• Happy 4th of July! May Independence Day bring about new states of mind.. explore it, the possibilities & a #quote or 5; “Independence is a State of Mind” #
• Send this e-card in appreciation of our veterans, service members & their families who protect our independence http://ff.im/-4MsGu #July4th #


“If you can’t do what you want, do what you can.”
-– Lois McMaster Bujold –
(independence comes in degrees & is ours to create)
from my TwitWall, as tweeted below

• Happy Independence Day! http://bit.ly/ScLbF #
• faved "Perfect Summer eve: Fireworks popping & fanning sky, fireflies, sounds of frogs & locusts, the moon high & bright" from @stargardener #

THX @susanreynolds 4RTingME: People don't change w/the times-they change the times. -PKShaw (in challenging ourselves-we challenge the status quo) #

• retweet of @klamach: i would rather die on my feet in peaceful dissidence than live on my knees in oppression #iranelection (via @Killandra) #
• Iranian Women & The Uprising: Culture, Rights & Roundhouse Kicks @bust_magazine http://tinyurl.com/klaugd #iranelection (via @EmpressNorton) #
• This fantastic "Fireworks 2009" slideshow.. http://ff.im/-4Thik ..is by @Karoli who is also fantastic! ^_^ #July4th @paulbritphoto @1Paisley #

watch the very slideshow, tweeted above, right here
• Building a Positive Life – @PeacefulWmn9 http://ff.im/-4Qvld #
• "Love to play in the sun, dance in the rain & walk in the moonlight, yet coming back home is the best!"-@arlenesg's bio (|_|*hear, hear*|_|) #

Uncertainty & expectation are the joys of life. William Congreve (stray from the known path-round corners-discover new possibilities) #quote #

• retweet of @hochmann: new post on bits of buddhism: More Rumi Ruminations: Be your note! Blend with the Divine. http://post.ly/17Ns (<3 Rumi) #
• retwt of @arlenesg: I have a new #twitter sister who luvs #coffee as I do. She's fun. [YAY & THANX (|_|*to my new twitter-coffeesister*|_|)] #

"A lifestyle is what you pay for; a life is what pays you."-Thomas Leonard (tis the little things that build the most rewarding life) #quote #

• coffeesister here / testing #plurk via IM / shall "plurkus" return? (aka bad #haiku 0_0) http://plurk.com/p/17ad73 #
• retweet of @Killandra: Our cause on @Facebook is now over 3000!! Support Blue Ribbon Campaign for #ME/CFS – http://ow.ly/dehk (Just joined!) #
• tis a fuzzy world but all the better for it when that fuzziness comes in the form of @PaganPuppycat http://flic.kr/p/6CDA6q #


this is @PaganPuppycat, as tweeted above

• my @RhodesTer used his few tips to bring me a muffin! having it now w/hot mango #tea as he recuperates from work (aka sleep -_-) *nuts, YUM* #

Dori’s Muffin
by RhodesTer on July 6, 2009

Yesterday, I brought a muffin home for Dori.

She likes it when I do that.

I haven’t been able to do it for a long time, because it was always after an overnight shift at the hotel where I worked in downtown Palm Springs. I was laid-off in December and haven’t been in downtown Palm Springs during the morning since then.

But this weekend they called me back to work a couple of overnight shifts for the 4th of July holiday.

When I got off Sunday morning, I went down to The Coffeebean and got Dori’s muffin. I got one for myself too, and consumed it on the premises with a mocha ice-blended while watching people come in and out.

Then, after finishing mine, I had them put Dori’s muffin into a little brown bag..

CLICK to read the whole story & see a great video!

• as ordered by Thomas @Hochmann – "awesomeness" – check: the balance of yin & yang, peace, love, the moon & stars; ALL awesome in reply to hochmann #
• ATTN: #Twitter – @hochmann's wife (aka Suzy) is awesome! [after all, she puts up w/him.. er, *check* ..for that matter, @RhodesTer too!] in reply to hochmann #

Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich. -Sarah Bernhardt (there are no limits when we open our souls) #quote #

• 8-Year-Old With Tourettes Wants Others to Learn Tolerance | theledger.com | The Ledger | Lakeland, FL http://ff.im/-4W4hy #
• A selection of photos of Spain.. http://bit.ly/Ip3Au ..well worth a few minutes of your time. (via @grahunt) [THANX for the new wallpapers!] #


a new addition to my wallpaper collection, as tweeted above

• not sure why, nor am I sure why I think there's a why, but my #brain fog's thick today; actions slow, tho'ts disjointed.. nothing new #fibro #
• as I deal w/multiple issues daily, <3 #Chronic #Pain Warriors: Responding to the Pile-Up of Challenges; http://is.gd/1rBlJ @ Dancing w/ Pain® #

Leonard:You're some piece of work. Jack:We all are, Leonard. I recommend it. L:What? J:Life.-"Mental" (to live's a piece of work) #TV #quote #

• A day without laughter is a day wasted. -Charlie Chaplin #quote @hochmann here to aMUSE.. case in point & more #Chaplin http://bit.ly/14jepC in reply to hochmann #

"A warrior of light has no regrets, because regrets can kill. He humbles himself and undoes the wrong he has done." – #quote by @PauloCoelho #

• an "Inventory of normality" by @PauloCoelho – http://bit.ly/x8rCB – a few favorites are #s 1, 8, 12a, 23, 27, 39, 42, 44 & 47; PLEASE read!? #
• Buffy vs Edward: Twilight Remixed — [original version] http://ff.im/-4Z4ba #


