Love Letters; Home

Take the wave now and know that you're free
Turn your back the land, face the sea
Face the wind now, so wild and so strong
When you think of me, wave to me and send me song

Don't look back when you reach the new shore
Don't forget what you're leaving me for
Don't forget when you're missing me so
Love must never hold, never hold tight, but let go

Oh, the nights will be long when I'm not in your arms
But I'll be in this song that you sing to me
Across the sea, somehow, someday
You will be far away, so far from me
And maybe someday I will follow you in all you do
'Til then, send me a song

When the sun sets the water on fire
When the wind swells the sails of your hire
Let the call of the bird on the wind
Calm your sadness and lonliness
And then start to sing to meI will sing to you
If you promise to send me a song

I walk by the shore and I hear
Hear your song come so faint and so clear
And I catch it, a breath on the wind
And I smile and I sing you a song
I will send you a song
I will sing you a song
I will sing to you
If you promise to send me a song

Celtic Woman CD
"Send Me A Song"

Dunvegan Castle - The Isle of Skye; Scotland

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Love Letters; "Home"

My love,

I sit at my desk today, having arrived at the office just a few moments ago. I stare blankly at the desk filled with the pile of things to be done. I know I should begin but I cannot, as I am lost in thoughts of you.

I can hardly believe a love like yours exists even as I’ve written countless times of its presence. The images of you that I have pass in front of my eyes adding another petal to the layered rose that has become us. In the center we stand or sleep forever in each other’s arms while each petal serves as our definition as well as our protection.

So moved am I by thoughts of you, distracted even, that I can hardly write.
You beckon to my heart on sun kissed breezes. Your whispers speak to me in a language I never knew, and my heart perpetually races in your presence. The scales of life that blind me so, fall away when we’re together and I’m left only with you. This vision carried along the satin petals of the garden we tend holds the truth of our hearts captive in it. Elusive truth no longer hidden from our eyes.

Today, with your image in my mind, your whispers beckoning to my ear, and your love firmly rooted in my heart… I started to build our house of love in my mind. Many houses have stood and weathered the storm of time, the passage of love. But the house in which we reside love is special. It can only be made with walls of joy, windows of truth, roof of love. The most exquisite gardens grow enriched by the boundless love that dances around everything near it. Our special rose garden with perfected roses awaits our tending love and I swear when I cup each rose in my hand to inhale their scent, I can almost see us in the center. We are the center, where it all begins, where beauty starts, where poetry lives. In that center we exist only for each other. In that center is our root, the core of our being, based in love.

I realize as I look at this desk, that life will go on, business will be tended to, money will be made love, but when I am without you I am asleep…. Because my life is you and without you I am incomplete. This thought moves me into silence where I realize its intensity. Knowing this, we continue to build our house together. And this is where I reside watching myself mindlessly work, while I rejoice in our love and build our home.

Always your muse

©SKW; Digital Soup Online

Breath of the Angel **VERY** Long post & Story

"My greatest happiness consists precisely in doing nothing whatever that is calculated to obtain happiness."~Chuang Tzu

"There is no waiting for something to happen, no point in the future to get to. All you have ever longed for is here in this moment, right now." ~Oriah Mountain Dreamer Quotation taken from the poem "The Call" printed in the preface to: The Call: Discovering Why You Are Here

"When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed." ~Maya Angelou

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Today’s post is VERY long. It consists of a very raw rough draft of a story. This is a TRUE story. It is evidence of the miracles that are a part of humanity, and of the miracles that are a part of spirituality.

I wish you all many miracles and moments that make you know without a shadow of a doubt that there are forces at work in our life that we may not understand but should allow to work in us.

XO
~Muse

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Waves of pain came crashing against her. Each time she rode them trying to be the expert surfer rising above the crest to emerge triumphant, but each time the feeling was too much, too intense and she failed. Crying, falling, and tumbling over and over into the darkness of despair she wondered if an end was in sight. This pain had been going on for 4 days now and each time it felt as if the pain would be enough to kill her. Indeed she felt on more than a few occasions when gripped with the agony she felt, that perhaps death might be better. Constantly pressing at her was one question “Would this ever stop?”

Her thoughts distracted by fresh pain, she returned back to her present and the couch in which she sat, clinging tightly her mother’s hand. Her mother had raced over to comfort her as best she could when finally she had called upon her in tears begging for help. As each second of agony brought forth new tears, her mother watched her, her face showing concern. Knowing not what to do her mother decided finally that she would pray. She would pray for her daughter because that was all that could be done.

The familiar tones of the rosary being spoken aloud filled the room. Writhing on the couch in continual pain, she closed her eyes allowing a small irritation to take form in the back of her mind. She was annoyed that her mother would come here and pray…especially Catholic prayers. She did not care for Catholic prayers because she had concerns with the Catholic faith and the organized structure of the Catholic religion. Yet knowing this, her mother had still come and was praying now. She wondered when her mother would just stop praying because it wouldn’t work. But in the present, where the pain was freshest, she ignored the irritation and found she didn’t care if her mother prayed every prayer known to man, she just wanted the pain to stop.

Soon enough the words being spoken became a blur of sound filtering in to her ear. She could hear the prayer but not the words, hear the tone but not the annunciation of the prayer. Closing her eyes she moved without warning from the seat on her soft couch, to a standing position in a field of emerald green.

Her hair loose and long flowed gently cascading down to her shoulders, with only the top portion held gently at the crown by a ring of white roses. Turning and taking in the breathtaking views she saw the trees majestically tall, covered in green leaves incredibly full. The breeze picked up just then, the tree top swaying gently to a tune of life only seen, not heard. The sounds of birds and animals were heard all about her as the day in this magical place carried on around her as though she blended in perfectly to the environment, as though she belonged here. Turning a complete circle taking in the marvelously green fields of flowers of all varieties, she inhaled deeply the scent of freshness, something she hadn’t enjoyed in a while.

A stream in the distance caught her attention as it bubbled over the natural rock formations that time had left. Recognition and awareness came slowly almost descending on her when she saw the stream and the magnificent house in the background.

Looking down and smiling, she held the smooth velvet and satin material that was her dress. Lightweight and loose, it was bound only by a simple green sash at the waist. The material practically breathed with the fresh air of the balmy summer day.

Staring off at the house in the distance she heard the words clearly as if spoken yet her lips hadn’t moved a bit.

“My sanctuary”

Sounds filtered in to her consciousness, the sounds of words. She couldn’t make them out but was dimly aware that the sound was her mother praying. It became clearer to her then that she felt no pain. Indeed she felt nothing at all save for the breeze that graced her skin with its light touch. Her smile broadened as she realized all the years of visualization on her retreat had worked for here in front of her was the result; a place that she resided in where there was no pain. Turning and heading to the forest smiling running with her hands extended, brushing the tops of the tall grass, she laughed. Taking no more than 10 steps she saw in the distance through the trees a blinking light, almost twinkling. She stopped and squinted in the distance wondering with no alarm what that could possibly be?

