You’re No Good…

In this life, the road we travel should be Beautiful!

In this time of recession, depression, and lack of funding, are we telling our children that they are no good?  Never-ending budget cuts in education would seem to say so.  In times when things are so hard for so many people, budget cuts to education only make matters worse.   Putting more financial responsibility on the families who can not afford it doesn’t make sense.  I’m not speaking for everyone but I could do without flowers and plants in our parks and roadways, this country would still be beautiful.  Perhaps we could stop doing ridiculous studies that do not help the general population, I don’t need a study to know that traffic jams are actually caused by traffic or that wearing clothes will keep you warm.  Stop wasting time and money fighting against marijuana, just increase the tax revenues by legalizing it!  Regardless of controversy, save time and money, just legalize same-sex marriage, those who oppose it can still sit in judgement.

Education is the future of this and every other country.  Why would anyone want to remain a teacher with this kind of attack on their profession, oh yea, I know why – because there aren’t any other jobs available!  The best education and the availability of the arts in school are children’s basic human rights.  If we paid teachers as if they were baby-sitters, they would make more money than they do teaching.  Why would any teacher or prospective future candidates want to stay/go into this profession…why not study that!

In the words of today’s song, we are basically telling the future of our country “You’re No Good” and that is just plain wrong!  Our future depends on them…

The rant is over, have a ROCKIN’ day, Mama

Today in ROCK history: 1975 – Linda Ronstadt’s “You’re No Good” is #1.

Childhoods revisited

There are many milestones that mark a person’s life, some are happy and some are not.  To realize that we are an amalgam of all of life’s experiences is to embrace that life is not a bowl of cherries.  Life, it turns out is often at its most important when we are letting go.  Sure the good times are special and help in determining who we are…but the difficult time are there to prove who we have become. 

Now I know that everyone handles the good and the bad in different ways.  We are all individuals who help to shape the world around us and make it more interesting.  If we were all to live within our “Strawberry Fields Forever,” we would never get the chance to make the mistakes, the lessons in life that we learn from.  Perhaps we would not be able to love to the fullest because we had not experienced loss.  Would we be able to enjoy the highs if we had not lived through the lows?

Grab hold of all the moments that you have, experience them to the fullest, grow and give of yourself to those you love.  We have such a short time together, experience with an open heart and remember that we are all just human, no one is perfect.  Make sure that you take a firm hold of your life, be in charge of your feelings, and always put yourself in someone elses shoes before you decide how to feel about them.

So living in “Strawberry Fields” might be nice and nostalgic, it does not represent what our experience is supposed to be.  Like the saying goes “It’s a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.”  Live in the moment, let life sweep you away on this journey of highs, middles, and lows.  Ride that big mother of a wave like it is the best one of the set and don’t look back to see what is coming…just go for it!

Have  a ROCKIN’ day, Mama

Today in ROCK history: 1967 – The Beatles release “Strawberry Fields Forever.”

Long Live the QUEEN…

I had never heard about the ancient healing art of Tibetan Cranial before last week.  This is a Mind, Body, Spirit approach to healing – or helping many pain issues.  I have found an “Apprentice” in my area who is nearing the end of her training.  I have met with her and had one session, for many people this is all they need to experience results.  In my case, she advises that we do at least 5 consecutive sessions and then see where we are.  This was without any information from me regarding my personal specifics, just knowing that I have pain issues.

The session itself was very relaxing, although the table that is used for treatment was almost unbearable.  It is a solid flat wooden table and with my injuries I had my reservations about laying there for 45 minutes.  The treatment itself started with a gentle placement of her hand placed on each wrist and ankle independently.  Then the fingers were gently placed on the top of my forehead.  She then began using here hands to ever so gently manipulate my head, neck and back.  During this treatment I was to meditate and use a mantra of my choice and she did the same. 

The time went quickly as I got into the repetitive and soothing nature of my mantra.  It wasn’t until the very end when the treatment was over that she covered my eyes and asked my to continue with my mantra that I felt the severe affects of having laid on the table for so long.  She quietly left the room for I’m guessing 10 minutes.  During the treatment I had been able to not focus on the rock hard surface that I was on, now it felt like torture to me.  I was not able to maintain my dormant position and I was unable to focus on my mantra. 

I have tried various applications of treatment from: conventional, chiropractic, acupuncture, and singing bowl sessions…I meditate and use singing bowls regularly.  I have yet to find any real relief from my chronic and severe pain issues. I look forward to trying this TC approach as it is inline with who I am.  I am definitely not looking to cover up my pain issues with prescribed medications, although I am currently doing so on a moderate level.

I look forward to a wonderful experience and have high hopes that this will be a helpful and healing time for me.  If you are interested in this 3000 year old technique I encourage you to look it up.  If you have had any experience with TC, feel free to share your experience with me; I would love to hear about it!

I hope you have a day full of wonder, Mama 

Today in ROCK history: 1981 – While touring South American soccer stadiums, Queen performs in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to the largest crowds of paying fans ever to witness a concert.

