So I’m in the children’s section of the library, hogging the perfectly cute white little bench seat, ferociously checking my email before the battery ran out. My final read was the pithy blog by my novelist pal Anne Allen on the topic of fiction vs. nonfiction. After dashing off a quick comment claiming my interest in non-fiction, I realized that fiction kinda freaks my left-brain out as useless; though I often fry said brain on People Magazine.
After locking my laptop in the trunk, I walk back into the library to wander the fiction shelves.
First I perused the large print shelves of new fiction thinking I’d enjoy reading without my glasses. This brought up so many questions about my own mortality, not to mention eyesight that in desperation I ended up by squinting my way down the fiction shelves and ended up with two trusty favorites: Elizabeth Berg and Garrison Keillor.
I discovered Berg when I read her non-fiction article entitled Struck by Life (New Woman, 1994) where she talks about how she left nursing to become a writer after she had a health scare. Her writing is simple and plain and true. She cranks out novels like she honors a regular writing routine. Her novel, The Year of Pleasures “is about acknowledging the solace found in ordinary things….”
Garrison Keillor is famous for his Prairie Home Companion radio show as well as his morning NPR The Writer’s Almanac. I’ve been thinking about him since running across Lake Wobegon Days at the Abundance Thrift Shop here in Los Osos. I ended up with his novel, Love Me which I’m hoping will make me laugh because, well. I obviously need to. Check out the blurb:
“A hilarious and hearfelt novel about ambition, success and failure and the virtues of real love and a steady job.”
Ahem.
May you happily wander the fiction aisles seeking the stories of your life,
Dorothy
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
The Art of Unplugging
It took only 2 weeks of no Internet service at my home to decide to stay that way. As much as I love email, Facebook, Twitter, and the many Google possiblities, being online did create anxiety. I'm the kind that constantly checks my email when I get home - just the way I used to check my answering machine before cell phones.
Okay, I admit it - I'd practically check my email every time I passed my computer. And being in a two room, place. Well, you get the picture.
I originally chose not have email at home in order to save $. But now that I've officially joined the dark ages I feel more focused. And I'm enjoying my 'work' time out at the library or my fav coffee spot - Copa de Oro.
Yes, I still get a little teary when I think of all of the Brothers and Sisters episodes I'm missing, but hey - I gotta have something to look forward to when I get back to virtual reality. Cause I will reconnect at some point. Just not today.
May you and all of your connections be filled with joy!
Dorothy
Okay, I admit it - I'd practically check my email every time I passed my computer. And being in a two room, place. Well, you get the picture.
I originally chose not have email at home in order to save $. But now that I've officially joined the dark ages I feel more focused. And I'm enjoying my 'work' time out at the library or my fav coffee spot - Copa de Oro.
Yes, I still get a little teary when I think of all of the Brothers and Sisters episodes I'm missing, but hey - I gotta have something to look forward to when I get back to virtual reality. Cause I will reconnect at some point. Just not today.
May you and all of your connections be filled with joy!
Dorothy
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Day 10
It’s day 10 of the New Year and I’m still creating the collage that I was hoping to burn on New Years Eve. I missed the ceremony due to the 3 house parties near my house. And the shot of Baily’s that was waiting for me when I got home.
The ceremony is that you draw a large circle on a piece of paper. While affirming, “I live in a place of plenty” list everything that you want to bring to you in the next two years. All wants, needs, including the planet, inside the circle. Next, outside of the circle list what you choose to release. (I’m making a collage of want I want over a list of creative projects I want to happen.) When you are done, burn the paper, blessing and knowing that it is done according to your wish!
For details on the I am Template ceremony click here and scroll down to the paragraph that begins with “This New Year’s Eve….”
Maybe you’re asking the same question as me….will my intentions come true even though the energy of the New Year, complete with blue moon, has passed?
YES! And if you are still doubtful, do the ceremony anyway and turn around three times with your right hand touching your 3rd eye while chanting “Thank you for my blessings!”
May your life be filled with ceremony’s that are blessed, joyful and silly, silly, silly.
Love,
Dorothy
The ceremony is that you draw a large circle on a piece of paper. While affirming, “I live in a place of plenty” list everything that you want to bring to you in the next two years. All wants, needs, including the planet, inside the circle. Next, outside of the circle list what you choose to release. (I’m making a collage of want I want over a list of creative projects I want to happen.) When you are done, burn the paper, blessing and knowing that it is done according to your wish!
For details on the I am Template ceremony click here and scroll down to the paragraph that begins with “This New Year’s Eve….”
Maybe you’re asking the same question as me….will my intentions come true even though the energy of the New Year, complete with blue moon, has passed?
YES! And if you are still doubtful, do the ceremony anyway and turn around three times with your right hand touching your 3rd eye while chanting “Thank you for my blessings!”
May your life be filled with ceremony’s that are blessed, joyful and silly, silly, silly.
