kind over matter

Friday's Lovelies : 1.27.12

2012-01-27T10:00:00.008-05:00

I gots ze SMASH JOURNAL FEVER! It arrived yesterday & I spent some time with it (above) & I think we're gonna be BFFs. Thank you Liz for sharing your process & inspiring so many of us. Your story resonated deeply -- I've also started the Jen Lee way of journaling, so much freedom in that, love it. Pssst... Liz even started a journaling flickr group : Notes for the Journey & an instagram tag, LOVE - Eeeeee!

Speaking of Instagram (it's a sweet & free iPhone app for all you non-iPhoners) - have you heard of StickyGram? I purchased a set, it's not going to be my last, nope. These would make such sweet gifts! AND until the end of January, when you make 2 sheets of StickyGrams, they’ll give you an extra sheet of 9 magnets for just $1!

Your journey is our journey : Such goodness, truth & beauty from Dyamond, yum.

Free : The Nourishing Wisdom Workbook : Simple practices, principles & recipes to transform unhealthy patterns, spark your self-care creativity & restore your inherent radiance.

Do you stomp around on the west coast? Craftcation is a three-day indie business & DIY conference featuring lectures and DIY workshops with leading industry professionals on art, craft and food-centered small business in Ventura, Ca March 22-25 2012. -- Oh! If I wasn't on the other side of the country I'd soooo be there, looks fab!

Are you a nurse, know someone that is a nurse? Check out Nursetopia! Her post about KOM made my heart DANCE. Thank you Joni, for all do you in this world. Your co-workers are so lucky to work with you!

Geometric Garlands?! Swoooooon!

I've been hearing a lot about Birchbox, a company that sends 4-5 deluxe beauty product samples out to you every month in a sweet package for $10/m. Found this fab list of sites similar to Birchbox here.

The Yes & Yes calendar looks so awesome (on sale right now too!) : 12 months of sweet ideas, great quotes, weird-but-real holidays. When you finish a month, flip it over & use the templates on the back to make postcards, gift tags, book marks, greeting cards.

Best Of Alt :: CREATIVE BIZ CARDS - oh man. I love a good biz card, these are so fun.

My Valentine's Day Roundup from last year!

Have a sweet weekend!
Love you,

Sponsor Love : cozyblue

2012-01-27T09:00:00.001-05:00

cozyblue
~ simple . crafty . handmade . goodness ~

hi! my name is liz, and i am a super crafty wife and mother of two amazing kids.

my shop is called cozyblue, and i think you'll like what you find there -- customized prints and pillows, wall art, needlework patterns, journals, photos -- all of them handmade with care.

my designs and products are simple, sweet, and fun.

inspired by family, nature, and other joyful moments, they make fantastic gifts for you and yours.

but they are also more than that -- they are about creating and celebrating connections.

behind each design is the love and creative energy that inspired it. my hope is that some of that love shines through in each product that i make and send out into the world.

connect:
:: shop :: facebook :: blog :: flickr ::

When things are shaky & nothing is working

2012-01-27T07:00:00.001-05:00

print by nettie71 on etsy

When things are shaky and nothing is working, we might realize that we are on the verge of something. We might realize that this is a very vulnerable and tender place, and that tenderness can go either way. We can shut down and feel resentful or we can touch in on that throbbing quality.

—
Pema Chödrön

peace is every step

2012-01-26T07:00:00.008-05:00

print by MaryMataPhotography on etsy

Peace is every step.
The shining red sun is my heart.
Each flower smiles with me.
How green, how fresh all that grows.
How cool the wind blows.
Peace is every step.
It turns the endless path to joy.

—
Thich Nhat Hanh

Loving The Inner Critic

2012-01-25T10:45:00.010-05:00

Post by Jo Anna Rothman.

print by violetbellaphoto on etsy

Loving The Inner Critic

The Inner Critic can be loud. Powerful. In your face with it’s demands and constraints. It can whisper in your ear with a low purr. Telling you to stop and slow when every other pore of your being is urging you on. It can be mean. Nasty. And sometimes downright cruel in it’s relentless quest to get you to listen.

I used to think that my job was to fight it. Argue back and win. Dominate with love and kindness...with perseverance. But then something, some part of me, had to lose and I didn’t like that either. It didn’t really feel good when I could finally beat the Inner Critic back into her cave for a minute or two. I was aware of a sadness and fear that would emanate from that part of my being. Just because she was kind of a bitch, didn’t mean that I wanted to be one too.

Not to mention, the fighting did not work. With every tug of war that went on inside of me, my Inner Critic got stronger. The war provided the perfect place for her to sharpen her claws. My determination to move forward in spite of her only made her that much more determined. Stuckness would show up again and again. I would get so far and then she would get the better of me. I would stop. The Inner Critic’s mission would be accomplished and I would head back to square one.

Our Inner Critics do not criticize for the fun of it. They have a purpose. And one that is sacred and dear...one that was so needed at a point in our lives. One that doesn’t need to be carried out in the same way any longer. The Inner Critic is a fearless and fierce protector. It will go to the ends of the earth to keep us safe...safe from change, from disappointment, from our world spinning out of control as we grow into the essence of our being. This part of ourselves desperately does not want us to get hurt as we move forward in whatever adventure we are embarking on. It will pull out every dirty trick it knows if it thinks that it will stop us from greater pain. Does it realize how much they hurt us as they try to tighten the reigns? I don’t know. But I do know that the need to keep us all safe and sound trumps rational thought.

The antidote to the internal war is love. Love your Inner Critic. Just as it is. Just as it fights. See it as the little, scared child it truly is. And love it. Just as you might a tantruming toddler. Appreciate it’s position but don’t give into it. Whisper back that you are grateful for its years of service. That you have no demands on it. No need for it to do anything. That you are simply loving this part of you that is in pain. That is in pain. That is feeling disconnected from the great wonderful whole.

It may be hard to love that prickly part of you at first. But remember, it is a part of you. And all of you deserves to know that they are worthy of love exactly as they are. By fighting our Inner Critic, we only manage to reinforce that it is separate from the wellspring of love inside of use. When we love that aspect of ourselves, we bring it closer to the fold. Closer to the love. And close to the truth that we are wonderful just as we are.

Do I still have an Inner Critic? Yes. She rears up in different areas of my life. She tries to control and keep me still. But since I committed to loving her, she is so much more malleable. So much more willing to be loved. She is able to be swayed. To understand. And to let me go about my work without having to cut through a tangle of anger and fear. My Inner Critic has no interest in destroying me. She lets her fear be known and allows me to love her just as she is. Then I get to love myself just as I am.

Jo Anna Rothman, MA is an intuitive coach and facilitator of The Receiving Project. She revels in assisting people in falling in love with their lives. She is committed to living a life full of pleasure, purpose and enthusiasm. And perhaps most important, she knows the secret to the perfect s’more.

To read more of Jo Anna's guest posts on Kind Over Matter click here!

Sponsor Love : Smaller Box : Scoring Publicity For Your Small Business

2012-01-25T09:29:00.004-05:00

Scoring Publicity For Your Small Business

Do you dream of seeing your products in magazines, blogs and even TV and movies?

Your products would be a huge hit with people, if only they knew about them. Advertising is expensive and it's hard to get noticed in the sea of competition. Scoring mentions from the media is a low-cost and effective way to get your products seen by the public.

How do I know this? I've had my own products featured in dozens of high profile outlets! My partner and I run a successful clothing label and much of our growth has been a result of publicity we've achieved. Our products have been seen in magazines, featured on high traffic websites and worn on popular network TV shows!

Now you can pitch your products the same way we do it! I've put together the ultimate how-to for DIY publicity. I'm sharing all the tips and tricks my partner and I used to land media placements. I'll teach you how to:

* Create a media list
* Craft the perfect pitch
* Build relationships with the media
* Design a press page
* Pitch your products to celebrities, TV shows and movies

Want to learn more about this offer? Pop on over to my website for details!

If you listen

2012-01-25T07:00:00.002-05:00

print by inessphotography on etsy

If you listen,
Not to the pages or preachers
But to the smallest flower
Growing from a crack
In your heart,
You will hear a great song
Moving across a wide ocean
Whose water is the music
Connecting all the islands
Of the universe together,
And touching all
You will feel it
Touching you
Around you
Embracing you
With light.

—
John Squadra

Freebie : 8 Dreamalicious Cards for Valentine's Day (or any occasion!)

2012-01-24T11:00:00.105-05:00

8 Dreamalicious Greeting Cards (5.5" x 4.25")
8 PDFs in a .zip file

Matching Envelope
PDF

Hi there beautiful you(s)! I whipped up 8 cards that you can print & give if you wish! Daniel posted this beautiful photo of a Dreamcatcher on Facebook this weekend & it inspired me. I had been thinking about putting together a set of Valentine's Cards but I was having trouble dreaming up (pun! ow!) something sweet until I saw his photo & it carried me back to my childhood. Being of Native American descent, they were here & there - plus, the feather is my strength symbol - it's why I used it here as KOM's crest - it all just seemed so perfect. Thank you Daniel!

There is a set for lovers & a set for friends/family/co-workers/ - 3 beautiful gals helped me with the phrases for the friendship set when I put a call out on Facebook yesterday! Thank you so much Christine, Tracey & Meredith - your help was vital & greatly appreciated!

Enjoy loves!

xoxoxo,

P.S. If you're looking for (anti)Valentines, you can hop on over to my etsy shop (that I only seem to open every year at this time!) Beware: the F-bomb is used. I grew up in a family with a crude sense of humor, I'm a little rough around the edges, this is just one side of my personality... that I happen to adore. ;) xoxo

Sponsor Love : Awakening Sacred Flow with Marjory Mejia

2012-01-24T09:20:00.019-05:00

Space Revolution Sessions
with Marjory Mejia

I am interested in revealing your radiance. My Space Revolution Sessions are one-on-one virtual sessions designed to turn your space into a sanctuary of connection, expression and renewal. Express your essence, one space at a time: at home, in your office, and in your community.

My name is Marjory Mejia, I am a designer, poetic writer and healing artist dedicated to Awakening Sacred Flow! I blend my knowledge of architecture, interior, landscape and urban design with shamanic wisdom & ancient feng shui principles that honor the earth and help creatives like you connect to self, spirit and space.

Here is some praise for my work:

Marjory has a sense of style that blends simplicity and elegance in all that she does. I’ve watched her transform spaces and people by contacting the spirit within and moving energy and objects in a way that releases emotions and stirs creativity. A consultation with Marjory is sure to reveal hidden blessings and to produce long-lasting results.
~ Luisah Teish, Priestess & Author of Jambalaya

Learn more about spatial healing, shamanic artistry & the connection between self, spirit & space at MarjoryMejia.com. You can read about my artistic philosophy in my gallery and visit my writings page for a weekly dose of inspiration. Nourish & revitalize your soul with this beautiful gift when you subscribe to my list: The Poetics of the Bathroom as Sacred Space essay + worksheet. Let your home become a symbol of love!

Connect:
Website / Facebook / Twitter : @sacredflow
E-mail: marjory@marjorymejia.com

Many of us knock on the door but remain outside

2012-01-24T07:00:00.006-05:00

print by Augenblickphoto on etsy

Many of us knock on the door but remain outside, because knocking and entering are entirely different actions. Knocking is necessary, consisting of reading books, attending meetings, asking questions. But entrance requires much bolder action. It requires one to enter into himself, to uncover hidden motives, to see contradictions, and to realize his actual power for self-change.

—
Vernon Howard

A Lesson in Kindness 22 Years in the Making with Jenna McGuiggan

2012-01-23T09:29:00.022-05:00

Guest Post by Jenna McGuiggan for the Kind Kindred series.

A Lesson in Kindness 22 Years in the Making

It takes me a few minutes to understand that the screeching, crunching sound is coming from my backyard.

I'm standing at the kitchen window, eating a mid-afternoon snack, daydreaming. I dismiss the noise as someone doing construction until I notice a swatch of green on the tall, wooden fence at the bottom of the yard. Then I realize it's not on the fence, but on the other side of the fence. The noise I'd been ignoring was the sound of wooden slats splintering. Through the hole I see a man closing the trunk of a white station wagon. As he opens the driver's side door I glimpse a sign on it, the magnetic kind people use to advertise a local business. I can't read it. He shuts the door and drives away.

The fence separates my backyard from a small strip of lawn that runs behind a row of townhouses. The garages for the townhouses are all on the front of the building. My yard abuts the back of the building, where there are no roads or driveways.

I put down my snack, grab my car keys, and go.

First I drive down to the townhouses, hoping to find the perpetrator parked out front. No luck. I walk around the building to inspect the damage. Yep, there's a line of white paint scraped against the broken wood. A teenager on a riding mower drives by. I wave him down and ask if he saw the car.

"Yeah," he says. "Some old guy in a white Volvo. He left that big garbage bag." The bag is full of mulch, and a profile of the perp comes together in mind: Elderly man in a white Volvo with a sign on the door and possible traces of mulch in the trunk.

I take my suburban recon one step further and, letting my anger fuel my bravery, I knock on the front door of the townhouse that received the mulch. No answer.

And then I snap, just a little bit. I'm going to track down this sucker who thinks he can damage my property and run off. I live in a small town. How hard can it be to find a white Volvo with a sign on the door?

I start driving. I am A Woman On A Mission. Part of me knows that this mission is futile. But the hotheaded Irish part of me doesn't care. My internal soundtrack plays the maniacal music that accompanies the bicycling-neighbor-turned-wicked-witch in "The Wizard of Oz." As I drive, I begin to hear something else in my head, a mantra repeating itself until I start chanting it aloud:

I am my father's daughter. I am my father's daughter.

** ** **
I was fourteen years old, sitting in the backseat of our maroon Ford Taurus with my younger brother, my mom up front in the passenger seat, and Dad driving. As we entered a four-way intersection, a car coming from the right ran a red light. My dad braked. Jerked the steering wheel hard left. We torqued. Turned. Skidded. Stopped on the wrong side of the highway. All of us panting with adrenaline, catching our breath with relief.

And then my father, who was just a few years older than I am now, became A Man On A Mission. He set off in search of the car that had nearly broadsided us. He tailgated it down a winding country road, flashing his lights and honking his horn until the driver pulled over to the side. Even with the windows up it was easy to hear him yelling, "I have kids in the car! You could've killed us!"

** ** **
Nobody has nearly died, but I'm still a woman on a mission. As I drive, I call my husband to tell him what happened. He calls his friend who's a cop to find out what we can do. The friend tells us to call the station and file a hit-and-run report. At the time, it seems like the right thing to do. I don't want to press charges; I just want whoever broke my fence to pay to fix it.

A cop calls back to report that my neighbor's elderly father hit the fence while dropping off some mulch. They've promised to pay for the damages. "If you don't hear from them in a few days, give me a call," he says.

A few days pass, and then a few more. I'm not as angry. I'm a little embarrassed that I called the cops. I consider going to talk to this neighbor I've never met. And then one morning I look out my kitchen window and see a five-foot gap in the fence. Tools and new wooden slats sit nearby. My neighbor, who is nowhere in sight, has apparently taken it upon themselves to mend the fence. And now I'm angry again. They never called, never stopped by, never checked to see if this was a good day to remove a large section of fence and replace it. What if I had dogs or small kids who played in that yard? What if I were having company over for a barbecue?

I pick up the phone and call my father. He'll understand why I'm angry. I update him and wait for his outrage. Instead, he says, "Well, you could get on your high horse about it, and I can see why you'd want to. Or you could go down there and thank them for taking care of it. Maybe you can make a new friend."

What?

And so I let my father's kindness fuel my bravery, and when I spot the elderly-yet-spry man at the bottom of my yard, I walk down there. I thank him. He's civil. When his daughter comes over, I introduce myself and say I'm sorry we're meeting for the first time like this. She's cold. Part of me can't blame her. After all, I did call the cops on her and her father.

I smile and try to make amends, but it's going nowhere. She starts to make rude comments about the original state of my fence. Finally, I simply smile and say thank you one last time, trying very hard, in this moment, to be my father's daughter.

Jenna McGuiggan is a writer, editor, and creativity coach who lives in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania and dreams about the sea. She shares what she's learned about the art and craft of writing in her series of online writing courses called Alchemy. She received her MFA in creative nonfiction from Vermont College of Fine Arts and loves playing with words to create beauty, meaning, and connection. You can visit Jenna online in The Word Cellar, which she envisions as a cozy, stone-walled chamber filled with twinkle lights, shelves of stories, nooks of books, and plush armchairs that are perfect for sharing your tale.

I will not die an unlived life

2012-01-23T07:00:00.007-05:00

print by BackyardPhoto on etsy

I will not die an unlived life.
I will not live in fear
of falling or catching fire.
I choose to inhabit my days,
to allow my living to open me,
to make me less afraid,
more accessible;
to loosen my heart
until it becomes a wing,
a torch, a promise.
I choose to risk my significance,
to live so that which came to me as seed
goes to the next as blossom,
and that which came to me as blossom,
goes on as fruit.

