11 years ago today, me and my small crew of four left LA in a 33 foot RV to begin “Searching for Angela Shelton.”

Thank you for getting the DVD and sharing it. It’s amazing how many people continue to be touched by this journey. Let me tell you, Spirit made this movie. I was just along for the ride.

Searching for Angela Shelton – the fold-out version with Spanish subtitles, director’s commentary (that’s me!) and extras.

Please “Like” the Facebook page and share it with others too. This little film has always continued via word-of-mouth.

Here is the first bit of the book I wrote about it:

Finding Angela Shelton

Day 1

Los Angeles, 2001

I have a big mouth.

If I had kept it shut I wouldn’t be staring at the thirty-three foot motor home sitting outside of my house right now. I’m about to drive it around the country and meet other woman who share my name. I just wanted something to do during the summer. I’m a writer in Hollywood and we’re faced with the Writer’s strike. I had to figure out what to do during the strike. Most of the people I know in the business are putting together reality TV shows. Some of them are doing documentaries. The only thing that comes to my mind quickly is to do a theater piece about my life. I’ve already written a movie about my mother called Tumbleweeds and I was brainstorming about other experiences in life to write about while I was meeting with HBO. I was there pitching another movie and the producer asked me if I had any ideas for a documentary. I laughed and offhandedly suggested that I drive around the country and meet every other Angela Shelton and call it “Searching for Angela Shelton.” I’m not really Angela Shelton. I changed my last name when I was eighteen and I’ve always loved my chosen name. Angela Shelton has a ring to it that I like a lot.

“I could go meet myself through all the women in America,” I suggested. “I’ve looked myself up before. There are many of us. I was trying to put together a theater piece around my name too. But a documentary would be awesome.”

“I love it!”

“It could be really inspirational to women actually, uniting them through one name.”

“I think it’s awesome,” she said. “And it’s really funny. You can collect all the Angelas and go to Vegas. We could have an Angela Shelton convention with matching hats and jackets. You could even have a big bus with ‘Searching for Angela Shelton’ along the side. Hysterical.” She clapped her hands together and reached for her phone. We had a hit.

I was walking on cloud nine when I got home. I was so sure that HBO was going to fund my idea. I was so sure of it that I got on AOL People Finder and found the various Angela Sheltons all over the country and started calling them up.

It turned out that HBO did not fund the film because they had already funded another one about a name. I told them that my movie was about women in America, not about a Jewish guy having 12 other Jewish guys over for dinner. But, their mind was made up.

There were many many times during the journey that the plans were changed and what I thought would happen was drastically different than what I set out to do. But I was hooked on Angela Sheltons. I loved them. I kept calling them. They kept calling me back and we were on the road for 57 Days that changed my life forever.

Finding Angela Shelton, Recovered

Have you seen the film or read the book?

How did either of them affect your life?

Please share. I love hearing your stories.

Plus, there will be others who read your comment and it may lead them to their healing. It happens all the time. Please share.

Related posts:

1. Get Searching for Angela Shelton on Amazon!
2. Searching for Angela Shelton en español
3. Snag Searching for Angela Shelton

What’s Your Sign? What about your mood?
What about making your own sign?

No, Really, What’s Your Sign?

Could you imagine if you could make your own signs? What if you could lead people to your house and your mood?

Like the above. What if that was the sign that was up before someone picked you up for a date or something.

Giggle giggle giggle.

I’m busy doing the last little bits of planning this country wedding of ours (are the last bits never ending?) and I’ve been prowling the internet for sign making stuff.

We need stakes, wood, paint and whatever else it takes to make –>
awesome country signs!

I was looking about how to make your own Traffic Signs and lo and behold you can! You can actually create your own  Street Signs!

I’m thinking something like:

  ”FOLLOW YOUR HEART – THIS WAY –>”

If you have just met me, well, look at it. Don’t you just love it? I love it.

Ducks Against Raping Ducks – so something I would have said. HAHA.

