Ravaged by the dark night of the soul of our country, losing grasp of our tightly held capitalist ideals, unsure in our footing of how to proceed without losing everything we have come to know as our truth, our path, our way of existence, it can be positively unfathomable to some how this could have ever happened. To some it is unfathomable to think that it never would.

We are without doubt on the down side of this particular cycle, not many would argue that. There will be much more pain experienced by many world wide on a variety of levels and some of us won’t be able to see it through. We are being forced to wait out the wake of this global transformation. We will be thoroughly cleansed, held accountable and will change our course of action both individually and as a global unit, or we will wither and die as a civilization. Don’t think this is a mere economic issue, this ripple is the largest and most powerful to date in all of human existence.

But it’s just what we needed – a gift of a global wake up call. There have been certain voices that have been heralding warnings to us all for some time now, but they haven’t been heeded. What we are experiencing is the universe in a state of self-correction on course to reclaim balance – and it will with or without us.

Let us not get sucked in to the media vacuum and frenzy though as that won’t serve us or our cause. It’s too easy to buy into the bombardment of doom and gloom commentary, (yes, I am aware things aren’t looking great right now, I am not an ostrich) but what we really need is clear heads when working it all through, try and reach some level of detachment, so we can focus. Lets start being accountable for our own part of the plight though, and personally develop our own plans of how we can improve the situation. This is not to be left solely in the hands of our leaders. It is much much bigger then that and needs everyone’s participation. If you can’t lend a hand on a physical level to assist one of the many situations that need addressing, consider praying. You don’t have to be religious to pray. If you prefer, call it visualizing. Visualize the changes necessary to achieve balance. Don’t focus on the negative, focus on seeing a positive change. In the most precious words of Mahatma Gandhi “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Reevaluate your present values, make immediate changes where necessary. And they can be immediate, just express it out loud to the world whatever it is, and keep saying it ’til it sticks.

Don’t turn a blind eye. (This is reminder to myself here just as much as to anyone else – it is easy to point fingers under such circumstances, but we all need to hold ourselves responsible for our own parts of the imbalance, not to mention for our own future.) We are not a perfect species, but as my sister reminds me often, “It’s progress, not perfection.” We just need to begin and take positive action somewhere.

Yes, I think this was a very generous gift, this upheaval. Got all of our attention didn’t it? Tsunamis, Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Fires and we still neglected to see. (Okay, hit ‘em in the pocket book – gee that might actually work… ) We have the chance to turn it ALL around though. What an opportunity! We can make it even better than before. We can rise to this challenge and look forward to brighter days ahead. We just each need to step up and get involved. We will see the light again. We must have hope and positive expectations.

Surrounded by a cacophony of hammering, drilling, stapling, the constant moving of ladders, whistling, and some of the most exuberant singing I have had the pleasure of enjoying in a long time – although it is all for good, it is still somewhat distracting. Tuning inward and focusing completely is a bit difficult lately and normally might present impossible circumstances under which one would never even consider trying to write. (Have I mentioned besides blogging I am presently working on a book?) Fortunately, some years back I had the pleasure of learning the wonderfully useful technique of what some might refer to as automatic writing. It guides me to answers in the most efficient way and lately I have called upon it daily.

Anyone can benefit and successfully utilize this tool. Just grab a piece of paper and pen, or lay your hands down on a keyboard over a blank Word page and Just sit for a moment. Quiet your thoughts, and formulate a question(s). Ask the universe, your guides, your higher self, your subconscious (wherever your beliefs lie), in your most polite way to give you some assistance with only your greater good in mind, and the words will start to flow through your hands and fingertips just like that. Okay, so It may take some time to get used to this process. You might just need to give the situation a nudge, and then before you know it the words will just pour out. It may feel a little strange at first (where are these words coming from anyway?) Just trust and let it move through you.

