Basil and the Bees
The view through my lens lately has looked like a lot of basil with more than a chance of pesto being made! haha Some of my readers will remember that back in Spring I took myself on an Artist’s Date by planting herb pots. One of these herb pots was for basil alone and it grew up to be a very big, proud plant, for which I was so grateful. But, oy! What to do with it all? I know! Let’s make pesto!
I know most people harvest their basil leaves prior to its flowering, and I actually did cut it back and try to dissuade the flowering process from occurring. hahaha The flowers not only grew back practically overnight, but they grew big and beautiful, attracting many, many bees. I thought it was sweet to watch the bees dancing round and round my basil plant from Sun up to Sun down, as they are fascinating and impressive creatures, but it also allowed me to stretch my comfort zone, as the basil sat directly next to my favourite swing. I would sit in my swing, keeping a watchful eye on the bee’s activity, but before long we all became so comfortable with each other that I could lie down in my swing, head inches from their buzzing! I’ll tell you, dear reader, this was an amazing experience for me! I went out each evening and fearlessly watered my basil while bees flitted about right next to me, swirling round my head. I not only had a new respect and appreciation for them, but a comfort level I’ve never experienced before. Beautiful!
I was reluctant to chop down my basil both because the lovely bees were still coming and because I was attached to the routine of watering my beautiful plant twice a day. But it was clearly time, and it was going to be a really big job! lol I began early in the day, letting the plant know that it was time, and asking for its blessing, I took down one stem after the next and placed them on a towel. There was a bit of resistance from the bees, who followed me (or rather the basil) across the yard. I tried to communicate to them that it was no longer theirs. Not once did I fear them, though I did feel a little sad for the bees. But, hey, there were almost no flowers left! I had waited as long as possible! BTW, save those flowers! They are an incredibly tasty addition to eggs, salads, rice, and more!
*2 Cups of Basil
*1/2 Cup Parmesan
*1/2 Cup of olive oil
*3 Tablespoons of pine nuts
*3 garlic cloves
*salt
Harvesting, washing, and drying the leaves was an all day job, but I was left with stacks and stacks of basil leaves ready to be made into yummy pesto. So, into a blender (I recommend using a food processor, but mine is too small for such a big job, so I used a blender) I put high quality, extra virgin olive oil, Parmesan, pine nuts, freshly crushed garlic, basil, and a touch of salt. Blend, and voila! Pesto! Yes, it really is that easy! Harvesting the basil for two cups takes a bit of work, but that can also be easily purchased. It’s worth it to make your own pesto from scratch! It’s Yummy!!!
Extra tip: pesto freezes very well! Just seal the top with a thin layer of olive oil and freeze for up to 6 months.
In Tune With Mother Nature
If you listen for the songbirds
As they greet the summer sun,
And love the way the wind can make
The trees sings just for fun;
If you like to hear the ocean
As it drums upon the shore,
And imagine all the whales out there,
And hope they’ll sing some more;
If you think of all the animals
As players in a band,
Each with a lovely tune to play,
All needed on the land;
And know that as a boy or girl
A woman or a man
You have a vital role to play
In Mother Nature’s plan;
If you honor every living thing
As a part of nature’s treasure
You’re in tune with Mother Nature
So let’s all sing her song together.
Is Goal Setting For You?
A goal is a dream with a deadline.”
Since we are the creators of our own Universe, it’s important to know precisely what it is we want. Not having goals is similar to sailing a ship across the Atlantic without a map. Goals, like maps, help you get to your destination much faster than sailing through life randomly. So, let’s explore how we can set some goals. I know that it’s easy to get frightened by the immensity of the task at hand and want to run from it, while others will push through toward the Promised Land of a perfectly manifested creation for their time here on Earth. I invite you to experience this as a Joyful, Fun Adventure of exploring what your heart desires in different areas of your life, knowing that you are in control of your life and the direction it is heading. After all, this is the beginning of your Beautiful future! So, let’s get excited and set some goals!
Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible. “
The first step is to dream! Dream of everything you want, and have always wanted in every facet of your life. There are no limits. Make sure these are goals that *you* want for yourself, not something which sounds good or is influenced by others. Ask yourself, “What would I attempt to do, if I knew I could not fail?” “What would I want for my life if I knew I could have it?”
Allow yourself to dream like you did as a child. Let your imagination run wild! Brainstorm. Write your ideas down on paper and decide which ones are the most important to you, those which spark your passionate drive!
