Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Just Add Light and Stir: Togetherness
Just Add Light and Stir: Togetherness: "Yesterday's quote was by Robin Bentley, but I misattributed it to Pam Sorooshian by sleepy mistake. Sorry. Today's quote is Pam Sorooshian..."
Friday, June 10, 2011
Life Is A Beach!
We had a wonder-full time at the beach today! I enjoyed myself immensely. I enjoy watching Nyasha having a fabulous time, it makes my heart sing! We decided that we are going to spend most of our Summer at the beach since I don't have the money to send her to camp. So, the beach it is!
I read a little while Nyasha was in the water. As you can see it was very windy today. The life guard informed me that there were rip currents so I called Nyasha out of the water which was perfect timing 'cause she would have stayed in the water for another hour. Overall, the day was a blast! I had a wonder-full time.
Nyasha found this crab when it washed up on a wave. Isn't he cute! The next wave came and he was washed back into the ocean.
We left the beach laughin' and smilin', full of sand, (even though she rinsed off), a shade darker, and plannin' which days next week we'll be visiting again. We live about 5 blocks from the beach (isn't that great!) so basically, whenever weather permits we will be there. It's the little things that makes Nyasha happy and I'm glad to be a part of that happiness. I am glad she chose me to be her Mommy.
We left the beach laughin' and smilin', full of sand, (even though she rinsed off), a shade darker, and plannin' which days next week we'll be visiting again. We live about 5 blocks from the beach (isn't that great!) so basically, whenever weather permits we will be there. It's the little things that makes Nyasha happy and I'm glad to be a part of that happiness. I am glad she chose me to be her Mommy.
Monday, June 6, 2011
What The Heck! I Threw Out The Microwave!
For years now, I have been making great strides to live an authentic lifestyle. I'm learning and growing daily. Make no mistake this is a journey. Tara Wagner, in her e-book "Be Organic: An Invitation To Change Your World", feels that the word "authentic" falls short. She uses the word "organic" to describe this kind of living. Being organic, according to Tara, means "living, learning, and growing in a way that is natural to you and the world around you". That's me! (I thought), that's what I've been doing all this time! It makes sense too, as we are organic beings by nature, it stands to reason that we would live organically. But being that we are human and have a right use of will, we usually don't take the organic route. We tend to live an external lifestyle, looking for approval from everyone outside of ourselves. Whew!! Now that's hard work. Been there. Done that.
Once I read Tara's ebook, I began to overstand why I made the changes I did, and why it is still important to me to continue to learn and evolve. I have always felt guided to live authentically, soulfully, organically (you chose the word). It just feels right to me, and I encourage Nyasha to do what she feels in her heart as well, to hear what the voice of Spirit is saying to her. When I ask Nyasha what does your Spirit say? Or, how does your Spirit feel? It amazes me the answers she gives sometimes. When we talk I usually use examples of my childhood to let her know (first of all that I was a child at one time), and secondly, to remind her that she can began to make choices for herself now, choices that ring true to her Spirit and her heart. I impress upon her that she will know if she made the best decision because it will always feel good to herself as well as those around her. I tell her to be sure not to choose it because it's in fashion or because everybody else is doing it, do it because you absolutely want to, because it's something that will make you feel good whatever the "it" might be. She overstands.
Since I don't just talk the talk, I actually walk the walk, I did something that would put me in alignment with my Soul urges or Spirit promptings. I began doin' some late Spring cleaning to clear out some the clutter from our home. I decided that I would become a minimalist (well I'm gonna be as minimal as possible). Today I threw out the microwave!! I just didn't feel that I was living an authenic life by having one for all these years. I don't think I ever liked it. So I threw it out. Well, I put it on the curb in front of our apartment and put a sign on it that says "It Works". It was gone within an hour. Our microwave has another home. Yay! It's role in our lives have come to an end. The microwave is no longer needed, nor wanted at this juncture!
Now I don't know about ya'll but I didn't grow up with a microwave in the house, I'm a "Sixties Child", so it wasn't until the late 80's (I think, all I know was that I was an adult) when my Mama purchased one. Prior to that we warmed up our food on the stove or in the toaster oven, and that suited me just fine. Then came the microwave. It took us a while to get used to it, we could never remember that the microwave was there to warm up our food with less mess (no more pots to clean), quicker and more efficiently (while giving you a few jolts of radiation with every use).