When you have received the entire message, sit back and read it. Does it make sense? Does it sound like the way you speak, or is it in language you don’t normally use? Do you remember hearing the words and typing them, or were they all a big surprise when you went back to read them over? Sometimes you just might receive single words that don’t seem to be linked together. Sometimes the messages are more symbolic in nature, and you will need to really explore them to see how they relate to you, and you may not realize any connections initially (Just Wait!). You may say the answers are all just your imagination- and if that is the case, well fabulous, you were able to access your subconscious mind and use your amazing gift of creativity. BRAVO! Some feel that the results from this practice are messages of counsel from another dimension, your spirit guides have your back so listen. Still others think this practice reaps messages from beings from another planet (anything is a possibility.) Where ever it hails from, for me, the words have always been very precise without embellishment and completely pertainable to the matters at hand. It is always inspiring and helps get me centered, and when I can’t think of anything to write about, or if I can’t decide which direction I need to move in, I am most faithfully given my answers. Give it a go and see where it takes you. (And don’t forget to say “Thank You!”)

So as I sit here this morning writing, there is a crew of painters power washing our house directly outside my window in preparation for some much needed new color. I can’t help but think as they traverse effortlessly on the ladder, carrying a hose that contains more than adequate potential force to easily propel them from here to kingdom come if they aren’t in complete balance – how come they aren’t afraid? I would be petrified. I guess it becomes second nature. Maybe being high off the ground on flimsy ladders was never an issue for them. Maybe this gift of perching poisefully was born out of necessity. Maybe it is where they feel most comfortable. Maybe they used to be a little apprehensive but soon got used to maneuvering gracefully through space on such seemingly unsubstantial supports. It’s mind boggling to me and certainly not a fear that I have any desire to conquer at this point in time. I have enough other “stuff” to work through with regard to fear. I have been making some head way though over the past few years – actually the last 10 years have been quite liberating. I am embarking on several new adventures though and so some old frets and some perfectly new anxieties are lurking around and within me and my guides are telling me I need to nip ‘em in the bud now before they get too out of control. Okay, so how do you propose I tackle this task I ask? These were the answers I received:

“Remember what your friend Kristen used to say…” One of the things I have fallen back on for years whenever I have been in fearful (but non life threatening) situations is to ask myself “What is the worse possible scenario?” My friend Kris told me this for the first time when we were in high school and I cannot tell you how many times I have asked myself that question, and I can’t think of a time where the worse possible scenario that my imagination could conjure up ever even remotely came in to being. That question takes a lot of the charge out of the situation right there.

The next tool they spoke of was: Break it down into its simplest form like a math problem. For example: lets say you are going to be traveling abroad alone for the first time. I remember that day – I was going to see my friend Gáelle in Paris and although I was extremely excited about spending time with her and exploring her fair city, I was rather intimidated by the whole process and my stomach was doing somersaults for days beforehand. So by breaking the entire trip down into small easy to digest pieces I had a much easier time. I first thought about the ease I would have getting to the airport. My family dropped me off, so I didn’t have to find an alternate ride. Good, so I am at the airport, now I have to find which line to go in. Since I can read English fluently that didn’t present a problem. I found where I needed to go from the attendant at the Air France check in place. I made sure I didn’t have any liquids at all on me, as the airport security had changed since the last time I had traveled so I was prepared and didn’t have to hold up the line while they went through my plastic Ziploc baggie. BE PREPARED. That alone squelched some potential anxiety. Now my French is purely politeness and greetings – I have forgotten the rest of what I learned so many moons ago in school, so I was feeling like the inept American entering the Air France plane, but the attendants could not have been nicer and more helpful. Nothing to worry about there. The rest of the flight was thankfully a non event and I met up with my friend and we had an absolute blast for the first couple days I was there. Then Tuesday came and she had to go back to work, and it was planned that I would venture out and enjoy Musée d’Orsay on my own. Boy it took me a long time to muster up enough nerve to even leave her apartment. Then the walk to the museum was about 5 miles. Talk about reeling…ahhhh….adventure has never been my middle name. But I FORCED MYSELF (another great way to conquer fears -JUST DO IT!!) Then after the museum I was to meet Gáelle at her place of work. She told me where to pick up Le Métro and where to get off but I didn’t write it down for some reason – thought I would remember, made a wrong turn in the middle of the vast underground maze and ended up taking a train going in the opposite direction from my desired destination. Got off the train and thought my heart would burst out of my chest and splatter all over the dirty concrete in front of me, but it didn’t thankfully. I remembered TO BREATHE which ceased my panic and then really looked hard at the map in the station. I figured it out and found the right route! I was so proud of myself. Especially since not only had I not written down the correct metro line, but I didn’t have an address for her work (we had just walked the entire route from the museum to her work the day before so I thought I would remember) or her house, didn’t have her phone number (although she had given me a cell phone, but that was in the days when I was completely clueless about cell phones and I barely new how to turn it on.) So if I hadn’t stayed relatively calm and if my memory hadn’t kicked in (and if my guides hadn’t been watching over me), I could be still trying to find my way through Paris, because this is one part of the trip I hadn’t been really prepared for. Probably seems like a simple thing to a lot of people – no big deal right. It was a huge thing for me – way out of my element. Found the right stop got off and then – gee which way am I supposed to turn. Happened on a traffic cop and asked in my pitiful French and he proceeded very courteously to give me precise directions (she happened to work in a very prominent building so an exact address was not necessary) in English on where I needed to go. Perfect. I don’t think there are many days in my life time that were as empowering as that one. I was the little engine that could – yayyy me!

