Booty, Beauty, Butterflies and Ugly Betty!

Yes, my alliteration is out of control this week. And I'm blissin' out on joy, which is not as easy as it sounds since I'm having a difficult week. Stomach and health issues, plus my dad just went into the hospital and may have cancer, and I can't seem to switch off the "monkey mind," as the Buddhists call it.

So last night I finally got around to watching the series finale of "Ugly Betty," and it was great. I will definitely miss this gem of a show. As the last scene faded, a song played that I had never heard before--and I instantly recognized the voice as that of Macy Gray. But the lyrics--at once funny and inspiring--stuck in my head. The song is "Beauty in the World," and it was the perfect ending for "Ugly Betty," and it's the perfect song for me to hear right now.

In the song, Macy sings about seeing the beauty of the world in spite of all the bad news, about noticing things like butterflies, for example. How fitting that the promos for the last season of "Ugly Betty" included butterflies, a symbol of transformation!

Just some excerpts of the lyrics:

All they talk about is
What is going down?
What’s been messed up, for us?
When I look around,
I see blue skies,
I see butterflies,
for us.

Listen to the sound and lose it,
Its sweet music,
and dance with me.
There is beauty in the world,
So much beauty in the world,
Always beauty in the world.

And you gotta love a song that contains this line:

Shake your booty, boys and girls,
for the beauty in the world!

Booty, Beauty, Butterflies and Ugly Betty!

Yes, my alliteration is out of control this week. And I'm blissin' out on joy, which is not as easy as it sounds since I'm having a difficult week. Stomach and health issues, plus my dad just went into the hospital and may have cancer, and I can't seem to switch off the "monkey mind," as the Buddhists call it.

So last night I finally got around to watching the series finale of "Ugly Betty," and it was great. I will definitely miss this gem of a show. As the last scene faded, a song played that I had never heard before--and I instantly recognized the voice as that of Macy Gray. But the lyrics--at once funny and inspiring--stuck in my head. The song is "Beauty in the World," and it was the perfect ending for "Ugly Betty," and it's the perfect song for me to hear right now.

In the song, Macy sings about seeing the beauty of the world in spite of all the bad news, about noticing things like butterflies, for example. How fitting that the promos for the last season of "Ugly Betty" included butterflies, a symbol of transformation!

Just some excerpts of the lyrics:

All they talk about is
What is going down?
What’s been messed up, for us?
When I look around,
I see blue skies,
I see butterflies,
for us.

Listen to the sound and lose it,
Its sweet music,
and dance with me.
There is beauty in the world,
So much beauty in the world,
Always beauty in the world.

And you gotta love a song that contains this line:

Shake your booty, boys and girls,
for the beauty in the world!

Pneumonia, Taxes, Art, Home Repair--and Aliens--All in About a Week!

Wow, has it already been a week since I last posted?! It's a blur, really. Somehow in the last week (or so), I've managed to complete my taxes, take in a new local art exhibition, sand the walls of the bathrooms in my house in preparation for painting, see "District 9" (surprising!)--and recover from what my doctor says was the beginnings of pneumonia!

I'm tired! So today, with the weather irresistibly beautiful in that teasing way of an approaching spring, I blew off the afternoon and had a cocktail with a friend, sitting outdoors at a local hotel. VERY fancy, thank you.

Don't forget to grab life while you can!

Pneumonia, Taxes, Art, Home Repair--and Aliens--All in About a Week!

Wow, has it already been a week since I last posted?! It's a blur, really. Somehow in the last week (or so), I've managed to complete my taxes, take in a new local art exhibition, sand the walls of the bathrooms in my house in preparation for painting, see "District 9" (surprising!)--and recover from what my doctor says was the beginnings of pneumonia!

I'm tired! So today, with the weather irresistibly beautiful in that teasing way of an approaching spring, I blew off the afternoon and had a cocktail with a friend, sitting outdoors at a local hotel. VERY fancy, thank you.

Don't forget to grab life while you can!

Reiki, Prayer, Energy Work: Just Whistling in the Wind?

Been sick the last several days, coughing til my head hurts, blowing my nose raw and so on. No fever, fortunately--so I think I'll live. But this little physical ailment has got me thinking again, which we all know is dangerous.

Several of my friends have said they would send "healing energy" my way (some are Reiki practitioners), or that they would pray for me, or hold me in "the light" or even break out the crystal bowls and tone for my recovery. It's great to have friends--but does any of this shit work? I mean, it's been almost a week and I'm still sick!

Now, this could indicate any number of things. One, I'm impatient. Two, my symptoms would've been much, much worse without all that healing energy. Or three, no, none of that crap works but it makes us puny humans feel like we can make a difference when the big, bad world unleashes itself on us.

Truth is, you can't tell. No way, no how. Maybe things like prayer help, but there isn't any way to know. You gotta take it on faith. And maybe, faith in and of itself, makes a difference and can actually contribute toward you simply feeling better, which is certainly part of any recovery process. There are even people researching the effects of these methods.

