Saturday, July 27, 2013

tAke Care oF yOurSeLf . . .


Dear Readers;

This cartoon totally got my attention yesterday when it landed in my mailbox. The giraffe--in all its smart giraffy-ness--has decided to bring the leaf pizza to the party so he has something to eat!

Instead of complaining about the lack of giraffe treats, or just sucking it up and eating non-giraffe stuff, he has decided to take care of himself and bring to the table something that HE desires.

Is he selfish? Is he downright rude? 

Nah . . . he's just taking care of himself so he can be present at the party AND have something delicious to nosh on. Not only that, but he's also sharing it with his fellow guests AND (BONUS!) he's giving it as a gift to the hostess.

Hmnnn . . . that's the best example of paying it forward that I've seen for awhile. Those giraffes have some good stuff to teach us, huh?

What if the lesson from the giraffe is that: 

We must learn to FIRST bring to the table (in our relationships, our self-care, fill in the ______) all the G(o)OD stuff that we, ourselves, desire? This is our present (presence) to the Universe.

Just a thought . . .
;) Dana


Friday, July 26, 2013

u R perFecKT!



Well hELLo there!

I was thinking today about what it means to be perfect and why I try to be perfect, and what I landed on is that I thought that if I did everything perfectly, people would approve of me, or like me (have you every been around someone who acts like they are perfect?  . . . I actually find people who act perfect quite annoying and humorous . . . and I used to be and am sometimes THAT girl . . . ;0( yikes, kinda funny! . . . ).

So being perfect is a way for me to feel in control (even though it is all made up in my head . . . cuz some people still don't like me no matter if I am perfect or not . . . and guess what? I can't control other people and the way they feel about me!)

Perfection comes in many disguises, like, for example,
  • being the perfect student (you know, like as in, straight A's)
  • being the perfect son/daughter (like you can't mess up)
  • being the perfect athlete/singer/actress/_______fill in blank (no fouls, strikes, warnings,wrong notes or lines etc.)
  • having a perfect body (eating disorder warning . . . been there, done that!)
  • looking perfect
  • kissing butt to people so they like you (even though the things you say aren't true...)
  • making others dependent on you . . .
  • having a perfect house
  • and it goes on and on . . .
Being perfect is SOSOSOSOSOS stressful . . . and I DO IT TO MYSELF. Nobody else does it TO me (and if I feel someone expects perfection from me, I might want to have a conversation about that with them and ask them if it's true . . .).

Anyway, so that leaves us with being (im)PerFeCKT! Hmnnnn...

It's actually kind of a relief . . . takes the pressure off, and then we can just breathe, be hu(wo)man, and love ourselves even MORE. More on loving ourselves later . . .
Here's an awesome song by PiNk! to remind you that (im)PerfeCkT is the new PerfeCKt!

Have an amazingly PerFecKT day!

Smiles! and 0000 hugs and ))))) mustaches! 
;) dana

Thursday, July 25, 2013

LisTen tO yOuR hEaRt . . .


Dear Fun & Free Peeps!

Check out this amazing poster by Karen Salmonsohn. I have done a lot of reading and studying about manifestation and the LAW OF ATTRACTION (read the book The Secret or watch the movie--it's amazing!), and one thing I struggle with (and have for a long time) is that I'm not always sure what I want--or I don't trust myself enough to know what I want and just end up second-guessing what I think I want--does that even make sense?

A recurring and painful pattern in my life is this: It's easier for me to try and meet other people's needs before my own, so I've struggled with acquiring the skills & practice it takes to get in touch with what want--that just hasn't been my role--until just recently (meaning in the past 5 years, or so . . .). So part of my journey has been to GET IN TOUCH WITH ME AND WITH WHAT I HOLD AS MY DEEPEST  & MOST PRECIOUS WISHES.

I want my wishes to come true-- and therefore it's my job as a Child of the Universe to leverage my wishes, but first I've had to learn to LISTEN to the whisperings of my heart.

