Today is all about my inner journey. Occasionally I need to be reminded of my own goals: to act authentically from a place of love, to help others whenever possible, to turn my life over to the Universe and follow the path that is set forth before me, and to be grateful for that which I have been given. The video below reminded me of all this. It is so beautiful that I must share it:

It’s my turn! I joined the Blogging Boomers Carnival a couple of months ago and this is my week to review what our boomers have recently been discussing. I always enjoy reading what’s on their minds, but this week my fellow boomers have outdone themselves with fascinating articles that you’ll definitely want to check out.

For the most intriguing post of the week I nominate John at So Baby Boomer. He asks:”How frequently could we be experiencing the same thoughts as someone to whom we feel closely connected? It probably happens far more often than we’ve ever imagined.” He explores psi, the technical term for psychic abilities, citing compelling evidence for telepathy from the study of identical twins. I have always believed in telepathy and empathic ability, so I read his article with great interest and found it to be intriguing if not astounding!

Laura Lee Carter at Midlife Crisis Queen is on somewhat the same wavelength with her discussion about finding a partner in midlife when she says: “In the spring our thoughts turn to love. Why not change your mind about finding that special someone? It might just change your life!” Laura Lee believes that our ideas create our reality, insisting that “whatever you focus on grows,” and she suggests an interesting method for stimulating your focus if love is what you seek. This one is my nomination for most hopeful of the week.

I have to give the award for the week’s most controversial post to Rhea at over at The Boomer Chronicles, who is stashing away unused pharmaceutical drugs. When she asks: “A good idea, or a bad one?” and invites readers to weigh in on the question, they comment like crazy and raise some very interesting points. What do you think? Add your opinion to the fray. Read the rest of this entry »

Benjamin Zander, conductor with the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, spoke at TED recently. Beginning with an amusing discussion of classical music and what he calls “one-buttock playing,” his speech takes unexpected twists and turns that he connects with beautifully played Chopin. At the end of his remarks, Zander leaves us with a final, prophetic question. Watch it to the end – he is remarkable and his speech reminded me of my commitment to treat everyone with loving kindness.

The minister stood in front of the 70 couples who had gathered in Sarasota’s Bayfront Park and bid them rise and join hands. Solemnly, he discussed the sacrament of matrimony and then launched into the vows. A split second after they had all agreed to love, honor, and obey, an ambulance screamed by with sirens blaring.

Seventy couples gather to renew their vows in the shadow of the giant "Unconditional Surrender" sculpture

“I trust that isn’t for anyone here?” the minister said, giving everyone a good laugh.

Indeed, there were no terrified spouses or fainting brides at this mass renewal of vows. Each of the couples had paid $100 for the privilege of standing beneath the giant “Unconditional Surrender” sculpture temporarily on display in the park and saying “I Do” the second time around. Billed as “A Monumental Valentine’s Day Kiss,” the event was a fundraiser for Sarasota Season of Sculpture, which is attempting to keep the work in Sarasota permanently. Read the rest of this entry »

If we’d all treat each other the way the girls in this video did, it would be a better world.

The snow has finally stopped here in Illinois and the temperatures have finally climbed above zero; it’s now 12 degrees and expected to climb all the way to 28. The sun is even peeking through the clouds – just a bit, but enough to melt a little of the ice that has been coating all the roads. Tomorrow’s forecast calls for temps to climb above freezing, perhaps even as high as 50 degrees. We fondly refer to this as pneumonia weather.

I’m not complaining though. I am surrounded by warmth – both of the temperature kind (Dad’s house is a cozy 72 degrees) and the familial kind. I am about to leave for my sister’s house, where for the next few hours we’ll be stuffing our faces, unwrapping presents, watching football, playing electronic games on the TV, and talking over one another until the din is so loud that my head begins to reverberate. I love it. I am so grateful that I can be here over the holidays with my Dad and the rest of my family. I hope each and every one of you are also with loving family and friends, enjoying the holiday. Merry Christmas everybody!

Some years ago, Japanese scientist Dr. Masaru Emoto discovered that crystals formed in frozen water revealed changes when specific thoughts were directed toward them. He found that water from clear springs and water that had been exposed to loving words formed brilliant, complex, and colorful snowflake crystals. Alternatively, water from polluted sources or that had been exposed to negative thoughts formed incomplete crystals with asymmetrical patterns and dull colors.

Using high speed photography, Emoto recorded the formation of frozen crystals from water that had been exposed to different words, thoughts and feelings. When he typed the words “love and gratitude” on a piece of paper and wrapped it around a bottle of water, the crystals that resulted were exquisite and perfectly formed. The same results were obtained when he wrapped the bottles with the words “thank you;” regardless of the language used, the phrase “thank you” always produced perfectly formed crystals. Alternatively, the words “I hate you” produced deformed, incomplete, unattractive crystals.

Since the earth and our bodies are predominantly made up of water, Emoto theorized that we could positively impact the earth and our personal health by changing our thoughts, words, and feelings. Further experiments proved that even polluted water could produce lovely crystals after being subjected to positive words and thoughts.

Perhaps Thanksgiving has put me in a contemplative mood this year, but lately I have been thinking a lot about words, feelings, thoughts, and actions. And of course, about gratitude. Four years ago, despite the fact that I had a successful career and a lovely house, I was seriously ill and severely unhappy with my life. In about five weeks I will celebrate my anniversary of “chucking it all.” On December 31, 2006, I Read the rest of this entry »

Dear President-elect Obama: This afternoon I was sitting at a table outside of my favorite coffee shop, talking to a friend on my cell phone, when I noticed that the local merchants had written on the sidewalk with pastel chalk. The giant letters proclaimed “Vote Obama,” and “Obama is in the house.” Chills went down my spine. Something thrilling was in the air. I laughed delightedly and started to repeat the messages to my friend. Just then, an African-American family walked up to the entrance of the shop and overheard my conversation. I looked at them and they looked at me. Not a word was exchanged, yet I felt a kinship such as I have never before experienced.

Throughout my life I have fought passionately against discrimination and injustice. I have never, ever – not once – judged a person by the color of their skin. But despite of my unshakable belief in the goodness of all people regardless of race, creed, or religion, I have always felt a slight Read the rest of this entry »

In 1969, John Rendall and Ace Berg rescued a lion from a cramped cage in Harrods Department Store, where it was offered for sale. The lion soon grew too big for their small apartment and they reintroduced him to Africa. A year later they wanted to visit their former pet in his natural habitat, but they were told he was now the head of a large pride and was entirely wild. They went in search of him anyway. Watch the amazing video below to see what happened: