chile con carne

today I´m grateful for...

• new friends
• people who let me read thier palms
• something new to discover every day
• stretching
• having a love to long for

jew for jesus

en este dia, i am grateful for

another great guide, informative and sweet
my travel buddy, sfsweetness
warm clothes and layers
food i´m enjoying, including salad and veggies (and fried chicken and french fries)
a good camera
staying put for a while, starting tomorrow

keep on posting!!!
xo

today

I am grateful for :

leftovers for breakfast so all I have to do is reheat.

friends to have lunch with; friends who support me and help me in my need to clean up and organize; friends who support me in my tired, grouchy-ness when I don't get enough sleep; and, friends who teach me new, creative activities.

time to unpack from a weekend of fun and frolic (and new creative activities).

a boyfriend who calls me and is sweet on me for who I am.

a lavender pillow to heat and rest on my sore neck/back/shoulder, and the ability to buy new pillows that will prevent a sore neckback/shoulder. -any suggestions on new pillow type are welcomed ;-)

Affirmation: I move beyond old limitations and now allow myself to express freely and creatively.

groovin and grateful in peru

i am grateful today for...

rituals in foreign languages that pack a wallop

jesus the shaman and our auspiciously meeting him today

itineraries that i do not have to make up, just follow along}

that my small stomach problem seems to have fallen away

getting good sleep last night...i hope that continues

all the people that are in touch, while i{m far away

mejor y mejor

Hola gratitudinals - is anybody out there?

Our trip keeps getting better and better with each passing day. Today I am in Cusco, Peru and spent the day walking around perusing the architecture and of course buying as many colorful trinkets as I could afford...or fit in my bag. I am so addicted to colorful fabrics - it really is becoming a liability but it´s so much fun talking to the ladies selling everything...I can´t help it!

Today I am grateful for the amazing ladies we met in Bolivia - our guides Brisa & RosseMarie. We left them yesterday and I miss them - new friends.

I´m grateful that I finally slept through the night without waking up once! I felt so good today - good thing because we had a mystical experience I needed to be awake for. Wendy & I happened upon a Shaman named Jesus - so I am also grateful for this chance encounter.

I´m grateful for all of the synchronistic and spiritual things that are happening on this trip. I can´t really go into it now, but one day I will explain all...

I´m grateful we are having such a great time together - Wendy & I. Also grateful that my Spanish is improving.

And grateful for the emails I´ve received from my hunny. I´m not sure if anybody else is out there, but I´m here!

Hope you all are having mucho divertido.

Me encanta Bolivia

Estoy aqui en Bolivia y es fantastico!

I am grateful I arrived safely.

I´m grateful for the generosity of the people here. We are staying in downtown La Paz and it is the most tranquil vibe for a large city. The people are beautiful and friendly and helpful and I love them all.

I´m exceptionally grateful that they eat lots of vegetables in Bolivia! This makes me so happy...

I´m grateful to be learning about another culture - there are two indiginous populations here, the Aymara & the Quechua. Our guides, Rosemary and Brisa, are teaching us so much - new languages and the spiritual beliefs. It is amazing and profound.

I´m grateful for meeting Pachamama, the Earth Mother. They say here that the earth comes first and humans come second and it really feels like people have a different respect for nature and the environment here. It seems to make a big difference.

What else? Grateful for our group and hope tonight I can sleep the whole night through. I feel so grateful for everything that is happening right now, it´s too much to put in words...I can´t wait to post some pictures! But that will have to wait until I return.

mi titulo es...juallalla

hey ya´ll

in boliva, and feeling grateful for

ancient cultures and teachings-learnings

not having trouble <´cept for a little at first> with altitude sickness

brisa for having our group over to her house for dinner tonight. so sweet!

being adventurous enough to try llama meet at lunch - it was okay, but i´ll stick to chicken

everything being so cheap here.

xow

Creating my existence

having the sense to say no

too many interests and things to do; i could be one of those bored people.

being able to help a friend

flexibility

mostly, knowing when not to get involved or for people who really know me, restraining myself!
It is wonderful getting older and learning to care for yourself by not giving in to others expectations and needs for you...it is a fine line but one that definitely contributes to my wellbeing.

Thank you all for your posts - they really help me along my path.

take off

grateful for:

love in all its forms

maleability

good coffee (i might not get that for a while...or...i might!)

losing weight on the lovesick diet

helpful people

safe flights!

i concur with sfsweetness...i hope you all keep posting while we're away.
look for south american posts in the near future ;)
love to you all, in whatever form you would like to receive it!

waiting to exhale...

and feeling gratitude also for:

* ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** *
going away, i'm excited and i need it bad!

working manifestations

feeling - light/dark and all the inbetweens

much yoga to come and seeing how that feels

all of the new people on my path, and of course, the tried and true!

adios...for now...