And guess what? Mayor Gia could (if she wanted to or gave us permission) make her own Road Signs.

Could you imagine a road sign with “Don’t Rape Ducks in This Area” or of course my little reminder – Stop Raping Kids, Go F Yourself.  There are certain places I’d love to put one of those up in the middle of the night.

Oh I love this sign making business.  And there I was looking for “Wedding” and and I stumble upon another duck idea. Go figure!

Had to share.

I’m back to planning my #BLOGGERSDANCE  moves. Are you in?

Freaked out, depressed, angry, resentful, panicked, anxiety ridden or super sad?

It’s time to heal and move on. Come on! There is no need to stay loaded down with your past, especially if there was abuse involved because if that’s the case, why let someone who hurt you continue to hurt you because you are not living a life you love?

Agreed?

Ready to Move On?

Need a little Help?

Helen Richey Collection Photo

I hate to hear that you or your loved ones are down in the dumbs or dealing with any kind of pain. That does not make me happy, but the truth is that we all need help sometimes.

After reading many blogs this week – I’ve got my link party pants on – I read how many people are going through some sadness, anger and anxiety.  Then I got calls from a few old friends who had hit some speed bumps in life and needed some pep-talking.

You never know when you’re going to be sideswiped with something horrible, so it’s a good idea to be armed with some good tools and resources.

Everyone has a story and there is always a new one.

Be compassionate with people, you have no idea what they have been through.
Click to Tweet!

For those who have just discovered me (FUN!), you may not know that I am a bit of a trauma and recovery expert.

Yes, it’s true. I spent a decade researching and speaking to over 30,000 survivors of trauma and those who work with them.  Okay, so I’m one of those authorities. How would you ever know that if you read my posts about coveting chicken coops?

Because there is life after trauma, that’s why! There is happily ever after life too.

That said, there are bumps in the road and times when you need some resources  - like maybe right now.

I could go on and on and on about it, but here’s a short list.  Check out these sites –>

Useful Psychology and Mental Health Sites

• Psychology Degree Online has an awesome list of different types of psychologies and resources.

• Psych Central is an extensive site for psychology and mental health resources.

• Resources of Psychologists has just that. Why not read up on what they are reading?

• Survivor Manual has years worth of posts with various healing techniques,

• Good Therapy helps you learn about therapy and find a therapist.

• TFT Videos help you get past panic and anxiety – for free.

The good news is that it does get better, especially if you want it to.

There are so many different avenues to healing out there that there’s no excuse to remain in pain unless that’s what you want. And sometimes it’s good to just sit in a feeling and feel it.

Even if you have no money, there are loads of free resources out there, and free videos like the ones above. I created those after I saw how TFT really helped me. I share what I know and what I’ve been through.

If you’ve moved on, hooray!

If you’re in the thick of it, please seek out what works for you.

And if you’re living happily and loving your life, share this info with someone who is struggling, because like I said above everyone has a story and you know many of them.

How are you doing?

Related posts:

1. Finding Angela Shelton

Are you frugal? A penny pincher? Do you save or do you spend more?

These are questions I never really considered until well, I started to go down the wedding aisle.

Frugal or Foe?

I’ve always been a spender. Okay, I admit it, they used to know my name at Barney’s in New York City. The one on 17th Street. I would walk in and be handed a glass of wine. WHAT? Looking back, that is not pretty – that shows you have a problem, Missy!

Step away from that Dolce & Gabbana skirt. Do it now. I did not step away. I bought it for (cough, spit, faint) AND I still have that skirt btw! Can’t fit into it, but I have it and it is still a gorgeous masterpiece!

That said, I would have LOVED a coupon for half off or something. Maybe a free bag?

Now I’m living in the country and all of the sudden I’m learning about being frugal.

Yes, I moved from Malibu to Maybury.
(not literally Maybury but it is a one-light town in the rural countryside)

frugal [ˈfruːgəl]
adj
1. practising economy; living without waste; thrifty
2. not costly; meagre

(that’s from the Free Dictionary Online)

Do You Clip Coupons?