What has helped my find this inner voice is most definitely and directly tied to my spiritual practices, which include:
  • writing (in my journal and sharing my process in this daily bloggety-blog)
  • reading books, blogs, and literature that inspires me
  • healing/energy work
  • meditation
  • yoga
  • processing with loved ones
  • eating properly & exercising
  • treating myself with love and kindness; accepting myself as human (rather than perfect)
  • speaking my feelings and my truth respectfully and firmly (or, just barfing them out in inappropriate ways and then taking corrective measures after ;0)
  • intentionally being present, in the moment
  • saying "I'm sorry" when I make a mEsS with my words or actions
Now, really, this list is pretty long, and I certainly am not 100% on any of it--but the point is, I'm intentionally raising my awareness, and I'm trying to evolve. So, as I look at Salmonsohn's "How to make wishes come true," I am going describe what each item means to me right now on my journey:
  1. Feel your dream with all your might. This is about visualization, The Law of Attraction, and gratitude. We can make our wishes come true faster when we appreciate what we already have and act "as if" we already possess what we desire.
  2. List your "To Do's," Write. Write. Write. In order to manifest what we want, it's a great idea to write down what we want in specific, present tense terms. Making a vision board is also am amazing process.
  3. Overwhelmed? Take Smaller bites. Sometimes we go for the big stuff, when continuous, smaller steps might be more palatable
  4. Frustrated? Focus on all that's right. Once again, gratitude for all we already have is super powerful to call in the even better stuff, relationships, and circumstance!
  5. Impatient? Focus on what's within sight. This practice helps keep us in the present, with our short-term goals right in front of us.
  6. Hustle each day. Appreciate progress each night. Calling in our deepest desires takes daily action--manifestation is not wishing and hoping without taking steps toward what you want. At the end of the day, we can appreciate and feel gratitude for our progress. 
How do you make your dreams come true? Leave us a comment and share your ideas!
Lots of Love,
Dana 

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

aRRivAL of BuNnY . . .


Dear Readers;

Here is the bunny who revealed itself in my YARD today. No coincidence.

Know why?

Because Jody, one of my wonderful friends, was in my house today and she happens to be an animal rescuer . . . she has saved squirrels, birds, bunnies, and more.

Rupert showed up in a corner of my yard today, and was waiting for us to take care of him.

Bunnies have been showing up for me a lot lately (and also throughout my life---I'll tell you about Sir Bellsworth Wigglebottom another time . . .). They must be one of my totem animals . . .

What's that? Have you ever had an animal friend keep showing up for you over and over until it gets your attention!? 

Sometimes animals serve as totems--- Webster's defines a totem as: "A natural object, usually an animal that serves as a distinctive, often venerated  [respected]  emblem or symbol, usually a means of personal or spiritual identity." So, when a special animal keeps reappearing to me, I usually pay attention and figure out the animal's message for me.

When I looked up rabbit, here is what I found:

Fertility and New Life

The Rabbit is known for its ability to procreate,
its fleetness, and its movement is by leaps.
People with this totem may find that their
endeavors go in leaps and bounds also.

If a Rabbit totem has appeared in your life, it may indicate a need for more planning
or to check those plans already set in motion.
Do not box yourself in a corner.
This totem may also bring a need to examine the kinds of foods you eat.
Perhaps a vegetarian diet, if only for a short time, can help you strengthen and heal.

Rabbit is associated with Eostra, the Celtic goddess of Spring,
and therefore associated with Ostara (or Easter).
This is the reason we celebrate with Easter eggs.
Rabbit is also sacred to the moon goddess Andraste,
the Norse goddess Freya, and the Greek god Hermes.
The Hare is associated with the moon
in many cultures including Native American, Hindi, and China.

Looks like it's time for me to pay attention to rabbit energy!

Blessings,
Dana

Saturday, July 20, 2013

LoVe yOuRsELf . . .


Hey All--

Often we settle for crumbs in relationships when we all crave the most delicious cake! We keep friends around, even when we are uncomfortable for whatever reason--we give too much, we are constantly criticized or told what to do, or we just aren't able to be ourselves.

Sometimes, we hang on just because we are afraid of being alone. If we pay close attention, we may notice that people in our lives reflect or mirror ourselves. 

Why need courage to

let go

of these painful patterns. 

When I was in middle school, I used to wonder why other girls were so mean to me; I believed the rotten stuff they said about me, and I never stuck up for myself or argued with them. This kept happening over and over again. 

Hmmmmnnnnnn...that's interesting...

Have you ever noticed that the SAME characters keep showing up in your life (with different faces, of course) and doing the yucky crap u don't appreciate over & over until you learn the lesson you are supposed to learn ?!!!!? 

