Gratitude List: People Edition

March 10, 2013

We all tend to get a little egoic at times and feel sorry for ourselves, no matter how spiritual and self aware we are.  I am just as guilty of that as the next and although I have admittedly seen a hard last year, I truly have so much to be grateful for.  I’ve tried to keep track of it all but I don’t think I’ve really thanked all the people that were there for me in one way or another.  So this is a very special gratitude list today and will just be the people that I am grateful for at this moment in time that have one way or another contributed something very valuable to my life in the last year, mostly love, in a way that reminds me that I’m NEVER alone.  Ever.  Even in fleeting moments, I have gained so much in the way of love, perspective, strength, and most importantly a feeling of importance and a reason to get up in the morning!

lovemeditationheart-starseed-davina-comsitepicThese people have been there for me in so many ways.  They laughed with me, cried with me, held me close, gave me food, gave me shelter, taught me lessons about life and myself, gave me perspective and contrast even in the most difficult moments, freed me from attachments, listened to and forgave me for my darkest confessions.  They’ve embraced who I was, but most importantly, who I am NOW.  They’ve planned with me and helped me to dream.  In some cases they simply let me go so I could try to fly on my own.  They are far more important than any of the THINGS that I could be grateful for in life.  Some are my family, some are my friends, teachers, the ones that make up my forbidden sanctuary, my partners in business and creativity and so much more.  So in no order in particular… here it is and to make sure it was completely fair and no one would feel more or less important than anyone else, I’ve used this randomizer for the list.

