December 31, 2010, Shakespeare and Talking Heads

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,

And then is heard no more. It is a tale

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

Signifying nothing.

William Shakespeare

Macbeth, Act V, scene v

	I have thought of the foregoing quote many, many times in my life. Aptly, this gem rolled through my mind earlier today, as I was recycling the 2010 calendars. In my youth, the 'New Year' was exciting! In early adult life, I fell upon many years of darkness. I came to dislike the advent of a new year. The new year was a time to recount all of my mistakes, instead of looking ahead with optimism. I still struggle a bit during this auspicious time, but I am coming around to a feeling of gratitude, not depression, loss or failure. On that note, I cannot help but wonder if this life is to be taken seriously - or not? It seems that our friend, Macbeth wondered the same thing. Positively, I have been gifted and blessed with an embarrassment of riches. I am presently filled with conscious gratitude for every ambulatory, breathing second. But, still .... I do ponder the entire script of life....and I always have. I do not know my role or purpose or even if there is one! I wish that I could be one of those people who knows exactly what their life's purpose is! I relate to Talking Heads "Once in a Lifetime"!! "How did I get here?" Is life a comedy, a tragedy, a drama, a soap opera, a whim, a plan, a thought, a dream? What, exactly, is "a life"? This is what I do know.... I have packed up many belongings of loved ones after they leave this life behind. I absolutely know that those material (matter-real) goods mean NOTHING (NO-Thing). Those belongings cannot possibly tell the story of the beloved's life. What remains and never ends are the emotional bonds formed in this life. Those feelings are as real, as fresh, as tangible and as present as the sound of my fingers tapping the keyboard at this moment. These days, I bond in LOVE. Love really is all that MATTERS (material). May each and every one of you forge bonds of love in the upcoming 'new year'. In Love, Truth and Beauty....

Holiday "Spirit" or Critical Alcohol

For the most part, I am a vegan. Becoming vegan was a slowly-evolved process.....and I personally believe that it is correct for me. 

I still own the odd leather good, and I do use honey, beeswax and some goat milk in a few of my handcrafted soaps. This is why I state "For the most part"....

I have never been able to eat dairy, so no elimination required in that department.

I still enjoy the occasional cocktail, cordial, aperitif, beer or vino, but I do not imbibe as in younger years.  I am incredibly picky!

In honor of the holidays, I am going to share a recipe for vegan Irish cream that tastes very much like the bad-for-you (and pricey!) sweet libation.

I cook and create by taste - not measurement - so bear with me!

Vegan Irish Cream

Coconut Milk (I buy this by the 1/2 gallon - NOT the canned coconut cream/milk) - about 2 cups

Raw Turbinado Sugar- app 2-3 tblsp

Agave Nectar - app 1 tblsp

Vanilla Extract

Almond Extract (optional)

3/4 cup brewed coffee

dark cocoa powder (optional)

dash sea salt

preferred whiskey or bourbon (3/4 cup - ?)

Throw all ingredients in a high speed blender (I used a Vita Mix). 30 seconds. Taste. Adjust. Bottle or store in airtight containers in the frig. Must be shaken before serving. May be served straight up, on the rocks, in coffee or tea....a little goes a long way, as this is wonderfully decadent.

Enjoy responsibly!

Cheers!

 

And do not forget to SMILE!!!! 

Easiest way to shift energy in any situation, place or space!!

In Love, Truth and Beauty....

Yule, Winter Solstice, Full Moon and an Eclipse

All happening around 12:30 a.m. ..... 

The best time to view the Lunar Eclipse is suggested around 2:17 a.m. December 21, 2010 (Tuesday).

NASA reports state that it has been 372 years since the Solstice occurred simultaneously with a Lunar Eclipse. 
A good reason to stay up, or set your alarm!

With so much Love, Truth and Beauty....

Fire, Yule and Love

"Why are you so enchanted by this world when a mine of gold lies within you?"

Rumi

In keeping with the spirit of the season, I felt moved to write a brief post today - again, about love.

The increasing commercialism that has driven the winter holidays in my lifetime depresses my spirit and my heart. 
I no longer send holiday cards and I have never put up a tree.

As a child, one of my visual memories was seeing sad and stripped Christmas trees dumped in the street for trash pick up.

It was equally painful to get used to the veritable fantasy of the glittering lights and decorations taken down and stored away at the very time when we humans NEED such uplifting light!

Winter and the waning light is difficult on body and spirit!

Let us keep the love and light in our hearts to shine outwardly on those who may need it most (ourselves?).

This is not to say "bah! humbug!", but rather a personal and heartfelt statement that I believe we should show love, compassion, joy, kindness, glad tidings and good will EVERY day of our lives.

Sadly, many people believe that a wrapped present (or a few) one day a year demonstrates good will toward man (woman) kind. 

