Say That Again Saturday

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“People like us, who believe in physics, know that the distinction between past, present, and future
is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.” – Albert Einstein

Einstein! You wise bastard! I love this quote for so many reasons. Number one, because it’s true. Number two, because it blows your mind. Number three, because it ties physics to spirituality and the concept of eternity. Number four, because it asks us to question what we consider to be real.

My studies over the years have led me to believe that when science gets to the point of understanding how time works at its core, they will unlock the keys to our spiritual nature, as well. It’s physics but it’s also zen. All that mumbo jumbo about if you let go of the past, you can live more fully in the present? Well, it’s totally fucking true! Because it’s physics. Check out this cool book: The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene. There’s a PBS special based on the book, as well.

Any energy worker worth their salt can see this too. Investment in past traumas or experiences interpreted as hurtful can act like anchors- literally holding people back from placing their full energetic attention on the present. It’s because their energy is literally still back there, behind them in the past. That’s why forgiveness work can be so powerful. It releases that energy from the past and makes it available in the present. Enough said- Einstein, you are invited to dinner. We’re having noodles with butter.

Children’s Book Review: Hush! A Thai Lullabye

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There are so many things I come across from day to day that spark an interest, make me smile, or catch my kids attention. I thought I’d devote Fridays to sharing some of those favorite things with you. (No- it ain’t gonna be whiskers on kittens and bright copper kettles, though that is one of my favorite songs for all of eternity.)

Today’s Favorite: Hush! A Thai Lullabye by Mingfong Ho, Illustrated by Holly Meade

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The thing I like most about this book are the illustrations because they tell another story. The book starts with the mama putting her little one to sleep in a hammock. Then she sings a gentle song to all the nearby animals (mosquito, monkey, elephant, pig, and more) one by one, instructing them to be very quiet because her baby is sleeping. But on each page in the background, the illustrator shows the baby is out of the hammock and roaming about. So reading this to a little one is joyful not just for the sweet lullabye, but for the added bonus of seeing them giggle as they try to find the baby who has snuck out of the hammock and is not sleeping after all.  For some reason they find it hilarious that while the mama makes every effort to quiet down the barnyard singing, “can’t you see that baby’s sleeping?” that baby has fooled his mama pretty darn good. Sneaky sweetness.

Say That Again Saturday

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“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.”- Unknown

I wish I knew who spoke or wrote these words so I could give them credit. Anyone who has ever suffered from depression or loneliness knows this quote to be true. I think a new policy should be instated at the soul level (whoever is in charge of that, pay attention.) Everyone should be given a true friend at birth that will be a guaranteed BFF from childhood until the day they die. Totally accepting, validating, and seeing the best in us. So much can be accomplished when you have someone to remind you of how precious and good you really are.

Friday Faves Review: Baby Bear Sees Blue

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There are so many things I come across from day to day that spark an interest, make me smile, or catch my kids attention. I thought I’d devote Fridays to sharing some of those favorite things with you. (No- it ain’t gonna be whiskers on kittens and bright copper kettles, though that is one of my favorite songs for all of eternity.)

Today’s Favorite: Baby Bear Sees Blue by Ashley Wolff

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This book is so filled with color and sweetness (but nothing sappy,) it is just absolutely perfect. This author sees the world how I see it- colorful, beautiful, safe, interesting, and filled with adventures with the ones you love. Baby bear experiences all the newness of his world through the colors he sees. He sticks by his mama and feel safe exploring. Love.

Winter Service Project: Donating Energy Work

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For the months of December and January, I’m offering free distance healing to the first twelve people who express an interest. I am especially encouraging new moms to take advantage. This is fantastic for anyone feeling burnt out, kids that seem off-balance or ungrounded, pets, or anyone who wants to restore their energy and reconnect to their own stability.

If you’re new to the idea of distance healing, it begins with the concept that energy is energy and can be treated, balanced, and rejuvenated whether the practitioner is standing in the room with a client or working with the energy from across town or even across the world. It can be profound, deeply stabilizing, and very relaxing.

I am in a wonderful place in my life right now, though my path leading to this place has been rocky. I’ve had some amazing teachers, healers, friends, poets, challengers, guides, and friends helping me along the way. I aim to provide this service, in part, to honor all that has been shared, taught, and given to me.

If you have questions about my qualifications or experience, check out my Services page.

Say That Again Saturdays

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This begins a weekly sharing of my favorite quotes. Sure, you can find most of them on this page I’ve created, but isn’t it nice to take a minute to savor them one a time?

Today’s quote:

“Creativity is the antidote to destruction.” – Trey Anastasio

Yes, it’s that guy from Phish and yes I’m a freaking hippie. But, really. This is a great quote. It even applies to my 3 year old at those moments when he is really invested in tearing things up in his room. Destruction at its purest. He usually has no interest in coloring, but pull out the art spinner machine (just like they used to have at school fairs,) and the boy gets crazy with the paint. Loves it. Give him something to create and he will stop destroying.

On a more personal note, if I’m not creating something- either every day or at least once in a while, a little part of me feels like it’s dying. I think that is true for a lot of people. Creativity doesn’t just build the world, it builds us up too.

Children’s Book Review: My First Day

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There are so many things I come across from day to day that spark an interest, make me smile, or catch my kids attention. I thought I’d devote Fridays to sharing some of those favorite things with you. (No- it ain’t gonna be whiskers on kittens and bright copper kettles, though that is one of my favorite songs for all of eternity.)

