Live, Have Some Fun!

What's real and what isn't? An essential ingredient in being your most beautiful self is to realize your true essence (the invariable nature of you), that distinct quality, markings, spiritual finger print, DNA, the soul that belongs to you and only you! In looking at the tragic death of film actress Brittany Murphy, we were shocked to see a young woman die so soon, she was only 32, who many had come to love on the big screen. She was talented and beautiful and those close to her say what a nice and caring person she was, so what went wrong? Without autopsy and toxicology reports, we can only surmise. I only hope she knew just how awesome she was, how distinctive, a one-of-a-kind, a person no one else could duplicate. I recently saw her in one of her films "The Dead Girl," it was haunting and well-acted and left me wondering at the time, "wow, I don't know if I could play a role like that" because her performance was so unnervingly real! To see this actress, human being, leave far too soon is just another reminder to as Idol winner Kris Allen sings about, "Live like you're dying," and I think I will. It's not easy being committed to oneself, steadfast and holding out while settling and unrighteous compromise seems easier. I know this life is supposed to be chocked full of fun, good times to help ease the pain when it comes, to get us through when sorrow strikes and resiliency and strength when it seems the world seems has been pulled from under our feet. So instead of making resolutions, I'm going to just try to have more fun and as often as possible. Most of us know how to take care of business, other people while our needs and lives go unfulfilled and vacant with wants and far too many "maybe tomorrow!" It's time to live like there's no tomorrow with all the fun and zest we can conjure up!

Fun will keep your spirit youthful, a warmth emanating that's magnetic, charming and inviting, people will want to come into your sphere for a place of shelter against the storm, to share laugher and good times, to help you reach your goals to get some of that good stuff that goes unidentifiable but desired, your x-factor. Sure, haters will hate because they haven't discovered, revealed or are clueless of what makes them great, no integrity, no matter how big or successful they are or the lack thereof, so have a good time anyway, **** em! As I was saying, fun is an excellent beauty elixir, it'll make you glow, give you confidence and energy to keep putting one foot in front of the other when times are tough. This special energy sends wonderful endorphins throughout your body, helping you to heal and to make your world a beautiful place while works-in-progress unfold in the fullness of each one's time. In the meantime, you're living today and having fun in whatever healthy manner you choose, from ice skating to playing board games, Guitar Hero, WII or video game champion to quilting, jewelry making, arts and crafts, bake-offs, exercising, pot luck parties, a nice long walk, bike-riding, reading a "page turner" book or chatting it up with an old friend when you've both been so busy. Have some fun and keep it coming, the beauty it exudes becomes you!

Photo: Courtesy of http://www.sugargamers.com/

Minding my business or yours...

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Recently actress Gabrielle Union posted a message to all of us who are consumed with the Tiger Woods saga, mainstream media and blogs alike, in a nutshell told us to get a life! She displayed her angst for the pariah-like society we find ourselves living in, whether believing what read on the Internet, on blogs or in tabloids, half-truths or just bold face lies. She admonished those who skip past their own dirty laundry and misery in exchange to chat it up, accuse and assign blame, guilt and condemnation to and about people they don't know or the facts about the circumstances that create the headlines. We easily blog, comment, cheer or assassinate celebrities, it's our fun. With the anonymity of the Internet, we can just say what we wouldn't say face to face in our daily lives for most people. We can chastise and condemn with a few key strokes. It's called social networking and we can all be journalists with our own blog or ezine or photographers with a cell phone. There goes the privacy for anyone caught in a precariously or suggestive situation, you might very well be doomed!

I believe it's just the times we live in, 24/7 news cycles, mainstream media competing with the Internet, the more salacious and questionable, the better the ratings, visitors, hits and comments. From Twitter to Myspace to Face book to eons of blogs and websites that give you entertainment news, celebrity gossip, hot topics to weigh in on, polls and the latest news stories. Whether fact or fiction, we're exposed to others' business constantly throughout our day. It's like not looking at an accident on the side of the road, you don't want to, but feel compelled to take a peak and try to discern in that brief passing, "what's going on." It's easier to focus on other people's drama, especially, those from that privilege group of people we love to hate, the rich, powerful and famous. As a society we love to build up our idols and personal heroes into these super people, in a sense more human than us, invincible, infallible, pristine, even Gods. When they express themselves dressed in imperfection, we swear they're sheep in wolves's clothing, but perhaps, we just didn't know them from the start. Maybe, they're actually real human beings like the rest of us with struggles and demons or just make mistakes and experience growing pains like some other fellow beings. Perhaps, we shouldn't be so quick to pass judgment because "it's been reported" and what about when it's certain it's true, is it our right or duty to make them pay, settle the score how we best can, nastily and dastardly on the Internet? Since celebrities are public domain, are they entitled to any code of decency or their money in the bank and lifestyle forfeits all consideration.

