I ended up needing to find a post office today so looked online in the geographical area where I needed to also drop off some of my books. Turns out the best place to go had the worst online reviews ever---I mean, maybe the worst on the planet---but I decided to give it a go and a chance. When one is considering how bad the rush-hour traffic jam will be, one has to suck it up and go for most convenient.
The area must be, basically, the inner-city of Portland. I could barely see the front door as there was a large and intimidating chain-link fence surrounding most of the building. It's times like this when I am appreciative of growing up in Santa Ana---a combo of some of the richest and some of the poorest people in California at the time. Rather than feeling slightly nervous, I have this weird sense of peace that washes over me when in places that someone else may consider to be a total dive and wouldn't touch with a 10-ft pole. OK, so yes, it WAS a total dive. But the point is that my core power always seems to kick in and align and I find myself noticing lovely and simple things that somehow warm my heart. A kid behind me asked if I had a pen and after he was done, began playing with this cool gadget made up of a ball with a string on it. He alternated flipping the ball onto this wooden spiky thingy, and tossing the wooden thing onto the ball. No one was texting or talking on the phone while standing in line. At once everything felt simpler and so much sweeter.
I liked this place. People were nice. No pretentiousness because there didn't seem to be anything to be pretentious about. No, I wouldn't make it my regular post office, but I certainly wouldn't hesitate to use it again. And I didn't find my service to be any slower than any other post office, so not sure what the bad reviews were about. I was both appreciative that my world may not be as hard as some of these people, yet also envious that they have managed to keep it real.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Sunday, September 29, 2013
My Inner Muse
I'm not good at eating out by myself. Certainly I love working at coffeehouses along with all of the other solo artists who are attempting to pump out a good day's living. But what I truly state as uncomfortable for me is actually eating out at a nice place, alone. That's what I'm doing this morning. I'm having brunch at a posh B&B in my own town.
The reason for this treason of self, is that the original plan was to take my gal pal to breakfast for her birthday. We had decided on a place where we had both been wanting to try, but hadn't done so yet (Winchester Inn, Alchemy Restaurant). We made reservations. This particular friend of mine is gorgeous in every since of the word and her style is fantastic - nothing overdone, but the girl has taste. So I looked in my closet and found the perfect thing---something I hadn't worn in awhile and it fit. Yay! It's going to be a good day.
I felt good. I had just finished a training and brainstorming session over rice puffs and coconut milk with another friend of mine who coaches me on the performance aspect of my speaking gigs, and who happened to be staying with me for a couple of days. I decided to save protein and coffee for brunch.
As I grab my phone to stick in my purse while heading out the door, I notice a text. Gal Pal can't go because something had come up for her daughter. Another phrase indicated her great disappointment and I knew this was true. The life of a busy mom who works full time---sometimes you just want to go to brunch on your birthday.
I called to cancel the reservation but every cell in my body was ready to roll. My authentic, successful self was dressed for poached something or another and an Americano. While on the phone, I ask the hostess if they have wifi. Yes. I explained my situation and asked if it was weird if I came in and worked on my laptop. Of course not.
Spending money on brunch just for me when I will be traveling next week seemed irresponsible. But the force was with this one and if nothing else in my life, I've learned to follow strong guidance when it beckons me. Staying home and changing into my jeans and t-shirt felt "against the grain".
It had rained hard last night and the air smelled fresh. The colors of my town looked French. My daughter called me from Ireland to ask me a question about her birth that her dad and she were debating while traveling together. I confirmed that she was the one who had the facts right, but I told her I wasn't surprised her dad couldn't remember. It was an intense birth and he was too busy helping me to keep it together to notice other details of the event. I wanted to ask where they were, maybe some old pub in Dublin, but I didn't have my earphones with me and we agreed I'd Skype her later.
