A chain mail prayer to read at least once

This morning, I received one of those chain mail messages from a friend. Typically I delete chain mail messages. This one though, I like enough to post because it has a good message regardless of religion.

May today be all you need it to be. May the Peace of God and the freshness of the Holy Spirit rest in your thoughts, rule in your dreams tonight, and conquer all your fears. May God manifest himself today in ways you have never experienced. May your joys be fulfilled, your dreams be closer, and your prayers be answered. I pray that faith enters a new height for you; I pray that your territory is enlarged. I pray for peace, healing, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, true and undying love for God.

Why I like it: Basically the message is about making the most out of your day. Life is short.

Guessing Game

Can you guess the word defined below?

- Parted with; gone out of someone's possession

- That has ceased to be known or practiced

- Unable to find the way

- Absorbed, as in lost in thought

- Not gained or won

- Taken from posession or denied to the efforts of

If you have guessed "LOST" you are right. Call me a total nerd but after losing most of today and most of the week in my effort to be cast as an extra - I thought it was ironic, kind of funny and somewhat interesting that the very thing I sought in name was - well, er, lost!

LOST extra casting: Middle Eastern persons needed

While waiting for a connecting flight from Honolulu to L.A., I read an article in the Honolulu Advertiser about a LOST casting call for Middle Eastern appearing people of all ages. I showed it to my mother and asked what she thought. Do I look Middle Eastern? Yes was the answer. For the next 4 days I found myself excited about the possibility. What a kick it would be. I love that show. And I would be in Hawaii. And it would be a great life experience and I would have fun stories to tell. And finally - my non-WASP, non-California-blonde look would be marketable. Even an asset.

Off went the pictures sent express. And off I was on a quest. I called the journalist from the paper to get the casting number. Surprisingly, it was the casting director who picked up the phone! They needed over 100 people for two days. I was told I had a job and that I would get a call firming up the details. Hurray! I was excited and started making arrangements but held off until plans were solidified. The next day, the casting director called and suggested it wasn't worth the time and money since the shoot would be next Friday and wardrobe would be on Monday. I would be part of the set of a funeral set in Tunisia shot from above and have a covering over my face. I accept! I accept! I'll call you later was the response from the director. She forgot I was in L.A. Ut-oh. Not sounding so good. A couple hours later I thought it was best to call and indicate I had purchased my airfare and would be arriving on Sunday afternoon but the director was in a production meeting and her assistant said it would be a couple of hours. Sinking feeling. At 6:30 PST, I saw the day passing - and with it the opportunity - one last call. I hope I am not bugging them but damn! I would really like a confirmation! The sinking feeling called intuition was right. I was told that they had downsized the pool of extras and my services would not be needed. Can you say: Dissapointed? I did. Maybe I was too assertive, impatient or maybe they just didn't need the as many extras as they had originally planned. Whatever it was - the end result was the end result. I was left frustrated and dissapointed and wondering what I could have done differently. But maybe they just didn't need someone to fly in from LA for a $70 day and being so eager.

Sometimes you just have to accept what is out of your control and remember to do it with grace. I forget sometimes, to be honest, and graciousness flies out the window. There have been several instances this past week where things didn't turn out the way I would like - and I found myself objecting and sputtering - sometimes internally and sometimes externally. I guess the main thing to practice is the perverbial "letting go", of being ok with dissapointment even after you have made a herculean effort to achieve, obtain or secure something. Of saying "I did my best" at the time. And not blaming others. And after all this is said and done, you can move on to something else that excites you and catches your fancy. The main thing is take risks even knowing there is a high likelihood of them not panning out. Life is full of surprises

The Labyrinth - A Walking Meditation in Palos Verdes

Today I had the pleasure of introducing a meditation practice to a new friend. The "walking labyrinth" is a spiritual took used for meditation, prayer, and personal reflection. My favorite labyrinth is located on the grounds of the The Neighborhood Church in Palos Verdes. Imagine Spanish style church grounds replete with wrought iron fences, manicured gardens, fountains, a walking bridge, and the most amazing view of the Pacific Ocean and California Coast line. There is plenty of inspiration to draw upon, plenty of benches to sit quietly and reflect. On a day filled with sunshine, a light breeze and the sound of crashing waves, this active form of mediation can be a refreshing practice for body and soul.

A Catholic writer describes their spiritual significance in this way: "The labyrinth is a universal symbol for the world, with its complications and difficulties, which we experience on our journey through life." The labyrinth is an ancient practice in which there is only one path leading to the center. (Not to be confused with a maze which has many paths meant to confuse and confound.)

