In the bank parking lot yesterday, a car was backing up not realizing there was a woman walking directly behind them.  I grabbed the woman’s arm, saying “watch out!” and pulled her out of danger.  Was she thankful?  No.  She uttered a monotone response “…..please, I know” as she brushed off her sweater. 

Please what?  Please save my life on another day?  And you know “what” exactly?  Obviously you don’t know that those little back up lights mean steer clear of a moving car’s blind spot.  Next time I will let you live the consequence of your stupidity.

“Cara Ann, what kind of example is that of your Christmas spirit?” I’m busted.  The truth is that there are days when I am tired of being an adult.  Or should I say, I am tired of being responsible.  I am tired of thinking before I speak.  Being nice is seriously overrated.  I have exhausted my charm, my patience and my goodwill.  Today is one of those days.

I am in a Christmas Crisis.

Example:    Instead of biting my tongue while you complain (again!) about your life, I will tell you to, “get a life”.  There are people with real problems, like me.  I have been shopping for weeks to find boot cut cords and every damn store has skinny cords. Skinny cords are great for teenagers and super models.   I will however, restrain my urge to surrender to fashion because I am not going to be a “what not to wear” commercial.

Example:    When you talk loudly on your cellphone in the coffee shop, I am going to use my best Samuel L. Jackson impersonation and say, “Shut the Fuck Up!”  Let’s break this down.  You come in, order your low fat two pump 170 degree gingerbread latte and return to your car on average, in less than ten minutes.  Your conversation can wait ten minutes until you return to the privacy of your vehicle! I do not care about what she said and what he did or what time Susie needs to go to her birthday party.  Text if you have to but please, STFU!  The coffee shop is not a confessional, a soap box nor a supernatural bubble where we can’t hear your blathering on (and on, and on…..).

Example:    You people that take your (non-service) dogs shopping have to stop.  This may come as a surprise but dogs don’t like shopping and I don’t like to see your dog while I am shopping!  I feel qualified to say this because I am a dog lover and dog owner but stores are for people.  Please……leave Fluffy at home.  Fluffy needs his beauty sleep.  Oh, and the stores that post signs, “service dogs only”, please grow some balls and enforce the rules.

Example:    The children, pumped on sugar wreaking havoc in restaurants well after their...

There are times when the voices in my head can be really helpful!  Recently I had a little situation where I decided to consult my inner wisdom or what I like to call, “My Girlfriend Voice or MGV for short” for a little advice.

Last Sunday, a friend hurt my feelings.  There was no doubt that I was hurt but I couldn’t decide if I should I put a little space in between us or try to address the situation while the feelings were still fresh.

ME:  My gut tells me to talk to my friend but I am worried that I may make the situation worse because my emotions may cloud my objectivity.  I made a vow to myself to keep all of my relationships healthy so I feel the need to speak up.  It’s confusing!

MGV:  I am giving you the green light to talk now.  Talk from the heart.  Remember to use “I statements” and focus on how you feel.  Breathe and make eye contact.

ME:  (OK, here I go!) To my friend:   “Tonight I was upset.  When you did “X”, it made me feel “Y”.  I know it is not your intention to hurt my feelings but I felt it was important to let you know while it was still fresh in our minds.”

You:  “Silence………”

ME:  A yellow flag is flashing in my brain.  Does your silence mean you didn’t hear me?  Please, we are sitting eighteen inches apart.   I pause.  Ok, I’ll keep this simple and focused.   I wonder if I should I reiterate what I just said?

MGV:  AHEM.  Slow down and proceed with caution.  You may feel a little defensive and repeating yourself is not only unnecessary, it is really annoying.  Relax.  You have opened a dialogue.   Sit tight.  Take a breath.  Stop pursing your lips.

You:  “Oh”.

ME:  I don’t say this out loud but I don’t play poker for a good reason!   OH?  Did you just say OH?   WTF?  I was brilliantly articulate while emotionally charged.  Sometimes it is not easy being me!!!

MGV:  HOLY SMOKES.  Take a breath.  While your heart rate accelerates, you may lose sight of the importance of this moment.  You have two choices:

1. You can respond in a kind, compassionate manner.  The past cannot be erased but perhaps you will help shape future behavior?
2. You can react and do what you have countless times before,   you can ARGULATE.  (One of my favorite sources for information, Urban Dictionary, defines argulate as to argumentatively provide a hard-headed and ignorant fool the wisdom of your point of view; that which is undoubtedly right in every which way.)

