This past weekend I participated in Jamie Ridler’s first Dreamboard Telecircle! Such a wonderful concept – joining people together around the world to share the experience of creating one’s own dreamboard. I love what I came up with, and plan to work with it more to continue to find out what I’m telling myself with my choice and arrangement of images.

Sometimes you just have to go where the wind takes you. This Sedona hot-air balloon was aiming to land miles away but apparently got blown down my street. Fortunately it made a very neat landing in front of a school, to the delight of the children there I’m sure.

photo credit fotomossa

This question has been sitting on my desk for a few weeks now, scribbled down in haste when I first saw it. I know a gem of a message when I see one, and this reminder has sure come in handy.

I got a new laptop last weekend, which was the good news. The bad? Well, my programs got transferred but my email addresses didn’t seem to come with them. You know that moment when you first feel the horror of something monumental going wrong? I kept clicking on my address book again and again, as if I expected the addresses to magically re-appear after the 5th click.

Well, they didn’t and the voice in my head started screaming “Ohmygodhowdidthishappen?I’mgoingtodie.” And then I happened to glance at my note: What’s perfect about the problem? I can’t say that after seeing it I immediately jumped up and went into problem-solving mode. But the screaming voice quieted down enough to consider the possibility that there might be something positive hidden in the seeming disaster.

Long story short: After talking with my husband and daughter, I understood that I had transferred an older version of the email program and that it might very well be outdated in a short amount of time. But if I purchased the newest version and re-entered only my most current addresses I would have not only a better, updated program, but a much more efficient and effective address list to work with.

It does make sense to look at problems as opportunities. And life being what it is, I should probably enlarge my note, frame it and hang it in front of my nose.

Photo credit Tut99

We’re getting California’s major rainstorms now and keeping an eye on the potential flooding of Oak Creek. Hope it’s not too bad what with the construction of the new bridge there.

I’m glad I was able to get out earlier this week with my friend, Cynthia, and have lunch at The Jazz Bouquet. What a unique concept for a shop — tea, flowers and jazz! On this particular Tuesday afternoon, they served a lunch of sugar snap pea soup with parmesan cream garnish, carrot and goat cheese sandwich with green olive tapenade, a choice of teas, and a chocolate truffle. Along with lunch came a concert by Eric Miller, a very talented local jazz musician.

Now I plan to comfortably hunker down and wait out the storm…

If you’re looking for some new, life-affirming DVDs to help raise your spirits during the grey days, I’d like to recommend Infinity and The Shift. They’ll make you think, and feel good.

photo credit Thai Jasmine

What inspires you? How do you inspire others?

Read about The Philanthropy Project.

photo credit gabernaculum

It’s first a trickle, a flow, then a torrent pouring down from above. I’m so grateful that I’ve learned to appreciate the ebbs and flows and how to swim in the abundance!

Feature-Length Film — “For the Next 7 Generations”

In 2004, thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers from all four corners of the earth, moved by their concern for our planet, came together at a historic gathering, where they decided to form an alliance: The International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers. “For the Next 7 Generations” follows what happens when these wise women unite. Facing a world in crisis, they share their visions of healing and call for change now before it’s too late.

 The grandmothers had been told that they would be brought together at a critical time in history when their ancient knowledge was needed for the survival of the next generations.The Council visited Sedona this evening and shared a prayer-filled, story-filled, song and laughter-filled few hours.

It was an evening of magic, learning and hope. Check out the movie if you can.