THE NIGHT-OWL - 199/365

to see in the dark

one must

not be blinded by the light

THE SOUL ACCESSORIZE R - 74/365

"My motto? NOTHING is beautiful on it's own...EVERYTHING must be accessorized including the "spirit." Currently I'm shopping for a cloak of "virtue" and a dress of "good deeds."

My Reflection:

While I do believe in the positive effect of good wardrobe accessories, choosing just the right one requires some thought and attention to detail.

Dressing up the inner spirit, however, is an entirely different matter and unlike The Soul Accessorize R, it isn't something I can purchase. Instead, I adorn my spirit by the integrity of my actions - motivated by my heart.

Question:

What enhances your "soul?"

THE 3RD EYE HELPER - 71/365

"Yes, you have a 3rd-eye too but I doubt it's very dependable. Look at me however... as you can see I've got lots of paraphernalia to enhance mine. In fact, you won't find anyone with more "3rd-eye" support than I have. So, don't worry...simply put your faith in me and MY 3rd-eye and before you know it, you'll be one your way to enlightenment."

My Reflection:

I've been told that within myself I already have the answers I seek - if this is so - why do I sometimes look elsewhere?

Perhaps the right "question" is more important than the right "answer" and the ability to "observe" is the key that unlocks both.

Question:

Where do you seek the answers to your questions?

THE PEACEMAKER - 70/365

"Frankly, I think you're BOTH nuts but, of course, I won't say this out loud - instead I'll pretend I'm interested in YOUR side of the story then HIS side then YOUR side then HIS side...on and on and on until I think my head will explode.

I wonder what would happen if my head DID explode and all of my REAL thoughts were to hit you in the face? I suppose that would bring the two of your together now wouldn't it?"

My Reflection:

When I find myself in the middle of two people at odds, it's important that I remain neutral in order to help bring about a peaceful solution. But is it really possible to feel "neutral?" And is it MY job to keep the peace - shouldn't I allow people the opportunity to work through their own conflicts?

I'm beginning to learn that I can be much more helpful when I simply listen, acknowledge someone's feelings and wait patiently for them to come to their own place of peace.

Question:

How do you feel about conflict?

THE UNIVERSAL ANTENA - 69/365

"Sh...can't you see I'm listening to the voice of the universe? Don't think around me when I'm "tuned-in", it's distracting.

If you're going to think then think somewhere else. This is IMPORTANT information I'm getting here and your mundane thoughts are very annoying."

My Reflection:

As much as I try to "quiet" my mind, erratic, sudden burst of scattered thoughts are always present. As I bat one away, another moves in like a fly buzzing around my head determined to find a place to land.

The more I try and "control" them - the more "out of control" they seem to be. Perhaps thoughts can never really be "controlled" - only "observed" and if I really listen to them without the need to answer OR control them, I'll also begin to notice the gaps of silence in-between.

Question:

How do you notice the silence between your thoughts?

THE FANCY FACE - 68/365

"I adorn myself to cover up the imperfections -

to take the eye elsewhere so it will not see...

the ugliness that lurks below the surface

the parts I hide and do not wish to be."

My Reflection:

There's an inner glow that emerges when stress is released and a sense of peace is achieved. Tension, on the other hand, leaves my shoulders raised, my face tight and my inner light extinguished.

Like Fancy Face, I sometimes try and cover up my inner turmoil with more make-up or a new dress - hoping that the latter will turn on that inner glow. Instead, I feel I'm standing in shadow as I learn that the intangible, inner landscape is as important as the outer physical presentation. It takes one to achieve the other.

Question:

How is your inner turmoil concealed?

THE INVENTOR - 67/365

"I'm wearing the new wire "head" hanger I invented - pretty cool huh? Ask me any question and listen to the "head hanger" come up with the answer. It's easy to fit and once you hang your head on this, you'll never use your own shoulders again."

My Reflection:

Sometimes, I'm so anxious to come up with the answer to an issue, I'll invent just about anything to justify my conclusion. If I can't come up with something reasonable, I'll go to a psychic or Tarot card reader and let them do it for me.

But in the end, I'm reminded that "answers" to issues can't be unwrapped like a present.  Rather, I must allow them to "unfold" in the day-to-day living of life.

Question:

How do you seek the answers to your questions?

THE O'PEAR - 55/365

"I want you to know what I do - that's why I wear it on my head. If I didn't, how else would you know? And if you don't know what I DO, then how would you know who I AM?"

My Reflection:

I hate to admit it, but there are times when my self-esteem seems to be connected to the opinion others have of my activities. I will often be asked..."so, what are you doing?" And if I don't have a..."I'm saving the world" answer, I feel like I'm just taking up space.

