The Ultimate Yes

Sacred Life Sunday ~ The substance of string

2008-11-09T17:52:29-08:00

I've worn the blue strands around my wrist for four months now. When a good friend of mine tied the ends of the string together back in July at Leadership Camp, I had no idea they would still hold steadfast to my body today. A sweet symbol of friendship has turned into an important daily spiritual reminder. I was told that my blessing bracelet represents love and strength; two very good things to ruminate about and remember every day methinks.

This morning as I danced at our studio, I studied my hands in depth as the last two quiet songs played. I looked at my rings and thought of my husband and my friend, Layne. I'll wear those bands of white gold and silver forever. I was intrigued by my veins and the blood that coursed through them just underneath my skin. I'll be of flesh and bone as long as I'm alive in this body. And then there was the string...how long it will continue to make its home around my wrist remains to be seen. I won't cut it away so until the strands break on their own, I'll remain adorned.

These were just some of the thoughts I had as tears rolled gently down my face and merged with the studio's hardwood floor. Love...it is what each of us wants and needs. To love and be loved...there is no greater task, no greater reward. Love of self. Love of others. It takes strength to love that which we don't understand. Strength to continue to do what we love. Strength to live big and fully even on those days when being smaller sounds safe and more reasonable.

When the day comes when the blue strings break...love and strength will be the invisible bracelets I'll continue to wear.

President Obama...YES!

2008-11-06T13:39:27-08:00

"Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark." ~ Rabindranath Tagore

It's been a time of tremendous joy, profound gratitude and many Thank-You-God moments since I heard the sweet words, "Barack Obama has been elected the 44th President of the United States." My heart has been filled to the brim with hope and happiness. With every ounce of my being, I feel this country has chosen not only the best candidate to lead this nation forward, but the most genuine and inspirational politician I've seen in a very long time. Throughout his entire campaign, I believed in him. I just knew this was the man who America and the rest of the world would say "YES!" to.

While I don't consider myself a religious person, my faith in all that is good and true...things like love and compassion, hope and the human spirit...was never in doubt during these past two years. I know I worried way too much at times, but my belief in big change never wavered. Even during some of the darkest moments, I kept on believing that the will of the people would prevail and the man who inspired millions would be president. YES WE CAN has become YES WE DID.

I know there is much to be done in the coming days, months and years ahead, but right now I am celebrating the fact that Barack Obama will be this country's president in a little more than two months time. I am ecstatic that I will soon have a president I can be proud of...a president who listens and who values honesty, integrity and authenticity. I believe in this man and in the American people to bring about the changes our country needs. We did it. We really did it.

God didn't vote. We did. I can't help but say it though...Thank God.

in the stillness of the morning...

2008-10-28T08:55:24-07:00

In the early morning light before my head becomes filled with thoughts of the day ahead, I look at the candle my friend, Carla made and the words that appear on its front move me deeply...

"We are the people we've been waiting for. We are the change we seek." ~Barack Obama

In one more week, our country will choose a new president. In doing so, I believe we'll choose a new direction that will empower and unite this nation's people in a way we haven't seen in forty years. It's time for a BIG change and that change is here now. We are the people. We are the change. The world will soon see we really can make wise choices.

I've already exercised my right to vote and I am praying (and I don't do that often) that every person who is eligible to vote in this election will do so. Today, tomorrow, on November 4 and on every day thereafter, each of us can be the change. I will take the stillness of the morning with me as I go about my day.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." ~Gandhi

Sacred Life Sunday ~ It all works out

2008-09-07T21:59:33-07:00

It was a stellar day on the Oregon coast; 85 degrees, a warm breeze and not a cloud in the sky. I began and ended my day in the same way...dancing in the sun. I dance for a lot of different reasons and recently I've become aware of how much it restores my faith and hope in my dreams. Next month, I will be opening up a dance and expressive arts studio with my business partner and while it thrills me to no end and it's a HUGE dream of mine being made real, it scares the beejezus out of me at times.

It's not so much the money gremlins that keep me up at night (although it does seem at times they're having a big ol' party in my head). It's the myriad of other fears I'm confronting on a daily basis that leave my pulse and heart racing. I find it both dumbfounding and extremely irritating that regardless of how many times I've faced them in the past, they're STILL HERE! When I dance, it's like grabbing a can of whup'ass and giving those fears a good spanking. Whap...Whap...Take That!

Yesterday I invested in Apple once again and found some really fun new tunes, but the one I discovered a few weeks back is the one I keep returning to again and again. While I was in the throes of the woe-is-me's, this song pulled me up by my bootstraps and reminded me everything will work out just fine. I'm still shaking my head I've fallen in love with a country song. Check out the lyrics below while you're having a listen from the last link. Perhaps it will resonate with you and one of your dreams like it did for me. Sacred Sunday night wishes to you all!

