Murder she wrote...

You see that crow that just launched into the air? Yeah, that's me ready for 2018. All my projects are going to get launched into the air completed and ready to share. There will be no murder's though unless we're talking about a flock of crows. 

I love crows and ravens too. These intelligent black birds are fascinating to me. The sounds they make when they communicate are also fun for me to try and imitate. I just wish I knew what they (and myself) are saying in Corvidae language.

The sound of the word murder evokes fear and some people see crows as a bad omen so maybe that's how the term came to be.  I just think it sounds better than calling it a flock so I use the alternative name for the group reference. Did you know a group of ravens is called a congress? I didn't either until I looked up the term murder for this post. Pause for thought, just be caws.

Caw-caw-caw!

Pillar Point

Pillar: "a person or thing regarded as reliably providing essential support for something"

Point: "the significant or essential element of what is intended or being discussed"

Today I'm going to make a pillar point and share a picture from Pillar Point County Park.

Love always wins over fear but we have to make that choice. In order to make a choice between love or fear we have to be aware of our internal dialogue. Our inner space where we communicate with ourselves is often full of chaos due to physical things outside ourselves and often outside of our control.

This is where it helps to know ourselves well enough to know what we need to focus on. The things that we want to see manifest in our lives. The things that we do have control over. When we focus on the things we want to happen it helps us feel good inside. When we feel good inside we radiate it outward and it's contagious. Like attracts like. 

It takes time to remember to focus on what we want (not what we don't want) and is well worth the effort. In making the intention to choose to make choices based on the emotions of love versus fear I have realized that it takes vigilance and determination to stay on track. Remaining aware enough to realize when I switch to auto-pilot and choosing to go back to manual mode where I am the one who has the power over my feelings.

Consciously choosing to remain aware of what I am thinking in the moments as they happen. It's taking time to learn but it's working. Love is the answer because we can use it to look our fears in the face and keep moving forward.

Snowed In

At the crack of dawn I started hearing a tink-tink-tink-tink against the side of this tiny tin cabin. I rolled over and went back to sleep figuring it would pass. As the light increased I awoke to the same sound and wondered if it was what I thought. Sure enough but much more than I thought it was, it was about 7 inches of snow. 

What? We are sitting at sea level in a tiny coastal town called Clallam bay. It’s not supposed to snow here, I thought. However when I checked the forecast last night it was predicting snow but it wasn’t supposed to start until 4pm this afternoon. We were planning on leaving first thing this morning but the Prius probably wouldn’t make it out the driveway yet. Funny how plans can change so quickly.

We originally wanted to take a low budget Camping trip out to the coast for a little getaway with some serious beach time. Since we have the Prius and it gets such great gas mileage a roadtrip seemed like a good idea. Then we thought about the fact that it’s almost the winter Solstice and it rains a lot this time of year. We still wanted to getaway but we didn’t want to suffer for it either. After a little searching we found a place to stay on Air BnB... the price and location was almost perfect. It was more than the cost of Camping but totally worth every penny. I keep thinking about how miserable we would have been trying to camp in this weather. Not only that, this place is incredibly adorable.

If you’ve ever fantasized about having a tiny home or living in a small coastal community (or even if you haven’t) I’d totally recommend giving this place a try next time you need an escape. This place, appropriately named the “tiny tin cabin” is not only in a sweet location for total access to some amazing places it’s a cozy & comfortable safe haven from the elements. I’m sure it’s even more fabulous in the summertime. Even better the owner feels like a friend already even though I’ve never met her.

We talked on the phone this morning and she said we could stay if we needed to. Fortunately the snow turned to rain shortly after we spoke and so far we’ve seen a snowplow going north, so as soon it passes here on the way back we should be able to head home.

We’re grateful to have to option of staying for safety’s sake. It gave me the chance to practice my french and write my daily blog post too. It really is a lovely spot and I could stay here a lot longer if it wasn’t for all the work I have to do back home amongst our other responsibilities. It’s been a great getaway and being snowed in this morning sure has made for a good twist to the story. 

Agate Hunting

I close my eyes and hear the waves crashing against the shore. The salty air is cool as I inhale and exhale with the rhythm. Opening my eyes as I walk, the stones beneath my feet give way, leaving an imprint with each step. I look for clarity, stones that glow under the overcast skies. Sprinkled amongst all of the billons of other stones. It’s as if each agate holds a promise of enduring light & love from the earth. These tiny treasures that have been tumbled by the sea and laid out to be found for free. Walking the beach is therapy in itself, finding these little gems along the way are such a gift. This earth is amazing and I am eternally grateful for all that this planet provides. ❤️🌎❤️

Lucky

I’m so happy to say that I’m so freakin lucky 🍀. I’m lucky to have so much love in my life. I’m lucky to be alive too for that matter. Life is a gift when we are present. 

I’m learning how to be more present. I try to remember to appreciate all the wonderful things that sometimes I take for granted. There are so many reasons I feel so fortunate. So much I have and so many things I get to experience in this lifetime.

Even though I struggle with duality often enough I know that I learn from it. I learn from the love & I learn from my fears. I’m here to keep learning and growing and I am grateful.

Terpsichorean

Hula hoops are totally terpsichorean. As I writer I have the Merriam-Webster app and sometimes I check the word of the day. I love words so learning new ones is kinda fun, like this one from today, coming from terpsis  choros which is Greek to me as it (almost literally) translates to enjoyment of dancing. Therefore it’s perfect for relating to Hoop dancing which I also 💕love 💕 . 

