Fluidity

Fluidity - such a lovely word. Evoking images (for me) or grace and poise, ease of movement and suppleness, as well as the all-encompassing aspects of water or actual fluids which flow over and through all.

Yes, I know, what in the world am I talking about? I'm used to that question, living as I do in the special place inside my own mind, lol.

I guess what brought this to mind for me was the Beliefnet.com quiz I took awhile back. Realizing that for the most part, my core beliefs have not changed, yet if we look at words to define where we fit in, I no longer fit in with the spiritual community of my up-bringing. Yet if my core beliefs really have not changed, how is this possible?

Well, I think fluidity helps me understand. I find myself on a continuum, like a river. As I move down the river with the current the view changes. There are places which are smooth and gentle and lush with vegetation, and then there are the places filled with rocks and rapids. Sometimes there are even waterfalls! I'm still on the continuum, the core of the matter is the river. I'm just seeing different views along the river.

I also think that I'm very comfortable with a variety of words expressing the same idea. Someone may refer to God, another The Universe, and still others may call it all by some other name. I am fluid with names, in that I don't necessarily care which name is used, but more importantly I'm comfortable with the concept that whatever labels we attach to things can still all refer to the same thing. I'm comfortable with the fluidity of movement amongst and between the labels too.

It seems that much of organized man-made religion is not comfortable with this fluid-ness, and have waged battles about terminologies and such that are just not that important to me. The whole thing with needing to give things specific names and then beating one another up over the names and the rightness of the names strikes me as very un-graceful, and lacking in poise. Certainly not possessing ease of movement nor suppleness. I much prefer to relax and breathe and accept that someone else can state their belief, and have their belief, without it being a threat to me.

I also find that all of the above applies, for me, to the lifestyle and BDSM things. I've experienced that NO ONE calls anything by the same name as someone else, lol. OK, that's a slight exaggeration, but basically there are a bazillion ways to describe WIITWD (what it is that we do.) And that's cool. Refer to yourself and describe yourself as you wish. In whatever way makes you happy. And be fluid enough to grant that same benefit to everyone else you encounter.

Fluidity, gracefulness and poise, ease and suppleness, and really, being relaxed, breathing, no hard edges, and no need to always be right. Flow with the river, accept and allow others to flow as well, without the need to make them be wrong. Perhaps your fluid will flow into my fluid and we will discover some new and wonderful fluid which could not have been created if we had kept our fluids strictly segregated. Perhaps.

Fluidity, being open to the possibilities and ideas and differences of life.

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Lyrics of Life

Found a couple more songs that have caught hold of me. Nevermind that I love music in general, and that for now I'm still totally wrapped up in Coldplay (Viva La Vida), and also enjoying One Republic (Dreaming Out Loud).


I've recently been pondering on the new CD from The Fray (The Fray) just released in February. "You Found Me" has some pretty powerful thoughts in the words.

I found God on the corner of First and Amistad
Where the west was all but won
All alone smoking His last cigarette
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I said where You been, He said ask anything
Where were You when everything was falling apart
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All my days were spent by a telephone
That never rang and all I needed was a call
That never came to the corner of First and Amistad

Beautiful music accompanies the thought-provoking lyrics. Such a truth here too - when we question where God was when things went bad, the answer is that God was actually right here, waiting for a call. I believe too that this is true whether we call our spiritual truth by the name of God, or The Universe, or whatever label we use - bottom line is that the spiritual world is present for us.

The rest of the song explores a failed relationship, and it does all relate. I tend to focus on the bigger picture though. Personal responsibility can be such a tricky thing to weave into our lives, and this song speaks to me of the personal responsibility of reaching out to the Universe, or God, and bringing those forces to work in our lives. Placing blame doesn't actually accomplish anything. It's funny, but this morning I read a couple of blogs that tie right in with these words too. M;e (Aspects of M;e) and Gilette (Ex-Courtisan In Transition) have both talked about the concepts of blame and shame.

Asking "where were you" is often a way of assigning blame, and is honestly quite beside the point. Assigning blame in any event is generally fruitless and a waste of time, whether it's blame of others or blame of self. Best to accept a situation as it is, figure out the best way to proceed, and then move on. If we can learn anything from these lyrics it's to ask for help/guidance/etc from the spiritual world sooner rather than expecting that it will just step in to rescue us unasked. I think this also applies to relationships as described in the rest of the song. It can all be pretty deep to ponder, yet very enjoyable to listen to the song.


On a much lighter note I've been enjoying a song by Lady Gaga, (Poker Face). The song itself is fun, and I enjoy it, but there's one line that grabs me every time *grin*:

"And baby when it's love if it’s not rough it isn't fun"

Soon I'll have to get these songs into my little Music widget thingy at the top of the page. :)

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Age

"Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years.
People grow old by deserting their ideals.
You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt;
as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear;
as young as your hope, as old as your despair."

~General Douglas MacArthur

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Stress Buster

Just in case you are having a rough day, here is a stress management technique recommended in all the latest Psychological journals. The funny thing is that it really does work and will make you smile...

