Gaia Community: mimi's Blog

Swine Flu Homemade Mask

http://mimibyrd.gaia.com — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:13:00 GMT

In case we run out of masks during the flu H1N1 season

Here is a ‘homemade' mask you can make yourself

It is even compatible with the wearing of glasses

One thing though ---

Make sure your mask as been washed and clean!!!

Thanks to my dear friend, Roma, for sending this to me this morning and giving me a laugh to last all day.

Tags: swine flu, homemade mask, funny

What do you do when you're bored?

http://mimibyrd.gaia.com — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:40:52 GMT

I'm never bored - there is always something to do - garden, cook, read a book, walk downtown, watch tv, play pogo games,talk to friends on the phone, lay around watching tv, the list is endless. What is there to be bored about? What do you have to tell yourself to "be bored". Maybe you're bored because you are boring? Maybe bored people need to get moving around, acting alive, being useful. Is there any appeal in being bored? Even if you are bored, why would you tell someone? - like are they going to fix it for you? Amuse me! and then what...........? If you tell me you're bored, I would give you THIS LOOK.

Tags: Q&R, boredom, interests, boring, bored, complaining

Is Happiness Overrated?

http://mimibyrd.gaia.com — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:48:02 GMT

By Paulo Coelho, Ode Magazine

What is happiness? This is a question that has not bothered me for a long time, precisely because I don't know how to answer it. I am not the only one. Throughout the years, I have lived with all sorts of people: rich and poor, powerful and mediocre. In the eyes of all who have crossed my path-and I include warriors and wise men, people who should have nothing to complain about-I have found something was always missing.

Some people seem happy. They just do not think about it. Others make plans: "I'm going to have a husband, a home, two children and a house in the country." While this keeps them occupied, they are like bulls looking for the bullfighter. They don't think; they just keep moving forward. They manage to get their car, sometimes even a Ferrari, and they think the meaning of life lies there, so they never ask the question. Yet, despite all that, their eyes betray a sadness of which they themselves are unaware.

I do not know if everyone is unhappy. I do know that people are always busy-working overtime, looking after the kids, the husband, the career, the university degree, what to do tomorrow, what they need to buy, whatever it is they need to have in order not to feel inferior and so on. Few people have ever told me, "I'm unhappy." Most say, "I'm fine, I've managed to get all I ever wanted."

So then I ask, "What makes you happy?"

They answer, "I have everything a person can dream of-a family, a home, work, good health."

I ask again, "Have you ever stopped to wonder if that is all there is to life?"

They answer, "Yes, that's all there is."

I insist. "So the meaning of life is work, the family, children who grow up and leave you, a wife or husband who will become more like a friend than a true love mate. And one day the work will come to an end. What will you do when that happens?"

They answer... there is no answer. They change the subject. But there is always something hidden there-the owner of a firm who has still to close his dream deal, the housewife who would like to have more independence or more money, the new graduate who wonders whether he has chosen his career or has had it chosen for him, the dentist who wanted to be a singer, the singer who wanted to be a politician, the politician who wanted to be a writer and the writer who wanted to be a peasant.

In this street, where I sit writing this and looking at the people passing by,

I bet everyone is feeling the same thing. That elegant woman who has just walked by spends her days trying to stop time, controlling the bathroom scales, because she thinks love depends on that. On the other side of the street, I see a couple with two children. They live moments of intense happiness when they go out with their kids, but at the same time their subconscious is busy thinking about the job they might not get, the tragedies that might occur, how to get over them, how to protect themselves from the world.

I leaf through magazines filled with famous people-everybody laughing, everybody happy. But since I am familiar with this segment of society, I know it is not like that. Everyone is laughing or enjoying themselves as that photo is taken, but at night, or in the morning, the story is different.

"What can I do to keep appearing in the magazine?"

"How can I disguise not having enough money to afford all this luxury?"

"How can I manage this life of splendor to make it even more luxurious and expressive than other people's lives?"

"The actress I am with in this photo, laughing and having a great time, could steal my part tomorrow."

"I wonder if my clothes are nicer than hers."

"Why do we smile so much if we loathe one another?"

I recall the words of Argentine poet Jorge Luis Borges: "I will not be happy any more, but that doesn't matter. There are many other things in this world."

