Play today!

Remember what it was like when we were kids and we did things for fun, not for an outcome? Not to be perfect! Not to succeed at doing it right but just because of doing it?  Remember that?

Do something fun today! Don’t worry about the mess, don’t worry about the time, don’t worry about what people could think of you, do it because you want to, cause it looks like fun! You’ll be rewarded manifold!

My personal playful moment of a few days ago… I read somewhere that you could mix shades of lipstick you’re no longer using to create a new one. Well, wow! That sounded novel. Not only are you creative but you’re using what you already have and you can microwave them! Woohoo! Craft for me! At first like a mad scientist I tried to get it right.. the right shade.. I needed more of this and less of that. Then in a couple of tries I just laughed, cause I had tried them on, and now there was red all over the place and one of them must’ve been a longwear lipstick cause I had it all over my face! Plenty of paper towels were used but it was so much fun! Let me tell you, I no longer worried about the right shade cause I had the perfect smile! ;)

Eyes Don't Lie

Your eyes don’t lie.

You thanked me with tears of release after a healing. 

I have to let you know, I thank you! For when the going gets too hard, when I think I haven’t done enough, when I’m criticized by loved ones, when I wonder if this has any meaning or value, even if not to the physical world, I remember the overwhelming feeling of love and connection of your experience. I remember the truth your eyes revealed. That truthfulness that cannot be denied like words sometimes can.

It keeps me going, because you are helping me by helping yourself and that’s my definition of success. That you opened your heart and mind and let Grace in even if slowly, even if it takes us by surprise. You are letting me know I am doing well in the things that really matter such as:

“To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded."

--- inaccurately attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thank you!

For those of us feeling off these days: "The Guest House"

I've noticed a few people are in a funk lately, and having been there myself, I'm posting this poem I ran into yesterday:

 "The Guest House"

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond."

-- Jelaluddin Rumi,
    translation by Coleman Barks

We really are full of all these emotions, thoughts and more but giving a higher value to one feeling or the other negates the value that these uncomfortable ones have. We could be curious about the valuable information they hold within. Rather than trying to fight them, allowing ourselves to feel them fully, perhaps even if we don't understand them. To accept all of ourselves as we are, without trying to fix it, without judgment, to the extent possible. This acceptance will lead to better acceptance of others as well. To learn to love what is.

We often try to fix it with sugar, singing, etc.. which is fine, transitioning into a different feeling is great! I personally love joy and would stay there all the time! However, let's not miss the value of these uninvited guests, they may be showing us something. Asking questions would be interesting, just like we would a guest in our  house. Why are they here? What is really making me uncomfortable? Why do I feel upset? It can be as simple as blood sugar low ;) Or it can be telling that we're not listening to ourselves and not expressing ourselves. It could be that we need a new outlet, creative or physical. It could be we need fresh air and vision and inspiration. It could be we're not done grieving something and we've tried to deny or repress it. It could be we miss something or someone. It could be so many things, yet if we don't sit down to explore then how can we know what we can do something about and what we cannot. We would not sit there with a guest in silence, we would ask them about themselves and we'd interact with them and see how they fit or not in our lives. Reminding ourselves that if we're uncomfortable in their presence, we may want to run away from them, and it may work for a while but they'll come back and perhaps louder, making us even more uncomfortable.

I find the minute you get comfortable and comforted in the dark, someone switches the light back on! "It's in the darkest nights that you can see the most brilliant stars."

May we all find comfort and love in all our human experience!

Men... Free Samples!

Man-a-fest one for yourself, even if you live in New York City.

Yesterday I attended a well-being fair. It was fun, experienced the usual product and service trials, and then for some reason this woman told me I should have a booth. What would I promote/sell?

This was her suggestion:

Men… Free Samples!!

Yes, I would have the most popular booth at the fair with women lining up!

After all, this is New York and the ratio of straight men to women is dwindling quicker, what was it? 1 to 4 last time we checked? (Sorry I didn’t check the census stats on this one cause I’m caught up in my excitement of the business opportunity!)

Well, boy has this brought up many thoughts and conversations. Some went like this: Wow that’s a great idea!! There’s a great demand, just not enough supply! Or good choice supply! Then I remembered a visiting friend suggesting I setup an intuitive matchmaking service. Now how would that work? I know LOTS of great women, and not so many men. Would I go to churches and synagogues? In an effort to meet their moms, of course, cause the eligible bachelors themselves couldn’t make it cause they’d be hung-over or cuddling the morning after with someone their moms would not approve of. Well, there’s one possibility. I could also scour bookstores and friend’s offices.

The main problem is MEETING these eligible men cause I’m sure once I do they’d be totally up to being setup with a potential soulmate, cause after all that’s what young normal single available men living in New York City want!! Every morning they wake up hoping for Princess Charmer, to sweep them off their feet and live happily ever after. Yes, I know all those nights at bars are really to numb the pain of this not yet happening.