1. Picture yourself lying on your belly on a warm rock that hangs out over a crystal clear stream.

2. Picture yourself with both your hands dangling in the cool running water.

3. Birds are sweetly singing in the cool mountain air.

4. No one knows your secret place.

5. You are in total seclusion from that hectic place called the world.

6. The soothing sound of a gentle water fall fills the air with a cascade of serenity.

7. The water is so crystal clear that you can easily make out the face of the person you are holding underwater.

There!! See? It really does work. You're smiling already. Feel free to forward this if you know others who might benefit from this.
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Too Funny

I just love this! If you've been reading here for any length of time you know how enchanted I am with nutrition, and the affect of proper nutrition on our bodies. I wrote here and here about the topic last year.

So of course, looking at the daily news feeds today, an entry titled "Healthy Habits That Aren't" caught my eye. I'm reading through the article, not surprised to see that washing our hands in antibacterial soaps is no better than using regular soap, and can even be worse. Nor am I surprised to read that low-fat/fat free diets aren't all that good for us, and that perfect posture is not better for our backs than reclining. Nor was I surprised to read that taking anti-oxidants in pill form doesn't help us at all and can actually harm us (must EAT the anti-oxidant rich food, can't take the shortcut with pills!)

I WAS surprised though to read that carrots (Vitamin A) are not as good for our eyes as we've been led to believe. Now of course, Vitamin A is good for eyesight and other things, so I had to read more to find out what the article was saying. Here's an excerpt:

If you think these vegetables will improve your vision, think again. While carrots do contain vitamin A, which is a major player in keeping your eyes working properly, you really only need a small amount of it—and no matter how much vitamin A you consume, it’s not going to magically eliminate your need for glasses. In fact, if you eat too much vitamin A, you can end up with a toxic—although not usually fatal—reaction. The idea that more carrots means better vision might actually be a relic of a World War II-era military disinformation campaign. According to the online World Carrot Museum, British intelligence began spreading the myth during the blitz as a plausible explanation for why their fighter pilots were suddenly able to spot Nazi planes at night. In reality, the British had simply developed a better radar system and didn’t want the enemy to find out about it.

That is just too funny! One of the greatest modern-day beliefs about the power of good nutrition on the body turns out to be the result of keeping war secrets! I LOVE it. :)

I also never knew (nor dreamed) that there was such as thing as the World Carrot Museum. I'm sure I'm just way too easily entertained, because this whole thing has really tickled my funny bone! :)

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Saturday Ramble

There's just something about trains. When the Amtrak whizzes past not far from the house it's a barely noticeable sound, and quickly gone. Although when I hear it I still get little goosebumps. I have traveled by train and enjoyed it a lot.

But when the freight trains rumble by the house, it's much louder, and for a much longer time. The sound stirs such funny feelings within me - very poignant nostalgia, and thoughts of me as a little girl in my Grandmother's old Victorian house in a small town in Ohio, and falling asleep in the summer with the 10 foot tall windows open and the sounds of small town life the lullaby I drifted off to. Feelings of longing and wondering, of changing and new things, and a whole big world out there waiting to be discovered.

Decades later here in Maryland I lived with my then husband on the other side of this town. We had tracks on that side of town too, and they had many street crossings to make. So as one of the freight trains passed by there was a series of whistles, the mournful moan a counterpoint to my busy and hectic life. The tracks there are located along a ridgeline, and echo across the valley to the other side. Most easily heard at night, taking me right back to my small-town home away from home at Grandmother's house.

Since the tracks behind my house here are primarily for Amtrak, there are no crossings, and no whistles from the occasional freight trains. But the rumble alone is enough to take me back, I don't have to hear the whistle. So it seems there's just something about trains in general rather than the train whistles.

I wonder if this is tied in somehow to my delight and obsession with new roads. I also wonder if this is related to my need for constant change and improvement. I know that desire for and comfort with change is not typical of other people, I just know that I always want to be a better version of myself, and seek for a better version of life for myself and those around me. Is that somehow my sense of what trains give? I don't know. It seems perhaps too convoluted. Maybe I'm applying 8 lane highway thinking to a 1 lane dirt road concept. (I'm good at that.)

I just know that when I hear a train, freight or high speed, with or without whistle, I get funny, gooey feelings inside. I feel squishy and have a sense of longing and need. Longing and need for what I couldn't possibly say. Which is why I'm trying to sort this all out.

Could just be the sense of the unknown, or something exotic and different. I really don't know. I'm not dissatisfied with who I am or what my life is, I don't need new and different. I enjoy new and different, but I'm also fine without it. I just don't understand this longing. Perhaps it's something from my childhood. I do know my Grandmother's house had a profound impact on me. It is this amazing 13 room old Victorian house with a porch swing and ghosts in the attic and all kinds of wonders old and new for my childlike mind to understand.