Funny how that works! 

We teach people how to treat us.

It doesn't matter whether the friends are girls or boys--people treat us the way we allow ourselves to be treated (BTW--it's the same when you are grown up!...)
You know, we actually train (yep, as in dogs! ) the people in our lives how to treat us by what we are willing to put up with, and I believe this is soOoOoo true!

What is the first word we teach a dog?

"NO."

First, we teach a dog what we are NOT willing to put up with; then, we reward the dog when it behaves in a way that is acceptable to us. 

Hmmnn... lessons from dogs!

Would you keep a dog in your house who constantly barked at you and bit at your fingers or clamped onto the bottom of your pant legs? 

Or crapped on the floor? 

Absolutely not!!!! (and if you did, who would be the problem? you? or the dog?...just sayin'...) 

So, if you are noticing that you surround yourself with people who aren't very nice to you or who don't meet your needs, ask yourself "Why?"  

They are a reflection of you

Which reminds me of an amazing poem by Portia Nelson:

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

Chapter 1
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost ... I am helpless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.


Chapter 2
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I am in the same place.
But it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.


Chapter 3
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in ... it's a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.


Chapter 4
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.


Chapter 5
I walk down another street.

~ Portia Nelson ~ 

Walking down another street can be a really hard, brave thing to do, and sometimes we don't have choices about the people who surround us--like on teams, at work, or in school, or in our families. When that happens, we can just look to others with love and detachment, and be on our way . . . on our own path

Much love!

Dana

Friday, July 19, 2013

Life is on purpose . . .

"Everything you take for granted is a blessing. Everything you fear is a friend in disguise. Everything you want is a part of you. Everything you hate you hate about yourself. Everything you own does not define you. Everything you feel is the only Truth there is to know.

Everything you wish for is already on its way to you. Everything you think creates your life. Everything you seek for you will find. Everything you resist will stick around. Everything you let go of stays if it's supposed to. Everything you need is right where you are.

Every time you bless another you bless yourself. Every time you blame another you lose your power. Every time you think you can, you can. Every time you fall you must get up and try again. Every time you cry you're one tear closer to joy. Every time you ask for forgiveness, all you have to do is forgive yourself.

Everyone you see is your reflection. Everyone you know mirrors you. Everyone wants to be happy. Everyone wants to live in joy. Everyone seeks a higher purpose. Everyone breathes the same breath. Everyone needs love to survive. Everyone has a purpose to fulfill.

Everyone's the same as everyone else. We just get caught up in labels, names, skin color and religion. Everyone's the same as everyone else. No one wants to feel the pain. Everyone's the same as everyone else. Everyone is dying for love to remain."

Jackson Kiddard

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

gOt dRaMa?


"There is nothing either good or bad,
but thinking makes it so."

~William Shakespeare
Hey aLL!

Wow! I really have been on a huge learning curve lately. Let's just say that the drama factor has been cranked up a notch in my life lately . . . which really, I now understand, is actually a good thing!

Know why? 'Cuz it has given me the opportunity to practice DE-TACHMENT--which has been one of my blind spots (or shall we call it one of my "growth opportunities" bArF!) over the course of my life!

Here's the toxic, barfy, painful, stupid pattern:
  1. DRAMA ENSUES (insert any dramatic event here . . . a fight, someone says something mean about me, someone doesn't like me, I don't win, I'm sick, I'm wrong, I make a mistake . . . etc!)
  2. I enter fully into drama and gets sucked up into the storm . . . trying to "fix" everything, make people like me again, convince others that I'm okay, over-apoligize, feel ashamed, try to make it up to everybody . . .etc!
  3. I obsess about the drama . . . loses sleep, talk about it too much, convince others that I'm "right" . . . and feel shame.
  4. I feel bad about obsessing about the drama . . . now it's become drama once removed . . . META-DRAMA . . . you know, drama about the drama? More shame ensues.
  5. Repeat cycle.
With the drama in the past week, I've been able to make some shifts in this shi(f)tty pattern of mine. Yeah me! I'm actually looking at the drama like a bystander--like I'm watching a bad, or slightly sick play . . . and I'm not taking the drama personally (well, actually I started to, but the I ACTUALLY CAUGHT MYSELF!).

