Full Moon Dreamboard - Jan 30

PLEASE CLICK ON PHOTO FOR LARGER VIEW

Today over AT Jamie Ridler's Studio is Full Moon dreamboard. This Jan 30th Full moon is the Wolf Moon, wolf in the medicine cards stand for knowledge and learning, they are teachers.

So I set the mood with my candles, music and magazines. I took a few minutes and thought about what I was seeking and what my heart was yearning for, two of the things Jamie asked of us in the new moon post.

Some words that came to me were:
What are you seeking:
Freedom to be me, creative soul, good health, positivity, security, fun.

What is your heart yearning for:
love and intimacy with self and husband
connection to spirit
community
to be open
healthy environment
to write/create

As always I am surprised by the results, I chose 3 pictures of woman in motion, especially being open in motion, I really love these images. The two lovers I believe represents the intimacy I am yearning for. The little girl playing dress up represents me getting touch with my inner child, the one that loved to create and have fun. The artist in me is represented on the left with the reminder to "fuel your desire". The middle path is leading to a bright future filled with love, trust and happiness. Some of the other images I am not sure what they mean I was just drawn to them.

I have a really hard time getting a good picture, I think this was the best of the bunch I took, so please click on the picture for a CLOSER look.

Namaste friends and dreamers,
Karen

Wishcast Wednesday: What do you wish to awaken?

Hello fellow wishcasters and dreamers today over at Jamie Ridler's Studio the wish prompt is "What do you wish to awaken".......WOW........

These words are just what I needed this morning. What do I wish to awaken?

I think I simple wish to WAKE UP to myself, to my connection to the universe, to my creative soul that is full of healing, love and compassion. All that is needed is for me to WAKE UP and start living my life.

Honestly I feel like I have been asleep on some level for a very long time. I feel the urge to wake up getting stronger this last year.
My mind is still resisting the call and my body still prefers to hibernate, but the stirrings are there.
I just need to grab on to them and hang on tight and as our fellow wisher Sarah says "let fly".

And once I awaken to self, it is my wish that I don't go back to sleep as the poem below says. This poem came to mind immediately upon reading Jamie's words this morning.

So my fellow wishers what to you wish to awaken this fine day?

Namaste,
Karen

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don't go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want.
Don't go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth across the doorsill
where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open.
Don't go back to sleep.
"Rumi"

January Fog -

Hi fellow bloggers, wishers and dreamers..

I have been in such a fog this January, a fog of worry and colds and good intentions gone awry. I feel like I have not gotten the year off to the start I wanted.

But.. I am moving step by step forward even though it feels like backwards and sideways some days.. ;-)

I have so many creative endeavors lined up and no energy to partake in them.

So this weekend I am setting aside time to organize the different projects I am working on and that at least will be a start.

I think once I organize I will feel a little better. I am on serious information overload, even surfing the net and reading blogs seems overwhelming to me right now.

I also will limit my online time this weekend and just RELAX and nurture myself, my body is giving me a message to slow down so that is what I will do.

I wish you all a wonderful weekend.

Namaste,
Karen

Wishcast Wednesday: What do you wish for your family?

Good Day fellow wishcasters and dreamers.

Today over at Jamie Ridler's Studio the prompt for Wednesday Wishcast is What do you wish for your family?

What I wish for my family is to break free from the chains the past has on us and to start the day anew. Tough one I know but this is Wishing day and this is a big wish for me.

I want us to move forward with each other in forgiveness and love for each other and ourselves. To embrace each other for who we are now and to grow stronger together.

This wish is for my immediate and extended family who all share a collective past and for myself and my husband.

I CHOOSE HAPPINESS......................A NEW DAY...


May your wishes for yourselves and your families be so.

Namaste,
Karen

A little spot of happy today

Hi Fellow travellers.

I know the news has been heavy with a lot of tragedy and sadness and I have been a little blue in my corner of the world also. I just wanted a spot of happiness in my day and I found it in 2 places.

The first was at Wrightstuff's blog, she reminded me of the song "Pocketful of Sunshine" this song just makes me smile. And she posted a beautiful sun art piece that she made, it is stunning, you can see it on her blog through the above link.

The second was at Silke's Metamorphosis Blog, Silke gave me an award today to my surprise, and she called me and artist and and inspiration, Wow I was blown away. Check out her blog for her happy pictures for today. Thank you so much guys for the spot of happiness in my week.

Lastly but not leastly I am gearing up for Jamie Ridler's Next Chapter, "The Happy Book" You can read about it through the above link!