—
Dawna Markova

Friday's Lovelies : 1.20.12

2012-01-20T09:03:00.102-05:00

Valentine's Day Wood Brooch by HavokDesigns on etsy
Words Dance is back! Poem-a-day & I'm taking submissions! Sign up here to get daily dose of hot-blooded poetry sent straight to your inbox! (Plus get a free magazine full of incredible poetry!)

Letting Go of What You Are Not

Saying YES to your Dream!

How anxiety & shame led me into abundance

Wrestling Gremlins Into Submission

A Human Thing : I write about love because I truly believe love is the most powerful weapon we have to affect change – in ourselves, in each other, in the world.

The Healing Truth Sanctuary is an online creative community for women who are healing from childhood wounding and are on a healing path. This is an art healing community, a place where we heal through all forms of art…writing, art journaling, mixed media and other creative forms and crafts.

Email marketing doesn’t have to suck. : I've been LOVING Tara's course SO MUCH. Do you have a mailing list of people that are waiting to hear from you but you aren't sure how to connect with them? This course will guide you, it's brill!

Bowled Over : iPhone/iPod + Bowl = Sweet tunes in the shower!

Punched Out : Build 3D paper letters from a nifty font - my typography lovin' heart is going ba-BOOM!

Make Your Own Party Hats : Okay, I just want to get all frisky with the glitter & wear one of these while I work.

The above video is from Trailblazer : Get Paid to Be Who You Are : The fastest path to getting paid to do what you love! This course looks fab (& who makes a movie trailer for a launch, seriously!?! Love it!)

14 Days of Love : awesome DIY Valentine Craft series!

Love is an arrow and it points at you : Free Printable Valentine that I adore!

print by 3LambsGraphics on etsy

Love,

Never doubt

2012-01-20T07:00:00.006-05:00

print by SarahBelleStudio on etsy

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

—
Margaret Mead

When we honestly ask ourselves

2012-01-19T07:00:00.003-05:00

print by honeytree on etsy

When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.

—
Henri J.M. Nouwen

The Way of The Elements

2012-01-18T10:00:00.001-05:00

Guest post by Jo Anna Rothman.

Air, Fire, Water, Earth: The Elements : print by amermaidintheattic on etsy

The Way of The Elements

When The Goddess of Fire speaks, those who can hear, listen.

And she is speaking. Loudly. In the sudden fire ignited in us. The desires that burn. The flames that propel the creation of nothing less that the true expression of our souls. We move forward into the making of what we previously thought was simply a dream.

The Goddess of Fire illuminates the shadows. Calls forth the pain, doubt, misinformed beliefs, to be consumed in the omnipresent combustion of who she is. The process, for those living the experience with only one toe in, will sting. The more present you are to her whispers, the more graceful the experience is. It is worth the shock, for the reward of the fiery love is tremendous clarity, creativity and freedom.

And yet, she does not linger. The fire consumes itself and the goddess slinks off to rest. Your fiery notions slide to a halt as smoke clouds your views of the future.
The Goddess of Water then rises up to meet us all.

She begins with a pool. A space to clarify. To explore. This is where we get to see if what our actions have brought us is fruitful. We can look through her depths and know what is that we truly want. What it is we are willing to let float away.

Movement with the water goddess begins with a ripple. A trickle. The drop the pours out and spills into a river. Carving out new pathways for us to explore. The debris is being carried along. It may feel like chaos in the midst, but one day we look around and see that we are open, swimming in the grand ocean of delight. Of creativity. Of the wild mystery of it all.

The waves bring excitement. Bring opportunities. Bring the power of awe, of love, of divine creations right to our door step. The ride can be uneven, as we come to appreciate the ebb and flow of the goddess’s essence. In doing so, we can allow ourselves to be carried by the process of our own design.

And yet, she does not linger. We are washed ashore by her currents. We arrive, our being wobbly as we prepare to meet the land.

The Goddess of earth prepares the feast.

We rest, nestled in warmth. We are fed by the bounty of who she is. The Goddess of the Earth appreciates us as we are. Many struggle with this. Wanting the quickness of creation. Feeling the need for newness. She does not care for this. She does as she does. Lovingly. Methodically. She does as she does. And we do too.

It is with the goddess of the earth that we explore the depth of who we are. It is here, that we develop the experience of mastery. Yes, things are slower. Denser. And in that speed, we have the opportunity to notice all that we are. All that we do. To live in the plateau until we choose to transcend. Mountains are traversed, all the while we learn exactly what is needed. We stand at her pinnacle, knowing how the walk is walked. The view, the perspective is all that it is promised to be. And more

And yet, she does not linger. The top of the world is where the air is thin. We feel the breeze calling. Inviting.

The Goddess of the Wind is here to carry us away.

The lightness that is present is undeniable. Unbelievable, if it weren’t happening to you. Anything and everything is possible in your experience, as you are being transported from idea to idea, popping into your experience without thought. Without the need to figure.

Creation is not necessary, as matter weighs us down. The Goddess of the wind provides us with the map. The possibility. The desire for the journey. Life will just get caught in her tornado. That which is not part of us will be blown away. She is kind when she can be, yet knows the need for destruction. Attachment is the first to get caught in her gusts. She brings to us what is amazing. What is right. And what is so perfectly ours.

And yet, she does not linger. The wind, warm and wild, brings the sparks. The notions within us are ripe for desire creation.

So the Goddess of fire begins to speak once again.

To read more of Jo Anna's guest posts on Kind Over Matter click here!

Sponsor Love : Hidden in Paris

2012-01-18T09:03:00.005-05:00

Hidden in Paris
by Corine Gantz

Hello and bonjour!

My name is Corine Gantz and I am the author of Hidden in Paris, a novel about friendship, love, and trust set in the City of Light.

As we sometimes do when our heart is broken, Annie has a hard time recovering. She isn’t sure whether the exterior world is friend or foe (she is an American woman living in France.) For self-protection has turned into a hermit and loses herself in cooking traditional French comfort food and taking care of a beautiful house in the heart of Paris she can no longer afford.

To save her house from bankruptcy, Annie has no choice but to rent out rooms: a catch 22 when you consider her social anxiety. She knows that the moment she literally opens her house’s doors to strangers, she figuratively must open herself to all kinds of feelings she tries hard to keep under the rug, jealousy, envy, mistrust, fear, resentment, selfishness…

Of course the people who enter her life bring exactly the kind of chaos she wanted to avoid… which happens to be precisely what she needs to experience in order to heal. What she has not anticipated, with the arrival of those strangers into her life, is that good emotions come pouring in as well: friendship, trust, thankfulness, empathy... and soon even love. But those feelings can be every bit as scary!

Hidden in Paris is a book that readers of Kind Over Matter would enjoy because it is above all a story about opening one's heart. It's also a story about personal growth, and we all know that growth can happen even as we resist it kicking and screaming.

Set in one of the most romantic cities on Earth, Hidden in Paris is fast paced, very romantic, at times funny and at times sad. The novel is getting great reviews and is selling well, but the best part are the wonderful emails I receive. I wanted to give back in some ways because of the outpouring of support from my readers so I decided to write a cookbook with all the recipes in Hidden in Paris and give it away. The cookbook will have gorgeous pictures (if I may say so myself since they were taken by moi after months of struggle teaching myself food photography:-) You can sign up for the cookbook here!

If you want to get a sense of who I am, my Franco-American sense of humor (if there is such a thing) and sample my writing, you can also check out my blog Hidden in France.

I hope you will read Hidden in Paris and have a great time doing so. It’s only $4.99 on the kindle and nook. The paperback can also be purchased via Amazon and Barnes and Nobles for $13.99. Click here to visit Amazon!

Merci all!

Love,
Corine

so love, love, love

2012-01-18T07:00:00.003-05:00

print by TerraVision on etsy

This sky where we live is no place to lose your wings so love, love, love.

—
Hafiz

You Get to Choose

2012-01-17T10:00:00.004-05:00

Guest post by Daniel Collinsworth.

UFO #sun by Lori Paquette

You Get to Choose

Today, I invite you to ask yourself this question: What do I want my life to feel like?

Sit with that for awhile. Let it course through your being. What imagery fills your mind? What sensations, what colors?

This is your creation, and yours alone. How, then, can it be fulfilled by anyone but You? This is the beauty and the freedom of this life — while you can’t always control the events that are playing out, you still get to choose how the story of those events is written. You get to choose the words, the narrative, the imagery.

Because at the heart of even your most challenging moments, something beautiful exists: the limitless potential to create, to grow, to be free.

You see, you are more than the boat navigating stormy waters. You are also the ocean and the storm. You get to create from that space — that power is yours. You get to choose whether you will work with that power, or give it away to the events unfolding around you.

So, why let unconscious colors be splashed haphazardly across the canvas of your experience? A masterpiece of expansive growth is yours to choose and to consciously cultivate.

The power is yours.

You don’t have to wait for freedom to find you — it is inherently yours. It is embodied in your very nature. And when you’re ready, you only have to let go of the old skin of victimhood and walk in your true power as a Creator.

This freedom, this responsibility, this joy and this journey are yours to enjoy.

It may not always come easily, but that doesn’t mean it always has to be difficult, either. It is a work in progress. There will be times when your insight is clear, and the lesson comes easily. There will also be times when your emotions and storylines create a distorted picture of your experience, and your actions aren’t coming from a place of inner power — this is OK.

This life isn’t a test that you are either passing or failing in any given moment — this life is a journey. Sometimes you walk briskly, and sometimes you walk slowly. Sometimes you stop and enjoy the view. Sometimes you trip over a tree root.

You get to choose whether you laugh at yourself and keep walking, or complain about the tree root conspiring against you. You get to choose whether walking slowly puts you behind, or gives you time to breathe in the wisdom and the beauty of your walk.

This is the power you have to create your experience of life.

So let yourself know the joy that unfolds in that. This creative power cannot be taken from you, although the responsibility to bring it forth lies with you, and you alone. You get to choose what you want your life to feel like, and then you get to work on creating that. This is essential. This is yours.

May your journey be beautiful today.

Daniel Collinsworth is a teacher and cloud watcher. He has a blog called Metta Drum where he shares insights on compassion, oneness, healing and freedom. You can connect with him on Facebook and Twitter.

To read more of Daniel's guest posts on Kind Over Matter click here!

Gloriousness & wretchedness need each other

2012-01-17T07:00:00.004-05:00

Bridal Lace Blindfold by lovemesugar on etsy

Life is glorious, but life is also wretched. It is both. Appreciating the gloriousness inspires us, encourages us, cheers us up, gives us a bigger perspective, energizes us. We feel connected. But if that's all that's happening, we get arrogant and start to look down on others, and there is a sense of making ourselves a big deal and being really serious about it, wanting it to be like that forever. The gloriousness becomes tinged by craving and addiction. On the other hand, wretchedness--life's painful aspect--softens us up considerably. Knowing pain is a very important ingredient of being there for another person. When you are feeling a lot of grief, you can look right into somebody's eyes because you feel you haven't got anything to lose--you're just there. The wretchedness humbles us and softens us, but if we were only wretched, we would all just go down the tubes. We'd be so depressed, discouraged, and hopeless that we wouldn't have enough energy to eat an apple. Gloriousness and wretchedness need each other. One inspires us, the other softens us. They go together.

—
Pema Chödrön

Grace in a Parking Lot with Amy Oscar

2012-01-16T09:29:00.029-05:00

Guest Post by Amy Oscar for the Kind Kindred series.

print by Squintphotography on etsy

Grace in a Parking Lot

I write about light for a living - as the editor of a magazine column about angels. Still, in spite of the incredible miracles I've read about - and experienced myself - some days just don't feel miracle-friendly.

This is a story about one of those days...

I had a chest cough and splitting headache but it was my daughter’s birthday and I’d promised to take her shopping on this, the one day we both had free for weeks. I'd had many of these headaches over the past few years and I’d learned that if I stayed on my feet, sipping Coke, I’d feel a whole lot better than if I lay down and let it overtake me.

When we arrived at the Garden State Plaza Mall, the lot was mobbed and people were being pretty cut throat about parking spaces. So, after about 20 minutes of circling, I told Katie, "I'll give it one more try. If we don’t find something, we’re going home.

It was only then that it occurred to me that, with the headache and the crowd, I’d forgotten about my parking lot angels. They always find us a spot. So, “Please give us a great parking spot... now!” I said aloud and, sure enough, "Look!” Katie pointed. “That woman has her keys out."

To be honest, I considered driving past her. The woman did have her keys out but she wasn't getting into a vehicle. She was just standing there, scanning the vast sea of cars.

Suddenly, something tugged at my awareness. Stop.

I rolled down my window. “Lost your car?" I asked.

"I did!" she said. Then, she gave a little hiccup - and I noticed the tears running down her cheeks. "I've been walking up and down these rows for over an hour... “ she said. “I simply can't find it."

“Why don't you hop in the back?" I said. “We’ll find it.”

"Thank you!" she said. From the moment she climbed into the back seat of our car, shoving aside the pile of papers and books and extra pair of extra sneakers I always drive around with, I liked her. She was about 60 years old and, well, zesty is how I'd describe her. As we started rolling, “It's a brown Oldsmobile," she said. She told us her plate number, adding, “I love license plates.”

"Why?" I asked.

"Oh," she said. "You never know when a license plate is going to give you a sign - a message. There's guidance all around us..."

Smiling, I winked at Katie. We’d picked up a kindred spirit!

As we drove, looking... and looking for her car, I pushed aside the feeling that I’d made a mistake – that my gesture of kindness was going to cost way more time than I wanted to spend. Then, from the backseat, I heard: "Heaven help us!"

"Amen," I added.

We found her car a moment later. She gathered her things, and opened the door – then, she stopped. “Let me give you something for your trouble--a couple of dollars, a cup of coffee," she offered.

"You are giving us something," I said. "Your parking spot!"

She laughed. “I guess that's worth a lot today," she said, as and she climbed from the car, Grace streamed through me like a drug, lighting up my whole body.

I felt proud that I'd been able to help her and glad that I'd followed the little voice that had urged me to stop. As we parked and walked into the bustling mall, I noticed that my migraine wasn’t as bad as it had been. In fact, within an hour, it was gone. The next morning, the cold that I'd been trying to kick for seven days, was gone, too.

That’s when it hit me: this is how prayer works. That woman must have been praying all along as she’d walked up and down the aisles searching for her car. And when I’d finally remembered to call for help, her prayer had met mine and, in a stroke of divine orchestration, we’d been sent to help each other!

I also saw that, at each step, I'd been completely free. I could have driven by. I didn't have to offer to drive her around. She would never have known I'd seen her.

But had I not stopped to help, I’d never have known the gift she'd give to me: her humor, her sweetness, her presence. I saw clearly that I was being used as an instrument of Grace – and that it had only happened because when that little voice had whispered, Stop, I’d responded.

Did Grace heal me? Had I healed myself by opening to the flow of guidance? Was it the joy of being of service that had activated the release of endorphins, stimulating my immune system?

Does it matter? Either way, by being true to myself, by following the voice of guidance when it called, I’d reached out and my symptoms were healed.

As the angels have shown me again and again: Every encounter is an opportunity for Grace. Open your mind; open your eyes, your ears and your heart to what comes.

Amy Oscar is an author, teacher and intuitive consultant, encouraging you to develop a personal relationship with the Divine. She is also, a student: a lifetime learner, who says, "I have to know how the world works!" Last year, she finally came out of the woo woo closet to write Sea of Miracles, the story of what happened while she was writing a magazine column about angels. Today, she teaches out of her own insights into human consciousness, offering The Soul Caller Training, a five-week program in deepening your own connection to the divine. You can find her on Facebook or blogging at amyoscar.com. On Twitter, as @amyoscar where she moderates #SoulCall, a Sunday morning Twitter chat about living a spiritual life in a material world.

Stop directing the river’s flow

2012-01-16T07:00:00.002-05:00

print by honeytree on etsy

Throw everything away, forget about it all!
You are learning too much, remembering too much, trying to hard...
relax a little bit, give life a chance to flow its own way,
unassisted by your mind and effort.
Stop directing the river’s flow!

—
Mooji

The sun shines not on us but in us

2012-01-13T07:00:00.004-05:00

print by AliBeePhoto on etsy

The sun shines not on us but in us. The rivers flow not past, but through us, thrilling, tingling, vibrating every fiber and cell of the substance of our bodies, making them glide and sing.

—
John Muir

A Nice Thing To Do : Positive Printables VIII

2012-01-12T10:00:00.065-05:00

8 Different ______ Anyway Cards**
A Book of Mental Hugs
Live, Laugh, Live Art Print
365 Intentions for 2012
Intention for the everyday: Trust - 8 Different Cards**
Before You Speak Think Art Print
Today is Good Art Print
Adventure is Out There Art Print
Celebration Cards - 8 Different Cards**
I Love You Because... Greeting Card**
Love Stickers or Tags
Playroom Subway Art Print
Gratitude Greeting Cards (4)**
Add Glitter Art Print
Perfect Pear Tags
Your Own Kind of Beautiful Earring Card
99 Things I Love About ________
Don't Be Afraid To Be You Art Print

** Made with my How to Create Your Own Printables e-kit!

To check out previous Positive Printable roundups click here!

