Let Your Life Bloom

Food fiesta

As a professional princess, I saw a lot of food. Everywhere I went, people wanted to feed me. This was a dream world, except for the fact that I was in character and couldn't chow down like some of those kids were doing with their birthday cakes. Not only did I get to wear a tiara, a few pounds of make-up and sparkly ballroom gowns - there was food and happiness bursting out of the houses and parks hosting the parties. What fun!

Some of my favorite moments as a princess included the whole cake process. The relatives proudly brought it out, blazing with candles, singing wholeheartedly, and presenting the celebrated child with a feast of sugary delight. With wild abandon, the kids would get cake on their clothes, hands, face, and sometimes mouth.

When was the last time you found yourself in such delight of the food you were eating? Use your hands, touch it. Smell the aroma. Really look at the details of the food in front of you. It's a fascinating and inspiring meditation. Bringing joy and appreciation to eating, making it a full sensory feast in one of the most nourishing, health promoting acts you can do. Have at it!

Releasing the energy

Remember reading about moving the energy last week? Here's the next step: Releasing the energy.

I'm a passionate advocate for using the body to liberate the mind. Most of the time, for me, the movement and results from it are so gratifying that it's hard to imagine why someone would resist doing so. Then I remembered springtime.

In the spring, we plant seeds, sprout, and bloom. We also detox, letting go of built up toxins, stress that had become stored in the body. Though we may have needed it at one time, now is always a good moment to let it go. This can apply to emotions, thoughts, patterns of habit, physical sludge build up. For those of you that have cleansed before, you know that a detox can feel unpleasant and invigorating. It's helpful to remember that all it is, is previously stuck energy releasing itself, allowing more freedom on every level of your being.

Sounds good, right? Ultimately it is. You become more clear, healthy, eager to interact with life and calm when you do.

Imaginary furniture

I love being on the computer and I love moving. Hmmm, how to reconcile the two so they can live harmoniously together? Sure, I can take breaks from sitting. That's the easy way out. Instead, I have designed a piece of imaginary furniture. If this exists anywhere, please let me know immediately.

It's a movable desk. White, modern, crisp, clean, with rounded edges on its slightly rectangular body. The legs are metal, thin poles with easy wheels (no grocery cart turn in opposite direction wheels). It's got one of those jelly/gel-y support your wrists thingamajigs which is red in color. Oh, and it's adjustable so I can use it sitting or standing, walking or stretching. Did I mention the wheels can lock into place?

Anyone want to make this for me? What imaginary furniture would you create for yourself? Share here...

The gift of listening

Have you ever had someone listen to you? Really listen to you? You know it's happening when you feel yourself automatically becoming more at ease, relaxed in your body, able to breathe deeply, as if the space around you has expanded. I was able to give someone this gift today.

The stresses of life - good or bad - impact us. We are affected by the energy of change. While having a positive outlook is definitely helpful, there are those times when emotions come up and feelings can be the opposite of positive. Truth is, there is no stress, experience, or feeling that's good or bad at its core. It's just an experience of being alive and we respond to life with a wide range of thoughts and feelings. It's all OK.

It's just that, sometimes we forget that we need support along the way. I think we all have the superhero "I can do it on my own" complex to a certain degree. Maybe it's the stubborn inner kid in us, struggling for independence. Or the so called proud part of our personality. Either way, it takes a very brave and courageous person to say "Would you mind listening? I have something to share."

The power of friendship, community, and the presence of supportive people in our lives make a HUGE difference. No matter what role you are in - as the talker or the listener - both are receiving benefits from giving and receiving. In fact, there's no difference between the two of those.

Is there something you've been wanting to clear your head and heart about? Reach out. Feeling clear? Be the listener and transform both of your lives.

Receiving wisdom

Every where we turn there's an opportunity to gain wisdom, creativity, inspiration. It's all a matter of what lens you are looking through. When you put on your wisdom glasses, you see wisdom around you - in what others say, in nature, in an article you read...and in email forwards!

I've gotten some great ones. The latest is a story that not only brought tears, it reminded me of the spirit of love that moves through and animates all things. Watch the video and read on...

The right to food

I'm an advocate for whole, healthy food. The kind that comes from a local, organic farm or  your own backyard. I believe in this way of eating for many reasons. Let me share a few of them with you.

