The Purity of Fall Bliss.....

I am hopelessly in love with the changing season that is fall and its exhilarating nip in the air, which sets an edge to ones’ energy.  Don't get me wrong, I can find much love for the summer, spring, & winter but they do not hold a candle to my affection and grandiose feelings of aliveness felt in my heart for an autumn breeze. Inhaling the sensational allure of what is fall; the spiritual energy of air intermingling with soul creating a recharge followed by a refreshing tingle all over....how can you not react with such purity when the Autumnal Equinox sets above?
The sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, if we are lucky enough to have it, snow is enchanting. There really is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather in the fall. I am particularly fond of the rain this time of year.  Being uniformed in my galoshes alongside my boys, taking on as many puddles as we can find, letting the rain kiss us and sing us a lullaby.  Anyone who says only sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain.  The fall weather can provide a great metaphor for life – sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad, and there’s nothing much you can do about it but to carry an umbrella and if you’re lucky a rainbow will apologize for the angry skies.  Some people get wet in the rain; I much more prefer to walk in it.  The best kind of rain, of course, is a cozy rain.  This is the kind the anonymous medevil poet makes me remember, the rain that falls on a day when you’d just as soon stay in bed a little longer, write letters or read a good book by the fire, take early tea with hot scones and jam and look out the streaked window with complacency.
The grandest feelings of fall are the “in the moment” experiences.  I like to suck them ALL in, even the tiniest ones that most persons would look past.  I thrive on the spooky wild and gusty; swirling dervishes of rattling leaves racing by, fleeing the wind flung deadwood that cracks & thumps behind.  The substance of the winds is too thin for the human eyes, their written language is too difficult for human minds, and their spoken language mostly to faint for the ears; it’s all so poetic. I love when the sun creeps beyond a gray cloud and its rays lay like a friendly arm across your shoulder.  I am ecstatic by the excitement of Halloween and the spookity feeling it has deep in my heart; the wiles of imagination, decorating with great enthusiasm with my family and delivering on child hood thrills. Picking out pumpkins at a pumkin patch is all too momentous and sets anchor to the season.  The magical sound of laughter at festivals and the enjoyment of community shared with friends and love ones is squishy sweet.  Snuggling up with a book, blanket, and my little love bug boys under the trees in our hammock while the birds sing us enchanting songs gives off a refreshed feeling.   Adventurous hikes are a must with touching, smelling, exploring, & experiencing nature at its best.  The smells of crisp leaves burning in the air defines the season’s charm.  Rustling around in leaves always promises tons of laughter with my boys.  On a cold evening, making use of the fire place or the fire pit outside and roasting marshmallows’ engages great conversation. I look forward to school activities, volunteering, cooking, baking seasonal treats, parties, strolls on the beach on a windy day, star gazing the chilled skies, the mountains, endeavoring my favorite restaurants that have outside seating,  hayrides, football, opening windows, my husband wrapping me up in his arms because my bones shiver from the cold, traveling and oh so much more!  I love being in love with every little moment.  Taking notice to all the little things makes for tremendous bliss!  Here's to another year love affair with all that is fall/Autumn.

                                                             MEET:
                                                     Autumn and Fall

 In honor of great gifts of fall: these were our flying squirrels that literally fell upon us 4 years ago on the first day of fall on a chilly, crisp Saturday morning. We no longer have them, they are unfortunately very high maintenance and that just was not going to work out with a second baby on the way.  But they sure were cute, funny, adorable, & entertaining creatures. My jack-russell terrier treated them as though they were her pups and gave them baths. They were amazing flyers too and loved just hanging in your shirt pocket for hours.

Creating Perfect Packaging can equal Irresistible Bliss........

Have you ever had the feeling you were meant for great things? As a little girl, did you know you had something special to express into the world?  Many of us have lost touch with our whimsical, feminine dreams of greatness in exchange for a more driven, masculine take on success.  Without even knowing it, we've been enlisted on a mission: to prove we can do it as well as or better than, the men.  We are all so desperate to attain what we imagine will make us equal and happy (a successful career, marriage, family, 2.2 kids) that we forget who we really are: brilliant, sexy and magical beings like no other.
We've forgotten that our power lies not in competing with or trying to be like men but in embracing our natural and womanly strengths of compassion, enchantment, and tenderness.  We are intuitive healers and masterful lovers.  Our hearts run deep with emotions, and we cast a wide net of spiritual truth.  Our sexuality and feminine wiles inspire, enliven, and empower. We as woman are remarkable.
The world is in desperate need of irresistible woman; woman who are willing to be enthusiastic, alive, and expressive-regardless of the circumstances; woman who are not afraid to tell their truth or speak up for what they believe in; woman who feel at ease being intelligent, sensual, and compassionate all at once; woman who do not compete with, demean, or do battle against men (or other woman) but who see everyone for who they really are - fellow human beings also in search of a great life in search of love & bliss.
A woman must claim & show her irresistibility to the world as key to fulfilling her potential as a woman and a human being.  It's the secret to making an impact on the world you were meant to make.  Woman who embrace their irresistibility hold the heart to the world. Be sure to embrace your feminine as well as your masculine energies.  We all have both and integrating them in a balanced way is the key to unlocking your full potential as a human being and your bliss.
A huge part in being your irresistible self in a perfect package, delicious, scrumptious, take me home now gorgeous gal kind of way takes pride and respect in one’s self and I'll give you great examples of how to achieve that.  The real sin against life is to abuse and destroy beauty, even one's own- even more one's own, for that has been put in our care and we are responsible for its well-being.  Perfect packaging is the art of making your outer appearance a natural and irresistible extension of your inner fox.
 Now Irresistibility Action Tips:
*Do not wear clothes that actually do not make you feel attractive & just pray that someone will notice your inner goddess underneath the layers of T-shirts, baggy sweaters, and sweatpants? Go through your closet & get rid of old, unattractive, and unflattering items.
*Update your cosmetics and have fun with your make up.
*Love thy hair!  Invest in a great style and lavish your hair with the best products; be good to your hair it's one of your best accessories.
*Take care of your skin!  Do body scrubs, enlighten yourself with an oil bath and always be sure to moisturize. A woman should be soft just as she is elegant.
*Make sure to take care of your teeth, a bright smile can brighten everyone’s day, get professional support in this department if need be. I must give an honorable mention to one of my dearest friends Trig in this department because she does it "oh so well" with her amazing bright smile, it will truly make your day and lighten up a room!
*How about your figure? Do you maintain a strong & fit body or do you hide your babe-ness behind a layer of unhealthy extra weight?  Create a consistent exercise routine.  Not too skinny though, curves is where it's at!
*Update bras & underwear, cosmetics & skin care & hair products, jewelry and accessories, shoes, work clothes, evening clothes, workout clothes, socks. Newness is always great!
*Do you know your body type? How clear are you on what you should or should not be wearing? Become aware if you are not already.
Irresistible woman pay attention to the details.  Become practiced in treating yourself like a beautiful diamond that sparkles with a little polishing.  Commit to having everything you own be in great shape- especially you.  In life, everything matters.  It's not different with your appearance.  Healthy skin is just as important as healthy hair.  Great shoes are just as important as great clothes.  Nice bras are as important as nice socks.  Investigate your wardrobe, your cosmetic bag, and your jewelry box.  Look for rips, stains, or wear & tear and get rid of anything that doesn’t make you feel your best.
Simply become aware of details and commit to keeping your appearance clean & crisp.  I'm not suggesting you take on an obsessive-compulsive striving for perfection, but do experience the personal ease and satisfaction that comes with having things around you being well taken care of.
And finally and most importantly, don't rush as you get ready for your day.  Apply makeup carefully.  Allow enough time to wash & style your hair so you look and feel fresh.  Do what you know will support your irresistibility inside & out.  Drink water, take vitamins, and wear sunscreen.  Nourish yourself with healthy, nutrient-rich food that fuels you.  And never underestimate the impact that consistent exercise has on your irresistibility, with all the benefits exercise offers, the payoff is well worth the investment.  "Investment" being a key word.....Invest in you and be irresistibly blissful along the way.