What Would Buffy Do? Notes on Dusting Edward Cullen

• We are indeed in good company so not alone. We also enjoy small blessings & life pleasures w/new appreciation. (from @stargardener) [BINGO!] #
• Desktop wallpaper | Social Wallpapering http://ff.im/-51ywD #


another new wallpaper addition, from the site tweeted above

• the spiritual healing by the fine arts starts as we recognize ourselves in others. http://ff.im/-51IuG #
• hope all is well.. tis a scary time @ the Rhodes' home; determined to keep our wee apt, trusting we ARE where we belong & working on funding #
• How Giving Changes Everything; http://bit.ly/MW2gw by @jonathanmead @zen_habits (via @FairyBlogMother) "[we're] most fulfilled when serving" #

"My hope still is to leave the world a bit better than when I got here." -Jim Henson (empathy & generosity have the greatest impact) #quote #

• THX for the #quote retweet, @uppington making a positive difference is indeed the best we can hope for; a little effort creates huge ripples #
• from @jeanneendo: "FOXY FRIDAY!" Applicable to most any #chronic condition. http://bit.ly/iHhp2 (now to eventually get a #health care pro..) #
• #pain takes over / determination pushing back / détente .. #chronic #haiku >_< !haiku http://ff.im/-545HU #

my blog post agreeing w/ @SueInge-"Be sure to get the sleep you need. Stay rested, stay well"-To rest, perchance to live: http://ub0.cc/3s/W #

• my post "To rest, perchance to live:" has great comments by @Tojosan @TheCharmQuark @JeannetteNL & @prosario_2000 – http://ub0.cc/3s/W – THX #
• from @worldprayr: Pray for those that are experiencing emotional stress due to job loss or other financial issues. (via @marrangee) [THANX!] #

Every moment is a golden 1 for him who has the vision to recognize it as such. -Henry Miller (if not golden, there's a silver lining) #quote #

• I've created my own #quote w/thanx to @quotegarden: "Under every full moon, our hopes & dreams travel its beams." http://tinyurl.com/qg-c001 #
• "Something's Coming (somethin' good)" so unleash the unknown & prepare for the possible; http://bit.ly/ugSXB @Killandra @jeanneendo video 4U in reply to Killandra #
"Uncertainty and expectation are the joys of life."
– William Congreve –
(rather than stay on the path you know,
round some corners & discover new possibilities)
from my TwitWall, as tweeted above, click thru for the lyrics

Powered by Twitter Tools.

• retweet of @hochmann: been thinking about that lately. thinking about the “whats” of my dreams, trying to get past the “why nots” (YAY you!) #


the quotationary Thomas replied to, as tweeted above

• retwt of @Pistachio: #Twitter is; Newspapers in a Blender… Pulped up, turned inside-out & pouring out as liquid streams. (which we create) #
• retweet of @ursulas: OMG! DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS ARE NOW LEGAL IN NEVADA!!! Legislature just finished overriding Governor Gibbons’ veto! YAY! #

from the keys of one of Twitter’s founders, @Ev:

retwt of @evskeys: Even I know love’s not based on the hardware you’re born with. No one can tell you the shape of the key that opens your <3

retwt of @evskeys: The internet’s like the human brain; vast power arising from millions of interconnections yet we use less than 10% of it.

• so glad you retweeted @onlinedesign & @EnLieux aren’t those great? @evskeys -the keys belonging to #Twitter founder @Ev- are pretty smart ~_^ in reply to onlinedesign #
• reading “The George #Tiller I Knew” – http://bit.ly/oi047 – (via @QueenofSpain) on The Daily Kos (@markosm) [short yet important read] #tcot #
• via @blogdiva RT @BiancaLaureano: for the record, “pro-life” isn’t something pro-choice folk argue, we argue anti-choice..there’s a BIG diff #

POTUS #quote “However profound our differences over difficult issues such as abortion, they cannot be resolved by heinous acts of violence.” #

• I, w/@EmperorNorton, respect those who seek to reduce the incidence of abortion by helping single mothers. That is productive and Christian. #
• from @EmperorNorton-[Social conservatism] is miseducating its followers. It must say that in civil matters, there’s to be no violence. Ever. #


the quotationary that prompted the quote shared below

my friend provided the perfect #quote to complement y.day’s quotationary: “Don’t let your fear grow bigger than your faith.” – Josie Bissett #

• retwt of @Serene_Balance-What about YOU? Do you Dare to Care? http://bit.ly/jvWyI (caring’s incomplete if not active & every action matters) #
• retwt of @QueenRania-Factoid: There are half a billion women around the world that can’t read or write. That’s the same as population of EU! #
• Welcome to June, dear Tweeps.. many a new beginning lined up, incl. our 19th wedding anniversary tomorrow & @RhodesTer‘s 50th b-day the 9th! #

wrt those new beginnings, to #quote my dear @RhodesTer “I don’t want to have a boss anymore. Bosses are overrated.” http://rhodester.net/hey #

• retweet of @HiroBoga-The myth of job security, & a great post on the fine art of self-employment from @havi: Also, hummus. http://is.gd/LHDd #
• retweet of @mlvalentine-Bloggers didn’t kill journalism, journalists who stopped reporting the news and starting spewing rhetoric killed it. #
• so.. @Rhodester‘s been drinking some Bud Light we got stuck with & keeps offering to share!? if I wouldn’t drink it @ 14, why would I @ 40?! #


1 of the “18 Beautiful Rainbows” tweeted below

• retweet of @spreadingjoy: RT @Jason_Pollock: 18 Beautiful Rainbows from Around the World – http://cli.gs/ZBJ9Jy (I love rainbows!) [so do I] #
• Friar John Cor recorded the creation of the 1st known batch of scotch whiskey 1 June 1495-time to get our whiskey drink on then @goingglocal #

THX @BeMeaningful-“Just as u can’t steer an anchored ship u cant create change until u make changes.” Inspiring interview http://bit.ly/yghkr #

Coping with Someday in Constant Pain:
Dorian (aka coffeesister) Interview
by Alex Fayle on 18 May 2009

Who: Dorian is coffee for the soul; brewing up help, health & happiness from a simple, stimulating & sustainable life while offering life lessons, potential perspectives & empathetic encouragement to all takers for that’s why we’re here: we’ve all been lent to each other.

