Another Beautiful Day in Marina del Rey, CA

I decided not to blog last week. My thoughts were all over the place and I didn’t want to bore anyone with an incoherent rambling session. So instead I took a break.

Breaking rules has been on my mind lately. You know, breaking all the rules held sacred by conventional wisdom that we rarely question. Taking a break from blogging was actually very apropos for me last week. When I started blogging I was given advice by several other bloggers and various other so-called experts who suggested blogging at least once a week or better yet several times a week in order to be taken seriously and create a following. I was going to post something just for the hell of it but I asked myself why? Because there’s some rule out there that some people say I must follow?

I have a really hard time with rules.  Always have. Now I have no problem following traffic rules and I don’t go around breaking into peoples’ houses, etc. But many of the so-called rules we all adhere to may not be in everyone’s best interest. I’ve always questioned rules even though I have often followed many of them all the while wondering why in the world I was doing so.

Like many people, I was saddened to hear that Steve Jobs transitioned out of this world last week. Steve Jobs was certainly a man who broke all the rules. He didn’t graduate from college. He was an erratic micro-manager and he relied on his instincts instead of the traditional counsel of those around him. He was a revolutionary who didn’t give a damn what others thought. He lived life on his own terms and he lived the hell out of it.

I was backing my car out of the driveway when I heard the news. I wondered why the radio announcer kept referring to him in the past and then a couple of seconds later it hit me that he was gone. I didn’t even know the man and even though I had (and still have) great admiration for what he contributed to the world I did have some problems with some of Apples’ labor practices under his tenure. But we are all a mixed bag, aren’t we?  There are parts of all of us that are good and parts of all of us that are not so nice. We are all victim to our own humanity no matter how hard we strive to be decent people.

While giving a commencement speech to Stanford graduates in 2005, Steve Jobs said “Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”

A friend told me this week that this quote inspired her to adopt a new cat. She had wanted to adopt this particular cat for quite some time but was worried that because she is in her 70s and not in optimal heath that she might die before the cat did. She said that when she read this quote in the newspapers she decided to follow her heart and do what she had wanted to do for the past year. A few days ago she adopted the kitty. She said she has never been happier about her decision.

Steve Jobs said that when he dropped out of college he “decided to drop out and trust that it would all work out OK.” Sometimes we just have to trust, don’t we? We have to trust that we will have enough money or that our health will hold out a little longer or that a kitty we’ve had our eye on was meant to be with us.

There is a great deal of economic and social turmoil in the world right now. It’s easy to sit on the sidelines in fear and not do anything. Instead of just weathering the storm maybe this is the perfect time to do something. Out of chaos comes creativity and new beginnings.  Start that business you’ve wanted to start or write that book that’s been in your head and dying to get out. Join one of the many protests popping up all over the globe if you want to make your voice heard. Follow your heart because life is short and you deserve a rich life. Break the rules! Just do it and trust it will all work out OK.

(If you’d like to read more about living simply and changing the way you think about wealth please consider reading my book which is available in paperback or Kindle: REDEFINING THE MEANING OF WEALTH: DISCOVERING PROSPERITY AND FORTUNE IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE.

Japanese Garden in California

I’m a big believer in saving money. Amy Dacyczyn’sThe Complete Tightwad Gazette is one of my all time favorite books because she made me look at saving money as an art form and a game and not a deprivation practice.  Ever since I read her book I often find myself asking “What would Amy do?” Would Amy go out to dinner or would she whip up a scrumptious feast from the leftovers in her fridge? Would Amy buy the knit black top on sale for $20 at Ann Taylor or would she scout the thrift stores for one that cost a dollar?

If you spoke to my husband he would probably say I’m a bit too cautious when it comes to spending money so he loves it when I do because he thinks I should treat myself from time to time. I always joke with him that he hit the jackpot in finding a life partner because I have cost him very little money. He recently wanted to buy me something as a treat and all I could think of (other than a trip to a foreign country) was a pedicure. I do a lot of yoga and I stare at my feet quite a bit. I like having a fun color painted on my toenails but I usually do it myself which is a real pain in the ass. What a treat to have a professional paint my tired little toes and massage my feet. It was worth every bit of the $28 he spent which included the tip.

