eggs & bacon.

"“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes,..."

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 18:09:24 -0500

“

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.

So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”

”

- Neil Gaiman

"“Make New Year’s goals. Dig within, and discover what you would like to have happen in your..."

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 18:08:39 -0500

“

“Make New Year’s goals. Dig within, and discover what you would like to have happen in your life this year. This helps you do your part. It is an affirmation that you’re interested in fully living life in the year to come.

Goals give us direction. They put a powerful force into play on a universal, conscious, and subconscious level. Goals give our life direction.

What would you like to have happen in your life this year? What would you like to do, to accomplish? What good would you like to attract into your life? What particular areas of growth would you like to have happen to you? What blocks, or character defects, would you like to have removed?

What would you like to attain? Little things and big things? Where would you like to go? What would you like to have happen in friendship and love? What would you like to have happen in your family life?

What problems would you like to see solved? What decisions would you like to make? What would you like to happen in your career?

Write it down. Take a piece of paper, a few hours of your time, and write it all down - as an affirmation of you, your life, and your ability to choose. Then let it go.

The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals.”

”

- Melody Beattie, The Language of Letting Go: Hazelden Meditation Series

"I am timid and I am oversensitive. I am a lioness; I am tired and defensive. You take me in your..."

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:05:53 -0400

“I am timid and I am oversensitive. I am a lioness; I am tired and defensive. You take me in your arms and I fall into you.”

- Christina Aguilera

"Love is an abstract noun, something nebulous. And yet, love turns out to be the only part of us..."

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 16:57:57 -0400

“Love is an abstract noun, something nebulous. And yet, love turns out to be the only part of us that is solid, as the world turns upside down and the screen goes black.”

- Martin Amis

Happiness Check-point.

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 09:49:07 -0400

What has to happen for me to be happy? What has to happen for me to be unhappy? Make a plan. Do it.

"Life has been your art. You have set yourself to music. Your days are your sonnets."

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 22:13:04 -0400

“Life has been your art. You have set yourself to music. Your days are your sonnets.”

- Oscar Wilde

childlike nature.

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 23:53:24 -0400

Today, as I waited in the lunch rush, I pondered as to why life must jade the innocent & vulnerable heart.

When I was a small child, — let’s be serious, I came out of the womb at a fierce 5’ 10 3/4” (my poor mother!)— I would create and engage in a new club or empire to nurture on a regular basis. My childhood best friend, Jennifer, whom I met at the mailbox when I was 3-years-old, would partner with me and we would practice the basic project management principles of business long before learning of the 4 D’s (Discovery, Design, Development, Deploy). Such talented and innovative little dreamers!

We were very thorough in the various activities pursued, covering a wide range of job titles:

Avid Olympic Athletes—Practicing our Shannon Miller inspired Olympic gymnastics routines in the sweltering Summer heat. Believe it or not, I was once a fairly decent gymnast. Then, I grew 7.294 inches between 7th & 8th grade—which ruined my dream of being Barbie when I grew up—yes, the doll. So quite naturally, I had to revamp my entire life plan to instead be a Victoria’s Secret model. That was of course until I grew horizontally from a Size 2 to a Size 6. Damn. This encouraged my plan to migrate towards being in PR for the Victoria’s Secret Models—which later turned out to be meant for one of my current best friend’s lives instead! Hey, at least I scored a bestie out of the concept!

Adolescent Activists for Botany & Green Living—Researching the various mid-western tree families in an educational book I begged my parents to buy me from Sam’s Club so that we could promote ‘Green’ awareness. We built a tree fort where we would host our very-important status meetings. We spent hours collecting litter and cleaning “the earth”..aka my 3-acres of backyard. In fact, on one of our charitable afternoons, I slipped while climbing a tree to collect ‘the very last piece of litter on earth’ and a rusty nail dug into my side, leaving a not-so-cute scar that I still have to this day. Please recycle (lol). For the record, I have since shifted my efforts towards eating clean and daydreaming of not-so-thrill-seeking palm trees and beaches made of brown sugar.

Arctic Gemologists—One winter, we had the most incredible ice storm that I have experienced in my entire life. Clearly, it was a snow day and we didn’t have to go to school (Score!!). Each blade of grass was frosted so perfectly it was like diamonds had coated the ‘entire earth’ of Columbus, Ohio… Jennifer and I decided we needed to collect as many diamonds as we possibly could—and we did just that. Did I mention, I am not a fan of adverse weather?! But it was for the greater good to ‘secure these precious gems before the warmth stole them away’. I must say, my mom may or may not have raised an eyebrow at the sight of the various frozen pieces of wilderness in the freezer— ”Mommmm, we are protecting the assets! Look at all of our diamonds—We are richhh!!!”

