Sooner or Later

Sooner or later a person begins to notice that everything that happens to her is perfect, relates directly to who she is, had to happen, was meant to happen, plays its little role in fulfilling her destiny.

When she encounters difficulty, it no longer occurs to her to complain—she has learned to expect nothing, has learned that loss and frustration are a part of life, and come at their proper time—instead she asks herself, why is this happening?… by which she means, what can I learn from this, how will it strengthen me, make me more aware? She lets herself be strengthened, lets herself grow, just as she lets herself relax and enjoy (and grow) when life is gentle to her.

Strengthened by this simple notion, simple awareness, that life is perfect, that all things come at the proper moment and that she is always the perfect person for the situation she finds herself in, a person begins to feel more and more in tune with her inner nature, begins to find it easier and easier to do what she knows is right. All chance events appear to her to be intended; all intentional actions she clearly perceives as part of the workings of Chance.

Anxiety seldom troubles her; she knows her death will come at its proper moment; she knows her actions are right and therefore whatever comes to pass as a result of them will be what was meant to happen. When she does feel anxiety, she realizes it is because of that thing she’s been meaning to do but hasn’t been done, some unfulfilled relationship she’s been aware of, but… She perceives the anxiety as a message that she’ll have to stop hesitating if she wants to stay high…

(author unknown)

First Response

Wow.

I just got back from a trippy experience. I took my kid out to dinner at our favorite restaurant. Each with our book, we ordered our usual artichokes, spinach salad & chicken nuggles. Out of the blue, quite calmly and in a low voice, a woman said, "Call 911 - Please call 911".

I looked up & saw an elderly gentleman slumped in his chair. I walked up & said I knew CPR and reached for his throat pulse, finding none. I looked at the lady next to him, who was clearly terrified. "We need to get him onto the ground."

I put my arms around his shoulders and he slipped hard onto the floor, first his tailbone, then his back. Suddenly his eyes flew open & he started speaking in French. Since he was clearly breathing, I knew I didn't have to do mouth to mouth, just stay present. I looked in his eyes & rubbed in back, murmuring in French that he was going to be all right, everything was fine.

He started gagging and I called the waiter to bring a bowl, anything. The poor guy started barfing beyond belief, and I just continued to baby him. I looked up to see my kid across the room, watching with big round eyes.

The paramedics came in and took over. I went back to my table, pretty damn shaken. Thank goodness I took CPR this summer. Thank goodness I happen to speak a little french. "Are you okay?" I asked my kid.

Clinging to my arm for just a moment, all she said was, "You're my hero."

Wow.

Label Spices, Not People

My parents are not American, and we have never celebrated thanksgiving, so I was rather surprised when my mom called to see what I was up to today. I told her I was fixing my leaky toilet she volunteered to help, and bring lunch. Cool enough.

On arriving, she gave me an article on happiness from entitled “The Four Love Personalities: knowing your type is the key to a better relationship.” A friend's response was to move beyond labels. I pondered this on my morning walk.

What purpose do labels serve? Beyond distinguishing spices, I mean. What labels to you identify with? Dom, sub, top, bottom, gay, straight, bi, curious, poly - we use a lot of labels on line, striving to define ourselves in certain ways.

I have always considered myself bi, but do I really define myself by who I am fucking? Or my politics? I identify with being a switch, and definitely as queer, but have moved along the rainbow spectrum from lesbian seperatist to tresbian (tranny loving lesbian, and french for very good, get it, tres bien) to limerick queen of the universe.

For a long time I thought of myself as a single mom, so I was single, and a mom. Thoughts create reality. Now I'm putting myself out as available, fun, mature, experienced, and a roller skating babe. Life is good, and only getting better.

Other labels I resonate with feel like ingredients to the soup that is Lady of Delights: Witch, Priestess, Healer, Astrologer, Guide, Business Woman, Office Manager, Independent Contractor, Homemaker, Gardener, Teacher, Artist, Dancer, Friend, Confidant, Lover, and of course, most recently, Blogger...

You're so vain, I bet you think this blog is about you

You might think I'm watching But really I'm just raising An eyebrow...