I had to have a front porch on the last house (the one the ex had built for me,) so I could hang a porch swing, sit, watch, and listen to the world like I did many years ago in a town almost 500 miles away. Sadly, this cottage I bought for son and me after the divorce has no front porch, and my porch swing languishes in the basement of Mom's house. The house she just sold so she can move in with my sister, so I need to decide what to do with my swing. It might help me decide what to do with the swing if I can figure out what it is about the porch swing and trains that stirs such feelings and longings in me.

I don't know. Sometimes blogging helps me discover answers as I write - not this time. Maybe some of you can help. And if not, I also know that all will be well, one way or the other, in time. It's ok not to know.

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I Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself...

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RUN!

In 2009 the government will start deporting all the mentally ill people.



I started crying when I thought of you.

Run my little crazy friend, run!

Well, what can I say?? Someone sent it to me, and darnit, I'm NOT going alone !!




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Thought For Today

Blessed are those who can give without remembering

And take without forgetting.

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A Beautiful Life

~koritzee~ sent me an email with a powerpoint presentation in it that was just beautiful. The music, the pictures, and the words all combined to create a very lovely and poignant presentation. I tried to figure out how to post the powerpoint here, and came up empty. So I opted for sharing the words, knowing that some of the impact is lost, but most of the meaning is still here. Many of these are already things I practice or believe in, and I can assure you that they are truths which I've found helpful.

• Take a 10-30 minute walk everyday, and while you walk, smile.
• Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
• When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, "My purpose is to _____ today."
• Live with the 3 E's: Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy; and the 3 F's: Faith, Family, Friends.
• Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
• Dream more while you are awake.
• Try to make at least three people smile each day.
• Realize that life is a test and you are here to learn, pass all your tests. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
• Smile and laugh more, it will keep the energy vampires away.
• Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
• Life is too short to waste time hating anyone/
• Don't take yourself so seriously, no one else does.
• You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagreement.
• Make peace with your past so it won't mess up your present.
• Don't compare your life with others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
• Burn the candles, use the nice sheets. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
• No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
• Forgive everyone for everything.
• What other people think of you is none of your business.
• Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
• However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
• Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will stay in touch.
• Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
• The best is yet to come.
• No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
• Do the right thing.
• Call your family often.
• Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: "I am thankful for_____ ." and "Today I accomplished _____ ."
• Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
• Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. Make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

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This Is Also What Friends Are For...

None of that Sissy Stuff

Are you tired of those

sissy 'friendship' poems

that always sound good,

but never actually come close

to reality?

Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of

True Friendship.

You WON'T see

cutesy little smiley faces here -

Just the stone cold truth

of our great friendship.

1. When you are sad,

I will jump on the person

who made you sad

like a spider monkey

jacked up on Mountain Dew!!!

2. When you are blue,

I will try to dislodge

whatever is choking you.

3. When you smile,

I will know you are

plotting something

that I must be involved in.

4. When you're scared,

we will high tail it out of here.

5. When you are worried,

I will tell you horrible stories about how much w orse

it could be until you

quit whining, ya big baby!!!!

6. When you are confused,

I will use little words.

7. When you are sick,

Stay away from me

until you are well again.

I don't want whatever you have.

8. When you fall,

I'll pick you up

and dust you off--

After I laugh my ass off!!

9. This is my oath...

I pledge it to the end.

'Why?' you may ask;

-- because you are my FRIEND!

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That's What Friends Are For

I've been a little out of it since going back to work, and failed to realize that after my sweet friends Andrades Girl and Barbie nominated me for the friends award I should both thank them and keep the whole thing moving! I do apologize for the tunnel vision, and I thank you both, it's very gratifying to receive such recognition.

Here is the award

“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers.”

The Rules to accepting this award: “Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”

This is really tough for me, partly because I believe many of my cherished bloggers have already received this award, and partly because everyone I read is special to me, each blog adds a dimension to me. I'm torn between biting the bullet and naming 8 people, even if they've already gotten the award, and taking the path M:e chose, that of just thanking everyone and electing to not name additional people. I really agree with her approach on so many levels! But as long as I don't have to find 8 people who have not gotten the award already, I'll list here my favorite blogs. That's not to say I only have 8 favs, just that the rules only allow for 8.

So, first I have to mention Constance at My Dabble in the Middle End, who was the first person I found, and through whom I stumbled onto most everyone else I've become acquainted with.

Princess at Submissive Sparks.

Doubleknot at doubleknots ruminations.

M:e at Aspects of Me.

Swan at The Heron Clan.

Ronnie at Heart and Soul.

Chloe at She Obeys.

Cookie at The Cookie Jar.

Of course Barbie and Andrades Girl would be on this list too if they hadn't nominated me...
And there are more I'd include too - you could actually check out my list of favorite blogs, lol.
Anyway, this is a very nice gesture, it's always nice for us to let others know we think well of them, I hope you all knew that I thought the world of you already. I appreciate each of you for the generosity of spirit you exhibit by sharing yourselves so creatively and thoughtfully.

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What A REAL Hero Looks Like

This is truly inspiring.





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