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…

Greetings and welcome to July Treatment Recipes!

Surely you have heard of Christmas in July, so what is wrong with July Treatment Recipes in August?

I had actually completed them on the 31st and put them up on their own page, I just forgot to mention it to you here in this space. So if you have been feeling completely weathered lately with all the heat this summer, you will certainly want to grab a dish pan and mix up some of our Cooling Dead Sea Soak - it definitely will help chill you out!

Click here to start mixing!

Got to love friends who tantalize your senses and tempt you with rich sweet goodies that tease your tongue and bring such profound delight! They told us that they must take us to LADURÉE on the Champs Elysées - not only a grand, stunningly civilized yet festive place to indulge in exotic teas but more importantly a place where you can thoroughly enjoy a color filled feast with the likes of these sublimely delicious macarons in flavors such as: coffee, chocolate, vanilla, coconut, lemon, raspberry, pistachio, mint, liquorice, caramel, orange flower, black currant-violet, and more.

They were packed up in this very beautiful box and were pretty much demolished by the seven of us right after we took these pictures. I enjoyed a lemon one with additional shared tastes of a pistachio, and then vanilla - Oh My God is something I recall saying - really amazing, perfectly balanced flavors, fantastic delicate texture, just the right amount of cream filling. An exceptional indulgence to further grace an exceptional walking tour of Paris led by our three wonderful friends!

So this was back in May, and as I have mentioned in previous posts I have been wanting to hold on to our Paris visit for as long as I can. I thought I would try to make these but even though I have found a few recipes: one recipe, another recipe, and another (and this last one is supposedly “the” translated recipe direct from the source) - I haven’t attempted it yet. If you decide to try any of these will you let me know how they come out? Thanks…. and of course thanks to these three terrific sites that I found them on.

When I found Delicieuse (scroll 2 posts down for that write up), I asked the owner if she made macarons and she told me no as her company was not a patissiere, but she suggested a lovely patissiere not too far in the city of Lomita, so I decided to give it a try. (BTW we finally went to Delicieuse for lunch last Saturday - fabulous - really wonderful, great food in an enchanting setting with kind, attentive service, and of course I was in great company - couldn’t have asked for more!)

So my son’s and I made a special trip to find Patissiere Chantilly one day last week. It was quite a bustling little shop, with every table full, and people lined up at the counter waiting to place their order. Everything looked so perfectly beautiful set behind the shiny glass case, decorated with great attention to little details. We ordered 6 macarons in the 3 flavors they had available that day - Green Tea, Chocolate, and I didn’t catch the type of the last one, but it may have been Black Currant. My guys ordered a Mont Fraise each, which was a fancy and fun looking pink strawberry mountain, and I had a small slice of their signature cheese cake, Chantilly Fromage, which was quite luscious - nice and dense with an intense cheese taste (I had planned on getting a Choux á la Créme but the lady in front of me walked out with 3 huge boxes of them and I was informed there were no more left - next time maybe.) The guys ate their mounds in the back seat of the car on the ride home - said they were very good with an interesting, gelatinous texture sitting atop a scrumptious strawberry tart. We anxiously awaited to taste the macarons until after we shot an acceptable photo. Don’t they look pretty?

Well, they do look very nice, and they tasted good, but not exactly what we were anticipating, unfortunately. The texture was completely different and the filling, although quite tasty, was a bit over powering. I really wanted to love these - but there just is no comparison (really, how could there be? Besides, our trip to Ladurée was just a small, yet really enjoyable part of the bigger package - that being the sensational reconnection with our dear friends, and the only way to recapture all the sentiments that went along with that would be to go back to Paris- to expect to hold on to that point in time by way of something we ate, is just ridiculous and way too much responsibility for one tiny confection. There, I have come to my senses- I will just treasure the memories!)

I will definitely go back to this enticing shop though, they had many other delectable little goodies I certainly wouldn’t mind trying. I hope you decide to check it out too - you may want to call first to make sure they are open - they were working with summer hours and actually the first time we went to check them out after noon on a weekday, they were closed.