Paulo Coelho is the Brazilian author of international bestsellers, including The Alchemist. paulocoelhoblog

Tags: happy, happiness

Tomatina - World's Biggest Annual Tomato Fight

http://mimibyrd.gaia.com — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:37:00 GMT

Tomato-throwing Festival

Just once, I would have liked to have participated in the Annual Tomatina event. Several huge trucks slowly dump several tons of tomatoes onto the street. Tomatina was started many years ago by 2 young guys back in 1944. They are old now and they provide the tomatoes for the annual event. - 125 TONS!

See more here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vd3n5NGoxE8

Tags: Tomatina, tomato, Spain, fun

What is the most important aspect or practice in your spiritual l

http://mimibyrd.gaia.com — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:56:59 GMT

MINDFULNESS....
......ever mindful of the breath,
the present moment,
and the wants and needs of others.

Many years ago, I found this book, "Mindfulness for everday living" by Christopher Titmuss. It remains one of my favourite books - user friendly and wise covering every aspect of everyday life.

For daily practice I concentrate on generosity,and patience, right intention, right speech. It is live PRACTICE, not just a concept. It takes Practice. I'm doing not too bad, but need improvement. I work on it.

From today's Daily Words of the Buddha:
" Let one guard oneself against irritability in thought;
let one be controlled in mind.
Abandoning mental misconduct,
let one practice good conduct in thought.
"
Dhammapada 17.233

Tags: Q&R, spirituality, practice, breath, present moment, generosity, Dhammapada

What one thing would you like to be best in the world at?

http://mimibyrd.gaia.com — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:37:35 GMT

Who would I be competing against?
Who would the judges be? Could judges be bribed?
Would I have to defend my title yearly in a venue similar to Superbowl, Olympics, World Championships?

When you're THE Best In the World, people will dig up lots of negative stuff and even make up lies to discredit you. They will try to dethrone you.

Who needs it? Who says "The Best" is really best. Why even think about "in the world?" I would not try to be best in any one thing but instead just lead my life in the best way I can - being mindful of others. .

I have joyfully accepted a few "best" accolades"
"You're the best mommy in the the whole wide world:
You're my best friend ever, ever.

Tags: Q&R, best, expertise, expert, skill, judging, competition

Do you believe in guides or angels?

http://mimibyrd.gaia.com — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:26:25 GMT

Lovin' Spoonful - Do You Believe In Magic

Yes,I believe inthe earthly variety who have guided, helped, and protected me. They are near and far. They are practical, wise, and kind.

There are angels who exist in the spiritual realm who are available to those who know how to "be" in the spiritual realm. But first you have to learn how, or have a desire to tap into the spirtitual realm and accept the language of the spiritual realm. Believe in the magic of the spiritual realm and it will be appear to you. You will find it if you look.

Tags: Q&R, guides, angels, wisdom

What's the best story you've heard recently?

http://mimibyrd.gaia.com — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:54:53 GMT

FISH STORY

My cousin told me this hilarious story from years back. When her son, Trevor, was about 8years old, she took him down to the waterfront to see the awards for a Fishing Derby. He was so amazed to see all these gigantic fish being held up. He was admiring a non-winning really big fish -about 3 feet long. Trevor being so cute and adorable, won the heart of the fisherman. He told Trevor he could have the fish.
My cousin tried to talk him out of it, but Trevor wanted to take it home and show it to his father. He refused to leave the park without the fish. So my cousin said ok.

Trevor took the fish home to their nice apartment building to show his father.
"Why did you bring that thing home, what the heck are you going to do with the big fish?" Trevor wasn't sure. "I'm putting it in the garbage," his father said. And he wrapped the giant fish in more newspaper and put it down the garbage chute.

A few days later, there was a big drama outside the apartment building with lots of police cars. My cousin and Trevor went outside to see what was going on, and heard the news that the police were investigating a possible murder - they think they found body parts stuck in the garbage chute. When they finally retrieved the stinking bundle, they discovered it was not a body at all but a giant fish. The police hollered out to the crowd , "Does anyone know anything about this big fish?: and before my cousin could stop him, Trevor hollered out "Yes, that's my fish." Trevor's father had to pay a fine of $175 for illegally disposing of the fish.

