Archive for the ‘Returning to Center’ Category

Posted on November 17, 2008 - by Lu

Post it Like You Stole It…

I got this from Jen’s blog. You are suppose to bold the things you have done from the list. I can not believe how many of these things I have done AND how many I want to do.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland (been to Disneyworld, does that count?)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Posted on November 11, 2008 - by Lu

Do Nothing

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us. We ask ourselves ‘who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? - Marianne Williamson
I have been a little stir crazy the past two or three weeks. Bubbling inside with an energy that is so intense at times I feel like I am going to have an explosionation all over the place. A friend asked me to describe what it felt like and I told her it reminded me of the slow simmer of a volcano. I can feel it in the core of my body. An electricity, warmth and vibration. Like I need to be doing something.

I was having a conversation with the Lord and I told him if this was His way of trying to tell me something, I was listening. The message that came to me immediately was, “Do Nothing.” I am thinking, “What? Do nothing with all of this energy? Nothing at all?” So, I did nothing. I started doing slow deliberate breathing. Forcing myself to chill and focus. Whatever this feeling, this energy is, I have to learn to flow with it so it does not go to waste.

Posted on November 10, 2008 - by Lu

Gifts & Treasures

How many gifts and treasures are overlooked because our attention is so fiercely focused on what is not available? Christine Mason Miller

I have been reading Christine’s book, Ordinary Sparkling Moments for a few weeks. I love that the book looks and reads like an art journal. Much of what she has written resonates with me as I journey closer to my authentic self. The above quote from the book struck me today as I have been focusing on something that is not currently available to me. It was at one time and that time has passed, yet it still has an invisible hold on my heart. It is easy to get stuck in the past or so focused on the future you do not appreciate right now. Always thinking we are lacking is poison to the mind and soul. You end up thinking something is wrong with you when in fact there is nothing WRONG except your skewed view of what happiness and success is. We need to stop thinking so damn much.

Each of us is unique and will have a unique set of experiences that defines us. The grass may appear greener on their side, when the fact is, it is no greener than yours. Taking action, moves you closer to the life you want and squash the comparison bug. Believe me, I know it is not easy, but I am willing to give it a genuine try before I have a pity party about how my life sucks.

Posted on November 5, 2008 - by Lu

Overjoyed and Overflowing

(This wonderful graphic came from Renee Pearson’s blog)

Words do not begin to explain how I feel today. The first thing that comes to mind is pride. I am so proud of my country and the people who live here and took the time to vote. We did this together. I will cherish my memories from this year. I will never forget hearing him speak, seeing Ohio go blue or looking at all the people excited about a President. My heart is so full right now. Full and overflowing with hope.

Check this out, Will.i.am