Hey Spring, I can smell you and you smell delightful! Lookin' forward to the sun coming out, staying out, melting winter's white icy mounds and ushering in the kaleidoscope of vibrant, lively colors <3

When are you gonna start acting on your dreams?

How about...

If speaking to a spiritual novice during the darker days of human evolution, one might explain God, metaphorically, as if "He" were angry, testing, and judgmental.

To someone a bit more savvy, during easier times, one might explain God, metaphorically, as if "She" were always loving, nurturing, and forever conspiring on our behalf.

And to someone on the verge of a total breakthrough, during the latter days of human evolution, one might explain God by asking them to turn up the music, take off their shoes, walk in the grass, unleash the dogs, free the canary, catch a breeze, ride a wave, dance every day, get up early, take a nap, stay out late, eat chocolate, feel the love, give stuff away, earn it back, give some more, and laugh.... Really.

First, choose from the options that thrill you.

Then, choose the ones that also teach you.

And from these, choose the scariest.

Butterflies in your tummy are good

Person of Shelburne

The Shelburne News interviewed me this week as their Person of Shelburne

Things, things, things!

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Sooooooo, while yogic philosophy emphasizes minimalist lifestyle and the fact that "thing"....stuff....material goods...don't benefit us in any way and, essentially, only serve to feed the ego...I have to admit, I love stuff!  I understand that I don't need it, I understand receiving it only provides me with temporary satisfaction, etc etc.  BUT, I like it.  And I feel like as long as I am conscious of the fact that getting and buying stuff doesn't actually make me happy, in the truest sense of the word, then I am go on admiring stuff and even occasionally getting stuff.

I also like procrastinating.  You could even go so far as to say that I am an expert procrastinator.  I have an article due for the paper in T-minus 1 hour, yet I just put muffins in the oven (mmmm, gluten free banana!) and am browsing Etsy like a flippin' hawk.  And now, just for the fun of it, I'm gonna share some good Etsy finds.....all stuff I would like.  All stuff I won't buy ::sigh::

Heeeeeeeeere we go!

Extra small copper hoops



These hoops are made in copper with sterling silver ear wires. The hoop has been hammered for texture. Hoop diameter is about 5/8" (1.6cm).




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Little Sweet Hedgehog Earrings


Random. Totally Rad.

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Chunky Cream Moss Stitch Cowl


I love chunky scarves, it's true.  This one looks especially cozy.

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Mini Clay Pots

I mean...these are just adorbs.  Definitely making some come Spring.  In lots of fun colors/patterns!

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Fruit No. 19, Original Oil Painting


I'm pretty sure I don't even need to explain why this rocks.

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Sparkler


Sparkler!  Take off the type and you've got a beauty.

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Custom Order for Nicolegt


Are you serious?!  If someone gave me a leather-bound journal with my name on the spine...I would probably need a paper bag to hyperventilate into, due to utter excitement.

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Shipping Crate Side Table

Genius!  Again, a DIY project I may have to dip into this summer.

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Trunk/Table Made from Reclaimed Wood

Pretty darn cool....plus 1985 is on it, which makes it even cooler.

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Nose Eyeglass Stand/Key Caddy

Contrary to what some friends n' family may say about me, I DO know the difference between need  and want, and I am quite sure I need this lil' item here.  Yep, quiiiiiiite sure.

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Lego Man Crayons

Kickass.  Seriously.

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Pac Man Earrings

So simple, so quirky, so cool.  Scrolling through Etsy is giving me lots of fun project ideas...

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Nerd 4 Life Mug

Obvi

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Retro Thai Style Flower Graphic Upcycled Rug

I would gladly have one of these in my apt

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Personalized Peas in a Pod

So sweet, sweet pea.  Also, would be pretty simple to make.

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Ok, I could do this for a very, very long time...but muffins are ready to come out of the oven and now that I've procrastinated a bit, my brain has re-booted and I am ready to worky work again.