I felt transported to Europe and the angst of eating alone disappeared, rather, it felt welcomed. I imagined myself heading to a corner cafe among painters and writers, sipping my espresso and documenting the snapshots of life---a toddler's curly hair and his parents trying to get him to sit still; the little dog who so faithfully and patiently lies quietly, waiting for that little nibble of sausage from his pampering owner.
As I drove to the restaurant, I noticed my amazing good fortune and knew this was one of those pockets-of-manifestation that happens to me occasionally. Embrace it, I told myself. Take it all in. This is a peek into my future by living in the vibration of it now.
When I arrived at my destination, I wanted to bail. It looked crowded and I reasoned that they had plenty of business this morning and wouldn't miss me. The only parking spot I could find was on a hill where I'd need to reverse going uphill. Making the decision to go back home, the "against the grain" voice boomed again. "For crying out loud, go inside". I had to admit it was a perfect parallel park job, so it encouraged me.
They gave me a lovely table overlooking a gorgeous garden. The owners, Michael and Lori were there and it was wonderful to connect with them after many years of not being in the same place at the same time. The bustling but relaxed and together wait staff made me realize that my stress was unfounded. All was perfect.
I'm realizing that Observation is my greatest companion. I made a breakthrough this morning, which I now know is the reason my Muse directed me here. As long as I have pen (or keyboard) in hand---my version of paintbrush---or just my own imagination as camera, I am never alone. The world longs to be seen. When any of us tap into the artist within, the world welcomes us in spite of ourselves.
The reason for this treason of self, is that the original plan was to take my gal pal to breakfast for her birthday. We had decided on a place where we had both been wanting to try, but hadn't done so yet (Winchester Inn, Alchemy Restaurant). We made reservations. This particular friend of mine is gorgeous in every since of the word and her style is fantastic - nothing overdone, but the girl has taste. So I looked in my closet and found the perfect thing---something I hadn't worn in awhile and it fit. Yay! It's going to be a good day.
I felt good. I had just finished a training and brainstorming session over rice puffs and coconut milk with another friend of mine who coaches me on the performance aspect of my speaking gigs, and who happened to be staying with me for a couple of days. I decided to save protein and coffee for brunch.
As I grab my phone to stick in my purse while heading out the door, I notice a text. Gal Pal can't go because something had come up for her daughter. Another phrase indicated her great disappointment and I knew this was true. The life of a busy mom who works full time---sometimes you just want to go to brunch on your birthday.
I called to cancel the reservation but every cell in my body was ready to roll. My authentic, successful self was dressed for poached something or another and an Americano. While on the phone, I ask the hostess if they have wifi. Yes. I explained my situation and asked if it was weird if I came in and worked on my laptop. Of course not.
Spending money on brunch just for me when I will be traveling next week seemed irresponsible. But the force was with this one and if nothing else in my life, I've learned to follow strong guidance when it beckons me. Staying home and changing into my jeans and t-shirt felt "against the grain".
It had rained hard last night and the air smelled fresh. The colors of my town looked French. My daughter called me from Ireland to ask me a question about her birth that her dad and she were debating while traveling together. I confirmed that she was the one who had the facts right, but I told her I wasn't surprised her dad couldn't remember. It was an intense birth and he was too busy helping me to keep it together to notice other details of the event. I wanted to ask where they were, maybe some old pub in Dublin, but I didn't have my earphones with me and we agreed I'd Skype her later.
I felt transported to Europe and the angst of eating alone disappeared, rather, it felt welcomed. I imagined myself heading to a corner cafe among painters and writers, sipping my espresso and documenting the snapshots of life---a toddler's curly hair and his parents trying to get him to sit still; the little dog who so faithfully and patiently lies quietly, waiting for that little nibble of sausage from his pampering owner.
As I drove to the restaurant, I noticed my amazing good fortune and knew this was one of those pockets-of-manifestation that happens to me occasionally. Embrace it, I told myself. Take it all in. This is a peek into my future by living in the vibration of it now.