Tags: QaR, stories, story, tale

Synthetic Happiness -

http://mimibyrd.gaia.com — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:46:34 GMT

Fascinating talk - worth every single minute you spend listening to this. I hope you will watch the video and remember what he said ;>)

Tags:

What would your dream vacation be like?

http://mimibyrd.gaia.com — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:44:24 GMT

Spaaaaaaaah!

Tags: Q&R, vacation, holiday, dream, spa

If Star Trek ran on Microsoft Windows

http://mimibyrd.gaia.com — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 14:50:27 GMT

If Star Trek ran on Microsoft Windows

Hilarious!!
DON'T YOU HATE THAT SOUND!

Tags: Stark Trek, computer, Microsoft Windows

What do you prefer to "small talk"?

http://mimibyrd.gaia.com — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 13:24:18 GMT

What are my other choices? ;>)

What's wrong with small talk? It primes the pump for conversation and social interaction. You are free to stop making or listening to small talk at any moment.

Small talk and big talk both serve their own purpose, depending on the situation and the people involved. Small talk is neither good nor bad. It is only a tool.

"How are YOU?... by the way...

Tags: Q&R, small talk, conversation, connection

What experiences do you think are important for children to have?

http://mimibyrd.gaia.com — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:47:09 GMT

Children, from birth, should be exposed to the things that add so much quality and texture to our life -books, music, art, nature, philosophy, spirituality---things of the spirit, heart, and mind, so they can create things from that place. They need to be guided by parents and family members who are stable, loving people. .

Children should experience responsibility for themselves and others through Work, even at the youngest age. . They should experience Reality, Play, and Dreams. They need to participate in real life as useful members of society. The need to learn how to give and be useful instead of being zombie couch potatoes, whining "I'm bored, there's nothing to do" and having a long list of electronic toys that cost hundreds of dollars. And if they really want them, they can earn and save the money to buy them themself.

Mostly they should experience Just Being a Kid, running in the woods, collecting chestnuts in the fall, laying on their back under a treee,skating on a pond, having a best friend, having loving family who have time and smarts to do the right thing.

A little Tough Love is not a bad thing. I think there is way too much emphasis on kids' self esteem, and not enough on teaching them Self-Restraint - good manners, civility, self-discipline. Children should not be indulged like Prize Pomeranians.

And finally, humour - to develop a sense of humour, to experience the funny and the absurd and to have a good shaking laugh - where the stuff come out of your nose, and you drool, your eyes water and your stomach hurts.

Tags: Q&R, children, experiences, childhood, laughing, self-restraint, fun

How do you say no?

http://mimibyrd.gaia.com — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:38:42 GMT

I have hundreds of ways of saying no. It all has to do with tone of voice, facial expression, and body language. So these 2 letters are very powerful and easy to pronounce. You just have to give it the right inflection and let the asker know immediately. Here's some:

Nope! - (no way, not going to happen)

No-o-o-o - kinda whinnied (like are you kidding?)

Nooooooo (lips pursed, eyes squinted - resolute)

Noohooh - said with evil laugh tone (what you're saying is a scary? ridiculous? concept)

Throw in some head nods, modulate voice high low, raise lower eyebrows, shoulders, make eyes big, little. There is such a variety. It is hard to understand with so much available why people find it hard to say no. I think they want to be "nice".

My mother was "nice". She hardly ever said no. After she died, I grieved for a long time. The one thing that came out as a revelation to me "I am never again saying yes when I mean no". How could my mother's death prompt such an idea? Later, I thought about it more, and it appeared she didn't protect herself, her boundaries, she didn't get what she wanted. The doctor said she had a bit of a martyr complex. Hey, that's not good! I didn't want to die a martyr.

And I certainly did not want to live a martyr. No way,! No siree, Bob! NOt going to happen~ no no nanette, no way Jose. Now I comfortably say no- even a Big Fat NO --and smile or laugh with ease. It's easy, uncomplicated, truthful.

