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!

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.

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!

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!

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)

I am suspicious it has to do with work. The sense that it is time to get moving again, after the long winter’s nap kind of thing. The other day I practically closed my eyes while walking from the car to the back porch for fear that all the fallen branches, leaves, peeling paint, splintering wood of the deck, would somehow reach out, grab and strangle me. See, it is the work thing. I can’t enjoy the season because I think I now have to work harder, do more, accomplish something.

This accomplish something thought has had a hold of me for quite awhile. I think it relaxes a bit more in the Autumn and Winter. As I feel it waking up from its slumber it scares me. Maybe this is the year I don’t have to invite it in? Maybe this year, this new season, there can be a chance for a springing up and over the old. I can land on the other side of it and with eyes forward keep walking-not look back.

This kind of talk always sounds good and makes me feel like an athlete after a good motivational speech from a coach. I feel focused, ready, at the top of my game. Of course it is still early in the morning and my coffee is still hot!

On some level I know there is nothing wrong with that.

I have work to do though! Things to create! Things that have been created that need to get out into the world! Where is my focus? My drive? My motivation?

I used to do all of this stuff with the grace of an Olympic athlete, easily maneuvering the terrain, in excellent condition to push for hours on end. And, most importantly, I had the focus, the drive, the motivation that I am now in search of as I lay on my chaise lounge computer in my lap!

If I am complete in this very moment, why do anything? If i am loved just because I am, why bother getting up at all today? There has to be a reason to move forward.

I am waiting for a reason.

Five minutes and nothing has arrived. I guess the dog needing to go out will have to be good enough.

Then there is the fact that it is approaching the end of February and the next phase of “the card deck project” is not really underway.  Sure I have done a few things, but not enough to get something going in the wholesale market.  That could be it?

There is also the way that an artist has to be self-motivated and find some structure in her days.  When to eat, exercise, write, research the next step, make stuff, and most importantly, make space for the inspiration.  This could be it?

A female cardinal has just landed at the bird feeder right outside the window where I am sitting and writing.  She is a beautiful red-orange with a brilliant yellow-red beak.  Her head feathers are bouncing up and down and she bobs for her breakfast.  She is in one sense calm and in another on edge, ready to fly at any moment. I wonder if she has come to find me? If she is my Grace?  I do not hear the other voices in my head right now and I notice that I have finally exhaled.  This is it.

~life coach and marketing session today.

~8 InterPlay Inspiration Decks sold in two days!

~Looking for young, inspired person to tweet for me….trade anyone?

~mourning the packing away of the Christmas decorations (don’t laugh at me!)

the true message for the day

~questions about curly or straight hair continue to plague the mornings.

~found my first wedding ring the other day (more on that next post!)