I am not really a political activist, but I do enjoy following Ron Paul.
Check out the RON PAUL for President 2008 site under the ISSUES section,
where he talks about war.

In the site it states the following: “Both Jefferson and Washington warned us about entangling ourselves in the affairs of other nations. Today, we have troops in 130 countries. We are spread so thin that we have too few troops defending America. And now, there are new calls for a draft of our young men and women.”

Is this one of the main reason this man is gaining rapid popularity? I
believe so - I hope so - I have hope and faith that one of our national
leaders will develop what Mother Teresa suggested so long ago, when asked if she would march against the war in Vietnam she said, “No, I won’t, but when you have a march for peace, I’ll be there.”

I am there also if Ron Paul is really about peace and not war. If he is
really about freedom for the American Public. Read more on what Ron Paul
stands for. He has an opinion and shares it and he is someone to keep an
eye on.

The closet way for me to describe the feeling of a fully celebrated woman is
an experience of being all grown up and learning to hula hoop. That’s
right…I was 37 years old and never really “got” this very special feeling of
accomplishment. The sense of “I want to do that came back one day when I
shopping with my girls and we ended up in the toy section of WalMart. They
said, “Mom! Let’s get a hula-hoop!” They were very inexpensive, so I bought
three, one for each of them. After watching their little hips swirl round and
round, and appreciating their laughter and noticing the achievement on their
faces, I decided to try…my self-defeating voice from childhood said, “you don’t
know how, never learned, what makes you think you can do this now– as a full grown
woman?” Well, the results were exactly as I predicted. I could get the thing going
once or twice, but I did not, once again get the movement that kept the hula hoop
on my hips. I gave the hoop back – saving myself from humiliation, laughter from
my children and further feelings of disgust and failure. I guess this exciting journey
of mastering the hula hoop would once again be left for OTHERS!

Eventually I ended up buying hula hoops for the bar and grill I owned during
that time. I figured, if I could not beat em’, might as well join em. One
quiet late Saturday afternoon before the evening crowd came in… I found
myself stumbling across a hula hoop– this one was a water filled pink one,
laying on floor near the stage. I stepped into it and just stood still for
a moment. There were only a few “old timers” sitting on the bar stools.
Determined– I said to myself, this time - I am going to get it.

I firmly planted my feet on the floor about shoulder width apart and started
circling my pelvis around (yes, just like Elvis!): left, back, right,
forward. I kept doing this over and over, closing my eyes– oblivious to who
might have been watching. I started feeling the success of my long awaited
journey of celebrating the skills of hula hooping! The music was on - I
kept going, moving – gyrating to the upbeat tempo of the Zydeco music on the
sound system. Round and round, even though I did not have the hula-hoop on
my hips, I felt a surge of energy – the sweet taste of success, this hula
hooping thing WAS within my grasp.

Long story short - I figured it out. Not only did I begin to hula with my
girls from that point on, but I entertained my patrons, I created an hour
glass figure, and am now gearing up to teach the exciting, sexy, healthy,
invigorating sport of HOOPING. Check out this great company out of
California called Hoopnotica Corp! Even Beyoncé is a hooper!

Hey - moral of the story…get all grown up, feel celebrated while picking
up a hula hoop if you have not for a while. Anyone can do it and it is so
much fun!

Well – regarding the healthy lifestyle – I crashed for a few days – basically I mean – I slept a lot. Lately, I have been dealing with so many of the “why’s” of eating crappy all these years– and am now taking time for some personal growth – It is taking some time for me to realize that I am truly on the right path this time. Especially with all the support I have been getting. Between hypnosis with Michael - uncovering some DARK PARTS- believe it or not – mostly from the day I broke my nose when I was 10 years old. I was still angry about that I discovered. Who knew!?! And My honey Michael cooking up healthy delicious meals….YUM…Growing by the way – requires LOTS of work –I must be fearless to be and have all that I want. I learned that I simply must explore unknown territory to have whatever I want - NO MATTER HOW SCARY. All in all – I am walking/running, lifting occasional weights - AND eating incredibly well. I read a few chapters from the THREE HOUR DIET by Jorge Cruise. It simply reminded me that I must EAT. Going without food will send my body spiraling backwards, thinking I am going into starvation. So – I eat – A LOT. A lot of fruits and vegetables, occasional fish and chicken – but mostly wonderful items from the farmers market. The other day, I peeled into a market like it was the last market on earth. The fresh watermelon, strawberries and cucumbers caught my eye. Now there’s a new one for me!

