What is Your Dharma?

I Was Born to Be a Teacher!

If you become a teacher,
by your pupils you'll be taught. 

Oscar Hammerstein II 

At the end of the school year, and while everyone is doing the countdown to summer, I'm a bit sad. Do you know why? I'm a teacher, and

I LOVE IT!

I mean, what could be better than 

hanging out with kids all day?

(the grown-ups are okay, too, I guess . . . LOL!)

Good thing I teach summer school!

Honestly, I feel super lucky and blessed to have a job I love, and to tell the truth, teaching actually found me. 

Here's the super no-coincidence story:

Once upon a time in my twenties after college, I was in my room late at night reading a college course catalog (yes, I was working at a department store in the mall with a 4-year degree, living at home with my parents . . . and that's okay . . . I just didn't have a direction, or a focus, and I wasn't sure what to do with my life, hence the college course catalog). I turned a page open and vwah-lah (is that how you spell it?), out popped a section in the catalog for a teaching license program for English (which was my degree in college).

I was like WHOA! COOL! I could be a teacher! and looked farther down the page. I needed two letters of reference from college professors, a copy of my college transcript, an essay explaining my interest in the program, and a completed application form. Not a problem, really . . . but then I looked at the deadline: 

it was 

due the

very next day at 5:00 p.m.

I didn't know it until later, but this was one of the very first times I felt the Universe leveraging itself for me. I knew I was going to be a teacher after I saw this program, and I knew I was going to meet the deadline.  

I stayed up all might long writing my essay and filling out the application, and right away in the morning, I called two of my favorite professors the and asked for references THE VERY SAME DAY. They agreed! (of course) . . . 

That very afternoon (fewer than 24 hours since I had read about the program), I headed down to the University of Minnesota with my application; I picked up the references from my two professors; I went to the transcript office and got an authorized copy of my college grades; AND, I hand-delivered my entire application at (you guessed it!) around 4:55 p.m.

I made the deadline!

Anyway, that is the story of the beginning of my love affair with teaching. I feel so blessed to be a teacher and to have a job that I absolutely adore. Deepak Chopra, in his Seven Laws of Spiritual Success describes The Law of Dharma in this way:

"Everyone has a purpose in life . . . a unique gift or special talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals."

Do you know people who absolutely love their jobs? They may be working and connecting with their dharma, a Sanskrit word that means "purpose in life."

What if, since you were born, you were encouraged to find your spirit, express your unique gifts in the world, and use those very same talents to serve others with your PURPOSE? What if someone told you that you were born with unique gifts that only YOU can express in this world . . . and that if you give with an attitude of service, you will be abundant, and you will never experience want. That's what happens when our calling (job) is in alignment with our spirit; that's why people leave corporate America (and the big bucks!) to find something more meaning-FULL!

Sometimes, I hear folks complain about their employment (btw, I don't mean those who are irked once in a while . . . I am talking about people who chronically complain about their miserable existence at work), and I wonder usually one of two things:

• Why aren't they doing something they absolutely love that gives them energy?
• or, Why don't they change their attitude, try to appreciate their job and stop feeding the cycle of yuckiness that probably creates their misery in the first place? I mean, just cuz' we don't love something doesn't mean we have to be uncomfortable, right? We bring our attitude to absolutely everything we experience.

Anyway, as  I write this, I know that loads of folks have to work to support their families--me, too! I would rather do something I love to support my family . . . that actually doesn't feel like work . . . and teaching is like that to me.

I know this might sound all spiritual hippie-dippie, but my experience is that when I focus on MAKING MONEY, I am pretty lost. When I focus on serving others, I feel much better, and the Universe sustains me beyond my wildest dreams. 

My students get how much I love my job (I show them and tell them everyday), and they also know that I get that my job is much much bigger than teaching 8th grade English in a middle school. To be honest, I've known for a long time that my dharma is bigger than teaching English . . . for example, being a role model for kids; being present for them in other ways (like, if adults aren't around for them, emotionally, physically, or psychologically); watching over them, socially, at school; and helping them learn how to be students; also, sometimes, just listening and checking in daily and throughout the week when I see them.

AnD (here it comes . . .), my caLL has gotten bigger, starting last year.

BACKSTORY: In all honesty, I have been a bit checked out at work in the past years while I was in transition with my family and my LIFE. A couple of years ago, I was coming out of the fog in so many ways, and I had the opportunity of having a student teacher--so, I had some time and space outside of my classroom.  During the same time, I began working with Mastin, and I became interested in blogging. It reminded me of journaling, actually, an activity I've done all my life.