And now, as one of my bffs would say: All is well

I'm okay!@ 'Cuz I'm choosing my thoughts carefully and remaining in my calm spot. Whew! 

I'm glad I'm at choice and not just RE:ACTING (this time). As Deepak Chopra writes:

"Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way,
ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past
or a pioneer of the future."

How do you remain at choice when DRAMA ENSUES!? Are you a prisoner or a pioneer? (leave a comment and let me know! . . .)

Still learning ;) lol!

(nondrama)dana

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Finding balance . . .

Dear FunFreePeeps;

Still in the desert; I think I may be here awhile. Thinking about giving and getting. 

I know I am rich with blessings, but I feel depleted and, just let me say, RAW--like raw hamburger. 

Too much giving; not enough receiving.

Too much thinking; not enough feeling.

Too much doing; not enough being.

Don't get me wrong; I take responsibility.

This is my time. This is my season. And, it always has been. Didn't know.

I have to stop trying to FIX it all RIGHT NOW, and just BE with myself.

In the desert picture above, there is both light and dark--essentially, one cannot exist without the other. Just as sun and shade coexist and complement each other, there are unlimited shades in-between where balance can be found. The Yin and the Yang.
I am looking for that balance here, and I need to be patient. Still breathing.

Love,
Dana

Friday, July 12, 2013

SaD . . .


Dear FunFreePeepholes:

Does this picture make my butt look big? 

This picture is what I do when I am sad.

Keep smiling. Pretend everything is okay.

Other ideas I've tried (among others . . .):
  • eating
  • not eating
  • exercising
  • not exercising
  • sleeping
  • not sleeping
  • reading
  • not reading
  • believing my thoughts
  • arguing with my thoughts
Know what the hardest thing for me to do is? Move into my feelings of sadness. Too scary.


Will I ever come back? Will I die?

This is why I cry in the shower, in the bathtub, and when I am swimming. I feel supported by the water; I merge with the very tears that are coming out of my body and I am in a state of surrender.

My son has a move that he made up in the pool last week. 

He floats on his back, puts his arms out like he is a cross, and repeats quietly in a low singing voice: "Water Jesus."

I think he's trying to tell me something. Kids are so darn smart before they begin to forget and learn all the grown up stuff.

Thanks, Max.

Still okay.
Love, Dana




Sunday, July 7, 2013

Life in the desert . . .

Dear Readers;

Hey! I was very honored to guest blog on The Daily Love today; the article is about forgiveness, and it's called Pay it For(give)Ward. Please check it out and leave a comment if you like.

Yesterday I wrote about the stereotype of people dying in the desert--and I have an awesome story about JUST THAT! Nano, my super fancy grandmother, used to tell us grandkids the story about when she was ready to leave this Earth:

She was going to put on her lipstick, don her Oscar de la Renta caftan along with her biggest earrings and highest heels, and walk slowly across the desert plains pulling her cosmetic kit on rollers behind her with one hand (yes--it was that big!) and a holding a cigarette in the other. 

I used to picture her going to face her death, her flowing robes in the desert wind, the spike of her high heels leaving marks in the sand, and her red makeup kit being dragged, leaving snakelike wheel marks on the surface. I watched intently in my mind's eye--her image getting smaller and smaller until she was only inches tall, a red cigarette tip and a thin stream of smoke all that remained.

She was definitely larger than life . . . and remains much larger than death to this day. Very dramatic exit, wouldn't you agree?

Anyway, like my mom wrote in her email earlier this week:

Dear Dana,
The desert is filled with abundance and life if we just look intently.
Love,
Mom

Personally, I am here for the life, and I am so grateful. Lucky, blessed me.
Feeling brave,
Dana

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Put the U in trUst!

Desert Oasis
07.06.13.
Dear Readers;

I'm learning a lot in the desert, and one thing I am remembering is that when I was a kid, I used to watch movies where people were sentenced to die in the desert, like Moses in The Ten Commandments, for example. I don't know a lot about desert life, and I'm certainly no expert at the Bible, but I do recall that  Moses' death was an expected result of his banishment.