ME:  RESPOND OR REACT?  Sounds familiar!  I do try to follow my own advice but sometimes it is easier to do as I say and not as I do.

I turn to YOU and say lovingly, ...

I just returned from my first trip to the amazing city of New Orleans!  What a place—a city rich in history and culture.

On the final leg of the trip home I sat reflecting on the warmth of the NoLa people and the pride associated with excellent products and services, when a man also traveling home from the South, made the following comment, “The only good thing about the South is the manners.  People there really know their place and respect white people.  They don’t have attitudes like these Mexicans over here.”

Maturity or maybe aging neurons provided me with the ability to pause before I engaged my mouth.  My first thought.  Did I just hear him correctly?  Yes, I am wearing my glasses.  (I swear I hear better when I am wearing my glasses!)  But this was someone my age or even younger…….hmmmm.

My second thought was why should I waste my energy responding to such a complete idiot?  But….. I can’t just stay silent, can I?  After all, communication is what separates us from apes…..

My neurons finally started firing on all cylinders and I managed to say this with a touch of icy calm, “Excuse me but everyone has a story and you cannot know the perspective of another person until you have walked in their shoes.”

May I point out I didn’t use any expletives? I zipped my lip.  I gave him no fuel to further engage me on any topic whether it is race, immigration or even the weather.  I am comfortable with my beliefs and I so much wanted to change his perspective but I deemed him a lost cause.  I also deemed him a racist moron in case you thought I had gone soft in the head.

My choice is to expend my energy where I CAN make a difference but driving home I could not let go of that conversation.  Isn’t this 2012?  Don’t I live in one of the most progressive areas of the country?  Why are we still judging people by the color of their skin?  Where is his compassion for a fellow human being?

People!! Let’s not forget that the United States was founded by immigrants.  Furthermore, we displaced the native people and exploited the cheap or even free labor of many others.

The beauty of this country lies in our diversity.   Celebrate it!

The color of someone’s skin does not determine whether or not we engage with them in a kind, honest and respectful manner.  For that matter, neither does their gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs and socioeconomic status.  All people deserve respect.  It’s really that simple.

“Treat others better than you wish to be treated yourself.”  That’s what my Grandma always told us and that is what I wish to share with you.

From the heart,

Cara

For something new, I attended a meditation meeting with theme of “creating space”.   My mind immediately raced ahead, trying to anticipate what wisdom the speaker would reveal.  (This is why I really need meditation in my life — to quiet my monkey mind).

Would this space be a protective bubble from all that is negative?

Would this be the space be a room or place of one’s own for quiet reflection?

Would the space be related to emotional space?

Were there ways I could create space or a presence in someone else’s life?

It is as simple as this.  The speaker described “space” as a moment when it is just you   connecting to your breath.  Space is a moment when you settle down into your core and “check in”.

We Americans are addicted to activity.    We look at sitting still and doing nothing as lazy, weird and uncomfortable.  We even multitask rather than focus on one particular activity at a time.  We watch mind numbing television to zone out.  I can relate to how difficult it is to do nothing but is “creating space” really doing nothing?  NO, it is a conscious act of surrender.  A very important SOMETHING!

Here is how I plan to sneak in more space in my day. 

I will get up a little earlier each morning to enjoy my coffee to the sound of the birds rather than the morning news. 

I will not overschedule myself with activities. 

I will have an electronics free evening once a week. 

I will breathe deeply when I stand in line, am placed on hold or wait for a document to load.

Space can be enjoyed in seconds and minutes, hours and days.

May the space I create for myself, help provide ample light to illuminate the beauty of my being.

Today someone asked me how I had changed since my younger years.  My answer was that I have not changed but rather I have fully settled into who I am; letting my authentic self be revealed.

Find space, dear friends, and thrive!

From the heart,

Cara

Artwork found at Simply Sitting Blog titled “Taming the Monkey Mind”

I am celebrating Olympic Gold here in the Zen Den!!! 

Twenty five years ago I moved to California and in a blink twenty five years later, I am starting again—my way.  In just the last two years I have experienced a move, a new job, the death of a parent and deciding to move forward on my divorce PLUS I became an empty nester all while facing my 50^th birthday.  If I recounted all that has happened in the last five or ten years—you’d swear I was a reading straight from the pages of a great work of fiction.  Too much drama for one person to endure!