So after you go visit, come back and let us know what we should try next!

Visit their website for address, hours, alluring color photos, and full menu.

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!

Driving around enjoying the fine company of one of my sons while we waited for my other wonderful son to finish baseball practice, I remembered an intriguing little French cafe I had been wanting to try, that just happened to be in the very neighborhood we were in. We concurred it was the perfect time to check it out.

As we entered this charming bistro, we were greeted by the very friendly owner, Patricia, who proceeded to show us around her delightful “labor of love.” She has created quite a welcoming feel in this very comfortable and pretty cafe - tables beautifully dressed in the French Provencal style, cozy couch and chair arrangements provided so you can enjoy your desserts while visiting with friends. Shelves of unique and fun items for sale, and an enchanting Moroccan themed room where you can hold your next special family, friend or business event.

She explained that during the week their primary business was filling orders for their many wholesale accounts with their Delicieuse French Ice Cream and Sorbets, but that the cafe is open on weekends for lunch, dinner or a quick ‘best you ever had’ (our words, not hers) ice cream/sorbet/dessert stop. Since it was after 3pm on a Friday, only dessert was available, but since that is all we had time for anyway, that worked out great. We were encouraged to sample as many different flavors of ice cream as we liked, and ohhh, they were all so profoundly delicious (the companies title is in no way a misnomer!) Many of them were made from goats milk, and Patricia explained that if you are lactose intolerant, goats milk should be easier for your system to handle since its chemical makeup is the closest to humans.

Adam decided the Mango Sorbet was his favorite for the moment - it was just the pure taste of the fruit in its frozen form, not ultra sweet with an excess of added sugar - great texture. I ended up choosing the Coconut Goat’s Milk Ice Cream, which I was told was made from Virgin Coconut Oil, and it tasted so fresh as if they had just cracked the coconut right there while I was waiting. We also had the opportunity to try the Lavender Ice Cream and the Lemon Basil Sorbet both with incredible richness and flavor - we really could have been quite happy just staying there all afternoon and trying them all - that is how enticing they all looked and sounded.

This company’s mission statement is simple, if I may paraphrase - they offer a superior product using the freshest of organic and natural ingredients, creating an extraordinary variety of artisanale ice creams and sorbets that have been expertly blended to produce exceptionally exquisite taste!

We felt happy all over after that visit and look forward to it again. Maybe next time for lunch or dinner some weekend - they have a lovely menu offering quiche, salads with homemade dressings, hearty soups and comforting traditional French stews, sandwiches and crepes, with a beautiful ending of ice cream or sorbet of your choice, or you can choose from several traditional French desserts such as Creme Brulee or Tarte Tatin. Apparently they even offer wine pairing evenings which sound quite interesting and fun to me.

For terrific photos and explanations of all they have to offer, including an alluring list of ice cream and sorbet flavors, visit www.icedreamonline.com - or better yet, if your local - take a ride and experience these incredible tastes for yourself.

2503 Artesia Boulevard (cross street - Phelan Avenue)
Redondo Beach, CA 90278
(310) 793-79079

They’re opened:
Fridays - 12 noon to 3pm (lunch), 3pm to 6pm (Dessert Only)
Saturdays - 12 noon to 9pm (Lunch and Dinner)
Sundays - 12 noon to 4pm (Lunch Only)

Mondays through Thursday they are not open to the public as this is when they do their ice cream manufacturing.

Image Courtesy of the Gallery

For an immediate vibrational shift, just step through the threshold of this spiritual sanctuary and be lovingly embraced by the strong yet gentle power of the crystals and gemstones within. Not to mention the very welcoming personal attention provided by the lovely owners of this establishment. My sons and I were greeted warmly and felt free to explore as long as we wished. We feasted on a myriad of colors and textures, thoroughly delighted and inspired. They provide a very informative card to go along with each of the stones they display, so you can better understand the individual properties of each, greatly assisting you in making your selections. An impressive gathering of exquisitely sculpted statues seem to guide you along your journey, and give you a sense of inner calm and balance. A variety of spiritual artwork graces the walls and contributes to the feeling of reverence that can’t help but move through you. We were even invited to enjoy a brief retreat in the beautiful meditation garden that they have created in the back of the store.

