Blocking the Life Force or Chi May 22, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Life Balance, Mindfulness.comments closed
When my “mojo” goes missing . . . it’s often because I’m using energy to “repress” something I don’t want to face.
It’s exhausting to keep stuffing things away to deal with LATER.
It’s like trying to hold an inflated ball under water when it wants to surface.
When something wants to surface, and we are resisting that natural force and flow, we must use counter-balancing energy to keep it submerged.
That counter-balancing energy opposes the natural flow and chi . . . blocking chakras, especially our “funny bone chakra.”
Going to Laughter Yoga seems like a wonderful way to get “unstuck.”
Related posts: Missing Mojo (Creating Magic) * Worried, Nervous, or Stuck ~ Release Yourself With The Wind (Always Well Within) * Take Care . . . Not To Lose Your Mind (Jeanne’s Blog)
End Of The World Book Challenge May 21, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Books & Movies, Humor, Writing & Writers.comments closed
This Book Challenge is intended to be a 30 Day Book Challenge . . . taking one prompt a day for an entire month.
Since the world may end today, I’m going to respond in one fell swoop:
Day 01 – The best book you read last year
A Christmas Carol ~ Charles Dickens
Pride and Prejudice ~ Jane Austen
Day 02 – A book that you’ve read more than 3 times
Pride and Prejudice ~ Jane Austen
A Christmas Carol ~ Charles Dickens
Day 03 – Your favorite series
Nancy Drew Mysteries ~ Carolyn Keene
Day 04 – Favorite book of your favorite series
The Mystery of the Tolling Bell ~ Carolyn Keene
Day 05 – A book that makes you happy
A Christmas Carol ~ Charles Dickens
Pride and Prejudice ~ Jane Austen
Day 06 – A book that makes you sad
The Holy Bible ~ Old & New Testaments
Day 07 – Most underrated book
Day 08 – Most overrated book
The Holy Bible ~ Old & New Testaments
Day 09 – A book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving
The Last Lecture ~ Randy Pausch
Day 10 – Favorite classic book
Pride and Prejudice ~ Jane Austen
A Christmas Carol ~ Charles Dickens
Day 11 – A book you hated
Day 12 – A book you used to love but don’t anymore
The Holy Bible ~ Old & New Testaments
Day 13 – Your favorite writer
It’s a tie! Charles Dickens and Jane Austen
Day 14 – Favorite book of your favorite writer
A Christmas Carol ~ Charles Dickens
Pride and Prejudice ~ Jane Austen
Day 15 – Favorite male character
Socrates . . . Way of the Peaceful Warrior ~ Dan Millman
Day 16 – Favorite female character
Elizabeth . . . Pride and Prejudice ~ Jane Austen
Day 17 – Favorite quote from your Favorite book
“There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.” ~ Elizabeth Bennet, ch. 31
“An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do.” ~ Mr. Bennet, ch. 20
“Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.” ~ Mary, ch. 5
Day 18 – A book that disappointed you
Day 19 – Favorite book turned into a movie
A Christmas Carol ~ Charles Dickens
Pride and Prejudice ~ Jane Austen
Day 20 – Favorite romance book
Pride and Prejudice ~ Jane Austen
Day 21 – Favorite book from your childhood
Nancy Drew Mysteries ~ Carolyn Keene
Day 22 – Favorite book you own
Pride and Prejudice ~ Jane Austen
A Christmas Carol ~ Charles Dickens
Day 23 – A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t
Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would read
Simplify Your Life ~ Elaine St. James
Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most
Elizabeth . . . Pride and Prejudice ~ Jane Austen
Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something
Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending
Professor Dumbledore’s death in Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince
Day 28 – Favorite title
Jennifer, Hecate, MacBeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth
Day 29 – A book “everyone” hated but you liked
Eat Pray Love ~ Elizabeth Gilbert
Day 30 – Your Favorite book of all time
A Christmas Carol ~ Charles Dickens
Pride and Prejudice ~ Jane Austen
Related posts: The 30 Day Book Challenge~ Day One (Maggie’s Blog) * Day Two (Maggie’s Blog) * The 30 Day Book Challenge ~ Jennifer Welborn’s Blog * Weekend Theme ~ The End * 100 Books * The Ends of the Earth * The End (View from the Side)
Photo Challenge ~ Tiny May 20, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Art & Photography, Magick & Mystery, Nature.comments closed
These are not original photos.
You may have seen them before.
But when I thought of something tiny.
These strolled through my mind’s door.
Talk about holding perfection.
In the palm of your hand.
Art by Camille Allen ~ Artist Dolls and Sculptures . . . and they are For Sale.
Related posts: Weekly Photo Challenge: Tiny * Tiny (Creating Magic) * Tiny (Inspiration) * Tiny (Flying Gma) * Tiny (Laughing Housewife) * Tiny (Pseu)
Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! May 20, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Blogging, Happiness, Humor, Life Balance.comments closed
Life is full of surprising twists and turns . . . nevertheless, I was stumped by Wednesday’s WP prompt:
Describe the last time you were truly surprised.