She began to head towards the twinkling light and in a matter of dream seconds she was transported to a beach of magnificent perfection. The sands were white velvet she noticed as she stepped over them in her now bare feet. Warm and inviting the soft sand slipped between her toes as she moved. The single beach umbrella in pink, planted right at the shoreline caught her attention. A table to the left of the umbrella sat with a single glass of sparkling lemonade on it. The water beyond the shore was of such sapphire blue one could almost pull a real sapphire from its depths to know this was how it was lit…

The magic of this place was ethereal and to her dream infused mind heralded such reminiscence that her heart quickened knowing the minute she saw the umbrella, exactly where she had come. Again the words were whispered to her ear though she hadn’t spoken them aloud, of this she was certain.

“Her beach…”

Walking forward with such graceful languid speed she felt the dawning of magic embrace her. She knew the closer she got to the umbrella, the faster her heart beat, that something special was about to occur.

Turning her head slightly to the left a light appeared gathering form quickly. Unafraid she gazed at the apparition never blinking even though the light was immensely bright. Moving towards her faster the angel appeared. She had long curly brown hair and skin of the creamiest milky tone. Her eyes twinkled brown and her gown was made of light as opposed to being “real” material. Blinking, hesitant to believe what she saw, WHO she saw, she still reached out towards the angel as she recognized her at that moment yet was afraid that her hands would go right through her. She found as she reached her, when she opened her mouth to spill words of joy and sentiment of missing her, that no sound came out...a sign that she was meant only to listen.

The angel grasped her hands in her own with such vibrant warmth that immediately her heart began to fill overflowing almost instantly with love and joy. The angel began to speak to her as she hovered above her. Her lips moved but no sound came from them, rather the sound hovered in the air around her and about her. The words spoken were different than the words mouthed by the angel’s lips, a fact that did not startle her, but only gave her a seconds pause as she listened.

With a gentle start she realized she had heard these words before and it was these words that the angel spoke to her:

“You have a special gift. You have to get a special kind of mad to use it… The angels rescued you from the brink of death once and when they did they gave you this gift, and you must use it. They cry for you that you haven’t used it yet…but you must. Journiel, your angel, watches over you helping you, guiding you, but you must not be afraid of change. They know you’re afraid but you must not be. Never doubt this, you have a special gift given to you by angels.”

The angel squeezed her hands harder smiling gently, reaching to her and wiping ever so softly at the tears that had spilled from her eyes. Time nearly stood still in the eternal second that the two locked eyes. Love, understanding, awareness, and peace were shared in a that single connection.

The angel spoke again, this time her voice moved with her lips and she spoke directly to her… “You must go now, It is time to go back.”

The angel reached forward and embraced her in a hug of light that as soon as she touched her, dissipated in shimmering air. Nearly stumbling forward her momentum taking her so, she sat up directly on the couch where she had been sitting before.

Blinking trying to get reacquainted with the setting in which she found herself, slowly she became aware that her pain had subsided tremendously and that her mother’s prayers had stopped… When they did, she did not know, her sense of time had been lost to her.

She asked aloud “Did you finish your rosary?”

“Yes honey, I did… How do you feel?” her mother replied.

Haltingly she spoke unsure if she should reveal what she had seen and experience. Deciding against it, she simply said

“Strangely, I feel better. Not 100%, but better. I think I’m going to be okay now…”

©SKW

"When you talk, you repeat what you already know; when you listen,you often learn something."~ Jarren Sparks

My Champions

Each of us has people that we look up to. People that have helped us, inspired us, guided us. My blog in every way is a celebration of people that surround me. It's a celebration of hearts and love and friendship. I work very hard to not single any "one" person out necessarily because I believe we ALL have things that are wonderful, unique and beautiful. But sometimes in life people no matter how well you know them, continue to amaze you and continue to be your champion even if they don't know they're doing it.

This entry today is for "My Champions" who this past week/weekend provided me support, love, assistance, guidance, and peace.

Mrs. Virgo: One of my earliest champions who is never without an ear, a smile, a hug, or a home to go to. I've had to in the last two years alone come to rely on the strength that is inherent to her soul. Someone once said that "You're never out of the circle of each other's lives when you're family" and I believe this to be true. Last year in April you came through for me in a big way, this year in July you are again doing the same thing. You are truly a beautiful soul and no matter where life takes you, or me, I am enriched for having you with me on this journey.

Shaun: I met you a few years ago, but it seems like we've known each other a lifetime. I swell with love whenever I think of you and want nothing but the absolute best for you in all things you do. You are such a ray of sunshine in my days and even if we're doing nothing but goofing off you too provide me with the good kind of soul food that only a true friend can provide. I look forward to many long years at your side. Thank you for listening to me this weekend... It was much needed.

Omega: Sitting with me on the phone until I could get into a better place was the best thing that could possibly have been done. Having the ability to put aside what you're going through to take care of someone else especially someone you've never met is a trait you do not see often. Thank you for allowing me to see it this weekend.

Shaun's Barbara: Our conversation this past weekend was not unlike the conversations I've had with Mrs. Virgo and Mrs. B in AZ. These conversations come easily and are full of laughs, seriousness, joy, discovery, and sharing. Knowing that you are out there, that you love me, and that I love you too makes anything possible. Your acceptance of me into your life and your sons has meant more to me than I can tell you :) Thank you for always listening and sharing openly with me.

Aussie_Male: You are always someone who understands me without a single word spoken. It's amazing how this can happen for someone i've never met. Knowing I'll hear your voice and your genuine concern for me and my well being makes a lot of things bearable that may not otherwise be so. This weekend too seeing you're messages: "are you ok?" or just being around you made a difference in so many ways. Thank you for these things... I would be sad without them.

Mr. Uber: Being able to listen to someone who is upset, and being able to understand and truly sympathize are valuable qualities born not just of a good soul, but also in a good friend... This weekend having you understand what was going on, care about me, and truly be there for me when I needed it was a beautiful thing. Thank you for doing this all weekend as well as the many times you have done so before.

Mr. S: Sometimes the smallest amount of words are all that are needed to convey comfort. You are a new friend to my life but you seem to move about with ease, navigating my worries and concerns like an old pro. Knowing I can have no fear in front of you is wonderful. Thank you for this....

Abnir: For listening with compassion, understanding without making me explain, for just "being" around when I needed it, thank you :)

Muse Mom: Always the triumphant bringer of peace you have this weekend supported and helped me as you ALWAYS have. Having you with me, around me and helping me, as well as pray for and with me was exactly what I needed. Then conversing with me and listening while time ticked on was wonderful. Sometimes as much as we love someone we forget what it's like in our hustle and bustle of the day to just "talk WITH" someone. I'm grateful for this talking, supporting and love you gave me. Thank you so very much, I am certain it is a good part of the reason i could get better and I know that I'd be lost without you.

I talked to so many people this weekend. I've read some well wishes email and comments in this blog too. I'm certain I'm missing people either directly or indirectly who offered words of wisdom, support or just sympathy. Do not think that not getting mentioned here means you're forgotten. My heart knows it all. It remembers even as my mind doesn't sometimes. You are all loved and everyday I'm grateful for your emergence into my life.

Love to you...

XO

~Muse

Wednesday and Thursday post

Sorry no post yesterday :( and almost none today. It seems that the health gods do not look too kindly on me this week. I've been battling some illness again.

