Creating Your Serenity or Sacred Space

Serenity Space

Serenity within you can lead to a serene world outside … especially if that is what you seek, and if you want to experience serenity within, a serenity space will do the job splendidly. A serenity space is an environment or a space that … just being there … fills your being with a sense of peace and comfort.

For me, it would be the back-porch of a home that overlooked water. There would be comfy chairs and plush cushions. There would be music … new age, chants,classical, piano, and soft sad jazz, like Naima by Coltrane. There would be incense and candles, lots of candles - all shapes, all sizes, some scented, some not, and some that crackled like wood in a fireplace. There would be blankets of all thicknesses; all soft and all long enough to wrap myself in. There would be books of prayer and meditation, and prayer beads. Oh, and I would keep a bottle of wine available and a bottle of whiskey. You never know when a glass of wine or a shot of whiskey will come in handy. They can help … and they taste delicious going down.

This serenity space really works for me on many levels. I like having my spot near water as water can be an incredibly tranquil sight. Combine that with the briny smell and the sound of waves crashing against the shore and I am in heaven. But, I need the security of my home for a feeling of safety. A back-porch allows me to separate myself from my house without actually having to leave it. The accessories are items that provide pleasure or comfort or both.

I can see it now. I come home from a long day. I change into something light, airy and comfy. I bring a glass with me out to the back porch … and some matches. I light the candles, turn on the music, pour myself a glass of a full-bodied wine and sit in one of the comfy chairs, while wrapped in one of the soft blankets. Facing the water, listening to the gentle ebb and flow of the tides, inhaling the sea air, leaning back and gazing up into a star-filled night … soon, very soon, I feel my muscles unwind and the tension slip from my limbs. Next, I feel my brain ease into a place of pleasure. Within minutes, I am once again in balance and at peace with my world. Yes, this would be my place of serenity, my sacred space, my place for spirit renewal.

But, I do not live near water.  Thus, for those of us who do not live near water, a back-porch without a view will work just as nicely. Or what about a place with a view of mountains, snow, gardens, or trees. Or a room with photos of tranquil sights hung on the walls and ensconced in attractive picture frames. Whatever room it is, wherever it is, most important is that the room itself makes you feel good.

Once you have the room or space, stock it with necessities and things that bring you pleasure. Not too many things. The room should feel peaceful and serene, not cluttered and cramped.

Serenity is best found when one is sharing space and time with nature so if you can't go to nature, bring some nature into your serenity space. Plants, seashells, flowers, or anything in nature that calms your soul and lifts your spirits is appropriate. Add some music or Serenity Space

Serenity within you can lead to a serene world outside … especially if that is what you seek, and if you want to experience serenity within, a serenity space will do the job splendidly. A serenity space is an environment or a space that … just being there … fills your being with a sense of peace and comfort.

For me, it would be the back-porch of a home that overlooked water. There would be comfy chairs and plush cushions. There would be music … new age, chants, and soft sad jazz, like Naima by Coltrane. There would be incense and candles, lots of candles; all shapes, all sizes, some scented, some not, and some that crackled like wood in a fireplace. There would be blankets of all thicknesses; all soft and all long enough to wrap myself in. There would even be a few books of prayer and meditation and prayer beads. Oh, and I would keep a few bottles of wine available and a bottle of whiskey. You never know when a glass of wine or a shot of whiskey will come in handy. They can help … and they taste delicious going down.

This serenity space really works for me on many levels. I like having my spot near water as water can be an incredibly tranquil sight. Combine that with the briny smell and the sound of waves crashing against the shore and I am in heaven. But, I need the security of my home for a feeling of safety. A back-porch allows me to separate myself from my house without actually having to leave it. The accessories are items that provide pleasure or comfort or both.

I can see it now. I come home from a long day. I change into something light, airy and comfy. I bring a glass with me out to the back porch … and some matches. I light the candles, turn on the music, pour myself a glass of a full-bodied wine and sit in one of the comfy chairs while wrapped in one of the soft blankets. Facing the water, listening to the gentle ebb and flow of the tides, inhaling the sea air, leaning back and gazing up into a star-filled night … soon, very soon, I feel my muscles unwind as the tension slips from my limbs. Next, I feel my brain ease into a place of pleasure. Within minutes, I am once again in balance and at peace with my world. Yes, this would be my place of serenity, my place for spirit renewal.

