Happy Mother's Day

For Mother's Day, I quite literally wrote my mother a book!  Usually, she buys herself things from us.  She knows what she wants, and when my brother and I were younger, instead of Dad getting her something from the kids, she would just get something she liked.  It was easier that way.  It just never stopped when we were "old enough" to get her something ourselves.

I hate buying her jewelry because she gets herself jewelry & we have completely opposite tastes so it is always a hit or miss.  Sometimes we get our nails done, go out to dinner, or see a show or something.  I wanted to physically give her something, though.  I love writing, so this write-your-mom-a-book idea seemed really cool.

Cool, indeed!  Writing this book was hard work, I tell you!  Some of the pages look like this:

Really?

...there are 40 more, some a little more helpful than the one above, and others just as open-ended.  I had fun doing it, but man did it take me a while!  I'm very glad to have finally given it to Mom because it has been riding along in my car with me (or my purse) so that when inspiration struck, I could frantically write things down in this deceptively small book.

Message of the Day:  Happy Mother's Day!

She's BACK!

Do you know that feeling you get when you feel like you just woke up?

I've been re-inspired and recharged in the past 24 hours!  I feel like I'm seeing an old friend that has been missing for a long time, except that she is a part of me.  I knew she was there, and she would peek out every now and again, but she was waiting for inspiration to strike.

Last night, I went to the first restorative yoga class I have been to in a long time.  Then, I had the most amazing dinner with the most amazing bunch of people you've ever met.  One of them is very pregnant and SO excited that the room was just sparkling with energy!  One of them is leaving for vacation, and we were bidding him farewell.  Another friend drove down just to come see us for 24 hours (a 6 hour round trip journey), and I hadn't really seen my two other friends in months.  They are all hilarious in their own unique ways, and it was such a blessing to get together.  It was an amazing, exciting evening full of laughter and togetherness!

After being reminded how blessed I am to have such a wonderful group of friends, I took some great advice and went to a "gentle flow" yoga class this morning.  "Gentle Flow" is just my pace!  I hadn't felt comfortable in a yoga class until today since at least September.  My body is still recovering, and I met myself where I am instead of being my usual SuperWoman self.  It is amazing how wonderful you can feel by setting aside your ego and allowing yourself to just breathe and notice how your body moves.  Today, I listened to my body (one of my New Year's Resolutions).  I listened as it flowed through the positions I asked it to.

If you have never been to a yoga class before, I highly recommend it (yes, even for men).  Stretching, breathing, and noticing your body heals your body and mind simultaneously, gives you a natural oxygen high, helps to ground you, and lifts your spirits.  Walking out of a yoga class feeling less than wonderful is rare in my experience.  In fact, it often makes you feel like you can conquer the world!

Speaking of which... "She's BACK" is the title of this post because I am feeling completely recharged and it is time to go take on the world!  Namaste!

Message of the Day:  Recharge and inspire yourself through friends, family and a healthy outlet.

...Or don't.  It won't change my reality.  Cheers!

Secrets!

Have you ever gotten the feeling someone was about to tell you a secret?

Whether in person or via text, you can usually tell when someone is about to divulge a big secret.  They get abnormally uncomfortable or excited.  They act in a way that is out of sorts from their usual self.  Unless they are very good at hiding their feelings, it isn't difficult to tell when someone is about to tell you something that isn't public information.

Well, today I just got bombarded with a big one out of nowhere!

A friend texted me asking me how I was doing.  It was an out of the blue text, but that's 100% normal for her.  She is the whimsical type.  I responded that I am just trying to stay warm, and asked her how she was doing.

Do you know how she replied?

I couldn't make this up if I tried, so I will just quote her here...

"I'm okay, I don't work much for the next 2 months.  Doctor recommended that I stay home and rest.  Pregnant."

Ah!  Pregnant?  Crazy.  Via text message!  I see her all the time, too.  I don't know how long she has known.  I have a feeling she has known for a while now.  I don't know who knows.  But she is pregnant, and very excited about it.

I can honestly say that I don't think anyone has directly told me that they are pregnant before.  She is the first of my girlfriends (or guy friends) to confide that in me.  Usually I find out these things through the grape vine.  It's exciting.  I'm excited.  She is excited.  She will be a great Mom.  I hope you're smiling, because I am!

Message of the Day:  Share your happiness with others.  You will brighten their day, too.