Our purpose for this particular visit was to find crystals that spoke to our soul, as Silvia was going to be leading us in some wire wrapping techniques that afternoon. We needed to find several stones each to play with and craft into jewelry to wear or adornments for our environment. There was so much to choose from and they all were so gorgeous, it was difficult to limit ourselves to just a few pieces each, but we made our choices, and we also made the decision that this was some place we really should visit on a regular basis. Quite a wonderous and transformative place indeed!

Sacred Stone Gallery
1832 South Elena Avenue
Redondo Beach, CA 90277

(310) 378-8866

sacredstonegallery.com

A few years ago, I began experiencing some quite intense neck and shoulder pain and loss of mobility that I was unsuccessful in easing through my usual, yet less than consistent means of icing, stretching and massaging. Ever the advocate of self-care to the many students of massage and bodywork I have taught over the years, I pathetically failed to receive frequent enough attention to my own body, and this was obviously my body’s way of screaming “HELLO - listen to me!!” Yet another sorry case of do as I say and not as I do.

One particularly painful day, my sister suggested I go see Dr. Randolph Stern, who just happened to have an office 5 minutes from my house. Having received Chiropractic care only once in my life before, and ending up injured from the treatment that was administered, I was a bit skittish about the whole idea. Within a short time my desperation for relief overrode my skepticism and I called to make an appointment for that afternoon. Expecting a receptionist to handle scheduling my appointment, I was instead pleasantly surprised to hear the professional yet warm and therapeutic voice of Dr. Stern himself. From that first appointment I knew that I had finally found my neighborhood doctor that knew how to offer me immediate relief for the different musculo-skeletal issues that arose from time to time, not to mention assisting with many other issues that stem from misalignment. Not only does he give great care, and I have been fortunate to reap quite dramatic results in very short periods of time, but his energetic presence in and of itself is just very uplifting to be around. He gladly shares his vast knowledge in understandable terms while explaining what could be going on with your body, listens to and addresses kindly any concerns you might have regarding your treatment, and swiftly executes therapy that helps you to feel more like you again. He is not like other Chiropractors who adhere to some set number of treatments in order for you to get an appointment to see them. I come and go as I see fit - sometimes two or three times in one week, some times once every six months. He is also usually able to squeeze me in within a day of calling him. A very friendly and outgoing person, I always enjoy catching up with what’s going on with his family and sharing a bit about mine. A very uplifting and therapeutic experience on several different levels, I am always in a very grateful place when I leave his office.

During my most recent experience with excruciating headaches and TMJ pain, he was able to help me clear it up almost completely, in two sessions. I never get headaches so that was a whole new game for me and it was as my son Adam says “not fun, not fun!” Besides neck and shoulder, head and TMJ pain, he has also helped me with lower back issues, foot and ankle malfunctions and repetitive stress issues in my hands and wrists. My family has also reaped tremendous benefits from his treatments - from sciatic nerve discomfort, migraine headaches, and excruciating pain in the neck and shoulder that sent searing pain radiating down the arm.

I have recommended Dr. Stern to many friends and clients that I thought could greatly benefit from his care and expertise. Every one that went through with making an appointment, came back and mentioned how much better they felt after seeing him and what a really nice, authentic, laid back kind of guy they thought he was. Don’t just grit your teeth and bear the pain anymore. There are ways you can easily find help. It is just a phone call away. Do it now!

Randolph Stern, D.C., Q.M.E.
1603 Aviation Boulevard, Suite E
Redondo Beach, CA 90278

(310) 376-5678

Okay you playful people - this is good - we are adding to our play list! Let’s see if we can make it past 100. I know there are representatives of over 30 different countries out there that come to visit on a regular basis - we are coming at this list so far from an American perspective, with now a little Israeli and Dutch influence as well - I know there have to be games and type of play that we have never even imagined - come play with us - show us the way - It would make things even more exciting!
We eagerly anticipate your responses!

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.
    

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!