I’ve always been pretty shy especially when it comes to dancing. For some reason having a hula hoop to dance with is like having some sort of magical power. My fear just disappears (mostly) so I can let go and enjoy the freedom of dancing. And I mean more than just dancing when nobody’s watching and I’m all alone. I actually feel encouraged by the whole amazing hooping community to share the beauty of the dance. Embracing the sheer enjoyment of being alive by movement with the body and these simple yet sacred circles. Totally Terpsichorean, Totally Awesome. 

Whoever you are and whatever you do, make sure to remember to enjoy the dance of your life in whatever ways you love the most.

Happy Dancing! 

Whether the Weather

Ready for whatever the weather is doing whether or not I'd prefer one way over another. Variety works for me and with my umbrella hat I can shoot in the rain.

Uh... why is my laptop so hot right now? Wow! I'm kinda cold so it feels good but it can't be good. Could backing up my phone be causing that much heat?

I'm distracted, can you tell? I have been all day. I've still been paying attention to how I am making daily choices however... mostly out of love but I'm still fighting my fears.  

Oh and last night something made me look up Wayne Dyer and seeing his birthday made me think to look up his life path number. Take a wild guess? 11. Yeah. His life gives me hope for my own life with having that life path number.

I really do just want to make the world a better place.

I want everyone to be happy and healthy equally.

Spreading Love & Joy.

But I'm human too,

LOOK a squirrel!

Just kidding, the point is, I get distracted sometimes.

Today is one of those days.

Just Becaws

I love these fantastic frosty featherless statues that welcome visitors to the Mount Baker Ski area. I took this picture last Wednesday before snowshoeing and today was reminded of it by the real deal out in the woods on the way to the Oyster dome.

I love the sounds that Crows and Ravens make. I couldn't see who was making what noises up in the treetops today but there was plenty of caws to believe in.

Today was another one of those awareness days, trying to pay more attention to how I was making choices. Love versus Fear is a quite the balancing act sometimes. Ultimately love wins the day again (or at least I'm going to keep focusing on that aspect).

There is so much that I have to be Thankful for and I am. 

Love Lights

I was afraid that would happen... and it did. Silly me, I should know better than to manifest what I don't want. Nobody showed up to hoop with me last night.

The 2nd and 4th Monday of every month at 7:30pm I grab armfuls of hoops and head down to the Center for Mindful Use. I usually just wing it since it's a free offering and usually people show up to hoop. It's actually quite fun and I really enjoy the whole experience. However this is the 2nd time now that no-one showed up. 

The truth is I kinda have this nagging fear that I'm not good enough but I love it so I do it anyway. I'm working on building up my experience to shift that belief towards a more empowering outlook. With the awareness I have been steadily increasing I can see how I'm still pretty good at creating my reality haphazardly so I do my best not to take it personal. I understand full well that it takes time to enact real change. To be able to maintain a deeper level of self understanding that comes with looking at how personal programming through individual life experiences affects beliefs and thus personal tendencies. Then being vigilant while choosing consciously to change those habits.

Last night was still a success even though no one came to hoop. I had a lovely, inspiring chat with Mike Hiestand who created the beautiful space that is the Center for mindful use. Fortunately he appeared happy to have the opportunity to go home early so it worked out for both of us. He closed up and I made the most of my trip downtown by walking over to the Depot Market Square and having a nice little hoop session with my brand new red SuperHooper LED hoop. I've been wanting an LED hoop for a long time and the fact that it arrived in the mail just before my scheduled hoop class was perfect. All I wanted to do was play with it. So I did. And it was fun. It turned out to be a perfect evening anyway. 

Starting in the 2018 I will be making a more concerted effort to promote this super fun Monday night hooping option. I know how to do it, I just haven't done it yet. And on top of that, with everything else, I will continue to stay aware and focus on what I want to see happen in my life, (not what I don't want.) I want to see more people enjoying the art of hoop dance and the freedom of movement that occurs with these sacred circles. 

Eye Sea

Eye am not sure what to write about today...

I sea all the items on my task list and my mind wanders. Mixed emotions of love and fear surround the wishes in my imagination. The dualism prevalent in this life on spaceship earth this time has enraptured my attention. Mind versus Matter, Spirit and Body, Heart and Soul. 

I am strong, I am enough, I am worthy, I am beautiful, I am capable, I am what I am.

Wishing I was more, learning how to be, wanting to be free... 

Free from feeling like I have to make money, free from having to prove myself to myself. Free from the struggle that makes me question my worth and my abilities.

I tell myself one thing, I am strong, but before long some voice from the past reaches into my serenity claiming I am weak as I haven't done enough yet today. What did you say?

I must not listen, I know it's not me. I know me, I am strong but I fear only as strong as I choose to feel when I believe in the spirit within me. The power of my personal awareness that I am more than this human body with these eyes that I see when I look in the mirror.

Eye know I must choose love and not fear.

Eye know yet I struggle to believe.

Fearless Falcon

The fearless falcon flies high in the sky embracing the winds of change. As symbol for rising above the challenging situations of our lives by looking at the bigger picture. We spread our wings flying up to that higher place within ourselves where we know that there's more to this life than meets the eye.

There is meaning and purpose to the way we feel and the actions we take everyday. Part of us knows the reasons we do the things we do and why we are here in this life at this time and place. Realizing it's part of our soul growth to not know it all and knowing that we're here partly just because we love the sensation of flying.  We love this planet and all of the things this physical world brings.

Be fearless my friends and take to the sky within, let your heart soar because it will open doors you hadn't seen before.