Having been in major debt when I was younger, I have no desire to sing that sad song again so yes I have a tendency to live in the fear mode sometimes and to not want to spend money on anything but the bare necessities. However, I’m noticing that I’m beginning to loosen up a bit when it comes to spending money. What’s the purpose of hoarding money if you never do anything with it to enhance your life or those of others?

I’m not advocating living beyond one’s means or buying cars or houses that cost and arm and a leg to impress your friends and family. No, I’m talking about spending money on things or experiences that are an investment in your happiness and quality of life. After one has an emergency fund,  the bills have been paid, and you’re not in debt why not loosen up and open up your wallet?

I read a lot in the financial news about how corporations are hoarding their money because they are unsure of what the future will bring. My reaction to this is usually one of judgment. I think about how greedy they are and how they need to loosen up some and spread the wealth a little. Then it dawned on me I’ve been a bit of a money hoarder as well. Being careful is great but you have to strike a balance.

My household doesn’t have tons of money but we aren’t in debt and our rainy day fund is there for unexpected vet bills, car repairs, and any other emergencies that come up. At some point I think you just have to say I’ve got some back-up money now and I need to quit living in fear of going broke. How much would it take to feel totally secure? Interesting question because there’s probably not a monetary amount that would make me feel secure. True abundance comes from within not from the balance in your checking account.

Spending money a little more freely is part of my journey to lighten up, live life more in the moment, and trust that I can spend money without some horrible consequence. Below are ten things I think are worthy of spending my money on. I still look for good deals but I’m trying not to obsess over a few dollars if I have to spend a little more. Your list may differ because we all have different priorities and circumstances.

• Charitable contributions are always worth it.  Knowing that I’m helping a cause I believe in empowers me to take physical action as well.
• Travel is important to me because the experiences you have are not only are fun but your mind is opened up to new ways of thinking and living. It’s a great form of education and the memories are something you will always revisit.
• Furthering your education is always a good investment. Whether you take a foreign language class or a course in needlepoint, education always enhances your wealth.
• Anything related to your health is also money worth doling out. Yoga classes, vitamins, acupuncture, the list is endless…. Investing in your health is always wise and the return is usually very rewarding.
• Good quality food is very important to me. With food prices going through the roof my first reaction is to seek out the cheapest deals possible but buying food that I know is good and I have an appetite for is a much better use of my money. It’s the same model I use with clothes or any other material item. I would rather have less of something that is quality than a bunch of food in my pantry that I don’t like or want.
• Miscellaneous experiences such as dining out with loved ones or horseback riding because you love horses. While in AL visiting family recently my brother and I went out to dinner and I insisted on footing the tab. It wasn’t real pricey but not cheap either. What was invaluable was the great time we had together. It was worth every penny.
• Spending money on my pets for quality food and vet care is a priority for me. My little companions give me more joy than I could ever put a price tag on so I will always spend money on my pets.

•  Good wine. I used to buy the cheapest bottle I could find that was not akin to Boone’s Farm.  I now spend a little more on a quality bottle and it actually lasts much longer. The wine is so good that often one glass at dinner is enough for me because I don’t want to ruin a good thing by having too much and not remembering how exquisite it tasted.
• My hair. I have always spent money on a good haircut and highlights and will continue to do so. I only go 3-4 times a year but it’s one of my major beauty splurges because it makes me feel good. I’m not into massages, beauty supplies, facials, etc.. but I do like to have nice hair.
• Air conditioning and heat. I used to always monitor the thermostat like a hawk. Now I’m tired of that game.  If it’s too hot or cold why put myself through the torture of being grossly uncomfortable.

(If you’d like to read more about living simply and changing the way you think about wealth please consider reading my book which is available in paperback or Kindle: REDEFINING THE MEANING OF WEALTH: DISCOVERING PROSPERITY AND FORTUNE IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE.

My parents' balcony in Birmingham Al. Finally some rain this Labor Day Weekend!

As we celebrate Labor Day in the United States this week, the concept of work is on my mind. Not the work we do at our paying jobs but the day to day work we do to keep our households running smoothly. You know all those tasks that take up precious time that we would rather be using for leisure activities or work we found more interesting.

I’ll be honest. I would love to have a cleaning person come to our home once or better yet twice a week. Hiring someone to wash the car, do the marketing, and wash and fold the laundry are also on my wish list.  The bottom line is I can’t justify spending the money. Plus, neither my husband nor I are willing to do what it would take to outsource these tasks.

