Bueller.....Bueller

Nothing more to add......Thank you Ferris!

Percentages....

Sometimes when in conversation with people we love and are most comfortable with, the words simply flow.   And in these moments we can string together the most eloquent of verbiage - a gem that shines above all else.

Even if those words were spoken before by someone famous, or a quote we may have read before - it does not seem as touching or revealing as when it flows in context of what we are living (or trying to live).  

One of these conversations happened recently with my sister.  In the mix of daily lives spoken (motherhood, worker bee, wife, travel plans, boat prep and house renting...) our conversation lead us down a path quite beautiful and simple.  Now if I could only remember the exact eloquence with which she proffered this gem...

I wonder why I can not remember the exact words, but have come to the conclusion in peace.   Such beauty is whimsical and fleeting - as the Japanese believe in Mujo (the impermanence of things) like the blossoms of a cherry tree, so it is the same (it seems) for words spoken. 

I seemingly cannot remember the exact string of words because I am out of context to the subject matter that we spoke about weeks ago.   Simply out of touch with the moment that carried us to those words.  But the sentiment was resounding and evoked a feeling from me.  And it is that feeling I would like to share with you today so you can absorb this in your own reality.

You may not need to throw 100% of yourself into EVERYTHING you do....

but rather GIVE 100% of YOURSELF in that PERCENTAGE you are willing to GIVE of yourself to that cause. 

TO be sure the cause is worthy of you, be sure to meditate on it, so your core being and your mind are aligned.  And in doing so it will reflect the true nature of who you are.  

If you are asked to run a fundraiser for instance, be sure it is something you are aligned with heart and soul - and it will be easy to give 100% of yourself into that cause.  Just like us renting our home, moving onto a 47 foot sailing vessel - if it did not align with our beings it would be a struggle to give 100% toward the cause.   But I want to do it and experience it.
But that trip is not all I am about right now...I am still a mother, wife, daughter, employee, cook, cleaner, accounts person. planner, packer etc....all of these things I need to do/be....and some are not fun.....so I choose which of those pieces of my 'life pie' gets 100% of me.  Cleaning, cooking....not all 100% of my attention, but my kids and husband piece of the pie get 100%.  

9 months.......and counting

This post I had ready to go out in January.....9 months prior to departure.  But with the health issue - it got put on the back burner.   I loved thinking about this post last year.....cause I knew what I wanted to write back then!!!   So here goes.....

9 months.......and counting
No not a baby, but the gestation period prior to embarking on this amazing family journey is just like being pregnant.  So we are about 9 months away from heading down the coast to our jump off point in VA. down to the Caribbean.  Just as a baby is in constant growth and change during gestation....so will this journey of preparation and alteration.

Our lives are still moving forward in anticipation for this wonderful event.  There are joyful days of insight and wonder, just as there are days of overwhelming feelings of exhaustion and fear. Considering our To Do lists may not be completed when it is time.  Just like we felt before our first son was born.

Babies come when they are good and ready - right now we know our departure is definitely in September.  But we have a bushel full of unknowns that hang around us as we attempt to put our house up for rent.  We cannot do this trip if the house is not rented.  But I have faith that we will we find a wonderful family to rent our home - I know the universe will provide us that.  I Hope!?!   That unknown makes packing things up difficult...but I am still doing it.   You know, I think everyone about every 10 years needs to act like they are moving out.  To Un-clutter their lives and spaces of the accumulation.  The things that are not needed anymore get passed on or thrown away.  Simplicity.

I know when Liam and Calan were born, I felt those moments of simplicity when rocking them to sleep.  Nothing else mattered except connecting with that baby.   Just hours of staring into the wonder of the miracle.

9 months of anticipation and then that sweet connection.
It is a beautiful thought, just like this trip is meant to be!

Miss me? Sorry I was looking for a gown.......

Sorry I have not posted in a while.......
I wondered if you had Missed me, but I was looking for a gown.......
"A gown?" you say.   "A gown" I say.