I decided to keep my eyes open to see how long it would take for one of life’s little surprises to manifest itself.
It didn’t take long:
(1) Tilly used her cojones to post a Joke about Rocky Mountain Oysters.
(2) Granny spoke in tongues . . . making vegetarians (and meat-eaters) gag.
(3) I got a Jury Summons in the mail.
To emulate the extreme eloquence of beloved TV personality, Gomer Pyle . . . Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!
No rules. Just write!
What about you? Have any of life’s little surprises snuck up on you lately?
What IS Women’s Work? May 19, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Home & Garden, Humor.comments closed
Wikipedia ~ Vacuum Cleaner (in Public Domain)
Janna’s recent post about the division of labor in marriages, Compromise: Coercion’s Civilized Cousin, reminded me of the time we went shopping for a new vacuum cleaner.
BFF does the vacuuming ~ it was going to be HIS new toy.
* He did ALL the talking.
* He asked ALL the questions.
* He said he wanted to take a model for a “test drive.”
The FEMALE saleslady plugged in the machine, turned it on, and started to hand it to me.
I threw up my hands in mock horror and laughed, “Don’t hand it to me! I don’t know how to vacuum.”
She got visibly annoyed and said with biting intensity, “You just said you wanted to try it.”
I laughed, “No, I didn’t . . . HE did. I’m just here as a detached observer.”
No rules. Just write!
What about you?
Any favorite stories about “assigned gender roles” or “women’s work”?
Related posts: Where Have All The Women Gone? (Random Thoughts From Midlife) * Hazards of Domestic Chores (Mangetout & Other Stories)
Music Comes Alive May 18, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Music & Dance, Nature, Travel & Leisure.comments closed
One of my favorite albums in college . . . Frampton Comes Alive.
Another . . . Lynryd Skynyrd, One More From The Road.
Both albums, recorded in concert, caught the energy of the band as it joined with the frenzy of the audience ~ one feeding off the other.
Live music does that. It comes to life, revealing perfection in imperfection.
During college and law school, I saw some amazing concerts in the late 70′s and early 80’s:
Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Jefferson Starship, Boston, Muddy Waters, Starcastle, Jackson Browne, Grateful Dead, Pure Prairie League, Dave Mason, Bob Seger, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Fleetwood Mac, Alabama, Stevie Nicks, Chicago, Electric Light Orchestra, Seals & Croft, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Gordon Lightfoot, Santana.
After school, I went to concerts less frequently, but got to see:
Dave Matthews (the best!), Bruce Hornsby, Indigo Girls, 10,000 Maniacs, Sarah McLachlan, Natasha Beddingfield, Moody Blues, Chicago, John Eddie, Steve Forbert.
There are some bands I did not see in concert, but wish I had:
The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who, George Harrison, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Frampton, Aerosmith, Bruce Springstein, Dan Fogelberg (had the tickets . . . show got canceled!)
I probably saw more . . . but that’s all I can remember at the moment.
That’s where YOU come in ~ please help me jog my memory by sharing concerts you’ve attended (or wish you’d attended) in the comments below.
In the meantime, we’re off to hear some live music at the Courthouse Square. A Jazz Band is playing at lunch today. We’re bringing a picnic.
This evening, we’re going to another live music event . . . on the beach . . . Sunset with Mike Sales.
Music + Nature = Perfect Together
No rules. Just write!
Related posts: Sounds of the ’70’s (Little Miss Everything) * 15 Albums
Who I Am . . . Is Who I Want To Be May 17, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Gratitude, Happiness, Mindfulness.comments closed
When we are comfortable in our own skin, we more easily shrug off the opinions of others with respect to how we should live our lives.
We stop using an external yardstick to measure our worth to the world.
Jealousy and envy of others falls to the wayside because we know that we would not step wholesale into anyone else’s shoes . . . leaving our own behind.
Instead of looking to others for guidance on what to be, say, think, and do, we look within and develop the “best” of our unique talents, skills, and abilities.
We realize the goal of life is not to be better than anyone else . . . but to be better than our previous self.
With our increased self-acceptance, we are able to say, with confidence and conviction, Who I Am . . . Is Who I Want To Be.
Quote: Why do we put off living the way we want to live, as if we have all the time in the world? ~ Barbara de Angelis
No rules. Just write!