Tags: QaR, boundaries, protection, self-care, no, big fat no

I thought the library would be nicer....

http://mimibyrd.gaia.com — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:58:46 GMT

Yesterday, my son and I went to the local library to get library cards. We're new in town and like to use the library services. We gathered up documents with our current address to prove we actually live here in Peterborough. I was excited to see that they had a coffee bar with nice coffees, snacks, comfy chairs a la mini Starbucks.

I got my card but was in a hurry so I asked where the Buddhist section was. I swear I was away the day they taught the Dewey Decimal System in high school. I quickly grabbed a few books - The Yoga of Healing, Kundalini Yoga for the West, Living Buddha, Living Christ.

On the way to the car my son remarked, "I thought the library would be nicer. The one in Niagara is so much nicer.". I agreed that we had been lucky to have such a beautiful library with secret places to sit with fountains bubbling, light streaming in through sky lights, plants everywhere.

"Ya,it was so much nicer. I expected the one here would be nicer"....

"Well, " I said...."maybe you can do something to make it nicer ;>)"

"Like what?"

"Well, maybe you can be a volunteer at the library, help seniors find stuff, or maybe get on the library board, or be a fund raiser for the library, and when you get the money from your law suit, you can make a generous donation to the library to make it nicer."

He said, " Hmmm.......I never thought of that......"

Photo - Niagara Falls (Ontario) Public Library

Tags: library, make it nicer, generous, volunteer

Why aren't Obama supporters out on the streets?

http://mimibyrd.gaia.com — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:52:32 GMT

WHOO HOO!
EARTH TO OBAMA SUPPORTERS ! get your butts out on the street
NOW!

Why are the right wing nuts able to rouse the rabble to get out on the streets with nazi signs, hammer and sickles signs, hollering nonsense about Socialism, and getting all the press coverage, like this is normal???

Where are you? watching them on TV. Watching Survivor?
Hell- ohh!
SHOW YOURSELVES, DAMMIT.

thank you.

Tags: where are you? Obama supporters

Auntie Vickie Prays

http://mimibyrd.gaia.com — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 14:04:52 GMT

Auntie Vickie is 90 years old. She was very troubled when the family became divided when my two sisters refused to speak to me for almost 6 years. It all revolved around me being my father's caregiver and that my father and I had a close and loving relationship in the later years of his life. And I handled all his financial and medical affairs.

My sisters at times refused to visit our father. When he was moved into a hospital and then a nursing home in my small town, I visited him every single day for about 2 years. He was just a short walk away and I would just pop in each day and bring him a treat and find out what he wanted - pencils, garlic head cheese, peaches, 3-hole punch., whatever.   I think there was resentment of some sort because we liked each other - my older sister dislked him from childhood and my younger one had not visiedt him for 2 years even though she was a few miles away fixing up his house for sale.

When I became ill, they decided to prevent me and my father from communicating, banning me from even visiting, censoring his mail, and even telling the home not to sell him stamps so he couldn't send me letters. My father was crying and wondering why I wasn't showing up or writing or phoning (and he had no idea that I had suffered several brain attacks). They had a whole bag of mini tricks, and a $500/hr. lawyer, who thought up many petty new things to prevent contact. Yikes! Through the Patients Rights Office, I put a stop to that but it took about a year or more to even find them in my weakened brain fog state.

So back to Auntie Vickie, she was very sad and troubled and told me she prayed every night that God would answer her prayer - that "you girls would start talking again". I tried to explain that I had always been willing to talk, but they refused any overtures over the years. . Even when my Dad died, my sister phoned my son and said, "Tell your mother Daddy died and if she wants to know the arrangements, phone the funeral home, not me. He's at Lamb's Funeral Home."

I was terrified, I had to face my tormentors in a public place with my emotions raw at "Daddy''s" death. My friend Nancy, said she would stay by my side every single minute and not leave me for a second. She is tiny but mighty with an angelic face.   I got through the funeral with help of friends, though my sisters had orchestrated a bizzare final send off.

My friends were surprised that my sisters said "family only" at the graveside at the last moment. Some of them were already on their way there. At the graveside, the minister began by saying, "The family has asked me to speak but not to do a Christian burial...." I just about fell over.   whaaaaat?...the minister went on, "but I am a Christian minister and that is what I do - Christian burials. Anyway, he did the prayers, and dust to dust, and Jesus was mentioned, all the stuff. I was very embarrassed by what my sisters had done, but proud of the minister for speaking up. What in hell were those sisters of mine thinking?

