tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69752138663725307732024-03-18T21:55:40.770-07:00You are the light you wish to see...Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.comBlogger486125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-88266375108019936552017-05-25T11:13:00.001-07:002017-05-25T11:20:11.732-07:00Compassion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Wow, it has been over 3 years since my last post!<br />
<br />
Here is what got me to come back and share...<br />
<br />
I just realized why His Holiness the Dalai Lama life-long message has been "COMPASSION"...it is the gateway to LOVE!<br />
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<a href="https://www.dalailama.com/assets/pages/%C2%A9ManuelBauer_AgenturFocus_M_4272_15Anp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="750" height="180" src="https://www.dalailama.com/assets/pages/%C2%A9ManuelBauer_AgenturFocus_M_4272_15Anp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-92181418212099826862013-12-09T22:29:00.001-08:002017-05-25T11:18:28.238-07:00Urantia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ok, I'll say it…I might have finally gone off my rockers…and I don't mind in the least bit (:<br />
<br />
I have been reading a "book" titled Urantia. Its origin and authorship are rather mysterious, if not questionable but its content is what grabbed me. Here is a brief description of the book from Wikipedia:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"The authors introduce the word "Urantia" as the name of the planet Earth and state that their intent is to "present enlarged concepts and advanced truth." The book aims to unite religion, science and philosophy, and its enormous amount of material about science is unique among literature claimed to be presented by celestial beings. Among other topics, the book discusses the origin and meaning of life, mankind's place in the universe, the relationship between God and people, and the life of Jesus.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="line-height: 1em; vertical-align: super;">-- </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Urantia_Book" style="line-height: 1em; vertical-align: super;" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></div>
</blockquote>
It is available to read online from the <a href="http://www.urantia.org/brief-description-urantia-book/read-urantia-book-online" target="_blank">Urantia Foundation</a>.<br />
<br />
There is a lot in the book that is resonating deeply with me and since reading the book, my spiritual journey has taken an interesting turn…<br />
<br />
This book has compelled me back to this blog so that I can share the gold that I am finding in it.<br />
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<a href="https://www.urantia.org/sites/default/files/u4/new-urantia-cover-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="332" data-original-width="260" height="320" src="https://www.urantia.org/sites/default/files/u4/new-urantia-cover-1.png" width="250" /></a></div>
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Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-68598602487696435952013-12-08T15:41:00.001-08:002013-12-08T15:42:06.957-08:00Just for now...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My yoga teacher read this during one shavasana and I love it so much I wanted to share it...<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Just for now, without asking how, let yourself sink into stillness.<br />
Just for now, lay down the weight you so patiently bear upon your shoulders.<br />
Feel the earth receive you, and the infinite expanse of the sky grow even wider as your awareness reaches up to meet it.<br />
Allow a wave of breath to wash away whatever blocks you from the truth."</blockquote>
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Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-39904522833123602992013-10-26T22:01:00.003-07:002013-10-26T22:04:50.099-07:00Angelina Jolie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
If I was to ask you to name celebrities that inspires you, who would s/he/they be? Think about for a moment...<br />
<br />
The most recent addition to my short list would be Angelina Jolie. From what I see and read in the press, she has gone through an amazing transformation from a hurt, confused and lost girl to a caring, empowered and purposeful woman.<br />
<br />
I know I can't believe most things I read in the press and even when it is the truth, the press often paint a skewed portrait. But I also believe that it is possible to glean some truths about a person over many decades. I don't recall when I first heard of Angelina Jolie...at any rate, she held no interest to me. She struck me as another self-centered, attention hungry celebrity who seems to be on a destructive path. When I heard that she had become the goodwill ambassador for the United Nation, I thought she was doing it for the publicity and will soon quit because it isn't glamorous enough. When she adopted her first son from Cambodia, I actually felt sorry for the baby boy. When she became involved in the breakup of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's marriage, I thought she was a loose woman who had no respect for herself or relationships and they wouldn't last 6 months. Yes, I did not think very highly of Angelina Jolie, if I bothered to think about her at all.<br />
<br />
