Happy Leap Day! I saw a funny photo on Facebook this morning, of a door to a business where the owners had posted a notice that since February 29th "isn't a real day," they would be closed for the day and re-open on March 1st. I thought it was a pretty cool idea!
However, since I have plans for today that would be challenging to alter, I think I'll make tomorrow my own personal "day that wasn't." It's supposed to snow here, after a winter without much of the white stuff, and our homeschool co-op has already been canceled. So tomorrow I'm going to enjoy a "time outside of time" kind of day.
I have some creative projects that have been wanting attention, and I'm very excited to give them some. I'll be working on text for our guided meditation CD, phase two of my Starcat's Corner book proposal, and a guest blog to submit to one of my new favorite websites, among other projects. Maybe I'll finally make my vision board for 2012! I've been too busy living it to put it on paper, thus far anyway.
I hope you enjoy your own version of the day that wasn't, whenever you decide to discover it!
"The flow of creativity feels like an avalanche of joy and wonder. Being open to that possibility creates connections with everything." - Feline Dreamers
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
The Limelight
This Thursday, I'm coming out. Nope, I'm not gay. But I do have two love partners. Most of those who know me either know this already or have probably figured it out. If you don't know me, you may be saying "so what?" or "huh?" or "what does that mean, exactly?" I haven't written about it much up until now, not really wanting it to be the defining characteristic of my online presence. I also value my privacy, and it's not really anyone's business what my relationships are like.
But, thanks to a gentle nudge from an editor I'm acquainted with online, I've written an article called "Surrounded by Love: Our Alternative Family." It's going to be published on Thursday in an online magazine called Rethinking Everything. I'm feeling very excited, and a perhaps a bit nervous. It's not like it's going to be in Good Housekeeping or on Oprah, but still. I've been working on the article for several months now (off and on), and the cool thing is, I'm very pleased with how it came out. If you're interested in reading it, you can sign up for the free magazine at this link.
But, thanks to a gentle nudge from an editor I'm acquainted with online, I've written an article called "Surrounded by Love: Our Alternative Family." It's going to be published on Thursday in an online magazine called Rethinking Everything. I'm feeling very excited, and a perhaps a bit nervous. It's not like it's going to be in Good Housekeeping or on Oprah, but still. I've been working on the article for several months now (off and on), and the cool thing is, I'm very pleased with how it came out. If you're interested in reading it, you can sign up for the free magazine at this link.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Traveling Beyond Words
Sometimes there are things that I'm thinking or feeling or dreaming that just can't be communicated with words. Does that ever happen for you? Like those dreams that stir me awake, but I can't write them in my dream journal because there's really no plot or setting or characters, just a sort of indescribable awareness. Or a feeling that arises that presents an odd combination of emotions, like an uplifting sadness or a poignant fey anger - see, just trying to write them down here isn't really capturing them at all.
The other night BlackLion and I went to a kirtan at a local yoga studio. I've been to kirtan events there before, and the organizers are just amazing. The event is woven together with storytelling - Hindu myths and personal insights and yogic quotes - in between the uplifting energy-filled chants. We brought along our drums this time. The theme was a celebration of Shiva, in honor of the upcoming festival Maha Shivaratri, or The Great Night of Lord Shiva. Shiva is the god of cosmic destruction and rebirth. We chanted to him and I joined in the drumming.
It was a powerfully transformative night. Without words, I was able to go deeply into the moment and experience the energies of the music. The chants do have words, but as they're in Sanskrit, I can easily just dive into the sounds. Much of the time, I was absorbed in the drumming and forgot to chant, anyway. I'd find myself just smiling and drumming, riding the waves of the music.
I recently learned that it's the long vowel sounds in chanting that bring us into an altered state of consciousness, changing our brain waves. It makes sense. When we enter fully into music, we transcend the normal chatter of the mind, and get into a meditative flow. In that space beyond words, I can feel the harmony of my spirit with the universe. I can understand the creativity that arises and seeks expression. I might even be able to bring some of it back into my writing and art, if I use just the right combination of delighted detachment and musing dreaminess.
The other night BlackLion and I went to a kirtan at a local yoga studio. I've been to kirtan events there before, and the organizers are just amazing. The event is woven together with storytelling - Hindu myths and personal insights and yogic quotes - in between the uplifting energy-filled chants. We brought along our drums this time. The theme was a celebration of Shiva, in honor of the upcoming festival Maha Shivaratri, or The Great Night of Lord Shiva. Shiva is the god of cosmic destruction and rebirth. We chanted to him and I joined in the drumming.
It was a powerfully transformative night. Without words, I was able to go deeply into the moment and experience the energies of the music. The chants do have words, but as they're in Sanskrit, I can easily just dive into the sounds. Much of the time, I was absorbed in the drumming and forgot to chant, anyway. I'd find myself just smiling and drumming, riding the waves of the music.
