Stress

When stress prevails;

Creativity fails.

The power of release comes in the form of a deep breath, positive energy—and action! 

Memorial Day

When you’re gathered around the pool with friends and family;
Grilling up deliciously seasoned meats and diving into bowls full of French onion dip, it’s easy to forget why we celebrate this day.
So before I overload on potato chips and Red White and Blue themed alcoholic beverages, I’m going to offer up a moment of silence––to honor all of the men and women who continue to sacrifice their safety to ensure the protection and freedom for our beautiful country.
As an artists––I try my best––never to take for granted my right to express my thoughts and actions; and it’s because of the heroes who serve in our countries armed forces that we have these liberties.
So today, I’m raising a glass to those brave warriors.
#HappyMemorialDay

Serving Up a Sunday Slice of the American Dream

In a bus headed back to my house, we passed an IHOP full of happy people stuffing their faces with overly sweet corporate  pancakes—the American Dream is alive; and full of diabetes.

I love gathering for Sunday brunch with friends.

Most of my weekends are spent working long hours for mediocre pay—the American Dream is alive; and full of stress. 

 

Six Word Essay on Las Vegas

Drunk people everywhere; it's too hot! 

LapTime

Some people sit at Starbucks on their laptops;

I sit at Starbucks with my lap-dogs!

I might not be getting much work done—but my quality of life is better.

Family Ties

I live two thousand miles away from my family, so I'm always grateful when someone in my tribe comes to visit me; even if they arrive on a Harley Davidson!

My dad—a born and breed mountain man—and his wife are on a cross-country ride with another couple, who are equally adventurous and fearless. 

We shared a wonderful two-day adventure, sight-seeing, laughing, eating (too much), and discussing politics and religion.

I was encouraged when my dad and his Rabbi friend, who share opposing views from me, we're inspired to engaged in a Spirit-ed conversation.

Proving that no matter what your Faith or political affiliation is, when you sit across from a fellow human (who also happens to be family) and converse from your heart—with love and compassion, there is room for mutual acceptance, respect, and a new perspective.

I love my dad, whether he agrees with my beliefs or not, he believes in me—and loves me unconditionally; as I do him.

It was another bonding experience that makes me feel blessed.

Think Less; Sleep More

Falling into old patterns;
Late nights, over-thinking––trying to achieve more.
Sometimes less is more, in this case I realize that I am in desperate need of a solid nights sleep; yet here I sit, typing on my computer.
My comfy bed calls to me, but my mind is active and demanding.
Finding balance has been a major theme in my life––and this year in particular, I’ve made it a priority.
So why my obsessive drive to do more?
I’m on my fourth self-help book in a row, and I continue to crave more;
When will it be enough?
There’s no time like the present to let go of this unhealthy habit, and create a new one––get more sleep and become even more productive.

Sleep Deprived

I slept in thinking that I would feel rested and fresh;
Instead, I have a headache, my face looks like I was hit by a semi-truck, and I missed my morning yoga class––so I feel soft and lazy.
Sometimes you just can't win;
In those moments, it’s important to stay positive:
I’m positive I need to go to Starbucks and recharge.

Good News?

I’m sitting at the airport;
CNN news channel is on in the gate area––and I’m instantly sucked in.
It’s impossible not to laugh at the sensationalism of their news; which is equally as ridiculous as their Fox News counterparts.
The “news” is now just a storyline on a reality-based soap opera.

Early Morning Pep Talk

The wake-up alarm is my reset;
It’s a new day––even if I’ve only slept for four hours, and it’s time to rise and shine.
If I embrace this moment with Faith and positive energy, I will have a greater chance for success.
So no matter how groggy I am, I have to rally and rock the day.
Life is short;
Be here now––and make the most of every breath.

Six Word Essay on Hotel Rooms

I allow myself to be messy.

Breathe, You Are Blessed.

