The Key to Happiness...

... in 56 seconds.



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"Nothing can bring you happiness but yourself."
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Looking Forward...

Where we'll be next weekend... *Sigh*

* Kalaloch





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"Camping: The art of getting closer to nature while getting farther away from the nearest cold beverage, hot shower and flush toilet."
-- Author Unknown

Not So Small (After All)

Chris and I lead a small life. Not insignificant, but any means. But small.

And that's just fine with us.

Last night, after enjoying a couple of McChicken sandwiches from (gasp) McDonald's, we hunkered down, flipped on the TV, plopped our tired feet in each others' laps, and eased into the evening by watching one of our favs, Two and a Half Men. Molly crawled up onto the couch for her nightly cuddle session, and Dehlia curled up on her bed and gnawed on her bone.

It was relaxing with a capital R.

During the second episode of Two and a Half Men, at a particularly funny moment in the show, Chris belted out a laugh. It was loud. It was merry. It was hearty. And it was completely, one hundred percent uninhibited.

Now, while his laugh is always music to my ears, this one resonated with me on a deeper level. The sound pulled me out of my sedated state of relaxation and I suddenly found myself - mind, body, and spirit - completely Awake and anchored in the moment. Every nerve in my body vibrated, tingled. My heart thumped loudly, drumming a steady beat-beat-beat in my ears. Instead of having the wind knocked out of me, it was like having it knocked into me. Clean. Refreshing. Invigorating.

All of a sudden I was struck by the simplicity of the evening. It wasn't by any means an exciting night. Didn't seem to be special in any way. And it certainly couldn't, by definition, be considered an extraordinary evening. In fact, anyone on the outside looking in might think of us as boring, plain and horribly, horribly simple.

But, in truth, the night was extraordinary beyond measure. By finding myself thrust so completely into the Present, I was suddenly able to appreciate the boring, plain, and horribly simple. By savoring the normalness of the evening, I found I was alert to a whole lot more: the soft breeze whispering through the open windows, the comfortable chill in the air, the soft glow of the television, the steady rise and fall of Molly's chest as she slept in my lap, the clack-clack-clack of Dehlia's teeth as she chewed her bone. And Chris - laughing, laughing, laughing...

Neither of us have very exciting jobs. We're not famous. We don't own fancy cars or an over-sized beach house that we retire to during the summer. We don't have a huge group of friends that we party with on Friday and Saturday nights. Our schedules aren't jam packed with endless, exotic travel itineraries (as much as I would like them to be). And our free time, what we have of it, isn't filled to the brim with bouncing babies or teetering toddlers.

But we are who we are. A married couple who love each other, fight occasionally, laugh constantly, and live life without regret. We have our moments of simplicity, but we also have our moments of greatness. And by waking up last night - by soaking in the warmth of an otherwise completely ordinary moment - I came to see that greatness.

Life can be simple and extraordinary. It's not what we do with our time, it's how we see it. It's how we view every single second of every single day - whether we're skydiving, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, or just spending an extraordinary night in front of the television with the ones we love - that makes us who we are. Greatness, it turns out, is all about perception.

Chris and I live. We love. We laugh. And we appreciate - absolutely everything.

Hmmm... On second thought, maybe our life isn't so small after all.

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"Rejoice in the things that are present; all else is beyond thee."
-- Montaigne

Awake

I absolutely love this... Have a great day!


One of his students asked Buddha, "Are you the messiah?"

"No", answered Buddha.

"Then are you a healer?"

"No", Buddha replied.

"Then are you a teacher?" the student persisted.

"No, I am not a teacher."

"Then what are you?" asked the student, exasperated.

"I am awake", Buddha replied.



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"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment."
-- Buddha

Knee-Jerk Responses to Life

Knee-jerk Responses to life.

We all have them. A situation arises that momentarily thrusts us out of our comfort zones and, instead of stopping for a second, taking a deep breath, and counting to ten, we come completely undone. Losing control, we do a complete one eighty and turn into someone that even our own mothers wouldn't recognize.

Twisted. Contorted. Ugly. Cruel. Wicked. Malicious.