When away for a weekend at my best friend's cabin, he showed me how Blogger works--and I wrote my first blog in about 30 minutes. It's like I was totally ready to write and put myself out there, and the right teacher appeared at the perfect moment. It was so easy and natural! Later, we came up with the name of my blog: funfreeMe, and showed me how and where to set up an LLC. Anyway, since then, I've had a tickling of something greater. MUCH GREATER. 

I didn't feel ready for IT (whatever it was), and Mastin told me that I can start anyway--that IT would unfold as a result of my starting the process. He also reminded me that we are never really ready, anyway, so I might as well just take a leap of faith and trust that the Uni-verse will lead and support me . . . I do know that whatever IT is, it has to be in synch with my dharma (purpose in life), aligned with my spirit, and of service for the benefit of others--- as Deepak Chopra writes.

After I 'fessed up that being nudged toward something different from traditional teaching has left me a bit apprehensive--not only 'cuz I'm not sure what IT is, but also because knowing WHAT THE DEAL IS, is always comforting. . . no surprises, right? That's how I've lived: safe, predictable, knowing the outcome.

Stepping into something different is kind of freaky, since many of us have gotten the message along the way that CHANGE IS SCARY. (Also, I'm 48 so that's freaky, too . . . ). On the other hand, why would life present us (you know, as in present, like a gift?) with opportunities if we weren't supposed to at least pay attention?

So--here's what might be trying to get my attention--btw, I'm not going to quit my amazing and fabulous teaching job; I just want to make sure I'm listening to the whisperings of the Uni-verse in case there is more to my dharma:

• creating a business around the content of my blog
• writing a book or an e-book
• becoming a spiritual consultant
• studying to become a kundalini yoga teacher--for kids!
• creating & spiritual curriculum and/or teaching coursework about creative, empowered living

Weird, even writing these ideas down and sharing them is kind of SPOOKY! -- but part of me sharing what has been tapping me on the shoulder for the past year or so makes me accountable.

Has anything been TAP, TAP, TAP, TAPPING on your shoulder lately? Share your experience by leaving us your story in the comments!

Blessings,
Dana

fLy fRee aBovE thE sTorM!

“When it rains, most birds head for shelter; 

the Eagle is the only bird that,
in order to avoid the rain, 

starts flying above the cloud.”

I have been writing a little bit about breaking free from relationships that don't feel positive and that do not support our highest good. Sometimes, we keep friends around, even when we are uncomfortable for whatever reason--we give too much, we are criticized or told what to do, or we just can't be ourSelves. Sometimes, we hang on just because we are afraid of being alone.

Someone is better than no one, right? If we are mean to ourselves, why shouldn't others be treat us in the same way, as well? We draw into our lives people who mirror how we treat ourselves. 

We really need courage to let go of these  unhealthy relationships. Only then can we make room for other relationships that are a better fit!

Have you ever noticed that the SAME stuff keeps showing up in your life until you learn your lesson ?!!!!? Funny how that works! Thanks You-niverse!

People treat us the way we allow ourselves to be treated (BTW--it's the same when you are grown up!...)! So, if you notice that you hang with people who aren't very nice to you, ask yourself, "Why?" 

MAybe they aren't your peoples, after all! 

They are a reflection of how you feel about you! So, what if you love yourself enough to rise above the storm--like an EaGle! 

fLy hiGh and fRee little cHickaDee!

Love U,
;) dana

relation-SHIPS are journeys, not destinations!

The journey is the reward.
-Chinese Proverb

WeLL hELLo all fUn & fRee feLLow tRaVeLers--

As you know, I have been writing a lot lately about the delicate dance of relation-SHIP, and by relation-SHIP, I literally mean SHIP--like, as in relation-SHIPs are journeys, not destinations. 

Sometimes, travel is smooth and beautiful, and the water is crystal clear and the skies are baby blue. Whew!

Other times, waters are murky and tumultuous & filled with predators, and the sky is pitch black, rainy and thunderous--Scary!

Most of us have a destination in mind when we go on a journey, and this is often true of a relation-SHIP, as well. We have an idea of where we want it to go, and so often, we have OUR PLAN (destination) in mind . . . and we forget to really see and appreciate the person in front of us and we don't live authentically in our own skin.

This is also true when we meet someone and assume they have nothing to offer us. We never see the gifts they potentially could offer us in our life 'cuz we think we have it figured out before we even allow the relation-SHIP to develop.