My emotional happiness is in direct relation to my outlook;
As I sit at the airport waiting to board another flight––I fight the urge to rage.
One deep breath in and a release with a smile; which catches the attention of an older woman walking toward the gate––she smiles back.
Positive energy is contagious, I know this, and yet I forget to trust my instinct to be grateful.
Every day is a new opportunity to be a more evolved version of myself.
People always say, “enjoy the journey”, but very few people understand how to proceed.
After too many self-help books, I’m beginning to accept that every single day will be a challenge, the goal for me: how to stay present.
Sometimes it’s in a deep breath, sometimes it’s in an unconscious blog post, and sometimes it’s with alcohol.
I’m okay with that.
Today, I found peace in the fact that I have a career which allows me to follow the dreams that I’ve had since I was a young child; if that means dealing with TSA, annoying passengers, crabby flight attendants, and flying to glamorous locations like Charlotte, North Carolina––well I consider myself blessed.

Awareness

In past years I've struggled to maintain my goals by mid-May.

The year always starts off strong, and unlike many—I usually manage to stay on track well into the year; but once May comes, I start to fall back into old habits.

Thankfully, one of my biggest goals this year was to remain in the present.

In setting such an ambitious goal, it occurred to me that I would be forced to think outside the box on how to go about achieving awareness on a moment to moment basis. 

This realization manifested into series of books about enlightenment, awareness, and productivity.

Today, while lying by the pool, I looked up into the vibrant blue sky and felt an inner peace and happiness that wasn't connected to a job accomplishment or financial gain—it was a gratitude for the beauty of this moment.

My head was clear, calm, grateful.

Awareness is possibly every day; it requires silencing the noise of ego—and accepting this moment for what it brings.

Grey LA

Headed into our fourth day of grey in LA––in May!
Even rhyming it sounds gloomy.
It feels more like winter in London, or every day in Seattle.
But the overcast skies can be a positive reminder;
Despite the trademark golden rays of Southern California––the birds are still chirping and protein shakes are still being consumed for that perfect LA body.
Sometimes life gives us dark days––but you can always find the light; even if it’s only on a movie set.

Starbucks and Human Connection

Starbucks is my second home.

In a world consumed with technology, it's a place to gather and connect with people young and old.

Sharing ideas, discovering a new point of view, and making direct eye contact.

We're so used to communicating through a screen;

It's comforting to share caffeine and a laugh with someone you'd never meet on Facebook.

Human connectivity at a coffee shop, just like our great-grandparents! 

Six Word Essay on Letting Go

Smiling is easy when you release.

Creativity on Pause.

Watching Game of Thrones while trying to rouse creativity on the computer is like balancing a checkbook at Disneyland: no matter how hard you try to do the math––the sentences just don’t add up.

Cheap Saturday Poem

No work on a Saturday;
A very rare treat––
I’ll go to the movies with a friend and then off to eat!
A cheap rhyming pome is all I can do,
I’m in a hurry and still need to––what rhymes with ‘do’?

Letting Go

It’s hard to release things or ideas that we believe we need;
For whatever reason we decide that it’s important to hold onto a thought or object in order to feel complete––even if it no longer serves us.
Life is a continuous cycle of learning and letting go.
We’re either evolving, or not; either way there’s no stopping the inevitable––wouldn’t you rather enjoy each day?

Couch Movie

Cuddled up with my puppies on the couch;

HBO is satisfying my action-packed-blockbuster movie experience.

The salty bruschetta and lavalicious chocolate cake are the cherries!

Now I just need ice cream...

Rest

I slept in today.

Sometimes your body just needs to heal.

I push myself past my threshold physically, creatively, and emotionally—so it's nice to give myself a lazy morning.

But now it's time to wake up!

And I will, in fifteen more minutes.

Dinner With Friends

When preparing a birthday dinner for yourself;
Remember:
Inviting friends to a restaurant is so much easier.
Still, it is nice to share my grandma’s spaghetti and meatballs with my inner circle.
In honor of Gram’s birthday––I went all out.
Tomorrow, I’m going to sleep all day.