Say, for example, someone cuts you off on the interstate when you're driving to work in the morning. Your first impulse is to blast your horn, mutter a well-versed stream of profanities, and flick your middle finger out the window. How dare HE cut ME off, you think. What an ass... You take it personally and feel utterly offended by the other driver's careless and rude behavior. Your nerves are on fire, you're seeing red, and a sharp anger is piercing your chest. And, as if that isn't enough, you allow that self-righteous rage flowing through you to follow you to work and infect the rest of your morning. Like a malignant tumor, it grows, festers, multiplies, and eventually erupts - contaminating yet another part of your day, week, month, year. Life.

Wow.

Okay, so not all of us experience Road Rage. But each and every one of us have fallen victim to our knee-jerk responses to life. Felt the seemingly uncontrollable discomfort that follows an event or circumstance that doesn't go exactly how we would like it to.

Often times, after the anger and hurt have subsided, we see clearly again. We suddenly realize that maybe what happened wasn't such a big deal after all. Wasn't really so bad. We might admit that we got a bit carried away by our emotions. And we might even feel a bit ashamed for unleashing our inner demons and lashing out.

But the fact of the matter is - no matter how guilty we feel or how enraged we may still be - the damage is done.

What would society be like if, right when we felt the rage and anger start to simmer, we stopped, stepped back, and took a deep breath? Then another. And another...

So many things that cause us anger and distress are so small and insignificant that it's a downright shame that we let them affect us so much. Someone cutting us off in traffic. A rude cashier. A hectic day. Screaming kids, loud teenagers, obnoxious telemarketers, negative co-workers, irritating clients... Or that clueless neighbor across the street who chooses to mow his lawn at six o'clock in the morning on the only day of the week that you get to sleep in... The list is endless.

Are these things annoying? Sure, sometimes. Are they worth getting all worked up over? Probably not. And, most importantly, are they worth wrecking your day, your month, your year, or your life over? Absolutely not.

It's amazing how we let the small things affect our lives. How something so seemingly insignificant can actually turn a great, amazing day into a horrible, unbearable, I'm-dying-a-slow-death-I-can't-stand-this-anymore type of day.

If we could just learn to relax, stay calm, and hold steady when that first sign of rage, irritation, or annoyance rears its ugly head, then we could improve our lives immensely. By holding on to the pure feelings of love, appreciation, joy, and hope, we could turn those undesirable situations around and use them to our advantage.

For instance, when cut off on the interstate, you could choose to take the higher road. Feel grateful that you have the reflexes to stop at a moment's notice. Appreciate how well your vehicle runs and that the brakes are in good condition. Be glad that your quick thinking avoided a collision. And finally, bless the driver who cut you off - he could be going through something more terrible than you could ever imagine.

If you make a conscious to effort stop, think, and breathe when presented with undesirable circumstances, you could cut down on so much unnecessary stress and hardship. And what a bonus that would be.

Learn to turn the tables. Don't fly off the handle. Don't allow yourself to be a victim to life's chaotic moments. Don't let your emotions take control of you. Instead, take control of your emotions.

And, as a result, enjoy the absolute power of being in control of your life.

** If you feel like lowering your blood pressure and raising your vibration, check this out. Enjoy!



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"The most important skill in staying calm is not to lose sleep over small issues. The second most important skill is to be able to view all issues as small issues."
-- Paul Wilson

To Save a Life

Record breaking temps. Mind numbing heat. Ninety-nine degrees - in the shade.

It was the week that Seattle turned into an inferno. Everyone and everything was hot. The air - usually breezy and tinged with a refreshing chill - was thick, sticky, and stagnant.

We were prepared. Primed and ready, everyone solemnly reviewed the basics on what to do with animals - primarily dogs - who were suffering from heat stroke. It wasn't something that any of us looked forward to. Yet we figured, with the suffocating heat, there was no way around it. So we put our games faces on and waited.

And waited.

On Wednesday, July 29th, the heat skyrocketed. The thermometer at the clinic registered close to one hundred and ten degrees. It was the hottest day on record in Seattle, and even the heat-loving sun-worshipers were beginning to beg for relief.