Catastrophic Pyro-curious Event Planners with a dabble of Birthday Cake Boss—At a very young age, we learn of the “it’s your birthday, make a wish” concept when the candles are lit on a birthday cake. One afternoon, we found the candle lighter…and decided to put it work on some of the decorative candles in the living room, in an effort to play “Happy Birthday”… Much to our dismay (as well as my mother’s) this game ended far before we had anticipated, due to a small house fire we had started…(whoops!). Seemed like a GREAT idea at the time filled with a number of birthday wishes!? One year for my mother’s birthday, we decided that we would bake her a birthday cake and throw her a surprise birthday celebration. We have that little problem called “emmm, cake batter is so good—what’s self-control!?”. Needless to say, we ate more batter than we baked. EVERYTHING about that cake tasted like rotten eggs by the time it was iced and served. Tummy aches are not a good look! Not to mention, we had chopped up an entire value-pack of construction paper to have homemade confetti…loaded up the ceiling fan…and BOOM! Hit the light-switch, confetti was everywhere—we were instantly thrilled—only to be reminded that we had to clean up the entire mess (mess is an understatement). Freakin’ freakity McFreakerson…this game sucked!

We were Runway Stylists & Wedding Advisors—Style Me Pretty would be lost for words by some of the looks that we pulled off! I’m talking hair, makeup, multiple 80’s bridesmaid dresses—mind blowing. We would essentially “marry” one of my brothers and Jennifer’s baby sister atleast once a month. I’m pretty sure both little siblings sustained long-term traumatic attachment disorders from this frequent ceremony; They were really good sports though! Perhaps, they grew fond of how much satisfaction it brought for the hopeless romantics (Jennifer and I) in the room.

This list goes on……….pushing me to consistently fulfill the innate desire to utilize my entreprenural spirit in the little things that I commit my time towards. Life may always be in flux—good and bad may try to stifle the ability to make the most of everything and remain optimistic about what life has in the cooker—but staying true to the childlike nature inside is what will keep us authentic, compassionate, and endearing to the world.

"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known..."

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 16:42:41 -0400

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”

- Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Run with your heart, not your legs. via Lululemon

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 12:03:40 -0400

Run with your heart, not your legs. via Lululemon

ROBOTS OR DINOSAURS?

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 22:38:34 -0400

Dinosaurs are rad!

Doing is never enough, if you neglect being.

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 14:23:34 -0400

Doing is never enough, if you neglect being.

Talking With Horses - A beautiful connection between autism & the horse

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 21:20:55 -0400

Hitting shelves this week, the much-anticipated historical fiction novel, Talking With Horses, is action packed and emotion provoking with love and human warmth, offset by the violence and warfare of the era.

Emma Armbrust, an 18-year old horse lover, envisions herself as a fantastical bow-slinging warrior princess in a world of refuge from her real-life autism, which enables her to communicate with her jumping horse Tower. She encounters love, faces adversity, and possesses an enigmatic charm, all while facing the hardship of saving herself from medications to make her “normal,” and winning Grand Prix prize money to bail out the family ranch from bankruptcy. Not to mention, surviving a love triangle with her fantasy lover Zehun, a Lieutenant of Attila the Hun, and real-life troubled youth named Jules, a neighbor who romances her by reading history books to her in the Malibu hills.

Australian journalist and saddle expert, Colin Dangaard wrote Talking With Horses after considering how the horse had greatly influenced his life, first in the Outback, where he was raised, and later around the world. He started riding so early he cannot remember exactly how old he was. “I seemed to have grown up on a horse,” he says. “The horse has always empowered me, as it does every person who builds a relationship with one.”

Dangaard explores a proven theory that communication between man and horse relates to the compatibility of electromagnetic fields generated by all living creatures. The horse is 55 million years old, man is just 5 million years old, so he figures, the horse knows a lot more about us than we know about the horse. People with autism have cerebral function that is on an electromagnetic grid sensitive to that generated by the horse. Thus, Emma can “talk” with horses.

Raised in a dusty cattle town on the rim of the Australian Outback, Dangaard started writing fiction when he was 15 years old. “It was more fun than going to school,” as he recalls. He made his first money selling brumbies (wild horses) to impoverished tobacco farmers.

