JANUARY 22

Dear Michael Hutchence,

I remember when I first heard “The One Thing” and “Don’t Change’ on the airwaves in the early 80’s. INXS became my favorite band. The music, the lyrics, your charisma, the Australian accents, just everything appealed to me! I feel fortunate to have seen you in concert at least eight times circa 1982-1997.

It’s still hard to believe that you died nine years ago. When I hear your voice or see you singing on video, I can hardly fathom that you tragically left this world on 11/22/97. After a number of years, I’m glad the band decided to continue. They deserve to pursue and share their gifts and passion, being such talented musicians. I admit that I’m not all that fond of their new singer, J.D. Fortune. I choose to remain in the era of the band with your vocals. I still enjoy all of your many, many songs and continue to find inspiration in your music.

I found a number of videos, live performances and interviews of you on You Tube! You indeed live on. I know there are so many other fans out there and you touched many lives in your all-too-brief life. Happy Birthday on what would have been your 47th year.

Quote

"We are at our very best, and we are happiest, when we are fully engaged in work we enjoy on the journey toward the goal we've established for ourselves. It gives meaning to our time off and comfort to our sleep. It makes everything else in life so wonderful, so worthwhile" - Earl Nightingale

More lovely Audrey

Inspiring Audrey

There is a whole You Tube universe out there! This is Audrey Hepburn reading from the Diary of Anne Frank.

Go Patriots!

Good game, Tom Brady, Serra boy!

Arctic Cold

It's really cold here!! They say were have a freeze warning in effect tonight thru Saturday morning. Got to bundle up!

Justin

Happy belated birthday cute nephew. Lots of love and good wishes for a wonderful 11th year!

2 things

I saw 2 good ideas on other blogs this week:

1) Stop buying non-essential things for a specified time (Jan. 8 posting "Stop Buying Crap") http://www.crazyauntpurl.com/

2) Save money to travel (Jan. 10 posting "Travel as a Tool for Spiritual Growth") http://www.travelingforever.com/blogs/

Clutter be gone...again

I started reading “It’s All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff” by Peter Walsh, from TLC's Clean Sweep (which I’ve heard of but never seen, we don’t have cable.) He has an optimistic approach to clutter. He asks you, “How do you imagine your life?” and some other good questions. Clutter is not only physical; it affects us on an emotional/mental level too.

So I made my rounds through our little apartment and managed to purge even more. I copied the remainder of my CD’s to the computer & ipod (w/G’s help) therefore; eliminating the last CD rack which opened up some space under the table where it sat for a couple years. I instantly felt the ‘breathing space’ once it was gone. Did some sorting and organizing, even tossed some old art & calligraphy supplies I haven’t used in years, along with some books and magazines which are a bit more challenging because I LOVE books. Every time I get a new one(s), I try to discard the same amount or more, in fact that is one of his principles for various items with limited space.

When I looked in my closet yet again, I asked the question and went right to a black suit I’ve been holding onto which was only used for job interviews years ago. Turns out, I don’t see myself wearing a suit and it went in the donation bag. It’s interesting to imagine how you see your life and what you how you want to use the rooms in your home. I want more travels and experiences, and I want our home to be cozy, colorful and supportive of both our dreams and goals, which I’d say it pretty much is.

It’s an ongoing process but I feel like I’m finally getting closer to having less extraneous stuff, and more things that are useful and have a purpose.

faith-plus-action

I want my word to be the opposite of fear. My instinct was the word FAITH. I remember an acronym (For All I Trust Him) and truly, if that is how I lived, I don’t think fear would be such an issue. I would believe and trust that I could handle all that comes my way. Therefore, free to try something, take risks, overcome, succeed and even fail because that’s part of learning. Also, faith that everything will ultimately be okay and work out as it should whether I understand or not. Faith to let my loved ones be all they are and do all they need to do, sans worry.

But there’s more.

I need ACTION for anything to happen. Seek, go, and do. For example, get back on track and drop a couple pounds that crept back on, start a yoga practice, write (already signed up for a class on writers.com!) , fellowship & service, and travel. Really these are my same interests and plans that just require some a-c-t-i-o-n.

So my one word is now three:
FAITH-PLUS-ACTION

words

Happy New Year!

I just read in the "aezine" email from Ali Edwards about choosing a word for the year to focus, meditate and reflect upon, while going about daily life and learning to incorporate that word. I really like her idea. Ali writes:

"Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2007? It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a thought or a feeling or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. This is not your mother's word or your spouse's word or your child's word - this is YOUR word.

One little word can have big meaning in your life if you allow yourself to be open to the possibilities. And here's one thing that is totally interesting: sometimes a word will pop into your brain and it will not make any sense to you right now. Give it some time. Let it percolate a bit. I have often found that our hearts speak to us in very unique ways. Maybe this is a word you need to hear but just aren't ready for it yet. Again, be open to the possibilities."

I have an idea about my word, just need to moodle (Brenda Ueland's word, sp?) a little and get precise. It has to do with adventure & risk! What about you?
Ali Edward's site is at: http://aliedwards.typepad.com/