tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90506591432385115452024-02-18T22:40:17.787-08:00Yoga Mama Satsangha with LaSara FireFoxSatsangha means council of the wise, spiritual community, or the act of sitting with a teacher. I hope this blog is something of all three. Yoga Mama is self explanatory; it's me, and since you're reading, it's quite likely you,too. Don't leave your yoga on the mat; align body, mind, and spirit -- and bring your Whole Self to parenting. Find out more about me at <a href="http://www.lasarafirefox.com">www.lasarafirefox.com</a>.LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-37783260043360223792009-06-20T12:19:00.000-07:002009-06-20T12:27:01.555-07:00In Celebration of the Daddies Out There - Thank You for All You DO!<a href="http://lasarafirefox.com/happy_fathers_day_fathers_day_gift_gratitude_games.html">In Celebration of the Daddies Out There - Thank You for All You DO! In Tribute...Happy Father's Day from Gratitude Games, and LaSara Firefox, MPNLP. Click this link to read more.</a>LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-14019706230147291302009-06-20T12:16:00.000-07:002009-06-20T12:19:06.884-07:00[FATHER'S DAY 09] The Seven Traits of a Great Dad<em></em><em><a href="http://lasarafirefox.com/cblog/">This is article is part of a series of daily articles celebrating Father’s Day 2009. You can read the rest by clicking here, to find my Compassionate Living Blog.</a></em>LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-31608211622145929292009-05-18T17:32:00.000-07:002009-05-18T18:33:30.783-07:00A Bodhisattva Meditation for Cultivating Loving Compassion for the Self<span style="font-weight: bold;">A Bodhisattva Meditation for Cultivating Loving Compassion for the Self</span><br />by LaSara Firefox, MPNLP, <a href="http://www.lasarafirefox.com/">www.lasarafirefox.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.interluderetreat.com/meditate/ppsutra.htm"><br />Gate gate, para gate, parasam gate, bodhi svaha.</a><br /><br />The one responsibility of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhisattva">bodhisattva</a> is to not cause suffering.<br /><br />The one commitment of the bodhisattva is to love all beings pervading space and time, regardless of any beings ability to return, or even receive, that love.<br /><br />We've all been in situations where we have offered love to someone unwilling to return that love - for instance, we still love our child, even when in the a rage of differentiation she yells, "I hate you, mom!". We often call this unconditional love.<br /><br />Those of you who have made a practice of cultivating compassion have probably intentionally cultivated love for someone who has withdrawn their love, or someone who doesn't agree with out beliefs or lifestyle, and therefore, at least on a hypothetical level, does not want your love. These maybe political or historical figures. Or they may be estranged family.<br /><br />My largest break through in the depth and breadth of this commitment was when I realized that *I* was one of those beings pervading time and space, that deserved the love of my bodhisattva self, even when I was incapable of returning, or even receiving that love.<br /><br />That it was the responsibility of my awakened self to address suffering, and the root of suffering, in my own life. It was my commitment, in my awakened heart, to cultivate loving compassion for my "imperfect" self - the one that was attaching to, and therefore being the cause of, my own suffering.<br /><br />Sound tricky? Well, it is, and it isn't.<br /><br />This is a great practice for days when your heart feels stuck or bruised, you're feeling a lack of self-love, or are feeling unable to forgive yourself for some past or present participation in the creation of suffering; that of yourself or another.<br /><br />The ironic part of holding on to the guilt of being a cause of suffering, is that we continue to cause suffering through our attachment to the guilt!<br /><br />It is not the negative emotion that causes the suffering. Nor is it the act that caused the suffering itself - whatever that act may be - that causes the suffering. The attachment to the suffering, in any form, is the root of the cause of suffering.<br /><br />Truly, attachment to joy or pleasure, or any emotional state, is the root of the cause of suffering, but addressing that is a practice for another essay.<br /><br />The way I've come to see it, the true work of the bodhisattva is to release ourselves from suffering, and the attachment to suffering. To engender the attitudes of enlightenment, and slowly, overtime, become proficient; and to do this work for the benefit of all beings.<br /><br />Here's the practice, in three easy (or sometimes, not so easy) parts.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part I: Two Ways of Generating Pure, Compassionate Love</span><br /><br />1. Commit to the thought of not being the cause of suffering to yourself, or others. Release attachment to any suffering that has been caused in the past, by you or any being, or may be caused in the future. Release attachment to suffering itself.<br /><br />a. Commit to pure, compassionate love for all beings pervading time and space. Start generating this love by feeling it in your body, if possible, and then growing that love with each breath.<br /><br />b. Some times this approach may be out of reach, so instead, imagine some being you love easily - your child, your pet, your beloved, your best friend - enveloped in a soft, glowing bubble of your compassionate love for them. Breath by breath, grow this love until it fills your whole sense of time and space.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part II: Recognize That You Are a Being That Deserves Your Love, Whether You Can Return, Or Even Accept, That Love.</span><br /><br />1. Once you have filled all of time and space with your love, recognize that you are a being already released from suffering. That you are enveloped in your own pure, compassionate love. And in being filled and surrounded by your compassion, you are surrounded by the impartial, unconditional, compassionate love of all time and space.<br /><br />There is no separation between You - the bodhisattva, that awakened being generating this love - and you, the self sitting and being held in it, regardless of your ability to return, or receive, that pure love. That love unattached to anything you think you have been, or think you may be. Anything you think you have done, or think you will do.<br /><br />2. Allow that pure compassion, unattached to any outcome or past experience, to hold you securely in the awareness that you are already fully present. Fully perfect. Fully awake. Fully free from suffering, and the attachment to suffering.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part III: Release Attachment to the Practise Itself</span><br /><br />1. Stay in this state for as long as you are able, without clinging to it. Attachment to joy, pleasure, or comfort are also the root of suffering. Be present, not attached.<br /><br />2. If you lose your way in the practice, return to the place in the practice where you became distracted. Perhaps there is some work there to move through. Or, perhaps you just got distracted. Or, perhaps there is a part of you that is unwilling to receive that love that is being generated.<br /><br />Don't attach! Move fluidly to the points of the exercise that are within reach, and continue working towards compassionate love for all beings.<br /><br />3. If tears come, let them come. And let them go. If laughter comes, let it come, and let it go. If euphoria comes, let is also go. If pain comes, let it arise, and release. Let yourself be exactly as you are, exactly where you are.<br /><br />Cultivate compassion for every emotion that arises, and then release it.<br /><br />4. Don't forget to breathe.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">May this act, and all acts, be dedicated to the liberation and awakening of all beings. Bodhi svaha.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I consecrate these works, and all works, to the unfolding of self-awareness. May this act serve me as it serves all beings, through the revelation of awareness. May my increasing awakening to presence serve to bring awareness of presence to all beings throughout space and time. So it is.</span><br /><br />About the Author:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">LaSara Firefox, MPNLP,</span> is a coach, author, educator, and game-designer. Her latest project, Gratitude Games, has been featured in international media. LaSara helps her clients find balance in their lives, and alignment with their personal and family-held values. She teaches and coaches internationally.<br /><br />LaSara’s primary certification is in Neuro-Linguistic Programming/Patterning (NLP); a discipline that uses language and neurology - and the relationship between the two - to create resilience, healing, and positive, lasting change.<br /><br />LaSara is mom to two amazing daughters, and wife to an outstanding man. She and her family live in California. To learn more, visit <a class="linkification-ext" href="http://www.lasarafirefox.com" title="Linkification: http://www.lasarafirefox.com">http://www.lasarafirefox.com</a>.<br /><br /><img src="data:image/png;base64,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" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden; z-index: 2147483647; left: 291px; top: 79px;" id="kosa-target-image" />LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-90228385170692504692009-05-02T10:34:00.000-07:002009-05-02T11:40:11.540-07:00Steps to Overcoming Fear of Swine Flu (H1N1), and Pandemic, with Your Children<span style="font-weight: bold;">Steps to Overcoming Fear of Swine Flu (H1N1), and Pandemic, with Your Children</span><br />by LaSara Firefox, MPNLP, <a href="http://www.lasarafirefox.com/">www.lasarafirefox.com</a>, <a href="http://www.gratitudegames.com/">www.GratitudeGames.com</a><br /><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Research the topic. Read sites like the <a href="http://www.who.int/en/">World Health Organization</a>, and your current local coverage. Have there been any confirmed cases in your region? Probably not!</li><li>Address any fear present in yourself before you have a conversation. </li><li>Address the issue with your child, or children. Ignoring it will not help your child to work through the fear.</li><li>Cite the facts of the current situation, in a calm and restrained way. </li><li>Tell your child that there have been many other pandemic and other scares that didn't pan out as expected. (In other words, all of them, since 1918, right? (SARS, Avian Flu, killer bees, ebola...remember?)</li><li>Let your child know that all measures are being taken that are necessary at this time; if further measures are required, we will all know.<br /></li><li>Explain that those who are most at risk are NOT your child, or you (unless this is not true); most at risk are infants and young children, very old people, and people with compromised immune systems.</li><li>Explain that the more people who get the flu and recover, the better off we all are. That we create immunities, and the immunity itself helps to stop the spread of the illness.</li></ol>Any other ideas? <a href="http://yogamamasatsangh.blogspot.com/">Add them here</a>!<br /><br />peace, and gratitude,<br />-LaSara<br />(aka @yoga_mama on Twitter.)<br /><a class="linkification-ext" href="http://www.lasarafirefox.com" title="Linkification: http://www.lasarafirefox.com">http://www.lasarafirefox.com</a><br /><a class="linkification-ext" href="http://www.GratitudeGames.com" title="Linkification: http://www.GratitudeGames.com">http://www.GratitudeGames.com</a><br /><br />(Republish, repost, reprint, copy this article at will. Please leave author info and link intact.)<br /><br /><img src="data:image/png;base64,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" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden; z-index: 2147483647; left: 230px; top: 377px;" id="kosa-target-image" />LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-80775151499475919242009-04-22T14:59:00.000-07:002009-04-22T15:21:05.772-07:00How to Celebrate Earth Day Everyday, Part I; Reframing Recession Fears to Conscious Consumerism<span style="font-weight: bold;">How to Celebrate Earth Day Everyday, Part I; Reframing Recession Fears to Conscious Consumerism</span><br /><br />Every challenge is an opportunity. The recession is a perfect chance to create a shift in your family's values; a chance to move from want-based, status-based, and impulse spending, to sustainable consumer choices.<br /><br />Of course, the first step is to make that reframe in your own thought process. In this article, you'll see that in many cases the eco-conscious, green, sustainable choice, and the financially sound choice, are one and the same.<br /><br />It's not always an easy leap to get from habitual, reflex, pattern spending, to more conscious choices. Here are some simple steps to get you, and your family, thinking from a more resilient and ecologically sound perspective.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Reframe Lessons Taught by the Recession to Lessons that Will Last a Lifetime - Or Even Generations.</span><br />To begin with, instead of jumping to the blanket statement, "we can't afford a new (insert-item-of-the-moment-here)!" address the question - first in yourself and then with your child - do we <span style="font-style: italic;">need</span> a new (insert-item-of-the-moment-here)?<br /><br />Need is a complex idea. It might take a while to rebuild your, and your family's, thoughts, feelings, and ultimately values, regarding the question of what constitutes need. It's not as simple as just need vs. want. There's a spectrum.<br /><br />Here are a few things that can help in the process of creating a new valuation of the concept of need within your family structure.<br /><ul><li> Casual conversation with your family about what need really means. Using examples of less consumer-driven cultures can be illustrative.</li><li> Age-appropriate documentaries of truly impoverished cultures can help a child ready for a more global picture to understand the scale between need and want.</li><li> With younger kids, pictures books, folk tales, and songs can help in redefining.