Those who know me - can attest I am not the gown kinda girl, but recently I had to wear one more often than I would have liked.

What type of gown you may wonder.....well there are all types.

There are Wedding gowns, Ball gowns, Prom gowns, Communion gowns and  dressing gowns...


In January,  I apparently did not realize I needed the latter.......a dressing gown.  See my lovely fashion bonanza~as much as I tried, the fit was not right.  Haha

I spent more than 4 weeks trying to perfect my look in said gown.  While in and out of the changing rooms - I would put on my dressing gown (or johnny as the nurse would call it) and pose in the mirror looking for the right fit.  
Now I was not in a dire situation, but for all the mental anguish, at times I felt it.   

As the story goes, I went in for my annual mammogram.  No problem...a bit of discomfort, but made it through.   Then a while later a call saying they needed to do a 2nd mammogram.  No problem, I have done this before....one time they even grabbed part of the muscle in the initial exam and had to redo.  (By the way Painful does not explain muscle in a mammogram!)
So I was not worried.  

Onto, mammogram #2.  This time at the hospital.  I walk in to see my right breast up on the screen with a dark mark smack dab in front of me.  I ask "Is that what your are looking for today?"  The answer a Yes.   That tinge of "Wait...if I can see that and I am NOT a doctor..." ran through my mind.

So I go through round two of discomfort and breath holding to find out they want to do an Ultra sound.  So now onto round three of right breast expose.  

After the ultra sound the Doc goes on to tell me they need to do an MRI "to better locate the object in question for a biopsy".  

Biopsy??!@#?  Huh.  So I say..."Well if you are going to Biopsy I need you to take the whole dang thing Doctor....ya see my family and I are renting our house for a year to leave in September from these waters to cruise down the coast to the Caribbean....all to make deeper connections within our family." 

He must have thought I was nuts for saying that about the biopsy (or maybe for doing the trip in general).  But by all means, I was serious.   

My mind grew fiercely focused on the possibility this could be cancer (and the doctor was not easing that thought)  and at the same time the only clarity in my mind was not that 'Cancer could kill me', but rather 'Cancer be Gone - I have life to live and a once in a life time trip planned!'     And in the same breath...it could be nothing, simply a lumpy breast!  

I usually pride myself on my Libra type attitudes.  Weighing out the options, waiting for the balance to return on it's own accord, believing the universe will come right.   But in hind sight, I was unable to get that balance.  I struggled, I mean with all the other things on my TO DO LIST, this announcement plopped a 50 pound bag of "What the F..." on one arm of my  balanced Scale. 

As you could imagine, thoughts of this simply filled my idle moments. 
With the trip in mind -  and unbeknownst to my conscious efforts to block it out until further conclusive evidence, I automatically went into planning for the worst mode.  I needed to have a plan in place so that if something were needed to be done to my breast, I was ready and we could still sail off come September and keep our family goal in sight.  

Heck, if we were land lubbers and the trip were not happening, I Know in my heart I would of had a different reaction and would have had a better response.  I mean the MRI did not even happen yet but WOW did it affect me.  

All in all - there was a month in between the request to have an MRI and actually having it. 
4 weeks of thoughts.....and foggy mindedness.  It took so long to schedule because they had to submit the info to my doctor for review and recommendation, then contact our Insurance for approval, to find out the Insurance was not working.  Then a week or so later the Insurance working again.....all of which I will not bore you with.    But it definitely took up way to much time and delayed the MRI for weeks........I am happy to report the dark spot found in my Mammogram and in the MRI was found to 'look' nonmalignant!!!!!   Follow up in 6 months to track it, but nothing for now....PHEW, Yeah, woohoo and all that jazz.  

After nearly 2 months of thinking about the what if's.....It took about a solid day for the relief to feel real and the JOY of planning the trip and connecting with people began - again!!!  

In reflection I learned something new about me.  I notice that when I am not feeling up, I tend to build walls around me - Not so much to protect myself, BUT to protect others from feeling my uncertainty and negative energy.  