Enjoy!

Love,

Sponsor Love : Katie McClain Life Coaching

2012-01-12T09:03:00.016-05:00

Katie McClain Life Coaching

Hi, I'm Katie McClain! I’m trained and certified as a life coach, but what I really care about is showing others how to love and accept themselves. You can call me a "self-love facilitator".

Are you like me? Is your mind a very busy and very powerful place? I'm someone who sometimes has a love-hate relationship with my thoughts. I can make powerful and amazing things happen in my life and I bet you do too. But, sometimes (thankfully a lot less than it used to) my mind goes on a bender of self doubt, self-flagellation and downright crummy thinking that keeps me stuck and not getting what I want in life. Does this happen to you? Over the years, I've learned to manage my thoughts intentionally. With this skill my life has become extraordinary and I love showing others how to create amazing results in their lives too. I use thought work and lots of other tools to help you love and accept yourself. It's amazing how creative you become when you get rid of crummy thoughts!

My newest class, Love Yourself...Lose the Weight is beginning January 17th, 2012. It's a mini-soul journey for women who want to love themselves more and lose weight in the process! This is what happened for me. I loved and accepted myself and using the tools I teach, easily dropped excess weight. This is a tele-class with private forum and custom guidebook to facilitate more love and acceptance of yourself. Make 2012 the year of YOU!

I also provide one-on-one coaching. I'd love to meet you a few steps ahead of where you are right now and metaphorically take your hand. I'll guide you to find the answers you’ve been looking for. You already know, but sometimes it takes the help of a coach to see. See the answers that are underneath all the crummy, self-defeating thoughts that your brain sends you with it's intentions of keeping you "safe". You know there has to be more so you can be happy. I’d love to fearlessly lead you to the doorway of the MAGNIFICENCE in you that you haven’t yet found.

Do you have a sense of your AMAZING-NESS, but maybe you can't access it? My joy in life is to help you find it.

My intuition, deep insights and GIANT LOVE that I bring create a cozy space for you to REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE so you can step forward into the land of SELF-LOVE and MAGICAL results.

With love and magic,
Katie McClain

if you knew me yesterday, please do not think I am the same person you are meeting today

2012-01-12T07:00:00.001-05:00

Hot Pink Organic Bohemian Dress by Cloud9Jewels on etsy

My person is not a little hard core inside of me, a fully formed statue that is real and authentic, permanent and fixed. My person rather implies a dynamic process. In other words, if you knew me yesterday, please do not think I am the same person you are meeting today - I have experienced more of life, I have encountered new depths in those I love, I have suffered and prayed, and I am different. Please do not give me a "batting average," fixed and irrevocable, because I am "in there" constantly, taking my swings at the opportunities of daily living.

—
John Powell

(via Kat McCullough)

Your Magic Moment

2012-01-11T09:30:00.017-05:00

Guest post by Jo Anna Rothman.

print by AmeliaKayPhotography on etsy

Your Magic Moment

This moment. This one right here. This one holds the key. It holds the answers. The wisdom. The knowing. It sits right here in the stillness. Waiting. Patiently. Always.

This moment is when right and wrong fall away. When good and bad become only the judgements we know them to be. When love fills every crevice. Pouring forth into the heart. Out of the soul. Embracing the nothing. Creating. Renewing. Again and again. Endlessly. Moments complete and new moments are born. In this space. The everafter.

This moment is where you can decide. Choose. Be. It is where you get to step forward into the arms of the the universal beloved and lay down the swords of hurt that you have carried all too close.

This moment, the one you breathe into, is eternal. Forever stretching into space. Time. Magic. It is the beating of your heart. The rise and fall of your belly. The cry of your body. It is the dream. The vision. The whole wild world.

This moment is the one you have been waiting for. Where all signs are go. Where love takes over and the impossibilities fade away into reality. The moment is where you are you and all...in one fell swoop.

In this moment there is no separation from past and present. From source and soul. From all and none and one. In this moment there is just you. Just me. Just.

This moment is what perfect is all about. It lives forever. There is nothing more. Nothing less. Just now. In this moment. You cannot not escape it. Run from it. Hide away hoping it does not see you. You can, however, simply choose not to notice. Not to see. Not to hear it’s sweet call of love. But it will stay with you. Keep up. Catch up. Always next to you. Inviting. Extending its arms. It cannot pull you in...you must say yes. Yes and then you are here. In this moment. Not that moment. Or the next one. Or the one way before, back in God knows where. And when. This one. Right here. Right now.

To read more of Jo Anna's guest posts on Kind Over Matter click here!

The love that you search for everywhere

2012-01-11T07:00:00.002-05:00

print by sixhours on etsy

The love that you search for everywhere is already present within you. It may be evoked by any number of people or events. A mountain can evoke this love. A sunset can evoke this love. But finally, you must realize you are this love. The source of all love is within you.

—
Gangaji

you are Me & I am You

2012-01-10T10:30:00.001-05:00

Poetry by Julia Fehrenbacher of Painted Path.

print by Julia Fehrenbacher on etsy
REMEMBERING

There is nothing you need to do, you know

no amount of hiding or seeking
or telling or trying will erase
the ache, the weight
the trembling, strangling
middle of the moment
grip
that threatens to feast
on your core

You need only
return
to the part
that breathes
and beats and hears
and Sees
all on its very own

to the part that hums
and sways and dreams
lullabies

of Peace

Come, it says
lean the weight of you
against me
sit and stay

until you remember

that you are tangled
and woven
in stardust
in roots and rivers
in suns and moons
in every breath
that has ever breathed

until you remember

that you are Me
and I am You
that together we
Are

everything

During the small windows of time when her two little girls are occupied elsewhere, Julia paints and writes and contemplates the deep questions of life. More than anything she wants to sprinkle some good around in this world and is always looking for ways to do more of that. If you’d like to join her on this path of shedding & opening and living from a place of truth and authenticity, please visit her at paintedpath.org, she’d so love to have you there.

Sponsor Love : Yoga with Nadine

2012-01-10T09:03:00.006-05:00

Yoga with Nadine

Getting through the day well.

Really, that’s what I’m interested in. I didn’t have the best start ever: my childhood was...unfortunate. But, to paraphrase that Very Awesome Dude, the Dalai Lama, all of life is suffering, so you might as well be kind.

Kind to yourself, kind to others.

Oh...hang on. Isn’t that what Kind Over Matter is about too?

Yeah.

So that’s why I am here! I teach yoga and lead retreats in nice places where we learn, and remember, to be kind.

For me, being kind to myself means doing yoga. It means accepting my body just as it is, significant ass and all. It’s about eating in a way that makes me feel nourished, not starved, not overfed.

It’s about getting enough sleep. About setting intentions for living my life. About examining why I do things, without judging myself. (That's called Svadhyaya is fancy-Sanskrit-speak. You know, in case you wanted to toss some jargon around.)

I’d love it if you joined me for yoga, or discussion, or just to hang out on Facebook!

If, of course, you don’t live anywhere near me (I’m in Melbourne, Australia) we might have to get our yoga on by DVD, or through my yogAttitude Cards & Workbook...

Oh, and? I have an awesome pre-release special on my DVD!

$22 gets you the DVD, with free postage to you wherever you are in the world once it releases (estimated release date 24 Jan) as well as a special extra bonus: my Art of Observation e-Book, worth $19 all on its own!

Namaste xx
Nadine

let your heart be touched

2012-01-10T07:00:00.005-05:00

print by MarianneLoMonaco on etsy

When you begin to touch your heart or let your heart be touched, you begin to discover that it's bottomless.

—
Pema Chödrön

Love Stepped In Line with Rachel Awes

2012-01-09T10:30:00.001-05:00

Guest Post by Rachel Awes for the Kind Kindred series.

love stepped in line

i was a bit behind in pulling together holiday cards to send out. gathering and updating addresses for the dear envelopes. drawing little berry branches on each. stuffing with letters. in between all the rest of life. like we all do. + i just missed the mail pick-up time on saturday. then revised my plan to send this well-intentioned pile on monday. along with a print order i had so wonderfully received through my online etsy shop. actually, i had already mailed this print last week to this beautiful woman in tennessee. despite the envelope being marked with "do not bend", her postal carrier bent it in half + stuffed it in her mailbox. + so i need to send it to her again. + also, i've been down with some bug all week. my energy has gone on vacation. + so has a sense of neat order + time.

then came monday morning. i got to the post office first thing. only to be behind twenty people + one worker behind the counter. everyone was talking about how they thought they would be smart + get there early. + so now i could be counted among the line of the smarties. which has it's own value to be sure.

+ after only a couple minutes, love stepped in line. the story was about to change. it was my friend nancy, pulling her dolly of packages. after a welcomed embrace, she told me i must have better things to do with my morning + took all my envelopes from me. her eyes twinkled as she stood in all her capacity, balancing her coffee mug, packages, + now my various sizes of envelopes. one more hug was in order + ever so quickly, i was off + on my way. order + time restored. as well as my heart. just like that.

kindness changes everything. it seems i needed all these experiences to lead me to such a line. to such a hug. + i am deeply grateful.

rachel awes is a psychologist, art playgroundist, writer, wife, mother, + friend, who loves listening to the beauty in people. connect :: etsy shop :: blog :: facebook :: twitter ::

Did you win our wild giveaway?!? 4 winners!

2012-01-09T08:48:00.000-05:00

Page from Wild Sister Issue 6

Happy Monday! So, I really wasn't planning on doing a winner's post for last Thursday's Wild Giveaway but as I mentioned a few times already, I really, really loved reading all of your comments. All of the wild that you all have immersed yourselves in throughout the course of your lives & how you are planning to BE WILD this year is so-super-INSPIRING!

If you want to read the comments you can hop on over via this link.

I feel like the winner here, truly, thank you so much for sharing all of your stories with me & the Kind Over Matter community.

OMGILOVEYOUALL!

Winner of the Wild Sister Wild Pack! The first six issues!

I picked an additional 3 winners too, who will be receiving the introductory issue!

Winners of Wild Sister Issue 1!

Awesome, right?!

I will be contacting you all via email shortly with download links, congrats & thank you so, so much!

If you haven't had the pleasure of reading Wild Sister Magazine yet, give yourself a gift, pick up the first issue or the newest issue or get the Wild Pack (best. deal. ever.)

Let's dance in our wild beauty this year! You in?

Love,

be one with that

2012-01-09T07:00:00.008-05:00

print by honeytree on etsy

Find that place
which is effortlessly
at rest within itself.
Be there—be one with that.

—
Mooji

Friday's Lovelies : 1.6.12

2012-01-06T09:19:00.002-05:00

print by handz on etsy
Okay - Okay - first - grab your best pair of headphones (you really must listen to this in headphones!) - slip them on & then click here - press play, sink in & smile - pure awesomeness. If you want to hear more of this binaural sweetness, here is his playlist of it on YouTube: Virtual 3D

My Enemy is My Teacher : True transformation occurs when we choose to meet resistance with acceptance. I call this victorious acceptance – when I accept that I am...

Keeping Up With Your Adventure : The adventure of a new year calls loudly. Brightly. Bravely. You feel it. The excitement and enthusiasm. You feel the power of clarity and the hope of newness. The...

Imaginal you : I offer this as an alternative to resolutions.

Pardon Me, Your Awesome is Showing : Totally printed this out & have it by my desk.

Forgive : You imagine it will dismantle you to shed the rage as though it is the supporting beam the fuel the thing that... : Getting these poems in my inbox every morning has been a highlight of my days for months, love.

The (free) poster above is by the gorgeous Goddess Leonie & she recorded a (free) affirmation audio to go with it of one of her most popular posts - You Have Permission - & it's breathtaking. ALSO! It's not too late to get a copy of her 2012 Creating My Goddess Year Planner!

25 Things Writers Should Stop Doing (right fucking now) - brilliant & funny.

Photography Q & A Thursday : Oh! I love this series SO much! Tips on capturing photos of wiggly children & more emotion in your photos.

Love is the Teacher. Am I Willing to be the Student?

iPad Giveaway Alert! Kat is holding two iPad giveaways on her Facebook page, hop on over, like her page & tell her that I sent you by commenting on her wall -- & then stay tuned for details on the contest that starts on January 14th via her page!

A Year With Myself : Join A Yearlong Adventure of Empowering Yourself : Looks ah-maze-ing!

I heart The Beauty Department.

20 Ways to Help Parents of Newborns : All of these are so right on.

The Relationship Revolution is a series of interviews with relationship revolutionaries that brings a new meaning to love & relationships.

This I Know: Notes on Unraveling the Heart : Oh! Oh! Susannah Conway's new book can be pre-ordered! I sooo can't wait - June! Woooot!

How To Build a Blog You Truly Love starts this Monday - the 9th! Registration is open until the 20th! You should check it out!

Speaking of awesome, I revamped & added some more goodness to my Things I Believe In page - online resources galore, free & otherwise!

future by the notebook doodles

Happy Weekend! Let me just say, your responses yesterday to the giveaway, your wildness & willingness to be wild, totally lit me up. You all rock my world. Truth.

Love, waves & waves & waves of it,

I am with you always

2012-01-06T07:00:00.003-05:00

print by aileenfoos on etsy

I am with you always,
you promised that,
and when I realized that it was true,
my soul flared up.
—
Rumi

A Wild Giveaway for YOU!

2012-01-05T09:02:00.001-05:00

The Wild Sister Wild Pack
Special Introductory Bundle : Issues 1 – 6

Hey Lovers! The new issue of Wild Sister Magazine dropped today & I was inspired to hold a giveaway! I'm giving away the first 6 issues! Details below!

If you haven't heard of Wild Sister Magazine yet - woahmamahotdiggitydamn - you are gonna fall in love!

From Wild Sister's Website:

Wild Sister is an online empowerment magazine for women who want inspiration, and who believe that by empowering women we can change the world.

Created and written by artists, poets, travelers, coaches, muses and bloggers, Wild Sister is positive media. We focus on promoting self-love, inner exploration, sisterhood, and empowerment.

Wild Sister Magazine liberates souls by delivering authentic inspiration and jaw-dropping graphics, layered and mixed into creations that spark. We share stories that empower, wisdom that transforms, and truth that awakens the core.

Being wild means embracing your light, and your dark, to be your complete, beautiful, perfectly imperfect self.

Being a sister means connecting with your kindred spirits, lifting each other up, sharing your truth, and standing together.

Being a wild sister means listening to your heart and following your dreams.

It means living your passion, loving yourself unconditionally, and being a force of good in this world.

It means believing in yourself; no matter what others say or how many challenges the world throws at you.

It means letting go of the past, embracing the present, and trusting that everything happens for a reason.

It means facing your fears, making mistakes, and creating your own path in life.

It means speaking your truth, and liberating others to do the same.

It means being real, authentic, and free. It’s standing barefoot on the grass, dancing amongst the trees, singing from your soul, chasing rainbows, and howling at the moon.

It’s jumping off the cliff and building your wings on the way down.

It’s all this, and so much more.

Come and be wild with us.

Join the Wild Sisterhood.

Wild Sister Issue 7
Theme : New Beginnings
I received this issue early this morning & took a break from reading it to write this post. What I've read so far is out-of-this-world inspiring. An article by Lori Portka, My Assertive Awakening, where she talks about rising above "being a nice girl" - challenging that persona to reconcile a situation by standing her ground, calmly. There's an interview with Lori Deschene of Tiny Buddha talking about building & loving Tiny Buddha's community & the birth of her new book -- as with every issue of Wild Sister -- it will leave you dreaming big, it will kindle the deep sense of power & potential that is already inside of you - good stuff I tell ya.

Jen, founder & editor of Wild Sister, wrote an incredible list in this issue:
Fifty Ways To Be Wild in 2012
LOVE it!

Giveaway Time! Oh yeesssss!

I am giving away the 6 Issue Wild Pack! If you already have the first 6 issues of Wild Sister (awesome you!) you can gift them to a friend, we'll work out those details if you win!

To Enter:
Comment on this blog post below answering one of these two questions or both if you wish:

1. What's the wildest thing you've ever done?

2. How do you plan to be wild this year?
Please be sure to leave your email address or twitter account so I can contact you if you win!

Entries for the giveaway will close on Monday, January 9th at 7AM EST. I will be choosing the winner at random & contacting them the same day!

Good Luck & Love, Stay Wild,

P.S. I'm gonna answer #2 - How do you plan to be wild this year? - I'm writing a book - owning that, right here, right now, that's pretty damn wild. Feeeeels gooooood! Woooooot! Love ya all! I hope your day is full of MAGIC!

I didn't trust it for a moment

2012-01-05T07:00:00.010-05:00

print by mkendall on etsy

I didn't trust it for a moment,
but I drank it anyway,
the wine of my own poetry.

