MLB ~ OPENING DAY ~ 2008

All across America, mounds are being dusted, hot dogs steamed and kegs are being prepped! With the popcorn a poppin, and the pretzels salted too, another year of baseball is upon us.

The Cubs will continue they're elusive hunt for a World Series win. The Yankees will perform one last season before the historic Yankee stadium from 1923 is torn down. And the White Sox, well, what can be better than "da Sout Side", summer and U.S. Cellular Park????

The Sox will beat the Indians! Yankees will slam the Blue Jays! And all will be well in my world today ~ doesn't take much to make me happy on a rainy cold day in the Chi.

PLAY BALL!

LIGHTS OUT!

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JOIN US TONIGHT IN YOUR CITY AT 8PM ~ LET'S BLOG BY CANDLELIGHT!




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PALM TREES AND POOLSIDE

Did you miss me? Well, I missed you! I have not seen a blog, including my own in 7 days!

Where was I? Palm trees and pool side ~ yup, uhuh, finally got some sun and relaxation. I relax here with you guys, sure! But Florida beckoned, and I answered!

They are REALLY unhappy about the decision to disregard their votes. Its pretty much on the lips of everyone, but I did not linger on those misfortunes. Too many blue skies distracting me while Chicago continued to get snow!

I eagerly anticipate catching up on all of your good news as well and will be back to commenting and joyfully reading your views and opinions. I had hoped to have access to a laptop or computer while down there, truly I did, but was unable to find any! seriously!

I really plan to invest in a laptop soon.

Meanwhile, please continue to inspire each other and I look forward to bringing you more health, more happiness and paths to a better me and a better you!

Triumphant with Bliss

As our conversation with Tamera Daun continues, I must say that I have had "Absolute(ly) Bliss" ful feelings all week as I keep her main points and general ideals flowing throught my brain. I have acquired this new validation of myself that I did not have prior to reading "Absolute Bliss". I am nearly finished with the book ~ uhhmmm, and quite possibly I can entice Tamera to further our studies!

But seriously, I have a new confidence, a new spirit of triumph over my past! And I hope it is a doorway to even MORE peace! Thanks Tamera!!

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What brings you peace?
What brings me peace?

My moments of greatest peace are when I can sit outside, and soak in nature. It is when I feel that I connect with the ebb and flow of this nature, although it is oblivious of my existence. It reminds me that no matter what, I am a part of this beautiful world. It is also always a reminder that no matter what happens, life does go on. The world does not cease to exist if I should experience a problem, so the best thing to do is to align myself once again with my nature, and trust that everything will work out for the best. I have cultivated this way of "being" through years of simple meditation. In emptying the mind, we become aware of how busy it becomes with unnecessary worry and thought. Ironically enough, as some parents become stressed by the bantering of their children (or, between them if people have more than one child), I feel peaceful in the situation. I love it, and could sit and listen to them go at it for hours. It reminds me that I have children, that there is life in the house, and that they are exercising who they are. Each age has its charm, but I think that the teenage years are just really something, watching them become who they uniquely are, and having the language to express it.

What is your advice on navigating career challenges?
I cannot find one specific answer to this. I have found that no matter which challenge presents itself, we must always operate from our core self. In that way, no matter the outcome, we will always be happy with ourselves. Each choice and challenge brings new learning. I would also say not to plan too much. If we focus too tightly on one specific goal, the best opportunity we could ever imagine could pass us right by, and we wouldn't even notice it. Stay open, aware, alert, and flexible to opportunities that present themselves, and don't knock them just because they may not seem attractive at first.