He worked as a journalist in 25 countries, riding horses in every one of them, and was the first person in 200 years to introduce a new saddle to America - the Australian Stock Saddle. He sailed a 34-ft wood boat from Africa to America, where he became Rupert Murdoch’s first Hollywood Editor, launching the National STAR, and his own TV show.

Talking With Horses can be purchased in paperback, hardback, Nook Book, and Kindle Edition format at www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, and on the Australian Stock Saddle Company website, www.aussiesaddle.com.

For more information contact Australian Stock Saddle Company P.O. Box 987, Malibu, CA., 90265, (818) 889-6988 Phone, (818) 889-7271 Fax, tassc@aol.com Email or follow Colin Dangaard on Twitter , Facebook, and Blog.

i love you.

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 15:53:52 -0400

If you love someone, tell them. Forget about the rules or fear of looking ridiculous. What is truly ridiculous is passing up on an opportunity to tell someone that your heart is invested.

"The most beautiful people are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known..."

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 16:14:25 -0400

“The most beautiful people are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These people have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”

- Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond..."

Sun, 24 Jun 2012 11:36:00 -0400

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.’ We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

- Marianne Williamson

"Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let the pain make you hate. Do not let the..."

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:58:05 -0400

“Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let the pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place.”

Renewed Pavement.

Wed, 02 May 2012 14:54:02 -0400

There is something very intriguing about the first road-run after a downpour of rain.

All week long, my mind and body pounds out the pavement, leaving behind a filth consisting of the unnecessary angst, frustration, guilt, remorse, and self-criticism that comes with my oftentimes inconvenient desire to perfect every aspect of my existence.

Such ‘running therapy’, so I call it, allows for each step to become lighter than the previous, even though I am expending an incredible amount of energy, breath and hard-earned sweat.

After a downpour, that layer of toxic residue has washed away and the pavement has been renewed much like my post-run outlook on all things, ensuring another successful week of positive energy.

Although I have been a consistent runner for over a decade, the miles have been readily increasing over the past few weeks and I must say it has really become a powerful contribution to my daily activities as well as my ability be a difference maker!

15 Favorite 'Things'.

Wed, 02 May 2012 10:15:00 -0400

1. Rompers (I want one in every color…) 2. VSX 3. Sunshine 4. Crystal Lite Lemonade 5. Running 6. Kettle & H2O (with a lemon) 7. Yellow Tulips 8. TOMS 9. Beaching 10. Lemon Bars 11. Guacamole 12. Spicy Tuna Roll 13. Lil Wayne 14. Beach Cruisers 15. Laughter

Don’t be shy. What are your favorite things?

"I’m allergic to cheating, I hate failure and I’m in love with achievement. Above and beneath it, a..."

Tue, 01 May 2012 06:10:17 -0400

“I’m allergic to cheating, I hate failure and I’m in love with achievement. Above and beneath it, a hug when I greet it—My eyes on the prize and I love when I seek it.”

- Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr.

Sweet Spot.

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:13:00 -0400

In celebration of Starbucks Global Month of Service, I’d like to spread a little love for this establishment.

Starbucks coffee—a product that can make or break a morning for a java junky, such as myself.

Readily attracting a brand loyal key public, this company represents a vast array of products from all sorts of beverages to crumpets and pastries as well as sandwiches, espresso makers and gifting merchandise. More specifically, my life requires a more than occasional morning thermos overwhelmed with Starbucks, medium bodied, House Blend coffee. Not just the black sensation of warm and satisfying goodness; A perfect morning in a mug also incorporates a thrill seeking touch of fat-free half & half. One sip and all morning folly is lost. Not only does the warm and silky sensation please my taste buds, the caffeine has oh so cleverly managed to persuade my inner thoughts—this medley does in fact makes for a more alert morning that enables me to accomplish more throughout my day.

Although I have heard a many consumer express their love for Starbucks coffee, I am also well aware that it is a limited market to those who dislike coffee. We’ve been made aware that too much coffee may increase risk of heart disease, but it has also been released that coffee is the number 1 source of antioxidants in the American diet. To defend the truth that fruits & vegetables provide the richest source of antioxidants, coffee is simply the main source for antioxidants in the American diet. Antioxidants are substances or nutrients in foods that can prevent or slow oxidative damage to our body. When our cells use oxygen, they naturally produce free radicals, which can cause damage to other cells. Antioxidants prevent and repair damage inflicted by these free radicals. With this knowledge, others should be minutely concerned with antioxidant levels. Therefore, I will continue to endorse my morning java moment and encourage those around me to embrace likewise moments of bliss.