...Or don't.  It won't change my reality.  Cheers!

Talking Photography

Pretty much everyone I know enjoys a good picture, although we all define what that is differently.  I have a friend who only uses mostly old cameras.  He still sends his film out to be developed.  There is just something about a tangible photo, developed in a lab; it has almost become romantic or nostalgic.  His hardcore film views have actually rubbed off on my vocabulary.  I now use the terminology "making a photo" rather than "taking a photo," after a long (totally fun) debate about it.  Anyhow, a while ago, we were talking about how anyone can "make a photo" now, without having ever owned a camera.

As such, a growing number of people are into photography.  The world of photography is changing rapidly in the 21st century, with the dawn of the digital "point-and-shoot" camera and now cell phone cameras capable of making more than decent photographs.  Anyone with a cell phone can now make a photograph, and play around with different settings (granted, artificially created settings that don't involve knowing much about lenses, lighting, etc., but they can figure out the basics).

I own a digital camera, which I still use on occasion, but it is way easier to use my cell phone to make a photograph in my daily life.  I have less to carry around, and, frankly, the camera my Samsung Galaxy S5 is equipped with is almost as good as my point-and-shoot.  When there is nothing to do at my job (basically, while I am waiting for people to interview), I play with my photography settings on the camera.  There are action features, and some focus settings I really like that are pretty novel for a cell phone camera.

These are a few of my favorite shots that came out of playing with the focus settings:

Simply adjusting my overall focus OR my object of focus, I was able to take many different shots.  With these two photographs of petals, I created the illusion of blurred objects in the foreground by focusing further out, which is relatively simple with a point-and-shoot, but I also was able to enhance the petal in the foreground in the first shot, which is more difficult to accomplish with a normal cell phone camera.

The final "current top favorite" photograph of selective focus is this one I shot at the local bar:

I was talking photography with a stranger I had just met.  This guy just walked up to me as I was reading (yes, I was reading at the bar) and he struck up a conversation with me (yes, guys it really is attractive to interrupt someone's alone time as long as it is done in a tactful way).  He was confident and had a nice smile, so I figured that I would put my book down for a conversation (quite the feat, as it was a very good read).  I'm glad I did, though, because not only was he quite interesting to talk to, this awesome photo above came out of it (and later a painting).  Somehow, he got to talking to me about photography, and I began showing him the cool features on my cell phone that I had discovered just weeks prior.

I bring up the random guy I met at the bar because, since then, we've crossed paths there a few times, and somehow great things always come of it.  I don't particularly care for the things kids do with their photos (the hot colored scribbled and phrases that cover most of the decent shot they took, etc.), however I was always curious about the tools they use to make such "art."  Well, I discovered this app a few weeks ago that allows me to alter photos after I have taken them.  Usually, I don't like doing that because, call me old-school, but I think it takes something away from the art involved in photography.  After playing with a simple photo I made of some candles in my bathroom (at the bar with my now photography friend), this really awesome version we churned out got me to re-think the possibilities of editing.

We turned this photo:

Into this image:

I'm still not sure whether or not I can call the second image here a "photograph," but I like it!

Message of the Day:  Open yourself up to explore new things; you might find them beautiful. Also, collaboration with friends often yields the best results!

...Or don't.  It won't change my reality.  Cheers! 

Chinese Fire Drill

There is a saying that "it's the little things in life that make you happy."  A few days ago, I had a day particularly full of wonderful little things.  I'll share my favorite 3:

1. Waking up to sunlight.  Refer to Controlling the Sun.  Seriously, nothing beats it!

2. Chinese Fire Drill!  (I don't know how politically correct this is... I have just learned this terminology through friends & have no idea where it comes from)

3. Sugar :)

I hadn't actually witnessed a 'Chinese Fire Drill' before a few days ago.  It was HILARIOUS!  Maybe you had to be there, but I'll try my best to set the tone...

My coworker (Let's call her D) was driving the company car with me in the passenger's seat.  We had just begun our journey when we came to a stop behind two other cars at a red light.  Seconds after we stopped, we saw the doors on the car in front of us open simultaneously.  The driver and the passenger each turned about for a second.  D and I looked at each other instantaneously and gasped, "No..." in disbelief.  The driver and passenger both got out of the car in complete synchrony, leaving their doors open, strolled around the back of the car, and got back in via the opposite door.  D and I looked at each other once more, shouted, "Chinese fire drill!" and laughed.  That made my day.