What is your recipe for success?
Get into a program for personal development. Not necessarily the superficial type that one might encounter, but one that brings you through the layers, and down to your core. I personally recommend Reiki, however, I do not recommend just any Reiki. I am from the old school of the original Japanese methods. Much of the Western practices are New-Age based, and although there is nothing negative about that, it is not necessarily what Reiki is about. I used several years on my training over in Scandinavia with one mentor. I am skeptical of the types of Reiki courses where coursing up to Master level is done through a weekend seminar. It is just not the way it is meant to work. It is a life philosophy, and rigorous practice. Anyhow. Personal development will lead you back to yourself, and anything coming from your core, will turn out to be a success. And, I might add, even if it doesn't meet the definition of "success" that others may hold.
*********
This sharing from Tamera Daun has really uplifted me ~ I can only hope you all were uplifted as well! Contact Tamera at any of the sites below ~

Pentad. Simplifying Life and Love
contact:
www.pentad.no
pentads.blogspot.com (my active blog where I do most of my daily work)

e-mail,
tamera@pentad.no

Absolute Bliss, and other e-books and articles at
www.pentad.no (downloadable format)
www.trafford.com
www.amazon.com

"Absolute Bliss"

Continuing our conversation with Author, Tamera Daun!!!








In your book, you discuss how often therapy ends up as an opportunity to focus on the unpleasant and/or the things you can not change, BRAVO!
As parents though, your children come here with pretty much a clean slate until we mess them up ~ What is your best advice on raising well-rounded but not fear-mongered beings?
In my couples coaching, I received a nice surprise, and that was that of approximately 9 out of every 10 couples contacting me with questions or wanting help, the contact was instigated by the males. I resonated with them. Believe me when I state that the women in these relationships were not UNhappy about it. They were quite ecstatic, because is not a relationship about the preferences of both people? Men were willing when they felt there was someone capable of understanding their perspective, and the ways in which they problem-solved. Talking has its place in every relationship, but we have to be careful not to overplay it if we wish for men to want to become engaged. Why? Because not all men will SEE that things are getting solved. So very many times we stagnate in the talking-mode, repeatedly reliving all that is not healthy, and we forget about where it is that we want to move towards. It is this way in relationships, and it is so for individuals in relationship to themselves.

Usui Reiki, through its ancient history, provided for me, a new outlook to this journey we call life. In our modern world, we have become accustomed to the fact that everything must happen so very quickly. If we want for something to happen, and the results do not appear shortly, we become discouraged, and give up. If we are burned by our past, we do not allow ourselves to even try, for what is the use? If everyone closed their eyes for a moment and envisioned themselves at the age of 90 or more, they would realize that they actually have more time than they realize to figure things out. Worry and over-stressing causes the mind and body damage, so we need to be kinder towards ourselves, and our bodies will continue to work for us.

One myth people carry with them, is that there is such a thing as wrong choices. This is in my opinion, an illusion that needs to be released. There are choices, but there are no wrong choices. Each choice leads us on a new path of learning and experience, and even if that learning results in the knowingness of what one does not wish to repeat. Each situation we have experienced throughout our lives has made us who we are, and there are always residing strengths. People must learn to be more thankful of who they have become. And, even thank the people that have hurt them, as they provided a learning experience. However, that does not mean that we should allow this type of hurt to happen time and time again in the future. The learning should also encompass this, and teach us to like ourselves more, so that we do not interact with hurtful people. We can remain open and vulnerable, without being trampled upon.

Another myth people carry is that it will be painful if they dare to move ahead despite their fear. We imagine a lightening bolt will hit us if we should even dare to try. It is the illusion that it will all happen at once, and will be too much to handle. Thus, residing in fear becomes security, just as a child with their blanket. At least it is known. We know our fears. The process does not happen in this way. It is much more kind and caring than we think. Life is also much more kind and enjoyable than we think. It is we that attach ourselves to the hardships. So, if people entertain the thought of something that they would like to try or change, they can then relax. Why? Because your journey forward will take you there, one tiny step at a time. It will not bombard you, causing you to lose your breath. It does not happen all at once. You will not be given more to handle than you can handle. Yet, people must work on their willingness to stretch, and enter the learning lessons that follow. People will also become aware of the small things within themselves that stand in the way of them moving forward, and they will release them when they are willing to release them. This is what we call development, and when a decision is made, we enter a process of awareness. The answers will come, but they may not always appear at the exact time and demands of the individual. What is the old saying? When the student is ready, the teacher will appear?




Fear is not something that is to be overcome. Fear is innately human, that cannot entirely be escaped. Yet, much of our unrealistic fears should be released, and the only thing allowing them to remain is our attachment to them. If we never experienced fear, we would be in danger of extinction as a human race. Fear felt in accordance to realistic dangers lead us to act in order to survive.