Our current jobs provide enough for us to pay our bills and do some traveling here and there but not much more for extras like housekeepers and personal shoppers.  My husband is focused on creating a side business that will eventually allow him to quit his job. I am concentrating on my part time (which in reality is full time) job in animal welfare because it’s important to me that I be doing work that I feel is making a positive impact on the world.

It’s tempting to complain about having to mop the floors and clean the bathrooms and let me tell you I often indeed do! However, I am working hard to shift my mindset to one that’s more empowering and not one of dread.

Maybe just maybe this idea of being able to pay someone to do everything for us is not all it’s cracked up to be. Perhaps there’s much to be gained from performing what we view as tiresome mundane tasks. And of course if we are streamlining our material lives and keeping the clutter at bay, housework should be somewhat of a breeze.

Below are some of my ideas on how housework can enhance our lives and (gasp!) maybe even make us richer.

• Housework is good exercise. The human body was designed for constant activity and sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, scrubbing, and dusting force you to move your body in all different directions. You can work up a sweat cleaning your house. Exercise of any form is beneficial and healthy and cleaning our homes is no exception.
• Housework improves our mental health. There have been times when I’ve been down or frustrated and I’ve dived into housework.  It may not have solved all my problems but it certainly didn’t make me feel worse; if anything I felt better. I had a sense of accomplishment and an orderly clean home environment.
• Housework creates community in our households and no one gets stuck with doing everything. It teaches us we need to all pitch in. All of us are integral parts of making everything run smoothly and each person’s contribution is important.
• Housework saves us money. If someone wants to outsource their housework due to severe time or physical constraints and can afford it, I’m all for it. But for my family’s situation, we would quickly run a deficit each month if we paid someone to do what we are better off doing ourselves.
• Housework grounds us and connects us with our humanity. Too many of us are disconnected from what it means to do physical labor due to our sedentary lifestyles and technological advances that do much of our work for us. Hey, I’m all too happy I’m not drawing water from a well or scrubbing my clothes on a washboard but there is something to say however for work that makes us break a sweat now and then.  Why cheat ourselves of the human experience we were meant to have by never getting our hands dirty and acting like entitled little brats who should never have to lift a finger.
• Housework can be meditative. It teaches us to be present and connects us with reality. When you are doing chores you may not necessarily like, it’s the perfect opportunity to practice acceptance of your current situation. Acceptance of the fact that we have to do something we may not particularly want to be doing and acceptance that if we want it to get done, it’s up to us to do it.
• A clean well kept house creates a ripple effect in other areas of your life. Our personal lives benefit when we live in an environment that makes us feel peaceful and serene. We feel more balanced and have more stamina to focus on accomplishing those things we want to do.

(If you’d like to read more about living simply and changing the way you think about wealth please consider reading my book which is available in paperback or Kindle: REDEFINING THE MEANING OF WEALTH: DISCOVERING PROSPERITY AND FORTUNE IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE.

Waves on Costa Rica Beach

I’m thrilled to present a guest post today by Carolyn at Livelifelike.com. Her blog is a wonderful collection of affirmations inspired by nature. What we tell ourselves is very important and can make a huge difference in how wealthy we perceive ourselves to be and how we show up for the world each day. Enjoy and be sure to check out her site as well. It’s very inspiring and lots of fun!

Live Life Like the Waves. . .Thoughtfully

Use the power of your subconscious mind and daily positive affirmations to create your own version of a happy and fulfilling life. Your LiveLifeLike word for today is: Thoughtful: Characterized by careful reasoned thinking; made with heedful anticipation of the needs or wants of others. Build your own positive internal dialog by repeating, silently or aloud, the following affirmation:

• My Positive Affirmation: I Live my Life Thoughtfully, carefully considering the outcomes created by my words and actions. Ponder the meaning of today’s LiveLifeLike word.

• My Personal Guidance: I accept responsibility for my words and actions. I am not rash in my decisions, but make the time to be thoughtful of others. Use the power of today’s positive affirmation to create your own Best Reality Today!

• My Personal Call to Action: How will I Live my Life Thoughtfully today? Release all negativity and access the endless resources of positive energy that are within you!

A Comment from Carolyn. . . I chose waves to represent the concept of thoughtfulness because of the sound they make lapping onto shore. Have you experienced that sound? It’s almost mesmerizing. Waves help us clear our minds and meditate on thoughtfulness. Even if you’re nowhere near a beach, you can still imagine the rhythmic sound of waves coming in. . .going out. . .coming in. . .going out.

