Transforming Negativity: Magickal Aikido

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Crime. Recession. Terrorism. Tsunamis. Unemployment. In our times — the so-called digital age – the messages we see and hear every day, all around us, are scary. We are constantly being exposed to disturbing stories and images and it can feel overwhelming.
The primary problem lies with us: we are so used to our negative thinking that we are rarely aware when we are doing it. Stop and think for a moment: how often do you say to yourself “how fat George has grown” or “I can’t believe Jane still does <fill in the blank>”? I ask this as someone who had one of the most critical and judgmental thought patterns I’ve ever encountered. Nor am I perfect now — I do still engage in those old patterns from time to time; I just do it much less.

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It may happen to you — but only if you are a woman

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I read this today, and I had to re-blog it.

http://unwinona.tumblr.com/post/30861660109/i-debated-whether-or-not-to-share-this-story

This, in its exactitude, has not happened to me. BUT things very similar have — especially when I was younger and more conventionally sexually attractive. The men I know would never do this. They would never allow a guy *they* know to act like this.

But for many many MANY women, this is a daily scenario. Yes, I am saying that assault is a daily event.

I’d like to think that I would be more assertive, especially now that I’ve got some Muay Thai training. But it’s more likely I would have done as she did and just waited for it to end. Because if I mis-calculated, I may have been physically assaulted as well as verbally. The only other thing I may have done differently is called the police. Perhaps he would have gotten off the train, perhaps he would have been met by the police. But, yes, perhaps he may have hit her to shut her up, to stop her from telling the police he was assaulting her.

This real. Pass it along.

Charles Jencks Created a New Wonder

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Charles Jencks (creator of the awesome Garden of Cosmic Speculation) has created a 1300 foot long reclining woman out of an surface mine. She is called “Northumberlandia.”

Northumberlandia was formed, amid some controversy, as a lasting legacy in recompense for the disruption caused by coal extraction on such a grand scale, as the mine is the largest of its kind in England.

I think she’s beautiful!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/9506204/Northumberlandia-giant-naked-goddess-carved-into-hillside.html

A Year In Review (2012)

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Each year I like to look back over the previous year, and then set goals for the coming year. Many people do this on Jan 1st; I prefer to do it on my birthday. I often refine the accomplishments and goals until my new year, Samhain, but the bulk of the work is done on or around my birthday. I also like to do a tarot reading (and other’s readings of me are ALWAYS welcomed).

This year has a lot going on: it’s a year ending in -5, which are always a BIG deal . . . but we’re not doing anything extravagant. In fact, it’s a very low-key, fun weekend. Exercise, good food, entertainment . . . I’m getting a chance to read a lot of books, do some writing (I have a few articles due this week, because I am going on holiday next week), work with the class, and maybe see a movie. On my actual birthday, it’s up early for brekkies, off to water aerobics, then hustling up to Seattle for a 4 hour session at Habitude (pedicure, hydrating salt scrub, and a 90 min massage). After that we’re going to see Samsara  with friends and then have dinner. The ‘big’ celebration is actually next weekend, when we’re going with a HUGE bunch of people to dim sum, and maybe Raiders of the Lost Ark (in IMAX) afterwards. 🙂

What can I say? It doesn’t take much to please me.

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Magical De-Stressing

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You hear it all the time, from everyone you know: “I’m so stressed.” “I feel overwhelmed.” “I can’t get caught up.” Stress is the defining characteristic of the 21st century, and sometimes it seems impossible to manage, which creates more stress — I call it the negative feedback loop of DOOM. When we are stressed we usually feel helpless and out of control of our life.
Do not despair! There are simple things we can do to break the feedback loop of doom and reduce the stress — even dissipate it completely.

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