After living abroad for 18 years, I saw the United States in a different light. Being American myself, I then learned much about myself. I would like for Americans to be aware of something regarding fear, as it is not all-present in every culture. At least not manifested in the same ways. The United States is a fear-based society, yet it is not the fault of Americans. It is what it is, and it is very much a product of the history of this country. What I mean, is this. The pioneers of this country lived lives of, "survival of the fittest". This country is based upon, "sink or swim". So, it is a matter of history, and we continue to live as though someone were chasing our heels, and even though so very many have more than surplus of the necessities than they actually need. It becomes, "can't have enough, because you never know. Just in case", and the wealthy people feel the same fears. A strange thought, yet if people really managed to wrap their minds around what this really means, they would find it easier to release much of their fear, and much work is then done. When you wrap your mind around it, it is easier to look around at the small things, and remember all the surplus, and be thankful for it. It can then help to practice exchanging those thoughts of disaster with thoughts of appreciation for what one does have, and enjoy it now! Politics, corporations, and the media know how to play on fear in people. I encourage everyone to pull the little rebel out within them, and reject allowing anyone or anything to add to their bags of fear.

People forget to question their fears, and they equip themselves for things that have not yet happened, and may not ever happen. Homes are equipped with hand-weapons, and children learn by example of what they should do to counteract..what? Yes, exactly what? To counteract fear. Fear is only fear, and nothing more. This is how they learn to problem-solve instead of pulling out their residing inner-strength, and consider other solutions. This is just one example, and every culture handles things differently. Did you all know that the police don't carry weapons in Norway? The need is not as strongly felt as it is in this society, because it is not only the police. The general population in Norway is not walking around with weapons either. Can you all see a contradiction that our fears lead us to do? The contradiction is that we wish for the police to protect us, yet we continuously create a more dangerous environment for them to work in. We become more afraid of potential happenings, harm, and death. We forget to love living.

That which is projected upon our children, is only a projection of our inner selves as parents. Nothing can change until parents enter processes of awareness and development. It is just the way it is. As parents, we continue to project until we become aware of that which we are projecting. When we engage in the journey and joy of life, our children learn by example. If we look ahead at the future of our children, and try to envision them as adults, what would we want for our children? I believe most would want their children to feel an inner-security that allows them to explore their wonderful lives, and the world around them. I believe that parents want their children to be happy, yet for children to be happy, they have to be allowed to be themselves, and not a replica of the parent. I believe that parents want their children to be healthy, so that they can enjoy life. I believe a lot of things, and I believe that parents mean well. However, when we do not know how to balance life, and nurture ourselves, how can we then teach our children their right in this world, and what they are worth? It's all on the inside, folks. It doesn't matter how well they play football, or how many instruments they master. If they don't know how to create their own inner well-being and happiness, it doesn't mean squat. Children find it difficult to develop in a healthy manner, if they are worried about all of those fearful things that they have learned to fear. Get it? In addition, I believe that trying to be super-parents that do more than the others at school and sporting functions only serves to satisfy our own egos. I do not believe that it impresses our children, for it takes other qualities to impress children.

We mean well as parents, but we use more time preparing them for danger and challenges, then we use to teach them to shine and love life! When we parents put our own preferences aside, sit down, and get to know WHO are children really are, and that which really inspires them, then we take a huge giant step forward. We can feel that they should be doing certain things, and they may do them, but that doesn't mean that it's right. It just means that they are doing that which we have taught them is the correct ways of doing things. We need to start asking our children for more advice and suggestions, and encourage them to become self-thinkers. We need to engage ourselves in that which inspires them. For example, if you have a child that is a little environmentalist, jump in, and learn together with them! Join them from their shoes, their perspective, and their independent thinking. Get to know them, learn from them, and enjoy watching them grow into happy individuals that WILL actually survive just fine without the fear, because they know who they are, and they feel a sense of high self-worth, and know that they have something to contribute to this world.

2008 Election Theme Song?

Is the election fallout getting crazier or what?

Well, in keeping with the Thriller 25th...