When I arrived at my destination, I wanted to bail. It looked crowded and I reasoned that they had plenty of business this morning and wouldn't miss me. The only parking spot I could find was on a hill where I'd need to reverse going uphill. Making the decision to go back home, the "against the grain" voice boomed again. "For crying out loud, go inside". I had to admit it was a perfect parallel park job, so it encouraged me.
They gave me a lovely table overlooking a gorgeous garden. The owners, Michael and Lori were there and it was wonderful to connect with them after many years of not being in the same place at the same time. The bustling but relaxed and together wait staff made me realize that my stress was unfounded. All was perfect.
I'm realizing that Observation is my greatest companion. I made a breakthrough this morning, which I now know is the reason my Muse directed me here. As long as I have pen (or keyboard) in hand---my version of paintbrush---or just my own imagination as camera, I am never alone. The world longs to be seen. When any of us tap into the artist within, the world welcomes us in spite of ourselves.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Are You Cliterate?
I consider her to be a most important rediscovery.
Her name is CLITORIS, a hugely important pleasure treasure who's holistic intelligence, secrets, SIZE, and potential for saving one's sanity has been cruelly banished and kept out for way too long. Along with the female cycle and the VaJayJay, she is yet another locked-away, buried, code of female conduct and function which is finally being unearthed by one interesting author, artist, or everyday woman-after-another in the ongoing effort to reveal the authentic and powerful female---one's true state of being.
Sure, anyone who knows anything at all about lovemaking knows to touch, lubricate, rub, massage, lick, or suck the clit. Sometimes it leads to orgasm and sometimes it doesn't. Certainly and thankfully there are lovers out there who have it going on in this regard, but it's more than this. We women want more information and sexual equality. We are very interested in knowing exactly how big that thing inside of us is and the role it plays in not only pleasure and orgasm, but bringing respect and happiness back into the lives of women globally.
In her Ted Talk, Nicole Daedone let's us know that orgasm through clit attention is the Cure for Hunger in the Western Woman. Mary Roach tells us 10 Things We Didn't Know About Orgasm. Mara Altman goes on a vision quest for the Big O.
And now artist, Sophia Wallace, is getting visual. She wants you to be Cliterate.
The Clitoris's true potential is not only rarely utilized or focused on, but there seems to be an equal amount of derogatory excuses of why it just isn't worth the bother, which in turn, tells us that pleasuring women in life is not worth the bother. Worse though, are cultural and societal attitudes and practices that eliminate the clit altogether in order to eliminate the pleasure of the woman altogether in order to control her behavior altogether. Metaphorically, the elimination of the clitoris can be experienced all around us where women are sexually portrayed virtually everywhere in the media to sell almost every thing, but are ultimately, personally de-feminized in their equal entitlement to sexual pleasure.
Even though the mostly hidden clitoris is often longer than a not-erect penis, it doesn't take a genius to note the societal preference given to making sure men are sexually satiated because they "need it" and the presumption that women don't really care about sex all that much. Take Las Vegas for example (or any other place in the world for that matter). It's easy for men to buy sexual release and touch if they need it (whether it's low or high end prostitution), but if you're a woman? Forget it. The general population believes women would never do such a thing and that we have no such needs. It's not only ridiculous, but it keeps women feeling lonely, sexually frustrated, not valued, and untouchable. Physically, psychologically, emotionally, or metaphorically, it's all cruelty toward women and violence against them no matter which way you look at it. And this is what Sophia Wallace is speaking the truth about with her Cliteracy project..
The Clitoris. It's not enough to know you have one. Claiming Your Clit is yet one more important step to claiming and integrating your female sexuality into your entire holistic and authentic self and knowing what you deserve.
We've only begun, in recent years, talking about the clitoris, orgasm, the female cycle, menopause, and the vagina. Next up: I want to see the world discover a treasured, sacred feminine recipe for reliable contraception, or see created, a form of the birth control pill that is actually good for the female and keeps her hormonal rhythm in tact. For the same reasons these other sexually focused features were excluded from importance and power, finding holistically good-for-the-woman contraception through ancient wisdom or current super science is not coming along quickly. I know it is out there, but I think unfortunately, it will first take believing that women deserve sovereignty over their female bodies and lives before sincere action will be taken.
