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

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is bliss, taste it..

Life is what we make it, a mirror reflecting from the inside out, our attitudes the view through which things materialize. I believe that life is Beautiful, each moment an opportunity and Gorgeous gift. It is for that reason that I began to capitalize words, typically adjectives or nouns, which remind me of the Glorious nature of life and my Gratitude for living. Love is always capitalized in my World! Well, as often as I can get away with doing so anyway. I like to remind myself and others to put the Joy back in enJoying each precious step of this Amazing adventure. While words which disparage or belittle are known as pejoratives, words which express praise, or have a positive effect are known as laudatives or approbatives. Enthusiastic words and actions which share inspiring energy should have a term, and those words which can remind us to stay uplifted in the challenging times, I think, deserve to be capitalized occasionally.

I Love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.

Being in Nature is an Incredible opportunity to get closer to God/Goddess/Source energy, and by breathing in the sights and sounds we allow for an unfolding of life’s mysteries through which we can hear what our internal guidance system is wishing to share with us. Mother Nature, Nature, Earth, Sun and Moon all contribute such Loving energy into our lives, whether we accept consciously or not. Shouldn’t they be capitalized too? It’s an Awe~some miracle to bear witness to the Magnificent magick of Spring’s renewal, as plants and trees burst forth in new buds overnight. Much can be learned from the forests, lakes, streams, trees, plants, flowers and the Joy~full energy which abounds therein. It’s hard for me to believe that our life-giving Planet should not be given an upper-case status.

All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make our world.

As life mirrors our thinking, I consciously choose to accentuate the Wonderful positives. When we are enthusiastic, seeing the Beauty of what is, we transform challenging situations and bring greater awareness to the Wondrous moment. Through us, this Dazzling energy is shared with those around us, allowing for a rippling out of positivity. Love life and share Joy with yourself and those around you, my BeLoved reader. Watch how it deeply enriches all. At least, that’s the view through my lens, and why I chose to start capitalizing my laudatives! What words would you capitalize?

Love and Blessings,
Antonia

And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth’s dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.

Like the Spirit of Love, indeed! I am Joyously welcoming the official beginning of Spring this weekend, which can be felt on the gentle breezes, the regenerative energies stirring on these Gloriously sunny days across wine country. Mother Earth is awakening from her slumber, the buds are beginning to burst forth from the fertile ground, the birds are chirping, and preparations are keeping us busy here at the retreat center where I reside. Commonly known as the vernal equinox or spring equinox (ver means spring in Latin), there is a conscientious shift to call it March equinox, allowing for a more planetary awareness, as Spring arrives only in the Northern Hemisphere this Saturday 20 March at 10:32 a.m. PDT.

It’s remarkable to me that so many cultures around the World over the ages have celebrated this auspicious time. The Egyptian Sphinx faces the March equinox, allowing the Sun’s rays to hit it just so, marking this special time of year. It marks the first day of various calendars, including the Iranian and Bahá’í calendars. It’s a holiday in Azerbaijan, India, Afghanistan, and other countries in the Middle East and central Asia. The Jewish Passover usually falls on the first full Moon after the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. The Christian church calculates Easter as the first Sunday after the full Moon on or after the March equinox. This equinox is also known as Ostara.

Never yet was a springtime, when the buds forgot to bloom.

Just like Mother Nature, we are always creating anew. It is so important to have clarity on the goals for that which we wish to manifest this year. These thought seeds shall allow for the rebirthing of our lives. Love is in the air, and it’s important to allow Love for others and self to be the source from which we consciously create. You really do deserve the best, Dear Reader, so make it Beautiful.

Love and Spring Blessings,
Antonia

It has been a year since I packed up and left my home of almost eleven years, sunny Los Angeles, and made my way back to my BeLoved Northern California. Perhaps it was my own naivety, as I didn’t realize that living in wine country was still ‘the country”, which allows for fresh air, very little traffic, and many mountains to climb, but is also an adjustment in many cold, cloudy days, rain aplenty, and a whole lot of mud. There’s also an element of isolation from certain social activities and limitations in ones buying potentials. It has brought with it many adventures, joys, challenges, lessons, Beautiful new friends and Blessings. There are days when I miss LaLaLand, and my dear friends there, but then my best friend calls and says something to snap me out of it, like, “I’m on the 405 and LA is just one big parking lot! Do you have a couple of hours to talk?” haha She’s not kidding, and I’m reminded that driving twenty traffic-free minutes through the vineyards to get groceries may not be so bad after all.

When I look up at the Northern California night sky, I am awestruck by the innumerable twinkling stars brightly blanketing the immense, dark vastness above me. Sadly, the sky in LA has but a sparse smattering of what the eye can behold in the North. I was able to experience the night sky at its finest this fall when, after some trepidation, I accepted an invite to a birthday party “up on the mountain”. This would allow me to experience what I’d been hearing about, people living off the grid. I nervously traveled past the vineyards and up a country mountainside to join my friends, promises of amazing live music, dancing, food, and delicious home-brewed ales on my mind. I could have sworn my iPhone laughed at me when I checked it for guidance part way up the mountainside only to find the dreaded ‘no service’ flash at me. “You wanted to experience this,” I reminded myself as I continued my climb through the maze of signless dirt roads. The nearly moonless night allowed me the luxury of not having to witness the steepness of the cliffs on the right of me as I slowly crept along mile after mile, pushing through my city girl fears. I reminded myself of the many dangerous city streets I’d braved, and how traversing a mountain in the dark shouldn’t be so tough. Relief warmed me as I gazed upon the community building and parking lot full of trucks. Yes! People! Wise ones, who know of the necessity for 4-wheel drive vehicles! I took a deep breath, congratulated myself for making it, and gazed up at the sky above me. My jaw dropped. It was like nothing I’ve ever seen before in my life, and I marveled to myself, “Are there really this many stars in the sky?” A friend spotted me and made her way over to welcome me, stopping to point out certain constellations and the milky way. I was overwhelmed by its magnificent Beauty and the knowledge that I was right where I belonged.