</li><li> Philanthropic acts, couple with conversation. (See my article <a href="http://lasarafirefox.com/5_ways_to_engage_your_kids_in_grateful_giving.html">5 Ways to Engage Your Kids in Grateful Giving</a>)</li><li> Volunteering at a local soup kitchen can bring it home that there's trouble, right here in River City. (Again, see my article <a href="http://lasarafirefox.com/5_ways_to_engage_your_kids_in_grateful_giving.html">5 Ways to Engage Your Kids in Grateful Giving</a>)</li></ul>As you educate your kids, it's important to couple information about poverty and need with stories of positive change. Even more important, is introducing positive change you and your family can contribute to.<br /><br />Little steps your child can take to help make the world a better place, even as simple as boxing up a few items and offering them to a local charity, can go a long way in allowing your kid awareness, without overwhelm.<br /><br />Also important is consistency in word and deed.<br /><br />During the past holiday season I asked my 12 year old to seriously consider her use of the word need. She did, and we talked about it. We then boxed up lots of unused household items, toys, and gifts, and contributed them to a local "free store", and to a local family in need as part of a holiday project a women's group I'm part of with had taken on.<br /><br />A few days later, I casually used the word need in a conversation with my husband. My daughter overheard it, raised an eyebrow, and said, "<span style="font-style: italic;">Need</span>, mom?" I quickly retracted. She was right. I truly only wanted what ever the now-forgotten item was.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Reduce, Reuse, Recycle -it's actually a pyramid!</span><br />The slogan "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" is in that order for a reason; it makes more sense to envision it as a pyramid than the circular form it's usually imaged as.<br /><br />Reduce is the base of that pyramid; the foundation. Reevaluating and reducing our consumer habits is the best thing we can do to decrease our planetary impact.<br /><br />It's also a softer on the checkbook.<br /><br />Reducing can be an easy step, or even many easy steps, that add up to a big change. Some of those steps will happen naturally, as a response to the tightening of belts that occurs in times of financial uncertainty.<br /><br />When gas prices shot sky-high in the summer of '08, my family reduced our number of shopping trips per week. We live rurally, so we planned better, and made each 30+ mile drive to and from the nearest place of commerce really count.<br /><br />Yeah, it's tiring as hell to go to five stores in one day. But we saved a lot of money (and time), and reduced our use of gasoline by about 3/4.<br /><br />Even though gas prices have dropped for the time-being, we've more-or-less stuck with the newly-learned habit of 1 - 2 shopping trips a week. And it feels great to know that we're simultaneously saving money AND decreasing our use of petroleum products.<br /><br />Buying in bulk reduces post-consumer waste, and often helps you save some pennies in the process. In some areas, there are buyers cooperatives that you can join, and go in on true bulk ordering. This saves, again, both money and packaging waste.<br /><br />Perhaps the most comprehensive way you and your family can foster the "reduce" piece of the puzzle is to reconsider the desire to keep up with the Joneses. Don't get the next gadget that comes along, even though your kid might beg, kick, and scream for the newest of the new of the e-game-component du-jour.<br /><br />Ideally, as you begin changing your habits, and educating your kids about the reasons why, they will be less inclined to see disposable culture as they once did. Based on your modeling, and the new information they'll receive through family conversation, they're likely to be less prone to emotional response to acquisitive desires.<br /><br />But in the case that attachment does arise, here are some things to remember, and to remind about; not only does the new thing create future trash, but the old one instantly becomes waste in the process.<br /><br />And, your wallet gets that-much lighter every time you give in to the consuming-for-consuming's-sake urge. It's up to you how much of that part you want to share with your child. There's a fine line between honesty and over-sharing. You can figure out where yours is.<br /><br />Finally, remember this; just the process of asking the question, "Do we NEED this?" will in many cases lead to a substantial decrease in purchases.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Reusing</span> is the second-best option; once you've purchased an item and put it into circulation, the more times that item is used, in a sense, the less the overall impact. This is just as true for a plastic bag, a yogurt container, a t-shirt, or a computer.<br /><br />Of the four items mentioned, only the shirt is biodegradable. And, at that, only truly biodegradable if made of organic material such as cotton or silk. So reuse it! (Or, Repurpose it - the fourth R. Stay tuned for my next <span style="font-style: italic;">How To Celebrate Earth Day Every Day</span> article for more on repurposing.)<br /><br />The plastic bag can be reused - as a sandwich bag for your kid's lunch, a container for left-overs like pasta, or even a hair cap for dying your hair. But once it's done with, it's landfill - no ifs, ands, and buts.<br /><br />The yogurt container is a sturdy alternative to Tupperware™ (and basically free, if you bought it for the yogurt, right?). Or, if you're starting your own "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_garden">Victory garden</a>" this year, you can use it for starts for your veggies.<br /><br />Once the container begins to fall apart, it goes into the recycling - that is, if your town has a recycling program that accepts that kind of plastic.<br /><br />Of all the items mentioned, the computer has the most problems with waste - much of it toxic, from batteries in laptops, to the metals used in the construction of the insides of the machine.<br /><br />There's a new term that's been created in recent years; e-waste, or electronic-waste. Your phones, TVs, and computers all fall into this category.<br /><br /><tangent>E-waste is becoming a larger and larger issue. It's a problem that's grown to the extent that companies which once shipped used computers to countries like Africa have stopped, due to the accumulation of e-waste.<br /><br />Instead of being a benefit, the well-intentioned act of offering our older technology to countries where there was less available has become a liability, and in a sense, an inadvertent sort of "off-shore dumping" program.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/02/please_no_more.php">This article</a> goes so far as to say that once you buy electronics, you should consider them yours for life.</tangent><br /><br />The longer we can keep any of these items in use, and better yet, in use in our own household, the better for the environment - and our pocket.<br /><br />So use your electronics until they're totally unusable - and then make sure they're either disposed of properly, or refurbished for further use.<br /><br />There's a line-up in my house for my coveted machine when I eventually upgrade, but if your kids are too high-falutin to take your old laptop, there's always someone who would be glad to get a few months use out of that outdated computer, or even your "beater" of a car.<br /><br />(See my next <span style="font-style: italic;">How To Celebrate Earth Day Every Day</span> article to read about freeecycle, for a nearly effortless way to spread the "reuse" love.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recycling</span> is probably the most mentioned, but least effective of the three Rs. Of the four items mentioned above, only the yogurt container can be recycled. And at, that, only at some recycling centers. The shirt and plastic bag are landfill. Over time, the shirt will rot away. The plastic bag will not.<br /><br />Of all the items I mentioned, the computer is most problematic. There's a new term that's been created in recent years; e-waste, or electronic-waste. Your phones, TVs, and computers all fall into this category. Ne recycling here!<br /><br />But even with items that are recyclable, the value of the recyclable item as a measure for decreasing waste is variable. It's complex, and I don't even begin understand the level of math that goes into figuring it out, but it takes energy to recycle. In some cases more (soda can back into soda cans), in some cases less (post-consumer waste like office paper into toilet paper).<br /><br />But, more or less, recycling uses resources. Don't get me wrong - I'm not telling you to give-up on recycling. I'm just saying that the other two options, reducing and reusing, are the ones that are going to be softer on your pocket, and gentler on the earth at the same time.<br /><br />And that's something you, and your family, can feel good about. Twice!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">My next article on <span style="font-style: italic;">How to Celebrate Earth Day Every Day: The Fourth "R" - Repurposing! Freecycle, Exchanges, and More - The Art and Science of the Give and Take</span></span>LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-84795523636106871622009-03-25T20:15:00.000-07:002009-03-25T20:19:29.634-07:00Happy Happy Birthday Barbie! (Or, In Defence of the Doll.)In case you hadn't heard, this is the month of the 50th birthday of the longest-standing winner of the crown of <b>Most Ambiguous Idol of Women's Power </b>- BARBIE! And, it's also Women's History Month (Irony? Or Not? You decide.)<br /><br />Quoted below is a (very) little piece on the Plastic Priestess I write for my book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/073870752X?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwlasarafcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=073870752X"><i>Sexy Witch</i></a> (Llewellyn, self-help/nonfiction, 2005), for chapter two - that chapter in which I addresses self-esteem.<br /><br />In honor of the gran dame's 50th, I thought I'd post it, slightly updated.<br /><br />Then, of course, I got carried away, and had to add a bunch of commentary, as a recognition and celebration of our (read <i>my</i>) changing feminist values and views.<br /><br /><blockquote><b>In Defense of the Doll: The Barbie Revolution</b><br /><br />Barbie has gone from being a vapid example of how women are "supposed to be," to being the most successful female in America. <a href="http://www.barbiemedia.com/?cat=4">Barbie has had 95+ careers</a>, has been created in 45 different nationalities. And, has busted through the glass ceiling on many frontiers. Launched in 2004: White House Barbie!<br /><br />With any luck, we mortals will soon catch up with this versatile plasticine character.<br /><div align="right"><i>Sexy Witch</i></div></blockquote><b>Flashback to the late '80s, and My Long, Long Journey Towards Respecting Barbie: </b><br /><br />With a spotty family history (I'll spare you the drama), and the fervor of Take Back the Night, I stepped into adulthood at the tail-end of the 2nd Wave, and a chip on my shoulder the size of...well, the size of womanhood itself, and the ills heaped upon it (or, us), I guess.<br /><br />At 18 I started body building, and learned self-defense techniques that made it possible for me to kill a man with my bare hands.<br /><br />At 19, I shaved my head, wore boy-clothes, and started walking, talking, and f*cking like a man. Anything HE could do, I could do better - f8ck the "high heels and backwards" part! I wore combat boots. (Didn't we all?)<br /><br />At 21, I worked as the only female employee in a moving company of 130+, and became one of the guys. Worked twice as hard for half the respect, yada yada yada.<br /><br />Yeah. A lot of men were ass3s. And yes, gender was bu77sh1t. And yes, shaving my head, the confidence of knowing how to kill "a perp," and the strength to lift a washing machine single-handed made it possible for me to pass as a guy with confidence, and do all sorts of stuff that girl's (yep, even most "riot grrrls") couldn't, or wouldn't do.<br /><br />And as a red head, shaving your hair off is a sure-fire way to find out who's been objectifying you! At least, that's how I felt when men talked to me eye to eye instead of eye to breast. Then there were the friends who bailed - I figured to he77 with 'em, if they can't take the "real" me.<br /><br />Result: I hated men more, loved myself less...and slowly, overtime, found a long and winding path towards my own healing, from the inside out.<br /><br />First, I made gender my own.<br /><br />Then I started the process of making peace with my body and its female vulnerabilities.<br /><br />Then, I began the (still-challenging) work of making peace with men, and the fact that they truly COULDN'T (and can't) understand what it was like to be a woman.<br /><br />Not their fault. Not always a comfortable truth, but a truth all the same<br /><br />Just like the fact that I can't understand what it's like to be a woman from Chiapas. I can empathize. I can listen to her life stories. I can do what I can to put myself in her shoes. But I cannot know what it is like to BE her.<br /><br />I learned, and as I learned I taught. I taught workshops. I taught classes. I had debates - formal and informal. I wrote articles. As a matter of fact, all of this lead to writing <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/073870752X?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwlasarafcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=073870752X"><i>Sexy Witch</i></a>.<br /><br />In the midst of it all, I became a mom.<br /><br />As a strong, some might even say extremist, feminist, what changed my mind about Barbie?<br /><br />My daughter was a Daughter. A Daughter, with a capital "D". Delicate, pale shell of an <i>inviolable</i> (please god, please - prayer whispered again and again) holy of holies. Alabaster skin, tiny ankle, long, fine fingers.<br /><br />It was as if she were born with a very "traditionally feminine" tenderness. Holding her felt like holding a fragile china doll, with a pulse - one I was entirely responsible to protect from a hard world.<br /><br />My little one's fragility announced itself like a metaphorical pink bow tied around her mostly-hairless head - it was like she had an extra x chromosome, just for good measure.