Just Give Me 15 Minutes …

of Fame. We all want it!  And by golly, if we don’t get it one way, we’ll try another. Then we start questioning ourselves … if only I could be … if only I could do … if only I could meet …. if only I were younger … taller, smarter, prettier, skinnier. You know what I mean. If only …

I, myself, am suffering from this desire for that illusive "15 minutes". But, I have to remember a few things from all my years of studying history. Although, I know fame is a function of the “who-you- know- world”, it’s even more a function of an “already planned” world – not from a religious point of view, but from a Historical point of view – (a cyclical one, not linear).

I’ve recently offered a taste of my thoughts about “cyclical history” in my first article to Blog Critic – “Taylor Swift & Friends – Millennial Entertainers Remove the Gloom”. As I wrote, much of what I believe was validated by the book, “The 4th Turning”, which I still use to uncover likely future events.

Another way I consider FAME, is as a function of “The American Dream – Idol Style”. (I’ll soon have this article written.) Let me just say three words – Skill, Authenticity & Resonance. Last night, for my New Years entertainment, I watched Taylor Swift on GAC (Great American Country) count down the Top 50 Videos of the Year. I was blown away (again) about how adorable and confident she is. The Hottest Girl in Country!

Anyway, out of 30 Videos, there was one that totally got me – Sugarland’s “Already Gone”.  It’s one my favorite Sugarland songs.  Take a look at the Video and I think you’ll see how it captures their “Star Quality”, especially when they look into the camera at about the 3.40 mark. Awesome – they are 100% transparent – That’s what draws fans to them. That’s why people relate – they are HONEST and TRUE to themselves … and they let us see them for who they are … just like Taylor.
 

I’m a Country Girl from way back.  America - We are Real Deal!  Like Miranda Lambert sings, we can be famous in our small towns, and in our own little circles.  I’ve got to remember that. 

 Watch other Videos

Sugarland’s YouTube Channel 

Taylor Swift’s You Tube Channel

Miranda Lambert’s You Tube Channel

I’ll Keep Travelin’

Don’t Run (out the door, to another city, to another person)

Don’t Scream (at God, at your loved one, at your boss)

Don’t Give Up (your life, your job, your relationship)

Don’t Hide (under a blanket, from your fears, from your perpetrators) 

Don’t Be Afraid (to be alone, of death, of loss) 

 ♥

Do Believe (in yourself, in tomorrow, in your dreams)

Do Hope (for a new beginning, for strength, for courage) 

Do Remember (everything’s temporary, day follows night, you can make it)

Do Forget (the pain, the terror, the longing for the good ‘ole days) 

Do Love (yourself, your life, your peeps) 

If you don’t and you do these things, you’ll make it through ..

The question is then, where to?  

Well, I can’t answer for you this time.  Only you can answer this. 

What I just wrote is because it’s a life lesson that I must learn.  I’m going through some dificult changes.  I feel scared, like I’m in the midst of an Inferno. There are flames all around me and they’re hot and threaten to burn me alive. I can scarcely breathe and I’m alone. I’m afraid, I’m sad and I wish it wasn’t happening to me. But when I woke up this morning, I heard one word – "DON”T!"  I began asking myself, don’t do what?   My answer is what this post is about.   It’s about perspective, and hope, and not giving up.

I will emerge better.  I’ll be stronger, more courageous, and wiser, with a chance to rebuild the things that were taken away from me.  When “they” say, you have to close a door before the next one opens, it’s people like me that resist the closing of the door with all their might. I just did not want the door to close. Not one little bit, I liked everything like it was. But we all know, we don’t get to call all the shots, do we?

