Gratitude Practices

I'm Moving!

2009-02-15T19:32:00.000-08:00

Friends,

I am moving my blog to WordPress. Please join me and redirect your bookmarks to Gratitude Practices.

Let me know what you think of the new look.

All is well. Life is good.

Love the World into Change

2009-02-10T20:18:00.000-08:00

Please visit my spiritual brother and friend, Maithri, at The Soaring Impulse. Prepare to be touched in a profound way.

Looking for What is Right and Good and True, part 2

2009-02-10T06:15:00.000-08:00

When I originally wrote my last post, I was worried it might sound a bit preachy and I didn't want it to be that way. I don't ever want to offend anyone with my posts, although I don't mind being intellectually provocative. I do want to stretch our understanding of our consciousness, our spiritual side.

In that vein, I want to share the comment Sister Kathryn made on my last post:

"Because we are so blessed with these insights, let us embrace those who suffer from loss and lack and the fear of more. We are all going to be more than okay through these difficulties and it helps to just hold one another in love and comfort. This is a very powerful time of creation of change. We can prevail when we're One!"

Amen, Sister!

I believe fundamentalism comes from a smugness in our own beliefs, from the surety that our beliefs or thoughts are the only "true" ones. My experience of fundamentalism is that it is largely without compassion, largely about judgement. When we remember that we are all one, that there is no two, we can embrace the "other" with love and compassion, remembering, "I am that."

All is well. Life is good.

Looking for What is Right and Good and True

2009-02-07T09:42:00.000-08:00

Visualize an ocean of abundance, and the tide is coming in

Bad news abounds, by all appearances.

Look in any newspaper, listen to any news program, look around and you can't help but see the manifestation of fear. Economic crises, job loss, loss of what we thought would never end.

LOOK FOR GOOD NEWS. LISTEN TO POSITIVE EVENTS. THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT TO BRING ABOUT.

During the great "prosperity" we largely enjoyed, there were still people out of work, people homeless, people loosing everything.

During this "economic crisis" there are still people buying homes, getting great jobs, progressing, achieving, attaining.

If you don't want to experience lack, don't dwell on lack. If you want to experience abundance, dwell on abundance.

The physical world, including the economy, does not have spiritual authority over you. As my friend Mike Dooley says, "Don't judge your progress on appearances." It is important for us to keep visualizing what we want to create and not be distracted by what we see around us. It is all illusion anyway. We may want to create a world where we have a blast "playing in the jungles of time and space" (as Mike calls it). It's just as easy and way more fun than creating a world of deprivation and loss.

All is well. Life is good.

Twenty-five Things About Me

2009-01-31T19:53:00.001-08:00

I've been tagged by a couple of friends to post 25 things about myself, so here goes:

I am 53 and feel younger now than I ever did in my 20s and 30s.
I learned to laugh at myself about 10 years ago and it improved my life enormously.
It took me 50 years to decide I wanted to be alive.
I have known Tracy for almost 10 years and have loved him nearly from the first moment - I didn't allow myself to know that for a while, however.
It seems I don't really need 20 pairs of black shoes.
When I laugh really hard at movies or when enjoying friends, I have to use an inhaler to open up my airways. It is so worth it.
My beloved son is 24 as of Feb. 1
I am blessed to have a relationship with all of my family members again.
My favorite color changes periodically. Right now, I'm in love with lime green.
I used to have a complete wardrobe of mostly black clothes. I deliberately began adding color into my wardrobe a number of years ago and, oddly enough, my depression began to lift.
I love to nap.
I have studied a lot of energy healing modalities and use them regularly (mostly on myself).
As a teenager, I read Gone With the Wind and Of Human Bondage once every year.
I was a vegetarian for about 8 years until I ran into a barbequed chicken leg.
I recently made the leap to Mac. So far, I like it.
I got sober in July of 1990; my sobriety is everything to me and I am grateful each day for release from the bondage of addiction. Everything good in my life is the direct result of being a sober woman.
I used to live on a golf course. I now live in a very cool urban neighborhood.
I don't think America's Funniest Home Videos are very funny because they are mostly about people getting hurt.
Dogs rock.
I have many wonderful women friends who sustain me throughout all the times of my life.
There are a few men in my life that I like and enjoy their company.
I love to sing, but no one should have to hear it.
I regularly massacre the lyrics to songs (inadvertently), but I often like my version better.
I have a couple of books in the works.
The inauguration of Barack Obama was the happiest day of my life since the birth of my son.