The regular cadence helps us focus our thoughts and calm our minds. It’s almost as if the waves are the breath of the world. The earth breathes in and breathes out, while our breathing pattern follows along at the same lilting beat. As you meditate today on how you can anticipate the needs of others, use the power of Mother Nature’s breath. . .her waves. . .to focus your mind and live your life thoughtfully.

Thanks for sharing this journey with me. . . Many Thanks and Smiles. . .Carolyn ~~~~~ ~ The “LiveLifeLike 365Project” ~ A full year of unique daily affirmations!! ~~~~~

Visit www.livelifelike.com for more inspiration!

(If you’d like to read more about changing the way you think about wealth please consider reading my book REDEFINING THE MEANING OF WEALTH: DISCOVERING PROSPERITY AND FORTUNE IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE.)

Those of us in countries with more developed economies (the U.S. in particular) have just about “consumed” ourselves silly! Our homes are overflowing with junk we don’t need and many people are up to their eyeballs in debt. We’re craving simpler lives but sometimes the mere prospect of changing our lives in even the smallest ways seems like a huge overwhelming project.

After all most of us are busy trying to make a living and at the same time carve out time for our family and friends. Many people don’t have the capacity for a major de-cluttering project. Finding time to sit down and reflect on ways we can simplify or save money is challenging enough because our days our scheduled to the hilt.

Everyone has to start somewhere and I can assure you that no one turns their life around in one weekend. It’s all a process and an experiment of hit and miss. Cheer up though! There are some simple things you can do right away that can make you feel empowered and give you a sense of accomplishment. Then you can build on these accomplishments and before you know it your life is less complicated, you are saving money, and you’ve streamlined your possessions.

Let’s re-cap what simple living, minimalism, and frugality mean and discuss some quick ways we can put these practices into place today.

The simple living movement (when I say movement, it’s a philosophical movement not an organized movement) has its roots in frugality, environmentalism, social justice, and spirituality. Simple living is a lifestyle choice that allows a richer inner life through a simpler outer life. Like wealth, simple living can have many definitions as well. There are no rules when it comes to living simply. One person’s idea of simple living might be to pare down to as few possessions as possible while another person’s definition might be selling one of their three homes.
Five things you can do right now to live more simply:

• Ask yourself what is most important to you in this life? What do you value and what is your passion? Cut out anything in your life that you can and start focusing more on what you value. Maybe you enjoy painting but don’t have time to pursue this interest because you are a member of too many committees and too many volunteer groups. Decide what you need to give up so you can give more of your time to what’s important to you.

• Mind your own business. People love to gossip not only about the people they know but the people they don’t know! You have enough to take care of for yourself without barging into someone else’s affairs. Author Katie Byron says it well: “I can find three kinds of business in the universe: yours, Gods, and mine. When I think, I want you to get a job, I want you to be happy, you should be on time, you need to take better care of yourself, I am in your business. When I am worried about earthquakes, floods, war, or when I will die, I am in God’s business. If I am mentally in your business or God’s business, the effect is separation.”

• Be yourself. Trying to be something that we are not is exhausting and doesn’t feel right. Don’t try to pretend with others that you are something you are not. Be proud of who you are and celebrate your own uniqueness. Trying to be something other than who we are so we can fit in disturbs our peace of mind and there’s nothing simple about that!

• •As soon as you get the mail, immediately discard all junk mail into the recycling bin. You’re not going to need whatever it is they are advertising and getting rid of this type of mail is one less thing you have to waste valuable time going over. You also lessen the clutter in your house. Go a step further and Google “getting off junk mail lists” and make a plan to end junk mail once and for all.

• Spend some time in nature each day. Nature connects us back with the divine and calms us down. What could be more simple and joyful? You don’t have to live in the mountains or on the beach to enjoy nature. A simple walk around your neighborhood can provide fresh air and a chance to take in the sky and the sun and all the plants around you.

Frugality is not just about spending as little money as possible or being cheap. Frugality is about being as resourceful and creative as possible with our money and what we already own. Frugality is not about stiffing the waiter, or trying to rip someone off so you get a better price.
Five things you can do right now to live more frugally:

• Cancel any services you aren’t using or that don’t enhance your life. Either eliminate them or shop around for better deals. Some examples are cable tv, magazine and newspaper subscriptions, portions of your car insurance that may not be necessary especially if your car is older, and checking accounts that charge too high a fee.

