February 15, 2015

THREE TYPES OF PEOPLE

There are three types of people in the world:

One who is like carving on a rock, one who is like scratching on the ground, and one who is like writing on the water.

What sort of person is like carving on a rock? Imagine a certain person who is always getting angry and his anger lasts long, just as carving on a rock is not soon worn off by wind, water, or lapse of time.

What sort of person is like scratching on the ground? Imagine a certain person who is alway getting angry but his anger does not last long, just as scratching on the ground is soon worn off by the wind, water, and lapse of time.

And what sort of person is like writing on the water?

Imagine a certain person who, even though spoken to harshly, sharply, roughly, is easily reconciled and becomes agreeable and friendly, just as writing on the water soon disappears.

-Anguttara Nikaya

 

What type of person would you like to be?  :)

 

 

Photo source: Capilano Park by Enrique Bosquet

Author note: I am very fortunate to have a little getaway in Canada this weekend! Capilano park and suspension bridge have been one of my favorite parts of Vancouver (waterfall in Capilano park pictured in post). I am so thankful for the opportunity to see friends and make new ones! Life is beautiful.

Also, I was moved by the writing above because when we are like water, we allow space for new beautiful moments by washing away the old. Gaining control over your responses to situations and letting things go is the true path to peace.

February 8, 2015

IMPORTANT WORK

I believe there is no work more important than helping others.

My passion for helping children in need is due in large part to the fact that they are unable to help themselves. (Plus I simply love children!) They are so often the victims of poor parental decisions. Children fight a very difficult battle, and often they are forced to runaway as a means to save themselves. This is tragic.

These children face challenges growing up that some of us could never imagine. Of course, this leads to a significant population of adults who require special care. In many cases, these adults have children of their onw…and so the vicious cycle can repeat itself if the person in need does not receive needed assistance (and have a genuine desire to help themselves).

For these reasons, I feel called to help support the homeless. Whether through tutoring homeless children or volunteering at shelters, I am privileged to be able to assist those in need whenever possible. I always find that the love I receive is greater than the love I’ve given.

Today, I had the great pleasure of helping to build “Welcome Home” kits for homeless persons transitioning to permanent housing. The Skid Row Housing Trust (skidrow.org) is doing amazing work to create healthy and active lifestyles for persons they are removing from homelessness with their unique dwellings. I was very happy to take the picture above with residents of the Star Apartments after completing the kits! They were lovely.

I can only encourage you to identify a non-profit organization to support that has found a unique way to solve a challenge that you are passionate about. (Or you can consider creating your own non-profit!) We have but a short time on this earth, so why not make it count by giving love to those who are so often overlooked?

You may find that the life you change is your own :)

February 7, 2015

A SERIES OF FORTUNATE EVENTS

This is a story about how I accidentally (on purpose) met the incomparable (wonderful and beautiful) Oprah Winfrey. (!!!!)

Please note: I’m writing this at 2am, so thank you for your kindness and understanding as you read my excited thoughts ;)

First, I will just say that I do not think there is any such thing as ‘coincidence.’ The red light that you may curse may also be saving your life. Having faith that everything is happening for your highest good cures one of worrying about (perceived) missed opportunities.

Secondly, I cannot put into words my gratitude for the beautiful life I have been blessed to have. My health and amazing family and friends are my greatest blessings. Additionally, the places I have been, the people I have met, and the experiences I’ve had continue to astound me. I am so thankful.

Finally, I must say that because of my belief that we are all One, coming from the same Source, I do not find that I get ‘star struck’ in the traditional sense. I appreciate the magic and beauty of our collective shine. We are made of stardust…therefore we are all stars :) But for the record, Oprah does shine very brightly…and she has a certain magnetism that changes the energy of a space….even one as large as an auditorium. I do not believe it is from her fame and fortune, however. I think it is because she has lived her truth so fiercely that we have all (myself included!) become inspired by her example.

