Greetings!

So I have been feeling a bit unsettled about the lightness of my recent posts. After all, you have taken the time to come visit, I should offer something worth the trip. Light is good though, right – like Ty’s picture below – what needs to be said? I can just stare at that and it takes me all sorts of places. Light is also good in the way of making your life lighter. That is one of the several processes I have been busying myself with recently, but it is not happening faster than the speed of light, which is what I would prefer.

Life is an evolution, a constant transformation, and I have never really been afraid of change. So I tend to jump right into what ever inspires me and work and play with it until I have reaped the desired benefits, and then happily move on, albeit sometimes before I have completely completed anything (can be quite frustrating to those around me, so you can probably surmise I have some half finished projects hanging around in various stages – leaving my family to think, oh remember when this was the day that that was going to be done, and remember when she was on that tangent, and there it still is.) Scatter brained – maybe, unfocused – could be, just constantly inspired to take new action – yes that is what I am going to go with here. Today, my desk drawers, paper laced counter tops and kitchen cabinets are inspiring me (that will be a big nut though, be careful of what your promise here), because until I organize and give away or otherwise get rid of the majority of accumulated stuff we have no need for, I won’t be able to feel the lightness, and move on with the more fun inspirations. How can one create in cluttered chaos?

Organizing my time is sometimes an issue. Recently when I was surfing around trying to find like minded souls out there, I came across an intriguing site, the Balanced Life Center. The author was talking about changing your life in 30 days. Take 30 minutes a day to honor your soul, 30 minutes a day to honor your body, and 30 minutes a day to honor your mind. After you complete this daily one and a half hour ritual for a month, you will be a completely different person. Completely doable in most peoples schedule I would say.
I actually try to make time for all of those things in my day, but I never broke it down like that before (which seems so reasonable), and I usually miss one or the other each day – this could actually be a solution. So I said why not and starting marking off the days on a sticky note stuck to my computer. Well, I did great for about 5 days, the sticky note is gone now, maybe I will pick it up again because I know writing things down, and for some lists then crossing them off, has always been a big part of my organizational style.

Anyway, once again I am reminded that in order to stay clear and present with what I am doing I need to get lighter. So let the cleaning begin. If I add to those (3) 30 minute categories, 30 minutes for sorting, 30 minutes for cleaning and restoring if necessary, 30 minutes for packing things up to share with others who might find new use for old treasures, then in a mere 3 hours I would have quite a lot to show for myself. Then continue with 30 minutes of writing here, 30 minutes writing on another project I’ve been working on, and 30 minutes of drawing, I will be able to make sure their was a chunk of creation time in my day and that is still only 4 1/2 hours of time.

Maybe if I get up earlier, that would help – 5 instead of 7. Because there are other things that need to be fit in to time frames as well. Wonderful family things especially now it is summer, and the list goes on. Can’t forget taking some time to just sit back somewhere in nature and soak it all in. Don’t ever forget that.

So I am going to leave you now and attempt to adhere (loosely) to the above schedule.
I can feel myself getting feathery already!

Have a fabulously light day yourselves!

Photo Courtesy of my son Ty

» Photo courtesy of Deb Reynolds

A message from Claudia…

Hey Great Ones,

Summer is here and we want to be outdoors and enjoying the beautiful beach and weather.
A couple of weeks ago I went to Germany and Spain (Ibiza) on an amazing Yoga retreat in the mountains which gave me more inspiration to share the bliss of happiness with you.

Come join us doing yoga on the beach with the sounds of the waves and spectacular view of the ocean. Sometimes the dolphins are joining us. What a blessing to see them once in a while. We can greet the dolphins with our Dolphin pose!!! Yes, there is one!!! Smile!!!

Where: Torrance Beach at the end of the bike path (at the end of parking lot at Miramar Park in the City of Torrance), corner of Playa De La Paseo and Via Riviera (Esplanade Avenue turns into Playa De La Paseo), at the 3rd and last life guard tower (Sign TORR) near the ocean across from the main lifeguard tower/restroom.

When: Every Wednesday evening Sunset Yoga form 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. (ish),
and every Friday morning from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. (ish) (except if raining)

Class Fees: Suggested Donation of $10.00 or more is gratefully appreciated.

• Bring a big blanket or sheet for the sand
• Water and sunscreen
• Dress comfortably (maybe a light sweatshirt if cold)
• Arrive 10 minutes early before class

Maybe we have some tea or coffee afterwards – your choice!