Whew!

2009-01-24T22:40:00.000-08:00

I've been without my internet access since the move - over a week without access to the internet, except through my iPhone, has been hellish!

My first two weeks at my new job has been wonderful. Everyone is very dedicated to the mission of the organization - not a lot of egos so far.

Here are a couple of pictures from the new location.

View from the condo

View from my office

Feeding the Flow

2009-01-11T19:41:00.000-08:00

Posting hasn't been a priority lately because we've been so busy getting ready for our upcoming move. It is exciting and it's hard work.

One thing we've been focusing on and talking about is letting go of that which no longer serves. We are moving from over 2500 square feet to about 850 square feet (and putting quite a lot of stuff into storage.) However, we have wanted to downsize during this process.

We are looking at this as putting things back into the flow. It takes an enormous amount of energy to maintain possessions. We sometimes feel possessed by our possessions. There comes a point when a person just doesn't need any more "stuff."

This past year has been an ongoing lesson in keeping things simple, focusing on what is really important. For me, the important things in life are experiences and maintaining relationships, not possessions. I am choosing to live my life in a way that is sustainable; where my energy goes into being of service to others, not maintaining "stuff." I want to be at a place in my life, soon, where I don't need to work as hard as I have the last 30 years. I believe that having a lighter load will make that more possible.

In putting our possessions back into the flow, we have thanked them and blessed them for the joy they brought to us and asked them to give their new owners as much joy as we had. We have been able to support people who are doing important work by giving them treasures they love and can use and care for. This blesses us again.

Putting energy back into the flow. It's a good thing.

I hope to catch up in reading all of your wonderful blogs soon....once I get settled again, I'll be able to catch my breath and catch up with all of you.

New Home and Being Present for the Journey

2008-12-28T07:35:00.001-08:00

Here are a few pictures of the condo we will be living in when we move back to Portland in mid-January. This is the outside of the building. Our unit is on the 2nd floor (lowest floor with bay windows) on the far left.

This is a picture of the "living room."

"Dining Room"

View outside the windows (in summer, not now). This condo overlooks the North Park Blocks and is on the eastern edge of the Pearl District. It's a 15 minute walk to my new office and a 6 minute walk to Whole Foods (at least according to my iPhone map program!)

I am very aware of the journey back to Portland and what it means to me and to us. The move to the Tri-Cities seemed to flow effortlessly. The move back is flowing effortlessly as well. It feels like there is no struggle...we are continuing to visualize the end result and the Universe is lining up the players and possibilities in the right order and with brilliant timing. I am staying very present for all of this.

As we drove back to Eastern Washington yesterday, I commented that it seemed like we were drawn through this 2-year experience for some purpose. Tracy said, "Maybe it was simply to show us what brilliant manifestors we are." Hmmm...maybe so.

If "how you do anything is how you do everything" this should provide a map for further manifestations. We visualized the end result we wanted to create, with great joy and excitement. We opened ourselves to possibilities but (tried to) stayed out of the "hows" and let the universe open doors for us.

An example was the job I accepted. In looking for contact information for a former supervisor, I went to the website for the agency she works for and saw HER JOB advertised. I emailed her to find out what was going on and she said I'd be perfect for the job. I went through the process and the agency Director apparently thought the same thing, because I was offered the job. A completely "serendipitous" event lead to a job for an agency I can really support and the work will support me.