So back to Auntie Vickie.....90 years old, of the apricot highly sprayed helmet hair, green eye shadow, midnight grey panty hose, high heels, long plastic dangly earrings, telling me several times that she was "errr, mmmm, praying every night,, yes, you know...that you girls wll talk again, eh? hahaha(small laugh). I wish you girls would talk again, you know,.I pray every night."

Right then and there, hearing her small voice, my mother's last sister alive, telling me her wish and prayer, I decided I would try to help God answer her prayer. Never mind what those "girls" had done over the years to make my life difficult and sad. No, it wasn't about them any more...it was about Auntie Vickie...she was 90 and could be gone any minute, her health was frail, and her shoe heels were getting lower and safer. I didn't want her to go to be with God and be mad at him for not answering her prayer.

I decided I would approach the most approachable sister who lived about 10 miles away - the one who I had run through the spinkler with, had shared the same 3/4 bed as kids, the one I had talked to every day on the phone with before all this crazy nonsense came into being like a plague. I mulled over --- COULD WE START AGAIN, could we have a future,  COULD WE HAVE A NOW? Perhaps!---that was the best answer I could get.

I decided to send my sister a birthday card yet again with some picture of us age 7 and 3, sitting on a table top, taken by a roving photograher in the 1940's. I bravely wrote on the back of it "I love my sister", and put it in the mail.   I waited a few days, and then phoned and left a message on her answering machine "Hey, it's your seeester, your birthday's coming up and why don't we go out to the Caribbean restaurant up the street from me. It's cheap and cheerful. My treat!" and hung up.

A few hours later, I got a call back. Yes, she would accept, but only if we went Dutch Treat, she did not want me to pay. Ok, noon at the restaurant. It was a bit awkward at first, but after a big healthy rum drink and cranked up calypso music, we relaxed, and started talking and laughing, and laughing, and before we knew it, 3 hours had passed and we were still talking and laughing. We got up to leave and hugged each other, and she drove me home. We have been talking ever since. I phoned Auntie Vickie after about 3 days, and told her what happened. She was in tears, she was so happy. But there was still one lost sheep.....

Photo -- googled, not Auntie V

Tags: forgiveness, Aunt, now

What role has forgiveness played in your life?

http://mimibyrd.gaia.com — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 13:33:42 GMT

Forgiveness has been one of the highlights of my life. One of the most illuminating and freeing experiences of my life. Only good flowed from it. Here is one of my favourite quotes that so many friends have also found both funny and profound.

"Forgiveness means giving up all hope for a better past."
~~Lily Tomlin

When I was struck down by stroke or brain virus, my 2 sisters turned on me when I needed them the most. Not only did they not help me, they took actions that hurt me, our father, and divided all the relatives. They slandered me and made false accusations that were ludicrous and hurtful. In my weakened, vulnerable state, I was reeling in despair. They refused to speak to me for many years. Any attempts to communicate with them they blocked. Birthday cards I sent to them were returned. A cousin who was friendly with me, was told not to phone or visit them. It was ugly, and they used up my father's small estate to pay a high priced lawyer $500 an hour to keep me from visiting my father in the nursing home. My father was crying as I had been his caregiver. Through a haze of brain fog and neurological damage, I tried to fight back. What in the worldl were my sister thinking? Did they hate me so much? for how long? A counsellor said it was Sibling Rivalry - that we were all getting older, and this was a good chance for them to get even since I was in a weakened state - it was a good time for them to attack. Wow!!!

I cried,mulled, cried, consulted, was given free legal advice by a sympathetic lawyer, I despaired.
I was reading a lot of Buddhist stuff and got a wonderful online Buddhist teacher(Reverend Da Shi Yin De) and became his student. When I asked for spiritual guidance on this horrible state of emotional affairs, he wrote me the words that helped set me free.

"STOP TORTURING YOURSELF. You're making yourself angry because people aren't acting and talking in a way you think they should be." He invited me to consider setting myself free.