Name one moment in your life when you threw a pity party for yourself and the reasons why you felt you weren’t able to achieve your goals:
I’ve had chronic pain, in one form or another, throughout my life but that didn’t prepare me for being bed-ridden by my late-20s. I’d gallantly pushed on despite migraines, chronic daily headaches, tendinitis, mild scoliosis & asthma for over a quarter of a century — even keeping a job through what was presumably mono, despite having to drop out of college. Then.. No amount of willpower nor sense of urgency nor the strongest determination could make up for the fact that I was debilitatingly weak, constantly tired, painfully sore & cognitively spent.

CLICK to read the entire interview,
there’s something for EVERYone ~_~

• GO Jeanne! @jeanneendo celebrated her 1yr blogiversary by moving to her own domain; http://chronichealing.com #chronic #endo #fibro #ME #MCS #
• via @charitywater RT @TheWaterProject-Every day we don’t learn how we could do better is a wasted day. The ppl we serve demand our humility. #
• retwt of @spreadingjoy: Here are the results of our month of giving; http://bit.ly/20KF5B Thank you! [(|_|*to joy being created/shared*|_|)] #
• from @RhodesTer: 19 yrs of wedded bliss. Happy Annual-versary to US http://tinyurl.com/o74hz6 [his post's worth reading, my comment too] #
• btw, the “Annual-versary” post I tweeted of is of course @ http://rhodester.net so hope to see you there ~_^ @no1lefthere thanx Chris *mwah* in reply to no1lefthere #

“I <3 being married. It’s so great to find that 1 special person u want to annoy the rest of ur life.”-Rita Rudner http://bit.ly/9EwjV #quote #

• What @EmperorNorton said to an anti-abortion activist & other tho’ts.. http://cli.gs/UNjWh9 ..tho’ts I tend to agree with-esp wrt conscience #
• from @RhodesTer-My coffeesister’s sitting here quoting Roger Rabbit to someone in chat. (of course, he can only be quoted “when it’s funny”) #
• here’s @RhodesTer‘s latest blog post-A Visit From Father Phil- http://bit.ly/KZNNf -in which I use the word “exactly” exactly too many times #

It’s good to have an end to journey towards but it’s the journey that matters in the end. Ursula LeGuin (our means-not ends-define us) #quote #

• as we start our 20th year of marriage & @RhodesTer wraps up his 50th yr of life, w/so much in jeopardy, the contentment means that much more #
• retwt of @TIME: See pictures of Obama’s trip to Saudi Arabia | http://tr.im/njJh -via @rkref- (I particularly like the 6th photo in the set) #

great #quote via @motivational: “Other people & things can stop you temporarily. You’re the only one who can do it permanently.” -Zig Ziglar #

• retwt of @amyderby: I’m checking myself into Scrabble rehab. Word is, free Thorazine drip will be provided. (“Word is”-double meaning score) #
• via @Pistachio & @kitson-New Hampshire 6th state to legalize gay marriage; http://sn.im/nh0603 @BBC-joining Iowa, Conn, Mass, Maine, Vermont #
• officially blessing @deafmom‘s efforts “to pester @RhodesTer from now until Tuesday so all of Twitterville knows his birthday is coming up.” #
• Get clean water to 100 million people. Ask senators to cosponsor the Water for the World Act, sign the petition.. http://twitclicks.com/ks8j #

via TheONECampaign, wrt the tweet above
• came across the idea that being poor is only a frame of mind & all I can think is that the person being quoted has never experienced poverty #
• a must-see collection of gorgeous & amazing photographs at their own aptly named blog.. “Industrial Decay” http://ff.im/-3BZ0t (THX @Karoli) #


from the “Industrial Decay” blog, as tweeted above

YES @hochmann could NOT agree more ^_^ purity is pointless & unappreciated w/out a little wickedness to spice it up ~_^ (|_|*to balance*|_|) in reply to hochmann #

• retwt of @liveonpurpose: I need my supplements 2 function in my busy life (they ARE crucial tho’ need to be liquid or chewable to work best) #
• THANX for the stumbles on my interview by @AlexFayle, @kimota & @MrJWells as well as the reviews; OMG, @ndpthepoetress – http://bit.ly/1UKr1 #

from @EmperorNorton: [who] stops himself from wondering “what if”. There’s only What is. (which leads to What’s possible, “what if” doesn’t) #

Powered by Twitter Tools.

Ay, there’s the rub; We compromise the quality of our lives when we don’t include quality rest. Many find it difficult to stop, to be still — within & without — yet we must. There’s no timetable but if we refuse to step down periodically, our bodies will eventually throw us down. Even with wonky health, I wasn’t slammed squarely into a bed I could scarcely get out of til well into my twenties. By incorporating rest & slowing the fuck down, I no longer have to rest constantly (even if still a lot).

“Sometimes the most urgent thing you can possibly do
is take a complete rest.” ~ Ashleigh Brilliant
(downtime’s part & parcel of our uptime)

Just to keep me on track, I do still get thrown back into bed now & again. I landed there with an extended opportunity for downtime these past two weeks in fact & it did my body a necessary good to simply rest. You’ll have noticed my sudden, prolonged absence if you drink from my “Demitasse.” The very day of my last quotationary before yesterday’s, my fever spiked & it took the two weeks for it to completely break. Although the fever lessened each day, other symptoms kept me down for the count. My wee laptop typically enables me to stay online despite the myriad symptoms I experience each day but not when they worsen & collide.

