yahoooooo!

mirror, mirror

"fall in love or fall in hate.
get inspired or get depressed.
ace a test or flunk a class.
make babies or make art.
speak the truth or lie and cheat.
dance on tables or sit in the corner.
life is divine chaos.
embrace it.
forgive yourself.
breathe.
enjoy the ride."
-solbeam

a big hopeful smile with my cup of tea

a couple of days ago, sitting so happily in a little coffee shop in boise with a wonderful friend, the realities of life hit me-- my meter was about to run out and in that moment nothing was more important that adding an extra quarter. a quarter that meant fifteen more minutes of bliss and comfort and familiarity sitting across the table from me, warm belly, sweet treat in front of me- the best. i ran outside, shiny coin in tow, only to find a nice guy pushing the 'extra 20 minutes' button on my meter for me. walking his bike up the sidewalk (right pant leg rolled up, messenger bag-- yummy!) he had noticed that my meter was out and the meter-reader was on her way to write my ticket. all i could do was thank him. jaw to pavement, eyes nearly teary- thank him for being a good human being. and all he had to say in return was, 'but be careful when you push this button, if the reader sees you they give the car an even bigger ticket.'

this wasn't an extraordinary act, no lives were saved; it was a little thing.
but in this deed i remember how important the little things are.
it's the little things that inspire BIG things.
and it's the big things that change lives.

my hope is renewed :) the people of this world... they are good, if we only give them the chance.

a year in review

just over a year ago i was on a plane flying to copake, ny with no idea what the following 365 days would hold in store for me. only a few weeks prior to flying, i was applying for the americorps and deciding that my next year would be dedicated to camphill village.

new york was my answer to a life that was turning upside-down. i craved change and culture and an inspired life. at the beginning of 2008 i was searching with all of my might to find hope in a world that so often feels lost. with every step of my feet i was looking for love, and creation, and appreciation.

arriving in camphill proved numerous expectations wrong, shocked my heart and soul and body, shoved new theories and practices into every unsaturated piece of me. and like a sponge i soaked up every bit of new in my life. i relished each experience and learned so so much. maybe more than ever before.

2008 was a year of change and as it ends i'm looking contentedly back on each little moment that somehow amounted to a year. with 2009 about to take off i resolve to wake every morning and be inspired, to live creatively and honestly, to share all that i am, and to open myself to all that the world has to teach me.