Namaste,
Karen

Haiti

It has been so heart breaking watching all the news footage regarding the tragedy in Haiti. It has been amazing how social networking has helped loved ones find out information on their family and friends.

I saw this article on the Red Cross Website how you can text a $10.00 donation using your cell phone. I feel so hopeless at times like this. I know $10.00 does not sound like much but even this small amount can add up and anything helps.
With many hands around the world including the virtual world we can help each other.

Patti Digh says it better than I on her blog today, here is her post: 37 Days-Patti Digh

Here is some more information on how you can help via Good Morning America's Website.

My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti.

Namaste Friends,

Karen

Wishcast Wednesday: How do you wish to shine?

Hi fellow Wishers and Dreamers, today over at Jamie Ridler Studio's the wish prompt is: How do you wish to shine?

This is a little difficult for me this week as I am not feeling so shiny, I had so many good intentions for the New Year and then I started it sick and I have slided into a little of the January Blues, I am ok but everything seems to either make me cry or annoy me right now. I am trying to go with the flow and not fight it, but it is damn hard.

So I am going to think positive.....how....do....I... wish...to....shine??

I wish to shine within and without with good health, creativity, love for myself and others, prosperity, faith, trust, compassion and understanding.. And I want to reach out and be there for others as a friend, sister, daughter, spouse and lover. I want to shine that light right out of the darkness I am in right now and follow it to a brighter day.

Thanks for listening today and all the Wednesdays that we have shared.
May we all go forth and shine our light into the world.

Namaste,
KAren

Wishcast Wednesday: What dream do you wish to explore?

Hi my fellow dreamers and wishcasters. Today over at Jamie Ridler's Studio the wish prompt for today is: What dream do you wish to explore?

The Dream I would like to explore is a simple one, a dream where I KNOW that things are good just as they are and where I can trust and have faith that they will continue to be so even through challenges and changes.

A dream of exploring a release of the anxiety and fear that is a part of my life, so I can then truly be open to new and wonderful things.
I want to explore the dream of true Optimism, I am tired of always waiting for the other shoe to drop, it is exhausting. I wish to not worry about that shoe dropping and just live my life.

I struggle with some health issues and have some instability in my marriage and my confidence has been thrown for a loop. I don't want to put focus on that or waste time figuring out the whys of things. I want to just have faith and trust that things are happening just as they should for me. I want to step into the flow and let it go!!!

I write this as I struggle with a post holiday head/chest cold, I got so bummed thinking great I am starting off the year being sick but you know what, I will get it out of the way now and continue on with my year of RELEASING and OPENING.

Signing off for some soup now, what dreams are you exploring?

Namaste Dear Ones,
Karen

Something to meditate on...

I find myself home sick these first few days of the New Year and at first it got me down, thinking what a sucky way to start the year off. Then I actually stopped and changed my thoughts, I thought hey I have 3 days off of work so I have time to rest and recoup from this chest cold and get it out of the way before I get on with my year.

I have been reading alot during this down time and thought I would share quotes or passages from book and share my thoughts here. I will post these posts under "Something to meditate on".

Todays passage comes from Lao Tzu:

"If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be truly be fulfilled.
If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself.
Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you."

I really like this passage as I can sometimes get stuck in that feeling that I am not enough or my life is lacking in some way and now I would like to take the the time to look at what I do have in my life, there is truly a lot to be grateful for.

So this year I will try to notice where my thoughts start heading down that negative spiral and as best as I can I will try to change those thoughts and see the grace and gratitude in my life.

Signing off now for a chicken soup break!
Peace to you all.

Namaste,
Karen

Sending Fear a break up letter!

Click on Photo above to read letter
Hi All!

I hope everyone had a great New Years Eve and are home safe and sound.

I found this via Magpie's blog and it is truly inspiring, I think the original post was from Pen's blog.

It is a great way to look at getting fear out of your life, treating it like you are breaking up from a bad relationship, I absouletly love this idea!!

Fear and I have been together for so long now, I think my Mom passed it on to me at birth. Anyway I am done with it and want to let go of the unhealthy fears and this seems like a great step in the right direction.

So click on my picuture above to read my break up letter with fear, what would yours look like?

PS:Parden my french in the letter, but it IS a breakup letter.. ;-)

Namaste Dear Ones,
Karen

Word for 2011 and Wishcast Wednesday

Hi my fellow wishers and dreamers.  Today over at Jamie Ridler Studios the wish prompt is:  "What do you wish to say YES to?" 