  • Michael Mucciolo
  • Linda Swearingen
  • Terry Clarke
  • Fruzsina Varga
  • Everyone from Ananda House
  • Alison Notsaying
  • Caid Rhymes
  • Matt Wall
  • Beverly Collins
  • Alex Mistretta
  • Kyle Eckmeier
  • Weleeba Kenneth
  • Everyone from the Viscera Organization
  • Alicia Aldridge
  • Evangelos Stathoulopoulos
  • Char Hardin
  • John Apt
  • Otto Broberg
  • Ivy Pemberton
  • Lauren Haha
  • Jonathan Pinones
  • Kerry Cooper
  • Sandy Huyett
  • Jason Sullivan
  • Kathy Harrelson (R.I.P.)
  • Mike Dooley
  • Jerry Montano
  • Liz Vickers
  • Phyllis Matsubura
  • Rush Kistler
  • Bob Halley
  • Larry Stroupe
  • Doris Trampaneau
  • Angelica Perman
  • Zachariah Kerns
  • Jeff Galyan
  • Carol Mallier
  • Abbie Howells
  • Kathy Borroughs
  • Everyone from MUFON LA
  • Martin Nemeth
  • Heinz Roempke
  • Jas Spires
  • Pappy
  • Kyle Leger
  • Raven Hernandez
  • Gina Schwalbe
  • Steve Murillo
  • Felice Giorgetti
  • Journey Brown
  • Paul Fetler
  • Kelby Wood
  • Carilyn Davidson
  • Karen Lam
  • Sonia Muller
  • Sharon Steinhauser
  • Bryan Mendieta
  • Tina Destefano
  • Jack Newberry
  • Darrel Simms
  • Marc Baptiste
  • Dharmadevi Romano
  • Bruce Hart
  • Arlen Farmer
  • Jasmine Birlew
  • Nadine Spencer
  • Sunny Kim
  • Denise Allen
  • Karoline Delaney
  • Marieke Nihot
  • Ashley Dawson
  • Katerina Goode
  • Kelley Ozane
  • Treva Eley
  • Alf Fuentes
  • Heidi Martinuzzi
  • Pam Winterbottom
  • Reggie Betts
  • Anastasia Padis
  • Aurora Carlson
  • Mercurio Osterman
  • Rene Erkstrand
  • Unity Koontz
  • Christina Vickers
  • Lacie Leger
  • Ryan McSwain
  • Jay Platt
  • Ralph ‘Wolf’ McCarron
  • Susan Bell
  • Everyone from Burbank LOA
  • Shannon Lark
  • Olivia White
  • Jim Kunz
  • Turiya Nada
  • Ramona Mucciolo
  • Domiziano Archangeli
  • Eugene Price
  • Kristen Hendrix
  • Adam Sears
  • Naoyuki Ikeda
  • Kathy Hobson (R.I.P.)
  • Jen Hollars
  • Scott Hartley
  • Amanda Erkstrand
  • Ali Harris
  • Jill Leuthi
  • Barbara Brown
  • Justin Hall
  • Sean “Thumper” Kingaard (R.I.P.)
  • Christine Eaton
  • Chaile Wall
  • Steve Parr
  • Mike Levy
  • Ilya Nabutovskiy
  • Micah Eckert
  • Liam (R.I.P.)
  • Nikki Russo
  • Destiny Rodriguez
  • George Robello
  • Everyone from MBE
  • Pray Harper
  • Starseed Davina
  • Ford Austin
  • Kelly Delaney
  • Yesenia Rodriguez
  • Tara Lynn Foxx
  • Jim Poulson
  • Eric Baumgartner
  • John Morris
  • Amanda Duchow
  • Daniel Kozul
  • Kirstin Leger
  • Jennifer Dillard
  • Guy Jackson
  • Jessica Gallant
  • Melissa Sullivan
  • Rheana Angel Powers
  • Jake Levy
  • Freda Goode
  • Connie Fuentes
  • Dave Reda
  • Charisse Woodall
  • Eddie Conner
  • Nikhil Prakash
  • Kute Blackson
  • Todd Olster
  • Waylon Lewis
  • Brad Eley
  • Elvis Winterbottom
  • Denise Mullens
  • Andrew Di Lorenzo
  • Allen Brown
  • Justin Stark
  • Mia Jones
  • David Defino
  • Jordan Berk
  • Stacy Pippi Hammon
  • Jeff Dylan Graham
  • Neil Gaur
  • Shersy Benson
  • Everyone from Lovestock 2012
  • Julie Perkins
  • Nancy Denton
  • Selena Nash
  • Richie Bauer
  • Mickey River
  • Katrina Amato
  • Jen Giragos
  • Kathleen Scruggs
  • Bruce Austin
  • Dana McLaughlin
  • Simon Savory
  • Wendy Outlaw
  • Charlie Gibson
  • Dianthe Taylor
  • Torrey Loomis
  • Michael Perlin
  • Hazem AlBustani
  • Teri Groves
  • Robin Larsen Blaydes
  • Joline Harrington
  • Emma La Rue
  • Melissa Caldwell
  • Robert Aldridge
  • Vijay Singla
  • Charlie Vaughn
  • Cammy Cobain
  • Anna Manalo
  • Peter Flynn
  • Briony Kidd
  • Dianna Scruggs
  • Mitchell Boone
  • Paula Fielder
  • Franck Priot
  • Cesar Franco
  • Jillie Renner
  • Karman Krushke
  • Elle Newlands
  • Vernon Smith
  • Davina White
  • Whitney Kenyon-Weiss

If there’s anyone I left out, I’m sorry.  This is 200 people.  I have been so fortunate to have been given love, support, laughter, lessons, strength, ideas, praise, acknowledgement, recognition, guidance, conversation, perspective, inspiration, and so much more from the people on this list and can you believe, in just the last year or so, I’ve had the honor of actually being in the presence of 92% of this list?  That’s a lot of people and I’m so so so so grateful for every soul that has shared space with mine.  And now all I can really say is:

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One More Reason I Love South America: Trash Orchestra

December 28, 2012

This is quite possibly one of the most beautiful things ever.  This community has it down when it comes to repurposing items.  They’ve taken what they can out of a landfill and turned it into a trash orchestra!   The South American cultures are so rich with art and creativity, among so many other wonderful qualities.  The history, the legends, the landscape, the food, the music and so many other things.  South America is awesome and this just proves it. I present you with Landfillharmonica.

Categories: Blog.

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101 Reasons To Quit Smoking

December 28, 2012

I know it’s apparent by now that I love making lists.  I really do.  I learned it during all of my Law of Attraction journaling and THEN I signed up for this professional blogger newsletter that said people love lists.  They really do!  Apparently, they’re one of the most popular things read on the internet.  I blame this on those silly slide shows.  You know the ones.  ’15 of the DEADLIEST soft drinks in the world’ or ’20 Ways to find out if your lover is cheating on you and you should stab them in the face’ or …. 100 Things I’m Grateful For ;)

Today’s list is 101 reasons I want to quit smoking AGAIN so I can remind myself and my readers can hold me accountable as well.  This will hopefully be the last time I quit.  Some of them might not make sense to you, but they do to me and that’s all that matters.  Maybe someone else will also identify some reasons to quit smoking for themselves.