Love,
Dorothy
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Holiday Help!
I love Christmas so much that I have two trees in my two room cabin and am still high over the string of vintage metal stockings that I scored from The Painted Lily in Cambria.
But this was not always the case. For many people loss of loved ones, distance – physical or emotional – from immediate family pushes on emotions still stored in the body.
Below are 3 links – click on the blue - to help you get through the holidays.
1. Christmas
2. New Years
I hate beginnings. This is why I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. Let’s face it, there are no beginnings without endings and I loath endings even more. This year, I’m starting the New Year in the middle.
3. And Ikea
Ikea?
Yes, Ikea is my latest addiction. Not only is Ikea my new favorite store, but the You Tube drama, Ikea Heights is rebelliously filmed on location without management permission. Hooray for creative and hilarious Rebels.
Hugs for a peaceful, quiet, joyful, inspirational holiday and everyday,
Love Dot
But this was not always the case. For many people loss of loved ones, distance – physical or emotional – from immediate family pushes on emotions still stored in the body.
Below are 3 links – click on the blue - to help you get through the holidays.
1. Christmas
2. New Years
I hate beginnings. This is why I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. Let’s face it, there are no beginnings without endings and I loath endings even more. This year, I’m starting the New Year in the middle.
3. And Ikea
Ikea?
Yes, Ikea is my latest addiction. Not only is Ikea my new favorite store, but the You Tube drama, Ikea Heights is rebelliously filmed on location without management permission. Hooray for creative and hilarious Rebels.
Hugs for a peaceful, quiet, joyful, inspirational holiday and everyday,
Love Dot
Monday, November 23, 2009
A Collage in Every Garage
I have a theory that if everyone has just one collage in their garage, then everyone will have the answers in tangible form to the questions that we have been living.
I’m settled in my cozy little cabin, with the “I Am an Organized and Disciplined Business Woman” collage on my office wall. I created the collage Christmas Day 2007. Reading through the folder of non-dominant handwriting which represents the perspective of the images, I begin to cry with happiness.
“Trust reaching for what makes you happy.”
Reaching is expansive. Reaching is a verb.
What are you reaching for today?
In joy,
Dorothy
I’m settled in my cozy little cabin, with the “I Am an Organized and Disciplined Business Woman” collage on my office wall. I created the collage Christmas Day 2007. Reading through the folder of non-dominant handwriting which represents the perspective of the images, I begin to cry with happiness.
“Trust reaching for what makes you happy.”
Reaching is expansive. Reaching is a verb.
What are you reaching for today?
In joy,
Dorothy
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Wouldn't it be Nice?
Okay, so this is the title of a Beach Boys song. But these guys must have been onto something because....according to Esther and Jerry Hicks, Wouldn't it be Nice? is one way to release resistance to receiving all the blessings that are just waiting to poured down on our precious little heads.
Here's how it works.
The point of the game is to move from discouragement to joy - one vibrational step at a time.
The one step at a time is important. Basically, we claim relief from what ever we are feeling in each moment. This is why ferociously repeating affirmations doesn't work. Trying to ramp up our energy to joy when we are worried is like driving from San Luis Obispo to Santa Cruz and being angry when we haven't arrived at the Big Ferris Wheel on the boardwalk a mere 10 minutes after we started our trip.
Often times, when we think we are being positive we are actually holding ourselves in the vibration of what hasn't happened yet; thereby attracting more of what hasn't happened yet.
"I really want more money because I'm sick of being broke all the time."
"I want to lose weight because I want to feel good about myself."
"I want to meet someone so I'm not lonely anymore."
All of the above phrases focus on what we don't have. But rephrasing the statement into 'wouldn't it be nice?' sentences creates a more positive feeling.
"Wouldn't it be nice to feel good about money?"
"Wouldn't it be nice if my metabolism cooperated with me and I felt great?"
"Wouldn't it be nice to meet a partner to share my life with?"
If you say all of the above statements out loud you will feel the vibrational difference. Once you start playing the game, the cells in your body will start moving toward attracting and manifesting your new vibration. But it does take some time - so be patient!
And most of all, enjoy the process....
Wouldn't it be nice for all of us to know that we are guided, blessed and loved?
Dorothy
PS: To learn more about vibrational alignment, check out Esther and Jerry Hicks book
Ask and It Is Given. www.abraham-hicks.com
Here's how it works.
The point of the game is to move from discouragement to joy - one vibrational step at a time.
The one step at a time is important. Basically, we claim relief from what ever we are feeling in each moment. This is why ferociously repeating affirmations doesn't work. Trying to ramp up our energy to joy when we are worried is like driving from San Luis Obispo to Santa Cruz and being angry when we haven't arrived at the Big Ferris Wheel on the boardwalk a mere 10 minutes after we started our trip.
Often times, when we think we are being positive we are actually holding ourselves in the vibration of what hasn't happened yet; thereby attracting more of what hasn't happened yet.