At first I was shocked at his lack of sympathy ;>)), hey, I was a victiml here! Did he miss that point?   No, he had not. He had it just right. I was allowing them to victimize me. I allowed them to have power over me with just their thoughts, words, and even their actions. Why was I giving away my power? Why was I reacting so badly to their words and small minded actions. What were my choices here?

I won't bore you with all the details, whatever they are, of how it came about. But I released myself from their grip which wasn't as tight as I imagined. I remembered a 90 year old Bahai friend, Joan Moore, telling me to pray for them. HAH!! as if that was every going to happen! I had long ago given up praying. Why would I pray for my enemies or to be less dramatic - for those trying to harm me.?

I asked my teacher about prayer, and he said when you pray, you are praying to yourself and for yourself, or something like that. I remembered the Metta Prayer. ...May all beings.... hey, ALL BEINGS...-?sisters?..

The more I moved away from being victim and martyr in the drama, the more sense it made, and the freer and better i felt. I rose above the situation to a new viewing stand, and became the Observer in the play, not the victim and beseiged heroine. I became free. In my heart and mind I wished them well, and that they could free themselves from the dark places. . I was free.

Today, my sister and i enjoy wonderful times together, even though there was about 6 years when they closed me out completely. Did anybody win or lose? Yes, we all lost and won. And have moved on and on.

Someone recently asked me, "Have you forgiven your sisters?" I laugh.  "Oh, I don't know if it's forgiveness. I don't think of it in that way. I just think, THAT IS JUST WHAT HAPPENED THEN ---THIS IS NOW!!  I gave up all hope of a better past."

....and let go
and moved on


May all creatures, all living things,
all beings one and all,
experience good fortune only.
May they not fall into harm.

"The man who foolishly does me wrong, I will return to him the protection of my most ungrudging love; and the more evil comes from him, the more good shall go from me."
~Buddha~

Tags: QaR, forgiveness, forgiving, letting go

Where do your answers come from?

http://mimibyrd.gaia.com — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:29:27 GMT

From Out There, floating around. They seem to always find me through the shower head. Me, grooving in the warmth of the water, the scent of magnolias, verbena, Dove soap, sudsy bubbles, the hum of the water, the scratchy bath brush, groovin' groovin' in bliss. All the ideas come clear as a bell, perfect, in a purple wave of perfectness, all is well, all is right, all is alright. God, I love my life.

I turn off the water and pull the curtain open .......

Tags: Q&R, answers, questions, origin, intuition

Survival of the Kindest

http://mimibyrd.gaia.com — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:16:47 GMT

According to Piero Ferrucci, freedom starts with being kind.
To others. And yourself. History provides the proof:

....."One of the reasons behind the success of evolution is that we've been kind to one another. "He suggests a little more silence and a little more kindness-not just for others but for ourselves. It could be a doctor's prescription. But Ferrucci immediately adds a caveat. There are two major obstacles to kindness, he says.

"The first obstacle is passing judgement, on yourself or others. The second obstacle: telling others what they should do or who they should be, giving them advice and trying to control them. If we would do that a little less, everything on earth would run a lot more smoothly." After considering for a moment he adds: "By the way, have you ever seen anyone actually follow someone's advice? See? Everyone does what they want to anyway."

Kindness... it seems like such a simple quality, not terribly grand or some kind of keen breakthrough. And yet this single virtue, according to Piero Ferrucci, can save humanity. "More to the point," he adds. "It is saving humanity. Have you ever wondered why the world still hasn't fallen apart, despite all its complex structures? Mail carriers, train conductors, newspaper vendors, cleaners, etc... of course they earn their livelihood with what they do, but it all happens largely thanks to their good will, to their kindness."

Ferrucci looks at his watch. The photographer-yet another person with good will-is due any minute. It's time to wind up our discussion. But he has one more thing to say: "The most sensible way to look after our own self-interest, to find freedom and be happy, is not to directly pursue these things but to give priority to the interests of others. Help others to become free of their fear and pain. Contribute to their happiness. It's all really very simple. You don't have to choose between being kind to yourself and others. It's one and the same."

Read full article from Ode Magazine :
http://www.dailygood.org/more.php?n=3815

Tags: silence, kindness, judgment, One, happiness, freedom