Last night, I had the pleasure of seeing Michael Franti and Spearhead at the Majestic Ventura Theater.  This band “blends hip hop with a variety of other styles including funk, reggae, jazz, folk, and rock.”  A friend and music lover described Michael Franti as “a reggae, Robert Randolph.”  I thought that was a great description, so I borrowed it and suggested she become a music critic.  The Ventura Theater was the perfect place to see a band that “wants to see ya jumpin’.”  There are only seats on the third level, otherwise it’s “dancing room only.”  And Friday’s night crowd was ready to do just that.  I watched old, young, singles, couples and families jumping up and down like they were on pogo sticks every time Michael requested it.  Even though I thought I was wearing pretty comfortable shoes to dance in, half way through the show, I wished I had forgone style for comfort.  Next time, my outfit will be built around sneakers. Continue Reading »

I’m a scanner.  I scan the radio in the car, I channel surf the tv, and I surf the internet.  I blame Quiet Riot’s “Cum on Feel the Noize,” for my radio scanning habit.  Embarrassing, I know, but it’s oh so true.  My girlfriend and I would scan her clock radio trying to find that song.  Maybe we couldn’t afford “Metal Health” or even the single.  But I really think the thrill was stumbling upon it, cranking it up and dancing around her bedroom.  We’d sing, “Girls rock your boys, we’ll get wild, wild, wild.”  We got as wild as the little speaker in a clock radio allowed 14-year old girls to get. Continue Reading »

My little boy is away from home for the first time.  He’s attending the Los Angeles County Outdoor Science School in Malibu, California.  Sure, he’s slept at his friends’ before, however, this is the first long period of time where he isn’t in our care.  I also want to clarify that by “little,” I mean he’s 11-years old, no longer a baby, I know.  As a matter of fact he’s actually a “tween,” with wispy armpit hair and a crush on Angelina. My first concern was “It’s going to rain, what if a mudslide washes the school into the Pacific?”  Then once I got over “Will he remember to wear a jacket if it gets cold?” I realized this experience is more than recognizing that I’m an overprotective mother, it’s the beginning of a lesson on “letting go.”  Letting go of fear, anxiety and mostly letting go of the supposed control I have over things I really have NO control over.  Letting go of my little boy? Continue Reading »

My favorite tea, Yogi Green Tea, comes with a message on each tea bag.  I’ve collected lots of little white tags and have even written about some. (see new category) Today’s message, like most of them, was profound and thought provoking.  It read, “Recognize that the other person is you.”  This isn’t the first time I’ve seen this tag.  The first time I came across this quote was when I was having a disagreement with someone at work.  I opened the green little packet, read the tag and wondered if I was really the defensive one.  I felt my co-worker was defensive and dramatic, yet it was my defensiveness and drama that needed to be addressed.  I called her immediately, apologized for getting into an argument and realized I just needed to look in the mirror.

Today as I read the message again, I knew it was being repeated for a reason.  I was reminded if I place expectations on others; I will most likely be disappointed.  The only one I can expect anything from is me.   Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”  I think if I continue to learn, grow and am accountable to myself, I will see others and the world in a less disappointing way.  As a matter of fact, I may even see us all in the way we’re meant to be seen, as perfect, spiritual ideas.

You know those emails we all get, “Send this to 10 people and you will see something amazing or you may become rich or DIE!”  Sometimes these annoying chain emails contain some insightful messages, that you’d really like to pass along, not just to 5 or 10 people but to everyone you know.  Today, I received an inspirational email from a good friend.  The first sentence read:

“God doesn’t give you the people you want, He gives you the people you NEED   - To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you into the person you were meant to be.”

 I thought it was a great message because for me it’s the Truth.  It reminded me of the Garth Brooks song, “Unanswered Prayers,” where he sings “Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.”  In the song, he was able to look back at how God’s plan had unfolded in his life.  The challenge for most of us is waiting for time to pass to see how an experience shapes us into what we’re meant to be.  As I pass along this message, without threat or empty promises of wealth, remember to be patient and trust God’s plans for you.

 ”Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42)

Charlene Ross, a friend and writer from my writers’ group, who was featured as a “Guest Blogger,” is the Muse of the Month on skirt!.com.  She is a skirt setter, who blogs regularly on the site.  If you want to smile, follow her postings.  Most of the time, not only am I smiling after I read them, I’m wiping the tears from my eyes from laughing so hard.  She’s continues to be an inspiration to me. 

Vera Pavlova wrote:

If there is something to desire,

 there will be something to regret.

 If there is something to regret,

 there will be something to recall.

 If there is something to recall,

 there was nothing to regret.

 If there was nothing to regret,

there was nothing to desire