♥ 

So, friends, I’ll heed this advice.  I will "don’t, I will “do”,
and I’ll Keep Travelin’ Thru …

♥

Travelin’ Thru
(by Dolly Parton)

Have a listen to Jason Castro’s "Travelin’ Thru"
from MySpace

Well I can’t tell you where I’m going, I’m not sure of where I’ve been
But I know I must keep travelin’ till my road comes to an end
I’m out here on my journey, trying to make the most of it
I’m a puzzle, I must figure out where all my pieces fit
Like a poor wayfaring stranger that they speak about in song
I’m just a weary pilgrim trying to find what feels like home
Where that is no one can tell me, am I doomed to ever roam
I’m just travelin’, travelin’, travelin’, I’m just travelin’ on

Questions I have many, answers but a few
But we’re here to learn, the spirit burns, to know the greater truth
We’ve all been crucified and they nailed Jesus to the tree
And when I’m born again, you’re gonna see a change in me

God made me for a reason and nothing is in vain
Redemption comes in many shapes with many kinds of pain
Oh sweet Jesus if you’re listening, keep me ever close to you
As I’m stumblin’, tumblin’, wonderin’, as I’m travelin’ thru

I’m just travelin’, travelin’, travelin’, I’m just travelin’ thru
I’m just travelin’, travelin’, travelin’, I’m just travelin’ thru

Oh sometimes the road is rugged, and it’s hard to travel on
But holdin’ to each other, we don’t have to walk alone
When everything is broken, we can mend it if we try
We can make a world of difference, if we want to we can fly

Goodbye little children, goodnight you handsome men
[Jason's version: Goodbye you little children, goodnight to all my friends
Farewell you lovely ladies and to all who knew me when]
Farewell to all you ladies and to all who knew me when
And I hope I’ll see you down the road, you meant more than I knew
As I was travelin’, travelin’, travelin’, travelin’, travelin’ thru

I’m just travelin’, travelin’, travelin’, I’m just travelin’
Drifting like a floating boat and roaming like the wind
Oh give me some direction lord, let me lean on you
As I’m travelin’, travelin’, travelin’, thru

I’m just travelin’, travelin’, travelin’, I’m just travelin’ thru
I’m just travelin’, travelin’, travelin’, I’m just travelin’ thru

Like the poor wayfaring stranger that they speak about in song
I’m just a weary pilgrim trying to find my own way home
Oh sweet Jesus if you’re out there, keep me ever close to you
As I’m travelin’, travelin’, travelin’, as I’m travelin’ thru

Goodbye little children, goodnight you handsome men
Farewell to all you ladies and to all who knew me when
 [Jason's version: Goodbye you little children, goodnight to all my friends
Farewell you lovely ladies and to all who knew me when]
Oh I’m just travelin’, Oh travelin’ thru, I’m travelin’ thru, I’m travel’ thru

You can also watch Jason’s "Travelin’ Thru" on YouTube from American Idol 

♥ 

 & Dolly’s "Travelin’ Thru" on YouTube 

 ♥ 

One more - Jason’s Best on You Tube - "Hallelujah"
 

High Fives & Cartwheels

Either will do.  I’ve just been clicking away at all my links tonight, testing them out.  I’m absolutely amazed at the end result of a dream that started months ago - this website.  Personally, I’ve completed the editing and creatives.  A few more tweaks from me and another week or so of technical expertise from way across the ocean with Duncan. 

As you know, I’m so very indebted to him.  I hope you’ll allow him to help you with your Blogs and website development too, as a favor to me.  He is extremely patient with those of us "technically-challenged" individuals. 

♥

My daughter and I were out today at one of our favorite places, "California Pizza", and we heard the song, "My Wish".  A while back I featured  that song on a previous blog.  We sang the chorus together and gave each other wishes that our "dreams stay big and worries stay small".  Isn’t that a beautiful way to go about life?

So may I send that hope to you, too.  "Alie James" is my big dream that today, has come true.  And for that, my worries seem very small.  I’m counting my blessings, tonight.

 

Everybody Wants to Go to …

Heaven!

Isn’t it true?  This is my new favorite song.  It has the island sound, which Kenny does so well.  If you’ve read my book, Secrets to Healthy Aging & Ageless Beauty, you’ll understand why I like this song so much.  One of my favorite "country boys" is singing an island-style song.   (I’m a Texas girl, who had the good fortune to have lived for quite some time in Hawaii.)  To watch the video, just click the arrow below. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do …

  
Kenny Chesney with The Wailers - Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven

Dream … Maker

This is my reality  - for the moment. 