If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes. “
Next, we shall deliberately rewrite our goals so our subconscious mind knows precisely what it is trying to accomplish. Our goals are adding structure, vitality and commitment to the fulfillment of our dreams. We need to set goals grand enough to challenge ourselves. (Remember that if you don’t have to push yourself beyond your current limits to reach your goals, you’re not really achieving anything. To be truly successful, and reach your true potential, you must constantly push yourself to move outside of your “comfort zone”.) Words are powerful! We must recognize this in order to be truly effective in our goals and manifestations. Phrase everything in a very simple, specific and detailed form, making sure that it is phrased in the positive, as it is what we wish to create in our life, not what we don’t want. Define goals in measurable terms such as height, weight, inches, dollars, etc. This way we can measure progress until the desired outcome is reached. Also, be very specific! Write the goal out in complete and specific detail, once again, we are providing the subconscious with a detailed set of instructions to work on and the more detailed the info we provide it, the more clear the outcome becomes. The neuron connections are stronger, longer lasting and it takes longer to lose a neural connection when it was formed with great emotion, so be sure to be inspirational! Our goals will bring purpose to our lives and give us reason to get out of bed to create what has purpose, meaning and passion!
There are many areas in which we can set goals for ourselves. I have categorized mine in this way:
*Attitude: What part of my mindset is holding me back? Where could my attitude be improved?
*Career: Where do I wish to be in my career/field?
*Financial: How much do I wish to be making and by when?
*Mental/Education: Is there knowledge I wish to acquire in particular? What info/skills will I need to achieve my goals?
(note: as a very curious, perpetual student, paring this list down is an interesting challenge )
*Family/Home: Do I wish to have a family? What kind of relationship do I wish to have with those within the family? What do I want my home to look and feel like?
*Physical/Health: Are there any athletic goals I wish to achieve by a certain point in my life? Are there health issues I wish to resolve?
*Pleasure: What Fun Adventures do I wish to have in this lifetime? hehehe (this could get long!)
*Spiritual: What do I wish for my spiritual journey to look like?
*Public Service: What kind of difference do I wish to make? What can I do within my community/globally to assist?
Your role in achieving your goal must be giving your all. Involve yourself whole: with your heart, your mind and your soul. “
Next, we shall evaluate *why* we must obtain our goals. Write down all the reasons why you are committed to attaining your goals. Feel the emotions stir up inside of you. Feel the passion and drive. This will bring the goals to life! What would it look/feel like to attain our goals? How will we feel about ourselves? Will we feel proud? Will our self-esteem be raised? How will our loved ones respond? Will we feel more confident in our abilities? How will achieving our goals change our current reality? When we are clear about why we are working towards achievement of particular goals, and clear of the benefits, we will be more willing to work towards them. So, imagine the benefits and rewards and spark that desire!
Crystallize your goals. Make a plan for achieving them and set yourself a deadline. Then, with supreme confidence, determination and disregard for obstacles and other people’s criticisms, carry out your plan.”
Keep sights set on your goals by reviewing them twice daily. Each morning and evening visualize having achieved your goals. Really use your imagination and paint a clear and detailed picture; feel it, be in it and experience it. Replace negative self-talk (thoughts in your head) with positive self-talk and affirmations. When decision-making throughout the day you can ask yourself, “Does this take me closer to, or further from my goals?” Share goals with people who love you and will support your dreams. We’re more likely to stick to our plan and reach our goals if we know that family and friends support us. Being a part of a team increases our determination, our stamina, and our courage. You deserve to be happy and have what you desire in life! Trust! The time to change your life is *NOW*. Take time to invest in the future you passionately wish to create for yourself. You have the power to create your own destiny!
Where will your goals take you?
Manifesting Tickets; or Ask, Believe, Receive
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
My favourite Los Angeles radio station, KROQ, organizes some amazing concert line-ups, and back in November of 1995 they announced that their annual event, Almost Acoustic Christmas, would include the likes of Depeche Mode, Coldplay, The White Stripes, Jack Johnson, The Bravery, Death Cab for Cutie, Hot Hot Heat, Nada Surf, and more! Seriously?! I HAD to be there! But, alas, I was at work when the tickets sold out in a quick hour or two. A quick web search located a couple of tickets being sold upwards of $500 apiece. Hmmmm, a bit out of my price range, yet I could not shake the feeling that I was supposed to be in attendance!
You create your own universe as you go along.
When I was a teenager in high school, my mother had taught me that where there is a ‘ticket will’, there is a way! She and I had driven from Marin County up to Ashland, Oregon for the Shakespeare Festival (which I highly recommend) and desired tickets to ‘A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream’, but discovered upon arrival that they were sold out. This did not affect mom’s spirit one bit. We were going! When, the night prior to the performance, we came across someone selling a ticket, (as in singular, one ticket) mom swooped it up. The next evening we returned to the amphitheater, determined as ever, and came across a different group of tourists/Shakespeare lovers who also had one singular ticket. Imagine the admiration of our manifestation skills when we learned that the singular tickets we had purchased (from two completely different sets of people) were, in fact, seated next to each other!!! Love it!!!
Whatever the mind of man can conceive, it can achieve.
