All The World --- Join In On The Love Train

Oh how I love this song!! "Love Train" by the O'Jays is a perfect description for what this post is all about. It's my "ear worm" for the day and not a bad one to have.

Fall in love with life. A new 21-Day Meditation Challenge through the Chopra Center is coming in July and it's all about love. I'm so excited!!

I've just signed up and I can't wait!! Although I'm not looking for love in the traditional sense, I am always happy to learn how to build my self-esteem (which sometimes takes an emotional beating by yours truly), have enlightened relationships and discover genuine unconditional love towards others as well as towards myself. I always walk away from these challenges happier, more content and never sorry I took the time to do them. There's so much to learn and these meditations help teach them in a fresh and accessible way.

I'm looking forward to this! I highly recommend signing up and taking the challenge yourself. It's free to sign up and you can do it whenever it is convenient for you. The people at the Chopra Center send you a reminder email with the link you need to go to the mediation for that day. They range in time from 20-30 minutes although some are shorter.

What I love the best about these challenges is that people from all around the world join and do the challenge each day as I do. There is a possibility that at the very minimum, 100 people are listening to that same meditation at the very same time I am. That is so awesome and humbling too. The energy produced by so many and all thinking about love ...

Head on over to register today and join me on July 16th. You won't be sorry!

https://www.chopracentermeditation.com

Be at peace.

Forgiveness

I had a pivotal moment earlier this week that sneaked up on me without any indication at all that it was happening. I was thinking about my grandson, now 4 years old, and how lucky I am to be living with him so that I can see his goofy beautiful face every day. I started thinking about the course of events that brought me here. How so many years ago, when my youngest daughter was his age, I was just starting my life here with my girls. How much or how little time it took depending on the thought. How many incarnations of myself from that point to now. All of this while I was looking through some papers and allowing my mind to wander so I could get through the mundane task of sorting them all.

Then it occurred to me ... I had no more anger towards my ex-husband! When did this happen?! This emotion has been something that had been with me for close to 20 years. I couldn't really remember the last time I had that angry feeling about him. Mostly I felt glad I didn't still know him. Relief that I survived our years together. Happy that my daughters and I are happy. I expected to have this large "AHA" moment about it or feel differently like really, really aware of it at one precise moment in time or something major should have happened, like angels singing or some kind of neon sign blinking: "YOU ARE FREE FROM FEAR" ... something. Instead it was a quiet thought - whoosh - gone. I said, out loud: "I'm not angry any longer. He holds no power over me. I no longer dislike him; I have no emotions about him at all. I'm no longer afraid of him." and then to him in hopes the Universe will deliver my message: "I forgive you, I'm grateful you were in my life and I am happy with my choices after you no longer were."

Wow, I thought, there should be some sort of loud sound at this moment ... thunder clapping down from the skies, maybe? I actually looked around expecting something to be different. But nothing was different in my outside world. But a wonderful feeling of relief washed over me just as quickly as the thoughts from the inside. I knew I had truly found the forgiveness in my heart and soul for this person who had me fearful for way too long. I felt free, relaxed.

Another goal towards the enlightenment journey has been met. There are a few more people that have had a hold on me (without their knowledge, thank goodness) because I allow it. I am thinking it might not have to take another 20 years to do this thought process with the next person but when it happens, it will no doubt happen in a similar way. The thing about this kind of release is how light it makes me feel. I am positive I can't force it to happen but I will practice forgiveness on those that have made me feel badly about myself and my life choices. Those who should have no say at all in how I run my life but who have more power than they will ever know. Now that I know what it feels like to really be free from the fear, I'm guessing it won't take very long at all to get to the next one and the one after that.

I wonder if all of the things I'm struggling with inside my head will go this same way? One day I have the thoughts, the next day I don't? And will my body feel lighter from the inside out each time until when I meditate I will really feel like I'm floating on air? I do believe so.

I like these feelings and thoughts tonight. They have come quietly, peacefully. They are uplifting and happily I accepting them; I'm ready to accept them.

Stay peaceful.

The Best Blog Ever!!

How odd that I was going to write something a few days ago when before I could save it, the internet shut down. I lost everything I wrote. At one time, I'd have gotten angry about that but now I get a small flash of annoyance and then think, oh well, it wasn't meant to be and I move on. I don't hold any emotion to things I can't control. And now I'm learning how to see emotions and separate them. Not easy to do but it IS possible!

Once the net came buzzing back to life a few days later, I found my email filled with junk but also filled with much wisdom! Tiny Buddha is a blog I love to read and am happy to share the posts when I can. Oddly enough, the post I was going to write and couldn't was close in context to this post. It's written much better than I could write it and says more than I ever could. I now know why I wasn't meant to write the one I started! I was supposed to read, enjoy and share this one!

