Taking a Break from Social Networking

In an amusing and funny twist, although I'm still actively blogging, I am taking a much-needed break from Facebook- that social monster and time sucker.  Due to internet drama (more than the usual), I'm retreating into my own space and pulling the plug on the wonderful world of FB.  I've grown weary of sitting and watching what others are doing, and feeling pressured to either compete for who has the most interesting status or updates, or to watch the minutiae of what everyone else is doing, their movements tracked by rolling ticker tape on the right side of the screen.  I wasn't having problems with any one person in particular- it was more of a collective aggravation and the knowledge that my minutes and hours were flying out the window like so much dandelion fluff on the wind of missed opportunities.  I began to feel like a caricature of myself, a carbon copy of a real person captured in anime out of real time.  It was the exactly right moment to get away from the social media feeding frenzy.  Time to close the cardboard door and open an actual real window to the living world beyond, teeming with unwasted minutes, clarity, unpredictability and activity. 

With the vast amounts of time I'll be saving from my FB activities, I plan on channeling more time on artisan ones- I just received the order I put in for jewelry supplies in the post (the real post! not an "inbox") and am currently in the process of making lucky charm bracelets and necklaces.  I will be taking more photographs of new places and people with my new incredible camera (thank you for playing Santa this Christmas, Momma!!!!!), and I will begin the next phase of my writing career next week.  I might even be blogging more about my activities- unlike networking online, the blog helps me keep track of moments, ideas and activity- what is actually getting done as opposed to what everyone else is doing.  More selfish, but more proactive at the same time.  Wish me luck!

Hope this finds my awesome readers doing well and thinking about how to channel less of their valuable time on social networking, and more time on their real world pursuits.  In the meantime, let's keep in touch- I haven't quite "left the building" and I value your thoughts and company.  Email me anytime folks!  

The Absence

I recently read a book by Peter Arnell called "Shift"- about rebranding your business and identity, and in it he talked in depth about Michelangelo's sculpture- the Pieta- of Mary holding the adult Jesus in her arms.  He talked about how the sculpture was not in proportion to how the figures would have been in real life- the limbs were not on a scale of real limbs, and how the artist used the carving away of space to make as much of an impact as the marble itself.  Basically, what was not there is as important as what is there.  In his book, the analogy was meant to explain that what you reveal is as important as what you leave out in your life.  It lead me to think about an interesting analogy of life and death based on a parallel principle- when someone close to us dies, it carves away a big part of our lives and hearts.  The absence of what was once there becomes unbelievably important to our whole identity.  The two- life and death- work in tandem to create the sculpture of this life. 

There is no Zen moment to be found in the ideology of death- but there is comfort knowing that what is visually "not there" is still relevant, an important part of our lives.  It cannot be taken away, and although death is real and tangible, it is just a world away to the next level, the beyond Here and Now.  What is invisible lives on, forever a part of us. What is "carved out" is as important as what is right in front of us.

"The Sula Foundation"

Although this isn't brand new "news" (dates back to last November), it is one of my biggest Zen moments ever and deserved mentioning on here: Beau was featured on Sula Foundation's blogspot!  Here is the link:  http://sulafoundation.blogspot.com.

To those of you who are unfamiliar with the group, Sula Foundation is a rescue organization based in New Orleans, that focuses on responsible pitbull ownership, and getting the truth out about pitbulls to counter-effect the media hype and false stories circulating about pitbulls being nothing but "killer dogs" who should all be euthanized due to their breed.  Sadly, the panic is widespread and has deep roots planted in fear and misinformation.  There are even states that have BSL (breed specific legislation) that prevents people from owning or adopting or breeding pitbulls. Most of the beliefs about pitbulls are fueled by ignorance, lack of information, misinformation and fear.  And many of the "bite stories" you hear about on the news involve blatant lies- if they can't find out what breed of dog was involved, they file it under the general heading "pitbull", thereby creating more unwanted drama and antagonism towards these dogs.  Pitbulls and the bully breeds have a rich history despite today's hatred- they used to be given the name "nanny dogs", because it was their job to guard and protect the young children in their human families.  The pitbull name even made an appearance on "Little Rascals" as a beloved member of the family.  Those of us who are privileged to own one (or several!) of our own know firsthand how wonderful these dogs are, full of loyalty and devotion and affection.  And lets not forget the famous pitbull owners who did not allow ignorance to factor in to their pitbull love:  

Helen Keller

Jessica Biel (3 in her family!)

Rachel Ray

Fred Astaire

Woodrow Wilson

Teddy Roosevelt

Thomas Edison

Serena Williams

Humphrey Bogart

*This list is the short list- and only thing these people have in common, apart from being wildly successful or history makers, is their love of pitbulls. 

Sula Foundation sponsors inexpensive vaccination clinics, free spay and neuter, provides factual information about the dogs, helps with the promotion of pitbulls both locally and nationwide, provides pitbull rescue/resources for rescue, fosters/provides for adoption of Sula dogs, and helps foster a general awareness of the importance of these dogs, in an attempt to fight the undeserved evil background that the media attempts to harness them with.

Sula Foundation is a charitable organization, and the champion of these wonderful, misunderstood pups.  If you would like to get involved please check out the website:  www.sulafoundation.org.  There are many ways to help out- by signing up to become a volunteer (helping out with events or exercising/visiting the dogs- many of who just want human contact and affection), donating money, buying Sula tee shirts and calendars, attending events or just by linking the website to your Facebook or Myspace page to promote awareness. 

(The link to Sula on FB: https://www.facebook.com/#!/SulaFoundation).

New Year's Resolutions

This year, I decided to do something a little different when it comes to resolutions- putting a twist on an old tradition.  I'm giving up a few things for 2012- depression, worry, angst, FEAR.  All those things that weigh us down and darken our days.  Being the list-maker, I still have an official "list" of what I want to do this next year- but for the record, this particular resolution is the one that I'm putting at the top. 

2011 was a culmination of many times, good and bad: volunteer work, job anxiety, battles won and lost, happy times and sad moments.  Reconnecting with old friends, and losing others.  The highs were extremely high, and the lows were rock-bottom.  But through it all, I've been blessed with the love of family and friends.  And I'm facing 2012 with a positive outlook, and a heart filled with gratitude. 

We are all children of the universe- we are all worthy of joy in this life.  Wishing everyone a year filled with love, serenity, joy and new adventures. 

Best.Chili.Ever

It was New Year's Eve, and I was looking for a quick and hearty recipe to make for a late lunch.  Ran across this one featured in Redbook magazine.  It hit high points for easy to follow, quick prep time and nutritious.  I followed it almost to the letter with the exception of a few tweaks.  Here goes:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef (or ground pork)
• 1 c chopped onion (can substitute 1 tbsp. onion powder and 2 tbsp. minced garlic)
• 1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
• 1 can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 2 chipotle chilis in adobo sauce, chopped (prefer La Costena brand)

Directions:

1.) In a large saucepan, heat about a teaspoon of canola oil over medium-high heat.  Add onion (or powder and minced garlic) and cook, stirring until softened, about 3 minutes.  Add meat, breaking it up and cooking until no longer pink, about 3 minutes.

2.) Add tomatoes, black beans, chiles, cumin, and salt and pepper to taste.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.

3.) Top with sliced avocado, sour cream and cheddar cheese.  Serve with saltine crackers.