what do you want to be when you grow up?

throughout my life, i have always seen this question as being multi-faceted... professionally, i wanted to be a scientist and an artist... 

but more importantly, i have wanted to be a peaceful person... to be a part of the Solution and not a part of the Problem...

em and i got our first tattoos this week... (nick says it's easy to figure out which one is me - 'your finger has all of the wrinkles'... thanks, boo!)

this peaceful warrior has been unknowingly arming herself with talismans this year... words and gemstones that empower and protect... these types of things have an energy that works both ways i realized... while they serve to offer protection, once i feel empowered i am able to reach out from a right state of mind... not just to get centered on the inside (because there are times when i just want to close in on myself), but to let it flow outward actively... this tiny little reminder of what i want to be is a visible thing now - i see it when i work, when i eat, when i brush my teeth, while i hold the steering wheel... 

the devastating events in tucson and around the world are a constant reminder that while we cannot control the thoughts or actions of others - we are in complete control of our own... 

'if you can, help others;

if you cannot do that, at least do no harm.'

~ dalai lama

i love what emily chose - the trident... held by poseidon (or neptune), god of the sea...  she is a lover of mythology as well and connects to the stories that have helped humans understand their condition since their time on earth began...

'tattoos are forever' i was reminded... isn't that wonderful?... so is my commitment to practicing kindness, compassion and understanding... 

i will be picking the giveaway winners on lmaj soon... 

and lynn at art bead scene wrote a very touching post this morning -

finding peace - over and over and over

i had an image of a ring that i wanted to make - it started in the winter, developing slowly... i only wanted to make that ring - and i knew i would be directed... and so on sunday, i did it... i made my first ring ... it is meant to evoke a zen garden -with a small pool of water where a flower blossom floats gently on the surface... stillness, peace... 


it seemed to come together with the acquisition of techniques and a series of events... 

when we saw the burton exhibit in april, we passed this billboard ... i didn't realize the dalai lama was coming to the city to speak... a couple of weeks ago, em was asked by a friend if she wanted to go to see him... i said 'of course'... it was her first time into manhattan alone with friends, but she was going with a group including some boys that i trust completely... it also felt like the perfect event to launch her into that 'first'... she and i had seen him at rutgers a few years ago and it was an incredible experience... 


last week in philly while walking through the children's hospital, we came upon these:

they are inspired by prayer flags...

the hopes, the dreams, the thoughts upon them were deeply moving... 

it was a 13 hr. day - and one that required us to be away from all wifi, but we were allowed to leave the premises... too rainy for the zoo, we headed to the museum... and em asked if we could find the temple... 

there is beauty in every day, there are opportunities to find peace... even if in closing your eyes and breathing deeply... it is in the notice we take, the choices we make that guide us through our moments... 

'as human beings we all want to be happy and free from misery...

we have learned that the key to happiness is inner peace.

the greatest obstacles to inner peace 

are disturbing emotions such as anger, attachment,

fear and suspicion,

while love and compassion and a sense

of universal responsibility are the sources of peace

and happiness.'

~ the dalai lama

nearing sunset

'if i have been of service,
if i have glimpsed more of the nature and essence of ultimate good,
if i am inspired to reach wider horizons of thought and action,
if i am at peace with myself, it has been a successful day.'
- alex noble

i keep a prism in my window so that each night as the sun begins its descent, a beautiful little spectrum travels across my kitchen... it ends up crossing my little jizo and kuan yin... this time of day holds its own magic...

'when i admire the wonders of a sunset or beauty of the moon,
my soul expands in the worship of the creator.'
- mohandas gandhi

i write this while my rambunctious neighbor of 7 yrs. old (this is said with love!) tears around the house with my 3 kids... attempting to write something short and testing my ability to be at peace in the middle of chaos... that is the goal, right?

the rainbow rising on 2 of my favorite material possessions is relaxing for me to watch... it means that the time is nearing for me to make my green tea, get the kids settled & get out my book (currently rereading 'the half-blood prince in anticipation of the movie's release)... jizo bodhisattva is the protector of travelers, women & children... i had always wanted one and recently found this little treasure at jizo's shop on etsy... i have had kuan yin for years & find peace and inspiration in her... she is the manifestation of Great Love & Great Compassion and can assume any form to free beings from suffering... i definitely subscribe to the dalai lama's belief that it is more important to be spiritual than religious... but while i may not worship these figures are they are revered elsewhere, it's nice to feel during challenging days and nights that they have my back...

what brings you peace?