Yesterday we looked at several buildings and apartments/condos. I was feeling discouraged when the owner of this condo called me back. We were ready to leave town. We stopped by and looked at the condo and immediately we both felt like it was the right place. We left to go to the car and begin the drive home; when we got the front door, we turned to one another and said, "This is the place." We called the owner, went back upstairs and left a deposit check. This isn't "how" I thought things would look, but it feels brilliant...and right.

What Word Will Choose You?

2008-12-26T07:30:00.000-08:00

Christine Kane has a tradition at the beginning of each new year: choosing a word that will resonate, guide, inform her. It didn't take any time at all for me to choose mine (actually, it chose me): Receive. I set my deliberate intention to be open and receptive the the wonderful joys, abundance and gifts that life has to offer.

What is your word? Visit Christine's blog for a list to get those juices going.

Thanks and all due props to Caroline at The Zen In You for her blog post on this topic.

Return of the Sun, Talking to my Son and Going Home

2008-12-24T05:50:00.000-08:00

The colors of winter: high lights and low lights and very monochromatic

I'm grateful today for:

1. The return of the sun in this frozen land of ours.

2. Talking to my son for a few moments. He is in Bahrain and I miss him very much this time of year.

3. I am going home - to my beloved Portland to start a new job on 1/20 (a most auspicious day for new jobs, it seems to me...it is also Inauguration Day in the US).

What If? The Movie, Clip 4

2008-12-20T15:16:00.000-08:00

What If? The Movie, Clip 3

2008-12-18T18:13:00.000-08:00

What If? The Movie, Clip 2

2008-12-16T20:29:00.000-08:00

Check Out This Interesting Movie Clip

2008-12-14T13:37:00.000-08:00

I received an email letting me know about this new movie that may be the new "What The Bleep Do We Know." I won't even begin to try to explain the synchronicity of receiving this email at this time in my life. Just know that the Universe is sending amazing messages. Stay tuned for more clips this week.

To read about this or see the movie on-line, go to What If? The Movie.

Trip Home from Portland Interviews

2008-12-14T10:44:00.000-08:00

Photo taken in October 2008

I returned home from my trip to Portland where I spent parts of 3 days interviewing with various agencies. By the time I left Friday morning, I was so sick of talking about myself, I could have choked! It is very hard to be "on" for that extended period of time: Wednesday from 1:30 - 5:00 p.m.; Thursday from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Friday from 8:30 - 10 a.m. The Friday interviews came up and got scheduled Thursday afternoon while I was on a break during my day-long series of interviews.

On my way home, I stopped at the labyrinth in The Dalles, OR (photo above) to sort things out. It was a profound and moving experience. I set my intention to receive clarity on the move and the particular job I should accept. Of course, I haven't received any offers, yet, but I will.

Before I began the journey to the center of the labyrinth, I stood at its entrance and made an offering to the 4 directions. I didn't have any tobacco and didn't see anyone smoking when I arrived (I didn't see any other people at all), but I did have some bread left from my sandwich, so that was my offering. It seemed to take about 2 hours to walk to the center; as I made the journey to the center, my shoulders began to relax and sink into an open, softened state.

When I arrived in the center of the labyrinth, I gave another offering to the 4 directions. I then stood in the center, eyes closed and emptied my mind. In a very short time, I received a series of impressions and images. When I got back to the car, the impressions and images translated themselves into the following words: "All is well. You will be taken care of. No need for 'strategizing.' Allow, allow, allow. Be open, receptive. It is not necessary to go meet the XYZ staff. It is okay. All is well."

When I walked out of the labyrinth, I felt great joy. It seemed to take about 30 seconds to make the return trip. The elapsed time on the clock from start to finish was 30 minutes.

As I posted previously, our house is for sale. Here is a Virtual Tour. Feel freed to forward the link to anyone who may be interested in living in a beautiful home with outstanding neighbors on a lovely golf course.