“It is not good for all our wishes to be filled;
through sickness we recognize the value of health;
through evil, the value of good;
through hunger, the value of food;
through exertion, the value of rest.”
~ Dorothy Canfield ~

I’ve long since had to learn to heed my body’s need for downtime & learned to relish the balance incorporating it into my days created. Every time we break from routine, we give our mind a needed break. All it takes to give your mind & body the rest they not only deserve but need is just one chapter of a book or a single TV show Tivo’d. Whatever your poison, it won’t always be possible but take/make time for yourself & strive for that much needed out each day.

No matter how busy you might be, there is time in your day that you can divert to your own purposes. You can prioritize. You can incorporate simple pleasures and rituals of relaxation and regeneration into your regimen. The important thing is to wave relaxation into the fabric of your life. Like eating, breathing or sleeping, it is essential to your well-being.

There are things you can easily do that will bring you to a more centered, settled and healthful state of being. And nothing will affect your life more. The important thing to realize is that you control your life. You make it what you want it to be. By affecting the little things on a daily basis that you have control over, your whole life changes.

…[see ways to slow down and take time for yourself by Karen Adjmi]…

Give yourself the time and attention you deserve. When you do that, you’ll have a room of your own at the center of your life where there is peace and where the face you see in the mirror is beautifully relaxed.

Actual rest is potent stuff, restorative in the smallest doses & cumulative to boot. Never underestimate the benefits nor short-change yourself by not making downtime a priority. One thing I came to terms with this past week — once staying offline was as much a choice as not — was the blessing in disguise a vacation from the onslaught of information can be. This is practically blasphemous for me to assert, especially as I’d have no life to speak of without the internet, but the forced change of focus was a relief.

SlowDownNow.org‘s Manifesto:

If you can slow down when all around you are speeding up, then you’re one of us. Be proud that you are one of us and not one of them. For they are fast, and we are slow. There are those that would urge us to speed. We resist!

We shall not flag or fail. We shall slow down in the office, and on the roads. We shall slow down with growing confidence when all those around us are in a shrill state of hyperactivity (signifying nothing). We shall defend our state of calm, whatever the cost may be. We shall slow down in the fields and in the streets, we shall slow down in the hills, we shall never surrender!

Why? Because if a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing slowly. Some are born to slowness—others have it thrust upon them. And still others know that lying in bed with a morning cup of tea is the supreme state for mankind.

So, welcome back.. er.. Welcome, anyhow, now that I’m back. I’ve used this recent time of restoration to create yet more healthy habits thus my health should actually improve as a result. What doesn’t kill us can make us stronger if we use it. What also makes us stronger are the simple goals we set for ourselves; we’re remade with each one achieved. As important as it is to live each day to its fullest, we must also live toward a sustainable future & the key is to start that future today, even in the smallest way.

(|_|*cheers*|_|)
“Taking time to rest improves the rest of our time.”
~ Dorian Rhodes ~

PS: This is adapted from the e-mail version of Dorian’s Demitasse; still missing out?! Let me know..

Lookin’ for a little link love?! You may not have thought so but who can resist alliteration? Not I! Nor can I resist some well-placed love. The link lovin’ has been widespread lately, from Carolyn’s ingenious ‘Once Upon a Bloggy Night’ link meme through Harry’s excellent response to Bob’s thoughtful consideration of how best to do link posts. From the standpoint that there can never be enough love, I’m continuing the trend. This here first link post o’ mine will contain the blogs I read consistently via my personalized link aggregator; to wit, Twitter.

Failing to find the link from one “Found Fridays” post to the next? With a splash more alliteration & while speaking of linkage, I’m also taking this chance to reconsider my series of “Friday Finds.” The series/category was established to share each week’s found moments, either within or online. Although I am sharing my finds from week to week, there’s no consistency to the type of post it creates. I’d love feedback from those of you who’ve read more than one as I will be changing things up & will also be making Drink Deeply more interactive over time.

Take a tour of bloggers I follow on Twitter via the text links & discover the Twitterers behind the blogs via the avatars..

failing and vikings
Brett meets challenges bravely
6 Weeks at a time

tweets, family, peeps
Carolyn Bahm‘s a dot com
reader, writer, friend

Brian and his quotes
Copyblogger gives good guest
advice worth reading

fictional finesse
expressing How Not To Write
Jamie keeps it real

Gail highlights our best
to Inspire Me Today™
with more to explore

Naomi’s got game
telling insanity off
IttyBiz or not

positive ripples
Life’s Little Inspirations
Wendi’s finding them

Jim, René, Jerry
Live.Work.Dream. to love.laugh.teach.
all on seven legs

randomly helpful
Elle’s observations and finds
reveal Lolo’s Way

pens wielded, blogs saved
front-man James trades barbs and wit
half the Men with Pens

balanced by Harry
both wise and fantasy-filled
he lends mirth, reason

MindTweaks sought then shared
curious and questioning
Tori explores self

Omyword! she’s fun
honest and hilarious
Lisa’s journeying

quotes, queries, insights
Paulo Coelho’s blogging
ready to connect

Darren’s instructive
ProBlogger experience
humanly offered

Remarkablogger!
Michael considers details
reaching past the page

tho’ poignant at times
he couldn’t be funnier
that RhodesTer o’ mine

Dave’ll Rock Your Day
no holds barred nor punches pulled
just self-improvement

swordplay, grammar, drinks
straight-shootin’ Tei saves the day
with Rogue Ink to spare

interests galore
Scott’s Spiritual Tramping
brought his own angels

SwanShadow reflects
commentary, comic art
wry sense of humor

writers are dreaming
via Bob’s Writing Journey
dreamers are writing

(|_|*cheers*|_|)
great people sharing
I’m found in and by these sites
ideas opened

Time is relative. Time is fleeting. Time is what we make of it. As all of these are true, time must also be changeable yet these are simultaneously true, all the time. This makes time largely a matter of perception, like truth, but those are different discussions. This relative truth about time is one we’ve all experienced; whatever our current perception of its passing, pass it does & time’s unfortunately finite in that we can’t recreate it. Each moment is unique & should be appreciated.

