Joy of Pride

I walked in a Pride parade for the first time, San Diego Pride, to support my sister (my niece joined us) in Mormons Building Bridges...she is the proud mama of my adorable gay nephew.  While I don't identify with being Mormon anymore or being LGBT, I do identify with love and acceptance so it doesn't matter what my identity, love is what it's all about and it was just fun to participate and celebrate one of too many of our marginalized communities.

There was about 25 great people in the group.  It's a difficult group to be in because either you tow a certain line (Pride parades are generally not on the list) or you leave the church if you can't support the dogma or culture...the middle road can be a challenge on all sides.  I am glad there are courageous people within hoping and working for change in the culture and policies that contribute to the highest suicide rate in Utah, I really hope changes is coming.





My sister's son wasn't able to join us in this one, coincidentally he was busy attending the International AIDS Conference in South Africa for his job as a State Affairs Specialist for AIDS Project Los Angeles.  He's a lover of people and a fighter for justice...a great example to us all...the least we can do is walk in a parade to celebrate the diversity of humans, and there is nowhere on earth you see more diversity than a pride parade!

Stoned Joy

I'm not sure why I'm so in love with painting stones right now, but here's the top 10 reasons I do it:

1.  Because it's easy
2.  Stones are so available right out my front door
3.  It's cheap
4.  It's 'earthing' so completely relaxing
5.  Feels good to do something creative
6.  Feels good to give a gift to the world
7.  No pressure to do it well
8.  No pressure to get it done
9.  No prep or clean up
10.  I inspire myself with the positive inscriptions!

Anyway, someone else has their own stone painting project besides The Abundant Love Project, this one is at Stoneseeking.org, it is all about painting inspiring words on the stones and sharing them with the world.  They work with women's shelters to fund raise as well...but I just like the words.  I'm one of the weirdos that actually buys stones with words engraved on them, so making them now is even more fun.

I actually made some wood plaques with inspiring words and give them to my husbands family for Christmas one year, it was a project where they picked a wrapped word painted on a piece of wood and were supposed to think about it all year and what it meant to them.  I don't think anyone cared, lol, but I enjoyed it.  I'm sort of a word nerd.

I like this inspiring word project better because when I would hide the 'You are loved' stones I was embarrassed someone might see me and wonder if I was sincere that I loved them or if there was really someone that loved them (some people really don't have people that love them, unfortunately) or if there was really a God that loved them (depends on who you ask!).  Being an introvert, that sort of terrified me to be 'caught' and 'questioned' about my motives and sincerity.  I just want to paint stones and hide them...no expectations of me, please.  Sounds silly I know but inspiring words, who doesn't love that and there can't be any expectation of me, I'm just delivering fun and positive words!  I actually combined the projects and do a design on one side and a positive word on the other.

Unfortunately, I make them faster than I can get rid of them.  I need to get out more...

Joy of Mother Nature

It's July 4th weekend and we are having the highest tide ever.  The beach is being pelted and washed away.  Tables, signs, garbage bins, barbecues all falling in to the ocean that is taking over the beach. First time I've ever seen anything so crazy on the beach here.  Even the life guard station had to be moved due to the loss of beach.  It's both an amazing show and a frightening reminder of the power of mother nature.  All you can do is watch in awe.

It also brings out people flirting with danger...disasters waiting to happen.  You have to have a healthy respect for the ocean and keep your distance when she performs a wild show.  What was once a wide sandy beach has become the cliffs of Oceanside.  One girl climbed out onto the exposed sewage pipes letting the waves wash over her, she eventually tried to get back to land but was thrashed by the waves into the rocks. Others stand right at the edge of the new sandy cliffs as they are falling into the rocks.  Yet others are running into the waves that are thrashing the sand.  These are not waves welcoming a swim.  The paramedics, police, life guards and ambulances have been up and down our street several times over the last few days.

This is definitely a memorable July 4th celebration.  Tomorrow night will be the highest tide.  We are looking forward to another good show from the powerful sea.  This has definitely been more exciting than fireworks.

The Joy of Running Away

I love running away.  It's my favorite past time and my first choice in any situation that involves conflict or confrontation...or actually any social event as well.  I'm an introvert so none of that is surprising.  My husband is a special education teacher and he has a middle school student that says to just about any unpleasant expectation, "Fuck you, I'm leaving".

I relate, that statement crosses my mind with every unpleasant expectation in my life, too.  And then I behave appropriately and responsibly (most of the time) because that's what we do in the civilized world.



Luckily, my special ed husband knows how to handle me when running away is exactly what I do in a rampant case of frustration (even if it's just to the other room or out for a walk)...he's used to being Mr. Patient and Understanding.

There is an actual Runaway Guide if you are interested.  I'm all about running away for the day, such as day tripping, or for a week such as a vacation, or something more extravagant such as learning a new language in a different country, I did this for a month in Italy...so much fun.  Or how about teaching English in a third world country...my dream adventure...this will happen before I die.

Then there is the extreme of running away from life and creating a complete alternate personality (it's unlikely I'd go this far but it has crossed my mind at times) or become an expat in another country...which is definitely tempting...post retirement, of course, because responsibility rules my world, like it or not.  Mostly running away just takes you away from the overwhelming problems that often rule our world, and who doesn't need that for a night or day or weekend or more?  Have at it, as often and as much as your life will allow...enjoy escaping, hiding out, being anonymous...take someone with you or go it alone...seek the adventure you dream about.