When I moved out of my Mom's house again (for the second time or was it the third time), I lived without a microwave until 2001, that's when my son, Demetrius (also know as Dee, he's the eldest of the three) bought one for me. Well, I think he felt my lifestyle was a tad bit archaic for his taste and decided he'd help me out by bringing me up-to-date with my appliances. Goddess Bless him, he meant well. Last year I gave the microwave to a friend of mine when I got a smaller one from a neighbor who was moving (uh huh, that made a lot of sense). I think at that time I was ready to release my hold on the microwave but my ego won that round. You think?
Now I'm free!
Free! Free! Free to be me!
Living soulfully!
Living authentic!
Living organic!
You can find Tara at http://theorganicsister.com/ there you can pick up a copy of the ebook Be Organic: An Invitation To Change Your World
Once I read Tara's ebook, I began to overstand why I made the changes I did, and why it is still important to me to continue to learn and evolve. I have always felt guided to live authentically, soulfully, organically (you chose the word). It just feels right to me, and I encourage Nyasha to do what she feels in her heart as well, to hear what the voice of Spirit is saying to her. When I ask Nyasha what does your Spirit say? Or, how does your Spirit feel? It amazes me the answers she gives sometimes. When we talk I usually use examples of my childhood to let her know (first of all that I was a child at one time), and secondly, to remind her that she can began to make choices for herself now, choices that ring true to her Spirit and her heart. I impress upon her that she will know if she made the best decision because it will always feel good to herself as well as those around her. I tell her to be sure not to choose it because it's in fashion or because everybody else is doing it, do it because you absolutely want to, because it's something that will make you feel good whatever the "it" might be. She overstands.
Since I don't just talk the talk, I actually walk the walk, I did something that would put me in alignment with my Soul urges or Spirit promptings. I began doin' some late Spring cleaning to clear out some the clutter from our home. I decided that I would become a minimalist (well I'm gonna be as minimal as possible). Today I threw out the microwave!! I just didn't feel that I was living an authenic life by having one for all these years. I don't think I ever liked it. So I threw it out. Well, I put it on the curb in front of our apartment and put a sign on it that says "It Works". It was gone within an hour. Our microwave has another home. Yay! It's role in our lives have come to an end. The microwave is no longer needed, nor wanted at this juncture!
Now I don't know about ya'll but I didn't grow up with a microwave in the house, I'm a "Sixties Child", so it wasn't until the late 80's (I think, all I know was that I was an adult) when my Mama purchased one. Prior to that we warmed up our food on the stove or in the toaster oven, and that suited me just fine. Then came the microwave. It took us a while to get used to it, we could never remember that the microwave was there to warm up our food with less mess (no more pots to clean), quicker and more efficiently (while giving you a few jolts of radiation with every use).
When I moved out of my Mom's house again (for the second time or was it the third time), I lived without a microwave until 2001, that's when my son, Demetrius (also know as Dee, he's the eldest of the three) bought one for me. Well, I think he felt my lifestyle was a tad bit archaic for his taste and decided he'd help me out by bringing me up-to-date with my appliances. Goddess Bless him, he meant well. Last year I gave the microwave to a friend of mine when I got a smaller one from a neighbor who was moving (uh huh, that made a lot of sense). I think at that time I was ready to release my hold on the microwave but my ego won that round. You think?
Now I'm free!
Free! Free! Free to be me!
Living soulfully!
Living authentic!
Living organic!
You can find Tara at http://theorganicsister.com/ there you can pick up a copy of the ebook Be Organic: An Invitation To Change Your World
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
The Home Flag
Our apartment has a home flag. It was designed by Nyasha about three weeks or so ago. Just out of the blue she drew this flag and insisted that it be displayed somewhere in our apartment. She chose the spot behind the front door just above the peep-hole, so that we can see it when the door is closed, (and since we live in Miami, and summer is quickly approaching, the door will be closed more often and for longer periods of time than I would like it to). Be that as it may, we are now owners of a home flag that is displayed proudly in our humble home.
Where did it come from? What moved her to do something like this? How did she come up with the choice of colors? Why did she choose a flag as a symbol? I have no answers to these questions and the many more that are still going 'round in my head, but I must say that I am proud of my princess having come up with something so beauty-full, profound and so on point. I wonder who she gets that from? Hmmmmmmm?