What if that road that you're taking's a dead-end?

What if love leaves you all jaded and broken?

What if that limb breaks you're climbing out on?

What if it all goes wrong?

But what if it all goes right?

What if it all works out?

What if the stars line up and good love rains down?

What if you chased your dream and it changes your whole life?

Yeah, what if it all goes right?

What if that road is a beautiful slow drive?

What if that love ends up lasting a lifetime?

What if that limb holds you, oak tree strong?

What if this time nothing goes wrong?

But what if it all goes right?

What if it all works out?

What if the stars line up and good love rains down?

What if you chased your dream and it changes your whole life?

Yeah, what if it all goes right?

What if you climb to the mountain top and touch the sky

Grab a cloud as it passes by

You might fall. You might fall,

but then again you might fly!

On Being Seen...

2008-09-05T22:24:27-07:00

I've just returned home after spending the last twenty-four hours with my girlfriend, Layne. (She's the other giggly gal in the photo.)  We've known each other for about fifteen years and during that time, she and I have gone through a helluva lot together.

She and I both had the courage to cancel our weddings when deep down we knew the relationship wasn't the right one for us. (I'm happily married now, but was engaged to another man eleven years ago.)  Over the years as we changed jobs, homes and men, we've been there for one another as plans changed, hearts broke and fell in love again, and dreams were realized. It's one of those friendships where you just know you're going to love and care for this person for the rest of your life...no matter what.

And right now...as Layne is going through a tremendous medical challenge and enduring incredible pain, she has allowed me to see her in her most vulnerable state. She has let me help her in ways I'm sure she never anticipated she would need or would want me to.  Were it possible for us to trade places for a few days so she could experience a body that was free of the disease that is currently effecting the quality of her life, I would do it in a heartbeat. She's seen me at my worst and I feel so grateful that she continues to let me see her during this not-so-great time of hers. I would do anything for her and I know she feels the same way about me.

While it may seem that the longer you know someone the easier it is to be seen, that's not necessarily true. To the degree in which we show ourselves (our "here-is-who-I-really-am" self) to the world, the more likely it is that someone will not only take notice, but will show up and let us know we've been seen.

This evening as I made my way home, I stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few items. As I entered the building, off to my immediate right was a display of flowers. What caught my attention were some beautiful calla lillies in a variety of colors.  While I stood there looking at them, many thoughts went through my mind. The dialogue went something like this;

"What lovely flowers.  And how interesting the deep, dark purple ones are. They're almost black. Maybe I should get some. Nah...they probably won't last very long.  But hey, I could enjoy them for a few days at least. I wish they had some burnt orange ones like I had my wedding. Hmmm...my wedding. What a beautiful day that was. I miss my husband. James....."

And then somewhere amongst the dreamy thoughts of my husband, I decided not to buy the flowers and when I turned to resume my shopping, a woman who had been standing only a few feet away from me said, "That was such a lovely picture to see." And I said somewhat confused, "Excuse me?"   And what she said next took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes. She said, "The way you were looking at those flowers. I feel honored to have seen that." I just looked at her in amazement and said, "Thank you. What a sweet thing to say. Thank you." I felt like hugging her. I felt touched by something more than just a stranger's kind words. I was seen.

I believe we all need to be acknowledged for who we really are and when it happens when we least expect it, those are the sweet moments when you know we're all connected to each other. Those are the moments one never forgets.

Sacred Life Sunday ~ Loving my own company

2008-08-31T21:08:09-07:00

I'm generally a social butterfly. I enjoy intermingling with others and tend to get along with most folks. But then there are days...(and today was one of them) when I just would rather curl up in my coziest jammies, drink cups of hot chocolate with real whipped cream (none of the calories would count) and spend the entire day wiith just me, myself and I.

I know when it's time for me to take a break from the whirlwind of my life.  Endless mind chatter and shortness of breath are sure signs I need some serious chillin' out. So tonight (after playing front desk spa girl solo for 10 hours), I came home, put on the running gear and headed for the beach. My physical expediture is now being amply rewarded with tasty late-night snacks. Dinner was a peach/banana/coconut cream/vanilla soy milk smoothie and continues to be (as I stuff another handful in my mouth) white cheddar popcorn. This is what I call "a sacred Sunday meal". When food tastes as good as what I just consumed, it is indeed a spiritual experience.

So what's got me so stressed-out this evening that it's created a bit of havoc inside and caused mass consumption of flavored-kernal goodness?   Well, my big dream of opening up a movement studio dedicated to free-form dance is now less than six weeks away. And while that is incredibly exciting, it's also very in-my-face.  All my nasty fear gremlins have come out of hiding and now I have the opportunity to either get rid of them for good or finally make friends with them.   I'm pathetically behind in all of my online correspondance (I won't even tell you the number of emails in my inbox) and I haven't been writing as much as I would like to.