But, I do not live near water.  Thus, for those of us who do not live near water, a back-porch without a view will work just as nicely. What about a place with a view of mountains, snow, gardens, or trees. Or a room with photos of tranquil sights hung on the walls and ensconced in attractive picture frames. Whatever room it is, wherever it is, most important is that the room itself makes you feel good.

Once you have the room or space, stock it with necessities and things that bring you pleasure. Not too many things. The room should feel peaceful and serene, not cluttered and cramped.

Serenity is best found when one is sharing space and time with nature so if you can't go to nature, bring some nature into your serenity space. Plants, seashells, water or anything in nature that calms your soul and lifts your spirits is appropriate. Add some music and/or table fountains. Both are like a balm of peace to an agitated soul. Fill your room with wonderful smells and scents, like candles, oils, or incense. They can bring the room soothing energies that will help to bring you ease. Finally add to the room whatever gives you pleasure, relaxes your mind or soothes your soul. This will help to give the room a tranquil feel.

Whatever works for you; all that matters is the room gives you a sense of serenity when you need it. You see, we all need a place we can retreat to; a place where we can regain our balance, recharge our energy and even connect with our higher selves. Once you create a beautiful serenity space, just walking past this space will ease your soul.

So, follow your bliss, listen to your spirit, and heed your heart. If you do this, you will create a beautiful serenity space; a space where you can sit, relax, regroup and re-balance. You will create a space that is totally, beautifully, you and it will be good.

Dream! Create! Believe!

She designed a life she loved and that has made all the difference

Lot of talk lately about how to live the life dreams are made of. Lots of opinions, suggestions, ideas, and options. I've listened a lot, read a lot, and thought even more about this subject. One thing is certain - the dreams we have are no accident. They would not rest in our hearts, if they could not happen. The would not abide in our souls, if we weren't meant to have them. They would not squeeze our hearts with longing, if they weren't real... if they weren't possibilities. 

How do we acquire our dreams? How do we live the lives we desire the most? I think we have to get out of our own way. We have to look fear in the face, realize that it is False Evidence Appearing Real, and tell it to be on its way. Once we release fear - a day-by-day process until it becomes natural for us; we can begin to live. 

We start in our heads - that is where so many of us spend most of our time anyway. We  DReaM in our heads. We create the highest, grandest dream possible for ourselves. We dream the truest dream for us. Don't dream someone else's dream, dream your own dream. Step into your big dog shoes, look at your life and decide what life you - being true to you, want. Now I know some of you are thinking- "but it's in my head..." My response- of course it's happening inside your head, where else would it start. You have to think it before it can happen. You have to know what you want before it can be true for you.That doesn't  mean it isn't real. If anything, that is what makes it real. If you can see it in your head, you can create it in your reality. So... design the life you want. Dream big! 

Next - believe it! It is in believing in your dreams that you become your dreams. Be your dreams! Believe in the dreams you have for your life, because you become what you believe.Believe it in your heart. Your heart is the home of possibilities. Your heart is the space from which you can create. Your heart is where faith in yourself and your possibilities exist. So, close your eyes, imagine your dream life, and  fell it flow through you. Give it depth. Strengthen it with faith. Have confidence in its possibility. Be it! That's right! Be. Your. Dreams. Imagine yourself in your life - being it... living it... having it! The more you believe, the more intense your vision of it will be. The more intense your vision, the more likely you will have it.

Then Create it! You are the creator of your life. How you design it, is how you will live it; so design a life you will love. No one else can do it for you. Think about it. Set a course of action for it, and Do it. Do what it takes to have your dreams. Do it with joy and gratitude. Do it from a space of unknown possibilities. Be committed to your dream showing up for you however it needs to show up for you. The universe will rise up to meet you and say yes. Just step up to your dream and begin. 

If you DReaM the life you truly desire. If you BeLieVe in your heart that this life is possible, and then CReaTe your dream life with your actions...  If you BEcome your dream,if you DO what it takes, with trust, faith, and gratitude... you will HAVE the life of your dreams!!! 