I used to sit in fascinated wonder watching my grandmother clip every possible coupon in every possible newspaper and free rag thrown on her doorstep and then file them in her coupon filer.  Oh yes, she had a special coupon filer purse!  It was even color coded.

But I can’t say that I have ever clipped coupons outside of the times when I stayed with my grandmother.

Now we have coupons online, giveaways (like I shared in the previous post), coupon codes and special perks when you join sites in the beta phase.

But what’s good? What’s lame? What works and does it really save you money? Like can you discover a neutrogena coupon? Gimme.

The Friend in Frugal

That’s where the Frugal Dad comes in. Yes, there is a frugal dad dot com.  He’s not my dad, mind you. My bio dad was as bad with money as he was with kids. (ouch)

Nope, this Frugal Dad finds coupons. Yes. Thanks, Daddy!

Now, hold up just one minute there, Missy Spendy Pants who loves Barneys.  Having access to coupons can lead to spending more when you are trying to save. Yes!  It’s true. Don’t believe me? Try seeing a coupon for half off of those pants you love, WordPress Theme maybe, or that bikini – and not use it.

Or in my case (since life has changed a bit for me) if I saw a buy one get one free ad for a pair of mud boots or lord help me – a free 30 day trial of that tractor – I’m in!

Frugal Dad helps. I’m on his site looking, waiting, watching for a deal for an X Box!

Do you clip coupons?

Related posts:

1. Finding Angela Shelton
2. Finding Joy
3. Finding Angela Shelton – the sold out copy

I have a confession to make.

I am addicted to the Duck Commander. A&E has a reality show about them called Duck Dynasty.

I cannot get enough.

If you have not seen it, please, take the plunge into the duck pond. It is some real Television wonderfulness.

If you have direct tv - Record it. You will thank me.

There are not many times that I will sit for ages on the sofa mesmerized. I even tweet during American Idol. But during Duck Dynasty, no way.  The Duck Commander has my full undivided attention.

Why Do I love Duck Dynasty?

Let me count the ways. Oh, the many ways they can get me to watch TV.

1. The Phil-osophies

2. Redneck Hotness as in HAWTNESS

You may question the term hotness but I dare you to watch.

There is some real redneck hotness going on.

3. Yuppies

I’m telling ya, get your directtv on. Now.

How do you define yuppies? Are you one? Can you go into the forest and find food – literally?!

4. The Love

There is so much love in this family that it make me giddy.

5. The Low Tech

I have them all recorded. I dare you to do it too. Come on. Turn yer phone off, get off that laptop and that twittering thang and watch you some Duck Dynasty on dx3.

Are you addicted to the Duck?

How much does fear stop you in your life? We’ve all heard that, right? Oh, it’s fear that stops you. If it wasn’t for being afraid, you’d get so much done. Well, sometimes it’s not fear at all that’s stopping you.

You are boldly braving this world with your bad self and coming up with all kinds of awesome ideas. Then you hit a road block or get stuck because you simply don’t know what to do next. You don’t have the full contact list in your little black book yet. Or you don’t know what you’re doing.

You’re not afraid, you just need a little road map. And business cards.

The reason I bring this up is because we were sitting at dinner the other night with a bad ass woman – just like yourself – or a freaking awesome dude (if you’re a dude reading this). The woman we were talking to was recently divorced after some wowsers of a long time with an alcoholic husband and she was going to have to go get a job. After being a stay-at-home-mom forever, going out on the job market was daunting. But she wasn’t scared, she is a genius.

By the way, anyone who says stay at home moms don’t work can go take a long walk off a short pier. Really.

Anyhoo… this particular woman is starting her own business! Wahoo! We were all very impressed with her ideas, her plan and the fact she already had a client list!