Friends On Friday ~ Focusing On "Absolute Bliss"

As I mentioned on Wednesday, I will be sharing conversations with Tamera Daun, author of "Absolute Bliss", R.N., reiki healer, and life coach. I have come to a new growth reading about her views and am so happy to share them with you! Stay tuned, lots more to come!

********************

Tamera, you so eloquently point out in Chapter One (Happiness and You) of your book, "Absolute Bliss" that life is about the journey.
Life can be fascinating instead of a trepidation if you assert, challenge and meet life "head-on and isolate whatever is bothering you". I LOVE that. You also state in the first chapter that your childhood is in the past. That resonated with me so profoundly because many people really tend to hold onto those misfortunes, unable to get past them. I believe the greatest misconception on the planet is that there are folks who get off without having had ANY adversity. It just is not true...and doesn't happen. Everyone has baggage. You then give the reader permission to put down the book and resume once they are ready.

Further on you share that "you can use your whole future to soul search your past" so, what do you say to the person who fears life, its challenges and its path? What do you say as they try to perpetuate that fear onto their children and others at large?

Back in the 1920's the world's most renown physicists gathered at a convention in Europe. The conclusion that came from that convention was the agreement that they could never really know absolute truths. Why? Because, in actuality there was a possibility that everything they observed around them in the physical world was an illusion. Even they as humans, were possibly illusions. In other words, can I prove that another exists, just because I state that I see/observe them? No, because I may also be an illusion. Anyhow. They found out that they could actually never know. They concluded that the only thing they could continue to do was to repeatedly mimic that which they were observing. And, through this repeated experimentation, they could estimate the probability that what they were observing was correct. Or, not. Yet, they could only describe that which they were perceiving.

Why do I mention this? It is important, because when answering questions, I can choose to approach the matters at hand from a choice of several academic perspectives. I can put on my Nurse's cap, and use one set of terminology. I can put on my cap as a Psychiatric Nurse, and use another set of terminology, and draw different conclusions. And so it continues as a Life Coach, a Holistic Coach, a Nutritionist, an Usui Reiki Master/Teacher, and as a Karuna Reiki© Master/Teacher. They are nothing more that sets of theoretical perspectives. In my opinion, there are absolutely no omniscient experts with that one correct answer to any given subject. There are people who specialize in their fields, yet they have chosen a certain academic approach, and these academics are learned, because someone else decided that which was to be taught. And, so it goes, that the approaches are practices, and they become current procedure. This is true, no matter if they work, or not. Regardless if they create results, or not. A major upheaval is needed before traditional institutions will budge.

This is the most important thing people should keep in mind before they seek help with their problems and issues. By this I do not mean that people should not seek help. By this I do mean and want people to understand that they are the masters of themselves. People are experts about themselves. They just don't always realize this fact, or they have forgotten it. If everyone just really considered the impact of this one idea, they would begin to take their lives back into their own hands, and be less vulnerable by not placing themselves into the hands of another. At least, not without careful consideration.

Everyone is more capable and powerful than they believe. What usually happens is that it gets muddled along the way, and through life experiences. Very often it becomes muddled the most when we are younger. Why? Because, we are so vulnerable in those formative years. Yet, personal power is never lost. We just all tend to hide it. It is always there, so there is no reason to feel that one is in desperate search of something that is not missing. It only needs to be uncovered, and exercised. Just as a muscle becomes stronger with exercise. People need to claim their place in their lives, and strengthen their wobbly legs. This initial starting point starts a whole new ball rolling, and it will gain momentum.

My book is for women and their relationships. Marriage therapy today is based upon talk-therapy. Statistically we know that divorce rates are not decreasing. We know that it is usually women who leave their relationships first, and for a variety of reasons. We also know that men are less willing to seek marriage therapy, than women. I feel that it is because this type of therapy appeals more to females, then it does males. When I came out with my book over in Scandinavia and was interviewed in the media, I received several negative reactions. The basic opinion was that I was too little empathetic to the feelings of the female population, and that I was telling them to, "put their feelings aside, and get on with it". Yet, they viewed it from their theoretical perspectives and their practices. I knew it to be entirely untrue, and this is because there was something that they did not know about my background training. There were a few things that I knew to work, and current relationship therapy is not working too well. This training was my Reiki training. So, when the book was written, it was from the knowledge that when we decide for something to happen, it will begin to happen. Any long-term soul searching is not a necessary prerequisite to develop. We decide to become more aware and develop, and the answers to our questions will show up along the way. These answers provide understanding in such a way, that it becomes easier to heal that which once hurt.

