Welcome to the inside of my head!!!! My journal is a place where I let my thoughts off their leash and they get to run free. Unafraid of what others might think, feel, or say. Here I will be sharing with you everything that is important to me. That could be anything from the state of our beloved planet to my new favorite nail polish. Do your thoughts have a playground where they can let loose and be free? I invite you to "gift" yourself and your thoughts by keeping a journal. You never know what new and fun things you might find in there.Tomiko

2009-09-21

Ugh! Mercury is in retrograde and has been since around the 7th and will remain so until around the 29th. For those of you that don't have a clue what I'm talking about, let me try to explain.

Now I fancy myself to be somewhat knowledgable about astrology. I accurately guess other people's signs after being around them for a while. My friends ask my advice about potential dates based on the person's sign. I am fully aware that I am a true Taurus; with the good and bad that comes with it (mostly good if you ask me). My husband is also a Taurus and I couldn't ask for a better partner because we have this wonderul Taurean shorthand that we speak. It's great!

But the one aspect of astrology that drives me bonkers is when Mercury is in Retrograde. Now I know there's a technical definition for what's happening right now, but my frustrated definition is that "My computers suck!!!!"". I mean seriously, I have not been able to do ANYTHING on either computer in my house for several days now because they're just not cooperating. The monitor on my desktop decided it wants to shut off every 37 seconds and my laptop loses signal with just about the same frequency. For someone whose livelihood rests primarily online, this is not fun for me!!! : )

I cannot tell you how many emails I've lost this past week. This is my 20th attempt at updating this journal because each time I went to save what I typed, I'd lose signal and it would all be lost. Not to mention my numerous attempts to dazzle all of you with our "New and Improved" Goddess Gathering Newsletter. I cannot even save it, let alone send it. Therefore I cannot dazzle you with it. Again, I say "Ugh!".

Stop. Breathe. Start again.

A Goddess knows that sometimes life (and computers) can get a little wacky. She knows that these things really have NO control over her well-being and peace of mind. She knows that SHE is the creator of her life and NO THING can dampen her shine. Not even a (insert curse word here) computer!!!!

Here's my plan until sweet 'ole Mercury calms down:

1. Visit my local Coffee Shop where for the price of a green tea and danish, I can have all the signal my little heart and laptop desires (okay, sweety, you win!)
2. Save EVERYTHING I type every 35 seconds since I know that the signal will be lost every 37 seconds.
3. Copy everything I type and send it to myself as an email (hold please.......better do that now) so that if I do lose signal, I still have all of my work.
4. Keep a glass of full-bodied, slightly sweet red wine very close by. : )

Ahhhh, I feel better already.

Don't let Mercury get you, my Goddess sisters! Fight it with every tooth, nail and glass of Shiraz you can. Keep Shining!!!!

For more information about astrology, your sun sign, our friend Mercury and much more, visit www.astrologyzone.com. I swear by it (obviously) and check it at the beginning of each month. I promise, the news isn't ALWAYS bad. : )

2009-09-02

I have lost many loved ones over the years. My mother made her transition in 1991. Since then, I have lost 2 aunts, my grandmother, my grandfathers (on both sides), my great-grandmother, and most recently my beloved sister and stepfather. In addition, I have lost a few dear friends as well.

All of this loss has made me extremely sensitive to the fragility and beauty of life. I guess because I'm getting older, I am thinking about my mortality more often. I hunger to really live life! I want to travel, spend quality time with friends and loved ones, get to know every inch of my husband, read great books, inspire people, learn new languages, own homes around the world, have a child, be centered in my divine truth and just soak in all of the beauty that life has to offer. It has become my mission.

Lately, everything I do is done with my being fully present. I am trying my best not to "gloss over" any activity. When I'm hanging out with my husband, I am present. I take him in and fully engage in conversation with him. All of the "stuff" from my day gets put on the back burner. When I'm on a shoot, I fully immerse myself in it. I connect with the photographer, the crew, what I'm wearing, the music that's being played.....all of it. When I'm at a Goddess Gathering, my attention is on my Goddess sisters and why we're gathering together. We usually begin with an exercise that requires us to leave all of our brain chatter outside and become fully present to the room.

These exercises in being present remind me that I am here to live with intention. It can be a life intention like inspiring, empowering and encouraging people. Or it can be a momentary intention like enjoying time with my best friends. Whatever it is, I do my best to BE there.

How many times are we doing one thing, but our minds are off in a million different directions? How does that make you feel? Rushed? Scattered? Unfocused? Now imagine if for each task, you allowed yourself to be fully present to that task. What if you set an intention to BE present? Breathe and settle in with your mind, body, and spirit. What might that feel like? Here's a suggestion for you. Try this exercise while making love. Yes, I said it. : ) BE fully present to what is happening during lovemaking. Allow your SELF to surrender and focus your attention/intention on you and your partner. It's truly a beautiful experience.

I could go on and on, but I know that you get my point. Slow down. Align your spirit with what REALLY moves you. Intend great moments and a great life. Choose Bliss.

I can honestly say that since I've begun living with intention, my quality of life has improved. I didn't come into a windfall. I didn't get the cover of an acclaimed magazine. I haven't figured out how to manage my time most effectively...yet. But because my intention is to live life happily and fully, my spirit knows peace.

I wish the same for you, my sweet Goddess sisters. It is yours just because you believe it to BE so.

Keep Shining!