*color your world*

"Sometimes it's important to work for that pot of gold. But other times it's essential to take time off and to make sure that your most important decision in the day simply consists of choosing which color to slide down on the rainbow.”-Douglas Pagels

So I talked about Crazy Color Thursday forever ago and then promptly forgot about it.

My bad!!

Well, I'm back-on a friday instead-with some crazy color in the form of my snap dragons and quote to share. Have a fabulous holiday weekend and namaste.

the whole happiness thing

*Celebrate Life, acrylic on canvas, for sale*

the last few days I've been feeling cranky, full and overwhelmed. I find that this sometimes happens as I shed more and more-those old layers put up a fight. So I haven't felt like writing about the Dao lately but I figure this is exactly what I need. Because it's all about focus right??? RIGHT??? :-)

The third verse:
putting a value on status
will create contentiousness
if you overvalue possessions
people begin to steal
by not displaying what is desirable, you will
cause the people's hearts to remain undisturbed
the sage governs
by emptying minds and hearts
by weakening ambitions and strengthening bones.
practice not doing...
when action is pure and selfless,
everything settles into it's own perfect place.

Now, this may be completely bass-akwards but what I really took from this passage was that all our moments are a blip in the screen. No matter how big I made my wedding day or how big I make that slight from a coworker, it's all still a speck of dust in the grand cosmos. Hell, specks of dust are bigger than my moments.

The seemingly comforting idea that hey, that crappy day is really nothing used to rub me the wrong way. Because I knew, even if I didn't want to admit it, that 'crappy' was a label I had assigned to it and if my crappy day is really nothing, then so is my great day. It's all energy after all.

What slid through me like warm rays of sun when reading this verse was that the smallness of our moments is what makes them so powerful on a personal level. If it all won't matter in a 100 years-none of it-then why not fill it with what I want?? Just because that's WHAT I WANT.

So I invite into my life, moment after moment filled with joy, laughter, yoga, butterflies, prosperity, health, sunbeams, healing, naps with dogs, friendship, bare feet in the earth, mangos, passion, sensuality...

I could go on. We all could. We all could decide that since it doesn't matter, we may as well move with joy.

*namaste*

p.s. I find that just admitting I'm cranky helps ease the crankiness
p.p.s. I find that when I make decisions-like to let more joy in, the universe gives me plenty of opportunities to CHOOSE joy...lol. The universe is hilarious like that. ;-)

done.

*Spread Love, acrylic on canvas board*

You know, as I read more and more, I realize the power of focus. I have truly come to understand that what we focus on, what we talk about becomes bigger and bigger, more and more.

I think this happens at a personal level and at a global level. I live in Texas and while our news is story after story of how bad the economy is, my city is actually one of three major cities in texas that continues to experience economic growth. Of course I am not saying that just because my city experienced growth others aren't in trouble, but ya'll, I had to hunt for that info. There seems to be little focus on most main stream mediums on the good or even, how we can create good when things aren't.

I decided the other day that I am done with focusing on what's wrong because when I do, I find more and more of it until I am overwhelmed and cranky. I heard a story once where Mother Theresa was asked to join a march against war. She said no, but that she would gladly join a march FOR peace. That really resonated with me and from this moment on, I strive to remember that lesson in focus. Let's find what's good and create more of that instead of bemoaning what's wrong.

for example, did you know~

* that just by doing an internet search, you can raise money for worthy causes??? Good Search is a search engine powered by yahoo where they donate one penny to your cause of choice each time you do a search. May not seem like much but I've already raised about $80 for weim rescue without even really thinking about it.

* The Good News Network shares all the wonderful happenings in the world today

* That this man single-handedly started an organization that has now built over 50 schools in the remote regions of the middle east

What wonder and joy and hope can you spread today???

Judgement of beauty

*Sikh dancer, Global Music Celebration, Nikon D50 digital*

If you scroll down to the diving in post, you'll notice I've added a little more to my original thoughts. For those that don't know what 'Change your thoughts, Change your life' is about, it is Dr Wayne Dyer's take on the Tao Te Ching (pronounced Dao De Ching), an ancient chinese text written by Lau-Tzu. Hailed by many as the ultimate in spiritual writing, Dyer takes each verse and shares a chapter on his interpretations, thoughts and then challenges us to do the Dao now with exercises designed to get us out of headspace and into divine source.

Anywho, my attempt will be to post about each chapter as I read it. I am following Dr Dyer's pattern and reviewing a chapter ever three to four days, allowing myself to really contemplate and practice the teachings within.

Diving In was my thoughts on the first verse of the Tao.

The second verse as outlined in the book, 'Change your thoughts, Change your life',is:
Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty,
only because there is ugliness
All can know good as good only because there is evil.

Being and nonbeing produce each other.
The difficult is born of the easy.
Long is defined by short, the high by the low.
Before and after go along with each other.

So the sage lives openly with apparent duality
and paradoxical unity.
The sage can act without effort
and teach without words.
Nurturing things without possessing them,
he works, but not for rewards;
he competes, but not for results.

When the work is done, it is forgotten.
That is why it lasts forever.

What really stuck out for me was the idea that we only know beauty because we know ugly. So it brings up these questions in me: Am I then called to be more appreciative of the ugly, the painful, the lonely and the mistreated because I am then able to embrace and appreciate more fully the beauty and joy and happiness and love?? Or is it a call to stop with the labeling? People look the way they look, no judgement needed. Actions from others are just actions, we don't have to take them in to ourselves. Words are simply sounds on the air, we add their meaning based on what our experiences are. If things are just the way they are, without the meanings and judgements I apply to them, how would I act differently?