Living in the moment implies varying goals with various approaches to varied people. Although the underlying desire is to make the most of every moment, that means something different to each of us & something else again from moment to moment. The most common approach is trying to fit as much as possible into any given time at hand. Being a multi-tasker by nature, I’ve run that race & can get awfully excited at the prospect of accomplishing multiple things at once.

Racing against the clock is neither fun nor helpful, unless you’re actually racing. When our focus becomes time itself, we’re stealing focus from the task or discovery begging for our attention. In order to smell the roses, we must notice them first. It’s not so much about taking the time to stop & smell – that’s certainly nice, however, & I highly recommend it when the mood strikes – as the simple fact we enrich our world each time we look around. Case in point, my cat just interrupted me.

Interruptions are ours to make of them what we will. Mid-accomplishment, it’s natural to get frustrated if interrupted & easy to expend energy trying to keep the distraction from being distracting. Not only do we end up with excess negative energy that way but we can spend more time avoiding something than if we just took a moment to appreciate it. Between paragraphs, Shadow & I played which resulted in us both being happier with maybe a minute of writing lost before letting my foot be her plaything upon continuing.

Tori Deaux of MindTweaks shared a study wherein participants were given a simple, monotonous game to play:

Even though the participants were alert and focused on their task, parts of the brain usually associated with relaxation began to light up.

At the same time, parts of the brain associated with cognitive control and sustained attention began to turn off. So even though they intended to stay alert, their brain was shutting down, forcing them into a less focused state.

So even though the person was paying attention, their brain stopped paying attention.

Breaking up the monotony helps our brains stay alive & aware. Setbacks like losing our train of thought are aggravating but there are new thoughts & different perspectives awaiting our discovery. Instead of tracking how we’re spending our moments, taking the time to enjoy them will lead to accomplishing what we want rather than trying to tackle too much. Time spent appreciating the found joys in life is never wasted & seeking found moments doesn’t require putting everything else on hold.

Dave Navarro of Rock Your Day offers his 80/20 Rule of Balance as a way to enjoy your life right now:

For example, yesterday, our family had an enormous amount of work to do in terms of cleaning up the house / tackling maintenance projects.  The little ones wanted to go to the park, to go for bike rides, to play Lego for hours … but we didn’t have the time. In the past, I would have said, “there’s too much work to do … if we can get it all done, then we’ll have time to play.”

But yesterday I applied the 80/20 Rule of Balance and did this – every so often throughout the day I’d stop working and spend 15-30 minutes playing with the kids. It was rushed, I didn’t have the time I thought I needed to really “make it count,” but it didn’t matter. The kids were very happy. They didn’t need much – just a little time made a big difference. And I made some badass Lego spaceships.  Really badass.

Pursuing our goals becomes more enjoyable & sustainable when we are also spending time pursuing ourselves. Those pursuits are not exclusive but have an ebb & flow as they feed into each other. We’ll each have a different balance to strike but will universally benefit from allowing ourselves to enjoy the unexpected moments amidst the scheduled ones.

(|_|*cheers*|_|)
“Who forces time is pushed back by time; who yields to time
finds time on his side.”
~ The Talmud ~

I’ve never understood the claim, much less concern, that the internet is anti-social since it’s also inherently social. As in the supposed real world – if the internet lacks reality for you, you’re not using it right – everybody has their own inclinations. Those who are anti-social personally will typically stay so electronically whereas those of us that simply can’t reach enough people offline are here to do precisely that, right along with our other endeavors; reach out. Although I’ve been online for nearly 15 years & even that late a start was predicated on being able to afford my first computer at the age of 25, I’m only now able to begin using it as intended all along.

With the continued emergence of Web 2.0, the tools are being developed that make all of this accessibility accessible. Then, thanx to the God-send of my own laptop at last [Talk about Good People!? Thank YOU, Mark!! *happy dance*], I now actually have access which means my wants needs as a human being, person with life experience & caring soul can all converge. I may not have information that’s being sought but I strive to share thoughts that are potentially useful, even if just to brighten your day, & I admittedly do the majority of my socializing online but I’m one of this society’s neo-orphans in that my support system is decentralized.

So used to living decentralized lives are we of the modern age that we’ve done the same thing online, as illustrated by Loic Le Meur of Seesmic.com, so it’s integration that needs to be the next step. Perhaps because I’m an avid Science Fiction fan, I envision an entirely connected world wherein the sharing of myself online is how I’m able to let people I meet offline get to know me as well. I already feel as though I know the people I’ve met online & even get to meet them in person at times. I’m hoping that will become more common for those who don’t have conferences to attend, spontaneously connecting instead, like many of Cali Lewis’ GeekBrief meetups.

Short of an actual meetup, how about a meeting of minds? Blogger & entrepreneur – to say the least – with personality & wine-knowledge to spare, Gary Vaynerchuk, has not only offered a heartfelt thanx to his audience – whom he considers friends – but has made a declaration.. Today is “Good People Day” across the internet! Via this hopefully widespread effort of appreciation, we who have not found a second home online but are blurring the distinction entirely hope to let ANYone & EVERYone taking the slightest notice of us herein know how VERY grateful we are!! When the internet is used as an extension of self, those sometimes nameless & semi-faceless people across the web are sharing the ultimate resource; themselves.

