Enjoy your moment.

The warm summer air has arrived for the western hemisphere here on planet earth. 

Look up to the sky on a warm summer night.  Feel those stars twinkling at you and marvel at the galaxy we all dwell in.

Go outside and play!

It is a lovely thought to breathe in.

The timing of planet earth's seasons  is happily woven together in a natural dance.

Embracing your own creative life rhythm is sometimes easier said than done. 

If you push too hard you can end up tripping up and over your own moment. If you shut down opportunities can pass you by.

When you visit the oceanside or relax by a lake you will notice - the water never stops moving...



Marianne Williamson's evening prayer, An excerpt from her book: 
Illuminata~A Return to Prayer:

Dear God,

I surrender to You the day now over.

May only the love remain.

Take all else into the fire of Your transformative power.

Release me, release others, from any effects of 

my wrongmindedness or wrongdoing.

Amen.





Nature is a beautiful story teller for appreciating life's moments. 








It the midst of your day you view a beautiful canvas of art or a hear song that moves you.  It  offers up the reason to never give up on your dreams. 







Remember to breathe.


Have a beautiful day,


Joy,


Rena

www.talktotheturtle.com

Fashion up some Happiness

Wake up  Wake up

this night is gone

wake up

abandon abandon

even your dear self

abandon

there is an idiot 

in our market place

selling a precious soul

if you doubt my word

get up this moment

and head for the market now and

don't listen to trickery 

don't listen to the witches

don't wash blood with blood

first turn yourself upside down

empty yourself like a cup of wine

then fill to the brim with the essence

a voice is descending

from the heavens 

a healer is coming

if you desire healing

let yourself fall ill

let yourself fall ill

~Rumi



Chasing happiness, it is a noble pursuit.

Maintaining emotional happiness for adults most often includes a  daily practice of exercise for the body and mind. 


Ever wonder about the happiness of children in this busy busy world?  I do.  


I felt  this TED MED talk with Goldie Hawn sharing her vision about optimism in children  was really altruistic in nature. Goldie pulled her passion into reality with founding the  thehawnfoundation.org.  As a child advocate she  would genuinely like to see kids embrace their happiness. 


Something to think about. 






Singing happiness.....





Have a beautiful day,


Joy,



Rena 

www.talktotheturtle.com

What happened in that year of silence?

January 2014 started out pretty much the same as any other year. Other than the overwhelming feeling of how I was going to have to move out of my apartment. My faithful sanctuary aka my home was being renovated.  However as the days  crept along through the month I had all these feelings of inner fog that would not go away. I made the decision to move into a motel as a interim solution. 

I did ponder the idea of writing about de-cluttering and organizational tips for moving. To create excitement about the  event of moving and staying happy within through the process - a cathartic experience to share maybe? 

Take for instance the book Eat-Pray-Love, as an example of turning a life experience into a extraordinary writing feat.  I have also been inspired by the writings of other gifted authors. Writers who can make taking their kid to the grocery store or feeding their dog equivalent to 'The Grapes of Wrath' or 'Moby Dick'.   

Then I  fell into a well of not going forward and not going backward.. 

After I moved into the motel I played with the idea to write about the greatness of it all - this life of mine. On a couple of occasions I even thought about sharing the dive into my emotions of gratitude.

Mostly though living in that motel room for four months listening to my Oprah/Chopra meditation tape every morning and breathing - it just seemed to be ultimately too personal. 

In short I really didn't want to write about my private life. That was the revelation for myself,  to know how I want to be connected to my writing. My blog is not a daily journal. 

I thought it was actually a good idea to stay at the motel as a temporary situation.   Of course it was only supposed to be six weeks...  To be  totally honest I did get tired of the Chinese food that I ordered in from up the street.

It was mainly other peoples reactions that got to me the most.  

"Your living in a motel?" How can you handle that? "Oh, sorry to hear that - your staying where?"  Those  were the most common remarks. It's an interesting study when you move out of your upscale neighbourhood...to a transient motel on the freeway.  Did I mention it was only supposed to be six weeks...

Did I mention I was aware that I was not writing....and I missed it. 

I could of started writing again in the summer of June 2014. I did go to a workshop session with the Blogcademy. That was pretty wonderful. It made me realize that I was kind of doing a few things correct just by winging it, in the world of blogging. Of course learning about making a income stream from blogging was really interesting. I walked away with some thoughts on my blog. Maybe I will try some new approaches in 2015. Going with the flow here. 