  1. Longer life span.
  2. I want more babies.
  3. Keeping a promise to my kids.
  4. Not poisoning anyone with secondhand smoke.
  5. I don’t want to be the first one in my family to get cancer.
  6. Hiking to Machu Picchu
  7. Puma Punka
  8. More stamina.
  9. Barking in windows.
  10. Lower my carbon footprint.
  11. I’ll smell like my perfume instead of perfume and smoke.
  12. Skydiving.
  13. International flights without nic fits.
  14. I won’t have to stand really far from my non smoking friends anymore or walk behind them.
  15. More money for pedicures.
  16. Keeping my youthful skin
  17. Kissable breath.
  18. I’ll be able to really taste food completely.
  19. Less coughing.
  20. More running and jogging.
  21. More swimming.
  22. More bicycling.
  23. More hiking.
  24. I won’t have to worry about people stealing my lighter anymore.
  25. Not having to stand in the rain when there’s no one to kiss.
  26. One less item in my already crowded purse.
  27. No more standing in the freezing cold first thing in the morning or late at night.
  28. Managing stress and anxiety by breathing oxygen instead of smoke.
  29. Non smoking rooms in hotels really are cleaner.
  30. Listening to an entire seminar without having to walk out in the middle of it.
  31. Road trips without frequent stops.
  32. Staying on the dance floor longer.
  33. Phuket
  34. It would be impossible to smoke a whole cigarette during Songkran.
  35. Hot ash in the eye hurts like a bitch.
  36. Smoke in the eye hurts almost as much as hot ash in the eye.
  37. Unlike what the media taught me, non-smokers are sexier.
  38. Keeping more of my money out of the hands of big corporations.
  39. My teeth will stay whiter.
  40. I’m almost 35 and that’s a good age to be giving up rebellious habits.
  41. Smoking does not serve me spiritually or emotionally.
  42. I will be lessening the suffering in the world.
  43. I can visit any city, even if it has a smoking ban.
  44. Less chance I’ll be responsible for a forest fire.
  45. I don’t have to worry about people bumping into a lit smoke in a crowded place and burning them.
  46. Cigarette burns on clothes suck.
  47. More options in places I can live.
  48. I can really have a full blown ‘bed day’ and just not get out of bed all day long.
  49. Don’t have to worry about accidentally setting my hair on fire.
  50. Approximately 100 extra minutes a day of productivity or relaxation or laughs or love or meditation…
  51. I can always have minty or fruity breath!
  52. I won’t offend people at spiritual events.
  53. Quitting smoking is a practice in self discipline.
  54. This is a process of letting go, strengthening my unattachment to egoic things.
  55. I’m paving the way and setting an example for others.
  56. Smoking in a Prius just isn’t cool.
  57. I want to sing.
  58. You can’t hide out in a bunker after the apocalypse and be a smoker.
  59. Less stress and tension from the nic fits.
  60. 20 years is long enough to have a bad habit.
  61. My spirit is stronger than my addiction.
  62. My body is a temple for my soul and my soul deserves a clean temple.
  63. There’s nowhere to buy cigarettes when you’re in the middle of the ocean.
  64. Quitting manifests more freedom into my existence.
  65. You can’t smoke with a scuba mask on.
  66. There’s no smoking in space and I will get on a space yacht one day!
  67. I want my lips to stay plump and lush instead of getting wrinkles around them earlier than necessary.
  68. Bigfoot would be able to smell the cigarette smoke from quite a distance and never make himself known to me ;)
  69. Simply by quitting, I’m increasing my chances of survival in the zombie apocalypse.
  70. None of the really cool people smoke…
  71. I won’t be antsy the last half of the movies at a theater.
  72. I won’t have to deal with little tobacco flakes at the bottom of my purse.
  73. No more ashes on the dashboard.
  74. I will no longer inadvertently be responsible for my butts ending up in the ocean or in birds’ bellies.
  75. One less form of tax I’m giving to our defunct government.
  76. Less trips to the store and less time spent in liquor stores in general.
  77. I won’t accidentally hand one to a minor.
  78. I won’t be contributing to an industry with a very shady past anymore.
  79. I want to be sexy in every way and smelling like a cigarette in any way at all isn’t going to help that.
  80. I don’t want to have a stroke.
  81. I don’t want a third ticket for a cigarette that went out the car window in front of cop.
  82. I’d like to keep change in my car’s ashtray so it’s always there for me to give to the panhandlers on the side of the freeway.
  83. I can pay at the pump and not worry about having to go into the cashier when I buy gas.
  84. I will be conquering a huge habit that I never should have had and has been the most challenging for me.
  85. I’ll make myself proud.
  86. I won’t be that old lady that accidentally burns her house down when she falls asleep with one in her hand or mouth.
  87. I’m lowering my chances of getting crapped on by a bird or attacked by a squirrel.
  88. I can sit inside of coffee shops instead of always outside, no matter the weather.
  89. If I can quit smoking, I can do anything!
  90. I never have to worry about someone’s pet inadvertently eating one of my cigarette butts.
  91. I won’t accidentally contaminate paranormal photos on ghost hunts.
  92. I’ve seen mouth cancer and it’s probably one of the grossest forms of cancer.  Quitting makes my chances of getting mouth cancer lower.
  93. It will probably be the first thing my fundamental Jehovah’s Witness grandmother will be proud of me for.
  94. I don’t have to listen to people fake cough anymore, tell me how bad smoking is for me, sigh, see them roll their eyes or any other displays of disapproval from random strangers.
  95. I won’t be financially obligated to buying extra cigarettes because inevitably someone will ‘bum one’ or try to buy one off of you.
  96. You can’t smoke when you’re volunteering time at an orphanage, which is on my list.
  97. I won’t have to pull over and put the fire in the backseat out in my car ever again.
  98. I would be able to hang out with some of my friends for longer periods of time that don’t have a tolerance for cigarette smoke.
  99. Smoking is NOT fancy.
  100. Don’t ever have to worry about pissing off the neighbors with drifting smoke again.
  101. I’ve seen older people with yellow fingers from the smoke and I don’t ever want yellow fingers.

