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ruka

When Christmas shopping has come to an end, I walk into a favorite shop and buy something for myself. A little special something, not a splurge, something only I would call exciting. That something has to be small enough to fit nicely into a suitcase. I never know beforehand where I’ll end up, or when. As in today when I passed Ruka at 114 South 19th Street in Philadelphia, and it hit me – here is the place; now is the time.

It’s always a pleasure to browse and shop at Ruka. There were desert bells hanging on the wall. I took them down. And there were a wonderful array of mala beads. I chose the simplest. Then a little hand bell looking old, and sounding wonderful called to me. I placed these three on the counter. A customer picked up a round metal container, and asked what it was for. It holds spices, someone called out. I’d seen that box in the home of a friend. It holds her fragrant spices, – those she uses most often, and can’t cook if she doesn’t have them. A spice box will one day be mine, too. Not just yet; I’m very good at knowing when it’s time to go. “Ruka offers a treasure trove of items to delight and entice the spirit.” www.ruka.com

Now at my place the mala beads are waiting to be fingered, the desert bells are on a hook and sound as sweet as they did in the shop, and the small hand bell has its own perfect place.

Enjoy the season.

May peace be ours the world over.

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a millionaire

One evening in December while wrapping you know what, I watched a show about a millionaire. I don’t know the name of the show. He talked about his possessions – a beautiful big house, cars, planes, property in different parts of the world, parties, friends, etc. – very nice. Now he’s going to a run-down part of a designated city where for one week he’ll masquerade as a poor and needy man. In the process, he’ll work because he’ll have only minimum money for rent and food, and he’ll volunteer and connect with those people who spend their days helping others. By the end of the show, a few of the people he meets will have a check in hand.

The manager of the dirty and dingy motel where the millionaire is staying gives him a cleaning job and helps him locate places to do volunteer work. And so he introduces himself to a woman whose home is open 24-hours a day to anyone in need, and whose pantry is stocked with food for others. Her own life was difficult; she had a child at 13, spent time in and out of prison, and now devotes her life to service. Her eyes were radiant as she spoke about what she does. It’s obvious she has a lot of love and compassion.

And the millionaire introduces himself to a woman and her assistant who have opened their hearts to young people who would be on the streets otherwise. They provide food, donated clothes, skills, computers to help them find jobs, and they provide hope. They too come from love and compassion.

And the millionaire introduces himself to a young, very confident skateboarder, and talks extensively with him. And though he’s in a wheelchair, the skateboarder’s not going to let that stop him in life. His dream is to start a business.

As time goes by the millionaire appears to be in a state of shock. He cries, he meets things in his bed he’s never met before – cockroaches – and is appalled. Finally, he has to call his brother to come lend support.

Now it’s day six and the millionaire has to decide who will receive a check from him and how much it will be. After a sleepless night, a decision is made. He reintroduces himself to the three people mentioned above, and, as it turns out, he gives each of them a check. Are they happy? Oh, yes.

Everyone needs a helping hand every so often. It’s been said that the one who gives gets also. It does seem to be that way. Perhaps the millionaire will return to his life with a grateful heart, and the people he touched will continue to touch others.

* * * * * * *
Once a press reporter asked Amma how was it possible for her to embrace each and every one in the same loving way, even if they were diseased or unpleasant. Amma replied, “When a bee hovers over a garden of varied flowers, what it beholds is not the difference between the flowers, but the honey within them. Similarly Amma sees the same Supreme Self in each and every one.” – As Dr. Jane Goodall, while presenting Amma with the 2002 Gandhi-King Award for non-violence said, “She stands here in front of us, God’s love in a human body. www.amma.org

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www.care2.com

If lately you’ve been thinking about how you can contribute to making our world the world it can be, here’s a website for you. www.Care2.com I’ve taken the following from Yoga+ Magazine’s July/August 2007 issue on Myths & Masters, page 88. And because I couldn’t decide on the most important part, I copied all of it for you.
www.yogaplus.org