Don’t look so sad…a journey with death.

For my Mom: Kris Kristofferson’s For the Good Times – http://youtu.be/Ovb_iRWcqsc

Life is a beginning, a middle, and an end, the time frame for each of us is different.  Even when we are fully aware of the end, it is almost always still a shock to our soul.  We are not equipped to breeze through the end of our loved ones life.  No matter how much lead time we have, no matter how long we have been preparing, our minds, hearts and soul are left wanting. 

Each time that I have dealt with loss has been traumatic for more reasons than the loss itself.  My realization must than be that death brings out the worst in many people.  For reasons, sometimes obvious and sometimes not, there always seems to be more obstacles in death than there are in any other time of our lives.  Now maybe it is just me…but I don’t think it is.

As I just shared with my loving cousin this morning: Today I will just focus on the love I have in my life and smile at my sorrow. My meditations have taught me to live in the present moment as it is the only moment we truly have, yet when times like this are upon us, it is hard to follow the path of our own philosophy.

I guess that stumbling through these difficult times is the learning experience that is supposed to enrich us as human beings, I say they just suck.  None of us are perfect, our views of others are also flawed, how can we truly know someone when we are constantly learning about ourself.  If we are always changing and evolving, the best that we can hope for is that those who love us, will always love us, not always the case in life, but we can still hope!

As a teen I used to be woken up on weekends to my Mom blasting Kris Kristofferson on the record player and singing loudly with each song.  I would toss and turn in bed, wanting nothing more than a few more hours of sleep.  Finally I would have to give into that music, get up and start my day.  If you are reading this, please take a moment to listen to this song, and lovingly think about all the many ways that your parents tortured you.

Have a ROCKIN’ day, Mama

We all shine on…some more than others! Be a Lighthouse…

 

Music that makes you think and feel, reflect on  your own life and the lives of those you love.  John Lennon was and still is an artist who truly had a gift, one that keeps giving.  As we live this life that we are so generously given, it is part of our journey.  Make the most of the time you have, shine while you have the chance.  So many waste the opportunity to shine “…like the moon and the stars and the sun…” until the next phase of their journey. 

Right here, right now is the time to shine, not only for those you love, but for yourself.  That inner glow, that light that draws people to you is so special.  We all have it, we just need to ignite it and let it shine.  Do whatever it takes to let your light shine, hang your freak flag high for all to see.  Have as much fun during this life so that when you leave…it is like a shooting star streaking across the sky in all it’s beauty and awe.

Teach you children to be creative and innovative and to always learn from every experience they have to become a better person.  Give them this spark and their light will guide their life and spill over for others.  Even during difficulty, let your light shine to help you and others to endure.  Don’t be selfish with your light, share it with everyone…even strangers.  You never know when your goodness can make a change for someone else.  The smallest gesture of kindness can have the greatest impact. 

Be that person, be good to yourself, give that light freely and see how much you can impact others. May “We all shine on” forever. Peace and Love, Mama 

Today in ROCK history: 1970 – John Lennon writes and records “Instant Karma (We All Shine On).”

Hey BUDDY!

I find myself in a position that I have not been in very often in my life, I’m not working.  Now I started working when I was 15 to have spending money since my Mom did not believe in allowance.  Of course this does not include all the years I was a babysitter before I was 15. 

So now that I am home all the time, I found that I need a companion.  Our dog died over the summer and I was sure that I would not have a dog again.  It is just so hard to loose your buddy!  Now that I am home alone so much, my husband works long hours as a teacher, I decided to get another dog.  Puppies are sure cute but too much work, I wanted to adopt a grown up dog that needed a good home. 

I guess the largest dog I have ever had before was a German Shepard and that was a long time ago.  Our most recent dog, Otis, was a yellow lab.  We found a six year old Great Dane and although we have had him for just over a month, I just LOVE this big lug.  He is perfect for me as he is so mellow and doesn’t need much activity.

So to paint a picture in your mind, we live in a beautiful older home built in 1940.  Our home is 1200 sq. ft. We are both big people, I’m 5′ 10” and Mark is 6 ‘4″ and Zues is huge…he weights more than I do, he is 150lbs.  I have to laugh when we are all trying to move around the house at the same time…can you say traffic jam…

I’m so glad that we found this fellow, he is perfect!  Now I have a buddy to talk to and he follows me around like he is attached to my hip, or maybe I should say my waist.  We have always been dog people and I guess we always will be.  Have a ROCKIN’ day, Mama

Today in ROCK history: 2005 – Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, Queens Of The Stone Age leader Josh Homme and Beck perform at a tsunami-aid benefit concert in Los Angeles. Proceeds go to Music For Relief, an organization founded by Linkin’ Park to assist the Red Cross.

People are Strange…Days are Strange…

My beautiful cousin Jill…gone too soon!

I’m sure that we all have Strange Days every now and then, I prefer to have them all the time!  Normal sucks, I have always been a bit strange and I like it.  Life is so short, we never know how long we have, so why not have fun while you have the chance. 

