A Thought Can Change Your Mind
A Smile Can Change Your Day
Heartfelt Words Can Change the World
Join me as I share my thoughts, words, photos, and insight about things I love!
 Hello Stranger, have I met you before? So familiar, easy conversation, heartfelt caring, then I wonder...how could this be? This is our first time meeting! When I experience a meeting like this I know that it was not by chance but meant to be. Would you call it deja vu, kindred spirits meeting again in this time and space, or something else? What you call it isn't as important as the experience as it unfolds. A few months ago this happened to me on a trip photographing the Utah National Parks. A travel opportunity came, a deal hard to pass up, so I grabbed it. What's in St. George, Utah I wondered? Am I crazy---just came back from Hawaii and off to New Mexico in a month! No, not crazy since I love travel, but something was urging me to go. Three days later I was in the land of gorgeous rock formations and breathtaking landscapes. My home base in St. George is a gateway to Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon North Rim, and amazing National Monuments. If you haven't been to Southern Utah it is a must see and must experience place. A night of crashing thunder and hail in the early morning convinced me to stay in town instead of exploring elsewhere. So off to Historical Downtown St. George, where I browsed through quaint shops and art galleries in renovated houses. Then I met my "stranger". A lady looked up and smiled as we entered the gallery. The pretty, slender, energetic lady, the gallery owner, was busy talking to an artist. "Do you want to go with us to my other gallery, she said?" We followed her next door and as I walked in she said "That is a beautiful pendant, if I say it out loud it won't be coveting, it's so beautiful. " I thought, coveting is an odd thing to say. Then my rock hound mind kicked in "It's crysophrase, a stone for healing your heart" In a while Jane shared a "game" with me "Which is your favorite painting? Pretend that everything costs $1.00. Do this when you visit galleries, I do!" As we walked from one room to another looking at paintings she felt familiar, talking, comfortable then she said again "Your pendant is so amazingly beautiful!" I looked at her eyes and said " This crystal heals your heart, its for the heart chakra." Something amazing happened, I felt a surge of loving care and closeness as we spoke. It was as if I already knew her and my words about crystals and healing were meant for her. In that moment when our spirits touched, she said " I just had heart surgery, I don't believe in coincidence, we met for a reason." And so we did. We both felt that we met before in some place or some space. A lady told me recently that when she gets strong out of the ordinary urges to do or go somewhere she follows her instinct instead of rationalizing it away. When she opens up to her intuition, then things happen that she never expected or imagined. My trip to Utah was like that, with the strong urge to go, last minute, unplanned, seemingly irrational. I was amazed at the beauty I experienced that week in nature, parks, monuments, and the breathtaking landscapes. I am grateful for the journey and thankful for my new sister as I learned again to say "Hello Stranger, have we met before?" What about you? Will you listen to your inner voice and instincts...get out of that comfort zone...open up to new possibilities and new places? Maybe you will say "Hello Stranger" too! Sending you love and Light! Linda NAMASTE  Life has a way of taking you back to where you started or where you should be. As I travel throughout the world I encounter all kinds of people from all walks of life. In an art gallery in St. George I heard a man say to the owner when asked about where he was from..."From here but I have been away for most of my life" He then added "I felt compelled to return to my roots now that I am old". This elderly man came back "home".
His words resonated with me...where is home for me?...is there a place I must return to? I do what I love-photography, writing, family, travel, and so on but is this place of my roots a physical place or a place in my mind and heart? I discovered that it is both. When you are doing what you love it feels right, comfortable, at home. You walk harmoniously in each thing you do. For me roots from my youth are tied to tropical surroundings with the beaches and beautiful tropical climate. Lately I have grown to love the enchanting rocky deserts I frequently visit. But most importantly home is where my heart is...with family, friends, loved ones walking in my purpose. I will always feel at home in the tropics,places like Hawaii and Cairns, AU. I am at home in the desert, places like Joshua Tree and New Mexico. I have found "home" -right where I am, being who I am, and living who I am! WHERE IS HOME FOR YOU? FOLLOW MY WEEKLY BLOG---SENDING YOU LOVE AND LIGHT Linda  Have you heard the term "I have hit a brick wall" when you get stuck writing? Some people call it writers block. I have experienced something that erases that block. My first book took 4 years to write 75 pages in MS Word....oh my! Good thing I wasn't writing for a company because I would have lost my job for sure. I held up my very short book grinning from ear to ear "I did it! I am done!" The truth is the first draft wasn't that great. Why? The experiences were touching but the underlying theme and solutions were unclear. My manuscript became a dust catcher.
