SisSTARS for PEACE

SisSTARS for PEACE ... Proud to be for Peace and Love...War is Not an Answer!
"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them--that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like." -Lao-Tse
"The fates lead him who will--him who won't, they drag." -Seneca






Friday, February 26, 2010

TGIF in Winter Wonderland


It's been awhile and in the interim I was learning how to get sick of being sick. There's been a change in the weather and a change in me ... yes, by God, there'll
be a change blowing in the wind, my Friends. And,
that being said, I have nothing much else to write (well, actually I'm concerned that if I start typing I may go on forever as I'm so filled with new and wonderful things floating around in my head, as often happens when one looks at mortality, but I digress...)
I got to talk to two friends this evening and that was spirit-raising. I "found" a very cool "CD Catalogue of World Music" 10-CD set of about 350-500 one and-a-half minute songs from everywhere in the world. I love it so much. I am almost tempted to follow Jeffrey's suit and buy a cheapie MP3 player. Oh, my! Could I possibly get so high tech? I don't have a cell phone, or even a microwave or a garbage disposal or dishwasher, (I was going to say "half a brain" but that would be mean to myself!) so an MP3, man, I'm not sure. But can you imagine 1-1/2 minute songs of awesome dance/exercise/energize music?? I am now playing the Didgeridoo from Australia and it is so awesome. I once was in a medication group with a beautiful percussionist, hand drummer teacher and all of us were lying on the floor in a big circle with our heads in the center and she went around individually and blew the Didge right above our heads. It was a most stupendous experience and "blew me away" (oh, ha ha!) I so love music from many places and I love making music up all the time, but then it's poof! gone forever, out into the ethers.
OK, the main reason I got on here was NOT to type my own words, but I "pulled" a card from the OSHO Zen Tarot deck tonight and it was one I'd just gotten a month ago and had just put the card away ... it was SLOW DOWN with a big tortoise on the front. And this is what it says:
"Slowing Down" - Meditation is a kind of medicine, its use is only for the time being. Once you have learned the quality, then you need not do any particular meditation, then the meditation has to spread all over your life.
Walking is Zen, sitting is Zen.
Then what will be the quality? Watchfully, alert, joyously, unmotivated, centered, loving, flowing, one walks. And the walking is sauntering. Loving, alert, watchful, one sits, unmotivated--not sitting for anything in particular, just enjoying how beautiful just sitting doing nothing is, how relaxing, how restful ...
After a long walk, you sit under a tree and the breeze comes and cools you. Each moment one has to be at ease with oneself--not trying ti improve, not cultivating anything, not practicing anything.
Walking is Zen, sitting is Zen,
Talking or silent, moving, unmoving,
The essence is at ease.
The essence is at ease: that is the keyword. The essence is at ease: that is the key statement. Do whatsoever you are doing, but at the deepest core remain at ease, cool, calm, centered.
COMMENTARY:
The Knight of Rainbows is a reminder that, just like this tortoise, we carry our home with us wherever we go. There is no need to hurry, no need to seek shelter elsewhere. Even as we move into the depths of the emotional waters, we can remain self-contained and free from attachments. It is a time when you are ready to let go of any expectations you have had about yourself or other people, and to take responsibility for any illusions you might have been carrying. There is no need to do anything but rest in the fullness of who you are right now. If desires and hopes and dreams are fading away, so much the better. Their disappearance is making space for a new quality of stillness and acceptance of what is, and you are able to welcome this development in a way you have never been able to before. Savor this quality of slowing down, of coming to rest and recognizing that you are already at home.
Goodnight, Friends in the e-waves...from
Your SisSTAR *** xoxo

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Great Weekend


We watched several good movies this weekend: Ultimate Gift and Harvey. The 1st was a real tear-jerker with the little girl who was in Little Miss Sunshine. Both were extremely good. Instead of watching the Super Bowl, we watched a lot of the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet, which was cute.


This photo I had to copy from a fwd this wkend. It reminds me of all the time I am having to spend on hold trying to get through to insurance companies to authorize patient visits with all the new insurances and their changes after the 1st of the year. It has been so frustrating and downright makes me angry! Can't accomplish anything and if I don't get them, the doctor won't get paid, or the patient will have to pay when they're not supposed to. Grrrrrr!!! Here it is (I hope it will be posted where I want it to...it gets tricky sometimes).
Today would've been my Grandma Maggie Morgan Haswell's birthday. She was 83 when I was born and is the one I still have her Christmas cactus which is still blooming since Nov. 26th. I'm just "nostalgic" like that.
Went to Sally's (Salv Army) last night for a few special finds ... Jeff can't believe he bought a "Michigan" jacket (since Michigan State is his favorite) but hey, it was $4!!!!! 60% off and probably cost $80-$100 orig at Steve 'n Barry's. I bought an awesome pretty pink towel set with a beautiful brightly embroidered butterfly on each all for less than $2!!! Jeff "spun the wheel" and got an extra 59% off! Awesome. However!!! there was a real little boy sitting in his parents' shopping cart squealing at a decibel only dogs should've heard and it sounded like bottle rockets ... it hurt your ears so bad. I called him Pavarotti - perhaps he can go on to be a high soprano opera singer, or at least a choir boy. Hope I don't hear him ever again!!!! Ouch!
We seem to have missed out on a lot of snow this winter, which doesn't hurt my feelings. Weather tonight says some is on its way...we shall see. What will be, will be, oui?
Love and blessings and a fun week ahead to you all, from
Your SisSTAR xoxoxo