The Law of Circulation states that all things in the Universe are always flowing in circulation, but at an ever expanding rate. What you give to one person, you will receive from a different source. So you don’t have to give with the expectation of receiving back from the same person you give to, but knowing that it will definitely come back to you multiplied from other sources. It works according to the Law of Cause and Effect where the universe always mirrors back to you whatever you do.
What have you given today? What have you received from the experiences? What is staring back to you in your mirror?
Today I gave: Love, support, compassion, empathy, a smile, praise, accountability, passion, trust, focus, appreciation, intention, authenticity, expansion and… gratitude.
What I received: Love, support, compassion, empathy, a smile, praise, accountability, passion, trust, focus, appreciation, intention, authenticity, expansion, and…
beauty, confidence, understanding, touch, memories, a listening ear, fortitude, courage, depth, awareness, joy, connection, consideration, harmony, freedom, safety, hope, meaning, discovery, spontaneity, consistency, growth, presence, purpose, fun and play and gratitude
I certainly received more than I gave today.
Staring back at me in the mirror? …a huge smile, knowing I can choose to do this every day and the infinite possibilities that will unfold.
It’s amazing to me how much talent is out there these days, especially around the technical aspects of computer software and bringing fun and play into everyday life.
My 22 year old daughter met a new friend two weekends ago up in Berkley. Fredrick is a creative genius from Sweden. At 26 years old he runs his own company and has a blast doing it. Because I’ve been in the graphic design world for 14 years, I have come to appreciate amazing work, and wanted to share Fredrick’s talents with you so you too can have some fun and play.
I love supporting fellow entrepreneurs, especially relatively new and aspiring ones! This is just one of the games and websites this young man has created with his team. I hope you enjoy Fredrick’s entrepreneur spirit and passion which is evident in his work…I know I do! The game is really fun!!
Tis the season for great food! Sometimes we are required to take something special to contribute to the menu at a holiday event. I have it, look no farther! This is a VERY special recipe you will gain many accolades over…and maybe a few pounds . …and it’s vegetarian!
It’s my gift to you…sit back and enjoy the praise.
Layered Pesto Loaf
1 lb provolone sliced not too thin
1 16 oz. cream cheese
1/4 cup pistachios or pine nuts
1 Tbl. butter
1 bunch basil
1 cup parmesan cheese grated
1/2 cup sundried tomatoes
garlic cloves
olive oil
Process the cream cheese, butter, nuts and 1 garlic clove and olive oil to bind…not too wet!
Process and blot sun-dried tomatoes
Line meatloaf pan with cheese cloth- layer first with provolone followed by
cream cheese, pesto then sun-dried tomatoes
* Make sure to seperate pesto layer with provolone so it doesn’t bleed through. Serve with a variety of crackers or some really great warm bread.
The saying…”It must have been meant to be” resonates for many. When some of our goals and dreams happen so easily, this phrase seems to roll off the tongue quickly, yes? On the other hand when dreams and goals require effort and tremendous work, we many times interpret it to mean our dreams were not meant to be. I would suggest this is not necessarily true. Instead try to see the gift in the outcome, it’s just as important and we are truly blessed by both cases.
When things are difficult, we learn and grow in specific ways. There is a satisfaction that comes when we succeed at something that has been a challenge. Our self confidence expands, our ability to endure and keep the faith grows strong with the testing. We learn that we are capable of confronting and overcoming the obstacles in our path, and this empowers us to dream still bigger dreams, knowing that we will not be daunted by the challenges inherent in birthing them.
The universe has a funny way of letting us know if an idea is meant to be. The idea keeps coming back to us again and again and the solution is always within ourselves. In your gut and heart you know the answer.
Whatever your story is you can move forward, no matter what, knowing that… This is meant to be.
Me: So Tom, the word on the street is that Turkeys are stupid.
Turkey: Nice, real nice. Treat all your dinner guests this way?
Me: I’m not trying to be rude, I’m just interested. OK?
Turkey: So if you really want to know, I’ll give you straight scoop. Ask away.
Me: So is it true that Turkeys can drown by looking up into the sky and having their beaks fill up with rain?
Turkey: Totally false. However one of us jumped into a bucket and a bunch more thought it was fun. Kind of like pig pile except with Turkeys. Everyone but the top turkey drowned. Tragic.
Me: Interesting. So how about Turkeys no longer having the ability to reproduce without artificial insemination?
Turkey: Define “artificial.” We like to think of it as making you humans mess around with our privates. Funny!
Me: Eeww!
Turkey: C’mon… any other things you want to know?
Me: I heard that if one Turkey dies, a whole flock will die in sympathy.
Turkey: Negative, no, nada. Turkeys mostly die at Thanksgiving. Capice?
Me: Sorry, O.K. one more. Does the Tryptophan in Turkeys make people sleepy after they eat it?
Turkey: You’re talking about “The Turkey’s Revenge?” I wish. Sadly, this is yet one more goofy way that you humans make us out to be monsters.
Me: So, I’m starting to feel a little hungry. Any ideas?
I am authentic, what you experience is me… I’m at home in my own skin. I am creative and constantly generating things and ideas that bring value, peace, ease and beauty.
I am a mentor. By my ability to listen and hear, I connect people to what they are needing and help them awaken to their truth, their passion.
My intuition guides me and my optimism is unwavering, I know there is a gift in everything we experience.
I am courageous because I am the power and presence of God… I am grateful.