Anyway so taking it to simplest terms is helpful. I just finished a new book by Sonia Choquette named The Answer is Simple…Love Yourself, Live Your Spirit! I have loved all of Sonia’s books and there were quite a few pearls in this one as well. She talks about instantly changing your vibration by voicing aloud your fears, speaking out every one as if taking out the trash, and you will begin to start to feel a shift in your reality. This makes sense to me.

You also want to make sure that their is some kind of reward at the end. What’s the upside? Just dispelling the fear is certainly more than enough of an upside for most of us since then you can move ahead and achieve your targeted goals. Think about all the long term ramifications of the situation though, and see how much easier you will be able to move through your life just by taking the time to address these issues.

Need something more concrete to work with? Make another list (Gotta love the list!) This time make a list of the present fears that are keeping you from achieving your ambitions then write down every auxiliary fear branching out from that and then the worst possible scenarios associated with each. ‘What will happen if I do this, say that, etc.’ Reread what you just wrote and try and look at it from another vantage point. Ask yourself if these fears are founded or not. Most likely not. In other words is there a rational basis for these fears. Cross off the ones which have no real basis. Now go back to the one’s that are feasible. Hopefully there aren’t many. Break them down to simple form by asking the question out loud “Is this particular fear really likely to end up with this result if I try and push past it to achieve my goal? Listen for an answer from within. The saying out loud part again really helps to disperse the fear into the universe so again, it takes the charge away, this is a very important step. When you have deactivated each one, test it. For example, if your fear is public speaking, you have written down all the fears that branch out from that. You have spoken them out loud in to the universe and then you have crossed off the ones that don’t really pertain, then you can attempt your goal. Do it in a small way if need be at first. Ask for assistance from your higher self so if you get stuck your higher self can take the reigns for you. Kind of like being on auto pilot for awhile until you are able to be present again. You will find things coming out of your mouth so fluidly. Just don’t think too much, have faith that what you are trying to convey is present in you body and you just need to access it and it will be on your tongue and out your mouth. Okay, so if it is fear of spiders or snakes or something, what could you do to dispel that kind of thing? Well go to a pet shop and seek out the hairiest tarantula you can find or the largest snake you can find and concentrate on all its intricacies – how it moves, what the texture of its skin or exo-skelton, or fur is like. Try and recognize the cuteness factor, of all things. That helps greatly in casting away fears, then take time to really appreciate all the engineering it took to create such an exquisite specimen. Find out more about the animal, what its lifestyle is like. All creatures are desirable and fulfill their purpose in this world – no one is more or less important. We need to remember to see the beauty in all. That is it. Appreciate the gifts each creature exhibits and then you will be less fearful. A certain amount of fear is not a bad thing, however. It keeps us safe from things as it causes hyper vigilance. When it comes to something like wild animals for example a little fear and cautiousness is a good thing I think anyone would agree. And let’s not forget to respect and give room as well.

Every once in awhile we find ourselves amidst a stronghold of some sort which we have consciously or unconsciously constructed in attempt to satisfy that wonderful illusion of security – be it a job, a relationship, or an environment, but as time wears on we might begin to feel a bit claustrophobic from the perceived security we have created and find that it is time to break free. A daunting proposal for many of us (ahhh, what am I supposed to do now???) but on the flip side completely liberating. The chance to start anew. As we know, change is one of the only constants in life so embrace it, stand firm and explore your options (and they are numerous), and just revel for awhile in the idea of change.