It’s 7:23am.  I’m sitting in my favorite chair, at my favorite place (my porch) with my favorite mug (creamy white) filled with my favorite beverage (cream & French roast coffee).  Next to me on my little stone table is a plate of fruit (strawberries, bananas, pineapple) and cheese (white cheddar) on my favorite plate (Tuscan red). 

The birds are singing and it’s about 70º.  I have my favorite throw (amber chenille) over my legs and feet with this computer on my lap.  I’m planning to write about another topic straight from my dreams (and it’s a very strange subject for a dream!)

Illusion is the topic, but I’m going to give it a twist.  It’s not about illusion and magic, but illusion in regards to reality.  In fact I’m thinking of these titles - “illusional reality” or “the reality of illusion”.  Let’s see which wins - if either. 

One of the ways I write is to just write and edit later - that way is comes from my heart.  Ok … I’m ready to tackle this … let’s see where it’ll take us. 

When I woke up the other morning - about 3:00am - I wrote down these words … “Illusion - what’s up is down, what’s down is up, what’s here is there, what’s there is here, what’s fast is slow, etc….”  I’ve written about this before - questioning what really IS truth.  And I think (I’m not checking to confirm this) I left it that truth had to do with perspective.  Whether it’s mine, yours, theirs, or other-worldlies. 

For now, let me use an example of Illusion from my World of Furniture - a real place, with a real punishment/reward system — sell furniture (get money to pay my bills - a great reward!) or don’t sell furniture (make no money … work very hard for nothing - a dreary punishment!).   Anyway, more to the point … I must consistently behave a certain way towards my customers, which is to be conversational, friendly, caring, questioning and solutions-oriented - in other words, it’s my JOB to form a relationship with a stranger.  I have to do it well so that they are comfortable with who I am when they leave (so that they will remember me if they return). 

Oh friends, so much of that behavior is simply learned and programmed - it’s the “illusion” or “hat” I put on when I enter the furniture store.  It’s so hard at times, too, because I would love just to be me (really me).  Rather than give a summary of me, just know that what I write in my posts and in my books is really me. 

Here is the application, though.  We all live a public life, a private life and let’s just say an “inner/spiritual life”.  Whatever we choose to reveal in our public and private lives - in other words, whatever reality we put out there there is a choice.  We can choose to be ourselves or not.  That’s the freedom we have that no one can rob us of.  But there’s one place that I suggest that we be true to ourselves - and that’s in our “inner life”.  This is where we make things real anyway - from the Spirit part of us - which (or who) is the Real Us! 

That’s what my books are about - “makeovers for you and your home” have to do with getting in touch with your Real Self so that you can live your dreams, and also be able to live in the home of your dreams. 

For most of the Non-Dreamers in the world … dreams are simply an illusion.  The here and now is the reality.  But to those of use who have relearned, or are in the process of learning, how to embrace our true selves and our dreams - it’s our dreams that we believe will eventually replace the here and now of today, and will one day become our NEW reality. 

Ok which title will win … how interesting, neither wins.  I realized that throughout this post, my  subject is more about believing and dreaming.  That’s reality.  And as we dream it, hopefully we’ll experience it “for real”.   

So … That’s all Folks … Talk to you soon and Love to you all …

My Wish … for You

My Wish    Have a Listen

“Look at them boots, she’s gone country”  That’s Cindy, Christina’s and my newest friend, (Karen’s “bestest” friend).  She gave this toast at the wedding and it choked us all up.  So, I wanted to pass it on to you, my friends … along with one of my favorite songs, by Rascal Flats.  

Just a little thought to make your life  … simple, beautiful and complete!

Never Lie, Steal, Cheat or Drink….

But… if you must lie - lie in the arms of the one you love

If you must steal - steal away from bad company

If you must cheat - cheat death

And if you must drink — drink in all the moments that take your breath away!