The good news is I will get better :) The bad news is that I may not feel like posting when ill. I try very hard to let very little negativity hit this blog. It's my place to be honest, yes, but I do not want to wallow in pity or darkness unless it needs to be expressed to set me free. So that's why no post yesterday :)

Today is a little different in that I came across this wonderful quote that I had put aside specifically to share with you all.

Again you know I'm hardly religious in this blog, I prefer to be "spiritual". But this just seemed appropo today and I thought you'd enjoy it.

Much love to you all and thank you for those who've shown great patience while they wait for me to get better to continue plans that were made...

Have a beautiful day!

xo

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Thursday, July 27, 2006 – Conscious Contact

"The practice of meditation takes us on a fabulous journey into the gap between our thoughts, where all the advantages of a peaceful, stress-free, healthier, fatigue-free life are available, but are simply side benefits. The paramount reason for doing this soul-nourishing meditation practice is to get in the gap between our thoughts and make conscious contact with the creative energy of life itself." ~Dr Wayne Dyer Quote is taken from page 8 of: Getting in the Gap: Making Conscious Contact with God

Today's Affirmation
I am connected to the Source of life, every moment of everyday.

Today's Meditation
Dear Creator,
I feel Your presence in my life in simple and profound ways. I do not know what the rest of today holds, let alone the rest of my life. I do know that right now, in this moment, I am connected to You. As I relax into the consciousness of being with You, I am filled with peace and joy. You are available to me and I am available to You. Life is good and I am content to let it be.
Amen

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AND REMEMBER

"Fear less, cherish more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathemore; talk less, listen more; hate less, love more; and all goodthings are yours."-Old Swedish Proverb

When we feel good about any person, place or circumstance in ourlives, appreciate it and are grateful for it, we are, in essence,telling the Universe we want more of the same. It's as if we've looked at life's menu and told the waitstaff, "Oh,I really like this. I'll have more, please."And every time we give attention to something by being crtical ofit, by being angry, resentful, fearful or envious, we're alsochoosing from life's menu. In essence, we're saying, "Oh, I reallydon't like this at all, but I never get what I really want anyway,so go ahead, bring it on."

Designing a triumphantly abundant life calls for paying moreattention to what we do want and less attention to what we don't.It really is that simple. Because the way life is designed -- moreor less -- gives us control of our destiny through every more orless choice we make.

Until tomorrow...Know that you are loved beyond measure and a cherished blessing tome.

May your day be filled with all things good,
Kate Nowak http://www.mayyoubeblessedmovie.com/

Miracles DO Happen... Proof inside :P

This morning on your way to work (or when you first get up if on a weekend) say a prayer of thanks for those friends in your sacred heart.  Send them love and pink light to guide their day.

Dear Sue,
Today no matter if you’re blue, know that when you’re not tired, sick, or lonely, your heart sings & your soul visibly shines for all to see.  Know you give this freely & this is a gift only a special person can give.  You are loved.

Today is full of miracles!
Today, meditate for 5 minutes on the power of miracles in your day.  The sun rising is a miracle, you living is a miracle.  Life’s little miracles are the beauty you need…  See them.

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Today is full of miracles….

Well I have a hard time seeing those miracles today but that’s because I have a headache sitting firmly over my eyes beating the drums to a tempo I can’t fathom.  

A miracle?  Ok ok let me try and find some for you this morning.

Miracle #1:  Well this morning I suppose if I saw one miracle thus far it was the miracle that my drive through order (which I shouldn’t have gotten but I did) was right! LORD ALMIGHTY!  They CAN get it right :P

Miracle #2:  AH! I have it, I got in 15 minutes late but it was a miracle, NO ONE was here to see it! :P Yes!

Miracle #3: Mrs. C was the first one in today.  And she cares not how much I type if I’m on the phone and if so how long.  And she brings a smile to my face since it seems like when she asks how I’m doing she actually wants to know.  A MIRACLE!!!

Miracle #4: I’m going to have two days off this week.  This alone is a miracle all by its little itty bitty self….  And, …. Wait for it.  I’m going to get paid for it.  PRAISE THE MIRACLE! (Yes, I’ll still try to post but I cannot guarantee any Pulitzer Prize winning posts like I’ve been doing lately.  I mean even a GOOD writer needs a day off :P) /sarcasm off.

Miracle #5: Creamer for my coffee.  Yes bleary eyed going on only 4 hours sleep, I stumbled into the kitchen at work and amidst the mildly decaying food and expired creamer in the fridge, I saw it…A ray of light beckoning to me, telling me, “YES YOU CAN have that coffee you need, I’m right here to sweeten it up for you!!”  So I did, and so it was good.  Definitely a Miracle!

Miracle #6:  You know I think this miracle watching is good for me.  I mean I’ve got miracles happening that I take for granted.  This one definitely…  Crony isn’t in!  Need I say more?  I shall fall to my knees in worship over this one for sure.  Well maybe not my knees… maybe not really worship.  But in celebration I will definitely post in my blog without fear of my keystrokes being watched.

Miracle #7:  I remembered my book bag.  This is a very hard thing to do.  When you get up and get dressed walking through your apartment looking for the clothing you left draped over chairs etc because you live alone, remembering to bring one’s bags turns out to be a very hard thing to remember.  But I remembered today so I can read anytime I want and post in my book of light.  YIPPEE!

Miracle #8:  Well I suppose this should have been one of the earlier miracles of the day but seeing as I’m only just now having coffee I think I can forgive myself this mistake in timing :P  It’s a miracle I got up on time.  Being tired as I was and after actually falling asleep after 1am usually means a late morning but today I managed to get up a little late, but not to much so that I wasn’t more than my normal 15 minutes late.  

Miracle #9: (And now for the serious ones).  The miracle in this one is that I am alive.  Each morning I wrestle with the young adult thoughts I had that I “wouldn’t live past 35”.  I do not know where those thoughts came from but they have been a part of me since I can remember.  This year, I turn 35.  So each day one of the miracles I see is that in defiance of my pseudo goth emo angst ridden young adult thoughts I am here.  I am still alive ;)  

Miracle #10: And the mother of all Miracles.  Here it is the one you’ve been waiting for…  

The miracle that I am loved, and through the love of people JUST LIKE YOU, I now have the ability to give it back out again.  For so long I was empty, sort of like the cup tipped over and I just didn’t have any left in me to give.  I had watched it all go away and seen the end of the ability to offer it.  Sure, maybe an occasional drop escaped but never the flow of love/energy/intention that I had before.  Through the love of my friends in constant streams, the love of my online friends who in most cases would do ANYTHING for me if I asked, and through the love of others who barely even know me but kind of think I might be ok *smile*, my cup is full again.  

THAT is a miracle.  And for THAT, I am grateful.

XO to you all may you know your love, friendship, acceptance and sharing of one, will brighten many people’s days.

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WELL WISHES, BLESSINGS, and INTENTIONS

Today’s well wish is a prayer for peace.  Again I’m not really the type to get too religious here, but I believe that prayer is any intention whispered from the heart.  And every day when I think of you I wish you well, I see your face and hope you smile all day and I offer silently a wish that no harm comes your way.  I still do these things today for you but today as well I send up intentions for you for peace via the universal prayer for peace.  May it find its way to your heart today and rest lightly there ready for you to use if you need it.