Therefore, to celebrate the trials and tribulations of my last quarter century, I am awarding myself Gold medals in the categories of Mental Gymnastics and Emotional Track and Field.  I have performed like a champion! 

Hands down, this is the happiest time of my life.  Why you ask? Because I learned that being happy begins with the intention of being happy; then you have to make happy happen.  Make more happy, think less crappy.  (I have not been drinking (much) today.)

I minimize, eliminate and avoid the things that don’t make me happy.  Let me clarify, I don’t avoid responsibility.  I live through uncomfortable moments and learn from them.  I refuse to be victimized by my struggles.  Where there is pain there is growth whether I am ready for it or not.  I don’t grin and bear it but rather I grit my teeth and swear.

I also laugh at the weirdest moments.  Like when I walked into the county jail to visit someone only to realize I was wearing my bright red 4^th of July tank top that said, in sequins no less, “I Love Freedom”.     I didn’t plan this of course—I wouldn’t be that insensitive.  There lies the funny.

I also thanked a quiet man who approached me in the grocery store yesterday to say, “Your aura is huge and warm and that of a healer.  Standing next to you I feel just as good as when I am home cuddling with my eight cats.”  I kid you not.  It was a “bless your heart” moment –more sweet than creepy.  I’ve decided that I may be a super hero in disguise and since the name Kittylicious is already taken, you can call me Madam Meow.  Is this funny or is it just me??

Or the time I was standing in the library when a wiry four foot tall silver haired elder grabbed a book right out of my hands saying she had seen it first, she just needed time to walk across the room to pick take if off the shelf.    One of the few times I found myself speechless!  Had to laugh at that one….  I was bullied by a tiny granny!

The brain is pliable and can be rewired for positivity after just a few weeks of concerted effort.  If you feel that you have nothing to celebrate, look again.  You may be looking for miracles while missing...

You can always tell how out of control my life feels by the number of organizing projects I complete in a week.  For instance, there is something intensely satisfying after I clean my desk drawer, delete useless computer files or organize a closet.  It is only Saturday night (yes, I chose to stay home and clean!) and I’ve run out of things to organize while chaotic worries jump around in my brain.  Tomorrow I am going to move to my “creative projects” like the amazingly funky dresser I bought for $15.  Once I clean it up and paint it, I’ll move it into my home office – then I can re-organize for another full day!

I joke with my therapist saying how good my silverware drawer looks after an emotional week.  Organizing my silverware drawer is a technique I use when my emotions are spiraling out of control.  I line up the forks, spoons and knives in pretty fashion and ten minutes later they lie there like little compliant soldiers.  Whatever was bothering me seems long gone.  You may call this crazy but I don’t care — it’s simple and it works.

I can’t control the people and situations in my life but I can control the heck out of my flatware!

I’ll never forget the time a doctor suggested I take advantage of a cognitive behavior therapy program for depression and anxiety at a local medical school.  Yes, a class on depression – for depressed people.  At first I resisted because I could think of nothing more depressing, than sitting around with other depressed people.  After all, I can just organize something to feel better!

Sarcasm aside, this class turned out to be a pivotal learning experience and I am ever so grateful to have participated.  Out of respect to the others in the group, I will not share any details from our discussions.  I will however tell you that I have the highest respect and regard for my classmates and the courage they displayed over the six week period.

Getting by with a little help from my friends, the “FRIENDS” being a few techniques I learned in my class and continue to incorporate into my life.  I have limited my list to 5 because frankly, I have a hard time remembering more than 5 things at a time!

1. Pleasure Principle (I bet that got your attention!)   Think of a teeter totter with the end on the ground holding your negative thoughts, your problems, and anything that is difficult.  On the side up in the air, start to fill the seat with “pleasure providing” activities which begin to balance out the heavy side.

For instance, if I need to have a discussion about our divorce with the X, I make sure I have several fun things planned around that discussion to help minimize the pain (and his toxicity).  If it is time for those lovely monthly/quarterly reports, I write from my favorite place (the library) and I reward myself with something...