River … Dance

The River, and its Dance …  a Tribute to Karen & Richard

August 2, 2008 … Karen & Richard’s wedding day, and a day that ended up becoming one of My Favorite Days!  After you read "Secrets …" and "The Ugly Duck Makeover", you’ll become quite familiar with the expression, "Favorite Days" - they’re life’s little treats that stay with you a lifetime.  The beauty of the scenery, the people, the music, the ceremony - "merged" together to create a majestic moment that I’ll never forget. 

Christina & I certainly didn’t know what to expect - we just followed the directions to their Cabin in the Mountains.  We parked, and as we were walking up the road there was their cabin with our American flag blowing in the wind (along with the Union Jack, too since Richard is English.)  Then we looked down the hill … omg …I had no idea we’d be next to a river … it was breath taking!

As they say … a picture is worth a THOUSAND words, so I thought I’d share a bit of this special day with you through these pictures rather than my words. 

Rock Me Mama.wma 

 

Greening … It

This was a happy morning. After 3 week of very hard work, I sent the last of my “Page by Page” files to Duncan. This was a very difficult exercise for me. The purpose of it was to take each page of the website and document which pictures, text, links to put on each page. Not only was it meant to give directions to Duncan, but it was also a work in progress for the website because I had to write all the text, and create all the graphics and slide shows, etc. But the hardest part of all of it was the thinking part. It was tortuous and tedious. Thankfully, Duncan said this was the “fun” part for him.

Definitely this was an exercise using the right and left side of the brain. I loved the creative part of this - the writing and creating of the graphics. But the technical, organizational part of it just about blew my mind.

Blew my mind - think about it - thinking so hard you felt your head explode? Don’t you admire people who think deeply like this all the time? I know I do, I know a few, and they fascinate me.

What’s the point of that “TMI” (too much information)? Well, I’m not sure, except I’m really celebrating this morning. I’m on my porch - the crickets are singing to me (certainly they know I’m listening to them), drinking my favorite morning beverage (coffee and cream), listening to a few birds, Maxwell (my black cat) is sitting right at my feet, , and it’s GREEEEEEEN everywhere.

Talking about green, the other day I had a really cool application between this beautiful tree and my Photoshop brushes. When I use certain brushes, I can paint all over the page - flowers, stars, leaves, swirls, etc. Take a look at my book cover, “Celebrity Makeover”. That was made using brushes to paint layer upon layer of sparkles and stars. The painting was just a matter of using the mouse to “flick?? the brush” here and there.

So when I look at how the leaves and branches “decorate” the tree trunk, it’s like they were painted with “leaf brushes”. Creation is like someone with millions of different brushes using millions of different colors, with millions of ideas about what to do with them. Amazing. Another Photoshop View of life for me.

I have exactly 1 hour before I have to stop Phase 1 of my morning and go into Phase II, which is get ready for work. Phase 3 is to Work. Phase 4 is to come back home. What Phase of your day is your favorite? I think Phase 1 is mine. That’s because I get to be in, and be comforted by my Dream Home.

Have a great day… really mean it, friends!

Lighting Up … the Stage

During the last few weeks I just haven’t had time to watch my favorite shows - so last night I watched 3 hours of “So You Think You Can Dance”.  This show absolutely holds my attention - there’s a magic formula - adorable, loving hostess, relevant judges, unbelievable talent.  And of course the most important element - taking unknown, normal, everyday people and giving them a “break”. 

After 3 hours of it, I wanted more!!!  But here’s the point to this post.  It’s the same topic I’ve mentioned before … “it”.  As far as the Top 10 go, they all have “it”.  They are all beautiful, talented dancers.  But I’m realizing that there’s degrees of “it”.  I already think I know who will be the last 4 - Chelsie, Katee, Twitch & Will.  And who do I think will win?  I feel it’ll be Chelsie or Katee.  (Operative word is “feel” cause that’s who I’m connecting with.)  