It gave me the daring to take hold
of the darkness and tear it down
and cut it into little pieces.

—
Lalla

Letting Go of Busy

2012-01-04T10:30:00.001-05:00

Guest post by Jo Anna Rothman.

ceramic art tile by outiart on etsy

Letting Go of Busy

Last year, I was busy. It was something that I had wanted for a long time. I so wanted be busy with clients. With conversations, blog posts, emails and more. I got what I wanted. I was busy with stuff galore. I created my days filled to the brim with action. I loved it. Until, it started to suck.

I honestly thought I had to be busy. I thought that it was the way it worked. When people asked me how things were, I could reply “busy”. One word said so much. It let folks know that I was doing well in the different sort of career path I embarked on. It told people that I was working hard and not lazing around. I was coaching, making money, connecting. It let the world know that I was diligent in my efforts to live a life I loved. But most of all, it helped me to believe all of those things about myself.

Busy became my sense of pride. As long as I had busy, I knew I was doing ok. Things were amazing. My life was getting more and more exciting every day. The busier I got, the better things were supposed to be. Right?

Then I started not to feel well. My body is incredible at letting me know when life is off kilter. The first time I got food poisoning was a great message to slow down. And I did, some. I stopped working on Fridays (which felt delicious!). But even in my down time, I kept thinking that I had to be doing something productive. Six months later, when I got food poisoning again (and had a nasty cold only a few weeks before that), I knew something was not working. When I checked inside of myself for an answer, all I heard was the word busy.

It was easy to look around my world and see all the busy I had made for myself. I quickly saw that I was making myself busy simply to be busy, because that is what I thought I was supposed to do. It was with a big sigh of relief when I realized that I didn’t need to work my ass off to get where I wanted to go. I could take clear, focused action steps that didn’t require that I dilly dally in the land of busy. Things get done. I get to indulge and luxuriated in life. It’s a much more pleasurable world to live it.

This year, I am fully letting go of the need to be busy. I’ll say to no to projects that don’t resonate deeply. I’ll set up an auto-responder. And most of all, I will no longer pretend that busy equals success. I will stop acting as if I need to justify my time to anyone, especially my mind. Beautiful things happen when I slow down. I am more abundant, more insightful, and so much more motivated to continue to create this amazing life I have going on. So good bye busy. And hello to a truer experience of me.

To read more of Jo Anna's guest posts on Kind Over Matter click here!

Sponsor Love : Burst Into Bloom with Amy Kessel

2012-01-04T09:10:00.020-05:00

Burst Into Bloom with Amy Kessel

Burst Into Bloom group coaching is for those of you who have a Big Idea burning somewhere in your life. Your Big Idea is that heart-zinging concept that bubbled up in you without asking, and won't go away. It's a project, a plan, a vision, or a possibility you have birthed, and thinking about it lights you up. Alot. It might be a new business, a solo adventure, a plan for your family. It could be an art project, a show, an event, a spiritual pursuit. When you have one (lucky you!), you know it.

It's humble or lofty, meant for the public or exclusively for yourself ... it doesn't matter WHAT it is, only that it matters to YOU.

Are you ready to give your Big Idea the love and the space it needs to come alive? Because when you do, it will change your life.

If you're nodding right now, I invite you to join us for small group coaching that will help you burst into bloom in 2012.

Burst Into Bloom group coaching is a six-week virtual program designed to take you out of your idea and into inspired action. The program combines powerful learning with group exercises and one on one coaching; you'll have a weekly 90 minute conference call with your fellow Bloomers, exercises to do on your own, and a private online forum where you will find support and additional sharing opportunities.

You bring your Big Idea and the willingness to love it to life. The program will give it the targeted attention it needs to become reality.

Hear what the amazing women from our last group had to say about the program.

The program starts January 9.

There are eight spots in each group. Is one of them yours?

Register today.
_______________________

Amy Kessel, ACC, MA is a life coach, mama and yogini who is enchanted by women who are ready to unfurl. She offers private and group coaching, workshops and retreats. Receive Amy’s free eGuide Reclaiming Your Brilliance when you subscribe to her newsletter.

Connect:
Twitter : Facebook : Website : Email

Are you willing to trust love?

2012-01-04T07:00:00.002-05:00

print by ellemoss on etsy

Are you willing to trust love rather than your mind’s protection from hurt? If you are willing, then you will taste the possibility of living a life of love and conscious innocence. This is possible for everyone. Love is the teacher. If you are willing to surrender to love rather than trying to control it, love teaches you who you are.

—
Gangaji

(via Julie Daley)

Today, You Are Free

2012-01-03T10:30:00.059-05:00

Guest post by Daniel Collinsworth.

Good Morning 8.19.11 by Lori Paquette
Today, You Are Free

Today, you are limitless. You are arising. You are being.

Today, you are not asked to change in order to become a better version of yourself. You are free to simply let go of what isn’t You. Free to let go of what isn’t magnificent and beautiful. Free to delight in the nakedness of You. The beauty and excellence of You. The fullness of You.

No stories or labels. Just you, emerging. Awakening. Experiencing.

Lone cloud amid pines by Lori Paquette
Today, you are released from the heaviness of victimhood, and free to walk in the power of creatorship. To remember your true nature, as it is revealed to you across the earth and the sky. You are free to bask in the magnificent bigness of the everyday ordinary. Sun through trees. An array of clouds. Running, being, watching, merging.

You are uplifted. You are encouraged. You are loved.

belly full of sunlight by Lori Paquette
Today, you are free to radiate. To shine from the inside out. You’ve spent your time in the darkness – it’s time to light up the world with the slow burning flame of your brilliance. Is this not your journey and your joy?

Today, you are free. You will walk in liberation. You will be an ambassador of your truth.

Today, you will wake up the world with the being of You.

To read more of Daniel's guest posts on Kind Over Matter click here!

Sponsor Love : The Universe Knows

2012-01-03T09:03:00.028-05:00

The Universe Knows

The Universe Knows, inc. is an apparel and gift company that was founded in 2003 and is dedicated to inspiring people to be their best selves as well as to follow pursue and live your dream. We ove to inspire and more important be inspired. The company was founded on and is predicated on a unique vision: to remind people of the wisdom that resides within, and inspires strength and courage to live with passion and purpose.

The Universe Knows carries a wide array of high quality, spiritual clothing and accessories that are sure to inspire and motivate. Each of our products is inscribed with its unique pearl of wisdom meant for awareness and introspection.

Our most popular line of apparel is our line of classic hoodies. Each hoody comes with its own unique pearl of wisdom meant for introspection. The super soft pre-washed cotton and looser fit make this a fan favorite. The hoodies get softer after each wash. We even added a small pocket on the front just for your chap stick.

For the colder months our spiritual thermal hoodies are our most popular item. The front V-neck and looser fit make this piece a super comfy wear to be worn over and over again and again. Stay warm, and stay inspired. There are six colors to choose from with each color bearing its own unique pearl of wisdom.

On the gift side you can snuggle up against that cozy fire with our perfect size bistro mugs. Perfect for almost any two hands to wrap around for that morning cup of joe or tea and also a great way to start of your morning with a terrific reminder. The mugs come with a large handle that also allows for great comfort as well. Mugs are dishwasher and microwave safe. Choose from over 24 different colors and sayings.

Our super soft feel leather journals are also a fan favorite. These soft leather journals are the perfect size 5” x 7” for the traveler on the go or to stick in your bag. Each journal carries its own unique pearl of wisdom on the cover and the 1st page of each journal a brief description of the pearl. Inside each journal are lined pages help for easier writing and organization. Journal on and be inspired.

On our headwear side we have a great line of super soft, colorful unisex caps. The caps are the perfect fit for just about anybody to wear. We have a wide array of colors and sayings that are sure to inspire as well as create great conversation with friends and strangers alike.

We receive a ton of e-mails from our customers on how we inspire them but more importantly how they inspire us… please make sure to send us your inspiration … you can read more testimonials here.

Make sure to become a fan on our Facebook Page or Twitter so that you can keep abreast of the goings on and great deals we have going on.

Special for KOM readers!

Type KOM into the coupon code box and receive 15% off!!

Above are just a few of wide array of apparel gifts and accessories we have at the universe knows inc. – we love to inspire and more importantly be inspired – please stop us a visit and say hi we would love to hear from you. The universe knows.

You could begin to notice

2012-01-03T07:00:00.013-05:00

print by ellemoss on etsy

You could begin to notice whenever you find yourself blaming others or justifying yourself. If you spent the rest of your life just noticing that and letting it be a way to uncover the silliness of the human condition—the tragic yet comic drama that we all continually buy into — you could develop a lot of wisdom and a lot of kindness as well as a great sense of humor.

—
Pema Chödrön

10 Tips for more Soul*Full Self Talk with Catherine Just

2012-01-02T09:03:00.029-05:00

Guest Post by Catherine Just for the Kind Kindred series.

photo by Catherine Just

10 Tips for more Soul*Full Self Talk

I’m all about the idea of kindness. I say idea on purpose here because for me, it’s not until I have backed into a corner of self-deprecation, that I even consider kindness as an option toward myself. The funny thing about this? I’m a very strong advocate towards the importance of respecting every human. Respecting the differences. Acknowledging the strengths. Moving more toward connection than judgment. And yet, as I write this, I can see how there is a disconnect, starting right here with yours truly. I’ll be kind when I weigh 10 less pounds on the scale. I’ll be nice when I finally get into the smaller pair of jeans…you know, the ones I wore a few months ago before I allowed myself to go crazy in the sugar, wheat, dairy aisles. I’ll be compassionate when I finally “arrive”. I’ll let go of that mistake I made when I can fix it by being even better next time, aka: perfect. I must say, looking at the way I treat myself right now on this page, exhausts me. I mean really! I’m the girl who doesn’t put up with any BS from anyone! EVER. Yet here I am staring at the truth of how I speak to myself! What’s a girl to do?

Well, I actually already know what to do and I wanted to pass on these tips for any of you who could relate to the paragraph above:

1. Admit it. Write it out, look yourself in the mirror, whatever works. Just see it and acknowledge it.

2. Create a ritual toward kindness. For me this is best done with a fire ceremony. And no – I’m not talking about lighting your hair on fire! I mean, writing those things down that you say to yourself that are all lies and filled with hatred. Light a match under them and toss it into the fireplace.

3. Start taking photos of all the things you love about yourself and your life. This will slow you down to notice all the amazing things that You ARE, and that you have surrounded yourself with. This is a visual gratitude list.

4. Contrary actions. Stop believing yourself. You are not your thoughts. They are separate from you. They are trying to “help” you but doing a horrible job at it. Fire your thoughts. Hire new thoughts in their place. The old thoughts will be mad and get louder. But just remember to detach and hire the new thoughts for overtime.

5. Help others. I know, I know! You’ve heard this one before. But it is SO SO true. Try it on for size and let me know if it doesn’t do the trick. When you wake up in the morning, ask yourself what it is you can do to help others that day. Getting past your own self-defeating thoughts, to help someone who is REALLY in need = healing for both of you.

6. Decide. Just decide that you no longer treat yourself that way. Period. Put the mean gene down. It’s not really who you are. And you know it.

7. Treat yourself like royalty. It’s easy to live and think small when you’ve been practicing it for so long. Flip it on its head. I don’t mean go shop for diamonds, or yell “off with his head! “. I mean treat yourself with loving kindness as you would a precious gem or like you would your own pet. Buy some nice scented soap and bubble bath, candles, magazines, healthy foods, lotion. Whatever would help you get into the roll of knowing you are important and feeling that you matter. Small simple acts of kindness towards yourself can make a big impact when practiced regularly.

8. The art of distraction. So if, like me, you need to lose a few pounds… what’s a girl to do? How about doing something totally NOT related to the thing you keep beating myself up about. Like….take a painting class, go play tennis, see a play, do things you never do but always wanted to do. Aka: jump head on into life.

9. Ask for help. Nothing wrong with a little outside help. And there is plenty of it. Mentors, teachers, counselors, 12 step meetings, therapists, life coaches, eCourses, retreats, spiritual teachers, you name it. It’s there for you. Reach out.

10. The next time you hear yourself say something self defeating. Say back “So What? Who Cares! Big Deal! Why Not!“

Go on, try it. These tips may bring you to a more Soul*Full way of talking to yourself and therefore to a richer daily life.

Catherine Just is an award winning published photographer, gracing the cover of National Geographic and inside Oprah.com. She offers one on one photography coaching and leads Soul*Full retreats for women and the Soul*Full eCourse.

You can find out more on her website at CatherineJust.com

unfold spontaneously & joyously

2012-01-02T07:00:00.017-05:00

print by honeytree on etsy

I don’t tell you what you should do or not do;
I only show you who you are
—the timeless and unchanging awareness.
When this is firmly established inside you,
your life will unfold spontaneously and joyously.
—
Mooji

Underneath it all

2011-12-16T07:00:00.055-05:00

Love by life is good (pete)

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.

—
Burton Hillis

Hi Beautiful Yous, I want to extend my deep love for you as the last days of this year fall off the calendar. Looking back over the last twelve months, if the days were piled up in a room, one thing is for certain, they would be radiating some intoxicating love, beating with it - a sure & steady but gentle beat. You feel it?

Underneath it all, all the layers that we shroud ourselves with, no matter what flavor those layers are, no matter our opinions, our experiences, how we've been judged - no matter who we are - at our core, we are love & we crave love.

Every. Single. One of us.

I know that some people's shells are harder to break into sometimes but that has nothing to do with you. That's their work, whether they choose to take on the venture or not, whether they choose to grow, has little to do with you.

This kind of stuff always seems to come up around the holidays.

What I want to leave you with is this:

Be an example.

All this goodness that we strive for everyday starts with one love.

When we let our feet kiss the ground with love, with every step & we tenderly hold on to the pure & simple fact that we are all raw & wild love underneath, that's where growth starts.

When your eyes look out at every person you come into contact with - keep this simple image in mind:

Their heart, underneath their skin, is just like yours. It is on fire with love. They are either projecting it or they are pining for it or they are somewhere in the in-between.

Just love them, unconditionally.

Be an example
of love.

——

I'm taking a little break from now until January 2nd. I will mostly be spending this time with my loved ones & restoring my energy. I also will be working on tidying up this space a little & I have a few ideas swirling around in my head for new projects - over all, just preparing for another year of fantastical amazingness.

2012 is gonna rock socks. That's a fact jack.

Thank you for being you & being here.

One love,

Please Take Responsibility for Your Energy Free Printable Art Print

2011-12-15T10:30:00.009-05:00

Right click, save as:
Free Printable : Please Take Responsibility Print - PDF

Please take responsibility for the energy you bring into this space.
—
Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor

I saw this quote/image running around on Facebook last week & I remembered watching Oprah's Finale last Spring, when she talked about this sign - I searched to quote her:

Nobody but you is responsible for your life. It doesn't matter what your mama did; it doesn't matter what your daddy didn't do. You are responsible for your life. You are responsible for the energy that you create for yourself, and you're responsible for the energy that you bring to others. One of the best examples of this was Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor who was on the show talking about the book, My Stroke of Insight. She was a 37-year-old, Harvard-educated brain scientist who suffered a massive stroke in the left part of her brain. She couldn't speak or remember her own mother, but when doctors and nurses walked into her room, she knew from the right brain who was on her side. She could feel their energy.

Dr. Taylor sent me a sign that I have hanging in my makeup room. It says, 'Please take responsibility for the energy you bring into this space.' And I ask the same thing in my home and at my companies. Thank you, Dr. Taylor, for that simple but powerful lesson. All life is energy and we are transmitting it at every moment. We are all little beaming little signals like radio frequencies, and the world is responding in kind. - Oprah Winfrey

I thought this could be especially useful during the holiday season, for me, for you & for anyone you are sharing space with (that means yourself too!) On your front door, the door to your office, your room, public places, restaurants, department stores, gas stations. I can see these everywhere... reminders.

This means on the internet too.

Checking in with this tidbit, being mindful of it always, year-round, could change your world, our world - I don't doubt that for a second.

Pass it on, yeah?

One Love,

Sponsor Love : advo.kate design

2011-12-15T09:10:00.006-05:00

advo.kate design

Hi! I am an artist/designer for web + print, as well as a student of yoga + life, living in the fullness of the four seasons of Central New York. My heart loves letterpress + printmaking - I have dreams to one day own my own press named Bessie (the perfect mix of design, creativity, moving parts and technical stuff (inner nerd) + diving in and gettin' dirty !)

I started advo.kate as a way to keep tabs on a collection of things that bring me joy (…’cause let’s be honest… it’s not always easy to find, but it seems like that’s all all of us are really looking for, ya?) including art, design, yoga, inspirations, advocacy, and anything else I happen to find beautiful, fun or gives voice/light to things near + dear to me. Things that I find especially important are equality + empowerment… for all of us (animals too!). Not in an angry ‘F-All-Y’all’ kind of way, but more in a ... let’s just all appreciate/respect/understand (and if it’s not to much to ask even like??) one another. I believe every being has something to contribute – no matter the gender, identity, orientation, values, dreams, life situation - no more or less important than the next, and get extra excited to see creative minds at work for similar causes.