Now for the story… :)

Originally, I was supposed to go to a concert last night. I love music, so going to a concert is generally an automatic yes. With an invitation from my lovely friend Sara, it becomes an easy yes :) However, three of my wonderful and fabulous girlfriends from college were in LA to attend the NAACP Image Awards. On Thursday, they were able to secure a prime ticket to the Image Awards for me. This conflicted with the concert and I was not comfortable asking Sara if she might be agreeable to a change in plans, but something about attending the Image Awards felt right. What an opportunity to be surrounded by such talented people happily sharing their gifts! Sara was very gracious and supportive (as is usual for her!) with this change, and I suddenly found myself rearranging my schedule to attend the Image Awards. Wow!

My college friends provided numerous updates on the planned arrival time for the show. But I rolled with all of the changes and made alternate arrangements for my ticket in case they had to leave. I was very much in flow with the process.

While driving to the venue, I felt my grandmother’s presence. I wear a ring she gave to me, and I kept thinking in the car, “Grams, we’re going to the Image Awards!” I knew she would have absolutely loved to attend, and in a special way, I felt like she was coming with me. It was a beautiful feeling. I remember twirling her ring on my finger with a big smile.

I arrived at the venue a little after 5:45p, and was cautioned several times before entering that I was likely too late to enter for the start of the show (it was advertised that doors would be closed at 5:30p). The staff said if that was the case, I could enter after the first television commercial (the show was live!). Things worked out that I met with my friends and we were all able to enter prior to the start of the show. Again, everything was in flow. What happened next was another dose of magic…

As I was entering the auditorium, I asked my friends if we were able to get seats together (originally, I was going to be away from the three of them). As I said this, a gentleman asked if one of us might like to sit with him at the very front by the stage. He explained that his original date for the event had missed their flight. My friends and I paused and then I volunteered.

The seats ended up being two rows from the stage!! We literally sat behind David Oyelowo (who played Martin Luther King, Jr. in the film Selma so magnificently). We were on the same row as (beautiful) Kerry Washington. Oprah was six seats down on the row to my right. A stone’s throw away.

I am sensitive to the fact that celebrities get approached by people excessively with requests for pictures and autographs. Never have I had any intentions of being a person to fawn after a person because of their celebrity status. This would fly in the face of everything I value. However, I do believe in sharing appreciation and love with others. But I’m getting ahead of myself…

During one commercial break, my new friend and seat neighbor who invited me to sit with him told me that he’d like to have a picture with Oprah. My response? “Let’s do it!” haha So typical of me :) He said that maybe we should wait a moment, and I said…”There’s no time like the present! Let’s go!” haha

There were a couple of guards in Oprah’s vicinity, but I wasn’t even aware of them at the time. When I encouraged my new friend to ask Oprah for a photo, he said, “You first.” haha I said, “Okay” and confidently walked towards Oprah. (It’s so funny to think back on this…less than a day after it transpired.)

I said hello and she, kindly, did not ask security to escort me out haha Instead she gave me a smile, said hello, and shook my hand. I told her that she has been such an inspiration for my writing pursuits and she graciously smiled and thanked me. Then she noticed my ear cuff, which she loved, and I found myself bending down to show it to her more closely. So during the commercial break, I somehow found myself bending down on the front row of the awards show while Oprah Winfrey held my ear to see the back of my earring. haha How amazing!

After the earring demonstration, I asked her if I might share my card with her (which I decided at the last minute I should add to my bag). Again, she was gracious enough to take it. My memory is foggy after that haha I think I might have thanked her for her contributions or said it was great to meet her…those things had all flowed through my mind.

I will tell you that several times during our conversation, I did look around for my new friend and seat neighbor. He was nowhere to be found. haha! Seriously, he’d vanished.

After Oprah accepted my card, it was a natural time to return to my seat. There is wisdom in knowing when it’s time to go haha :) Plus, my new buddy had some explaining to do! ha!

I asked him what happened, and he told me, “I saw some other people I knew.” Lame, right? So I called him out, jokingly, by saying, “You were scared to meet Oprah!” ;) We laughed about it a bit and continued to enjoy the incredible show.

My truth about the event is that he helped to enable an encounter that was intended to happen. The series of fortunate events that led up to sitting next to him were supposed to happen and could not have happened any other way. I will always be thankful for this beautiful reminder that what is meant to be will be.

As Steve Jobs famously said, “You can’t connect dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backward.” I have no idea how meeting Oprah will change the course of either of our lives. But I am thankful for that moment in time and her graciousness. I believe that everything you do means everything. When someone chooses love over all available options, that is a beautiful thing.

