The Age Old Battle

Two Wolves

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a

battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son,

The battle is between two 'wolves' inside us all.



One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret,

greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment

Inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.



The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope,

serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence,

empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute

and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"



The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Your inner voice, will find it's way out

A Perfect Moment

  I was having one of 'those' days. You know...the kind of day where, by no fault of your own, it feels like there must be some malicious force at work that gets it's kicks at causing you grief.
 
  My divorce lawyer had informed me that things we going to take longer, as my ex was not agreeable to my terms, and in fact thinks himself entitled to more money. Sigh! I had gotten my paycheck a few days prior, and it was far less than normal due to the short month of February, meaning I was in for  some penny pinching days ahead. My stomach was aching, I was exhausted from working strange hours, and even the weather...nice the day before, now matched my dark and stormy mood.
 
  I had checked my account online as I had deposited via ATM, and was a bit wary of this. I needed to get gas desperately, so I was glad to see everything had gone smoothly with my deposit. I asked for $20 in gas and went inside to pay, picking up a soda for my evening shift. When I went to pay....the teller told me that my bank card was coming up saying there was an issue, and I was to call the bank. This had actually happened twice before (the bank clerk had made a mistake...x2!) so I was totally appalled to be in this situation yet again..not to mention mortified by the humiliation of having this happen to me in front of the now long line of customers.  
 
 As I was standing there dealing with this, a lovely lady offered to pay the gas, but I declined her offer, as I was still on hold and was sure they would fix their error promptly. But she smiled at me, paid the man with cash for my gas, and gave me her business card. I thanked her profusely as she left. The banks themselves were closed, so I only reached their after hours person who could do nothing as the account had been held due to an issue with the ATM machine.  Whomever had done this had forgotten to remove the hold, and couldn't fix it until the morning
 
  I was now severely late for work, panicking over the new girl being there alone, and totally bewildered by what had just taken place.  But mostly I felt overwhelming gratitude for the kindness of a stranger. I was profoundly moved by her gesture of good will!  The one small act of sheer thoughtfulness caused me to look at my day differently... The unpleasant event wasn't so bad at all anymore, when it ended with such a wonderful gesture.
 
  The next day, the bank fixed their mistake, apologizing profusely. I sent the money along with a nice thank-you note to Bernice, filled with all my warmest thoughts and gratitude. I hadn't thought a whole lot on the incident since, as life has it's way of bustling you forward at alarming speed sometimes.
 

Until today

 
  In my mailbox, was an envelope and I recognized Bernice's name on the return address. I was concerned..."Did I not send the proper amount back?" But, when I tore into the envelope I found a beautiful card.
 

ONE SEED CAN START A GARDEN.

ONE SMILE CAN LIFT A SPIRIT.

ONE CANDLE CAN LIGHT A ROOM.

ONE CONVERSATION CAN START A FRIENDSHIP.

ONE PERSON CAN

 MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE-

 

THAT ONE IS YOU.

 

 

 

That's what the card read. Along with a note in the neatest of handwriting.

 

  It seems silly to send a thank-you for a thank-you but I really felt I wanted to! I wanted you to know you made my day and at the risk of sounding very cliche, restored my faith in people!

  It was my pleasure to help out and I would hope someone would do the same for my daughter if she was in your spot. And we've all been in that spot at sometime.

The most amazing thing to me, about this whole episode, is the integrity that you demonstrated. To take the time to write a note and to follow through as you did, really demonstrates your character, and you should be proud!

 

Bernice

 

 

 

Life doesn't get more much more lovely than that!

xoxo

Sara



Smooth, Soft, and Supple: Sara Style

For years I have had dry, dry skin.

 And dry skin causes you too look older, sooner....and this my friends, would not do. I was also prone to breakouts in my T-zone area, which is gross. I have tried a ton of products, ranging from expensive to mayonaise...nothing seemed to work at all. I was tired of spending my hard earned dollars, and all the waste I was putting into our environment with tubes, and jars of stuff that didn't work and had to quit using. I went in search of the most natural way possible for me.  After much trial and error, and research on the topic, I have FINALLY found what works for me, and wanted to share.

It was wierd at first, as washing with a bar soap has always been reported as the worst of sins...but my new secret weapon is just that...

DOVE BEAUTY BAR (sensitive skin-fragrance free)



Costs like 2 bucks...and works wonders!! Even removing eye make-up like a charm. Love, love!!

Next I slather on Derma e Vitamin E cream...I swoon over this rich, silky cream! So in love with it...and at your local Walmart for just $9.99!

Here is a link to thier awesome line of products

To my wonder cream I have added a lil known ingredient...Seabuckthorn Oil. PURE MAGIC!!

Link to read more  about this amazing, wonderful healing product. Our local healthfood store had only the pure Fruit Oil, which tends to stain, and isn't as recommeneded for topical us as the seed oil, so I added about 12 drops to my Vitamin E cream, and it blows me away!! It is the most expensive item in my regime at about $24.00, on sale...but it seriously will last me about a year or more, and was worth every penny!! And I plan on planting some in my garden this spring, as it can stand harsh climates such as ours!! How awesome!

