Welcome

Welcome to my journey...It is quite a ride!

I will be posting poetry, affirmations, thoughts and feelings and motivating quotes. This will be a journal of my life and experiences. If you like what you read, please leave a comment. Journey's are to be shared.

My Favorite Quotes...

"To Hope and dream is not to ignore the practical. It is to dress it in colors and rainbows." ~~Anne Wilson Shaef

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Tuesday's Tattlings

Tuesday means dance class! I love my dance classes!! Tuesday is probably my busiest day at work. I don't mind keeping busy as it makes the day fly by. I have a stack of papers today that is huge. It will take me a while to process them all. I really hate being a paper pusher. I would much rather be a librarian or elementary school teacher. I would also love working at a museum or becoming an archaeologist. I love old things and learning about different cultures.
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Today's Affirmations:

I will eat healthy.
I will dance today and feel good about me.
I deserve good things to happen.
I will treat others with respect.
I will treat myself with respect.

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Reach for the stars
capture one in your hand.
Now, reach for your goals.
They are even more attainable.

Never feel your goals
are as far away as stars.
They are as far away
as your hands and feet.

Move your hands
Move your feet
and you will find success
and your goals met.

Remember, you are a star!

Monday, September 29, 2008

Monday's Meanderings



What sound describes you?

I love sounds! I guess I should clarify that and say I love wonderful musical sounds, and nature sounds. Grating, annoying sounds...not so much.

This question really intrigued me. What sound describes me? It seems such an easy questions, but when you start thinking about it...again, not so much. At first I wanted to say I was a symphony. A harmonious expression of several instruments combined together in a beautiful musical symphony. However, in all honesty, I don't think I could be called a symphony.

I'm more a steady drum beat that keeps rhythm with an occasional missed beat, then I'm back on track. Sometimes the beat grows louder into a crescendo and then softer, varying as my life does.

I feel I have to be the backbone of my family and be a steady beat for them. Always here to guide them when needed and to let them go alone when they are ready. My drum beat will always bring them home as they know I will always be here for them.

I don't mind being a drum beat as long as I can play a solo now and again.



This question was from the Inner Journey Dip Module 5 program. The drum pictured is what the drum I am having made for me will look like. I thought it went well with the topic. I love the Inner Journey Dip and the thoughtfulness the questions invoke.

What sound describes you?
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Saturday night at the Actor's Cafe was wonderful! For some reason I keep calling it the Artist's Cafe. I enjoyed playing the drums and watching the dancers. They do this once a month. I plan on dancing the current routine I am learning next month. It is a very small place with a laid back atmosphere. I took pictures and hope to add some here when I get them developed.
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Today's Affirmations:

*My mood is calm and relaxed.
*I deserve to feel good right now.
*I eat a well balanced and nutritious diet
*I will dance this week.
*I am filled with energy, vitality, and self-confidence.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Silly Saturday!

Saturday's are for silliness! It's the weekend and the pressures of the work week are behind me. Today is to be enjoyed and to let the hair down. I have an exciting day planned. Okay, the first part is not so exciting. I need to take the trash to the dump (yes I live out in the country and there is no trash picup), clean the house, and exercise. The exercising is a little exciting because I have a new belly dance tape to try out.

But, after that, I will be getting ready for the Artist's Cafe. I will be playing the doumbek drum tonight with the drum class I take inbetween the belly dancing performers. It is going to be incredible and the most fun I have had since my husband and I went to the Queen Mary for the 4th of July. I plan on having fun PERIOD. I will enjoy myself and not feel guilty. That sounds like I think I am doing something wrong. That isn't the case. I just haven't done much for myself over the years, putting me first and doing what I enjoy. This is for me! My husband knows I am going and would be attending with me if he weren't away right now. So, instead of feeling guilty for going by myself, I will have fun.

I did my nails and toes last night and dyed my hair. Today I am going to do a facial, soak in a wonderful bath, lotion my skin and carefully apply my makeup. I want to look wonderful in my special outfit. It is a combiation belly dancing/drumming outfit. It is a cute skirt that is orangish/red with a few sequins spread out. The top is a black velvet belly dance type top. I will be wearing a coin hip scarf that is orange, red, green and black in alomst a cameflauge pattern with coins sewn on it. I will try and get someone to take a picture so I can show you. I am goint to straighten my hair and wear a toe ring and some cool coin earrings. Did I mention my nails are painting a cool salmon color that will go pretty good with my outfit. It is very shinny and should look good as I beat the drum.

