New 3D Chalk Drawings by Julian Beever... CLICK HERE for Google Image Search for Julian Beever

Know the true value of time;
snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it.
No idleness; no laziness; no procrastination;
never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.

- Lord Chesterfield

November 20, 2008

Greetings from a frigid Manhattan!!

I am writing to you because I am angered and saddened by the recent passage of Proposition 8 and the other initiatives eliminating the right of same-sex couples to marry.

As thousands of people gather across the country to protest these unjust laws, you may be wondering what you can do to help. Firstly, it is important to remember that our cause is love and the freedom to express it. Next, in order to be effective in successfully overturning these initiatives, we need not only to reach out to people who don't share the same views as us, but also to listen to those people and engage compassionately with their concerns while comforting their fears with truth.

I've recently pledged to work to overturn Proposition 8 and other hateful negative amendments and most importantly, to do so while remaining founded in love and compassion. I hope you will join me. Please sign the pledge, then pass this along to everyone you know:

http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/marriagepledge

Although November 4 was a momentous and historic day, it does not mark the end of the struggle for equality. If we act immediately, directly and compassionately in truth and love, equality will prevail.

Let's not put off till tomorrow what we can do today.

Thank you for your support.

Ok, I know this may seem a bit cheesy, but it's the middle of a blizzard here in NYC and I'm feeling a bit sentimental (maybe a residual effect of cabin fever).

I've learned a lot about love over the last couple weeks.  Carl bought me tickets for THE COLOR PURPLE: THE MUSICAL for my birthday, so last Thursday, I went to see the show (alone since Carl is a little busy in Switzerland ). 

The show took my breath away!!  I left the show uplifted and inspired.

In high-school and college, the movie version of THE COLOR PURPLE had already amazed and enlightened me.  I'd seen the movie countless times and to this day revere it as my 'all-time favorite' movie.  I never expected the broadway musical version to stand up to its cinematic and literary predecessors.  However, I was wrong - A good story is a good story!!  I was moved many times during the show and to try to give you a play by play account would do a disservice to the show.  

HOWEVER, because its Valentines Day, I wanted to share this particular song with you.  'WHAT ABOUT LOVE' is the song that Ceely and Shug Avery sing after a sudden unexpected kiss (click the link to hear the song)

What About Love?

Love knows NO boudaries!!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

So long…procrastination…stalling…afraid of what might become of my focus. 

What if I fail??  What if I’m ‘not as good as I think I am’?  It’s really time now to RELEASE MY FEARS. 

A NEW DAILY EXERCISE

I have changed the pronouns of the following profound observation of ‘Our Deepest Fear’ as made by Marianne Williamson so that I can use it as a daily affirmation to help me release my fears.  I found that when I read it in its original form, I was detached from the message as though I were observing the principal of its message, and not practicing its brilliant wisdom.

“My deepest fear is not that I am inadequate.
My deepest fear is that I am powerful beyond measure.

It is my light, not my darkness that most frightens me. I ask myself, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who am I not to be?

I am a child of God. My playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around me. I, like all of us, am meant to shine, as children do.

I was born to make manifest the glory of God that is within me. It's not just in me; it's in everyone. And as I let my own light shine, I unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As I am liberated from my own fear, my presence automatically liberates others.”

Gripping…holding…scared…relaxing…releasing