Be Here Now

I would like to start off by thanking you for continuing to read my blog.  For all you new readers, I hope that I can give you a chuckle, or a smile, or a warm hand shake through the miles that separate us.   As it is my goal to offer something that will enrich your life in some fashion today.  

I went to see the fabulous Journey concert, and OH MY they are amazing.  If you get a chance to go to one of their concerts, I highly recommend it.  One little tip is to make sure you wear ear plugs if you are at all sensitive to loud noice because WOW it is loud but it is also awesome.  They play so loudly that I cant go without wearing them.   I rate their concert as an A-.  The only reason for the - is because the extraordinary loud music they have.  Other than that, it really made me feel like I was 20 all over again.  I had a blast!

Thought for the moment * In reference to thinking about age.  It's a funny thing thinking about what age you are at any given time because some people tend to have an opinion as to what one should have accomplished at any given point.  The difference between who I am now and what I was 5 or 10 years ago is merely that I have just been on this planet a little bit longer or shorter.  Even though I have been through what seems like about 10 wars , with all the appropriate scars to manifest those years.  I can honestly say that you really are as old as you feel.  Thus I believe in setting my heart free and doing a dance that says, thank you God, for this magnificent time you have given me in which to either laugh and play or quietly reflect on where I am right now.  That is hopefully in a space where I grab a moment and kind of do a snap shot of the moment.  So within that snap shot I realize that this moment in time is perfect and I am exactly where I want to be.  In other words if I had a choice to be anywhere else in the world if I could, I would be right here, right now. That to me is bliss.  

That is how I felt when I was dancing at the Journey concert.  It was utter bliss.  

I have had an incredible amount of those moments where I afore mentioned.  In that I feel very lucky.  At the same time my mind can easily crawl into another head space; one that ponders the idea of maybe I should be doing something more.  Or I could be doing something different and thereby causing me to think far too much instead of the age old saying, 'just be here now'.  

As the old saying goes, life is what you make it.  If you think that you are going to have a struggle, then most likely you will have a struggle.  Conversely if you think something is funny and worthy of laughter, it probably is.  Its all in what you make of it.  

These words are easy for me to say and they can be very difficult to do.  I want to say quite honestly, while I know what I should be thinking and feeling, I too am an imperfect person merely trying to do my best and thereby, offering you my friend, some words you might jive with.   And so for now I am wishing you Aloha and all good things.   :)  

Make your own Kaleidoscope, it's all in how you see it.

Feeling broke sucks.  Yes, indeed, it truly sucks to feel financially strapped and to not know how you're going to find your way out of the confusion that being broke makes you feel like.

Like many of you I too have had the security of an equity line from the bank.  Enabling me to feel secure that rain or shine I will always be fine.  But what happens when the very bank you go to has gone BROKE?  This in fact happened to me!  I have always had the security of my equity line being there for me.  But what happens when your bank fails?  Who could have imagined such a thing as that?  It kind of feels like I have just awakened from a deep sleep where nothing appears to be the same anymore.  Are you feeling scared or worried that something you could not have foreseen nor plan for may actually happen?  Are you one of the lucky ones who has had nothing change in their life?  Or are you like me and have had nearly everything change in their life?  All we want to do is yell for help but then nothing comes out.   

Until 6 months ago, I could not fathom the idea of my equity line going bust and leaving me with only questions of What Do I Do Now? 

Now is the time when I need to pick myself up by the boot straps , dust myself off and say 'okay well I'm alive and I'm not going hungry, I will be okay.'  When it comes to thinking about worry and the toll it takes on you I like to remind myself of a scripture in the Bible that says, 'Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.'  

A thought for today, Worry is like a rocking chair, it is something to do but it doesn't get you anywhere.  So the bottom line is that we all need to slow down and take care of the things that we can and let the rest go.   The only thing that I know for sure is that the real treasures are the ones you cannot buy.  The real treasures in fact are found in the simple things. It's not how it appears it is how you think about it that determines the outcome.  Always remember to think positively because it really works.  I look at it as though life is like a kaleidoscope.  If you turn the kaleidoscope this way or that way, each turn gives you a whole different look.  Life is what you make of it.