In my couples coaching, I received a nice surprise, and that was that of approximately 9 out of every 10 couples contacting me with questions or wanting help, the contact was instigated by the males. I resonated with them. Believe me when I state that the women in these relationships were not UNhappy about it. They were quite ecstatic, because is not a relationship about the preferences of both people? Men were willing when they felt there was someone capable of understanding their perspective, and the ways in which they problem-solved. Talking has its place in every relationship, but we have to be careful not to overplay it if we wish for men to want to become engaged. Why? Because not all men will SEE that things are getting solved. So very many times we stagnate in the talking-mode, repeatedly reliving all that is not healthy, and we forget about where it is that we want to move towards. It is this way in relationships, and it is so for individuals in relationship to themselves.


******************

More ~ Later

You can read more about Tamera Daun or feel free to contact her! Her information is as follows!

Pentad. Simplifying Life and Love

www.pentad.no

pentads.blogspot.com (my active blog where I do most of my daily work)

e-mail:
tamera@pentad.no
Absolute Bliss, and other e-books and articles at:

www.pentad.no (downloadable format)
www.trafford.com
www.amazon.com

From the Chi ~ A little MJ & MJ

To celebrate Thriller 25th and Spring 2008 in the Chi!

How Do You See Your World??

Image by K.R. Copeland




Wow, I have been Springing into Spring ALL winter. Dreaming of warmth. Talking about summer. Imagining myself laying on a beach and so it finally arrives and I am all twisted!

The one hour ahead, the springing forward has caused a bit of a hitch in my usual pluckiness. I have been going to bed so very early every day this week, neglecting my blog! Thankfully I have been having enlightening conversations with our friend "Pentad" also known as Tamera. She is author over at Pentads.blogspot.com .

I have been reading her book "Absolute Bliss"






and though I am not in need of relationship help right now, I find that the advise, the concepts and the encouragement is so valuable, pertinent and utterly relevant no matter where you are in your journey. SO, for the next few posts, intermittently, I will be sharing some of our conversations! She is such an inspiration, and she is so intuitive!!!

Which brings me back to the origin of tonight's post. I have said this before, but I am saying it again. Blogging has saved my life in so many ways. I wasn't seeking this new world, did not know what I was missing but the relationships I have forged have been so wonderfully instrumental in my path! If I was a singer, I'd sing a song!

But thankfully we will all be spared that horror! Stay tuned and make it a good one!

Springing Into Spring!!!!!

images by K.R. Copeland



I LOVE SPRING!!!! Okay it is not here yet, but I can smell it in the freezing air~~~

I can feel it in the 29 degree breeze!

I did not realize it was REALLY March until the "SPRING AHEAD" notice I saw posted in the news today. All of us in the wintery portion of the states have been so bludgeoned with this weather that we are literally depressed and exhausted! I have been trudging about with blinders on attempting to make it from one gray-dreary, freezing, day to the next dark, cloudy snow-filled day.

Chicago is having a reprieve at the moment. It was 60 degrees last weekend and in the 40's a few days in a row ~ thankfully the mountains have melted. Today it is just plain freezing cold with flurries.

I was like, WHAT? Is it finally here???? SO - remember to spring one hour forward Sunday! It is coming ~ I have faith!

And the best way to prepare for spring is with a little bit of K.R. Copeland.

Click here. She was featured on www.Elimae.com




Ahhhh, I can hardly wait for the warmth, the coffee houses and the outdoor cafes ~ Bring It ON!

Ouwwwww HeeHeee!!!!