After mentioning the 2nd mammo/MRI to some people - their immediate response of "Don't worry my friend had that - it was nothing" or "you'll be fine" came across shallow and un-fulfilling.  It may seems like a sweet thing to say, but really It made me close up, build higher walls.   A response more like...."How do you feel about it?"  or "Are you ok what can I do?" seemed more appropriate, but at the time could not put my finger on why these responses were making me feel diminutive.   I did mention it to a friend who is a breast cancer survivor and her first response was "When you schedule the MRI let me know, I will come with you for support!" WOW - her ability to receive my information and give back what I needed was astounding!!

Another thing I learned in all this was to keep my husband close and share my real fears with him.  We have been together over 17 years, and he travels alot, so I have learned to just 'Get 'er done', 'Don't bother him while travelling with issues he has no way of helping me with'.  It was a truly conscious effort to break that habit and share with him what I was thinking along the way.

The best part is, his gracious, soft heart stayed open and strong for me the whole time.  He did not make me feel like I was crazy for planning 'as if' it was something horrific.  He just listened.  He came with me to the MRI even after three times me saying, "Honey you do not need to come with me, you'll just be sitting in the waiting room".  But no - each of the three times I was giving him an 'out', three times he said he was coming.  I know he is busy with work and His boat to do list, but he still came and sat patiently for more than an hour it took for the MRI to happen.  

Yes - can you believe - more than an hour.  I was scheduled for a contrasting MRI which means I needed an IV.  Well, I know from giving blood that I need to hydrate ALOT before I go - just to get my veins to be properly plump.   And I was a bit dehydrated which meant I became the nurses pin cushion.  I apparently have very 'rolly' veins......they made 3 attempts where they got it in, but was not sitting properly...and that's when they had to call in a Pro!   (With which after we waited for her, she had my IV in in about 5 seconds!!  Thank God!)   Anyway, when I was finished, there was Dave waiting patiently.  (He is the one who took my lovely gown shot at the top of this post!  =)
  
Anyway...this experience has shifted my heart and my mind.  Sometimes we need a HALTING life moment to make us savor life, our partners and...for me this trip even more!!!

Maybe even more important on a singular note - we need to take time to reflect or meditate on our true feelings in order to learn the lessons within!

NAMASTE!

Check list....check marks

YEAH!  Another Check mark off the check list....

A big task for me was organizing the Medical side of things.
Try thinking about a year's worth of Medical needs and supplies for your whole family.  Not just your run of the mill Cough medicine.  Think wounds, oral care and stitches.  Think burns, broken bones and food poisoning, all without an Urgent Care Facility around the block.

This is no small undertaking, but one with the help of the Conway Family's trip 2 years ago and Erica's excellent organizational and List making skills, has broken it down into an easier more comprehensible task.

We researched many options for medical kits...and decided in conjunction with taking a First Aid course we would purchase the comprehensive Adventure Medical Marine 2000 kit.

We just received it last night and the waterproof bag was bigger than I expected....but I had to remember this was not a first aid kit, this is a MEDICAL KIT.

Inside contains smaller bags, each appropriately marked with the category of contents.  Bleeding, Burns, CPR, Medications, etc...
We will also still use our regular First Aid kit, which stays in eye view for daily cuts and scrapes.

Tonight while going through all the compartments. it caught the attention of our oldest son who said "Mom, I feel much better about doing the trip knowing we have this on board!"   WOW!!  My heart leaped, for he has had the most resistance about leaving his friends and worried the most about the unknown.
So, even if we return and do not have to open the zipper on this bag, him saying those words makes it worth every penny!  We want our children to feel safe on our journey - and this brings them one step closer to that realization.

Last item on the medical kit list.....just waiting on the Pharmacy to fill the prescriptions we just received from our doctor.  Feels good to get these types of items off the checklist while the weather is still freezing.  Once Spring rolls around the focus goes onto Nemetona and getting her ready!

Hot Stuff...