Instead of worrying about what others think, what if I...

DO what inspires me

DO as much as I can for others

but in the end,

"DO" less

&

"BE" more

Question:

HOW do you do what you "do?"

THE SNAKE CHARMER 50/365

"What snake? There's no snake on top of my head. I have no idea what you're talking about. But I do want to tell you about this new cream I'm using...it's FANTASTIC! I put it on at night and whatever problem I have, by morning IT'S GONE! Seriously, if you have a runny nose...dried out, if you have bad breath...gone, if you have a sore toe...fixed. No matter what you have wrong, this cream can fix it."

My Reflection:

I'm always looking for "the answer." If there's a problem, there has to be a solution. But, is that true? Is that necessary?

In a perfect world that would be great. But, I don't live in a perfect world and I doubt there would be any need for me to be here if it was already "perfect."

I'm learning that sometimes, a "problem" just wants to be noticed...not necessarily "solved."

Question:

How do you address your problems?

THE THINKER 42/365

"Thinking about things takes a lot of time. First, you have to acknowledge there's something to "think about." Then, you have to go about the "thinking process" in a way that will allow a new idea to break through your consciousness. With each new idea, you have to start the "thinking process" all over again - going over the new idea with a fine tooth comb which helps to generate more new ones.

Obviously, the process takes forever. In fact, it's an indefinite process - and with no end in sight, provides endless hours of thinking and re-thinking issues over and over again.

I hope I've provided you with some "food for thought"...I'm certainly "thinking" about it myself."

My Reflection:

Thoughts can be dangerous. In fact, I think thoughts should come with a warning sign..."think carefully...can be dangerous to your mental stability."

Our minds are powerful tools and can produce thoughts that are used to solve problems that benefit many - but the mind can also be used as a "weapon of mass destruction" - poised to strike at reason and wisdom - or defensively hold on to a strategy we think might be safe.

I've heard that meditation is a great way to "tame" the mind and gain control over the unruly beast. But it's a discipline that requires commitment and perhaps some "faith" that sitting quietly and "not thinking" can produce the kind of mind that is thoughtful not thoughtless - focused not scattered.

Question:

Without "thinking too hard" - do you think there is a benefit

to practicing "not thinking?"

THE HAWKER 9/365

Come over here to my tent... you know you are dying to see what is inside. Why should I tell you what it is? You need to come in to see for yourself - it is so amazing I cannot even describe it. But I will tell you that it is something you have never seen before - something so exotic - so fantastic that when you see it you will be changed forever. The cost? What does the cost matter when you will be getting something that is priceless? Besides, I will not take your money, instead I will take something you cannot see and may not even be aware that you have. Your soul is an excellent exchange don’t you think? In fact, I doubt you will even miss it.

My Reflection:

I can always tell when I’m being lured into something. I get this funny feeling in my solar plexus that literally feels like it’s tugging on me. At the same time that’s happening - I’m getting a faint message that this is not what it seems and should be avoided. Sometimes I have the ability to turn away and let the cord that’s attached itself to me to disengage - but sometimes for reasons I can’t quite explain I allow myself to be sucked in. I’ve come to the conclusion that I can’t be connected to my spirit and someone else’s cord all at the same time - it’s either one or the other.

Question:

What are you connected to?

THE "FOREVER YOUNG" WOMAN - 8/365

Oh, thank you.....I like these lips too! I knew the minute I saw them when I was in the plastic surgeon’s office that I just had to have them.

So, when did you get your nose? I love it! I was going for that look too but she got a little carried away - so now I have to go in next week for a touch up. Maybe, I’ll have her add a little to my cheeks at the same time. I was looking in the super-duper magnifying mirror the other day and thought they looked a little skimpy. But, have you heard the latest? You can now do a total face exchange.

I’m going to get mine absolutely perfect so I can get the most for the trade-in.

My Reflection:

I’ll admit it, I’m as vain as the next person. When I had my face-lift at 55 my sister thought I should get psychiatric care. I like taking care of myself; exercise, vitamins, facials and yes, the occasional Botox. But looking in the mirror, I’m wondering when to start the “phasing out process” - you know, what you see is what it REALLY is?

All I can say is... I’m “thinking” about it. I’m aware that sooner or later I’ll have the smoothest face in the world, but will also have the most uninteresting face. Besides, it won’t hide my age because like the “Forever Young Woman”, it will just look like I’m wearing someone else’s face. My mother often says she can’t believe she’s got so many wrinkles. I ask her if she thinks it’s because she’s ninety-five? But, that doesn’t compute for her because, inside her spirit is still young no matter what she may look like on the outside. Maybe that’s why some of us have a hard time. The outside that’s aging doesn’t match the inside.

Question:

How do you feel inside?