Before I share today’s favorite book, I’d like to give a shout out to libraries. Libraries are one of those things that I will never take for granted. Unlimited access to books, music and information. Including kids’ books. For FREE. Hello? It’s like traveling to an alternate universe anytime you want…Where else can you just walk into what is basically a store and take items- as many as you want- and show them your id and say, “Yeah, I’ll bring these back in like a month. Maybe. My kid might tear some pages, but other than that, they’ll be good as new”  This system is amazing! Really. Where am I? Have I transported myself into a culture where I say “I’m good for it,” and that’s enough of a social agreement? Is this America? Can we transfer this policy to the real estate market?  I almost can’t believe how good it is. It’s the guiding force of my abundance meditations. If libraries exist, there is hope for us all. Now on to the favorite…

Today’s Favorite: My First Day by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page

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I love this book.  I am a sucker for animal books that aren’t super sappy and this is a good one. You can read a full review here.  In a nutshell, it captures different animals’ first day on planet earth and how very, very diverse those experiences are. “On my first day, my mother held me close so I wouldn’t drift out to sea,” says a sea otter. A giraffe says, “On my first day, I was born high above the ground – and I landed in a heap. But I wasn’t hurt, and before long I was taking my first steps.” For me, it shows the vast differences between species: different worlds, one planet. I’m hoping that will come ’round to validate for my kid that it’s ok for his experiences to feel unique to him. He likes it too.

“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you sit there.” – Will Rogers

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“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you sit there.” – Will Rogers

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I am great at sitting there. I’ve mastered it, actually. Especially sitting there on the right track but not moving in any particular direction. It’s kind of my speciality. But in order to steer the direction of my life, I must make, at the very least, micromovements toward my goals. When sitting comfortably in my comfy comfort zone, eating pretzel rods, and practicing not moving, it helps me to remember one of Newton’s  laws of physics:

In order for the motion of an object to change, a force must act upon it.

To me, that means if I want the motion and direction of my life to change, I must make a change, even if it’s a small change. (Yes, I know life is not an object, but just pretend that it is.) Making one small change can often have profound effects. I can change a thought, emotion, or action. Doesn’t matter which. That change is a force acting upon my life’s current trajectory and acts to steer me toward my goals….Wha-bam! Newton’s laws and train track quotes working together to inspire change! Yeah, baby.

One of these days these boots….

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I love finding or remembering songs that are both awesome and  translate well into my 3 year old’s world. One example we have been playing non-stop is “These Boots Are Made For Walkin'” by Nancy Sinatra. For me and my husband, it is just a great tune. For baby Wyatt, it’s got a great beat he can boogie to it. For my 3 year old, Braden, there’s one deciding awesome factor: it contains the lyrics, “One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you!” Which for him is HILARIOUS!

Another one he likes is The Beatles “Hello Goodbye.” To him it is hysterical to hear grown-ups saying what seem like random words to him: yes, no…why, I don’t know…stop, go….goodbye, hello, hello.

Postpartum Jeans Shopping – Part 2

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Continued from Part 1  (yesterday’s post)

Ok- this is embarrassing- but it was ridiculous how attractive I thought I’d look in skinny jeans.  Those skinny jeans models and celebrities look so good in skinny jeans!  When I saw the jeans on the hanger, in my mind I saw those women, wearing their skinny jeans like they do.  In the dressing room, as I was pulling on said skinny jeans, I looked super awesome from the knees down.  I was thinking “Hotblooded, check it and see! These skinny jeans are going to make me look skinny!”  But as I kept pulling, tugging, yanking upward it became evident that my postpartum body is in no mood for skinny jeans.  The tops of my legs looked like water balloons packed neatly into a nylon stocking.  The Foreigner song in my head scratched abruptly off and I got angry.  Skinny jeans? What is this concept anyways?  Only skinny people look good in them. Back to the curvy fit boot cut.  Only two sizes bigger than I was three years ago.

There’s a little culture shock from the blessed body acceptance during pregnancy where no matter how much weight you put on, it’s beautiful.  Endearing.  Sexy. My butt was three times its normal size with my last pregnancy and I regularly heard how beautiful I looked.  Size did not matter.  Being big symbolized and embodied life, renewal, and miracles.  But now, postpartum, I feel a pressure to get skinny fast. (And, by the way, how long can I keep saying that I’m postpartum as an excuse?  I’m 24 months postpartum doesn’t seem acceptable.)

Every time I look in the mirror, I hear my thoughts echoing ridiculous cultural expectations: “I could stand to lose that back fat.  It should only be a few more months before I can wear my old jeans.”  When I hear myself judging, I have to stop myself: “What the hell? Have I learned nothing from the monumental experience of birthing a child?  Am I really going back to the mindset I learned in adolescence that women need to be thin like Barbie?  Bah.”  That mindset did some major damage to me, not to mention the millions of other girls who struggle with body image.

Today I will pull on my yoga pants and t-shirt and wear them proudly.  I have two gorgeous kids and an amazing husband who thinks I’m beautiful.  I’m a great mom. I’m gorgeous. (We all need to say this to ourselves.) Gorgeous! Gorgeous! Muffin top- gorgeous! Cellulite- gorgeous! Big ass- gorgeous! Double chin-gorgeous! If I am overweight 48 months postpartum, guess what I will be: GORGEOUS!

It is so important for me to love this body of mine: my soul’s only home for this lovely life I have.   It’s been said before, because it’s true: we must teach our kids to know that women love and respect their own bodies.  Because as my boys see me respecting my body as it changes, they will grow and become short, tall, big, or small- and hopefully see they must love and respect their own.