There is a reason that I like it so much. It comes in my email every day and more than once a week, one post will "speak" to me or be written as if it was especially for me and my situation. Not many blogs do that on a regular basis like this one does.

This particular blog post shared below from Tiny Buddha might help you if you're struggling with thoughts and don't know how to break them down or even what they mean. Sign up for more reading through them, go to their archives and read what jumps out at you.

Here's the one that came in my email today:

Tiny Buddha

Enjoy!

Be at Peace.

My Renaissance

My Renaissance. The 4th definition in the dictionary I use online says renaissance is "a renewal of life, vigor, interest, etc.; rebirth; revival."

I am feeling all of that and I must admit it is partially due to the time of year. There is a renewal happening outside watching my inspiration tree come to life again with bright green buds. I am in the very beginning of this same feeling that the tree must be experiencing. That could be why I relate to this tree so much. As the seasons changed, the tree and I changed with it.

My Inspiration Tree Coming Back To Life

I've been struggling with so many changes that life brings but also with boredom, which truly surprised me once I identified it. With family surrounding me and the obligations that go with being a Mom and Nana, my crafts and daily networking/social media activity, I still have time to be bored?? Yep.

Boredom with my creativity especially has been a biggie. I can't seem to get a handle on having no new ideas or thinking about trying something and seeing it done better and with much more talent by someone else almost immediately, I'm thrilled that I am working on a bowl I made myself out of strong mesh and plaster because it seems no one else is doing exactly the same thing, although mesh and plaster is not a new way to create in my world, at least no one is making a bowl. Bursts of energy that I used to have in abundance are now beyond me no matter how I eat, sleep, how many vitamins I take, how much exercise I get and so on. It seems to be more of a mental exhaustion. Not surprised exactly by this news but it gave me an official "aha" moment when I figured it out.

The good news is that the feeling I have is profound. I know that there are changes going on around me and within me. I need to stay as patient as I can and be open to the flow of change and growth. Something new or different, not yet explored, is going to be happening in my art, that is certain. I hope it's especially inspiring. That would be awesome. But even if it is just ho-hum, it will be awesome. The point is I feel the bubbling up of excitement and I like it!

Now that it is more difficult for me to cut/nip glass and tile without being in pain, I find I have a lot of days in between the cutting and nipping to study my many mosaic books and other art forms online often. I don't know where I'm headed with it all but I do know it's exciting to think I could be having my own sort of renaissance. Yay!

I've been studying the trends I follow or am drawn towards. Mid-century modern styles. The retro shapes and signs from Las Vegas and bowling alleys, bright reds, yellows and checkered black and white designs used in decorating. Sage green, grape, burnt orange, blue. Copper, wood, enamel. Cottage/beach/rustic/woodland/French country decor. Eames furniture designs and Kadinsky's art. I wouldn't have defined my personal styles (eclectic at the very least) if I didn't have an injury that stops me from doing what I used to do. Some days I have to lay flat because of pain but I watch shows on cable that have to do with design or history. I wouldn't have discovered much of this if I hadn't had to deal with pain. There's the silver lining, the positive spin, the icing on the cake!

I do believe I have to spend less time promoting and more time working. I like to share what I'm doing and I like to share what I find by others, so instead of stopping completely, I've honed in on utilizing sites like Pinterest and Facebook to share without spending every day, hours at a time, on it.

Monday's and Wednesday's are big social network promoting days. I spend 6-8 hours doing the Wordpress blog, Etsy treasuries, sharing on teams I belong to on Etsy, Flickr, Facebook and Pinterest. This will not change. The rest of the week used to be dedicated to sharing others' items I'd find and often featuring one of my own items on Etsy on the blog. I won't be doing that any longer. I will continue to do the daily pick for my "Eye For Design and Color" on tumblr because I enjoy it, even if it takes a while to do.

After I re-injured myself a few weeks ago doing something very simple, by reaching my left arm behind me to unlock the door while I was in my car and felt something akin to a rubber band snap inside my arm (ouch), I decided to cut back on promoting others' work as much as I once did and spend more time on healing myself and spend time with my craft. Now that time is limited on the computer, I have more time to spend doing other things. I'm glad because this opens up a whole slew of time spent creating and learning on days when I can't create. It also means when I am online, I have to make the most of it and use the time much wiser than I used to. Quality time with the crafts I love and sharing online will never stop but may change as I do, as time goes on.

I hope I live one minute at a time and really mean it, after knowing how quickly I can hurt myself, just by physically reaching --- the good news is all that means is I have to reach mentally and not physically towards the heavens above --- the sky's the limit!!. In all seriousness, I know stretching shouldn't cause pain, which means as soon as it's possible, I'll be headed towards a doctor to help me through this and to heal properly. I have come a long way by doctoring myself but I know I need more help than I can give to myself.