I was so determined to start 2011 with a calm and focused mind but alas that is not what is happening.  I am overwhelmed with thoughts on what I would like to accomplish for the New Year and work picking back up at the same time. (I work at an accounting office)


While reading others blogs, tweets, facebook posts on their intentions for the New Year, their wrap up of 2010 and their words for 2011 I have become overloaded with information, thoughts, ecourses that are starting up, projects I want to start or finish, etc.  This has left me with the feeling that I have not had a chance to stop and catch my breath between last year and this year.


Everything seems to travel at the speed of light out here in the blogosphere, if you miss a day or heck an hour or two you are already out of the loop.  I wonder do others work full time jobs and if so how do they manage their work, online time and family/household time, this leads me to this weeks wish prompt.


What I would like to say YES to is my word for 2011, which is EMBRACE, this word found me as It was not even one of my top choices, I kept seeing it everywhere and it just started to resonate with me in a way no others did.


Definition of EMBRACE From Merriam webster


transitive verb
1a : to clasp in the arms : hug b : cherish, love
2: encircle, enclose
3a : to take up especially readily or gladly b : to avail oneself of : welcome
4a : to take in or include as a part, item, or element of a more inclusive whole


For 2011 I would like to EMBRACE the following:


* My own pace, be it slow or fast on any given day, I won't always be able to keep up with the group and that is ok!
* My own schedule, I am an organizing geek and this is at odds with my creative side at times but I work much better with some sort of rhythm (thanks for that clarification Joy!) to my day.
* My imperfections, they are what make me unique.
* My desire to create, to heal, to love.
* Nourishing my mind/body/soul with the things that will bring joy and peace.
* My loved ones just as they are, this goes for self also.
* My Community both online and offline.
* Change, I spend alot of time resisiting change, instead I would like to Embrace it.
* Chaos, sometimes all you can do when there is chaos in your life is to Embace it.


Above are some examples of what I would like to EMBRACE this year but the biggest thing I would like to EMBRACE is the unknown.   I get caught up in the need to KNOW everything so instead I would like to EMBRACE the mystery of life, living each moment just as it is.


The Picture above was one I took while shooting into the sun, the resulting sunflare produced a red figure like object EMBRACING the sun.


As you wish for yourself, so I wish for you also.


Namaste,
Karen

Full Moon Dreamboard Dec 31, 2009

Click on picture to get a better view, sorry the best pic came out crooked

Over at Jamie Ridler's Studio today is the Blue Moon Dreamboard of Dec 31, 2009.

We were asked to think about what we want to welcome in to our lives in 2010. I had lots of thoughts and words and as always the final result is not what I thought it would be. I love the process of creating these dreamboards, I feel so grounded in the creative space and the results seem to take place so unconsiously and I am always surprised with them.

I think the ferris wheel and the bird flying on it's own away from the flock represent courage and fearlessness.

The woman in the center is releasing to the universe all that is not working for her. Some of the other images represent hope, good health, romance, grounding, action and creating. The elephant and bird just wanted to be there.

Can you find Jane Austen, she represents the writer in me and the word poet also represents that. I am not sure yet what it all means.

My words for 2010 are "Release" and "open", some other words that came to me as I was doing the dreamboard were:

Release, Open, community, creative, nutrition, good health, romance, forgiveness, beginner, mind/body/spirit, de-clutter, healthy home, positive, daily practice, love of self, gentle, ground, center, balance, courage, organize...

I wish you all a Healthy and Happy New Year filled with all that you wish for.

Namste,
KAren

Wednesday Wishcast: What do you wish for 2010?

Photo: Emma Thomson - Allposters

Hi Fellow wish makers and dreamers. Over at Jamie Ridler's Studio it is time again for wishing. This week Jamie asks, "what do you wish for 2010".

There are so many things to wish for but since you can only start with yourself and then move out from there here are some of the things I wish for 2010 in no particular order:

1. As I spoke in my spirit wish a few weeks ago the word I chose for 2010 is "Release" you can read about it here if you did not last time. But I mean Release in the sense that if I release some things and behaviors that I have been holding on to this can make room for change, make space for some new things and healthier behaviors.

2. I wish to give myself permission to just BE ME and to be ok with all the entails, even if that means certain relationships in my life will change because of this, heck I am thinking they will change for the better. And to really be present in my relationships with others and self.

3. To be gentle with myself as I explore new parts of my path especially in regards to my body and my spirit. My wish is to take steps forward in becoming healthier in mind/body and spirit. I would like to embrace the beginners mind here and take things one step at a time.