Lead me from Death to Life
From Falsehood to Truth
Lead me from Despair to Hope
From Fear to Trust
Lead me from Hate to Love
From war to peace
Let Peace fill our Heart,
Our World, our Universe.
Amen

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AND REMEMBER

You are a miracle too.  ~Muse

Poetry for a Monday

"I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving." ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

**********

Direction, I lack it; even today… So what I’m posting (for now) is some poetry that is published in my first book Free Form: Poetry from the Heart. It will soon be pulled off the lulu.com shelves and re-done. The original version of Free Form will no longer exist. This morning I find myself lost in words as my direction is unknown. Words of comfort perhaps, words of familiarity, words of the heart. Enjoy!

XO
Muse

From 2005:

Falling Leaves
Oct 24

“See that’s why you’re different than other girls”
The memory struggles loose from my tree of dreams
Brightly colored crimson and gold, falling slowly, twisting
It’s bearing in the past
Such a different person then, I think…
My reflection sits unbroken against the onyx lake not so long ago
This moment carrying the weight of importance
A portent of some knowledge, I am unaware
And yet as the leaf falls slowly, my memory is suspended
Immersed in the pool of the past, distinctly clear
Yet precisely fogged, gently glazed, quietly serene
The mist of the river seen only in this past moment
Rises like smoke plumes of smoldering flames recently extinguished
The voice far away, directly at my ear beckons
“That’s why you’re different…”
Echoing against the tomb of my mind
Memory stirred but not shaken
As the leaf lands, its journey done
…so to, I go back about my day.


Sleepers...
May 11

Unfold before me, the wings of truth
Blanket me in the shroud my heart won’t believe
Climb like the ivy up the wall of my mind
Set my spirit free…

Should that fail?

My weakness revealed
Will glint off the fallen mirror shard
Broken by my deceit
My eyes will remain blind

What must be set free to reclaim breath?

Until then sucking oxygen away like a vacuum
I steal life from my heart
Siphon precious molecules of sunlight
From the beacon of my soul

So darkness numbing can reign supreme until I try to wake again…


Sun Kissed Dreams
Jan 10

I had a dream of crystal blue waters
Cool to the touch
Warm grains of sand running through my fingers
Warmth of love and joy
Shared with you

Under the umbrella we sit
Time knowing no home in our sharing
In our realm of peace
The place we call home in our hearts

Known already by us

Glasses clink merrily against the backdrop of trees
And laughter is heard
The private joke
Twinkling in our eyes

Together we sit

The setting sun washing the sky in colors so vivid
We are moved in quiet repose
Thankful for energy of each other
Silently wishing on that very sunset

That this moment will never end

The stars twinkle brightly against the dark sky
In hushed tones we share secrets
Share private space
And complete our day by ending it the way we began

Together in love


From 2004

Snow Angels
Dec 20, 2004

I once danced upon icicles
Dancing because it was cold
Catching snowflakes was my full time job
Perfect snow angels my aspiration
When snow was whiter than the white of satin
I would dream in hues of blue
Sliding along the minds tunnels
Into passages of growth unknown to me
Awakening my tired heart in my youth
To find angst a companion
Where I gathered, did my perfected snow go?
Dancing now upon responsibility, the two step of life
Anticipation and expectation coupled with loss
Accomplished existence the aspiration
Arrogant in its compressed hope

But…
Today snowflakes fell, it must have been my tired mind
But the eyes that gazed upon them
Saw the white satin and knew it was time
Throwing my bags down around my aching feet
I fell upon the velvet white grass
And made a snow angel

...It was perfect


Fool...
Dec 15, 2004

It seeps in unannounced, uninvited
Skulking around empathy
Professed concern offering hope
Friendship might be on the horizon
Rearing its head balancing on shaking rattlers
The snake fully exposed hisses
The air pungent with its foul stench
Betrayal the defined word of the moment
Not once…. Even in the 10 years of co-existence
But oh so many times did the snake of your heart lash out
You, the cherub of innocence
Herald of all that is simplistic...peaceful
How well do you think others would manage the truth?
Knowing your demon
Depositing the poison inside the one person who cared
The one who worked, toiled, offered…
You needed only one thing to be the king
Honesty…


Now you’re just a liar
And I am the fool

Selene...
Dec 12, 2004

Selene champion your moon
quiet your brother Helius... his time is gone
visionary dreams speed your chariot to me
the story of love captivating
carried on silvery beams
full moon maiden symbolizing sweet devotion
begging for forever taste of true love
falling from your lips in his name ... Endymion
the essence of true love sewn through the fabric of ages
songs mimic your pleas
words offer no apology only purity
shower moon dust kisses upon my soul
that Endymion would I be, to experience
love's utter perfection
moonlight rays infuse me with moon dreams
translating to hope
that I too might be blessed by moon goddess
in chariot dreams
to find my true love
as sweet wine tasted offers his name
to my parched heart
begging for permanence in unity


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AND REMEMBER

You are loved today. ~Muse

Happy Friday!

I got a big cup 'O Smiles for ya!

Yea, how you like that? :D

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37. Send yourself a kind message.
38. Remind yourself that the company you keep is a reflection ofwhat you think of yourself.
39. Go on a picnic.
40. Accept your fears, no matter how crazy they seem.
41. Don't let other people's opinions shape who you are.
42. Say a prayer.
43. Never attribute your accomplishments to luck or chance.
44. Know when to say no.
45. Look at the positive side of negative situations.
46. Remember that you are a spiritual being in a physical body.
47. Avoid seeking out other people for constant approval, because it makes them the master and you the slave.
48. Go fly a kite.
49. Watch South Park or The Simpsons or Seinfeld.
Taken from 100 ways to be happy and feel good


· Buy flowers and place one on the desk of all your colleagues
· Give a compliment
· When talking on the phone, smile. The smile will come through in your voice.
· Take flowers to a hospital ward and give them to someone who hasn't had any visitors.
· Acknowledge every person you encounter.
· Order someone a dessert anonymously at a restaurant.
· Smile and laugh more often.
Taken from Random Acts of Kindness "The Suggestion List"

"We can let the circumstances of our lives harden us so that we become increasingly resentful and afraid, or we can let them soften us, and make us kinder. We always have the choice." ~Dalai Lama
**********

Good morning everyone :)

I hope you all had a wonderful night! I slept mildly well and have a headache today but that's ok. The good news for all of you is that Mrs. Virgo is doing just fine. I have every inclination to believe that this is largely due to all the prayers and well wishes she received. Either that or she is just one damn tough cookie! Thank you for offering your prayers. You can never have too many of them.

