Want v. Desire

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR WANT HAS BECOME YOUR DESIRE?

• The physical results you desire begin to manafest themselves
• You see the world throught the prism of your desire
• You are not affected by outside circumstances
• You attract like-mided people
• You are awakened and you view of the world changes
• Your intuitice factor grows
• You easily give up things that are not in harmony with your purpose
• Your wants change
• You gain emotional control
• You move from a competitive to a creative mindset
• You have an unquenchable thirst for true knowledge

Odds and Ends

I was sorting through my magazine clippings file filled with quotes, articles and an other items that inspired me enough to tear them from the from their edition. I have decided to use these as a series of journal prompts for the blog. I am hoping these will be the spring board for writing and reflection, both of which I seem to feel the need to do lately. As in all day long, I crave to have time in the evenings to reflect and write. Somehow, I have gotten out of the habit of doing that lately, and I miss it. I am craving to return to my routine. So, how is this for a start?

Be More Spontaneous

When was the last time you did something spur-of-the-moment? Well, it is time to embrace a more "why not" mentality. "Being spontaneous shows that you are not afraid to genuinely express who you are, " says C. Robert Cloninger, MD, author of Felling Good: The Science of Well Being. So add a dash of fun to your days. The bottom line: This year, whenever the prospect of something fun gives you a twinge of excitement, go for it!

Something I have begun to do more spontaneously is, write poetry. A few weeks back I decided to pick-up Hakiu after a long haitus and I foudn that I really enjoyed it. So much, so that I have been thinking in Hakiu. I seem to be able to summize my daily expereinces into a poem. This has cause me to keep a spiral notebook in my car, in my purse and at my bedside, to I can capture my thoughts. I will begin sharing some of them here. The more I write, the more I want to write. I even signed up for a magazine article writing class. Which reminds me, I should probably sign off now and go log into class and see how things are going!

Vision Board

Today I am working on my vision board. I have been collecting clippings over the last few months and today it the day that I get them on board!

My vision board will never be complete, as I will add things from time to time; however, I am excited to get it up and running to day. I am even more excited to see what this year will bring.

I KNOW that this year will being many new and exciting opportunities. I find that the less I live in fear, the more liberated I feel.

2009 Year in Preview

Libra Outlook for 2009

Libra 9/23 – 10/22

Year 2009 Overview according to www.astrology.com

Brilliant ideas come easily into Libra's awareness throughout 2009. As you trust your higher self and allow thoughts to flow freely, you are able to embrace new opportunities and make positive changes in your life. You come to a higher level of understanding and appreciation as you let go of old ideas. You're no longer separated from what you want as you to detach from limiting thoughts, bringing you a new spiritual perspective of feeling fully supported and loved.

As you stay centered within your core, your highest ideals manifest, and you have the ability to help others realize their interconnectedness, and bring balance into their lives. Your efforts bring you into a more stable way of working than ever before, an important development, what with all the changes occurring this year.

You are a natural conduit, and you are able to receive messages that will help you grow in every area of your life. You have a strong inner sense of direction for where life is going, so trust and allow your struggles to be released.

Not that I put faith in this, but this is how I intend for my year to be. I read this after I had journaled and worked on my Intention Board.

Do Something Everyday That Scares You

THIS is my motto for 2009:

Do Something Everyday that Scares You!

"Risk is the cost of doing business with opportunity"--(me).

You have to put yourself out there in order to experience success! In my book putting yourself out their and for a lack of better words "failing" the first time, is better than not putting yourself out there at all. Where is the fun in that. Sure you will never experience failure but then again, you will not experience success at all. At that is a risk I am just not willing to take.

Improv, Public Speaking and Joining a Band

Improv: I have wanted to take classes for awhile. Certainly not something I need but more want to do. The benefits include: inproving impromptu speaking skills, learning interpersonal skills, um, its FUN

Public Speaking: Something I LOVED in college, I seem to have set aside my passionate persuit. Not intentially, I just let it happen. Rediscovering Toastmaster could be fun but I also want to seek out other opportunities that I can do on my own

Singing: Not sure if I want to join a choir or maybe even a band?? Just for fun , of course!

The Year that Changed Everything

This year it happened. I came to the realization that this is it. There are no do overs, second chances or I will get to it when....THIS is the ONLY life we get. Once chance to spend it, anyway we wish.

We stand around waiting for others to give "Permission to Live" when in fact WE are the only ones who can give ourselves true permission. I will do this or that when I have more time/money/a better job...you fill in the blank.

We this year that is about to change--for me aleast. More later on how I came to his ephiany but for now I will share with you some of the things I am have been inspired to do NOW! They are in no particular order, nor is this list in anyway organized, which is amazing in itself considering I am a type A++. However, I have decided to make this journal a creative outlet and therefore will write as things come to me. Everyday a new topic consisting of whatever is on my mind or going on in my world. I am a multifacted person so they will be EVERYTHING from yoga to fashion to books to ANYTHING.... Quite a bit of the inspiration will come from my "intention or vision board" which is a large piece of white foam board when I post pictures of my dreams, hopes, wishes and desires. I am a visual person at heart so this helps me add a physical element to my goal setting. They are no longer jsut words on a page but actual living ideas!

So here are some things that have been on my mind most recently...

Herb Garden: I was to have a luscious container garden on my patio full of my favorite herbs, including but not limited to rosemary, lavendar, mints, cilantro, sage, basil....I know there are more but I am drawing a blank

Salsa Dancing: Before I tended to care too much about what other think and was afraid to move my body but not anymore--hey, I may not be a professional dance but I know I have rhythm and who care if it is not perfect, so long as I am having fun and the music and the company are good. And if I can find a great underground salsa club I am sure that will help me with..

Spanish: Off and on for years I have dipped my toe in the pool of learning Espanol. I know some basic greetings and can count but that just isn't cutting it for me. I want to move past the basics and atleast be able to hold a coversation.

Writing: Well, this blog counts, I suppose. Time to take it to the next level and hone my craft and what better way to do that than to WRITE!!

Leadership: Set aside some of the things I have taken on and step into roles that allow to rely on my may talents and years of experince of LIFE and take the helm and lead. No more sitting on the sidelines or taking the "easy" jobs. I have the right to be more selective about what I do, including my volunteer jobs.

Simplicity: Dial things down. Nothing wrong with having things in mylife, so long as they serve a purpose and are inline with the core of what is important to me. If they don't it is time to let them go.

Yoga: 2009 is the year I complete my RYT and start teaching!

Going Green(er): A personal responsibilty to all in involved in my life has spurned to to remove many of the harsh chemical in my environment starting with my cleaning chemicals--which leads me to

Making my Own "Stuff": There is something awesome about using products I have personally made. So I am starting with making my own cleaners. Dr. Bronner's soap, here I come.

That is all for tonight. More random musing to come and at some point I will get to the "story" behind what got me here.

Until then, take care and do not wait until tomorrow to give yourself PTL (permission to live)!!