In Memory (I am) . . .

Memorial Day

05.30.17.

Hey there,
I've always had a tricky relationship with Memorial Day . . . and, sometimes, well, LIFE. Jeesh . . . (don't tell anyone . . .)

Meaning: I live in constant negotiation among the past, present, and future.
It's my sister, Shelley's, birthday next weekend, and my mom and my sister are going to both my dad's and my brother's graves today.
It's just so messy--the grave thing followed by the birthday celebration thing. It's super jumbly to me--kind of like life, I suppose. I may just join them for the lunch part . . . not the grave visit part.

Confession: I've only been to my dad's grave once, and he died over 25 years ago. The time I went, I crumpled to the ground and scratched the dirt and wailed out loud. It was one of those things that was both euphoric and debilitating. After awhile, I strangely ended up "watching" myself in the dramatic movie version of visiting my dad's grave, and felt oddly detached--and I had to be careful that I didn't add it to my story of "what has happened to me," if you know what I mean. He had already died, and I was having a fit at his gravesite-- and I need to be done with adding to my story, my war wounds.
It just gets boring.
I can picture myself telling it over and over and BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.
Give it a rest, already.

Flash forward additional confession: I have only been to my brother's grave once-- on the day of his funeral; the day he was buried. I haven't seen his gravestone.
I figure I'll know when the right time is to go there, if ever.
One thing I do know for sure is, that he's not there. He's actually on a beach, or by a campfire, hanging out with our dad.
They're both smoking and chillin' in their Speedos.
Having cocktails. Lucky bastards.

What I know: My life is here on this planet, on this plane. In the present. And I am so grateful to be where I am NOW.
I try to stay present and in relationship with those who are smack in front of me. And I do honor my past, and attempt to stay open to whatever possibilities the Universe may hand me in the future.

But for now, I am going to nap with my dog, Teddy, and my amazing partner, Keith (aka K-dog).

This is happening FOR me (not TO me), NOW!

Amen.

hApPy "YOU" yEaR !

haPpy yOu yEaR!

Happy 2017, fun&freePps!

So we've dropped a big story in the past couple of days, and now it's time to rock it to the present and the future! This is your year of creating and celebrating the life you desire-- welcome to 2017! You are aLIVE and yoUr fabulous existence began as a strand of DNA . . . amazing . . . huh? 

How do you live your life on purpose, with purpose? 

I am doing a lot of stuff right now to figure out them meaning of my LIFE('s) juiciest purpose, and when I get in touch with me, I can check in to what gives me a feeling of passion and what brings me to LIFE!

When I used to live from the OUTSIDE:IN, I worried a lot about what other people thought of me--I found myself reacting to life rather than responding to it. And while responding is a more powerful place than reacting, I still wasn't living life & loving (myself and others) as a powerful coCreator!

I beLIeVE it is my destiny (& yours, too) to be the most powerful and fabulous expression of me I can be! That is each of our highest calling.

So, are you living life small? Or, are you living LARGE and in CHARGE--bursting forward with pursuing the amazing creative aCtS that give you energy and passion?

Have you every thought that the world will be a better place if you sHaRe your amazing gifts with the You-niverse, with your fellow travelers--otherwise, why would you be here? What presence do you wish to leave as your personal signature to your delicious and amazing existence?

That doesn't mean that life is easy, and there won't be challenges--as a matter of fact, the hard stuff is designed especially for us so we can learn and become even more amazing (I know it's hard to believe when your in the emotional and experiental crapper). Check out this Dr. Seuss vid called "Oh, The Places You'll Go" as a reminder of the awesome texture of LIFE!

Today, the first day of the NEW YEAR--I challenge you to do a bit of writing.

• Make a list of at least 10 things, people, experiences, or opportunities that you are incredibly grateful for--be as specific and detailed as you can. Read the list out loud and at the end of each item, graciously feel the gratitude and say Thank you in your mind's eye.
• Create another list of 5 things you desire to call in for this New Year--again, be very specific and write in the present tense. For example, I am earning an extra $1,000 each month, or, I run painlessly and freely each day. When this list is complete, read the list out loud, envision each desire fully with all of your senses-- and at the end of each item, graciously feel the gratitude and say Thank you, and so it is in your mind's eye. If you're really into it, you can create a vision board with the 5 things you's like to manifest--collect images, magazine snippets, drawings, whatever you like, and make a visual representation of each of your 5 desires that you can hang somewhere you'll see it every day.
• Revisit your lists daily, and do the gratitude piece to close each process.