How does one walk the labyrinth? It's as easy as putting one in front of the other and following the path. Walking paces vary. There's no worry of doing it incorrectly. Sometimes the practice clears the head, provides a way to unwind or to reflect on intentions or seek a solution to a problem. When you enter the labyrinth, you begin to meander back and forth creating literally creating shifts in views and figuratively in perspectives. In reaching the center, it is typical to stop to pray or linger to think quietly. When leaving the center, and returning to the beginning, you usually feel lighter.

Amazingly, the labyrinth is an old practice which spans many cultures and regions and some references date back thousands of years ago. Labryinth images have been found on rocks and tiles, on pottery and baskets, and in Medieval churches. The medicine wheel in Hopi culture used the labyrinth as a symbol for “mother earth”.

I was introducted to the labyrinth almost 10 years ago and find it to be a very calming, mind-clearing and rewarding practice. I was very pleased to introduce this form of mediation to a new friend.

On a humorous note - we had walked down to a lower balcony and continued our meditation practice past dusk and into early evening. We realized all too late church gates had been locked. Thank goodness we successfully scaled the church fence and laughed at our circumstance.

Move to the Groove: My Two Left Feet

"Move to the Groove" is the name of an exercise class at my favorite gym, the Spectrum Health Club (To check out classes log on to http://www.spectrumclubs.com/Club/Scripts/Home/home.asp). Longingly, I have watched through glass doors, as women of all ages, sizes and dance abilities have worked up a sweat with a smile on their face. I 've watch since November. I finally summoned up the courage yesterday and brought along the "ok, I might make a total fool of myself infront of everyone but I will have fun doing it" attitude with me. Can you say "Two left feet?" As the dance steps progressed into a routine, I could not remember the first moves we just learned! Ack. So towards the end I just concentrated on the steps - forget the shoulders, the head, the arms, the hips - I must have looked like a spaz and towards of the end I was too tired and sweaty to care. I must admit, it was fun. So next week, you'll hear from me again on this subject!

Lessons From a Shattered Pot

About 2 weeks ago, there was quite a storm in P.V. To describe it in three words: 1) cold 2) rainy 3) windy. The Christmas lights were still on my back patio strung up and around plants and potters and the twinkling colors danced wildly as the night progressed. Observing this, I turned to my mother and said, "I hope my plants don't topple over" and magically just as I said that, I witness one dive over the edge and heard the crashing pot even with all my windows closed. Knowing this very likely could happen again, I donned on my raincoat and got my plants to safety. The next morning, I looked out my window to survey the damage. Well, my favorite pot - a handpainted Italian design - was smashed into a million little pieces but the contents - a jade plant from a former boyfriend- seemed to survive. It's a hearty little thing! Stout, robust and beautiful! I am happy to report the plant is doing well and the pot? I gathered up all the shards and saved them to make a mosaic. It's funny what or who we get attached to - life is fleeting - things and people come and go in our lives. It's how we pick up the pieces and move on with grace that matters. Who knew that a shattered pot and a hearty plant could bare such wisdom?

Napping: The Art of Rest

The Europeans do it. We hear of siestas and snoozing. What about power napping? On cold, grey days, napping is especially pleasant. Take a load off, lie down on the sofa, make sure there is no ancillary noise like music or the TV, cover yourself with a blanket and close your eyes and breathe deeply. Aaaaaaaah. A twenty minute nap can help restore your body and give you a second wind without relying on a caffine jolt or a sugar rush. For more info on the benefits of napping and different types of napping, click on the following link from the Men's Journal. Try it. You might like it. http://www.mensjournal.com/healthFitness/0601/napping_power.html

Booty from the Farmer's Market

Being in the holiday season with all the glorious food and sweets, I'm seeking refuge in vegetables! With a treasure trove of freshness courtesy of the the Palos Verdes Farmer's Market, I walked away today with bags of red and yellow peppers, yellow squash, zuchhini, cauliflower and broccoli, heirloom tomatos (the last of the season!), garlic, green beans and orange persimmons. Abundanza! The great thing about displaying all the goods on one platter in the kitchen is - you feel healthy making the items on the platter disappear one by one during the week! I've been making batches of soup by steaming vegetables and pureeing with chicken stock and throwing in a few herbs. It's quick, easy and healthy.

3 Surprises about Tai Chi

I recently started taking Tai Chi and I would not have imagined that 1) I would be sweaty after class 2) it's harder than it looks 3) it's fun.
What I like about it is it requires 100% concentration. Being in perpetual slow motion, our mind can absolutely not wander like it can when working out on the treadmill or precor. The moves feel slightly unnatural in one respect as you pivot to a pidgeon toe or heal-toe position, and yet the actual flow and rhythm of movement feels completely comfortable and familiar. Arms and legs are constantly in controled motion and the required focus provide a sense of accomplishment and grounding. This is a two-for-one group exercise which has physical benefits as well as providing a sort of active meditation which is good for the mind. Three suprises and and a two thumbs up!