I was thinking after 3 hours of it, what impressions were left (what “vibe” was still ”resonating”).  It was that they “sparkled” - and I mean transcending the physical part of the dance.  (The skill level on that show is so high that for most of them, their dances appeared flawless.)  But the sparkle is translated through their countenance of joy - their smiles, their eye contact, their personality.  

They were Lighting Up the Stage.  Their light consisted of energy, electricity, radiance.  That’s “it”. 

And sadly, I wish I had it to give away, too.  Can you imagine doing something you are 100% passionate about, that you can totally abandon yourself in … every day - whenever you felt like it?  Well for me … at least I know what my passion is.  It’s writing.  I also know what it’s not - selling furniture. 

But lately, I’m learning some lessons from the world of furniture …  One of my good friends at the furniture store has ”it” - his “it” IS selling furniture.  Almost every one of his customers leaves our store with so much happiness, simply because he’s added so much to their lives during the very  few moments he had with them.  Maybe to the world it only appears that he’s ”selling furniture”, but I know what he’s really doing - he’s actually giving them a little bit of “it”.  The lesson comes from observing both of us doing the exact same thing, yet having different countenances and different outcomes.  So here’s the lesson I learned about ”it” …   

Having “it” comes from doing “it”.  In other words, when you do what you love to do, you naturally and effortlessly give “it” away to those you come in contact with.   This is an example of perfect, perpetual motion - Get it, give it, get it back - get more, give more, get more back … amazing.

Let’s pursue “it” together, shall we?  I know what I need to “do”, so that I can get ”it”.  Do you know what you need to do?  Well here’s a couple of tips for you:

When you ”find you“, you’ll find what “it” is.  City Slickers, was one of my favorite movies … Curly told us to find that one thing.  Can’t remember the exact line, but it was powerful.  And lastly, one of my favorite lines about doing it comes from ”Secrets to Healthy Aging & Ageless Beauty” …  

“… you learned about Spirit Dance, which describes this natural and effortless way of living - the movin’, groovin’, and flowin’ life-dance that is ‘danced to the music of creation”.  And here’s one last secret for you:  Our dance is not confined to a small and musty dance hall, either.  Rather, we’ve been given the “dance hall of creation“- the breathtaking beauty of heaven and earth.”    

  So here’s to us … lighting up … our stage - today, tomorrow, and then some …

Your Hairdresser REALLY Knows For Sure!

The other day was my hair day.  As usual, I came up with another plan for my hair.  “Lisa, I want you to make it darker so that my highlights will stand out.  I want to go back to being a “winter” instead of this false “autumn” look.”  I want you to do this, I want you to do that”.  She said - “Wow, you waited too long to get your hair done, that’s what’s wrong with you”.    Well after about an hour of explanation why she STRONGLY disagreed with me about going darker, I finally got it, and can again equate it to Photoshop. 

Here is the truth about aging from a Hairdresser’s view.  No amount of makeup, hair dye or clothes is going to recapture the ”vibrancy” of youth.  That’s because we are FADING with age.  I finally understood this because she said my skin is fading and that’s why she wouldn’t go darker for my hair - she insisted that it would look “witchy” even though not 10 years ago that was my natural color.

I get it now.  It’s like taking a layer of digital beauty (a photograph) and making it more transparent.  Each little bit of decrease in the opacity takes away the intensity of the color.  Well I guess that’s a good view of aging.  A more transparent picture is the same picture - it’s just a softer, paler version of it. 

Eventually, when it’s so transparent that it’s barely there, it kind of becomes “ethereal”.  If you have “The Ugly Duck Makeover” then look how I made the very back page - I faded it out quite a bit.  The more “opaque” (darker) version was just too harsh and sent the wrong message. 

So, friends, this is meant as encouragement for those of us who are NOT into aging (or as Arbonne says - looking younger, longer.)  There is just as much beauty in getting older as being younger.  We’re the same picture, just less opaque and more transparent. 

She (my hairdresser) knows for sure - she promotes beauty no matter what the age - “Black hair like your 28 year old daughter???? Come on, Diane, you’re 55, so be proud of it and quit fighting it.”  “Ok, Lisa … thanks, I guess?”

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