My view started to change as she adopted more children and her relationship with Brad Pitt weathered the many storms that they must have faced. I started to pay more attention to what she says and was impressed by her level of honesty. She has shown long-lasting commitment to the UN and seems to be deeply committed to helping people through her own charity and others. Her relationship with Brad Pitt seem stronger than ever and they seem like happy parents with their large family. What finally sealed my view was what she did after her breast surgery. Her letter to the public sharing her experience and explaining her choice touched me deeply. It showed me how deeply she cared about others and her wisdom in knowing how she can use her position to positively impact others through her actions and words.<br />
<br />
I know she isn't perfect but she heads in that direction and she inspires me as I continue to improve myself...<br />
<br />
Here is my favorite photo of Angelina...she seems to be at peace...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/0f715cb4b5714a1e75db466368708b19345304b1/c=21-0-5379-4039&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/USATODAY/test/2013/10/10/1381443573000-2432-MS-D003-0063RV2-1-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/0f715cb4b5714a1e75db466368708b19345304b1/c=21-0-5379-4039&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/USATODAY/test/2013/10/10/1381443573000-2432-MS-D003-0063RV2-1-.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Universal Pictures)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-50770075994809701252013-07-15T09:49:00.000-07:002013-07-15T09:50:00.252-07:00Wow!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This sweet giraffe made this shot perfect!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/687/cache/giraffe-sunset-tanzania_68753_990x742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/687/cache/giraffe-sunset-tanzania_68753_990x742.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ Photographed by <a href="http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/profile/50078/" target="_blank">Peter Stanley</a>, courtesy of <a href="http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-of-the-day/giraffe-sunset-tanzania/" target="_blank">National Geographics</a>]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-21553961273185836352013-05-30T22:22:00.001-07:002013-05-30T22:22:12.412-07:00Decending into madness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ok, maybe "madness" is being melodramatic...but perhaps that show my state of being right now...<br />
<br />
I have been working a lot...5 software development projects that include most weekends...and I have not been meditating regularly...I'm down to maybe once a week...<br />
<br />
This post is my attempt to document what I'm going through without meditation...perhaps to serve as a reminder to myself in the future if I should fall off the wagon again...<br />
<br />
What I've noticed is that the first thing to go is my sense of enjoyment...I no longer enjoy what I'm doing. Then my sense of peace disappears, totally. Soon, I feel stressed, overwhelmed and mentally inflexible. It is difficult for me to switch projects and things take longer than they use to. I forget things and can't concentrate. I'm grumpy toward my husband and I have less patience for others. Being nice takes much effort.<br />
<br />
I also realized this is how I felt for the decade before I meditated. How did I live like this? I don't care to go back to being that way.<br />
<br />
Until you've lived in the light, you can't see the darkness that surrounds you...<br />
<br /></div>
Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-29054920284588922452013-04-16T14:12:00.000-07:002013-04-16T14:12:39.979-07:00A Prayer for Animals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span>Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the <span>animals,</span></span><br />
<span><span>especially for animals who are suffering;</span></span><br />
<span><span>for animals that are overworked, underfed and cruelly treated;</span></span><br />
<span><span>for all wistful creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars;</span></span><br />
<span><span>for any that are hunted or lost <span>or deserted or frightened or hungry;</span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span>for all that must be put death.</span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span>We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity,</span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span>and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion</span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span>and gentle hands and kindly words.</span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span>Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals,</span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span>and so to share the blessings of the merciful.</span></span></span></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: right;">
-- Albert Schweitzer (?) </div>
<span><span><span> </span> </span></span>
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Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-87782717256728771402013-02-19T12:04:00.002-08:002013-02-19T12:04:35.848-08:00Your happiness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Make it your responsibility to make yourself happy, not someone else's.<br />
</div>
Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-66737143254767326042012-11-24T13:34:00.002-08:002012-11-24T13:35:30.137-08:00What we give<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote>