Thank you to my husband......

I feel so very fortunate in having such an incredible loving-supportive husband that I am going to dedicate this post by thanking him for being just that. Together my husband and I dance to the beat of our own tune. We live a beautiful life filled with love, laughter, adoration, and tremendous respect & support of one another and cherish it without a care in the world of how silly we may come off to others. You look in the dictionary and our relationship defines “Awesomeness.” Ok, I am being a bit silly but to us we really do think highly of our relationship and we should because we have worked for this great foundation we have provided with one another.

Now to my lover: I thank you for always embracing me for all of my odd quirks’, my moodiness and always making light of it, constantly teaching me new things, truly fulfilling your role as husband and father going way beyond any expectations I ever had, being a true romantic, always flashing a smile at me to follow with a hug, kiss, and butt grab every morning when we first wake up, for being affectionate all day every day, for treating me like a lady, being protective of me, for tons & tons of laughter, finding my bossiness cute(I'm just going to think of it as being a leader type personality though) being the best snuggler, being my strength when I am weak, being my eyes when I can’t see, for still dating me-loving it and still calling me your girlfriend, holding my hand, for always desiring me, always being on my side at functions, for being my lover, husband, & best-friend, completing my thoughts, for being my knight in shining armor & always rescuing me, being a great communicator, dancing with me without a care in the world at home & in public, for being an honest Godly man and for enjoying going to church as a family every Sunday, sitting down every evening at the dinner table as a family, for Friday night family date nights, showing by example of being kind & respectful to our boys,  always putting us-your family first no matter what and everyone knows this and where you stand- no question end of story, looking into my eyes so passionately, placing value on our love; our beautiful boys and not items/things-our love represents our riches, having great values and truly portraying them, for always messaging me and rubbing my feet,for helping out around the house without me having to ask, for always being on time,  indulging me in my cravings in a minutes notice, letting me fall into your arms and just cry, cry, cry when needed and feeling so safe there, for embracing, respecting, and loving me as the strong feminine unique woman that I am, for always catching me when I fall (literally & figuratively), playing guitar for me and singing to me, watching chick flicks with me, for working so hard so that I can be home and present in every moment in our boys lives,  for supporting all of my free time without ever making me feel guilty for it,  and finally most importantly,  for being fully devoted and committed to us. Thank you for showing & proving that real men do exist in this world, no excuses about it.

Every woman needs to be strong and still be soft on the outside. As a woman understanding exactly how to mix your femininity with DIGNITY, how to mix being a Strong Woman with your feminine warmth – I am so grateful to my husband for being supportive in my being this kind of woman and by that he continues to blow me away with the most exquisite, thrilling, happy, easy, fun and most eternally committed and fulfilling blissful relationship. I love you my sweet, sweet, handsome lover.

Up your self Esteem By Being The Siren You Already Are Within…..

I've been hearing a lot from woman as of lately whom are not feeling too confident in their relationships, so maybe I can provide a bit of vice in hopes that it can help some ladies out, so here we go. Are you finding yourself working so hard to get a relationship and or keep it going? Depending On Him To Feel Good Always Backfires.  When you are sensitive and insecure around men and are constantly monitoring what you say or do around them.  Men can actually feel this tension. It’s like a puppy - watching for hand signals from his master so you know what to do. Yuk, unattractive, after all you should be roaring like the sexy lioness you are! The good feelings you may be so desperate to have from a man aren’t possible if you’re not feeling good about yourself to begin with. Let me save you a lot of time and pain by sharing a powerful Relationship Tool: " I Am All That"

