word of the year (take two)

i think 2013 may be a double-word year.  i chose happy the first week in january.  happy is a good word.  a good goal.  thing is, it comes with quite a few expectations.  so even though things have been mostly positive around here, i've found myself feeling less than adequate on those days when i'm not rocking the happy.

i'm participating in a year-long self-portrait group, 52 of you.  each week brings a new self-portrait challenge.  during week two, the assignment was "mantra".  so many words floated through my mind and heart (surprisingly, not one of them was happy).  the word soul kept reappearing and softly vibrating, while standing alone or within lines of poetry.

so there you have it:  the word is soul.  the question, "is {whatever} in alignment with what i know in my soul to be true and beautiful?"

it's good to have something deep and meaningful with happy as a backup.  :)

the road ahead

i'm gearing up to hit the road again next week.  in fact, for the next fifteen weeks, i'm travelling all but two.  i'll cross the commonwealth west to east and north to south, with weekends at home.  i'm still loving this gypsy aspect of my new job and i hope to become a better traveler because of it.  unexpected stuff happens when you travel and you don't have your regular arsenal of coping props nearby, like dogs to play with and baths to lounge in (hotel baths=ew).  i am not a huge fan of unexpected stuff.  my tendency is to over-prepare and control.  i'm slowly learning to let up on the control, be present and lean in to whatever is happening.

still, it's nice when obstacles are minimal.  ganesh has my back; he is the hindu remover of obstacles.  i am not hindu, but ganesh has a generous elephant spirit and extends his protection to all who ask.

lately in my world

things have been soft and blue.

and wild and bright.

just like i like it.

snow day

honestly, it was a work day.

and the snow didn't start falling until around 5pm.

this is one of the delights of working (mostly) from home:  having a super flexible schedule.  being able to shut it down at 2, melt some chocolate in coconut milk, plop in a few cardamom marshmallows, cozy up on the sofa and watch two full episodes of sex and the city (from season four, my favorite).

there are a lot of challenges with working at home that i did not anticipate:

• it's hard to stay motivated to get your work done when you know you can just fit it in whenever.  the dogs (three very loud dogs) bark for ten minutes straight every single day when the mailman comes (apparently it's a daily ritual that they have enjoyed for years, and i cannot seem to convince them that the postman would be so much more impressed with a quiet greeting).   
• everyone else thinks you are available all the time.  
• it's easy to get distracted from work by housework, facebook, the need to get out in the sunshine. 

but the benefits far outweigh the challenges.  i am more productive and creative and i am completing a greater level and quality of work than i did in an office environment.  and no drama.

well, except for sex and the city.

a soft and cozy weekend

we all need one every now and then.

the (non) agenda includes:

• sleeping in
• quiet voices
• reading
• soup
• candles
• hot baths
• journaling
• art
• love

my word for 2013

what that means for me today:

• to be energetic and clean in my body and mind
• to be in real relationships, with honest connections and shared values and much laughter
• to have fingers covered in paint, dirt and/or olive oil several times a week
• peace and safety
• yoga and walks in the woods
• to be more delighted with our world, to shift from this persistent disappointment in humankind
• to learn many many new things

a good day

for me a good saturday almost always involves learning how to make something.  today was a good saturday:  there was a wellness fair at my local health food store and i learned how to make natural vapo-rub.

one-half cup olive or coconut oil
20 drops each peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils
10 drops clove oil
two tablespoons beeswax pastilles

• mix essential oils and clove oil with olive oil or melted coconut oil in a pyrex glass measuring cup
• add beeswax pastilles
• place pyrex in a pan of water on the stove top and heat slowly, double-boiler-style, continually stirring
• once beeswax has melted, pour into small glass jar (with lid) and cool

rub on tummies and chests and backs and under noses and be well.

hello 2013

here are some things i would like to do with you:

1. start each morning with yoga and fresh-pressed juice
2. (or gratitude and organic coffee at a minimum)
3. go to san francisco and see my girl
4. be mindful, meditate, increase awareness in each moment
5. be more tolerant of people who don't think and are really loud
6. launch type-ography workshops
7. spend more time in nature (hiking and exploring and just being awe-struck)
8. make clothes and jewelry
9. karma garden, part deux
10. art journal