• If you eat out a lot, cut back one day a week and prepare your food at home. Not only will you save money but you will eat more healthfully .You don’t have to be a gourmet cook. Baked potatoes, simple salads, and quesadillas are some of the simple things you can make at home.

• Be mindful of the food you already have in the house. Use it up and don’t let any of it go to waste. It’s amazing how much food Americans waste. Each time we throw out something we didn’t get around to using before its expiration date or something we let ruin, it’s tantamount to throwing money down the drain.

• Pay your bills on time. Late fees to the credit card company, power company, etc. can easily be avoided with a little planning. Make sure you pay these bills on time or try to negotiate an alternative payment due date if need be but put an end to those late fees. You work hard for your money and should be able to keep as much of it as possible.

• Quit using shopping as a way to entertain yourself. If going to the mall is your idea of entertainment but you want to cut back on what you spend then by all means find something else to do and quick. Go to the library or check around to see who’s offering a free concert or lecture. Go do some volunteer work for those less fortunate. Take a hike or go to the museum on their free day.

Minimalism is about scaling down your possessions to only those items that give you pleasure and enhance your life. It’s about getting rid of the excess and making room for a life of what you enjoy and love. The whole idea is not to have a whole lot of “stuff” weighing you down.
Five things you can do right now to live more minimally:

• If you have too much stuff in your house and need to downsize but don’t have time right now consider putting a moratorium on buying anything at all unless it’s a consumable. At least you won’t be bringing in anything new and adding to your already existing problem. When you do schedule time for throwing out what you no longer need you can take comfort in the fact that you don’t have a bunch of new stuff to go through as well.

• Practice living without it: If you can’t bear to throw things away right now, fill a shopping bag with things you aren’t using and in a few months, open it back up and re-evaluate your need for what’s in the bag. Better yet, be brave and throw it out if you can’t remember what’s in the bag or you haven’t missed anything.

• Keep your surfaces as clear as possible. Do you really need multiple knickknacks on the tables and counters around you? Do you need magazines and paper work cluttering up your living room? Even if you can’t part with it right now, hide it out of sight and notice how much more serene your living environment becomes.

• Expired food, pharmaceuticals, household and beauty products are no brainers. You certainly don’t need to be keeping any of this stuff around. Get a trash bag and go through your home and throw all this stuff away. There’s nothing to think about since it’s old and expired, so just toss into your bag and dispose of properly. You’ll see a big difference in how much clutter you got rid of without any of the emotional issues that come with throwing sentimental items out.

• We all have books on our bookshelves that we will never read again or don’t even want anymore. They just sit there because bookshelves are such convenient places to store them and we forget about them. Go through your books and find the ones you can either pass along to a friend or donate to the library. You might even make a little extra money by selling them online.

(If you’d like to read more about changing the way you think about wealth please consider reading my book REDEFINING THE MEANING OF WEALTH: DISCOVERING PROSPERITY AND FORTUNE IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE.)

Shylo napping with his eyes open

Cats are majestic animals and they are full of all kinds of wisdom. Now a cat will not give you unsolicited or even solicited advice for that matter but if you observe them closely little pearls of wisdom will be made explicitly obvious. Most of their teachings (well pretty much all of them) center on the importance of napping. Cats don’t need to buy a lot of stuff to be happy. Give them a place to nap and they are as happy as can be. They are the ultimate minimalists!

Napping is an under-rated luxury in our fast paced competitive culture. There is no money involved and they are a great way to recharge your battery. Cats must have some dang good karma going because they have the good fortune of spending the majority of their lives perfecting the art of napping.  Humans on the other hand are not so lucky.  However for those precious moments we can seize for perfecting the napping art those of the feline persuasion are here to inspire and lead by example.

Now I must give credit for this posting where credit is due. My three cat companions Rorschach, Shiloh, and Hunter are the real authors and I served only as the vessel for what they generously channeled to me. They have been honing their napping skills their entire lives and they have it down quite well, thank you very much! Below are some of their insights. Happy Napping!

Never underestimate the power of power naps. My cat companions see no reason ever to need a reason to take a nap and neither should you. Nap because you deserve it. Nap because you just ate a big meal. Nap to pamper yourself. Nap because you want to.  Napping also keeps you from resisting the urge to constantly be doing something because you’ll be asleep and won’t have time to mentally be going over your To-Do-List. Talk about simple living! What could be simpler than napping?