I don't know about you, but some of the coolest journeys I have taken are just getting in the car and starting to drive--without knowing where I am going . . . OR (even better) . . . having a set destination and then getting lost or going on a detour and ending up somewhere even more amazing than I had ever imagined . . . (I'm sure you know where I'm secretly going with this by now!)

CONSIDER THIS: 
Relation-SHIPS are journeys, not destinations, and if we open ourselves to fully experiencing another person, while being authentic at the same time, the possibilities are endless! Hello!

For those of us who have ever chased a relationship, this notion can be a huge relief. Personally, I'd rather be my imperfect, crazy, awkward self--with someone who appreciates me for all of it--than try to be perfect with someone who constantly corrects me, criticizes me, and wants me to be different than who I am. Bye-bye!

When we open ourselves up authentically to others, we may be surprised where the journey, the relation-SHIP carries us. Where has an unexpected relation-SHIP taken you? Leave me a comment and let me know!

All Aboard!
Love, 
Captain Dana

feeLs niCe 2 B, weLL, nICe!

This past 5 years has definitely been a time of facing my fears and choosing love over fear! Like, as in doing what's right for me (despite what other people say about it, how they judge me, and the stories they make up about mY TrUtH!)--even thought these are really stories I make up about what stories they are making up--know what I mean? (METASTORIES--you know: stories about stories!) Ha! I am not really sure why I keep worrying about others, but it keeps happening, so I must still need to work on that lesson. Thanks, You-niverse! (not ... jk . . . but I'm a bit sick and tired of it . . .).

Here's how fear has operated for me:

• I used to try to be perfecKt so nobody would find fault with me
• And, when people did find fault or criticize me, just deny it, or make an excuse for it, or kiss their butt enough to change their mind about how bad or wrong or stUpiD I was . . . (super InAuTheNtiC of me) . . . but it was how I survived . . . ;( BTW: I wonder why I allowed these people to hang around me in the first place when it felt like such crap). Can you relate? 
• NOTE TO SELF: get these iCky tOXic people oUT! Send them off with loVE and comPAssIOn, but SHOW THEM THE freakin' DOOR!
• DOUBLE NOTE TO SELF: get these iCky tOXic InnEr MEan self oUT! Send her off with loVE and comPAssIOn, but SHOW HER THE freakin' DOOR! 

Oh--wait--since this is all in my mind. . . maybe this is really about me? Hmnnn. . . .

What I'm learning, is that just 'cuz someone thinks or says something about me (even if it's ME, in my mind), doesn't mean it's automatically true! That includes the mean crappy crap I tell mEself! 

Also, I am learning to not even waste my EnergY defending mE(self) to these people (or ME) 'cuz it is draining, not true, and the stuff people (and I) say and do to me isn't really about me, anyway.

Do you know that the way people treat and what they say @ you isn't ever really about you? It's about tHeM and who tHeY are and what stories they make up about You! Isn't that weird? 

Which means by default (scary thing to tell you, here, but I'm just being real . . .) the way yOu treat others (including yourself) is neVer about ThEm and wHo you are and WhAt storiEs you make up about them! It's all projection.

CraP on a sTicK!

My daughter was noodling (thinking) out loud in the car yesterday and she was telling me about some kids who talk "stuff" about her at camp--and she felt kinda bad. And I asked her if the stuff was true.

She said, "Nope." 

Then, I asked her this: "If someone told you your skin is purple, would you believe it?" 

She laughed and  said, "Of course not, 'cuz it's not true." 

And I said, "Same thing. If you know it's not true, then it's not!" 

Then, she told me that some of the spiritual stuff I talk about is confusing for her--and, of course, I told her it's confusing to me, too! HAHAHAHAHAHA!

To be clear: setting boundaries around how others treat you is totally healthy (see above about showing them the door . . .). AS my biG bRo told me one morning (we both had recently "broken up" with some ickies in our lives and we were sharing our war stories . . . 'sup Christopher? I KNEW you'd be pleased!):

You get to be youR LOveLy seLf, BUT YOU ARE NOT A DOORMAT FOR PEOPLE TO WALK ALL OVER!

So, MEet you fears and follow your dreams, FFPps--one teeny tiny baby step at a time, and find pEaCE in what's right for you!

LoVe U to the mOOn and bacK!

;) dana

prACTice (gr)ATTITUDE! . . . it's an attitude . . .