I also recall that Moses, at the depths of his agony and despair while traveling through the desert saw oases, which were illusory, but which sustained him because they gave him hope. Sometimes illusions sustain us, even if they do not serve our highest good, even if we do not realize they are illusions. They can be found in bad habits, relationships that do not support us, addictive behaviors, and dishonesty with ourselves, to name a very few. Once we realize they are illusions, we can put them down and choose in a more conscious manner.

While illusions helped Moses persevere until he was found collapsed at the bottom of Mount Sinai, it was there that life breathed back into him, where he found love, and where he was met with kindness and compassion before he began his historical ascent.


Expected to die, Moses was reborn throughout his journey, and returned from the desert a stronger, more courageous and intent figure after meeting the God of Abraham. We might never know where our journeys may bring us, but we can trust that the Universe knows our path better than we do.

What if you were to be open & grateful for every situation and person in your life as it were a planful, holy encounter--secretly sending you a lesson or message for your highest good? How GO(o)D would that be?

Blessings,

Dana ;)

Friday, July 5, 2013

I AM

Everyone's a giant, everyone's powerful, everyone's trying, everyone's learning,
everyone's worthy, everyone's loved, and everyone... loves you.
Dana Lynne, everyone is me.

Who else,
     The Universe
© www.tut.com ®


And I, Dana Lynne, is you... OK, am you.


Dear Readers;

Still in the desert, and still okay.

Above is my morning message from the Universe, which reminds me that every time I look at someone else's "faults," as well as someone else's "gifts," it's all projection created by, well, me--Dana.

And it follows that each "fault" is also part of me, and each "gift" is also part of me. 

Same same with what others say, feel, or think about me.

Which takes me back to focusing on myself, giving that which I want to myself--and then sharing my love with others.

The desert is amazing. And quiet. 

The fear of the desert is the scary part. And it's not real.

Blessings,

Dana

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Independence Day . . .

July 4th, 2013
Independence Day

Dear Readers;

It's Independence Day.

What would you like to be independent of?

Make a list. What do you want to let go of? Get rid of?

Burn it.

Let it go.

I'm going to.

I am facing a fear tonight. I am alone, as in . . . by myself--tonight. Eeew.

It's tough for me. I have to breathe through it. Thanks for the safety net, K. Love you1

It's hard for me to be alone. But actually, once I allow myself alone, I'm okay. My heart pounds, but  I have to breathe through it. I've decided to face my $#!+.

And also, buy my favorite perfumes Clinique Aromatics Elixer and Oscar de la Renta. They are expensive. And I don't care! Yummy! Ha!

I'm here, and I'm me. Dana.

It's okay.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

In the desert . . . there is life.

"desert oasis"
07.03.13.

Dear Readers,

This is my second day on my journey to the desert, and I have noticed a few things. Namely, in the desert:
  • I must look after my own survival.
  • I must pay careful attention to my body, my thoughts, and my feelings.
  • I can feel joy along with sadness. 
  • I can dive in, float, rest and be supported by the cool water (thanks, K).
  • I am not alone.
And, there is life in the desert, according to this email I received from my mom--who knows some stuff. Thanks, Mom!


Dear Dana,
The desert is filled with abundance and life if we just look intently.
Love,
Mom

Not so scared today. Still breathing.

Blessings, 
Dana

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

In the desert . . .


Dear Readers;

I have been in the desert for just one day, and I must admit it's been very challenging--minute by minute. I meditated for over an hour today, ran 3 miles, and swam for an hour and a half with my daughter.

I noticed that I felt very anxious, and had to consciously breathe, breathe, and breathe today. And notice my thoughts and continually let them pass through me.

My thoughts are so loud that they are yelling at me, and it's tough to sleep. I guess I'm supposed to continue listening . . . even through the night hours. I'll just listen to the Earth breathe me.


I'm okay.

Blessings,
Dana

Monday, July 1, 2013

I'm gOiNg tO tHe dEsErT . . .


Dear Readers;

I have realized that it's time for me to go to the desert.

To get to know and embrace me, Dana. To remember how to care for and love myself.

It's time for me to awaken to the next level, and in order to do that I need rest, time, and silence to I can listen more deeply.

This may mean taking time away from blogging every day, unless something in the desert moves me to write. My sense is that writing my blog would be easier than being in the desert, which means I need to let go of it so I don't give myself an excuse for BEing one with the desert.

I'm scared.

Here I go . . . 

Peace and love,
Dana