After a less eventful excursion back to work, I entered the office and found this:

...and "Happy people just don't shoot their husbands!" (Name that movie.  It makes me laugh every time.)

Well, it's settled.  Can't argue with nerd logic!

Message of the day: When all else fails, eat more sugar.

...Or... don't.  Really.  If you sustain health problems from consuming too much sugar, please don't say I condoned it.  Cheers!

Haircut!

I’ve heard people speak about a haricut with everything from disdain to elation.  Many use the words “chore,” or even “dread” to describe shelling out money to have someone shave or chop off some of their hair that just won’t stop growing back.

If you couldn’t already guess, I’m in the category of those who view a haircut as a special day.  It’s an opportunity to change my look or just make my hair less apt to get tangled.  Usually, I walk in for a haircut and walk out just hoping for something just that: less tangle-y, a little more layered, and in general more manageable.

Yesterday, I had a different mission: a whole new identity!

For most people, I don’t suggest that spending a ton of money is your key to happiness (actually, it often can be the opposite).  In the case of my hair, however, well, let’s just say I have more hair on my head than 99.9% of the rest of the world does (and every hair salon I have ever been to comments on this, ad nauseum).  If I want a really nice cut, I had better go to someone who is well trained.

Yesterday morning, I showered, washed & combed my hair thoroughly, as per usual prior to a haircut.  Those of you who have a lot of curly hair know exactly what I’m talking about.  Those of you with straight hair, I’m sorry that sometimes you’re jealous of us curly-haired folks with infinite style options, just as we are jealous of you for the “I can just brush in 2 strokes and go” thing I will never comprehend, but trust me when I tell you that the time we put into our hair is 100% necessary!  Yes, it is vital to tame your hair BEFORE going to the salon.

Once my hour-long pre-haircut ritual was over, I took the last photo of myself with long hair that I will have for a long time.  I’ve spent my life trimming off a few inches at a time, allowing my slow-growing hair to do its wild, crazy thing, and yesterday was the last day of that wild, crazy mane:

I took 2 versions of this shot; one “wild & crazy” as I can get my hair, and another more “normal” look:

Now, when I go to the salon, it always turns into a spectacle.  I have a TON of hair.  When you look at it, you say, “Wow, that girl has a huge mane,” but when you hold it, you realize how big and heavy it actually is.  Every new stylist I visit tells their coworkers to touch my hair.  Every one.  Whoever is sweeping the floor up from all the hair has to make at least 2 or 3 passes, and never fails to comment on the sheer volume of hair on the floor, asking if __insert name here__ can have some (I have plenty to lend out for a lifetime).  Also, even though I schedule an appointment and suggest that the salon gives me a few extra minutes, another client shows up before I’m done.  Every time.  If I need to get my hair styled, especially straightened, usually 2 or 3 other stylists who were on break come over to assist.  Admittedly, I don’t cut my hair as often as I should, and after high school I didn’t visit the same salon more than twice because I was trying to find the right stylist, so maybe they would get used to me eventually if I came in often enough.

Yesterday's experience was on par with my usual experience, except for one thing: me!  I was nervous, excited, doubtful, about to chicken out and yet so determined I could've led soldiers into battle!  I walked into the salon and kept looking in the mirror, sliding my fingers up and down the imaginary ruler, debating “how short is too short?”  I was ranging from 5-9 inches.  That’s a wide range!  I had clearly never done anything like this before!  But, I trust my stylist (such a beautiful relationship to have)!  I explained that my hair was just too heavy and causing me issues.  It’s time for a change!

Stylist:   “Are you sure?”

Me:   “Yes, I’m sure.”

Stylist:   “Shoulder length?  Like… 7 inches?”

Me:   “Yup.  Shoulder length, and as light as you can possibly make it!”

2 minutes later…

Person sweeping up the massive amount of hair already accumulating on the floor

(addressing Stylist):  “Wow, you’re brave!”

Stylist (referring to me):  “She’s the brave one!  I have NO idea how this is going to turn out; it could just spring up like a poof!”

Me:  [slightly nervous] “Wait, how will I get it to be tame at all?!?  I’m in completely uncharted waters!”

Stylist:  “Gel.  Lots and lots of gel!”

Person sweeping (addressing me):  [Laughing] “Wait, did YOU have to convince HER to take that much off?”

Me:  [Also laughing] “Yup!”

