...1.3.10...

i received a

new book

for Christmas.

1,001 Ways to live in the Moment

by barbara ann kipfer

here is a snippet

from the introduction...

we live in the now,

not in the past or future.

yet the moment is fleeting,

so living in the now means

acknowledging and accepting

the flow of time-

that the past is past

and the future is hypothetical.

that "now" is where we are grounded.

you cannot count for sure

on tomorrow coming.

today,

this moment,

is all you can rely on.

and this...

cultivate simplicity

take a page out of the Taoist tradition:

aim to live in simplicity (pu)

and non-action (wu wei)-

a state of simply being rather than

constantly doing and achieving.

living with respect for nature

is the best way to practice this:

observe weather patterns

and seasonal changes,

and valve the wisdom of trees,

the strength of the wind,

the majesty of mountains,

and the serenity of flowing water.

we definitely experience

the seasonal changes

here in northern michigan.

i don't think that

we can be totally

non-action.

because in order

to make our dreams come

true...

you need action.

but.

in the times when life is crazy

may you walk among the trees.

may you walk with the wind, not against it.

may you see your dreams

from the view atop the mountain...

not the valley.

may you feel the water flowing over you.

calming you.

cultivating simplicity.

welcome to coffee hour.

welcome to this Sunday morning.

just BE.

robin.

...things that have never been...

and now let us welcome the New Year

full of things that have never been.

~rainer maria rilke

january,

the month of new beginnings and cherished memories,

beckons.

Come, let winter weave

her wondrous spell:

cold, crisp, woolen muffler days,

long dark evenings of savory suppers,

lively conversation,
or solitary joys.outside the temperature drops

as the snow falls softly.

all of nature is at peace.

we should be, too.

draw hearthside.

this is the month to dream,

to look forward to the year ahead

and

the

journey

within.

~simple abundance: a daybook of comfort and joy

and so it begins.

the new year.

let the excitement

of new possibilities,

new dreams,
carry you through one day
at a time,
as to not be overwhelmed
by 2010 as a whole.
baby steps.
it can happen.

light + objects= shadows

it's here again

at HEY HARRIET

hello 2010.

just BE.

robin.

...another auld lang syne...

the world is round

and the place

which may seem like the end

may also be the beginning.

~ivy baker priest

life as a journey.

life as safari.

life as a pilgrimage.

life as a garden.

life as the highest art.

path finders. prospectors. pioneers. detectives. explorers. archaeologists.

pilgrims. poets. sojourners. gardeners. artist of the everyday.

women of Spirit.

women of substance. women with style.

women who have lived the questions.

women ready to embrace the answers.

women who look great in hats.

that's why we wear so many different ones.

seekers of the sacred in the ordinary.

real life.

the mystical in the madness.

the holy mysteries of the mundane.

seekers of love. passion. wholeness.

authenticity.

where are we headed?

we're headed home.

ithaka.

but before we arrive, there are vast worlds awaiting exploration.

worlds within. worlds without. earth. Heaven.

Heaven on earth.

sometimes the terrain is rocky and the slopes steep.

sometimes the jungle is thick and its interior very dark.

sometimes the water is deep and the waves extremely rough.

do you see now why we need some variety in our approaches?

how will we know when we get there?

you'll know.

it's that simple. real things are.

are we there yet?

not quite.

but it's taking too long.

often it seems that way.

chronologically we're at the end of the year but the beginning of the journey.

not to worry.

we'll have all the time we need in kairos to find ourselves.

~simple abundance: a daybook of comfort and joy.

~sarah ban breathnach

this is the song that i am feeling right at this moment.

good-bye 2009

welcome 2010.

just BE.

robin.

...12.27.09...

"as the season of Believing seems to wind down

for the rest of the world,

please let me gently make something very clear.

many dreams still wait in the wings.

many aspirations are just within our grasp

if we keep stretching.

many hungers need nourishment.

many yearnings must be acknowledged,

so that they can be fulfilled.

many authentic sparks must be fanned before

Passion performs her perfect work in you.

throw another log on the fire.

this is not the day you quit.

this is not the day you cry.

this is the day you stare down

every naysayer in your life who doesn't get it yet.

because you do.

finally.

and now you know that faith is the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen"...