I feel like a little kid playing dress up. LOL It isn't often I get out for a night like this. Even though my husband won't be here, I still want to look good for me. I want to be able to send him pictures and him think I look hot and make him miss me all the more. It is fun just preparing for the event. hehe. I haven't felt like this in a very long time. It is nice.

A hummingbird was just at my sliding glass door. I only saw its shadow through the curtain, but it brought a smile to my face. Hummingbirds are the cutest little things. So quick they remind me of the Quidditch golden snitch from the Harry Potter movies. lol Oh cool. Now a bird is sitting on one of the window sills at the front of my house peeking on the window. LOL It wants in!! I love nature. This IS going to be a great day! I may have to go take a walk this morning. I wish I was Dr. Doolittle and could talk to the animals.

Have a super great weekend!!! Do something silly!

Silliness is freeing
captivating and refreshing
Don't be afraid to be silly
Watch the children
and how they play
They are never afraid
to act in a silly way
Their happiness
is contagious
Be like the children
Be silly
and share happiness.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Doum Tek Ka Tek

You might be wondering what in the heck Doum Tek Ka Tek is?? Those are names of drum beats I am learning. Hand drums are a wonderful way to work out your stress and immerse yourself into the beats, rhythms and music. I perform for the first time tomorrow night and I am excited! It will be a fun night out with others who enjoy drumming and belly dancing as much as I do. I wish my husband were here to attend with me and be there for moral support. My daughter was going to go, but she changed her mind as other things have come up. She has quite the active life being that she is almost 18 years old. So, I will go alone and meet up with my fellow drum mates and belly dance pals. This way I am free to worry only about myself and have a great time.

I found the drum I want to buy. I don't have the money for it so I have had to ask my husband if I can charge it on his credit card. I only have one with a small limit and there isn't enough room on it to charge. He wants to look at the link and see... I posted a link to the website that shows the drum. **Followup-My husband has been really great about me buying a drum. He even encouraged me to not buy a cheaper drum just to save money, but make sure it was what I wanted. Thank you honey!**

This has been a horrible week! I am struggling to maintain my positive attitude, but I have not given up. I will succeed and I will end this week on a strong, good note. haha Seeing how I am drumming, I really will be ending it on a note...a musical note. Oh, I still have a sense of humor! That is a very good sign.

Happy Friday!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for...

1. Still having a job when so many don't.
2. My drum and dance class tonight.
3. I haven't been put into a mental institution yet. LOL
4. My love of writing.
5. My journal.
6. I'm almost finished listening to a book for a book reading club.
7. I don't ever have to read that book again!

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Thoughts on Quotes:

Life isn't about finding yourself-Life is about creating yourself"
~George Bernard Shaw

I meditated on this quote for some time to make sure I was getting the point of it. Or at least, the point it was making to me. If you haven't created something of yourself, how can you find yourself? There wouldn't be anything to find.

We all start out in life a blank slate. As we grow older we add lines, shadings, drawings and words that describe us to that slate. The more we put into life, the more we will have on our slate. If we sit around trying to find ourselves, our slate remains unfilled.

What is on my slate I wondered... I see the word Strong drawn with shadings and colors to add flavor. There is a belly dancer in the bottom right corner and a beautiful doumbek drum the bottom left. Books are surrounding the edges in various colors and sizes. A pen and paper show in the upper left corner with a poem being written. I see the words Stardust Fairies on the paper. Shapes blend in and around the pictures and words bringing the slate to life. The slate never becomes completely filled. Miraculously it seems to grow as I grow as a person. I see the person I am and the one I am becoming.

Our creativity should never cease. As long as we live, we grow, we develop and we become new things. Who are you creating? I'm creating a wonderful, happy me!
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It appeared that the solution to my current situation with my husband working elsewhere and me living here was going to be resolved. Then, I get the call that he has to continue to stay there. I was just beginning to believe he might really be coming home...and boom! I am plummeted back down to the earth head first. It was a very sad day yesterday. I am trying to recover and move on with life. I have drum and dance class tonight and I hope to lose myself in it. I have plans for Saturday and hope to enjoy myself despite all the set backs.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Wednesday Wanderings

I wander through my mind
in search of affirmations,
Cultivating good vibes
and sharing positive energy.
My journey is not solitary.
It includes those I love
and new friends along the way.
Together we forge ahead
our goals clearly in sight.
Confidence is our motto
and victory is assured.
If one falls down,
another picks them up.
We survive, we persevere.
We are unbeatable.
Our goals will be achieved
and we will become our best.