I am making an urgent plea to each and every one (including myself) to show good will, kindness, love and compassion to ourselves and all beings on a daily basis.

"Better to light a single candle than curse the darkness."

 

In Light, Love, Beauty.....

7 Doves

Early this morning, 7 Doves greeted me! Perched on my outdoor table and chairs, it was quite a beautiful sight. 

Feathers fluffed up, seated in varying levels, these beautiful birds appeared to be a Council of Elders.

I am still pondering the message, but I am convinced that it was a positive sign.

I love and am constantly delighted by my wild birds! 

Birds inspire me and send me messages. It has been this way all of my life.

Do you have a special relationship with any creatures?

I would love to hear about them!

In Love, Truth, Beauty and Wisdom....

TUT Love

This arrived in my in box this morning just in time!

Be at peace, dear Teresa, rest easy, relax, coast and luxuriate to any degree that you can allow yourself, for the day will inevitably arrive when you'll understand all the "reasons" that now elude you, bless the darkness that now seems to separate you, and celebrate the ancient choices that once made you. 

Just as we do.

Trust me,
    The Universe

Courtesy TUT Adventurer's Club

Image Courtesy of the Author

 With so much Love, Truth and Beauty.......

Red Hot!

In keeping with the spirit of the winter holidays, I want to continue to explore the theme of love.

Sometimes, love seems a far away feeling or ideal. Or, in the words of Bono, "an idea that almost makes sense". 

Actually, love is the only idea that makes sense. 

Love is typically used as a verb; an action word.

Love of self is a phrase that is tossed around these days, but I see very little realized self love. Instead, I see self concern, self gratification, self involvement, self absorption, selfishness, self-centric-everything-except love.

Houston, we have a big problem.

If we have not done so, let us learn self love and teach our children, family and friends the same by example. 

Instead of seeking instant gratification via blatant commercialism and consumption to fill the void this season, what if we loved ourselves abundantly? Then, we would share that love...

Like the airlines instruct, people traveling with dependents must put their oxygen masks on first. You cannot help, save or love others without taking care of yourself first!

So many of us are slowly dying from the absence of life-sustenance - put love first on your to-do list. 

Give your love no matter what.....

My friends are so depressed
I feel the question
Of your loneliness
Confide... 'cause I'll be on your side
You know I will, you know I will

X Girlfriend called me up
Alone and desperate
On the prison phone
They want... to give her 7 years
For being sad
I love all of you
Hurt by the cold
So hard and lonely too
When you don't know yourself

My friends are so distressed
And standing on
The brink of emptiness
No words... I know of to express
This emptiness

Imagine me taught by tragedy
Release is peace
I heard a little girl
And what she said
Was something beautiful
To give... your love
No matter what 

Red Hot Chili Peppers

This post is dedicated to T. Callahan

With so much Love, Truth and Beauty....

Revolution

I have had a week that was so filled with vile spewed by so many angry, hateful  people, that I literally spent two full days physically ill from mere contact.

Let me just say that I now fully, deeply and profoundly understand the meaning of that silly television show, "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?". Believe me, the people that I encountered this week are certainly not smarter than a 5th grader. 

Pitiful. 

I could feel sorry for these people if they were not totally extracting vengeance from innocents and causing permanent damage.

I want to ask all the angry, manipulative, dishonest, hate-full people that I see in the world - what has happened to you?
Love and money - or, rather the lack of it - seems to be at the bottom of this particular debris heap.

"...when you want money
for people with minds that hate
All I can tell is brother you have to wait"

However, it is never too late to change.

In the spirit of change, the word, 'revolution' inspires me.

Revolution, evolution, devolution, reveal, revolve...the world keeps spinning, moving.....and so must the collection of life that populates it.

Come on, People! 

Let's evolve...enough of the distortions, deceit, lies, hate, anger!

If we continue to be divided, we will certainly perish as ONE.

It is time for a revolution and it starts with one voice, one person, one step, one action.....replace anger with acceptance, hatred with love, selfishness with compassion, greed with generosity.

This revolution starts with me. I hope that you join.

You say you want a revolution
Well, you know

We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
all right, all right

You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We're doing what we can
But when you want money
for people with minds that hate
All I can tell is brother you have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
all right, all right

You say you'll change the constitution
Well, you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well, you know
You better free your mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow
Don't you know it's gonna be all right

(Lennon-McCartney)

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

In Love, Truth and Beauty...

This post is dedicated to J. Geiler

Paint It Red

Day Without Art = December 1st = World Aids Day - honored by artists since 1989. 

Please make a difference today. 

Volunteer. 

Spread awareness. 

Pray. 

Remember those who have died. 

Remember those who are living. 

Remember that the suffering continues.

Love. Truth. Beauty.