Imagine that your attractiveness is boundless, your eyes are magnets, your heart is an open pool of gold that man wants to dive into, and your body (no matter what you think) is a lush place that man longs for, feels awestruck just thinking about getting close to, and yet feels safe within (this goes for woman married, single, & dating). If you are not already a confident woman with self awareness and knows this is already what your man see's, then really try and feel that's what he sees, thinks and feels.  “He’ll want to know what it is that makes you feel so confident, and he’ll want to get in on your “I'm all that!”  When any doubts, fears, and negative thoughts come up, simply tell them to step aside.  Paint this picture of boundless attractiveness for yourself right now, this moment, and keep it going all day and night, no matter what happens.  Once this picture is in your mind, and the good feelings it brings are in your heart and body, you'll notice something amazing happening.  When you're in the market, at the drugstore, walking down the street, and waiting in line at the coffee house - you will begin to experience yourself as a magnet for men. Once you start practicing this Tool - and I mean make it a habit every day - you'll find that your love life takes a huge leap in the right direction.  Why?   Because you have created the very feelings within you that you have so desperately tried to get from a man.  And that is very empowering - not to mention extremely attractive.  Practicing this Tool, and mastering it, is the first step to feeling so good and so at ease within yourself that your man will literally be running to be by your side.  He’ll want to know what it is that makes you feel so confident, and want to get in on your "I'm all that!”

This doesn't mean that you pretend you don't like a man - not at all.  On the contrary, a man needs to know you like him, but - and here's the clincher - he needs to know that you value your own life. Putting a man's needs ahead of your own and taking a backseat to what you want is not the key to a man's heart.  If you do this you will learn that not making yourself, and your life, your number one priority is actually getting in the way of the romance you so desperately want.  If a man gets the feeling you're making him more important than you, he loses interest.

 Be a woman who has a lot of interesting things going on all the time and your man will just want to naturally be around you.  I assure you, your man will always lavish you with attention and affection. And the best part you don't have to manipulate or “pretend” to be something other than your genuine, feminine self to inspire this kind of love from a man.

I know this goes against everything we women have been taught, but it's true.  Men don't fall in love with us because of how much we do for them. They fall head over heels because of how they feel when we allow them to be useful to us and do for us.  They fall in love when they have to invest in us and work for our love.

 In the classical Greek myths and in stories and legends that live on today in art, music and movies - the Sirens are creatures - half woman and half animal who live on a beautiful, flower-filled island off the coast of what’s now Italy.  The Sirens play and sing on the island, and the beauty of their voices is mesmerizing to anyone who hears. And of course, the only ones who hear are the men sailing past the Siren’s island.  In the myth, the men are so enraptured by the Siren’s song that they jump off their boats, swim for the island, let their boats crash on the rocks, and climb up to be with the Sirens.  What the stories say to us now, if we read them and listen to them, is that a woman has a pull on a man - a “hold” over him - so strong that he would risk everything - his life - to be with her.  What we can hear in the stories is that ALL women have this power.  All women have a Siren Song.  All women have the power to hypnotically attract a man.  You are NOT the exception!  Being a Siren is your birthright as a woman, and we have all been taught to ignore our Siren within.

All you need to do is understand that power you have, believe in it, and know HOW to USE it.  ANY woman can become a Siren!  You just need to know how to tap into that Siren Power and share it with a man so he can be “caught by your song” and “drawn to your island…” There is a real way to attract men like a magnet - even the man you’re with right now who seems fatally disinterested and cold - WITHOUT worrying about all the things we women have been TAUGHT to worry about, and using the strengths and qualities you ALREADY HAVE.

Know your special love within before focusing on him. Look out a window and imagine what it is that you love (aside from him).  Imagine the love in your heart - all that energy and sweetness and passion - going out the window to that thing you love.  This might be painting, or the beach, or giving to those less fortunate, or helping people in your special, unique way.  Really contemplate what it is that you love about this thing, how it has enriched your life, and what it is that makes it special to you.  Notice how it makes you feel centered and with a sense of purpose.  Suddenly, you'll realize that there's a lot more to your life than this one man, and you will feel your personal power flooding back to you. Instantly re-shifting your focus like this works like magic.  This creates resilience of self- power that attracts a man’s heart to your heart. The truth is once you really discover who you are & love yourself, you’ll know on your own why “I am all that” without having to remind your self and that is sexy!

What makes a man fall in love?  A man falls in love with you because he knows he can be himself around you.  He falls in love with you because he feels SAFE expressing his innermost, private feelings with you.  He feels this way because he knows that you can handle your feelings.  He can sense that. And because he senses that at the most unconscious level, he starts to long for your company, for your touch, for your affection. He may not even know why he feels this way.   All he knows is that there's something special about you that he doesn't feel with any other woman in his life.  He's in love with YOU and that is BLISS!

Don't forget to date your lover......

 I often hear about couples that they just don’t have time to spend with each other. Whether the problem is children screaming, dinner to cook, clothes to wash, work, other obligations, the list goes on and on. As parents you know it can be difficult to have alone time with your spouse. So the underlined question is, where do you find the time to keep the sparks flying in your marriage and why wouldn't you make it just as much a priority as your mothering or being noticed in your profession? Mothers may find it difficult to take care of the household, work and still have time to nurture their relationship with their spouse. Do you have a calendar filled with events but no mention of time with your hubby? If so, shame on you both and correct that now! After working all day, driving kids to their various activities and making sure the household chores are done; you may not feel like getting cozy with your husband. However, it is important that you set aside time for each other. After a long day, I can’t wait to just be with my best buddy and above all getting that extra special attention that I can only get from him and wouldn’t have it any other way, after all that’s why I married  him.

Romance, fire, electricity is vital to a relationship, to not have that, you are setting your relationship up for failure in the future. Everyone has close friendships, great bonds, a best friend or two. But, no one should ever top the best friend such as the person you chose to spend the rest of your life with, the best friend who you’ve chosen to also give you sheer pleasure & the intimate desire, personal affection a friend cannot give you. If you are not nurturing this, then you are guaranteed heart ache at some point. It is human nature, to have a need of desire/fireworks. This applies only to folks who truly married the love of their life and not folks who married only just to settle. If you settled then you most likely cannot comprehend the feeling of electric love....if you actually know it then you would not have settled. 