Namaste,

Claudia

For more information, call Claudia at (310) 370-3278, or (310) 698-9658 (cell)
Email: bliss-yoga@hotmail.com

Wowww!!! What a day, what a night…
Lots of questions and one most pertinent answer-

All you have to ever do is ask – ask the universe, ask your spirit guides, ask your angels, ask your higher self, ask your God…
You will get an answer. It may not always be the one you expect, or the one you like, or the one you would normally plan on listening to. But you will get an answer.

Tonight, my answer was “Raise your own vibration” – I have had the opportunity to explore many aspects of that this evening as my family is otherwise occupied and absent from the immediate locale, but I have enjoyed the company of many here in

my home all alone – and earlier today as well.

After a very emotional day of people yelling at me, and then the graduation ceremony of my two sons and all that that entails at a heart centered level – I was feeling a bit at odds – that precise sensation I haven’t experienced in quite some time. So after having a difficult time of trying to shake it all off and move on with my day, it was indicated that a walk was necessary. My destination was at that point to retrieve my children from their friends house. It is a short distance only 15 minutes roundtrip, but exactly what I was urged to do from the powers that be in the shadows.

So as I am walking in the sunlight, I come upon these amazing roses along the sidewalk – I am very grateful to this house’s owners, as they keep their roses so beautiful and they have offered all of us passersby such a stunning array of color and design…So the first ones I ran into were a deep ruby red – okay, I got it – get grounded – the scent was beyond reason – exquisitely joyful smiles… the next were a beautiful orangey-salmon color, so I am releasing it and allowing the pleasure…then deep, tightly wound yellow that opened up loosely at the edges that allowed me to see my truth and acquiesce…ahhh a huge, healthy and vibrant, big-leafed green tree that I had to duck to walk under, and I remembered to breath and open my heart, then these delicate pink blossoms that adorned my feet as I gracefully strolled by, but didn’t attach themselves, just let me move in and out – then, well then, I had to cross the street and I ran into some people and was passed all of the flowers, but they certainly and most efficiently (not to mention lovingly) carried me through my path and I felt so great when I got to our friends house. A big thank you….

So I love how things tend to unfold and I love those realizations that the universe has a sense of humor, and helps you to lighten up, and realize you aren’t in control of all that goes on around you, and that the only real truth of the power that you have is to raise your own vibration, and then you can’t help but add to the miraculous ripple. To try and steer yourself from a different vantage point most likely ends up in futile head banging against the wall, and to be frank, I’m not up for many more dents.

Photograph Courtesy of Arlene Yakush

A mouse makes a home in the clothes in one of our suitcases, at the same time twin donkeys keep watch at the perimeter of a backyard from a house we haven’t lived in since my twenties…Snap to the front yard and it is covered with spotted fawns and one small mother that shapeshifts into a goat that is head butting one of my sons. i have to keep lifting him up off of the ground so he doesn’t get slammed. Looking on with its infinite wisdom is the head of a buffalo peeking through the trees. Five different species all in one episode.

Then another night it is flying dragons both small and large like in the latest Harry Potter, although I hadn’t seen that in quite some time. Then there is the recurrence of the enormous orca causing a tidal wave with his massive tail. 3 huge bald eagles in silhouette perched on rooftops of 3 tiny houses all facing east, keeping watch amidst a purple backdrop. Fabulous…

Can’t wait for the next installment of guidance from the animal kingdom. It has been some ride in the middle of the night lately, I can’t get over how many have come to visit. It has been a fun challenge to decipher some of their messages.

So I kind of wondered what this flurry of fur, feather and fin was all about. I used to remember all of my dreams as a kid. Recent years they have been a bit sketchy if I remember at all, but lately it has been an incredibly vivid time, and they have quite a lot to tell me apparently.

On my quest for making sense of it all, I started my search with the internet and met with some success in finding out more about what these visitations could actually mean. Then while on Amazon, I remembered the name of a book I had seen on other people’s shelves, but had never actually looked through by Ted Andrews called
Animal Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small

As it also states on the cover, it includes a comprehensive dictionary of animal, bird and reptile symbolism. Fascinating…

It will take additional time to unlock all of the treasures these animal totems are bringing me. I anticipate a magical journey and I look forward to discussing more with you in the future. I now realize several of them have been with me for at least one lifetime – its great to be able to count on that kind of council, and I am certainly grateful for the support!

If any of you want to share some of your experiences with the animal world, we would certainly love to listen!

Thanks,

Donna

Not much of a magazine reader (I more enjoy looking at pictures), I surprised myself when I replied to a subscription card I received via some unknown source (God knows how many mailing lists one gets on), and agreed to receive my first issue free of a magazine with the very timely title of Greater Good – The Science of a Meaningful Life.

