Blinking cursor

You would think that after a week of not blogging that I would have oodles to write about once I finally returned to my computer. After all, just in the past week we've been to Denmark, my son has turned six, we've been to Legoland, I've puked my guts out, I've had a 3-day kick off with work, and this afternoon my son has had his water-war-theme birthday party in the rain.

Yet here I lie, exhausted, and my blinking cursor taunts me because I can't think of a damn thing to say.

Um, excuse me?! Part II

Me to cat: "I don't give a rat's ass that you were out all night, mister!

That's where I sit to drink my morning coffee!!"

A perfect day to die?

On a day like today with cloudless blue skies, golden rays of sunlight, symphonies of birdsong, I become convinced, as are many Indians and Native Americans, that there is indeed a spirit in everything. I came to think of the mantra "Om", which consists of four parts: A-U-M, followed by a silent vibration. In the stillness of the air this evening I felt I could sense that silent vibration which connects all to the same life force (prana).

The family down the street had quite the opposite experience. This evening they put their 12-year old dog to sleep. I watched as the father picked her up and laid her on a lawn chair cushion while waiting for the vet arrived. In her final moments in this life, she lay under the same sun I felt was vibrating with life, and she was surrounded by those who loved her unconditionally. I believe animals know intuitively when it's time for them to die, and I don't think they feel at all the same anxiety we humans feel when it comes to accepting the inevitable.

While I can't even begin to imagine the devastation our friends are feeling at this trying time, as an outsider I could see a paradoxal beauty, serenity, and dignity in her passage. The egotistical part of me couldn't help but feel that when I die, I hope it will be on a day as beautiful as this one. Something tells me that the in the afterlife, every moment is as beautiful and filled with peace as today was. In the afterlife, I believe you become that perfect day.

Um, excuse me?!

After way too much procrastinating I made it very clear to myself (the way a mother scolds a child who stayed up too late and woke up tired and cranky the following morning) that the fact that I didn't get off the computer (and thereby off my butt) before 9:45 P.M. would not excuse me from doing some evening yoga. I am tired of being my own worst enemy when it comes to doing things I know are good for me and that, in turn, always make me feel good.

That said, the mat came out. The DVD-player was turned on. Then I heard the kitty hatch open and the pitter-pat of paws coming down the stairs. 10 P.M. is Mr. Meow's jump-in-bed-and-snuggle time. Seeing that I was on the floor didn't bother him a bit. He just plopped himself down on my mat and proceeded to do his cleasning ritual - cat yoga style.

Don't you just hate showoffs?

Confessions - not an apology

Just so no one gets the wrong impression by my feeble attempts at sounding like I have a clue in all my yogic intentions...

As much as I would like to say that I am serene and wise in all that I say and do, the truth is I am modern woman living in the Western hemisphere, and, well, we'll just let this list speak for itself:

*I just poured myself a glass of wine, but I'll probably feel hungover before I even finish it.

*The hamburger dinner pictured (yes, that's bacon in the corner) was absolutely delicious; you should have seen the spread of toppings we used - I am so not a vegetarian...

* I wrote on Facebook today that I wish I could play golf, but the truth is I don't know if my temper would allow me enough patience to get a small ball into a minimal hole on a huge course without me suffering from a stress-related aneurism (I'm a bit on the competitive side and an incredibly sore loser).

* Even if I strive for moderation, it would be a lie to say that the Playstation, computer, and/or TV don't "babysit" my kids every so often so that I can have some peace.

* I want to have a nice body, even if I should know by now that I am not my body.

* I bargain with myself, like tonight for example: If you (Judie) do your yoga, then you can stay up to watch "So You Think You Can Dance".

* At times I am way too impatient with my kids and get agitated too easily. This bothers me more than anything else.

* I shy away from conflicts (with the exception of my husband).

"When you know better, you do better!" Well, maybe not all the time...

Årets Mamma 2009

När jag läste på Expressens hemsida om Årets Mamma 2009 kom jag direkt att tänka på mamman, änkan och bloggerskan Theresa vars blogg heter Börja Om. I dödens spår lär hon sina läsare meningen med livet och vikten av att finnas till för sina barn till varje pris.

Till dig som söker inspiration och perspektiv i tillvaron. Hon kommer i vilket fall få min röst. Om du också vill skicka en nominering, till henne eller någon annan, gå in på Expressions hemsida: http://www.expressen.se/1.1658570

The Dog Whisperer and Jake

Just finished watching Cesar Millan, aka "The Dog Whisperer", on TV this evening even though I don't even own a dog. I'm not even what you could consider a "dog person". Still, he mesmerizes me with his ability to analyze human energy as accurately as canines' and tops it off by calmly relaying how one simply can channel the different energies into a harmonious weave of coexistence on the same wavelength - and does in such a friendly, non-threatening way that even the most dense dog owner suddenly sees the light. His whole aura oozes respect and self-confidence!

And what's fun is that conversion occurs nearly instantly, since the skills he describes (and prescribes) seem to be latent within everyone. It's just a matter of tapping into them and KNOWING HOW TO USE THEM. I feel the same fascination watching shows like "Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance" that sort of follow the same theme, the main difference being that the participants on these shows possess incredible talent that few share. However, it isn't enough to have the talent if you don't know how to use it, and I really admire how the judges teach their proteges to understand and, again, channel their energy so that they can use it productively whilst they pursue their dreams.

The common demoninator seems to be the following: Make a decision. Make a commitment.

Just add to that Jake' motto (from the Life is Good Company) : Do what you love, and love what you do, and maybe I can start making some progress. I could use the positive vibes in any case.