(image found here)

Perhaps you’ve heard the doomsday predictions that today might be the end of the world; that the Mayan Calendar has reached its end and that’s all there is too it. I can’t say I buy into this notion however on a spiritual level, there is much talk about this being a time that brings the world to an end as we know it. Of course I don’t know whether this is true or not, though it does bring me some comfort when the world around me feels extreme in intensity.

Earlier this week I watched an interview Marie Forleo did with Astro Twin, Ophi Edut. In the interview they talked about the role our North and South Nodes play astrologically. One tells us what we need to release, the other guides us on what to embrace. I’ve been told to release my rose-colored glasses, scattered living and my tendency to make sacrifices for the group; instead I should solve problems with facts, embrace grounding routines and support individuals. Find out your own guiding Nodes here.

Happy Solstice.

Today’s post is the first in a series entitled As If It Were A Dream in which I will pair an image with some of my own writing.

(Photo by Eliot Lee Hazel)

They walked with such purpose but she knew they had no idea where they were going.  They’d just left a banquet, violently throwing their sharp metal forks to the ground before falling into line and taking to the road.  They were peaceful but lost and it didn’t seem to matter.  She admired the beauty of their parade while being simultaneously put off by their obvious disinterest in keeping step with one another.  She could tell which of them was laughing and which of them was serious and which of them wished he’d been given a pinker suit.  She knew that the music would soon start and their neat line would break apart as quickly as it had come to form.  Momentarily many other men, women and children would be among them and they would no longer look like this uniformed group thoughtfully marching toward the celebration.  There they’d be only themselves, no longer appearing to belong to each other.  They’d dance and they’d talk and pretty soon they’d be hungry again.

(image via here)

I have spent some time lately staying in other peoples homes and as always, I am drawn to their bookshelves. On top of that, my passion for books and reading has skyrocketed since our travels. I love to see the way people arrange their books. Do they do it by color? Topic? Author? Do they embrace their bookshelves, or do piles of books just end up a bookshelf?

As someone who doesn’t currently have a home of her own, I dream of my next bookshelf. I dream about the books I will acquire throughout the years and the ones that will change my life, entertain me or change my perspective about the world.

I recently came across the book My Ideal Bookself, by artist Jane Mount. She asked 100 creative thinkers what their ideal bookshelf would be and why. I think it is a great idea. What would your ideal bookshelf be?

Remember Lauren’s post about her bookshelf? Check it out here.

*image via here

If we’re laying all of our cards on the table – or if I am, I listen to a lot of self-helpy/spiritual/how to live podcasts.  It can be a challenge to find ones that aren’t totally cliche or poorly produced, so once I find one I like I often listen to it more than once.  Today’s find reiterated the notion that everything you seek can be found within you & that though we cannot control what happens outside of ourselves, we are in full control of the way we experience those things.  While sometimes I think it’s easier to turn a blind eye to these facts, they are pretty powerful if you’re up for the challenge.

(image via here)

“If your deepest intention is to connect to the intuitive truth within you, and to be unconditionally loving, accepting and compassionate to all beings, then you need fear nothing.”

~Keith Jordan

When we were little, we used to celebrate St. Nicholas Day by leaving out one of our shoes in front of the doorway on the night of December 5th.  We’d wake up the next morning to find St. Nick had filled them up with a few little presents.  It was always such a simple and nice treat.  If you’re interested in picking up the tradition, tonight’s the night!

*image via here