I must admit, however, I feel like my cigarettes are singing this to me right now (which is kinda true but actually just an excuse to slip this song in here because it’s amazing):

Categories: Blog.

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Me vs. Higher Self vs. The Universe: A Journey of Self Discovery and Other Such Chaos (Part 1)

December 19, 2012

I’ve decided to post this blog entry in script format.  For the part of ‘Me’, I have cast a somewhat cute, slightly frumpy tomboy with a huge personality and a big mouth.  She has a lot of fears and vulnerabilities and is not even close to perfect.  She has been hiding behind ego and mundane first world problems that make the wise ones shake their heads in pity.

 For the part of ‘Higher Self’ I would like to introduce you to an adorable little faerie like girl with big pink pigtails and sparkly eyeshadow wearing black and white striped tights, a hot pink tutu with lots of sparkly jewels and a black tanktop with gray alien head on the front of it.  Her personality is fun and adventurous and she is full of wisdom, truth, laughter and is connected to the oneness of everything.  She also gives REALLY good hugs!

The part of ‘The Universe’ will be played by an old man, about 60 years old, with long white dredlocks.  He’s usually barefoot and wearing a tie dyed shirt.  He is in everything and in everyone and in this particular script, he smokes a lot of pot and makes a lot of jokes, but at the end of the day it simply teaches a lesson and gives us something to laugh about later.  The Universe knows EVERYTHING and I really mean that.  There’s not a single question in all of time and space that The Universe cannot answer if you’re willing to listen, even when The Universe speaks in riddles or simply throws out hints and makes you guess.  The Universe is perfect love, perfect knowledge and all things good.  He also gives really good hugs!

So this is the conversation I’ve been having the past long while.  Other characters may enter the script.  I may or may not go into detail.  Just enjoy reading and I hope you’ve got a sense of humor for this one.

The Universe:
Hey, what are you doing?

Me:
I’m not really sure, do you know?

The Universe:
It looks like you’re making a mess of everything, to me.

Me:
I’m not really trying to do that at all. I just don’t know what I’m doing and I feel like I’m totally on my own.