So this story is less about the incredible experience of meeting Oprah, and more about trusting life. The entire experience solidified me belief that what is meant to be will be. I think it is only fitting to close with my favorite quote from Oprah:

Be thankful for what you have, you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.

I remain incredibly thankful. And Oprah, darling, if you happen to be reading this, thank you!  You are beautiful. Sending lots of love and light your way :)

And before signing off, I must say that my beautiful, magnificent, and wonderful grandmother, Mary, was a huge supporter of Oprah! She watched her show religiously, had all of her magazines…and being a Chicago-area resident for most of her life, always wanted to meet her. More than that, she always wanted me to meet Oprah. In fact, while I was an undergraduate at Northwestern, Oprah was teaching a leadership class at Kellogg on leadership in the year 2000. At that time, I was encouraged by my grandmother to see if I could perhaps enroll through the Honors Program I was a part of between McCormick/Kellogg. However, the class was overbooked in the first thirty seconds I think haha. Nevertheless, I feel that my grandmother was working her magic in Heaven and called in a few favors! ;) I love you, Grams! Always.

<3,

sage signature1

Photo source: My mobile phone :) Funny story…this was the first picture I took of the night (and one of the few). I thought my ringer was off, but my phone made the awful “click” noise during a quiet moment at the awards show.  Haha! Oops! Fortunately, my kind neighbor (who I later learned is a Reverend with the NAACP) had a more professional camera that made clicking noises throughout the show, so I was in good company. Whew! ;)

We are all uniquely talented and beautiful. Though I must say that the talent, beauty, and legacy in this photo is quite overwhelming. Just to Oprah’s left is Spike Lee and one of Malcolm X’s lovely daughters. Behind Oprah is, beautiful and talented, Carmen Ejogo. She played Coretta Scott King brilliantly in the movie Selma. The world is richer and more beautiful because of all of the people in this photo (and around the NAACP Image Awards) who have shared their gifts and paved the way for equality for all persons. We are One :)

January 29, 2015

IMPERMANENCE

I always consider water to be the element of Taoism. Water represents flow, impermanence, and humility. You cannot step into the same river twice. Like life, the river changes constantly. From the Tao Te Ching:

The highest good is like water.
Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive.
It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao.

Water flows to the lowest places without judgement. It nourishes, cleanses, and purifies naturally. Water never strives, it just is. And it is always being transformed and changed by whatever it comes in contact with, yet the river continues to flow…the ocean waves continue to come ashore.

In our lives, when things are going well, there is a tendency to want everything to stay the same. Of course, this can never happen. At the same time, when things are not going as we hoped, we can always be sure that will change too.

Realize the impermanence of life and become like water by being less resistant to change. Simply go with the flow of life.  And remember, everything is happening for your highest good :)

Photo source: Huka Falls by Phil Bird

January 27, 2015

TAKE A BREATH

 

Sometimes when I’m intensely focused on something — or even during a massage! — I will suddenly realize that I’m holding my breath. This does not happen to the point of being unable to breathe, but just enough to make me aware that I’m not relaxed.

In those moments of realization, I remind myself to take a breath and relax! :)  

We are always only a breath away from transforming our lives. So take a deep breath and dive into the beauty of life! :)

xo

Photo source: Hold your Breath by Shannon Wilson

January 24, 2015

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

As I near the final stages of recovery from the flu, I have become a little reflective. It is pretty clear that I had not been getting enough sleep in the midst of traveling and committing to too many things. I set myself up perfectly for being sick. And the flu had an astounding way of putting an immediate stop to everything. Getting up was even a difficulty. I think sometimes it is easy to romanticize illness and think that the time of rest will be meditative and reflective. It wasn’t. Lol. My brain was so cloudy that I couldn’t think. My body refused to move.

It is amazing how being ill can make you have a very deep appreciation for your health. But in the midst of being healthy, we can easily lose appreciation for this gift.

To me, counting your blessings means taking time out of every day to simply say thank you. I always think of the beautiful quote by Meister Eckhart:

If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.

