Seasonal Wisdom

Staycation

2009-07-09T23:26:00.000-07:00

Today a new word was added to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. STAYCATION which means a neologism for a period of time in which an individual or family stays at home and relaxes at home or takes day trips from their home to area attractions. Staycations have achieved high popularity in current economic times. Common activities of a staycation include use of the backyard pool, visits to local parks and museums, and attendance at local fairs and festivals. Some staycationers also like to follow a set of rules, such as setting a start and end date, planning ahead, and avoiding routine, with the goal of creating the feel of a traditional vacation. What perfect timing to take notice of a "staycations."

Summer Road Trips

2009-07-07T00:55:00.000-07:00

The scent of Summer road trips, can you remember, well maybe some of you might, way back when Summer vacation meant packing shorts, bathing suits and Johnson Baby Oil? Still decades later, every time I smell Johnson Baby Oil . . in a second I recall detailed memories of Balboa Island in the Summer. I can remember the sky and water being the same shade of blue, the feeling of the warm sun and the salt water on my skin, the smell of the fun zone and the hot dogs. I remember too how bad the sun burn hurt the next day. . . all that anchored to the smell of baby oil. Aromas connect us to memories in a second where without that scent to remind us we might find those memories hidden from thought.

A Summer road trip meant driving with the windows down and getting a face full of local air. I remember riding in the car with my eyes closed knowing where we were by just breathing the air. There was fresh cut grass and the fragrance of flowers in the neighborhood, a heavy earthy smell of plowed farm fields and fresh onions in the Valley. I remember Orange County was a fresh green farm smell and sometimes a strong scent of orange blossoms, the crisp, clean salty air meant we were at the coast and I looked forward to the woody scents of the evergreens and pine cones baking in the warm sun when we drove to Big Bear. Most all the scents were pleasant but there were those other odors . . . when you drove through the city you could smell the smog and the stinky Firestone Tire Factory, there was the occasional skunk whose path you crossed, the dairy (you knew you were 1/2 way there) and I remember the cauliflower farm didn't smell so good. .. . . but when we got close to Palm Springs there was a freedom felt when that warm dry desert air reached my face.

In today's world we do more traveling commercially where the air has been sanitised and it all kind of smells the same. Traveling in the car usually means the windows are up, we like it climate controlled so we are sure to stay comfortable all the way. In our climate controlled environment we have our cell phones and can stay "in sync" with our busy world, our kids are entertained with their Ipods, video games or DVD's in the backseat because we surely wouldn't want them to become board. When we reach our destination, I'm not so sure we really know where we've been.

I think we are short changing our sense of smell. In the summer there are so many wonderful fragrances, gardens blooming, vegetables bursting with freshness and maybe even Johnson's Baby Oil. Take the time to enjoy the fragrances of Summer.

Picnics, Camping and Barbecues

2009-07-03T23:38:00.000-07:00

This year during the first part of July there are changes brewing, some shifting . . to lighten our load, leaving behind unrealistic expectations. Our world always becomes clearer when we step outside of our day-in-n-day-out patterns and what better way to do that then to Celebrate with Family and Friends in the beauty of a warm Summer day. Picnics, camping and barbecues are what Summer is all about. Enjoy . . Fun, Games, Laughter, Food blessed with love and friendship and a campfire in the evening to sit around sharing heart felt feeling. It's perfect, get outside of yourself and listen, what do you hear? Take a walk, What do you feel? Come home with a new perspective received from doing nothing more than relaxing into the Blessings of Life.

Commitment & Discipline

2009-07-01T00:45:00.000-07:00

Summertime is about commitment and discipline balanced with community and laughter. Summer's long sun filled days encourages work and outdoor activities. It's the time to do what needs to be done to achieve our goals and prepare the harvest for fall. Summer energy is the point in the cycles of life where we need to stay on course and apply discipline to do the job well. All the while remembering to balance the work with community activities and heartfelt fun.