The “Hundredth Monkey Effect” proposes that when a critical mass of minds reaches awareness, an ideological breakthrough occurs, and others are instantaneously transformed. So how many spiritually, socially, and environmentally aware people would it take to raise human consciousness to a higher level? Luckily, Care2.com is gauging our progress. With over 7 million members, the Web’s largest progressive community site inspires and empowers those who “care to” make a difference. Connect with people and nonprofit organizations who share your cause, whether it’s human rights, reducing greenhouse gases, or spreading the joy of yoga, get informed on current issues and sign petitions; search the Healthy Living database for tips on everything from chakras to hybrid cars; send free e-cards; and much more. Who knows-you may just be the “hundredth monkey” that shifts our entire collective consciousness. -Natalya Podgorny

www.Care2.com now has 8 million members.

What else is there to say?

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holidays 2007 – it’s a breeze

You’re taking time for yourself during this December. Right? – not spreading yourself thin, not spending more than you have. We all know the ease of buying power with credit cards. It’s a breeeze to get carried away when shopping – the Christmas music lends itself to merriment, and a desire to please, people are walking around in stores, and along the streets, with prettily wrapped purchases peeking out of shopping bags, store windows entice, entice, entice, and you begin to believe if you don’t buy, buy, buy, you’re a cheapskate. Don’t believe it. Debt is a burden. And when the holidays are over and the bills come, the feeling changes. You don’t want it to change. There are ways to enjoy the holidays and keep your shirt on your back. It’s neat to see mainstream magazine articles promoting an amazing holiday with simplicity as the guideline, and giving ideas about how to shop in a smart way while remaining stress free and happy. Let’s go for the meaningful, fun, full-of-laughter memories, and avoid any burdensome ones. Enjoy it all!

If credit card bills can be paid in the blink of an eye, Ho Ho Ho pamper yourself, family, friends, treat a few strangers to a scrumptious meal. Enjoy it all!

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Motherhood for Me

Motherhood for me has been such an interesting journey and my son is only 18 months old as of yesterday Nov. 25th. I knew it would change me and change my life but I didn’t know it would add so many layers to my life.

Before Sebastian was born I thought I already had a full life. It was like a part of me awoke after he was born and they told me I had a baby boy in the hospital. I guess that part of me was always there but I just didn’t realize it or know it until Sebastian arrived.

For this reason alone I am so happy we decided to embark in the world of neverending worry, love, and concern, and hopes for our child and hopefully future children. That part of parenting is so mind boggling. All the worrying and hopes and concern you feel for your child it is just nuts. You worry if they are sleeping enough or eating enough or not enough. You worry if they are developing at a fast enough pace or if you should or shouldn’t be giving them certain foods. It is just neverending… I mean there is a whole book section on how to properly raise your child. Unfortunately there are differing opinions on how to raise your child and do things.  That topic is a whole other blog in itself which I am sure I will get there one of these days.

Ok back to motherhood and how much I absolutely love it. The best part is the first time you see your baby in the morning. It is truly like Christmas every day when you see him for the first time.

I just can look at him for hours and think how spectacular he is and how cute and funny he is.  I mean what a sense of humor our child has. He really just cracks me up.

I love thinking of all the wonderful experiences we are going to share all through the years of him growing up. It really is exciting. I can’t wait! I do have to remember to not wish today away.

For the days are long but the years are fast when raising children – such a true statement.

The one thing I love about my son is how sweet and comforting he is to me. He truly has saved me from myself in a way. He puts so much perspective in my life – keeps me grounded.  I can’t say enough great things about being a mom.

When I hear my friends are expecting I am so excited for them to experience the most amazing joy in life… giving life. What a true gift it is, the best one I could have ever hoped or asked life to give me.

Just as Oprah www.oprah.com says, “This I know is true” I know being a mother is the most amazing job and experience this life has to offer and I am blessed to have it.