Related posts: The Danger of Constant Comparisons (Mirth & Motivation) * Baby, I was Born This Way (Little Miss Everything) * Getting A Grip In The Mud (Water Witch’s Daughter) * Battling Boggarts Part II (Woman Wielding Words) * My Life in 250 Words * Let Billow Your Sails
A Discordant H.A.A.R.P. May 15, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Life Balance, Nature.comments closed
The relatively recent changes I’ve observed in our weather patterns has alarmed me. We are still reeling from one disaster when the next strikes:
Katrina ~> Tsunami in Sri Lanka ~> Earthquake in Haiti ~> Tsunami in Japan
Now, it appears, that more than “global warming” may be behind the change in our global weather patterns:
It may be purposeful actions by the military causing a shift in the Jet Stream:
And Earthquakes in Haiti:
And Tsunamis in the South Pacific:
Watching videos like these about the possible uses of H.A.A.R.P. makes me question whether “we” will be around much longer:
I wish I had faith in our politicians. I don’t.
I wish I had faith in our military leaders. I don’t.
I wish I had faith in big business. I don’t.
At the moment, I have NO faith in the powers-that-be, here or abroad. And that fact, coupled with the realization that “they” may be mucking about with the weather, has caused a paradigm shift in my view of the world.
Why should I worry about my negligible future impact on the planet when our leaders are so short-sighted?
Why should I beat myself up about throwing away a banana peel, or flying across country to visit loved ones, when the powers-that-be may be engaging in weather warfare?
This is NOT the world I thought it was when I woke up yesterday morning.
And, even if conspiracy theorists are wrong about H.A.A.R.P. and its impact on the planet, there is ample evidence that our leaders are leading us in the WRONG direction:
Continued drilling for oil and gas in the Gulf of Mexico . . . slaughter of baby seals in Canada . . . on-going whaling and dolphin hunts by Japan . . . over fishing of our seas and oceans . . . a concerted failure to develop sustainable energy sources . . . continued reliance on dirty fossil fuels . . . the failure to ask for accountability from sub-prime mortgage lenders or BP.
Are we doomed?
Perhaps.
Time will tell.
In the meantime, enjoy the present . . . for tomorrow we may die.
Quote: On with the Dance! Let Joy be unconfined. ~ Lord Byron
Related posts: Did HAARP Hit Haiti? Evidence & Motives * The Future is Coming (Tinman) * Imagine 10 Years From Now (Mirth & Motivation) * A Merry Dance (Kate Shrewsday)
Photo Challenge ~ Red May 15, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Art & Photography, Happiness, Humor, Life Balance.comments closed
Clowns may be small or tall . . . with mindful balance they fail to fall!
Quote: There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart. Pursue these. ~ Michael Nolan
Related posts: Weekly Photo Challenge ~ Red * Red (Inspiration) * Red (Creating Magic) * Red (Flying Gma) * An Incredible & Edible Bug (SLTW) * Red (Random Thoughts From Midlife) * Red (Early Bird) * Red (Laughing Housewife) * Red (Mirth & Motivation) * Red (Jeanne’s Blog)
Do Snorkologists Really Exist? May 14, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Nature, Word Play.comments closed
Have you ever heard of a “snorkologist”?
We did today at lunch while watching a show on Luxury Hotels in the Caribbean. I think “snorkologist” is just a made up name to make someone who snorkels for a living seem more important.
From the Caneel Bay Resort website:
Caneel Bay offers some of the most extraordinary snorkeling found in the Caribbean from the launch point of its seven pristine, powder-white beaches. Guests are invited to explore on their own or with a private snorkeling session led by the resident “Snorkologist.”
Guests are sure to be amazed by the vast array of fish found off of Caneel Bay’s coast including: doctor fish, parrot fish, porcupine fish, angel fish, yellowtail snapper and trigger fish. They might even be fortunate enough to spot a school of squid or an octopus.
See what I mean?
Even the hotel puts “snorkologist” in quotes.
* * * * *
Last night, the owners of the Back Alley treated everyone to FREE pizza!
I found a round of pepperoni on my slice and looked around for a dog who might enjoy it.
Spotting two, I wandered over and offered the tidbit to the dog’s caregiver.
She took the pepperoni and I walked back to BFF:
“What were you doing?”
“I found a piece of pepperoni on my pizza and gave it to her.”
“Do you know her?”
“No, but I didn’t want to throw the pepperoni away.”
“What did you say to her?”
“I don’t know. I just held out the pepperoni and asked her if she wanted it.”
“And she took it?!”
“Yup.”
“That’s weird.”
Realizing that BFF didn’t see the dogs, I kept a straight face and said, “Why do you say that?”
Rolling his eyes at my perceived density, he said, “If a perfect stranger came up and offered you a piece of pepperoni, would you take it?”
“Of course not. I’m a vegetarian.”
“You know what I mean. Would you take a piece of stray meat from a stranger?”
“I might.”
“You would not!”
“If I had a dog, I would.”
“Well, of course, if . . . ”
With that, the lightbulb went off ~ BFF glanced over, saw the dogs, and burst out laughing.
Things are not always as they first appear.
No rules. Just write!
Spirit Lights The Way 