For morning cleanses that won't strip my face of it's essential oils, and get rid of grim from sleep, I have been using, and loving on Thayers Rosewater and Witch hazel Toner

Alcohol Free, Natural and smells so sweet!! It was around $15.00 at local health store, but again...will last quite awhile, so worth it. And because of my dry skin, I am only using it for am, but if your skin is a bit on the oily side, then you may use more often, say after the Dove Beauty bar.

1-2 times a week I do exfoliate with with either the St.Ives Apricot or Microdermabrasion scrubs. This helps get rid of the dead skin cells hanging around, and brightens up your skin. Both are available at your local Supermarket, for around $4-$6 I believe.

So there you have it....give it a try if you find that you have dry skin too.

Hope it works for you as well as it has for me!

xoxo

Sara

Out of Hibernation

I have been MIA...intentionally. I just needed a break from blogging....and in Manitoba...January/February is time to hibernate, which I take full advantage of. Been busy working some strange hours, making our new house a home, going to the dentist ( i got a filling for the first time...YIKES!!) as well as other med appts (winter and a fresh new year seem the best time for me to take care of those types of things) and just plain surviving the winter.

\

Got a record player from my pal Jennybean, and have been listening to some great tunes,

Made some YUMMY borscht for the first time ever

We followed this recipe a bit...Borscht Recipe but tweaked it to our own tastes...

Growing up near a lot of people with Ukranine ancestory refined my borscht tastes..

Back in January, I was invited to a potluck where a bunch of great musicians jammed

I went out with friends

Recovered my chairs

And hung out with my sweet lil goddaughter

And coloring my hair red on a whim....

 Also did some painting, Scherenschnitte(which is so fun to say AND do) photography, saw HEART in concert (bucket list item checked off!!) and other stuff n' things.

I have officially quit drinking coffee....for a week now...due to my stomach, and it sucks about as much as I thought it would. But alas, it is necessary. I am drinking this stuff called Krakus...a coffee subsitute and tea as replacements...albeit it's just not the same. I have also been taking half a Caltrate with meals and probiotics as well, and so far so good!!! EEExcited to feel better!

As for the upcoming spring months which I am looking forward to not only the weather smartening up, but also....

• Making Eggs Benedict Breakfast Pizza
• Riding my bike like a woman obssessed
• Emailing David Suzuki to help me with my environmental idea
• Puddle jumping in my splash boots
• Putting together a team for the Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life
• Having my Wellness Proposal ok'd at work, and working on that
• Having my own communal garden and becoming a green thumb
• Getting my website up and running
• Planning a SISTERS ONLY weekend for my sisters and I, in April

And now that I am back here, I will document and blog about these many adventures of course!!

What have you been busy at?

What are your plans for spring??

I would love to hear from you and gather great ideas!!! Comment away please!!

xoxxo

Sara

Vulnerability

I watched this last week and I was blown away...funny, moving and inspirational. I've been working on it...

My M.O

Why hello again world.

I love you.

I have been busy pathing down a steady stride forward leading into 2011. Chucking non - essesntials, getting down to basics. Imma be startin' it fresh.

Got my yearly physical.

 Get this...while I try to take this in stride...I mean...monitoring your health is important and a neccesity. So ya gotta do it...it's just darn right sketchy right? So...while I try to concentrate on my breathing, and picture a soft sandy beach until it's over, I hear some strange tinny version of a pop song. And much to my chargrin...it's his cellphone!!
I'm thinking..."no way he'll answer it given the situation" all the while watching him flip it open, mouth at me, "Sorry...important!" And proceeds to leave me there, legs wide apart and thinking...."SERIOUSLY!? @%&** This can't actually be happening to me!" This is some scene from a comedy sitcom or something!?"

Then he gave me the flu shot and I left so bewildred.



Cleaned the house top to bottom, and decorated. Got our stink and germs all over the place. I also did a home cleansing ritual to clear the way for our new life here! I hope to make it a stable, comforting place full of creativity and grace. I got rid of all kinds of excess paper from my paper hoard. But not nearly enough of it I'm sure. I have plans for all my lil notes n' such you see...

Got a 30 cent check in the mail.....instead of one I'd been waiting on. Followed by said check. Followed promptly by a 24 cent check. I will never understand why the government chooses to do things ass backwards all the time.

Seeing the dentist next week, all squeaky and clean....just getting things streamlined and clutter free...which is how I plan to run this Sara show.
Planning and hibernating...



Found this gem recently, on one of my internet journeys at Unicorns for Socialism

Which I feel was an omen...since that same day I saw this.... on my computer screen...