Then a few months later something happened...it was as if some kind of outside inspirational force struck me. I call it spirit or God's spirit or the Universe. It really doesn't matter what we label it because it is an inspiring spirit that takes over our minds, hearts, and makes words flow so fast and easily. In six months using all my time outside of work the 75 pages soon turned into 400. It had a definite theme, it had life lessons with the experiences, and it was engaging. During that time of crazy fast writing I thought "Did I just write that? Wow, that doesn't even sound like me, it is really good!" Well, the same type of thing happened to me again. A year ago I ran to Sedona to write. Why? I needed to stop my yelling conscience. "So, where is that followup book you promised to your readers?" "You said you would write a book with more life lessons for them!" Surely the spiritual vibrations of Sedona and the recordings of Eckhart Tolle and Wayne Dyer would make this book come out fast and easily! Can you guess what happened? Two chapters and a title got done. THEN...last January I felt that same unexplained spirit come to me and over me. In two afternoons and two eight hour days my new book Light to Your Heart-Daily inspiration for 31 Days was completed. Then, my daughter, Mernette Martin, completed her first book Moose's Mindful Mantra in a few days. I was amazed at how fast she painted each illustration and wrote this children's book. Here is what I learned and understand to be the key to writing without blockage. You must be in the center of your purpose. When you are you will feel it and know without a doubt you are doing what you are meant to do. Follow what is in your heart and do not be confined by your mind. I stuck myself in a box thinking I must write another book about life lessons because I said I would. But my heart said "Share what you love, speak what you believe, and share your passion!" So now I know, that spirit of inspiration is in my heart, it is in me...it is guided by God, or Universe, or Spirit...and now I write. In fact book #4 is in the making with spirit and truth guiding me.  Maybe you are like me with a love of adventure and the travel bug. Interesting, my next adventure tends to take me to foreign places while wonders are right under my nose. Take a look at the picture in this post---is it from Japan or China? No, not at all as I took it in San Marino, CA at the Huntington Library.
When I get traveled fatigued and yearn for my home and my own bed I find myself searching for places to take pics or visit. Did you know that a google search on local things to do yields the most interesting results? Try free or near free things to do with kids in the area you live. Photographic spots in Southern Ca. or your local area or city. A search of local museums, events, or festivals will yield a great number of spots to see in your local area that range from pricey to near nothing or free.. Whether you are a parent or grandparent, a photography buff, or just looking for something to do---the world is open to you with things you may have never seen right under your nose. Recently my photographer friends went out shooting in Riverside, CA which is close to where I live. I missed the shoot because I was sick after a long trip. When I viewed the pictures they posted I wondered "Where is this place, I never saw that before?" ---funny as I have lived in the area for decades! I missed interesting places right under my nose! Have you noticed that people who live in a city rarely visit their local attractions? I am referring to not only the big ones such as Disneyland if you live in Southern CA but places like you local botanical gardens, your local downtown or historical town area, wildflower reserves, or National, State or local parks and wildlife areas. We visit our must see attractions when we have visitors to entertain from out of town. For me Joshua Tree National Park is an hour drive, a place I missed for decades and now visit yearly because of its breathtaking beauty. Stretch your imagination as you stretch your places to travel and experience. Stop and experience the wonders right under your nose!  Everyone can write. We do it every day with task lists, agendas, notes, and emails. When you write an essay, book, or even a poem a wonderful thing happens. Your mind is engaged as you pen the words into your new creation. But when you let your heart and spirit guide your writing you can center your heart and soul.