<br /><br />And who knows? Maybe she does? Human genetic sex is a spectrum that contains 47 possible combinations of Xs and Ys.<br /><br />Even before my eldest daughter's birth, I had Rules (with a capital "R") about how she'd be raised. No gender-based gifts, no pink clothes, no dresses. The hubby and I hand-dyed "baby pink" and "baby blue" cotton infant shirts black. Back in '97 there were no hip, punk-rock baby shops.) We gave her dolls, but made sure she had tractors, too.<br /><br />But then the damndest thing happened; my daughter started speaking for herself. Very early. And very - you guessed it - outspokenly. At about seven months.<br /><br />One of her first favorite words was "pretty." And, it referred to anything pink.<br /><br />I loosened up. She LIKED dresses. She loved pink ones the most. Especially ones with tutus, frills, and bright colours. So, bit by bit, along came the wings, and the wands, and the tulle, and the ballet shoes. The girly summer sandals.<br /><br />I still held on to the "no Barbies" rule. For a very long time. It was a point of reference for me. Something to hold on to.<br /><br />Against all the ribbing, joking, cajoling, I held on. The Beauty Myth. Anorexia. Bulemia. High heels. Tiny waists. Huge breasts. Make up. Etc. I was afraid of the impact the plasticine queen would have on my - already SO female - daughter.<br /><br />When she was two-and-a-half, my precocious one asked; "Mom, why can't I have a Barbie?" She was (is) quite a sharp cookie, and a little pitcher with some big ears! I took a breath, and said "I'm afraid she'll make you feel badly about yourself." Her response?<br /><br />"Mommy, she's just a <i>doll</i>!" I swear to this day that her voice had a slight edge of disbelief that I could ever be quite so silly.<br /><br />She won that argument, hands down.<br /><br />My daughter taught me something in that moment. Sometimes a doll IS just a doll.<br /><br />And over the years of welcoming Barbie into my family in her many guises, the lovely lady has taught me a few things, too. My girls and I especially loved the Witch Barbies a couple of Halloweens ago. But the greatest sight by far has been the Barbie knock-offs you find in the Middle East. These lovelies sing Middle Eastern Disco, and wear hijab - a hair covering traditional for women in Muslim culture.<br /><br />The latest of Barbie's 95+ careers? CEO. To shed some light on that, <a href="http://www.theonion.com/content/node/40300">The Onion</a> has a wise (ass), and very relevant article on the topic.<br /><br />Yes, the pink-collar ghetto is still a real thing. Women still make less than men, on average, across the board. The statistical nexus where gender, sex, race, education, motherhood and the market place converge are so convoluted that only economists can do them justice.<br /><br />And, even at that, there's HUGE debate about the gender-wage-gap, it's origins, and possible solutions.<br /><br />So here I'll site only a couple of stats I can recall off the top of my head: a white woman, on average, makes about .75 for each $1 a white man makes. That is a quarter less per dollar. $25 less for every $100. $250 less for every $1000. 75 cents on the dollar is a <b>big deal</b>.<br /><br />The largest wage gap is between white men, and Mexican and Hispanic women. If I remember correctly, the gender-wage-gap is lowest between Mexican and Hispanic men, and Mexican and Hispanic women. (Probably because Mexican and Hispanic men make damn near nothing!)<br /><br />In all this truth, thank God for Barbie. God bless her, from her misshapen little feet, to her plastic space helmet, to her smart, strong, suits, to her new measurements. Sure, she's still got an "unrealistic" bod. So does Angelina Jolie, and I love her none-the-less!<br /><br />To grossly reduce the parody The Onion offers, Barbie's careers are seemingly "unrealistic", too. Fer chrissake, <a href="http://barbies4sale.blogspot.com/2009/03/black-barbie-for-president-doll-for.html">in 1979, there was a black Barbie for President</a> doll!<br /><br />Some kinds on "unrealistic" are good. Women getting the vote was, at one time, unrealistic. The civil rights movement? World peace...<br /><br />Unrealistic doesn't mean impossible. Sometimes unrealistic is just a challenge that spurs us on.<br /><br />In Barbie's world, your worth isn't based on whether you're married by the time you're thirty - as a matter of fact, Barbie's never been married. In her world, a woman can have any career she wants - or even a whole bunch of them! And she's no less beautiful, womanly or feminine as a surgeon than as a nurse. And no less strong as a nurse than as a surgeon.<br /><br />With luck, some perseverance, and some "unrealistic" dreaming, perhaps someday it'll be so in our world, too.<br /><br /><p>I trust our girls to know which elements to strive to change, and where to put their focus.</p><p> It's our responsibility <i>not</i> to irresponsibly bare our wounds, hand our daughters the glass ceilings that held us down, or limit their reaching for the sky, the scalpel, or even the Malibu spa. </p><p>And, it's our responsibility to have the conversation about body image, health, self-acceptance, self-love, and self-esteem over and over again. Even more, it's our responsibility to model that health for them.</p>And surely, that conversation does not begin, nor end, with Barbie. After all, <a href="http://www.barbiemedia.com/?page=40">she's just a doll</a>.<br /><br /><div class="zemanta-pixie"><img src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=de8a30c4-bce9-401e-a7f4-fc3438a27815" class="zemanta-pixie-img" /></div>LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-54991319625596624552009-03-10T20:23:00.001-07:002009-03-10T20:23:45.775-07:00Very Good News Over Here!Today is a GOOD day for me. I'm so grateful for all the amazing news I got today that even though I'm taking a day off, I wanted to shout it out to you all.<p><b>First,</b> <a href="http://hotmommasproject.wordpress.com/2009/03/10/lasara-firefox-is-the-second-runner-up-in-the-2008-2009-hot-mommas-project-case-competition/">my case study is a WINNER at the Hot Mommas Project!</a> The name of my case study is <i>Finding Balance in the Extreme: Working with Bipolar Disorder</i>. It's an honest and open piece of writing about why I chose, and continue to choose, to be an entrepreneur<i>. </i>And the things that were said about my study by the judges were to rewarding and touching, they literally brought tears to my eyes. (Follow the link above, and take a look.)</p><p>Winning the case study competition means a lot of things, but most notably, it means that <i>Finding Balance in the Extreme: Working with Bipolar Disorder</i> will be included in a Prentice Hall textbook. And, the case study is already being used in mentoring programs for women everywhere.<br /><br /><b>Second,</b> my Twitter friend Sarah Bray (<a href="http://twitter.com/sarahjbray" target="_blank">@SarahBray</a>) <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://www.matweeps.com/2009/03/lasara-firefox-is-grateful-and-a-giveaway/" target="_blank">interviewed me for her blog series, MaTweeps</a>. The interview is all about #GRATITUDE, the Twitter meme I started back in August, and why it's become such a Twitter phenomenon. Take a read, and if you're moved, leave a comment. (While you're at it, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/yoga_mama">follow me on Twitter. I'm @Yoga_Mama</a> there.)</p><p><b>Third,</b> <a href="http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00e55455c9358833011168c936e1970c" target="_blank">a blog entry of mine was included in today's Mom's Carnival of Bloggers</a>. Read, and enjoy!</p><p>Aside from all that, as I said up at the top of this post, I'm taking the day off - an accomplishment, and reward, in itself. So, signing off for now. Just had to share my good news with my peeps.</p><p>All love. And as always, peace, and gratitude.</p><p><a title="Linkification: http://www.lasarafirefox.com" href="http://www.lasarafirefox.com/" class="linkification-ext">http://www.lasarafirefox.com</a></p><p></p><p><br /></p>LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-80310746540684598992009-03-06T08:21:00.000-08:002009-03-06T18:14:28.763-08:00Tonglen Practice in The RecessionListening to Bright Eye's <i>The Four Winds</i>. I check my morning e-mail, and read:<br /><blockquote>"We are in need of a bunkbed. We are moving from our 3 bd house to a 2bd room double wide(Thanks to the recession) and the kids need to share a room. Prefer wood but will take what we can get at this point. Will pick up!<br />Thanks"</blockquote><p>tears well,<br />as i put myself<br />in that place</p><p>and i breath the pain in<br />and breath out peace.<br />breath in pain<br />breath out peace</p><p>for the benefit of all beings</p>LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-87377426572528474682009-02-22T09:16:00.000-08:002009-02-22T09:18:20.294-08:00Born Again American...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8LtLcpmBRjgmec0fUoKb2cQLhziEljNupkxH1j2F66Puq5Nt-EFZYOzkAMXXwtSfcEvDNwLmB9mcf35438CkHgsiWm1TPFLGFgnnmsDXb9YhY_2LLNFitvGkC0T4a5AWoh3i85nKUSdO/s1600-h/image_spread2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8LtLcpmBRjgmec0fUoKb2cQLhziEljNupkxH1j2F66Puq5Nt-EFZYOzkAMXXwtSfcEvDNwLmB9mcf35438CkHgsiWm1TPFLGFgnnmsDXb9YhY_2LLNFitvGkC0T4a5AWoh3i85nKUSdO/s320/image_spread2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305671635774653938" border="0" /></a><br />Don't let the name fool you; <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bornagainamerican.org/">Born Again American (.org) </a>is sure to be an inspiring site for all of us! Watch the video, listen to the lyrics, and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bornagainamerican.org/sign.html">take the pledge.</a> I did!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="zemanta-pixie"><img class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=28ab5597-a7bc-4e58-860b-c1b994258f4f" /></div>LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-26498039888749374532009-01-21T15:32:00.001-08:002009-01-21T15:32:26.124-08:00Widget<script type="text/javascript" src="http://widgets.clearspring.com/o/496e621ce2c48158/4977b08781be10c8/496e66f0302f04d1/5157af8e/widget.js"></script>LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-45107261303762815222009-01-20T15:22:00.000-08:002009-01-20T15:23:47.728-08:00<p align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><h2>Welcome, President Obama!</h2> Today we celebrate the strides made since the world-forming speech Doctor Martin Luther King gave 46 years ago at the Washington Monument.<br /> <br />In the same place where Dr. King uttered the iconic words, "I have a dream," that same dream is coming true. We, as a nation, have found our way to the mountain top.<br /> <br />May President Obama bring us finally into the new millennium, and shine a light of understanding on this land, from sea to shining sea. May this nation be redeemed.<br /> <br />God bless our country, and God bless the President. God bless the world. Peace in our time. The time is now. Let freedom ring.<br /> <!--"''"--></span> </p> <p> <!--gem:tlx.tlx.sound--> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><embed autostart="true" hidden="true" loop="false" src="http://lasarafirefox.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/maya_angelou__still_i_rise.mp3"></embed> <!--end gem--><!--"''"--> <p align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><b><i>J</i></b></span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><b><i>oin my <a href="http://www.lasarafirefox.com/gratitude_games_for_families_and_circles_of_friends_with_lasara_firefox_mpnlp.html"><span style="color:#000000;">Gratitude Games</span></a> Inauguration Day Give-Away! In the comment box below, write what you are most grateful for about Obama's inauguration.</i></b></span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><b><i> I will choose a winner from the comments on Wednesday morning, and post a name by 10 AM Pacific time. Please come back and see if your comment won!<!--"''"--></i></b></span> </p> </td></tr></tbody></table>LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-66245781787817144442009-01-19T10:54:00.000-08:002009-01-19T11:13:40.018-08:00In Honor of Doctor King<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifq-mxdqXc13bW7EAdjiEWTnxiOtQtwUb3i4Q0QA_F6mU6fKfGuj55zmtWMjPAUfGc1aSLetc97R1Re_zOmH-fUVzE1C3Dn8BTprL_pNs4JrvB8ZisHYGukYIftGWugdfNwCpsdIGtgJUu/s1600-h/mlkcrowd.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifq-mxdqXc13bW7EAdjiEWTnxiOtQtwUb3i4Q0QA_F6mU6fKfGuj55zmtWMjPAUfGc1aSLetc97R1Re_zOmH-fUVzE1C3Dn8BTprL_pNs4JrvB8ZisHYGukYIftGWugdfNwCpsdIGtgJUu/s320/mlkcrowd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293085068214545666" border="0" /></a><br /><h2>In Honor of Doctor King</h2><br /><h4>on the eve of the inauguration of President Barack Obama - May All Dreams as Bold and Beautiful Come to Fruition</h4><br />Racism has not come to an end, but today we can celebrate the strides made since the speech at the Washington Monument.<br /><br /><br /><br />Tomorrow, in the same place where Dr. King uttered the iconic words, "I have a dream," the dream is coming true.<br /><br /><br />May these words by Dr. King, and songs that shape them into a contemporary tapestry, inspire you, and bring a moment of pure reflection. We, as a nation, have found our way to the mountain top. The time is now. Let freedom ring.<p><br /><object height="150" width="250"> <param name="movie" value="http://listen.grooveshark.com/widget.swf"> <param name="wmode" value="window"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"> <param name="flashvars" value="hostname=cowbell.grooveshark.com&widgetID=461348&style=metal&bbg=000000&bfg=666666&bt=FFFFFF&bth=000000&pbg=FFFFFF&pbgh=666666&pfg=000000&pfgh=FFFFFF&si=FFFFFF&lbg=FFFFFF&lbgh=666666&lfg=000000&lfgh=FFFFFF&sb=FFFFFF&sbh=666666&ap=0"> <embed src="http://listen.grooveshark.com/widget.