Heavy stuff huh?? Would love to know your thoughts!

*namaste*

Hear me roar~

*black and white me, Nikon D50 digital*

I am woman

I have muscles developed from caring for mine
I have some grey hairs now,
from living fully this life so far
I have curves that may one day support a child
And lines from stretching free of expectations
I have depth in my eyes
And my smile curves knowingly
I care and I cry and I crave
And most importantly I believe
In me and mine
And I support
You and yours
I have been cold and hungry and wet
But I have never been broken
And still in those dark times
Had strength to offer my shoulder if needed
I am a well and I am the mountain
I am of this earth air fire water
I see you in me and me in you
I inhabit my days and celebrate my breath
I drink deep from this cup
And wipe the juice away with the back of my hand
I am joy
I am sorrow
I am a faceted jewel
I am God.

I am woman

copyright Brandi R 2008

diving in~

*heart leaves, Nikon D50 digital*

"the more I see the less I know the more I like to let it go"~Red Hot Chili Peppers

So what does allowing mean to you??? I contemplate this as I finally dive into Change your thoughts, Change your life.

Somethings I am discovering of allowing for myself:
* it does not equal TOLERATING. Allowing does not mean sitting idle while a child gets beaten or while someone mistreats us.
* it means getting conntected to our source (whatever that looks like to you) and trusting that source.
* it means listening
* it means being within the flow of the universe, not being your own personal UNIVERSE.
* it means saying 'wouldn't it be nice' rather than 'right effing now!'

edited~I have now included the first verse of the Tao Te Ching (pronounced Dao De Ching) as shown in the Book, 'Change your thoughts, Change your life by Wayne Dyer' for your perusal:

The Tao that can be told
is not the eternal Tao
The name that can be named
is not the eternal name

The Tao is both named and nameless
As nameless it is the origin of all things
as named it is the Mother of 10,000 things

Ever desireless, one can see the mystery;
every desiring, one sees only the manifestations
And the mystery itself is the doorway
to all understanding

I would love to know your thoughts....

50 randoms for a mermaid~

*whatever mom, Nikon D50 digital*

1. Do you like blue cheese?
my general opinion on blue cheese is to have more of it :-)

2.Have you ever smoked heroin?
Dear god, NO

3. Do you own a gun?
nope. But...funny story...since I live in Texas, we're all about guns here and just down the road from where I work there's a shooting range...next to a liquor store. I know right!!!

4. What flavor do you add to your drink?
I add extra caffeine to my dr pepper

5. Do you get nervous before doctor Appointments?
Nope...but the dentist, forget about it.

6. What do you think of hot dogs?
I love them! (as long as I don't think about what they are made of)

7. Favorite Christmas movie?
Charlie Brown, Rudolf, It's a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th St (the original)

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
DR PEPPER!!!!!!

9. Can you do push ups?
YES

10. Age?
32 years of greatness right here ya'll

11. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry?
my wedding set. And don't get me wrong, it's all bling-bling but I love the reasons behind them more than the shiny diamonds :-) (though I really, really, really like the diamonds too!)

12. Favorite hobby?
breathing

13. Favorite Actor?
hmmmm....so many. John Cusak (me too Kelly!), Brad Pitt, Matt Damon

14. Do you have A.D.D.?
no I do not

15. What’s one trait you hate about yourself?
yeah, I spent too many years hating myself-I refuse to use that word in relation to me.

16. Middle name?
my maiden name is my middle name

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment:
a) I'm full
b) lemonade is good
c) word ya'll

18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday/today:
a) nothing
b) nothing
c) nothing

19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?
a) Dr Pepper
b) Water
c) Tea

20. Current worry?
none really

21. Current hate right now?
none really

22. Favorite place to be?
outside in my yard with my dogs

24. Where would you like to go?
right now? Home.

25. Name three people who will complete this?
no idea

26. Why are you on the computer?
because it's an extention of my hands and I don't know how to function without one. Duh. ;-)

27. What color are your eyes?
hazel (brown/green)

28 . Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
No, I am not a 1980's gigilo

29. Can you whistle?
not really

30. Favorite color?
all of them! So I would say my favorite is white light so I could create a rainbow

31. Would you be a pirate?
what makes you think I'm not one? Hmmmmmm???

32. What songs do you sing in the shower?
I don't

33. Favorite girl’s name?
Stargirl

34. Favorite boy’s name?
Starboy

35. What is in your pocket right now?
a plastic bag from central market and my debit card

36. Last thing that made you laugh?
Jason's daily funny email

37. Best bed sheets as a child?
I've no idea

38. Worst injury you’ve ever had?
broken heart

39. Do you love where you live?
yes!!!!

40. How many TVs do you have in your house?
*roll eyes* more TV's than legal residents-3

41. Who is your loudest friend?
I usually claim that prize

42. How many dogs do you have?
two

43. Does someone have a crush on you?
yes :-)

44. What is your favorite book(s)?
Love, Star by Jerry Spinelli (the sequel to stargirl)

45. Where were you born?
Springfield, IL

46. What is your favorite candy?
reeses peanut butter cups

47. Favorite Sports Team?
eh....

48. What song do you want played at your funeral?
are you freaking kidding me? What sort of morbid question is this?

49. What were you doing 12 AM last night?
sawing logs

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?
*gurgle*splug*arrrgghghghg