I almost can’t decide what I want to write about today!  Maybe I will tell you how I had a giggle fit drinking champagne straight from the bottle at the movies on Saturday night with a girlfriend– it was a first!  Or there was the voice mail saying, “I am on my way to help a Mom with a drunk 13 year old.  What should I do??”  Well, let me tell you.  I have a little too much experience parenting teenagers – is this because I was such a good teenager that my kids paid me back quadruple fold with their “learnings”????

What a minute, I see a correlation …. My kids have driven me to drink!  Not only can I help you with your parenting, we can tip our glasses to the joys and wisdom of midlife!

Speaking of kids, can women have it all?  This is the headline of a magazine for smart people in the checkout line.  (I try not to mention names because I am anti-advertising.  It is also easier to diss people, places and things when they are either anonymous or the names have been changed to protect the innocent.)

So is it a slow news week or am I missing something?  Perhaps I am feeling a tad bit bitchy (it was cheap champagne after all) but I believe the majority of women already know that we can’t have it all.  We make choices and then make the most of those choices.  Comprende?

What is the “ALL” in this article?  Well, it is referring to a simultaneously creating a happy family and a fulfilling career–

This year I turn 50 so I feel like I have a realistic perspective to share.  When I entered college, the plan was to head off to medical school but by my junior year, I had no desire to live the lifestyle of a physician.  Very fortunate for me, I found a career that balances the science and the business.  I was driven to be a career woman and I knew that marriage and family could coexist with my professional life.  Don’t ask me how, I just knew it or was too stubborn to admit otherwise.

I married young and had two babies before I was 30.   I chose to work from home and travel very little once I went back to work.  Did this limit my advancement potential?  Damn right but I was doing what my heart or MGV said was the right thing to do.  I thought I had a supportive partner (no further comment, especially since I am feeling bitchy today) but I was managing it all alone while my husband’s career continued to blossom.

Editor’s note—there is no “balance” in the life of a working parent.  Something is always tugging at you and you have to let some things go.   Pause and Prioritize; those PP moments!

I could go into a deep philosophical discussion about why we women want it ALL but glass ceilings, boy’s clubs, historical precedents, gender bias, biology and so on…we women are often swimming upstream. 

I...

I was reminded this week of the way life moves at a pace all its own whether you are ready for it or not. One of my favorite people in my Friday reading group was absent for the last two weeks.  I asked if he was on vacation but was told that because his disease had progressed so rapidly in the last month, he was moved to an assisted living facility.  This day program is designed for those still able to live at home so I wouldn’t have the pleasure of Irv’s company any longer.   My heart was heavy because this man had provided me with so many humorous anecdotes and stories of his life.  I told him we would sit down and record of his memories once I purchased a decent recorder.   I didn’t move fast enough…..

Today is your only guarantee. 

Being that it is Father’s Day today, I am reminded of how my Dad loved to bask in the happiness of his children.  It wasn’t until his father passed away that he admitted his dad never told him he loved him.  My Dad knew Grandpa did love him but why was it so hard to say it out loud?  As my Dad aged, he grew more sentimental and affectionate.  There was never a time that I spoke to him that he didn’t remind me that he loved me.  I carry this tradition through with my own children thinking what if this is the last time we speak?  Now I know that is a bit morbid but let’s err on the side of morbidity just in case, huh?

I lost my Dad too soon.  I knew the end was approaching and I felt a sense of urgency to convey a “lifetime of thank you” in a short period of time.  I thought to myself, what will I regret not saying while I have the chance?  So I chose a beautiful card and wrote to Dad letting him know that he shared many wonderful qualities and interests of which I was grateful.  At the same time I may have inherited his stubbornness and impatience too!  It was important to me to memorialize my thoughts.

My Dad encouraged me to find my own way and this is a big part of who I am today.  I wasn’t the kind of kid that needed a lot of rules because not meeting his expectations was enough to scare the daylights out of me.  I learned by experience.  Yes, he was right that freshman shouldn’t date seniors but he let me come to my own conclusion after one miserable date.  I even told him he was right!  Finding my own way is an integral component of my success as a parent and business person.  Most importantly, “finding my way” is what fuels me to discover both myself and the world.  Finding my way helped me leave a dysfunctional relationship knowing I was going to be OK.

My Dad supported the idea that you don’t know unless you try….. but you can’t quit in the middle of the season!   I wanted to play freshman volleyball and lucky for me everyone was accepted to the team. ...

