I love my houseplant.

Other plants have come and gone, but Sunny has remained my constant living and loving companion plant for most of my adulthood.

I remember the day I bought her at the grocery store. It was the same day I started my company - the one that ended up defining my career. She was a little sprig of a philodendron back then and only donned just 5 or 6 leaves. I lovingly gave her a home in an old McCoy planter of my mothers. She could barely see over the sides back then, the same ones she cascades over now.

This plant has seen me go through both the hardest and the greatest times of my life. She has served as a sounding board for tough business decisions and as a reminder to me to keep persevering.

She has taught me the meaning of perennial and has seen me come back as many times as I have her. That's right, I haven't always been to good to her and she has seen her share of shady days too. In spite of my occasional neglect though, she has never let down.

So, I celebrate my beautiful houseplant friend, Sunny. I hope she graces my windowsill for many more years to come.

Food Meditation ~ Eating your way to awareness.

I was surprised to learn recently about the readily accessible and easy way of meditating while eating. Through a little research and trial & error, I learned that it was easy to master and I think one could achieve some profound results through a continued practice.

I started with a piece of watermelon. I looked at it closely, observing its texture and color. I smelled it and touched it, taking it in with all of my senses before I eventually ate it. I chewed it slowly while I continued to meditate on this single piece of watermelon. I thought about where it had come from, the soil it took to grow it, the rain that it drank to become juicy and the sun it absorbed to develop its sweet flavor.

I took at least 5 minutes to eat this single piece in a few bites. I brought all of my attention to tasting and experiencing the energy of this fruit. Incorporating the different senses into my meditation like this resulted in me feeling very relaxed and happy afterwards.

I have tried it since with a hamburger - that did not go so well. I think it was the beef part of it. The suggestion of it even now makes me nauseous. I was nearly grossed out enough to make me consider being a vegetarian. Maybe I will try it again another day in a different frame of mind, but for now, I have stuck with fruits and veggies.

So far, it has been an excellent way to meditate at almost anytime. I have received the benefit of awareness that I would expect from any meditation, as well as become more mindful in my eating. I have also paid more close attention to where the groceries I buy are coming from - buying cruelty & hormone free meats too. It's safe to say that no type of meditation I have ever tried has made such a difference, that it has changed how I shop.

Food meditation is a real win-win and I hope you'll try it sometime.

Enjoy! :)

Discovering the artist within myself; the difference an interview can make.

I recently had the opportunity to publish an interview with Lisa Rae Muir, artist and Reiki Master. She was such a fascinating subject, that I couldn't help but include all of the material collected, so the interview ran a little long. So, I didn't include much additional dialogue from myself at the time, something I'm now really happy happened. It gave me a chance to think through what I learned, as well as apply some of those lessons.

I've always been a little challenged with patience. Ok, ok - a little challenged may be an understatement. :) So, being forced to spend some time letting my opinions brew a little was helpful. Especially with this interview. Over the month since I published it, I have had some time to apply some of the things I learned from the interview with Lisa. I wanted to share one of the most profound lessons for me here.

By learning that Lisa uses her art to show how she sees the world, it inspired me to seek a way to express my interpretation of the beauty around me. I created a few pieces on canvas and artist paper with oil pastels and discovered the freedom that comes along with unleashing the visions inside of myself artistically in this way.

I am glad that I had the opportunity to discover the artist within myself through interviewing Lisa. Here are some of the pieces I created...
Enjoy!

I am lucky. I am loved. I am happy.

A little poem-type thing for this beautiful spring morning. :)
Enjoy!


I am happy for my life today
I am grateful for the things I have...
the cutest dog,
the funniest kids,
the kindest friends,
the greatest opportunities,
the most beautiful city to call home.
I am lucky.
I am loved.
I am happy.