I have thought endlessly of the things I want to write about in this blog today. I've had all forms of postings created and ready to go and they all got deleted. What I wanted to do was spread light today. So no drama, no sadness, just happiness. I may add more posts later but for now I thought humor would be good to start the day. And so borrowed from a friends blog, here is some funniness ;)

Courtesy of Celtic (a friend of mine) Click here if you want to read his post.
July 15, 2006
The top 10 unintentionally worst company URLs

Attn: Entrepeneurs

Everyone knows that if you are going to operate a business in today’s world you need a domain name. It is advisable to look at the domain name selected as others see it and not just as you think it looks. Failure to do this may result in situations such as the following (legitimate) companies who deal in everyday humdrum products and services but clearly didn’t give their domain names enough consideration:

1. A site called ‘Who Represents‘ where you can find the name of the agent that represents a celebrity. Their domain name… wait for it…
www.whorepresents.com

2. Experts Exchange, a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views at
www.expertsexchange.com

3. Looking for a pen? Look no further than Pen Island at
www.penisland.net

4. Need a therapist? Try Therapist Finder at
www.therapistfinder.com

5. Then of course, there’s the Italian Power Generator company…
www.powergenitalia.com

6. And now, we have the Mole Station Native Nursery, based in New South Wales:
www.molestationnursery.com

7. If you’re looking for computer software, there’s always
www.ipanywhere.com

8. Welcome to the First Cumming Methodist Church. Their website is
www.cummingfirst.com

9. Then, of course, there’s these brainless art designers, and their whacky website:
www.speedofart.com

10. Want to holiday in Lake Tahoe? Try their brochure website at
http://www.gotahoe.com/

SMILE!!! :D

**********
AND REMEMBER:

"To find truth you must experience it in your soul. You can read hundreds of books, or study the religions of all time, and find that all of them have one common point, one common denominator: and this is love-which is another word for light or soul illumination. To realize this soul illumination you have to shut away the clamor of the lower mind, to become humble, very simple." ~White Eagle

Quote is taken from page 57 of: Beautiful Road Home

Eggstra Eggstra Read All About It...

Anyone old enough to remember the Saturday morning cartoons that would sing about not drowning your food?  Well how about don’t laser etch my food.  

Leave my food alone dammit!

Thanks to Three New York Women for the link to this article.  We live in a sad sad world today folks.  

Eggstra, Eggstra, Read all about it…

Anger, Fear & Insight into the Muse **LONG POST**

“For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one” ~Benjamin Franklin

“When anger rises, think of the consequences” ~Confucius

"Death is not the biggest fear we have; our biggest fear is taking the risk to be alive -- the risk to be alive and express what we really are. ~Don Miguel Ruiz

‘When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest’. ~Henry David Thoreau

‘Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.’ ~Henry James

‘Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They seem to be more afraid of life than death’. ~James F. Bymes

‘Let us not look back in anger or forward in fear, but around in awareness.’ ~James Thurber

‘I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship.’ ~Louisa May Alcott

‘If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.’ ~Marcus Aurelius

‘And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others’. ~Marianne Williamson

‘I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.’ ~Rosa Parks

‘I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today’. ~William Allen White

**********

Today’s post is a short one. It’s comprised mainly of the things that I am feeling, but not willing to open totally to the public. Take a look at the quotes, you’ll know what I’m feeling.

I will tell you this, I live in a world of fear. I also live with anger (not violence mind you,… NEVER EVER violence). I know many of you do not know this about me, but a few do. I’m a very angry person. I have anger from my childhood, from all the years of my life, from things that happen daily; things as simple as me being a klutz. Hell I’m angry that I AM angry. And I’m afraid a lot more than I ever was. Afraid of meeting new people, afraid of not being good enough. Afraid that I lack intelligence other than Love, light and happiness. Afraid that really what I am deep down at the base of my existence while light and sharing, is nothing but a person who lives in fear.

Today I am staring through the looking glass at these two emotions, anger and fear and what I see is my reflection. I see my soul naked, I see my weaknesses, my vulnerabilities, my temper. I have no idea what to do with this, but I look. So today’s’ post is one again, of awareness. The quotes are ones I’ll save for myself, but though you might enjoy too. And now so that I do not put you all into a coma, here is a quiz I found on blog dog’s site and thought would be nice for you to see about me.

**********

101 things about me

1. My real name is Sue


2. Utopia Skye was the name of a property of mine in the online game The Sims Online. It just stuck


3. I am almost 35


4. I hate my job


5. I have no health insurance


6. I’m Overweight


7. I LOVE to be crafty


8. I haven’t crafted since I was married


9. I’ve owned an online business that had moderate success albeit short lived


10. I’m addicted to the anonymity of online gaming. As much as I’m real and honest I prefer that environment to the normal world.


11. I believe that I have a gift to share with people. I do not know clearly what it is, but I try anyway to share it


12. I love a woman I never met, and pray to her even though she has passed on, just like I pray to my other family members when I think of them.


13. I hate liver


14. I actually like brussel sprouts


15. I’ve been to Europe and enjoyed England tremendously


16. I want to go to the Isle of Skye once in my life


17. I have a few (like 2) stuffed animals


18. I was a major tom boy growing up


19. I threw a muscular man into a rose bush complete with thorns for pissing me off one day.


20. I knew about sex before I understood what it really was


21. I was adopted


22. My foster parents were horrible people


23. The DCFS wasn’t much better (Children and family services organization)


24. One of my earliest memories is of me at a very young age eating the bottom of a sugar cone and watching the ice cream drip from it onto the ground with curiosity.


25. I received a beating for that and haven’t eaten a sugar cone since then…ever


26. I wrote when I was little, silly children’s stories mainly.


27. I stopped laughing a lot when my best friend “A” told me I laugh too much (when I was 12 or so)


28. I loved to sing while I cleaned


29. Because I sang well I was chosen out of all the classes in my grade school to perform at all weddings, and funerals.


30. I loved to sing at the weddings


31. In sixth grade on a homework assignment I was to write a short story. I did, writing “The Mystery of the Stolen Horse” (I used to love Nancy Drew stories). My teacher made fun of me in front of the whole class and accused me of plagiarism, calling my mother at work even to verify it was real. Then she made me stand for the rest of day as some form of punishment for something I didn’t do


32. I stopped writing after that and didn’t write again until my sisters death in 1990 some 7 years later. Even then I wrote a total of seven poems then and didn’t write anything else until 2002 when I went online in TSO


33. I would in grade school hear someone talking of how sad they were, regardless of whether they liked me or not, and I would tell them something nice, or inspirational. I loved to do that


34. Several people to this day thank me for that, citing that it was a pivotal moment for them.


35. I love Dogs


36. I have no problems with cats but see number 35


37. I owned a fish once named Akira. She was damn cool


38. My nickname in high school was Angel


39. I was hospitalized for one month when I was 16.


40. I used to sneak out of my bedroom window at night using the neighbors picnic bench to allow me back in.


41. I never did drugs as a teenager (tried pot once)


42. I hung out with a bad crowd but earned their respect by being smarter than them and they always protected me.


43. I cussed out a police officer and spent a night in a holding cell once


44. My best friend and I when we were very young kissed and that (I think) ruined our friendship


45. Kissing her didn’t feel bad, I rather liked it.


46. I still like men much better ;)


47. I didn’t realize when I started this list it would be so hard to find 101 things to share with you all :P


48. I cannot explain my religious beliefs to anyone who doesn’t believe in them either. I lack the ability to debate about it.


49. I read all manner of cards


50. I can’t dance…at all


51. I’m very boring, Just ask Mr. S who’s been coming over a lot lately ;)


52. I’ve survived some serious things in my life.


53. In 4th grade someone told me, that when I told them I thought I did a good job making people feel happy, that I shouldn’t be conceited. I have a very hard time allowing myself the luxury of a self compliment since then.