I am not saying to just have sex. I am saying you need to date, have sweet intimate dinners, overnight dates, work lunches during the day, sweet phone calls with a voice that say’s “I love you”… not always a text, sweet & sexy notes left to be found by your lover, buy sweet little gifts without any reasoning, openly be affectionate to one another…actually put thought into your love affair with your spouse.  I can go on & on about how to adorn your lover.  I assure you, if you take care of him he will take care of you. Keep in mind that it is the little things that keep the romance alive. Instead of dropping hints to him on how you feel, just be blunt! Men find no attraction in a woman who is not assertive in her needs. In fact, "they find it sexy in you knowing what you want."  Men really are simple creatures, sometimes they just need direction. However, I’ve also known of men/spouses that really just don’t get it, my opinion of that is and you have heard it said by a popular book, “he’s just not into you,” if he’s not making any effort…plain & simple. If it gets to this point you may have deeper set issues and most likely have not had true romance in a long time. Let me stress, men and woman alike NEED romance.

 Doing little things for your spouse will bring back the spark and hopefully your spouse will recognize what you are doing and begin returning the favor. If you chose not to wait & see just be open & discuss what you are going to do and  tell him to hop on board alongside you. 

It’s called communication and if you are not able to communicate on an intimate level, I’d imagine the rest of your communications can’t be all that good. I bet there’s a lot of vague temperament, eye rolling, huffing & puffing, & being short spoken... going on.  Remember that communication is the key to any successful marriage. If you and your spouse are not communicating then you can’t expect your relationship to be satisfying. The more you ignore the need to talk with your spouse, the more frustrated you may become and this tends to break any relationship down.

Finding the time to spend with each other is important because if you and your spouse are having problems, this in turn will cause problems within the family as children pick up on the tension between you both. This is all the more reason to keep the marriage in good working condition, which does require work from both partners. One solution may be to tackle household projects together with your spouse. Working as a team will allow you to accomplish more and thus free up more quality time to spend together. A real man will do anything, yes even help around the house if he truly loves you, just to have more time with you. Some men may need a clearer picture and not all men can be mind readers, they just need you to be more verbal. 

So make that dinner reservation with a sexy atmosphere (no chain restaurants people, treat yourselves), add romance, get a babysitter and enjoy the time together as a couple ALONE and you will be engaged in your blissful relationship together!

Organize brain running.......

While I have breath in my body and life in my soul, I love my dedication to living life to the fullest and part of this puzzle I do that by running.

Running is the ultimate power vacation—no phones, no kids. But all's not quiet in the brain while pounding the pavement. In fact, I’m performing mind acrobatics: problem-solving, making a to-do list, even drifting to a calm state. "Running gives me the freedom to access those inner processes that the busy outer world often robs me of." This is when I do my best thinking & have the most concentration.  If you’re not much of a runner, start with walking being goal oriented of running in the near future. For me, I’ve actually noticed my brain is more focused when running over walking. I suppose picking up the momentum, it almost becomes like I’m in a tunnel. In this tunnel, I am able to be alone with my thoughts as to where walking I can’t seem to get this.

Running has a way of untying some huge brain knots and I have many. Because I'm stepping out of my task-oriented days during a run, I'm subconsciously turning off creativity-killers like distractions and rationalization. Add in feel-good brain chemicals triggered by running, and my brain is at its best. So why not take up running?

I am a go go go kind of gal, something I don't think I'd be able to do if I did not give my brain the alone time it's needs to focus on what I really want and need out of life in order to live my life too to the fullest in a blissful manner. Ever notice it's hard to follow through with things in life if your brain is too tired to think out the next step and instead you end up on the couch or locked up in your house? So the best way to follow through & live your life, do the things you want, start with your brain and organize those thoughts....you'll be amazed at what a difference it truly makes.

Sexually blissful............

In wake of my new found love for blogging, dare I touch on the subject of sex & its allure which co-insides with absolute bliss? Well, I am going to forge ahead anyway and open you up to a very analytical & critical thinker such as me, in one of my most favorite subjects. To not write about it would be denying my whole truth in all my bliss, plus I have the sexed confidence as a woman and can write whatever I want.

The subtle body is alive, full of meanings, poetic, expressive in every organ & part, intimately connected to emotion & feeling, and by no means least, beautiful.  This is the body that engages in sex, a body with so much soul that any attempt to deny its layers of meaning will likely come back to haunt you.

The looking that goes on is sex is not mere seeing, we are looking for sheer pleasure of it & the raw physical gratification. Gazing erotically at the human body, I’m frozen by its allure, & engaged by its profound allure of wonder, full of fascination & pleasure. In compulsive sexual curiosity I suppose I look at the erotic body religiously with deep devotion & with a transcendent goal.

I crave the one thing most people repress- the need to explore & contemplate the mysteries of powerful desire, intimacy, and the drama of erotic encounter. Life is a door to existence & through the loved person we find deliverance. My husband is my deliverance who I cherish. With my husband, sex is also a doorway where life is lived by us and very well together, I might add.

When I present myself to the gaze of my husband, I am making a gift and likewise. Letting down tools of self-protection & defenses, exposing self to a soul’s reflection….not being seen just in physical stature, but in my very being. The intense feelings involved in disrobing, the inhibition as well as the pleasure of self-exhibition, are due not merely to physical condition but to the emotional. It’s an enormous thing in any life to be made visible; to be revealed. Sex is alluring & at the same time overwhelming in its sheer vitality & emotional power. Sometimes it may offend dignity because it’s more than human, not less?

We all need the adult voice of responsibility & the adolescent voice of raging hormone to fully enjoy the balance of sex & be overly blissed & taken away by it.  Imagine becoming less certain & less informed, getting in touch with your foolishness & ignorance rather than your intelligence, & learning to allow sensation to dim rationality. Imagine personal growth as a matter of becoming more humorous & more earthy; and emotional health as being in touch with body & give into pleasure.  Hmmmmm….great way of thinking, don’t you think?