Thanks for the Pressure

I am grateful for:

peer pressure to be grateful. well, not pressure to be grateful, so much as pressure to post about it. :-)

other posts that remind me of things to be grateful for: Thanks everyone. I feel like i'm getting to know you all, but haven't even met many of you ladies.

spontaneous weekend trips. planned weekend trips.

folks answering their cell phones when you least expect it. getting that 'live' friend when you really need it.

feeling good about my work. getting things done. getting positive feedback.

salonpas gel patch: cold/hot in a bandaid! who knew? and it's making my back feel so much better.

friends who support me emotionally, mentally. (anyone who wants to support me financially, shoot me an email asap!)

the view from my 'cube' at work. keeping it for a few more years.

affirmations because they work!

last post?

maybe...for a little while anyway. I'm going to try and post as much as I can while I'm in Bolivia and Peru- and - maybe I'll even start writing about my adventures again on The Sweetest Spot, depending on how much time I have.

today I am grateful for:

• Pete
• my health
• being able to multi-task
• yummy food
• banks being open past 2pm
• all of my friends

I hope you guys keep posting while we are away!

monday monday

today I am thankful for:

• my palmistry class is over! at least the classroom part...not so grateful about the written test that is due on Wednesday.
• finding the right person for me
• warm, lazy days
• almost being ready for the trip
• sage advice from Roberta

SUNSHINE!

Slow Monday AM starts

making up; its hard to do

having enough in life that I can even experience being self-indulgent

the awe and admiration of children

last monday post for a while

again, happy birthday zarah. hope it was great fun!!

i feel fortunate these days for the love of good friends. i was lucky enough to see many people over the weekend that i feel deep connections of love and friendship with.

i feel content in knowing that words said have a feeling behind them that is different than in the past, and i feel good knowing that trusting my gut insticts and putting my truth forward are very very valueable.

i feel rested after finally having a decent sleep without restless awakenings

i feel excited about leaving the country in two days to see some of south america, where i've never been - and lucky to be sharing another such journey with a great friend who is intelligent, resourceful, and fun to travel with.

i feel good about being organized and not having to rush around at the last minute to prepare (for) things

i feel ready

feeling is good!

ha ha

happy birthday to you
happy birthday to you
happy birthday dear zarah
happy birhtday to you

so,
i'm grateful for:

the amys
zarah
diane
tavia
jacey
and so many more
i feel full right now
i like it
grateful

tonight:

• warm passionate kisses
• sweet text messages
• bands that have played together for years and still look like they are having fun - and rocking out and sounding great
• hanging out with the old and new Wendys
• freedom

Next stop Wonderland!

the unconditional love of pets

having a full plate - being busy is good for my disposition

a potential new mentor - one that i like and have designated instead of someone trying to save me or recreate themselves

a rainy weekend allowing me to get more organized before the summer to-do list competes with squeezing fun into a short summer season

having a true friend to talk to - who knows my crazy family - understands how & why it rips me apart and continues to be willing to listen to it. Thanks so much Amy!

t-minus 5

today i'm smiling for:

secrets over afternoon beers

a strong body

my sexuality

morning cuddles with lola and leroy

packing finesse

being a white girl with rhythm

TGIF

I made a commitment 9 months ago to read 100 palms by June. I have a month left and 60 palms to go but I'm going out of the country. Will I do it? I'm disappointed that I haven't and it doesn't feel important anymore. I'm ready for the class to be done and feel like I haven't done the work.

I feel like a kid who can't wait for summer vacation but I'm going to find out at the last minute that I failed gym, or The Political Economy of Peasant Societies, and have to take it over during summer school. Yes, this has happened before, more than once. But now I'm an adult so I can do whatever I want! Including being disappointed in myself for not doing what I said I'd do. I'm grateful for that - being an adult.

• I'm grateful for all of the time I've spent getting to know my palmistry mentor, Dee. She is awesome, I love her and hope we stay in contact when this is through.
• I'm grateful that I've finally finished allergy treatments and that it seems to have worked - now I just need to hang around with some cats to put myself to the true test.
• I'm grateful for barbecued ribs.
• I'm grateful I got to talk to Casey yesterday (and that I'm an only child!).
• I'm grateful for all of the opportunities I have to learn how to communicate and especially grateful that I feel less stress the more I do it.

hoy jueves

yea for:

finding my universal spanish dictionary

cash from subletters

lola and her silly ways with rubberbands and pipe cleaners (the fetching cat)

my lunch date next week

sleeping in till 9 today

Thursday.............