I don't know how many of us have XM satellite radio. Circuit City was running a special about a year ago, and it came out to where the entire set-up was free but you pay the monthly for the subscription. Spending as much time as I do in the car, it was just a great investment. My brain was so wired from the same rotation of music, coupled with the advertisements from HELL, it was a sacrifice I ultimately chose to make.

BOY am I glad I have satellite radio!




Beginning March 2008 XM Radio began a special complimentary commemorative station ~ XM63. It will run MICHAEL JACKSON 24-7 the entire month.

OOOKKkkkaayyyyy? you are asking. Yes, I know CRAZY! Just when I thought I was SO over Michael Jackson; joining in with Chris Rock the comedian on his rant to "remember all those arguments we had about Prince and Michael Jackson, well Prince won" AND chiming in on Ed Bradley's interview on 60 minutes that he done lost his mind???




Well, all of that subsided today. I love him again. Driving my son to school they were playing "Smooth Criminal".




Oh My Gosh! It all came rushing back. Michael Jackson may be a lot of things that we will not discuss here ~ BUT the man is a genius. My 30 minute drive was filled with some of the thousands of songs that I have memorized over the years buying albums, and going to concerts... the stories each song tells, his injections- grunts, movements!

OuwwwwwWWWW! The girations! HeeHeeeh! Jamonnh!




Before he was "Thriller", he was Michael Jackson. I would put my jammies on and watch him sing about his pet rat "Ben".




SO Happy 25th Thriller Anniversary MJ. I still love you.

Hmmmm, the Mmmmm in pictures!

In the spirit of yesterday's post, check out our friend Elaine Vigneault of Elaine Vigneault.Com's new blog. She is on vacation in California and is sharing her week's menu which is HEALTHY!

A WEEK OF VEGAN BLOG!

THANKS ELAINE! It's just we need to keep our families healthy and interested.

I think the apples and oatmeal with maple syrup will go over VERY well in my Houseonahill Household as well as the apples snack with almond butter...MMmmmmmm!

What do YOU think??

Hooray for A Healthier, Happier, You!!!!

We have not discussed what we need to be eating here on "Healthier, Happier, You!!!!" in quite some time!

SO~~~

Just a friendly reminder that we need to be eating as if our lives depended on it ~ for SO many reasons! Consumption is more than just eating. It is the spirit of what you take in. If you are carnivorous, try to purchase food that has been thought about and respected. Despite our religious affiliations, or spritual attitudes, if we are consuming products that have been blessed, and the hands that made the food were blessed ~ WHAT A BLESSING!

I am neither Jewish nor Islamic, but I prefer purchasing kosher or halal. After the most recent dismal reality surfaced regarding the way American cattle are still being killed, you may want to think again before devouring a being who left this world very unhappily ~ for 10 years I have been laughed at by my sister ~ but only eat HAPPY COWS! If you have to eat them make sure that they were appreciated and treated humane!


Anyway, I stumbled upon this idea today because my son is taking his annual standardized testing all week so naturally I am paying strict attention to what he has been eating to ensure that bean brain of his is being fed! We are primarily vegetarians, but have been unsuccessful in our attempts in giving up eggs and cheese!

This made me want to remind all of my lovelies to be sure and have health hearty breakfasts! A slice of whole grain toast (without high fructose corn syrup!) or a bowl of grain cereal(AGAIN without high fructose corn syrup!), an egg or a piece of fruit to start your day off right! Reading labels is exhausting, but there are plenty of items out there with regular sugar, cane sugar, beet or apple juice to sweeten.

(**YES, they are putting high fructose corn syrup in everything including our bread!)




For lunch, there are varieties of tofu based crumbles (that taste like ground beef but in my opinion better), patties or slices that taste just like lunch meat, placed in wraps, over rice or over a salad.

For your supper, a nice huge salad or if you prefer pasta, with red and green peppers, mushrooms, carrots, and almonds toasted slightly in grape seed oil with maybe a piece of corn and pita bread on the side.




Your choices really are endless, but healthy alternatives that can change your energy levels, your outlook, and your life!




Just a helpful reminder ~ Feel free to share any heart healthy handy recipes here ~ Together we can have fun and be fit and focus ~ And as I always tell my son: Eat To Live Not Live To Eat!!!

Make it a good one!