I don’t think there has been in recent years anyway (in my teens there was The Journal for The Protection of All Beings, and CoEvolution Quaterly...) a magazine that I would or could actually read cover to cover without my mind wandering to various and sundry locations. But I did it with this engrossing publication, all the way through from back to front! Even the message from the editors page in the beginning (something I usually disregard), as I was very curious who these people are who created this intriguing slice of science and optimism.

Just fabulous – l loved it -lots of interesting things being put out there from the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley. According to their site, they are a “non-profit organization that promotes the study and development of human happiness, compassion and altruism…” Sounds good to me – I look forward to the next issue!

Go check out their site for the Center itself: greatergood.berkeley.edu
For their magazine: www.greatergoodmag.org
And for their Blog, Half Full – The Science of Raising Happy Kids: greatergood.berkeley.edu/half_full

A message from Claudia:

A Path for Peace Labyrinth Walk
Saturday, April 19, 2008
A community Arts Event

Please join us at this community gathering to build peace and walk our sand labyrinth on the beach. We believe that together, we can heal all levels of our lives – from the personal to the global. And so we invite everyone, to join this meditation and celebration.

Learn about and walk a large heart-shaped mound labyrinth that has been designed for this event by
Labyrinth Designer/Artist Annemarie Rawlinson.

Enjoy the wonderful meditation of a guided walk by the ocean.

For more information contact Annemarie at (310) 832-9767

Hear about the campaign for a U.S. Department of Peace. Special guests will share their commitment to this wonderful idea. For more information on this visit www.ThePeaceAlliance.org

Saturday, April 19, 2008

1:00pm Welcome Ceremony

1:00pm – 3:00pm Labyrinth Walk and Peace Celebration

3:15pm Children’s Labyrinth Walk

Everyone is welcome!

The Event will be held on the beach just north of the Hermosa Beach Pier.

For more information, plese visit http://apathforpeace.blogspot.com

Volunteers Are Needed!

I am happy to volunteer at this event to guide the people through their Labyrinth Walk.

Claudia

Feel The Bliss Yoga

bliss-yoga@hotmail.com

(310) 370-3278

A deep breath and then a tug on my heart and then an instantaneous profound feeling of peace and great joy rippled through me as I chugged along in 4pm traffic going west on Artesia Boulevard – the Dalai Lama was watching over me. Yayyy!!! Then, a couple weeks later, while venturing south on Vermont I believe, there was Einstein giving encouragement and gave me quite a chuckle with his great hair and his tongue sticking out. Then it was on the TV with “Honesty – pass it on” and “let’s not cheat” (if anyone knows the song they play in the background, please let me know in a comment below – I love that melody) …

Out of the myriad of messages we are bombarded with daily rises the heart warming pearls from the Foundation For A Better Life.

Need something to move you – go to their website. Read and listen to the stories. You will be moved. You will be inspired. You will experience the global neighborhood. You will feel the urge to act. Just do it…
(I know – different ad, but I like that one too…)

www.forbetterlife.org

Make it a personal mission – not just today on the Hallmark day of love – everyday and towards everybody!

See how it changes your life, when you consciously act from a loving place. Begin to see how it can change the world. The ripple is huge…

Remind yourself – when someone cut’s you off in traffic, when someone rolls into your parking space that you have been waiting for, when the clerk at the store is rude, or makes a mistake and gives you the wrong change, when someone disagrees with your way of thinking…you know those times, you’ve got the picture … and frankly only YOU have the power to change the course at that point in time – only you have the power to alter your reactions to situations that might usually make you an irate lunatic, but from here on in – your going to think about first….take a deep breath, and act with love….

Maybe that person who cut you off has a sick child in the car that needs to go to the hospital, maybe the grocery clerk just got into a fight with their boyfriend, and it really has nothing to do with you – maybe the person who just stole your parking space just lost their job and needs to stop driving and park for awhile to prevent an accident.

If we remember to think first and then react, and then react with love in our hearts and with all the empathy we can muster, well, then it turns out to be a win win situation, and it just doesn’t get better than that. It is a constant challenge for all of us, but it get easier, and it becomes a habit.

So next time when your driving in your car and you see someone on the street, silently wish them peace and love. When you see that mother in the store yelling at her crying child with exasperation – wish her patience, peace, and love, maybe ask her if you can be of any assistance instead of passing judgement. We have all had momentary lapses of reason, and we all have behaved poorly countless times throughout our lives. (God, that is when we do our best learning!) When we react to those occasions with love and understanding, towards ourselves as well as others, it can make more difference then we may ever know.

So this is my mission – it doesn’t always happen perfectly, but I keep trying because I believe in the ripple.

The power of love is truly the greatest power of all, and we all possess the capacity to use it daily and constantly.
And a little certainly goes a long way…