I did not feel that lost about not posting on my  blog until one day I read an article. It was about how if you can make a difference in only one person's day, by putting something out there positive-do it.  One person is a big deal.  

Ever since I read that article I knew it was only time before I plugged back in.

Diana Nyad talks about swimming forward into your future. I Like this.

What is your goal for 2015? What music do you hear that keeps you moving forward?  I'm hearing Neil. 

Have a beautiful day,

Remember to breathe.

Joy,

Rena

www.talktotheturtle.com

Your future looks bright.

I believe looking behind you and connecting the dots to where you are today can help in shaping your future choices.

It has been two years since I  started breathing on a daily basis. Meditating is another word for breathing in my uncomplicated get happy world. It has been a bumpy ride because months would pass and I would forget to breathe for five minutes a day and then I would by the grace of goodness be reminded how refreshed  it makes me feel. 

Then I would start up again on my breathing/meditating.


I had another wonderful reminder this spring with the free meditation series offered by Oprah and Deepak Chopra. Miraculous relationships.  It was a free series of a 1/2 hr guided talk and  meditation sent to my email everyday for 21 days.. Oprah would introduce and discuss the set up for the focused meditation. Then Deepak Chopra would offer the centering thought and while listening to beautiful music meditate for fifteen minutes.


I laughed when I re-visited a posting from November  2011 of mine discussing Oprah and her talk with Kathy Freston on breathing. Back then I wrote about the new blog intent.com created by Mallika Chopra, Deepak Chopra's daughter. Deepak endorsed the blog with videos and it was a few months of sheer delight for me to watch Deepak's videos  and read the various articles by Mallika and the first round of visiting writers. Back then you could just comment on any articles with no signing in or anything.  I'm sure thats how people felt so free at Woodstock back in the 1960's . It was a great few months in time with that blog.

Since then it has ballooned into this huge blog with a stable of writers and very hip in the art of positive thinking. 

It is a noteworthy blog. - www.intent.com

Going back though to 2011  Mallika Chopra  posted a article on meditating for children. I put in the comment box that I had just starting breathing and what "Oprah said" about breathing and what "Oprah said" about a mantra.
It was sincere and honest. To anyone having read it they must of thought of only one word.

Newbie.


Mallika was very kind in her reply to my "Oprah said this" and "Oprah said that" with regard to how to breathe comment.
She was encouraging and it was a great moment for me. I wanted to keep breathing/meditating.  

I must of sounded so naive, which I was. 

I think Mallika  Chopra is pretty cool to have started her blog. 

Mallika never mentioned the new product that would be launching in six months. Im sure if she could she would of said something to encourage me to look out for the collaboration between her Father and Oprah.

Seven months later Oprah and Deepak  offered the online world their shared interest of a 21 day breathing/meditating challenge CD, offered free to listen to.

If you liked the product you could then purchase it. 

My girlfriend had emailed me to sign up for the  launch in 2012 of the free listen for 21 days but for whatever reason I could not connect the dots in my life to do it.  I do remember thinking how wild that was that they must of been already talking about their new idea - I guess right about the same time I was commenting on  Mallika Chopra's  blog intent.com. 

Now in contemplation Im thinking about how all that happened. Could it be that my questions of sincerity and curiosity bridged a dialogue of common interest and good between Oprah and Deepak? 

Did my need create a product?

Maybe all those manifesting books by Deepak Chopra I read did work more than I realized then? 

Oh please, get over yourself.... Im saying to myself. 


When I  finally got to take advantage of the free Oprah and Deepak "Miraculous Relationships" 21 day challenge this year I bought the music  compiled for the backdrop of the positive focused thoughts. I play the music while  I  enjoy my breathing/meditating. 

In a world of being hip and correct I guess I was able to get  quiet enough to find something that worked to enervate my mind in a passive peaceful manner. 

We all have to find our own way. 

Quiet moments where you can tune out the world while most importantly remaining here on planet earth  is something I look forward to everyday. 

Maybe as I mature I wont need music to listen to - maybe I will be able to just sit quiet and breathe. Maybe this music CD for contemplation is like training wheels for a kid who has not learned to ride a two wheeler yet. 

Whatever it is. 

I like it.

The moral of my story is don't give up. Keep looking and keep asking. You will create your own path to a balanced mind by your curiosity. Simple daily routines to renew your mind. Maybe some of the routines come and go. Maybe some stay with you a long time.


As my Grandma would say; "If you have your health - you have everything."

