I love you to the moon...

    My dear and eldest sister 🌻passed away in 2019 it was also our dad's 79th birthday.  I still find it challenging to really grasp the fact that she has died. I know she has transitioned, I know cause when I want to call her on the phone, I can't but I have not really been able to accept the fact that she is dead. I'm not in denial, but I just don't want to engage in the grief. 

     Truth be told, she's alive in my heart and in my thoughts. I can feel her love surrounding me but I just can't hear her voice, can't pick up the tablet to video chat with her at all hours of the evening, physically, she is gone.  My sister and I (honestly she was like this with all her loved ones) could chat for hours and hours. For the last several years, she lived in Florida and she made it her business to be present for all the moments in my life that made a difference. It didn't matter if it was a challenging time or a celebration, she was there. 

    The very last time I physically hugged my sister was Mother's Day weekend of 2019. My sister and brother in love took the long and cumbersome drive from Orlando to Queens, NY to be with our mom and us, but mostly our mom.  If I am 100% honest with myself and with you, I will say I felt like it would be the last time I would physically be in her presence. I had this foreboding sensation, I don't know if I ever truly acknowledged it till this very moment... She wasn't feeling well and she still made the trip. It was a big deal to her to be with us and I was so grateful to be able to hug her.

    Recently, I had a conversation with a dear friend who expressed the pain she felt when her grandmother passed, 💔 I was moved and struck by her sharing that ultimately she knew her grandmother wasn't supposed to physically be with her for very long, she was her grandma after all. But my sister, my sister was 58 years young. SHE WAS MY SISTER! Siblings and babies, they are supposed to live forever, or at least a very long time.

    My sister, she was life.  She was full of joy and gratitude. Her laughter was infectious. We all just loved to be with her or around her. That's just who she was. Even though she suffered for many years with a disease, she was strong and graceful, she never complained of victimized herself.  Mav was strong like a superhero, gentle like an angel, and all-around fierce just like her own self! 

    We were supposed to grow old together. WE were supposed to be little old ladies just laughing it up, we use to laugh so much. 😊We didn't grow up in the same house but our hearts were united. Our dad made us siblings and love and life made us friends.

    Let me tell you about my sister, she lived the way she wanted to live and she loved with intensity. We often talked about growing old and just enjoying life but also about not wanting to be away from our loved ones.  Ever meet a person who you just feel seen by? Have you ever been truly and unconditionally loved by someone who had no expectations but always only saw the very best in you??? That was my sister. Damnit, she adored me like no one else. I think the only other person who looks at me the way my sister use to look at me is my son. ❤

Mav always knew how to show it.

    When my youngest brother called to tell me our sister had passed away all I could say was, "NO!" I didn't break down then and there cause first, my 10-year-old was standing beside me and asking me what was wrong, and second, I had to call a few of our loved ones to share the heartbreaking news. I had to keep my composure. I've kept my composure for over a year. There are moments I break down and cry but mostly I smile and remember all the love and joy she was in my life. I don't know if I can handle the grief, most especially after the immense challenges, tragedies, and unexpected hardships of 2020.

    The last time I hugged my sister she gifted me with a beautiful charm for my pandora bracelet, I don't wear it on my bracelet, I wear it on my necklace, so it's close to my heart. The charm reads, "To the Moon and Back..." When I see the moon shining even when the sun is out, I know my sister is always with me. When I look up to the sky and see the stars surrounding the moon, I feel my sister surrounding me. It doesn't happen all the time but it happens quite often. When a cardinal joins me in my backyard, I know it's my sister just checking in on us.

    I try to think of death as just a part of life, like walking into another room or arriving at another level. My perspective is, we are all souls having a human experience. Our hearts are intertwined and our souls will forever be connected, also I was extremely blessed to have Mav as my big sister. To be loved by my sister, how I was loved, is Grace.

    To the moon and back...

Love transcends all things.  Trust in the wonder and power of your dreams.

Thank you for reading and Sharing.

Sharing is caring!
Love exists and Life is a miracle, treat it all as such.
BeLove...

Namastè.
In possibility,
Organic JeWeLs

Love, Plain and Simple.

Please excuse the sappy title, I can be so very sappy at times it just makes me smile.

Yesterday, my five year old shared with me that he was in love with a girl in his class and he was going to marry her.  Not only was I surprised by his share, I was startled with my response.  I asked my son why he was in love with his classmate, I asked what about her made him fall in love with her. He said, "She did, just her."  What a pure and authentic feeling and response.
See it truly is that simple.
Often times us adults, we complicate things.

JUST LOVE and BE LOVE.

Caras Vemos.

"Caras Vemos"

When I was a child my mom would often say, "Caras Vemos, Corazones No Sabemos." This loosely translates to, "We See Faces, Hearts We Don't Know."