I am grateful for the following today:

• One more day til Friday.
• Sleeping well.
• Getting to see live theatre!
• Keeping motivated to exercise.
• Having a job that nearly pays all of my bills.

one week away humpday

today i'm grateful for:

* asking for what i need in a less than ideal situtation, and getting it - even more sometimes

* face time with friends before i leave

* cheap gym passes and classes there that challenge me

* inquisitive friends who keep my on my toes ;)

* a financial cushion that saves my ass

appreciation on an overcast day

this gray day has helped me appreciate the following:

• having time to myself
• hearing from traveling friends
• I'm going to Bolivia and Peru in a week! I can't wait.
• eating vegetables - it took me a year to get most of the crap out of my diet: I never thought I'd choose vegetables over ice cream but I miss them when I don't eat them regularly - more than I miss eating ice cream. That feels like progress.
• clear breathing
• my bed - the worst thing about traveling is leaving my bed

postcard from Willow

Willow is in Greece!

at the site of Eleusis

this is where Hades pulled Persephone down to the underworld

making the transition from the

World of Light

to the

World of Darkness

The above picture shows Demeter, Persephone and her son

he represents rebirth and purification

he survived the underworld and brought new mysteries to the surface with him

the new King

Seems symbolic for all of us

don't you think?

word...

strength

courage

wisdom

heart

soul

patience

tears

laughter

hugs

smiles

the boogie that be

for spiders and snakes and little critters that people love to hate
for freedom of speech!
warm, comfy beds
coffee
tall white pines and owl perches

dusk

foggy breezy san francisco dusk from my warm clean cozy perch

steps on the way to something different than in the past (whatever THAT means)

mayonaisey chicken sandwiches on warm salted sourdough bread

inka chips. i wonder if they'll have them in peru. surely, right?

I am grateful for:

• being ready
• staying focused
• patience
• having choices
• people who think "out of the box"
• the way my body talks to me
• The Fool

for the love of Spainish Food

Birthdays, even when they're not mine!

Little wren eggs in a nest

Learning every day

Being Busy

Sunday grace

• I'm especially grateful for fireworks and to Ellen for hosting us every year for the Kaboom!
• I'm grateful for supportive and welcoming friends.
• I'm thankful for the warm sun today.
• Bacon! The best food on the planet.
• I'm grateful for the way things change all the time.

yoga love

i'm grateful for my first post surgery yoga class...now, tell that to my foot, because it was certainly tested!

i'm grateful for an early morning walk in the park

i'm grateful for the people in my life, who love and support me

and i'm grateful for foggy windy afternoons when i don't feel like being out anymore.

i'm grateful also for gaining perspective on a very challenging situation

Yipee!

I love jumping in with both feet even if I stumble

I love when my contributions are worthy and appreciated

I love people who keep it in perspective and make me laugh

I look forward to vernal pooling tomorrow and parties to follow

I Love Fridays - still - like a kid in school!

You may have noticed that I am inconsistent with my list this week - I am living at a break-neck pace as the end of the school year approaches. Breathe Sharon, breathe!

Regardless, I am grateful whether I produce my list or not for:

• The feel of clean, cool, super-soft sheets;
• Today is the last day for seniors! (I'm as happy as they are);
• All the teacher-of-the-year gifts I received at the Chamber of Commerce breakfast Wednesday;
• My friends Wendy, Laura, and Aimee;
• Johnny the cat's safe return after he escaped last night.

Affirmation: Everything gets done (this is going to be my mantra for a while).
Intent: One foot in front of the other.

i'm with ya

sometimes i don't post when i'm feeling down. and i know that probably that's the time it would really help. though, it just helps and serves for me as a reminder to be grateful for what i have and to not focus on the other side.

so.....

today i'm grateful for:

• being in limboland - theres' something great waiting for me at the border, i hope the border patrol are friendly ;)

• spf lipgloss

• a smooth running 10 year old car with lots of new parts that were replaced (under warranty) for free

• body sculpting class that kicks my arse reapeatedly

• freedom of choice and the knowledge that there are always choices...always.

I let the crankiness pass...

