Simplifying Your Life

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Simplifying your life may sound easier than done.  That is because when we decide to (truly) simplify our lives, the process has percolated in the spiritual sense.  Something has happened on the inside that is starting to manifest on the outside.  The truth is that we do not recognize this; we just feel the desire of simplifying our material lives and this is where we usually start.  Suddenly, we start decluttering our home and environments in which we spend most of our time.  We declutter our desk, closets, attic … and the healing begins.  This is necessary to make space on our cluttered minds and hearts to welcome the things that are needed for our healing.  This is a personal process, for some people, it takes longer than for others, and you arrive at this cleansing stage on your own terms and in different circumstances.  The important issue is that you arrive and let the growth begin.

What started as material decluttering suddenly transforms into spiritual decluttering as well, and the path’s design is personal – unique to you.  Each one of us are here on a journey – whether a short or long journey.  Many times, people watching you from the outside do not understand this much-needed cleansing and may think that you are going nuts, even try to dissuade you to hold on to your stuff – “Get a storage space,” they will suggest, “You will be sorry you got rid of that one day,” and some other similar remarks.  However, it is up to you – it is always up to you to continue your journey.

Turning Point

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It took some time to master the courage to follow my dream of writing – and going through many jobs as well.  There are three things that I love – Writing, Real Estate, and Art – of this I am sure.  Writing is me, Real Estate is pure beauty, and Art is an outlet.

When I decided to write, my goal was to write my first novel.  I am happy to say that I did that and I started my second novel.  During that time, I got distracted doing other assignments – all related to my love of writing –  however, this has taken me away from my dream of becoming a novelist and it has taken all my time, leaving me with little time to write my next novel.

It dawned on me that  I had deviated from my dream and that I was at a turning point – I realized that I had to turn back.  Many times, we set sail on the right path to later discover that we have deviated from it doing something similar to what we were set out to do in the beginning.  Once more, we find ourselves mustering the courage to turn back, and setting up the sails to a different wind.

Emergency Kit Must Have

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Recently, I gave my husband an emergency radio – a model by the American Red Cross that I think should be in every household.  This radio is well made, has an attractive look, is compact, and works great.  It has three ways for power – battery, solar, and cranking handle.  You can switch between the three power sources.  I like this features because you cannot always count on batteries.  In addition, it has a flashlight and flasher built in, and you can switch to the weather band in several areas.  It has the radio, of course, but what I like about it is that it sounds clear, loud enough. 

The American Red Cross radio also has a clock and alarm.  I am pleased with the radio and Eddie loves it too.  I got it at the local Home Depot but you can probably found it online too.  With all the craziness in the weather these days, you never know when you would need this gadget.  Here are pictures of the radio in case you want one too.

Roses by Magic

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Sitting at my computer for long hours is a bit tiring, so I try to walk around the house, for short breaks or to get some  coffee.  Today, I glanced outside thru the screen door that leads to the backyard.  I was pleasantly surprised to see the rose-bush full of dark red roses – a magical blanket of red.  When did it happen?  As if by magic, the rose-bush that was just sticks a few weeks ago, turned into a marvel of nature.  Although I was not paying attention, the change did not happen from one day to the next – it took some time; slowly the lush leaves appeared, and later, the breathtaking roses.

This gave me some insight.  I thought, sometimes, we worry so much when we are following our call, specially when we don’t see results right away.  We tend to shrivel, to dry, and forget that the growth happens slowly; and just as those roses one day appeared in all their splendor, so it will happen if we continue our path and let growth and bloom happen naturally.

On Being Your Own Cheerleader

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Many times, people find themselves in a sea of uncertainty about their dreams and goals.  Many times, the uncertainty comes from outside sources – from the naysayers that have managed to bury the seed of doubt in the dreamer’s heart.  If you are a dreamer that is working hard towards the goal, it is up to you to toughen up and grow some roses in your heart – their thorns will suffocate the weed that is trying to grow from the seed that naysayers planted there.

Many times, you will have to be your own cheerleader, maybe even the only one.  When others fail you, you can always count on you.  But when you feel as if you have failed yourself, it is because you have let many weeds grow in the garden of your heart.  Start weeding out and you will find again your dream.