Sara's 2011 Manifesto

Sensory Surroundings, Sights & Sounds:

POWER COLOR: Ruby Red
TEXTILE: Satin
FLAVOR: Sumatra
ANTHEM: All Fired Up




FANTASY, MYSTERY, MAGIC & MIRRORING:

PRETEND BEST FRIEND FOREVERr: Ellen Dejeneres
FANTASY MENTOR: Bob Marley
TOTEM ANIMAL: Wolf
SPIRIT GUIDE:Native Medicine Man (sometime I will blog about the time I saw him)

EMOTIONS & ELECTRICAL IMPULSES:

GENTLY SPOONING: Purpose
MAKING FRIENDS WITH: Doubt
CEREMONIOUSLY BURNING: Emotional Reaction
INVITING OVER FOR TEA: Entrepreneurs

OH, AND...

NON-GUILTY PLEASURE(s): Hidden beauty, Lindor chocolate, solitude, age, non-conformity, minimalism, bath bombs, and shiraz

What is your M.O?



Hello You!!

“Another fresh new year is here . . .

Another year to live!

To banish worry, doubt, and fear,

To love and laugh and give!

...This bright new year is given me

To live each day with zest . . .

To daily grow and try to be

My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity

Once more to right some wrongs,

To pray for peace, to plant a tree,

And sing more joyful songs

 

 

 

Prompt: Core story. What central story is at the core of you, and how do you share it with the world? (Bonus: Consider your reflections from this month. Look through them to discover a thread you may not have noticed until today.)

This past year has been a year of discovery. Discovering self - my creative self, my inner strength, self love, and learning how to show my self to the world.  I share my geniune self through my art, through acts of kindness, through honesty, by living and acting upon my ethics and values, and my continuous efforts to be the best I can be.

This year was a year of discovering true love. The kind of love that mere words cannot describe. Once in an ordinary life, love gives us a fairytale. I am so thankful to have not settled for a life without it.

I re-discovered my daughter...under her own pain and hurts she is still there, and I am so glad she's back. Together we can truly do anything!

Together we are family.

In 2011 I will continue forward, and enjoy all that has been discovered.

Direction

Prompt: Try. What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn't go for it?

I want to go to a naturopath in the New Year, learn guitar, launch my website, take some art/photography courses, I still have yet to skinny dip, and mostly travel outside of Canada...or in Canada, as long as I travel somewhere new.

Prompt: Healing. What healed you this year? Was it sudden, or a drip-by-drip evolution? How would you like to be healed in 2011?

Love healed me. The love of a great man,  wonderful and supportive family, fantastic friends. Love truly heals all things.

Prompt: Future self. Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?)

Dear Sara,

Please don't worry about your future. Just believe in yourself and take chances. Trust your intuition and know that you have what it takes. Smile, be happy. Live, love and laugh!

xoxo
Yourself

Eve, Joy and the Outdoors

Prompt: New name. Let's meet again, for the first time. If you could introduce yourself to strangers by another name for just one day, what would it be and why?

I'm sure I would choose Eve. It happens to be my middle name and a traditonal family name as well. I like that it is simple, different and beautiful. 


Prompt: Photo - a present to yourself. Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words. Share the image, who shot it, where, and what it best reveals about you.

I chose this picture...as I am in my favorite place, doing my favorite thing with some of my favorite people! Relaxed and happy. And it was my love who captured the moment.

Prompt: Ordinary joy. Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments. What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year?

I believe this year I found the most joy when I was outside. I got outdoors more this year and truly loved it. The wind, the birds, the sun, the fresh air. Whether it was biking, hiking, walking, stomping, running, or just plain old cloud watching..the best moments were in the outdoors.

Take A Look around...You're already there

Prompt: 11 Things. What are 11 things your life doesn't need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life?

1.Worry
2.Guilt
3.Doubt
4.Drama
5.Boredom
6.Shame
7.Failure
8.Resentment
9.Toxins
10.Hurt
11.Fear

I want to Fly in 2010. Let go and just Be. I am taking hold of the reins, and no letting anyone or any event dictate who I should be.

I have been busy and learned much in the past few years, and I want 2011 to be about transforming that knowledge into something wonderful. I am starting right now, by forgiving. This is a wholly selfish thing mind you...i forgive for my sake alone. There is no need to hold on to any of the above feelings..doing so only hurts myself. By forgiving and letting go of negatives, I make way for more positives...and that can only amount to more happiness.

Prompt: 5 minutes. Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010.

"Meeting" my love and , My daughter saying, "I Love You" again

Prompt: Lesson learned. What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward?

That I AM good enough just by being me, and I am stronger than even I understood

Every Time We Love, Every Time We Give, It's Christmas

OOoooops..I posted my latest prompts on my other blog by accident...Check that out at.....Gratitude


Here's a great link to Zen Habits....where they discuss how to attain Peace...which is all i want for Christmas!

One of my fav christmas songs, by one of my favorite guys...

I like the Michael Buble version better, but this is the one I could find with lyrics. They strick a chord with me at this time of year, and the pictures really tell a story. This is what Christmas means to me...

Here are some decorations around my new place...

 This Is At My Love's House...our xmas silohuettes

 My First Ever Poinsetta

 And look what I found.....

The Best Ever Christmas movies

And Some more Christmasy Pics to get you in the mood....

Okay...just one more tune

Happy Holidays to you all!