In darkness you find light

This past week I had an opportunity to experience what it feels like to be visually impaired. This experience was through a unique dinner event at O'Noir. A neat little restaurant that was established to allow people to feel what life would be like blind. The concept was created by a gentleman who was blind, and he would blindfold guests who came to his home for dinner .He wanted them to  appreciate his world. It was his way of inviting them to learn what his life was like now that he had lost his sight. What better way to teach someone, allow them to walk in your shoes for a even a brief moment in time.
 You are lead into a completely pitch dark room, by your waiter. I do mean pitch dark, there wasn't an ounce of light to be found, at one point I put my hand in front of my face and couldn't see it. I have to say that was a little freaky deaky!!! The waiter I should also mention is blind. Your waiter talks you through how the evening is going to unfold and from the moment you enter the dining room until you leave , you relinquish control to the unknown.
You have no idea who is in the room with you, other than the people you came with, you have no idea what anyone looks like, what your food looks like, the dishes, table, floor. The environment in which you are in is completely unknown.
For me, it didn't take long to realize when you lose one sense how quickly another becomes intensified. My sense of hearing was one that I had to rely on for two reasons, to listen to the waiters instructions and secondly, to enjoy the company of the people I was with. The same feelings were felt as everyone had to quickly learn to get over the anxiety of being in the dark and surrender to the change that was before us.
The other unique thing that struck me was, I am a left handed person but when it came to eat, my right hand took over as I felt the need to touch my food and feel my way around the table. It became important to remember the placement of everything on the table and you had to rely on the company you were with to help you.
Our waiter was patient, funny and he graciously talked us thru every step of the way helping to remove any anxiety people were feeling.
I knew going into the evening there was going to be something for me to learn, and learn I did.

• Be grateful for and value the beauty that surrounds us each and every day
• Remember the importance of tolerance and patience
• Everyone has something to learn from someone
• We rely on each other more than we realize 
• We can adapt to change 
• The unknown if we have the courage to face it, can bring about many wonderful experiences
• Its fun eating chocolate mousse cake with your hands!!!
• Sight is one sense...listening and touch are two senses this world needs more of..it allows you to see with your heart and not your eyes and that can make a world of difference!!

If you have an opportunity to take in a new experience....GO FOR IT!!! 

EASTER Reflection

Happy Easter Everyone. I have to confess I am not an overly religious person in the sense I go to church and follow the formal teachings of the bible but I do believe I am a spirtual person who believes greatly in a higher power. Today, for most kids its about the Easter Bunny , easter treats and having dinner with family it is important to remember the spirit of what this day is about.

While I was sitting outside in my comfy chair , chillaxin and reading I came across a poem that inspired me to write and share.

"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of they friends or thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee"

This piece was written by John Donne an English poet, known as one of the finest metaphysical poets so they say. I still haven't figured out who "they" are but they must be important.

What I found inspiring about reading this was the explanation that followed from Dr. Wayne Dwyer. To sum up in the coles notes version : Our ego often insists that we are separate from others. Boy that is true. I hear it all the time.

To state the case that to acheive greater awareness and bliss in our lives we have to understand we are all connected, and to do this we must first look at our own body. Our body's do not exist as a separate organism but rather all of our organs, fluids, bacteria etc are all working together to form our body and keep us healthy. No cell in our body works alone. Cells in your liver never meet the cells in your mouth, yet they are connected and important to your entire body function. True isn't it? I have to say up to this day I never looked at this way.

Think about a drop of water as it comes out of your tap..not that powerful but put that drop into the ocean and see how it returns to its powerful state when joined with other water molecules.

This is where I was hooked. I have always listened to the teachings the ocean can bring.

The native americans also understand the importance of oneness by the saying" No tree has branches so foolish as to fight among themselves"

Seeing ourselves as islands that are not part of the whole stops us from experiencing the richest and fullest experiences in our lives. Based on my own life experiences I would tend to agree wit this. If you can see yourself connected to humanity , you begin to stop judging others and see people as an extention of yourself. You become kinder, compassionate.

Having the ablity to view all others as family members rather than competitors or enemies, we start to reach out with love, and compassion rather then out of defensive. Think about that for a moment!

Pretty deep for a Sunday morning..however relevant to this day I believe. We are all family and when you find it in your heart to begin to see life this way you start to look at things differently. The homeless person on the street ..where you once may have passed judgement or thought just go get a job..in a mystical way you are connected with them and look at their poverty , poor health etc as impacting yourself..you can vow to use your own gifts to help end such conditions that exist.

I know I for when..when I see this It reminds me how we all need each other and we are more connected than we even know.