"Reproduction really translates to sex and creation. Both can be sacred, and both can be exploited. Both are controversial,and so are women because of them." ~ 4 Seasons in 4 Weeks: Awakening the Power, Wisdom, and Beauty in Every Woman's Nature, page xxii
* Huff Post Women, August 2013,
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
One Thing is Clear: Women Need It, and So Do the Men Who Love Them
I've often thought about the vendors who set up their booths week-after-week at fresh vegetable markets or craft faires. Certainly, in the past, I've had tables at business events at conference centers, but this past weekend would be my first time being outside with a canopy and all the fixin's. Setting up and running a vendor booth is tough duty. First there are the logistics and expense of the actual booth decor, which include the right signs that will actually entice someone to come into your booth, the right position of the table/s, the comfort of the chairs, and the right amount of inventory (which I grossly over-estimated), etc. Then there is the actual labor of getting the stuff into the car, taking it out again and setting it up, arranging it, and then taking it all down again. Next time my criteria will be that it has to all fit in my car and in one trip.
It was super, super hot and dusty at the Peace Village Festival in Ashland, Oregon. It's August, after all, and we've had horrible fires that created horrible, socked-in smoky air. But the powers-that-be gave me a terrific space close enough to a huge willow that I received lovely and regular breezes from and a bit of shade. Under this beautiful tree I set up the ancient healing bowl that I am the Keeper of, with water from the hot springs of the land, and instructions for individuals who walked up to the bowl to do their own private water ritual. I loved that. It was all perfect.
Up until now, I enjoyed a different kind of book event---readings or talks where hearing about and/or buying my book, 4 Seasons in 4 Weeks (4s4w), was the focus and purpose of attending. I would give a presentation one time and people who didn't have a book yet and wanted one would buy one. Never did it feel like "selling" because I'm so clear about the message I am putting out there. It is valuable, and it resonates with enough people that I don't worry about how many people are actually buying. The outcome has always been successful enough to please me.
But selling the concept and books at a music festival is an entirely different animal. The attendees pay to be free and to hear some really phenomenal music. It makes sense that most people only have so much more money to spend at the event itself, most of which will go to overly-priced food. It became clear to me after a couple of hours on the first night that I had my work cut out for me. Just sitting in the booth wasn't going to do much, although I did have the occasional interested party stop in to talk. If I wanted to at least meet my vendor fee in sales to break even, and more importantly, talk with women about aligning with their monthly cycle rhythm, then I'd have to pull up my bootstraps and get busy. I took my infamous clipboard with me to gather email addresses of interested parties and ask women this: "Do you track your cycle and do you have any interest in knowing more about the wisdom of your cycle?", For the guys, "Are you in a relationship and would you like to know more about how a woman's sex drive works by knowing more about her cycle?"
You'd think those questions (and me with a clipboard) would make people run. I was shocked at how quickly these mostly-young people engaged. It was right there in the forefront of the women's minds and they had no problem launching right into their cycle woes. I heard the same story over and over again, just with different details. I discovered that the biggest problem the women face these days is the irregularity of their cycle due to birth control pill usage, yet we all agreed that reliable contraception is crucial for preventing unwanted pregnancy. My answer is always the same: Try getting the physical cycle on track by first getting it on track mentally. Hence, the 4 Seasons in 4 Weeks approach. With the banners I had encircled the inside of the canopy with, I would visually show them the way to wrap their minds around their cycles in a more positive, enlightened, and cohesive way.
I showed them how the guidance of the female cycle blueprint would not only tell them when they had to rest well (or communicate, connect, lead, or process) in order to have a smoother experience, but it would ask them to look at the choices they are making in regard to romantic partners or bringing forth their authentic gifts. It has them looking at the sacredness of their being and the importance of valuing themselves. The female cycle blueprint helps a woman align with her core power, which ultimately, is the medicine the female gender must offer to heal the planet's challenges. It's big stuff.