She started asking what we thought about what kind of cards she should make. She was getting frustrated with how cutting them herself was uneven and didn’t look professional.

I sat there and said, “Wait, work smarter, not harder. Just use VistaPrint.”

“Vista Print?”

“Yeah, it’s totally easy. I used that for years for my cards and you can get tons of stuff free and get a load of cards for way less than the aggrevation of trying to do it yourself.”

Then my hubby, who had been explaining to her how to make the cutting work better said, “You know what, she’s right. It’s way easier. I totally forgot about VP.”

See, it’s not about being afraid, it’s about knowing the next steps. Take the leap.

That goes for your bloggers too. Some of knew your URL was prettier without the .blogspot or .wordpress at the end of it but you didn’t know how to change it. That’s where your friends come in who have done it before you and know you’re not afraid – you just need the info.

Here’s another idea – don’t stop at business cards. Make postcards that are super cute and give some kind of free info on them while having your fancy URL all over the place. Yeah, I’m looking at you who plan to go to Haven and BlogHer12. Have business cards and cute little postcards that leave a little something of you with your new blogging buddies.

You could make a postcard that had your Linky Drinky Party info on it to invite them to link up. You could have a funny picture of yourself with your new fancy URL. Yes, I’m talking to you, HouseTalkN.com.

I know you’re not afraid.

So, what else do you need to know or what contacts or ideas do you need to start your engine?

Related posts:

1. Ladies Who Launch

I am here at the Sundance and Slamdance Film Festivals and had to share the most precious movie I’ve seen so far.  This is a film that is not pushing an agenda, not promoting a cause or trying to freak you out – it is simply a precious love story that makes you smile.

Heavy Girls

I absolutely loved this movie!  I loved the message, the love story, the music, the sweetness and the overall joy emanating from this film. If you are near a town where it is playing, I highly recommend seeing it.

It is amazing to me how some (okay, a lot) of indie movies push the envelope with things that mainstream does not.  Sometimes the choices indie filmmakers make are awesome. They make you think.  They can point out issues. They are ‘in your face.’  And sometimes, they are very disturbing.

But sometimes, the filmmaker simply sends you on a lovely journey that is so simple and so wonderful that it never would have been funded by a mainstream studio because it’s just a small simple story.

Though the film is small, the love in Heavy Girls is HUGE.

I saw another film that instead of being a lovely ride like Heavy Girls, was a rollercoaster of awkwardness. It had so much nudity I wanted to throw up.  Not that nudity is bad, it was just that the naked scenes of the lead girl, outside of one or maybe two, had nothing to do with the story.

The naked scene in Heavy Girls (in the above trailer too) where the guys run into a lake is so precious because the process of them getting naked is not gratuitous, it is adorable and is a huge part of the story.  You are watching a precious vulnerable moment. There is no sex scene, you don’t have to watch any “action”, they simply run around the lake like little boys.  It is so cute I had this huge smile on my face watching it.  It was innocent and sweet – just like the whole film.

Heavy Girls is one of those indie movies that makes me proud of being a filmmaker and writer.  I hope you get to see it.

Related posts:

1. The Difference between my Book and Movie!
2. To Precious Girls Everywhere
3. To Precious Girls Everywhere

My mom sent me this in an email. And if you know my mom’s emails, you expect something funny, but this is quite beautiful and I could not agree more!  This is worth a watch to remind you to release judgements and blaming if you have any lingering and instead be an ambassador of loving silence.

A Reminder to Listen to Yourself

Related posts:

1. The Secret Power of Divine Love
2. Do You Feel Love or Fear?

It’s Tuesday!  Amazing how fast the weeks fly by, isn’t it?  Welcome to 2012!  I answer your questions, share your comments and take your requests on Tuesdays as you know if you already read my blog.

This week I had a lot of lovely comments about enjoying my site and “liking” my page, which I really appreciate. I enjoy hearing that what I’m doing in the world is helping you somehow, even if it’s to provide a laugh just when you needed it.  Thank you so much for letting me know!  I heart you too!  (Also, thanks for letting me know the YouTube link was broken!)