Farmers Market

2009-06-30T23:27:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite activities in Summer time is going to Farmers Market, it's such a perfect combination of Summers Blessings. Farmers Market brings the community together where we can talk and walk in the warm sun. We connect personally in a relaxed atmosphere, usually there is some home grown music that touches our heart and we smile in appreciation of the different gifts we have that bring pleasure to others. It's so natural and simple. The locally grown food displayed with pride always seems to taste so much better than store purchased food. Farmers Market is a tradition, it means Summer is here!

Summer Flowers

2009-06-27T20:18:00.000-07:00

Summer Solstice

2009-06-21T21:17:00.000-07:00

On the Solstice, the beginning of Summer where the influence comes from the Sun, the first thing to look at on this Solstice is to see what the Sun has to say. The Sun is moving into Cancer until July 21th, during that time there is a New Moon in Cancer on June 22nd, Mercury will be in Cancer on July 4, yet another New Moon in Cancer on July 21st. That's a lot of Cancer energy to start off the summer. Cancer has a protective, nurturing energy that initiates change through emotion while looking for security.

Summer is the season of work and play, outside activities and often it is the season of family travel. This year the Summer seems to be asking for more family connection, staying a little closer to home, fixing up the home, finding creative ways to go back to simple activities to honor the beauty of summer and the gift of family and community. With what seems like more pressures with the economy and unrest, emotions raise and we can easily become fearful . . . instead of letting our heart pound with fear we can put our heart in our activities, work with passion, play and laugh with family and friends. Make a list of simple ways to nurture and care for yourself. Get plenty of exercise, lots of water and time outside. Summer is the season that supports productivity . . .stay focused on your goals . . . . Fill your HEART with the Beauty of Natures Bloom.

Blessings to Spring

2009-06-19T01:53:00.000-07:00

Take a mindful moment to look back at the beauty and blessings of Spring. From the cold of Winter the days become filled with crisp fresh air, Spring Days, budding new growth, bugs and blooms, birds in flight and nest created, springs and brooks began a bubbling, nature growing her colors, a fresh view of a New Year. Now the Spring Season is over and Summer is here, lets take time to remember the BLESSINGS that Spring brought and with a grateful heart appreciate her gifts and now look forward to what Summer will bring.

Gardens are more . .

2009-06-09T00:32:00.000-07:00

The glory found in gardens lies in more than meets the eye - -

The scent of rose and lilac rises from earth to heaven's sky: A chirping sparrow joins the song of meadowlark, soft shirring of the hummingbird, and wind singing in glee. The ladybug, the butterfly, the furry bumblebee - - they all fly free. Release our minds to soar again o'er earth and sky and sea: Dew's dampness, touching sense, leaves wet pearls upon the lawn: New fragrances of summer bring fresh blown winds at dawn. As colors brighten gardens, hues of red and blue and green -- They echo nature's wonders in rainbow's varied gleam: Within the city's madness, gardens hold a special place -- Renewing soul and spirit with a touch of country grace.

Spring's Romance

2009-05-15T20:23:00.000-07:00

Spring like a suitor, romances us and touches our heart. Spring's fragrance attracts our attention . . the petals of her flowers all in color touched by the breeze . . . batting her eyelashes inviting us to appreciate her beauty. A fun free time to get to know each other, the birds and the bees all aglow . . . .

2009-05-11T14:22:00.000-07:00

May showers bring....June flowers.

Mother's Day

2009-05-10T14:21:00.000-07:00

May is the Mother Month, warming the earth with her love. Watch as she cares and cuddles new birth. She washes the morning and then hangs it to dry. With the breeze of spring she dusts with young branches the blue of the sky. She blows on the buds till the blossoms unfold, Yes, May is the Mother Month, and we praise what she does, the garden she planted will grow is summer's sun and bring harvest to the table in fall nourishing family and friends . . and celebrating in it all . . and then to store, keeping us fed and warm during winter's lull.

Spring Colors

2009-05-06T02:39:00.000-07:00

Spring definitely struts its colors, the butterflies are birthing their colors, the flowers budding and blooming, the birds with their colorful patterns of beauty take to flight. They are a reminder to add new color to our homes and appeal. Brighten-up not only with color in our physical lives but brighten-up our attitudes as well. Spring is light and airy, bright and bouncy, happy and playful. Embrace the season, SMILE and enjoy a colorful, delightfully happy day.