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="hostname=cowbell.grooveshark.com&widgetID=461348&style=metal&bbg=000000&bfg=666666&bt=FFFFFF&bth=000000&pbg=FFFFFF&pbgh=666666&pfg=000000&pfgh=FFFFFF&si=FFFFFF&lbg=FFFFFF&lbgh=666666&lfg=000000&lfgh=FFFFFF&sb=FFFFFF&sbh=666666&ap=0" allowscriptaccess="always" wmode="window" height="150" width="250"></embed></object><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="iiurhjqxrlruwibimsay visible ontop" href="http://listen.grooveshark.com/widget.swf"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="iiurhjqxrlruwibimsay visible ontop" href="http://listen.grooveshark.com/widget.swf"></a><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PbUtL_0vAJk&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PbUtL_0vAJk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="iiurhjqxrlruwibimsay visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/PbUtL_0vAJk&hl=en&fs=1"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="iiurhjqxrlruwibimsay visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/PbUtL_0vAJk&hl=en&fs=1"></a><br /></p><p align="left"><b><i><a href="http://hypem.com/track/732035">Mr Fingers - Can You Feel It (Martin Luther King mix)</a>.</i></b><br /></p><br /><p></p><form action="http://server1.streamsend.com/streamsend/signup.php" method="post"><br /><p>Join my Ecstatic Presence e-zine!</p><br /><p><input size="15" name="newuser_emailaddress" type="text"> <input value="join" type="submit"><br /><input value="6411" name="cd" type="hidden"><br /><input value="2" name="ld" type="hidden">In addition to a subscription to an engaging e-zine, you'll receive my <i>Three<br />Steps to Engaged Gratitude</i>, and a link to my Super Secret Downloads page FREE!</p></form>LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-12214656276633840252008-12-31T14:46:00.000-08:002008-12-31T14:52:02.521-08:00Intentions for 2009, and one day sale!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0BMtAjC8Bqu-Er5lovueCSJKCnIexgee1ZwvgGudvq7BAbYl8XzPnJyA-eKQFp2DyaE3A4Kf8q8LEZC1kxCC6hdIJLYO60-y83A6EuauEPiigDgzJRVxzlR8FKEVmJJOpgR2Dj17cpwz/s1600-h/Goddess-of-Prosperity-Print-C102890.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0BMtAjC8Bqu-Er5lovueCSJKCnIexgee1ZwvgGudvq7BAbYl8XzPnJyA-eKQFp2DyaE3A4Kf8q8LEZC1kxCC6hdIJLYO60-y83A6EuauEPiigDgzJRVxzlR8FKEVmJJOpgR2Dj17cpwz/s200/Goddess-of-Prosperity-Print-C102890.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286090746274642578" border="0" /></a><br />Happy New Year's Eve!<br /><br />I'm part of an amazing group of women called the <a href="http://groups.google.com/group/mom-entrepreneur-support-group">Mom Entrepreneur Support Group</a> Check it out, and tell them I sent you.<br /><br />Yesterday someone on the group put a shout out for New Year's Resolutions. I got into the spirit of it and jotted some intentions down. I want to share them with you, and hope they might inspire you to do the same.<br /><br />My Intentions for 2009:<br /><br />to live into ease.<br />to meet pleasure gently, right where it is - not try to chase it, or coerce it into coming to me.<br />to make goals that stretch me, but don't tear or break anything.<br />to find the level that is right in any moment, even if it means bringing it down a notch or two.<br />to invest in love, because it always has a great roi.<br />to breathe in gratitude, walk in gratitude, sleep in gratitude, sit in gratitude, plan in gratitude, dream in gratitude, play in gratitude, work in gratitude, relate in gratitude, love in gratitude, live in gratitude.<br /><br />I call these intentions because they aren't exactly goals. They don't have a start date and an end date, but are a commitment to practice of my personal values and ideals.<br /><br />In this, I remind myself that every day is new, and that every moment is an opportunity to create positive change.<br /><br />If you take up this "challenge" and write out your own intentions for 2009, I invite you to send them to me, and I will share them out, anonymously or with full credit, in my next newsletter.<br /><br />As part of my personal gratitude practice, I do a gratitude shout out on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/yoga_mama">Twitter</a> daily. Others have joined me in practicing gratitude, and we have all found the collective witnessing to be powerful.<br /><br />Thank you for witnessing my intentions. I'd love to witness yours in return. Together we will build new worlds.<br /><br />May the coming year be filled with joy, presence, ease, and abundance for us all. Here's to a grateful 2009!<br /><br />-LaSara<br />http://www.lasarafirefox.com ~ http://www.gratitudegames.com<br /><br />WANT HELP WITH YOUR RESOLUTIONS?<br /><a href="http://lasarafirefox.com/december_coaching_special__body_mind_and_spirit_renewal_program.html">Check out my super-affordable Body, Mind, and Spirit coaching package. Purchase today at the holiday rate of only $149!</a><p></p><p><br />GRATITUDE GAMES</p><p><a href="http://www.gratitudegames.com/">It's the LAST DAY to get Gratitude Games at the low, holiday rate of $19.99! On Jan 1, the price for the Gratitude Games package goes up to $29.99. Buy now! http://www.gratitudegames.com.</a><br /><br />ONE DAY, TAX-CONSCIOUS PRODUCT AND SERVICE SALE:<br /><br />Teacher to Coach:<br /><a href="http://lasarafirefox.com/teacher_to_coach_training_product_with_lasara_firefox__mpnlp_and_robert_allen_ba_mhp.html">If you would like more tax deductions for 2008, right now is a great time to purchase Teacher to Coach - FOR $49 instead of the usual rate of $99.99!</a></p><p>BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL COACHING:<br /><a href="http://lasarafirefox.com/entrepreneurial__business_executive_marketing_coaching_mentoring_lasara_firefox_mpnlp.html">And, last but not least, if you want to purchase business or entrepreneurial coaching for the coming year in advance, that can count as a deduction for this year's taxes. So, if you are thinking of getting more coaching with me, call me today and let's make it happen.</a><br /><br />The Ecstatic Presence Project * 705 N. State St. #205, Ukiah, CA, 95482 * 707-293-5153 * firefox@lasara.us * www.lasarafirefox.com</p>LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-62304353021078585842008-12-16T19:31:00.001-08:002008-12-16T19:40:53.961-08:00Carnival of Mommy Bloggers - some holiday, some general, all great!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpz-mAtltpWOsDNMDXwwDlwEpd0hkqZ5TMmDb7xLjm7YvPYCs1AA8sC6Z3KwxS9c8Y6lWLW_QaW8MPp0QtMn48c4MX_U8BYHdalV2Xck_ryEMLILIVWQEhofVTFsS3g3Gx8YBxWhopnUuR/s1600-h/mom+n+girls+x-mas,+2007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpz-mAtltpWOsDNMDXwwDlwEpd0hkqZ5TMmDb7xLjm7YvPYCs1AA8sC6Z3KwxS9c8Y6lWLW_QaW8MPp0QtMn48c4MX_U8BYHdalV2Xck_ryEMLILIVWQEhofVTFsS3g3Gx8YBxWhopnUuR/s200/mom+n+girls+x-mas,+2007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280598895445389346" border="0" /></a><br />Here they are! The December Carnival of Mommy Bloggers entries. Enjoy, and link back if you love it! I have two categories of submission, since some were holiday themed, and some not. So, first category first.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Holiday Themed Entries:</span><br /><br />1. For the first entry in the holiday category, at my new blog, Compassionate Living, I offer <a href="http://lasarafirefox.com/cblog/index.php?/archives/5-The-Answer-to-the-Seasons-Biggest-Question;-Yes,-Santa-IS-Real%21.html">The Answer to the Season's Biggest Question: Yes, Santa IS Real!</a> - a new look at an old issue. If you're dreading The Santa Conversation, read this!<br /><br />2. Earthy Yoga Mom brings us <a href="http://earthyyogamom.blogspot.com/2008/12/green-giving-make-it-sustainable.html">Green Giving - Make it a Sustainable Holiday!</a> I'm not playing faves just because she has Yoga Mom in her title. This gift guide brought to us by Lauren Bellon is GREAT. (And, it relates to an earlier post in my blog, as you'll see if you read the comments section at her post. Great minds think alike!)<br /><br />3. WiredForNoise.com brings us a <a href="http://wiredfornoise.com/toy-free-christmas">Toy Free Christmas</a>! Excellent idea, I say.<br /><br />4. At ProjectHappilyEverAfter.com, we have <a href="http://www.projecthappilyeverafter.com/2008/12/yes-my-child-santa-claus-is-flush/">Yes, My Child, Santa is Flush</a>, an honest post about white lies from Alisa Bowman.<br /><br />5. Janine at TwoFerthePriceofOne brings us a sweet glimpse of how her twins are SO not the same in <a href="http://twoferthepriceofone.blogspot.com/2008/12/twincident-145-differences.html">Twincident #145 - differences</a>.<br /><br />6. TheLifeofaMom.com brings us a how-to for you and your wee ones in <a href="http://www.thelifeofamom.com/2008/12/magic-reindeer-food.html">Magick Reindeer Food</a>.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />And Second Category, General Theme:</span><br /><br />7. <a href="http://www.amodernmother.com/2008/12/how-to-piss-off-a-modern-mother.html">How to Piss Off a Modern Mother</a> is brought to us by Susanna, the blogger behind AModernMother.com. She's a great writer, and I thoroughly enjoy her blog every time I take a minute to go and look. So, go and look!<br /><br />8. Crunchy Green Mom brings us <a href="http://crunchygreenmom.blogspot.com/2008/11/working-at-love.html">Working at Love</a>, an insightful post on what love is worth, and how much work it might be. She let's you answer the question, what is love worth?<br /><br />9. <a href="http://allwomen-cirhia.com/?p=48">Am I Stuck With This Body</a> addresses the adjustment that the writer went through adapting to her post-birth body.<br /><br />10. LittleMummy.com brings us <a href="http://www.littlemummy.com/2008/12/10/the-future-of-work-for-mums/">The Future of Work for Mums</a>, a breakdown of how mumpreneurism is the possible trend of the future.<br /><br />Enjoy, read on, blog on, love on! And don't forget your yoga.LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-16043328295056703422008-12-13T12:16:00.000-08:002008-12-13T12:25:26.174-08:00Light in the Darkness, Self-Care for the Holidays, and more.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfSHizsGnQkNpeQ458U-GeHdjRA22rYnD6VCj4wVnnD18M_QTJUxlmo7IOnpVNEfNqiwHfOvQcLzRHkboW9BMMO51K67d4Thhmsv8jRyOfd8DNjg5ZJKEMdEahbIOOt1xkup4G_qkwCUA/s1600-h/1811138.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfSHizsGnQkNpeQ458U-GeHdjRA22rYnD6VCj4wVnnD18M_QTJUxlmo7IOnpVNEfNqiwHfOvQcLzRHkboW9BMMO51K67d4Thhmsv8jRyOfd8DNjg5ZJKEMdEahbIOOt1xkup4G_qkwCUA/s200/1811138.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279373424802645986" border="0" /></a><br /><b>In this issue:</b> Article excerpt: Self-Care for the Holidays (and link to article in full) * Looking for a gift for your loved one? Check out this one! * Ecstatic Presence Empowerment: Light in the Darkness<br /><b><br />Self-Care for the Holiday Season</b><br /><br />The holidays are upon us.<br /><br />No matter what your spiritual persuasion, you’re probably going to be finding time within this season of cold days and long nights to gather with family and friends, sit around the feast table, and celebrate some light in the darkness.<br /><br />What a wonderful thing! But even so, the most joyful season still comes with holiday stress. And, between travel, shopping, parties, and family commitments, many of us don’t take very good care of ourselves in the midst of it all.<br /><br />During the holidays, most of us eat more – and more poorly. We exercise less. We let our spiritual practices slip. I mean, who has time to meditate? There’s a sale on, and I still have gifts to buy! (Right?)<br /><br />The result; physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion.<br /><br />In addition to the basic stressors listed above, the holidays are the loneliest time of the year for many. Depression rates increase in the darker months, and many people experience physical and psychological ills when faced with the prospect of gathering with family. (Ever heard of the Christmas Migraine? It’s a real thing.)<br /><br />For a change, why not make a pre-New Year’s resolution? Dedicate yourself to defeating the stress and depression many of us associate with this time of year, before it even happens.<br /><br />Remember your own self-care, and the rest will come easily; pleasure, enjoyment, and a healthful indulgence in the more lovely aspects of the season.<br /><br /><a href="http://budurl.com/scart">Click here to read the rest of the article!</a><br /><b><br />Give a Gift of Health and Happiness!<br /></b><br />Looking for a unique gift that shows how much you care?<br /><br />Give your loved one the gift of a fresh start to a new year. This three week Body, Mind, and Spirit Renewal program offers your loved one an opportunity to put a new spin on an old celebration.<br /><br />Super-affordable holiday special; three week Body, Mind, and Spirit Renewal Program: ONLY $149.<br /><br />This highly personalized program includes three weekly, one-on-one, supportive phone coaching sessions. In addition to phone sessions, your loved one will be given easy to implement actions to complete that will deliver the change they seek.<br /><br />While you're at it, how about a gift for you?<br />Maybe you're the one in need of the Body, Mind, and Spirit Renewal program? At this affordable rate, there's no reason not to treat yourself to renewal.<br /><br />Better yet, you and a loved one can achieve your goals together - and you'll get the second program fee at half price! Consider it my gift of health to you.<br /><br /><form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post"> <input name="cmd" value="_s-xclick" type="hidden"> <input name="hosted_button_id" value="1835532" type="hidden"> <table> <tbody><tr><td><input name="on0" value="Buying for One, or Two? Second Program at Half Price!" type="hidden">Buying for One, or Two? Second Program at Half Price!</td></tr><tr><td><select name="os0"> <option value="For two - second at half price">For two - second at half price $223.50 </option><option value="For one">For one $149.00 </option></select> </td></tr> <tr><td><input name="on1" value="Buying as a Gift? Gift note:" type="hidden">Buying as a Gift? Gift note:</td></tr><tr><td><input name="os1" maxlength="60" type="text"> </td></tr></tbody></table> <input name="currency_code" value="USD" type="hidden"> <input src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_buynowCC_LG.gif" name="submit" border="0" type="image"> <img src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /> </form><br /><br /><b>Ecstatic Presence Empowerment: Finding Light in the Darkness</b><br /><br />The celebration of this season has roots in the timeless, hidden promise of light and warmth that lives within the dark. Even after the longest night of the year is over, winter still holds sway. But the light does begin its ascent to grandeur and glory in the eternal procession of seasons.