Well, to say Dave has been on fire with the task of prepping the boat (in god awful COLD conditions here in RI) is an understatement!   When he returns from his work trip next week I will endevour to get more details on his preparations of the boat.   Watermaker, new water heater, through holes, etc..... It is harder than you think to get a moment to do this.

On the other hand - I am literally Hot stuff right now.  Running a fever...which is not wanted at all, but know I must bow down to it's firey force or end up sicker longer.  Started in the lungs with a tight chest on Thursday (thought it was just asthma with the really dry air) but Noooo.  It festooned into a lovely hot mess.

So I leave you with pause...
Take care of yourself
do not run yourself ragged
do not let your mind run wild with adverse thoughts
Be at peace

Easier said than done...but try!

Water, water everywhere...

Looking out the door today.......I noticed the natural beauty of water.  

Water all around us.  

Water in it's frozen form.

Hardened and reaching out into tiny crystal formations.  

One moment it took to notice, one moment to stop, one moment to look.   This moment allowed me to enjoy the sheer beauty of it.   It is breath taking.  

The 3 shots below bring you closer to the unique formation that found itself clinging onto the glass. Clinging until the heat of the sun decides it's time to melt it.  Time to make it fluid once again.

The fluid water - that in a year, we will be sailing with, living on, swimming in.  

Water, water everywhere....

 

Prepping for Rental

In an attempt to un-clutter the house and prep it for rental photos....I have come to like the starkness, the simplicity of it all.

     

     

Now only 7 more rooms to go!!!

ODE to Spreadsheets

This evening highlighted the need for Spreadsheets!  Our 4 pages of tiny print below is of our Winter To Do List!!!   It looks insane, but amazingly between, work, school, sports, activities and trying to live today's life......we are actually checking things off.  =)  
Overall spreadsheets have helped us to line up comparisons for best options with boat purchases, creating the task lists, and figuring out our budget.

This brings me to this weekend and Dave and I reading the plethora of different blogs and articles about the best strategies for money management while at sea.   Trying to dig through all the advice about this and the least amount of bank fees and foreign transaction fees, is mind boggling!!!
So much so, I have to stop reading, take a breath and sleep on it overnight.  THEN wake up, re-read with the Spreadsheet Program Open and start jotting down details for each suggestion.   Then and only then will I scratch the surface on organizing these thoughts and begin the task of reviewing with David some effective strategies.

Every dollar kept in the bank adds up.  And most ATM fees begin at $3.00 in foreign countries and go up from there, and both the ATM and credit cards charges a percentage to convert your foreign transaction (called a conversion fee).  Imagine the gift you give to the bank when away for 10 months, going to many different islands of which have ties to a 'mother country'.  England, France, Holland.....Cha-Ching.

So tonight after a tough few days of feeling overwhelmed and not quite effective living this two track life........I am going to consult my pillow overnight and start fresh in the morning!   Spreadsheet dreams tonight!

Happiness Catching Fire.....

Finding your simplest form of happy.

Today I shifted my paradigm and did something for me.  It made me extremely happy inside, connected, rooted .

I stopped for a moment and took control of myself in a simple gesture.  I stopped letting all the things, lists, to dos that are running around my peripheral and central vision....and listened to what I desired.

It was sincerely like playing hooky from my life, but gave me such a sense of focus, joy and love. 

I ran around prior to it and had tons to do after it.....but I just needed to know I was still in control of the simple desire to do something for me.

I went to a matinee mid week without kids! Without it being a kid movie or animated movie!  I know you probably thought it was something juicier or more in depth.  But no.  I simply found time to see a movie, mid-week, no kids, no spouse....before it left the big screen forever.

I am happy to say my friend Sue came along for the ride....to which I thank her for witnessing my desire to retire for 2 hours this afternoon before resuming the checklist of life.

May this blog be Catching Fire within your Soul - so you too will listen for your simple desire!!

To meditate or not to meditate....

January 2, 2015

Homeschooling choices.....

If I can get over having to teach 7th grade pre-algebra while homeschooling on a boat....I am more inclined to think I can add another subject to our daily learning.