..."so keep believing

that you have the passion,

intelligence,

brilliance,

creativity,

wisdom,

clarity,

depth,

and savvy to find that

quiet center of solace,

serenity, and strength necessary

to create and sustain an authentic life.

every day is the prayer.

an authentic life is the most personal

form of worship.

when you start believing,

you'll discover that all things

are

really

possible."

~simple abundance: a daybook of comfort and joy

~sarah ban breathnach

i think that we all

have that little voice in our head

telling us we can't do something...

we aren't good enough,

we aren't creative enough...

and on and on.

but

what if you keep saying to yourself...

i believe...

i believe...

i believe!!!

then maybe you will discover

that all things are possible.

welcome to coffee hour.

welcome to this Sunday morning.

just BE.

robin.

...today and everyday...

...may your blessings continue to flow...

light + objects = shadows

HEY HARRIET

has more.

just BE.

robin.

...Merry Christmas...

if,

as Herod,

we fill our lives with things,

and again with things.

if we consider ourselves so unimportant that we must

fill every moment of our lives with action,

when will we have the time to make the long,

slow journey across the desert as did the Magi?

or sit and watch the stars as did the shepard's?

or brood over the coming of the child as did Mary?

for each of us, there is a desert to travel.

a star to discover.

and a being within ourselves to bring to life.

~author unknown.

so this is my Christmas wish for us,

that behind the toys,

tinsel,

carols,

cards,

and convivial chaos,

there will come a moment

of quiet reflection

and peace.

that it may be truly said of each of us that we know

how to keep Christmas well.

Merry Christmas!

and God bless us,

God bless us every one!!

~simple abundance: a daybook of comfort and joy

just BE.

robin.

...happy holidays...

from our precious SOLES

to yours.

~~~~~Merry Christmas~~~~~

Happy Holidays!!!

...The Goodenow's...

presents wrapped.

tracking santa via the internet.

soon we will be making cookies

to set out for him later.
games laid out on the table.

dinner in the works.

build a fire in the fire place.

enjoy the evening with the family.

read the story of Jesus' birth.

in just the glow of the Christmas tree

with the crackling of the fire in the background.

prepare for slumber.

Silent Night, Holy Night.

All is calm, all is bright.

Love to all.

just BE.

robin.

...fun in the sun...

i am off this week...

so it was adventure day

with snow, sun and camera.

what better way to

spend

the

day.

and then i

came in

and

was

warmed by

a

Christmas card

from

my california angel

joanne.

thank you.

what a yummy day.

just BE.

robin.

...after glow...

matthew decorating the cupcakes...

i see he still has some on his fingers...

birthday memories...

priceless.

just BE.

robin.

...happy birthday to me...

Sagittarius seem to be guided by luck,

good things happen to Sagittarius and this is usually because of their optimistic outlook and positive disposition which attracts good fortune.

Despite hardships, Sagittarius is always optimistic that good things will happen tomorrow and the future carries good luck.

Sagittarius have a vibrant, expansive personality that is free like a bird,

Sagittarius cannot be contained.

They are full of curiosity and they always look forward to the future,

never dwelling on the past.

Sagittarius are detached from emotions because emotions hold a person back,

they do not like to talk about their feelings,

they simply experience them and move on.

Sagittarius can be reckless and irresponsible

because they will jump at a suggestion

of something new before they weigh

the advantages and disadvantages.

Sagittarius make excellent friends because of their encouraging, positive nature and their kind heart that will do anything to make sure the friend is happy. They do not expect favors in return, their kindness is selfless. They do not interfere with other people's plans and they are never possessive or jealous. They treat others the way they want to be treated and life life based on a 'live and let live' policy, this makes them so agreeable. Sagittarius are excellent conversationalists with a good sense of humor, sometimes their humor is the raw truth, but these people speak their mind and don't hold anything back. What they say is what they mean, Sagittarius do not like mind games, it holds them back trying to figure out what is meant, they like straightforwardness and expect it in return. Sagittarius are known for saying the 'painful truth', but on the other hand, people know that they can trust what they say because they always say what is real. A Sagittarius never hides anything. Sagittarius are very likeable people. The only people that might not get along with them are people that live by a daily agenda with a highly structured, organized life. They are likely to always be running late and miss a date, but this is only because they are so forward thinking that they forget about the present. Tolerance is required, Sagittarius does not do these things on purpose, this is just who they are. If you understand this and accept this, having a Sagittarius in your life will make the sun shine a lot brighter.

i spent the day

just BE'ing.

robin.