The May Day Dance

2009-05-01T04:12:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite celebrations is the May Day Dance around the May Pole. There are streamers and ribbons and we all celebrate the day by dancing around the pole in a weaving pattern . . . back and forth around the pole with the streamers in hand. The ribbons weave around and down the pole creating a pattern of spring colors. The closing ceremony is the hanging of flower baskets filled with ribbons, bows and spring flowers. The May Day Dance is always such a carefree, breezy, nice and easy, HAPPY, FUN day.

2009-04-29T18:06:00.000-07:00

Freedom

2009-04-27T18:49:00.000-07:00

I love sitting on the porch at dawn or taking a brisk nature walk. I enjoy watching the birds in spring, they are so free and independent, so pride, so graceful, their song they sing for all to hear, they perch on a limb to view their world, they folick with their friends until nature calls, they carefully nurture their young and shove them out of the nest when the time comes. The birds trust everyday that nature will bring them what they need, they don't stash their food or carry food with them, they wake by daylight, they fly through the air and their colors they strut. The birds remind me that Spring is the season of freedom, the freedom to create a new beginnings, a new project, or attitude. The Season to plan and plant the seeds to grow and mature. What seeds do you need to plant to harvest more freedom, to trust and sing for all to hear.

Spa Day (New Moon)

2009-04-24T14:07:00.000-07:00

New Moon . . New beginnings. Perfect time to reconnect with Mother Nature. As mother nature births a new year it brings the attention to what mother's do best, nurture and care for, but all too often as women we forget to care for ourselves.

After all the "letting go" and "spring cleaning" . . now is the time to set in place a new awareness of your daily routines and how those routines are nurturing you. Put yourself through a personal spring cleaning . . . . . and that sounds like the Spa to me. Allow yourself to be PAMPERED. Let nature rock you in arms of comfort . . . .mud baths, message, salt rubs, aroma wraps, facials, meditation and a grateful heart for the gifts we receive from nature.

Step up our Spring routine, up earlier in the mornings as the sun raises, yoga, eating lighter greener foods, walking faster.

Earth Day

2009-04-22T14:06:00.000-07:00

Honor the EARTH, nature and our interconnectedness to each other and all that is on the earth plane. Everything we have in one way or another has been provided by nature up to and including the air we breath. Nature's cycles provide a filtering system to give us clean water and air. Let us all with grateful hearts do our best to be responsible to the EARTH for our ability to exist.

Every year on Earth Day consider giving up one habit that is harmful to Mother Nature and adopt one new practice which supports a healthy environment.

2009-04-16T14:37:00.000-07:00

The Master Cleanser

2009-04-14T00:29:00.000-07:00

Spring's diet is lighter, one of the best ways to flow with the seasonal change in diet is to start with a cleansing fast to detox. The Master Cleanser is a staple for a Spring fast or just to help lighten up your diet and change your eating habits. The Master Cleanse Receipt is:

8 Cups filtered or distilled water
3/4 cup grade B Maple Syrup
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

If you would like to read more about the Master Cleanser there is a book tittled The Master Cleanser by Stanley Burroghs.

Stretching & Strengthening (Full Moon)

2009-04-09T14:05:00.000-07:00

Wake Up after the Winter's rest, Spring Clean, let go and as the past is released there is more energy for the ENTHUSIASM needed to begin the new cycle. Start slowly building physical energy for Summers more vigorous pace. Yoga is a perfect exercise to start in the Spring, The stretching and strengthening of the tendons and the breathing sets the foundation for the beginning of an integrated exercise program by increasing our flexability. Physical and mental flexability is required for new beginnings. Springs emphasis is beginnings, mornings, birth and fresh starts. Yoga and meditation is best practiced in the morning to symbolically set the tone for the day. A walk is a perfect practice to consciously connect with the cycles in nature, look for the signs of Spring breaking ground, seeds sprouting, life peaking through Winter's silence.

Find YOUR Wings

2009-04-07T22:54:00.000-07:00

After Winter's rest, the dawning of a new cycle with attentions in place, we emerge with a new "out look." The Monarch Butterfly so reminds us of nature's message . . to emerge from old habits and be open to change . . . push through the resistance that no longer serves like the butterfly emerging from the chrysalis.

