"Warming up to Winter " Post Cuba Haze

Well old man winter is still here ! It was so lovely to get away and spend a week relaxing and being taken care off. It is soo hard to come back in the dead of winter and deal with the cold ! I love winter but I also love the beach so to have the two collide kind of threw me off.

We had a blast with Danielle and Roy, great travelling buddies. The Melia Las Dunas Resort was amazing. Our highlight was the Cataraman trip and the time with the dolphins. I almost cried so much energy and personality. Thankfully they were in a natural bay and were rescued dolphins. I was so honored to have had the brief time with these amazing creatures.

Great to spend a week unplugged and quality time with Blaise. We are so go go go all the time that this week was just what we needed to reconnect and recharge.

I am so grateful that we took this trip and now I must get back into the "real world "

Karen

Leaving on a Jet Plane today

What a great winter day to be leaving on a jet plane to tropical Cuba ! We decided on Cuba a week ago and booked the trip in a very stormy day. Today it is snowy just a bit with wind gusts and temperature - 10.

Looking forward to a week of RELAX with Blaise and fun with Danielle and Roy.

Santa Maria Cuba is our destination.

ALOHA !

Karen

Saints Bowing in the Mountains

Do you know how beautiful you are?

I think not, my dear.

For as you talk of God,

I see great parades with wildly colorful bands

Streaming from your mind and heart,

Carrying wonderful and secret messages

To every corner of this world.

I see saints bowing in the mountains

Hundreds of miles away

To the wonder of sounds

That break into light

From your most common words.

Speak to me of your mother,

Your cousins and your friends.

Tell me of squirrels and birds you know.

Awaken your legion of nightingales—

Let them soar wild and free in the sky.

And begin to sing to God.

Let’s all begin to sing to God!

Do you know how beautiful you are?

I think not, my dear,

Yet Hafiz

Could set you upon a Stage

And worship you forever!

--Hafiz


This poem was presented at the end of Day 15 Chopra Center 21 Day Mediation Challenge. What a wonderful message for today's world.

I would highly recommend checking out the Chopra Center website and the resources online, beautiful inspiring resources to help us all be who we are meant to be " Divine Children of God " . I am finding that I am NOT having a difficult time reconciling my Catholic beliefs and the works and words and messages from Deepak Chopra. In fact I think this process of learning more about the Chopra Center and its work and starting a meditation practice has actually brough be closer to my Catholic faith. After all isn't the message of Jesus, of love, going with in to find your peace and to give back to the world.

Nameste

Karen

Date Night

Blaise and I had a good old fashion date night Friday night. It was our first time together skating on the Halifax Oval. It was a cold clear night but was great for skating. It was so much fun and it was packed. Lots of mixture of ages and skating abilitites. I have always loved to skate but only get skating about once or twice a year. It does not take me long to get my " skates" underneath me and skate like the wind. I like the freedom and sense of floating that skating provides. Blaise of course is on the ice a couple of times a week, with officiating roles. I think I cramped his skating style but we had lots of laps and had a great time.

Such a great thing to see folks out enjoying winter in Halifax.

Cheers
Karen

One Year Down

One year ago today we were officially "approved" to be adoptive parents. Blaise sent me a plant at work with a note " WE DID IT : Ruggrats on the way ". Dont' I look like I am going to jump out of my skin. I hear social workers talk oh you have not been waiting that long, hello, I think a year is a long time. However ! We will wait as long as it takes because I know our family will be the family we are meant to have at the right time in the big plan of things.

So we wait and enjoy our life and live our life and continue to grow and celebrate each day we are given.

Que sera sera , What will be will be

Nameste

Karen

Letting Go of Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?'

Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of the universe; your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so other people won't feel insecure around you. We are born to make manifest the glory of all that's within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone.

And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others"
— Marianne Williamson (A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles")

Wow I have always loved this quote. One day I have to commit to doing the Course in Miracles. I have signed up to receive newsletters from Marianne Williamson and this quote was on the latest newsletter. Just what I needed to be reminded of today.

I have been struggling over the weekend because I received wonderful news about a friend of mine who has been waiting for and infant adoption for 8 years. Today they picked up their baby boy. I am so thrilled for them but have mixed feelings because I am fearful that Blaise and I will not get to experience that joyful call and rush to prepare for a child to enter our family.

However received a very special blessing this morning in my meditation. While I was meditating and deep breathing I had a sense of peace and presence and a knowing that I had to let go of my sadness, let go, let go and live joyfully and " I am with you " voice calmed me and supported me. Goose bump and joyful tears time. OK GOD you are shouting at me again ! I am also very moved by music and often a church song will get stuck in my head after a mediation. This morning( in the shower) I started to sing " Only a shadow ". "The love I have for you is only a shadow of my love for you,only a shadow of my love for you ,my deep abiding love " Yep another goose bump moment.

So no looking back only forward one moment and one day at a time. Our joyful day will come.


Nameste
Karen

Winter Walk : Good for the Soul

I can't believe it is the end of January already ! WOW, Hmm how am I doing being calm and focused ? Well lately not that great. I am really restless, and very emotional lately. I really have to go back to my Chopra Center book and review what I need to do to bring balance to my " Pitta Vatta" life.

I have decided that we have to get our " house" in order. Literally lots of house projects and mind body spirit preparation and organization. Blaise and I are so easy going that we " kind" of have a plan but hey just like Piper if something fun comes along Oh yeah we are in !

I just needed some time in the woods with my honey and my doggy today. It did me a world of good. Unfortuately the sun was gone when we got out but it was a great walk at Long Lake ( on the lake). Jasper joined us as well so Piper and Jasper who have not had a run together in a long time had a great walk.

Thanks Blaise for our walk this afternoon. I feel much more balanced

Here are a few pictures.