Hitting Send

Understanding is not a piercing of the mystery, but an acceptance of it, a living blissfully with it, in it, through and by it.

I’ve been meditating upon the word “awe” lately, fascinated by its dual meaning to inspire either wonder or dread. It’s commonly defined as being an overpowering or overflowing emotion aroused through being impressed by the formidable or magnificent; a reverence combining dread, veneration and wonder which is inspired by the sacred or sublime. One word which can mean both an overpowering feeling of fear or wonder fascinates me a great deal. Is it awful or is it awesome? Shall we choose to look at life from a place of fear or trusting in the wonder of it all?

We convince by our presence.

I find it fascinating that ‘awe’ has come to take on drastically different meanings, depending upon the source or context. The word awe has often held a connotation of reverence for God or royalty. From a military standpoint, “shock and awe” describes using force to quickly devastate an area thus gaining dominance over an adversary. These are two very different meanings for the same word, both of which hold a very convincing presence. At a deeper level, awe is an experience one is sure to know when one is experiencing it. I found an example of that which evokes in me both a state of wonder, and fear.

Trust God and tie your camel.

Life is a Beautiful mystery in constant motion. Change is the only constant, so rather than coming from a place of fear, I embrace change by trusting in God/Goddess/Universe/Source and ‘tying my camel’. I know that everything happens for a reason, and that unless I am willing to do something beyond what I have already mastered, I will never grow. So, I am paying attention moment by moment, being grateful for what I do have, seeing boundaries as opportunities, showing up for what arrives, and having confidence that everything works out for my highest good.

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.

Our experience is what we make of it, and it is our attitude which is the catalyst for our results. Currently there is a great deal of fearful scarcity thinking being spread, and I understand where it comes from. Life is abundant, a celebration, and there is enough for everyone. By being mindful of how our thoughts and feelings shape our experience, and by keeping our actions in alignment with our goals, we can open ourselves to the wonder, mystery, and yes, awe of life.

Love and Blessings,
Antonia

To truly know the world, look deeply within your own being; to truly know yourself, take real interest in the world.

This 22 April marks the 40th annual Earth Day celebration! It was back in November of 1962 that Earth Day’s founder Senator Gaylord Nelson first conceptualized an idea to bring environmental issues into the political arena, persuading President Kennedy to give visibility to environmental issues by going on a national conservation tour. Unfortunately, the President’s five-day, eleven-state conservation tour in September 1963 did not garner the attention it deserved. Taking note of the popularity of anti-Vietnam War demonstrations, called “teach-ins,” which were spreading to college campuses all across the nation, Senator Nelson took a gamble and announced at a conference that in the spring of 1970 there would be a nationwide grassroots demonstration on behalf of the environment, inviting everyone to participate. With the assistance of colleges campuses and local communities, his idea took off, and as he himself said, “That was the remarkable thing about Earth Day. It organized itself.” Beautiful!

I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.

I find the end of Muirs’ quote to be so relatable, as I have sought refuge in the outdoors since childhood, and have found that going outdoors, was, indeed, really going in. Whether surrounded by blissfully sunny Summer days on the beach, rainy days amongst the Sacred redwoods in the Northern California forests, or enjoying morning meditation in the garden, I am closer to source energy and feel at home. I consciously decided years ago that a healthy, constructive outlet for my inner Warrioress energy was to channel it into Environmental causes, which so clearly spoke to my heart. At my first college, I became the squeeky wheel demanding that we have a recycling program on our campus. I have been an active member of NRDC for years, often write letters on behalf of Mother Earth, and try to include many little rituals into my everyday life to decrease my carbon footprint.

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.

I recently read a NY Times article explaining the ‘Self-Centered Case for Environmentalism’, which points out that beyond our need for clean air and water [to which I will add land, where our life-sustaining food is grown], being in nature not only increases our healing abilities, it makes us happy. I’m not here to tell anyone what their calling should be, nor call anyone out on how to make greener lifestyle choices. That is another post! *giggle* Today, I only wish to bring light to the Beauty of the Planet we, as Global Citizens, share with each other. Our home is an Amazing place with so many types of rich Beauty, all of which gives so very much to us, and thoroughly deserves compassionate respect. Let’s face it, after many years of the Bush administration, there is a tremendous need for conscious Love to protect and sustain our Planet.

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.

One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul.

I admire that Senator Nelson created a grass roots environmental movement which is celebrating its 40th year. It’s truly Wonderful, and there are some impressive events taking place this year in its honour. From the larger Earth Day at the National Mall of Washington D.C. event, to the smaller community events, it is an opportunity for people to get educated and inspired to preserve and protect our valuable natural resources. I personally feel that every day should be Earth Day, as it is the only home we have! But, I shall certainly share in the day by doing something special, in the great outdoors. What’s calling to you, Dear Reader? What do you feel inspired to do?

