It's my Birthday Eve!

Woo hoo....my birthday weekend is here! I'm not shy about it - I love celebrating my birthday and I'm starting NOW! ;) Although my REAL birthday is tomorrow, I opted to take today off work to have a ME Day for my B-day eve. I am having a nice relaxing morning at home with the kitties, then I'm going for a nice jog on the beach, then I will get a massage and a pedicure, then head out tonight for drinks with friends. If you're in the Alameda area and want to join us, come out to Lucky 13 on Park Street around 8pm to have a drink with me!

A life altering video....

Simply.....WOW. Take my word for it...even though this 15-min video is a bit "sciency" at first, it is MORE than worth watching. What a fascinating new perspective on life and the human mind!
(Thanks Kelly W.!)

The State of Loneliness...

Oh yes, the eternal, existential struggle of being "lonely" vs. "alone". Throughout my life, I often find myself at my loneliest even when I'm in the company of other people, even at parties or when I'm hanging out with my closest friends.....even when I'm definitely not alone.

I think that what truly makes someone lonely is when they are missing or longing for something internally that cannot be filled by something (or someone) on the outside. This need manifests itself as a feeling of emptiness within the pit of our stomach, an unsatiated desire that overtakes our soul...... regardless of the company we keep.


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Taken from The Web of Loneliness:

Do you know the difference between aloneness and loneliness?
Yes, believe it or not there is a small but noticeable difference between aloneness and loneliness. To be alone is to by oneself. You may or may not FEEL lonely when you are alone, but the only important condition for being alone is that there is no one else around you. To be lonely, is to suffer the feelings of loneliness, to want people, social contact, and yet be unable to get any. Given this fact, it is quite possible to feel lonely when you are alone, and it is also to feel lonely when you are NOT alone. Many people report feelings of being lonely in a crowd, that even though they are surrounded by people, they still feel lonely. On the other hand, there are those who have written about the virtue of being alone. Hermits, monks and other religious persons treasure their time alone for contemplation and communication with the Higher Powers. Even in our daily lives we should practice spending some time alone, going over the events of the day. Aloneness is both an important and integral part of our lives. So don't get the two mixed up!



I don't feel lonely very often vs. I feel lonely all the time.
You can think of loneliness being experienced on a continuum with two extremes. On one extreme, a person experiences loneliness all the time, as an inescapable part of their existence. On the other extreme is a person who rarely experiences loneliness. If you are the kind of person that rarely experiences loneliness, when you do experience loneliness, we call that type of loneliness state loneliness. This is loneliness that is generated more by the environment than the person. So you probably will experience loneliness only when it's a long rainy day and you have nothing to do, or you go on vacation and you are missing your friends at home or something like it. The loneliness is generated by the circumstance you are in, and usually doesn't last very long (a day, a week). If however, you are the kind of person that experiences loneliness most of the time, then the loneliness you experience we call trait loneliness. This is type of loneliness that follows you everywhere. The loneliness is generated from the person, although particular circumstances might aggravate your experience of loneliness. So regardless of the situation or circumstance, when you think about it, you are still lonely.

GO BEARS! ;)

Aww....hope this pic makes you smile this morning as it did for me! Too Cute!
Thanks as always CUTE OVERLOAD!

Let yourself be carried....

Thank you for the reminder, Daily Om. ;)

April 9, 2008
Let Yourself Be Carried
The Flow of the Universe

The flow of the universe moves through everything. It is in the rocks that form, get pounded into dust, and are blown away. It is in the blossoming of a flower born from a seed planted in the spring. The growth cycle that every human being goes through is part of this natural flow, which is also the current that takes us down life’s paths. When we move with it rather than resisting it, we are riding on the universal wave that allows us to flow with life.

Many people live struggling against this current. They try to use force or resistance to will their lives into happening in the way they think it should. Others move with it like a sailor using the wind, trusting that the universe is taking them exactly where they need to be at all times. This flow is accessible to everyone because it travels through and around us. We are always riding it—it is just a matter of whether we are willing to go with it or we resist it. Choosing to go with the flow is often a matter of relinquishing the notion that we need to be in control at all times.

The flow is always transporting you where you need to go. It is merely a question of deciding whether you plan on accepting the ride or having it take you there with your feet dragging. Learning to step into it can help you feel a connection to a force that is greater than you and is always there to support you. The decision to go with the flow takes courage because you are surrendering the belief that you need to do everything by yourself. Riding the flow of the universe can be effortless, exhilarating, and unlike anything you ever expected. When you are receptive to being in it, you open yourself to possibilities that exist beyond the grasp of your control.

As a child, you were naturally swept by the flow. Tears of sadness falling down your face could just as quickly turn to tears of laughter. The mere tiniest wave carrying you forward off the shores of the ocean could transport you into peals of delight.

Our souls feel good when we go with the flow of the universe. All we have to do is make the choice to ride its currents.

(This is an excerpt from the new DailyOM Book.)

Go Giants!

So even though our SF Giants have had a rocky start to the 2008 Season, they WON their opening night game last night at AT&T Park! And David and I were there to root them on, while freezing our butts off in the bleachers! ;)

Missing Hawaii....

.....especially the WARM weather (High was around 85, low around 70), the gorgeous beaches, and the Mai Tai's. ;)
Here are a few of my fave pics from last week's trip.
(You can check out all my pics on my Flickr Account if you're interested) ;)

Adjusting back to "reality"....

Hello friends and family - well David and I made it back to "The Mainland" after an AMAZING trip to Hawaii. I feel rejuvinated, both personally AND professionally....and I avoided a sunburn...yay! :) I will post pictures soon. I MISS YOU ALL. To put a smile on your face this morning, check out this CUTIE pic of Little Miss Hayden...I miss you baby girl (and Mommy Leah too!) Kisses from Auntie. ;)