Zen Thoughts: Cars

When the check engine light in my Jeep goes off,
I get a little overheated;
That flashing orange hazard light signals a reaction in myself.
Usually associated with money.
On the flip side, how lucky are we to have indicator lights in our cars––usually alerting us to a situation before it worsens.
Too bad humans don’t have “check engine” lights;
Or do we?
#ZenThoughts

You Are Here Now; Again

I started to over plan for my day tomorrow;
Until I remembered that it was today.
I quickly dropped my pen and took a breath.
The moment I become aware of my present––I allow the opportunity for a greater experience than anything I could plan;
I make space for life to happen, as it is supposed to: in the NOW.

Outlook

Your outlook on life is everything.

Some people see rain;

Theater nerds see, "Singing In The Rain".

Koi Zen

Yesterday I walked through a beautiful Zen garden;
I gazed into a Koi pond and watched as the fish gathered near the bridge that I was standing on, no doubt waiting for food.
I was fixated on their total presence––I watched as they breathed in and out while popping up to the surface with their mouths open.
My arrival must have appeared as a shadow God who distributes nourishment;
Sadly for them, I came empty handed.
But there they wait, and eventually the substance will come.

Positive Social Media

Social Media has an incredible impact;
Yesterday I received an outpouring of positive energy and birthday wishes–proof that technology can deliver more than just another Tweet about Kim Kardashian.
The inspiration and love was overwhelming.
Today, I’m another day older and twice as grateful for the friendships I’ve nurtured during my thirty-ahem years on this earth.

It's My Party...

And I’ll enjoy a full day of nonstop eating and drinking (in-between riding the rides at Disneyland) and NOT feel bad about skipping yoga... If I want to!
#BirthdayGuiltFree

Wipe It Away...

I woke up feeling pumped;
Ready to greet the day with positive energy.
I looked around my room and saw dust and dirt everywhere, my house is under construction and it looks like a tornado struck.
I started to get angry and then I remembered how blessed I was:
A. That my house was not actually hit by a tornado.
B. That we have the resources to renovate our bathrooms.
Finally, C. That I can either get up and clean the grim away, or stay in bed anxious and overwhelmed.
Sometimes the choice to be happy is as simple as wiping away the debris.

Work In Progress

Five months into 2016;
I continue to concentrate on the goals I’ve set for myself.
I’m two days away from my thirty-eighth birthday and I feel blessed.
Every day I seek new opportunities to grow as a person:
Mentally, physically, emotionally, creatively, and spiritually.
In my twenties I spent too much time worrying about how my dreams were going to “happen”.
In my thirties I made a conscious choice not to be consumed with the fear and doubt, instead I would focus on the creativity.
As I approach forty, I am seeking a deeper understanding of the present.
Which probably means I should stop thinking about who I want to be when I’m forty; and appreciate that for two more days, I’m still thirty-seven!
Life is a constant work in progress, the goal is to evolve into a brighter version of myself everyday.

Pure Love

The overstuffed room was bursting with love in honor of my grandparents sixtieth wedding anniversary.
Surrounded by lifelong friends and family; we shared in delicious food, laughter, and dancing.
It was overwhelming to hear the stories, and watch my grandma and grandpa react to the memories.
Some could hardly contain their tears of gratitude.
Others sparked an explosion of joy with their recollection of a wild adventure, never before shared.
I scanned the room and witnessed pure love.
My grandparents have blessed me with unconditional love, support, and guidance; whether on family vacations or working for the family business––my grandparents never missed an opportunity to inspire a teachable lesson.
Faith, integrity, loyalty, positivity, and fearlessness have been instilled in my life in great part because of my grandparents.
The most meaningful lesson I learned from my grandparents, is something they continue to live by today: family and friends first.
I’m honored to have such magnificent role models.
Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Smith.
Congratulations on sixty years of love.