I try to use my blog as a way to connect + share as well a starting (leaping!) point for my own creative beginnings and work. There’s so much inspiration out there and I want to do my best to share it with others + shine light back on it’s sources.

From this sprang advo.kate design on Etsy - my teeny little shop dedicated to creating and providing art + greetings that promote 'equal opportunity' love as well as empowering art and images. I've always been an artist, but the paper products have become a new venture for me and I hope to continue to grow and evolve in designs that bring a new meaning to what it is to and how we celebrate individuality + love.

So welcome friends - new + old, I'm so happy to have you ! Now let's go get inspired - woo !

Lots of love to you, Kate

ps - why don't we be friends ?

advo.kate on facebook

advo.kate tweet - tweets

Where you are understood, you are at home

2011-12-15T07:00:00.003-05:00

Ilya's Bellydance by Epinym

Love allows understanding to dawn, and understanding is precious. Where you are understood, you are at home. Understanding nourishes belonging. When you really feel understood, you feel free to release yourself into the trust and shelter of the other person's soul.

—
John O'Donohue

The Perfection I See

2011-12-14T09:03:00.009-05:00

Guest post by Jo Anna Rothman.

Untitled by Jess Renee

The Perfection I See

I see you as you are. Whole. Unbroken. Divinely human. Humanly divine.

I see beyond the games you play, where in you pretend to be a mess. Where you pretend to have holes in your heart that you need to fill up. Where you pretend to be that you are any less than amazing.

Those holes are not real. We make them up and try to fill them with this and that.

Yet it never seems to work. We think, “I can’t fill them with anything, so they must be bottomless pits of despair”. We never entertain that they simply do not exist. They feel real, but I see no empty spaces. I see the unexplored. I see painful stories told over and over again. I see the yearning to be shattered, to explain away the hurt. I see the fear of being whole. Unified. The shirking away from what it would mean if we were pristine, amazing beings who were simply never broken.

I see the fruitless searching for more and more avenues to fix yourself in service to reinforcing the notion you are broken. I see you seeking a way out that only leads back in. I see the dalliances with beliefs that no longer work...that life is hard. That struggling is omnipresent. And that the point is to grow a little with each bit of turmoil. We suss out meaning to make the shit seem worth it, rather than wondering why the shit is happening to us the first place. The “why me” question is annoying to some, but often a powerful one to ask. Why you? Why does the chaos reign? Are you stuck in the belief that pain is where transformation happens? What’s the story that tells you that life is hard?

I see the push and pull for something new. Graceful. Loving. Easy. I see the need for the delight. And I see the ache when you live the belief that joy can only come from struggle...that every crack must be filled before happy can shine through. I see the tossing and turning to get it all right.

I, however, see you as alright. Better than. Magnificent. Amazing. Whole. I see you filled completely, with the essence of who you are...love. I see you trying so hard to pretend otherwise...to fit in. To feel better. To be human. But human doesn’t mean wounded. Or hurt. It means alive. It means experience. You do not have to fix the human to feel the divine. You simply have to be in the experience of you to know the energy of source. There is no need to try. Or transcend your present state. You waited a long time to get on this amazing roller coaster. Don’t shut your eyes and pretend you are not good enough to have the ride of your existence. Open your eyes, throw up your hands and love with abandon. Enjoy it. Open your eyes and see what I see. Open your eyes and see the perfection.

To read more of Jo Anna's guest posts on Kind Over Matter click here!

Things are as they are

2011-12-14T07:00:00.001-05:00

Untitled by Savina Gost

Things are as they are. Looking out into it the universe at night, we make no comparisons between right and wrong stars, nor between well and badly arranged constellations.

—
Alan Watts

26 Free + Inspirational iPhone Wallpapers from 26 Awesome @Etsy Artists!

2011-12-13T09:03:00.145-05:00

In your light I learn how to love. In your beauty, how to make poems. You dance inside my chest where no-one sees you, but sometimes I do, and that sight becomes this art.
—
Rumi

Hi lovely community of amazingness! I hope Tuesday is treating you well & the holiday season isn't driving you too buggy (breathe sweetness breathe!)

So, a week or so ago I was looking for a new wallpaper for my iPhone lock screen, searching google, searching apps, & I thought to myself, I really wish I could find a bunch of my favorite (Etsy!) artists all in one place - light bulb moment! Don't you just love those!?! 3 hours later I had contacted over 50 artists from Etsy. The YESES & LOVE were pouring in & I thought hotdamn, well, this will soooo be my go-to place when I want to change my lock screen! Truth: As they came in over the last week I was changing up my wallpaper every day, loving each & every one them so much!

I even added a painting that I painted for one of my sisters to make an even number of wallpapers for the post :)

You could also use them centered on your desktop if you wish to.

Make sure to check out some of these brilliant artists' shops via the links below each image - so much goodness.

Happy Holidays to you & yours - Enjoy!

Love,

DIRECTIONS
To download, while on your iPhone click on the image of which wallpaper(s) you'd like to download, a bigger & higher res image will load up, hold your finger on that image, save it, & then go into your settings, then wallpaper, select camera roll, search for the image & load it up either as your lock or home screen.

LEFT: Jessica Rose on Etsy ~+~ RIGHT: Rachel Awes on Etsy

LEFT: Lisa Barbero on Etsy ~+~ RIGHT: Shelli Dorfe on Etsy

LEFT: Valerie Lorimer on Etsy ~+~ RIGHT: Erin Beeler on Etsy

LEFT: Catina Jane Gray on Etsy ~+~ RIGHT: Nicole Duquette on Etsy

LEFT: Lesley Myrick on Etsy ~+~ RIGHT: Kathy Jeffords on Etsy

LEFT: Kelli Murray on Etsy ~+~ RIGHT: Shelley Kommers on Etsy

LEFT: Melissa Baswell Williams on Etsy ~+~ RIGHT: Lori Portka on Etsy

LEFT: Dawn Smith on Etsy ~+~ RIGHT: Lisa Weedn on Etsy

LEFT: Estera Kecek on Etsy ~+~ RIGHT: Wanda Mcphee on Etsy

LEFT: Aimee Heffernan on Etsy ~+~ RIGHT: Rebecca Peragine & Jenny Poon

LEFT: Jennifer Lang on Etsy ~+~ RIGHT: Amanda Fall on Etsy

LEFT: Kelly Barton on Etsy ~+~ RIGHT: Liv Lane on Etsy

LEFT: Melanie Linder on Etsy ~+~ RIGHT: Amanda Oaks on Etsy

Click below to share this post with your community!

Search for the seed of good in every adversity

2011-12-13T07:00:00.003-05:00

Untitled by Couche Tard

Search for the seed of good in every adversity. Master that principle and you will own a precious shield that will guard you well through all the darkest valleys you must traverse. Stars may be seen from the bottom of a deep well, when they cannot be discerned from the mountaintop. So will you learn things in adversity that you would never have discovered without trouble. There is always a seed of good. Find it and prosper.

—
Og Mandino

Peace Is Right Here with Julia Fehrenbacher

2011-12-12T09:03:00.036-05:00

Guest Post by Julia Fehrenbacher for the Kind Kindred series.

art by Julia Fehrenbacher

Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this moment is the only one you know you have for sure.
—
Oprah

Peace Is Right Here

This morning as I was hurrying to make my tea so I could get to this computer to write, these words entered my mind: What if you stopped thinking that the next thing was the thing? And in that moment, I paused. I paused long enough to notice the steam rising out of my mug, to notice the gentle way the honey slid off the spoon, long enough to feel the warmth of the mug in my hands. And then, instead of rushing to the keyboard, I took some deep breaths, lit my favorite candle, said a prayer, looked at the lit up Christmas tree lights for a few minutes, noticed how it was still dark outside on this early December morning. As I was pausing to notice these things, to notice the very moment I was in, something that felt like peace filled my insides.

Ever since Amanda invited me to write this post, I’ve had a flurry of thoughts about what I would write about and there was this pushy part of me insisting that I get on it. But each time I thought about sitting down to write, this message came to me: Let go of trying to figure anything out and let yourself sink fully into this moment. You will know exactly what you need to know exactly when you need to know it. Trust.

In retrospect, I see that I wasn’t yet ready to write because what I needed to write about hadn’t yet happened.

Yesterday, a tiny being with the biggest ever heart, our pet hamster, Nibbles, took her last little breath. I know, you’re probably thinking — a hamster? All kinds of unkind voices (in my head) tried to talk me out of writing about this sweet little being because she was “just a hamster.” But here’s the thing I realized yesterday in the space between the sobs, she is spirit and there is no spirit any less than any other, no matter how tiny, no matter how anything. That miniature being had so much sweetness inside of her, I swear she could have sugared the world. She was just pure sweetness. And I loved her. And my girls loved her. Even my husband loved her. She asked nothing of anyone but gave so much. She came out of her little nestled spot every time she heard a voice. She didn’t bite. She settled into our hands with such trust. Her big eyes held a whole river of kindness.

As my six-year-old sobbed in my arms yesterday, I was achingly aware of the sting of loss, and, at the same time, so aware of the sweetest kind of tenderness that was able to seep in because of it. There is nothing quite like death to teach us about life, about what truly matters. This little being’s death created space for love, big love, and for compassion and overwhelming gratitude. The kindness that poured in was so heart opening--the receptionist at the vet’s office who called me “honey,” gave me permission to sob and shared her heartbreak over her pet lizard’s recent death. There were text messages, emails, phone calls—such heart-warming beauty. After I released the flood of tears that needed to come out of me, and after I told my girls the news and they released theirs, we had the kindest, quietest, most love-filled afternoon. We nestled in close to each other. We talked softer. At the dinner table, we all held hands and said our thank yous for this playful, furry spirit of sweetness that graced our presence.

I think what I most want to say here is this: This breath is truly the only one we know we have for sure. All the love that we are seeking is nowhere but here, tucked into this very moment. If we pause for long enough to allow this truth to seep all the way in, if we decide to show up for each moment with the fullness of who we are, we will be kinder. We will be gentle with ourselves when we don’t get it “right.“ We will stop withholding love. We will listen to our life. We will remember to breathe. We will let go of trying to be and simply Be. We will hold each other close. We will stop the thoughts that doubt our worth. We will give fully, knowing there is always enough. We will let go of that which no longer serves us. We will stop waiting. We will leap into the life we know we’re here to live. We will say thank you and please. We will play. We will giggle. We will jump for joy.

If there is one thing I know for sure, it is this: Peace is right here, it’s never anywhere else. The next thing is never the thing.

In your hopelessness is the only hope

2011-12-12T07:00:00.006-05:00

gain strength from your surroundings by Anne Carr/one love**..is sometimes here!!!!

In your hopelessness is the only hope, and in your desirelessness is your only fulfillment, and in your tremendous helplessness suddenly the whole existence starts helping you.

—
Osho

Friday's Lovelies : 12.9.11

2011-12-09T09:03:00.020-05:00

Untitled by SgtSalt

Walking the Walk : We are constantly learning from one another and being transformed and reshaped in the process. This is a creative community that shapes itself, feeds itself, and evolves.

YOU-Centered Economics : You are becoming the heart & soul of a new engine of economic growth. You are influencing giant corporations through your words & actions. You are forming microbusinesses and taking earning into your own hands. You are less dependent on “the system” and more dependent on your community.

Finding Center in Difficult Times : Now, when the storms are at my door, I go to that place called center. Like the eye of the storm, center is that place of stillness around which everything revolves. Perfect stillness is central to all that is.

Choosing Enthusiasm : I have no desire to work with passionate people. It is not what I am about. I know that may seem downright blasphemous to some. To those who choose passion as the driving force in their life.

Sacred space, sacred voice : Have you ever had one of those times when something’s gotta give, when what you’re doing, or what you’ve been doing, just flat out isn’t working for you?

10 Things I Want To Tell Every Teenage Goddess : Embrace your inner weird. This is the stuff that makes you interesting and gorgeous and exciting to be around.

Meltin' by Ro sea

Above, I so need to try that!

Fab.com features daily design inspirations & sales at up to 70% off - um, this design nerd is in love just to window shop!

Pretty Grown Up Friendship Bracelet Tutorial

Free Teleclass I'm stoked for : The 7 Habits of Peaceful Entrepreneurs

Lovin' ridiculously hard on this Guided Mindfulness Meditation.

Soul*Full eCourse : Personal Growth + Connection + Soul*Full Photos = Transformation.

Free Printable Peace, Love & Joy Bunting that Jo made by using her own art work & my printable kit!! Love it!

DIY 5 Minute Tinsel Garland Wreath

Heart House Ornament out of Recycled Christmas Cards

Magic Santa Key Printable : Have your kids ever asked you how Santa gets into your house on Christmas Eve? We don't have a chimney, so it is always a question at our house.

And here is what I know now
Here is what I know now
Goes like this..
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, in your love, in your love

Well I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
Yes I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
With my brother and my sister standing by
With my brother and my sister standing by
With my brother and my sister standing by

Love,

When love awakens in your life

2011-12-09T07:00:00.001-05:00

Kiss - the autograph of love? by kristijasejane

When love awakens in your life, in the night of your heart, it is like the dawn breaking within you. Where before there was anonymity, now there is intimacy; where before there was fear, now there is courage; where before in your life there was awkwardness, now there is a rhythm of grace and gracefulness; where before you used to be jagged, now you are elegant and in rhythm with your self. When love awakens in your life, it is like a rebirth, a new beginning.

—
John O'Donohue

Joy follows like a shadow

2011-12-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

Y by ...storrao...

We are formed and molded by our thoughts. Those whose minds are shaped by selfless thoughts give joy when they speak or act. Joy follows them like a shadow that never leaves them.

—
Buddha

The Call of Adventure

2011-12-07T10:14:00.009-05:00

Guest post by Jo Anna Rothman.

print by Morgan Kendall on Etsy

The Call of Adventure

The world is waiting for you. For you! The world is waiting for you to embark on your adventure...one created and waiting just for you. One that will lead you on a journey, wild and daring but oh so perfect. This adventure, your adventure...it calls. Beckons. Whispers. Yells. Screams. Many times over the course of an existence. The invitation pops up when you are ready. Or not. It doesn’t matter. The adventure is ready, and it is not shy in letting you know.

I remember the first time I heard adventure whisper my name. I sat in a crowded theatre, graduating with a masters degree in counseling psychology. Clad in cap and gown, I had my diploma in hand. I was all ready to dive into a life as a therapist, that is until I heard Jean Houston speak. She spun tales of travel, love, wisdom, service, creativity, spirit and exhilaration. The words were seductive. Sweet. Not to mention troubling. I knew in an instant, that despite 4 years of grad school, I did not want to be a therapist. I was willing to give up everything I said I wanted to have this adventure, whatever it was.

The problem was, I didn’t know what to do. I had no idea how to embark upon such an adventure. So I did what was expected...I continued my training. 2 years went by. Adventure called. I listened but didn’t follow. I kept waiting for it to sweep me up. I wanted the path to be laid out before me...a yellow brick road that I could not help but walk upon. But alas, that is not how things worked.

Adventure called louder and louder. Glimpses and fleeting ideas of what could be. Encouragement. Tales of inspiration. I knew there was more for me. I knew an adventure was out there. So I waited and waited figuring if this was something I was supposed to do, then it would work itself out. Instead, I was fired, which is in some ways is the same thing.

It was then that I realized I actually had to choose into adventure. I had to say yes, and then be daring. The more I interacted, pushing myself into the world beyond what was safe and comfortable the more adventures presented themselves to me. I got to do the work I love. Create a project that changes peoples lives. Share myself and my words with you. Be of service in the world. Connect deeply. Laugh tons. Travel. Chill. And so much more than could ever put words to. But only because I said yes and dove in.

The thing about adventure is that we don’t know what that first step is until we take it. Heeding the call is a wildly courageous act. It requires a faith in your superhero powers of creativity. You must trust that no matter what, you’ll figure someway to make your life work. The best part is, it keeps calling. It does not forget you. Even after you embark, new levels adventure reach out to you all time.

Adventure knows your name. It has your number. It whispers sweetly in your ear, “the world is waiting for you.” It is time to sing your song. Paint your masterpiece. Drop the veils and let yourself be seen. Are you willing to say yes? Are you ready to take a leap? Are you open to living out the purpose of your soul and flesh? Are you ready to be you? Fully? Beautiful! Say yes! and begin. The world is waiting.

To read more of Jo Anna's guest posts on Kind Over Matter click here!

Sponsor Love : Crazy Simple Life

2011-12-07T09:03:00.007-05:00

Crazy Simple Life

Do you have a Crazy Simple Life filled with refrigerator art drawings, furry friends with paws, an apron you ways mean to use, a home that tries to look its best every day, and a much-deserved date night with your One and Only? Oh, and don't forget the occasional delicious cocktail.

