I just returned yesterday from the trip to Seattle. We had three wonderful classes with great people--How to Increase Synchronicity, Getting Past Fear to Make Changes, and Intro to Passion and Life Purpose.  When I asked for a few people to share what points they got out of the classes, they said

"When you have a fear about something, try to come up with a tangible goal or first step to deal with that fear."  For example, one woman had a fear that she wouldn't be able to express her desire to write.  In this case, she decided she had to mark in her calendar one hour (or less) a week when she would sit at her computer and write, no matter what.  If she couldn't make it, then she had to reschedule that time again by writing it down in her calendar."

We all have big "fears" about becoming a bag lady or never fulfilling our potential.  Those fears--when left alone in our head to cycle over and over again-- are not empowering. What gives us what we actually want is the power to move forward--which we can only do by taking action--for example, committing to putting away a portion of our earnings in a savings account, or beginning to buy a reputable mutual fund for our retirement.  So many times we fear that we are not brilliant enough to success.  Brilliance or having a special talent are not the only requirements, or even guarantees of success.  A more reliable key to success is consistent action in the direction you want to go.

Another comment by a participant was about our exercise where I asked peple to rate the segment of their life they were happiest with right now--such as career, income, savings, physical fitness, relationships, etc.  Then I had them write down 3-4 factors which they thought contributed to the success in that area.  Next, I asked them to identify one area of life that they wanted to improve, and to list specifically, how they could use their success factors from the other area to this less-satisfactory area.  Some people got a big insight about how they can work to improve something--specifically.  

Success factors tend to be

consistent involvement

networking

keeping in touch with people

researching

moving out of your comfort zone when necessary

doing things you love to do

Thank you to all those I met in Seattle--

And big KUDOS  to the Seattle Art Museum!!  They have some stunning exhibits (I loved the seven white cars suspended from the ceiling and spiraling through a simulated crash--complete with flashing nerves of light. 

I was beside myself with joy when I viewed a case of several exquistely thin and clear, slightly greenish handblown vases and bowls by a glass blower names Julius Alexander.

In addition to the bowls and vases, there is an big  glass "hairpin" about six or seven inches long decorated with a glass ball.   As I read the description, I began to realize I was looking at pieces of perfectly intact glass from  the third century A.D.!!   The glass hairpin was a  gift from Julius Alexander to his wife.  He died before her, so she placed the glass hairpin by the side of his head in his tomb.   This exhibit is one of the best things that I have ever seen in my life--especially, knowing that this couple loved each other, and that their love is still being expressed by this hairpin 1700 years later!

One last thought from the weekend.  My friend, Gary McAvoy and I watched the DVD,  Letters from Iwo Jima.  It is always hard to watch the scenes of war, but near the end of this  movie, I was flooded by the idea that love and compassion are the only things that matter in life.  When the letters flowed down at the end, I was moved to tears.  Clint Eastwood is in those ranks of great masters in other art forms,  in being able to paint a canvas that moves us to remember and strive to express the best of humanity. Acts of kindness and expressions of love-- such as the letters from the soldiers and the centuries-old hairpin--are what make life bearable and worthwhile. 

I harvested the two pepper plants--red chilis, very hot.

It's been a lovely summer.  Anders already started kindergarten last week, and I visited the clean, new classroom.  I am so grateful for the new school, only 2 blocks away.

Auggie starts pre-school tomorrow.  Eliza feels a little sad--a new era as the kids grow up.

Down in Studio City, Chloe starts kindergarten, and Trevor first grade--both at the same school not too far from where they live.   

One of my Japanese books on numerology comes out this month, another next month.  In the meantime, I have another personal year book to write for one of the Japanese publishers.  I never get tired of this subject!

I am just finishing up the brilliant book, On Beauty, by Zadie Smith.  I read her first novel, White Teeth a few years ago and loved it.  This one is even better.  After reading my favorite author, Margaret Drabble's latest novel, Sea Lady, I think Zadie Smith is another young Margaret Drabble--both brilliant observers of character and subtle commentators on life.  They both make me see everyday life in a more conscious way, urging me to reflect on how I would choose the words to describe something I am seeing.  On my walks, I've started listening to Elmore Leonard's book on tape--Be Cool.  Now I want to see the movie!

I've been feeling so restless.  I need to expand. 

Too busy to blog.

Just got home from Studio City visiting Sigrid, Jim, Trevor and Chloe.  I also visited my mother's cousin, Zelma Haber.  She's 91 and we haven't seen each other I think since I was about twelve years old.  She has a photo of my with my family up at Lake Shasta, and I'm a scrawny girl in a bath suit, sitting on the shore in the broiling sun, eating something.

I finished the stunningly good book by my favorite author, Margaret Drabble--The Sea Lady. have I mentioned this?

Now I'm reading On Beauty by Zadie Smith--in my mind a young Margaret Drabble.  Both writers  boggle my mind with their ability to tell a tale by their brilliant observations of the most minute interactions between characters.  I am in thrall of such writing.  Both had academic faculty themes, which I adore, since I was a faculty wife for about five years when I was very young.

I'm going a way for a few days.  Eliza will water the plants.  Today she had a birthday, and Robert and I cooked her dinner.  Pork chops with mustard, garlic and rosemary, baked potatoes, sour cream, anaheim chilis stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon, salad, and lava cakes.   Could this be more caloric?  

A great online magazine (and it's in print, too) is Going Bonkers.  The magazine is filled with short, funny, and useful articles!  You can subscribe online.  http://www.gbonkers.com/

I have an article BEING AUTHENTIC :  How to Reveal Your True Self and Not be Afraid in this month's issue on page 9.   I think you will love the other subjects such as,

Control Freaks:  Taming the One Within and Coping with the Ones Around You.