Love and Blessings,
Antonia

As I’ve made my way through the winding roads of the wine country around me, I find myself fascinated by the various manifestations of Beauty the vineyards take on throughout the changing seasons. The fertile lushness of Spring and juicy Summer months, the richly textured shades of Autumn, and the sharp contrast of bright yellow mustard and orange California poppies growing at the feet of the stark, slumbering vines in Winter. I Love the bright colours dancing fancifully as the winds tease the valley floors before making their way up the deep green mountains beyond. While it was my desire for the cheery Spring energy to finally be upon us which sent me in search of it, I’m also consciously in preparation for the energetic shift which will occur with the changing of seasons.

Daffodils are a sure sign of Spring!

“I’m looking for signs of Spring,” I informed the gardener on the grounds where I reside, “Have you seen any?” I had wanted to learn more about the yellow mustard growing so plentifully across the miles of vineyard surrounding us, and thought he’d be a good resource. I learned that they were volunteers, but that mustard had been planted at the base of the vineyards in years past as a pest deterrent. This is why I saw it so commonly. Well, I welcome the Sunny yellow colour in my surroundings, Dear Reader, especially during the Winter months! The gardener told me to check out the blossoming chard before returning to his gate building project. Yes, a break in the rains, and activity is abustle.

Awwwwe! The baby doves

While I have been feeling rather Spring Feverly, I also appreciate that there are two weeks left ahead of us prior to the arrival of the Equinox, when seasons shall officially change, and with it the energies. Right now, we are supported by the waning moon and last weeks of Winter, and I am choosing to utilize it by meditating upon any blocks I may have to the new and exciting things to come. Using this time as a Spring-cleaning of the mind, body and spirit, we can recognize and eliminate that which is no longer serving us. Whether we have outdated beliefs about ourselves and others, general preconceived notions, or behavioral patterns we wish to change, now is the time to release these. Then we can embrace the wonderful life just ahead, where doors shall open and situations shall align bringing forth a life that makes our spirits lift, and heart bloom. Just ahead is that which we truly want to have Spring forth. What could you release to allow yourself to live your best life and dreams?

Love and Blessings,
Antonia

While the first thing I noticed about moving to a retreat center/animal sanctuary was the Sacred Heritage tree, the first sound I heard was most definitely the cacophony of the many, many Amazing birds in residence. There are so many, Dear Reader, I admittedly have felt a bit overwhelmed by them all, and have thus gotten to know them at my own sweet pace. It’s been a DeLight to explore the various parrots, pheasants, doves, finches, peacocks, swans, emus, ducks, geese… you’re getting the picture, right? There is a plethora of Beautiful birds on this property. I could not begin to show you all of them, in their often brightly coloured spendor, but I set out today to introduce you to some of them.

We shall begin with Sydney, for he’ll introduce himself as soon as you make your way across the stretch of lawn in front of his cage. “Hello?” he’ll call, “How are you?” Nice manors, don’t you think?

Beside his cage are the other parrots, all of whom were very patient with me as I photographed them. I was particularly Grateful to the Sweet Votan, whose willingness to open her stunning blue and sunny yellow wings was particularly touching. Many thanks, also, to the animal handlers who assisted in the venture. Here are the parrots they showed me:

If you follow me on Twitter, you may have read tweets about, and/or seen pictures of, Roy. I fell in Love with him instantly, and am still fascinated by the twenty-year-old European turkey who wanders freely about the property. He stays within one area, his black and white feathers standing out as he crosses the main lawn, sits by the dining hall or stands outside the birdcages to flirt with the peahens. He gets very excited when guests come to stay, and is also an avid music fan. When tunes can be heard in the main dining area, Roy will puff up his feathers and gobble for ages! hehehe The sounds of his “gobble gobble gobble” across the grounds cracks me up. It really does.

There are quite a few different types of pheasants on the property, most of whom preferred not to be photographed. Except, that is, for the Silver Pheasant, who wandered right up to greet me.

I think I saw the giant Emu eggs before I met the birds themselves. There are a male and female who reside here, and they’re two of the oldest Emu’s in the World. They are very sweet and curious. Isn’t he super cute??

Another of my favourites to spend time with is the Swan, Luxor. She’s a black swan, who’ll elegantly glide across the pond to greet visitors. She Loves to chat, and has even been known for singing along, if you sing the right melody to her. I think she’s Lovely, Lovely!

Of course the peacocks and peahens are a Joy to behold, in their magnificent array of brightly colored iridescent feathers. If you look closely, you can see one of the peahens curiously looking out from behind his skirt. I’m certain she’s the very same peahen I witnessed having an escaped outing on the roof recently. Yes, I tweeted that pic, too!

All of the birds are a part of my days here, whether it’s the soft cooing of doves, or gobbling of Roy, or strange squawking from one of the parrots. I am Grateful to witness their Spectacular mating dances, and to be amongst such Beauty and charm. They really are Amazing animals. I hope you’ve enJoyed visiting with them, too!

Love and Blessings,
Antonia