<br /><br />With eyes open to this bit of earth-based awareness, you’ll see representations of this ode to light reflected in whatever rituals are performed – be it the hanging of twinkling Christmas lights, the lighting of the Menorah, or the Mshumaa, or the burning of the Yule log.<br /><br />Each one of these ceremonies bring us to the same moment of invocation of the return of the light, and gratitude for the flickering promise that lives in the kindling of the first spark.<br /><br />Let this be a chance to invoke the light within as well. Whether you celebrate Solstice on December 20th - 21st, Hanukkah the 21st-29th, Christmas on the 25th, whether you are calling in the light of the Sun, or the light of Christ, conjure it inside of you.<br /><br />Make time this season to commit to a new light within you! Light a candle and say a prayer. Light a host of candles with loved ones, and voice your dreams for the newly burgeoning light. Let each string of lights be a reminder to awaken to the potential of the coming year. Let each fire glowing in the hearth be a reminder of the power of a return to warmth and light.<br /><br />Consider yourself empowered.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center">The Ecstatic Presence Project<br /><br />705 N. State St. #205, Ukiah, CA, 95482 * 707-293-5153<br /><br />firefox@lasarafirefox.com * www.lasarafirefox.com<br /></div>LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-21331794787119425522008-12-06T07:35:00.001-08:002008-12-06T08:58:48.818-08:00Carnival of Mommy Bloggers, Submissions/Entries Welcome NOW!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblif5Y8C3Q47fTJHULOoF4ip4uyKkH9QO5ZhS_jne56_7NQctMybq4U7iVinmhRe5EYAu4EU0tsi63S3LU0N2BosJQfbK3wP9glDBy2NbJSKqQtJz24jDS8unuEX0s2VG9vmPXd_pS00t/s1600-h/carnival_51.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblif5Y8C3Q47fTJHULOoF4ip4uyKkH9QO5ZhS_jne56_7NQctMybq4U7iVinmhRe5EYAu4EU0tsi63S3LU0N2BosJQfbK3wP9glDBy2NbJSKqQtJz24jDS8unuEX0s2VG9vmPXd_pS00t/s200/carnival_51.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276713987431286802" border="0" /></a>Are you a mommy blogger? I'm the current host of the Carnival of Mommy Bloggers, started by <a href="http://www.amodernmother.com/2008/10/the-carnival-of.html">A Modern Mother</a> back in November.<br /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span></span><br />From A Modern Mother:<br /><blockquote>"This is how it works: every two weeks a different mommy blogger “hosts” the carnival. The blogger community submits their best post from the past month -- this could be your most popular post, something that has done well on StumbleUpon or Digg, or one that has loads of comments.<br /><br />The rules are one post per blogger and it must be something written in the past four weeks.<br /><br />The host blogger then compiles the carnival entry post from their pick of the top 25 (can be first 25 submitted, or best 25, but it needs to be capped it or it will get unwieldy).<br /><br />The Carnival post links to the full articles, and all of the submitters in return publicize with a post that “The Best of the Mommy Bloggers Carnival is up” with a short write-up and link to the Carnival."</blockquote>My judging parameters are; 25 best "Holiday Miracle" or generally holiday themed blog posts. Holiday can be from whatever faith, for whatever holiday; Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, etc.<br /><br />Have an older holiday post you think fits? Repost, and it will qualify.<br /><p><strong>December 16</strong> will be hosted here at Yoga Mama Satsangha. Submissions are welcome <span style="font-weight: bold;">now</span>. Please email entries to <strong>firefox (at) lasarafirefox (dot) com.</strong></p>LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-1795863400665594112008-11-26T16:54:00.000-08:002008-11-26T21:49:41.541-08:00Yoga Mama's Guide to Compassionate Consumerism, Buy Nothing Day, Gratitude Games, Roots of Tradition, and more.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGSPow4kc2crQ76zIx38ndJFYmdN2ocHmHlyu9HjfOvGJXMruGSc36ThaaxiHORkyIPsLKdP_Z65VJTUld-MDcwbjLjH9m8khK29RB7UwUf2YN4pQgzpTD9S1FyY7oRbJhQcI2eBN3ADx/s1600-h/yulecandles.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 125px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGSPow4kc2crQ76zIx38ndJFYmdN2ocHmHlyu9HjfOvGJXMruGSc36ThaaxiHORkyIPsLKdP_Z65VJTUld-MDcwbjLjH9m8khK29RB7UwUf2YN4pQgzpTD9S1FyY7oRbJhQcI2eBN3ADx/s200/yulecandles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273137149886821378" border="0" /></a><br />Hi!<br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving! Today's note has three articles for your reading pleasure, inspiration, and edification. One is my brand new Yoga Mama's Guide to Compassionate Consumerism, two is The Roots of Tradition; Reasons for the Season, and three is the offering of my gratitude games, so you and your loved ones can play them during your thanksgiving revels, should you choose to. (See the Ecstatic Presence Empowerment.)<br /><br />But before all that, I'm going to offer you an alternative to Black Friday - the biggest shopping day of the year. It's Buy Nothing Day! Check it out <a href="http://www.adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd">here</a>.<br /><br />Now, generally I say YES!, let's spend money and keep the economy going. But this one day out of the year, what if we all committed to reducing our footprint by staying home, or brought consciousness to spending habits by joining in on an action sponsored by Adbusters?<br /><br />Ultimately, whether you decide to participate in Black Friday or Buy Nothing Day, I hope you participate with consciousness - consciousness toward the planet, for your wallet, and of the fact that you are always voting - with your dollars, your patronage, your attention.<br /><br />Read on, and have a gratitude filled Thanksgiving.<br /><br />Peace, and thank you for being in my life.<br />-LaSara<br /><a href="http://www.lasarafirefox.com/">http://www.lasarafirefox.com</a><br /><br /><b>Yoga Mama's Guide to Compassionate Consumerism</b><br />by LaSara Firefox, MPNLP, <a href="http://www.lasarafirefox.com/">http://www.lasarafirefox.com</a><br /><br />Here we are at that time of year where my anti-consumerist, smaller footprint, "live simply" self, and my "kids deserve the joy that materialism so easily delivers", acquisitive, affluenza-suffering self must war with one another.<br /><br />And I, like every other conscious consumer, enter the battlefield of who to buy for, what to buy, and why? And, in some ways most importantly, HOW?<br /><br />For your consideration, some guidelines I came up with for conscious and compassionate consumerism:<br /><br /><b>1. Remember that every dollar is a vote.</b> When you spend, you are voting for the survival of one "contender" over another. You're contributing to the policies, and politics, of the corporation you buy from. Choose accordingly.<br /><br /><b>2. Locally owned companies need your support to stay afloat.</b> So, keep chain store gift buying to a bare-minimum. If you're going to spend your "hard-earned" cash, spend it where it helps the most.<br /><br /><b>3. Gift with products and services you believe in.</b> Organic cotton socks may be out of your price range ($50 for five pairs? Yikes!), but, see # 4.<br /><br />4<b>. Buy products and services produced and offered by people you know.</b> You probably know a lot of really great folks, doing really great things. Artists and artisans, musicians, writers, massage therapists and body workers, hairstylists and aestheticians, fix-it guys and gals, coaches, carpenters, tarot readers, florists.<br /><br />When you buy from friends, you gift twice. You support your friend in her or his commitment to "right livelihood", and you give a quality, personal gift to the recipient.<br /><br /><b>5. Attempt to fully and presently give the gift of yourself throughout the season.</b> Relax into the experience of it, stay present in the joy of times shared with loved ones. Light candles to welcome the return of the Sun.<br /><b><br />6. Become conscious of your judgments, and let them go.</b> This is a very personal suggestion that you may relate to; one of my biggest challenges to staying present in the season is my judgmentalism about consumerism, and the wastefulness that this season brings; light displays, wrapping paper, extra driving, extra buying, extra spending.<br /><br />The voice of my judgement rings out in response to my own holiday habits - which at times veer into excess, over-extension, stress. It can be overwhelming to stay conscious in the midst of it. So, I try to relax my judgement, towards myself and others. Judgement is not compassion.<br /><br /><b>7. Meditate on the longing, the need, the hunger that is the shadow-side of this darkest time of year, and allow it to pass.</b> Again, and again, and again. Feel it, and let it go. Recognize it in your own desires to care for, and to be cared for, and find acceptance and love for the hungry parts of you. Notice it in others, and generate compassionate understanding.<br /><br />Those are my steps to compassionate consumerism. What are yours?<br /><br />Just as with any face of compassion, compassionate consumerism is a practice. It's a practice I undertake for my own benefit, and the benefit of all sentient beings.<br /><b><br />The Roots of Tradition; Reasons for the Season</b><br />by LaSara Firefox, MPNLP, <a href="http://www.lasarafirefox.com/">http://www.lasarafirefox.com</a><br /><br />In giving myself to the spirit of the season, releasing guilt and judgement, and becoming more responsible in the habits of indulgence and over-indulgence, I find it helps me to remember that the lights, the gifting and the gatherings are all rooted in time-worn traditions.<br /><br />These ancient traditions were born of a deep and abiding need that descends in the darkest of hours and longest of nights; the need to remind ourselves of the promise of a return of the light. They predate marketing, consumerism, Santa Claus. They even existed before the birth of the sweet baby Jesus.<br /><br />The more I remember that the gifting of this season is about getting through hard times - long, dark nights in cold, cold months, and about support, community and the spirit of generosity, the easier it is to see through the red haze of seasonal buying fury, and have the season make more sense.<br /><br />The lights adorning houses are a glance backward at ceremonies of light in the darkness that were celebrated by indigenous cultures all over the world. When I become aware of this, and feel the lineage unbroken - the spirit circles back to ceremonies that make sense - I find a bit more wonder in the twinkling lights.<br /><br />Carried in these ancient festivals of light is the seed of hope, the same seed carried in our hearts as we face our own darkest days and nights - the seed that allows us to be assured that light will, that light does, return.<br /><br />Of this desire to find light in the darkness, gifting originated as a faith-offering - a triumphant song in the night promising that the spring would return. That crops would grow again, ewes would come into milk, and new livestock would be born.<br /><br />We gift to keep the wolf from each other’s doors. We gift to remind ourselves that there are others who will take care of us if we fall upon hard times. We gift to remind ourselves, and each other, that God exists - in the form of a jolly, rotund giver, the Solar entity, baby Jesus – “light of the world”, Saturnus, or whomever else you may pray to at this time of year. That the sun will return.<br /><br />We gift to remind ourselves that even in the darkest times, there is light still to be found.<br /><br /><b>Ecstatic Presence Empowerment: Gratitude Games!</b><br />by LaSara Firefox, <a href="http://www.lasarafirefox.com/">http://www.lasarafirefox.com</a><br /><br />This Empowerment was written for the Thanksgiving holiday last year. But, every day is a good day to practice gratitude. Gratitude helps heal the heart (yes, it's scientifically proven to help with healing rates after heart surgery or heart disease), it reduces stress, and it helps us to learn to notice the things in life that support ease and grace.<br /><br />Here are some fun and easy ways to introduce gratitude practice to your family and friends. If you feel inspire to integrate gratitude practice into your life, consider hosting a Gratitude Gathering. You can use these games as a starting point.<br /><b><br />1. Gratitude Practice:</b> The old standby. Everyone in your cluster takes a turn saying something they’re grateful for. One offering isn't enough? Go around again!<br /><br /><b>2. "Gratigories":</b> Take turns choosing categories, and then everyone at your table offers one thing they are grateful for in the chosen "gratigory."<br /><br />At our family Thanksgiving last year we played this, and it was great! Some fun - and surprisingly touching - gratigories we came up with; public utilities, things that happened to or for us when we were teens, family traditions that have been handed down, the influence of famous people.<br /><br />Have fun with the gratigories! The more diverse, the better.<br /><br /><b>3. A Grateful A to Z:</b> An alphabet of gratitude! Start with A, and make<br />your way to Z. Make sure everyone takes a turn. This is obviously a great gratitude game for the wee ones in your crew.<br /><br /><b>4. Compassionate Gratitude:</b> The most challenging of my gratitude games perhaps, but what better way to strengthen your practice of compassion, than with gratitude?<br /><br />The point of Compassionate Gratitude is to find things to be grateful about in areas that challenge your lovingness. Politics? Family? America? Media? Culture? Choose your topic, and find the gift in the challenge!<br /><br />Consider yourself empowered!<br /><br /><b>About the author:</b><br />LaSara FireFox, MPNLP, is mom to two amazing daughters, a life coach, and an educator. She helps her clients and students to find balance in their lives, and alignment with their personal and family-held values.