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ms. early bird

I’m a night owl and late night phone calls are perfect for me. But when a late night call comes from an early bird, it’s necessary to carefully listen as they usually have something they want to say and can’t fall asleep til they talk it out. Ms. Early Bird was very tired when she called, and that in itself suggests the importance of paying attention to her by carefully listening. She was so tired that the number of yawns coming from the other end of the phone nearly put me to sleep. Ms. Early Bird wears her heart on her sleeve and helps anyone in need. In the process she wears herself to a frazzle and needs to recoup. There should be a beautiful spa for people who always seem to put themselves last in the game of life. They can talk with people who will understand them and at the same time renew themselves in luxurious surroundings. And it should be mandatory for them to go at least once a year. That’s the only way their own selves will be taken care of.

There are times when I’m a wee bit concerned about Ms. Early Bird. The reason is that in putting everyone’s needs before her own. it’s very easy for people to take advantage of her. She’s modest and doesn’t appreciate her own worth, When you recognize the goodness in her, you want to protect her. That’s an impossible task because this gentle one doesn’t see that she’s doing too much at the expense of herself. Trying to convince her that care of self is a good thing makes you look like a cad, and you sense that the thought is occuring to her that maybe she’s called the wrong person. So what is there to do for Ms. Early Bird? Simply listen to her.

But maintaining ourselves in a state of balance is vital. Otherwise we’ll become a doormat and basically we’re telling the Universe that that’s the role we intend to play in life. This could mean that we’ll be the one skipped over when it comes to receiving the things that bring happiness (“your kind of happy.” – Shadowlands), harmony, beauty, freedom, etcetera, into our life. Helping others is a good thing, of course, but being a doormat is not. Giving and receiving-a balance-is important. And now perhaps you’re thinking of someone such as Mother Teresa who, we have read, gave of herself many times over. Possibly her spiritual life gave her the balance she needed. And it’s doubtful that she would neglect that part of her life, so she was assured of balance. Mother Teresa’s story would seem like a category reserved for an entirely different way of life, an evening’s worth of discussion.

I found out that Ms. Early Bird was simply exhausted from a grueling week of commitments. Of course, she worked a few additional shifts because colleagues needed time off – she was spent into fatigue. It would be nice if simply listening helped put things into perspective for her.

“If you are losing your leisure, look out; you may be losing your soul.” -Logan Pearsall Smith

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about the weather

We’re complaining about the weather, for a good reason. Do you think that our planet is trying to tell us something by way of the weather? We all know that, aside from getting our act together, and keeping our planet from choking and dying from all the pollution we’ve given it to digest, there’s nothing much else we can do. If we could do that we’d at least be doing what we should have been doing all along. That seems to be a tall order in today’s world, because we’ve strayed far off the course. We don’t know Life’s plans for the planet, but if we uphold our part of the bargain and except responsibility by nurturning it instead of heaping one insult upon another on it, there’s a good chance that it would continue to nurture us in its grand style.

Our mass consciousness at the moment is one of wars, killings, hatred, random acts of cruelty, greed, and there’s more. How is this nurturing anything? I’ve read many times that we live in an intelligent universe. It must feel slighted, ignored, somewhat depressed, maybe a bit angry, when it observes what we’re doing. Talk about disrespect in the name of more, more and more. Our planet doesn’t ask much of us, only that we take care of it and keep it in good stead. It gives so much to us, but if we continue to destroy it by our toxic ways, and dissipate its bounty, it won’t be able to keep us in good stead.

It’s like everything else, when we take care of what we have, perhaps leave it in a better way than the way we got it, certainly not in a worse way, whisper words of love to it, enjoy it, offer a thank you prayer to it, how can we go wrong? But that’s not what we’re doing. Hmm!

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I read . . .

I watched a little of the Ellen Degeneres show the other day, and was taken aback when a woman wrote to the show explaining and laughing about the gifts her in-laws have given her and her family throughout the years. I didn’t quite understand why she was making that public, her in-laws are alive and kicking and must feel a little odd with the public airing, (unless there was an agreement beforehand to get some laughs on TV), though it didn’t seem that way.