Around one o'clock that day, we saw our first victims. But it wasn't what we'd been expecting. It wasn't what we'd been preparing for.

Not a dog. Not a cat. But squirrels.

They were babies - at the most just a couple of weeks old. A boy and a girl, huddled together in a cardboard box and brought in by a Good Samaritan who happened to spot them lying on the side of the road. Helpless, their mother hit by a car, these precious little babies were found orphaned, limp, and barely breathing.

Unfortunately, the little girl was dead upon arrival. But the boy was still kicking. Barely. The odds were stacked against him, but we brushed Fate aside and got to work. Fortunately, one of the techs had quite a bit of experience raising newborns - of the two and four legged kind - and was fabulous enough to take on the challenge of caring for the little guy full time. (She's also mom to Fiona and baby Joon.) So we crossed our fingers, said a little prayer, and opened our hearts to our new little friend.

Well, a mere week and a half later, the squirrel - now lovingly known as Ivan - is thriving. Thriving. He's no longer bald, but covered in a fine layer of squirrely peach fuzz. His eyes haven't opened yet, but his ears have, and he's as active and alert as ever. He certainly knows his mama (Crystal) and, like a typical baby, throws a bit of a tantrum when she first lays him down for a nap. Even so, he's a dream. He's adorable, sweet, and quite possibly the cutest thing anyone has ever seen.

But, most of all, he's a survivor. A fighter. A tough little guy who knocked on Death's door and escaped unscathed.



Here are a few shots of Ivan with his mom...











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"You can't be friends with a squirrel! A squirrel is just a rat with a cuter outfit."
-- Sarah Jessica Parker

The In-Between

I had a major a-ha moment yesterday.

Yes, Oprah would be proud.

Wednesdays at the clinic can be tough. Multiple doctors. Numerous clients. Tons of phone calls. Emergencies that need to be squeezed in between regularly scheduled appointments. Barking dogs. Hissing cats. Biting. Scratching. Oh, and by the way, that ninety pound over-excited Lab needs an x-ray. But no sedation please.

Ugh.

So, needless to say, I do my absolute best to zone out as much as possible during my lunch hour. From one o'clock to two, I shut myself up in the break room and take advantage of the little peace and quiet I can get. To get away from the chaos - for even a short while - makes all the difference in the world.

Which brings us to yesterday, and my a-ha moment. I was sitting in the break room, re-reading one of my Abraham-Hicks books, when - out of nowhere - came a bolt of lightning. A phrase in the book jumped out at me and knocked into my mind with such force that a flash of light literally went off in my brain. Pinwheels of ocular induced fireballs spiraled through my vision, and my breath caught in my throat. In fact, if that phrase had hands, it would have grabbed me by the shoulders and shook some much needed sense into me.

"... SENSATION OF CREATING YOUR OWN REALITY..."

Wow. Six little words. But so powerful.

For a lot of people, life is merely a series of blah moments interspersed with a little excitement here, a random moment of passion-filled intensity there... And, every once in a blue moon, some extreme micro-seconds of sheer happiness thrown in to spice things up. But just a bit.

I'm the first to admit that my life, upon arriving out here, has improved tenfold. And I certainly can't deny that relocating to the Seattle area has yielded some major benefits. Since moving out to the Pacific Northwest, I've experienced countless moments of joy-filled enthusiasm, hour after blessed hour of passion-filled excitement, and thousands upon thousands of micro-seconds of sheer happiness. It's truly been an amazing journey.

But still, even with all of those moments of unadulterated bliss swirling around me, I couldn't help but feel there was something missing. Some little tidbit that I was overlooking. Almost like a forgotten word left dangling, on the tip of my tongue. Waiting. Waiting. For that perfect moment of clarity.

The particular enlightenment that I was seeking - on a personal level - was lurking just up ahead. In plain sight but invisible.

Until yesterday.

"... recall the delicious nature of focusing upon the SENSATION OF CREATING YOUR OWN REALITY rather than giving so much attention to the REALITY THAT YOU ARE CREATING."
-- The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent, by Abraham-Hicks

There it is. My enlightenment.