<br /><br />Visit LaSara’s website at <a href="http://www.lasarafirefox.com/">http://www.lasarafirefox.com</a> for more information. At the site, you can listen to her “Yoga Mama Satsangha” podcast series, download free parenting-related items, and more.LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-27113808325551722112008-11-07T17:09:00.000-08:002008-11-07T17:39:28.099-08:00Yoga Mama's Post-Election Post - Win Some, Lose Some...<span style="font-weight: bold;">Win Some: </span><br />I truly believe I have experienced what may be THE definative political event of my lifetime; the first black American president has been elected. By a landslide, in fact.<br /><br />Not only that, he's the first president who is more Gen-X than Baby Boom. And, as advertised, as much as Obama is proof of change, he's harbinger of change. Don't quite buy it yet? Check out the new President-Elect's website: <a href="http://www.change.gov/">www.change.gov</a>. Seriously! Change dot Gov. And it is a change - Obama and his team are ready to drag this country, perhaps kicking and screaming, into the new millennium. (Hey, we're only eight years late, right?)<br /><br />Web 2.0 savvy was part of what delivered this heroic victory. And, Obama has been nothing but generous with the praise for a country that heard a message of hope, and went for. Motivated to achieve it.<br /><br />I look forward to seeing what the country looks like in a year's time, four year's. We have an opportunity to take a lead from an honorable man, and embrace change. This is only the beginning. We are the change that elected this president, and we can be the change that rises this country from the ashes to fly strong again.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lose Some:</span><br />In California, widely considered at least one of the most liberal states in the union, the citizens voted in Proposition 8, the nefariously worded "Protect Marriage Act." It's is a proposition that "protects traditional marriage" by disallowing anyone but one man and one woman the rights that marriage affords.<br /><br />However, the <a href="http://www.noonprop8.com/">fight goes on</a>. As I write, people all over the state are demonstrating against Prop 8.<br /><br />To paraphrase a facebook friend's update the day after the elections; I never thought I'd see the day when I was proud to be an American, and ashamed to be a Californian. Well, here it is. (can't recall who that was from, or I'd give you a link...)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">And, an end comment on the election from Yoga Mama:</span><br /><br />So, the struggle for rights - equal rights for everyone, regardless of color of skin, sexual orientation, sex or gender - continues unabated. But still, I have hope.<br /><br />Hope possessed of a leader. Hope for, and trust in, the country that elected him. Hope that a day will come when the changes that are coming have come and gone, leaving a sweeter memory behind. To quote a great man;<br /><blockquote>"Today we begin in earnest the work of making sure that the world we leave our children is...better than the one we inhabit today."<br />-President-Elect Barack Hussein Obama</blockquote>Peace, and hope.<br />-LaSara<br />http://www.lasarafirefox.comLaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-23762794066227647462008-11-04T08:23:00.000-08:002008-11-04T12:36:17.998-08:00Barack the Vote!<span style="font-family:lucida grande;">In the news: This Blog Wins Placement as a Best in A Mommy's Carnival of Bloggers. VOTE for me. * It's VOTING DAY. Do you know where YOUR vote is? * An Empowerment for Presence: Change Your Mind, Change the World.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">So, I'm participating in a Mommy Carnival of Bloggers. And, my post, Yoga Mama's Guide to Compassionate Citizenry, won placement in the first round. If you like that post, I would LOVE your vote as one of the "best of the best." Visit </span><a style="font-family: lucida grande;" href="http://www.amodernmother.com/2008/11/the-best-of-the.html">A Modern Mother</a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> to cast your vote.</span><br /><span style="display: block;font-family:lucida grande;" id="formatbar_Buttons" ><span class="down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">More importantly, but still about voting...it's the day we've all been counting down to for months! Some in the hope that the conversation will be winding in directions other than the elections (Don't count on it! Whoever wins, this Presidential election will be one for the history books, for sure. The conversation will not end tomorrow, or next week. We'll be in the throes of ti for a while yet.) Some in the hope that this day will cement a positive Change in direction for our country. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">ELECTION DAY IS HERE! Did you vote yet? If not, </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;" >go and vote</span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">. If so, can you </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;" >volunteer to get others out to vote</span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">? You can probably do it from the HQ of your favorite candidate if you want to be part of the excitement. You can call your neighbors and friends and ask if they've voted. You can volunteer to call voters from home through </span><a style="font-family: lucida grande;" href="http://www.moveon.org/">MoveOn.org</a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> or </span><a style="font-family: lucida grande;" href="http://www.barackobama.com/">Obama's site</a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">. You can give rides to the polls, watch babies, watch parents. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Point is; do what's needed. Barack the vote!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;" >An Empowerment for Presence: Change Your Mind, Change the World<br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">The world is what you make it. The Buddha is credited with this quote: <span style="font-size:100%;">"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 159);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica;font-size:100%;" > <span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world." Consider how you are making your world - what thoughts are building what outcomes in your life?<br /><br />If you can change how you think, you can change what you experience. There are any number of possible realities available in any given moment. Vantage, your position within and in relation to the rest of existence, counts for a lot.<br /><br />What if you were to stand in a different position, look in a new direction? We are limited, grounded, by our perspective. On a physiological level, we can only see what's in our field of vision. And even then, we only truly <span style="font-style: italic;">see</span> parts of the picture. Much of what we "see" is generated by what our mind thinks should fill in the blanks.<br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">The same things happens with our minds. We see what we're looking at. So, change your perspective. Change your frame. Change your mind. And watch the world change with you.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Yours, in peace, hope, and CHANGE!</span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">-LaSara</span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">http://www.lasarafirefox.com</span>LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-91397124600514878932008-10-30T17:21:00.001-07:002008-10-30T17:40:11.311-07:00Wonder where Hallowe'en comes from?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7PFNYurzN2_R8M6V27tIEr1SrYs2Fois-43_BC-PAVs_94uprpRA5rE03VkK1k3y1-mrtDlkiBv0uTK1I2g6y-SxaUnntQ2IstqC3dv852iWo5SATZ06kAftGJTF_dHUaApFjgHDiB6e/s1600-h/altar.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7PFNYurzN2_R8M6V27tIEr1SrYs2Fois-43_BC-PAVs_94uprpRA5rE03VkK1k3y1-mrtDlkiBv0uTK1I2g6y-SxaUnntQ2IstqC3dv852iWo5SATZ06kAftGJTF_dHUaApFjgHDiB6e/s200/altar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263111007439009458" border="0" /></a>excerpted from my young people's book, <span style="font-style: italic;">A Child's Wheel of the Year</span>, yet to be published.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Roots of This Celebration:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Samhain: Celtic</span><br />The word Samhain seems to have come from the word samhraidreadh, which in the Gaelic, the language of the Celts, means “summer’s end.” The Celts divided the year up into two parts; the Winter Half, or Dark Half, and the Summer Half, or Light Half. The Celts considered the day as starting with evening, instead of midnight or morning, and so it was with the year. As the Celts went into the darkening season, they went into their new year.<br /><br />Samhain was a one of the four yearly Fire Festivals celebrated by the Druids of the Celtic lands. These festivals lasted three days, and were celebrated on the seasonal turning points, which were the points between equinoxes and solstices. At the Samhain fire festival, and at it’s cross-point, Beltane, once the community fire was built, all fires in family hearths were let to go out. These two times were the only times during the year that the hearth fire was extinguished. On the final morning of the festival, the head of each house would take embers from the community fire and restart the fire in their hearth.<br /><br />In the Celtic tradition, the day before Samhain was considered the last day of the old year, and the day after Samhain was considered the first day of the new year. The day of Samhain was considered a time between times, a day between years, and a world between worlds. It was a very magickal day.<br /><br />The Celts believed that Samhain was a time where the world of spirits (where the dead, the faeries and other supernatural beings dwelt) and the world of the living were closest. They believed that the spirits of the dead would come and walk among the living during this festival. Many Celts dressed in costumes of spirits and faeries to make the wandering spirits feel at home.<br /><br />Often, too, it was the poor of the community who would wonder begging food in the guise of the spirits. And the homesteaders would not want to bring the disfavor of the spirits upon them by acting selfishly. So the hungry would be fed on Samhain, and the ancestors would bring blessings to those who had been generous.<br /><br />Another aspect of this festival is the story of the Celtic God of Sun and Vegetation, Lugh. Having given-in to wounds received on Mabon (the autumnal equinox) in mid-September, Lugh was believed to die each year during this time. (And each year The Sun God would be reborn on winter solstice.) Lugh was killed by his shadow self and twin, Tanist; the Horned God, the Dark Lord, the Lord of Misrule.<br /><br />Under the rule of Misrule, this was a time when the usual rules were not lived by. The Celts usually lived by strict rules, but during Samhain the rules were laid aside, and mischief was made, fortunes were told, and revels were had. Men dressed as women, women dressed as men, and bands of young people would wander for miles seeking food and drink from the farmsteads in return for the entertainment they offered. This is where one of the American traditions of Hallowe’en came from. Trick-or-treating was once called mumming, and was a time where groups of people, adults and children alike, would go from door to door in costume singing, jesting and posing as spirits. The people they visited would offer treats in exchange for the entertainment, and in order to create goodwill with the spirits.<br /><br />Ancient people lived with a much closer relationship with death than many Americans do, and Samhain was a time of getting ready to face the possible losses that would be brought by winter. Herds of livestock were culled; the weak, sickly and old animals were slaughtered, so that there would be enough food for the healthy livestock to survive the winter. Samhain was considered the third, and last, harvest of the season. Called the Red Harvest, this harvest was of the meat. Some of the meat was salted and saved for winter, and some of the meat and all the bones were burned on the bone-fire (possibly the origin of the word bonfire) in offering to the spirits. The bone ash was used to nourish the fields where crops would be grown the next year.<br />Jack-o-lanterns were originally carved from turnips and other tubers, and were made as a warding to keep unfriendly spirits, mischievous faeries and hungry souls from stopping over. Bonfires were built on hilltops to light the way for the wandering dead, and to give them light and comfort in the darkness.<br /><br />If any loved ones had died in the previous year, his or her family would put a lighted candle in the window to lead the spirit home. The living would leave doors and windows unlatched, and set a place at the supper table for their beloved dead. The family would eat in silence in honor of the dead, from whom death had taken voice.<br /><br />The closeness of the different worlds during Samhain made it an especially easy time to catch a glimpse of the future, and many would play games of divination on Samhain eve. Apple bobbing descended from one of these games.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Los Dias de Muertos: Mexican Indian</span><br />This fiesta is a rich cultural and religious celebration originating in Mexico. Dia de los Muertos has roots in many indigenous Mexican Indian tribal traditions, including those of the Aztec, Mayan, Incan and Toltec. After the invasion of the Spanish, Los Dias de Muertos came to include Catholic aspects as well, with much of the art and reverence including imagery of Jesus as one of the beloved dead.<br /><br />Los Dias de Muertos is many days of celebrations, starting on October 31st with Dia de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels), dedicated to those who died young, Dia de Los Santos (Day of the Saints) on November 1st, and Dia de los Difuntos (All Souls Day) on November 2nd. There are parades, and a day and night is traditionally spent in the cemetery. The gravesites are cleaned and richly decorated with marigolds (the scent of which is believed to call the spirits of the dead home), bread and candy. Much attention is given to making the gravesites beautiful and spending time together remembering dear ones who have passed on. People bring musical instruments, blankets and baskets of food, and spend all night in vigil and celebration at the gravesides of their beloved dead.