I'm not saying its going to be a cake walk. You will have bad days. But your being will get you through. Your believing will keep you going. Your doing will provide results. So... Dream! Create! Believe! ... Be your dreams! Do what it take! You will Have your heart's desire!

Just get up and go for it! You got this!!!

an updated blog post - poems, prayers and reflection for sista girls

Even sISTA gIRLS sometimes need a little prayer... especially on a rainy day. Rainy days cause me to pause and reflect. Today, on this first day of November - a month of thankfulness and gratitude, please keep us and ours in your prayers... as we keep you and yours uplifted in prayer. We are spreading smiles and love this November, knowing the world will right up and all will be well. In the meantime, here is a little poem to fill your day.

Hope is a bird singing before the sun does rise

Hope is a flower’s fragrance even sweeter as it dies

Hope is a brilliant sky that preludes that day’s end

Hope is a “really, you too” that signals a new friend

Hope is a thing inspired on a warm and sunny day

Hope is a thing desired when the sunshine’s gone away

Hope is the thing you turn to when your life’s about to bust

Hope is a thing believed in when there’s nothing left to trust

and here is a prayer to fill your heart and spirit

may your day be filled with friends and laughter

may your weekend be filled with family and goodness

may your body be filled with good health

may your heart be filled with light and loving kindness

may your world be filled with beauty

may your soul be filled with peace and joy

may life be filled with sunshine

may your life overflow with happiness and love

and may you always have  sISTA gIRLS to share it all with

LOVE YOU ALL ... TAKE CARE ... until tomorrow

do you have people who support you? are you supportive?

My days lately have been full - very full. I have time for my writing, my businesses, and the course I'm taking in personal development. I make/find time for my responsibilities, my family, my friends, and my animals. With the time that is left, I do me and the things I enjoy. With what is left, I sleep. It is the most busy I have been in years. A couple of days ago, some of my family, my sISTA gIRL and I sat with a glass of wine and a bite of food and discussed life, personal development and our dreams fro the future. It was wonderful. We were all fully connected to each other and fully supportive of our future dreams. It is not the first time we have had this conversation and not the first time we have supported each other.

I was reading through some of my old posts and I came across a blog that had comments I'd like to share with you...

"I live the life I live and do the things I do because of the choices I have made. I accept the consequences of my choices because they are my choices. I try not to complain or gripe, even when I am overwhelmed. I sometimes feel I am in my life alone and that no one understands where I am or how I feel. But then my friend comes along and says something like that  ("I wish I had more money and you more time, I would send you on a trip so you could rest, relax and regroup.") and I realize I am not alone ... that someone cares... that someone understands. That someone is my friend, my girl, mysISTA gIRL  and i am grateful for her.

"We all go through things that take a toll on our lives, our souls, our emotions. We can ignore its effects on us and dig our heels in and keep on or we can remember there are people out there who love us and are willing to help or lend an ear or a shoulder if we would just reach out. Sometimes all they can give is support and encouragement ... but funny ... for me .... that was more than enough. We sat and laughed about good times and what we would do and where we would go if we could. that brief respire made my day and has lingered in the back of my mind for days."

At the end of that post, I thanked my sISTA gIRL for her love and support. She is still my sISTA gIRL, my anam cara, my kindred spirit today and I still thank her for her love and support. But today, I also want to thank my family members who have been there for me, supporting and encouraging me. I also want to thank them and my sISTA gIRL for allowing me the opportunity to give them feedback in an atmosphere of love and vulnerability. They know that I speak from a place of love and support, as they do when they speak to me.

I wish everyone a friend like my sISTA gIRL. I wish everyone family members like mine. I wish everyone to have happy, healthy, loving, harmonious, open, connected relationships. 

May each and everyone of you have friends, family members, and partners who recognize when you are drowning and rescue you with a word, a smile, or a hug; who support you when your stuff is tight and things are going right; and who stand by you just because and ride the wave with you. 

How to handle a bad day

WE all have bad days. Days when the issues in our life overwhelm us. Days when we want to run screaming from life while pulling our hair out. We know, however, that is not the answer. What should we do instead? When I am having a bad day I try to find time to go out, take a walk, clear my head, release my frustrations. I try to spend some time in meditation and some time in nature, be grateful for my blessings. Then, when i am done, I usually feel better. Meditation calms me, waling in nature clears my head and gratitude fills me with joy. Some days it works like a charm, some days it is not so good. But, for the most part, when I am done I feel better.