Meditation.


While watching a news show on the benefits of giving kids Two 15 minute segments a day to have Quiet time.  A California school extended their day by a half an hour so they could include meditation.

NBC Nightly News on Meditation (click here to see clip)

     

I have done meditation and have reaped the rewards of this amazing centering, but have not been so apt to extend that knowledge to our boys in a concentrated manner.   A few times a week I sit with our boys at bed time and listen to them and draw them out, but I think this addition to our routine will be welcome - and - a lifelong gesture of love for their self actualization.   Since this trip is about connecting with our children along with sharing our passions.  This self connection is also paramount.

I would love nothing more than giving our boys the ability to find solitude, quiet, centering thoughts and mindfulness at an early age.

Time will tell and the efforts will be noted.

I just hope I can etch out enough time in the next 9 months to practice meditation more for myself, as well as, start the conversation with them.


Other articles:
David Lynch Foundation   and

How to start a meditation program in your school

Happy New Year!!

Being Happy and the Blog

Think on this.....Choose to be Happy.

I was asked by a close friend if the blogs I will write will be flowery and positive all the time OR will they be real and sometimes gritty.
Wow, great question Sandy.
Hmmmm, answered her as such....(to the best of my recollection.)

"I hope to be real and gritty.  I'll try to write the truth the best I can, but I do tend to be a glass half FULL type personality.  So my writings will reflect this."

So, pondering her question further, My writings will show my truth with a spin on the silver lining.  Sometimes flowery and sometimes gritty.

I think, sometimes, I understand situations differently, seemingly searching for the alternate reason for my reality, for the lesson to be learned in order that I may grow and even alter course if it presents itself the better choice.  Maybe even have the ability to perceive things as they happen from a 3rd person perspective which may allow my perceptions to be clear quicker.    Who really knows...but this question lead to much contemplation in the last few days.

Although the journey ahead may not be paved smoothly - I look forward to interpreting the events for you in the best 'Lana Rae way' I know how.  Reality is Truth in how we perceive it.   I will bring my truth to you for as long as you want to read it.

Choose to be Happy.  

May be hard to do, but practice makes it easier.

Namaste!

Christmas Card

December 23, 2014

Here is a copy of the Very Merry Christmas Card!

Merry Elves are we

December 21, 2014

Here we are 4 days prior to Christmas,  the last weekend before we celebrate the birth of Jesus.   Some would suspect we would be travelling to see family during the holidays, many are out shopping today for those last minute gifts......but no.  We have other things on our two track mind.  More immediate things to be taken care of....PAINTING!!

 Yes, painting.

Between yesterday and today we updated, printed and hung up our excel spreadsheets listing boat chores and house chores.  And since the weather tends toward indoor chores we chose to give each other an early Christmas gift....Checking off 2 things on that list!

Today I finished painting the kitchen ceiling and David painted the upstairs hallway.  Both needed major touch ups!  

In the spirit of renting the house out...We want the renters to know how much we care for our house, in hopes they will do the same.

Bonus to this trip is....all these house chores have been waiting to be completed for years.  And This trip is making it happen!  All the better for when we return. 

          Happy couple relaxing!

Do Chag

December 15, 2014

Do you have a "Do Chag"?  

Do Chag is the Tibetan word for 'Sticky Desire'.  

Our sailing trip is our Sticky Desire to create strong bonds within our family.   But there are other Do Chag references, especially with Christmas coming upon us....read on.

David found this article by Arthur Brooks that is one he was compelled to share.  It hit a chord within him, as it did with me.

If you take a minute to read the whole article you will find yourself shifted in thought (or validated in thought) about our Attachment to Things.  (But you must read on past the first few paragraphs....and click on the 'rest of the article'.)

It certainly touches on our Desire to create experiences within our family that transcends any material item we could ever purchase. 

For the rest of the Do Chag story about attachments, click here...