Organic food is nutrient dense. When food is grown to its ripeness, everything is better - from taste to vitamin content. Essentially, when grown to potential, it has more to offer you (just like people). This feeds the cells of our bodies - keeping us healthy, nourished, and energized. Food with pesticides are not only lower in nutrient value, they're loaded with chemicals that can make you sick.

Of course I want you to be healthy and feeling good. There's more to it though.

When we shop for food, we vote with our choices. For the environment, local farms, big agriculture business, and so on. This is a clear message to the government, large food corporations, the local economy, healthcare system, schools. What we choose to eat and the decisions we make in regard to our personal sustainability has a definitive impact on environmental and economic sustainability - locally, nationally, internationally. It matters!

A few weeks ago, a bill was introduced with some very deceptive language. HR 875 speaks of food safety, capitalizing off of the fear surrounding our food system. It is important to preserve the integrity of our food, for generations to come. Go here to write your representative and spread the word!

For more info, see this article and keep reading to see the email I got alerting me to this, with more resources for action...

Move the energy

Have you been feeling affected by the changes going on in the world? In your own life?

Change - the kind you want or the kind you resist - affects us on many levels. We can pick up other people's joys and stresses, adding to our own. Emotions build up. Thoughts recycle themselves. Physical sensations pulse through our body calling out for attention. How can you keep healthy, grounded, and, well, sane through the midst of change?

Move the energy.

No matter what we call it and whether we think it's good or bad - it's all energy. And it needs an outlet. A creative expression. Make a list of all the ways you can move the energy. Use your intuition and let it guide you to the most supportive choice at the moment. The beauty of this is that there is no right or wrong. It's what feels right to you. If nothing feels right, that is the perfect time to do this. It's a red flag waving in your face - "Hello, built up energy here, let's get moving!"

Let your body be your best friend, guide, teacher, and health guru. It already is. Acknowledge this and dole out the props! You'll get nothing but appreciation and clarity in return.

Fun and inspiring

I recently signed up to receive Tut daily inspirations in the form of Notes from the Universe. First, I've got to tell you, their sign up form was one of the best ever. Go check it out here.

These are great treats to receive as you start the day. Read them before you get to your to do list. I'm sharing a few of my favorites with you here. Enjoy!

One of the things I've learned from witnessing civilization after civilization after civilization is that one should never underestimate the profound resiliency of the human spirit, nor how swiftly things can change for the better - often overnight.

Swoosh - 

    The Universe

***

Never underestimate how many friends you have, how close you are, and how much fun you're going to have.

Because, as you've seen throughout your entire amazing life, one usually gets exactly what they've been estimating.

You thrill me,
    The Universe

***

Just curious, when was the last time you looked into a mirror and addressed yourself as "Gorgeous," "Magnificent," or "Sublime"?

Vanessa, it matters.

Tallyho,
    The Universe

Nice to tweet you

That's what I'll be saying in just a little while.

I'm headed off to my first official "Tweet up." For those of you that have yet to learn the lingo, I'm referring to Twitter. All the cool kids are doing it - from me (of course) to Whole Foods to Lance Armstrong to Barack Obama. And, tonight, I'm going to hang out, in person, with the local crowd that I pass in the Twitter stream online. 

If you are new to the scene and wondering - What the heck is twitter and how do I use it? - here's a few tips:

Be yourself - This is an opportunity to get to know you, not just what you do but who you are as a person. Let your coolness shine through.

Stay positive - Does this need an explanation?! Who would you rather have chirping in your ear, the complain drain or the sunshine train?

Ask a question - Books, food, songs, what inspires people. The possibilities are endless. People like to chat it up once in awhile, take a break from what they're doing that's work related, and share points of connection. At least I do. Ask me a question. :-)

Share resources - There's plenty of them. Whatever field you're in, let the resources you share represent not only your interests but your expertise and knowledge base.

Start there, enjoy, and tweet you all later!

Always supported

Every day I get reminders, clues, and obvious in my face signs of how life is supporting me. This comes in in more forms than you'd think. In fact, when you start to look at everything that shows up as a support, your whole understanding of life starts to shift. You'll step out of the drama, resistance, and story of what's "wrong" or "not working" into feeling clear, calm, and grounded. Then, you're living grace.

What showed up in your world today and how did it support you? Be sure to list the ones you wouldn't normally consider. That's where the gold is.