I say; A sound mind is a good place to start. 


Have a beautiful day.


Remember to breathe.


photo: PKM


Joy,



Rena


www.talktotheturtle.com

The Red Hermes Scarf.

My girlfriend emailed me with a link to a website with the most beautiful Hermes Scarf that was for sale. Everyone has their material weak spot and I admit it  Hermes scarves is mine. I really appreciate the beautiful artwork and the inspiration stories behind each scarf that the Hermes fashion house creates.   The red scarf  was there for me to appreciate, and of course I did not buy it. So tempting but I have other more pressing financial obligations. Nothing wrong in  a girl doing some window shopping.  There was quite a few other scarves for sale in blue and in softer tones of green and gold, but I thought the red hermes scarf was the best one.  


The Red scarf  reminded me of a woman I saw walking through a hotel lobby one day many years ago. The way she walked  told a story of a life of luxury and ease. She was very well groomed and was wearing her Hermes red scarf around her hair, softly tied. 

The only other woman I have seen really with that much grace in her step was Princess Diana. I was working as a medical clerk in the oncology ward at Children's Hospital back in 1986 when Diana came for a tour through the ward. 
She and her husband Prince Charles were in town for Expo 1986.


These two women had a remarkable difference in their energy however. The woman in the red scarf had a relaxed elegance to her. Princess Diana as I remember it was dressed in a beautiful light blue suit with a hat on. As she gracefully walked by the ward desk where I was seated  I had the sense of a burden in her life. 

It didn't add up to me in my mind. 

We all saw her private life within the royal family unravel in the following years so publicly.  It  was kind of unnerving to me that I had seen her and saw a kind of sadness, close up.

I know from my own experience that we all have many roles to play in our lives. Princess Diana was a daughter, a sister, a mother, a wife and the part I was seeing on that day was her royal duty as the future Queen of England. 

It started me thinking. 

What do you do when you have it all?  The Hermes scarves. The life of luxury and ease.  

What do you do if you have it all and you still wake up with a bad day here on planet earth. 

Where do you go?





Louie Giglio looks to the sky above us.







Have a beautiful day.


Remember to breathe.



Photo: PKM


Joy,


Rena


www.talktotheturtle.com

Personal freedom & inspirational jewelry

Beautiful morning today!  This is how I answered my phone and  started off a  conversation with my dearest friend who recently lost her job.  "I guess so", she replied quietly.  "I am actually calling to get one of your inspirational jewelry dangle things."  


Yippee! a sale... 

We talked for a bit more about how and when I could get her the dangle that she wanted as a gift  for a friend's celebration party.  The conversation quickly turned to the fact that she was unemployed and how the trauma of losing her job was really taking its toll on her daily happiness quotient.  We walked  together again through her long detailed workplace story, as  a good friend does. Me, listening and waiting for a moment to interject with  some good jokes to help with moving the pain of disappointment through her memory cells.  

Awe... a hurting bunny.

I thought I would offer up an  analogy on moving past pain to help cheer her up.  I acknowledged the fact that she had lost a job that she felt should be hers.  I also agreed with her that she did a good job and reminded her sometimes even when people do a good job there may be no reward for that  deed, in hard cold cash.  However, knowing you did a good job and feeling peaceful on a spiritual level,  does not pay the rent. 

I get it. 

So, how do you emotionally move ahead?

I brought up another dog story for my friend.  This one was of my beloved dog Dakota that passed away earlier this year 2012.  He had an amazing nose for food.  Whenever I sat in the living room with my dinner plate,  it seems he would appear from nowhere.  If I put my plate down on the coffee table to go grab something, he would be up on his feet and start cruising.  "No, I would say with authority."  Just keep moving." He always would immediately choose to slip into the default  hard of hearing mode.  I would raise my voice one octave and say again. "Come on now, move along.  Move along Dakota".

A bit of a standoff here. He would look at me and start with the telepathic dog talking  he had mastered over his ninety-eight years.   Technically because the food was at his eye level this should mean (in dog logic) at least, a taste of my meal should go his way.  He would then walk on by slowly like he was doing me a favour.  As he moved on by  he would look over his shoulder at me, surrendering to the outcome.

I think there is a lesson to be enjoyed here from the late great doG Dakota. In actuality he  probably went across the road and ate some horse manure at the neighbours' pasture just to get even. However the most key element to my story is that albeit reluctantly.. he did...move along.  