Check Engine Light

December 10, 2014

Hmmm.....the bump in the road, the ouch that hurts my wallet, the moment you realize you bought a used Lemon.  This past week the Check engine light went on in our 'new to Me' used 2005 VW Passat Wagon 1.8 turbo silver bullet with 143,000 miles on it.

I went a few days with the light on for I found out it could be the gas cap was not secured tightly enough.  Good conclusion since I had just filled it up with gas the day before the 'check engine light' appeared.    I mean, the car ran no different from the moment I drove it off the used car lot to when the light went off.....so gas cap is what I went with.  

But after a few days - the light stayed on.   Hmmm.....I brought it then to Auto Zone, for they can diagnose your car engine light for FREE.  Yes a FREE service and they were so amazingly pleasant.
The code came up P0304.  Sounds like an ok series of digits.  This means Cylinder 4 is not firing correctly.   Ok, what do I do with that bit of info.   I know how to change spark plugs and wires (yep, I can do that ladies!!!  My dad and a car guy I dated in college taught me a lot!  Who wants to be a damsel in distress on the side of the road waiting for someone to save her........not me.  My dad also taught me how to drive stick shift just so I could get out of any situation I needed to in an emergency!  Thanks Dad)

Ok... I digress, back to the car.  The next day I pulled the front end into the garage and open the hood. I see 1.8 Turbo staring me in the face....and I see a place for spark plugs but not really any wiring I would be familiar with.  I know it's been awhile since college and being hands on with a car engine - but have things under the hood changed that much??  I turned away and tucked my pride back in, took a deep breath and called the local VW dealership asking if they could check out the car.  We drove it up there first thing and they came back with the same diagnostic of the cylinder.

Then I ask how much..........one grand.  Does not look so bad when you type it out in letters but when you type it out with digits....$1,000.00 .....OUCH.  Especially when you are trying so hard to save for an amazing sailing experience with your family in Less than a years time!  This money could go towards the homeschooling books for the boys, toward the monthly satellite connection bill, toward food, toward the water maker, toward anything that means connecting with my family and NOT A USED CAR!

OK, deep breath, money is money.  Keep my heart open and realize this is a bump in the road, an obstacle we must jump over, a rise we must climb to see the beautiful landscape.  

And to remember look beyond the obstacle when your Dream is Bigger than the resistance!  

Namaste!

End note:  We had the shop fix the leaking gaskets, spark plugs and coils (there weren't any wires, so I am not crazy!!)  and we picked it up tonight.  I have to say, it does run smoother and it is so nice to drive without the Check Engine Light on!!  

Planning....

 November 30, 2014

Planning a trip like this is no small feat.  Besides all the land responsibilities, house rental preparation and provisioning; there is also the plan for on the water.

The plan to get down the US coast.
The plan for the Passage from US to the Caribbean.
The Plan while down in the Caribbean.
The Plan for the Bahama island jumping when working our way back to the US.
The Plan for coming up the US coast.
The Plan when we return to the Rhode Island area.

Geez, all these could be chapters in and of themselves!  And to say this is daunting is an understatement!  Except that we have an amazing resource in the Conway family! These are our dear friends who just 2 years ago did this trip (and then some).

With unending support, stories and good advice Chris and Erica - this Thanksgiving holiday - opened their homes and hearts to host us and gave us detailed, first hand knowledge of the islands we are going to see.

With solid information, great stories and fare warnings we left them with an excitement that renewed our spirits and created a vision of what this trip beholds.

• Not just trying to see as many islands as we can, but to connect with the cultures, the people and nature.   
• To follow the weather and decide how long we will stay someplace based on how we are feeling about being there. 
• To expand our connections with people and their way of life.
• To slow down and take care of the minute at hand. 
• And to give our children the opportunity to immerse their sensibilities to all these possibilities. 

I am energized and calmed by these thoughts!