The Universe:
Oh come on, you should know by now you’re never really on your own!

Me:
Who are you anyway?  I don’t think we’ve met.

The Universe:
Heh!  No, we’ve never really been formally introduced before, but you know me.  You might not remember me right now, but you will pretty soon.

Me:
I don’t even know what that means.

The Universe:
Yes you do.

Me:
No, I really don’t.

The Universe:
Ok, well let’s play a little game to see if I can refresh your memory.

Me:
Ummm, ok, what’s the game?

The Universe:
It starts with a question.  If I could grant you one wish, what would it be?

Me:
Hmm.  I guess I would say the total love, affection and attention of at least one person.  That’s what I want.

The Universe:
Is that why you’ve been making such a mess of everything?  Is this all just so you can get attention?

Me:
Maybe, I guess.  I’m not sure if I’m doing it for attention or if the lack of attention makes me want to act out when no one is looking.

The Universe:
I already know which answer it is.  You just have to figure it out yourself.

Me:
If you already know the answer, why are you asking me?

The Universe:
Because you have to know the answer for yourself.

Me:
If you’re so smart, why don’t you just tell me?

The Universe:
I just told you why.  Now, back to that wish.  The total love, affection and attention of at least one person in the world?

Me:
Yeah.

The Universe:
Are you sure?

Me:
Yes!

The Universe:
LOLZ! Ok,  your wish is granted!

Me:
DID YOU JUST MAKE ME PREGNANT?!  I’M 15 YEARS OLD, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!

The Universe:
Whoa, whoa, whoa!  Back that paternity claim up sister!  I didn’t make you pregnant, that ‘knight in shining armor’ of yours did! You know, the goofy one with the long blonde hair? What is he, a hippie or some shit?

Me:
You totally made this happen! How could you do this to me?!  I’m 15!  I’ll be a 16 year old mom and high school drop out!

The Universe:
That baby is going to be amazing and as long as you start making more conscious wishes like that, you’ll keep getting them, so just remember that you will get through school and you will go to college and it will be just fine!

Me:
But how can I be a mom?  I don’t know anything about raising kids.  I’m so afraid I’m going to harm him or screw him up!  I’m so young!

The Universe:
Just remember all the dumb crap your parents did and do the opposite.  Love that baby as much as it loves you and it will be fine.  Give him what he needs and use your heart, not your temper and every time you’re frustrated with him, just give him a hug and a kiss.  You’ll mess up once in awhile, all parents do, but as long as you consciously try, he will always know that you loved him and those little mistakes will be forgiven.

Me:
You’re giving me a boy?  Don’t you know how horrible my relationship is with the male species?

The Universe:
That’s why I’m giving you a son.  Now your heart will have to soften towards the male species because you’ll be raising one.  This will give you a reason to re-examine your current beliefs about the opposite sex because he has to know that he’s not bad just for being male, even if that’s how you were taught.

Me:
I’m so scared.

The Universe:
Thank you for being honest.  Now pull up those boot straps and get going.  You’ve got a long road ahead but I promise there’s lots of exciting things along the way and huge prizes at the end.

Me:
Prizes?  Like what?

The Universe:
Like success, happiness, abundance and your twin flame.

Me:
My twin what?!

The Universe:
Be patient.  You’ll see.

Higher Self:
*giggles*

Me:
Who are YOU?

Higher Self:
You.

Me:
I’m me, yes, but who are you.

Higher Self:
I am you.  The real you.

Me:
What?!

The Universe:
Haha!  Slow down there, you’re confusing the young girl.  She’s been through a lot already, let’s give her a rest.

Me:
What’s going on?! I’m so confused!

Higher Self:
You’re just waking up.

Me:
But…

The Universe:
I think that’s enough for now, Nikki.  I think we’ve given you plenty to chew for the moment.

Higher Self:
Namaste!  Talk to you soon!

Me:
Nomma wha…???

The Universe:
Would you like a hug?

End Scene.

Categories: Blog.

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Boycott These Companies

December 2, 2012

These are the companies and names that sponsored the ‘No on 37′ campaign.  If the proposition had passed, genetically modified foods would have had to be labeled as such. We know that the majority of our foods now are genetically modified and the companies that modified them are (most of it comes from a company called Monsanto) the ones who did the tests that say it’s safe for us, but they’ve never allowed anyone else to tests those foods or understand why they are being genetically altered.   Our government, via the FDA and EPA, should be protecting us and demanding that others are able to tell us what is in the foods and what they do to us, but they’ve turned a blind eye for a long time now.