"I really want more money because I'm sick of being broke all the time."
"I want to lose weight because I want to feel good about myself."
"I want to meet someone so I'm not lonely anymore."
All of the above phrases focus on what we don't have. But rephrasing the statement into 'wouldn't it be nice?' sentences creates a more positive feeling.
"Wouldn't it be nice to feel good about money?"
"Wouldn't it be nice if my metabolism cooperated with me and I felt great?"
"Wouldn't it be nice to meet a partner to share my life with?"
If you say all of the above statements out loud you will feel the vibrational difference. Once you start playing the game, the cells in your body will start moving toward attracting and manifesting your new vibration. But it does take some time - so be patient!
And most of all, enjoy the process....
Wouldn't it be nice for all of us to know that we are guided, blessed and loved?
Dorothy
PS: To learn more about vibrational alignment, check out Esther and Jerry Hicks book
Ask and It Is Given. www.abraham-hicks.com
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Sculpting Joy
So I just moved into my new permanent digs here in San Luis Obispo county. This is a big surprise considering that I have been all about Santa Cruz county for the past year. But here’s the thing. When you’ve reached the end of your vision and you don’t have a plan – how do you know where to go?
Allow your joy.
When the lease was up on my Capitola place, I knew that it was time to move on. I made plans to help my mother after her recent knee surgery and had a couple weeks of pet-sitting after that. Knowing that I was covered for about a month – I let go of a life that no longer worked to allow a life that does.
This is where it gets a little tricky. Being human and all, we love knowing the NEXT step before we move on from the LAST step. But the chaotic void is where all the fun begins.
And yes, I’ve been scared.
The first thing I did on my journey was to keep the feeling of what I wanted in my heart, body and mind as much as possible. Whenever I got scared or overwhelmed, I would say an affirmation such as: “Heaven knows what I need and it’s on the way.” Or “I am blessed, I say yes to life.” I kept up on my positive reading: and most of all, took lots of breathing breaks.
The result was that I followed the good feelings through 7 pet-sitting gigs with overnights at a friend’s fabulous guest house. I learned that while I can never eradicate FEAR – I can dance with her pretty well.
Allowing joy is like taking a big lump of clay and seeing the joy already present. Slowly we mold the clay and remove the pieces that don’t fit. Sometimes, the pieces fall away without our help. Taking the steps to listen to, and allow our feelings moves us into the present moment. We mold our joy with each breath.
I’m typing in my freezing but cute little cabin-ita in Los Osos and I’ve been here officially for 6 days. I’ve had glimpses of joy in between unpacking – but it was fleeting among all of the boxes.
But, finally today, the 7th day, I am amazed and grateful and startled and slightly confused that I landed HERE – and I’m smiling.
May you follow the joy that lives in your heart,
Dorothy
PS: I am teaching workshops at the Be Well Center in Atascadero! Join me for my first class Monday, October 12, 7pm-8:30pm: How to Bring Joy to Your Life. (And please, tell a friend.) More workshops are listed on my calendar as well. Click the title above to go directly to my website.
Allow your joy.
When the lease was up on my Capitola place, I knew that it was time to move on. I made plans to help my mother after her recent knee surgery and had a couple weeks of pet-sitting after that. Knowing that I was covered for about a month – I let go of a life that no longer worked to allow a life that does.
This is where it gets a little tricky. Being human and all, we love knowing the NEXT step before we move on from the LAST step. But the chaotic void is where all the fun begins.
And yes, I’ve been scared.
The first thing I did on my journey was to keep the feeling of what I wanted in my heart, body and mind as much as possible. Whenever I got scared or overwhelmed, I would say an affirmation such as: “Heaven knows what I need and it’s on the way.” Or “I am blessed, I say yes to life.” I kept up on my positive reading: and most of all, took lots of breathing breaks.
The result was that I followed the good feelings through 7 pet-sitting gigs with overnights at a friend’s fabulous guest house. I learned that while I can never eradicate FEAR – I can dance with her pretty well.
Allowing joy is like taking a big lump of clay and seeing the joy already present. Slowly we mold the clay and remove the pieces that don’t fit. Sometimes, the pieces fall away without our help. Taking the steps to listen to, and allow our feelings moves us into the present moment. We mold our joy with each breath.
I’m typing in my freezing but cute little cabin-ita in Los Osos and I’ve been here officially for 6 days. I’ve had glimpses of joy in between unpacking – but it was fleeting among all of the boxes.
But, finally today, the 7th day, I am amazed and grateful and startled and slightly confused that I landed HERE – and I’m smiling.
May you follow the joy that lives in your heart,
Dorothy
PS: I am teaching workshops at the Be Well Center in Atascadero! Join me for my first class Monday, October 12, 7pm-8:30pm: How to Bring Joy to Your Life. (And please, tell a friend.) More workshops are listed on my calendar as well. Click the title above to go directly to my website.
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