Many people, like Jim Morrison, leave us too soon.  To me, it is strange to think that so many people who die too early often leave the biggest impact on others.   Now that is not to say that those who are around for a long life don’t also have a huge impact…

When I think about the music of so many great artists who left us long before their time, I think how lucky we are to even have had them to begin with.  This applies to our own loved ones too.  We are so lucky to have the experiences that we have had with family and friends.  They leave us with memories, that like music, we can always enjoy. 

However you feel and whoever you’ve lost, honor them by remembering them as they were, loving, funny, smart, talented, giving, and yes, even STRANGE!

Today in ROCK history: 1968 – The Doors score again when their sophomore album “Strange Days” goes gold.

Grey skies are gonna clear up!

Today is cold, snowy and the skies are grey.  I have enough wood brought in to have a beautiful fire in the wood stove.  I’m thankful for that!  I’m currently reading two books, Frankenstein and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  It may be a snuggle on the couch and read kinda day.  Anyway…

I know that by this age, I should have everything figured out, and I do have a firm grasp on a lot of things; but I still need time on others.  It’s hard to be everything you want to be.  It’s not easy to finally decide that who you are is alright!  With all of our faults also comes all of our perfections.  We seem to always focus on the faults.

I say we try to focus on the things about ourselves that are great…on what ever we do well, and what makes us happy.  If by what ever age you are, you still have faults and things you wish you could change, just embrace whatever it is and forget about it.  We are usually our own worse critic.  Embrace everything about yourself and soon you will find that the things that you use to focus on are pretty minor in the scope  of who you are.

Make 2012 the year that you are kind to yourself, with this new-found attitude you will also find that your new focus will make others want to be more like you.  Happiness and Love, Mama

Today in ROCK history: 2000 – Sharon Osbourne resigns as the Smashing Pumpkins manager for ‘medical reasons.’ “(Frontman) Billy Corgan was making me sick,” says Osbourne, who was the group’s manager for less than four months.

Can we work it out? The Beatles say YES…

Pre-ramble: We recently adopted a 6-year-old Great Dane, his name is Zeus.  After losing our lab over the summer, we decided that we would not get another dog…it’s just so hard when they go.  We changed our minds and are sure glad we did, this guy is a hoot!  Happy New Year from Zeus and his people…as you can see he is a party dog!

On this New Year, I think back over my life and wonder…what if I had done things differently.  Not the small things, but the big things, the things that really made an impact on my life.  I guess this is a time when we reflect on the past and look toward the future.  Life is so full of change, everyday we make choices that affect us, and others.  Why is it that so many people have an aversion to change?

I would have to guess that it has a lot to do with complacency.  We get set in our ways, and it is comfortable.  Why rock the boat?  Rockin’ the boat is the spice of life.  Life can be lived in the safety of complacency, I guess many are quite happy there.  I prefer to be spontaneous and free, to live on the edge.  Now I’m not talking about extreme situations. There was a story last night about a rock climber, just watching it made me queasy.  I’m not much for heights!

I’m talking about how you think and how you act.  Everyone has their own philosophy about life, I don’t want to test the water with my foot, or jump in off a cliff…I want to glide over the surface like a wave and be the water.  I want to experience what things are like and enjoy being me!

Can we work it out?  Each of us has the ability to decide for ourself.  So, yes…We Can Work it Out.

Today in ROCK history: 1966 – We Can Work It Out (The Beatles) was a hit.

What do you keep in a bottle? My latest tattoo…

Do you save or collect things?  Do you proudly display them, or pack them away?  What is it that compels us to love something so much that we collect it, no matter what it is? 

Years ago when I was in my early twenties, my dad passed away after years of dealing with cancer.  For the last six months of his life he lived with me.  Just before he died, he gave me his small elephant collection.  Three brass elephants that he had carried with him on his cancer journey.

At the time I did not collect anything.  After he died, I slowly began to add to this collection that he had bequeathed me. 

When you are a collector of anything, it makes it easier for those you know to buy a gift for you.  So over the years I acquired many elephants.

Recently, I got my favorite elephant, the one that means the most to me (not counting the three my dad gave me.)  After losing my brother almost three years ago to cancer, I realized that I wanted to do something personal as a remembrance of my Dad and his namesake. 

Both having the initials FJB, my husband and I designed an elephant tattoo with their initials as part of the body.  Needless to say this is my favorite tattoo and elephant.  I had it placed on the bottom of my left leg just above the ankle.  To me the left leg symbolizes the fact that they never left me, and the lower leg is like they are walking with me and keeping me grounded.

All of my tattoos have special meaning to me, otherwise why get one?  Every time I look at this special tattoo it is like having Time in a Bottle and it makes me smile.  Whatever you collect or treasure, make it meaningful in your life so that it will make you smile too.

Have a ROCKIN’ day, Mama

Today in ROCK history: 1973 – Jim Croce hits #1 with “Time In a Bottle.”