Letting GO

2009-04-05T14:20:00.000-07:00

Spring Cleaning isn't just about "things" and physical clutter, one of the most important pieces is to let go of mental patterns, fixed ideas about how things should be and how people are supposed to behave and old habits that no longer serve. I welcome you to take a seat and invite you to clear your mind with the simplicity of the beauty of nature.

In Nature we can relax into the rhythm of life - letting go of the hurry, hurry, worry, get more and get it sooner, faster and then WHAT daily pattern in our culture. Why are we always forcing life instead of flowing with life. Nature doesn't hurry her cycles, she grows and flows naturally. Find your balance.

Simplify

2009-04-04T01:33:00.000-07:00

Since we are on the subject of cleaning out the clutter, one of the ways to help simplify our lives is to stop the junk mail, that saves us time and also saves earth resources. Check out www.junkbusters.com to obtain assistance in stopping the junk mail. If you are wasting time with calls from telemarketers you may obtain assistance in registering for the do not call list with www.donotcall.gov. These are just 2 easy ways to simiplify our lives.

Clean out Clutter

2009-04-04T00:19:00.000-07:00

Our environment strongly influences the way we feel and how we act. Notice the "clutter" around your home and in your car, your work place or that "special" place where you go to center or regroup. Look at each individual item, does it have a happy memory, does it make you smile, if not maybe it should be put away for a while.

After our "Spring cleaning" the spider webs are gone, the windows are clean, the fireplace has been cleaned out and it's starting to "feel" like Spring. Now is a perfect time to go one step further, clean up and clean out the clutter, start sparse . . . you know how easy it is to collect clutter. Spring is the time to start fresh. Create your environment simple, a place that supports you, a place that restores your energy, promotes balance, healing and nourishes your spirit. Be brave, find something your don't need, pause to remember how it servered you, bless it and give it away or recycle it. Then Celebrate . . . . . and do it again.

Spring Cleaning (April Fools)

2009-04-01T14:00:00.000-07:00

Let's not fool ourselves, Spring Cleaning is a natural part of the season, grab the bucket, the mop and ENJOY. Clean out the old and lighten your load. Clean the windows to bring the light in . . . and lighten up the diet, get rid of the heavy foods, leave the sweets and junk foods. behind. Spring Clean the house, your office, the car, Clean out the refrigerator and the kitchen cabinets, all part of spring cleaning and preparing for greener healthier natural foods. Move the furniture around as a symbol of change and add some spring colors to your table, new tablecloth or place mates. Open the Windows, let the fresh air in, breath deep and feel the shift . . . stay alert and notice the signs of NEW BEGINNINGS . . .

Spring Exercise

2009-03-29T02:22:00.000-07:00

Stretching types of exercise are perfect for Spring. The tendons and ligaments need stretching in order to be ready for the more vigorous exercise in the Summer season. Creative Dance is excellent for Spring's stretching, flowing physical activities. Yoga is perfect and as the season matures and the tendons and ligaments are strengthen a more strenuous exercise regiment is implemented.

TIMING is KEY

2009-03-27T23:09:00.000-07:00

The SEASONS bless us with a guild to learn from and live with the flow of cycles and teaches us the importance of TIMING in our lives and for our well being. Live and learn to flow in harmony with Nature's cycles. To be “out of time” “wasted time” “no time” “bad timing” “wrong time” are all indications that we are not in sync with our own internal clock and our personal life journey instead reacting to the pressures of outside influences. TAKE TIME to learn more about the "Cycles and Seasons," your personal timing and how your consciousness of natural rhythms will improve the quality of your life. Astrology is an excellent guild to better understand the opportunities available which allows you to make decisions to use your time efficiently to achieve your desires.