In sex an inner life of strong emotions & vivid fantasies meets with a real person to create a moment of exceptional intensity when life is full and reason is dim…..the hunger that can’t resist the appetite so to speak. Which this brings us now to “orgasm”, the elicit physical joy of pleasure! In the Greek dictionary, it describes orgasm as a sacred place- Amen to that!  Also in note of the Greeks, let me talk about the “human bottom” (buttocks) which is extremely deserving of its esteem. The Greeks entertained a high notion of its beauty (as does my husband). The “ass” is a figure of lustful excess & violent disorder. Now that’s good stuff, gotta love the Greeks & their wise take on things as grand as the booty.

Now, where you can destroy your bliss by sex is having negative attitudes towards sex which can interfere with its vitality. This special level of sensitivity requires a high degree of openness. Great sex requires that we leave ordinary reality behind by entering as deeply into sensation, imagination, & passion.  Through our partner we glimpse something that human creativity can’t manufacture. The world is more interested in making new gadgets, yet never spends time developing inner technologies like imagination and invitation. Imagination is the realm of all bliss.

Affection is the process of making love sensual, and so it may lead towards sex, so as not to lead by manipulation & emptiness. Affection is a doing kind of love, not a thinking one, or always having to ask one. I’ve seen couples who both show no affection or either one does while the other does not and these are the relationships that are usually missing full bliss….they’re not on the same level of love… sadly. Folks who live with a sensation of heaviness have difficulty finding joy in life due to deep seated habit of forbidding themselves to certain pleasures & satisfactions.  Joyful/blissful sex requires that our morality be mature & alive. Complexes are negative in tone, but they are the raw stuff of one ’s self that needs to be refined to the point where it can be woven into the whole fabric of life & personality.

Basically to sum this all up, sex finds natural expression in loving, passion, & active attention. Sexual desire can be satisfied in creative engagement, as long as desire, passion, pleasure, and other qualities of sex are brought into the enterprise. Sex is a God given gift; never take it for granted and if you’re doing it right, you should be happy as a lark!  It makes for a great hobby too. I can’t imagine any of my future blogs will ever be as interesting as this subject matter I’ve just embarked on…we shall see…till then walk around with your head up blissfully sexed beyond belief!

Activities.....

Boy have I got some good one’s today…I’ve always felt to be the queen of staying active/busy. My philosophy is that I’m blessed to have my health, working arms, legs, a good heart, and for what it’s worth a brain…why would I sit on my butt not making any use of any of this…too easily it can be taken away.  I thrive to “keep on keeping on” it’s what keeps my bliss going as well.
1) De-clutter. A clean home is a clean mind, and you'll feel better in an orderly environment.
2) Donate to charity. Giving to those less fortunate than you will make you appreciate what you have.
3) Laugh…I seem to repeat this a lot but it falls into every category. Take an hour and a half out of your day for pure laughing entertainment and you'll feel instantly boosted.
4) Take a nap. I wish I did more of this but when given the chance a quick power nap, especially on a sunny afternoon, is luxurious and will help you make it through the day.
5) Change one thing in your daily routine. You'll stave off boredom and might discover something new that delights you.
6) Take a walk. Taking a quick walk, even just around the block can clear your mind and raise your mood.
7) Surround yourself with smells that make you happy. Smell is a sense that greatly affects our mood.
8) Listen to upbeat music. Even just a few minutes of a hip-shaking tune gets your blood flowing and makes you feel more positive.
9) Make a home cooked-meal. You'll get not only tasty food, but the pride of having made it yourself.
10) Dress up for no reason. Putting on clothes that make you feel good increases your self-esteem and your mood. Whether you think so or not, people do judge by appearance & how they present themselves on the surface, their grammar, etc… Self-expression is great but try your best not to come off as an idiot.
11) Do something you loved as a kid. Riding a roller-coaster or scavenger hunt can help you connect to your inner child and remember simple thrills.
12) Wear red…my favorite color. I read once that red can make us feel confident, powerful and strong and it is so very true!
13) Splash on some perfume/aftershave. Smelling nice always adds extra cheer especially if some else notices.
14) Volunteer your time. Selfless acts and helping others is a fast route to genuine contentment.
15) Decorate your home for the holidays. Preparing for holiday celebrations is always fun and a great excuse to invite friends and family over.
16) Take time for yourself. Go to a movie, or a museum or a walk around town by yourself to re-connect.
17) Perform random acts of kindness. Hold open a door for a stranger, pick up a strangers tab anomalously, or leave some money in the vending machine, for no other reason than doing something nice for your fellow man. Such acts are priceless to your heart.
18) Send snail-mail. Rediscover the pleasure of old-fashioned communication. Yet another lost art to co-inside with thank you notes. Make it your goal to make it popular again.
19) Make time to curl up with a good book. It can be either a thought-provoking tome or a guilty pleasure.
20) Put thought into your bedding. Be cozy and happy drifting to sleep and wake up to a happy morning.
21) Dance, dance, dance… dancing is fun and stress-releasing.
22) Clean the house. Even if you don't like cleaning, a clean home can drastically improve your attitude. Plus, you work too hard to have a roof over your head, why not have a clean one.
23) Find a hobby. Painting, singing, tai chi—it doesn't matter as long as you have an outlet to express yourself. It drives me nuts when people do not have hobbies or too many to keep up with. Keep it moderate, this way you really get something out of your choice.
24) Turn off your phone for a day. Let people know in advance that you are taking a personal day and can only be reached in case of emergency. Savor the silence.
25) Sing in the shower. It doesn't matter what you sing, just make sure you belt it as loud as possible.
26) Stash some money in a secret place so you can discover it later. Pick a spot you're likely to forget so you get a thrill weeks or months later when you stumble on it.
27) Enjoy a guilty pleasure TV show. Make some popcorn and banish the guilt—we all need a cheesy escape sometimes.
28) Go for a walk or jog in the rain. Something I LOVE when the opportunity approaches me. The high produced by exercise will be heightened by the cool rain on your face…simple pleasure.
29) Enjoy a cold beer or chilled wine on a hot day. Need I say more? I’m not a big drinker but I love a cold beer after mowing the lawn!

