Tuesday, December 17, 2013

At Last



At Last! My first book is almost available in print and on kindle and it has only taken me years of dedication and perseverance to complete it. Writing has always been a special part of my life and although many of the stories I share are from years past, the ability to compile and create a free-flowing book is truly a dream come true.

I read the first few chapters to Kelly the other night. He hadn't read it until then, if you can believe that. I asked him what he thought I was doing all of those days and hours and nights; sitting downstairs at my desk, tapping away at the keys. He laughed and said, "You're a writer!" Funny. Thankfully for me, he loved it.

And in keeping with the theme, the timing is perfect. My fiftieth birthday is this Friday. The birthday most women see as pivotal. Entering a new phase of this lifetime is divinely connected to the timing of my first book being published. It feels as though I am entering a period of self-realization and empowerment unlike any other decade before.

Just in Time.

Some of my girlfriends took me out to celebrate as we often do for each others birthdays. They have the wisdom and grace and blessing of having celebrated a few more than me. OK, about ten or so more than me. So when this birthday came up, they were thrilled. Their gift - a beautiful grey and cream bed pillow with large lettered words....AT LAST. Now we are all at least fifty. Well almost.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Last week, I decided to change my morning routine. I get up and after using the restroom, immediately put on my sweatpants and tennis shoes and walk out the bedroom door, with Clay and Chloe, and go straight out the front door for a walk down to the cul-de-sac. I have been doing this now for a couple of weeks and loving the still morning air, the singing birds, and the blossoming trees. Each day, Chloe spots a lizard or rabbit on the driveway and after a short pause, races to catch them. It is one of the highlights of her day as her large-gummed grin says it all. Clay, on the other hand, keeps a regular pace except for the thousands of bushes (they are actually small weeds, but I wouldn't tell him) he feels the need to lift his leg to. Proud and determined, my little man leaves a lasting impression.

Each of these past mornings, I woke up at exactly 5:41. I do not keep a clock by my bed, but when I go into the restroom, I can see the time and each day it has been the same....5:41. If you already know me, then you know how much I love my Angel Numbers book. It has every number from 0 - 999 mentioned with a message for the viewer. So I looked it up -

541



I am always amazed at how important and necessary the message is.

Today I decided to stay in bed a little longer. Yes, I woke up at the earlier hour, but my body wanted to stay horizontal so I laid there and did what I used to do. I picked up my I pad and checked my emails, Facebook and the Square report from The Parlour. (This is actually a really cool app which documents every sale we do, and for some reason, it fascinates me as to how many small cups or cones we sell.)

Clay and Chloe sleep with me which I love. I get to see Chloe's brown eyes look over as she opens them for the first time. Ahhhhhh.... Pretty special. Today she looked, she waited, she closed them. Eventually I did get out of bed and get changed and walked them straight out the front door. The temperature outside was perfect. All seemed the same. Then we noticed our neighbor, Dave, with his pit bull mix on his leash, coming up to the bottom of our driveway. I picked up Chloe and stopped walking. Clay couldn't care less and went right up to meet him. The greetings were cordial. Chloe said hello and all was fine. I had forgotten that they walk after we do, but today it was at the same time. Possible problem averted! Yay.

They went on ahead as the next surprise drove down our driveway...Kelly. He loves leaving for his daily tasks early in the morning. "Stop. Sit." Second hurdle handled. Without a thought, I said, "Let's go." We walked back up the driveway at a quicker pace. It was just too early in the morning for me to have any more chance meetings. Chloe didn't feel the same way. She froze on the drive up and growled with a dead stare at one coyote in the desert. I say one because they usually travel in packs. Again, I held her head still with a firm grip so she would understand the intensity of the possible issue. You see, I never put Clay and Chloe on a leash in the early morning because it had never been necessary. They are such great listeners and they mind me when I ask them to stay or follow. Today, obviously, that would have helped.

The coyote's tail was lowered between his legs. He stood and stared right back at us from a safe distance. Neither of us wanted to be the first to move. Knowing the third in a series of challenges thrown at me this morning had just appeared, I figured i wouldn't tempt my guardian angel any longer and just get back inside.

Of course the moral to the story changes as I change. Today I learned that it is best to listen to your guides when they are helping you rather than challenge them by staying in bed just a little longer. I know all would have gone smoothly had I just gotten up at the time they suggested :) Not that the morning wasn't eventful. It was. But sometimes easy and calm is a beautiful uneventful way to start the day :)

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Winter wonderland at the Sedona Yoga Festival

It has been such a beautiful time here in Sedona! In the middle of the night last Friday, snow blanketed the entire landscape. I woke up in awe at the sights of the white and red mountains. So amazing for us as you know.

During the last few days, I had the opportunity to share some girlfriend time, teach a workshop, sing kirtan with a large group of yogis and eat healthy homemade meals. There really is nothing better to fill the well then a short getaway to an inspirational place with friends who support you and share time with you.

I get to drive home alone tomorrow. Not always at the top of my list of things to do, but happy to have the space to reflect on all of my blessings. I will also spend some time mentally planning a retreat for you all here in this magical place. It truly is a special place to be shared with others.

If you feel the urge to take a break from your routine and make the journey to Sedona, let me know. I would love to pick a date that works for those of you are interested. :-)

See you soon....

Monday, January 14, 2013

Setting Intentions vs Setting Goals

This morning I reread a very interesting article about the difference between intentions and goals.

1. Setting an intention is about understanding what you're doing, and why you're doing it. It's more about spending time "inside" visualizing and getting very clear about what you want.

Goals are the concrete result of your intentions. An intention is not concrete, but energetic. It's the way we send messages to the Universe about what we want to create.

2. With goals, the future is always the focus. Setting an intention is quite different. It puts your attention on the ever-present NOW in the constantly changing flow of life. You set your intentions based on what matters most to you and make a commitment to align your worldly actions with your inner values.

3. Send out a thank you in advance. "This place of knowing is a place of intense and incredible gratitude. And that perhaps, is the biggest key to creation: to be grateful before and for the creation. Such taking for granted is not only condoned, but encouraged. It is a sure sign of mastery - knowing in advance that the deed has been done.


"You cannot exercise much power without gratitude, because it is gratitude that keeps you connected with power."

A great article - Living Backwards in Time, shows the difference between "what if" and "as if" written by Michael Formica.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/enlightened-living/200806/living-backward-in-time-how-set-intentions-and-remain-present

Feeling grateful,
Karen