So very basic. So very true. And so very simple.

In other words, have fun now. Love life now. And enjoy the present moment. Now. Don't wait until a certain object materializes or a much anticipated event unfolds before you allow yourself to be truly happy and discover your bliss.

Life is about the ride. About being happy all the time, not just sparadically. It's about the artistic endeavor that each and every one of us - by just being born - have chosen to partake in. To revel in. And to enjoy.

When I think back to any creative endeavor I've ever embarked upon, I remember the fun being in the actual creating. The coloring, the painting, the drawing, the writing, the reading, the editing... Sure, the end result was always great. A fantastic sight to behold. And definitely rewarding in its own way. But nothing could ever match that feeling of passion and enthusiasm that filled me up so completely during the creating process. That glorious feeling of all out, unbridled fun that coursed through me when I was up to my elbows in the project itself was what I relished. Covered in clay, paint, markers, ink, sweat... That was where the joy was. Where the excitement reigned. And where the true energy flowed.

Think back to any creative project that you've ever done. Didn't you, in the end, have more fun creating and playing with the art supplies than you did with the actual finished product? As a kid, when you colored in your coloring books, wasn't shading in the picture the best part? Wasn't that why, when you finished, you immediately turned to another page, grabbed a different color, and continued coloring?

That, I now realize, is what life is. It's the in-between moments that count. Those in-between moments of "blah" are actually where all of our creative power lies. Between manifestations is really where the fun is.

Before yesterday, I'd been too focused on the end result to see it. Too busy noticing the distance between where I was and where I really wanted to be. Too distracted by the absence of the manifestation to see what was really in front of me all the time - the gift of the in-between.

But now I see it. Now I understand. And now I'm up to my elbows in the creative process and loving every minute of it.

Life isn't about the end result. It's about the process. The joy that we allow (or don't allow) ourselves to feel while we're on this artistic journey.

Life is about the Sensation of Creation.


** Dehlia - enjoying the in-between... ;)


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"People will say, "Well, I have to work on my goals," or, "I have to work on my visualization." And we want you to think more about holding the vision because it is pleasurable to hold the vision, not because you're trying to make the vision work in order to get to some place that you're not now standing. "How much should I work?" We would say, work in the sense of joyously moving forward."
-- Abraham

21 Things I Believe In

1. I have the power to create my own life.

2. My marriage grows stronger every day.

3. Love really does conquers all.

4. Blood is not always thicker than water.

5. Living together before marriage (or shacking up, as my mother would have called it) is not only a good idea, but a smart one.

6. Everyone should have a pet. (I'm partial to dogs, but to each their own.)

7. Being selfish is the best way to be selfless.

8. Spirituality is healthier than religion.

9. Travel cures all ills.

10. Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change. (Thank you, Wayner Dyer.)

11. Forgiveness and peace are absolutely essential for a happy, fulfilled life.

12. Focus on the solution. Not the problem.

13. Thinking positive really does work.

14. Dreams can come true.

15. Red shoes are the shinizzle.

16. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are sinfully good.

17. Hugs are better than kisses.

18. Rain, clouds, hot tea, cookies, and a good book make for the perfect day.

19. The beach, sun, crashing waves, frosty beverages, and a good book make for the perfect day.

20. How to Win Friends and Influence People should be mandatory reading in high school.

21. Life is what you make of it. So make it good.


And finally, here's one for the road. I doubt anyone can argue with me on this one... ;)



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"Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice."
-- Wayne Dyer

Christmas in... August?

There's something about music - certain music, that is - that makes my spirit soar. That brings tears of joy to my eyes and leaves my heart fluttering for more. Even after the song is finished, and the speakers silent, there are certain songs that seem to leave a tingle in the air and a leftover whisper in my ear.

Lately, I've made a special attempt at finding specific tunes that enhance my vibration. I have a whole collection of songs from various artists that I turn to when I feel my mood start to dip. From upbeat and peppy, to all out heartfelt and soulful - these songs make me feel good.