Well, same here! We are three thirty-something creative women who hope to make life a bit easier for you by sharing some things we've learned along the way on our new blog The Crazy Simple Life. Of course, we're still learning - and balancing, managing, creating, trying - but the best part is knowing we're always able to help each other out with tips and tricks like these:

* Discover original recipes like a baking queen's secret best-ever enhanced cake formula and delicious Orange Honey Glazed Carrots

* Get inspired with DIY-craft projects and entertaining ideas

* Manage holiday madness with homespun gifts, hostess tips, and yummy-easy goodies to put on the table

* Organize a bit better with quick solutions for under your roof

* Take care of yourself more with insights and confessions (we all love a good confession, right?)

* Relax with parenting tips like getting your kid to eat without a massive food fight. We know who always wins that one...

* And because we love our readers, Freebies are a regular necessity! Woot!

So come over and say hi! We look forward to connecting with you and hope we can help you rock your Crazy Simple Life, one day at a time.

And one more thing - you'll never guess that we're also on Facebook and Twitter.

You have done what you could

2011-12-07T07:00:00.001-05:00

Untitled by Elizabeth Gadd

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.

—
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fields of Joy

2011-12-06T09:29:00.002-05:00

Guest post by Daniel Collinsworth.

FIELD OF WHITE FLOWERS by kelp1966

Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
there is a field. I'll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass,
the world is too full to talk about.
—
Rumi

Fields of Joy

When I breathe deeply and slowly, the Universe breathes with me. Deeply, slowly, this world becomes still. Deeply, slowly, this stillness connects me to The Center.

Here, there is one truth: I Am.

My body, in the Lotus Position, begins to blur at the edges. I become aware of a shining, golden sun inside my belly.

I breathe in, and the sun’s light intensifies. I breathe out, and the light expands in all directions. I breathe in, I Am. I breathe out, I Am Still.

I open internal eyes to see a field – a radiant, limitless field – unfolding all around me. I see the sun in my belly, now in the center of an endless golden sky: True Source, pouring rivers of unconditional love and joy – like rolling ribbons of intricate, living light – into this sacred I Am space. I open my hands and arms into a posture of surrender and receiving.

I see the sun in the endless golden sky, now in the center of my belly: I Am, radiating streams of unconditional joy and love back into Source awareness.

True Source: My Love for You.

I am seen. I am seeing. I am knowing. I am known. My joy is complete.

The field around me breathes deeply and slowly. I understand the gift of Being: giving and receiving. Inhaling, exhaling. Our radiance and meaning. I Am.

I am Love, I am Stillness, I am Joy. I am One.

This is home. This is ours.

With a deep, slow breath, I return my awareness to my body. I open my eyes and see a world around me that is still breathing with stillness and love.

The trees, with their gentle knowing, whisper their wisdom to me. I savor our common stillness. I create a space of gratitude for this sacred Now, and I smile and laugh.

I remember my Source connection, I honor the light of my central sun, and I walk in fields of joy.

To read more of Daniel's guest posts on Kind Over Matter click here!

Teach this triple truth to all

2011-12-06T07:00:00.002-05:00

Untitled by Lá caitlin

Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.

—
Buddha

The Gift of Creating Space with Liz Lamoreux

2011-12-05T09:29:00.027-05:00

Guest Post by Liz Lamoreux for the Kind Kindred series.

The Gift of Creating Space

December is a month that holds so much as it sits on the last page of the calendar. It can seem like an almost constant chatter of holiday music and decorations and shops at capacity with customers seeking the perfect gift. To-do lists are long and nostalgia becomes a companion as we try to recreate recipes and traditions. There is beauty and longing and grief and hope and excitement and so much more swirled together in the midst of the tinsel and cups of hot cocoa.

This month holds so much as it stands on the edge of a new year.

Then there are the moments when it is simply too much. There are too many events to attend and gifts to buy and cards to write and guilt sneaks up behind us as we realize we cannot do it all. For many, loneliness and longing come knocking at the door. For others, the fear of more debt sits in the middle of the living room right next to the tree. We miss those who won’t be with us. We hope things will be different this year. We wish. We hope. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

As we walk through this beautiful, magical, truly mystical time of year, I believe we can create space for feeling all of it. We can honor the joy and the grief. We can open our hearts to all of it as we sing along with the music in the grocery stores and write our holiday cards and consider dialing the phone to say, “I miss you” to the person who will answer. We can slow down; we can breathe deeply; we can rest; we can just be right here.

In this moment, give yourself the gift of self-kindness by taking a few minutes to rest your mind and breathe.

Below you will find an audio meditation that guides you through a few minutes of releasing whatever you are holding today as you let your mind find the space to quiet. Before you get started, it is a good idea to create a space for yourself where you won’t be distracted by others, the phone, email, and so on. Find a comfortable way to sit (or lie down), and begin when you are ready.

Right click & save as to download, or simply click to listen:

The Gift of Creating Space Meditation.Mp3
May you give yourself the gift of creating space for all of it as you navigate what this month holds for you. And may your corner of the world be filled with blessings and light and moments of kindness through self-care and love.

Liz Lamoreux is a retreat host, teacher, author of Inner Excavation: Explore Your Self Through Photography, Poetry, and Mixed Media, and the artist behind the shop Soul Mantras and Other Stories. She believes that we heal each time we unearth our stories and share them through creativity and in community. And in this moment, she is probably singing in her studio as she listens to James Taylor's Christmas album and her one-year-old daughter plays with books and fabric scraps beside her, or maybe she is practicing what she teaches and they are both taking a nap. To connect with Liz, visit her website.

you’ll be a person worthy of your own respects

2011-12-05T07:00:00.002-05:00

Happiness Perseveres by Spencer Finnley

Don’t listen to those who say ‘you are taking too big a chance.’ Michelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor, and it would surely be rubbed out by today. Most important, don’t listen when the little voice of fear inside you rears its ugly head and says ‘they all smarter than you out there. They’re more talented, they’re taller, blonder, prettier, luckier, and they have connections.” I firmly believe that if you follow a path that interests you, not to the exclusion of love, sensitivity, and cooperation with others, but with the strength of conviction that you can move others by your own efforts—and do not make success or failure the criteria by which you live—the chances are you’ll be a person worthy of your own respects.

—
Neil Simon

Friday's Lovelies : 12.2.11

2011-12-02T09:03:00.004-05:00

You are loved by hannahclark

Sixty Years of Memories : I love this gift idea so much.

How to Forgive Yourself : Forgiveness knows your name, and is waiting for you. Today, you have a choice. To be I was or I am.

Put Your Heart In It : my newest on Roots of She! I talk about my entrepreneurial roots (aka my awesome parents), my most memorable Christmas gifts & share 18 DIY gifts that you can put your heart into!

Have you subscribed to Roots of She yet? You can do that here if you haven't, seriously, you don't want to miss a post, they're all fabulous! Jenn is gearing up for the Winter Tribe, I'm gonna miss being there next season but I am sooooo stoked to see who will be sharing!

The Choose Love Project is about helping women both young & old understand that loving your body & healing your relationship with food and exercise is a choice, that it is indeed about choosing love. When you choose love you have nothing to lose.

More beautiful Printables using my kit!

This post hit me hard : The thing that feels painful & vulnerable : Because I’m terrified that there’s going to be someone smarter, better informed, who understands the big picture more completely than I do... and that that person will bash me for being an uninformed idiot speaking out of turn.

Roots & Feathers : Can I have everything in this shop please? Thanks!

Writing a book? Thinking about writing a book? Maybe writing a book is one of your BIG DREAMS! (It's one of mine!) Enter Your Big Beautiful Book Plan! More genius from Danielle LaPorte! I can't wait to dig into this!

Build Your Tribe Tuesday – Do it with joy

Very useful for the upcoming holiday season : How to communicate with difficult people : Is there someone in your life whose attitude can cause a “less than desired” response from you? Do you allow one or more people to send you off on a turbo charged emotional response that often ruins an entire day?

Happy Weekend to you,
see you Monday!

Love,

allowing the energy of the universe to lead you

2011-12-02T07:00:00.005-05:00

161/365 by emileeelizabeth

I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint - and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.

—
Oprah Winfrey

Spin Your Story : Embracing Limitations

2011-12-01T09:29:00.002-05:00

Guest post by Wendy Brightbill.

print by Wendy Brightbill

Embracing Limitations

The year following my car accident was a jumbled up mess. I remember little flashes. Being sprawled out on the couch. Debilitating pain. Tears of desperation. The world seemed to be spinning. And somehow it felt like it was all my fault.

I couldn't put two and two together. I would get lost driving around a town I had lived in my entire life. I found myself missing entire conversations. They were just completely gone.

Looking back, I wasn't even aware that I had a brain injury.

All of the ways that I was used to operating were just gone. Being the detail oriented perfectionist, it was staggering to lose that part of myself. Someone took all the puzzle pieces and mixed them all up. I had a broken brain.

I felt like someone had switched all the wires to my TV and all I got was static and fuzz.

On the outside, I seemed normal. But appearances can be deceiving, especially when it comes to brain injuries.

I withdrew. From life. From friends. From hope.

Before the car accident I was extremely left brained, almost to a fault. I obsessed over the details in life. Remembering times and dates, piece of cake. Multi-tasking, no sweat. Being on time and prepared, what I was designed to do.

This is all before a car accident rewired my brain. My left brain was the side that received most of the damage. So what happens when a left brained perfectionist injures the side of their brain that makes them tick? Well let's just say I went a little loony! The delusional part was that I was convinced that I could still perform the same tasks and do them well.

If I could tell myself anything that first year, it would be this:

Dear Wendy,

You have a brain injury. You need to be kind to yourself and give yourself time to make new connections in your brain. All of these frustrations you are feeling are normal and it's ok. Things will not be the same as before, but you will find a new normal. Don't be so hard on yourself and look for all of the beauty around you!

Love,
Yourself

Years passed. I would love to say that I woke up one day and everything changed. But that isn't quite how things worked. It took me a LONG time to accept that my brain worked differently. Let's just say that there were many tear filled conversations with my husband about how I wasn't the same.

It's near impossible to change the way you see yourself. But slowly I began to realize that maybe I might not EVER be the same. Maybe I needed to accept my brain injury. My personality went from structured to go with the flow. And the more I began to accept those limitations, freedom became possible. I could breathe again.

When I let go of the expectations I had on myself, I could finally start putting the pieces back together.

So what huge life lesson have I learned from having my left brain injured? I have learned to let things go. I have discovered that there is this whole other side to my brain. Imagine that? I found out that I love being creative. I learned to make a mess and enjoy doing it.

There was a time I wouldn't have loved the messy free flowing nature of mixed media art. Now, I thrive on it. Now all I want to do is get glue and paint all over my fingers. I use my right brain every day to create art. And I am so thankful for that.

Hind sight truly is 20/20. If I could only tell myself back then about the beauty that would come out of adversity. Who knew that such a huge limitation like a brain injury would turn into living a creative life?

Today I can say I wouldn't trade my path for anything. Yes it was gut wrenchingly difficult. But look what I have to show for it? An incredible creative life.

Wendy Brightbill is a mixed media artist, art journalist and seeker of beauty. She found art after a car accident rearranged her brain. Wendy teaches art therapy classes for those wanting to make a mess and find healing. She recently launched her online class titled, The Altered Life E-course.

When the eye is not set on one leaf

2011-12-01T07:00:00.003-05:00

red leaves by tamaki

When facing a single tree, if you look at a single one of its red leaves, you will not see all the others. When the eye is not set on one leaf, and you face the tree with nothing at all in mind, any number of leaves are visible to the eye without limit. But if a single leaf holds the eye, it will be as if the remaining leaves were not there.

—
Takuan Soto

I Believe

2011-11-30T10:22:00.012-05:00

Guest post by Jo Anna Rothman.

* When You Wish Upon A Star Your Dreams Come True * by pareeerica

I Believe

I believe in the goodness. The goodness that lies in the heart of most. The good that radiates, even if chaos and pain are shattering through their lives. I believe that people want to act with love. Want bring a smile. I believe that most folks desire connection, joy and the opportunity to be of service.

I believe that people forget. Forget that they are love. Beauty. Absolute preciousness and that everyone else is too. I believe that people fall into the trap of illusion...thinking that they need to do more and more to be worthy. To be seen. To be loved. I believe that worth is inherent to existence. That doing is wonderful, but proves nothing about who we are.

I believe that sometimes things suck. Hard. Times can be rough. Tough. Challenging to the core. I believe in our ability to learn. To grow. To re-create the chaos into something magnificent. I believe in my responsibility to create my life. I don’t believe in blame. I believe I can look at what keeps showing up and fine tune my process, so that the crap filters away. I believe we are magnificent creators, often manifesting with our eyes closed and our intentions garbled.

I believe in humanity. In divinity. In the mighty blending of the two. I believe in god. God. The Universe. I believe that the yearning to fill the holes in our hearts is really a yearning to feel the wholeness that is the truth of it all. I believe the ego gets a bad rap. It’s the eye. The I. It is the human experience the divine being is having. It is not designed for perfection. I believe that self-forgiveness is the key to coming back round to center.

I believe in love. In friendship. In magic and miracles. In surprises. I believe in Santa Claus. The tooth fairy. Ghosts. Genies in bottles. I believe in wishing on stars. In fountains. On eyelashes. I believe that there are things I will never know. I believe I’ll be okay with that.

I believe in goals. In dreaming. In strategy. I believe in wishing up wild ways of being. I believe in the power of desire. I believe that we really can create all the love, prosperity, health, creativity and adventure we want. I believe that taking action is the best way to get stuff done. I believe that rest is powerful and doing nothing is an art.

I believe that the best things lay beyond the world of words and logic. They are to be experienced rather than spoken of and dissected. Elvis, mystical experiences, Twin Peaks and Van Gogh fall into that realm. I believe that those moments calls us present. We have the experience of all being whole and then coming separate again so that we can be who we are this go around. I believe that all is sacred, no matter what. That joy lies at the heart. That pleasure, love and laughter are the purpose. It is the whole, the beauty, the way. It is. I believe I am. I believe you are too.

What do you believe?

To read more of Jo Anna's guest posts on Kind Over Matter click here!

Sponsor Love : the Note Project

2011-11-30T09:03:00.023-05:00

the Note Project

Earlier this year, the Note Project was featured on Kind Over Matter. Since then, more than 750 people have pledged to send a note of appreciation, making the world 750 times better!

A “Thank You” Gift for You

I appreciate all the support people have shown for the Note Project, and I want to thank everybody by giving you free Note Project eKits that you can give to family and friends.

The main component of the eKit is an e-book edition of The Note, a book about the power of appreciation that was named Best Gift Book of 2011 in the Living Now Book Awards. Your friends can also download any or all of the free bonus gifts from Note Project sponsors.

There are no catches. Recipients don't have to sign-up or subscribe to anything, and they won't receive any unsolicited e-mails. They can just download their free gift from you and enjoy. They can also send free eKits to their friends if they like.

To send the gift of a free Note Project eKit to up to 10 people you appreciate, click HERE.

To see the page that your friends will be directed to, click HERE -- and feel free to download the e-book edition of The Note and free bonus gifts for yourself.

Special Offer: $10 Note Gift Set

If you’re looking for a thoughtful and inexpensive holiday gift for family, friends or coworkers, you can give the Note Gift Set for only $10. Each gift set includes a signed, hardback edition of The Note, a DVD video based on the book, a Note Project bookmark, and a set of three premium-quality “thank you” cards. Added bonus: shipping is free on orders of $25 or more! For more information, click HERE.

‘Til the next note,
Mike O’Mary
Founder, the Note Project

I know that they support you

2011-11-30T07:00:00.006-05:00

flight of the muse by ladybugrock

Your Feet

When I cannot look at your face
I look at your feet.
Your feet of arched bone,
your hard little feet.
I know that they support you,
and that your sweet weight
rises upon them.
Your waist and your breasts,
the doubled purple
of your nipples,
the sockets of your eyes
that have just flown away,
your wide fruit mouth,
your red tresses,
my little tower.
But I love your feet
only because they walked
upon the earth and upon
the wind and upon the waters,
until they found me.

—
Pablo Neruda

Kind Apps : Relax Melodies for Sleep, Meditation & Yoga!

2011-11-29T09:29:00.046-05:00

Relax Melodies for Sleep, Meditation & Yoga
(clicking the above link will take you to the app store)

I've been using this app for a few weeks now & I can't say enough about it. Truth be told, meditation is hard for me, it always has been, lots of chatter, lots of getting down on myself for not being able to quiet my mind -- & that was before my beautiful boys came along. When they came, sadly, I gave up even trying. If I was able to slip away for a bit, while Kurt watched them, I could still hear them, sometimes even over our hurricane fan, joyously running & jumping downstairs, their frustrations, their giggling.

I was in BLISS when I happened upon this app. I slip on my headphones & I am transported to paradise.

Throughout my life, even though I can't play but a lick of music, some of my most spiritually-connected experiences were sound-oriented - so you can see why this is huge for me!

I also use this app as a mechanism for relaxation.