Obsessive Compulsive--A Survival Guide for Family & Friends

Bad Childhood, Great Life--Letting Go and Moving On

Crazy Money--Inside a Millionaires Mind

Why We Behave in the Ways we Hate:  and How to Stop 

there are lots more.....

Enjoy 

LIFE COACHES AND COUNSELORS  FYI!

If you haven't found CHOICE, Magazine yet, please check out this link.  I am on a panel of coaches who address a "sticky situation" each issue.

http://www.choice-online.com/current-toc.html

WRITERS--FYI

Please check out the article I wrote on How to Research Non-fiction for the Writer's Ezine Inkwell Newswathch (IN). The link to Part 1 is

 http://www.fwointl.com/artman/publish/cat_index_32.shtml

Researching is not unlike finding the Purpose of Your Life! 

http://www.fwointl.com/in.html
Published by:
Freelance Writing Organization - Int'l.
- A Writer's Digest Top 101 Site
- #1 Writing Resource Site - The Writer
http://www.fwointl.com/ 

I've been TBTB (too busy to blog) since getting back from Seattle where I visited Gary McAvoy.

I'ven known Gary many years, and we have such great conversations!  Gary has the uncanny knack of finding exactly the right thing for a certain use.  For example, he has three beautiful cats. He found a litter box that is enclosed and automatically turns and sifts and cleans itself. 

He has a waste can with a motion sensor that reacts to your foot at the base without stepping on anything.  He has the talent of epicureanism--the ability to discern quality and function in just about anything from food to his hybird Lexus!  

His main business is search engine optimization (www.GetToTheTop.com.) Not long ago he taught himself photography (his photo of me is on the homepage at the top.) He took a new photo which I will have up soon.  Gary is a true Renaissance man!

Needless to say, he is a gadget buff.  He showed me a biofeedback device he bought called the StressEraser. It monitors your breathing and educates you into a peaceful rhythm that helps to regulate bodily function.  So I tried it by placing my finger into the monitor and watched my breathing begin to even out.  

I was sitting in his living room and his selected music was playing from the satellite box.  While I watched the monitor indicate I had reached  "meditative" mode, the musical piece, Pachabel came on.  This is the music I had for my second wedding, and now, truthfully, it kind of gets on my nerves whenever I hear it.  To prove it, the monitor went crazy! 

My meditative rhythm reacted as I started to think negative thoughts, and I completely entered a chaotic rhythm.  Nearing the end of the music, I managed to still my breathing and retain the meditative state. 

I am fascinated to notice the effects of negative thinking so clearly demonstrated by my experience!

We celebrated Auggie's 3rd birthday this week.  What a little blessing he is!  So perky.  His favorite color is pink, so I picked out three pink candles from the box to put on the chocolate cake decorated with raspberries that Gunther made.

We went for dinner to a neighborhood Italian restaurant.  Anders was wearing his new brown army surplus military beret (who is the soldier that would have a head as small as a 5-year-old?)  and an orange shirt.  Auggie, sitting next to him on the banquette had on the blue flowered Hawaiian shirt that I gave him last year (now fits) and Gunther, Daddy, next to Auggie.  All lined up in front of a brilliant, orange and yellow graphic Italian Poster behind them!  A perfect picture.  And I forgot my camera!

A weekend spent writing 39 celebrity descriptions for my new Japanese numerology book.  Robert and I went out for awhile on a lovely sunny Sunday.  I bought 4 new green pots for the Dahlia cuttings I took from Ellie's garden.  My new front porch is all done and freshly painted, with green pots of succulents on the dark red steps.

Once again, I have cleaned out the garage and created order and tranquillity...

I'm still re-reading Paul Brunton's book, Hermit in the Himalayas (1937).  As I read in bed, I try to imagine myself in the cool, high calm, meditating on his deodar tree with him--sitting on a soft, clean cushion of forest leaves and needles.  To get away for awhile to soak in solitude, Brunton took up residence in a state-owned cottage occasionally used by travellers in the area. (I imagine it as a rock cottage with three pairs of French Doors, and I'm assuming it MUST have a fireplace.) 

He mentions having one servant with him.  I wish he would talk about how he interacts with a servant--just the two of them--sequestered in the Himalayan forest for months.  Do they talk socially? He mentions that the servant seems restless to get away as the sojourn wears on.

I really wish Brunton would mention what kind of food he eats every day.  Does he eat with the servant?  Alone?  It must be all "tinned food."  What is it!  Anyway, sad to realize that both these people, humble servant and author, have passed away by now.  Brunton writes from his deep and personal knowledge of Eastern mystics and mystical traditions and he has a very New Thought point of view.  It's interesting to hear him relate the type of letters he receives as an author--mail is delivered once in a while by a courier on foot to this lone destination.

We celebrated Robert's birthday yesterday by going to see the movied, Knocked Up.  It's very funny and we really enjoyed it.  The dialogue was so pitch-perfect.

We had dinner with my old friend, Penney Peirce, who always has such interesting stories!  Robert's choice for the restaurant was the Coriya Hot Pot restaurant not far from my house.  They have a full buffet of raw meats and seafood, noodles, vegetables, and condiments for making your own sauces, and cooking your food at the table yourself.  It was really fun.

This afternoon, Kathryn Leighton is coming over to celebrate with Robert, and I've also invited Gunther, Eliza, Auggie, and Anders for a barbeque.  Robert and I pre-cooked some pork spareribs yesterday. Yum!

We watched a documentary on oil last night, Crude Awakening.   It's a sobering look at the inevitable, when we will no longer have the luxury of cheap oil as reserves are depleted.  It's imperative that we get some leadership to start thinking ahead for what we are going to do to replace the single, most crucial material element in our modern life.  An even more crucial element is the combination of human ingenuity coupled with commitment and cooperation.