But call me skeptical. It was this sort of thing that caused me to wave bye-bye to Christianity about 6 years ago. I had prayed for all kinds of things but realized I could never say for sure if anyone was listening or acting on my behalf. And really, this is the same thing. So yes, you gotta have faith. But having faith still doesn't make something true. Because if faith alone is enough--then WHY hasn't this guy below knocked on my door yet??

Reiki, Prayer, Energy Work: Just Whistling in the Wind?

Been sick the last several days, coughing til my head hurts, blowing my nose raw and so on. No fever, fortunately--so I think I'll live. But this little physical ailment has got me thinking again, which we all know is dangerous.

Several of my friends have said they would send "healing energy" my way (some are Reiki practitioners), or that they would pray for me, or hold me in "the light" or even break out the crystal bowls and tone for my recovery. It's great to have friends--but does any of this shit work? I mean, it's been almost a week and I'm still sick!

Now, this could indicate any number of things. One, I'm impatient. Two, my symptoms would've been much, much worse without all that healing energy. Or three, no, none of that crap works but it makes us puny humans feel like we can make a difference when the big, bad world unleashes itself on us.

Truth is, you can't tell. No way, no how. Maybe things like prayer help, but there isn't any way to know. You gotta take it on faith. And maybe, faith in and of itself, makes a difference and can actually contribute toward you simply feeling better, which is certainly part of any recovery process. There are even people researching the effects of these methods.

But call me skeptical. It was this sort of thing that caused me to wave bye-bye to Christianity about 6 years ago. I had prayed for all kinds of things but realized I could never say for sure if anyone was listening or acting on my behalf. And really, this is the same thing. So yes, you gotta have faith. But having faith still doesn't make something true. Because if faith alone is enough--then WHY hasn't this guy below knocked on my door yet??

Riverwolf Is Sick

Guess I caught it from my partner--basically a sore throat, some coughing, aches and pains, and general malaise. Crap--and on Memorial Day weekend! I had plans to do some volunteer work today, but that got scrapped. Also wanted to wrap up some yard work. Oh well, it is what it is. I'm taking some medicine, doing some "healing" meditation and a few other esoteric thingies to help get my system back in balance. Send some good energy my way!

Riverwolf Is Sick

Guess I caught it from my partner--basically a sore throat, some coughing, aches and pains, and general malaise. Crap--and on Memorial Day weekend! I had plans to do some volunteer work today, but that got scrapped. Also wanted to wrap up some yard work. Oh well, it is what it is. I'm taking some medicine, doing some "healing" meditation and a few other esoteric thingies to help get my system back in balance. Send some good energy my way!

Last Night's Dream: I Caused the Lindsay/Samantha Break-Up!

I'm sure I have more important things to worry about, like the crisis in Gaza, but apparently, my subconscious has other plans.

So last night, I had this crazy dream about how I was dating Lindsay Lohan and hiding drugs for her girlfriend Sam. I kid you not (does Sam do drugs? I have no idea. It was a dream, people!) Normally, you don't put much stock in the power of dreams, right? And then I see this news!

Whoa, I never intended to break them up! Because in my dream, even though I was dating Lindsay, I knew she was still with Samantha, and Samantha was cool with Linds and I being together. Polyamory is very trendy these days.

I guess after that beach picnic the 3 of us had, everything went sour. I should've known something was up. Lindsay acted like she was cool with all, but no. I had bought a gift for Sam but not for her! Lindsay is such the attention whore.

Anyways, she played it off. But then at the Chick-Fil-A, I realized I was still holding onto the crack that Samantha had bought for herself (does she not have pockets?). I had to keep this from Lindsay because--I guess she would want the crack for herself? As we walked out the door, I tried to slip the crack to Sam but dropped it on the floor.

Then there was some dream interlude about comic books and my mother--and then I'm outside driving away with Lindsay while Sam is on her knees in Chick-Fil-A still searching the floor for the crack!

See--their break-up is all my fault! Or maybe it was the cough medicine I had.....

Last Night's Dream: I Caused the Lindsay/Samantha Break-Up!

I'm sure I have more important things to worry about, like the crisis in Gaza, but apparently, my subconscious has other plans.

So last night, I had this crazy dream about how I was dating Lindsay Lohan and hiding drugs for her girlfriend Sam. I kid you not (does Sam do drugs? I have no idea. It was a dream, people!) Normally, you don't put much stock in the power of dreams, right? And then I see this news!

Whoa, I never intended to break them up! Because in my dream, even though I was dating Lindsay, I knew she was still with Samantha, and Samantha was cool with Linds and I being together. Polyamory is very trendy these days.

I guess after that beach picnic the 3 of us had, everything went sour. I should've known something was up. Lindsay acted like she was cool with all, but no. I had bought a gift for Sam but not for her! Lindsay is such the attention whore.

Anyways, she played it off. But then at the Chick-Fil-A, I realized I was still holding onto the crack that Samantha had bought for herself (does she not have pockets?). I had to keep this from Lindsay because--I guess she would want the crack for herself? As we walked out the door, I tried to slip the crack to Sam but dropped it on the floor.

Then there was some dream interlude about comic books and my mother--and then I'm outside driving away with Lindsay while Sam is on her knees in Chick-Fil-A still searching the floor for the crack!