Yes! Anything is Possible

I am walking on my path, I am aware of my stride
I don’t know where I am because I’m really journeying inside
I know my intention is to gather up information
The more I travel, the more I know - The journey is my destination

There is cool blue sky above me, and the good old earth below
I walk the path in the middle of dark forest and sweet meadow
Golden hills of California dipping down to gray sea
Heat and sun in contrast to the shade of the redwood tree

Walking along, singing my song, snake quickly crosses my path
Out of the light, just out of sight, Coyote has the last laugh
Coyote, my guardian, coyote my love -
We no longer walk this path together
But we will always be true friends -
And see each other through any weather

I believe we create our destiny, I believe we create our own fate
Go back to the forest, Coyote - And find your coyote mate
For I am a bird woman - I take to the sky
In these moments of transendance, I know I was born to fly

It seems it’s been so long now, I have walked my path alone
But I have been feathering my nest - I have been building a home
Now I am in a hang glider, suspended in the air
I have a new perspective on my worries & my cares

Purple with rainbow edges, strapped in, safe as can be
The higher I spiral upwards, the more I leave my story behind me
I see pennants in the breeze - A festive village beckons below me
Flags & ribbons, music & laughter, a place filled with magic & beauty

I land in the center, I am in the middle of it all
At last I’ve found my circle - The place where I can stand tall
I am a leader without followers. I have been exiled in the past
I’m here to share, I’m here to learn - I’m here for as long as it lasts

I need to adapt, I need to adopt, I need my tribe, I need my community
I need my kin, to be one with my kind - And one of a kind, unique & free
I am here to serve, and here to give
I am here to receive - I am here to live

I am here for information - I go to see the shaman
She is wise, she is wonderful, the gypsy in her caravan
Laden with herbs, hanging from the ceiling,
satin cushions covered the floor
She reads the stars, she reeds the cards -
And then she shares even more

She anoints me with oil, every chakra, head to toe
Sweet lavender, clary sage, parsley, and a drop of mistletoe
I am grateful to be here - I am grateful to reach her
I have found my next home, I have found my next teacher

I set off on a journey, I knew anything was possible
I said yes to my self because I know I am capable
I am walking on my path - I am aware of my stride
I know exactly where I am - Because I journey inside.

02/11/06

My Key

What is a visionary consultant? In the simplest of terms, my job is to guide your body and mind to be in alignment, to experience balance in your heart and spirit. I am a faith healer, here to remind you that you hold the key to the gateway within. I am certified in both hypnotherapy and reiki, which I combine with tarot and astrology for holistic consultations. I have had my private practice for 19 years now.

My clients range from cancer patients to folks with phobias, people in deep grief or trapped in anxiety. For a complete mindbody experience, I combine my services with a chiropractor, an acupuncturist, a massage therapist and a nutritionist. Together we provide alternatives to surgery & prescription drugs, to live more vibrantly on all levels, physical & emotional.

I am a priestess, and spend most of my day in prayer, meditation, ritual or energy work. Luckily I am also a hedonistic pagan, and believe in exploring all aspects of sacred sexuality, so even masturbating is one of the ways I connect with the divine every day, besides for blogging. I am blessed to live in a community that supports my livelihood and encourages alternative practices,and to work with other highly trained professionals in my field.

Anyway, this is my newest tat, a few months old, still kinda itchy and raised - smack in the middle of my spine, the artist had an incredibly light touch and was done in under an hour. Part of the tat looks like the symbol for Chiron, the Wounded Healer (go ahead, Google it, I know you want to). Chiron's message is: how do you change your deepest wound into your greatest gift?

Logo by Cherie Lovedog, Lovedog Tattoo Studio, Santa Cruz 2007.

Armband 1

This is my astrological mandala. My sun sign is Libra (keywords, I create beauty), I have Leo rising (pay attention to ME! I mean, um, I show...) & my moon is in Aquarius (I'm different - no shit).

When my daughter was around 3, we were sitting on the back deck talking about astrology. I told her that, as a Libra, I see my soul's purpose is to create beauty.

With big round eyes, she solemnly looked up at me and declared,. "Mom, my soul's purpose - is to watch videos."

Out of the mouths of babes...

Celtic arm band by Cherie Lovedog, Santa Cruz CA, 1997