The colors of our home flag is pink, yellow and green. Pink is for love. Yellow is for feelings. Green is for
caring. In addition to the colors, on each side of the flag is flanked by smiley faces. How cute is that? My interpretation about her making this visual representation, is her way of verbalizing her feelings about our "family life" as we journey into the known and the unknown together. I believe it's another way of her saying "I Love You Mommy", but in a more tangible way because it's seen everyday on the flag in hopes that maybe Mommy/I will really see how much I love her (I could be wrong 'bout that but that's just what I "picked up" when she presented the flag to me). And I do. I see it. I hear it. I feel it. I know that her love for me is real. The flag also helps keep loving energy hovering around our little apartment and it keeps me conscious of standing in and filling up with all that love that is 'round me. I feels great isn't, being loved unconditionally and more importantly being willing to give unconditional love in return. What a rush!!
I am sending out the energy of our home flag to each and every one of you, please take it there is plenty to go 'round. Here is to hopin' that your household is full of as much love, feelings and caring as our home.
Blessed Love!
Where did it come from? What moved her to do something like this? How did she come up with the choice of colors? Why did she choose a flag as a symbol? I have no answers to these questions and the many more that are still going 'round in my head, but I must say that I am proud of my princess having come up with something so beauty-full, profound and so on point. I wonder who she gets that from? Hmmmmmmm?
The colors of our home flag is pink, yellow and green. Pink is for love. Yellow is for feelings. Green is for
caring. In addition to the colors, on each side of the flag is flanked by smiley faces. How cute is that? My interpretation about her making this visual representation, is her way of verbalizing her feelings about our "family life" as we journey into the known and the unknown together. I believe it's another way of her saying "I Love You Mommy", but in a more tangible way because it's seen everyday on the flag in hopes that maybe Mommy/I will really see how much I love her (I could be wrong 'bout that but that's just what I "picked up" when she presented the flag to me). And I do. I see it. I hear it. I feel it. I know that her love for me is real. The flag also helps keep loving energy hovering around our little apartment and it keeps me conscious of standing in and filling up with all that love that is 'round me. I feels great isn't, being loved unconditionally and more importantly being willing to give unconditional love in return. What a rush!!
I am sending out the energy of our home flag to each and every one of you, please take it there is plenty to go 'round. Here is to hopin' that your household is full of as much love, feelings and caring as our home.
Blessed Love!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
I'm Doin' Pretty Good Thus Far, I Think?
Some time has past since the last blog (about a week or so) and I'm happy to announce that all is well (I think. Sometimes I'm still not sure), but I'm not stressin' so that's a good sign. Nyasha has found her passion (for now) which is building with lego and k'nex along with building paper airplanes (as shown in a previous blog). Me, I'm reading, studying, wrapping my head around new ideas (de-schooling) and going with the flow. She is very passionate about her building cars, trucks, helicopters, etc. and I enjoy watching her as she looks at the directions, finds which piece goes where and puts together a perfect model of a hummer for instance. That amazes me, truly it does.
Even though most of the lego and k'nex she's been putting together belongs to our neighbor Kevin, she's not bothered about the fact that she has to give them to him once she puts them together. As a matter of fact, she's proud of herself when she hands him the finished product and happy that she is able to (do something he can't) and make him happy too. So, I've decided to invest in some legos for her since she enjoys them so much. That way she can build and re-build as often as she likes. I see this new-found skill as a precursor to knowing how to follow directions, concentration, creativity, critical thinking, comprehension, math/counting strategic thinking, and so on. Who'da thought learning could be so much fun! I know, I'm silly.
Well, I guess that's about it for now. This Mama is gooooooood!
Even though most of the lego and k'nex she's been putting together belongs to our neighbor Kevin, she's not bothered about the fact that she has to give them to him once she puts them together. As a matter of fact, she's proud of herself when she hands him the finished product and happy that she is able to (do something he can't) and make him happy too. So, I've decided to invest in some legos for her since she enjoys them so much. That way she can build and re-build as often as she likes. I see this new-found skill as a precursor to knowing how to follow directions, concentration, creativity, critical thinking, comprehension, math/counting strategic thinking, and so on. Who'da thought learning could be so much fun! I know, I'm silly.