<br /><br />Creation of huge family altars to the dead is central to the celebration of Los Dias de Muertos. These altars hold pictures of those who have passed, marigolds, brightly colored paper decorations (papél picados, papier maché skeletons attending to all the tasks and joys of life, smiling skulls and coffins made of a sugary confection called alfeñique, personal belongings of those who have died, water, salt, and an incense censer with copal resin burning. Sugar skulls, sweet Pan de Muertos (Bread of the Dead) and favorite foods of those being honored adorn the altars and are given out as treats. No expense of time, energy or money is spared in preparing the family altar.<br /><br />A lighted candle on the altar represents each family member who has died in the previous year during the festivities, with one extra candle so no spirit is left out. The beloved dead are expected to visit during the festival and to partake of the ofrendas (offerings) piled high upon the altar.<br /><br />In many small towns, doors are left open to encourage visitors, both alive and in spirit form, to enter homes, view the family altars, and partake of the sacred foods and drinks.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">American Traditions:</span><br />Here in the United States, we are lucky to have the influence of the Celtic (by way of family lineage in some cases, and literature in others) and the Mexican (especially in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas) ways of celebrating this wonderful festival that honors death as just another transformation in the flow of life.<br /><br />Here, we celebrate Halloween by dressing in costume, transforming ourselves into our dearest dreams or our scariest nightmares. We get to go out into the world as someone other than we usually are.<br /><br />“Misrule” is still huge part of Halloween. Young people do things like yell “Happy Easter!” and reply with “Merry Christmas!” as they pass one another. On the less fun side of things, some see Halloween as an opportunity to perform dastardly deeds (like egging houses, smashing pumpkins, T.P.ing cars) that would be better left to the spirits!<br /><br />Trick-or-treating is a gentler side of this tradition. Though trick-or-treating doesn’t always hold the beauty of a visit from the beloved dead, or the fun of a band of mummers, at least it’s not hurting anyone. At best, it is an opportunity to be out on the streets with friends and family, a part of a community, sharing an experience with others that doesn’t involve sitting back and watching the new Hollywood blockbuster.<br /><br />Every year, holidays in America become more and more commercial. This year Halloween themed toys, gimmicks and costumery were out on the shelves by the beginning of the school year. But, you can decide to transform Halloween into a heartfelt and personal experience of the beauty of life and death.<br /><br />What part of the celebrations you have read about stand out for you? The beautiful altars for the dead? Maybe you can find a local Mexican American cultural center and visit during Los Dias de Muertos? Maybe you liked the origins of trick-or-treating? This Halloween you could make a play with your friends, and perform it at each house you visit on Halloween. Or, perhaps the idea of giving generously at this time of year sounds good. With the help of a teacher in your school, you could set up a canned food drive for those in your community who do not have what they need to be warm and happy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Activity: Making Alfeñique</span><br />These sugar calaveras (skulls) will be a fun, beautiful and spooky gift to give to your friends, or to place on your own altare de Muertos.<br /><br />Ingredients:<br /><br />2 cups powdered (confectioners) sugar<br />1 egg white<br />1/2 teaspoon vanilla<br />1/3 cup cornstarch<br />food coloring<br /><br /><br />Equipment:<br />2 mixing bowls<br />Egg beater<br />Measuring spoons<br />Clear, clean, dry surface for working the alfeñique<br />Wooden mixing spoon<br />Small plastic zip-lock baggie<br />Small bowls or saucers for food coloring<br />1 very fine paintbrush for each person who wants to paint alfeñique<br /><br />How to:<br />1. Sift sugar into one mixing bowl.<br />2. Separate egg yolk from white. Throw away yolk.<br />3. Whip egg white until it is stiff enough to make peaks, in the other mixing bowl.<br />4. Still using the egg beater, mix vanilla into the egg whites.<br />5. Bit by bit, mix the sugar into the egg white mixture with the wooden mixing spoon.<br />6. Once the sugar and the egg mixture are so dry they start to crumble, work the mixture with your fingers until you can form it into a small ball.<br />7. Dust the dry surface with cornstarch.<br />8. On this surface, knead the mixture until the ball of alfenique is smooth.<br />9. Put the smooth ball into the plastic bag, and chill.<br />10. Once chilled, work the alfeñique into skull shapes, or whatever shapes you like.<br />11. Let alfeñique dry.<br />12. Once dry, paint with food coloring.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recipe: Magickal Mulled Cider and Spirit Cakes </span><br /><br />This Magickal Mulled Cider uses one of the most popular Halloween treats –apples- as a base for spices, which are full of magick! Listed below are some powers that these spices are believed to have, but it is also important to know that these powers change, sometimes from person to person.<br /><br />The most important thing to remember when working magick of any kind, is that your intention (what you want to make happen) is the most important tool you have for any spell-working. So, as you work with this recipe, see what you think each spice does. Hold the spices in your hand, one at a time, and let your body tell you what each one is good for.<br /><br />You can also give something a meaning. Though this may be considered a superstition by many, but what you believe has a lot of power. You can create meaning, a new reality even, just by believing.<br /><br />Here are some traditional powers the spices you will use today are believed to have: Cloves are considered helpful to those in mourning, and they bring prophecy and offer protection. Nutmeg brings dreams, vision and wealth. Cinnamon is good for strengthening magickal acts, bringing success, wealth and health, bringing the second sight – the sight of prophecy - and it warms the spirit and the body. Allspice is for strengthening a community. Ginger warms, energizes and purifies. Lemon is for purification, and orange for love and vision.<br /><br />This Magickal Cider will bring visions, comfort, warmth, health, wealth, love and a strong sense of community to all you share it with. It is great for a Halloween party, a Samhain night ritual, or anytime you feel the need for this warm magick. What a great way to enter into this new season. Don’t you think?<br /><br />Magickal Mulled Cider<br />Ingredients:<br />1/2 gallon apple cider<br />3 cinnamon sticks for the pot,<br />Cinnamon sticks, one each per mug (optional)<br />1 Tablespoon whole cloves<br />1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg –or- 1/8 teaspoon dry, powdered nutmeg<br />5 pieces whole allspice<br />1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger –or- 1/4 teaspoon dry, powdered ginger<br />1 pinch ground cinnamon per mug<br />1 tablespoon dried orange peel –or- peel of one fresh orange<br />Pieces of fresh orange peel cut into stars and other shapes, one per mug (optional)<br />1 lemon, juiced and pulped<br /><br />Equipment:<br />Large (6 Quart) saucepan<br />Small muslin spice bag –or- cheese cloth –or- a tea strainer<br />Spice grater<br />Small plate<br />Paring knife<br />Wooden mixing spoon<br />Ladle<br />Mugs all around<br /><br />How-to:<br />1. Heat cider to a simmer in the sauce pan.<br />2. While cider heats, grate ginger and nutmeg onto plate.<br />3. If using fresh orange peel, cut peel into small pieces. (You can cut designs if you like. Stars, pumpkins, circles. Especially good for pieces to put into mugs.)<br />4. If you don’t like to have to strain the cider, put spices and peel into a spice bag, or tie in cheese cloth. (I prefer to leave the spices loose, and don’t mind straining. If you are the same, skip this step.)<br />5. Using wooden spoon, mix the cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cinnamon sticks, cloves, nutmeg, orange peel, lemon juice and pulp into the cider.<br />6. Allow to simmer for at least an hour and a half.<br />7. Serve hot. Ladle into mugs, and place a fresh cinnamon stick (optional) and fresh piece of orange peel in each mug.<br /><br />If the cider is too spicy, or not spicy enough for your tastes, next time add more or less of whatever you want.<br /><br />Serves: Many revelers<br /><br />Soul Cakes<br />These cakes have lost of stories. The one thing you can be sure of is that they will fill the tummies of hungry visitors, spirit and living alike. This recipe includes rosemary for remembrance, and salt for cleansing.<br />All parts of this recipe are magick in some way. These are a few parts that have stories: Oat is useful for increasing the wealth of your home, and in lifting a bad mood. Wheat is for fertility, and is a wonderful way to recognize the relationship between life and death at this time of year. At this time, the seeds plowed under in the fields wait for the springtime warmth to sprout, and grow again.<br /><br />6 oz. butter, softened<br />6 oz. fine, granulated sugar<br />3 egg yolks<br />1 lb. flour – unbleached wheat, whole wheat, oat, or a mixture.<br />A pinch of salt<br />1 teaspoon of ground allspice –or- mixed spices -which do you think would taste good? What kind of magick do you want in these cakes?<br />1 teaspoon of fresh rosemary, chopped finely.<br />3 oz. currants<br />A little warm milk<br /> <br />How-to:<br />1. Set the oven to 350ºF.<br />2. Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl until fluffy.<br />3. Beat in the egg yolks.<br />4. Sift together the flour, salt and spice.<br />5. Add currants.<br />6. Fold the currants and the flour, salt and spice into the egg mixture.<br />7. Add milk bit by bit, to form a soft dough.<br />8. Divide into pieces and form into flat cakes.<br />9. Place on a greased baking sheet.<br />10. Cut designs into the top of cakes.<br />11. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden.<br /><br />(Photo credit: http://www.laprensa-sandiego.org/archieve/october22-04/041022.html)LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-54921693195918202762008-10-15T10:56:00.000-07:002008-10-15T17:10:44.644-07:00Blog Action Day 2008, Poverty - An Empowerment for Presence<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4A31Kb0z1sLYrn_BtI1m-Sun4N9ljBSzAADSyoU-qlHBLjdLdvhTVatsuPtsmV7t7PcCUMztYnsLWna_wg1B94SEmgv3F8ckHi1LcHi4JsLVpFv1VFTYyGdRfXO8UCiHGoWDhPFgYxyG/s1600-h/ChildPovertyImage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4A31Kb0z1sLYrn_BtI1m-Sun4N9ljBSzAADSyoU-qlHBLjdLdvhTVatsuPtsmV7t7PcCUMztYnsLWna_wg1B94SEmgv3F8ckHi1LcHi4JsLVpFv1VFTYyGdRfXO8UCiHGoWDhPFgYxyG/s200/ChildPovertyImage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257516747499254834" border="0" /></a>38 million people in the U.S. experience hunger. If you're one of the fortunate citizens who has enough to share, why not get grateful, and take action?<br /><br />Many cultures have safety measures built in to protect the poor from starvation. In the U.S., our communities are loose-knit at best. Families who do not qualify for government programs often fall through the cracks.<br /><br />Ways you can help to address hunger in your community:<br /><br />1. Contribute food to a soup kitchen, food program, or shelter.<br />2. Volunteer your time, energy, or financial donations at a soup kitchen, food program, or shelter.<br />3. Informally sponsor a newly single-mom or dad who may be struggling to make ends meet. Bring food unasked for. Be someone's guardian angel, or faerie godmother.<br />4. Sponsor a homeless person in your community. Choose someone in need, and bring her or him clothes, blankets, food, toiletries. Gifts.<br />5. Make a meal, and bring it to a place where homeless folks hang out. Stick around, ask questions, offer an ear. You will end up nourishing the soul, and not just the body. (And, your soul as well.)<br /><br />Together, we can lessen the strain of hunger. Offer hope, offer help.<br /><br />Consider yourself empowered.<br /><br />-LaSara<br />http://www.lasarafirefox.com<br /><a href="http://blogactionday.org"><img border="0" src="http://blogactionday.org/img/93c167a380f70d364094a4683ef5f8973c4ea21a.jpg" /></a>LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-44992725596406137822008-10-08T16:44:00.000-07:002008-10-08T16:51:44.142-07:00Yoga Mama's Guide to Compassionate Citizenry, Ecstatic Presence Newsletter<p> In this newsletter: Note from LaSara: Yoga Mama's Guide to Compassionate Citizenry * Empowerment for Presence: There Is No Other * LaSara Recommends...* </p><p>As the election nears, there are questions on everyone's lips. Whether it's okay to talk about politics is one of this big ones. My opinion; it's not just alright, it's your responsibility to do so! This is a democracy, and as citizens, we are empowered to participate in the governance of our country.</p><h2> Yoga Mama's Guide to Compassionate Citizenry: </h2><p><b>1. Assume positive intent.</b></p><p>Just because politics tends to get dirty doesn't mean that I should add my own mud to the slinging. It can be a challenge to hold back, but doing so is good form. I want to hear your point of view, and I want you to hear mine. Let's keep it clean as we are able. </p><p><b>2. Generate Bodhicitta. </b></p><p>Bodhcitta means wisdom-consciousness, or awakened-consciousness. Engage in the political conversation from a place of wisdom and compassion. This allows you to recognize your own wounding, while allowing yourself not to react from the wounded place. It also allows you remember that everyone is doing what they think best for the world. </p><p>You don't have to agree with their methods (and you won't in many cases), but trust that everyone is doing their best. In addition to contributing to the process of your own potential awakening to the enlightened mind, it makes it easier to have a civilized conversation. </p><p><b>3. Don't take it personally. </b></p><p>While it is easy to get caught in the fervor of fear, hurt, power and probabilities, and while the outcome of election day is very important, remember that comments made about your candidate are not comments made about you. Political disagreements don't need to become personal ones.