Love and Blessings,
Antonia

p.s. If I could give Mother Earth a theme song, sung by Global Citizens it would look like this.

I was reminiscing about my early years in Sausalito recently. Well, I had actually been thinking about my Love for the Golden Gate Bridge, which invariably leads to thoughts of the picturesque hillside community of Sausalito, adjacent to San Francisco. When filling out my Myspace/Facebook type pages, I tend to write “pick one” as my hometown, but, if forced to choose, Sausalito would be the real answer, as I spent the majority of my first five years there, and returned there for another year in later years. And, what a charming place it is!

My early home was up on one of the steep hills, overlooking the water, with fortunate views of San Francisco and glimpses of my BeLoved Golden Gate Bridge. After mom had put me to bed at night, I would sneak out of bed, stand on my little bench and stare out the window at the glitter magnificence of it all in awe, wonder and utter delight.

My mom would Lovingly put me in my stroller and walk us down the hill for adventures along the World-renowned waterfront. It has a Mediterranean feel, breathtaking views which draws tourists from around the globe.

Our journeys along the boulevard were often accompanied by hikers, bikers, and the many people disembarking from ferries carrying them from across the bay. The water itself was often busy with various nautical activities; the sailboats, windsurfers and occasional cargo or passenger ship were other points of interest, adding to the overall charm of the city on the bay. But, my greatest fascination was with the Bufano sea lion sculpture. Okay, it was Lovely if real sea lions were visiting as well, but would the tide be low enough to see that Beautiful sea lion I so adored as a little girl?

The famous downtown fountain

If the adventure continued past the center of Sausalito, we would arrive at the marina, where the sailboats line up in row after row, and following this sat the very intriguing houseboats. At least, I have always found them to be quite fascinating. Otis Redding’s Doc of the Bay comes to mind, so I’m guessing I’m not alone on this one! *giggle*

When my mom emailed me yesterday asking if there was any chance that I wanted to meet her in Sausalito for Easter brunch, I smiled. Yes, mom, that sounds exactly right to me. How Lovely is that? Wow! It seems like the perfect meeting place, which now lies between us, a reasonable distance for an impromptu visit between BeLoved mother and daughter. YAY! It feels so good to be home.

Love and Blessings,
Antonia

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.

I Love the above quote, and like to believe that Aristotle was suggesting that we watch not only the external voices, but internal as well. In my last post I invited you to watch your thoughts and recognize the negative voices which may be holding you back from living your best life. Our thoughts make up our experience of the World, moment to moment, and being aware of our thoughts, and consciously rewriting the messages we are telling ourselves is very important. This time I am going to recommend that we dig a little deeper, as I believe that there is another tool we can use to expedite the process of internal positive change which will then allow us to be even better Creators/Creatrix’s of our lives.

Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.

I Love this Rumi quote and very much agree with him. I actually believe that it is our job to look inside and find the barriers within that we have built against allowing ourselves to live our best life. To the best of my ability, I actively live The Four Step Path: show up, pay attention, tell the truth and don’t be attached to outcome. I have been thinking that it could easily be applied in another way, assisting one in finding the barriers within. After all, how can we ask ourselves to do any of those things for others if we are not first doing them for ourselves? I was reminded of such recently when a dear friend flaked on me and our mutual friend remarked, “But, sweetheart, she isn’t able to be there for herself! Of course she can’t show up for you.”

There are no constraints on the human mind, no walls around the human spirit, no barriers to our progress except those we ourselves erect.

Ack! I shall break through my own barrier and agree with Reagan! haha The man was right on this one, and hey, he was an Actor turned President, so he certainly knows about breaking through constraints, right? It’s time to Love ourselves enough to not only watch our negative thinking patterns, but to courageously face the underlying emotions holding us back. For this exercise, you need to set the mental programming aside. First, we can show up for ourselves by turning inward. Sit comfortably, close your eyes and turn your attention to inside your body. Secondly, we can pay attention to what is going on within by naming it. What is the emotion behind the negative thought? Thirdly, tell the Truth. If the emotion is fear, embrace it. Our emotions are simply there doing a job, often to protect us. Be honest with yourself about what is behind the emotion. The fourth and final step is not being attached to outcome. The opposite of attachment is release, and it is through release that we can get to the other side. Know that the emotion served a purpose, thank it, hug it, and say, “You are no longer needed. Goodbye.” When done with intention, it works surprisingly well.

You cannot be wimpy out there on the dream-seeking trail. Dare to break through barriers, to find your own path.

Spring has sprung, the pioneer energy of Aries surrounds us, and it is time to take back our own Power and Courageously face our barriers head-on. Know that you are so worthy of having the best life you can live. I invite you to dig deeper to look at what you are letting stand in your way. By courageously facing that which is holding us back, embracing and releasing those blocks, we free ourselves to move through life harmoniously and successfully on our true soul journey.

Love and Blessings,
Antonia