Wishing you a warm and peaceful Easter!

xo

Love Letter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhiKS5fhyqQ&feature=youtu.be

I started my day pretty much the same way I attempt to do most days, reading positive articles, and watching inspirational videos to help set the tone for my day when the video Love Letter came across in my facebook feed.
This caught my attention,such a simple act that has the potential to make a difference. For the courage of someone to have an idea , show the world how simple it can be and to act upon it... INSPIRING! To continue to encourage our society to do more of this stuff in my opinion is what makes a difference each and every day.
It feels like people are so quick to get wrapped up in ideas that promote technology, quick ways on how to make more money, how to lose weight fast but when it comes to matters of the heart..people shy away.
I began to wonder what it would feel like if I came across one of these letters randomly and read it, I began to reflect on how nice it is to hear someone say they love you, how good it feels to you yourself say those words. Words that have the power to heal, to express you care, to make you smile. Three little words..not difficult to spell, not hard to pronounce..yet so often the hardest for people to share, to say. Love is a tricky thing..we have all had our hearts broken and have been so overwhelmed by the joy of the feeling we understand the power it has.
What if we all wrote one letter a week and placed it in a shopping cart, on the bus, on a park bench?
What if we did indeed have the power to change the dynamics of thought through these simple acts of kindness?
There is one thing I know for certain, for as silly as this may seem to some, for those who don't believe a difference can be made....each of us has a choice.

I know the choice I am making..and for that reason my pen, paper and envelop will be coming out today and my first letter will be passed along this week.

Yes You Can ...make a difference!!

Some Days.........

It feels like forever since I felt like writing. Writing something that expresses positive emotion, add value or at the very least spark a new perspective.
If the truth be known, lately It feels like there are cobwebs forming in my brain and the inspiration has all but packed its bags and vacated this body. It would be great if someone invented a giant straw that you could stick in your ear and if you blew hard enough, those cobwebs would blow right out the other side and take with it the emptiness. I suppose that kind of simplistic invention is meant for fictional cartoon movies.
On many occasions of late, I sit to write a poem and nothing comes....not one stinking thing. It's as if my ablity to express how feel from all that experience has vanished. There was a time not so long ago, the words would come so fast and furious , I couldn't wait to capture it . I made sure I had paper and pen all around me.
I have to admit, it is very frustrating and even down right embarrasing for someone like me to feel uninspired and blah. The one kind of party I hate to hold and be the guest of honor at is a pity party. Gosh, I of all people should know better. Then again, I never admitted to being perfect, not once. I'm human, maybe this blankness is my sign to stop thinking, writing or come up with anything inspirational. It's ok to take a step back from everything and remove the pressure. I'm sure I am not the first person to feel this, and I won't be the last.
I do put a lot of pressure on myself to be upbeat, inspirational, the optimist many say..we all do that don't we at times? Put pressure on ourselves..lesson to be learned there.

Still the reality remains..
Some days.......I am caught off guard by the negativity that exists
Some days............I wonder what life has in store for me
Some days......... ......I dream of all there is to experience while on this earth
Some days ................. I hope rebuilding isn't simply a term used in construction
Some days .......................I pray for peace and good health for so many
Some days .........................I forget that I am not super woman but just a woman
Some days ............................I remember all the beautiful feelings and relationships I hold dear
Some days........I lose my inspiration

In the end I know that ONE DAY..this too shall pass ...and the dust won't have time to settle on the keyboard and those cobwebs in my brain will be replaced with creativity and spark.

2012 A New Year !!!

“Another fresh new year is here . . .Another year to live!To banish worry, doubt, and fear,To love and laugh and give!This bright new year is given meTo live each day with zest . . .To daily grow and try to beMy highest and my best! I have the opportunityOnce more to right some wrongs,To pray for peace, to plant a tree,And sing more joyful songs!” William A. W.

As I begin to jot down my personal goals for the new year , I must spend time to reflect upon 2011. The experiences, the people, the tears, the laughter, the lessons..together the good and bad have for another year brought me to today. I am grateful for the opportunity to begin a New Year.

It is interesting to listen to the different opinions around the need to set goals. It's been my experience those who don't believe in them are typically the people who have set goals but didn't see them through. We have all gone thru that at different points in our life. Have the best of intentions then life gets in the way and before you know it..the goal drifts out of site. Don't believe me..take a look at how many people will flood the gym this month with the goal of losing weight and be healthier;by March their 4 days a week at the gym dwindles to 1 and by April they are luckly to make it once a month. How do I know this..I've done it!

There is no right or wrong answer about whether you should set goals as long as you are happy with how your life is going, you do what makes you happy.

I happen to be one of those people who believe in setting goals. I also believe in the magic it creates inside when you achieve your goals.

It's hard to imagine when I sit back and reflect upon my career, for 23 years I have been setting goals both in a professional setting and personally. I love teaching people the skill of goal setting..for once you learn it , you have that skill forever! It brings me great joy watching people set a goal and achieve it.

The trick with setting goals is commitment , realistic objectives , perservance , having and keeping a positive attitude. (that last one can be tough)

The other secret incredient...being grateful for what you have, what you have been given, the people in your life and the opportunity year after year to learn and grow.

"Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankfulthat thorns have roses." Alphonse Karr

Wishing all that read this , good health and an abundance of success in 2012.