The Joy of Earthing

One of my biggest problems right now is my anxiety and stress from multiple sources as well as menopause in general.

Apparently it creates an imbalance of cortisol which is influencing my weight, which I hate. I'm sure I also have adrenal fatigue. My liver and kidneys are not doing well based on my latest blood tests...all of this seems to be related.

I'm trying to lower it holistically through various sources such as this article prescribes:

Stressed? 5 Ways to Rebalance Cortisol for Radiant Living

The last recommendation, earthing was a new one to me.  It completely makes sense, I've been doing it all my life but didn't know it was a 'thing' with a 'name'.  Admittedly, as an adult it's become less and less as time is at a premium and I try to fit in exercise at work or the fitness center or the house...and now I need to incorporate connecting with the earth back into my life.


Today I took the time to 'earth', walk in the sand and through the water rather than my usual fitness walk in my walking shoes.  It is always relaxing and now I know it's necessary therapy and I have it right out my door so no excuses for me.

Of course, it's a current trend with books and products galore...I am tempted to try the earthing mat under my key board, I'm wondering if it would help with all the pain in my wrists from typing so much.  Universal Mat Kit



The nice thing about it, it's basically free to everyone if you just walk outside barefoot.  Which can be a problem in bad weather or big cities full of concrete.  Luckily there are indoor options too (love the salt baths and this totally explains why I love painting my stones!):

Can’t Go Outside? 7 Ways to Get Grounded Indoors

And yet more interesting products and their uses (gotta love the Plugzz shoes, who knew grounding could be fashionable?):

The Ultimate Indoor Grounding Guide: What To Use & When To Use It


So get your vitamin "G" and ground today! 


Here is a great video that explains why it's so therapeutic for us as well as a book:

Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever! 

The Joy of Day Tripping and other Adult Fun

Going on vacation has always been my favorite thing to do, mostly because it gets me out of my life and changes the scenery.  Not that my life is bad, it just gets boring and dull to do the same thing day in and day out (or even worse, work so much on houses, overtime and 2nd jobs that you want to claw your eyes out).  Unfortunately, vacations can be quite expensive even if you find a great deal.

Oddly last night I had a dream that I had to just leave and got on a plane to Spain, by myself, indefinitely...is my subconscious telling my I'm in need of a day off...or a few?  I do plain on going to Spain...some day.

The next best thing?  Day tripping, it's easy to incorporate into almost every weekend.  It can be just an hour or all day long.  It's fun with your significant other, your kids, a girl friend or even by yourself.  In fact, in the famous book, Artist's Way, author Julie Cameron actually recommends lone Artist Dates on a regular basis:

Artist Dates are assigned play.

The Artist Date is a once-weekly, festive, solo expedition to explore
something that interests you. The Artist Date need not be overtly
“artistic” — think mischief more than mastery. Artist Dates fire up the
imagination. They spark whimsy. They encourage play. Since art is about the
play of ideas, they feed our creative work by replenishing our inner well
of images and inspiration. When choosing an Artist Date, it is good to ask yourself, “what sounds fun?” — and then allow yourself to try it.

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We all need a whole lot more play in our lives.  Look around your own city or the cities within a couple hours drive and there are probably many things you've never done before (or time to do again).  A few great sources to begin your search:  Groupon, Trip Advisor, and Meet Up.  There are also phone applications to download for your local city/event/food/art/hike/activity search.  It takes just a little imagination and you and/or your crew can be out and about in no time.  I've been on the search lately for of few new day trips around me too and below is just a few of my most recent.  I look forward to finding many more!

Climbing Double Peak trail and visiting Myrtle Creek Farms (the crepes were divine!).

The Getty Museum, Clifford's Cafeteria, and Vroman's Bookstore.

Warwick's author events (they are often free!)

Need more ideas to bring more fun into your life?  

Check this out:

The Abundant Love Project

I am in love with The Abundant Love Project and even more so now that I've read the story behind it.  It's a touching and heartbreaking read (get your tissues), it's told here:

The Abundant Love Project, a guest blog

This is the perfect little feel good service project for an introvert like me with very little time...it's creative, fun, simple, and even relaxing.  Best of all, I can do it anytime I feel like it.  Does it get better than that?  Even my husband enjoys it.

Like everything else I do, I have to adapt it to me. I don't do the little note with it (isn't that littering?) and so I don't advertise The Abundant Love Project to the recipients of the stones (sorry!)...it's just fun surprise for them.  I do write "You are loved" on the back and include a heart because I don't think we can ever hear that enough.











It's a great project to share with your friends who may enjoy creating some pretty rocks and sharing them randomly.  This is just a feel good project for the doer and the receiver.

I won't go into the how to or what supplies to get, it's on the guest blog as well as the Facebook page at the link below.  If it pulls at your heart strings, join in the fun!  By yourself, with your children/family, with your friends, with your church or school...spread the love with rocks!

The Abundant Love Project on Facebook

Make them as simple or as complicated as you want and then enjoy hiding them around your neighborhood, as you travel, at work, or even in your own garden.  Bring on the joy!