 

Get Happy :)

Aloha to my beloved readers.  

I guess it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that times are very tough in America and throughout the world.  I just cannot believe what I am hearing and reading about in respect to the economic situation at hand.   Banks are folding, car dealerships are closing, AIG is on the forefront of the newspapers, and the rest.....

I recall so many times during my life that my mother used to say, "Tara you need to be more frugal."  I would laugh at her thinking she was born in the days of the depression.  "Don't you know mom that the depression days are over and done with and besides there are so many safety mechanisms in place so that another depression could never happen again, right? " Well mom, you are getting the last laugh, so to speak.  Although I imagine this is not at all what my mother had in mind.  You see we are all living through something similar to what years ago was called the great depression of the 1930's & 40's.

I am certainly no economic genius nor do I think that I have much of a clue as to what should or could happen next. So everybody- where do we all go from here?  I   guess being that everything goes in cycles- this too shall pass. 

 

Here are some ideas you might use that are free or don't cost much:

#1 Go outside and take a breath of fresh air.  It's amazing how much breathing in deeply for a few minutes will benefit our lives.

#2 Smell, give, or keep some flowers.  Flowers will always brighten up a room.  So surround yourself with them.  Always remember that bringing flowers home works wonders if you want to make a woman smile.  

 

#3 Hang out with people that help you to laugh heartily.  Try to stay away from people who are perennially on a bummer.  

#4 Go see a funny movie.

#5 Write or call a friend you haven't spoken to in a while, let them know your thinking of them.  You never know it might make someone's day.

#6 Go to the park.

#7 Feed a kitten.

#8 Play ball with a dog.

#9 It takes fewer muscles to smile than it takes to frown.  So Always remember to keep smiling, even if you don't feel like it, eventually it will become real. So I beckon you all to keep smiling.  

#10 For those of you who are like me, eat some dark chocolate it has so many good things going for it.  In fact I have written a blog in the past about the benefits of chocolate.  

#11 Dance with a friend, in no particular way.  Let yourself hang loose and be silly, you can if you try.

I wish that I was a fortune teller so that I could be privy to the information we would all like to know.  That is how long this recession/depression will last.  But in so far that I am not a fortune teller, the one thing that I know for sure is that the key to happiness is not found with dollars and cents.  Its found in the simple things of life.  Enjoy your good health, if your lucky enough to have it.  Take a long walk through the park, at the beach, or whatever beautiful place lies close by your home.  

I have included for your reading pleasure the piece of prose called "Desirderada" .  It tends to keep me centered about things that I think matter most.  I think its so inspiring.  

"DESIRDERADA"
"Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without 

surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. 
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. 
Keep interested in your own career, however humble, it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. 
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."

Here is a gift of a tropical bouquet of flowers to you from Tara on Maui ;)

May you find great joy today!

Just For the Laugh of it

In these days of economic down turn and financial woes that appear to be effecting virtually everyone, I have a few thoughts to share with you as my readers. It seems rather frighting if not spooky to be upon so much change that we cannot do anything about. I think we as humans for the most part enjoy the security of knowing what will happen next, either tomorrow, next week, next month or .... I think we are all essentially the same. We enjoy the security of knowing that when we wake up in the morning our lives have not drastically changed.

For example, the day the twin towers were destroyed all of our lives and destiny was changed forever. In the aftermath of the horror those few terrorists threw change, fear, and anxiety upon the hearts of nearly everyone. That attack still reverberates even through today as our world will never be the same again. We lost so many privileges in that one act of violence it is really amazing. Now to go to the airport we have to make sure we don't have any liquids, scissors, tweezers, or so many other items that you can go on and on listing them. I imagine if we were to speak with someone in the Airport Security business we would be amazed at all the privileges that we lost just in that one moment of time.

How can we live better even though this negative change was thrown upon us? This world economy is so far beyond what I can grasp because it appears to change every moment of every day. I can just barely believe all the news reports and newspapers. To say that I am a little blown away with the news these days is an understatement. As the news so often is negative that at times I feel I have to turn the news and the t.v. off.