30) Go to hear live music. Hearing music live puts you in the moment in a way an iPod can't.
31) Travel when you can. Travel can open your eyes to the world and offer a fresh new perspective. Take a weekend trip. If you haven't got the funds for a jaunt to Paris like I wish I had, no matter. Even a weekend or day long break from home can make you happier.

32) Spend time by the ocean. There's nothing like sand between your toes and fresh sea air.
33) Go stargazing. Find a spot relatively free of unnatural light and marvel at the beauty of the night sky.
34) Sit in front of a beautiful view. Find a spot close by with a nice view that you can visit when you need a break. I have so many of these spots.

35) Create a blog; it’s quite therapeutic to get your thoughts out of your head in a different forum. I've shared so much of what I'm sharing in my blog with others and the usual impression I get from them is "what planet are you from" persona. Here I get to share without the look from others who just don’t get it.

I am enjoying this blogging and in some way feel like I am writing a book. I have not all the secrets but I've sure paid a lot of attention & made mental note of what makes & creates my own bliss. Now I've been lucky today in that I get to partake in #4 with my 3 year old....yummy bliss!

Relationships.....

Relationships are vital to our humanity. Without the warmth, contact, network, support, closeness of it all you might say, what would even be the purpose of existence. Have you ever heard of a happy, blissful hermit? I don’t think so! Be nurturing to relationships including you…you are an important relationship to someone else.

1) Get a dog…who doesn’t love a wagging tail.
2) Give more hugs. Hugging releases the same chemical as a massage and is always free!
3) Make time for your friends. Personal connections are so important and making even a little time to be with people who make you smile can keep you happy.
4) Make new friends. Meeting other people is exciting and finding a new person with whom to connect can only enhance your fulfillment.
5) Write thank-you notes….it’s a lost art these days, but expressing gratitude makes you and the recipient happy.
6) Call your mom, dad, grandma, or a friend, anyone you haven't talked to in a while and surprise them with a chat.
7) I am not a big cat person but get one if you're not a dog person, cats make wonderful, loving, stress-reducing housemates and bed-warmers….even moody one’s-they’re just funny.

8) Communication is key, key key! Never hold in something if you feel it in your gut, that’s your gut telling you the obvious. Nothing ever gets settled without a bit of word action.
9) Cuddle up with someone you love. Enjoy time with your kids or your lover for instant happiness.
10) Hang with kids. Being around children's infectious optimism is sure to boost your mood.
11) Hold a baby. They're cute and cuddly and without a care in the world—you'll feel instantly uplifted.

Health.....

After just watching the Woman's World Cup between the USA & Japan I am going to be sure to add “Health” as the next great association to your bliss. The dominance all these woman allowed us to take witness too is beyond inspiring and if your adrenalin was not pumping during this game, then you just might be dead because it was fantastic! The sculpted bodies on these women showed their power & strength that keeps them going. Below I’ve listed items with health that I’m sure all the woman of the USA Soccer Team would surely agree with, you can’t get as far as they do without taking care of your health.

1) Laugh out loud. Laughing releases endorphins and lowers levels of stress hormones.
2) Get more fresh air. Fresh air is invigorating!
3) Work out. Exercising can not only make you feel better about yourself, it also releases endorphins in your body to give you a natural high…..so why not…it’s so natural!
4) Eat chocolate….duh…this is a given.
5) Meditate.

6) Get a massage. Besides its relaxing properties, the touch involved in massage creates warmth in your body and releases the chemical oxytocin—also known as the cuddle hormone.
7) Have sex…another duh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8) Getting enough exposure to the sun has been proven to be crucial to happiness and well-being….so get that vitamin D. I can attest to this during the winter at times.
9) Drink coffee. Coffee is the world's most popular mood-enhancing drug, but remember to drink in moderation.
10) Eat more spinach. Popeye's favorite green is packed with folic acid, an important vitamin that boosts serotonin production.
11) Eat more colorful fruits and vegetables. They contain antioxidants which help remove toxins from our bodies that cause stress and aging.

12) Get enough sleep. Sleeping for 8 hours per night can elevate your mood and better prepare you to greet the day.
13) Take vitamin C. Keeping your immune system happy will keep you happy.

Remember, if you’re getting light winded too easily, then you’re not getting enough oxygen to the brain, and well then it can all go downhill from there, let that be your first & only sign to be sure to exercise, lose weight if needed, and build your strength so you can conquer anything, mostly your bliss!

Attitude.....