I got your questions about publishing your books, making money on your own and your requests for more puppet videos!  I’m on it!  I also received a short list of trauma related questions that were sad, but worthy of a mention.  They were sad because the people asking referred to themselves as damaged goods, losers, never going to amount to anything etc.   That kind of language is not allowed in my camp. So much so, that I’m not even going to repost the questions so you don’t read it and put that idea into your brain either.

But I will use this opportunity to talk about the Misery Back Guarantee. 

Yes, no matter how much you move forward in your life, live joyfully no matter what you’ve been through, rid yourself of toxic people and habits, and start living a life you love – there is always a Misery Back Guarantee!

You can have it back, at anytime.  It’s your choice.

Why would you want a Misery Back Guarantee?

Because Misery can be a hard habit to break.  If you don’t know any better life than one filled with trauma, if you were raised by wolves (and some people really were) and did not have good examples to follow, if all you know is misery – you may just want it back!

Ever met folks who will fight you if you tell them about prosperity, abundance and joy?  They give you that glare, maybe even with a snarl.  If you hand them a happy life on a platter they may just shoot you instead of taking it.  They will protect their unhappiness, fears, doubts and worries with their life!

How do you let go of Misery?

You simply let go.

I had the pleasure of spending some time with a very cool pastor in the Air Force when I went down to the retirement ceremony at Quantico.  He told me an excellent story about this very thing that he shares with his congregation.  It goes like this:

There was a shaman walking through the desert.  He came upon a man curled up on the ground with his arms around a thorn bush. The man was bloody and bruised as he held onto the thorns that dug into his skin.  The shaman asked him if he was comfortable.  The man said that he was in great pain because of this bush.  The shaman asked him why he held on and told him he could just let go.  The man said he would never let go.  The shaman asked him why.  The man said, “Because this is my thorn bush.”

So I ask those of you who still talk poorly of yourselves (and a reminder to those who have stopped that awful habit) – What is that thorn bush worth to you? What are you getting in return for holding onto it?  You can let go and still have your misery back at any time.

Today’s Special: Let go of your misery FOR FREE.  If you are not satisfied with the weight lifted, feel free to return it FOR FREE and you can have your misery back exactly like you had it – FOR FREE.

Next week – let’s talk about how to write your books and get them out there, shall we?

Keep sending in your questions and I’ll keep answering (even if you get an answer you were not expecting!)

It’s 2012 People – Let go of the thorn bush.  Cut the negative speak about yourself and others, that’s too miserable a feeling and there is way too much fun to be had!

I will email you my blog posts (with special private messages) when you sign up below in that blue and red box.  The updates are not automated, I send them out by hand so I can add notes.

Related posts:

1. Practice Yoga and Don’t Pull Your Back Out!

It’s Tuesday! I have a long list of questions, comments and requests from you but this one did not fit with others to make a list – It stands all on its own so I’m using it for this week’s request.

Question:

Can you share tips for having fun. I know I’m supposed to have fun, but I’m not exactly sure how.

Answer:

Not sure how to have fun?  That sounds like you need to recreate a childhood to me!  Here’s a list that can help you get started.

1. Be Able to Have Fun Alone 

If you can’t have fun alone, well…  just like you need to put on your oxygen mask before assisting anyone else – you need to be able to have fun alone!

Filmmaker Andrea Dorfman has a beautiful video about this very thing.  Watch it.

2. Watch the movie Hot Rod

If you haven’t seen it, you will laugh. If you’ve seen it 30 times, you will still laugh.  Laughter leads to fun.

3. Skip

It is nearly impossible to skip with a frown on your face.  Try it.  Skip to your car.  Skip around your house.  Skip inside your head.  Skipping makes you smile and smiling is fun.