And then I stop...close my eyes...breathe deeply...surrender all thoughts...and I remember...in this moment...how incredibly fortunate I am to be of sound mind and healthy body...and I realize what a gift today was...and if I'm lucky, I'll have another day tomorrow.

I'm never lonely when I'm alone and yet I'm still learning to love all of me.

Sacred Life Sunday ~ Beyond Being Blessed

2008-08-24T08:59:51-07:00

It's early Sunday morning. This photograph was taken outside a fabulous restaurant I visited while I was in Berkeley a month ago. It's a great question, isn't it? It's the kind of question I should get in the habit of asking myself daily. In the whirl and swirl of living life, it's easy to forget how incredibly blessed I am.  In this moment, these are the thoughts in my heart...

I am blessed with a healthy body and a sound mind.

I am blessed with a family who loves me unconditionally.

I am blessed to live in a cozy home by the ocean.

I am blessed to be married to the love of my life.

I am blessed with an abundance of amazing and caring friends.

I am blessed to be able to dance.

I am blessed to be have things in my life that nurture my spirit...books, music and art.

I am blessed to be here...on this planet...in this body...living life fully...right now.

How are you blessed today? Have a lovely Sunday!

Sacred Life Sunday ~ On being one

2008-08-17T22:48:34-07:00

If you haven't seen this movie yet, go to the website, watch the trailer and then pay your $5.97 to experience it.   It won't tell you anything you already don't know, but it will remind you of what you may have forgotten.

Here's another lovely film (that's free to watch online) that will tug at your heart strings, cause tears to fall and make you remember your very own "Olympic Moment".

Today I surfed for the very first time and discovered how I could be "one" with the ocean in a way I've never before experienced. I've always had an appreciation for and love of big water and today, (as a virgin surfer) both grew exponentially. It was powerful and magical and it was, without a doubt, an ultimate yes in my life. There's so much more I could say about surfing and the ocean and being one with all of it, but my body aches all over and sleep is calling my name.

Surfing was wild and wonderful and it was sacred in a way I hadn't anticipated.  One day out in the water, on a board, on a wave and I'm already hooked.  Spirit often sneaks up on you when you least expect it to. Love that.

Returning Home

2008-08-13T22:25:54-07:00

"All such action would cease if those powerful elemental forces were to cease stirring within us". ~Albert Einstein

Home for me is so much more than a place where I reside. It's not location-specific nor can it be found on a map.  It's a feeling inside me and I definitely know when I'm not "home". I've been on a quiet journey of late and I've recently returned from my traveling. While I visited some lovely places, nothing quite compared to the silent trip I took in my own heart.

This morning's reading in the Science of Mind magazine captured that feeling inside oh-so well. It's good to be home again.

The Stirring

There is a stirring within me, a quiet rumble, not a roar. It has no particular shape or form. It is not born of the past and does not live in the future. It is a movement of consciousness following a course all of its own.

Sometimes I try to squelch the stirring because it is uncomfortable, but the stirring persists. It grows in the womb of the unknown. It has a life of its own. I do not know where it will take me. Yet I trust the movement of the stirring.   I feel the power of the stirring and I am willing to change in the stirring.

The stirring is for more life. It is for a greater expression. It is beyond your imagination and it is never planned. Do not crush the stirring; it is the result of your deepest prayers. It is the substance of your desire to be more. It is love in its natural state, waiting to be used. The stirring is the new, never-birthed you. It is the rhythm of life sounding a new beat. It is the calling of your own heart.

Stay close to the stirring. Do not travel far. For the stirring will take you to your next destination, it will unearth your next creation and it will tranform you into all you truly are.

May you follow the stirring within you.

Sacred Life Sunday ~ No Holding Back

2008-06-29T20:39:59-07:00

"Follow Your Bliss" ~Joseph Campbell

I've been taking Joe's advice lately. I've been listening to my heart and moving my body and making decisions according to how I feel rather than what I think. It's what has brought full-on joy and pure delight into my life the last couple of months.  It's what makes me able to leap up in the air as I do in this picture.

Of the many yummy things that have been rockin' my world of late, BeachDance, an unexpected upcoming trip to Kripalu and a soon-to-be-experienced week-long dance retreat at Esalen have me flying higher than a kite.   I feel like I'm at a place in my life where everything is conspiring for my highest good and for the good of others. I'm letting it all in and allowing love to lead the way. Simply surrendering. That's where I am today.

When I dance, I get to speak without uttering words. I hold nothing back.