Naps reduce stress and anxiety therefore being good for your health as well. With the exception of the occasional worry that I may not give into their demands to be fed at 4am, my cats have very little stress in their lives. I have never once witnessed them fretting over paying bills, too many errands to run, or what the neighbors think. They do not give a hoot about inflation, ballooning deficits, or what political party is in power.

Naps can be taken anywhere so don’t just limit yourself to the couch or bed. My cats are always quick to remind me that behind the computer or even on top of it is a great place to nap because of the extra warmth provided. The closet is another great place to grab a few winks. To avoid having to lounge on dirty clothes they suggest you pull down some clothes from the closet rod and make yourself at home. The next time someone in your household places warm clean freshly dried clothes anywhere in your house, jump on it immediately even if you are in the middle of an important task. Some other ideas include bathroom sinks and tubs, your spouse’s desk chair (especially if they work at home) and the kitchen table.

Naps can enhance your creativity. My cats have torn the lining from the front end of our bed’s box spring thus resulting in a cozy hammock to hide in. This kind of creativity they say would not have been possible if they were over-worked and sleep deprived. Just imagine the works of art you will be able to accomplish once you get into the napping habit.

Naps don’t have to be at specific times. Forget anything you’ve been taught about the proper time to take naps. My cats nap in the morning, afternoon, and evening. They nap when guests are over and when they are not. Sometimes they put off important tasks like bird watching or stalking their toys because they feel a napping urge coming on.

Napping makes you more beautiful. My cats are living proof that napping makes you drop dead stunningly gorgeous. They may have tracked cat litter throughout the house and into the bed, little balls of their fur may adorn the floor, and their dining area may be a mess but my felines always look immaculate. Napping gives you the energy for extra grooming and beauty routines and the occasional exercise of jumping up onto the kitchen cabinet.

Naps put you in a good mood. There are many vices out there that claim to elevate your mood but napping beats them all hands down. However sometimes there are obstacles to overcome. If you are having trouble finding a quiet place to nap, seriously consider hiding. This lessens the chance of other family members bothering you, waking you up and putting you in a cranky mood. Remember we are napping to rejuvenate our beings so we have more to offer to ourselves and others. Note: my cats asked that I especially stress the “ourselves” part.

Now napping out in the open is certainly acceptable and often preferable. Pretend you don’t hear it if someone tries to wake you but do deepen your breath to make sure your belly is noticeably moving up and down. You want others to know you are still alive but you don’t want anyone prodding you to exit your slumber prematurely. Even if you do open your eyes for a few seconds not too worry. Cats often sleep with their eyes open so why shouldn’t you? Pretend you don’t see anyone and go immediately back to sleep. Wake up when you are good and ready and not a moment before.

French Quarter Patio-New Orleans

I once had a yoga teacher who said the present moment was actually just that- a present! It was a gift given to us and we should embrace that present because that moment would never be available to us again. How many of us constantly let the present moment slip away from us because we are sulking over the past or fretting over the future?

The present moment is where we do our most powerful living. When we are focused on what’s going on right now in our lives, we are more alive. The present is what it is. It has integrity and doesn’t pretend to be anything else other than what is real in that particular moment. Accepting life in the moment teaches us to be less judgmental and more open minded. Open minds pave the way for experiencing all that life has to offer. Sometimes it will be joyous and sometimes it will be sad. Other times it will be downright depressing or fraught with boredom. But don’t you want to experience it all? The ups and downs, the good and the bad?

Sometimes the sheer pleasure of being alive comes when you least expect it and you experience what I like to call the “unbearable joy of being.” You know those days when you feel so high that you’re almost certain you will never come down. Then the next day comes along accompanied by despair and loneliness. Only yesterday you were on top of the world and now you feel like you’re falling down a dark hole with no bottom. But don’t all these experiences make for a rich life? Don’t you want to exit the planet knowing that you experienced life to the fullest?