Giving so many one-at-a-time presentations, rather than one presentation to many (I came on too late to be a workshop presenter), especially in the heat was taxing on my energy. But the flip-side was this: I loved it. Not only did I enjoy the general vibe of the festival, but this casual setting lent itself to intimate and real discussions with so many people. Hanging-out time allows individuals to have the space to speak from his or her heart more clearly about their vulnerabilities and challenges. I enjoyed it that people felt comfortable enough to grab a chair. They seemed hungry to talk with someone about this topic.
I sold almost enough books to cover my costs. Regardless, having a vendor booth at this festival was more than worthwhile. It was heartwarming.
The wisdom of the female cycle blueprint is new information for most, even for those who have been tracking their fertility for a long time, as well as the beauties who follow the Goddess traditions and do the Red Tent events and all that. One thing is clear: Women need it and so do the men who love them. The female cycle blueprint is an internal navigation system for more than just fertility. It's a sacred and ancient feminine compass for living life fully, optimally, powerfully, and in harmony with the men in our lives and our planet.
.
It was super, super hot and dusty at the Peace Village Festival in Ashland, Oregon. It's August, after all, and we've had horrible fires that created horrible, socked-in smoky air. But the powers-that-be gave me a terrific space close enough to a huge willow that I received lovely and regular breezes from and a bit of shade. Under this beautiful tree I set up the ancient healing bowl that I am the Keeper of, with water from the hot springs of the land, and instructions for individuals who walked up to the bowl to do their own private water ritual. I loved that. It was all perfect.
Up until now, I enjoyed a different kind of book event---readings or talks where hearing about and/or buying my book, 4 Seasons in 4 Weeks (4s4w), was the focus and purpose of attending. I would give a presentation one time and people who didn't have a book yet and wanted one would buy one. Never did it feel like "selling" because I'm so clear about the message I am putting out there. It is valuable, and it resonates with enough people that I don't worry about how many people are actually buying. The outcome has always been successful enough to please me.
But selling the concept and books at a music festival is an entirely different animal. The attendees pay to be free and to hear some really phenomenal music. It makes sense that most people only have so much more money to spend at the event itself, most of which will go to overly-priced food. It became clear to me after a couple of hours on the first night that I had my work cut out for me. Just sitting in the booth wasn't going to do much, although I did have the occasional interested party stop in to talk. If I wanted to at least meet my vendor fee in sales to break even, and more importantly, talk with women about aligning with their monthly cycle rhythm, then I'd have to pull up my bootstraps and get busy. I took my infamous clipboard with me to gather email addresses of interested parties and ask women this: "Do you track your cycle and do you have any interest in knowing more about the wisdom of your cycle?", For the guys, "Are you in a relationship and would you like to know more about how a woman's sex drive works by knowing more about her cycle?"
You'd think those questions (and me with a clipboard) would make people run. I was shocked at how quickly these mostly-young people engaged. It was right there in the forefront of the women's minds and they had no problem launching right into their cycle woes. I heard the same story over and over again, just with different details. I discovered that the biggest problem the women face these days is the irregularity of their cycle due to birth control pill usage, yet we all agreed that reliable contraception is crucial for preventing unwanted pregnancy. My answer is always the same: Try getting the physical cycle on track by first getting it on track mentally. Hence, the 4 Seasons in 4 Weeks approach. With the banners I had encircled the inside of the canopy with, I would visually show them the way to wrap their minds around their cycles in a more positive, enlightened, and cohesive way.
I showed them how the guidance of the female cycle blueprint would not only tell them when they had to rest well (or communicate, connect, lead, or process) in order to have a smoother experience, but it would ask them to look at the choices they are making in regard to romantic partners or bringing forth their authentic gifts. It has them looking at the sacredness of their being and the importance of valuing themselves. The female cycle blueprint helps a woman align with her core power, which ultimately, is the medicine the female gender must offer to heal the planet's challenges. It's big stuff.