Let me share some tips on how using journal writing---begin by taking a few deep breaths to settle yourself. Choose a topic or better yet just begin writing what comes into your mind. When I am worried or have a preoccupied mind I start with "How do I feel?" Then I write down what I am feeling, thinking, a situation until I have nothing else to write. You can use this same approach to write what makes you happy, an achievement, or awesome experience. When you are done you will feel more clarity,centered, and grounded. My first attempt at writing was through journal writing. Even though I am now an author I still love to journal today.  All photography lovers know the best light to shoot in is the golden light at sunrise and sunset. I love shooting but I must admit getting up before the crack of dawn isn't my favorite thing to do. When I travel I always catch a sunrise and sunset but at home...oh my---the challenge!
A few days ago I was up before the roosters crow on my way to Joshua Tree to shoot the sunrise with friends. But, I had a mind battle about going there in the dark...would there be snakes?critters? and imagined dangers hiking in the dark??? Funny I had just blogged about judging, assuming, expectations and here I was twirling the false expectations in my mind. Six of us hiked in the dark,cameras in hand, to Barker dam. Cold, dark, with a glimpse of the sunrise beginning...flashlights and guess what---no critters-lol it's too cold for snakes! The sun came up and the beauty was breathtaking! Golden light hit the rock formations, pink in the sky, tranquil, and exquisite. I thought, any problems I have are so insignificant, so small when I have such a grand gift right here, free for anyone to enjoy. I am grateful. So now if I mind twirl false expectations I'll remember this grand morning. AND yes I will be up before the crack of dawn again with camera in hand to see what beautiful lesson I learn as the day arrives. PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Get ready to shoot the sunrise 30 minutes before sunrise and a sunset 30 minutes before sunset.  When we look at a flower ...we have no judgement about it such as---I don't think the flower should open that way or why is it so tall! What we see is beauty, vibrant color, perhaps a fragrance and intricate detail. We accept it as it is.
Wouldn't it be wonderful to look at people in the same manner...Without judgement, preconceived expectations, or stereotypes? We can strive to develop the peaceful mind and heart or as some call it the Buddha mind, Christlike mind, Universal mind...to make our world and lives a happy place. Yesterday I experienced the peaceful beauty of Deer Park Monastery in Escondido, CA. I must share a tidbit I learned with you on Mindfulness. Does your mind talk/chatter constantly---past, future, all over the place like mine? A real challenge when you try to meditate! Your body is in the Present but your mind is traveling everywhere else..it has gone on a trip!
SOLUTION: Create MINDFULNESS in yourself! Bring your mind and thoughts back into your body,in the place and time you are right then and BE PRESENT! Each time your mind drifts---bring it back to PRESENT. Now enjoy each moment! It seems like we can get so busy with everyday life that we let go of things we love, our interests, hobbies, things we want to explore...
It is never too late to rekindle your love for ___________???Mine is the arts and for the last 4 years a passionate love for photography and travel. Fill in the blank with what you want to explore. Write it down, post it on your mirror or refrigerator...then take a little time to play with it. What will you get? Happiness, joy, and love for life. What do you think? Join me on my blog and let's expand our horizons! Thought for Today
Either we leave our mark on the world, or the world leaves its mark on us. My mind is a garden. My thoughts are the seeds. My harvest will be either flower or weeds. -Mel Weldon Thought for Today :
Do that good deed now; you never know how soon it will be too late. Every blade of grass has an angel that bends over it and whispers, "Grow! Grow!" Thought for Today The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.
-Mother Teresa One who knows how to show and to accept kindness will be a friend better than any possession. -Sophocles Thought for Today Reformation is turning over a new leaf; Regeneration is receiving a new life.
To be loved, be lovable. -Ovid 
 Simply Tasty - Easy Meals on a Budget by: Linda Hayes
A culinary journey infused with flavors from around the world including Asian, Italian, Mexican, Soul Food and traditional American. Easy yet very flavorful budget friendly recipes are at your fingertips. Look for this coming No Thought for Today Character is much easier kept than recovered.
-Thomas Paine Quote For The Day When we heal the earth, we heal ourselves. -David Orr |
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Join me in sharing your thoughts, ideas, interests on Heart Chatter Art blog...I am an author, worldwide traveler, photographer, speaker and love the arts. Categories
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