Gratitude is the
single most important ingredient
to living a successful and fulfilled life.

--Jack Canfield, co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series

I know from experience that when when I focus on and am thankful for the good stuff I already have, I send out amazing positive energy that can bring  MORE of the good stuff BTW . . . it works the same for being negative . . . Have you ever been around a bunch of complainers and jumped in and started whining along with them? And then you can feel your frequency drop like a lead balloon?

ENERGY (positive or negative) GOES VIRAL! 

We all know that getting better at something (like being grateFULL) takes prACTice (NOTE: prACTice has the word ACT in it!!).

So how do we do it? I have a couple of ideas for you, but BEWARE: they take ACTion.

oNe iDeA: I personally like to write (duh . . .), so I keep a journal where I list things I am grateful for at the end of the day. That way, I end my day on a positive note, and I actually think I sleep better!  

aNothEr IdEa: (pinecone story alert) there was a time in my life when I felt like noTHING was working . . . my job, my family life, my relationships (mostly with myself, aka funfreeMe NOT, but also with other people). 

So, I started running (and running ... and running ... and running ... you know what I mean! ... cuz that's what we do, right? ....... we RuN ........... and fast!)

I happened to be running on a golf course one day and looked down and saw a pinecone. For some reason, I picked it up; this is how the Universe gets our attention sometimes. I sat on a bench that overlooked the entire golf course, ready to collapse into a pile of misery.

Then, for some reason, I decided to start counting my blessings. I had the pinecone in my hand, and I pulled off every tine (the hard prickly thingies that stick out on pinecones), and for each one, I thought of something I was grateful for. I sat there for over and hour, and by the time I was done, I felt sOsooooSo much better.

My energy changed from me feeling like crap to feeling, well, BLESSED. On this day I began to count my blessings . . . and this began my love affair with pinecones. More later . . .

Have a beautiful day! 
Dana

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.

Got Presence? Got Sadhana?

Today I was reminded about the importance of creating spiritual practices to ground and support our daily lives; in Sanskrit, these practices are referred to as "Sadhana." In order to practice beautiful self-care, we each must find solace and peace in our own godly presence. Rituals help me sustain and build a relationship with myself and my inner goddess, and are part of my journey to becoming my own best friend.

Our spiritual practices or rituals don't have to be fancy; in other words, we don't have to sit in meditation for hours, do a 30-day juice cleanse, do hot yoga, climb on top of a mountain, or go to an Ashram to practice our spirituality (although these can all be amazing). Our daily practices can be as simple as engaging fully in the tasks before us--as simple as

being fully present.

It's the best gift we can give ourselves,

and the people we love.

In preparing for the full moon, I was reading from MoonCircles; interesting coincidence (not!) that the article was also about daily spiritual practice. April Kent writes that we must infuse our daily lives with spirit, and "reorganize your daily routine to support spiritual objectives. Seek spiritual opportunity in chores and details." That means to giving attention (or, attend-ing) with full presence to seemingly mundane chores like washing dishes, matching socks, ironing school uniforms, or cooking.

As I do such chores, I imagine infusing love into the act of service I am accomplishing. For example, when I cook a delicious meal, I give my full attention to the creation of  loving, nourishing food for the people I love; I interact fully in the process of cooking with all my senses, sampling and adding flavor when needed, and following my intuition as I chop, stir, grate, and serve. This is a great act of love and service for me.

Rituals can provide us with grounding as we encounter the business of our daily existence. Today, I described how being present can offer not only a daily spiritual practice, but a gateway to LIVING A SPIRITUAL EXISTENCE.

How do you engage fully in your daily practice?

