WORDS TO TRAVEL BY

• MEET THE LOCALS AND DO WHAT THEY DO.
• LOOK FOR A SPOT TO EAT BEFORE YOU'RE STARVING.
• PACK LIGHT--IF YOU'RE NOT SURE WHETHER TO BRING IT, YOU PROBABLY DON'T NEED IT.
• MAINTAIN A SAFE FOLLOWING DISTANCE.
• WHEN FLYING WITH A TOT, BRING EARPLUGS TO GIVE NEARBY PASSENGERS.
• WHEN YOU VISIT A FOREIGN COUNTRY, LEARN A FEW SIMPLE PHRASES IN THE LOCAL LANGUAGE--BONJOUR, ARIGATO, POR FAVOR.
• LEAVE A GENEROUS TIP FOR YOUR HOTEL HOUSEKEEPERS.
• HAVE AS MANY PICNICS AS POSSIBLE.
• WEAR SUNSCREEN, COMFORTABLE SHOES, AND A SMILE.

Adapted from VIA magazine--November & December 2009

MENTAL IMAGERY AND AFFIRMATION

The name Narcissus comes from a Greek word meaning: to numb. It was given this name because if one is enclosed in a small space with the flower, the scent will induce headache. Chinese Feng Shui believes the flower brings good luck for the next 12 months if forced to bloom during the New Year. The daffodil, also a form of narcissus is the American Cancer Society's symbol of hope that a cure for cancer will be found. They believe it symbolizes new hope and life.

Lore connecting the daffodil to not only a sign of winter's end but a lucky emblem of future prosperity is found throughout the world. In psychoanalysis narcissism is excessive self-love.

I found these flowers blooming in the front of a house in one of my favorite neighborhoods in Auburn. I have to say that seeing them en mass gave me a definite feeling of hope. Maybe they numbed me at that moment to hearing about the freezing temperatures across the nation, about the sadness of losing a life-long friend forever, of a nation that seems to be struggling with prosperity, of seeing homeless people shut out in the cold with no place to go, and so on.

My wish is that these flowers represent a lucky emblem of future prosperity...throughout the world. I read once that imagination creates reality. Shakti Gawain says "Every moment of your life is infinitely creative and the universe is endlessly bountiful. Just put forth a clear enough request, and everything your heart desire must come to you." AND SO IT IS!

PONDERING

Mushrooms I found on my walk today. Don't they look like coral from the ocean? I have never seen these before. Eyes on the ground; there are things to be found. You can click to enlarge.

Something I heard today that made me ponder was this:

THE SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY TRIANGLE

• Relationship with God--The process of actively seeking what God means for each of us, being clear about what we believe.
• Relationship with Self--The process of discovering our own strengths and sacred worth. Taking care of ourselves physically and intellectually.
• Relationship with Others--To see the sacred worth of others, and to all others to reflect that same thing back to us and hold us accountable.

I don't mean to be preaching here. I have a spiritual belief in what "God" means to me. But, I like the idea of the triangle and the community.

The blog community that I follow is very strong and I see spirituality in all the blogs that I follow. I love you all for that. Here is a song that speaks to me with wonderful, loving words. It's incredible what you find when you least expect it. Sort of like stumbling upon those mushrooms emerging from under the leaves. What an incredible metaphor.

HOW CAN ANYONE EVER TELL YOU

YOU ARE ANYTHING LESS THAN BEAUTIFUL?

HOW COULD ANYONE EVER TELL YOU

YOU ARE LESS THAN WHOLE?

HOW COULD ANYONE FAIL TO NOTICE

THAT YOUR LOVING IS A MIRACLE

AND HOW DEEPLY YOU'RE CONNECTED TO MY SOUL!

This follows my whole "interconnectedness" theme. In Avatar, the movie, they say to each other "I see you" meaning they SEE what is deep inside of whomever they are with. They are connected to each other and ALL living creatures and lifeforms. A wonderful idea to ponder and also recognize that life may throw rocks (as Nina Bagley says) at us but we have the choice of how to deal with it.