Technology – Big Brother or Big Sister?

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Much has been said about Big Brother, surveillance, and the intrusion of others in our private lives.  However, must of us embrace technology, and the latest fun and new gadgets in the market.  We play with them, we love them, get mad at them when they don’t work properly or when we don’t know how to use them, can’t live with them, can’t live without them …

From chips in cell phones that can track our every move, to surveillance cameras in the streets, to chips that can store our likes and dislikes and cater to our whims by sending just the right advertising piece, … we are being watched, like it or not.  However, it is not the feeling of distrust that Big Brother suggests, but more like the Big Sister that protect us, likes us, and to whom we look up to.  We embrace her, we play with her, we love her, and we get mad at her sometimes, but soon we forget.  Technology has become our Big Sister.

Citrus Spray for Writing

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Many times, writing can be a tedious and time-consuming job that can leave you almost asleep at the keyboard, after many hours.  Even when you take short breaks, and pour the coffee to no end, this may happen.  For when I feel in a Zombie state, I have a quick remedy that seems to work for me – Citrus spray.  I spray it around the room, and a few minutes later, I feel focused and even re-energized.  I used Pure Citrus, and eco-friendly and natural brand.  It also comes in a mix of vanilla with citrus or lavender with citrus, but the main citrus aroma seems to overwhelm the vanilla and lavender scents, so you mostly smell the citrus.  It works for me, it may work for you too.  Just sharing this simple trick.

Me Who, What, Huh?

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I guess it happens in your early forties, but suddenly, you find yourself questioning everything around you – the universe, society, career, friendships … and how you have lived your entire life.  The only thing not being questioned is family – because you are stuck with it.  Somehow, nothing seems to make sense, or at least, have the same meaning it had.  It could be a dramatic experience for many, or an exciting period in your life.  You can analyze everything to exhaustion and become depressed, or you can just enjoy the sudden jolt of enlightenment that seems to break you in  halves.

Eventually, like everything, it will pass, and you will emerge once more.  Depending on what you made of the experience, you will emerge strong or vulnerable – but no matter what, it is still you.  I am convinced that midlife crisis happens for a reason – it is necessary to ground you once more,  just as the “terrible twos” or the “challenging teens.”  Will it happen around your sixties, eighties …?  Who knows.  Me Who, What, Huh?

A Crying Planet

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The world seems to be in chaos, or at least, that is what the news I hear suggest.    It is very sad what is happening to Japan and our brothers and sisters there.  The Japanese have given us a lesson.  I don’t hear sleuthing or rapes, or people turning against each other.  I see brave citizens going through very hard and unimaginable times holding on to each other and keeping their spirits up, despite the size of the adversity afflicting their country.  In their darkest hour, they have shine their light. 

Natural disasters and man-made disasters are never good.  We have created time bombs on this planet, and forgot about the  power of Nature.  What is happening in Japan, can happen any time to other developed countries – including our beloved USA.  This is why countries should start rethinking and taking measures to lessen the damage already created.  We have raped this planet!  This planet, as a living organism and eco system, must restore itself – however that may be – another ice age or whatever … 

I am tired of hearing about doomsday, the end of the world, Armageddon, and 2012.  Don’t blame God, Christ, religion…, for something that is part of a natural occurrence and part man-made, as we have abused the resources of this planet.  I consider myself a christian, but a responsible one.  Maybe it is time we stop thinking about Armageddon and the end of the world and start living more responsible on this planet.  Maybe we should get off our asses and do our part and stop thinking that God is the one who is responsible for fixing everything.  He gave humanity a wonderful place to live and we have neglected our home.  Then, we run scared to the closest pharmacy and the nearest website to buy iodine tablets in case the radiation in Japan reaches us on this side of the planet.   

My heart goes out to our Japanese brothers and sisters who are going through such pain and hard times.  Let’s help them however each one of us can – every little counts.  Maybe we can start here in the Occident by not going nuts and exhausting the iodine tablet supply that the citizens of some Japan areas may need more.  At times like this, we are one race – human.