4. To know that even though I want to try every ecourse out there and attend every retreat that it is ok to slow down and if I don't catch something the first time around I can always catch it when it comes around again.

5. To be more courageous and less fearful, to trust that things are ok and to dip my toes in some unfamiliar waters.

6. To reach out more in community, to be willing to explore different communities to see which ones may fit for me and to not feel like a failure when one does not fit.

7. This sounds corny but to love and forgive myself and others for past events that are long gone but still may be blocking me from moving forward, all things can start with love and forgiveness.

8. To begin scheduling daily practices into my life to support my path especially my creative one. I will write more about this when I set up my schedule. It may sound weird but I actually went out and bought a desk calendar and I am going to actually schedule things into my day like I would any appointment even though they are only appointments with myself. I think my Capricorn mind needs this structure.

9. To be more open to giving and receiving love with my husband, friends and family with as little expectations as I can possibly manage.

These are just some and I always like the number 9 where some like 10, I like to leave 10 as a mystery.

I am sure this list will change and grow throughout the year but this is what is coming to me now. I am not making any resolutions per say since I believe just the word resolution gets my self-sabotaging gremlins all giddy. I like calling them wishes, it feels right.

So my friends what are your wishes for 2010, may your New Year be filled with good health, love, happiness and possibilities.

Namaste,
Karen

Astrological Doozies this Month

Picture
There is alot going on in the sky this month. Here is the low down:

December 20th: Mars goes Retrograde (until March 10th) Avoid scheduling surgeries. New projects/plans can go awry. Look our for arguments, accidents or decisions made impulsively. Health issues can become agitated with extra internal stress, so ground yourself in meditation or yoga or any practice that brings you back to self.

December 21st: Winter Solstice: Longest night of the year but then we welcome the return of the light.

December 21st: Jupiter conjuncts Neptune: These planets can inflate fantasies but they can also deepen your spiritual connection to whatever high power you connect to. Great time for prayer.

December 26th: Mercury retrograde: for 3 weeks. During this time be cautious with signing contracts, decisions or making purchases. Be prepared for last minute schedule changes, breakdowns and travel frusterations.

December 31st: Lunar Eclipse. Eclipses can rock the status quo. They can bring changes on suddenly, especially much needed ones.

Astrologer Dana Gerhardt gives the following advice: "With Mars and Mercury in retrograde and the lunar eclipse, best to rest, review and rethink rather than push events."


Namaste,
Karen

Wednesday Wish: What do I wish for the Holidays?

Hi Wednesday Wishers, it's that time again at Jamie Ridler's Studio. A time for wishing and dreaming and sharing with others.

This time I did not just immediately write what came to mind, I actually read the wish prompt before I went to bed then when I woke I thought of it again. What came when I woke was this expression.

"Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All" and this wish is a wish that I have not only for myself but for all of us.

I wish for peace in our hearts and spirits. When we truly know some peace within I feel we can then spread that peace outwards to those around us and the earth. I have struggled with finding this peace within, I feel overwhelmed sometimes with things that disrupt or interrupt that path to peace. But I continue to walk towards it.

Goodwill to all, to me this means really being present with others, to really see them, to hear them, to be there for them. When my stuff gets in the way when I am with others I can't really hear and see them for who they are.

So I wish you and yours the joy and love at the holidays and most of all I truly wish you PEACE and GOODWILL.

Thanks for always listening and being here.

Namaste,
Karen

Some music and motivational links

The above picture is our puppy Bella last year in the snow.

Hi All,
We are getting ready for the big snow to arrive here in NJ, it just started and the forcast calls for 10+ inches.. I could use a snow day and as long as I am close to home it's all good.

I saw this link on Jamie Ridlers website this morning and it just stroke a chord in me, it really moved me.

Here is the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI_HOPqcRFA&feature=player_embedded

And here is one of my favorites around the holiday time. The sound is so big and dramatic.

Trans Siberian Orchestra

Enjoy your Saturday,

Namaste,
Karen

Overwhelmed

Hi!
I just want to start by saying this is not to fish for compliments or anything like that, it is how I truly feel right now.

I am so overwhelmed out here in blogland, there are so many talented people with beautiful blogs and forget the amazing artists, too many to count. And I am spending so much time reading everyone's blogs and getting lost in the information overload that I am finding it hard to find my place here.

I feel like I will never get to the place where these other bloggers/artists are yet I am sure they had to start somewhere also. I just feel like a really tiny minnow in a huge pond just treading water.