This is just on step to living your life as your BeSt sElF--remember that every juicy moment and hOLy interaction is created jUsT for you to reaCh youR hIghEsT poTentIaL! What are some of your desires in the new year? Leave a comment on the blog--we appreciate you sharing your experience!

You are large and in charge! LOL!

Blessings in the New Year!

Dana

Gr8-FULL

"Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you,

and to give thanks continuously. And because all things

have contributed to your advancement,

you should include all things in your gratitude."

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hey fUn frEE pee(haha)ps!

Many of you know I'm a grateful teacher, and today during the holiday season, I asked some of my 8th grade kids about what they are thankful for. Here's what some of them wrote:

• I am thankful for my wonderful family and friends. Through rough times we help each other even thought we don't have to. I am thankful most for my family. My mom can always make it work even though she's single. I love them all.
• I'm thankful for love and chocolate!
• Being able to be myself.
• I am thankful for my amazing friends. They are amazing, funny, and I can tell them anything. I am also thankful for my family. They are very supportive of everything I do, and they're always there for me.
• I am thankful for everything and everyone I have ever met!
• What I'm greatful for my family and getting loved. I know so many kids have familys but sometimes I think about the kids who dont have familys to live with or they get abused and i feel so thankfull that i have a family that takes care of me and loves me . . . And thats what im greatfull for.
• I am thankful for my family, friends, and my new house.

What are you thank-FULL for? Leave me a message & let us know!

ManY ThaNkS aNd mUcH lOve!

dAnA

gO tOwArd tHe LiGht . . .

Merry Christmas!

My daughter, Chloe, looked up to me the other day and said, "Did you know, Mom, there has to be darkness, or else there would be no light? You can't see the light without darkness." Even though it seems kind of obvious, the statement is profound. I mean, if it were always light, we wouldn't know it--we cannot know the essence of anything without its opposite: light and dark, good and evil, joy and pain. It's a good reminder to me when things feel hard, or when life gets difficult--without the tough stuff, we cannot know the beauty and goodness.

Especially at this time of year, when many of us are looking into the New Year with hope, and shedding old patterns and behaviors that no longer serve us--we can look at our past trials and tribulations through the eyes of love and forgiveness. We can learn our lessons,  make our amends as needed, and we can move toward the light into the New Year with a fresh start.

We have to finally reach a point where we break free from our past and step into forgiving and loving ourselves. After all, we have to LOVE oUrSelves b4 we can love and give to others, right? 

When I look at this amazing picture, I can see that it's pretty dang dark! and cloudy, too (SPOOKY!) almost like a storm has just passed . . . 

YIKES!

TAKE COVER!

SURRENDER DOROTHY!

Oh, and here's the Go(o)d news: in this picture, the sun is right ahead, reaching down with her amazing sun-ray-beams (made up word) of light . . . and  I can see the light ahead! and (extra bonus!) . . . I can actually SEE the road (metaphor: my path). yAy! I'm not always sure where the road leads, but at least I can see a few feet in front of me . . . and at least I am going toward the light--thanks Universe!

One thing I do at this time of year is make a list of stuff I need to let go of, behaviors that no longer work, and relationships that do not support my highest good. I also journal about what I intend to call in to my life in the New Year--these intentions become a roadmap for me that I can use as a reference point in the months ahead.

What ritual do you use to  begin the New Year? Leave us a comment and give us your best tip!

Blessings on Your Journey!

Dana

fUn & fRee hALLowEEn(iE) bOnus! cOsTumE iDeaS . . .

HaLLoWeeN bOnUs

10.31.15.

hEy aLL fUn & frEE pEEps!

Since today is Halloween and since I am so gross and AWK-WierD (and a middle-schOL teacher), I have spent the last couple of days thinking about the naStY-est and mOsT raNdoM Halloween costumes poSSibLe. 

