Pain

Are you feeling the pain of the Haitian people? it is so raw it's palpable, a throb of pain and need. It is hard for many of us to part with cash but we can all keep these people in our thoughts and send positive wishes and strength and a vision of recovery and hope.
It must be very difficult to muster up hope when you are living with hunger and thirst among rubble and sewage, struggling to survive when all you knew is lost. Your family is split or gone, your love is torn and divided and you are feeling pains of so many kinds. You wonder if there is any way you can muster up the strength to face the night, to wake to another day. You wonder why?
Send strength to these lost ones. All you can. It could be you.

Befana an annual pleasure

Befana! fun and heartwarming. For twenty women drawn together by fate and the love of our similarities and differences, it is one of the best days of the year.
The original Befana? A generous old Italian woman who rode her broom around the countryside on the eve of January 4th leaving gifts and sweet treats for  the children. Sound familiar somehow?
Origins are interesting Often what you think you know is not that way at all. Try a challenge. Take one thing you assume, take for granted and research it's origin. you may be surprised.

new year choices

A new year, new beginnings. Sometimes starting over sounds so positive.

I will be healthy if at all possible by taking special care and not taking anything for
granted.

I'll continue to eat less meat, and dairy, more fresh vegetables, fruits, grains and nuts.
I will be meticulous in my crafting too, remembering to be careful about ventilation when there is even the slightest thought there might be harmful fumes. I will remember protective gloves and masks, and will use them like it or not. I can learn to get used to them right?

I will remember the fear and discomfort of being unable to get a full breath and I will appreciate the air I breathe and give thanks.