Begin the process by focusing on the metamorphisis you want to experience in your life. Refrain from concentrating on what you think is wrong with your immediate situation, and take back those statements you made to yourself about how what you really want is unattainable. Those self-limiting dalliances serve no one and are simply untrue. Start by making a list of all the things that make you happy. Go back in your personal archives and pick out those activities over the years that really moved you in a positive way. After you make a quick list (no need for intellectualizing initially), go back and elaborate. If you don’t feel like writing out the details, just daydream (although journaling is a very helpful tool to help you find out exactly what you do want and what you don’t). Visualize each one of those entries on your list, and feel how they made you feel the last time you experienced them. You have a very powerful imagination, you can remember the feeling. Now bring yourself to present time you – see yourself in your minds eye how you appear at this very moment and picture yourself engaging in each of the activities on your list. How do those things feel in your present body? Do they still amuse you? Make a note of it.

Now make another list of things you have always wanted to try but never have. Go anywhere with this one – no holds barred. Whatever wonderous thing you have entertained even for a nano-second, jot it down quickly. Then as above, spend a little more time reflecting on each of the possibilities. Don’t know much about #4, Google it or research it in some other way. Talk to people who presently engage in the activities in question – people love to talk about what they love, give them that pleasure.

Now, break your life up into categories – we really want to narrow our focus now and get as specific as possible. Do you wish to see a change in every aspect of your life, or just say in your career, or where you live, or who your friends are, or what you do in your free time? Make an outline: Love Life, Professional Life, Home Environment, Neighborhood, Friends, Down Time Activities, Finances, Volunteer Opportunities, Health and Well Being, Pets, and the list can go on. Now underneath each heading, make more lists and be as precise as possible. Once you get your lists going, they will evolve with time and you will start to see with crystal clear vision the life you have been wishing for, and you will notice in all the little and not so little ways, how you are actually building that reality. With concentration on the lucid visions you have maintained, you will see your life altering before your very eyes.

Set some time frames for yourself – short term, nothing too long down the road – (why should you have to wait long to achieve many of the things on your lists – who makes those ridiculous unwritten rules anyway?) You can reinforce the realization of these goals by writing up or drawing brief affirmations or symbols that you can post in strategic areas demonstrating the changes you are presently making. Like today for example, I can place a sticky note on my dashboard stating “I will say only kind things to myself and everyone around me.” Or I can draw a heart or a peace sign or some other symbol to nudge my memory about what I am working and playing towards, or paste a magazine photo of the new back yard sanctuary I want to create up on the fridge. Collage making is a fabulous tool to more clearly reinforce how you want to live your life with all the intricate details, and it is a fun process as well. The more distinctly you portray your desires the more easily they will be to manifest. You might also want to surround yourself or at least introduce yourself to people whose lives inspire you and learn by example. Join clubs in your community to meet the kinds of people you want to grow to be. Just a couple of ideas to help organize the process. Lists make things manageable, journaling tracks your course, drawing and collaging helps cement the precise picture, and before you know it you’ve recreated the life you want to live. Enjoy your adventure!

A client I just had the pleasure of meeting again today seems to completely embody this concept. I only see her maybe once every six months – she has grown quite fond of one of my oil blends, purchases a few bottles at a time and then I don’t hear from her for awhile. Every time she approaches our rendez-vous spot a reocurrent thought pops into my head and I am compelled to say “Wow you look beautiful!” She just exudes joy, absolutely glows, and is obviously living in perfect attunement with her hearts desires. She radiates pure light that permeates the entire area surrounding her. It is really quite amazing to see. She loves to travel and pairs that with her love for jazz, and she and her husband tour all over the world together exploring new areas and listening to fabulous music – she says they’re off to Hawaii in a couple weeks. Now I don’t really know her besides these brief interludes, the usual friendly, courteous business exchange, but her presence is unmistakably powerful as is usually the case when someone is living with an open heart and being true to their souls desires. She has found the perfect recipe that makes her spirit soar and that cannot help but leave an impression on everyone around her. Ever feel like you don’t have the power to change what is not right with the world? Adjust your outlook. Alter your disposition. Listen to your heart and souls desire, align your spirit with what is true for you. Don’t question it if you feel it in your gut, in your heart. Have faith and don’t worry. Act from a place of integrity. Be a beam of light in your immediate world, and one by one, the bigger world will be embraced by light even in the darkness. Remember the ripple.