In case you don't have a costume yet, here are some possibilities . . .  yOU're sOsOsO weLcomE in aDvAnce, yO!

grOss category:

1.  ooZing sCab
2. steaming pOOp
3. haIry aRmpit
4. inGrowN toEnail
5. tOe jaM
6. bELLybUtton goo
7. eye bOoger
8. bLoOdY eArwAx 
9. nOse Hair
10. feSteriNg bOil
11. kNoTty wArt
12. mOle with hAiR
13. puS inFesTed wood tick
14. bOoger flaVored canDy corn
15. mOiSt thRow uP
16. deCayiNg fLesH
17. plaQue
18. sTretchY mUcUs

raNdOm caTegoRy:

1. musTache
2. bacOn
3. caRpeT
4. spInacH
5. shOppIng cart
6. rAmen nOOdLe
7. rOcK
8. lUmbErjaCk
9. bUrriTo
10. eArLobe
11. bUrP
12. dEvILed eGG
13. bLooDy nOse

Note the sPoOOoooOkY number--31 of costume iDeaS! CaN you add to this super disgUstiNg liST? LeavE me a cOmmEnt below, and bEttEr yEt . . . senD me a PicTure of you in yOur costUme!

bOO! . . .  & hEaRts,

Dana

p.s. thanks to my  bEsTie & mY 8th graDers whO helped me create this list!

Happy You Year!

haPpy yOu yEaR!

Happy 2015, fun&freePps!

Good news! I was featured on THE DAILY LOVE this week as a guest blogger-ette! Check it out & leave a comment about the content and how it speaks to you~thanks so much in advance! Click here for my specific post: Dana's GuEst bLog.

So we've dropped a big story in the past couple of days, and now it's time to rock it to the present and the future! This is your year of creating and celebrating the life you desire-- welcome to 2013! You are aLIVE and yoUr fabulous existence began as a strand of DNA . . . amazing . . . huh? How do you live your life on purpose, with purpose? 

I am doing a lot of stuff right now to figure out them meaning of my LIFE('s) juiciest purpose, and when I get in touch with me, I can check in to what gives me a feeling of passion and what brings me to LIFE!

When I used to live from the OUTSIDE:IN, I worried a lot about what other people thought of me--I found myself reacting to life rather than responding to it. And while responding is a more powerful place than reacting, I still wasn't living life & loving (myself and others) as a powerful coCreator!

I beLIeVE it is my destiny (& yours, too) to be the most powerful and fabulous expression of me I can be! That is each of our highest calling.

So, are you living life small? Or, are you living LARGE and in CHARGE--bursting forward with pursuing the amazing creative aCtS that give you energy and passion?

Have you every thought that the world will be a better place if you sHaRe your amazing gifts with the You-niverse, with your fellow travelers--otherwise, why would you be here? What presence do you wish to leave as your own personal signature to our delicious and amazing existence?

That doesn't mean that life is easy, and there won't be challenges--as a matter of fact, the hard stuff is designed especially for us so we can learn and become even more amazing (I know it's hard to believe when your in the emotional and experiental crapper). Check out this Dr. Seuss vid called "Oh, The Places You'll Go" as a reminder of the awesome texture of LIFE!

Today, the first day of the NEW YEAR--I challenge you to do a bit of writing.

• Make a list of at least 10 things, people, experiences, or opportunities that you are incredibly grateful for--be as specific and detailed as you can. Read the list out loud and at the end of each item, graciously feel the gratitude and say Thank you in your mind's eye.
• Create another list of 5 things you desire to call in for this New Year--again, be very specific and write in the present tense. For example, I am earning an extra $1,000 each month, or, I run painlessly and freely each day. When this list is complete, read the list out loud, envision each desire fully with all of your senses-- and at the end of each item, graciously feel the gratitude and say Thank you, and so it is in your mind's eye. If you're really into it, you can create a vision board with the 5 things you's like to manifest--collect images, magazine snippets, drawings, whatever you like, and make a visual representation of each of your 5 desires that you can hang somewhere you'll see it every day.
• Revisit your lists daily, and do the gratitude piece to close each process.

This is just on step to living your life as your BeSt sElF--remember that every juicy moment and hOLy interaction is created jUsT for you to reaCh youR hIghEsT poTentIaL! What are some of your desires in the new year? Leave a comment on the blog--we appreciate you sharing your experience!

You are large and in charge! LOL!

Blessings in the New Year!

Dana