  I remember my teacher at the time suggesting to me that I create an altar at home.  I kinda fluffed off the idea at first but then got really excited about it, as I felt it would help me focus each day, just a little bit, on my connection with the Divine-kinda like a reminder of sorts.

Well, this idea sounds fine and dandy but when you have two kids, one of which is a toddler, it makes it interesting finding a place where you can put anything that’s remotely nice or breakable where he couldn’t get to it.  Outside of that, my husband at the time thought I was basically jumping off the deep end and didn’t want anything “woo-woo” to be out in the open where he or someone else could see it.  So, I decided it was best to have an altar that was hidden from everyone and that I would only have out in the open when no one was in the house-HOW LAME.  It’s not like I was cooking meth or something, we are talking about a sacred space that I wanted to create to just be apart of my daily routine of being connected to source, to remind me how much love, joy and peace is accessible to me every day (and for those around me as well)…sounds horrible right?!?!?!

The Box

I began gathering things from the house and some gifts from my teacher that I felt were sacred and beautiful to me.  Instead of keeping them out in the open like I had hoped, I chose to keep them in a wooden box my husband had built me.  When the kids and he would leave I would bring the items out, meditate, then put them back in the box to appease my husband.

When my husband’s issue with infidelity occurred, I was devastated. It was my consistent meditation and yoga practice that kept my head on straight, that gave me the strength to work through all that mess and choose to work it out with him at the time.  Those sacred items might have seemed insignificant to anyone but me, however all the sudden I felt forever grateful for them.  Those items hidden in that box were what kept me grounded, sane, realistic, and unconditionally loving to a man who had ripped my heart out (or so it felt at the time).

After our attempt to save our marriage, we decided to call it quits.  I find it utterly fascinating that my husband had so much anger towards me that when I left for a couple days, he we right to my box and broke almost all my sacred items.  He hated the part of me that felt so great.  He chose to look at my spiritual path as what tore us apart.  He resented who I had become and was becoming, sad really.  I found my beautiful Tibetan singing bowl that an awesome friend had given me, it was shattered.  That was a brass bowl that was hand crafted and doesn’t just break-he had to have taken a hammer to it or ran it over with the car or something.  For a brief moment I was angry but within minutes that anger turned into empathy.  Empathy for a man who I love dearly and care for very much, that I know his anger isn’t towards me but comes from a deep dark place of pain from his past and I just happen to be the scapegoat-well my things were really the scapegoat-but he blamed me and took it out on my things physically.

Finally My Sacred Space in THE OPEN

“In order to stay easily and happily creative, we need to stay spiritually centered.
This is easier to do if we allow ourselves centering rituals.
It is important that we devise these ourselves from the elements that feel holy and happy to us.”
Julia Cameron

Although the transition to being a single woman and single mom again has had it’s ups and downs, I must admit that the freedom to express myself without hesitation is liberating.

Being able to create a sacred altar, much like nuns or priests do, has been an important part in my life.  Bringing together new items found and gifts given to me, keeping them out in the open, being able to see them all day long is a beautiful thing.  My altar of sacred things is apart of my daily life and spiritual ritual that keeps me open, growing, spiritually evolving and just it’s presence in my house makes me feel I live in a retreat.

So even on days when I have challenges or roadblocks this altar is apart of my process in moving through those times.  Who would have thought that a couple candles, pictures, stones, and figurines could play such an important role in my life but they do.

What do you have in your life that keeps you grounded, that helps you go through life a little bit easier?

Wings of Peace

Spreading my wings.
Flying into the wind.
The wind carries me in the direction of soul, spirit and The Divine.

Drifting I am not.
Purposeful living I am.

Meaningless has no place.
Mission driven thru and thru.

On the wings of faith.
On the wings of love.
And on the wings of peace.

That yearning deep inside.
The fire that brews within intensifies with every passing day.
This I can’t ignore.

I must stand up.
I must shout out.
I must lead and follow those who are with me.

Steadfast supporting myself and others in the journey of healing and awakening to a higher purpose.
Pushing through the false self in a cloud of smoke, only to remember the beautiful essence of who we truly are.

On the wings of faith.
On the wings of love.
And on the wings of peace.

What can I do to serve?
What can I do to love?
What can you do?

Humanity is worth serving-lets spread spread our wings together and fly!

My kick ass friend, Maggie Deller of The Positive World, posed the question to me this morning on Facebook:  ”how are we born perfect and yet we are in progress-all growing?”

This question I’m sure might stir some of you up, considering many beliefs/faiths teach that we are imperfect beings on a mission to letting God work through us and take our sins away.  This is indeed one way to look at it.

I believe that God/Source/ The Universe birthed my spirit as a perfect one.  A spirit that is in complete harmony with others, that feels, gives and receives unconditional love.  My True Self is one that is never changing, and it’s essence is perfect, beautiful and complete BLISS.

HOWEVER, we are born in this world a spirit having a human experience…we are one of the creatures on earth that has been blessed to live with the 5 senses, language communication, and emotions.  Much of the human experience in our younger days is spent cultivating and growing an EGO (edging God out).  This ego can serve us at times and needs to be there, but honestly when you think about it the ego can be the biggest wall that each of us face.

The ego sees everything as being separate.  The ego judges and casts stones.  The ego contains fear and hate.  The ego attaches to things, places, people, etc.  The ego defines our experience with things that’s aren’t of our True nature-like cars, big houses, jobs, money and you name it the ego will attempt to define us through materialistic things and events.

We are the Sinner and Saint

So, being that we are born into a world of duality-spirits having a human experience, our journey on Mother Earth isn’t to learn lessons, which I have often said for years now…but it’s to REMEMBER, who we really are.  It’s to remember that part of ourself that’s never changing and always there for us-SPIRIT.

It’s that part of us that will never leave us, will always be filled with love and ready to share at a millisecond’s notice.  It’s that part of us that we’ve “covered” up for years with an often very unhealthy ego.

So in this incarnation there is an option of growing, spiritual evolving, or personal developing…all to shave away or tame that often out of control EGO and allow our TRUE SELF to emerge and shine bright.

We are the sinner and saint, we are the divine and diabolical, we are love and hate…we are all that is-just some qualities show more than others.

Even though different qualities show up in people in totally different ways, there is a divine light in each of us, there is no separation at all.  Just looking at a drop of water that came from the ocean-that drop is no more or less than what it came from-THE OCEAN.  So no matter what your faith or religious affiliation, I hope you know that you are that which is bigger than us, you are that which is that higher power, it’s running at your core-you are the “drop” of that which is of the higher power!

I acknowledge that Divine Light that’s in YOU just as it’s in ME…NAMASTE.

ANGEL’S EMBRACE

The angels hand reach down from the heavens to cradle me in her arms.
She whisked away the suffering I impose on myself, through unconscious thoughts running through my mind.
The angel embodied all that is good, sweet and glorious.  A calming peace surrounds me, inside and out.

As I lay there helpless in her arms I realize my angles are always with me, they are never gone.
The angels wisdom, comfort and love are accessible through me if I only call upon them.