A sunny 75 degree day makes you love wherever you are, doesn't it?

For as much as I daydream about my "forever place," I've been taking advantage of a lot of the delicious benefits of living in my current place.

I know that I am in the perfect place right now for me and for my family. We have a great house that I use as a creative outlet, a diverse and active community that I share with handfuls of supportive people, schools that are treating my kids oh-so right, a climate that allows me to enjoy all four seasons, and easy access to so much that makes life simpler and full.

This week alone I indulged in some things that I realize I might have been taking for granted:
~ My local YMCA, where I can get my "happy juice" as my kids call it, and they have fun in the playroom while I do my thing. I have 2 beautiful, clean Ys to chose from, both about 10 minutes away.
~ A plethora of affordable and yummy restaurants to grant me a night off from cooking dinner and some face time with my rockin' husband.
~ The North Georgia mountains...in a minimum of an hour I can be exploring trails, waterfalls, fresh mountain air, wineries, local art, and charming little villages.
~ The farmer's market in my town sent me home with juicy tomatoes and fresh homemade buffalo mozzarella, cucumbers that my girls will devour, and berries that beat any store made dessert.
~ Little boutiques that even my oldest daughter has a hard time passing by--full of creative ideas to decorate myself.
~ More Mexican restaurants than my son could ever try, all with an icy, salt-rimmed Texas margarita waiting for me.
~ A backyard that has grass and woods, a trampoline and Adirondack chairs, a gorgeous deck with outdoor speakers and a vine with a life of it's own (that makes me so happy!).

And I haven't even touched upon the amazing people that I've encountered each day of this divine, yet average, week. That will have to be a blog for another day. I also didn't venture into the city this week. Again, another blog for another day.

So when I daydream about where I am going to go to find my bliss, maybe I should stop...stop and sit in a hammock, kayak down the Chattahoochee River that runs 10 minutes from my home, have a cup of coffee with a neighbor, water my flowers, or take a swing with my kids in the backyard. Maybe I should consider that I may already be here.

I challenge you to think of a new way to answer the following question:
"What do you do for a living?"
Life should be a balance of work and play, family and friends, rest and activity, vegetables and chocolate...
The whole idea of "earning a living" is hogwash. No one has to earn the right to be here. We all deserve to be here and to be happy. If there were to be a description of how to earn a living, I would say something like living a benevolent life, as a positive example to others, caring for our planet, and embracing the gifts that we all have to offer. Finding a way to pay the bills while staying true to these virtues is the best of all worlds. And I guess that goes back to a previous post about doing what you love and the money will follow. But I also like to remind my children that "to whom much is given, much is expected." There are times in our lives when we are givers, and there are times when we are takers. It's a beautiful circle that keeps us in balance.
So how will I answer that question the next time I'm asked--"what do you do for a living?" What is my lifework?
I'm going to ponder that for a while and I guess I'll have to get back to you.

peace, love, and good karma~

Live with what you love.

This rule is a big part of Feng Shui. Our belongings carry energy and are alive with our memories and associations we attach to them. Surrounding ourselves with things that lift our spirit, make us feel nostalgic, and give us comfort is just plain a good way to live. When the alternative is to surround ourselves with items that depress us, make us remember bad times, or are harmful in some way, it seems like a no-brainer. But getting rid of our stuff is not always easy. We hold on to things for various reasons, motivated by different emotions, pressures, and fears. I can think about a mirror, a pair of jeans, a family heirloom, an unopened Christmas gift; and feel confident that I'm not alone when it comes to clogging up my energy with belongings that don't serve me.

What I've been expanding upon lately is the idea that "live with what you love" can carry to other areas of our lives. Again, thinking of the life energies we work with in Feng Shui, I can see how our careers, relationships, finances, and more can be negatively impacted by accumulated junk.

~ Give and you shall receive. When money is tight or bills keep flooding your mailbox, volunteer at a homeless shelter or clean out your closets for Good Will. Giving away what you have, be it time, used household items, or your positive energy to a friend in need, opens up space for good fortune to come to you.

~ Do what you love and the money will follow. When day in and day out is spent in uninspiring, meaningless work, your life energy is depleted. Focusing your energy on one of your passions is a much better way to live your life. I'm not suggesting that quitting your job and playing your guitar in your living room is a good strategy, but I think you get the point.

~ If you take the opportunity or pass on the opportunity, is your life going to be any better or worse? This idea just makes me think about happiness and contentment. The gravity we put on some decisions is just not in alignment with our core values. Some choices we're faced with can really impact our lives in a positive or negative way. Most will not.

Today's musing is "live with whom you love." Thinking of the people we surround ourselves with...why would we chose to spend time with people that bring us down or make us feel bad about ourselves? We could analyze our choice and try to discover some hidden part of our personality that is drawn to the negativity. OR, we could just chose to not spend our precious time with them. There are many people we encounter on a regular basis that we must coexist with--it's not a matter of choice. In these instances it may help to make a conscious effort to not let this person's energy affect your own...create your own happiness despite the obstacles around you. And make sure that this is a small fraction of your time so you can focus on the uplifting relationships in your life.

By surrounding ourselves with authentic people that make us laugh, make us think, make us feel good...we fill ourselves up and thus have more to offer the people we encounter throughout our lives. It's really a win-win situation. It's Feng Shui for the soul!

So what are you going to get rid of today?

peace, love, and recycling...