AND HERE’S TO YOU

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“Mrs. Robinson. Jesus loves you more than you will know… “
No, wait! That’s not what I meant to say, but now you’re humming it too, aren’t you?

Here’s to you, 2022, because you’re going to be a great year!

I believe this wholeheartedly, and the fact that I accomplished two major goals last year, and turned 70 to boot, gives me a foundation for my belief.

My first goal was to have what turned out to be a life-saving surgery. Now, almost seven months later, I feel so much better that I can look forward to a healthier, exciting year. My cardiologist is thrilled with my improvement – I saw her Tuesday and she reduced my meds because my blood-pressure is now too low – because my heart is working properly again!

My second goal (and I went right down to the wire accomplishing it) was taking an idea that came out of a therapy session, and turning it into a reality. I’ve opened a shop designing/selling greeting cards on ETSY. The cards are made from some of my favorite photos and professionally-printed for me on lovely card stock.

Maybe it’s my age, although I’d rather blame it on anything else, but the learning curve to get the thing up-and-running was an absolute bear! Have you noticed this, too? Does everything seem more complicated?
It took me months to get all of my ducks-in-a-row, but it opened with a bang on December 31!

Here’s the link to visit: etsy.com/shop/FairviewPhotos

It is so exciting to sit here working, surrounded by packages of beautiful cards in shiny wrappers, imagining all of the loving notes that will be written and received.

Flower Power

Naming the shop was a challenge, but I set an intention one night before bed: I would know what to call it when I woke in the morning. And I did: FairviewPhotos is named for the only street where all of the O’Klock sisters lived together.

It was just me, Terry, and Lynn when we lived in Bohemia, a little town on Long Island, in the mid-50’s. Then, new baby sister, Andee, joined us in Sayville in the 60’s while a new house was being built. When the Bayport house was ready, we moved in, and Elizabeth (whom you met in my post in August) was born. All five of us on Fairview Avenue.

There are two other reasons I believe it will be a good year – and yes, they are “airy-fairy,” but, I study Tarot and Numerology a bit, and last year was a chaotic “5” year. (2+0+2+1 =5) all about personal freedom in all it’s forms – and look what that turned into!

This year will be a “6” year, (2+0+2+2 = 6) and the preponderance of twos is also good because they are about partnership, diplomacy and love. Yes, THANK YOU!

The number “6” is about taking responsibility, with an emphasis on relationships and equilibrium. This year may be more about “What’s good for ALL of us?” and less about “Me, my rights, and what I want.” With this mindset there is room for an emphasis on growth and healing, cooperation, and service to others.

I read that 2022 is also a magnetic year; meaning that you can attract things more easily, both good and bad. Focus on your goals, and think BIG. Stay positive, drop judgements toward yourself and others. And drop guilt. Who needs more of that?

My Vitex Card

The icing on the cake for me, is the Pantone Color of the Year 2022, is VERY PERI. It’s not quite blue and not quite violet, but it is the color of the Sixth chakra, our Third Eye. It’s the color of the Vitex flower, above.

Last year’s color was Ultimate Gray… if that tells you anything. Don’t get me wrong, I love grey. This chakra, and it’s corresponding color, relate to self-responsibility and the ability to see things from a higher viewpoint, rather than satisfying your own ego. It also gives us the experience of being part of the whole.

The gift of this chakra is seeing AND understanding.

Let’s have faith that things are improving, let’s focus on what’s good. It’s a magnetic year, after all.

Let’s decorate our home with indigo-colored flowers, or better yet, plant some iris, lavender, and periwinkles in your garden. We planned to plant a Vitex tree and lavender bed this spring – I knew there was a reason I was focused exclusively on purple plants for my garden!

Frankincense, Lavender, Neroli and Juniper are all supposed to be beneficial for the Third Eye Chakra – they are available as incenses and oils, which I love and my sweetie hates. Relationships and equilibrium, huh? I’ll get back to you on the incense.

Wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.
XO Donna

The Circle Game

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imageAnd the seasons, they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We’re captive on the carousel of time
We can’t return. We can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game.
Lyrics by Joni Mitchell

A friend said today that “she felt like she was running in circles and getting nowhere on her goals.” Yes, she’s had some trying circumstances this past year, but when I look at her what I see is movement, shift, expansion and a beautiful unfolding.