Well alas, I’ve found my niche market, and as soon as I meet the supply with the demand, I’m in business! ;)

However until I can manifest this matchmaking service, here are my self-empowering suggestions on how to Man-a-fest one for yourself:

1. Remember how beautiful you are, inside & out. This is part of caring and valuing yourself. You are whole without a man, yet it’s nice to enjoy and share their company.

2. Get out of your house: errands, gym, Starbucks, Barnes & Nobles, meeting friends, anything, but out you go!

3. Keep your options open.

4. Remember it's not that hard. (Really, it can’t be that hard! ;) and it’s supposed to be fun!

5. Remember to En-Joy! That'll make you more attractive and not get you hooked up on One man, unless he has commited to you!! ;)  Enjoy your own company for “you can’t ask others to do for you what you’re not willing to do for yourself” Eleanor Roosevelt.

6. Avoid male-bashing, this does not favor your energy in any way. It just attracts more reasons to continue to do so. Now we don’t want that, do we?

7. Sing to yourself or play it on your ipod really loudly: “So many men, so little time..”  and when tired of that one move on to “It’s raining men!” ;)

8. Avoid getting caught up in the stats. It can happen to you!  Just like I’ve said often just like with publishing books: why write my book if there’s already so many out there? Cause every week there’s a NYTimes Bestseller and it could be yours! Why Not? ;)

In this case, You could be in that NYTimes wedding section next season!! ;)

9. Nurture and appreciate your friendships always. Hey not only will they be there before, during and after you are in couple-land, but they may know someone to introduce you to! ;)

10. Keep a positive outlook and sense of humor.

11. The obvious, yet just in case someone needs a reminder point: Let go of the past! It's a tradeoff.. you can remain imaginarily attached to the past or you can let that go in exchange for a current reality. Yes it's a risk, but worth taking. It's called living. :)

I may add more to this list but that’s all for now. Keep on the lookout for my matchmaking service and if you do feel you know an eligible bachelor, pass him on so I can start my list! ;)

Girls Night Idea: Sharing and Fun!

I just experienced a great night with friends so I'd love to share it:

My friend threw a get-together, and asked that we each bring any clothing or accessories we were no longer using. Once we arrived, we all laid it out, and then we went "shopping". We all walked out with something completely new for our wardrobe, but not only that. We got real opinions for the outfits and we got to share a fun time with snacks, wine and conversation.  

All and all a great time that's green, fun and helpful regardless of the economic times.

Enjoy throwing your own party inspiration!

Inexpensive Spiritual Finds in New York City

Since many things are costly in the city, entertaining your spiritual pursuits should not be. There are many places to regain your solace freely such as parks, churches and museum free nights..but here are a few others:

1. Books?  

East West Living: Many books and spiritual paraphernalia to browse and free book signings at the cafe.

Borders on 57th Street and Park Avenue: Surprisingly this location has a wide selection of spiritual books, decks and more; and a few lovely seats so you can peruse at your leisure.

2. Looking for Reiki Training?

Try CUNY Continuing Education courses. A low cost, demystifying and practical instruction that would cost much more elsewhere and leave your wallet in need of healing.  

3. Need a sense of community and a bit of art therapy?

Try Etsy Labs: Monday night craft nights. Every week you're taught a new craft for free!

4. Into Crystals?

Check out the Gem and Mineral Show in New York. Usually scheduled twice a year in a hotel in New York (usually the Holiday Inn on 57th street). Entry fee is usually under $10 and you can find a wide selection of high quality crystals and stones at low prices. Noticeably less expensive than any of the stores or the New Life Expo. It's worth waiting for! Next scheduled show is November 7-8th.

If you're into jewelry making, then also well worth waiting for is the Bead Show, also twice a year in New York City. The next one is scheduled for Oct. 16-18th, 2009. Entry fee is also under $10. Their site is www.wholebead.com

5. Almost forgot!! Free Intuitive Mini-Workshops (seriously, no strings attached. No donation, you won't have to sign up for anything additional. It really is Free!)

Once a month at Barnes & Noble in Tribeca, Intuitive Consultant and author, Laura Day offers a free 1 hour mini-workshop.

Usually there's a chat, and a couple of exercises, one intuitive and one healing. If you've never done any of this sort of work or even if you have, you'll be impressed by how simple and common sense she teaches it. You'll also be impressed by how accurate your intuition is even if you don't really think it's there! ;) The next workshop is scheduled for Thursday, July 23rd from 7 to 8. I recommend getting there a bit early to make yourself comfortable.

Since we New Yorkers are skeptics, I'll add why it's free: Laura Day's been doing this since Sept. 10, 2001. It's her neighborhood and it's feeling and being in "The Circle" in New York. Healing and fun in a very practical way!

Her site and some of her books are called "Practical Intuition".

Enjoy!