Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Thoughts




Overthinking is not the best use of time... a friend of mine says it’s interesting that thoughts can be so destructive when left unattended. I remind him often that filling a tub with water isn’t dangerous but if you leave the spout running unattended it can be quite destructive. The mind is a terribly powerful tool... use it wisely. 

The last parable wasn’t about the people who think it’s about them. I really do have a very old friend that tries my patience with bad behavior. In fact shortly after that post my friend behaved badly again.

Now when someone calls you by anything other than your name or nickname do you think you are being talked to? No. So why assume the worst is being said against you? Love yourself enough to believe that what others say isn’t necessarily about you. If it is... they’re behaving badly by not approaching you about it privately and it reflects their character, not yours.

With that said, none of us are perfect humans... my thoughts for anyone who saw themselves in my words: Work on yourself if you could think it’s about you. Maybe there is someone or multiple people in your life that you aren’t the nicest to and you feel a hint of regret. Sort it out. You'll have no judgment from me, only distance if you treat me poorly.

In Buddhism, compassion is wanting others to be free from suffering and love is wanting others to be happy. I think if you can alleviate anyone’s suffering so they’re able to find happiness then it’s a positive thing. And you don’t have to be Buddhist to be nice or hold compassion for others. It’s a reflection of the love you have for yourself.

We are all a work in progress on this journey... 

Here’s something about nothing but reminds me of happier thoughts.

Enjoy!
Kisses, m.



Happy
(8-27-14)

Happiness is my heart. In a small moment I’m alone in a crowded room. Surrounded by the love and happiness of the souls around me. The warmth that fills my soul expands and contracts with my thoughts. The essence of the trees shifts with the wind. 

Slowly the switch of the light changes the mood of crowd. A man flicks his cigarette and I’m lost in the sea. I can smell this morning in the puff of smoke that carries across the sea of faces. I can see his face in the dusk cascading off the white wall. His eyes smile. I wish this moment was the present. But it’s not. It’s a memory where I know he’s sitting across from me. I’m happy thinking of him. But I know I need to return to the present. 

Presents are spilling out her bag as she walks up. I love the way she wears her hair in a bandana. The instant I see her messy curls spilling out and bouncing in the wind. I think of the hints of color in his hair, her black highlighted curls and I’m spinning backwards into his smile.  I’m involved in this self-centered thought where he’s watching me quietly. But he’s not here. 

Here the warmth of the day surrounding me like a lover’s absent hug and I’m imagining the touch that matches his smile. Returning from my thoughts I watch a couple across the room giggling coo’s of tenderness. 

Tenderness in their touch sends me aching into a memory anticipating what could come. I’m struggling for the present moment when all I can think of is the future and the past in my mind’s eye. When I stop to breathe I think of the electricity in those eyes.


Damn those electric eyes. 

I’m happy.



Friday, June 15, 2018

Continuing





There is no conflict unless you see one or create one. There’s nothing in Buddhism about quitting or giving up. Just letting go. You let go of pushing & pulling to let things happen because all that push & pull isn’t truly making things happen. It’s just the illusion that it is. Usually when I tell myself “I quit” it means I’m releasing my perception of how it should be & letting go so it can happen. You don’t force love, living & breathing so why anything else? 

A very old friend of mine continues to be insensitive after years & years of us being friends. It is bothersome to me & some of our mutual friends. Although it’s hard to see discord among friends I quit forcing issues a long time back because it’s futile. You see no matter how much you try to change anyone, they won’t change unless they’re ready to. I continue to remain true to myself & address the issues delicately instead of trying to cause pain by ignoring or distancing myself, but in the end it is up to my friend to change. 

Why stay friends? People who care remain your friend and forgive your mistakes if you are making an effort & trying. True friends want the best for you as they want it for themselves. We are human & fallible.

So I don’t have the Buddhist answer for anyone who really finds themselves in a place of resistance with the universe & people in it except... quit trying to manipulate or have expectations of people or things, put in the hard work & effort into yourself & your decisions then you will see results. Doesn’t mean that people or things won’t happen or try to derail you, just means there’s something to learn when those people or things happen. Don’t make what anyone else is doing about you... especially your friends. You aren’t butting heads unless you choose to be. Realize that they’re on their own journey, like you... just love them, mistakes, imperfections and all. They need your love as much as you do. 

Here’s a 300 about continuing in the same way... it’s not quitting if it’s time to change your approach to something. You’re only returning to the start or starting over if you want to. 

Enjoy!
Kisses, m.


Again?
(4-3-2011)

Are we back here again?
He tells me that we are and that I’m supposed to know why.
I can’t see what he sees and I don’t know why
Or how we ended up here…
Again.

It doesn’t matter why.
Or how.
Or who did it.
It only matters that we’re here.
And we shouldn’t be.

There’s a thousand reasons to see things the way they were.
And one reason to see things different.
I want to see it differently.
And I wonder if he doesn’t want the same thing.
We’ve tried and failed at seeing it from each others eyes.
It’s time for us to see it the same way.

He’s busy working against me when he throws a fist at the wall.
It’s not me he’s mad at.
It’s the situation.
But that won’t stop him from feeling that anger.
That anger is fear.
And the fear is what takes us back to the start.

When he says it’s me that brings us back to the start I know that’s not true.
There is no start or end in this.
It’s nothing like a circle.
There is no center.
There is only the outside like a wall.
And what’s left inside is…
Nothing.

It’s always back to where we started when it should be where we are going.
The future is constantly changing with every move that we make.
Even when we keep starting we’re changing everything.
So why aren’t we moving forward now?
I’m ready to keep moving ahead toward what comes next.
And all he wants to do is start over again.
Again and again.

There’s no way we can win the race if it continues to restart.
No coming back to here.
Time to forget why or how.
It’s time to win the race…
Together.

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Pavilion of Light and Sound by Shigeru Ban

Barbie loves a little make-up but what do you do with a lot? Construct an art installation of course!

Pavilion of Light and Sound by Shigeru Ban




Located in Venice in the Palazzo Pisani, the piece was envisioned by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban and is constructed with 90,000 black case eye shadow palettes from cosmetics company Shiseido. Divided into a small observation lane on either side of the wave and a covered underside where light can shine through the 9mm gaps between palettes.













Would you use make-up for a masterpiece?

Barbie would!
Enjoy!
Kisses, m.


Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Style Icon: David Parise‘s Vintage Barbie Beach Fun

Barbie loves the Beach and artist David Parise has captured her vintage fun fabulously! 

Do you like the Beach? 
Barbie does! 
Enjoy!
Kisses, m.

Style Icon: David Parise‘s Vintage Barbie Beach Fun


















Thursday, June 7, 2018

The Time House by LADAA

Time is less of what you think it is and more of what you make of it. There will never be a more perfect moment than now...

The Time House by LADAA



The Time House by LADAA is located in Vilamarxant, Valencia, Spain. The home boasts a clean, white exterior and appears to be the ideal home. With its open and illuminated floor plan the house is made up of two rectangular-shapes, which comprise the structure. It encourages the residents to indulge in tranquility. 











Would you spend your time living in this dream house? 

Barbie would!
Enjoy!
Kisses, m.