She called me brave and took her own before (and later after) pictures for the salon.

[stylist intently finishing up the initial cutting]

Me:  “How do you think we should shape it?  Should I swoop it like this, or maybe do this…?”

Stylist:  “I’m still just cutting all this hair off; I haven’t even thought that far ahead yet.”

Me:  “Okay.  I just got excited!  Take off as much as you possibly can!”

An hour of cutting Ouidad style (amazing for curly hair), and using some thinning shears to make my hair as light as humanly possible,  I had cute, fun, SHORT hair!  After taming it (adding some leave-in conditioner, climate control, diffusing, leaving me under the dryer, more diffusing, and a few quirts of pomade – I was taking notes) my hair was done!

Me:   “Ahhhhh!”

Stylist:  “Do you like it?  Does it feel lighter?”

Me:  “It’s SO LIGHT!  I feel like there is nothing there!  There clearly is but it feels like… NOTHING!”

Stylist:  [Laughter] “I think this is going on our Facebook page as The Transformation of 2015!”

Me:   “Less sexy, more fun!”

After the mini photo shoot, my stylist and I parted ways as she tended to her other client, both of us smiling and cheerful!

Here are my personal “after” shots:

…this is my “normal” shot (but I was still waaaay too excited to look anything close to “normal”).

…& the following is as “wild and crazy” as I could get my new hair!

It truly feels like there is nothing left!  This is pretty much how most people live, I guess, but I feel 10 pounds lighter!  I couldn’t (and still can’t, apparently) stop telling all of my friends how amazingly light and bouncy and DIFFERENT I feel now!

My hair is a huge part of my identity.  Not only because it is huge, but because it is a major part of how I have defined myself, and how others have defined me, since I was a child.  Those childhood images of how you view yourself tend to stick with you, and I just changed them!  To top that off, I’ve been contemplating a whole makeover.  I actually stopped by my optometrist’s office on my way home to try on a new pair of glasses.  Look out world, it's a whole new me!

Apologies if I sound narcissistic in any way (and if my bounciness is too much for you to handle at the moment).  I’m truly not a narcissist, but I do love myself - we all should - and yesterday I had the biggest “me day” that I’ve possibly ever had.  I am pretty certain that I have ADD, to what extent I don't really know or care to know, but it comes out every now and again.  Every time my hair grazes my shoulders (which is pretty much any time I move my head), I get distracted by this brand new feeling!  Do you ever get distracted by your earrings?  Or your scarf?  It's akin to that.  I love it, but I’m still getting used to it!  If you know me in real life, please bear with me as I go through this transition.  And LAUGH.  Laugh at me, and laugh with me!

Message of the Day:  Looking for a new identity or a new look?  Change your hairstyle!

…Or don’t.  It won’t change my reality.  Cheers!

Blank Canvas

On my list of top ten things in this world:

A blank canvas.

Both literally and figuratively, a blank canvas is one of the most wonderful things in the world!  There is so much potential!  Today is a blank canvas.  So is tomorrow.  How will you fill it?

Allow me to preface this by saying that the impending snow storm had most people flocking to the grocery store.  Sure, I went to pick up a couple groceries for a stew and some tea (half of which the store was out of, anyway), but I made a more important stop, first!  Last night, I walked into an art supply store intending to pick up one or two canvases.  Who doesn't make sure they have what they need for their favorite hobby before a storm?  They were on sale if you bought in bulk, and I took that as a sign from the universe encouraging me to follow through on my intent to "paint more."  I walked out with about a dozen (for less than $25)!  I reckon I'll be doing quite a bit of painting over the next few months, and I couldn't be happier!

Painting on a tangible blank canvas feels amazing, but there is also something to be said for a figurative one.  The figurative meaning of a "blank canvas" can, like many things in life, be positive or negative.  Day to day, you can wake up and say "I have no clue what to do/how to act today," or you might say "I can't wait to see what today brings me!"  Creating a bright feeling every day can change your life for the better, believe me.

A more long-term definition of a "blank canvas" is slightly different, though.  One who can say that they have a "fresh start" or a "clean slate" has most likely closed a previous chapter of their lives.  This often creates a reason to fear the blank canvas, because it means leaving something behind.  A few of the scariest examples of new chapters include marriage, a brand new business venture, a change in career, a move to a new city or a new country, and a small person growing inside you whom you're expected to care for until the end of time!  In the past year, I have either done or seen all of the above examples happen to myself and/or the people around me and do you know what I have found out?  The potentially "scariest" new beginnings often turn into the most exciting, rewarding experiences!