On Friday’s, I volunteer with a day care program designed for people with early stage Alzheimer’s.  I have the good fortune of selecting material for a reading and discussion hour.  Today we talked about how a mother wished she had more patience and was never angry with her children but Mister Fred Rogers, educator and TV host, advised that the best thing we can do for our children is to express a wide range of emotions, including anger (just appropriately!) so that our children learn healthy habits.

I asked the class, “What is something important you wish to teach or talk to a child about?”  The list was long but the answers that registered most with me were happiness, the power of prayer, compassion and the importance of helping others.   I couldn’t agree more, adding my two cents, perfectionism is overrated.

I also mentioned that at my office we have something called COURAGEOUS DIALOGUE, a major factor that attracted me the company.  If you have an issue with someone at work, regardless of their position, you ask for a Courageous Dialogue (CD) where you come together to work things out.  Each person has the opportunity to hear the other one out, one on one, without judgment and under confidentiality.  I have used the process and there is nothing more refreshing than hashing out a miscommunication before it festers into a larger problem.

My personal life isn’t always so tidy.  Today I got an email that angered me to such a degree that I was speechless.  If I were a cartoon character, you would have seen steam blasting out of my ears, my eyes the size of saucers and my hands accusingly placed on my hips.  In real life, the surge of blood pressure caused a bloody nose, nature’s way of getting me to sit down and breathe, so I couldn’t get in the car and go confront the offender.

I can’t remember the last time I felt such disgust and rage.  That part doesn’t really worry me – after all I’m only human.  The real danger was that I started to doubt myself.  When the anger left my body, it took along my self-esteem for company.

I phoned a friend.  I took the high road and didn’t respond.  I’ve learned that “TWA” or “typing/texting while angry” leads to bigger trouble so I shut off the computer, washed my face and cuddled with my doggie.  I have a very good support system!

This is what gets me.  I am perplexed by people who don’t have the integrity or maybe it is the courage to communicate honestly.  These people, no I’ll call them gutless eunuchs, hide behind insulting emails, gossip and lies. These adults really disappoint me.

Listen, just do me a favor and stop playing this stupid game.  We don’t have to be friends.

I’ll do you a favor.  I won’t spend time with you so you won’t be reminded of how...

For most of my adult life I did not want anyone to know that things weren’t rosy behind the white picket fence.  I thought if I admitted my struggle, it was a negative reflection on my character.  It meant I was weak, incompetent, lazy, and maybe even stupid.  Pretty harsh words, huh? 

I was acting a part.  I was the perfect wife, mother, friend and professional.  What I didn’t know was that if you play the same role for years, you begin to forget who you are.  You drift further and further away from your true self and become a character from your imaginary life; just going through the motions.

Avoiding those feelings or then deciding not to seek help meant that I could tune out what I didn’t like——-shut off the critical voice.  I didn’t have to hear how horrible I was, however, there was a big price to pay.  There were days that I would BLOW without provocation.  More often I would cry in the bathroom or in the car – that is where I could touch up my makeup so no one knew I had been upset.  Put on a pretty face and carry on!

Last week I touched base with a friend who seemed different but I couldn’t put my finger on it.  They asked me for advice on how I remain positive despite the many things I have on my plate.  I truly am happy despite living in one of the most stressful times of my life.  My secret?  Once I started to admit I wasn’t “FINE” every time some asked me, I started to feel much better.   It sounds simple because it is.

Now I don’t go on and on, in intimate detail every time someone chirps, “Hi, How are you today?”  I am not obligated to say FINE.  I’d rather to say something I am happy or grateful for.  It shifts my thinking over to the positive side.

Let me interrupt this thought with an important reminder.     Before you start giving anyone advice, ask them if they WANT YOUR advice and if they do, speak only from YOUR OWN experience—that is your truth.  If not, zip your lip.

Why did I choose to check my emotions?  What was I avoiding besides the critical voice?

I thought my friends would judge me when they knew I was struggling.     THEY DIDN’T.

I thought I would have to justify or defend my decisions.      NOPE.

I thought they would abandon me to avoid the drama.    NOT A CHANCE.

I thought I may intensify or attract more of what I wanted to get rid of.   This is something to pay attention to.  If you feel stuck and you are repeating yourself, there may be another issue at play.  I am talking about letting the words flow through you—looking for a release and ultimately resolution.  Solid and stuck versus fluid and liberating— can you see where I am going?

Acknowledging what you are feeling allows you...