Thus, here I am, on this first annual Good People Day, pondering the myriad good great people in my life. From those who’ve used my blog to get to know me better to those who’ve thankfully reconnected with me through my online presence to the multitude I’ve followed for years but haven’t a clue who I am to the wondrous group who’ve commented here, I admit it; I’m in love with you all. Throughout my four decades of life so far, I’ve been alternately described as an opinion-junkie, psychology-buff, idea-seeker, philosophy-addict, conversation-craver & synchronicity-finder but all of that boils down to one thing; I can’t get enough of people. No soylent green, mind you, I keep my grokking more intuitive; it’s all the marvelous diversity merged with unexpected kinship & flaws intermingled with grace that rocks my world[s].

As for direct shout-outs, the list would overwhelm my blog so let me say this: If you were contacted by e-mail, have been listed on the sidebar, are being followed on Twitter (especially if you follow me ) or have ever read a word I’ve typed; you are my raison d’être!!!

(|_|*cheers*|_|)

“I think you have to work with people, and when I talk about managing relationships, don’t think the derogatory ‘managed relationships’. It is a question of sharing emotion and feelings. The common denominator of everything can’t be money, and it should not be money.” ~ Anil Ambani

PS: Inasmuch as the four people already included would be a brilliant start to my list of Good People that’s simply too long to make, I would like to dedicate this post to Nick & *Sparky* for they have each abruptly left the blogosphere entirely & my corner of it will never be the same without them. My ‘Nickpresso con Panna w/a SoCal sprinkle’ & his “Personal Paranoia” had a raw emotionality tempered by hard-won sensitivity that cut to the quick. Our sweet ‘Kentucky *Sparky* au Lait’ had “A Faerie’s Tale” to tell & was sharing magick in such a practical way she proved as enchanting, if not moreso, as her content. Goodbye & good luck my dear friends as you are both the epitome of good people; I know I need to delete your blog links from my sidebar but not today.

Encountering the death of someone I didn’t even know existed but am grateful to discover did creates a poignant ambivalence. Certainly it matters more that a life be impactful than long but, when someone’s making a difference, oh that they could have more time to do so. The clichéd thought that the good die young may be an impression made by just how missed the ‘good’ are. Inasmuch as we are all essentially – or at least potentially – good, there’s no criteria by which a person can be missed more than another. In the end, how much we’re missed has to do with how much we’re valued.

A Blessing for Equilibrium

Like the joy of the sea coming home to shore,
May the music of laughter break through your soul.

As the wind wants to make everything dance,
May your gravity be lightened by grace.

Like the freedom of the monastery bell,
May clarity of mind make your eyes smile.

As water takes whatever shape it is in,
So free may you be about who you become.

As silence smiles on the other side of what’s said,
May a sense of irony give you perspective.

As time remains free of all that it frames,
May fear or worry never put you in chains.

May your prayer of listening deepen enough
To hear in the distance the laughter of God.

~ John O’Donohue (1954-2008), ‘Benedictus – A Book of Blessings’

As inherent as the value of someone taking the time to express truth, beauty & artistry seems to me; there are those who seek more practical proof of value. Those of us worth less monetarily are oft considered worthless by those seeking achievement rather than purpose. Of course a ‘good’ job & even a career, if it’s something you love, are great; they just shouldn’t be the point. I can’t say whether an Irish scholar, poet & philosopher like John O’Donohue had financial success – he is published – but I guarantee it wasn’t his purpose. It’s not my intent to boil things down to the haves & have-nots, alas, money is simply the most typical measuring tape used by those who look outward rather than inward for their own worth.

It might be interesting to note that our detractors are always careered & well-off, or married to someone who is, if it weren’t so utterly clichéd in itself. What is interesting is that the far more numerous kudos come from no particular social or economic standing. Those busily judging are convinced our priorities are skewed or, worse, that we have none. Therein lies the irony for it’s in prioritizing what life has to offer that one forgets to offer themselves, or even has much left to give. This is not to say that one cannot be both typically successful as well as personally. It all comes down to a question of balance, as does everything, & two entirely different types of success cannot always be balanced. In pursuing societal concerns, the challenge is to not lose oneself to the process.

The phonological ambiguity of the English word for our organ of vision with the word for our individuality is deeply meaningful, as anyone can tell by replacing the one for the other in many contexts. Here, O’Donohue tells us about the materialistic or scientific eye (or “I”) that must judge everything it sees:

The judgmental eye harvests the reflected surface and calls it truth.

Below is a litany of “eyes” or “‘I’s” that he lists for the reader spread over pages 62 – 64 [of Anam Cara]:

To the fearful eye, all is threatening.
To the greedy eye, everything can be possessed.
To the judgmental eye, everything is closed in definitive frames.
To the resentful eye, everything is begrudged.
To the indifferent eye, nothing calls or awakens.
To the inferior eye, every else is greater.
To the loving eye, everything is real.

There are many amazing people who’ve found success on both fronts but whatever’s achieved outwardly can have no greater meaning than what’s being accomplished inwardly. Thus, those priding themselves on being hardworking who haven’t put in as much work if not more on themselves are poised on a brink. Should something unforeseen happen, they could lose all that they are while the rest of us are comprised of things that can’t be compromised. Take the hitherto unknown to me O’Donohue; it’s his words & beliefs that live on, not the fact that they were published or that he’d been a priest. The latter was born of the former & his legacy is clearly phenomenal though for who, not what, he was thus is even to those of us discovering him posthumously.

(|_|*cheers*|_|)
“If you live the life you love, you will receive shelter and blessings.  Sometimes the great famine of blessings in and around us derives from the fact that we are not living the life we love; rather, we are living the life that is expected of us.  We have fallen out of rhythm with the secret signature and light of our own nature.” ~ John O’Donohue

Three blogs in, over a decade online & I’ve finally been tagged! I feel substantiated, thanx to *Sparky*.. Although relatively new to the blogosphere, her blog beautifully shares her; outwardly reflecting the inner beauty she quite clearly has. [Sadly, she has left blogging behind but made a positive impact while here.]