Your "Attitude" is most relative to your bliss among other things and I'll get to those at a later date but for now let me start with the most important.  In fact, in my opinion it is what can make or break your bliss.  It all depends on how you choose to conduct  yourself through attitude.  Below I have listed 19 items (I tried for an even 20 but this is all I've got for now) that I truly believe help guide me through life & make me able to engage in my every day bliss.  I'm sure you will find these to be relevant & make a lot of sense.
1) Smile. It takes fewer muscles to smile than it does to frown.
2) Be grateful or even going as far as making a grateful list. Focus on all the great things in your life to enhance feelings of joy and attract more good things.
3) Break outside your comfort zone. Being comfortable doesn't make you happy—challenging yourself does.
4) Follow your gut. Most of the time your first instinct is not only correct, but the best choice.
5) Don't regret your decisions. If it turns out you were wrong, don't waste time worrying about it, instead make the next best decision and move forward.
6) Accept that you can't be happy all the time. Focus on being content and the "truly happiness" will be all that much sweeter.
7) Try to see from others' perspectives. Much of our unhappiness comes from our frustration with other people not understanding us. Try to imagine how they see the world and the frustration will ease.
8) Let the little things go. There's no sense in wasting your energy and inhibiting your happiness by worrying about things you can't change.
9) Make the decision to be happy. Happiness is an attitude, not a physical state.
10) Don't take things personally. So often, anger and frustration directed at us is a result of someone else's misplaced stress. Recognize that it's not necessarily about you and you'll remain calmer and happier.
11) Savor the small moments. People who take longer to enjoy small moments and then reflect on them later in the day show significant increases in happiness....I know, I'm one of them.
12) Avoid comparing yourself to others. It's damaging to self-esteem—focus on your own achievements.
13) Make meaningful goals.  Humans need a sense of purpose to thrive, I've noticed having dreams and aspirations make you happier than if you are without them.
14) Embrace spirituality. Research suggests and I have purely witnessed that people who participate in a religious community or explore alternate sets of beliefs are happier and better adjusted in life. This is so true; non-participants do not have the same light as a participant (just my opinion & observation).
15) Have a good cry when you need it. Allowing yourself to break down completely is cathartic and you'll feel better after you let it all out.
16) Do realize some folks act out in rude deliberate ways towards you only due to jealousy of your happiness, but never allow that to bring you down or make you hide your happiness either. That's the worst mistake anyone can make, just because you take control of your own happiness and another does not, doesn't mean you should bring your self to their level to have something in common. Take it as an omen that you have your shit together and keep on moving.
17) Learn to forgive yourself. Focusing on your past mistakes serves no purpose besides keeping you from moving on.
18) Maintain perspective. When life starts to feel out of control, remind yourself of the positive things in your life and how lucky you are.

19) Define what happiness means for you. Don't worry about what other people define as happy, find what makes you happy and go for it.
Till next time, keep up a good attitude & enjoy great bliss because of it!

Friday night bliss....

Friday night dinner out in one of our favorite intimate restaurants, the hubby, boys, & I.   It's raining outside, dim lighting, and as usual great talk, laughter, chaotic goofiness from the three year old, friendly chat with our server.  We love this place; it is special to us and even our kids. The 8 year old shares his fondness and this is coming from a gentleman of few words unless, it is a subject in regards to Lego.  Even our other little guy can't wait to get there once it's mentioned.  To top it off, as we all open our fortune cookies, each one reading perfect in reference to us all.  Mine read, "You are admired for your adventurous ways".  My hubby agreed in more ways than one (wink), but what really blissed me out of this world was when my 8 year old said "Oh yeah, that's totally you mom!”   I thought this was sweet but he added in much detail his knowledge of why he felt this way so boldly.  He hit it on the nail though...I was like "Wow you get me!"   Just when you think sometimes your little people may not be paying attention to who you really are other than "only mom", sweet little moments like this engage you.  My littlest guy even began chiming in once he caught onto the discussion.  Awe to be savvied by your children's enchanting words because they know you & to be known by your kids, to me says they really dig you,  and that is the icing on the cake of pure bliss. 

Take the fear out of your rear and just go with it…..

Why allow fear to get in your way of conquering the unknown.  Have you ever had such a fondness for something and never had the guts to do it once you were actually faced with an opportunity? Or, have you had a grand interest in a subject matter, yet never taken the available time to attack it?

What is fear? Is it a tiny indication of confidence lacked there of? I have to imagine so, even if in the slightest.  Are you best accompanied with confidence in the presence & support of another?  If so, then why not use this and gain over all strength of doing what you set out for by not allowing fear to weigh over you.  Of course you may choose to just tackle your task head on in solitude, after all self-perseverance is extremely rewarding.

If you can’t sing, do karaoke.   You can’t dance, start by wiggling your hips out in public, hell do it while shopping at Wal-Mart(this is much fun)…who cares if people are looking; most likely they are cheering you on with your ability to just be. You want a new hair style but you're just not too sure with your features, do it anyway, hair grows back.  You want to lose weight, make it happen, start sweating.  If you are interested in art, pick up a pencil & sketch pad and go to town.   People are rude to you, jump back with a fantastic smile & a cheery “how are you today” and move on...never fret or fray & allow it to ruin your day (I felt the need for a rhyme).  You’re afraid of speaking in front of a crowd; find an opportunity to do it anyway.  You are in the process of learning & conquering & a teacher or pear gives opportunity to share what you have grasped, never be the last to hold up your hand & certainly do not bale at sharing even if you end up being last to go…because that would just be lame.  The best perspective is if you end up looking silly, “so what!”  At least you’ve added a bit of cheer to someone’s day, hopefully including yourself.  After all, if you can’t laugh at yourself then you must not be the best of company….lighten up and take not, yourself too seriously.

It’s ok to be cautious but what better way than to prove to yourself that you can take on a challenge and even meet others along the way & learn from one another.

In simplifying things, “the biggest consequence of fear is missed opportunities.”

Embrace those in our lives & surround you with joyous souls....

There is nothing that can light you up like the laughter with a friend and a joyous soul.  In our journeys in life, we will come across all types of personalities which are; powerful, abrasive, downright hilarious(my favorite type), inspiring, peppy, self-loathing, born-leaders, manipulative, creative, Debbie downers, mentors, bullies, resentful, respectful, chaotic, and simply lovely.  Now we all can harbor some or all of these traits in some way or another, after all we are all human, but it is how much of yourself  you spend in certain areas that can speak volumes about your overall personality type as well as the one’s we surround ourselves with.

The simple truth in a blissful world in relation to relationships is to be open to everyone and give them a chance.  Know what you like in a person, may that be that you prefer to have a lot in common; but never weigh out folks whom differ from you.  Difference can be just as colorful and teach you things about yourself you may not have known otherwise.

 I am so very blessed to have some of the most incredible people in my life whose souls could out shine the sun; they are all so bright with charisma and joy.  Now I know I may sound like I’m exaggerating a bit by saying “I believe my friends to be perfect” but I assure you this is not a far stretch at all from the truth. They each have several important things in common, that being they are all very funny, loving, positive, non-selfish & giving.  Yes, there are many more different qualities that set them apart in different ways and that is what makes them so positively brilliant, individually unique, & interesting.  In turn these wonderful beings add much light to my life.  I like to think that I was lucky to stumble upon them, choose & cherish them and in return they have done the same. 