Well, as a person who reads entertainment blogs and websites, weigh-in on celebritiy gossip and hot topics, I get Gabby's point! I have greatly pulled back from the amount of comments I will post and felt obligated to share my opinions and perspective because of SOME of the comments and mindsets, many are so insanely ignorant. I hope that our youngest internet visitors (teens and young adults) will be positively influenced with a balance of views. I'm actually glad that Gabrielle and other celebrities are speaking out, venting or blogging themselves because now I can use the time I spent posting comments for myself, my life, goals and dreams.

Here's Gabrielle Union's Post from Global Grind Click

The Secret...

I kinda stumbled upon a copy of the best selling book, "The Secret." At the time when the book was featured on Oprah and just creating a tremendous buzz, I felt I'll pass, I've read so many self-help books. So in recently being presented with this opportunity to engage this book, I'm quite please of the timing, it couldn't have been better. Overall it's a book about the law of attraction for those who haven't read it. Something we know about, nothing really new or astonishing, just lessons we have continue to learn and relearn as we sometimes forget. Life will give you so many tides to ride, all the tosses and turns, detours, wins, chaos and excitement, we forget very simple principles that govern our lives. I earnestly believe that we do attract into our lives what we experience. So I'm reaccquainting myself with monitoring my feelings and focusing on "feeling good" more than ever before. Personally, I can't handle hopelessness and despair, it's such a downer for me.

Days prior to reading this book, I was addressing some negative feelings and emotion about something that seem to keep reoccuring no matter how much I prayed, affirmed and rationalized. Further introspection, soul searching, I got to the very root of my angst, mind you, I've struggled with this issue for years. It was a disappointment I suffered and never really recovered until recently, even though, I proclaimed many times I had. It's been a couple of things I really, really wanted and didn't get and was wounded. It was the first dream job I intensely pursued out of college and didn't get and unhealthy relationships that seemed inevitable until the last year or so. I continue to consciously work on stubborn thinking patterns and replace them with thinking, feeling and believing that I already have everything I so desire. I count my blessings and they are many. I realize the total wealth of my life past and present. I like who I am and what I do, where I've been and how I can give of myself and befriend family and friends. As for that dream job, well, after many excursions, I'm actively pursuing the dream job I wanted by creating it myself, my own clothing line. I get to use the depth and breadth of my experience and bring so much knowledge and flavor to this endeavor. It makes me smile because I KNOW I will be successful, because success for me now is being happy, feeling good as often as possible and the universe takes care of the rest!

The Secret book is a reminder of watching my thoughts, words and feelings (law of attraction), they create my actions and hence experience. Remembering there's no in between. I realize uncontrollable things will happen, some people are born into harshness, violations and human suffering. But, living in this country and other places in the world, we can make our dreams come true, it take time, an updated belief system and even uncovering secrets.


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"Being Beautiful"...

“I feel beauty is an issue that’s plagued women for centuries. Unfortunately, we live in a society where image does matter. In many cases, women just aren’t aware of beauty options and enhancements.

It’s natural for a woman to want to feel beautiful and important that she does! The right shade of lipstick, the cut of a garment to minimize or accent, a deep tissue massage, vitamin therapy, exercise, healthy food choices and embracing one’s individuality help to radiate beauty.

Many of us are stuck in adolescence in how we view ourselves, therefore, carrying with us an outdated childhood self-image. In order for women to be empowered, we must redefine beauty and find what works externally in terms of apparel, makeup and hairstyling, fitness and nutrition, rest and relaxation (good music, books, films, social activities, vacationing) to intrinsic values that generate self-worth and confidence…the heart and soul of beauty!”

Avoiding Depression

Depression is no fun, especially, during the holiday season and through harsh winters! Find ways to escape the low-grade to acute depression many of us battle. I know I live in a cold climate winter city and the weather can get me down. Also, I can get depressed when things aren't moving as fast as I had planned and hoped for, but I keep moving, shaking things up. I can't stand to feel despair and hopelessness. This is what sometimes quietly plague me beneath the surface of working, laughing, sharing a good time or watching others go through challenging times, but I remind myself that "this too shall pass."

We live in very strange times and there's a great amount of disconnect going on in our everyday lives that goes unnoticed for far too many. We've become immune to pain and sorrow, our own and others. We almost forget that life is about having fun, creating some sunshine when those clouds appear and seem to want to stick around. As we study ourselves, we find out more our needs and take a break from nurturing others for a little "me time." In this way, we can have something to continue to give, whether it's our jobs and careers, families or community!

Live your life to limit, be bold, be beautiful and free!