"We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
-- Winston Churchill</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-62344448836975809122012-11-07T17:12:00.000-08:002012-11-24T13:35:55.163-08:00I voted for Barack Obama<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2lJYGtfXKwQ/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAA8VU/d-Gso0PK9xg/s250-c-k/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2lJYGtfXKwQ/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAA8VU/d-Gso0PK9xg/s250-c-k/photo.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I voted for Barack Obama because his circle of love is bigger than my own and that inspires me to be a better person.<br />
</div>
Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-9130211184626582532012-10-01T00:48:00.001-07:002012-10-01T01:18:24.162-07:00A very special anniversary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today is a very special day for me...it marks the day that I've spent half of my life with my husband.<br />
<br />
When I was a teenager, I saw an automobile commercial where a couple is driving somewhere. He looks over at her and scenes of their lives together flash across the screen. He smiles and reaches over to stroke her sleeping face. I don't remember which car the commercial was selling but I remember how it made me feel...it left me with a strong desire to have a long and happy relationship.<br />
<br />
Today marks 24 years with my husband...half of my life...it is all positive from here on out. It seems almost unbelieveable that I'm living my dream. I feel so blessed...it is better now than when we started and I look forward to the next 24 years with him (:<br />
<br />
I wish everyone the love that we share.<br />
<br />
</div>
Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-22152353630123596402012-09-25T23:08:00.002-07:002012-09-25T23:09:07.362-07:00Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Life is full of holes; don't drive yourself crazy trying to fill them"<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
(from the movie <u>Take this Waltz</u>) </div>
</blockquote>
</div>
Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-33581875578136184962012-09-20T17:07:00.000-07:002012-09-20T17:07:03.797-07:00Election<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">The way I see it, in a capitalistic society such as America, rich people and large corporations are able to take care of themselves since they have the advantage of money and power. Therefore, it is the role of the government to keep a healthy balance of maintaining a large middle class and look out for the little guys who get trampled on. I would prefer to see my tax dollars go toward helping people rather than killing and hurting people. These are the principles that guide me when I make my election choices.</span></div>
Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-72321210287504984182012-08-20T21:25:00.001-07:002012-09-20T17:05:48.190-07:00Mad Men & Freud<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/33/Mad-men-title-card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/33/Mad-men-title-card.jpg" /></a><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/Sigmund_Freud_LIFE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/Sigmund_Freud_LIFE.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>
<br />
I've been watching the TV show Mad Men with my husband and made an interesting connection between that show and Freud's work in psychoanalysis...<br />
<br />
From what I can recall, many of Freud's patients were rich, idle women who suffered various degree of anxiety. in the show Mad Men, the main character's wife also suffered from anxiety because she senses something is not right in her relationship with her husband. Rich women, especially in the past, had rich husbands or lovers and rich men have probably always had their pick of women. Most rich men have no doubt had affairs which probably caused anxieties for many wives and mistresses...so I would venture to bet that many of Freud's rich women's axiety were caused by their unfaithful men...<br />
<br />
I'm sure I'm not the first to come to that conclusion but I do find it funny that I made that connection...from a TV show that I didn't even like (;
</div>
Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-58768346381142536102012-05-18T16:36:00.000-07:002012-05-19T08:25:12.890-07:00Vegetarian and looking younger<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
People are often surprised when I tell them how old I am and will tells me that they thought I am a lot younger. As we chat more, they will inevitably say "Asian people tend to look younger." While there is truth in that, I have my own theory.<br />
<br />
My husband also looks a lot younger than his chronological age and he is a Caucasian. What we have in common is that we both have been vegetarians for almost 24 years. Over the years, I have become convinced that one of the benefits of being a vegetarian is that it keeps you looking younger than others who are the same age, no matter what your ethnicity is.<br />
<br />
Recently, I saw an ad for Christie Brinkley's new skin care products, boosting that it has kept her young looking. People have said that Christie Brinkley had plastic surgery but she says she is too scare to do that. I also saw a posting about Tom Cruise and how young he looks; he attribute it to healthy living and swears he has never had plastic surgery.<br />
<br />
So, I did some quick searches online and confirmed my hunches...they are both vegetarians.<br />