I truly believe in what I wrote above. No man is an island unto himself. It takes a whole village to raise a child. All these things are true. Whatever journey we are on always includes others as they touch our lives. Some may only touch it for a brief moment, while others are there throughout it. We need encouragement, affirmations and love from other people. We thrive on sharing with those we love, friends and family. Never isolate yourself. Instead, reach out and draw others into your life, your journey.

Today's Affirmations:

~I deserve to be happy.
~I will achieve my goals for this day.
~I love my mind and body.
~I am special and deserve good things.
~I will be happy today.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Thoughts on Thoreau Quote

Go confidently into the direction of your dreams! Live the life you always imagined~Henry David Thoreau

I've always been a dreamer with my head in a book or in the clouds. I imagined all kinds of romantic life's I would have with my Prince Charming. The only problem was, these dreams were not realistic. To go confidently into the direction of your dreams, you must first have realistic dreams. No man can live up to the Prince Charming stereotype and I was never going to be the perfect person I saw in my head.

Now, I still dream of better things, but they are attainable. It is possible to have a healthy and happy life and reach for goals that are challenging. My dream is to become the best I can be and be happy with it. I will achieve this dream by developing interesting hobbies, furthering my education as I can, learning how to be healthy and then acting on it and incorporating these healthy ways into my life. A positive attitude and can do spirit will motivate me to never give up, but to continue to reach for my dreams.

Monday Meanderings

I love taking walks through gardens and walks through my mind. Half of my weekend was great! Helping out with All Region Jazz Band was very enjoyable. The kids are just great and very unique. Music people, like artist, are a different breed. I find I can learn something from their personalities and it helps me to think more outside the box.

The other half of my weekend was quite blah. The rudeness of people continues to astound me. Customer service does not appear to be the motto of the service industry any longer. It rather dampened my spirits when the entire day was met time and again with rude or apathetic people. I did rebound by the end of the day which I was very proud of myself for doing. It is okay to have dips as long as you can rebound and rise again.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Friday Findings

It's Friday!!! What a week this has been!! I've strained my TMJ resulting in tremendous headaches along with neck, jaw and other pain. I think it is slowly getting better. Thank goodness!!

My son marches tonight with the band at the football game. It is so exciting to watch him perform. I'm very proud of the dedication he is showing for band. I'll be helping the band out before, during and after the game. Then, tomorrow I will be helping with All Region Jazz Band tryouts. I love helping at school. I have missed it greatly.
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Today's Affirmations:

~My mood is calm and relaxed.
~I deserve health, vitality, and peace of mind.
~I can effectively handle any situation that comes my way.
~I deserve to be treated with respect.
~I am a wonderful and worthy person.

Quote of the Day:

"A book is not only a friend, it makes friends for you. When you have possessed a book with mind and spirit, you are enriched. But when you pass it on you are enriched threefold."
~Henry Miller
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Weekend Goal:

~Enjoy my children
~Practice my dancing
~Practice my drumming
~Hang my curtain rod
~Perform one relaxation technique
~Mow for one hour
~Enjoy life!
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Step by step
My journey continues
Along my path.
I travel unending
Seeking my self
and the life I desire.
As I continue on
my journey unwinds,
life unfolds before me.
I learn from the past
and grow with the future
becoming my best.
Happiness and peace
sprinkle my journey,
encompassing me.
Life is to be lived,
Enjoyed to the fullest
and deeply experienced.
Make your journey
your own, live
and be free!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

My Journey

I began my true life's journey a short time ago. My journey is to ultimately to be happy with who I am and what I am doing. For too long I looked to others to help provide my happiness. No more! My happiness is mine and only I am in control of it.

I began my journey on SparkPeople.com learning about living a healthy lifestyle and taking care of my whole self...mind, body & soul. This lead me to journaling my thoughts and emotions. I have always loved writing and have started many journals, only to give up on them when depression overtook me. Now, journaling is very much a part of who I am. It allows me to process my emotions and find the truth in a situation. I have just started an art journal as well. Expressing my emotions with colors is a remarkable way to handle stress. Another step on my journey was beginning belly dancing lessons. I've been interested in it since I saw belly dancers perform at Texas RenFest. Their beauty and grace was amazing. The control they displayed over their bodies was mind boggling. I allowed myself to let fear of looking ridiculous prevent me from taking that step to learn. Now, I am learning and feel far from ridiculous. I feel free and beautiful.

If you haven't begun your journey, begin today! I began a Spark Team called Inner Journey on SparkPeople.com. It is for people who are on a journey using journaling, relaxation techniques and other stress relieving methods. An interchange of encouragement and ideas is our goal. To be healthy and continue our journeys is of vital importance. Join us!