Fresh Starts (New Moon)

2009-03-26T00:17:00.000-07:00

New Moon in Aries, TIME to TAKE ACTION, plant your SEEDS for a FRESH START! Make plans to achieve your dreams. We usually interpret this to plant seeds for material goals; a better job, more income, new car, house, relationship, vacation, etc, etc. We think, we want, what and why? I wonder if it would serve us better to choose a goal; like a simpler life, a grateful heart, more conscious moments, knowing yourself better or living your truth. What ever your goal, it is time to make a conscious commitment to the beginning of a new cycle, Celebrate the FRESH START Spring brings and consciously participate in beginning a NEW Cycle.

CELEBRATE Spring's Arrival (Spring Equinox)

2009-03-22T13:52:00.000-07:00

Welcome, Welcome, Spring is here. Wake up, Wipe the sleep out of your eyes. CELEBRATE the day, CELEBRATE the season, CELEBRATE the new beginning !! Affirm your goals..

CELEBRATE Spring's Arrival

2009-03-20T04:33:00.000-07:00

As Spring approaches, it's time to start considering "cleaning up" our diets. Spring Clean the inside, get rid of the junk in our diet, give something up, make some conscious choices to start including fresh Spring foods, more greens. Lighten up the diet, whether you eat meat or are a vegetarian, our diet in the Spring should be lighter than Winter's diet. The new moon is on the way and is the beginning of the transition between Winter and Spring. It's time to leave Winter's heaviness behind. Wake up, wipe the sleep out of your eyes, make some conscious energy shifts to New Beginnings, dream with your heart, leaving behind the emotional baggage that is no longer serves. Take notice of the first signs of Spring, let your creativity out to play, dream your goals into reality.

Watch for the first signs of Spring

2009-03-18T01:57:00.000-07:00

Spring in coming and Winter is being left behind along with the stillness and long cold nights. We anticipate the first light of Spring as it brings hope for a new cycle in the endless loop of time. Spring brings Joy as we look forward to grasses greening, birds singing and the pleasant sent of blooming flowers. Look for the early signs of Spring and Celebrate nature’s ability to renew, knowing we as individuals have the same cycles of life because we are part of nature.

Transition

2009-03-15T13:51:00.000-07:00

This is an important time of the year or phase in the cycles of life. This is the time just before birth. It is an anxious time, knowing or feeling something new about to begin. One day the sun is out and there is a feeling of hope for something fresh, then a couple of days later it is back to the winter weather ho drums. It can feel like false starts but the truth is we haven't closed the door to Winter. We need to leave Winter behind with all its heavy foods, longer nights and any bad habits. In most traditions and lots of religions there is a "sacrificing" at this time of the year. It is time to consider which habits need to be left behind, before the doors open to a new beginning it is best to consciously bless all the "things and habits" in your life that are not supporting your tomorrow. Symbolically, just before sun rise make a list of the needed "good byes," thank them for the part they played on your journey and get ready to Spring forward into the beginning of the new cycle.

Dreaming Your Goals TRUE

2009-03-13T13:51:00.000-07:00

You know what it's like to wake up early in the morning, feeling rested, looking at the clock, it's much eariler than you thought. You can go back to sleep and comfortably slide back into your dreams. When I have one of "those mornings" I go back to sleep with the intent to dream for pleasure, kind of like setting the stage before I slip off. That is the same kind of energy we have at this time of the year. It is a time of transition, just before the daybreak of Spring but after Winter's deep rest. This is the time of the year to "daydream" about how you would like to create your next year. This is the time to plan our New Years Goals, we have had all of Winters slow time to dream and reconnect to our spirit. It's the time to embody the feelings of a successful outcome, image your dream as if you manifested it true. How does it feel? Now is the time to "try it on," "walk as if" and fill in all the details, how does it look, what colors are in your dream, what will you hear? Take time to stretch before you get out of bed in the mornings, stretch your imagination, your thoughts and feelings as well.

Winter's transition to Spring

2009-03-12T02:31:00.000-07:00

As Spring approaches, it's time to start "cleaning up" our diets. Spring Cleaning the inside, get rid of the junk in our diet, give something up, make some conscious choices to start including fresh Spring foods, more greens. Lighten up the diet, whether you eat meat or are a vegetarian, our diet in the Spring should be lighter than Winter's diet. The new moon yesterday is the beginning of the transition between Winter and Spring. It's time to leave Winter's heaviness behind. Wake up, wipe the sleep out of our eyes, make some conscious energy shifts to new beginnings, dream with your heart, leaving behind the emotional baggage that is no longer serving. Take notice of the first signs of Spring, let your creativity out to play, dream your goals into reality.