That got me thinking about giving gifts because sometimes it’s tricky. If you don’t show the right reaction immediately upon receiving the gift, it’s all down hill from there. They’ll be lots of questions coming your way. Or if you do show the right reaction, but the thank you is delayed, well, . . . Then there are the givers who want to know exactly how their gift is being used. They just need to know because they usually put much time, effort and thought into buying it. And yes, there’s always the money too.

A while ago I read that once you give a gift, let it go. What happens to the gift after you give it, and this was bluntly said, is none of your business. You did your part. Let it go. As far as the receiver is concerned, the gift should be happily and gratefully accepted, always, no matter what the gift. What you do with the gift after that is your business. To me that makes the most sense.

We can all relax. It’s all so easy.

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ode and vegnews

They say that people are either book, magazine, or newspaper readers. It could be true. Usually I like books with just a quick look at a magazine or newspaper. However, while walking along 23rd Street in Manhattan I saw Universal News located between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. The shop has a huge selection of magazines and newspapers. Customers were focused on reading. I looked around and saw the magazines Ode www.odemagazine.com with Bono on the cover, and VegNews www.vegnews.com with Woody Harrelson on that cover, and decided to join the readers for awhile. These two magazines were packed with information and interesting articles, so I purchased them.

Vegetarians of the past got a bum rap, and maybe rightfully so. Many vegetarians had a pasty complexion and looked extremely thin. And the food, well, it was plain and unappetizing, nothing that would bring a smile to your face. It’s changed! The whole lifestyle is different and exciting. The article on Woody is inspiring because as he says, “I try to ‘walk the talk.’ He’s dynamic. His life is meaningful; he’s doing his part to change our world. And he’s not boring. Check out his website, www.voiceyourself.com, and his book HOW TO GO FURTHER, and the recipe Chocolate of the Gods Mousse. Additionally, there are many websites with pictures and descriptions of what you’ll find on the sites. Definitely it’s worth a look. When you have the magazine in hand don’t forget to read the article on page 20, Spinning Out of Control. Food for thought! It never hurts to know.

Ode has articles on the environment. The articles are relevant to every family because so many of us have allergies. And after reading Ode you’ll have a clearer idea why that’s so. The articles give the facts about our world and make the reader stop to think about, well, many things, the many important things happening that affect us – either directly or indirectly. It doesn’t hurt to read about these things. It’s not boring, reading it is exciting, interesting, informative and helpful.

It seems that Bono has been thinking deeply about what needs changing. And he’s not afraid to speak his mind and to try to understand how changes can be made. Read the article; I think you’ll like what you read.

“If you don’t like where you are, change what you are.” – Henry Knight Miller

“Our remedies in ourselves do lie which we ascribe to heaven.” -Shakespeare

“I want to be alive to all the life that is in me now, to know each moment to its uttermost.” – kahlil Gibran

“Every tine we choose safety, we reinforce fear . . . our world grows smaller and smaller.” – Cheri Huber

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it’s up to us

I’m sitting in front of a window overlooking the East River. It’s calm and I see the lights to the north and south of Manhattan and the lights of Queens and it’s beautiful. I turned off the TV an hour ago, and as I look at the beauty before me, I’m thinking of what water has done to parts of Louisiana. Again we’re left wondering about many things. We play the TV images over and over in our mind, but nothing is resolved. We cannot make the misery go away. Most of us are not going to Louisiana to physically help. We donate money. We donate clothes. And we pray. We all have different opinions about what’s going on in our world today. We live in interesting times in that information is always at our fingertips. There is something strange about witnessing the suffering of people long distance as they’re going through incredible pain.

I went to the Union Square Greenmarket www.unionsquarejournal.com/greenmarket.htm and as I lifted a handful of okra I said to the woman next to me that it was my first time buying it. She smiled and told me the best way to prepare it. She said she’s from New Orleans and is a caterer, and tonight she was preparing dinner for a group of friends. Everyone was going to pay $50 for the meal. The money would be donated. That was her way of helping people in her hometown. I’m sure a lot of love will go into the meal she prepares tonight.
And I understand that what we do with the information we see on the screen is up to us.