</p><p>As a business person, I know I am taking a risk by being public with my political views. But it is a risk I willingly take on, in order to be the best citizen, of this country and the world as a whole, that I can be. I respect your right and duty to do the same.</p><p>The place where politics and spirit meet is addressed in this issue's <i>Empowerment for Presence; There Is No Other</i>. Read on, and have an ecstatic day.</p><p>peace.</p><p>-LaSara</p><p><a href="http://www.lasarafirefox.com/">www.lasarafirefox.com</a> </p><p> ***** </p><h3><b>Ready to give coaching a try?</b> Contact me for a pre-coaching evaluation NOW! Drop a note to: <a href="mailto:firefox@lasarafirefox.com">firefox@lasarafirefox.com</a>, or call 707-293-5153 to schedule. </h3><p>***** </p><h2>Empowerment for Presence: There Is No Other</h2><p>by LaSara Firefox,<a href="http://www.lasarafirefox.com/"> www.lasarafirefox.com </a></p><p> I have a lot going on in my life right now, and all of it is the opportunity to achieve a more constant state (or station) of awakening to compassion. One of the largest of my personal challenges to living in my compassionate heart is Sarah Palin. </p><p>Why? To begin with, she's the iconic proof that we haven't "come a long way, baby!" at all. Palin represents the dumbing-down of America, but more painfully to me, she is the "answer" to senator Clinton's "ball-busting" demeanor. Palin is hailed by some as the perfect feminine candidate; MILF-esque, down-to-earth (folksy), and seemingly, dumb as a doornail. Ouch. </p><p>So here's the practice I am sitting with in accepting Palin as part of the undifferentiated all-that-is: three steps to cultivating compassion.</p><p> 1. I recognize Palin, and my feelings for her, as my own shadow, my own wounded self seeking the light of acceptance, my own wounded femininity aspiring to recognition in a "patriarchal" world, my own fear and my own failing.</p><p>2. I awaken my "witness self", the one who easily sees my own broken parts, and loves me into wholeness, even when I feel unlovable, or unloving.</p><p>3. I allow my heart to open and grow, and visualize Palin held securely in my own heart, or enveloped in my heart-energy. I breath into this love, and allow myself to heal in, and through, it.</p><p>I undertake this practice for the benefit of all beings, pervading space and time.In the process, I heal my own heart. I address my own shadow, and in moving through the pain of it, I become more awakened to the process of integration. </p><p>In the healing of my own heart, and the growth and expansion of it, I come to have more faith in the possibility of healing. Anger is a poisoned blade that harms the one that holds it. I am only capable of healing myself. But, perhaps in healing myself, I heal the world. </p><p>Consider yourself empowered. </p><h1>LaSara Recommends...</h1><p><b>Book:</b> </p><p><i>Meeting the Shadow: The Hidden Power of the Dark Side of Human Nature</i></p><p>Edited by Connie Zweig and Jeremiah Abrams, Tarcher, 1990 </p><p><i>Meeting the Shadow</i> addresses the dark areas of the psyche from many angles and perspectives, and through numerous lenses. It's helpful both as a cautionary measure, and as a doorway to cultivating understanding of the shadow and how it functions and manifests. Even-handed, honest, and engaging, essays from scholars, spiritual seekers and leaders, pundits, parents and more.</p><p><b>TV Show:</b></p><p>Grey's Anatomy is a really, really good show. My husband and I watch it together, and are equally moved by it. Grey's Anatomy deals with epic themes with a light hand. And, as a fan of moral ambivalence that's true to life, the show offers opportunities for viewers to arrive at our own conclusions about right and wrong. </p><p>As a comment on women in culture, the show makes up for my heart-ache regarding Palin. (See above!) Grey's posse is sexually empowered, though wounded - like most of us; hard-working, yet sometimes over-extended; invested in image, though often pissed-off when objectified. In other words, I know these women. They're me. And you. And my sisters. And my peers.</p><p>So glad to have another year of growing up with this crew. </p><p align="center">The Ecstatic Presence Project * 705 N. State St. #205, Ukiah, CA, 95482 * 707-293-5153 * firefox@lasara.us * www.lasarafirefox.com</p><h2>Subscribe</h2><br /><form method="post" action="http://server1.streamsend.com/streamsend/signup.php"><br /> <p>Ecstatic Presence monthly email newsletter.</p><br /> <p><input type="text" name="newuser_emailaddress" size="15" /></p><br /> <p><input type="submit" value="join" /><br /><input type="hidden" name="cd" value="6411" /><br /><input type="hidden" name="ld" value="2" /></p><br /><p>Join now, and get LaSara's <i>Three Steps to Engaged Gratitude</i> and a link to her Super Secret Downloads page FREE!</p><br /></form> <br />Looking for an newsletter/e-zine service? I use <a href="http://www.streamsend.com/124-1.html">StreamSend</a>, and highly recommend them. <a href="http://www.streamsend.com/124-1.html">Try it out now!</a>LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-73317787713727796942008-09-29T18:20:00.000-07:002008-09-29T19:21:36.350-07:00Make Time for YOU! A Mama Mini-Vacation Primer.My new <a href="http://www.twitter.com/yoga_mama">Twitter</a> friend Marlynn wrote a blog at <a href="http://www.maternitytomadness.blogspot.com/">From Maternity to Madness</a> today asking for tips on solo vacation ideas. I answered her there, and in the process thought, ahhh, more mamas should be thinking about what to do for some quiet time.<br /><br />Okay, maybe it was also inspired by the fact that today was my FIRST day alone in my home since my new hubby moved in. We both work from home, and while I leave the house without him sometimes, he really never has left it without me in the past eight months. (He's getting used to living in a new place, building a new circle of friends, and finding his feet. Home is the only place familiar to him here, and even that is a new sort of familiar.)<br /><br />We basically spend 24/7 together. And it works. We love each other THAT much.<br /><br />But I won't lie; he got a full-time, temporary hire, and I'll be alone in the house all day for a few weeks. And the absolute quiet of it is like heaven. Ah, the freedom of my own thoughts, my own space, my own sanctuary. My own breath.<br /><br />When was the last time YOU had some quiet time? No kiddos, no partner, no friends, no TV on in the background. I tell you, quiet is a balm that soothes the savage soul.<br /><br />Solo time is priceless, precious, renewing. Quiet time, reflection, rest, recuperation, regeneration. Find a way to make the time, and let it feed you.<br /><br />So, here are the ideas I offered Marlynn, and a few more for good measure:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />If you have half a day:</span><br />* Book a massage. * Go for a walk in a quiet place. * Take yourself out to tea with your favorite magazine. (Avoid conversation!) * Go to a local church, monastery, zen garden, or museum. * Visit the water; ocean, lake, pond, river, fountain.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">If you have one night:</span><br />My favorite way to grab a "quicky" is to spend a night at a local spa. If you're flush enough, get a massage, or other relaxation treatments. If not, take a walk or, or do some sitting. In any case, take your favorite magazine or book.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">My personal ideal:</span><br />* Hot water - natural hot springs are my favorite, but a jacuzzi will do.<br />* Private room - though camping can be great if I'm in the mood. NO TV is a plus. (I know I might watch it if it's there. But if it's not, I have enforced quiet time!)<br />* Booking a massage or other treatment, on-site.<br />* At least 24 hours. 48 if possible!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bring:</span><br />* Reading materials; just for fun! Magazines. Fiction. Spiritual nonfiction. NOT work stuff!)<br />* Writing materials; for fun, and mining your personal depths. Again, not work stuff.)<br />* Art materials; my mom gave me this very cool <a href="http://www.basketsfromafrica.com/items/ghana-bolga-baskets/10366-detail.htm">African basket</a> that fits a whole bunch or art supplies in it.<br /><br />Budgeting your getaway into the calendar and the checkbook takes some commitment, but it's an investment that has a high rate of return! Your spouse, your family, your heart, your health and your body will thank you!<br /><br />Enjoy!<br />-LaSara<br /><a href="http://www.lasarafirefox.com/">www.lasarafirefox.com</a><br /><br />P.S. Stay tuned for ideas for alone-time that won't cost a dime.<br /><br />P.S. Please subscribe to my e-zine, for free! When you do, you'll be entered in my monthly drawings for stuff I make, or stuff I like. You can find out more about this month's drawing here: http://www.lasarafirefox.com. (Of course, you'll get my e-zine, too, which is really pretty rad. And if you don't like it, you can unsubscribe whenever you want.)LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-60044146731298781182008-09-19T14:48:00.000-07:002008-09-19T15:29:09.813-07:00GIVE-AWAY: an easy, fun way to introduce gratitude practice to your loved ones.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >Want to win your own Gratitude Games package?<br /><blockquote>"Bring the "thanks" back to your Thanksgiving festivities (and the rest of the holiday season) with Gratitude Games and Gratitude Gatherings! Meaningful fun for the whole family, designed by LaSara Firefox, MPNLP." (<a href="http://lasarafirefox.com/gratitude_games_for_families_and_circles_of_friends_with_lasara_firefox_mpnlp.html">Read more here</a>.)<br /></blockquote>The Gratitude Games package is three-in-one, and includes:<br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Gratitude Games</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Gratitude Gatherings</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Enagaged Gratitude</span><br /></li></ul><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >I'm having a drawing for three Gratitude Games packages on October 16, 2008! All you need to do to qualify is subscribe to my e-zine, Ecstatic Presence.<a href="http://server1.streamsend.com/streamsend/signup.php?cd=6411&ld=2"> Click here and fill out my subscription box to qualify now!</a> On October 16, my kids will choose three names at random. Yours may be one of them. Join now.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><br />Want to be SURE to get a package, and HOURS of creative fun with your loved ones? Buy NOW, and you'll get yours half-price. Offer good through October 15th. Price goes to full on October 16th.</span><br /><form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post"><input name="bn" value="PP-BuyNowBF" type="hidden"><br /><input src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_buynowCC_LG.gif" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!" border="0" type="image"><br /><img alt="" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><br /></form>LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050659143238511545.post-36279380193801613442008-09-03T12:13:00.000-07:002008-09-03T12:49:34.925-07:00Living Thanks-Giving! Gratitude Games for Families and Circles of Friends, with LaSara Firefox, MPNLP<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKWyy7JcagXyDzGdabOwtYPdF4X9DlK5wXwA7vp6wYiqZKaXwb3SogSxZkZxutz8rqXwAjataa-nnAipFB8I9izQl0L6b_HApCHgP3N10tfzlWFPyZ4jyyvQLBLYbv4xIucknTfp_MTvK/s1600-h/sollie_meditates_small_ad.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKWyy7JcagXyDzGdabOwtYPdF4X9DlK5wXwA7vp6wYiqZKaXwb3SogSxZkZxutz8rqXwAjataa-nnAipFB8I9izQl0L6b_HApCHgP3N10tfzlWFPyZ4jyyvQLBLYbv4xIucknTfp_MTvK/s200/sollie_meditates_small_ad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241884212563282450" border="0" /></a><br />Bring the "thanks" back to your Thanksgiving festivities (and the rest of the holiday season) with Gratitude Games! Meaningful fun for the whole family, designed by LaSara Firefox, MPNLP.<br /><br />Every day is a good day to practice gratitude. Gratitude helps heal the heart (yes, it's scientifically proven to help with healing rates after heart surgery or heart disease), it reduces stress, and it helps us to learn to notice the things in life that support ease and grace.<br /><br />This product offers some fun and easy ways to introduce gratitude practice to your family and friends, and integrate gratitude practice into your life.<br /><form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post"><br /><input src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_buynowCC_LG.gif" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!" border="0" type="image"><br /><img src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><br /></form><br />Product will ship on or before October 15, so you have plenty of time to plan your "Gratitude Gathering" for Thanksgiving day. Pre-order now, and get:<br /><ul><br /><li>The Living Thanks-Giving How-To Collection - <i>Gratitude Games</i>, <i>Gifts of Gratitude; The Value of a Grateful Life</i>, and <i>How to Host Your Gratitude Gathering</i> - at half price; only $24.99! (Our regular rate of $49 goes into effect on October 16.)<br /></li><li>The first five orders will also get a complimentary half-hour phone-coaching session with LaSara Firefox, MPNLP.</li></ul><br /><br />This product is <b>totally green: zero waste!</b> You will receive audio files and pdfs. You can use the product entirely from your desktop, laptop, or palm-top. Or, print or burn as needed.<br /><form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post"><input name="bn" value="PP-BuyNowBF" type="hidden"><br /><input src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_buynowCC_LG.gif" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!" border="0" type="image"><br /><img src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><br /></form>LaSara FireFox Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992556449387907769noreply@blogger.com0