New Years Blog

     2011 was a challenging year of change and personal growth.  I do believe, in the circle of life, everyone at one time or another, travels through these eddies.  How one responds to these challenges is the fiber that is woven together to create your character.  In ones own personal commitment to drink deeply from the well spring of life, we invite both good and bad to pass by our paw prints on our own personal path with less wear.

     I can reflect on 2011 and bid it a fond farewell with my belt a little tighter, my heart a little softer, my appreciation of the moment a little more aware, and my fiber a little taughter.

Counting Blessings

     Most importantly, I found an appreciation of the NOW.  Most great philosophies evolve around a premise of living in the moment.  Finding a peace and contentment that permeates through your being. Not sacrificing your vision.  Just not living in the someday.  Not being one much for religious gatherings, I have found peace in training my dogs in remote fields and mountain foothills.  And also in riding my horses solo away from cell phone coverage.  My favorite Uncle Howard always said he found his religion on high narrow trails.

     Chided by life's demands and human energy suckers, I took a step back.  Partly for self preservation, and partly out of necessity, I retreated. I found the large number of energy bandits, were REALLY annoyed. The individuals made from their own clay were NOT.  Now I know.  And yes, it counts big. Thank you to those who stayed.

     2011's challenges were good.  I released a lot of my life, some was chosen and some not so much.  I found friends from all walks of life and diversities that know without saying.  I gained a source of renewable peace and clean/pure energy revitalization.  I found happiness from internal resources, with a few extra tail wags, externally.  In extracting my parasitic relationships, I can have better focus on my healing energy and arts, and continue stumbling down the pathway of my journey.

"The objection to conforming to usages

that have become dead to you,

is that it scatters your force.

It loses your time

and blurs the impression

of your character."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

2012 RESOLUTIONS 

     In the early 80's I made a resolution that every year I would do something new.  Of course the way life unfolds, that has happened without much effort.  I look forward to whatever is new on the horizon. The cultured and refined.  The raw and gritty.  The unexpected.  "This should be interesting" - (My Dad's last words to me before passing).

     I wish for all my clay brick worthy friends, a WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!!!  And I wish for all my yellow jello shot friends, a new chance to get it right....what ever that means for you on your journey.  (I am still pulling for you!)

Just Do It

"The Gods favor the bold"

-Gladiator

"Competition has been shown to be useful up to a 

certain point and no further, 

but cooperation, which is the thing we must

strive for today,

begins where competition

leaves off."

-Franklin D. Roosevelt

"The healthiest competition occurs when

average people win

by putting above average effort."

-Colin Powell

     We have all heard the phrase it is better to be lucky, than good.  It is nice.  It shows humility and makes us feel as if we are being magnanimous to those around us.  And lady luck is always great to have on ones side.  However, I think that practice and hard work makes one lucky.  Our great state of Nevada is somewhat built on the premise of luck.... and gambling.  I think we don't pay state taxes essentially on a human fault.  The ego that thinks that deep down, we are all lucky.  It is human nature that needs to feel like a winner at one level or another.  It is a human validation that needs to be fulfilled, and unfortunately the laws of statistical analysis are ignored.  Math and science are so cold.  While finding the best parking spot, and winning the 'Money Train' make us feel so warm.

     Ultimately like anything else it must be a balance.  Luck is luck.  But perception of lucky is envisioned on usually unknown or unseen sacrifices and deep dedication.  I believe having VISION is more relevant.  I am amazed at how many stumble through life with no vision.  Envision the pathway that you might be able to journey down.  It is your dream, your painting, your story - so to say.  Without vision, we would have never walked on the moon, built huge skyscrapers, or evolved culturally. 


     'God helps those, who help themselves.' I think that in the face of our current economy and state of our country and world, this phrase is very relevant. I know it's hard out there.  But I have a difficult time feeling sorry for those who do not even try.  Do work people!!!  I know at the risk of sounding aged, I can not stand the current level of entitlement.  And entitlement without effort, and no regard for consequence of action.  There is also consequence of inaction.

"Self-entitlement is the honoring of oneself

with no basis and without

acknowledging consequences."

-M.E.

     Vision and luck are nothing without action.  It is better to do something than nothing.  It is better to move forward than to stay stagnant.  Life is dynamic.  "Life is a journey (the hated J-word) and not a destination." So many cliches, so little time.

     

     This is a prologue to my new years blog.  

"I never worry about action, but 

only inaction."

-W. Churchill

"Action expresses priorities."

-Gandhi

"Do you want to know who you are?

Don't ask.

ACT!  

Action will delineate 

and define you."

-Thomas Jefferson

"I'm a woman of very few words, but lots of action"

-Mae West

"We become just by performing just action,

temperate by performing temperate actions,

brave by performing brave action."

-Aristotle