Let’s all do this today.
Honor your spirit in all its magnificence. Take a good look at yourself in the mirror. Work your way past the self-judgement (and for some the relentless condemnation), and recognize that you are a supreme being on this earth and no matter where you have been or where you are going, you must take the time out to celebrate this moment in all your glory. Sing your own accolades, herald your own existence, appreciate your gifts and share them. There is no need for self-limiting beliefs, there is no need for fear. Have faith that you are unconditionally loved and cherished as an integral part of the intricate network of the very first world wide web, and devote some time to revel completely in the experience of being you. Sometimes we get starved for love, for attention, for understanding, for support, for companionship, all we really need to do is quiet ourselves and look within. There are universes within universes within all of us and all we need to do is open ourselves up to the possibilities whatever they are -some of which we could never even imagine. Open our hearts to the love that is within and all around and spread that love where ever we go. It is a chain reaction and completely palpable when set in motion.

Start with the physicality of it all. Champion your own Divine unique design and remember: “Shhh, your body can hear you – speak to it only in sonnets and sing to it only the sweetest of love songs…”
Express outward gratitude for the feet that hold you up and let you move throughout your day, remember all of the magical places they have taken you. And the legs that help lengthen the stride of your feet, and support your upper body. And your backside for giving you a soft cushion to sit upon. Enjoy the strength and structure of your back and your spine for keeping you erect and allowing you to twist and bend. Give thanks for your neck that enables you to see in many different directions while standing with the rest of your body in perfect alignment. And for your head that holds a mouth that can speak and sing and eat and drink, and BREATHE, a nose that can also breathe and smell heavenly and not so heavenly things. Eyes that can express love and all other emotions, and give you sight of the brilliance surrounding you. Ears to hear the blissful melodies of the everyday workings of the world, or beautiful voices and music. Shoulders that convey courage and fortitude. Arms and hands for expression and exemplifying grace, and for giving and receiving, and holding. Embrace all of the vessels and nerves and the skin that keeps us all together and acts as a protective shield. Now move into the skin and through all the vessels and viscera and make your way to the mind, and be grateful for all its never ending diligence throughout all of your days and nights, and invite it to take a rest once in awhile. Now address your soul, and ask what it wants, how it can best be served, listen for answers and give thanks for all of the lessons. Emerge from this revelry renewed with exalted appreciation and awareness that you have the power to create anything your soul desires, and that is exactly why you are here.

Around every corner and some of the straight aways in between, if you come to expect to be enchanted you most thoroughly will. “Perception is Reality” as was so emblazoned on the door to my kids’ sixth grade class last year, and truer words were never spoken. Opening oneself up to the pure delightment that can await behind every bend is just such a fun way to go through the day. Yesterday as I was having a morning coffee I looked out on the street and suddenly to my utter amazement and amusement came along this perfectly pink little butterfly strolling down the sidewalk. With pink fairy like wings, a pink leotard, tutu and slippers, pink cheeks peeking out from a shock of white blonde bangs with pig tails and the most adorable pink antennae you ever saw – to cute for words….Then a little later in the day, pulling up to a parking space at the bank there was this enormous tree out front, a kind I had never seen before, with clusters of radiant orange puffballs coming off the branches – completely exploding with these blooms, that it seemed to make the entire surrounding sky iridescent and surreal – stunning…

I used to be a bit prone to road rage – well maybe that statement’s a little extreme – let’s say instead, I used to get extremely frustrated on a regular basis with my fellow travelers out there, and would have no problem voicing within the confines of my own vehicle my distaste for there driving ability, or the appearance of an entire lack there of. I finally figured out that participating in this particular activity was not only detrimental to my blood pressure, but also a real drag to be around if you happened to be a passenger when I decided to let it all loose. I made a choice that it was high time I change my tactics, and I forced myself to start smiling and waving at people instead when I got those urges to vent – and after a short time – what a relief is all I can say- this just made all the difference in the world to me when I was driving, and now I find it fun to play games and see how many people will react happily back, and you know, most of them do, and then the whole experience of moving from here to there throughout the day, just becomes a huge pleasureful operation.

So those are just a couple of examples, but then I thought, well why just limit it to the street, why not expect to be completely charmed and colossally captivated all the time?