Hope you all have a delightful Friday

xoxOM

Smiling

I am so happy in life right now and reading over posts from my European adventures also makes me happy.....all pieces of this beautiful puzzle

Posts from Europe:

Italia, June 2010

France, June 2010

France, 4th of July, 2010


Toulouse, July 2010

Wrap up post, July 2010


Germany, July 2010

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Be mindful, live in the Now. xoxOM

Sippin' on Sunshine

Through primrose tufts, in that sweet bower,
The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;
And 'tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes.

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Hello, hello!  Been a while since I've written a quality post, eh?  Does anyone even read this anymore?

::cricket, cricket::



Alright, well.....today is not the day I have time to sit down and write something super thoughtful/meaningful/profound/groundbreaking/life changing, BUT, I can share some stuff with you and that is great.

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So, back from New Mexico!  What a trip it was....full of revelations, Truth, beauty, and lots of looking within to make sense of the outside world.

The workshop w/ Dr. Vasant Lad was absolutely incredible.  He is a truly enlightened and inspiring man.  He helped shed light on the tools we all possess to create and live a life of bliss.  We learned 7 key pranayama (breath) techniques, various meditations, and so so much more about Self, our relationship with the Universe and other beings, healing mantras, the art of listening, shabda (speech), and love love love.  It all comes down to love.....live through eyes/a heart of compassion, recognize and really understand that we're all one, and love with no expectation...with no demand.  For that's true love, and a love that sets you free.

SO much more to write about those days w/ Dr. Lad, but I'm currently running on about 3 hours of sleep and words aren't in easy reach at the moment.  And that's ok, feels quite nice actually.  Living meditation.

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Another thing the trip to NM confirmed was that I am not ready to leave VT.  I love it here!  I am truly a Vermont gal and there's no reason to deny it or to uproot myself to go somewhere that feels so far from home.  Also, in really stripping away the layers of ego/mind and contemplating my future, I realized that it feels much more authentic for me to first focus on yoga, then Ayurveda.  I am so so excited to say that I will be doing the 200-hour, then 700-hour yoga teacher training at Kripalu (in the Berkshires in MA) and then eventually their Ayurveda training as well.  It's perfect because through yoga, I have engaged in self-healing, and to share that with others would be such a gift.  Also, the training sessions are one month at a time, so I can continue to live in VT and leave for 4-week segments to live in the beautiful Berkshires and do hours upon hours of yoga everyday and acquire the teaching skills I need to pass on the joy!  Very much looking forward to this <3

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...just because

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Wanna zone out for a few mindless minutes?  Check these out:

Rock Paper Scissors against the computer

Identify famous objects from classic movies

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Learning guitar.  For real.

Writing lyrics.  This, too, is actually happening.

I enjoy both things stated above.

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I feel so at peace with everything...for the first time, my yoga practice has extended beyond the mat and it's such a beautiful way to be.  Grateful.

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Really want this edition of Strunk and White...


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Articles thus far for Shelburne News:

1. Renovated Shelburne Inn

2. Church & Main opening

3. Converted Dairy Barn

4. A Little Something

5. Imogene

6. Garritano's Bid for Lt. Governor

7. Pianist Shares Gift of Music

8. Arabesque and Ink Ink Merge

9. It Don't Mean A Thing if it Ain't Got That Swing

10. Cat's Meow

11. Ecco

12. Collected Stories


...and more to come!  I know you are all so eager to keep up on the hard-hitting Shelburne News!  I am actually really enjoying this freelance gig.  It's good experience, I meet lots of cool people, and it forces me to write in a (somewhat) formal way on a regular basis.  Next story is on newly purchased land by the Zen Center, and then I have been given free reign to do a big piece on detox cleansing for Spring....should come out in the April 1st issue.  Sweet!  Next: start writing for 7 Days.

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Society6 Minutes: Indigo from Paul Octavious on Vimeo.




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I wanna...

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Bookshelf Porn!  Love it!  Makes my pulse race...just a little.  When the time comes for me to build a little cottage in the woods, I am going to have some sweeeeeeeet built-in bookshelves up in there!

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Speaking of books, I'm pretty sure this is what happens every day when I leave my apartment:




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Trailer for "Press Pause Play"...would like to see this.  It's a commentary/open discourse on digital culture




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Do what you like.  Repeat.

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