Last week before we traveled to the other side of the state for the holiday, I stood on my back stoop, closed my eyes, selected a melody that I created called, Oceans Deep (Hi Raven!) & I was there.

Standing in the sand, waves crashing, a drum circle in the distance, the breeze through my hair, seagulls flying overhead, the sun warming my skin.

I was standing feet from the ocean & I was in love.

Thoughts came in & I smiled, gently letting them go, as they were mostly good thoughts, beach memories or memories yet to be made.

Just moments before, I was a ball of nerves, trying to pull a few business-related loose ends tight, before we embarked.

Instant relaxation = Invaluable.

My two favorite features in this app are:

1. You can combine up to 10 sounds to create your own melody from 82 high-quality ambient sounds including 6 binaural beats frequencies for brainwave entrainment. You can change the volume on every sound to get the most personalized relaxation experience ever. The sounds range from ocean waves, a cat purring, thunderstorm, rain, chanting, drums, white, pink & brown noise, a dryer running, the list just goes on & on!

2. You can save your melodies! Which you can see above the 3 I've saved so far (can you tell that water calms me?!)

This app has literally changed the way I meditate, all for the better. Also, a big plus, if I am having trouble sleeping, it's pure gold.

Beautiful stuff! Enjoy!

Love,

trust yourself to the water

2011-11-29T07:00:00.003-05:00

Sea of Love by Micah Camara

To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim you don't grab hold of the water, because if you do you will sink and drown. Instead you relax, and float.

—
Alan Watts

5 Wishes & 1 Free Printable As You Embrace December with Tracey Selingo

2011-11-28T09:29:00.002-05:00

Guest Post by Tracey Selingo for the Kind Kindred series.

I'm so grateful that you're taking a few minutes out of your cyber Monday to dance with me here in Amanda's garden of kindness. We all need this space to soothe the savage and quiet the storms that brew around, above, behind and within us.

Now more than ever, really.

December is just a few days away. There are Christmas tunes on the radio, a barrage of gift-giving deals and ideals on the tube and it's nearly impossible to walk into a store that's not decorated floor-to-ceiling, window-to-window, wall-to-wall. Heavy sigh.

What no marketer wants you to know is that you really don't need to look farther than your own heart to know how to make this season special for yourself and others. For all the gifts you plan to make, and those you plan to buy, you only need to remember this: when you give yourself to others without condition, without expectation and without reward then the peace you receive in kind delivers enough joy for a lifetime.

There is no magic like the magic of connecting, knowing, enjoying and loving those you're with whether they're under your roof or on the other side of the world.

A simple note, a two-minute call, a surprise visit, an unexpected offer...these are the gifts that say "I know," "I love," "I care." And in the hustle and bustle of where life continues to take us, it's sometimes hard to just know that YOU are gift enough. And you are.

With that, I have five wishes for you this season:

may you discover them all one by one. Day by day. Month after month. And may you take these wishes and share them with your own world...just click here for a free DIY 5x7 (A7) holiday card. There's no time like the present to be present.

Tracey Selingo is a writer and communication consultant who helps people get a word in edgewise at ink engage. She's also an impulsive-dark-chocoholic-belly-laughing-promise-maker. You can find her promises at Twisted Pinky.

It’s hard to see

2011-11-28T07:00:00.002-05:00

Untitled by laura zalenga

Take time to recharge your batteries. It’s hard to see where you’re going when your lights are dim.

—
Robert H. Connelly

from my heart to yours

2011-11-24T07:00:00.032-05:00

Thank You! by katiedaisy

I hope your day is filled with light, love & laughter.

See you Monday,
beautiful you.

You are so loved,

The Oracle of You

2011-11-23T10:30:00.025-05:00

Guest post by Jo Anna Rothman.

Standing in the Light : art print by Outi Harma

The Oracle of You

We long for answers. Fortunes to be told. Knowledge of what is coming to us. We want someone to divine the truths of life and let us know what our role is to be. We want to know our place. We want the oracle.

The oracle is a being of mystery. Of wonder. Of deep, divine connection. From the oracle, words of truth are spoken, untangled and shared. They can read the landscape of our hearts and know the path that leads to the treasure. They can heal, transform and rebuild.

We search for the oracle in the kingdom of others. “Is this right?” “Is this wrong?” “Will it all be ok?” “Will I ever get to that magic place I long to be?” We ask. Beg. Plead. We seek the mighty reassurance of authority. We petition everyone who sits on high, hoping that they somehow know us better than we could know ourselves. We want from them a calming presence letting us know that everything will be alright. We end up asking everyone but the actual oracle.

Sometimes we don’t even know that a true oracle exists. We are so conditioned to think of them as only residing the myths of ages gone by. We ask our questions just the same, craving reassurance in any way it comes. We simply don’t know that an option of divine excellence is awaiting us. If we are lucky, the possibility of truth is revealed in our search.

The path to the oracle is steep and winding, treacherous enough to whittle away the weak at heart. But really, the magic that awaits pulls the eager traveler towards the goal. We reach the tip top peak only to feel powerfully grounded in our center. And when we are finally granted an audience we are given a view into the eyes that see all. The love that pours forth is familiar. Personal. Ours. Literally. The oracle is us.

Within us, lives the wise one we seek. It resides deeply in our essence. It’s the quiet space in the whirling winds of our mind. It is still. True. Steady. It responds when asked, though it recognizes the value of silence. It guides us through what feels right, even if the thoughts make no sense.

The more we remove the debris of the mind, the clearer the oracle speaks. We release the resentment, pain and shame of dreams that did not come true in any prescribed manner. In turn, we are gifted with a connection to the wisdom of The Universe that lives inside us all.

If we want to know the future, we can look in our hearts. Our heads. Our mirrors. We can look to our oracle. That is not to say the oracle knows all. There is a mystery to life that is to be respected. And the oracle does. We are also not meant to do it all by our lonesomes. We are in community in service to each other. We provide assistance. Illumination. Help. And in turn are provided for. Yet as we receive from others, the oracle within shows us who speaks words that resonate with our truth.

The oracle of you is a breath away. An intention and a practice of patience separates you from the wisdom that you desire. The oracle waits quiets until it is finally, directly, asked. It is waiting for you.

To read more of Jo Anna's guest posts on Kind Over Matter click here!

Sponsor Love : I Shop Indie

2011-11-23T09:03:00.013-05:00

I Shop Indie

I Shop Indie is a one stop shop, where you can find handmade goods from a variety of independent designers. The site includes clothing, jewelry, bags, home goods, bath/body goods and more. It's the perfect place to start your holiday shopping this year. You'll find one of a kind treasures for your loved ones and feel good supporting indie artists.

* Styles on offer range from cute and clever to modern and chic

* Great gifts for everyone on your list, including friends, family, guys, girls and kids

* Discover artists you love + buy products directly from them

During your visit, be sure to enter our awesome giveaway. You can win a box full of handmade goodies from our designers.

Connect:
:: Website :: Facebook :: Twitter ::

Friendship is the purest love

2011-11-23T07:00:00.008-05:00

A place In the world where the sun passes through by andrew.stichbury.

Friendship is the purest love. It is the highest form of Love where nothing is asked for, no condition, where one simply enjoys giving.

—
Osho

A Love Letter for Living

2011-11-22T09:20:00.005-05:00

Guest post by Daniel Collinsworth.

Weekend by Dredrk aka Mr Sky

A Love Letter for Living

I am grateful for the loneliness that taught me self-knowing. The abuse that taught me compassion. The sadness that taught me to swim in deep waters.

I am thankful for the broken heart that taught me self-love. The rejection that taught me self-acceptance. The humiliation that taught me tenderness.

I am grateful for the darkness that taught me empathy. The hopelessness that taught me perseverance. The failed suicide attempt that taught me that love is the reason to live.

I am thankful for the grief that taught me to say “I love you” today, not tomorrow.

I am grateful for the the difficult relationships that show me where inner development is needed. The mistakes that teach me responsibility. The forgiveness that teaches me grace.

I am thankful for the time of homelessness that taught me that life is about choices.

I am grateful for the job loss that taught me entrepreneurship and the concept of dreaming big, and for having a job that supports me in the creation of my dream while allowing me to provide for myself.

I am thankful for my mother’s strength for teaching me to respect the feminine, and my father’s softness for teaching me to temper the masculine.

I am grateful for the trees that teach me stillness. The cloud formations that teach me the sacredness of the now. The mountains that teach me the quiet gentleness of true greatness.

I am thankful for the heights of ecstasy that teach me the limitlessness of experience. The unfolding of joy in the quietness of a moment. The wonder of being.

I am thankful for the folks in my life who make living so worthwhile.

I am thankful for you, for being the mirror that shows me who I am. For being my teacher and my friend.

I am thankful for you, who makes the Universe complete.

To read more of Daniel's guest posts on Kind Over Matter click here!

who you really are

2011-11-22T07:00:00.007-05:00

Untitled by Leanne Surfleet

When you are praising, when you are appreciating, when you are acknowledging value, when you are looking for positive aspects, when you are laughing, when you are applauding, when you are joyous, when you are feeling that feeling of appreciation pulsing through you, in those times, there IS NO RESISTANCE within you. You are, in those moments, vibrationally up to speed with who you really are.

—
Abraham-Hicks

Ripples of Christmassy Kindness with Amy McRae

2011-11-21T10:00:00.020-05:00

Guest Post by Amy McRae for the Kind Kindred series.

LOVE 10/50 by photo.anger

Ripples of Christmassy Kindness

Blame it on the Muppets or the way I’m wired: I’m a sucker for feel good Christmas songs and movies -- an idealist at heart. The faintest whisper of Christmas approaching gets me all “Let’s just love each other and change the world!”

Then I remember the sheer volume and senselessness of waste that we see during the holidays. Or our belief that Christmas isn’t Christmas unless it’s accompanied by anxiety and stress. It all feels wrong and unkind, and kinda puts a damper on my enthusiasm.

This was back when I thought that the only eco-friendly things one could do at Christmas were making CD ornaments and switching to L.E.D. lights. (A tad uninspiring, to say the least.)

I barely remember now how it happened, but a couple years ago as I thought about the importance of being kinder to the planet, I stumbled upon a tutorial for making gift bows (the most gorgeous ones I’d ever seen, might I add) out of magazine pages. Initially, I thought, “How great for the environment! Saving old magazines and also limiting the need for manufacturing, packaging, and transporting (far less attractive) storebought bows!” Win for niftier wrapping, win for the environment. They quickly became addicting to make -- that was a win for quenching my creative thirst. Then, I realized I was saving money too -- win for my wallet, no matter how small. And it wasn’t about being cheap -- every dollar I spent or didn’t spend was creating the better world I envisioned rather than going into a big black hole.

Suddenly, I was thinking of all sorts of easy opportunities to change the way we did Christmas, and they all created the same sort of domino effect of kindness and wins! I couldn’t remember (and still can’t remember) a time when I’d been more thrilled and inspired. Through a single kind intention, I’d found that loving, joyful Christmas I’d always longed for, free of that familiar feeling of powerlessness. As if that weren't good enough, my perma-smile was certainly another major win for everyone around me.

So, as it turns out, that nagging feeling of dread we get when Christmastime rolls around isn’t a curse -- it’s our cue to get honest with ourselves. It’s life, whispering to us that there’s a better way. Somewhere in the resistance, there’s an opportunity for kindness.

I’ve gathered 47 pages’ worth of “better ways.” But I want to know from you, too: How can you create more kindness this Christmahanukkwanzaayule? How would that kindness ripple out?

Wishing you a win-ful, inspiring (winspiring?) Christmas!

Amy McRae recently re-launched Joy to the Earth, an eGuide written to help you design Christmas in a way that sits right with your soul. It includes access to a friendly, supportive, and very resourceful Facebook community, and until November 30, $1 from each copy is donated to The ChariTREE Foundation (another win!). She loves Twitter and Pinterest, so you’ll find her there!

The easiest thing in the world

2011-11-21T07:00:00.006-05:00

New Beginnings by Emmy.Leah

The easiest thing in the world to be is you. The most difficult thing to be is what other people want you to be. Don't let them put you in that position.

—
Leo Buscaglia

Friday's Lovelies : 11.18.11

2011-11-18T10:05:00.001-05:00

August 11, 2010 by Parker Fitzgerald

Would you sell your sofa to get closer to your dream? : a short story about doing whatever it takes.

Thoughts on Penn State : The very last thing that these brave boys and men need is a nation referring to them as victims. They are heroes and survivors. Words matter.

Free Printable Thankful Cards & Bottle Labels using my Printable Kit! Love!

Kat is blogging & this is one BIG YES from me!

Megan Monique & Daniel Collinsworth discuss the fine line between humility + playing small in the game of following your life's purpose. Good stuff.

Shannon wrote a beautiful guest post for KOM last summer, I am so in love with what they are doing. 10 Pieces. 100 Options. Lightweight, versatile, packable, sustainable & designed with love. They are launching their signature piece, The Versalette, with the help of a Kickstarter campaign & have a new kickass website & ohmy I AM ROOTING FOR THEM!!

Tapping into Sacredness : To experience something – not as something, but as being – to soften your gaze and experience the stillness and the vast infiniteness hidden inside of it, is to catch a glimpse of its true nature.

Joy (A Love Story) : Three babes later, we were sharing those feelings that we had saved up for over 11 years.

Gift Magazine is out! Hundreds of gift ideas for everyone on your list!

Kindness Mission Alert! Are you in? : Love these!

Lori launched A Year of Wishes : A calendar, 12 gorgeous art prints, 12 beautiful wishes for yourself and the world (complete with prayer cards to use liberally) : & she shared her first vlog, complete with outtakes & she released her Holiday Cards! So beautiful!

Sprout Magazine is out & I'm a contributor, love it!

Joy to the Earth : design a Christmas that sits right with your soul!

Free Art download : Keep your face always toward the sunshine - & shadows will fall behind you.

It’s the time of year for gratitude, gifts & miracles : The Service Project.

December 5, 2010 by Parker Fitzgerald

Have a blissed-out weekend!
Thank you so much for being here,

Beautiful people do not just happen

2011-11-18T07:00:00.001-05:00

We compare our hearts to things that fly by Meredith_Farmer

The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.

—
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

No Matter What

2011-11-17T09:29:00.006-05:00

Poetry by Julia Fehrenbacher of Painted Path.

Siamo infiniti. by Whitney Justesen

No Matter What

I see

you are just like me
achingly wanting
achingly waiting
achingly yearning
to sprout, to bud, to blossom
into the whole, sacred essence
of you

I see little girl you
who lost and never found
who wanted but never got
who saw but was seldom
Seen

I see ancient woman you
how deeply
she wants to be loved
for her shadows as much as her light
how deeply
she wants to be embraced
for her wild
and her tender

I see
I am here
to remind you
that you no longer
need to shrink in order to fit in
you no longer need to contain
what isn't containable
you no longer need to be
the convenient version of what you think
they want you to be

I see
I am here to invite you
to lean the tenderness of you
into the tenderness of me

to promise
not to try to solve
or fix
or wish anything away

to promise
to love you
no matter what

give a great gift to the world

2011-11-17T07:00:00.005-05:00

Blossom by Creativity+ Timothy K Hamilton

Accept yourself. Love yourself just as you are. Your finest work, your best moments, your joy, peace, and healing come when you love yourself. You give a great gift to the world when you do that. You give others permission to do the same: to love themselves. Revel in self love. Roll in it. Bask in it, as you would the sunshine.

—
Melodie Beattie

A Creation Story

2011-11-16T10:30:00.002-05:00

Guest post by Jo Anna Rothman.

Live Your Dream by Ornamelle

A Creation Story

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago...when the world was very young (or maybe just a few seconds ago) a dream popped in your head. I don’t know how it got there. Maybe it was planted by the wild and dreamy Universe. Perhaps it took root after a lifetime of searching. All I know, is that there was a dream. And there still is.

It’s not a sleepytime dream, though perhaps it shows up in that realm too. It’s a dream that you want to manifest. To come true. To show up in real time where you get to play and dance in it.

This dream, it’s a good one. A powerful one. Potent. It makes you tingle. You love it. You imagine your life with the dream in full effect. You think and plan about your someday maybe kind of life. You dive deep in the fantasies and it is delicious. At least until, the yearning starts. You begin to feel the ache of lack for the life you know is rightfully yours...the life that is coming right around the bend. You can feel it so clearly that it almost hurts when you open your eyes and tune into the present day reality that exists without it.

It feels like you have been working on this particular dream for just about ever. You clear away the doubts. The fears. The beliefs that say that you don’t deserve it. Or that you aren’t good enough, qualified enough or just plain enough. You’ve given yourself the permission. Allowed yourself to be seen. Crystalized the vision of your desires. And hold your heart open for it all to come true. Still...the dream remains just out of reach.

Somedays you want to give up. Some days you want to fight. And most days you just want an answer as to when the hell it is going to show up!