It is sometimes difficult to be optimistic when you don't see the whole picture at first, but once you embrace the creative spirit that comes along with staring at the blank canvas in front of you, magical things can happen.  If you don't believe me, ask my Kundalini yoga instructor (I'll call him "M").

M had a 9 to 5 job.  He had been working hard there for a long while, so it was stable and comfortable.  M couldn't understand why, but he began to feel unhappy and stressed.  His job was a little stressful, but mostly he felt as though he needed a time-traveling device to accomplish everything he wanted to accomplish in his day.  This feeling persisted day after day, week after week, and began to affect his mood.  M was on the path to becoming a serious yogi, but he felt as though he didn't have enough time to practice because of his 9-5 schedule.  He felt stuck, and wished for change.  As soon as he put that wish out into the Universe, he got fired!  If M was telling this story, he would say "...and it was the best thing that ever happened to me!"  Imagine getting fired from a job that you generally enjoy, are good at, and have had for years.  Naturally, M was very upset and made he it known.  Shortly afterwards, M decided to use his newfound free time to become a yoga instructor.  He also set goals to change his lifestyle, rearrange his house to promote healing, and meditate twice a day.  I met M years later; by that time he had accomplished all of those things and more!  M is one of the healthiest men I know, spiritually and physically.  If you ever ask him about it, he will tell you it is all because he got fired from his office job!

Months, maybe years after he lost his job, M went back to his old office, shook his boss' hand (the  same man who fired him), and said "Thank you!  I don't think I would have had the guts to quit by myself.  I am in such a great place right now and I am doing what I love.  I was unhappy.  You noticed, and set me free."

M likes telling this story to his yogis because it is about embracing the unknown, wonderful things that are ahead of us in this life.  No matter how young or how old you are, every one of your days is a blank canvas.  I have come to know that unknown to be synonymous with: full of endless potential!

Message of the day: Every day is a blank canvas; fill it with some color!

...Or don't.  But know that it will get filled with or without your conscious intent.  You might as well hold the brush!  Cheers!

Writing on the Wall

I had some friends over for New Year's Eve, and one of them noticed that there was writing on my bathroom wall.  He looked perplexed and impressed.  I told him that it comes right off the tile since it is drawn with dry erase markers.  Understanding the impermanence of the graffiti, he seemed to accept it.  At first, he thought that I write lists in the shower or something.  Then, he looked a little closer and read what I wrote.  Still puzzled, he opened up a dialogue about my logic behind writing this here.  Surely there were better things I had to do in the shower than write inspirational quotes?

The shower is the one brainless task we do [let's face it - almost] every day, during which we cannot be distracted or disturbed.  Sure, we brush our teeth, make our bed, take our vitamins; there are other daily monotonous tasks, so why is the shower special?  Easy.  I'm not talking about those simple 5 second tasks we do without thinking while the world around us is bustling with chatter, I'm talking about an activity we DO every day without distractions.  I make my bed while I'm figuring out what to wear for the day.  I brush my teeth often while I'm putting together my lunch or sending an e-mail.  I drive to work with the radio blaring and a to-do list forming in my head.  I'm multitasking every which way except in the shower.  My time in the shower is sacred.  It is sacred because I can lock the rest of the world out; nothing is being forced upon me but being with myself (and getting clean).

I live alone, but I'm sure that when I have children my precious "me time" in the shower will be even more sacred.  No matter how crazy life gets, we have to shower.  I can shower in silence or with some music on, but I don't have to think in the shower if I don't want to.  It feels amazing!  Sure, I often come up with a new song whilst I'm washing out my shampoo (and I can scribble lyrics on the wall if I'd like to), but I also take time to revel in the simplicity of feeling the water massage my skin.  If I feel the need to focus on a particular thought or goal, I write it on my whiteboard until it is etched in my brain, and then I let it be.  I allow it to become a part of me, and let it go without stressing about it.  I do this before I begin my day so that I gain whatever clarity of mind I need to bring into the day.  That is why you will find writing on the wall in my shower!

Where do you find peace?

Message(s) of the day: Find stillness where you can.
Enjoy the feeling of the water against your skin every once in a while.

...Or don't.  It won't change my reality.  Cheers!