Okay, so maybe not always in a big, dramatically, public way – that could be somewhat annoying to those around you, but an inside job – completely doable. It’s kind of like expecting the best out of people for example. When you have that expectancy, in all likelihood that is what you will receive – I think 9 times out of 10 (not documented but an educated assumption) they will be overwhelmed to give you their absolute best at that very point in time, plus as mentioned previously, it is ALL your own perception.

A slight diversion…I have left you for awhile, and now am in the middle of watching the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. TALK ABOUT ENCHANTMENT! WOWWWW!!!

I have always enjoyed watching both summer and winter Olympics and especially adore the opening ceremonies because you get to see all of the beautiful people with all of their gorgeous faces from a great representation of the many beautiful countries in the world in all of their fabulous costumes – I know there is always more than meets the eye on this evening, political and otherwise, but the expressions on the many faces of the atheletes, whether they exhibit austere stoicism, jet lag and exhaustion, anxiousness, reserved national pride, humility, extreme joy and amazement, extreme fear, lightheartedness and a sense of global unity, or if it is completely unreadable… it is such a moving vision, the most extreme palpable example (even if it is an illusion – and isn’t it all anyway?) of global solidarity – you can’t help but be enchanted, and in awe, and it brings to me anyway a great feeling of hope for us all. I like this night. I Love THIS NIGHT!!! You enjoy it too – wherever you are…

Many people find it difficult to meditate, the word alone can conjure up quite an unsurmountable attainment to many of us, that we don’t even have the desire to try. Many people are also under the assumption that you have to rigidly subscribe to some specific dogma in able to be a participant in such a practice, of course this simply isn’t so. It is a practice that is procurable to all of us, no matter what your belief system or firm lack there of. The benefits of meditation on a daily basis are incontrovertible. We don’t need studies to tell us this, the proof is in the pudding so to speak. Just try it for a week and feel the difference it makes in your world, then keep going day by day. Stand back and be utterly amazed. You will realize a calm within and all around you that you have never known before because you will be embraced by the beautiful process of deepening your connection to your higher self. You will be able to quiet your mind so you can hear inner guidance with crystal clarity. Your interactions with those around you will become infinitely more clear and balanced. Problem solving will become easier. If you find more traditional forms of meditation difficult in the beginning (you don’t do Yoga, don’t like chanting…), try this simple one below to begin with. Anyone can meditate it all starts with just one breath. And if this one doesn’t work for you, read on and try some of the other suggestions below to get to that same place.

Find a quiet space where you will have some time alone for awhile without interruption. Sit in a comfortable position – half lotus, full lotus, or crossed legs preferably on the ground if possible. You may use a cushion placed underneath your tailbone so your back stays straight effortlessly. With hands loosely opened up to the sky resting on your knees, and eyes held gently closed, breath in filling up your abdomen with air and move it steadily up towards your diaphragm through your throat to your nose on the count of 4, and then breathe out slowly from your mouth, down your throat, through your diaphragm, and slightly squeezing the entire breath out at your lower abdomen. Begin again, and keep counting slowly 1, 2, 3, 4 in, 1, 2, 3, 4, out. If your mind starts to wander, no worries, just begin counting again and pay attention to the rhythm of your breath. If it helps you can recite a particular mantra – lately I have been using: Breath in pure white light, breath out shiny rainbow colors, and I visualize that exact thing as I say it in my head.

Start for 5 minutes the first day and build on to that each consecutive day. Twenty minutes to a half hour a day is a nice, doable practice for most of us, and of course feel free during times of stress or befuddlement to find additional moments or chunks of time throughout your day to bring yourself back in balance. Once you get used to quieting yourself, you can do this anywhere. It is nice however, to have a place that you go specifically for meditation. This can be an area of sanctuary within your house or yard. It can be in a place of traditional religious worship. It can be in a garden, or in the woods, a favorite mountain top or rock…the list goes on – wherever you are moved to be still.

If the above meditation is not working for you, try one or a few ideas from the lists below by putting yourself in the moment completely. Breathing is key though, and whenever you feel your mind getting chatty on you, set it free by remembering your breath.