I am enjoying each small achievement and obstacle alike because it's all part of the greater experience. Something is changing here within me ... a shift is happening. Even with limitations, things suddenly feel more possible than ever! Amazing!!!

Meditation, quiet time and contemplation are part of my life even more than before. I enjoy the noise my family provides and I enjoy the quiet provided when they are asleep. I am making the most of each moment as it comes.

Happy Renaissance!!

Be at peace.

The Cookie Thief by Valerie Cox

A woman was waiting at an airport one night

 With several long hours before her flight

 She hunted for a book in the airport shop

 Bought a bag of cookies and found a place to drop

 She was engrossed in her book but happened to see

 That the man beside her as bold as could be

 Grabbed a cookie or two from the bag between 

Which she tried to ignore to avoid a scene

 She munched cookies and watched the clock

 As this gutsy cookie thief diminished her stock

 She was getting more irritated as the minutes ticked by

 Thinking "If I wasn't so nice I'd blacken his eye"

 With each cookie she took he took one too

 And when only one was left she wondered what he'd do

 With a smile on his face and a nervous laugh

 He took the last cookie and broke it in half

 He offered her half as he ate the other

 She snatched it from him and thought 

"Oh brother! This guy has some nerve and he's also rude

 Why he didn't even show any gratitude"

 She had never known when she had been so galled 

And sighed with relief when her flight was called

 She gathered her belongings and headed for the gate

 Refusing to look back at the thieving ingrate

 She boarded the plane and sank in her seat

 Then sought her book which was almost complete

 As she reached in her baggage she gasped with surprise

 There was her bag of cookies in front of her eyes

 "If mine are here" she moaned with despair

 "Then the others were his and he tried to share"

 Too late to apologize she realized with grief

 That she was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief

Stay peaceful.

Recommended Websites and Blogs

While I'm still recovering (nicely but slowly) from my injury, I thought I'd share some really wonderful online resources I've discovered throughout the last few years on my journey towards a peaceful existence within myself. Until I get back into the swing of writing the long, rambling missives I've promised, this information may be helpful to some.

Probably the best resources I use that seems to resonate with me the deepest are the ones that come at me every day within my email.

The first is TUT. Notes from the Universe comes daily in my email box and I have to say, each morning after I've read it, the little note from the Universe and Mike Dooley specifically, make me smile. Small, encouraging words make all the difference in the day still to live. Positive thoughts and hugs from the Universe! What's not to smile about?! http://www.tut.com/theclub/ Sign up for daily notes and see how it makes you feel.

Next up is Tiny Buddha. Reading this blog and finding quotes and information to help me get through life challenges is almost essential; I look forward to every single day it arrives in my email box. I often use the quotes I find on it as my Facebook status with the lead in: "Best thing I've read so far today". Often I find the whole blog good enough to share. Just as often, people respond telling me how wonderful it was to read, how it "spoke" to them as well and so on. http://tinybuddha.com/ Again you can sign up for email delivery of the blog.

The third and probably most controversial daily email I read is from Abraham-Hicks. The daily law of attraction quotes are sometimes paragraphs but worth every second it takes to read it and comprehend what I just read. I'm a big fan but don't often share what they have to say. Not because I don't like what Abraham says, but mostly because sometimes it almost seems too personal to share. Some weeks, it's like they live with me and know EXACTLY what I'm going through! You can subscribe to the daily quotes. http://www.abraham-hicks.com/lawofattractionsource The quote I just used today on my Facebook status came from their website: "The basis of your life is freedom; the purpose of your life is joy." Awesome words of advice.

A few websites I often visit are:

http://www.eckharttolle.com/ Author of The Power of Now and A New Earth, Mr. Tolle has touched me deeply to my very soul. I have read the 2nd book so often that it is a little worse for wear. I often use sticky notes in all sizes to mark my favorite spots in books ... this one has so many sticky notes in it that it is double its size.

Each book is not a quick read. As a matter of fact I'm only 1/2 way through the first one and go back and re-read the beginning again and again. It sits with me for a while and I continue to the next page or chapter but often I'll need to revisit what I've read to make sure I really get it. I've been doing that for 2 years.

I have found a DVD for yoga on his website and use it daily. I usually only do the meditative part of it, in truth, but I do it. With the injury I'm now dealing with, it's best not to do too much. It is Yin Yoga by Kim Eng with an Introduction by Eckhart Tolle. Slow and steady is the pace here. Right up my alley!! There is a website not associated with Tolle or his DVD called YinYoga.com. I recommend it to learn more about this meditative practice.

Deepak Chopra's 7 Laws of Success has kept me busy for quite a while. I just about get through the first law and really "get it" and then something happens around me and I find I am not using the universal law as I should. It could take another century before I am really at ease using these laws but it is so worth the time it could take to truly feel the inner peace involved once they become more apart of me.

