Here we go round the mulberry bush...again.

Sometimes I feel as if I am just circling the same things over and over. I don't think it's an accident that a mulberry bush popped up in my front yard without me planting it. True story. Big ole mulberry bush. When my daughter is home or my husband is in a good mood, sometimes I can convince them to go round it with me. But only once or twice. And you better believe there's no way my son will go round the mulberry bush with me... he's way too cool for that.

The mulberry bush flowered this year, creating big ole mulberries for the birds who really weren't interested and then promptly dropped all of it's leaves like it was done. I can certainly relate.

It's been a year since I decided to really have a go at changing my "please don't pay me" business to a "I honor myself and my gifts so go ahead and pay me" thriving self employment. If you had any idea of the obstacles that have been placed in my path in the last year you would probably think I was insane to have lasted the year. Or maybe masochistic. Every time I worked one problem out, something else crept up. Locations, personalities, bats, overscheduling, excuses, finances, issues, issues, issues with so many oh lordy don't even go there....round and round and round the mulberry bush. All the while trying to deliver quality, spiritual, happy moments.... One week with a dozen, the next with none. And don't get me wrong, the completely in my element, all is right with the world moments that carried me through the next 15 boomerangs.

The real thing that has carried me through all of it was a deep inner belief that this is what I was meant to do.

The thing that has occurred to me lately is that why would so many obstacles be placed in my path if this was what I was meant to do?

The second thought is then what? And where? And how? And most of all, why?

Why is it when I am teaching yoga, holding a restorative day, doing reiki, playing with soulcollage, doing a reading or listening to a friend that I feel completely present and alive and blessed? Why is it that so many have said how much they LOVE it only to not return? What is the missing piece? Or Who? Or What?

I think I'm gonna stop going round the mulberry bush. I might just sit there for a spell. Let the berries drop on my head and see if they can put some sense into me. Maybe I'll start going loop de loo instead....

We now return to our regularly scheduled programming....

Anyways.

Had a chance yesterday to do some readings at the Spirit Door. They were over the top good-- dead on, so to speak. Doing readings on complete strangers is very interesting. As the cards pop up, one by one, you can see their eyebrows going higher and higher and then they start nodding their heads and then a lot of times they just bust out laughing with the rightness of finding out what they already knew. Then they look at me nervously with the "are you a good witch or a bad witch?" look. And I have to reassure them that I'm not a witch at all... at least not what you think.

It's all about trust. When I interpret the cards, or teach yoga, or do Reiki, I never think, "oh dear I need to try and do a good job or figure out what these mean or what to teach or where to put my hands!!!" I just trust. Take a deep breath. Know God is there. Always. I will be guided. If that is the will.

Sometimes, especially when doing Reiki, I feel this humongous opening in the top of my head and roots in my feet. Almost as if there is no end and beginning to me and my physical body-- there's no conscious thought-- more like, "extra here, stone there, warm, pull" cept without words. In tarot and yoga, it's even less, like there's no head at all. Like I just wake up in the middle sometimes...

Had some long time students tell me a bit back that whenever I say "picture the crown of your head opening up and a white light coming in" that it creeps them out. I was stunned. Like, that's what every yoga teacher I've ever had said. It's a really strong visual, a connection to Source. I've been really reluctant to say it in those classes because I want them to relax during relaxation, not think of brain surgery... But what occurred to me was that it's the difference between thinking and not. Like, when the sensation of the crown opening and the connection being established occurs in my world, it's like a melting away of this plane to another, I don't think I've ever thought literally about it. Like a to do list:

1. Lay down
2. Remove hair
3. Cut open top of head
4. Peer inside hellllllooooooooo
5. Create virtual stitches to adhere scalp back in place

I feel bad that for years people were laying in relaxation pose feeling like they were having brain surgery. Although, there's more truth to that being the real purpose of relaxation pose anyway but I think if you are that literal you won't get that either.

Lobotomy & Meditation....