Currently, there are a lot of grass roots efforts around the country, and the globe, trying to make it legally mandatory for companies to, at minimum, label our food if it is genetically modified or contains genetically modified ingredients.  On November 4, 2012, millions of Americans went out to vote for a bill that would have enforced just that in the state of California.  The opposition put up tens of millions of dollars to keep you from knowing what’s in your food including 6 of the largest pesticide companies, Monsanto and several other food producers that use genetically modified foods and ingredients.  They led their campaign with divisive and misleading ‘facts’ that played on the financial emotions of many in the state who are suffering economic stresses and got them to vote no.  After the election, the votes never even finished being counted.  A group of ‘election specialists’ count a percentage and then ‘predict’ the outcome and their prediction was close… some of us believe it was too close to predict.

We must move this forward and you can do your part by calling these companies and telling them they should support your right to know what’s in your foods and if they don’t, you won’t support them.  Some of them are rather surprising as you’ll see:

  • Alexia (Con-Agra) 630-857-1550
  • Bear Naked (Kellogg’s) 800-962-1413
  • Ben & Jerry’s (Unilever) 802-846-1500
  • Boca Burgers (Kraft) 877-966-8769
  • Cascadian Farm (General Mills) 800-624-4123
  • Dagoba (Hershey’s) 866-972-6879
  • Gardenburger (Kellog’s) 800-962-1413
  • Honest Tea (Coca-Cola) 800-865-4736
  • Horizon Organic (Dean Foods) 888-494-3020
  • Hunt’s Organic and Natural Brands (Con-Agra) 630-857-1550
  • Kashi (Kellogg’s) 877-747-2467
  • Larabar (General Mills) 800-543-2147
  • Lightlife (Con-Agra) 800-769-3279
  • Morningstar Farms (Kellogg’s) 800-962-1413
  • Muir Glen (General Mills) 800-832-6345
  • Naked Juice (Pepsico) 877-723-3929
  • Odwalla (Coca-Cola) 800-639-2552
  • O Organics (Safeway) 877-858-4237
  • Orville Redenbacher’s Organic (Con-Agra) 630-857-1550
  • R.W. Knudsen (Smucker’s) 888-550-9555
  • Silk (Dean Foods) 888-820-9283
  • Tostito’s Organic (Pepsico/Frito-Lay) 800-352-4477
  • Tropicana Organic (Pepsico) 800-237-7799
  • White Wave (Dean Foods) 888-820-9283
Click image to enlarge for more information on GMO foods. 

 

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Four Years. Go.

September 30, 2012

I only recently found out about this but I suppose the vibe is out there because I was already on target to make this happen!  I’m glad there’s still time.  Any of you want to jump on board?

FOUR YEARS. GO. is a campaign to change the course of history. The next four years will determine the quality of life on this planet for the next 1,000 years. There is still time to act, but no time to waste. For more information go to http://www.fouryearsgo.org.

 

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R.I.P. Nanna

September 22, 2012

Kathryn ‘Nanna’ Hobson and myself on her 93rd birthday in Camarillo, CA on June 26, 2011.  Photo courtesy of Nikki Russo.

One of the most amazing people that ever walked this Earth passed away yesterday.  She was my great grandmother, Kathryn Hobson.  As I was growing up in a strict Jehovah’s Witness household, she was my saving grace that kept me in touch with my higher self and accepted me, loved me and encouraged me to be who I was no matter what.  She lovingly pointed out my mistakes, helped me find the lesson in them and then forgave me for them.  She taught me how to sew, crochet, cross stitch, cook, feed wild animals, make silk flowers, love people for who they are and the individual contributions they make to our world, spirituality instead of religion, charity, gratitude and so much more.

She was always there for her family.  Through thick and thin.  She helped everyone financially at the drop of the hat.  Opened her home to us, fed us, made us blankets, organized the holiday gatherings, showered us with gifts, gave us each her undivided attention, encouraged us to follow our dreams, and forgave us no matter what.  She always greeted us with open arms, a warm heart and a giant smile on her face.  When her son came out of the closet during an era that said homosexuals were perverts and villains, she loved him unconditionally, traveled the world with him and continued to love his life partner even after his passing.