<br />
Tom Cruise, age 49:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/120227_tom%20cruise_thealth.380;380;7;70.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/120227_tom%20cruise_thealth.380;380;7;70.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">[photo credit: Mark J. Terrill/AP]</span></div>
<br />
Christie Brinkley, age 58:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZ08KIeAH9rIIHzsZ8X6p32pKlyCYjcntyAIeJIBPkBcdyVWQ9GQUnoLKacckdOCA8aPpQg1wlDhoBrEaJjliKeFx1slp5ffIfuzt6WgxpC42nCyDnf8awEJCuDa-xzLI0OvTOrHQ7fM/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-05-18+at+4.26.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZ08KIeAH9rIIHzsZ8X6p32pKlyCYjcntyAIeJIBPkBcdyVWQ9GQUnoLKacckdOCA8aPpQg1wlDhoBrEaJjliKeFx1slp5ffIfuzt6WgxpC42nCyDnf8awEJCuDa-xzLI0OvTOrHQ7fM/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-05-18+at+4.26.15+PM.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">[photo credit: Janet Mayer/Splash News]</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm not saying all vegetarians look younger or that only vegetarians look younger. I do believe that being a vegetarian has definitely helped me and my husband look younger and I think it has done the same for others.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yes, I'm sure being Asian, not having children, exercising, and taking care of myself have all helped me to stay young too (:<br />
<br />
Here is to all of us looking our best... </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-45805325615779583892012-05-03T09:43:00.001-07:002012-05-19T08:19:27.571-07:00Money & happiness (updated)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"If money doesn't make you happy, then you probably aren't spending it right."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
-- <a href="http://www.wjh.harvard.edu/" target="_blank">William James Hall </a> </div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div style="color: red;">
This can be my new, more empowering thought about money to practice to change <a href="http://monapersonal.blogspot.com/#%21/2011/12/my-relationship-with-money.html">my relationship with money</a>...</div>
</div>Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-47749573390879503082012-04-10T17:34:00.001-07:002012-10-13T13:31:56.930-07:00WOW!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This image of desert rivers in Mexico is so beautiful that it hurts...it could have been a beautiful tree...a beautiful painting...I can't believe that it is real...the natural beauties that surround us can make me cry... <br />
<br />
<a href="http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/505/cache/baja-california-rivers_50503_990x742.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/505/cache/baja-california-rivers_50503_990x742.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
[Photographed by Adriana Franco, courtesy of <a href="http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-of-the-day/baja-california-rivers/">National Geographics</a>]</div>
Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-24579663732272034022012-03-16T18:06:00.001-07:002012-05-03T09:45:55.279-07:00Be yourself<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"The person you most want to be is already within you...live true to yourself and that person will come forth"
</blockquote>
</div>Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-65440517064361776992012-02-06T23:13:00.000-08:002012-05-19T08:19:42.538-07:00Trash (updated)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Recently our trash service provided us with new containers for trash and recycling...96 gallons...each!<br />
<br />
In case you are not sure how big 96 gallons is:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.sjrecycles.org/residents/images/96-gal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="1" height="206" src="http://www.sjrecycles.org/residents/images/96-gal.jpg" target="trash" width="155" /></a></div>
<br />
It is HUGE! It can fit 4 of me inside...6 or more if you cut me up for optimal spacing (:<br />
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Now what struck me is...that's a lot of trash to throw away...every single week...by every family...our throw-away society has become a sad reality.<br />
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For the past few weeks, we've only had one small bag of trash in the 96 gallon bin...kinda silly...and these bins are kinda unwieldy, so I called the service and they will replace them with smaller bins...32 gallons...still big for us but much better to handle...and it will save us $2 per month (:</div>
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<a href="http://www.sjrecycles.org/residents/images/32gal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://www.sjrecycles.org/residents/images/32gal.jpg" style="color: red;" width="120" /></a></div>
<br /></div>Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-33301001842048375882011-12-07T16:12:00.001-08:002012-05-03T09:49:21.885-07:00"Just like back home"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We are getting a kitchen remodel and they've removed all our cabinets and sink and disconnected our dishwasher.<br />
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Even with paper plates, there are a few dishes that need to be washed as well as utensils (as I can't bring myself to use those toss-away items). I've resorted to washing dishes, outside, in a plastic bin...while squatting...just the way my husband dislikes...hahahaha. <br />