 However I feel, when I am done I check to see if my sISTA gIRL is available to go have drinks, or eat, or just spend time with me. She usually knows what I am dealing with. She listens to my troubles, doesn't always say a lot ... just lets me vent. She is a great friend. She is my kindred spirit, my sister, my Anam Cara.

Today, if you are having a bad day ... go commune with nature. it will calm you and remind you of the beauty in the world and your many blessings. Take some time to be in silence, it will allow you to hear your inner voice of calm and remind you that peace is within you whenever you need it. Take a walk or run, or spend some time with a pet or child; it will perk up your spirits to help you feel better. Spend some time in gratitude. Being grateful for the things you already have, the people presently in your life, and the things that ARE going right, help to balance the tables and bring you some joy. Then go hang out with a sISTA gIRL; spending time with her will definitely put a smile on your face.

If, you are in a great mood and having a good day, do the opposite. Find a friend who needs you and just be there for them. Be a shoulder or an ear. Sometimes just your presence is enough to get them back on their feet and feeling better about themselves or the situation.

Whoever you are today, whichever you do, the one thing I know for sure is ...

I learned this Swedish proverb when I was in high school and have never forgotten it. I guess its because over the years, I have learned that friendships are based in love and love is the greatest healing therapy there is and

.......Wait ......

That was my sISTA gIRL calling to make sure I am okay and asking if I want to hang out tonight. You know I said yes. And now, I am out. I love autumn days like this... sunny and not too cold. I 'm gonna go to the park, walk a bit, sit in silence, watch the birds and squirrels, count my blessings and then hang out with my Anam Cara.

Here's wishing you a good life, better days and even better friends. Ciao!!!!!!!!!

Thankful Thursday

Just wanted to take a minute to say thank you. Thank you for being a part of sISTA gIRLS,.. thank you for reading our posts, thank you for logging in to us, Please continue to spread the word about and share this blog with others . We're hoping to do big things in the name of sISTA gIRLS.

I know I have said this before, but friends are a blessing from above. They share your joys and your griefs, your up and your downs, your good times and your bad. They are a source of laughter and comfort. My friends have been a source of strength for me and I am grateful for them. I am proud to be their friend and to call them mine. We are happy to share with you who read our blog and are truly happy to share stories and posts with you.

It is true that gratitude is abundance. We have grown since we first started and every day I am grateful for all of you. You have made the difference in our lives. We hope to continue this for as long as possible. All we ask is that you continue to join us and that you share us with your friends and family and join in the conversation. Together we can highlight and work on supportive female friendships. 

Today ... listen, lend an ear, spend time together, enjoy each other ... basically do what I know you do so well ... be a friend... and... be grateful for those you had, those you have,  those you will have and for the opportunity to be one to someone else. Remember, we need each other and accomplish more when we look to each other. 

Thank YOU for being our friend

for traveling down this road with us, 

and back again

our hearts are full 

you are all our pals... our confidants

One day we'll throw a party

we'll invite each and everyone of you

and you will see 

what a joy friendship can be

the theme of our party will be

ThaNK YOU for being our FRieND!!!

Are you expressing gratitude

I purchased The Secret, on DVD and on CD when it first came out some yeras ago, Over the yeras I have listened to and watched it many , many times and one of the things that always stands out is the reference to taking time to say thank you. 

It stood out because during several of the periods in my life when things have seemed rather hopeless... sometimes, before I lamented and complained, I would say thanks for the things that were going right. I figured it would only take a second and then I could get to the stuff really bugging me. Often, however, I would find so much to be thankful for, I would forget what I wanted to complain about.

The Secret recommends that you take time out each day to say thank you for all the things you are grateful for. When I started watching the DVD, I was at a low in my life and figured I would give it a try - it could only help. So I gave it ago. Today, I still try to find time each day to say thank you. Sometimes first thing in the morning, sometimes just before bed and sometimes all throughout the day. I do believe it has helped me to realize all the things, blessings, miracles, and magic I have in my life - even on days when things truly seem bleak. I still sometimes complain after my thanks, but more often now, I am filled with joy and happiness when I think of all my blessings.