The rules are simple:

1. Mention the person who tagged you and create a link back to them.
2. Copy-paste the traits for all the twelve months (see below).
3. Pick your month of birth.
4. Highlight the traits that apply to you.
5. Tag 12 people and let them know by visiting their blogs and leaving a comment for them.
6. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve done it!

I was born in October; on the real, not observed, Columbus Day & still think it should’ve been a school holiday.

OCTOBER: Loves to chat. [I'll drop whatever I'm doing, even sleep, if someone needs to talk.] Loves those who love them. [Love freely offered & only tempered as needed.] Loves to take things at the center. [Both getting at the heart of things & simply being centered.] Inner and physical beauty. [Is humility even an option anymore?] Lies but doesn’t pretend. [Have to admit I love that distinction.] Gets angry often. Treats friends importantly. [There is nothing more important than people, including fur ones.] Always making friends. [see previous] Easily hurt but recovers easily. Daydreamer. [According to RhodesTer anyhow.] Opinionated. [Damn straight.] Does not care what others think. [see previous] Emotional. Decisive. [The trick is to not feel more than think.] Strong clairvoyance. [Bypassing the claim of strength as mine's intuition not divination.] Loves to travel, the arts and literature. [What's not to love.] Touchy and easily jealous. Concerned. Loves outdoors. Just and fair. [Balance is my most well-worn word.] Spendthrift. Easily influenced. Easily loses confidence. Loves children. [So long as they're not my own tho' I'll care for them as if they were.]

Here’s the tricky part: past the fun of being tagged, the time has come to tag.. Please take this hopeful tap on your virtual shoulder, my taggees, as an expression of affection. Not so different than a kiss from a loved one with a cold; a gift that keeps on giving.

• Jessica: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
• Jodie w/her Alter Ego
• Julie w/her Observations
• Leann w/A Day in the Life…
• Lisa saying OMYWORD!
• Lorie w/her Coffee & Books
• Lorna in Wonderland
• Maureen: her last comment
• MCF w/his Nexus
• PortlandBob: his last comment
• René of Live. Work. Dream.
• RhodesTer w/his Chronicles

Consider yourselves kissed.. I’ve included a few of my readers who don’t typically get to partake due to the lack of a blog so there are amended rules for you: Simply post your birth month with its highlighted traits as a comment. Feel free to tag within your comment as well but, rest assured, no doom will befall you if tags aren’t passed along.

JANUARY: Stubborn and hard-hearted. Ambitious and serious. Loves to teach and be taught. Always looking at people’s flaws and weaknesses. Likes to criticize. Hardworking and productive. Smart, neat and organized. Sensitive and has deep thoughts. Knows how to make others happy. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Rather reserved. Highly attentive. Resistant to illnesses but prone to colds. Romantic but has difficulties expressing love. Loves children. Loyal. Has great social abilities yet easily jealous. Very stubborn and money cautious.

FEBRUARY: Abstract thoughts. Loves reality and abstract. Intelligent and clever. Changing personality. Attractive. Sexy. Temperamental. Quiet, shy and humble. Honest and loyal. Determined to reach goals. Loves freedom. Rebellious when restricted. Loves aggressiveness. Too sensitive and easily hurt. Gets angry really easily but does not show it. Dislikes unnecessary things. Loves making friends but rarely shows it. Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizes dreams and hopes. Sharp. Loves entertainment and leisure. Romantic on the inside not outside. Superstitious and ludicrous. Spendthrift. Tries to learn to show emotions.

MARCH: Attractive personality. Sexy. Affectionate. Shy and reserved. Secretive. Naturally honest, generous and sympathetic. Loves peace and serenity. Sensitive to others. Loves to serve others. Easily angered. Trustworthy. Appreciative and returns kindness. Observant and assesses others. Revengeful. Loves to dream and fantasize. Loves traveling. Loves attention. Hasty decisions in choosing partners. Loves home decors. Musically talented. Loves special things. Moody.

APRIL: Active and dynamic. Decisive and hasty but tends to regret. Attractive and affectionate to oneself. Strong mentality. Loves attention. Diplomatic. Consoling, friendly and solves people’s problems. Brave and fearless. Adventurous. Loving and caring. Suave and generous. Emotional. Aggressive. Hasty. Good memory. Moving. Motivates oneself and others. Sickness usually of the head and chest. Sexy in a way that only their lover can see.

MAY: Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to dream. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves literature and the arts. Loves traveling. Dislikes being at home. Restless. Not having many children. Hardworking. High spirited. Spendthrift.

JUNE: Thinks far with vision. Easily influenced by kindness. Polite and soft-spoken. Having ideas. Sensitive. Active mind. Hesitating, tends to delay. Choosy and always wants the best. Temperamental. Funny and humorous. Loves to joke. Good debating skills. Talkative. Daydreamer. Friendly. Knows how to make friends. Able to show character. Easily hurt. Prone to getting colds. Loves to dress up. Easily bored. Fussy. Seldom shows emotions. Takes time to recover when hurt. Brand conscious. Executive. Stubborn.

JULY: Fun to be with. Secretive. Difficult to fathom and to be understood. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Takes pride in oneself. Has reputation. Easily consoled. Honest. Concerned about people’s feelings. Tactful. Friendly. Approachable. Emotional temperamental and unpredictable. Moody and easily hurt. Witty and sparkly. Not revengeful. Forgiving but never forgets. Dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things. Guides others physically and mentally. Sensitive and forms impressions carefully. Caring and loving. Treats others equally. Strong sense of sympathy. Wary and sharp. Judges people through observations. Hardworking. No difficulties in studying. Loves to be alone. Always broods about the past and old friends. Likes to be quiet. Homely person. Waits for friends. Never looks for friends. Not aggressive unless provoked. Prone to having stomach and dieting problems. Loves to be loved. Easily hurt but takes long to recover.

