Perception of Reality

Each of our perceptions of reality is real. How we feel about these situations are just as real too. Your experiences, no matter how ultimately universal are different.

Here's the good news: you are not locked into your perception of anything!

There are two golden ways to stretch your perception. Both ways take practice, but are attainable.

Ask Questions Especially "WHY?!" 
Asking questions can help you get to the bottom of your situation. Start with easy questions, and get to the harder ones.

A few weeks ago, I was driving through the streets of Philadelphia in my old burgundy Volvo. It was around 10am after a one inch snowfall from the night before. Flurries were in the forecast all day. As I was driving, I noticed the flurries made my world look like the inside of a snow globe. The sky was a brilliant blue. The sun was warm and friendly. My mind automatically thought it was snowing again. I saw white snowflakes floating though the sky and the weather station said  there would be snow. In this moment, I thought "why". I asked myself "why did it look like it was snowing?". That questions made me question my perception of reality. I look around and take notice of the fluffy snow drifting from the tops of buildings surrounding me. It wasn't snowing at all, the wind was just blowing snow to the ground. Although I was experiencing the same beautiful snowy moment, it was somehow different.

Language is Important

We use words to describe our world. We describe our perception of reality to others and most importantly to ourselves. There is a dialogue going on in all of our minds, all of the time. These stories we tell ourselves can be a blessing, curse, or something in between the two.  

Language is an important when looking at your life from multiple angles. In the story above, I talked about it snowing when I saw snowflakes floating around. The more accurate language to describe it would have been to say "I saw snow". Seeing snow floating around to describe the event is truth in both perceptions of that situation, where as saying "it's snowing" is limiting.

Valentine's Day is upon us. I have been noticing 'woe is me because I'm single' posts have been popping up on social media like dandelions on a suburban lawn. With a perspective change, the reality of this situation can be turned on it's head. There are a few ways to get out of this hole using language. Valentine's day is a day for love, right? What is stopping anyone from loving each other? Romantic love is commonly celebrated on on February 14th, but can't we redefine it? Love is love is love. Self love, love for friends, love for family, love for strangers. Ever get that warm and fuzzy feeling from doing something sweet for someone else? Ever love yourself so MUCH you are bliss-ed out? Redefine the things that upset you. Dissect what bothers you, find the basic meaning and apply it to your life. Setting you self up for failure will result in failure. Setting yourself up for something better won't give you perfection, but you'll have a better view of your life.



Slow down, listen to how you talk to yourself. Talk back, take over. xoxo

Super Friends

I have a super friend named Brian (or Brain as we call him at Trader Joe's). He got married to a pretty special woman, Danielle. They did something really neat for their wedding reception. Instead of having one party to celebrate their marriage and love for each other they had multiple parties all over the country. They also played music at every location, so it was really a splendid tour-reception-fun time- party.
Heres a photo from the shindig in Philly.

Brian is in the striped shirt, and Danielle is in the pretty red dress.
They are really great people.

You're My Sister

Whose Hand?

Img via RZ (private collection)
Text via Le Love

ERock

Trader Joe's hires interesting people. One of the most wonderful people working there now is Ellen. She is the sweetest girl, who has so much on her plate and always finds time for others. She is creative, bright, talented, and so hard working.
Yesterday we had some overlapping free time, which is a rarity. She invited me over to her gorgeous apartment. Not only does charisma and adorableness exude from every pore and action, but it also is recognizable in her living space. Take a look:

Purdy

This is my friend Erica Saellam, shes great. She and I both went to Kutztown, and often spotted one another in the art building. Erica majored in communication Design with an emphasis in fine metals.
Currently, she works for an amazing jewelery designer, Lenora Dame, creating awesome ideas and jewelry.


Here is just a taste of the wonderful things you can find on Lenora's website.









Alphabet Bracelet
Bracelet from the Bohemian Collection







Silk Ribbon Key Accented with Alabaster Rhinestone Bead
Earrings from the Romantic Collection











Czech Glass Fruit Cluster Pendant
Pendant from the Retro Collection

Blueberries

Blueberry picking in Paupack, Pennsylvania with the one I love.

Family

I love looking at pictures of my parents when they were young. This is their wedding.

Archie

Archibald Tungsten was born on Arch Street in Philadelphia. A friend, Kristen, rescued baby Archie, his feline mother, and siblings after she witnessed them being handled by rough children.



Archie was so sassy and lovable. He would sprint back and forth across the apartment; when he wound enough speed up he would slide Tom Cruse style down the hall on an area rug. He would break into the bathroom while I took showers to stick his paws, palms up, under the stream of water.

Arch had a boyfriend when he and I lived on Lombard Street. His boyfriend brought him gifts of dead birds and mice, and placed them outside Archie's favorite window.

Archie would hug your legs and bite your feet if you slept in on the weekended, causing him to eat a later breakfast. He hated flowers, and once gobbed up a whole bouquet. When I got home from work Archie would follow me around the apartment, and would make bread on my belly when I snuggled up to watch TV or read a book.


I lost Archie, and wish things would have turned out differently. I have come to terms with not seeing Archie anymore, but I still miss that sweet kitty.

Valerie

Valerie and I have been friends forever. We were in the same kindergarten class, and both swear we ate paste together. We took dance lessons for many, many years. I have come to know that one of the best place for girl talk is on a mat stretching out before barre work.


Valerie will always remember your birthday. She will dance the night away with you, and wait to hear the song you requested on the jukebox-even after everyone else went home. She will hold your hair back when you've had too much to drink and bring you soup when you've got the sniffles.

Valerie won't judge you when you tell her the crazy things you barely have the nerve to tell your best friend. She asks great questions, and always remember the important conversations you have.



Shes super-good with her hands. Val can apply liquid eyeliner with her eyes closed on a bouncing safari bus! She and I have made Halloween costumes, and Christmas ornaments up the wazoo, and they have all turned out beautifully. I think the crafts looked amazing because we were having so much fun doing them.

I love Valerie, her cute laugh, and fantastic personality. Shes the yin to my yang!

Connie

Connie is my sister, she's pretty great. Not only is she one tough cookie, but she can eat cookie dough with the best of them until bellies ache. She is super all around.

She is very musically talented, and can play so many instruments from the shake em baby eggs to the mandolin. Did I mention her gorgeous voice, yeah, well shes has that too. Impressive, huh? I think so.

She is two years younger then me, and swears that shes the cuter one. At least we have the same wide mouthed smile. You know, the one where you can see right back to our wisdom teeth because our top lips disappear. That smile almost won her homecoming queen in high school.


Connie can make almost anything. She'll knit you a scarf or leg warmers for Christmas, or sew you something pretty rad for your birthday. Once I got a pretty cool Kermit the Frog purse. I hear trees around the tri-state area will be recipients of some gorilla art sweaters. If you need a knot untied she's your girl.

We were college roommates for a semester, and managed not to kill each other.

She has a great sense of style, and can find a steal of a deal on a sales rake or salvation army. And can whip up an HTML code lickity-split. (Thanks for the help with the banner, BTW)

Connie knows her stuff about politics, and will roll her pretty blue eyes at you if you aren't a responsible American.

She loves coffee, history, and jewish culture.

Connie J and I have been best friends for 21 years. I love her.