When we are reinventing ourselves, trying to accomplish something new-for-us, we tend to think that things should move in a straight line. Nothing organic ever does.  Julia Cameron – she of the magnificent “The Artist’s Way” – said that “Growth is an erratic forward movement: Two steps forward and one step back. Remember that and be very gentle with yourself.”

Sounds like the recipe for a cha-cha-cha to me. Mojitos, anyone?

Here’s my suggestion when you feel like you are going in circles:

  1. Is the circle getting smaller and smaller, as if you are heading down the toilet? If the answer is yes, get help. A professional, trusted family member, or friend.
  2. Is it the same old circle? Then get off the carousel, even if you have to jump. Tuck and roll, baby!
  3. Is the circle expanding?  Is anything different, even slightly? Look back and see how far you’ve come. Take time to give yourself a pat on the back. Open a bottle of bubbly! Then, set more goals and keep going.

When we are focused on a goal, or a dream, it’s easy to lose track of everything else we are accomplishing – the other vital pieces of our puzzle that will nurture us and help us get where we want to go. And always remember to take time to stop and smell the flowers. Many of which, by the way, open in a spiral.

XO Donna

Chase the Feeling

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imageSomething has to be pretty special to get me out of bed early on a Sunday morning, especially when it’s cold! But, I was promised a bunch of 2014 Corvettes at a car club meet at The Oasis…so, I was up and dressed in a flash!

I love sexy cars – Aston Martins (think James Bond), Jaguars, Ferraris, Audi R8s, Porsches, too. And as much as I love these sensual beauties, I also delight in the old American muscle cars.  The 2014 Corvette is the ultimate marriage of the two,  in my mind! I strolled around snapping photos, admiring the cars, and struck up a conversation with a gentleman named Tom. The next thing I knew I was sitting in his car, engine idling, picturing myself racing through the countryside!  The dynamic lines, the powerful engine, the exquisite fit of the seat felt invigorating!

I’ve been focused on feelings lately. I follow Danielle LaPorte, not in a stalker kind of way, in a fan kind of way (wait…isn’t fan derived from “fanatic”?)  She’s a soul-sister/writer/speaker who offers weekly “Truth Bombs” and posts ways to help you get what you desire. She’s edgy, she’s here: http://www.daniellelaporte.com

I bought her new book, The Desire Map, as a gift for myself.  The book connects everything I have been learning for the last 30 years!  And, to get the most from it, I have joined a book club here in town to work our way toward our desires, together!  (More of these groups are going on simultaneously all over the world, and it’s become the largest book club ever!)

While the book is about achieving goals, the essence of the book, is about FEELING GOOD.

Which brings me to this: We are 2 weeks into the New Year, and statistics say that by now, most people have given up on their resolutions. Have you? Don’t despair – I have a solution!  I set one or two goals each year, but this year, rather than focus on the goal, I am focusing on the FEELINGS I want these goals to give me!

My first goal is to finish my book, “Sick and Tired…and Sexy,” by the end of February!  When I think about the feelings I will get from doing this…the primary one is “ACCOMPLISHED.”  I have started writing many, many things; I have folders full of unfinished fiction, short stories, and children’s picture books. When I finish this one, what else might I feel?  Powerful?  Prolific?

How can you use this? Let’s say you want to shed a few pounds, (most folks #1 goal) think about how will you feel when you do.  What would best describe the feeling for you:  Alive?  Vibrant? Luscious?  Awakened?  Next, think about your desired feeling as you go through your day making choices…will this choice give me that feeling?

Maybe your goal is to reclaim a cluttered room and turn it into your  image beautiful new office. Rather than having the goal be to just “fix-up junk room,” focus on how you want to FEEL each time you walk into your new office?  Peaceful? Centered?  Prosperous?

Now, with every page that I complete, I feel accomplished. I stay focused on that feeling…and I know it will be even more delicious when I hold the book in my hands!  No matter what happens after that, I will feel accomplished every day. I can see the finish line ahead, and I know just how I want to feel as I race across it!

XO Donna