Note the photo from last week Wednesday. Me in Red. Lots of fun things going on here. I must say I am noting some small changes – most important is that I am not out of breath so much when I move. I am continuing to do sit-ups - visualizing a flat stomach, small muscular arms. A slender face. Hey I heard about a new product line…People are losing inches like crazy – more on that later after I do some research!

If you have not already downloaded the free eBook of The Science of Getting Rich – you may want to. It’s FREE. I actually purchased the CD version as I am in my car so much. It took me about three hours to listen to the whole thing – from beginning to end. I really did not want to pick up yet another book on HOW TO GET RICH – been there done that. Then I decided that because a dear friend suggested I get it (and she is very successful) I thought I would take a chance – after all for $16.95 – learning just one thing is definitely worth it to me. What I learned in the process more than anything was to learn to STOP and get clear AGAIN – on what I really want. I mean REALLY want. To be RICH. This has been hard for me to say, that “R” word – but for over 10 years now – I have always said that I will “someday” not worry about money. I actually took the time today – about 6 hours – redoing my vision board – updating with current desires – it was fun – and it is oh so very clear – right down to the gratitude typed in about each and everything. I felt it – really felt each and everything – from the quiet kayak ride in the mountains streams to roar of one million people celebrating! And as the author Wallace D. Wattles says, “”It is a natural law that like causes always produce like effects. Therefore, any man or woman who learns to do things in this certain way will infallibly get rich.”

Today is Day 8 of my decision to get rid of the heaviness of my life – the extra 20-30 pounds that I have been carrying around with me now for 5 years. I have been walking, and running every day,(even went out dancing – have not felt like doing that in a LONG LONG time) and most importantly – with the help of Mike, I am eating well. Because of the good food and vitamins – my cravings for the junk have diminished. Friday I had another session with Michael Hunt – Hypnotherapist – because I have decided I really want to dissolve the blocks that I have about WHY I don’t have the self image that I desire. When I get rid of the blocks and start thinking of myself in the absolute highest regard, then weight management will become so much easier. Paying attention to this and feeling the emotions of the pain of this has helped me to get clearer and clearer to what is really going on. I am waking up to the actions and thoughts that have held me back.

I am a bit tired mentally and physically from the changes - and really need to just take time for all the personal growth to process. Want to know the most amazing part??? It is appearing that the more focused I get on ME, my needs, what I need to celebrate, how to make myself healthier and stronger– the easier my business has been for me, the smoother my relationships are and the deeper my understanding and compassion is becoming for others. There seems to me MORE “time” to enjoy the little things in life – and there is an ease to the days that is very real.

What’s great is that none of this is NEW – I know it – but it is actually living it daily that has been exciting– practicing the principles of my own spiritual beliefs, along with movies like “THE SECRET” and books written by Wayne Dyer and Aman Motwane. This peace comes with clarity of my vision for my life and the knowing that the time to live life is NOW – nope, not tomorrow – not 2 or 5 years from now, or when I retire – but NOW.

It brings to tears to my eyes when I see any dream really come true – and most recently the dream of Jordin Sparks as she walked away with the highest honor in year six of American Idol – chosen NUMBER ONE by the people in good old USA. The amazing 17 year old of course has brilliant talent – but she is also a very radiant woman. Her honest truthfulness about who she is and who she is not – has brought her the well deserved spot light. I celebrate her today for her new found ability to have so many girls know that you can have a dream, follow it and make the best of every moment. Even if Jordan and not been the American Idol winner this year – she would have gone on to have a worthwhile career because what is in her heart is obvious – there is no stopping her. Jordin is a young woman – yet she also represents encouragement to women like me as well, women like me all over the world – women of any age. I have a dream, like Jordan. My dream is to celebrate one million people – to see people come together in a like-minded non-competitive environment and really make the most of their lives with the common denominator of Celebrating Life’s Journey Together. Thank you Jordan for reminding me that all dreams are possible – and that determination, belief in yourself and perseverance – ultimately bring you the life’s ultimate pleasures – to feel good and experience joy and happiness each and every day.