54. I don’t like beer anymore


55. I used to drink a lot of it


56. I got drunk on peach schnapps and beer once and got sick in my boyfriends Suburban


57. Another time I got so drunk I stubbed my toe and the nail fell off (eww gross)


58. The person I was hanging out with at the time, was someone I ignored a lot. But HE liked me and I wonder if I should have been nicer.


59. Another time I got so drunk I couldn’t walk


60. Maybe I shouldn’t list all my drunk exploits :P though they are funny


61. I have never been an alcoholic (I got lucky)


62. I smoked pot in my mid twenties and for a year I did it quite often.


63. I gained a LOT of weight in that year


64. I no longer smoke pot or cigarettes.


65. I have a heart condition


66. I’ve had the equivalent of a few strokes in my life.


67. I’m very emotional


68. I love the scent of pine, like Christmas tree pine


69. I haven’t decorated for Christmas in about 7 years and that makes me sad


70. I’m about to throw out all my Christmas things and start over with my own


71. I intend to decorate for Christmas this year and throw a FORMAL dinner party


72. I don’t mind inviting a lot of people. If you want to come just let me know ;)


73. I sang for a dinner party I threw once and people loved it


74. My goodness, 25 more tings to write and I have no clue what to say :P


75. I want to work from home or close to home and am looking for a job… anyone want to hire me?


76. I love my friends


77. I’m bad at keeping in touch with people (sorry Truenigma…)


78. I want someone to take me away on a vacation.


79. I want to have financial security, either on my own or through my partner. No I’m not a money monger, but I do want security


80. I want to own a piece of land and invite friends to build their houses on it, and make a real life Utopia Skye.


81. I want to publish a book that is a surprise best seller and be rich so I can do what I want to do


82. I want to go to a very far away monastery and be “cleansed” by the isolation


83. I don’t want to work today


84. I camp my own forums daily


85. I camp my blog and blog dog’s and a few others :P


86. I love to read what other people write.


87. I try to download books from lulu.com in support of their publishing community since I've published two books there


88. I love sex


89. I don’t have sex


90. I do want to be married again someday


91. I do not think I want children though I’m not closed to the option (I am however 34, almost 35)


92. I want a puppy so bad again


93. I have no control over my anger and am paranoid that my neighbors have heard my turrets like outbursts and think I’m a psycho :P


94. I’m so afraid of being hurt again that I do not want to go out because I’m afraid everyone is looking at me.


95. I’m angry at one person all the time, even sublimely because they didn’t make a choice.


96. But I love this person too so I swallow that anger


97. I want to have my hair look like Kate Winslets did in “Titanic”


98. I called my sister a bitch as she lay in her hospital bed just after her (what was fatal) car accident because I didn’t know she was dying, as she always garnered more of my mothers attention because she was so needy.


99. I still feel guilty over that


100. I hope that I bring people happiness. I truly think that is what I’m about. So even just one person. I welcome you to tell me. You don’t have to, but I hope I make you happy nonetheless. Because even if I’m not happy I always have light for you.
101. I hope that Jessie was right when she said that the angels told her I have a special gift to give to people. I have felt it all my life and I hope she was right... because I'd hate to think my life and efforts to offer people love and acceptance were for nothing. She said I had to get a "special kind of mad" to tap into this gift. I get mad when peope are hurt. I hope she was right...

Thank you for reading this. Since this is so long today, I’ll just end here with one wish for you all… that you have a wonderful day. XO

Muse

Hope

Hope is light

Hope is Love

Hope is faith

**********

Yesterday I had the most wonderful sushi dinner. What made it great, even moreso than the excellent food and service was of course, the company. Conversation that literally lifts off your heart and flows as perfectly as a stream charting it's natural course. Laughter that sounds like the chimes of childrens dreams ringing for everyone to hear. Honesty as revealing as being naked in public but being comfortable with all facets of self in the vision of another. These things are what save me. These moments are what give me life. And I have them often with my close friends.

Even friends past have had these moments with me. new friends too. Email can carry this moment, Intstant messages have on occasion, but there is nothing like the face to face to bring you back to the present.

I miss those times with people who aren't near me. Those who have moved away, I miss those times with you. Those who've fallen out of my life but may return, I miss those times with you. I remember them fondly and hope for their swift return.

I'm not easy to drag away from the computer. I have a love affair with the internet going on. It's a tough battle but it can be won as evidenced by last night.

The magic of friendship knows no boundaries and if allowed to be expressed fully can be one of the most beautiful things we know. I'm grateful for my friends online, offline, and those soon to be. I am grateful for every single one of you :)

Have a WONDERFUL day

(The pictures are again ones I've taken from my now gone business, Natural Body and Spirit. I hope you like them :))

XO

Muse

**********

For Mrs. Virgo:

Today is the day. I will pray all day for you. And later tonight I will tell you of my relief that all is well for you. And tomorrow we will celebrate in our hearts :)

A poem for you:

"All Through the Night" By Sir Harold Boulton
Sleep my child and peace attend thee,

All through the night

Guardian angels God will send thee,

All through the night;

Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,

Hill and vale in slumber sleeping,

I my loved ones' watch am keeping,

All through the night.

Angels watching, e'er around thee,

All through the night

Midnight slumber close surround thee,

All through the night

Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,

Hill and vale in slumber sleeping

I my loved ones' watch am keeping,

All through the night

While the moon her watch is keeping,

All through the night

While the weary world is sleeping,

All through the night

O'er thy spirit gently stealing,

Visions of delight revealing

Breathes a pure and holy feeling,

All through the night.

**********

WELL WISHES

I wish you all a day of sun and hope. A day where memory resides in the forefront of your mind guiding you through the present. Where life becomes "lived" not tolerated. Where your spirit is free. May your friends guide you, and your heart be filled.

**********

AND REMEMBER

Practice Hope. As hopefulness becomes a habit, you can achieve a permanently happy spirit. ~Norman Vincent Peale

These are a few of my favorite things...

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels

Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Silver white winters that melt into springs

These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites

When the bee stings

When I'm feeling sad

I simply remember my favorite things

And then I don't feel so bad

**********

These are a few of my favorite things dedicated to Mrs. Virgo who has something coming up that will need some strength...

Calla Lillies

One of her favorite flowers and if I remember right she carried a bouquet of them at her wedding

Coffee Time

Nothing quite like coffee or tea with good friends and ambiance

Relaxation

A sweet nap in the afternoon, the sun on your face, chatting with a friend during lazy days...

Wine

The swirl of the liquid in the glass, the taste on your tongue, the sharing of both good and bad wines *grin*.

The Spa

Even if sometimes just in our mind. The aromatherapy, the oils, the candles, the scents of peacefulness, the light of a dimly lit room, and the transformation of normal space into the magical.

HUGS

The love of a friend, shared in a simple hug. That which is given freely and knowing that friend will hug you and be there with you all the rest of your life.

**********

These are a few of my favorite things shared with you. In my mind as I began this post today, I thought of so many different ways to write about what you're about to go through. And then I thought about it, and thought of the song that helps take fears and ails away by remembering your favorite things. One of my favorite things, is you. Among all my friends whom I cherish, today you are my favorite.