That is my point I said to my friend.  You have to move along. Think of the Himalayan yaks working their way up the narrow path of Mt. Everest, one hoof in front of the other with their load of human supplies on their furry backs.  Not knowing or thinking about the reward of the view at the top for their steady easy pace up the mountainside.  When the landscape of your world appears to be  really tough and chaotic on the outside, move your thinking to something that you can accomplish, like the Yaks of the Himalayas do. 



One foot in front of the other.  Keep moving forward. Don't look back and for sure do not look down...

"Not to change the subject my friend asked, but have you ever heard of Don Miguel Ruiz?"  I was at a dinner party and someone brought his name up."


"Yes I replied.  That's another conversation.  I have to get going here.  Talk to you soon." 

"Thanks for listening to me" -  she blurts back  through the still lingering  pain of disappointment".


"Like you haven't done this for me?  That is what friends do. Lean on each other.
Listen to each other."









Have a beautiful day,



Photo: 'safe landing' rc


Joy,


Rena 


www.talktotheturtle.com

What's Feng Shui got to do with it?

I am the most optimistic person to have around on a blue day.  However,even with a space that has been energetically cleared and has the best Feng Shui going, one can be hit with the challenges of a hard day at work. If this happens to you remember that  stepping across the threshold into a  sanctuary that has been created to nourish and support you can feel like a dear old friend that knows you so well.

Aahh, made it home.  Regroup, recharge, reassess, revitalize. 

It is a blessing to be able to count on your friends to listen to your story and empathize with the craziness that can go on in the modern day workplace.  Listening, I have come to realize is an art that you actually grow into with age.  

My friend's story of her workplace drama was long and entwined.  It had all the components of what Eckhart Tolle writes about in his book, A New Earth.  Eckhart talks about our ego and how it wraps itself around  jealousy, envy, greed, and then feeds the  "painbody" (which basically is stuck emotions) with the emotions gathered from high drama.   


"So, what do you think?" she asked me halfway through sharing the long complicated layout  of the toxic  events of  her day.  

"Hmm.. I replied. Let's turn on the computer, I want to show you something".

I then moused up a YouTube video for us to watch.  The singing dog.  "Just what angle are you taking with this video you want me to watch?" my friend asked me.   "Well, the way I see it,  this singing dog clearly has a story to tell".  Now just because you don't understand  "dog opera" does not mean that you won't feel there is a lot to the story.  However that is all it is .  A story.  

 She watched it.  The singing dog video.






She laughed out loud.  Well we both did for that matter.  Before she could slide back into the pattern of getting me to agree with her how bad her story of the betrayal that was going on in her workplace I added this:  Viktor Frankl (1905-1997) is a legendary psychiatrist, Holocaust survivor and author of Man's search for meaning. He writes, "We  are not defined by our environment or an experience". 

"Too deep." she quipped.

Then it came to me.  My idea or thought (and I was really grateful because I was sort of winging it with the singing dog video) was to distract her and cheer her up.  
"When I think about the quintessential bad day at work, with betrayal and deceit on every corner I feel no better story is portrayed than through the character J.J. Giddes in the  movie, Chinatown". 

I clicked on the movie trailer  for Chinatown and we watched it together.








When the energy  gets crazy at the workplace I suggest you remember this movie's  final line.   "Go home Jake."  "Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown".
  

At the end of the day all you  have is your integrity.  This does not mean that you will always win in the workplace.  However, you will be a winner by playing a fair game with yourself and you can find solace in these words of  Mother Teresa.

People are often unreasonable and self-centered. 
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you.
Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.

~Mother Teresa, (1910-1997)
  Roman Catholic Nun, Nobel Peace Prize recipient (1979)  

When  big challenges come up in life, the main focus should be on retaining your joy of each moment.  Oprah suggests just starting with  being grateful that you are  breathing.  

Had a bad day at work?  Try this out: Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth five times.  Slowly...  I did not create this; an elderly heart attack survivor shared this technique with me.


We all have to find our own way through to unloading and dissolving disturbing life experiences.  A good friend is a great place to start, and even a kindly therapist whose life passion is to comfort the hurting is another alternative.  There is a lot to be said for a psychologist's help to put certain thoughts about events  that hurt you into imaginary  balloons and let them drift away into the sky...forever gone.

Learn to find that space between you and your emotions.  

Create a sanctuary that will feed your mind and heart with wellness of being.


Have a beautiful day,


photo: PKM


joy,


Rena


www.talktotheturtle.com