At the time I took it to mean what I still think she feels it means, which was don't trust anyone just because they say or do something kind. I think what she was attempting to teach me was to not judge a book by its cover.

Today I had an aha moment that brought me back to the wise cliche my mom shared with me. I was having a conversation with a mom and she shared some personal information. I extended my gratitude to her for finding the trust and confidence to share something so heavy. I told her I was grateful and that I come from the school of thought that we should be creating "Red Tents," together. I expressed how I find this society is growing but right now it can sometimes be a challenge to find authentic and positive support.

Today when I was blessed with someone sharing part of their story with me I heard my mom's words, "Caras Vemos, Corazones No Sabemos," and I took it to mean that although I can see you standing right here in front of me with grace and a smile on your face I don't really have any clue what has transpired in your heart. I don't really know what you've gone through, I am not familiar with your story.

Today I learned that what my mom was truly teaching me with her wise words was compassion.

I always say Sharing Is Caring. Can you share a moment with someone today without judgment only with love and compassion? 

Thank you for reading and Sharing.

Sharing is caring!
Love exists and Life is a miracle, treat it all as such.
BeLove...

Namastè.
In possibility,
Organic JeWeLs

The Universe Conspires...

The other night I was having a conversation about someone who was pretty present in my life for a while, we were good friends. We are still friends but because of our lives it's seldom when we connect.  Nevertheless, I was having a conversation about my friend and the very next morning I missed their call on my mobile.

Joyfully, this past weekend I had traveled with my family to the Dominican Republic for a few days. When we were returning from our short stint there I saw two book stores at the airport and told my partner I needed to find a copy of Paolo Coehlo's The Alchemist, in Spanish cause I had lost my original copy, which, sadly, I never read!  My partner said he would find it online for me and that would be great but I really felt that buying the book in DR after this trip would be a great reminder of the time shared, anyway, I didn't find the book.  When we stepped into the fuselage we were upgraded to first class, that was very cool.  Initially I thought I would to take a nap but I was feeling so comfortable I decided to take out my book so I can read, The Gifts of Imperfection, Let Go of Who You Think You're Suppose to be and Embrace Who You Are by Brené Brown, Ph.D., L.M.S.W. 

When I opened the book at that moment, I was on page 90 and when I got to page 91 guess what I read in the GET INSPIRED portion?!?

She talked about her 2007 (Breakdown) Spiritual Awakening it happened after or right before her amazing TEDTalk on Vulnerability, the one  you may have gotten a link to from me (I got it from my friend Jude! THANKS!!!!) a few years ago or not but definitely try to check it out. And she mentions Anne Lamott, Sue Monk Kidd, and Pema Chodron and lastly she writes: 

And last, I absolutely love this quote from Paulo Coelho's, The Alchemist: "...intuition is really a sudden immersion of the soul into the universal current of life, where the histories of all people are connected, and we are able to know everything, because it's all written there."

It was on the very next page that I read and this was moments prior to me searching for the book in the two stores at the airport.

Some folks hear this and think nothing of it, some folks laugh and think how

silly I am and there are those of you who see what I mean and think, What We Focus On Expands, Where we put our Energy Is What We Feed and Grows.

I see this trivial moments and smile cause In My Heart and Soul I know nothing is trivial.

Have a blessed and mindful day friends!

Love transcends all things.  Trust in the wonder and power of your dreams.

Thank you for reading and Sharing.

Sharing is caring!
Love exists and Life is a miracle, treat it all as such.
BeLove...

Namastè.
In possibility,
Organic JeWeLs

Grounded

This is my favorite tree.
Every time I see it, I smile.
It doesn't matter the season, it always inspires a deep seeded smile. 

When I see the tree I'm reminded of my family, my first family, my extended family, my partnered up family, my church family, my work family, my communal family, all my family. 

I think of how different we all are; I think of the tapestry of sorts.  The intricate and complex yet simple arrangement of all the branches extending bring to mind a dance or sorts.

Every season it looks very different and if you look closely you will see its constant presence is a consistent and majestic tapestry of Love.

When I see my tree I feel grounded.  It's such a joy for me to see!

Do you have a favorite tree? Can you share a picture of it with me? Where is it?
What do you like about it?  When did you first notice this tree?

Love transcends all things.  Trust in the wonder and power of your dreams.

Thank you for reading and Sharing.

Sharing is caring!
Love exists and Life is a miracle, treat it all as such.
BeLove...

Namastè.
In possibility,
Organic JeWeLs

Meditation

Have you ever heard, "Prayer is you talking to God 
and Meditation is God talking to you?"

This is what I believe.