I once went out with a guy who said he wanted to be all used up when he died. There was never any small talk when we got together. We dove right into the core of what it meant to be human. I remember sitting in that dimly lit Santa Monica bar and excitingly nodding my head in agreement. “Yes”, I said. “Yes, I want to be all used up when I die too.” I often think of that conversation when I’m experiencing the not so pleasant. This is just part of “using myself up”, I remind myself. Did I think I would accomplish this with only the Pollyanna episodes of my life? Was I so arrogant to think that I could experience it all without ever being uncomfortable? Did I think the rich life I aspired to would only bring me jubilation and an occasional semi-blue day? I was young and arrogant at the time and I had a romantic notion of life. In theory I thought I was ready to meet all of life head-on but I had no idea and certainly no clue about honoring and savoring each of life’s moments. Living in the now was not even on my radar. I was too busy wishing the past away and waiting for the future to rescue me from all that was the least bit unsettling.

My yoga teacher was right. The present is a gift yet I am not always the most gracious receiver. I can continue to pray and meditate, simplify my life, and do yoga pose after yoga pose every day, but if I’m not learning to live in the now, all this work is for naught. We only make ourselves miserable when we are fixated on the past and yearn too much for the future. There is nothing in my past that will give me peace of mind and dreaming about the future won’t do it either. Peace of mind is already within my grasp. It’s called the now. This gift, this beautiful present is available to all of us. It doesn’t matter who you are or how much money you have. What does matter is whether or not you accept it. Go ahead and take it. Hang out in the now for awhile. See if your life does not become richer!

Rorschach the tiny titan of terror

“Until one has loved an animal, part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” - Anatole France

My household has a new member. His name is Rorschach and he is of the feline persuasion.  Who says wealth is only about money and  sundry other intangible assets? Sometimes wealth comes in tiny little packages with four legs and a really loud meow!

Rorschach showed up in our neighborhood several weeks ago. My husband David  gave him his name which was inspired by the Rorschach inkblot tests and the character in the movie  “Watchmen”.  His picture above should explain it all!  Even though we can’t really afford a new pet we couldn’t afford not to take him. He needed a home and he has already brought so much joy to our lives. Shylo and Hunter have been very accommodating (well Shylo has, Hunter was a bit peeved at first) and all three kitties are getting along quite well. There is the occasional cat fight but hey that’s what cat’s do, right?  Rorschach is the first kitty I have ever had who likes to chase Speed the turtle, but Speed pays him no attention and just goes about her business.

I love animals and each time a new one enters my life, I’m reminded of how blessed I am to share my life with other non-human animals.  The love and companionship of animals is one of those experiences that make this life worth living. Most of them are far more intelligent and interesting than humans and they are certainly more evolved. They don’t organize in groups and gang up on their own kind and fight for land. They don’t try to impress each other with their material assets or social status. They live in the now and and don’t worry about the future.

So welcome Rorschach! You came to the right household. You may have had a hard time on the streets but those days are now over. If you think the Egyptians worshiped the cat you aint’ seen nothing yet.  In my house, the animals run the show.  You can look forward to a wonderful life with David and me.  Thanks for finding your way to us and thanks in advance for all the riches you have and will continue to bring to our lives.

Helping out at Adoption Day-Kitty Lucia and Me

We work to become, not to acquire. –Elbert Hubbard

I’ve been pondering the concept of “work” quite a bit lately. What exactly is work and what does it mean? When most of us think of work, we think of exchanging our labor for money. Since the basic focus of society is monetary acquisition in order to finance our survival, it’s no wonder we disproportionately think of work this way. On one of my favorite I Love Lucy episodes, one of Lucy’s snooty lady’s club colleagues asks Ricky why he works as a bandleader and he replies, “My family has developed a bad habit, we like to eat!” I love this line!!! I too have developed that habit and I’m sure you have as well.

Yes, it’s a given we all have to do some work for money, but what about work that pays us in non-monetary ways but is equally as valid?  There are many kinds of work that add meaning and purpose to our lives and benefit our families and communities. These types of work should be celebrated and seen as valuable in the same way as work that adds to an individual or company’s bottom line. Below are some examples of work that may not pay us anything but the outcomes are priceless.

Volunteer Work- Most of us has volunteered at some point in our lives. Volunteering has a high level of satisfaction because you know you are working for a cause higher than yourself and more importantly you choose to be there. I volunteer for a local animal organization and I always feel energized and positive when I help out.  It’s a great feeling to know I’m making a difference. Volunteering is also a good way to meet others with like-minded interests. You can socialize and help out at the same time. What could be more fulfilling than that?  Volunteering is a win/win all the way around!

