I like holidays.  I really do.  I even like birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, quinceñeras and the like.  What I do not like is gift-giving.
 
It’s not that I’m selfish or cheap.  I love to give…money, hugs, my time, food, my shoulder to lean on.  I’m just slightly unimaginative and terribly insecure when it comes to purchasing and [...]

 
This is truly just a tidbit.  Just thought I’d let you all know that it is possible to survive and lead a normal lifestyle without cable TV (or satellite, or Direct TV, or 100+ channels).  My family and I do, and we don’t really feel deprived.
 
Now, you might urge me to join the 21st Century.  [...]

 
 
Been wondering why no new posts lately?  Honestly, I’ve been wondering the same thing.  I ask myself: Why the lack of inspiration?  Where did all that great creative energy from the summer go?  Why the desire to just come home at night, put on my pajamas and vegetate?
 
But alas, all questions that are asked with [...]

 
 
Friday night at the high school football game.  Lights are shining.  Score board lit up.  Mascots dancing.  Players running, tackling, throwing, kicking.  Coaches pacing the sidelines.  Cheerleaders cheering (mine is the pretty one with the pom-poms and the pony tail). 
 
Does this bring back any fond memories for those of you who are already celebrating high [...]

 
“Stay present: every second, every minute, and every hour. Every day of your life is full of present moments of infinite value. You won’t find God yesterday or tomorrow–your Source is always only here, now.”
 
Wayne Dyer, Excuses Begone!
 
 

photo courtesy of Lynn Nagel

 
 
In his new book, Wayne Dyer talks about the value of staying present in [...]

 
I can’t really think of an instance when keeping an open mind about something turned out to
be a bad thing.  Can you?  Even if someone or something disappointed me, having an open mind
kept the possibility of good results alive for a time and that time was good.
 
While I was not completely enthused about going to [...]

 
I’m not really a big city girl, though you’d never know it.   I have managed to take up residence in big cities (Boston, Chicago, L.A.) most of my adult life.  I now find myself off to the “Big Apple” for vacation.  How did this happen?
 
Well, yes, I know technically how it happened.  My husband is [...]

photo by Babykailan

 
 
I’ve been busy.  It seems that working through my Vacation To Do List  requires actual doing more than writing.  But it’s good stuff.  It’s good to follow through on plans (yoga, car maintenance, etc.), to be open to new unplanned activities (cleansing diet), and to sometimes not want to do anything at all [...]

 
 
Don’t hate me, but I’m a teacher and  I’m lucky enough to be embarking on a four-week summer break.  Family vacation to some touristy city where my daughter can shop and I can museum hop will only take up five days.  The rest is mine, all mine!
 
Lest I squander my well earned, much-anticipated time off, I’ve [...]

 
Lately, I’ve been enjoying being inside.  Inside of me, that is.  Being present.  Being thoughtful, without having great thoughts.
 
Did you ever sit down to write something — a letter, a paper for school, a birthday greeting — and find that you don’t have anything witty or especially interesting to say?  Well, that’s how I’ve been [...]