Welcome September!

Somebody shoot me!  Back to school shopping is sucking the life right out of me!

It's not the supplies, it's the clothes, and the desire of the little men in my life to "look cool"  I really want my children to be the kind that don't care...I want them to understand that it doesn't really matter what other people think.  Having said that, we all know what other people think DOES matter to some extent, and when you are 9 & 12, it TOTALLY matters what other people think!  I get that...I do...sigh...

I'm getting right giddy for Unison to be up & running again...hands down the best yoga classes I have been to...ready to work on my cobra, and my downward dog.  Giddy to lay still in savasana pose and work on my meditation skills...

My very VERY smart & beautiful sister in law said something today that made me laugh..."whoever said what doesn't kill you will make you stronger was a real asshole"  I think she has a point...I hate hearing stuff like that myself, but I do believe it.  I have learned in the past few weeks that through thick & think, crap & crappier, nothing killed me, and hopefully I will come out a bit better, a bit tougher & a bit wiser for it.  I am starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel....{big satisfactory exhale}

On a {sad for some, but not for me} side note, The Amazing Adventures of Rocketgirl was put to bed last night.  Nothing more to comment on that so DON'T ASK if you know what's good for you!? ;)

Lastly, I lost something. Actually, 7 of them somethings, and I'm pretty happy about it!  heehee!

I don't even think I know any Jones'

Do not overrate what you have received,

nor envy others.

He who envies others,

does not obtain peace of mind.

~Buddha~

I came upon this quote, and it really struck a chord with me. 

My hubby & I have really been "struggling" with us, as a family,  and us as a society as of late, in regards to material objects, and how it relates to personal happiness & personal well-being etc.  I have to interrupt my own story here with hubby's version of the quote...

You can't live your life in someone else's pocket.

Ok, not really the same but I think I know what he was getting at...

I'm not proud to admit it, but I definitely overrate what I have received. Daily. I'm fairly sure that we all do.  And I am also fairly certain that at some point or another, we all envy others.  It's human nature and part of our society & every day life in this day and age.  Gotta have more than the Jones'.  Must have that new car, that new jacket, the newest tech toy, the hippest gym membership, the spa days, the best this, that and the other...you KNOW what I am talking about. 

Now, like I said, this is our society.  I think it's a somewhat healthy part of human nature to want things.  It fosters drive & creativity, teaches discipline and manners.  But when the want is never satisfactory and the things are never enough...what next?  I bet you want that peace of mind.  Heck, it's down right tiring trying to keep up with the Jones' ! I know that I want that peace of mind.  Not just for myself, but my family too!

It's a time honoured phrase you hear out of your mother's mouth, your friend's mouth, your spouse's mouth...be happy with what you have.  And that is easier said than done.  I say it to the boys all the time...and can't even take my own advice! That may well be a lifestyle shift.  A shift of focus. 

So this is my new personal challenge,  no more overrating, no more other people's pockets, no more Jones'

Ok, ok, we all know I can't just say that and do it.  Can you? 

I'm not saying I won't buy that new jacket, or want to go to the spa...I'm just saying...baby steps....peace of mind.

Weekend Update

I had a lovely, PEACEFUL afternoon...shopping of all kinds.

I started out this afternoon at the Mission Folk Fest, hanging @ the Shanti Uganda table with my peeps.

Listening to fab music, walking among the vendors, I passed a lovely tent of flowy, breezy summery clothes

and for 20 bucks I walked away with 2 beautiful wrap style skirts,  made from recycled saris! How cool is that?

After that I went on my Whole Foods shop...I enjoyed that too....and whole foods dinner number 1 was a SUCCESS! I call it, THE SALAD TO DIE FOR!

Toss together; 

Romaine, green & butter lettuce

Radishes

Green Onions

Mushrooms

Cucumbers

Sprouts

Cherry tomatoes

Strawberries

Dates

Sunflower seeds, soy nuts, pine nuts

Goat Cheese

Fresh parsley (from my garden...oh yeah)

Layer on top, thinly sliced bbq'd medium rare organic sirloin steak, sprinkled with cayenne pepper.  Fresh lemon drizzled over the works and DI-VINE!

I feel kinda pumped today...something...a sort of lightness that I haven't felt in a while...