And who could ask for more?

So here's a list of songs that - for me, anyway - make my world just a little bit brighter.

Boom Shack-A-Lack, by Apache Indian
Times Like These, by Foo Fighters
Learn to Fly, by Foo Fighters
Three Little Birds, by Bob Marley
Stir It Up, by Bob Marley
Return to Innocence, by Enigma
On the Road Again, by Willie Nelson
Holiday, by Green Day
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life), by Green Day
Bad Moon Rising, by Creedence Clearwater
Carry On My Wayward Son, by Kansas
No One, by Alicia Keys
No One Needs to Know, by Shania Twain
Back in Black, by AC/DC
Black and White, by Michael Jackson
Thriller, by Michael Jackson
Dexter Theme Song, from the Showtime series Dexter
Hey Ya, by Outkast
Only Time, by Enya
Beautiful Day, by U2
Lose Yourself, by Eminem
Come Sail Away, by Styx (seriously)
Yellow, by Cold Play
Clocks, by Cold Play
God Gave Rock & Roll To You, by Kiss
And We Danced, by The Hooters
Good People, by Jack Johnson
I'm Yours, by Jason Mraz
Jungle Love, by The Steve Miller Band
You Raise Me Up, by Josh Groban
Oh Holy Night, by Josh Groban
and,
ANYTHING BY JOSH GROBAN...

Again, just some of the many tunes I turn to that make me smile, laugh, cry (tears of joy), or dance. Music is amazing - try it. Short of meditating, there's nothing in the world that will make you feel better quicker.

Here's my absolute favorite "go-to" song - Oh Holy Night, by Josh Groban. I know it's a Christmas song, but this piece seriously gives off some good vibes. And Josh Groban? His voice gives me the chills...

Enjoy!



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"Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons. You will find it is to the soul what a water bath is to the body."
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes

Tomorrow ...

I will wake up with a smile on my face, despite the rising temperature.

I will not hit snooze on the alarm clock, but instead rise and meet the day with excitement and enthusiasm.

I will take time in the morning for a healthy breakfast.

I will remember to kiss my husband good-bye when he drops me off at work, even if he's too tired to appreciate it.

I will laugh as much as I can.

I will take nothing personally, and remember that, regardless of how certain people act, it is their problem, and not mine.

I will look at my job not as a prison, but as a platform from which to heal, help, and appreciate God's four-legged creatures.

I will appreciate every client that calls or visits the clinic, and know that without them, I wouldn't have a job.

I will not feel rushed or taken advantage of, and remember that I am the sole creator of my life. Time, like life, is what you make of it.

I will not let other people's feelings of hate, anger, jealousy, or unhappiness affect me. I am in control of my own emotions, my own feelings, and my own thoughts.

I will hand out sincere compliments, and honestly wish every person I interact with wellness and peace.

I will give thanks that I'm able to work another day.

I will appreciate my body, and be grateful for its strength and agility.

I will only see smiling faces, hear laughter, and feel love. Anything else will not register on my radar.

I will remember my past fondly, and realize that life is too precious for thoughts of regret or revenge.

I will raise and continue to raise my vibration every minute of the day, so that I will be in conscious connection to my higher self.

I will leave work feeling as energized as when I arrived.

I will start my evening with my family with a clear head, a sound mind, and a loving heart.

I will take time to play with the girls, and appreciate their carefree hearts and unwavering love.

I will go to bed at night thinking only positive thoughts of appreciation and gratitude.

I will look forward to the next day with a sense of expectation and eager anticipation.

I will understand that life is whatever I choose to make of it, and know that I choose to make it good.

I will recognize my worth.

I will appreciate where I am in my life.

I will be happy.



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"Rather than wanting to hold to the past longer, and slow things down, and stop the aging process -- just revel in the power of now! You can't stop time, and you won't stop the recycling process that is taking place upon this planet, nor would you want to -- but you do not have to suffer the moving through time. Every moment can be more wonderful than the moment before."
-- Abraham

Fun with Photography

Baby Joon

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"Art is never finished, only abandoned."
-- Leonardo da Vinci