Hitting Send

I’ve been thinking a lot about the practice of balancing that which life throws at us with our need to stay focused upon our goals. Don’t you find it to be a fascinating balancing act? While we can utilize tools to create inner harmony, and allow conscious creation to assist in certain manifestations, there are also always going to be distractions which show up. The more I focus my energies upon the action steps on the ‘To Do List’ which move me closer to my desires, the more I feel as though the outside World is throwing tests at me, both of the enticing and challenging varieties.

If you surrender completely to the moments as they pass, you live more richly those moments.

~Anne Morrow Lindbergh~

Surrendering and trusting the process is easier said than done sometimes, right? Especially while locked out the house with no cell, stuck on the side of the freeway with a flat, or when dealing with challenging personalities. But, I really believe that life never gives us more than we can handle, and that from some of our most challenging times can arise the most Wonderful Blessings. When feeling put to task in the moment, I remind myself to go back to breath, enJoying the air as it makes its way into my lungs, cleansing my body. Inhale Love and compassion, exhaling all else. Smile. Next, I become aware of the thoughts running through my head, and look at the possibility that old tapes might be running, allowing myself to be the objective observer. This is often the point when I burst into laughter, perspective within the moment gained, and knowledge that life really is Beautiful and provides me with exactly what I need.

Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell.

~Unknown~

It’s such a gift to have dear friends who wish to spend time doing Amazing things with me, and I find that the offers pour in when I am most focused. Once I make a commitment to something, the Universe seems to throw alluring invitations at me, saying, “Really? What if I offer you this?” Do you also find this to be true? So, while I would Love to go dancing, have a glass of wine with my friend, or go off on a skiing adventure, I know that I will be of better service to myself if I forego doing such when I don’t really have the time and energy. I practice instead the art of self Love, knowing that when I have taken good care of myself and my body’s needs, I will be a better me for others, and that which I have in front of me.

Change is the only constant, and while we cannot control others and all which enters our lives, we can always choose how we view the situations and how we will spend our energy. I Love the imagery of balancing by flowing water. While staying grounded, we can trust in the process of life, surrendering to what is and the gifts which could unfold, respecting our needs and being good self~caretakers, and continuing to go with the flow. What tools and tricks have you found to assist in balancing the dance of life?

Love and balancing Blessings,

Antonia

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

Yesterday was a Gloriously and Fantastically Beautiful, Sunny day. As it was also Earth Day, I decided to jump in my car, wind my way past the rows of awakening vineyards, their bright green growth bursting forth in new life across the valley, and head up to the lake. While I never need a celebratory ‘day’ to remind me to get out into nature to appreciate Mother Earth in Her splendor, I enJoy taking part in collective consciousness energy, and I knew that I would be among many honouring this Amazing place which is our home and reflecting upon the issues facing it.

We should not only maintain gentle, peaceful relations with our fellow human beings, but also that is very important to extend the same kind of attitude toward the natural environment.

I Love to spend time by the water, admiring the way the sweeping mountains rise to surround the area with a quiet solitude, shutting out the city World around it, enveloping one in a reverenced protective Beauty. The day was an invitation to play outdoors, which had brought quite a few people up by the big bridge which crosses Lake Sonoma. My desire for quiet meditation time alone free of cell phones (*ahem*) sent me upon new paths to explore.

Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.

Delighted to find fields of green grasses and happy purple clover covering the mountainside, I Joyously kicked off my shoes and wandered about them, minding the productive bees at work. Incidentally, I began eating local clover honey recently in attempts to help with my Spring allergies, and have found it to help a great deal. I set a blanket down to lie in the grasses, warm Sunshine adding new freckles to my skin, admiring the bees at work in Gratitude. They’re a very special component to our eco-system and need extra Love, appreciation and protection right now.

The poetry of the earth is never dead.

Craving a bit more exploratory time, I drove past the wild California Poppies and Lupin, their vivid colours on dazzling display across the hillsides. Above Lake Sonoma I had an even better view of its journey which extends through 9 miles of Dry Creek and 4 miles across Warm Creek. I watched the vultures drifting upon the breezes, admiring the way they soared across the sky and down to the waters edge below. Granted, this lake was not actually built by Mother Nature, but was instead dammed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and is appreciated as a place to canoe, boat, water ski, fish, hike, camp and play. The Visitors Center and Fish Hatchery at its base provides information about the area and the Native American Pomo tribes who resided in the area years ago. I like to sit upon the hillsides and meditate by the water.

In wilderness is the preservation of the world.

With ventures out into the Awe~some nature which surrounds me, I consciously live Earth Day every day. Being able to remind oneself of this living, breathing Earth beneath us, bearing witness to Her rebirth at this Gorgoeus Springtime, reminds that we are the stewards of this Planet. We have caused a great deal of harm to the flow and harmony of our home, which brought about the need for Earth Day. Now through our awareness, ingenuity, diligence, and new seeds planted, we can find our way back into balance again. By admiring the Glorious Beauty which surrounds us and listening closely, we can share in Her wisdom. It’s through new paths taken that one opens to new views. What new roads can you explore, Dear Reader?

Love and Blessings,
Antonia

Energy surged in excitement as Muse took the stage at the Oakland Arena Wednesday evening. The Silversun Pickups had just completed their set with electrifying versions of “Lazy Eye” and “Panic Switch”, and the crowd’s elated anticipation for the main event was palpable. I Love seeing my favourite bands rock their tunes live, but I’m also appreciative of the gathering in mutual admiration for the music, and the collective Joyousness which permeates the air. I became a Muse fan after listening somewhat excessively to Absolution, intrigued by their Fantastic blending of styles, sometimes giving way to a Queen-esque feel. The English progressive rock band is known for integrating lots of different musical genres, including alternative rock, classical, electronica, hard rock and rock opera, giving them a unique sound not commonly heard in mainstream. As lead vocalist Matthew Bellamy belted out the anthemic single “Uprising” off their latest album The Resistance, the crowd danced, sang and screamed in adoration. Myself included!

