Coming out of a serious haze. Fog lifting. I've wasted so much time. But I'm not gonna dwell on that. I'm feeling motivated and inspired and ready to kick ass today. It seems my lesson in life is to remember the light inside, that keeps going out. GOTTA KEEP IT LIT. Like one of those church candles, hanging high, lit day and night. Mantra is: "to thine own self be true." Let fear dissolve. This is your truth.

We sailed away on a winter's day 

with fate as malleable as clay; 

but ships are fallible, I say, 

and the nautical, like all things, fade

❝

"I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being."

- Hafiz

Love Mantras

Love Mantra 1: Love is Who We Are. 

Love isn’t just something we feel for others, it’s who we are. Though we usually think of love as a stream of emotion flowing between two people, love is more like an ocean that’s inside and all around us. Instead of walking around with a little cup, begging for a few drops of love from others, recognize that you’re the huge ocean of love. Let go of the feeling, There’s a limit to love and I have to get mine. When you do this, you relax, and your energy expands.  Rather than looking at every interaction as a potential source of love—something to fill you up and make you feel good—come to every interaction radiating love. Then you go from being a “love beggar,” to being a “love philanthropist.”

Love Mantra 2: The Purpose of Life is to Expand in Love. 

Love is your job description – no matter what you do for a living. If you ever feel unsure of what you’re supposed to do in a situation, here’s a good rule of thumb: always do what leads to greater love. When you put giving and receiving love at the top of your priority list, you’ll definitely experience more everyday success and raise the quality of your life.

Love Mantra 3: The Heart is the Portal to Love. 

Your heart is more than a physical pump; it’s your ticket to experiencing love for no reason. If it’s open, love flows freely, both in and out. If it’s closed, even with the best intentions, you’ll have a hard time being loved or being loving. Try pouring water into or out of a jar if the lid is on. It’s a simple case of physics. Focus your attention on your heart. When your heart feels open, expanded and light, then you know you’re on the right track for greater love. When it’s shut down, tight or heavy, you know you’re going in the direction of less love. When this happens, shift your thoughts, feelings, and actions so they support the opening of your heart.

♥

Remembering these three mantras will help you shift to a new paradigm and open your heart to a deeper and higher love. As you’re learning to experience more love in your life, it’s important to treat yourself with love.  When you notice your heart closing, instead of getting down on yourself, know that, just by being aware that it is closing, you’re one step closer to positive change. Many of us think we’re only going to change by beating ourselves up, but harshness and self-hatred don’t lead to lasting change and never lead to more love. Being gentle with yourself will speed your growth and improve your quality of life as you go. Then every day can be an “in love” day.


(From the book Love For No Reason by Marci Shimoff) 

 “The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with nature.”  

—Joseph Campbell

Happy Thankful Season

I love this time of year! Pumpkin pie, pumpkin beer, cranberry sauce, open windows and crisp air, Neil Young, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Creedence Clearwater Revival (I dunno why but they just sound better in November) but mainly, 

PEOPLE BEING SO SWEET & GRATEFUL & HAPPY TOGETHER! 

No matter what, around the holidays, people just love on each other and it's so cute. It's a time where we all remember,

We're in this together! 

It's the perfect time to forgive someone, or reach out to someone that you left on bad terms. Holding on to a grudge hurts you and everyone else, because we're all connected. It's a waste of energy, energy you could be using to spread love and light! 

Love is the way to happiness, and you can never, ever give enough of it! 

Happy Thankful Season!

♥

Peppermint Patty Sugar Face Exfoliator

Exfoliating is great for your skin and can make you feel like a billion gold pieces on a winter's day. 

When it comes to cleansing products, I tend to be as cheap and natural as possible. 

Enter, the ever so simple Peppermint Patty Sugar Face Exfoliator.  

I've been using Dr. Bronner's Magic Peppermint Soap mixed with a little sugar. You can use salt if you don't have any sugar. 

Store in a pretty glass jar, and apply whenever you're feeling a bit dull. 

It works wonders, and smells like a snowy peppermint patty!

Dr. Bronner's is all natural, under 5 bucks for a 4 oz bottle, promotes a cheery message of universal love and comes in many different scents. My other favorite is lavender! 

Oh My Gosh, Spaghetti Squash!

At the grocery store last week, I delightedly stumbled upon an organic spaghetti squash. Spaghetti squash is a bright yellow oval shaped winter squash. When cut open and cooked, the inside of this fun vegetable can be eaten just like spaghetti (has the same texture as angel hair!) I love it because it's delicious, full of vitamins, great for sharing, and perfect for this time of year!

How to prepare:

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees

- Cut spaghetti squash in half, length wise.

- Scoop all the seeds out (Save them to bake for a festive snack, or plant in your garden.)

- Fill a pan with a bit of water

- Place the two halves face down in the pan of water

- Cover with aluminum foil

- Place in oven for 35-45 minutes

When finished cooking, scrape the sides so as to get all the "spaghetti" scooped up. Then add some olive oil, fresh garlic, salt & pepper, herbs, tomato sauce... whatever you'd like! 

Enjoy!

♥

“Exercise is king. Nutrition is queen. Put them together and you've got a kingdom.” 

-Jack Lalanne

Goddess Muse Inspiration - Marianne Faithfull

Evgeny Grinko - вальс from Greendaizer on Vimeo.

Merkaba - Light, Spirit, Body