I recently learned that it's the long vowel sounds in chanting that bring us into an altered state of consciousness, changing our brain waves. It makes sense. When we enter fully into music, we transcend the normal chatter of the mind, and get into a meditative flow. In that space beyond words, I can feel the harmony of my spirit with the universe. I can understand the creativity that arises and seeks expression. I might even be able to bring some of it back into my writing and art, if I use just the right combination of delighted detachment and musing dreaminess.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Love to You
Happy Valentine's Day! Whether you really get into the holiday, baking and making little cards for loved ones and friends, or you are feeling sad about the expectations of romantic love that it brings, or you have a cynical view of the commercialization that goes on - no matter what your beliefs or notions or deep feelings, I wish you love.
I wish you deep nurturing self-love. I wish you inspirational star-dazzled divine love. I wish you comforting cuddly feline love. I wish you supportive and kind family love. I wish you joyful and laughter-filled and hugs-when-you-need-them friend love. I wish you awestruck nature love. I wish you magical one-night-stand love. I wish you mystical spirit-guide angelic love. I wish you quietly shared long-time partner love. I wish you resting in your sacred space love. I wish you passionate brand-new love. I wish you in-the-zone doing-the-work-you-adore creative love. And I wish you traditional swept-away romantic true love, too!
All of this and more! On this day, and all days, and always!
Blessed Be my Lovely friends!
I wish you deep nurturing self-love. I wish you inspirational star-dazzled divine love. I wish you comforting cuddly feline love. I wish you supportive and kind family love. I wish you joyful and laughter-filled and hugs-when-you-need-them friend love. I wish you awestruck nature love. I wish you magical one-night-stand love. I wish you mystical spirit-guide angelic love. I wish you quietly shared long-time partner love. I wish you resting in your sacred space love. I wish you passionate brand-new love. I wish you in-the-zone doing-the-work-you-adore creative love. And I wish you traditional swept-away romantic true love, too!
All of this and more! On this day, and all days, and always!
Blessed Be my Lovely friends!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Goals for 2012
Well, here we are several weeks into the new year, so I thought that sharing my goals with you might be good. Or actually, a bit overdue! I've had them written in draft form in my notebook for a while, and have been working and playing with some of them. And my 2012 Word of the Year, which is CONNECT, is already rocking my world! I think 2012 is shaping up to be an amazing, fantastic ride!
I liked the way I arranged them last year, by elements, so I kept that format this time. Here they are! Tah dah! Please feel free to comment on them, or to post some of your 2012 goals in the comment section. I'd love to hear them!
Air: I write and publish books and e-books. I am a helpful and encouraging unschool facilitator for my kids. I write, memorize, and perform a speech or prose poem. I create art and share it with others. I read and study sacred yogic texts.
Fire: I use the power of my will to succeed in my writing, my callings, and my business, Feline Dreamers. I use affirmations to increase my self-love and confidence. I agree to participate in events and projects only if they feel like a passionate “yes!” to me. I release habits, people, and situations which no longer serve me.
Water: I nurture myself regularly. I use my empathy and intuition to serve my community. I connect more deeply with my spirit guides and dream allies. I re-read my recent dream records and work creatively with them, employing new dreamwork techniques.
Earth: I spend time outdoors in Nature. I listen to my body’s innate wisdom and follow the suggestions I receive. I use herbal remedies and holistic practices to increase my wellness. I support myself and my family with money earned through my creative work.
Spirit: I continue my daily practice of meditation, mindfulness, and presence. I practice hatha yoga regularly. I spend time in sacred space, both alone and in community. I create a personal Wheel of the Year and represent it with art I create. I update my shrine and altars regularly.
I liked the way I arranged them last year, by elements, so I kept that format this time. Here they are! Tah dah! Please feel free to comment on them, or to post some of your 2012 goals in the comment section. I'd love to hear them!
Air: I write and publish books and e-books. I am a helpful and encouraging unschool facilitator for my kids. I write, memorize, and perform a speech or prose poem. I create art and share it with others. I read and study sacred yogic texts.
Fire: I use the power of my will to succeed in my writing, my callings, and my business, Feline Dreamers. I use affirmations to increase my self-love and confidence. I agree to participate in events and projects only if they feel like a passionate “yes!” to me. I release habits, people, and situations which no longer serve me.
Water: I nurture myself regularly. I use my empathy and intuition to serve my community. I connect more deeply with my spirit guides and dream allies. I re-read my recent dream records and work creatively with them, employing new dreamwork techniques.
Earth: I spend time outdoors in Nature. I listen to my body’s innate wisdom and follow the suggestions I receive. I use herbal remedies and holistic practices to increase my wellness. I support myself and my family with money earned through my creative work.
Spirit: I continue my daily practice of meditation, mindfulness, and presence. I practice hatha yoga regularly. I spend time in sacred space, both alone and in community. I create a personal Wheel of the Year and represent it with art I create. I update my shrine and altars regularly.
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