Ohhhhh, there were a lot of lights, too! Muse is known for having one of the best light shows around. My show was filled with an Incredible light show, marked by the fervor of many green lasers, which played animatedly across the stadium walls, dancing across the stage and bouncing passionately off the band’s silvery-blue clothing.

I was particularly thrilled that they chose to play songs from various albums, covering such favourites as “Supermassive Black Hole”, “Starlight”, “Map of the Problematique”, and “Apocalypse Please”, with its Beautiful piano entry. I Loved when they also played “Feeling Good”, a sultry song which has been covered by many, but is best known to be performed by Nina Simone. The band gives out an extrodinary amount of energy, putting on an Amazing concert, felt deeply by many of us in attendance. As Matthew Bellamy and bassist Christopher Wolstenholme departed the stage for the evening, drummer Dominic Howard stopped to toss his drum sticks to the crowd. I watched in awe as my companion on the concert journey reached up and caught one. Awesome!!! What an invigorating evening’s journey, witnessing Beautiful art in live form with thousands in shared enthusiasm. Thank you, bay area, Muse and Silversun Pickups! We rocked it!

Love and Musical Blessings,
Antonia

I ran away from home yesterday. As the Sun rose upon what promised to be a Glorious day, and the Moon shifted into Aquarius, I had an overwhelming desire to set out upon an Adventure and ‘take in the waters’. There are many hot springs in Northern California, and the healing waters are an incredible gift I feel Blessed to have enjoyed since I returned here. I’m a strong proponent of day trips, which allow one to explore neighbouring areas, escaping daily routines for mini-vacations that can energize and enrich our lives. I have had such fun scouting out rivers, lakes, new trails to hike, parks to play in, museums to peruse, admiring the Beauty of the Botanical Garden, and partaking in a special journey to the Butterfly Garden. I had been wanting to check out Harbin Hot Springs for years, and as it perfectly matched my desire for soaking, I dared myself to pack a bag, jump in the car, and finally make my way to this famous retreat center.

Through lush green mountains I drove, Sun shining Magnificently, as I made my way past miles of vineyards in their neat rows, fields of brightly coloured wildflowers, and many winding roads. As I crossed into Napa County, I thought about the rich history of the resort, and decided I would allow myself to spend a full 24 hours there, perking my excitement of the opportunities for which this could allow. I had set intentions for as much soaking time as possible in a days time, a Watsu treatment, and a surrendered journey of receiving. As Harbin is known as the ‘Birthplace of Watsu’, I could not think of a better place to get this unique and relaxing experience. The practitioner floats the recipient around the pool, fully supporting the body, while applying gentle stretching techniques based upon the principles of Zen Shiatsu. I have found it to be a Beautiful yoga in surrender, trust and knowing that one will be supported. It is also incredibly relaxing.

Upon my arrival, I could not resist snapping the above picture of the springs before saying goodbye to my iPhone, adhering to the request that guests leave cell phones and picture-taking devices in the car. When I asked a kind womyn for directions I was greeted with, “I lived here for a year, I’ll show you around.” She walked me up the hillside, past the market, cafe, library, rows of housing structures and rooms, and up to the pool area, which is nestled into the mountainside and surrounded by sweeping views of the valley below. “Are you hungry?” she asked, handing me a freshly made veggie omelet sandwich. I expressed my Gratitude, to which she replied, “You’re a very good receiver, Antonia.” I smiled, knowing I was off to a very good start with my intentions. What followed included a LOT of soaking, a Watsu under the stars at midnight, meditation in the pools as the red, orange Sunrise rose on one side of the sky and the crescent Moon still shone on the other, and another Watsu by the same certified practitioner. She’s a gifted Masseuse who turned me into a marshmallow. I had finally made my way to Harbin, and I accepted the Amazing gifts, one after the other, in Loving Gratitude. What local explorations could allow for Beautiful gifts in your life, Dear Reader?

Love and Blessings,
Antonia

Leap and the net will appear.

I watched one of the Beautiful womyn in my life take an Amazing leap of faith this week. She’s not alone, as she’s joined by a few brave souls who have surpassed their desires to stop at the edge, toes sticking over the unknown abyss. Bearing witness to these courageous acts of stepping through fears to follow the heart’s inner calling is an honour and incredibly inspiring.

Most of our obstacles would melt away if…we should make up our minds to walk boldly through them.

One has to let go to make room to embrace the new, even if it’s ‘only’ fear that we’re releasing. When one of the womyn confided that it was a little scary, I replied, “It’s supposed to be.” She burst out laughing, which I expected from her, and have found to be an Excellent way to disperse fear. It wouldn’t be a leap of faith if there weren’t at least a few fears to hurdle and faith required, right? But, once the dream has been heard and the decision to act on the desire made, what we set into motion through our advancements are far stronger than any fears which could hold us back. Surrendering to the free fall, intimidation is left behind on that cliff’s ledge.

Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.

Ultimately, we have to trust our inner guidance system to guide us through, knowing that the Universe will support us as we move towards our dreams. We have within us the ability to push through the daunting voices and emotions which stand between where we are, and our ability to live up to the fullest expression of who we are. We can also prevail as we encounter the many tasks to perform in order to bring the goal into manifestation. Keep moving forward, allowing it to be as easy and flowing as possible. Sitting on our own gifts does not serve ourselves or others. We’re here to fly! Bravo to the Wonderful, bold womyn in my life for taking a leap of faith towards their true callings! I applaud you and wish you the most Joy~full, abundant Blessings.

Love and Leaping Blessings,
Antonia