Well, I guess that's about it for now. This Mama is gooooooood!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Mother Earth's Gems
Mother Earth in all of her beauty and splendor. She is the Great Mother, she creates and she destroys. She destroys what is no longer needed, or that which needs to be replaced with stronger roots and/or foundation. Out of the destruction comes beauty once again. She never fails to keep us in awe.
I have a love of crystals and stones. I've had this strong connection with them for sometime now, studying here and there and using them in particular ways (like laying on of stones) when my Spirit tells me to do so. Now I'm studying Crystal Healing Strategies at The Body Temple Institute. It's a 6-week coarse which will outline the healing power of crystals on the human energy field among other topics.
Our first class assignment was to take a picture of our favorite stones and/or crystals and in doing so this morning it inspired me to share some of my favorite stones and crystals with you. Enjoy!!
Also check out The Body Temple Institute for information about upcoming classes and Holistic Health and Herbal Studies http://thebodytemple.ning.com/groups
I have a love of crystals and stones. I've had this strong connection with them for sometime now, studying here and there and using them in particular ways (like laying on of stones) when my Spirit tells me to do so. Now I'm studying Crystal Healing Strategies at The Body Temple Institute. It's a 6-week coarse which will outline the healing power of crystals on the human energy field among other topics.
Our first class assignment was to take a picture of our favorite stones and/or crystals and in doing so this morning it inspired me to share some of my favorite stones and crystals with you. Enjoy!!
Also check out The Body Temple Institute for information about upcoming classes and Holistic Health and Herbal Studies http://thebodytemple.ning.com/groups
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Learning Happens... Sistah
It's times like these that confirms what I already know, that I have made the right decision to unschool Nyasha. Today is Sauturday and you would think that this is the day to go out and do something like go to the beach, go to the park, go bike riding etc. But Saturday for us is just another day 'cause we get to do those things during the week. We're not limited to the weekend to go out and have fun because she's in school, uh uh, we can have fun everyday of the week. I Love it!!!
So here we are on this beauty-full Saturday on sunny Miami Beach and Nyasha's in the house reading instructions on how to build a paper airplane. Why is she doing that? you ask. Let me explain. My neighbor Kevin is a kid at heart, he builds model cars and boats. But more importantly Kevin likes to have fun. So, he buys toys (mostly things that need to be put together) and some of the models that he has purchased, he has no idea how to put them together, so that's where Nyasha comes in. She loves to put things together (I didn't know that). Well, I didn't know the extent of her passion 'cuz she spent 5 years in school all day long, doing Goddess only knows what, and didn't have time to express it (I digress). Anyway, Kevin has the toys, Nyasha has the know-how, hence, Nyasha is studying the instructions. This afternoon they are putting an airplane together. Nyasha is so excited! Me too!
Learning happens all the time and it usually happens (more often that not) when the child is having fun (I'm gettin' this, I'm slow but I'm sure). I enjoy watching her while she's contemplating what to do next, or which piece goes where, it's really a pleasure to watch. She's very intense during this process so I'm very careful not to disturb. Shhhhhhhhhh!
So here we are on this beauty-full Saturday on sunny Miami Beach and Nyasha's in the house reading instructions on how to build a paper airplane. Why is she doing that? you ask. Let me explain. My neighbor Kevin is a kid at heart, he builds model cars and boats. But more importantly Kevin likes to have fun. So, he buys toys (mostly things that need to be put together) and some of the models that he has purchased, he has no idea how to put them together, so that's where Nyasha comes in. She loves to put things together (I didn't know that). Well, I didn't know the extent of her passion 'cuz she spent 5 years in school all day long, doing Goddess only knows what, and didn't have time to express it (I digress). Anyway, Kevin has the toys, Nyasha has the know-how, hence, Nyasha is studying the instructions. This afternoon they are putting an airplane together. Nyasha is so excited! Me too!
Learning happens all the time and it usually happens (more often that not) when the child is having fun (I'm gettin' this, I'm slow but I'm sure). I enjoy watching her while she's contemplating what to do next, or which piece goes where, it's really a pleasure to watch. She's very intense during this process so I'm very careful not to disturb. Shhhhhhhhhh!
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