I began my Almost Acoustic Christmas concert ticket manifestation process by carefully copying down the names of the bands onto a small piece of paper, which I placed by my bedside. First thing in the morning and just prior to bed I read the list of bands. Okay, there was far more to it than that! I heard the bands playing, felt the crowd around me, saw the lights shining brightly upon the stage before me, and experienced being there. I faithfully continued this practice each day as the concert date grew closer.
Whatever you create in your life you must first create in your imagination.
On the day of the concert I made a sign to take with me. hahaha On a large piece of paper I wrote out the word “HELP” in all capitols, but in bubble form so that I could make red candycane lines in the letters; after all, it *was* Christmas! Then beneath that I wrote in smaller letters, “PLEASE”! LOL Simple and to the point! Upon arrival at the venue I found quite a few couples also looking for tickets. I stood with my sign, undaunted. This was made a tad more challenging by the fact that there were NO scalpers at this event. It was held at a small venue and the lucky few who had managed to obtain tickets were happily attending, not selling. At last one couple arrived to sell theirs; asking price, a cool grand even. HAH! This was the point where the self-talk came into play. “I am supposed to be at this concert! I am certain that it is meant to be! I’ve seen it come to pass and so it shall be.” I barely finished when I saw a woman swiftly approaching me, thus barely registering that she had just handed me a piece of paper and walked away. I looked down at my concert ticket in amazement and then back up to see my Christmas angel, already gone. What a gift!
Our life is what our thoughts make it. A man will find that as he alters his thoughts toward things and other people, things and other people will alter towards him.
Since we are the creators of our life, constantly manifesting a reflection of our inner thoughts and beliefs, I like to remind myself of occasions such as my ticket manifestations. It’s so fun to be reminded of the ways that asking and believing lead to receiving.
Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Take a Deep Breath and Smile
Every thought, feeling, and action registers inside your body and changes your physiology. Stress and irritability are reflected in your posture, breath, and facial expression. You can reduce your stress instantly quite simply by adjusting your breathing, and allowing yourself to smile. You may not believe it, but try it!
We know how to breathe. It is something that occurs to us automatically, spontaneously, naturally. We are breathing even when we are not aware of it. So it seems foolish to think that one can be told how to breathe. Yet, one’s breathing becomes modified and restricted in various ways, not just momentarily, but habitually. We develop unhealthy habits without being aware of it. We tend to assume positions (slouched positions) that diminish lung capacities and take shortened breaths. Most of us breathe by expanding our chests, using our upper back and neck muscles to raise the rib cage. Our breathing is too shallow and too quick. We are not taking in sufficient oxygen and we are not eliminating sufficient carbon dioxide. As a result, our bodies are oxygen starved, and a toxic build-up occurs. Every cell in the body requires oxygen and our level of vitality is just a product of the health of all the cells. This leads to increased disease. Our resistance to disease is reduced, since oxygen is essential for healthy cells. This means we catch more colds and develop other ailments more easily. Lack of sufficient oxygen to the cells is a major contributing factor in cancer, heart disease and strokes.
Although “putting on a happy face” may seem artificial, allowing a genuine smile to spread through your body creates a powerful sense of relaxation. It is a subtle change in facial expression, a half-smile, which should extend through your eyes and the corners of your mouth. Smile both outwardly and inwardly, allowing the smile to spread throughout the body, letting tension release. You want to capture the feeling of “ahhhhhhh…,” relaxation. If you can’t do it, try forcing a big belly laugh (“ha-ha-ha”). That will get you to smile!
Place a hand on your stomach, and the other on your chest. Take a good breath. If you’re like most people, your chest expands but your stomach doesn’t move much. Lie down on your back and close your eyes.
Place your hand on your stomach and chest again. Most people naturally breathe through their stomach in this position. Take a few normal breaths to be sure your stomach expands as you breathe in, and goes down as you breathe out. Once you have the hang of it, continue breathing this way. You may place your hands wherever they feel most comfortable. Now, let that semi-smile spread from your lips and eyes to gently spread through your body. Enjoy this “mini-mental massage.” As your thoughts wander, (which they will) and your smile fades, just bring yourself back each time to an awareness of the breath and the smile. Once you are pleasantly relaxed, open your eyes, but continue the calm breathing and the smile. When ready, sit up, but continue to breathe from your stomach, and to smile!
This exercise is a wonderful way to begin the day! As soon as you wake up, lie on your back, and start your abdominal breathing. Let a gentle smile spread, and as your thoughts wander into the day, picture yourself going through the day’s activities both as you wish them to occur and see yourself with that smile on your face. There are also numerous opportunities throughout the day to get back the sense of tranquility that you are developing with your breath and smile. Take a moment when you are in line at the store, when stopped at a red light, or prior to interactions with clients/customers, etc. Turn any “mindless” activity into a “mindful” activity while doing household chores, before meals, or meetings. Turn around feelings of frustration, irritation, and annoyance by taking deep breaths and smiling.
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