Working in the Home: I have a name for those who work in the home –a home arts practitioner. What in the world is a home arts practitioner you might ask?  It’s someone who runs a home. My friend Susan coined this phrase and I find it most apropos! Managing a home is an art not to mentions lots of hard work. Those who practice this thankless line of work receive very little kudos from society but the work is no less important.  Now that I’m unemployed, I work a great deal in the home. I’m in charge of making sure the grocery shopping is done, errands are run, the house is clean, bills are paid, and any other home projects that may come up. I’m also in charge of making sure we spend as little money as possible and what we do spend is a good bang for our buck!  Our lives are less chaotic now that we have one person running the household and one person working outside the home. We may have less money but in many ways our quality of life is better.

Hobbies: This category can include interests that run the gamut from needlepoint to running marathons. Our special interests help us develop new skill sets as well as learn patience and perseverance.  Hobbies also give us a break from the mundane and help us have fun. My hobby/art/exercise all rolled into one is yoga. I’ve been practicing for over 15 years and it never fails to keep me engaged. There is always something physical or spiritual to explore in my yoga practice. Yoga requires a great deal of work but it’s well worth it. It helps center me in the present and makes me more accepting of the difficulties life brings my way.

Activism: Activism can bring about social, economic, and political change. An activist’s work can include myriad forms of work such as marching in the streets, letter writing, boycotts, or political campaigning just to name a few. As a woman I consider activism important work. Had it not been for those brave women who came before me, I might still be considered someone’s property! I’m active in many causes-one in particular is being involved in the Simple Living Movement. By living as simply and purposefully as possible, I safely and legally make my point about excessive consumerism which can lead to environmental harm. Unchecked consumerism is not sustainable and I’m doing my part by curving mine as much as possible.

Educating ourselves: Educating ourselves is a smart investment. There is always something new to learn or research. Learning new things makes us smarter and more aware of the world outside our own. Right now, I’m spending time educating myself on our country’s banking system. Talk about an eye-opener! I also educate myself on ways to make smart spending choices so our money goes as far as possible and we support businesses in sync with our values.

Helping out a neighbor or animal: Every day across the globe someone checks in on an elderly neighbor or drives a disabled person to the doctor.  A stray animal shows up on someone’s door and some dear soul takes them in or helps them find a home. Numerous people the world over do the important work each and every day of helping another being out. They get paid nothing for it but their work makes a huge difference. I feed several feral cats in our neighborhood and I help out my neighbors when they need something and they do the same for me.

There are many types of work that don’t bring in money but add to the quality of our lives. I’m not one of those people content to sit around doing nothing. I like being busy and I like working, especially when what I’m doing gives me a sense of accomplishment and achievement. What kind of work do you like?

Tiny hummingbird in nest outside my neighbor's house

I’m a firm believer that abundance is for everyone. It’s our birthright from the time we take our first breath until the time we take our last. And I for one am also expecting a great deal of abundance in the afterlife as well.

The same way I feel everyone has talent and creativity, everyone has something in their life that is abundant. There are different forms of creativity and there are different forms of abundance. I don’t care how much money someone has or doesn’t have – no one has a monopoly on abundance. Just because Bill and Belinda Gates have more money than they know what to do with doesn’t mean they are any more abundant than you or me. And I bet they would be the first to tell you this is true.

www.dictionary.com defines abundance as:

1. an extremely plentiful or over sufficient quantity or supply
2. overflowing fullness
3. affluence; wealth

Any innuendo possibly referring to money is not even mentioned until the third definition.  Although abundance can mean money, it also means so much more. What do you have an abundance of in your life? Love, friends, family, laughter, fun?

I have an abundance of joy lately. You would think that going on month 6 of unemployment would be getting me down a bit. Miraculously, it’s been the exact opposite. Not that I don’t from time to time worry about the future and money, but I’m finding abundance in so many other areas.  I have more love in my life than is probably legal, thanks to my husband, friends, family, and pets. I have an abundance of time to read, write, and exercise. I get plenty of sleep every night and I haven’t caught any of the nasty flus or colds that having been going around the past several months. (Knock on wood!)

I have every faith that I will be taken care of and abundance will continue to be mine.  When I do enter the fear mode, I remind myself of the advice Jesus gave to his disciples. I hope you find his words as empowering as I do.

²⁵“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life^?

²⁸“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34 (New International Version)