Take note from the destructive relationships we all have come across at some point or another in our lives and learn from it.  And let me state, never allow a sizzled out relationship keep you closed off from future ones.  I’ve seen this too much and hey, I’ve been there too (for like a minute), it’s normal to go there but never deliver on this thought.  It’s acting out on it which can make you miss out on some of the most fabulous people.  People in our lives serve much purpose whether they are a stranger with a kind word or a blunt truth you pass on the street, neighbor, child hood friend, co-worker, altar boy who simply flashes you a gentle smile that makes your day, family member etc. 

So as I check out, I will go out on the note , “embrace all but be wise to keep those extra special joyous souls close & cherish them”, in turn I’m certain they will do the same by you.

Always being the "Nice Girl" can bring you stress and self-scrutiny….

I'm not stating to refrain from being nice, cordial, pleasant, peppy, or even the "Go To Girl"; but I am stating that you be assertive in not being a door mat in the process.  The “Nice Girl” has a stigma that comes along with her generosity and that is being looked past as being anything else other than “Yes” girl.  The girl who is called for a favor at last minute notice, “oh, she’ll take care of it girl”, a car ride, watch my kids, the one another person tells another person to call  because well, you’ll do it, and bla bla bla… the list can go on.  It’s great to help others but when you start to realize a pattern and maybe with certain people, you may want to reevaluate you.  It is simply OK to say NO and without any reasoning.

 I know a lot of really nice folks who have no hesitation in saying yes and it is a tremendous quality that makes them special; they have enormous hearts…however I’ve also seen how sometimes it can make them irritable, snappy, stressed, and ruin their day. This behavior is usually a result of them saying “yes” to something when they really needed to say “no”, a result of them also having a lot on their plate while they agreed to help out another anyway.  A common mistake of wanting to be a people pleaser or everything to everyone case scenario.  All this does is create stress & aggravation completely taking away what bliss you may have had.

I know this all too well because I've also fought the battle of trying to be the “Nice Girl” and still at times fall victim to it. Where this has gotten me in the past is feeling taken advantage of at times & overwhelmed. In a sense, I actually created this by not taking notice & allowing it...in fact, by not being honest in the first place, I did create it!

The truth is that you can still be the “Nice girl” but like everything else in life, with choice or balance.  Don’t say you can do something if you have to go through a ruckus to rearrange your day/life if it truly puts you out, unless it classifies as good reasoning.  Know that when declining, it’s normal to see disappointment in the other party but do not let that be your incentive in having to please and feel responsible to have too “turn the frown upside down” so to speak.

The truth is that none of us are perfect although we never fall short of trying, which only makes us human.   This is not a bad trait to have but it most likely will set us up for disappointment from time to time and that’s alright … just try to manage your happiness along the way with it.  Never feel selfish in prioritizing your happiness when helping others, incorporate it!  

Excuses Extract Bliss.....

Do you have an excuse for everything that entails fun, self-expression, stepping out of your comfort zone, trying new things, obligations, engagements, actually falling through with interest & engagements?  If in fact you can identify with any of these, then you are blocking yourself from your own bliss and you need to dig out of this rut!

On far too many occasions I come across folks that will not try new things regurgitating the lamest of the lame excuses.  For example, a group of lady friends are taking a dance class and one is less incline to participate delivering the line “I don’t dance, it’s not my thing”.  Now although that may truly be the case, why miss out with what most likely will turn out to be a good time with girlfriends anyway?  And who knows you may discover something new about yourself along the way.  Now, I’m not promising you will actually learn what you so hesitantly have avoided  however, you made the first step to getting out of your excuse habit.

The more you take the extra step of conquering your own excuses, the less excuses you’ll be making in the future. I suppose my point is when you deny yourself an opportunity to grow & learn about one’s self in any way or manner, you are not learning new things and allowing growth in who you are or may be. The more you can experience things in life the more free you become to do anything and that is pure BLISS.  It adds a confidence & knowledge within that you would not have discovered otherwise with an excuse.  If you try it once and it does not work for you then you have your answer and a legit excuse to decline if asked again.  So when you are in moments of question, remember to “stop extracting your bliss with what is nothing short of an excuse”.

One's Self- Heart, Soul, & Mind

In my creating this blog I am wanting to share many different things in life under many categories & subjects in which to create your own bliss and make the most of it.  Now, I am no professional of any sort, nor am I saying that my suggestions or opinions are right but these are tools that seem to work for me in my bliss and who knows, maybe they will be helpful even if it's in the slightest to some one else.

Now, where to start?  I suppose "self" would be a good one.  One's self being & worth is the most important way of looking at things. If you are not happy with you, then how do you suppose others will react to you.  There is no worse feeling than being mist a conversation with someone and discovering another being who has no self worth. It is something that can not be hidden...body language is a tell tell thing. 

Way's of looking at your self worth begin with a healthy heart, soul, & mind.  A Heart filled with love that takes notice to all that is love in your life; as well as having a healthy heart by which I mean exercising it. Simple advice, if you keep moving, so will your heart. Soul in means of a sense of faith & conscience. Which way you choose to practice what faith means to you, it is your own but do know if you have no full understanding what your "faith" means, then how else do you instill faith in others? Having a conscience is a huge part of morality and if you keep your morals in check then what a great way of keeping your soul at ease.  
The Mind is a great thing and unless you keep it fully stocked with tools, then you just may loose it. First off, you can not have a healthy mind without a healthy heart & soul, they are hand and hand.  Never fail at filling your brain with knowledge, love, passion, meaning and especially knowing who you are...this all makes for a healthy mind.

The meaning for these three words may be thought of differently and what ever that may be for you, the words are simple to use as guidance. In a moment of "wow is me" ask your self if you are good in the moment of heart, soul, & mind and from there maybe you can guide your self to the answer of correctness.