Yeah, I must admit, I've been a bit cranky and haven't been posting. I know, this is the time to post when one is feeling that way, so here goes:

I am thoroughly grateful:

• To have friends willing to help me out at tasks in which I do not excel (i.e. Jeff coming over and hooking up my t.v. and stereo system).
• Being assertive and achieving compromise.
• My new pieces of furniture that look great in my place.
• The enthusiasm to settle into my place after being there over a year.
• Compliments I receive (a co-worker told me I look great and "are you losing weight?" to which I replied that I am trying, but more importantly I am taking GOOD care of myself with exercise and eating appropriately, which is more important to me rather than just losing weight).

Today I am grateful for having people in my life who have knowledge about life experiences that are new and different for me.
I'm grateful for the ways I've changed over the years.
I'm grateful for meeting someone who is able to be open with his feelings.
I'm grateful for feeling secure.
I'm grateful for sweat.

Have you ever noticed that people try to scare the shit out of you if you decide to leave the United States? "They" say every country in the world is dangerous and as soon as you cross our borders only bad things will happen. You will get diseases that could kill you, get robbed, attacked, bitten by dogs (or bats) with rabies, raped while walking in nature, your head might explode because of the altitude sickness, the food is poisoned with toxic stuff that our systems can't handle, diarrhea...what else? I'm sure I've forgotten something. Even Australia has crazy warnings about getting bitten by poisonous snakes or eating venom-filled fish unknowingly. It's my least favorite part of traveling.

I'm grateful I've survived "dangerous" places and know enough not to believe the hype.

Today I am grateful for:

• My ability to accept my imperfections;
• being able to pay at the pump when getting gas;
• the knowledge that I don't know everything, and the lack of a desire to know everything;
• ladybugs;
• people who let me finish a sentence without interruption.

Affirmation: Everything gets done.

Intent: Breathe.

truth

yes, the truth will set you free...
look for the truth in all situations.

i'm thankful for feeling truths and untruths in my body

happy for warranties on parts

grateful for wanderlust

grateful that i am capable of showing my love

happy for a decent nights' sleep

An ode to heat

• I am grateful for the heatwave in San Francisco - I love seeing every one pull out their skimpy summer clothes on a 90 degree day.
• I am grateful that I have been able to wear my summer clothes this week! I'm grateful for hot days spent at Stinson beach.
• I'm grateful it was hot enough to wear a bathing suit and not look like an idiot and that my tan has officially been started.
• I'm grateful I didn't get burned.
• I'm grateful for meeting friends of friends.
• I'm grateful I got to talk with Roberta's mother today - I love her.
• I'm grateful for this warm night with a cool breeze which is propelling me out to find my arch enemy - ice cream.

How can I not have ice cream with this hot spell? OK - yes it is possible to not succumb to my urge but I don't know how long the heat will last and this will allow me to properly appreciate it after having a poor substitute last night. Isn't that what life is all about - appreciating the small stuff while you can because it can all change in a flash.

I met someone today who had two friends die in the span of the last couple of days: one was completely unexpected, a weird illness, and the other was a suicide, also unexpected. Both were only 38 years old...

I'm so happy to be alive.

Addendum: The fog has crept in...ice cream weather is gone...

uneasy awakening

thanks to the universe for:

providing unstable sleeping patterns. i'm sure it's a cue and awakening me to something yet unknown.

giving me the strength to ask for what i want/need, even when it's not "popular opinion"

allowing me to FEEL, no matter what

allies in all their shapes and forms, and recognizing that they are really there, and in existence

excitement for the trip just two weeks away now. i can't wait to see new countries, try new foods (though i hear guinea pig is fatty like duck, so i'm probably not gonna for for the guinea pig on a stick!), and see what happens.

Back to the real world

I have been in WV at a residential retreat and was unable to post for a week. I missed it....

I am grateful:

• To have a home that is intact;
• For the animated conversation I had with my Zach last night;
• For a body that is pretty efficient at fighting off colds;
• Flip flops;
• Essential oils.

Affirmation: I have adequate time to accomplish all I need to get done in this day.
Intent: Happy, joyous, free spirit.

things on my mind:

endings

beginnings

solitude

the time between

chirping morning birds

repetitive gratitude

I find myself feeling grateful for the same things over and over. Does that mean I'm boring? Today, I am grateful for:

• warm snuggles that melt into nothingness
• feeling spoiled - how long can this last?
• Wendy taking up my slack re: trip stuff
• "I'm a believer"
• email and cell phones

friday

props in my life today for:

hiking! i'm so amazing at this last spurt of healing. i am catching myself doing things that i didn't know i could do, like running down the stairs of my apt. building and then i stop and think, "wow, i just RAN down the stairs!".

sore muscles from a hard gym workout two days ag0

pizza

unexpected phone calls that i'm trying not to expect ;) wait, what?!
as a kinda side note, i heard recently that the "happiest people on the planet" are the norwegians. why you ask?
it's not all the blondes (they have more brunettes than blondes), they pay the HIGHEST taxes in the world, so it's not that...
it's because they have LOW EXPECTATIONS.
it made me laugh
and it's true

work energy moving again

Its a beautiful day

Does anyone remember that group? they had a great song in the 60's - White Dove.