Giving so many one-at-a-time presentations, rather than one presentation to many (I came on too late to be a workshop presenter), especially in the heat was taxing on my energy. But the flip-side was this: I loved it. Not only did I enjoy the general vibe of the festival, but this casual setting lent itself to intimate and real discussions with so many people. Hanging-out time allows individuals to have the space to speak from his or her heart more clearly about their vulnerabilities and challenges. I enjoyed it that people felt comfortable enough to grab a chair. They seemed hungry to talk with someone about this topic.
I sold almost enough books to cover my costs. Regardless, having a vendor booth at this festival was more than worthwhile. It was heartwarming.
The wisdom of the female cycle blueprint is new information for most, even for those who have been tracking their fertility for a long time, as well as the beauties who follow the Goddess traditions and do the Red Tent events and all that. One thing is clear: Women need it and so do the men who love them. The female cycle blueprint is an internal navigation system for more than just fertility. It's a sacred and ancient feminine compass for living life fully, optimally, powerfully, and in harmony with the men in our lives and our planet.
.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Let's Get Real
The right professional photographer captures the magic of each person - often the twinkle in their eyes or smile, without distraction, which I love, but I also really do love candids of people. This one to me, shows what I actually look like in person. Hair that is rarely tame, lines on face, and years of sun-drenched skin. I like pointing this out, because my professional photos look better than I actually look (except in soft light)! When so many friends are made on FB, we will often meet in person (finally) and then have quizzical looks. I had one guy say to me, "Wow, you don't look like your pictures!" (and it was not a compliment). And I thought, you're right. And that's OK.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Because of Jules
Ask Julie is my favorite blog. It's my favorite because I know how phenomenal the author is (very), where she's been (all over the place, even still hitch-hiking airplanes sometimes), and what she does for the world (teaches at-risk kids how to feel good about themselves---among tons of other things). I'm inspired by her.
Ask Julie is also my favorite blog because Julie (aka Ask Julie) fills her blog with thoughts that make me smile or get focused. She has this crazy amount of people following her even though she knows next to nothing about the science of blogging and SEO and all that (or so she says).
Ask Julie is my favorite blog, but here's the thing. It's a hassle to comment on anyone's blog because an old blog title of mine keeps popping up, demanding to be seen and heard and getting in the way. I'd like to delete it but can't figure out how. It's not that I'm stupid when it comes to being online, but perhaps after all these years I'm just tired of having to take the time to constantly be figuring out online technicalities.
So I made a new blog. I needed to anyway. I have other blogs, but I needed a personal blog over another purposeful blog. (http://www.bookandbowl.wordpress.com and http://www.4seasons4weeks.com/blog/ ). But I chose Blogger over WP because I want to live next door to Ask Julie. I want to be on the same blogoshere as her. And I want to comment on her site with ease. Wish me luck.
Ask Julie is also my favorite blog because Julie (aka Ask Julie) fills her blog with thoughts that make me smile or get focused. She has this crazy amount of people following her even though she knows next to nothing about the science of blogging and SEO and all that (or so she says).
Ask Julie is my favorite blog, but here's the thing. It's a hassle to comment on anyone's blog because an old blog title of mine keeps popping up, demanding to be seen and heard and getting in the way. I'd like to delete it but can't figure out how. It's not that I'm stupid when it comes to being online, but perhaps after all these years I'm just tired of having to take the time to constantly be figuring out online technicalities.
So I made a new blog. I needed to anyway. I have other blogs, but I needed a personal blog over another purposeful blog. (http://www.bookandbowl.wordpress.com and http://www.4seasons4weeks.com/blog/ ). But I chose Blogger over WP because I want to live next door to Ask Julie. I want to be on the same blogoshere as her. And I want to comment on her site with ease. Wish me luck.
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