Freedom

I love this so much:

"There is a huge amount of freedom that comes to you when you take nothing personally."  [Don Miguel Ruiz]

This has always been a struggle for me because I find it natural to absorb how people treat me and how it makes me feel (good or bad) and it can be both so damaging and fulfilling.  I don't believe either is very healthy - ideally I'd like to be able to filter people's unpleasantness and separate it from myself.  Rationally, this makes sense to me, but emotionally it is a different story.  I find myself getting (and staying) so upset over the way I am sometimes treated because in my mind I cannot reconcile the person's behavior towards me.  It is a vicious cycle - why do I waste my time worrying?  I am my own being, independent of how others are feeling or acting, and I can go on with my day without being altered by comments.  Easier said than done and an article awhile ago on Tiny Buddha really hit home for me and validated my concerns.

The article, When We Hurt People Because We're Hurting, touched my heart with these words:  

"...Most of us have felt pain burning like a hot coal in our hands, and felt desperate to unload it, somehow, somewhere... None of us deserve misdirected rage from a family member, coworker, or stranger... We all have a responsibility to learn healthy ways to cope..."

 Most of the time I am emotionally stable (it didn't happen overnight) but I realize my self worth and value in a way that helps me deal with the everyday - sometimes things can wear on us and it is then that I find myself slipping away a little from the place I know I belong.  I appreciated this article so much in a time when I needed to hear those words.  Thank you, Tiny Buddha!

Friends, do you ever feel this way?  How do you stop internalizing things you know you shouldn't? 

Photos taken by me, November 2011, in Ranakpur, India.

Ranakpur [India]

"Always expect the unexpected here in India - always.  We took a two+ hour jeep ride (as you can see my hair is too big for this country).  After enjoying a delicious lunch at our (gorgeous) hotel we took another jeep ride to a nearby Jain temple.  Very, very, very beautiful.  It was so peaceful there in the mountains.  The time I spent inside the temple will be something I won't forget... The sunlight was finding places to sneak in... and it was truly astounding..."

"A small group of us went on a nature walk the next morning and ended up walking through a very small village, past a few houses with families with young children - one just learning how to wave hello!  "

"It really is a shame we could only stay here in Ranakpur for one night - but tonight we are setting off to the train station for an overnight train to Mumbai - another adventure!"

Find Your Inspiration

After a longer-than-anticipated hiatus from this space (and after some gentle prodding from friends) I feel it is time to return.

I needed to take a step back and breathe.  To enjoy my every day life and to ensure that I was not feeling "pressure" to find/force inspiration.  There truly is an infinite amount of inspiration in our lives - usually it is simple and can only be seen when you look for it directly.  I'm ready to be back in this space to share my life's many inspirations.

And so I pose this question to you:  What is inspiration?

For me it is simple.  It is anything that sparks my heart and brain.  It gets me giddy.  Most importantly it is something that fills me with the intention and possibility of being a happier, more dynamic me.

[Fox, Piper, and me were having fun with Photo Booth.  I love my dogs!]

See You Soon

Dear Readers (all two of you!),

I'm taking a short break from this space.  I feel I've been running dry on inspiration and I need to regroup!  There are a few areas in my life that need some attention at the moment but I'll be back soon - I can't leave this space for long!

Love,
D

Be Back Soon

Ahh, I've been missing my blog.  I've been sick AND our internet has been down since the beginning of the week.  I awoke Monday morning with a horribly sore throat and yesterday I forced myself to stay in bed all day.  Needless to say I slept most of the day... Fox kept me company.  It's amazing how dogs can sense when you're unwell.  He stayed with me all day!

I'm beginning to feel better and hopefully our network issues are resolved.

Words of Wisdom

"I shall pass through this world but once.  Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness I can show, let me do it now;  let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."  [Anon]

These words really touched me and brought me peace.  Enjoy your Friday and the rest of the weekend!  A lot of happy memories are to be made in these coming days and I can't wait to share them all with you!

Happy Friday!


*Photos taken by me in Israel, November 2010.

Do Nothing

"You do too much.  Go and do nothing for awhile.  Nothing." 
[Lillian Hellman]


This week has been an emotional rollercoaster for many different reasons.  One of which I will share next week!  A lot of adjusting and looking inwards for strength and finding comfort in the bond with my husband. 

Here's to a peaceful weekend.

Happy Friday! 

[Photo taken by me at the local Zoo in April 2011.]

Let's Escape

"Out beyond ideas of wrong-doing and right-doing, there is a field, I'll meet you there.  When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about.  Ideas, language, even the phrase each other doesn't make sense."   [Rumi]

The quote above is featured on the website for a gorgeous organic farm and working vineyard, Campovida.  I stumbled upon the site and I don't even remember now how I found it!  At Campovida one can wander the peaceful gardens, enjoy the organic farm, listen to music and see art at many different events, and even stay in the beautiful accomodations.  I am already wanting to plan my visit to this amazing retreat in Mendocino County!

 Where would you like escape to for a short (or long) weekend?

*All images via Campovida.

Tuesday Tune

I stumbled upon this song a few years ago and have loved it ever since.  Priscilla Ahn's voice and lyrics combined make this song sound so peaceful.  I know you'll love it, too!

"...I asked God who I'm supposed to be, the stars smiled down on me..."