Gratitude is essential to living a healthy and positive life. So…quick!…what are three things that you are grateful for? Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to say thank you..creatively! Perhaps you could “pay it forward” to a complete stranger, or pick a volunteer activity that resonates with you.

As we practice gratitude, life becomes richer. We become healthier. For really, there is no greater wealth than health ;)

Photo source: My mobile phone! It was a beautiful day in LA — in January! — to enjoy a bike ride :) #Thankful

January 24, 2015

ROY LICHTENSTEIN

Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997) was a phenomenal artist, known for utilizing Ben-Day dots — rendered by hand using paint and stencils — to create art that has always reminded me of comic book images come to life.

I previously featured another of Roy’s works within the post entitled NO ONE AS BAD AS YOU ;) As it sometimes happens, I received a very kind and complimentary note about the post (always appreciated! :) . This note happened to come from a member of the Artsy team responsible for setting up the awesome Roy Lichtenstein page on their site…they simply asked if I might include a link to their site for fans of Roy’s works. Of course I’m happy to help! You may find their site: here.

In creating this post, I wanted to select one of Roy Lichtenstein’s images from their page, and I kept coming back to the featured image, Nude Reading. Quite simply, it reminded me of myself :)

 

Photo source:  Nude Reading, 1994 – Artsy Roy Lichtenstein page

 

Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997) was an American pop artist, whose work was influenced by both popular advertising and comic book style. His paintings have set records for auction value and are on display at many major museums around the world. (Click here for a more detailed biography for Roy.) Many of his works have been re-captioned…in addition to the beautiful artistry, his images are just plain fun! :)

January 22, 2015

DAYBREAK

A Hasidic rabbi, talking about daybreak, the time for certain holy prayers, asked his pupils how they could tell when night had ended and day had begun.

“Is it when you can see an animal in the distance and know whether it’s a sheep or a dog?”

“No,” answered the rabbi.

“Is it,” asked another pupil, “when you can clearly see the lines of the palm of your hand?”

“No,” answered the rabbi.

“Then when is it?” asked the pupils.

“It is when you can look on the face of any man or any woman and see that they are your sister or brother. Until then it is still night.”

-Hasidic mondo

 

Photo source: Playground – Winson Green – Birmingham  1970

January 21, 2015

SELMA

The march on Selma was a turning point in American history for equal voting rights in the 1960s. I have been a fan of Ava DuVernay’s since I first saw her masterful short film, The Door, which I posted on the site almost two years ago! (You can see it by clicking here.) Ava directed the recent film, Selma, and supporting her was the main reason I chose to see the film (I typically am not a fan of watching people beaten out of prejudice).

The movie was well done and portrayed the devastation of racial prejudice, and it served as a reminder that, quite unfortunately, things have not changed very much (racism and police brutality still plague our nation and world).

Outside of those points, however, I was struck by the fact that violent acts were essential to the success of the non-violent movement. The battle was won only when others actually saw the brutality on television. The marches were intended to create a drama to show the most extreme reality of what black Americans lived through on a daily basis. Indeed, the press was not interested when there was no violence. The people were not interested if there was no violence. How wonderful would it have been if simply the knowledge that others were being treated negatively simply because of their difference was enough to inspire change…without the need for violence?

I believe that the problem of prejudice is the false belief that we are separate.

“All distinctions are falsely imagined.” – Hui-neng

When we believe that others are different (or separate) from us because of skin color, gender, sexuality, or belief, we miss the point. Oneness is clear to me because we all come from the same Source. What we look like, who we choose to love, and what we believe do not really matter.

Until we all recognize that we are the same, we will continue to have prejudice in the world. To love your neighbor as yourself is cited in the Bible by Jesus as the second greatest Commandment…with only the love of God fairing higher:

Mark 12:28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.e 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

32“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

—

Understanding and having a deep love and respect for our Creator anchors and humbles us. With that wisdom, we can easily understand that all that has been created has come from that Source. Therefore, loving others as ourselves flows naturally from this understanding.

The image I used for this post struck me because of the small sign in the front which says, “Freedom begins at home.”  (And the other that states, “Freedom NOW.”) Personal freedom is an inside job. Freeing yourself of illusions of division will change your world. The beauty is that you can make that change right now ;)

 

Photo source: Selma

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