I'll send you love and strength for what you'll be going through. I'll ask anyone else that reads this not knowing what's going on, to send love and strength to you too (Feel free to give well wishes in comments too). And when all is said and done, I will have lots of hugs for you.

**********

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” ~Lao Tzu

Monday Reflections

"Act as if it were impossible to fail." -Dorothea Brande
And quite often it will be.
______________

"Don't be discouraged by a failure. It can be a positive experience. Failure is, in a sense, the highway to success, inasmuch as every discovery of what is false leads us to seek earnestly after what is true, and every fresh experience points out some form of error which we shall afterwards carefully avoid." -John Keats

Sometimes, we get so caught up in traveling through our every day world that it takes a pothole or two to jar us awake and remind us that the road we need to take is the one leading to the fulfillment of our dreams. Failures are nothing more than little potholes in the road to success.
_______________

"We are told never to cross a bridge until we come to it, but this world is owned by men who have 'crossed bridges' in their imagination far ahead of the crowd." -Author Unknown

While we certainly shouldn’t let worry move us forward, we do benefit when we mentally cross the bridge to a better tomorrow at least once each day. It is, after all, these daily thought-formed crossings that build the bridge to a new reality.

Kate Nowak – Heartfelt Blessings

*****

Today’s quotes all come from one spot. Kate Nowak. It’s interesting that two of the last three days quotes have been about failure. I have a very hard time with this as I feel that if I have failed in some way I do not know how to go on with the confidence that I’ve learned my lesson. Sometimes a failure can depress me just as much as any sadness can.

Some of the areas I fail in:

1. Communication with friends outside my circle of safety.

I’m horrible with this. I do not know what it is about me that feel intense pressure to communicate with everyone. I feel sometimes as if I have so many people to talk to that my whole day will be full of talking to people and not full of whatever it is I may want to do. The time I’m at work is my downtime; it’s like when I plug into auto pilot and go to sleep. But when I’m home I have about 5 hours (if I push it) to get everything done that I want to get done. This includes whatever gaming goals I have, talking with people on the phone, emails, normal routinely chores etc. I have a few close friends that I know for a fact would like to see me or at least hear from me more. In this respect I fail. I will work on this. It’s just that my priorities right now are a bit skewed.

2. Doing the things I need to do for myself.

I absolutely lack the willpower to do the things I need to do for myself. It’s much easier to spend time doing what I shouldn’t be doing than even taking 5 minutes to do what I NEED to do. Most people won’t understand this I don’t think. Or if they do it’s “well yea on occasion I slack off too”. It’s not like that for me. It’s a matter of daily slacking off. There are things I NEED to do in my life. Things that can only help/benefit me in so many ways and I just can’t get the willpower to do them. I have no idea why. (Honestly, I don’t)

Off the top of my head (and condensed so I don’t bore you all) those are two of my failings. I continue to try to do what I need to do. I wont give up, I just get a bit disheartened when I try and fail… again. Some would argue that I’m not ready for whatever it is I need to do… that I haven’t hit that point where it becomes a part of my daily routine for whatever reason. I would agree with them, but I know that also, sometimes I need to be more disciplined. This has nothing to do with my marriage per se, but in a sense… I was disciplined. I did the responsible thing for 10+ years (as far as job and taking care of what I was supposed to do). Now I feel like maybe the kid in me has taken over and said “NO, I don’t WANNA do that, so I wont”. Well I have to re-grow up again sometime I’m sure.

My point in this today is that I’m not sad today for my failings. Today while I recognize them and hope to continue to change for myself so I feel less anxiety and guilt over perceived hurt, I won’t allow this to bring me down to where I can’t recognize the need to keep going and trying. Each day is a journey in self awareness for me. Sometimes just being aware is half the battle.

Thank you for being here to witness this with me. Here’s to hoping failings today (and tomorrow) can turn to accomplishments and satisfaction.

Have a wonderful day everyone!
XO

*****
DAILY INSPIRATION

May You be Blessed today. (Please watch )

*****
WELL WISHES

May you be able to look at the things in your life today and realize that maybe something else needed to be done to correct it, and have the strength to go back and fix it. Knowing where we fail and why and learning is part of the experience of who we are (I believe). If you have no failures today or ones that you wish to reflect on, may you be able to support those that have and help nurture them to accomplishments.

Additionally, no matter where you are or what you’re doing, when you’re reading this know that the very second your eyes hit this section, that I am sending you a digital hug. Just because…

*****
AND REMEMBER:

Change in all things is sweet.
~Aristotle

I'm baaaaaaack

Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit.
Kahlil Gibran, (1883 - 1931) "The Vision"

*****
I have a place that I go. It's called My Sanctuary. Bear with me because I've never fully explained it. It's an ever changing landscape that suits my tastes at the time I need it. On Wednesday while I was overcome with boredom at work, as I watched the owner of a partner company throw a paperplane through the air... that same paper plane made it into the forest of my sanctuary as I moved my thoughts back there.

The sanctuary at that time was a beautiful field of green with a river in the center. The breeze was delightfully cool against my skin and I sat there contented and at peace with evrything. In the distance the house that I sometimes find myself in waited for me, the twinkling lights of the windows beckoning. And almost, ALMOST I was inspired to write again.

In my sanctuary anything is possible and almost always probable. I've had this place for so long that just the mere mention of it elicits a scent of fresh green grass, wild jasmine, and fresh clean air. Someday, when I do not have a headache the size of Texas and when my muse returns to me whispering the things I should write about, I will write something of it. For now, snippets is all I can offer... Imagination is a wonderful tool and it requires exercise just like any other thing.

Today I'll be in my sanctuary a lot. When my headaches continues to pound at my head incessantly causing me discomfort, I will retreat to the garden in my sanctuary. A place of exotic flowers in all shades, no bees, and plenty of lemonade. If it gets really bad I may walk through the deep green forest and head for the shoreline where the sand is a marvelous creamy color and the water is sapphire blue. I might take a sleep in the sun where I wont be burned if I'm out for more than 5 minutes and I might even get to hear the sounds of life as it happens around me if I listen.

I think that's definitely where I'll be today ;)

*****
On a side note, thank you for all the well wishes (and emails) asking how I've been. I'm better, just have a nasty headache today. I slept decently last night which can only help things so today I am on the right track. It helps too that today is Friday and a payday (though I have no money to do anything fun lol at least until the bills clear I'll HAVE money in the bank).

Have a wonderful day everyone, may you find your sanctuary or if you know of it already, may you find it to be what you need today :)

XO

*****
DAILY INSPIRATION
Weave Kindness Into Your Life With Intention
Adapted from The Force of Kindness, by Sharon Salzberg (Sounds True, 2005).

Simple Solution

As we wish love, peace, and happiness for ourselves and for others, we learn to include all beings and all aspects of life, including ourselves, in our hearts. It is easy to believe that we are not capable of this, but as we untangle our condition, we see the immensity and abundance within us, ready for awakening.

Here are seven ways to weave kindness into your life through intentions:
1. Start paying attention to the intentions underlying your actions. They may appear as clear thoughts in your mind, or more as urges, expectations, or yearnings.

2. Remember that you cannot control which intentions and urges will arise in your mind. Our responsibility is in whether we act them out or not.

3. When you have made a mistake or acted unskillfully, remember the importance of forging yourself so that you can gather your resolve and fully begin again.