Yesterday I grabbed for a cold piece of chicken in the refrigerator instead of Ice Cream!!  The day was off to a good start and then it was time for exercise after dinner.   I was tired, muscles sore – so I reached for a can of frosting – once scoop, two scoops….then I came here to the blog and read my own words – words of “I have had enough” …and I hesitantly put on my running shoes.  At the beach, winds were  20mph and the rain was ripping sideways into my eyes…it was almost dark and I could not really see very well – I kept going though – determined to make it to the pier which was the 7 mile trip –home and back.  I started counting – running 100 steps, walking 100 steps, running 100 steps, walking 100 steps. And on and on..when I got to my ½ way point – where I lay down on a cement foot wall to do 200 sit-ups – tears came to my eyes (through the rain, yes) – I had this sense of “the ROCKY dance” in my blood – I thought to myself – I am going to rid this 20-30 pounds- no one else was going to do it for me – and I tried everything else dozens of times.  THIS time I am taking it to the end!  When I arrived back home – Mike said – I am proud of you —and believe or not – Out of my mouth, I said in a NOT VERY MINDFUL VOICE “I don’t know if it is worth it”  What? Where was that kind of talk going to get me???

 

Mindful Voice – EVERY step I take, every healthy fresh vegetable I put in my mouth, every protein shake, every sit-up is WORTH feeling great every day for the rest of my life.  I am worth it – I am important. I am vibrant and energetic!

image from starstore.

 

Today is May 24th, 2007 (wow - tomorrow is my oldest daughters birthday. I had her 19 years ago) and I am 43 years old - a mom, a pretty good significant other and a proud founder of the most incredible women’s organization.  And last week when I started down the road to giving this weight backto the universe - or back to people who need the weight (how selfish of me to keep it when others need it…pssh!) - I am all of this and 162 pounds. - of which I have gained nearly 20 pounds in the last three years while in Florida.  Child custody, moving away from family, starting a business, whatever the reasons- I have decided I was just not living the celebrated life that I speak of - I am happy, generally- but when I look in the mirror at the rolls - I get this sinking feeling - my self image is not how I feel in my head.  So since last week I have walked/ran 77 miles - still going to the beach twice a day - which is awesome….drum roll…. another great discovery hit me like a ton of bricks. Yesterday I walked past the mirror and I WOKE UP to the fact that my eyes went straight to my midsection, my oversized BIG belly (thanks children: amoung other things) - instead of my strong powerful tan beautiful legs, my now slendering arms, the tiny bit of muscle pushing through on my shoulders. GOSH - no wonder I am gaining -  I have been focusing on what does NOT work, instead of what works.  And we all know that what we focus on is what we get more of!!!! Lesson Learned…I GET IT!

Mindful Voice - I see all the beautiuful parts of my body  when I look in the mirror each time- and I feel how excited I am knowing that I am achieving great progress each day. I am thankful the rest of the body parts will become “part of the whole” very soon.

This simple 108 page amazing book, Yes, YOU Can Change the World, by Aman Motwane is a quick read for a lazy Sunday afternoon. And it may even change your life. Yes the parables are beautiful, the stories make you laugh and cry and remember and want to forget. In creates a map to forgiveness – but most importantly the main theme is that in order to change the world, you have to change YOUR world first . In order to change YOUR world – you must begin the change with YOU. Aman Motwane outlines three simple perspectives of which are explained well and easily implemented – with practice. He even offers a 21 day challenge to get started.To save time – I have summed up the three perspectives as I understood them;

1. Focus not ho how little time have, but how each moment in time is important. A wonderful tool for this is to really look each and every person in the eye when you meet them.
2. Know that everyone is living with some kind of pain, fear, stress – and to look past that and discover each person potential regardless of what is expressed on the outside.
3. Focus on what is RIGHT with each person you meet, see the strength in their weakness

To start the change all around you – go to their really cool website – www.YesYouCanChangeTheWorld.com. Sending amazing notes to people and track where they land and how far they spread across the country . Like the book, the website is quick and simple – yet results that will create powerful energy and celebration in your world, the world of others and the world at large. Try it!

Three years after Ronald Reagan’s death, former first lady Nancy Davis Reagan, says to Diane Sawyer in an ABC interview, “I miss him now more than ever. I remember more of the little things we did together.”

Now living in retirement in California, Nancy is very involved with her campaign to teach children to “just say no” to drugs. Nancy Reagan believes in love, honesty, and selflessness.

This week, May 22, 2007 Ronald Reagan’s presidential diaries being released – it is a good time to remember the radiant woman who stood behind the President since 1951, when the two became married and inseparable.

Nancy used her acting career to carry her through politics and is known for her comment, “A woman is like a tea bag - you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.”

My hat is off to Mrs. Reagan for her beauty, strength and wisdom. She continues to be a radiant woman and role model for women of all ages.