Posted by Anita Bondi on May 26, 2010 under Anita Bondi | 
It is a big joke in my family that I always take the day off on my birthday. Why not? I think everyone should! So, happy birthday to me and all the other zany, creative, funny Gemini’s in this world. I could tell you about starting my birthday week yesterday with my dear friend Patti, or my astrological update with sweet Mel, or my spontaneous dinner with my honey, but I really want to tell you about looking for the Lady Slipper. She is a rare beauty of the forest that blooms around my birthday.
My sister and fellow Gemini (although she says we are nothing alike!), Louise was the perfect partner for my early morning sleuthing. We started out at 6:30am. The woods were quiet and wet with dew. The beauty immediately woke me up and gratitude filled my lungs as I breathed it in completely.
Since the pictures will no doubt be worth a thousand words, here goes:
We were almost to the top of the mountain when we spotted her a bit off the trail, surrounded by a small rock circle, as if someone had thought to protect her; possibly seeing her beauty for the first time, as I had some years ago, and with breath catching in their chest, had known that she was fragile and needed care. She was completely alone and very small although her presence in the rocky landscape felt huge to me. The pink pouch drops off of the plant and looks like a slipper. The pouch is used to catch the insects needed to fertilize the flower. Lady Slipper is in the orchid family and is the state flower of Minnesota…..just a shout out to my InterPlay friends in the land of lakes….have you seen any lately? Send pictures!!!!
Next up: A birthday nap with my buddy, Scout! 
Posted by Anita Bondi on May 2, 2010 under Anita Bondi |
I think I may have been at a friend’s house when I first saw the poem, Imagine a Woman. This year it is celebrating its 15th anniversary which means I was an early “thirty-something” when I read it and was ripe for its message. I had just opened the Holistic Arts Studio (now Wellspring Holistic Center), and had been teaching and mentoring its message since my twenties. Of course, now in my late 40’s I realize how little I knew back then, how much more I understand now, and how far I still have to go I in living its inspiration! Join me on May 3rd, as Mandala Design Works launches our partnership with Patricia Lynn Reilly ( the author of the poem) and Imagine a Woman International. We are a perfect match, as we all choose empowerment through self-acceptance, passionate living, and community spirit! Join the birthday celebration and imagine all women in love with themselves! Here is the whole poem (and me 15 years ago!):
Imagine a woman who believes it is right and good she is a woman.
A woman who honors her experience and tells her stories.
Who refuses to carry the sins of others within her body and life.
Imagine a woman who trusts and respects herself.
A woman who listens to her needs and desires.
Who meets them with tenderness and grace.
Imagine a woman who acknowledges the past’s influence on the present.
A woman who has walked through her past.
Who has healed into the present.
Imagine a woman who authors her own life.
A woman who exerts, initiates, and moves on her own behalf.
Who refuses to surrender except to her truest self and wisest voice.
Imagine a woman who names her own gods.
A woman who imagines the divine in her image and likeness.
Who designs a personal spirituality to inform her daily life.
Imagine a woman in love with her own body.
A woman who believes her body is enough, just as it is.
Who celebrates its rhythms and cycles as an exquisite resource.
Imagine a woman who honors the body of the Goddess in her changing body.
A woman who celebrates the accumulation of her years and her wisdom.
Who refuses to use her life-energy disguising the changes in her body and life.
Imagine a woman who values the women in her life.
A woman who sits in circles of women.
Who is reminded of the truth about herself when she forgets.
Imagine yourself as this woman.
Posted by Anita Bondi on April 10, 2010 under Anita Bondi |
Could I have been as famous as Oprah? Would it have been possible to have a big “A” in lights and everyone saying, “Oh, yes, Anita, of course!” One of my problems may be the fact that the “A” was already taken (that would be by Nathaniel Hawthorne of The Scarlet Letter fame.), or perhaps that I was born white and middle class (but we will leave these for another blog!).
I am tired and overbooked. I have given myself the task of working for 2 hours and then taking 30 minutes to do something that feels relaxing to me. Twenty-nine minutes ago it was reading the 10th anniversary edition of “O” magazine.
I have to tell you that there were some uncanny moments. My sister and I will be the kick-off keynote speakers at the Pocono Women, Power of 10 conference, next Saturday, April 17th. This simple 20 minute presentation has kept me up nights because of the simple title our talk was given: Make your life a Ten. This has caused many conversations with friends and clients and the other day, my sister. The notes finally organized themselves and I slept the whole night through: yahoo!
Now for a list of the uncanny moments (all having to do with the presentation I have just finished putting together):
1. Elizabeth Gilbert is saying the same things that I am (author of Eat, Pray, Love)
2. Martha Beck is saying the same things that I am (author and life coach)
3. Lisa Kogan is saying the same things that I am (monthly O columnist and one funny lady!)
4. Oprah is saying the same things that I am (needs no explanation)
5. And even Dr. Phil said one thing that I am going to say!
What is the message here? I think my time has come! No, seriously, I think it means that this particular message is now available for all to hear. The collective “We” is ready to change and if you want more than that, you will have to pick up the latest copy of O magazine and/or register here for the Pocono Women event next weekend!
Posted by Stan Stewart (Sawyer) on under Anita Bondi, Stan Stewart |
Something beautiful is happening between Anita and me: we’re falling in love again. Maybe it’s the seven year itch finally bearing fruit — we’ve been together for about nine years. Maybe it’s that we’ve actually managed to practice what we preach by using the tools we have learned over the years in our own day-to-day relationship. We’ve even remembered to pull a card from Anita’s own InterPlay Inspiration Deck or role Gretchen Wegner’s MuseCubes a few times recently!
Mostly, I think it’s been about each of us learning to be more playful — both individually and in the ways we relate with each other. One of our playmates is our “rescue dog,” Scout. In addition to loving to hike, run in circles (usually around Anita or me), and play games with his stuffed toys, Scout likes to sing and talk. Sometimes these vocalizations just sound like grunts and sometimes they form random melodies. However they may sound, they always draw our attention to him.
A few days ago, we were involved in this deathly serious discussion. Anita was getting focused — I could tell because of the furrow in her forehead — and I was getting sad — and showing it. Suddenly, Scout stretched and performed one of his delightful little vocalizations right between us. We both laughed. And the moment was transformed.
So — unless you have a dog or a child to shift the mood — roll the dice or draw a card and relax into your life. Join us on a Monday night to experience the tools we use.
Playful blessings!
Posted by Stan Stewart (Sawyer) on March 24, 2010 under Stan Stewart |
I performed for the first time with Penn Strings on Sunday. It was great. We had a kind of simple ease together even though it was our first time performing together. The set included everything from Beethoven to Coldplay, so there was no shortage of variety. I can hardly wait for the next gig!
Contrast this with the fact that taxes are due in less than a month. Lots of numbers, calculations, paper forms, confusing descriptions. Thank goodness, my CPA takes care of most of it!
My music/recording studio has been in a shambles. Between gigs, rehearsals, jams, PULSE, and being lazy after all of this other stuff is done, I had really let it go. So, over the past couple of weeks, I really cleaned it up. Well, actually I’m about half-way there. I can see the floor. OK? So it’s a major victory.
I’m grateful. And ready. To take the next step. Here goes.
Playful blessings…
(Here you go, technorati: PHAYQ8KRXTNP)
My sister and fellow Gemini (although she says we are nothing alike!), Louise was the perfect partner for my early morning sleuthing. We started out at 6:30am. The woods were quiet and wet with dew. The beauty immediately woke me up and gratitude filled my lungs as I breathed it in completely.
