Saturday, September 25, 2010

Inspiration....




The fall season officially started this week. Although I love each season for different reasons (well, I don't really love winter, but...), if I had to pick just one, fall would probably be it. The weather is a bit cooler and I get to pull out all my favorite, cuddly sweaters and boots. I grew up in New England where the fall foliage is second to none. The trees explode with color and I used to love to jump in my car, drive up the Merritt Turnpike and soak in all those rich, succulent colors. I miss that...

Fall also means that I get to spend more time in the kitchen. I follow a few fantastic food blogs and find inspiration in the recipes and beautiful pictures that they share. I am looking forward to taking advantage of the last few weeks of the farmer's markets and making soups and baked goods to share with my friends. And, yes...it's almost lasagna weather, guys!

I am fortunate to have so many fabulous people in my life! Supportive, kind, loving people...all on their own path, each with their own special gifts to contribute. I have some amazing and talented people in my circle of friends.

I think that inspiration is contagious. When you do something you love, it shows and that is an attractive quality.

I have a dear friend whose home is a perfect reflection of who she is...it's warm, inviting, comfortable, and full of items and souvenirs that have special meaning for her. You just feel good when you're there. It's like a little cocoon...delicious! After spending the evening there recently, I came home and had the strong desire to re-arrange my apartment. I wanted to recreate that feeling in my home. Inspiration works like that sometimes. It makes you reevaluate your life and strive for something better.

Where do you find inspiration?
I'd love to hear what you have to say....you never know who you might inspire by sharing your gifts with the rest of us!



Sunday, September 19, 2010

New beginnings


It's been quite a week, filled with new beginnings, change, and a celebration acknowledging what is and good things to come.

I celebrated my birthday with two special friends, making vision boards. A vision board is sort of like a collage except it is filled with photos and phrases representing all your dreams for the future. It was an incredibly meaningful experience and a whole lot of fun!

A few days later, I found out that a dear friend was moving back to Europe...next week! Although she and everyone who has had the pleasure of meeting her would rather have her stay here, it has become clear that staying in Chicago is not where she is meant to be at this time. It's been amazing to witness all the "blessings" that have occurred during this transition: everything necessary for the move has appeared. So many people have come together to help and it's been a privilege to watch this unfold. It is a wonderful example of the power of faith and service.

My therapist once told me that if something is meant to be, there is nothing that I can do to stop it from happening; conversely, if something is not meant to be, no amount of force or manipulation will make it so....no matter how badly I want it.
I thought of this today as I reflected on my friend's situation: no matter how badly I want her to stay, right now, at this point, it is not meant to be. Clearly, her beautiful spirit is needed back home. The ways in which everything has unfolded supports this move. Who knows what is in store for her? Who knows what's in store for any of us?

What I have learned over the years is, fundamentally, all is well. I have always been taken care of and I have faith that, if I continue living my life with integrity, that will continue. I know that my life just works better when my spiritual connection is strong. Daily meditation and prayer help me maintain that connection. Having a positive attitude and surrounding myself with like minded people helps me to notice all the blessings in my life as well as the lives of others. It also makes life a heck of a lot more fun! I have had remarkable experiences simply because I chose to say yes to opportunities that presented themselves in my life.




Sunday, September 12, 2010

Let go...


We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the life that is waiting for us.
-- Joseph Campbell


"Letting Go" seems to be on everyone's mind lately. I have had several conversations over the last few days in which this topic has come up. I don't believe in coincidences. I don't need to know why...I just need to pay attention.

Once upon a time, I had some issues with control. I thought that having control of a situation meant that I would save myself from getting hurt. If I had all my bases covered, I would be prepared for anything. What I learned was that control is a myth and there are no guarantees in life. Change is inevitable; nothing stays the same.

I was tremendously afraid of change...I don't like surprises.

Now I know that there is very little in my life that I can control. In fact, by letting go, even just the littlest bit, I open myself up to all sorts of possibilities. I have no idea what the future holds...but I do know that I need to get out of the way and let life happen. I have faith that, no matter what happens, I will be taken care of. I need to show up for my life now...not obsess about the past or worry about the future. Those behaviors are simply a waste of precious time.

If you had asked me a decade ago to describe what my life would look like today, you can bet that I would not have dreamed that it could be this good! Like most people, I have had my share of challenges, but even so, my life is better than I could have imagined. Now I choose to look for the miracles.

Embrace your life and all the gifts in it...just don't hold on too tight.
Give your life a little room to breathe...see what surprises are waiting for you!

"Live your life with arms wide open..." ~~~Unwritten (Natasha Bedingfield)

Saturday, September 11, 2010

In remembrance...





Today is the 9th anniversary of 9/11. Time has not made the memories of that horrific day seem any less unreal. My heart goes out to those who lost someone they loved and I pray for everyone whose lives were affected that day.


Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Change is in the air.....

It's time to be the star of your own life! (paraphrase)


Well, the holiday weekend is past and, with it comes the official end of summer. We are in a period of transition...no longer summer, not quite fall....change is in the air.

This summer has been one of tremendous change for me and while some of the changes were quite obvious (i.e. leaving my job, starting my business), some were more subtle. I've been reflecting on these changes and have come to the realization that many of them occurred because I chose to be an active participant in my life. I made a decision to say
YES!! It's amazing how many experiences presented themselves by saying that one little word...I made fabulous new friends, tried some incredible new things (Vedic meditation, for one), and found a great new gelato spot, just to name a few.

Do you feel like your living your life on 'auto-pilot'? Ready to take a chance? Try something new? Shake it up???

Try saying
YES!!!

Shake off all the "baggage" that's holding you back....all the doubts, fears, and 'what ifs".

Step into the spotlight and be the star in
your life!