4. If you have a strong generous intention come up in your mind--one that is also reasonable--then commit to following through with it. Even if the generous intention is at first replaced by fear, keep paying attention to your thoughts and feelings during and after the actual giving.

5. Commit for a period of time to practice greater restraint in speech. You might consider a resolve to not speak ill of someone or to not speak about a third party. If you have something to say about someone, try to say it directly to him or her instead.

6. Reflect as to whether there is an overriding dedication in your life. If so, is it manifesting in the smaller, discrete intentions impelling your actions? Resolve to bring more mindfulness to the connection between your larger goals and aspirations and your day-to-day choices.

7. Practice mindfulness meditation.

*****
WELL WISHES & BLESSINGS

Today, I wish for an active imagination for all of you. I hope that life blesses you with the ability to see with a child's eyes while your adult life has a grip on you. May it bring you a smile or a laugh or just plain peace. Have a BEAUTIFUL day.

*****
AND REMEMBER:

Dont's ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

~Howard Thurman

just a short word

Sorry I haven't been posting the past few days. i've been ill. I will get better and the posts will resume and i'm glad my blog is back to normal too. Thank you Blog Dog and Jules for watching out for me :)

I have to apologize upfront to you all. I had to turn on word verification as I got spammed with about 15 comments by an anonymous person today on various posts of mine that had links to other areas. I hate having to use word verification but people can't just be adult enough to get their business the legitimate way and resort to spamming. it's ludicrous.

So please in advance accept my apology.

Keep the prayers coming I should return soon. Thanks everyone
xo

Love, Light & Peace to you all... (A trip down memory lane)

How my thoughts stray to you
In treasured moments of the heart
It seems with every beat
A vision of love appears
Each face so sweetly graces my heart
Each memory my breathe, my life
Catching me unaware
Nurturing a quiet smile…I remember
To think it started
With three little words
Love, Light, Peace
Now translated into
I Love You
Sleep descends upon my slowly like the lovers embrace holds me
Warm thoughts of love infuse my dreams with sun
And with quiet strength I pass my love onto you…

Goodnight my friends may your tomorrow shine brightly with promise in your day like your presence in my life shines brightly on my heart...

~Muse
©SKW 1-16-2004

*****
A long time ago in a land far far away :P  (haha)  Seriously though, people who’ve known me since I first entered the online world remember these nightly messages.  In yahoo instant messenger I would send to a list of over 200 people, goodnight messages.  Each night was a newly composed poem.  They may not have been the best, but they were from my heart fresh every night.  It was my way of saying to my friends en masse, how much they mattered to me.  So much so that like the nightly prayers a child does, I waxed poetic nightly just as fervently as those prayers hoping that my words and intentions would bring people some peace.

So what happened?

Well someone hurt my feelings…  They called my messages spam.  They wanted personalized attention and I suppose I can’t fault them for that.  But these messages were never spam.  And having them called that hurt my feelings enough that they just… stopped.

These messages to me represent some of my finest poetry.  They will be included in the poetry book I’m doing (currently) that will include some of the works of friends of mine as well.  I posted about this on the Utopia Skye forums, but I open it to you my blog readers as well.  If you have a poem, light, dark, happy or sad… or a song, or a haiku or some form of expression you want published that you can call your own, get in touch with me.  I’ll happily put your words out there in a book with YOUR copyright presented in a fashion that your friends and family can enjoy or that simply YOU can enjoy.   I’ll even front the cost of doing this.  Why?  Because I can, and because I think people will enjoy it.  That’s why I do anything…

I never mind sharing happiness, or adding people to my dreams and including their works too.  Either way, this poetry book will be re-published.  I just think it would be better served by having a bigger variety of styles.  

*****

Well I’ll keep adding things to Digital Soup Online; the Blog.  But I’m beginning to lose faith in the endeavor.  The internet world is fickle I know… so I will keep it, but we’ll see how it is re-shaped.  

*****

When I first started in the online world, I was playing a game called The Sims Online.  I played the game for a while never going to forums (hell I didn’t even know what forums were!) or interacting with writing.  At this point in my life I didn’t even open up to my writing.  I had turned that off a long time ago.

Then someone directed me to the forums for the game and a section called SIMply fans.  Aside from all the negative bickering on the boards about content and all sorts of other game related things, this section was a beacon of light to me.  Here people were happy.  They posted stories, jokes, shared hugs and even role played (though I had no idea that’s what it was).  I had NO IDEA the game could be enhance by this…

When I began posting every single post was closed with the phrase: Love, light and peace to you all.  That is how people began to notice me.  Soon when I became a frequent poster, I started a thread called the Love, Light and Poetry thread.  And in there people contributed their poetry in an amazing outpouring of creativity.  There were some good ones, some bad ones, and some FANTASTIC ones.  To this day I still get people that know me only by the name Selene (my first game name) and/or by the fact of the “LLP” thread.  

I believe you have to have light in you to give it.  I believe it has to be natural light, not manufactured but I also believe that sometimes it lies dormant or hidden.  Mine was hidden for a LONG time.  This story is in effect, the story of the birth of MY muse.  Through a world of anonymity, digital indifference, and infinite casualty somehow I opened up and my soul was set free.  It is a tradition I try to adhere to everyday.  

I love being open for people.  It hurts sometimes, but I love it.  Thank you to all those I met early on who unknowingly opened me up.  To those who grew with me and those who join me now in sharing (in game, here or in email).  

I am grateful for all of it today…

*****

WELL WISHES and BLESSINGS

Today’s blessing is an Old Irish one.  For EVERYONE I know, those I don’t and those I will soon know.  This is for you:

May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!

*****

AND REMEMBER:
Rhythm is the soul of life.The whole universe revolves in rhythm.Everything and every human action revolves in rhythm.
master of drums - babatunde olatunji - 1927-2003

Beauty & The Blog Dog have coffee at the Cornerstone Cafe

The ladybug of luck searches. Perhaps here she will find a butterfly, or a gentle breeze, or perhaps someone's soft hand. She has luck to give... Maybe she'll give it to you today ;)

A rose by any other name ....

"Where Angels Rest": Come sit with me, in the sun. Let me whisper to you of the things you wish to know. Sit and watch life happen; Breathe deeply and be filled with joy...

******

I was going through some files I had on my laptop from my old computer... and came across some pics. These are ones I'm particularly proud of (you have to rememer, I have NO ability to take photographs at all.. But these are lovely. I dedicate these visions of beauty to those that inspire us, friends, family, etc. But especially also to Blog Dog who has shared his pictures with total strangers and has inspired people as well :)

Have a great evening everyone, may the sweet darkness of slumber fall around you like soft stars. May dreams be peaceful breezes of the best places you'd ever want to be, and may you wake refreshed and ready for the day.

xo

(On a side note, the image entitled angels rest I'm particularly proud of as the angel sitting peacefully in the image is part of a display of statues, and was cropped out and lovingly placed in that scenic place. It was an image I used in my business Natural Body and Spirit to show that angels were all around us in peaceful moments... all we had to do was look :)

*****

May we open to a deeper understanding and genuine love and caring for the multitude of faces, who are none other than ourself.--Wendy Egyoku Nakao