Take Action; Choose Your Path

05.06.17. Yesterday, I shared that the next time I go to Lakewood Cemetery, I will intentionally go to the office to find a map to my brother's gravesite.  As a rather hippy-type person with her head up in the clouds some of the time, and I was expecting to "follow my energy" at the cemetery to find Chris's gravestone three years after his death. I was wrong (but where I was supposed to be . . ). Although I know I wasn't supposed to find Chris's gravesite last Wednesday, I got a strong "Message from the Universe" in my mailbox yesterday morning from TUT.COM which read: ****************************************************** Let's just say, Dana, you're driving down the road listening to some hip-hop, happy kind of music. Then, after a while, you decide you want to hear something else, maybe some classic rock. Would you just hope that the hip-hop station starts playing rock? Would you visualize it, and say, "YES! I believe in the magic! I know thoughts become things! I can 'see’ the Boss now, I can 'hear’ the E Street Band. Thank you, Universe, in advance, I am so grateful!"? Or, after thinking about what you wanted, would you physically change the station? Good. Just checking. Rock on,     The Universe ****************************************************** It hit me that in my hippy-dippy world, I have sometimes felt that if I envision something and give it my full energy, it will happen because of the magic nature of the Universe. And THAT, is actually true. The Universe is so magically delicious (just like Lucky Charms). But I realize I have missed the point, sometimes.  Nothing will happen in my life without my personal and unique agency, my action. And "trusting the Universe" requires my believing in myself enough to move forward to follow my head and my heart (a difficult marriage) and f***ing DO SOMETHING! And as I write this, I am thinking that most people already know this. And that may or may not be true. This is my stuck elementary school self who thought everyone knew all this stuff and I didn't.  But at least I'm questioning it . . .  It doesn't matter. Because this is my unique experience at age 51, and I am a writer, and I share my life's tapestry with you, wherever life may find you.  So sometimes we need a map, and we can try to visualize the hell out of the map arriving, or we can simply ask for it, taking our ego out of the picture.  It's hard to ask for help for some of us who have been on survival. We are warriors, but sometimes, we are weary. When we can share our pain, drop our burdens, let go and ask for help, life becomes a confluence of community and self--and we can finally breathe. We are gratefully not alone. Can I borrow your map?

LeT gO . . .

Shedding that which is not me.

Dear FunFreePeeps;

A couple of weeks ago, I read that recovery and healing is not just about me adopting new ways of thinking, feeling, behaving, and coping in the world--it's equally about "shedding all that which is not me."

This may sound pretty obvious to some, but I believe this statement to be extremely profound. In a society where many of us have tried to fit in, we have cloaked our true nature, our real selves. 

We have behaved in ways that have not been real versions of ourselves--we either puff up and become MORE THAN,  or we have acted in ways that keep us SMALL for a variety of reasons. I would argue that most of these reasons are rooted in fear:

• to get approval
• to feel significant
• to look smart
• to keep the peace
• to impress or please others
• to not outshine and intimidate those around us
• to prevent abandonment

How does this pattern work for you?

U r NoT fEaR!

Yo fUn & fReE fOlkS!
This has definitely been a month of fAcIng my FeArS! Like, as in doing what's right for me (despite what other people say about it, how they judge me, and the stories (lies) they make up about mY TrUtH!) I am not really sure why it's anyone else's business, but it keeps happening, so I must still need to work on thAt LeSSoN. Thanks, You-niverse! (not . . . jk . . . but I'm a bit sick and tired of it . . .)
I used to:

• try to be perfecKt so nobody would find fault with me
• when people did find fault or criticize me, just deny it, or make an excuse for it, or kiss their butt enough to change their mind about how bad or wrong or stUpiD I was . . . super InAuTheNtiC of me . . . but it was how I survived . . . ;( BTW: I wonder why I allowed these people to hang around me in the first place when it felt like such crap. Can you relate? 
• NOTE TO SELF: gEt these iCky tOXic people oUT! Send them off with loVE and comPAssIOn, but SHOW THEM THE freakin' DOOR!

What I'm learning, is that just 'cuz someone think or says something about me, doesn't mean it's automatically true! That includes the mean crappy crap I tell mEself!

Also, I am learning to not even waste my EnergY defending mE(self) to these people 'cuz it is draining, not true, and the stuff people say and do to me isn't really about me, anyway.

Do you know that the way people treat and what they say @ you isn't ever really about you? It's about tHeM and who tHeY are and what stories they make up about You! Isn't that weird? Which means by default (scary thing to tell you, here, but I'm just being real . . .) the way yOu treat others is neVer about ThEm and wHo you are and WhAt storiEs you make up about them!

My daughter was noodling (thinking) out loud in the car yesterday and she was telling me about some kids who talk "stuff" about her at camp--and she felt kinda bad. And I asked her if the stuff was true.

She said, "Nope." 

Then, I asked her this: "If someone told you your skin is purple, would you believe it?" 

She laughed and  said, "Of course not, 'cuz it's not true." 

And I said, "Same thing. If you know it's not true, then it's not!" Then, she told me that some of the spiritual stuff I talk about is confusing for her--and, of course, I told her it's confusing to me, too! HAHAHAHAHAHA!