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I've got a system down now...do it in the warm part of the day so the water isn't so cold and if I rinse big items first, then I toss away only about 2.25 buckets of water.<br />
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My cleaning lady came the other day and saw my setup and laughed as she said "just like back home."<br />
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I hope the remodel finishes soon...I'm thankful at least I still have a bathroom and shower!<br />
<br /></div>Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-87448264679357676792011-12-01T08:00:00.000-08:002011-12-01T08:00:06.575-08:00My relationship with money<p></p>My husband recently finished a book titled "How Rich People Think". After reading it, he said in a matter-of-fact tone, "we're gonna be rich". A wave of fear washed over me...and I was perplexed by my own reaction. After some thought, I realized that I am afraid because I have a disempowering relationship with money.<br />
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When I was young, my parents fought constantly about money...and I came to the conclusion that if we had more money, they would not fight and we would be happy. I was convinced that money = happiness until a few years later when I read in the paper that a rich man killed himself. I still recall being shocked by that because I didn't understand how a rich man can be unhappy. So I came to another conclusion...money = death...better be poor...at least you are alive.<br />
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So when my husband said that we are gonna be rich, he might as well said we are gonna be dead...that is what made me afraid.<br />
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So this awareness of my thought and the realization that I still live like it is true have allowed me to start letting go of my fear of money and my view that it is an evil thing.<br />
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Now, I live a blessed life and by no means poor, but I will practice more empowering thoughts about money and I look forward to having more of it (:<br />
<p></p>Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-1500806491112268792011-11-24T09:29:00.001-08:002012-05-19T08:19:08.239-07:00Happy Thanksgiving<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!<br />
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A moment of silence and love to all the turkeys that died for today and for everyday and for all the animals that suffer to provide for us...<br />
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I am thankful for everything in my life, for my spiritual awakening and for everything in this world! I'm especially thankful for the ones that I love and hold dearly in my heart.<br />
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I'd love to hear what you are thankful for (:</div>Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-9451834553296933442011-11-16T21:18:00.001-08:002011-11-16T21:32:52.160-08:00Connected<p></p>I was at work today, programming away and listening to some music when a thought popped into my head, along with the thought, a wave of emotion overwhelmed me and I had to stop and sit for a bit. The thought is that <b>our deepest desire is not love, our deepest desire is to feel connected</b>.<br />
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This deep desire to feel connected manifests itself in so many ways, in wanting attention, in wanting love, in wanting a relationship which in turn manifests in our efforts to be rich, famous, smart, beautiful...anything to be desirable so that we can connect with another...<br />
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The Kabbalah (or what I know of it) is right...our whole reason for being is to return to the source...the one...where we are all connected as one...<br />
<p></p>Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-91295184573270481362011-10-31T23:04:00.000-07:002011-10-31T23:04:14.620-07:00A new level of love<p></p>I've discovered a new level of love...in this level, love is not about getting it from others, but about feeling it toward others...or put it another way, giving it to others. It has been my experience that when you can reach this level of love for another, the love feels much deeper and more lasting...the more I feel this love for my husband, the stronger and more connected our relationship becomes.<br />
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When we are young, we equate attention from others as love. As we get older, perhaps as parents, we start to experience giving love to others and realize that's much more fulfilling to our soul.<br />
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May you experience this fulfilling love more and more (:<br />
<p></p>Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975213866372530773.post-78437761231697521002011-10-05T19:07:00.000-07:002011-11-16T21:53:05.759-08:00Steve Jobs<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.apple.com/stevejobs/" target="apple" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjkSvhIq3EeeGrfJ4m5J9u_eUUseeDewo4hrTGcbqu12UDO4sg0A6YeGbmeqE85U72AUHKpBVn1jonmAFDL3dgISuIUK36-unRFVXsqu5b3vIKP3UNiEOaWFNfAFoJ6Bj3MiQ1vOT5Z4/s400/SteveJobs1.png" /></a></div><br />
I feel crushed by the news...I will miss you, Steve...<br />
<p></p>Monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843830467646570902noreply@blogger.com0