Happy Blogiversary!

My first blog entry was a year ago today.  The creation was sparked by my participation in Mondo Beyondo, an online class about dreaming.  On the front page of the website is the following quote by Dom Helder Camara:

When we are dreaming alone it is only a dream. When we are dreaming with others, it is the beginning of reality. 

The class inspired me to take on new challenges, to execute my creative passions, to be heard and seen.  Many wishes were unlocked and looking back it's evident May was a prolific creative time.  I completed my first photography class, I started 365 Days and I devised this blog.   In the past year, I took many flights to far away places, and the blog was an excellent repository for these experiences.  On home ground my musings varied from documenting local adventures to my current state of mind.  I look forward to another year of entries chronicling the world through my lens, the triumphs and challenges, and seeing where the wind blows me.

365 Days

Oh, what a bittersweet day!  365 days ago I joined a group on Flickr committing to take a self portrait every day.  My goal was to have a daily reason to pick up my new camera, a creative assignment to get the juices flowing.  Some days the task was completed effortlessly with joy and satisfactory results.  Other days I struggled with ennui, dirty hair or no tripod.  Along the way I learned many things:  I am a one day at time person.   I realized I never focused on reaching the end goal.   My attitude was I'd do it for as long as I could, for as long as I wanted to do.  I bent the rules when needed.  I confess, I made  allowances for a few days missed due to travel or a hectic schedule.  Instead of being rigid, and giving up on the project I tacked the days on, so in truth I started this venture 388 days ago.  I often had to wrestle with my critical voice which showed up in front of and behind the camera.   Not an easy demon to slay, but as a result I have a clearer vision of myself, and I like who I see.  This assignment anchored me in the present and gave me   an amazing digital diary of an exceptional year in my life.  I'll always be grateful that I had the time to explore such a project and document the many adventures of my 46th year.  I posted 40 photos, the first, last and 1 for every 10 days in between.  Good bye 365 Days.  I'll miss you!

Sunday

It's a cool, blustery Memorial Day weekend.  The howling wind is making the branches of the sturdy pines outside my window dance like feathers.   Tin garbage can lids are scurrying across the asphalt,  clickity clank, like in an eerie movie from the '40s.   In other parts of the country the beginning of summer is celebrated with a trip to the beach, tank tops and BBQs, but in LA it feels like just another beautiful spring day.  I started the day with a vigorous yoga class, and after months away from the mat, I'm enjoying the reconnection.  My limbs feel stronger, my spirits higher.  Yoga is my church, a glorious way to end the week.  Sweaty and I'm sure a little smelly I met a friend and her beautiful daughter at the farmer's market.  We sampled tart cherries and juicy plums, the taste of summer's promise.  While for some this holiday will usher in a period of relaxation and a break from work, I'm anticipating the opposite and embracing the adventure.

The Breeze At Dawn

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.

Don't go back to sleep.

You must ask for what you really want.

Don't go back to sleep.

People are going back and forth across the doorsill

where the two worlds touch.

The door is round and open.

Don't go back to sleep.

Rumi

This Moment

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.  If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and share.

Synchronicity

After months of hype about Oprah's farewell season, today was the day she spoke her final missive from the TOWS stage in Chicago.  Her signature messages, find your true calling and take responsibility for your life, were front and center.  As the door to this chapter of Oprah's life closes, some very significant doors around me are opening.  Post OW's teary goodbye, I turned off the TV and went online to check some of my favorite blogs.  A recent post from Red Eggs and Ginger transported me to China.  I watched the video documenting the moment my friends received their 8 month old daughter who immediately snuggled in her mother's arms.  Tears of joy flowed from eyes, my throat tightened as I witnessed this joyous moment.  I'm awed by the synchronicity of life.  As Oprah and many others before her have said, "there are no coincidences".

More Housecleaning

Perhaps it's the season, or just my desire to clear space for my next adventure, but today I kicked housecleaning up a notch by having my rugs and couch professionally cleaned.  Small stains, many souvenirs from parties, and years of Monkey returning from a romp in the dirt to sit at my feet on the couch have left my furnishings dull and soiled.  Vacuuming was no longer doing the job.  Living in an organized, clean environment soothes me.  Thus, when my surroundings are chaotic, clutter strewn in all corners, I feel off kilter.  Today I also began a week long, liquid fast.  The simultaneous internal and external cleansings are coincidental, or at least unconscious, but certainly complement each other.  I'm slightly anxious about the endeavor, but eager to experience the results.   My morning hunger was satiated by a delicious smoothie -- green powder, blueberries, mango, flaxseed, almonds, coconut water and almond milk.  I'm chasing the morning chill away with a hot cup of tea and hoping the gray sky turns blue before the day is over.

OW

In 2001 when I purchased my first DVR I began to sample many series I had never viewed before.  I initially added the "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to my queue as a resource for development since I knew many episodes focused on groundbreaking topics and trends.  However, within a few weeks I was hooked and TOWS became my guilty pleasure, the first show I watched when I wanted to unwind at night.  I found inspiration in the many triumphant guests, tales of abject loss, and the power of forgiveness.  I concurred with much of O's philosophy, her passion for fiction, and her strong spiritual outlook.  Ironically, my desire to live my best life, to give something back, and to find meaning in my career lead me straight to her couch.  For a brief time Oprah was my boss and I came to know her as much more than just a persona on my flat screen television.  Our interaction has had a huge impact on my life, in ways I never imagined possible, during a course of events I couldn't have dare dreamed.  Today, as I watched the penultimate week of episodes on my DVR, I realized how much I'm going to miss her.  Her voice is a familiar presence in my living room and when her show stays true to its authentic vision it is intoxicating.  I've experienced Oprah's chaotic schedule, so in this next chapter, I wish for her space to breathe, to just be, and the courage to put her self first, the very gifts she gave me.

Cleaning House

One of the first things I did when I left my job was let go of my housekeeper and buy, rather invest in, a Miele vacuum.  I celebrated my freedom by sleeping in, taking road trips and yes, cleaning.  I wanted to nest, and scrubbing my own house came with the territory.  So not surprisingly, one of the first things I did, in anticipation of employment, was hire a housekeeper.   I woke up early to get a jump on organizing and freshening up the house before Blanca's arrival.  My enthusiasm for scouring the bathrooms and polishing the furniture has waned in the last few months, and truth be told, I was eager to relinquish my duties.  Part of me felt guilty as she toiled for hours dismantling my stove and cleaning out the bins in the refrigerator while I read scripts atop my crisp duvet.  In the afternoon, I left for several appointments and upon my return I was greeted by the familiar scent of Murphy's oil.   I walked through my clean house grateful for each new chapter in my life and the subtle shifts that define each one.