Today is absolutely perfect weather in New England. I love the month of May it is my absolute favorite even if it includes itchy eyes, headaches and allergy sniffles.

Thanks for cash even if the world might be a better place without the almighty dollar

Music is a big theme today and I am grateful for the shared experience

Freecycle - join a yahoo group in your area - its a great way to get rid of things and get things you need

For all the everybody experiencing that Springtime Love both old and new - spread it like a virus...and help counteract all that ugliness that permeates our world.

things left unsaid

After being the independent princess mentioned in Casey's story for many years, I have been immersed in pursuing what I want, when I want it, how I want it. I've had a feeling of freedom that has pushed me forward to things I never thought I'd do or was capable of doing. I've always thought that was the magical part of life - the things that happen unexpectedly and I am always grateful for this type of magic.

This is juxtaposed with many years of feeling obligated to my parents who became my "cause", my reason, simply because they needed me to be with them when things started falling apart. That is my history that I so desperately want to move on from but the further I go towards the future, it calls me back in different ways. It is a strange thing. And it has been an interesting journey figuring out what is next.

On that note, someone said something to me yesterday that pissed me off: "I guess all bad things must come to an end..." referring to my life over the past few years. It was thrown in at the end of the conversation and it struck me - wow - this person has a warped perception of my life - or maybe it's just a different way of looking at things. They keep pulling me back to events that they see as "bad" - it disturbs me that I am a walking billboard for "bad" stuff to them, mostly because I don't see myself that way. Even when I tell them something good - it's bad.

It completely floors me when I get a glimpse into the mind of someone else, especially when I see how my life experience has been mangled through their filter. I sometimes feel sad when I see these things because I realize how unhappy people are. I guess these glimpses have helped me to clearly understand that other people's stuff is theirs and in most cases it is a waste of time to care what they think of me. It's about them, not me.

So, today I am grateful, for the person who pissed me off because they have once again brought me right back to myself. I am grateful that I find meaning in small things and that I take the time to understand why things piss me off. I am grateful for my life. I am grateful for the love that I feel for so many people. I'm grateful for everyone who is living according to their values and attempting to pave new roads with the things that are meaningful to them. And, I'm grateful that I met an amazing man who likes me the way I am!

Grateful for women of strength!

This is the fairy tale that we should have been reading as little girls

Once upon a time, in a land far away, a beautiful, independent,
self-assured princess happened upon a frog as she sat, contemplating
ecological issues on the shores of an unpolluted pond in a verdant
meadow near her castle.

A frog hopped into the princess' lap and said: Elegant Lady, I was
once a handsome prince, until an evil witch cast a spell upon me.
One kiss from you, however, and I will turn back into the dapper,
young Prince that I am and then, my sweet, we can marry and set up
housekeeping in your castle with my mother, where you can satisfy my
needs, prepare and serve my meals, clean my clothes, bear my children,
and forever feel grateful and happy doing so.

That night, as the princess dined sumptuously on lightly sautéed frog
legs seasoned in a white wine and onion cream sauce, she chuckled and
thought to herself:
I DON'T F***ING THINK SO!!!!!

In honor of all the princesses we are - and know....

Beltane Blessings

It's May Day - workers of the world unite! And it's Beltane - the beginning of summer and rituals for fertile fields to Celtic folks. They say it's one of the days when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is the thinnest - sounds mystical doesn't it?

Today I'm grateful for:

• People I used to work with contacting me about jobs
• Wikipedia
• Rosie on The View - it's been one of those love/hate relationships for me but now that she's leaving I am grateful for her big mouth and the way she's created a forum for debate about U.S. politics that wasn't happening before. You know, for all those stupid moms who sit home watching tv and eating bon bons all day long....NOT. No wonder why Bill O'Reilly sees her as such a danger - a lesbian with leftist political views actually relating to a huge demographic of unlikely supporters...
• It's May Day! Supposedly the best day of the year to have sex! Unfortunately, I won't be having any sex today but still...I can think about it.
• Friends, good health, fun times and whatever food I'm about to eat

I'm so Lucky

I get paid to do stuff I want to do anyway!
I got a little afternoon delight yesterday!
My boss trusts me
I have some time to spare!
and I'm feelin' the love...oh yea!