AUGUST: Loves to joke. Attractive. Suave and caring. Brave and fearless. Firm and has leadership qualities. Knows how to console others. Too generous and egoistic. Takes high pride in oneself. Thirsty for praises. Extraordinary spirit. Easily angered. Angry when provoked. Easily jealous. Observant. Careful and cautious. Thinks quickly. Independent thoughts. Loves to lead and to be led. Loves to dream. Talented in the arts, music and defense. Sensitive but not petty. Poor resistance against illnesses. Learns to relax. Hasty and trusty. Romantic. Loving and caring. Loves to make friends.

SEPTEMBER: Suave and compromising. Careful, cautious and organized. Likes to point out people’s mistakes. Likes to criticize. Stubborn. Quiet but able to talk well. Calm and cool. Kind and sympathetic. Concerned and detailed. Loyal but not always honest. Does work well. Very confident. Sensitive. Good memory. Clever and knowledgeable. Loves to look for information. Must control oneself when criticizing. Able to motivate oneself. Understanding. Fun to be around. Secretive. Loves leisure and traveling. Hardly shows emotions. Tends to bottle up feelings. Very choosy, especially in relationships. Systematic.

OCTOBER: Loves to chat. Loves those who love them. Loves to take things at the center. Inner and physical beauty. Lies but doesn’t pretend. Gets angry often. Treats friends importantly. Always making friends. Easily hurt but recovers easily. Daydreamer. Opinionated. Does not care what others think. Emotional. Decisive. Strong clairvoyance. Loves to travel, the arts and literature. Touchy and easily jealous. Concerned. Loves outdoors. Just and fair. Spendthrift. Easily influenced. Easily loses confidence. Loves children.

NOVEMBER: Has a lot of ideas. Difficult to fathom. Thinks forward. Unique and brilliant. Extraordinary ideas. Sharp thinking. Fine and strong clairvoyance. Can become good doctors. Dynamic in personality. Secretive. Inquisitive. Knows how to dig up secrets. Always thinking. Less talkative but amiable. Brave and generous. Patient. Stubborn and hard-hearted. If there is a will, there is a way. Determined. Never give up. Hardly becomes angry unless provoked. Loves to be alone. Thinks differently from others. Sharp-minded. Motivates oneself. Does not appreciate praises. High-spirited. Well-built and tough. Deep love and emotions. Romantic. Uncertain in relationships. Homely. Hardworking. High abilities. Trustworthy. Honest and keeps secrets. Not able to control emotions. Unpredictable.

DECEMBER: Loyal and generous. Sexy. Patriotic. Active in games and interactions. Impatient and hasty. Ambitious. Influential in organizations. Fun to be with. Loves to socialize. Loves praises. Loves attention. Loves to be loved. Honest and trustworthy. Not pretending. Short tempered. Changing personality. Not egotistic. Take high pride in oneself. Hates restrictions. Loves to joke. Good sense of humor. Logical.

(|_|*cheers*|_|)
“What I admire in Columbus is not his having discovered a world but his having gone to search for it on the faith of an opinion.”
~ Turgot ~

..National Homeless Youth Awareness Month! Just established this year; with our support, it can continue annually. Our voices can bring annual attention to this important issue!? Your signature alone is important (THANX to you who already followed the link in my sidebar ♥) yet there are other ways to help as well:

Right now, there are over one million young people living on the streets of the US. Many have been abused or neglected and left with no choice but to beg, steal, or sell their bodies to survive.

Virgin Mobile, with the help of Virgin Unite, wants to change that. The RE*Generation is our effort to empower a generation to help its own. We’re bringing together organizations that care about homeless youth and connecting them with young people who want to help.

And we’re making it easy for our customers to take an active role and get involved — through donating, volunteering, and even text messaging and downloading.

With The RE*Generation, one person really can make a difference. Please join us [after signing below] and take action now.

VISIT HOMELESSYOUTHAMONGUS.ORG FOR MORE DETAILS

(|_|*cheers*|_|)
“We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.”
~ Mother Teresa ~

By far speedier in participating than I in reporting, Lorna took the time in oh so timely a manner to share her various “Three Things” per my previous post. *hat tipped* Sheryl, too, took part & she is equally thanked. I simply cannot share hers so easily as it’s on HerSpace, which is set to private. Alas, only those who know her or traipse off to MySpace to ‘friend’ her can know more than the “Three Things [she] love[s]“:

1:    animals
2:    travel
3:    reading

Other than “Three ways to describe [her] personality,” that is..

|_|) “To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you’re going to have something special.” ~ Jim Valvano

VOILA: Julie, of Observations From the Roof of a Building, has shared herself in threes; thank YOU, shadowfoxwriter!

PS: This space reserved in hopes of yet more future partaking with which to update this update. You’ll have noticed there’s no tagging so just take part as the fancy strikes you.. E-mail me if you do!?

…on Anarchy w/more to come. As it is not my intent to provide an overview of Anarchy itself, this is a good option: ‘Anarchy in the Here and Now!’

(_)> “The movie examines anarchy movements and acts of terrorism, which could be misinterpreted as a call to arms against corrupt governments. But moviegoers who look deeper will understand that the film actually argues for the participation of the masses in governing their own countries.” – Jeff Vice

The quote is in reference to ‘V for Vendetta’ which I have yet to see but this aptly expresses why I already want to own it.

PS: I’ve since seen it & will own it yet..