Kathryn ‘Nanna’ Hobson and her long time friend Arlow on her 93rd birthday in Camarillo, CA on June 26, 2011. Photo courtesy of Nikki Russo.

In her personal life she fed the homeless in her home, loved troubled teens that the rest of the world had tossed aside, helped start a foundation that beautified her favorite city, served the Pasadena Rose Parade, taught all types of art and craft classes in hopes that others would be able to express themselves and make the world a more beautiful place, was an outstanding wife to her husband Dr. Lee Hobson and was a popular and much loved friend to many.

Yesterday she passed shortly after 4:00 p.m. PDT, in her own bed at the assisted living facility she was living in, in Camarillo, California.  It was what she wanted.  She had been ready to go for quite some time and I’m glad she’s no longer in pain.  I know she’s in a much better place now, but my selfish ego is going to miss her.  I know I’ll be with her again.  This wasn’t the first or last lifetime we had spent together.  I’m so grateful for the time I was able to spend with her.  I don’t think she knew just how much of an impact she had on my life, although I believe now she has perfect knowledge of everything now.

Kathryn ‘Nanna’ Hobson and her best friend for the last couple of years of her life, Helen Wolfington, on her 93rd birthday in Camarillo, CA on June 26, 2011. Photo courtesy of Nikki Russo.

The last few years of her life were difficult for her because she had lost so much of her sight and hearing.  She couldn’t do her art or crafts anymore, she wasn’t very mobile and it was difficult for her to be social.  She continued to attend art and craft classes at her assisted living facility even though she couldn’t participate, just so she could be around others like herself.  There were so many things I never knew about her until she gave me her scrap book as a wedding gift.  After I saw all the newspaper clippings and pictures, I went back and did a video interview with her that I will cherish the rest of my life and I hope my children will cherish too.

I know she was ready to go.  I am at peace with her passing and while I have shed some tears, I’m relieved for her and I believe the timing was intentional on her part due to conversations her and I had privately.   I will always love her. Be grateful for her.  Look up to her.  Remember her.

R.I.P. Kathryn ‘Nanna’ Hobson.  You’ll be greatly missed.

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100 Things I’m Grateful For Right Now

September 22, 2012
  1. Matt
  2. The kids
  3. My family
  4. Everyone I know, for better or worse
  5. My Buddha ring
  6. My Think Love bracelet
  7. Liveperson
  8. Facebook
  9. Kute Blackson
  10. Lovestock 2012
  11. My dogs
  12. My Buddha head statue
  13. MUFON
  14. Burbank LOA
  15. Hippies
  16. Lovers
  17. Huggers
  18. Dancers
  19. Dreamers
  20. Wishers
  21. Artists
  22. Acoustic guitar
  23. My alien skull 
  24. Second chances
  25. Nikki 2.o
  26. This blog
  27. My awesome couches
  28. My paintings gifted from Jason Sullivan
  29. The ability to homeschool our daughter
  30. Future travel
  31. Free plants
  32. Our car
  33. Extraterrestrial life
  34. Burning Man
  35. Pumpkins
  36. Strawberries
  37. Cherries
  38. Bela Lugosi
  39. Meditation
  40. The Way of the Peaceful Warrior (book, not movie)
  41. The food in my cupboard and refrigerator
  42. Clean clothes
  43. Showers
  44. Grapefruit vanilla oil
  45. Palm trees
  46. The beach
  47. Rides in other people’s cars
  48. Hair dye
  49. Hairstylists
  50. Subway sandwiches
  51. Riverside Drive
  52. Mulholland Drive
  53. Big Bang Theory
  54. Date nights
  55. Oneness
  56. Halloween
  57. Chants
  58. Cinnamon pine cones
  59. Hoodies
  60. Flip Flops
  61. Dogs
  62. Judaism
  63. Buddhism
  64. Twitter
  65. Mood lighting
  66. My Star Projector
  67. Geeks
  68. Paranormal happenings
  69. Calvin Harris
  70. Making love
  71. Sunny, the most adorable dog in the world… don’t tell my dogs I said that!
  72. Cable TV
  73. Cute panties
  74. Pajama pants
  75. Denim cut offs
  76. Tank tops
  77. Bhakti
  78. Art
  79. My Nanna
  80. Candles
  81. Incense
  82. Tarot cards
  83. Jeans
  84. Justice
  85. Spaghetti and marinara sauce
  86. Portobello mushrooms
  87. Freecycle
  88. Craigslist
  89. Documentaries
  90. Wifi
  91. Airplanes
  92. Space shuttles
  93. Space tourism
  94. Achievement
  95. Recognition
  96. Acceptance
  97. The Sirius star system
  98. Telescopes
  99. The Griffith Observatory
  100. Pink hair dye