Happiness is Contagious

2008-12-08T05:38:00.001-08:00

Karen at Chookooloonks posted this morning about a story she heard on NPR over the weekend about happiness being contagious. I didn't hear the story, but it makes sense to me.

Here are some of the people and things in my life that make me happy:

Tracy

A silky black pug in my lap as I try to type

A warm fire and cup of coffee first thing in the morning

Laughing with Tracy

Going to the dog park and watching all the knuckleheads running around

Sunrises

Tracy

Sunsets

Anticipating a trip to Portland this week and visiting friends

Seeing my family 2 weekends in a row

Taking pictures

Reading

Knitting

Tracy

Sleeping in past 5 a.m.

These are just a few of the things that make me happy. How about you?

Going Home

2008-12-07T11:57:00.000-08:00

Yes, that is a for sale sign in front of our home. We are going home (to Portland). I have interviews with 3 different agencies in the coming 4 days, one by phone and 2 on-site, in Portland.

We feel that the energy is moving fast and drawing us back to the place that has always felt like home. This has been an adventure and we are still uncovering the reasons/gifts for our 2 years in the desert. This has been a time when we have had to rely on one another exclusively for our support and connection. We have become even closer to one another. We have realized what is really important in our lives and part of that includes living in a place where we have connections, family and friends. We love the pace of life in Portland, the energy, the diversity, the politics and on and on and on.

I looked back to a post from last August where I talked about us letting go of the struggle to go back to Portland and making the decision to go back to Portland. It feels effortless, like the flow is taking us home.

Walk for the Cure

2008-11-22T05:59:00.000-08:00

My friend, Theresa, in San Diego is walking 60 miles this weekend (over 3 days) to raise money for breast cancer research and treatment. Theresa is a 2 1/2 year survivor of breast cancer and has been wonderful support for me during my months of treatment, sending encouragement and love. Here are a few pictures from the end of her first day.

That's Theresa, on the left

That's me, on Theresa's butt.

Friday Reflections

2008-11-14T06:18:00.000-08:00

I still don't seem to be able to put things into words right now. I do want to share this lovely slide show with you.

Aaaaahhh, yes. Hope is a wonderful thing.

Blessed be! Life is good.

President of the United States...

2008-11-04T20:56:00.001-08:00

Barack Hussein Obama

Now THAT'S what I'm talking about

Margaret and Helen

2008-11-01T13:15:00.000-07:00

You have got to check out these 2 women. Their blog posts generate in the hundreds of comments every day and they have a lot to say. Enjoy.

Margaret and Helen

Generations

2008-10-26T07:45:00.000-07:00

My grandnephew Carson, age 2 1/2, using packing material as his crown. Packaging always makes a much better toy than the contents of the box. Fortunately, the contents were for his Grandma, so sharing the present worked out just fine.

My little old ones, aged 92 and 85. They are adjusting to their new home near my sister (aka "Grandma" in the previous paragraph) but are very frail.

At some point, I'll write a post, but for now words aren't coming easily. It is easier to post pictures at the moment.

Blessed be! Life is good.

A Day in Photos

2008-10-19T20:27:00.000-07:00

Weekend Photos

2008-10-13T05:27:00.000-07:00

There's nothing quite like a two-hour nap with 2 dogs and a cat piled on top!

Tracy outdid himself in the kitchen again, making his best lasagne ever.

Yum!

This is Right Up my Alley!

2008-10-04T22:19:00.000-07:00

Caroline, over at The Zen in You, just posted about the World Gratitude Gathering, a 42-day event focusing on Gratitude and the power of gratitude.

The event began October 1, but it isn't too late to join. Go check it out. I think you'll like what you find.

While you're at it, check out Caroline's amazing photographs. There's a link from her blog to her Etsy store.

Blessed be! Life is good.