Earth Elements

• Find a patch of grass to sit on and listen to the sounds around you, let them move in and out of your awareness, not grasping on to any one in particular.
• Rest against a tree trunk and sit on top of its roots, contemplate your own roots and feel them growing deeper and deeper into the earth, so you’re body is anchored sufficiently for your soul to be able to soar.
• Hike in the woods and engage your senses in the scent of the dirt and the dampness of the wood, the fragrance of wild flowers, the sound of trees rustling in the wind and animals scurrying through the leaves, hear insects buzzing by you, feel a gentle breeze moving through your hair, the warmth of the sun through the trees on the bridge of your nose and cheeks, crunching sounds underneath your feet – Engage all of your senses..
• Climb a mountain, and by the time you reach the peak, you will feel at one with everything within your field of vision – again, breath it all in, and out….

Water Elements

• Sit on the bank of a babbling brook and listen.

• Enjoy the rushing sound of a waterfall, or sit under a waterfall (we used to do this at Kent Falls in CT. – maybe more exhilarating then meditative, but definitely keeps you present in your body!

• Sit at the edge of the ocean and listen to the waves (just make sure you know when the tide is due to come in or you might receive more of a rush than you anticipated!) Breath in and out with the tide.

• Take a bath, and with eyes closed, focus on the point at the center of your forehead, and again – What? – Breathe!!!

• Set up a fountain somewhere in your house or in your yard as part of an altar if you like.

• Tread along the shoreline, ankle deep in water and enjoy a walking meditation, feeling the waves lapping up against your feet and ankles – the sand racing from under your steps.

Fire Elements

(Of course it should go without saying, take care especially with any of the ideas below)

• Focus on the flame of a candle

• Stare at the flames in your fire place

• Have a campfire

AND BREATHE…

Air Elements

• Fly a kite and watch it soar – soar with it.

• Go outside in your bathing suit, or better yet nude if there is an area where that is acceptable, and really feel the breeze on your skin, not to mention the suns rays (Remember sunscreen!).

• Make a plan to go up in a hot air balloon.

• Sky dive, wind surf, hang glide (if your the more adventurous type!)

• Go to a bird sanctuary, or simply outside, and focus on the grace with which birds move through space.

• Watch trees as their branches and leaves dance in the wind.

• Go to a sculpture garden and set your attention on a mobile.

• Go to the beach and feel the wind off the ocean blow back your hair and blow all of the cobwebs from your brain.

Fully Engage Your Senses

• Just listen to the world outside of your doorway, or open your window and hear and feel the sounds
• Sit on the subway and listen to the mechanics of the train
• Listen to beautiful music, anything that stirs your soul or moves your heart – isolate each instrument and note the contribution it makes to the whole – be part of the symphony.
• Play an instrument – no instrument? – use what’s around you – remember STOMP?
• Play a guided meditation or enjoy a creative visualization exercise through a cd.
• Listen to chants or chant yourself.
• Sing without words or hum – feel the vibrations of the different notes and frequencies and how it effects different parts of your body.
• Dance
• Run
• Jump
• Skip
• Walk
• Swim
• Bounce
• Skate
• Look at and fully experience beautiful art, photography and sculpture. Place yourself in the picture, or be the grit of the clay, feeling the manipulations of the sculptors tools.
• Paint
• Draw
• Sculpt
• Build
• CREATE

Practice Mindfulness

When you focus your intention and your attention on something, you practice mindfulness and you are perfectly present at that moment in time doing whatever you are doing. This can bring you a wealth of calm amidst a crazy life and make mundane chores and everyday matters so much more appealing. You will begin to look forward to times you used to abhor (or at least not enjoy very much). You can practice mindfulness while:

• Doing Dishes
• Folding Laundry
• Washing your car
• Watering your plants or grass
• Vacuuming
• Brushing your teeth
• Driving
• Scrubbing the floor
• Washing windows

Actually any kind of cleaning work is great for practicing mindfulness and keeping you perfectly present in your body. You get a rhythm going and then there is also something accomplished at the end.

It’s a win/win (and we like those!)

I don’t believe there is a right or wrong way to meditate, just begin and see where it takes you – it doesn’t have to be difficult, shouldn’t be a chore, and try not to take it all too seriously – and if the spirit moves you let us know what works for you in this regard by adding to the list.

Thanks for sharing!

How many times did you hear that when you were a kid?

I am not talking to your kids though, I am talking to you.