I'm curious,  What do you know about Meditation, what are your thoughts on it, what do you believe?

I am on a Meditation expedition...

Please share your knowledge with me.


Meditation Resources:

NY INSIGHT Meditation Center, Where Hearts & Minds Awaken

Meditation-101-with-Deepak-Chopra on OWN


Meditation: All it takes is 10 mindful minutes


Love transcends all things.  Trust in the wonder and power of your dreams.

Thank you for reading and Sharing.

Sharing is caring!
Love exists and Life is a miracle, treat it all as such.
BeLove...

Namastè.
In possibility,
Organic JeWeLs

An Affirmation.

A value I have, that I often share, is the fact that I am a firm believer that What I FOCUS on EXPANDS.   I believe I create my life, even when I'm not paying attention. I believe in the power of intention and find that the Universe supports my intentions, in all ways. I feel this innately and find it to be a universal truth.  I am often moved and grateful for the affirmations I receive, moment to moment.  It is inspiring to witness alignment.  With this in mind I had to share an experience I had this week that started with a thought I had and chose to share with my internet friends.

Here is the discussion that ensued via one of my main Social Networking platforms when I shared my thought:

This was my status update:

There are good people in the world,

they are ready to be kind to you and to help you...

be one of those good people.

The first comment I received went like this (Person A):  

I'm one of those people. And I always wonder, will they be there to help me too?!?

I responded with:   

Only you can answer that question, love. 

Dios dice, "Ayudate que yo te ayudare." <--This means

--> God says, Help yourself and I will help you. 

The Response that came back was (Person A): 

No I can't answer it.....The people I've helped have to answer it when 

I am in a bind and call them! 

My Response to this was: 

I'm sure if you sit down and think about it although you have endured 

so much loss you have been truly blessed by so much grace.

 I'm sure of it. I for one haven't gotten any call and if I can't respond as you 

need I would hope that you know I'm a god person and all I want is to be kind to you 

and for your greater good. I keep thinking about when I hold the door for someone and 

they don't say thank you. I use to be so very righteous that it would make me angry if the ungrateful momo didn't say thank you and thankfully, I'm at a place where I hold the 

door because it's what I want to do, it's how I want to show up, a verbal thank you isn't necessary for me to feel good about what I just did. I know it's not what you are talking 

about specifically but it's all connected. Stop for a moment and think of all the great in 

your life and you won't have to wonder cause we are all already there for you! 

At this point a third person engages in the dialogue, 

Person C responds to Person A:

You're so right...Talk is sometimes too easy and cheap and you'll never know 

until you ask for help or kindness. Sometimes the least likely person 

will step up and the most likely will disappear into the sunset.

To this I replied: 

Whatever we choose is what we will experience. And...the man who introduced me to 

The AMAZING FOUR AGREEMENTS, nothing is personal 

so disappearing into the sunset is OK. 

Person C responds to Me:

Don't take it personal doesn't mean don't have emotions. 

Not everything is ok, but most things should not be taken personal 

unless there is a lesson that needs to be learned.

To this I replied:

If you ask me to show up for you a certain way and I can't 

it's not really about what I think of you or feel for you  or your worth. 

That's all I'm saying and we all feel what we outta feel. 

Everything is fine at all times, even when it's not. 

The world is conspiring for my greater good. If you believe different that's okay too.

Person C responds to Me:

ok, it's not biblical, it's just your opinion and mine. 

Each of us is a story maker and teller. 

What's good and right for you is just that.

To this I replied:

AMEN! The world conspiring for my greater good isn't biblical, 

it's just a reality. It's also conspiring for your greater good, 

you just have to believe it. ANd yes, AMEN, what's appropriate for me is 

just that,appropriate for me. I choose to not break things down as good or bad or right or

 wrong but that's a whole 'nother debate for another time. Gotta get back to work. Namaste!

I did not get anymore responses after that at this point. 

 

So the alignment and affirmation I received was enormous for me. I was watching a recording

of Oprah's OWN Super Soul Sunday conversation with Paulo Coehlo, they were discussing

his book, "The Alchemist."  To my dismay I 

have not read it yet so imagine my elation 

when they discussed this Universal Truth, 

which is apparently illustrated throughout the 

entire book, "When you want something all the universe conspires in helping you to get it." 

We are all entitled to our perspectives, or 

opinions, and of course our experience.  I do 

recommend if you are not familiar with this 

truth, research it further, scientifically, 

spiritually, mathematically, in all ways, get to the root of it and share with me your outcomes.

Love transcends all things.  Trust in the wonder and power of your dreams.

Thank you for reading and Sharing.

Sharing is caring!
Love exists and Life is a miracle, treat it all as such.
BeLove...

Namastè.
In possibility,
Organic JeWeLs