For the last two weeks, the word ALIGNMENT has been on my mind.  Perhaps this is a good thing since I am on a ten day business trip—the “Cara –Palooza”—jaunting across the country, meeting folks for my day job.  I love meeting the clients in person but I have to say, sitting in airports and wearing the same two outfits over and over is making me cranky! 

In simple terms, alignment can be defined as the proper placement of muscles so that your bones have to do less work and therefore expend less energy.  (I always feel better after yoga!)  Another example is how we balance the tires on our car so that they wear evenly.  This makes sense in the physical realm, however, what does alignment mean in the non-physical realm?

Emotionally I feel neutral; like my tires are balanced or my weight is evenly distributed between my two feet.  It took a concerted effort to land in this ZEN DEN.  At first I would describe the feeling as hollow or floating.   I didn’t know what to do without a whirlwind of turmoil in my head or anger in my gut.  Slowly the practice of gratitude and living in the present shifted me into neutral.  My mind is not fighting my emotions.  I prefer to think I contemplate my emotions.

Last week my favorite Uncle passed away after a long battle with emphysema.  He was plain tired of fighting and after a bought of pneumonia, he remained physically weak.  We joked that he liked control down to the very last detail but I am sure that he felt both a spiritual and emotional alignment when he decided it was time to let go.  Uncle Dave always made me feel good about myself and for that, I am blessed. 

Alignment is not intuitive because evolutionarily, we are born to react.  Being on the defensive or as I like to call it, being prepared (wink, wink), means I am threatened by you or I pose a threat to you.  If you take time to smell the daisies, practice kindness or god forbid meditate, prepare to be mowed over!

Alignment is an active practice. It is a choice with a lovely pay-off.

As the “Cara Palooza” comes to a close, I feel the need to offer a Public Service Announcement for those of you who don’t travel often; to help you get into alignment of course! (and out of my alignment)

1. The gate attendant will not forget to board the plane when it is time.  You don’t have to remind them to do their job.
2. Please exit the plane as you would exit a church service or wedding— ONE ROW AT A TIME. 
3. Do not block the aisle, hallway, sidewalk, etc. with your stuff.   STEP TO THE SIDE.
4. You loud talkers — STOP!  Just because you have time to talk doesn’t mean you should.
5. Use headphones— I am trying to read “Fifty Shades of Grey” in the row behind you and I don’t want to listen to that crap you have blaring at full...

What a night!  Attending a dinner party on a school night seemed like such an illicit affair! Delicious food and even more delicious company!  We sat at the dining room table and used the good china! I wouldn’t have cared if we had been served frozen waffles on paper plates.  I am grateful for the opportunity to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

There was a spiritual kinship amongst the guests; five women who have reinvented themselves at least once if not twice in their lives.  Women who shine because they possess the fine quality of being authentic; comfortable in the skin they embody.

At 7pm, a gong sound rang out and our “Hostess with the Mostess” let us in on a wonderful new practice.  At the same time every day, the gong sound reminds her to stop and say a blessing for her friends.  WOW—uber cool!

She learned of this practice while visiting a college friend and wanted to pass it along to us.  This is the ultimate “hostess gift”.  If you have read some of my previous blog posts, you know I proselytize the “power of the pause”!!! I absolutely love it this idea and thought I’d pass it along to you.

Let me share a few more notes from our gathering.   We agreed that kindness never gets old.  We discussed the importance of a “friendship network” and how confidence is the sexiest quality in a person.

Remember the phrase, “Be careful what you wish for!”  I am a firm believer that the intentions you put out to the Universe will be answered but I was advised that the intentions I speak of may not be specific enough.  Holy smokes, thank you.  As a result, I made an appointment with the Universe today and restated my intentions in very specific terms!  Phew.

I am reminded of a story where a blind man was granted one wish.  You would imagine he would ask for his sight but his wish was as follows and I paraphrase, “I wish to be standing on the roof of my mansion, covered in gold, watching my many grandchildren play in the vast garden.”    Was he greedy?  Maybe but the moral of the story is to ask for exactly what you want.  Just sayin!

Today I felt a renewed sense of creativity.  Was it the result of the gathering?  YES!  The people you surround yourself with can lift you up or drain you.  Be selective with your time.

You are your most valuable resource.

Thank you, ladies!

From the heart,

Cara

Photo credit:  spiritsentient.com