See--their break-up is all my fault! Or maybe it was the cough medicine I had.....

Riverwolf Is Sick

If you've posted or emailed me in the last couple of days but haven't received a response, I apologize. Seems Santa brought me a cold for Christmas! This bug has been going around my office job, and I think that's where I picked it up. It's pretty rough--I haven't even felt like blogging til today!

Be well and I'll be back in the saddle soon!

Riverwolf Is Sick

If you've posted or emailed me in the last couple of days but haven't received a response, I apologize. Seems Santa brought me a cold for Christmas! This bug has been going around my office job, and I think that's where I picked it up. It's pretty rough--I haven't even felt like blogging til today!

Be well and I'll be back in the saddle soon!

The Winter of Our Collective Discontent?

Do you ever find yourself anticipating big trends or find yourself caught up in an emotional current that feels much larger than puny little you? I often have but never gave much thought as to why. But given my new spiritual direction, I'm paying more attention to these kinds of things, to what might be called instinct or even premonitions (although that sounds crazy, right?).

Here are some pics I took last Friday on a walk through the Grove. I walked farther and deeper than ever. My first impression was of how quickly the brilliant fall colors had faded to a monochromatic brownish gray. Sometimes it was difficult to even see the footpaths. The leaf-covered ground seemed to blend with the tree trunks, bare branches and woodsy thickets.

As I walked, melancholy descended and enveloped me, which is usually just the opposite of what happens when I'm out in nature. Typically, any melancholy disappears. But not this time.

Later that day and weekend, my mood deepened and intensified. Rather than try and shake the mood, I began paying more attention. What bubbled up was "suffering." I began to see it everywhere: in the news out of Haiti, India, Thailand and elsewhere; in reports about local charities unable to help the needy; in emails I received from friends asking for prayers and support for their friends, family and neighbors; in the death of a friend's favorite aunt from ALS; in the permanent changes I see in my partner because of his stoke; in another friend's terminal brain cancer; in the financial struggles of my cousin, my sister and brother; in the ongoing job losses in this country.

On and on it goes. And while these kinds of things happen all the time, it does seem particularly concentrated at the moment. There's physical suffering, lots of unexpected fear and insecurity, and great spiritual hunger. I don't know if any of you are experiencing these same emotions, but it's really sapping my own strength. Is it just good ol' "seasonal affective disorder?"

Some say that shamans are sensitive to such collective currents, and I think our country is obviously entering a new phase of sorts. Now, I hesitate to claim to "know" anything or to overstate my shamanic experiences or knowledge. But something's going on. I could feel it a few weeks back with Obama's election, and I think many others did, too. I felt it again with the rising anger and frustration in the LGBT community over Prop 8's passage in California. And I felt it this past weekend on my walk.

Just wanted to share this. I need to meditate on it and perhaps conduct a shamanic journey to see what I might learn from these emotions, this experience. In the meantime, I wish each and every one of you peace, contentment and strength.

The Winter of Our Collective Discontent?

Do you ever find yourself anticipating big trends or find yourself caught up in an emotional current that feels much larger than puny little you? I often have but never gave much thought as to why. But given my new spiritual direction, I'm paying more attention to these kinds of things, to what might be called instinct or even premonitions (although that sounds crazy, right?).

Here are some pics I took last Friday on a walk through the Grove. I walked farther and deeper than ever. My first impression was of how quickly the brilliant fall colors had faded to a monochromatic brownish gray. Sometimes it was difficult to even see the footpaths. The leaf-covered ground seemed to blend with the tree trunks, bare branches and woodsy thickets.

As I walked, melancholy descended and enveloped me, which is usually just the opposite of what happens when I'm out in nature. Typically, any melancholy disappears. But not this time.

Later that day and weekend, my mood deepened and intensified. Rather than try and shake the mood, I began paying more attention. What bubbled up was "suffering." I began to see it everywhere: in the news out of Haiti, India, Thailand and elsewhere; in reports about local charities unable to help the needy; in emails I received from friends asking for prayers and support for their friends, family and neighbors; in the death of a friend's favorite aunt from ALS; in the permanent changes I see in my partner because of his stoke; in another friend's terminal brain cancer; in the financial struggles of my cousin, my sister and brother; in the ongoing job losses in this country.

On and on it goes. And while these kinds of things happen all the time, it does seem particularly concentrated at the moment. There's physical suffering, lots of unexpected fear and insecurity, and great spiritual hunger. I don't know if any of you are experiencing these same emotions, but it's really sapping my own strength. Is it just good ol' "seasonal affective disorder?"

Some say that shamans are sensitive to such collective currents, and I think our country is obviously entering a new phase of sorts. Now, I hesitate to claim to "know" anything or to overstate my shamanic experiences or knowledge. But something's going on. I could feel it a few weeks back with Obama's election, and I think many others did, too. I felt it again with the rising anger and frustration in the LGBT community over Prop 8's passage in California. And I felt it this past weekend on my walk.

Just wanted to share this. I need to meditate on it and perhaps conduct a shamanic journey to see what I might learn from these emotions, this experience. In the meantime, I wish each and every one of you peace, contentment and strength.