So on this day, as we continue on our journey to a better us and a better world; let us begin to take time each day to say thank you for all that is in us and in our lives. Let us recognize the blessings, miracles, moments of magic , kindness and goodness in our lives and express gratitude.

In this vein, I am thankful for my family and my friends. I am thankful for all the children, older people, men and women in my life. I am thankful for my dog, my car and my home. I am thankful for heat, hot water, food and drink in my refrigerator, clothes and shoes in my closet, and the things of beauty in my home. I am thankful for all of my senses and my ability to walk and run, laugh, sing and dance. 

And, while I am at it, I am thankful for fireworks, trees, flowers, sunny and rainy days, cool breezes, and autumn leaves. I am grateful for doctors, teachers, motivators, protectors, healers, historians. I am grateful for farmers, artists, mentors, spiritual guides.... Really, once I get started, I could go on endlessly. The point is, we all have so much to be grateful for, if we would just take a minute to say thank you, we might actually experience a glimpse of heaven in our lives.

Let's all express gratitude for all of creation, including ourselves and start our days off with a joyful bang!

"Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy -- because we will always want to have something else or something more."
--  Brother David Steindl-Rast (1926 - present) --

sharing friendship

i seem to say it more often lately. or maybe it is because there are not enough readers of this blog. we do not get comments. i would truly love to hear from those of you who take the time to read these posts.we, here, are truly grateful for your support and we thank you.

but please comment and share. comment on what you would love to see here or read here or what you think of what we have done so far. 

 .... today is a SHARE DAY. share with us!!!!

thank you

oh  .... and share us with others

after all ....

SHARING IS CARING

fyi .... this is one of my favorite pictures. we should all be willing to share the sweets in our life. maybe we would keep everyone as sweet as the treat we share. and then maybe those we shared with would share with others as well.  when we share a sweet treat we share love. so, if we kept it going, this would be a sweet as a treat sharing the love world .... and that would be AWESOME

.... i'm just sayin.....

an even bigger thank you

We all go through things in this world. Some good and some bad.. Some things we share with every body. Some things we share with only a select few and some things we keep to ourselves. I am going through a lot lately. one of my family members is very sick, one of my family members is not doing right by anybody and my cat has cancer. Every day is a new day and often an unexpected adventure. 

Yesterday was a bit much for me and I needed an escape from my reality. I sought out my sISTA gIRL for a brief respite. She let me shed a few tears, listened to my tale of woe and then took me out. We went to a lovely, peaceful area. It was full of wide expanses of green grass, beautiful verdant trees and blossoming trees. Ii also smelled like serenity - soft and gently sweet. Then she took me to church. It was a short, easy service with not a lot of people. It was quiet and tranquil and uplifting. The she took me to eat. We had salad and shellfish and wine and we laughed and talked together without looking at the time or our cellphones.She satisfied my heart, my soul, and my  belly. The time she spent with me lifted my spirits and gave me a chance to re-balance so I could go back to my reality.

I know I have said this before but friends are a blessing from above. they share your joys and your griefs, your up and your downs, your good times and your bad. They are a source of laughter and comfort. My friends have been a source of strength for me and I am grateful for them. I am proud to be their friend and to call them mine. We are happy to be establishing a friendship with you who read our blog and I am truly happy to share my stories and posts with you.

Today ... listen, lend an ear, spend some time together, enjoy each other ... basically do what I know you can do so well ... be a friend.

a great big thank you

Just wanted to take a minute to apologize and say thank you. We want to apologize for not getting a new post out the last two days and We want to thank you for your patience. There are a lot of things going on in our lives right now that sometimes makes writing a post hard or impossible. Please bear with us for a while. There may be a day or two when we can't get a post out. But it will not last ... this we can guarantee. In the meantime, please keep logging in to us, please spread the word about this blog and please share this blog with others . We're hoping to do big things in the name of sISTA gIRLS.

thank you my friend

The days lately have been full of running around and stress. I have time for my chores and my responsibilities but not much time for me, my friends and the things I enjoy. A couple of days ago, a girlfriend came by to help out and relieve me of the some of the pressure of my days. I was ever so grateful. When there was a lull in the day. my girlfriend and I sat with a glass of wine and a bite of food and discussed life. She said the nicest thing ... "I wish I had more money and you more time, I would send you on a trip so you could rest, relax and regroup."

