photo by J. Philipson

If you are like me you love trees. I feel so fortunate to live in an area where trees are abundant. My home is Thousand Oaks California, and it is not a coincidence that there are many, many oak trees (as well as other varieties) in our city. Since I have been here I have planted one tree, and I plan on planting more.

When I was younger I remember looking for an apartment that I could afford. The ones with a view of something green were few and far between. Who wants to look out the window at another stucco building, a trash can-lined alley or a busy street? Most of us would like a little glimpse of something that reminds us that we are creative beings.

Still not convinced? Here are 5 great reasons to get out there and start planting:

1. 10 average sized trees provide enough oxygen for the average sized person for his entire lifetime. If you haven’t planted your 10 trees yet, you are taking up somebody’s else’s air. If you have never planted a tree before, but would like to take the plunge, go to Tree Help.

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photo by Miradise

These past few years there have been more natural disasters than ever before. Floods, tornadoes, and earthquakes are killing at alarming rates all over the world. Those not killed are left displaced, feeling utterly lost and alone.

Some may say global warming is to blame. Green house gases cause the temperature to rise, the ocean is affected, weather patterns change, etc, etc. Some say global warming is a myth. I don’t agree. Instead I would say it is a symptom of a much deeper problem.

When you think about the world, how do you see it? Do you see individual things and individual people? Do you compare yourself to others and what they have? Does it make you want what they have and more?

Or do you see energy? Do you see that everything is moving and changing from moment to moment? Does that make you understand that holding on to something is not natural? Do you see yourself in other people? Does your compassionate nature come out when you see them struggle? When you are out in nature do you feel like it is your responsibility to protect it? Do you feel grateful at the sight of natural beauty, like it is a zen gift from the Universe?

When we ask ourselves questions it helps to uncover the way to make ourselves, and our world a better place. If we are disgusted when we learn that corporations dump gallons of toxic waste into our oceans everyday, it might make us think of what we may do on a much smaller scale. From there we are in a position to do something…something other than complain.

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photo by icraz

I am officially over the whole taking over our website episode. It’s done. And it’s all good. I am ready to move on.

The whole rant I had about it sure did feel good though. For 2 days I let my feelings rip and it was cathartic to speak my mind. Mark (my partner/husband) and I got to win over the National Arbitration Forum that shut us down a week ago.

The whole rant thing reminds me of Dennis Miller’s show. I think it’s canceled now. And I think there is a reason for that. Nobody likes to hear people complain all the time. We all have our own problems we are trying to deal with, so why would we want to add somebody’s else’s into the mix, especially someone we do not even now.

I met Dennis Miller once. It was about 25 years ago, before he became famous. I was dating a fellow comedian at the time, a friend of his. My friend was a lot nicer than Dennis Miller. Dennis was living in a very humble apartment at the time with his girl friend (not with her anymore). He struck me as a dark and angry fellow. I guess he never got over it.

I prefer to adopt an optimistic attitude, and to Be Like Nature , open and free of judgment (I do the best I can). If you are always fighting against everything (I did this in my growing up years) you are just going to be attracting difficult situations and people into your life. The law of attraction does not stop working just because we think we are right or just because life is “unfair”.

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photo by ucumari

If you have ever created something from nothing you are a true artist. And you are most likely familiar with the feeling of contented satisfaction. Mix that with the excitement of being a powerful creator, and you may feel like this is your destiny. Whether it is a child, an oil painting or a novel it is as if you are presenting a little bit of you to the world.

The same feeling applies if you have created your own website. Particularly, if you have introduced an absolutely unique and patented product on this website. The web is such a wonderful window to the world. Reaching millions upon millions of people, what could be a better place to show off your “baby”?

Hold on, though. Before you get too excited, I urge you to take some very important precautions. If you were taking your baby home from the hospital, would you make sure that some details are in place first? Of course, you would! You probably would get yourself a crib, some disposable diapers, formula, a car seat, etc.

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photo by Green Wellie

Are you Balanced? Do you feel motivated yet relaxed? Intelligent with a sense of humor?
Confident yet humble? Not sure? Me neither. While I was pondering these questions I did a little research to find out what how this whole balancing thing works and where it came from? Apparently it depends on a couple of things.
This is what I came up with for us humans:

• We try to work to hard, but (Don’t want to die of a Heart attack)
• We want to find time to play, but (Don’t want to be a narcissist)
• We feel it’s important to develop some kind of spiritual side, but ( Don’t want to be a fanatic)
• We struggle to exercise our body everyday when we have time, but ( Don’t want to be an egomaniac)
• We study and learn new things to exercise the mind, but (Don’t want to be a know-it-all)

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photo by down_the_rabbit_hole

I like the word chi. It’s the beginning of chee…secake. So when you say the word you are smiling. And it doesn’t have all the calories that come with the “cake” part. Chi is very healthy. And, like nature, it is pure creative energy. Chi is in and around everything, and it runs through invisible channels called meridians.

Chi, also spelled Qi, naturally moves along its friendly channels. When it is in its element, chi is like flowing liquid. But just as water will collect debris and mosquitoes when stagnant and our bodies will turn to jelly if we do not move – chi ceases to offer benefits when it is blocked. Movement is the cure. When Chi moves, its creativity makes something out of nothing.

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photo by, Kimberly Dickenson

Do you sometimes wish you could just quit your job, and take off for a week (or more), and just get away.Pressures from finances and relationships can wreak havoc on your hearts and minds. And because of obligations and responsibilities there is often little time (or money) to do anything about it. So, why not create your own sacred space in your own home?

There are many things you can do to turn an ordinary space in to a sanctuary. If you do not live alone, pick a room or area that is yours – and put your mark on it. The idea is for you to have your own place where you can go to relax. What you do there is entirely up to you: read a book, practice some yoga poses, write in your journal, etc.

To get started you need to know what types of things calm you, and, at the same time, may inspire you. This is very personal, so if you have never thought about this before, it’s time you did. Your sacred place is meant to enliven your senses in a way that makes you playful and creative. This is your time to escape the rat race of the outside material world, and go within to your divine inner world (our inner Source) – where all the goodies lie.

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