Where the Hell is Matt? (2008)

I Want His Job

You all may already know about his guy, but my daughter showed me this last night. She says she gets emotional just watching him dancing his way around the world. Probably all those musicals I would put on for her to watch as a child. As for me - I just want his job.

Eavesdropping On Your Funeral

I have been contemplating my demise. Actually, I do it all the time. My professor told me to do it.

I guess I should clarify. I really have no intention of dying, at least not any time soon. (Insert sign of the cross, knock on wood, etc.)  But most of us feel that way. Unless we know it is inevitable, and someday it will be, we try not to think about it. That's why this exercise is so weird, I admit. But if you are working on those parts of yourself that need work (or healing), this a good exercise.

Lie on your back, in a quiet room, cross your hands over your chest and pretend you are dead. Everything is over. Relax, and clear your mind. Then envision yourself at your funeral. What are the people walking by saying?

The idea behind this exercise is not to be hard on yourself - and it's not a popularity contest - it doesn't matter how many people are at your funeral. If you don't have many people in your life, then use the people you come in contact with. Be totally honest with what you might be hearing. Were you a kind person? Happy? Sad? Honest? Charitable? Are people saying how much they will miss you? That your generosity of spirit will be missed? Are people saying that it is sad you are gone, but you really weren't a very good person. You were successful, but at the expense of others. Anyway, this is your funeral - you get to pick the conversations.

The point is to really look at where you are in your life. And maybe where you want to go for the rest of it. The impact that we have on others is very real and far-reaching. It's rippling effect is powerful.

We only get one shot at living. There isn't a second act. So be the person you want to be remembered for being. A life well lived.

It Was A Hit

The reaction was exactly what I thought it might be! My grandson loved his gift of music! He's only sixteen months old, but for some reason, he loves all kinds of music and as soon as I put it on, he wanted up. He immediately put his head on my shoulder and snuggled in for some music and dancing with his grandma. Of course, if you wear out and need to pass him off, he does the exact same thing with the next person. It's like he goes into another world, and likes nothing better than to listen and be close! He never seems to tire of the exercise. Only problem is the dancer part of the exercise is the only one getting any. He's getting a bit big and feels like a warm little sack of potatoes. But, honestly, - do I really have anything better to do than dance with my grandson? Can there be anything better? And exactly how long do you think I have, before this is something he will be way too cool for?

On another note, for those of you who have heard the story of mat, liz, and madeline, they will be on Oprah today. For those of you that have not heard the story, it is a sad one. Mat and Liz had their first baby a year ago, but Liz died the next day. The blog is done by Mat as he struggled to care for his newborn and grieve for his wife. He took tons of pictures and I've followed it from day one. It is sad, happy, funny at times, and very soulful. You can't help but love Madeline and respect Mat. They have been in People Magazine and even on Rachael Ray. 

It is a "count your blessings" kind of story. 

Easter on the Columbia River Gorge

Spring Renewal & Happy Easter

I love Easter. I love everything about it. But especially the feeling that we are on the precipice of an explosion of new growth. Soon all the trees will have beautiful leaves, flowers will bloom in abundance, showering our senses with color. The grass will turn green, and all the little creatures in the soil will come alive to help us grow our food.

Maybe, just maybe, it's true for us as well.  What do you think?

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!

Mission Statement

Many years ago, when I began my "spiritual search" for meaning, I wrote a little personal mission statement. It has come and gone in my consciousness over the years. But for anyone who has begun a "spiritual search", you know that you are not always on the path. You fall off and go in different directions, only to find the need to get back on the path because you don't feel so well. It usually happens when everything we work for, or believe in, becomes an illusion, or doesn't feed that part of us that needs feeding. I think that is happening on a world-wide scale. Our old ways of doing things are no longer applicable. We are destroying our earth home, consuming to feed that part of us that actually needs food of a different sort. Your path is different from mine, but one thing we have in common is our desire for a society, no matter where you live in this world, that listens, and provides, what we want and need.

So what do we want? What do we need? Now that our institutions are falling, how would you like to see them structured?

These questions are very real. Governments all over the world are needing our help. Yes, our help. The simple fact is - they really don't know how to fix all that ails. Of course we may have some ideas, but we are only small people and these are larger than life problems. Or are we?

I have found an explosion of new ideas and energy over the last couple of months. People who no longer trust institutions are taking destiny into their own hands. This creativity is coming from despair, but it's building, believe me. And you, yes you, are part of it. You are part of it because you were drawn to read this. Because you've been thinking about it. Whatever special gift you were given, and we all have one, is part of the solution.

So it's time to take your place in the scheme of things. It's time for you to start designing your world as you want it to be. Keeping in mind that "like attracts like", I would challenge you to work from a higher self, one that takes the well-being of all into consideration. Write your own mission statement. Carry it in your mind as you start designing the world you would like to see. Starting in very simple ways is okay, but everyone, everywhere, can do something to affect change. And remember, thoughts are energy, the very building block of what you want to see happen. Speaking of energy, I woke up to a little update blog entry from one of my favorite authors this morning in my e-mail. Are we on the same page or what?

Share your ideas, they may spark one in us. Blogging is a unique opportunity because it shares information instead of competing for it. How great is that?