Red in a Whiteout

It is quite refreshing to find a blast of red in an otherwise white world.

Think Yourself Free

This photo taken yesterday certainly reflects the mood I am creating for myself today. I am creating feelings of doubt, darkness, fear. I say "creating" thanks to my first mentor, Bonny. (I mean my first one after my mother) She studied with Ken Keyes and when I worked with her at 23-30 years old she gave these teachings to me and to anyone else who would listen. The venue was the wonderful Luscious Licks vegetarian restaurant on St. John. The general idea is the profound truth that we create our lives through thought. People don't do things TO us. Things don't happen TO us. People don't "make us feel" a certain way. We CHOOSE to react or to think in a certain way. The same situation can be different to each human depending on how they THINK about it. Ken Keyes' book, The Handbook to Higher Consciousness, is one I carry with me everywhere and read over and over again...and each time I learn something new. Another major truth from it is to KEEP THE FOCUS ON YOUR SELF. Any time we feel misery, we can stop, look within, and see that we have thrown our energy out of our center and are projecting outward into the illusion of separation. There is no such thing as loneliness if we are at home in our true self and live from that perspective. Well....I was going to talk about my mood but by just reflecting on this I already feel better! Ha! Bonny sounded like a broken record to me quite often: "Keep the focus on your Self" "Keep the focus on your Self" "Keep the focus on your Self"!!! But here I am 17 years later and it is finally sinking in and now I am a broken record to whoever will listen! (do they even know what a "broken record" sounds like?!?!) Bonny came into my life right after my mom died. In some way I am grateful that my mother checked out that early in my life because it catapulted me into the big questions of existence and a quest for awakening rather early in life. So actually, this photo doesn't "reflect my mood", this photo is me. This photo is whatever I think it is. This photo is deeeeeeeevine!

The Present Moment

I'm not feeling it this year...saying "Happy New Year". Because really, that is a man made concept and not based on reality. It is a reality, in a way, since millions of people focus their energy on this concept. But really, we are in a constantly renewing cycle. Every day. Every minute. Every second. New Year's resolutions and greetings, etc., are another way of focusing out of the present moment and not being here now in the present. I am waking up to the treasure of being present in my own life. And it is too good to lose sight of again. So, Happy Present Moment to everyone. And this moment. And this moment. And so it is.

Here Comes the Sun

Another great thing about my new life away from the tropics is that I can now appreciate the solstice again. What a thrill today to think that the days are now getting longer and longer and our sun is making its way back up to our neck of the woods. For sure a day to celebrate! I love really feeling a part of this natural cycle again. The cycles were there on St. John, certainly, but verrrrrrry subtle. I would like to think of this as a rebirth for the planet and humanity, too, and all of us who are laid off and struggling having a whole new world to wake up to and a new form of life here to create. I have a feeling life as we know it is no longer and the programming of the past is obsolete. Which is a very good thing even though right now it might seem scary. So here are some beautiful beings who graced me with their presence and I am so grateful! Happy Solstice and inner peace to all!

Solar Holiday!

I got solar powered holiday lights and I am so thrilled with them! There is a spot on our property that people can see down in the valley as they drive along the road. I tried one year with another type and somebody...a furry somebody...must have gotten caught up in the wires and chewed them to pieces! So that only lasted a few days. I hope these last longer! I'm not a religious celebrator of Christmas, but the lights are so beautiful.

Conehead Buddha!

We finally got our snow! And this (so far) has been the "perfect storm"....that kind where is is cold enough so the snow is powder and easy to shovel. And SUNNY! Now the temp is dropping and we are supposed to get high winds, drifting snow, and in the MINUS TEENS! Eeek! The dude is out snow blowing and the cats spent a few minutes at their window seats absorbing the "new world", then went back to their sprawl in front of the fire. I went out and shoveled and then took photos like mad. Check out Conehead Buddha! We got about a foot and a half of snow...I think it might even be good enough for snow shoeing! I might take my first snow shoe trek up Grizzly Trail today. I named it that because until this last summer, I had seen the trail but had decided in my head that I certainly would get eaten by grizzlies if I went that far from home. WELL, then curiosity got the best of me and I found the most beautiful overlook up there! I imagined immediately it would be a perfect goal for snowshoeing...with a thermos of vanilla cappuccino, of course. Now I will do my Google magnet thing..... personalized stone jewelry, engraved stones, river stones, Rock Steady Stone Wear, hand made Christmas ornaments, hand made Christmas ornaments,hand made Christmas ornaments,hand made Christmas ornaments!!! Peace!

Rock Steady!

I've been having a ball lately making tons of art stuff for Northwest Handmade www.northwesthandmade.com
lots of Sculpey clay Christmas ornaments and these fun Dog Bars. I have been just focusing on creating, and seeing that as I focus on what I love, the magic comes. Also, I am seeing that no matter what we "do", being human is about living with cycles. Everything on this planet has a cycle. Our emotional life runs in cycles. I need to remember to not take the down times so seriously. As my mom always tried to drum into my head, THIS TOO SHALL PASS...and it always does. So why freak out about it? Just make my art and relax and flow through it. I just wrote to my website goddess and am going to add my ornaments so keep your eye on www.rocksteadystonewear.com
for them. Or order now! They are $15 including shipping. Dog Bars are $40 including shipping. OK now I am going to do that thing where I write all my key words so Google picks up on it! Have a great day!! Go with the flow! Take yourself lightly!

Handmade Christmas ornaments! Personalized stone accessories! Stone necklaces! Stone key rings! Engraved stones! thanks!!!