I live the life I live and do the things I do because of the choices I have made. I accept the consequences of my choices because they are my choices. I try not to complain or gripe, even when I am overwhelmed. I sometimes feel I am in my life alone and that no one understands where I am or how I feel. But then my friend comes along and says something like that and I realize I am not alone ... that someone cares... that someone understands. That someone is my friend, my girl, mysISTA gIRL  and i am grateful for her.

We all go through things that take a toll on our lives, our souls, our emotions. We can ignore its effects on us and dig our heels in and keep on or we can remember there are people out there who love us and are willing to help or lend an ear or a shoulder if we would just reach out. Sometimes all they can give is support and encouragement ... but funny ... for me .... that was more than enough. We sat and laughed about good times and what we would do and where we would go if we could. that brief respire made my day and has lingered in the back of my mind for days.

I said thank you then but I am saying thank you again and dedicating this page to her. I wish a friend like her for each and every one of you ... my sISTA gIRLS. May each and everyone of you have friends who recognize when you are drowning in your own decisions and rescue you with a word, or a smile or a hug. AND MAY YOU HAVE A BIG, BEAUTIFUL, BRIGHT, SUNNY, DAY FULL OF LOVE!!!

my sISTA gIRLS!!!

Sorry about yesterday. It was one of those crazy days in which I never got a chance to write. We here at Sista Girls Cafe know I enjoy sharing with you and we hope that you enjoy what I have to say. Friendship are a cornerstone of life and we are glad to have a chance to share thoughts on friendship with you and possibly make new friends. We encourage you, if you enjoy this blog, to spread the word so that others can read and comment and share with us. A dialogue between us would be great. So today is all about you ... my sISTA gIRLS.

My sista girls

Will always be around

My sista girls

Never put me down

My sista girls

I can trust you

My sista girls

I know you always be true

My sista girls

You are the best

My sista girls

You’re above all the rest

My sista girls

In you I confide

My sista girls

In my heart you abide

My sista girls

Together to the end

My sista girls

My best friends

sISTA gIRLS ... We love you and are glad to be sharing our journey through this life wth you

I knew you would come

Last night I had a chance to get together with a few of my “known you forever” sista girls. We ate and drank and reminisced. We have come to realize, now that we have gotten older, that several of our favorite past memories are really about the quality of our friendship. I would like to share one with all of you.

Many years ago, I threw a house get-together and invited old friends and a few acquaintances. Almost everyone that was invited brought a date. As the evening progressed, one of my girlfriends got into it with her boyfriend. He took the argument to a deeper level than she realized and said he was ready to leave the party. She said fine and they left.

Once in the car, they continued the argument and argued the whole way to her house. They argued as he pulled up to her house, argued as she searched for and found her keys, they argued in her home. Eventually, they ran out of words. When there was nothing left to say, he said “I am done” and stormed out her house for good. She broke down and cried. As she cried she had a coughing fit, choked and slipped and fell. As she fell, she hit head on the bed post. Overwhelmed with sadness and pain, she called us at the party.

We, the two of us who were her sISTA gIRLS, dropped everything and flew from the party to her side. Our men knew how we rolled and understood. My friends knew how I dealt with situations and understood. One new acquaintance wanted to be friends with us (she liked our swag) and asked if she could come “maybe I can help”. She came

We got to our friend’s home, found the front door unlocked and searched the house for her. When we found her, she was slightly intoxicated, her face was streaked with make-up and there was a huge knot on her head. When she saw us her face lit up.  What she said, I think, defines our friendship and all true friendships. “He left me and I fell and hurt myself but I knew you would come.”

She knew we would come. And through the years, we have all gone through things and we have always “come” to the rescue. Whether we came with a shoulder, an ear, a bit of advice, a little laughter, a bed or whatever we had or could do to help, we came. We have seen each other through major and minor situations by dealing with them together. That is what friendship is all about; knowing that if and when you call to me for help, I as your friend will come!!!

Today, reach out to a friend, extend a hand to an acquaintance. You may make a difference.