Two Track Life

November 24th, 2014

I read a post last night from another cruising family.  And She wrote a very interesting blog about what she was feeling during the year prior to departing on her journey.  She called it the 'Place in between".  Read the excerpt...from Our Life with Ceol Mor

Any mom trying to be full on Super Mom knows that no matter how good a job you do, nobody gives you high fives. I know the girls are doing well so that is thanks enough but it does contribute to making this final countdown feel a bit tough at times.The kids are doing great and are engaged, busy and happy but I have this weird 'in flux ' feeling going on. I am not really connected with everything going on in suburbia because we are leaving. Its this really bizarre feeling of being here, but at the same time NOT being here. It is existing some place in between.

Its not a place of sadness. Nor is it a place of disappointment or anxiety. Its just this really strange place to be. In all of the writings I have read, I've never seen anyone discuss how weird it is to be neither here nor there in the last year. In one on one conversation, it seems that EVERYONE has this feeling. They just never talk about it. Not certain exactly why, but there it is.

So we are rolling into 2014. 2014, the year that we will no longer be living in the in between but will be actively cruising. I am looking forward to it more than I can say. Not just because we have been actively pursuing this for over 4 years now but because it will mean that I will be living a little more in the here and now. And that is the whole point of this adventure.

It was a neat read for me, for I too am feeling a sense of this.  This quasi presence to your current life realities and the ever growing list of things to do to prepare.  Feeling distant but being present.  

I have had discussions about it with friends and family and termed it in my mind as "Living a Two Track Life".

Two sets of thoughts, two sets of realities riding the curve of life.

The track on my left is our present livable moments, the track on the right are my mental future en-devour thoughts and check lists.
At some point the track of thoughts and ideas on your right need to jump over to the left track so as to carry out the mental check lists created on the right.   (In our case it is the implementation and planning of this trip.....OR it will never happen.)

At times, especially at night when I am trying to fall asleep, my mind has a very high pre-occupation rate....and I tend to stay up later than I intend.  (Thank goodness I am a night owl.  Hoot!)  It is at this time where the mental track jumping happens.  I am able to put aside the duties of the everyday and while the house is quiet....(except for some snoring) I am able to crossover some checklist tidbits to the left side 'action tracks' (or more fun - the "Get 'er Done" tracks.)

Living a Two Track Life varies from the life I have created for myself over the last few years....where I like feeling centered.   It seems my centered-ness nowadays - I have to work on harder ....and at moments - it is a coat I am not wearing well.  (My apologies to friends who have seen this coat!)

So I keep entering thoughts purposely rather than organically at the moment - just to keep my focus on the small tasks (the left track) - Kids, Family time, work, School, groceries, connections, house work, boat checklist etc... 

I look forward to all this hard work paying off in the greatest adventure our family of four may ever have!  And that day is fast approaching........I look forward to when the two track life becomes one again.  One that is much simpler...just because we worked so hard now.

Being Mindful of your environment

November 19, 2014

Found this wonderful affirming information in my inbox today and thought I would share.  Written.....by Bhava Ram

Being mindful of what environments you choose to be in and what you expose your consciousness to is essential for emotional balance and wellness. I invite you to explore six simple steps to improve your emotional wellness today.

• Turn Off the Tube: TV invades your consciousness and fries your mind. Click it off. Instead, read an inspiring book, listen to soft music, or choose a creative endeavor that you’ve been longing to try.
• Turn on Nature: Get out in nature more often. Her rhythms are soothing and healing. Try to catch some sunrises and sunsets. Go to a beach, a bay, a park, or take a gentle hike in the mountains. This is how you feed your mind nourishing, natural food.
• Avoid Crowd and Loud: Take a break from noisy, crowded environments. They only clutter and cloud your mind.
• Release Dramas: Try letting go of all the opinions, judgments, and dramas that swirl around in your mind. They don’t change much of anything, but they do stress you out.
• Find Stillness and Silence: Teach yourself to “just be.” Sit for five minutes every day and follow your breath. Notice how it makes you feel.
• Affirm Yourself: Tell yourself you are calm and relaxed again and again. Believe in your capacity to take charge of your emotional life, feed your mind nourishing thoughts, and heal.