Somewhere on the journey, the hero or heroine (that would be you) receives a key. A bit of magic that opens the door to a whole new experience. And that, is what I am here for. A fairy god-mother, casting a spell of creation across the land.

So if you are ready...I offer to you the key that can turn it all around: Take Action!

Work on the emotional level begets emotional level results. Work on the mental level begets mental level results. Work on the spiritual level begets spiritual level results. Work in the physical world begets physical world results.

So if you want to feel better, you work on your feelings. But if you want something to manifest in the physical world, take action to create it. Action is the key.

I was always told that “The Universe meets you at the point of action.” I waited and waited, thinking that I was doing enough. And I was, but not on the level I wanted the dream to manifest. I would hang my shingle, clear the path and assum that would be enough. It wasn’t. Something wasn’t working. I wasn’t connecting to the object of my desires. If wanted more money, I had to connect to the sources of abundance. If wanted more clients, I had to connect to people. If wanted greater love, I had to connect to the loving. To connect, I had to take action. I had to do more than just say I was ready. The more did, the more received. Over and over and over again.

Sometimes the action is internal...getting those belief systems working for you or clearing out the gunk that no longer serves. But sometimes, the action must be external. Asking for what you want, making connections, shaking your fabulousness all over town. And the action can’t stop. Creation comes with consistent beautiful steps in the right direction. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not saying to go, go, go until you drop. Rest, relaxation and rejuvenation are super important. But they are actions as well. When utilized consciously, they are some of the most effective things you can do!

The answer, the magic, the fairy godmother bibbidi-bobbidi-boo I have for you...is action. Any shape. Any size. If you want it, you have to create it. And that is exactly what our beloved protagonist (aka you!) gets up to. You can get into the goodness. You can summon the courage. You can take action. Lots!

And you know what happens? You will live creatively ever after...you will live your dream!

Pssst... Jo Anna is holding this INCREDIBLE raffle fundraiser:

Everyone who makes a $15 donation & enters the raffle is a winner! Literally. Everyone who wants to will get a copy of The Receiving Project 2.0: 32 days of Receiving Your Desires. It is an awesome journey of manifestation & receiving. Normally it's $49...now it's yours for a $15 donation. This is on top of all the amazing prizes up for grabs that you could win! Your $15 donation would provide $45 worth of food for hungry families. Sound like a YES to you? Hop on over & check it out!

Sponsor Love : Soul Mantras & Other Stories

2011-11-16T09:03:00.003-05:00

Soul Mantras and Other Stories

Sometimes we need a traveling companion to remind us to be present to the beauty and truth that surround us. We need to be reminded to shine a light on what is real, to heal, to dance inside joy. We need to be gently pushed to find our way to laughter and fill the cracks that life creates. We need an invitation to stand tall and give ourselves permission to rest.

Liz Lamoreux created the Soul Mantra jewelry collection to serve as a reminder to pause in your day, take a breath, and notice what you need. When you feel the jewelry rest against your skin, notice it on your dresser before you put it on, hear it slide across the chain, see it in you reflection, she hopes you will give yourself permission to bring awareness to your breathing. Inhale and speak your mantra. Exhale and let whatever you need from the mantra settle over you.

Visit Soul Mantras and Other Stories, and find a talisman that will become your companion on the journey.

A special just for the readers of Kind Over Matter: Use coupon code “kind2011” for a 15% discount on your orders from now until Dec 31.

when you dream there are no rules

2011-11-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

When you dream there are no rules. by Λl℮Roda®

It’s not about breaking the rules. It is about abandoning the concept of rules altogether.

—
Paul Lemberg

Spinning My Story : Awakenings

2011-11-15T08:53:00.003-05:00

day two fifty six by Lauren Withrow

Something happened here on Kind Over Matter a couple weeks ago. Something beautiful, something that snapped a part of my heart into place.

You know that feeling?

When something clicks & it wakes you up?

I don't mean by rubbing your hair & gently whispering in your ear, wake up doll, wake up. I mean a phone call at 3 in the morning & your heart falls to the pit of your stomach...

but it's a wrong number -- instant relief washes over you --

but the adrenaline already flooded your system & you're left staring at the ceiling waiting for your breath to bring your heart rate down.

That kind of awakening.

I held a giveaway. After the giveaway was over the lovely & oh-so-talented Lettie replied to some of the comments. I thought that was really wonderful. I read through them, they lit me up.

When I stumbled across this... instant heart-in-my-throat tears:

And then the following exchange came to me in an email:

It is my wish to give you the necklace that you chose as your favorite and noted in your beautiful comment...

It has had a difficult time finding a home though many have admired it.

I now know that it was meant to be yours! It will make me happy to send it to you.

I need your address...pretty please....

Lettie, For Giving Works Jewelry

I am crying. Thank you so very much. I will cherish it always. That necklace just really called to me. The super interesting thing was I have been thinking about a tattoo in memory of my Rose, Grace and Simon and when I was brainstorming with a friend about it, she brought up how cool a little nest with three eggs would be. :) and when I saw that necklace I thought "ooohh, it has my babies on it" :)

Thank you so very much! Life has been a little gray around here for me this week with lots of possible big changes and this just made me feel so warm and fuzzy!

Stephanie

I am teary also - it will be mailed tomorrow via priority mail insured. I can't wait for you to get it. Please send me a photo of yourself wearing it if you would like to. I would so love to have it....I am so happy when my jewelry turns out to be more than just jewelry.

Love, Lettie

day two eighty five by Lauren Withrow

There are no accidents. Only divine appointments.
—
Janet Conner

Two people, something small but so powerful. A true & wonderful act of kindness both in the giving & receiving, that I feel was meant to happen. It was already written. Both of these amazing women were seen & heard & had an exchange that they will forever hold in their hearts as light.

That is what life is about, it's the message that runs deep here:

Connection
This epiphany that I had over this exchange had been brewing for awhile. I've been very aware of these connections going on in this space, big ones, tiny ones & the ones in between, but I think I needed to witness this one in order to really step into the realization that I am a connector. I mean, really owning that on all levels & working through what that means.

As my journey continues, I will walk with this belief:

Part of my calling on this earth is to be a connector - a vessel for connection.

Nothing changes because of that, I just keep doing what I love & letting things unfold as they will.

TAKE ME UP by Lauren Withrow

Working with others is one of life's great joys. You take an idea & together you expand it until it becomes something much bigger than any of you could have done alone.
—
Jim Lewis

KOM is a hub of goodness, people that have their hearts in the right place... people that need something they aren't finding out there. People that are making a difference. People that are living joyfully, peacefully. People that are helping others go after their dreams. People that are living their dreams. People that love big & are loved big. It sort of has taken on a life of it's own. It's an energy that I helped spark, that I keep going every single day but it is so much bigger than I am because it's a collaboration of beautiful spirits. It connects people with other people & with opportunities. It connects people to ideas to explore. It connects people to their true & beautiful selves with Kindness.

Helping to connect people is what makes me come alive.

I thrive on it.

Disconnection

I want to touch on the fact that sometimes there is disconnect, sometimes things go unfinished, emails go unanswered, my reader goes neglected until Thursday & I can't engage the way I would like to on social media, my dear bestie & I haven't connected in a couple of weeks, but a large part of this journey for me is forgiving myself & letting go of the guilt, trusting that the universe has my back. Remembering that we are all busy & I am enough.

The Heart of the Matter

I hold on to something that a dear & wise friend reawakened in me (paraphrased):

Sometimes we look at life, our families & friends, self-care, our business, the things on our to-do list... as being a thousand different pieces, a thousand different seeded pots to water & tend to, when in fact, our life is one big garden.

That everything we do, no matter what area we happen to be focusing on at the time is feeding all of it. Any time you spend in the garden, regardless of what area you are in, it feeds everything else. It is nourishing & blessing all other parts of the garden.

I live this when I work, love up on my kids & mister, do housework, meditate... It keeps me whole & wholehearted.

It keeps me true.

It connects me to myself.

Have you had a deep & soulful awakening recently? A shift? When was the last time something spoke directly to you on a very profound level?

Love,

What is my truest intention?

2011-11-15T07:00:00.001-05:00

summertime by Globuskz

Before you agree to do anything that might add even the smallest amount of stress to your life, ask yourself: What is my truest intention? Give yourself time to let a yes resound within you. When it’s right, I guarantee that your entire body will feel it.

—
Oprah Winfrey

Chatter Into Mantra with Hannah Marcotti

2011-11-14T09:03:00.026-05:00

Guest Post by Hannah Marcotti for the Kind Kindred series.

Chatter Into Mantra

Pillow on the hard floor, holding the energy of my past breathes and surrenderings.

Candle lit, a quiet moment.

Music begins it’s embrace of the space, a cue for my body to remember. Puppy licks my fingers.

I am joy unfolding.

I am joy unfolding. This is my entry point. It repeats until the next mantra arrives.

patience. Oh, lots of chatter. Ah, yes, gratitude.

gratitude. The idea for an article arrives. I don’t judge it.

waves. I need to learn how to receive so I am better able to give. I don’t judge it. There is much of that showing up for me.

release.

Many more mantras appear and are repeated.

I am. I am. I am.

Sat Nam.

Sat Nam. This is sung inside of my wandering meditation, I love when my meditation starts to sing.

The music softly fades.

Namaste.

My wandering mantra meditation is a kindness from my spirit. She reminds my frazzled and rough body, with signs that peek into my day, that I must return to the calmness of the meditation.

The mediation is my entry into remembering that I must feed my spirit so she can guide my body. The wandering meditation is how I deal with the mind chatter. To not judge the thought, I simply allow the mantra to flow into meditation, knowing that it is exactly what I need to be repeating in that moment. Allowing myself to detach from the last thought that exploded in.

Detach from our thoughts. Connect with kindness of spirit. Our spirit feels the weight of the attachments we carry around, often as judgements for why we aren’t good enough. When we allow moments to detach, that heaviness is lifted and we create space for our joys to come tumbling in.

After the wandering mantra meditation I write with inspiration and have a clarity of how much more kindness I must start showing myself. I feel myself standing in my truth.

I move from the judgement of why my jeans are feeling tight to the truth of who I am. I am someone whose weight fluctuates. I move from the depletion of feeling dehydrated to making myself a warm lemon water to sip as I write.

Sometimes I cry. It feels so beautiful to connect to my spirit so lovingly that she allows tears that say, thank you sweet body of mine.

Gratitude. Kindness. Kindred.

Namaste.

Hannah Marcotti believes that you + joy = the gorgeous life. The gorgeous life is the sparkle, the joy, the magical moments. It is your food intuition, your deep body knowledge, your desire. It is space, it is touch, it is yours. She is the coach who will guide your course there. Hannah can be found dancing in the joy of her own life surrounded by three kids, a puppy and a beautiful man she has had the pleasure of being with for 18 years. Writing, business coaching and helping others discover their joy in this world is her purpose, proving that we can take action on whatever our heart is willing to dream up. Dream, define and take the action your heart desires is her daily mantra.

follow your passion

2011-11-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

2009/08/23 at 15:34 by /Stef_

If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.

—
Antoine De Saint Exupery

Friday's Lovelies : 11.11.11

2011-11-11T09:03:00.097-05:00

Thing by Alyssa Nassner

So much is given : I then felt an organic acknowledgement from the water itself. As each wave spilled over me, I felt the water acknowledge my gratitude.

Brilliant Public Speaking Tips : The world needs your ideas. It's time to start sharing them fully, loudly, boldly, slowly -- without diminishment or apology.

Jo Anna's Creative Living with Jamie Interview : I adore both these women, what a beautiful conversation.

How To Sparkle : Sparkle comes from enjoyment. From pleasure. From love. All resonating and dancing inside of you.

The video above, big lesson for humankind.

Beautiful self-portraiture series!

What Makes You Come Alive? : Someday doesn't exist – it's an intangible concept. Nothing in the history of the Universe has ever manifested someday. But today happens every day – today is real, and it's happening right now.

5 Ways to Find Your Center When Life Feels Overwhelming

The Power of Appreciation or Suck it Hallmark I’ve been pinned

Intention for the everyday: Trust : Jenn made Printable Intention Cards using my Printable Kit! I LOVE THEM!

The Universe Knows : so in love with everything here! I want every single one of their mugs!

Society6 : incredible & if you are an artist you can sell goods there with your art on them, iPhone cases & skins, shirts, stretched canvases + more, learn more here.

bentlily : one gorgeous poem a day.

it's true. by freshlymadephotos

Happy Weekend & Veteran's Day, deep Gratitude & Love to all that have served, my handsome mister included, I Love You,

PS: I made a little promo video for the Printable Kit using the intro I used for all of the tutorial videos, yay!

The soul always knows

2011-11-11T07:00:00.001-05:00

. by londonscene

The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind.

—
Caroline Myss

How to Create Your Own Printables Kit!

2011-11-10T09:08:00.001-05:00

Hi! I am super-excited to put this kit out into the universe! I get emails all the time asking me how I make my printables, what programs I use, where I get my resources & so on... there is no quick & easy way to explain it so I thought I'd put this kit together to answer all of your questions!

I love the joy that my printables have brought to so many over the years, in the creating, printing, sharing & giving. That is the main reason I started & continue to create them (there are fringe benefits that I’ve learned though... which I share in the eBook! See below!)

I want more people to be able create & spread joy through them, so this is my offering to the universe: To spread kindness, love & joy by design & I'm gonna teach you a super-easy way to do it!

Over the last few years, the thing that has taken the most time in my printable creating is the trying & testing: the sizing, the resolution, making things fit & work. In this kit I've included 14 high-resolution blank templates. Every time I create a printable I use one of the templates included in this kit. It axes my design time in half (which is crucial when you have two sweet toddlers!)

These templates can be used in all versions of Photoshop CS & Elements + Gimp! In the tutorial videos I am using Photoshop CS to show you how to use the templates included in the kit. In the eBook, I link out to videos showing you how to install patterns, load brushes & use shapes in PS Elements & Gimp.

After you design the templates they can be used for commercial & noncommercial use, on your blogs, in your shops, anywhere! These templates & videos make it so easy.

(More loving praise below!)

Templates in the Kit include:

- 2" x 3.5" Mini or Business Card Template - 8 on a sheet - you can see how I used this template here, here & here.

- 4.25" x 5.5" Greeting Card Template - 1 on a sheet - you can see how I used this template in my Kind Card Series.

- 5.5" x 4.25" Envelope Template - that can be used with the card template above.

- Fortune Cookie Template - 4 on a sheet & room to type your own fortunes - you can see how I used this template here, here & here.

- Mini-Triangle Bunting Template - 6 triangles on a sheet - you can see how I used this template here & here.

- 3" x 3" Card Template - 6 on a sheet - you can see how I used this template here.

- Bottle Label Template - 3 on a sheet - you can see how I used this template here. Fits water, soda & beer bottles.

- Mini-Candy Bar Wrappers Template - 11 on a sheet - you can see how I used this template here.

- Cupcake Toppers Template - 12 on a sheet - you can see how I used this template here.

- Cupcake Wrappers Template - 2 on a sheet - you can see how I used this template here.

- Wine Bottle Gift Tag Template - 2 on a sheet - you can see how I used this template here & here.

- Mini-Block Template - 4 on a sheet - you can see how I used this template here.

- 2 Art Print Templates - one with 8x10 guides & the other with an 8x10 design surface - you can see how I used this template here & here. The template with the guides shows you how to insert your own scanned in art to make a printable & the template with the design surface shows you how to use brushes to create your own digital art!

What the tutorial videos cover:

All videos are password protected on Vimeo, you will receive the link & password in the eBook!

- An Overview of all the Templates
- How to load & use brushes
- How to use basic shapes
- How to use fixed shapes
- How to create patterns
- How to define & install patterns
- Overview of the Mini/Business Card Template
- Overview of the Greeting Card Template
- How to make 8x10 art prints
- How to save & print your creations

What the eBook covers:

- Where to view the password protected video tutorials
- Links to tutorial videos for PS Elements & Gimp
- Important stuff to remember + Troubleshooting!
- Links to where I find my design resources (brushes, patterns, etc)
- How you will benefit from this kit (by signing up for my affiliate program, where to submit your printables to drive traffic to your blog + more!)
- Where to upload your PDFs & how to share them on your blog
- A Where do I start?!?! section
- Terms of Use

Are you ready to make beautiful printables, save money on greeting cards, party decor, drive traffic to your blog, learn something fun & new -- & spread the love?!? Awesome! Let's make some magic!

Instant Download:

*** You will be checking out using PayPal, where you can use your PayPal balance, your credit card or your checking account to pay. After purchase, you will be redirected to a download page AND receive an email with a download link to download the kit instantly. It will come to you in a .zip file, included will be an eBook & a folder of 14 templates. If you don't have a PDF reader, you can download one here for free. Everything is super easy & safe! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at kindovermatterblog (at) gmail (dot) com!

Thank you so much for being here, love, skies & skies full,

More Loving Praise!

we are all connected

2011-11-10T07:00:00.003-05:00

One of us. by journeyswithasimplegirl

All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else.

—
Buddha