I have been connecting with people and have met so many wonderful souls out here but at the end of the day I am home with me and I feel like i will never catch up to others that have gone before me.

I have just realized today that I need to start DOING and LEARNING so I can actually have something to write about so I am in the midst of trying to figure out how to go forward into 2010 with blogging and my creative work, whatever that means.
I have some e-courses lined up so I am trying to gain some focus, right now I feel like I am all over the place with no vision, plans or goals.

The funny thing is when thinking of a word to describe 2009 per Gwen Bell's Best09 I came up with turbulent. That sums up how I felt this year, starting creative work, be it writing, painting, singing, cooking, etc stirs up emotions and create cracks in your heart space which is a good thing. Creating those spaces makes room for growth...but...it also leaves you needing to let go of some stuff and boy am I finding that hard. My word for 2010 is RELEASE and I am hoping to release and then open.

If there is anyone out there with any hints or tips on how they got started with their creative works and blogs I would love to hear your stories.

Namaste,
Karen

*8Things: To Enjoy in the Dark - Magpie Girl's Prompt

So I have discovered Magpie Girl's *8 Things and I have decided to play along.

This week Magpie Girl asks "What do you do during this season to make it through the darkness? How do you fight S.A.D.? What parts of the season can you embrace with honesty? What *8Things do you enjoy in the dark?"
Here are mine:

1. Snuggle, Snuggle, Snuggle with any warm body in the house be it human or puppy (see below pic)


2. I am lucky that I can be home some days before 3pm and that is the perfect time in my den on a cold sunny day to bask in the sun that streams through and hits the perfect spot where I sit on my couch, of course I am blinded for those 20 minutes or so but It feels warm and toasty on my skin.

3. Read, I am an avid reader and this time of year is perfect for grabbing the blanket and a warm mug of tea and diving into a good book.

4. Making comfort foods like soup and stews, they help warm me up from the inside out. Something about a hot bowl of soup on a cold day just feels so good.

5. Sometimes I turn the lights down and light my candles, the candle light in the darkness lends mystery and magic to the night.

6. Turning inward a bit and taking advantage of this hibernating time to kind of take stock of the year and gear up for the next year, so preparing as well as hibernating.

7. Taking off my shoes when I get home and putting on my snuggly, comfy,cozy socks... ahhhhhhhh.

8. Wearing all my beautiful scarves that I have collected over the years, my neck is always cold so most days in the fall and winter I am wearing a scarf, I love the feeling of my neck being warm and protected.

So what are the *8 things you enjoy in the dark?




Namaste,
Karen

Wishcast Wednesday: What do you wish to give?

Happy Wednesday my fellow wishcasters. It's wish day at Jamie Ridler's Studio.

Today's wish prompt is, What do you wish to give? Sounds simple enough, giving should be easy, right? Just like anything else in life even something as simple as this brings up anxieties, uncertainties and whatever other "stuff" we carry around, like: who should we give to, are we giving enough, will the recipient like what I have to give, see sounded easy but my monkey mind gets in the way and I start to over-analyze just like with everything else I do.

So excuse me monkey mind but get out of my way please and let the answer flow.....

What I wish to give is my unconditional love and support to those who are in my life or touch my life, if I know them personally or not. I know this is a big wish and it may take me awhile to get around my "stuff" to accomplish this one, especially the unconditional part I think alot of people don't consciously have expectations when giving, but it happens, we are human. In the meantime I can take whatever steps in giving of myself that I can do in each moment as it comes.

Some things I can give now are:

1. A smile to friends and strangers alike.
2. Time, to spend with friends and family, to share with them their stories and mine, to just BE present with them.
3. Charity where I can in the form of giving away things especially since I feel sometimes overwhelmed with stuff, especially clothes that I know I will never wear again, maybe someone else can use some of it.
4. Prayers/Reiki/Support where needed or blessings of joy to share in celebration.
5. To give myself and others a break, knowing no one is perfect.


There is so much to give I can list them one by one but these are a broad range and I think it gets the idea across. I feel like I am having a hard time expressing myself so I hope this post make sense to you today.

So my fellow wishcasters what would you like to give?

Namaste,
Karen

The Cutest Puppy - Just for Fun

Hi All,

I have been busy this holiday season and in gathering resources for the New Year so I have not been writing as much.

Just wanted to drop by and Say HI! And share a cute puppy moment with my Jack Russell Bella.

When I took this the first caption that came to mind was "Bella trying to take a nap after a long day of reading"

Namaste,
Karen