4. Start a Dance Floor

This is my personal favorite.  Wherever there are people gathered around music, usually sitting, go start the dance floor.  It will take 3-4 songs and you will think you look like a fool but after that third of forth song, everyone will be up dancing. Works every time.  And it is supremely fun!  If you’re afraid of crowds, start a dance floor in your living room.  Your pets will start dancing.  Watch.

5.  Make Up a Song in a Made-up Language

I did this all the time and it’s fun.  Koo boo koo boo, wooo wooo wooo.  Tra teeky teeky la tra la la la.  Now you do one.  It’s fun.

6. Get Birdseed and/or Bread and go Feed the Birds (and squirrels)

Take your seed and bread to the park and feed those little critters. Watch all their silly little mannerisms.  It’s fun.  Plus, you will probably meets some very interesting old people and that’s fun.

7. Play Dress Up

It’s fun.  If you never did it as a kid and don’t have a mother who collects antique clothes and hats, go to a thrift store with a buddy and try on things.  It’s fun.  Who knows, you may even find a treasure for two bucks!

8.  Get a Harmonica

Harmonicas are really cheap and they are fun.  If you play it for your pets, they look at you like you’re crazy and sometimes howl and meow and that’s funny.

9. Get a Hula-Hoop

I got mine from Hoopnotica and it is perfection. There’s an ad over to the right (it says “find yourself in the hoop”).  If you get one from there I get a teeny piece of the purchase – that’s fun!  We can hula-hoop together!

10. Watch a Kung-Fu movie without subtitles

Translate what they are saying while mimicking the fight movies.  Fun!

11. Use Your Opposite Hands All Day

For everything you use your right hand for, use your left and vice versa.  It’s awkward and fun.

12. Make the Choice to Have Fun at Everything

Ah – here’s the catch.  Everything can be fun (within reason), even taking out the trash can be a hoot when you get into the rhythm of having fun.  Daily activities like cooking, cleaning, driving, paying bills (blech), can be fun!  Even the bills – add a smilie face to the one going to the IRS.  It’s fun.

Related posts:

1. So You Think You Can Write ~ 7 ways to get started and keep going
2. 6 Ways to Downsize while Expanding your Mind, Spirit and Wallet

Thank you for sharing your questions, comments and requests with me. I love hearing from you! Over the weekend, I was in DC for an event at Quantico and we had no wifi where we were staying (cue very long scream) so I did not post every day like I have been doing.  But today is Tuesday and I’ve committed to answering questions on Tues and thank goodness I have access to the wonderful world wide web!

Today I’m answering more of a spiritual question that has been asked more than once.  Thanks for asking it!  I love these questions.

Meditation Room

Question:

So, I just had a conversation with a Christian friend of mine who claims that sexual abuse doesn’t define who you are…prayer changes everything! What is your take on this concept?  I do not believe spirituality can change a person’s definition after having been assaulted!  What do you think?  I am way too uptight for meditation to work and who do I pray to if I am not a spiritual person?

Answer:

Well, I actually totally agree with your friend in a spiritual sense.  Abuse does not define you, you get to do that.

But you say you are the person you are due to the abuse in your life.  It defined you as a young person and has carried you this far. Right?  The question I have for you is – What do you want to define you?   If you define yourself as a victim (which is your prerogative) you are still abusing yourself after the trauma and/or your abuser is done and gone.

This is why I like the analogy of trauma being like a sword – because a sword is outside of yourself.  You can remove it and use it to do good.   I wrote a 118 page workbook about it too!  It goes through the 5 Steps of the Sword.

1. Acknowledging the Sword
2. Removing the Sword
3. Healing the Wound
4. Using Your Sword
5. Practicing Sword Play

The reason for the sword analogy is to show how the trauma is not you, it is something that happened to you.

Going back to your friend’s comment about prayer defining you, so does the inner dialog about yourself.  What you think and say about yourself defines you.  Your abuse defines you only if you allow it.  I believe that spirituality can in fact change a person’s definition after being assaulted. I also 100% understand the distain for that term too.