To be clear: setting boundaries around how others treat you is totally healthy (see above about showing them the door . . .). AS my biG bRo told me one morning (we both have recently "broken up" with some ickies in our lives and we were sharing our war stories . . . 'sup Christopher? I KNEW you'd be pleased!), you get to be youR LOveLy seLf, BUT YOU ARE NOT A DOORMAT FOR PEOPLE TO WALK ALL OVER!

So, MEet you fears and follow your dreams, ffps--one teeny tiny baby step at a time, and finD pEaCE in what's right fOr you!

LoVe U to the mOOn and bacK!

;) dana

pUt the U in trUst!

Hey funfreeMeePs! (pretty good, huh?)

I bLogGed last week a bit about TrUsT in something biGGer than what we know... (which is hard...cuz we want to believe in what we can see, touch, smell, taste, or hear). Ya' fEeL mE? ...(jk)!

BuT TheRe'S mOre: we also get out of the habit of listening to our inner GPS(elf) and we forget about the U (as in me and you) in the word trUst.

Have you ever felt something in your GuT and ignored it? Or, listened to what other people say or think and allowed outSidE nOiSe mAkE your decision FOR you? Yikeys! FeELs like CrAp...doesn't it?

Do you ever ignore who you are and become a cHeAp iMitAtiOn of the real you? Like, what you think others want you to be or what other kids will like? I call this living from the OUTSIDE:IN not IN:SIDE OUT--we all do it from time to time, but if it becomes your full-job it can be hard work, and downright exhausting!
In a world where the media and other people (gRownUps, too) try to tell us what we should be, do, look like, ______ (enter own info here), it's hard to trUst ourselves.

INCOMING TOP SECRET INFORMATION: (you can share it with a grOwN uP if you want!): YOUR FEELINGS DON'T LIE! And guess where your feeling are? IN YOUR GUT! So listen to it!

Here's a meditation to listen to and trust your GUT

(aka the third chakra):

I used to have a hard time with tRuSting my inner gps(elf) and trusting in something bigger than myself, too. (...still working on both, SHHHHHHHH don't tell anyone!...)

Good thing we are bEaUtiful woRks iN prOgReSs!
ALL, yo (including peeps who bug you!!)

Hearts!
;) dana

cHoOsE yOuR oWn pAth!

The Road Not Taken

Robert Frost (1874–1963) Mountain Interval (1920)

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; 5 Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, 10 And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. 15 I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. 20 Oh dEaR fUnfReepEEps! Okay, I don't know about all of you, but this Robert Frost poem is one of those that most kids have had the opportunity (funny how we teachers use the word) to study and memorize in high school or college (your'e welcome, you can start memorizing now and thank me later . . . ;). It's basically about being faced with a decision in life where we really have two choices, or paths. One is worn and well-traveled (like, as in, other people have been there, done that path)--and taking that road is kind of like following what others have already done, as in a safe path. The other path is the "one less-traveled"--the unknown, or unsure. Like, as in, not so easy and not so safe (and fewer people have traveled that path). Have you ever been faced with a hard choice, and you knew the right path for you would be difficult, and less-traveled--like UnChArTed sPoOkY territory? Scary? NOT so much . . . Well, here's the gO(0)d news! The Universe would never present you with such a choice (which really isn't usually a choice 'cuz you know in your gut and heart--oops! almost typed FaRt!--what is right and true 4 you!). As I was saying, The Universe would never present yoU with such a choice UNLESS you R brAve and ReadY to face the cHaLLenGe! WhicH LEadS us back to trUst (notice the capital U which stands for yoU and the Universe--and, guess what?!!!. . . when you are a team with the Universe . . . the PoSsiBiliTieS R eNdLess . . . . so, be grateful that you are at a place in the path where you can choose! ('cuz in your former life, you would not have even seen the two different paths, yo! you would have done what you have always done! you know--the safe and easy thing? there's the awesome news! huh?) I was talking to one of my amazing & beautiful (and good looking) cLoSest cHuMs one day (what's up C ? I knew you'd be pleased . . . & I loVe you bro), and he has been having many cOoL and sometimes icKy groWing pAinS (in the butt . . . jk!). My friend feels alone, sometimes, which I totally get. Being brave and living and speaking our TRUTH can be a (s)hero-ic journey! But it's so, so worth it, 'cuz we are on this Earth to be the best possible hu(wo)man beings that only we are meant to BE--which only we can define. What amazing crossroads have you come to, and what brave decision have you made? Let us know in the comments! You are a gift to this Universe! We all are! So much LoVe! ;0) dana banana (made that one up--doesn't rhyme! oh well!)