Have you forgotten how? Possibly, but doubtful, all you have to do is go to your local school yard and you’d figure it out pretty quickly. But when was the last time you did? And I am not talking about your weekly softball team or your pick up game of basketball either – I mean unstructured fun – imaginative fun – just plain fun fun. If you are like most of us soooo serious adults, it has most likely been awhile. But you can change all of that and you can choose to act now. Grab some friends and pick one or a few from below, and go crazy, have fun, stop thinking so intensely and move with it! It’s good for your heart, good for your head, and good for your soul. And when you come back in – tell us how it went – better yet – add to the list!

1. Throw water balloons.
2. Run under a sprinkler, or get out the hose!
3. Thumb wrestle, arm wrestle, or plain old wrestle wrestle.
4. Jump on a trampoline.
5. Blow bubbles.
6. Play hopscotch.
7. Play jacks.
8. Play Chinese jump rope.
9. Play cats cradle.
10. Play in the mud.
11. Climb a tree.
12. Play hide and seek or kick the can.
13. Build sand castles.
14. Jump in the waves.
15. Ride bikes.
16. Roller skate.
17. Skate board.
18. Blindfold a friend and have them taste, smell, or touch things to see what they are.
19. Dress up and make up to plan for the upcoming Halloween, start making notes on events and displays for a neighborhood Haunted House.
20. Dance.
21. Play charades.
22. Get out the board games. (Although they are a bit structured.)
23. Build with Legos.
24. Make balloon animals.
25. Check out the rides at an amusement park.
26. Ice skate.
27. Bowl.
28. Play laser tag or paint ball.
29. Play pool.
30. Play Marco Polo in a pool.
31. While your in a pool, do a few canon balls.
32. Play with your food – make concoctions.
33. Get out the clay.
34. Cook without a recipe.
35. Play your instrument with out any sheet music.
36. Plan a mystery party or progressive dinner with a theme.
37. Jump rope, or double dutch.
38. Play catch or frisbee.
39. Sing and dance out in the next rain.
40. Roll down a really steep hill.
41. Hang upside down on the monkey bars, or slide down a slide.
42. Create a scavenger hunt.
43. After you have played for awhile, make ice cream sundaes.
44. Tell scary stories.
45. Play word games, like the one where you whisper a long sentence, and then it goes around the room and then you see what the last person heard – don’t know the name of that one.
46. Have a running race.
47. In honor of Pageant of the Masters, get some body paint and paint a friend, or even yourself.
48. Henna tattoo a friend.
49. Play egg toss, pass the orange under the chin, 3 legged race, sack race, and any other old time fair games.
50. Musical chairs.
51. Hot potato.
52. Duck duck goose.
53. Darts.
54. Make funny faces in front of the mirror.
55. Go to a photo booth and take funny pictures.
56. Pretend.
57. Practice tongue twisters.
58. Play Twister.
59. Play marbles or dominoes.
60. Keep the balloon off the ground.
61. Have a pillow fight.
62. Enjoy a pie eating contest.
63. Have a see how far you can spit the watermelon seed contest.
64. Try to tie a cherry stem with your tongue.
65. Play tag.
66. Hula hoop.
67. Practice juggling.
68. Yo-yo.
69. Make a movie.
70. Camp out in your backyard.
71. Then roast marshmallows on sticks and make S’mores
72. Tug of war.
73. Play with your pets.
74. Monkey in the middle.
75. Water pistols.
76. Build a fortress out of pillows.
77. Have a tickle fight
    
78. Join a fun group class at your local gym.
79. Hike, traverse, hop, jump or skip somewhere inspiring.
80. Mimic how animals move, like crawling like a lion, taking off for flight like an eagle – did this in a great movement class one time with a room full of people – quite fun.
81. Pole Dancing.
82. Have a staring contest.
83. Color.
84. Play in the sand dunes.
85. Fly a kite.
86. Eat apricots, save the seeds, throw them from a distance towards an exterior wall…The closest one wins…That’s a poor man’s great game
87. Ping Pong
88. Build a house of cards or toothpicks.
89. Tell jokes or stories.
90. Doing picture puzzles.
91. Suduko and crosswords.
92. Playing in the tide pools.
93. Getting the camera out and shooting some pictures.
94. The license plate game while your driving.