That's about it for now. There is a lot of info here for those who want to check them all out. When/if you do, let me know. And let me know what you think about them either here on the blog or through email.

My door is always open.

Remember: It's the Journey, Not the Destination.

Stay peaceful.

Cindy

Happy 2012!

Happy New Year!!

This is my chance to say hello to those who joined the blog when it was an online shop and let you know if you choose to stick with me, you may find it worthy and even learn something. If you're not interested in this kind of thing, that's fine too. Let the email updates go and move on. There is no judgement here from my view. ;)

I'm mostly going to be writing this to help myself with organizing thoughts. Online journals can be left private but it has been mentioned a few times that my positive energy and thought process is good to read by others. For those who like to find a positive way to see a negative situation, stick around.

I'm not an expert on this subject but I have been studying on my own inspirational, uplifting thought patterns for over 30 years, so perhaps I am a bit of an expert at that.

During the weeks and months that follow, I hope to build enough information to provide an e-book. This is still in the "just a thought" stage. A few friends think I should do it, because they'd buy it if I did. Sweet friends are the most supportive people, aren't they?! The best thing about that is that when asked, I share my advice and thoughts with them for free. That is why I'm doing this now, for the friends who keep telling me I should.

First and foremost I would like to have helped one person think about a life situation in a positive way instead of a negative one. If what I write and share here does that, I've succeeded. If it seems like no one is interested but it still helps me to see that I have more to learn before I share info in an e-book, then I've succeeded. In other words, there is nothing to lose and I never fail at anything I do. Even in the worst situation, I have learned from it all; I've even been grateful for the lesson.

I wish you all a year filled with personal triumphs and very few setbacks. But know if you do have a setback, you were to learn from it. Think about your situation without emotion (not easy to do, but it is possible) and find out what you can learn from it. It can be anything from a major life-altering change to just a thought about changing something you do you're not all that crazy about, about yourself.

Personal growth is never something we are finished with. As we grow older, our personal growth changes. Our priorities change, our knowledge builds and we become more seasoned. There is a reason for that. It is up to us to find out what makes us happy, after we've made our decision about what to do with our lives, had no children or raised many, stayed married forever or decided never to stay in a relationship for long, we ALL have something to teach someone else. Everyone can learn from another.

In my own situation, after I worked hard at making others happy, it was my turn. This didn't go over well with a few folks and was applauded by a few as well. It didn't matter to me who had an opinion or what it was. Your opinion of me is none of my business. I choose to be happy and continue to grow and learn to stay that way.

My first bit of advice is as follows in the next few paragraphs: Please try to find what makes you sing, even if you think you can't carry a tune. If there is something you always wanted to do, DO IT NOW. I've learned through all the years I've been searching for inner peace that NOW is all there is.

Somebody told me once they would wait until the kids are grown, the mortgage is paid, the money is in the bank, before they pursue their passion. I wanted to shake them and tell them to do it NOW. What if after all of that is done, they are too sick or perhaps even gone from this earth by then before they can do what they always wanted to do? The joy in singing out loud even if no one else is enjoying your song is what life is all about! This friend's joy might never be found. That makes me sadder than I can even express.

Do what you love, whatever it is, no matter how difficult you think it could be, how much resistance you may get from others, whatever it takes. If you are a 60 year old Grandmother and always wanted to go to college, sign up for a class right now, this minute, this very second at your local college. Don't wait. You may not be able to get your college degree over night, but you can sign up for a class now towards something you've always wanted to do.

That is the basis of this blog. Using what I've learned from my many mentors over the years such as Dr Wayne Dyer, Louise L Hay and Deepak Chopra just to name a few and sharing it here. I will quote many, and sometimes ramble a lot about what's going on in my life. Or I could just decide not to write for a while and give you all a break from the missives. Whatever happens in the months to come, if you decide to stick around and take this journey with me, let me know what you think and how your life is going. Let me know if you would like me to share information about a particular subject.

I am not a licensed doctor in any form. If you have a physical problem or a deep mental issue that you'd like addressed, please find a professional to help you. This blog may guide you towards something that helps you, along with professional help, find the peace you are looking for.

I am a 57 year old woman of 2 grown daughters and 1 grandson and was forced to retire before I could collect benefits to do so properly. I am a full time Nana and part time crafter that enjoys my family and my life even on a bad day. I'm grateful. I meditate often, I use the internet to share my mosaics and a lot about my life and have friends all over the world because of those things.

The view from here is beautiful.

Websites to check out right now:

http://www.drwaynedyer.com/

http://www.hayhouse.com/

http://www.chopra.com/


Stay peaceful.

☼-EarthMotherMosaics
©2011/2012 Cindy White, EarthMotherMosaics