Letting Winter GO (Full Moon)

2009-03-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

Winter is the season of rest, rejuvenation and inspiration. In March when the moon is the fullest it serves as symbol of "Winter's fullness" and the completion of the Winter energy. Now is the time to let go of Winter along with the stillness and long cold nights. Anticipate the first glimmer of Spring as it brings hope for a new cycle in the endless loop of time. Spring brings Joy as we look forward to grasses greening, birds singing their songs and the pleasant scent of blooming flowers. Notice the early signs of Spring and Celebrate nature's ability to renew, knowing us as individuals have the same cycles of life because we are part of that same nature.

Its All About TIME

2009-03-02T01:28:00.000-08:00

Tic Toc, Tic Toc, the clock ticks on, BUT which clock do you follow? Do you honor your inner timing? Do you notice the cycles of nature and how they influence you physically and emotionally? When we are naturally flowing with nature’s cycles we experience a greater sense of wellbeing. Do you check the clock more often than you check in with yourself? Now more than ever we are allowing technological advancements to seduce society’s consciousness into a rushed, busy, overloaded standard of life, as individuals we join the “busyherd,” driving us to the slaughter house, stripping us of quiet time, encouraging us to always be on call, pushing ourselves to achieve more successes continually chasing deadlines. When we act under the influence of hurry and our decision are rushed, what are the consequences of our choices, where do those rush decisions lead us?

Technology is touted to be time-saving devices BUT in you heart of hearts do you really believe technology is saving us time or just enabling more avenues to inundate us with invited influences, more of everything faster. This creates more complexity and has a life of its own, like a time machine, cracking the whip over our professional lives and over stepping the boundaries into our personal lives, stealing our freedom and quality time with our families and friends?

Technology is not going away, it just gets more so. For our own wellbeing we need to take a look at how and where we are served by technolog and where can we leave it behind and reclaim our connection with ourselves, our families, nature and Spirit.

Notice today how often you see slogans seducing you into the “busyherd” I would love feedback about slogans you notice. i.e.: instant replay, instant coffee, instant oatmeal, speed dial, express mail, hurry before their gone, last chance, don’t miss out, if you order in the next 5 minutes………….

2009-03-01T13:41:00.000-08:00

TIME

TIME and the way we use TIME is one of the most important factors in determining the quality of life. TIME is a precious commodity and yet we waste TIME without regard. There is a TIME for everything and the SEASONS reward us with the opportunity to appreciate the perfection of life's NATURAL CYCLES of TIME. Think of how much of your life is influenced by the clock . . . What a difference a day can make, you can never take back yesterday, Think about the pressure felt when we are late for an appointment, how often we hurry trying to bet the clock, how much of our lifes are ruled by 365 days of routine without thought? The Seasons teach us how to flow and grow with life changes and how to snyc with the natural cycles to benefit and enhance our well being. One of the most precious commodities in our life is TIME and yet most of us are not managing our time in our own best interest.

To be "out of time" or have "wasted time" "no time" "bad timing" "wrong time" are all indications that we are not in sync with our own internal clock. How often do we hear ourselves saying "hurry, hurry, I'm late, I don't have the time, maybe someday when I get the time" or "I don't know where the time went?" How many deadlines sneak up on us or we miss altogether? So often we are reacting to outside pressures influencing our time. TAKE TIME to learn more about the how to use the natural cycles of time to improved the quality of your life.

Enya - And Winter Came

2009-01-16T14:49:00.000-08:00

Respect The Spirit of Winter

2009-01-12T19:52:00.000-08:00

Blessings Always

Welcome

2009-01-02T15:00:00.000-08:00

I imagine this to be a sacred space in time, where we can explore the mysteries and experience the magic of life, embrace the perfection of nature and speak of Spiritual Truths. My desire is that this space will inspire us to learn more about ourselves and encourages all of us to honor our synergetic connection to each other and all of nature with Grateful Hearts.