Lunch had a new twist for me today. I actually enjoyed creating it blindfolded…yes, you read it correctly… blindfolded.
You may be asking your computer screen, “why would Lauren do that?” I am taking a class with one of my instructors from Quattro University, Sensei Ron Tomas, and this was our homework assignment for one of our meals today. Still curious?
I’d like to share with you my experience…
My kitchen is small and I know it well, so the space was very easy for me to maneuver. I decided on a salad, I wasn’t very hungry. The makings for the most part are in the bottom drawer, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, feta cheese (a few drawers up), hardboiled egg, toasted pine nuts and croutons. Okay I’ve done this a million times before, it can’t be too hard, right?
The first thing I noticed after getting it all out of the frig was that I was completely present. I was aware of everything, noises, smell, temperature and the way things felt in my hands. I reached out for the lettuce, cold and crisp and tore it into the bowl. Next came the tomatoes…these I had to cut…”Danger Will Robinson!”… okay I’ve just dated myself. Actually it was really cool to pick the knife out of the knife caddy and feel it’s weight in my hand. I never really noticed that before!
I had just sharpened my knives 2 days ago so I knew they’d be very sharp, I just had to be accurate. I moved much slower than I normally would and proceeded to hear, feel and guide my way to success. After everything else was processed…again much slower that I would normally be on auto pilot I noticed something else. I was actually seeing myself do these things, I was visualizing the whole experience…way cool!
Time to eat. The part that didn’t turn out well was the amount of dressing that was poured vs. the amount I visualized pouring…I realized I had lost focus, my mind went elsewhere. My first bite was none the less amazing. The flavors were so WOW in my mouth, much more intense than I remember. I chewed slowly and was aware that I don’t take the time when I eat to really savor the meal, especially lunch when it’s in front of my computer…which is most of the time.
I was experiencing heightened sensory awareness, I was in the moment and focused. I realized it doesn’t require me to actually go through life blindfolded, but that I can choose to change up just one aspect of my routine. Do it slowly when I usually do it fast, do it left handed when I usually do it with my right, do the steps in reverse…you get the idea. Be aware.
For those of you that know me I’m a huge Trader Joe fan. I do about 96% of my shopping there. TJ’s, as I fondly call them, introduced me to my first reusable shopping bag about two years ago. I saw them at the checkout… you know the place where every store has all the stuff they want you to buy as you wait in line. These were red with a cool Hawaiian theme, priced at a whopping .99 cents. I figured why not.
Truth be known, I was looking for an alternative as I HATE plastic grocery bags. Sierra Club’s Sierra magazine estimates that Americans throw away almost 100 billion plastic bags each year and only 1% to 3% are recycled. Environmentalists warn paper is not much better than plastic because trees have to be cut down and energy expended to make them.
Most all stores will now give you a credit of some kind for bringing your own bags in. TJ’s has a weekly drawing for $25 in groceries, Texas based Whole Foods give you 5-10 cents back on each bag used and even Target and Ikea are in on it.
Fashionistas are doing their part by making reusable shopping bags trendy. Designers are creating chic (if sometimes pricey) options such as the $960 grocery tote from Hermes or the $495 organic cotton bag from Stella McCartney. One of the hottest bags last summer was one of the more inexpensive options, the $15 “I’m not a plastic bag” cotton tote from British designer Anya Hindmarch. This tote is so sought after that thousands of shoppers competed in a lottery to bag it. On eBay, the prized bag often goes for over $100.
Like I said, it was 2 years ago and I still have the same 3 bags that now sell for $1.99…which in my book is a bargain. A new thermal one has been added to the mix to keep the frozen stuff cold for the trip home. Admittedly it took me awhile to remember to bring them in when I shopped. Many times I found myself running out to my car at checkout to retrieve them…and grateful I did. With 51 stairs leading to my house, I load them to the brim so I don’t have to make more than one trip! These bags are strong and still in great shape.
I wouldn’t call using recycled bags a trend anymore, It’s more like a growing way of life. If you haven’t purchased reusable bags yet, treat yourself, you won’t regret it and you’ll be doing your part to help reduce waste.
We’re all in the same boat. We just have different paddles, and perhaps we find ourselves on different rivers. We all live in human bodies. These are the vehicles in which we move through our world. We are all made of flesh, blood, and bone, with brains, hearts, and lungs to power us. Our paddles—the tools we use to move through the world—vary, as do the bodies of water—the environments—in which we find ourselves.
Some of us use our high IQs to get where we want to go. Some of use our smiles, others use kindness, a gift with language, or athletic ability. Some of these qualities we were born with and others are skills we have learned. Considering this metaphor in light of your own life can be very enlightening. What tools are you using to get from point A to point B in your life? Chances are, you and the people you know have used many different tools in various combinations throughout your lives to get where you needed to go. Just as with oars or paddles, a balanced approach is best. If you rely too much on one thing, like beauty, to open doors, you fail to be well-rounded and you may eventually lose your equilibrium. And if you lose that one quality, you have no paddle at all. This is inspiration to develop multiple tools to navigate your world.
Some of us may be moving along paths that are like rushing rivers; others may be on a large, still lake. We have all felt, at one time or another, tossed about on a stormy ocean. Through all this, we are never really alone, even though it might seem that way. There is inspiration all around us in the form of other people making their way through the world, in the very same boat. Remember to look around you for role models, companionship, and encouragement.
. …and it’s vegetarian!