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R.I.P. Neil Armstrong

August 25, 2012

The first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong, has died today at the age of 82.  Normally, celebrity deaths don’t invoke an emotional reaction in me, but Neil Armstrong is someone I wanted to meet someday.  On a spiritual level, I still will I’m certain, but for now, there will never be a terrestrial meeting between Neil and I and that brings a tear to my eye.

I’m grateful for what he did for humanity, proving to all of us that we can go to the moon and back, figuratively and literally.  Now those boundaries are being pushed more by our current day astronauts but Neil Armstrong was the first to pave the way for us.  He was the ultimate cowboy, a man’s man, a strong voice in the science community and someone I admired.

I wish I had something more profound to say but I don’t.  I’m quite sad for all of us here still but happy for him that he is now free to explore the rest of the universe now at his leisure.  Good for you Neil. I hope you have as much fun with that as I would.  You’ll be missed here.  You had a greater impact on some people than you might ever have imagined.  Know that we will keep your memory alive and you are now a permanent part of human history, and an important one at that.  Thank you for what you did for us. Thank you for your bravery and courage.

Neil Armstrong   August 5, 1930 – August 25, 2012

 

 

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I Know You’re Going To Laugh But…

August 21, 2012

When was the last time you really laughed?  I mean laughed so hard you almost peed your pants, bent over, uncontrollable, knee slapping laughter.  Like that one time at that party when your friend did that one thing?  Laughter is so important in life!  It’s the best medicine, the glue between friends, the break in tears and a tune up for the soul!  It’s a natural stress reliever, it’s contagious, it’s good for your heart and lungs and it’s a very important part of spiritual healing and growth.

My daughter says I have ‘mommy magic’.  This is the ability I have to always put love in food and make her laugh, even when she’s crying or angry.  It’s really simple for me to use.  I say two magic words … “Don’t laugh!” … and then with a quick wave of my finger in front of her face, no matter what might seem wrong in her life at that moment, she magically laughs!  We do this almost daily, especially when it comes time to brush her almost 3 foot long hair!  It works when she’s angry at a friend.  It works when it’s time to clean her room or one of her toys break.  It always works!

She might think it’s magic, but the real truth is that our soul wants us to be happy, as happy as can be.  We’ve been blessed with a wide range of emotions that provide us with much contrast and clarity in life.  Too many use the default emotion of fear as their life’s motivator.  Fear, an already uncomfortable and negative emotion, then creates anxiety, depression, anger, insecurity and other negative emotions that then typically lead to bad habits for our lives.  That can include addiction, compulsion, apathy and generally causes you to bring your life to a crawl at best if not a standstill or a total reverse of progress.  Once you’ve become aware enough to admit to yourself honestly that fear has been your life’s motivation, you have a choice to continue that pattern or to change it.

Many people do have those moments of clarity and choose to make happiness their motivating factor and that’s where laughter comes in.  What better tool is there to lift your soul at lightning speed to a higher frequency vibration, setting you up to attract and recognize more happiness and more to laugh about.  No matter what excuse you’ve been using as an excuse to keep you from happiness … finances, relationship status, age, etc. … keep in mind that laughter is free!  It costs nothing.  It doesn’t require a long term commitment but if you choose to keep it around, it will never do you wrong.  As soon as you figure out how to laugh as a baby, you never forget, no matter how much of your memory you lose over the years.

Have a good laugh today!  This one’s on me.  :) Here are a couple of videos that might help along the way.

This first one I was introduced to by Mike and Ramona who run the Burbank Law of Attraction Group and I thank them for that!

And of course we have to have at least one good prank, right? ;)

Now get off the computer and go laugh! 

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