In summary I would like to quote from Philippians 4:8,9 "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. And the God of peace will be with you."

Another thing I think that helps me in those times of worry and fret is to remember that there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving. I thought I would pass that little "nugget" on to you today.

One of my best friends whose name is Pam has always had that wonderful attitude that is appealing to so many. She loves laughter and I love to laugh with her. Sometime soon why don't of something that is so funny that you cannot help but laugh about it or at least chuckle about. Maybe its something that happened to you that you don't want to share with anyone because it is so private. After all,  laughter is tonic to the soul. Always remember to laugh and keep on laughing. And very soon that laughter will become real.

And so on this day and on everyday hereafter I send you smiles and great laughter shared among friends.

Aloha Nui Loa and Hui Ho 
From Tara on Maui

P.S. I am sending you a ;) because after all I am all about finding joy, love, and laughter.

Favorite Quote From the Bible - Philip. 4:6

"Do not be anxious about anything"~ Philippians 4:6

Probably my favorite verse in the Bible is so wonderfully correct, at least for my life that is.  We pretty much all know that stress is the antithesis to good health.  What I mean to say to make it even clearer is that I have found in my life that stress is like a robber of joy, its like it squeezes all the happiness from you and in its wake it leaves you feeling weary and mentally broke.  

In these days of doubt and worry over the economy, I think we all need a little uplift.  This is why I want to offer these simple words to you from my favorite quote in the Bible.  The scripture continues, " But in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds."  

I personally am experiencing a substantial amount of difficulties in this semi recession-depression myself. It is scary and yet I know that if I keep my heart and mind on the delightful lightheartedness that surrounds us we can overcome the fear.   I think that we need to control our thoughts and concentrate on the funniest thing you can recall or perhaps it's the most lovely memories you can think of.  Think on these things and I will be sending you as my beloved readers much Aloha and supreme joy.  

Create a Rainbow

How Do You Paint YOUR Rainbow?

Tell me what inspires you.  I would like to have people write to me and tell me what inspires them.  This blog is about interacting with each other.  Either email me @ tarabrock@hawaii.rr.com or post a comment here.  I want to read or hear what is inspiring to my readers.  And then I will compile the answers and include them in future blog posts.   But first I want to give you my list for your reading pleasure.

What inspires me is looking at the stars and trying to grapple with the enormity that our galaxy is so expansive, so enormous that in fact it even continues to grow- That it enlarges every millisecond.   That not only inspires me but it also blows my mind.

I love the scent of a gardena in my garden.  I crave the taste of dark chocolate.  I am passionate about the love I have for my children.  The beauty of a Maui sunset is so calming and awe inspiring.  I desire to have the companionship of a best friend.  I melt when I watch a touching sentimental movie.   I swoon at the idea of being kissed passionately.  I admire honesty and integrity.  I adore spending quite time in prayer.  To say that the ocean and all of its creatures are so magnificent is an understatement.  I cant wait until I can swim among the turtles again.  I am crazy when I snap on  my snow skis and head downhill with a loud yodel saying , "Thank you God for this incredibly awe inspiring vista!"  

In fact I am finding it hard to stay sitting as I write this blog to you because I feel like jumping up and saying, "Yes, Thank you God, I am alive!

So it is I am blessed to be here right now writing to you and hopefully inspiring you to stand up wherever you are however u need to stand and take a deep breath of the wonderful air we get to breath.  At this moment I am wishing you great happiness and that you too are delighted to be alive.  

P.S. 

I did 150 sit ups yesterday and I am quite pleased! :)

A word of thanks from TARA

I have recently learned through my statistical survey that this blog you are reading is now being viewed in 130 cities and 3o countries, spanning the globe.  I would like to personally thank every reader of my blog!

This means so very much to me and in turn I will try and incorporate more helpful information as time goes on.  If you would like to jot a note to me, please do.  And I will get back to you.

Again many Thanks!

-Mahalo Nui loa and hui ho koko- :)

A special note to my readers in New Zealand (Vanessa, Aunt P, & Margie)

Also to  Ann from Nashville