Anyways. Have a great week. Connect with your Source. Even if you have to perform virtual brain surgery to do so. Namaste'

Censoring Myself

Do you find yourself having great blog topics but feeling like you just don't have the energy to deal with the controversy they would cause? Like Sarah Palin.

Am I nuts? Doesn't she remind you of all those women? You know, the ones who think being mean and catty makes them tough? Since when did that become what the world aspires to? Honestly. In the Washington Post the next day, just on the cover alone, the word STRENGTH/STRONG was used over 25 times. Like that's all that matters in politics and government. Not once was the word compassion used. Not once.

I'm sorry, but I think Bill Clinton put it best "we should lead by the power of our example.... not the example of our power". Seriously. Do you really think that schoolyard bullying is something that should be glorified any more than it already has been in the last 8 years?I am just stunned. I feel like I'm in some kind of twilight zone-- the same way I felt 8 years ago. How is it possible to see so clearly the fork in the road and once again, have the rest of the USA choose the path that leads to more war, more bullying, more deficit, more UGLINESS?

It was ugly, Sarah Palin's speech. Ugly and bitchy. How it is that people are rejoicing over her snide little bitchy comments makes me want to run for the hills. I am a woman. And I resent the implication that woman will vote simply on the basis of who has a vagina. Seriously. How dare you?

I will not vote for a woman who has a 4 month old with severe disabilities, who is still nursing. Is she crazy? I don't know about you but when my babies were 4 months old it was hard enough to think straight, let alone run a country. I will not vote for a woman who glorifies her daughter's pregnancy at the age of 17 as a perfect choice over other CHOICES. Is she serious? I am the product of a 17 year old mother-- do you want to know how many years of therapy I had?

And while we are at it, since when is personal life off topic? I mean, seriously, during the Clinton years we not only heard every excruciating detail of his personal life... it was front page news! Give me a break. I have had enough of this double standard BS.

Seems to me the difference between the 2 parties just boils down to manners. Promoting bitchiness as "strength", calling unwillingness to go to war "unpatriotic and cowardly", and don't even start me on turning our back on the rest of the world to show how tough we are. You have got to be kidding me.

The power of our example should consist of decency. Concern for all. COMPASSION. And most importantly, being accountable for our actions. That is what prevents future disasters... being accountable and learning from our mistakes. Facing responsibilities. And choosing the best path when presented with the fork in the road... not the easy one... the road apparently less traveled in the USA. And while you're there, take a friend.

Honestly. Unbelievable.

You know what? I changed my mind. Bring it!

10 Other Things Going on at Yolinna's Other Mat

1. Restorative Yoga Day was beautiful and quite relaxing. (for me too!)

2. Cory has been attending classes full time at PGCC and really enjoys them.

3. The Birdhouse Gourds are humongous! See:

4. My next door neighbor sold his house. We will miss him! He has lived next door for almost as long as we have....he left us his patio set which is gorgeous and cushiony. Thanks Glen!

5. I have been creating all kinds of herbal products, the latest of which are "Soap Scrubbies"! They're little scrubby balls filled with herbs, oatmeal & gentle soaps and oils... lavender or mint... great for kids and adults... See:

6. I have reworked all my eye pillows so now they open at the side with velcro to re-up the scents and created all kinds of essential oils, fragrance mists and flower essences and am preparing for the Christmas rush. LOL!

7. We found a monarch butterfly that had just emerged from its chrysalis and a ba-dozen monarch caterpillars all over the milkweed in our gardens. See:

8. My mother turned 65.

9. We cleared out a bunch of old stuff. (not my mom ha ha)

10. We are getting used to using a webcam and messenger to communicate and my typing has increased dramatically. Plus! I've started writing again. (as opposed to blogging)

Hope you enjoyed this not about Rhia post LOL!

She's Happy!

Mountain Climbing and Smiling

A Beautiful Lake

Rock Hopping

A New Friend (who's last name is Miller too!)