I know how you can get uptight and freaked out by the old Christian ways, rules, dogma and guilt that has been passed down from your trauma and/or your not-so-nice family.   I’ve been there. So many wonderful things about faith, prayer and meditation have been hijacked, contorted and deformed that it can send you running at full speed away from anything using such language.  I get it. I’ve hightailed it too.

But there are many ways to practice prayer and meditation that will greatly affect your life for the better while not having to take the prescribed pill of ignorance, control and fear.

Here some ways I practice that may work for you too –

Many Ways to Pray

Gandhi

• Change the thought patterns in your head.  Prayer does not have to be the typical on your knees, hands together.  Prayer has many forms and one of those is a forumla of words.  By saying to yourself in your head that you are lovely, a divine spark of spirit, loved, wonderful, a Goddess, a Queen and a love spark of God - you are practicing a form of prayer.  Replacing the old negative record in your head of being ugly, worthless, unloved, pathetic, etc with words and phrases that are the complete opposite is practicing a form of prayer.
• Be thankful for what is to come. Many pray by asking for what they don’t have, but by expressing gratitude for what is yet to come, you are practicing a form of prayer.  It’s like making a commitment and wording it as if you already have what you’re asking for.  For example if you say aloud or in your head how you are grateful for the blessings being bestowed onto you, or for how the pain has left you or how the old story no longer affects you – you are speaking as if it already happened.  You are “letting go and letting God”.  You are trusting that it will be taken care of by giving thanks for it instead of asking for something you don’t have. Words are powerful things, even if they are not said aloud and only repeated in your mind.  Just like in the commitment page, the practice of wording it as if you already have it helps form the pathway in your mind for it to exist instead of pleading for something that seems out of reach.
• Be in the presence of greatness.  Put whoever you think is amazing in the room with you or in your car as you drive.  Have Jesus in the passenger seat, or Buddha or Owl Goddess in the hallway.  Use whoever invokes a code of morals for you and inspires you to be a better person in their presence.  This is also a great way to stop negative patterns and habits too.  For example, are you really going to have that cigarette if you’re blowing it in Jesus’s face?  Or making the Buddha cough up a lung?  Probably not.
• Create your own observance.  Is there something that reminds you of a happy time? Something that inspires calm within you?  I have a small smooth rock from a special trip I made.  I have a coin given to me by someone that reminds me of a very inspirational experience.  I also have a pin that means a lot to me.  When you find items that mean a great deal or remind you or a powerful time in your life and keep them either in your pocket or on your desk or any other place where you’ll see them – it reminds you of that time.  A form of prayer happens when you stop for a moment and feel the feeling the item brings up for you.  For example when I reach into my pocket and feel the smooth stone that a special woman gave to me, it sends me back to a meditative place by the lake.
• Create a Sacred Space.  Do you have your own room?  Do you have a special place to sit and pause the play button on life for a bit?  It can be as big as your own room or treehouse or as small as a table with only things that invoke peace and calm within you.  You can also take a room back like I wrote about in Finding Angela Shelton and how I took my bathroom back.  Just like you can rewrite your old story and the definition of yourself, you can reclaim places and make them sacred.  In my book I talked about being uncomfortable in the bathroom due to past abuse.  I reclaimed that room and now I love bathrooms and am having a great time remodeling one now as a matter of fact!

What does prayer and meditation mean to you and how to do practice?

Please share in the comments below on Disqus or on Facebook.
 

On our holiday visits, I visited the rest room at a friend’s house and came face to face with this poem, Desiderata, in front of the toilet. I had never read it before but soon heard that many had and I was the naive one.  So, I’ve missed this all these years but I sure do love it now!

Since I’ve been sharing a slice of life on Saturdays, I wanted to share something that moved me.

The Desiderata of Happiness

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Written by Max Ehrmann

This is one of the things that make me happy.  What makes you happy?  Any favorite poems?