A Reminder: The Breathtaking Effects of Cutting Down on Meat!

Check out this brief and astounding article on how going vegetarian for just one day a week would impact the world. You will be AMAZED! In more and more situations, I continue to see the truth of Roz Savage's words (which I've adopted as a personal "mantra" these days):

"One oar stroke isn't going to get me anywhere, but if you take a load of tiny actions and you string them all together, you really can achieve almost anything."
(Roz Savage, Ocean Rower)

Do It Now!

I've been mulling over an expression lately -- one I've heard a few times over the years: "To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did," and for me lately this is taking on some personal meaning. ... more later!

A to Z: What's Right with America

Mike Adams and hundreds of Natural News Facebook fans agree -- there is a LOT that's right! READ THE LIST HERE!

I posted this list today because I've been thinking a lot lately about my attitude in general -- my focus -- seeing more and more that as I focus on what I'd LIKE to see happen (rather than what I don't want to see happen) powerful and positive things occur. There's a deeper principle in there somewhere that I am not quite sure I've earned the right to even begin to comment on ... but it's got something to do with my realizing that being an anti-war activist was not the same thing as being pro-peace.

Off to the gym: Planet Fitness: The No-Judgment Zone. Clever those marketing guys. More on this post later today. Stay tuned. :]

One powerful sentence . . .

"If you want something, make the decision, commit to it, act accordingly and you'll discover just how easy it can be for yourself!"

From Karen Knowler's "Successfully Raw Newsletter" published weekly. You can join her mailing list at The Raw Food Coach at www.therawfoodcoach.com.

What a wonderful day!

A day to consider the words of Dylan's beautiful song . . . A holdover from my first blog, enjoy Joan's sweet version of this Dylan classic ... and live FOREVER YOUNG today. (SEE lyrics below to sing along!)



"Forever Young" (by Bob Dylan)

May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the light surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
And may your songs always be sung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

Okay, now HERE's a weird statement: I'm having a baby! Today is exactly 9 months away from August 1, 2010 -- and August, 2010 is the month I'll be heading out on my 200 mile trek across England. So I'm nine months away from "birthing" the Naomi who'll be in the fittest shape she's been in for a whole LOT of years. That fit person is the "baby" to which I refer. I know, on the surface it sounds so silly -- but there is something also very profound about it to me. See, in nine months, God's designed it such that one human being can bring a whole, beautiful, OTHER human being into existence -- into manifestation. In just nine months of life, a whole other life appears. Is that not amazing!? THAT is why I feel excited about where I'll be in nine months.

On top of that cool number (nine months/new life being born, etc.), there is another cool number coming up for me. In exactly 4-1/2 months (half of that 9-month period) it will be my birthday: March 15, 2010. I'll be turning 56 years old on that day. Now I've been told ... and have read over the years ... that every seven years, a person's life goes through profound regenerative changes. So that would be 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49 and 56. The prospect of being on the cusp of beginning the 57th year of my life as I head out on my personal "mini vision quest" (as I've dubbed my Coast-to-Coast England walk) is very exciting to me.

In light of these significant numbers, I'm thrilled about today -- which is nine months away from my big challenge. It's why I felt like posting my all-time favorite song, yet again -- Forever Young.

Today, I plan to accomplish the following:

1. On the raw front -- I'm making Karen Knowler's recipe for "fried" mushrooms and making some yummy "pasta" from my yellow and green squashes and fresh roma tomatoes and basil I got at the green market. Delish.

2. On the exercise front -- I'm heading out in a little while to walk the 2-1/2 mile loop that's in my lovely neighborhood here, around the lake -- ipod in place and light jacket in tow, just in case it's cooler than I think.

3. On the inspiration front -- when I get back from my walk, I'll head down to my favorite spot on the property where I live -- the brook -- and write in my thankfulness journal all that I'm thankful for today and will be thankful for receiving in the future ... and spend some time in prayer.

4. On the "simplify, simplify" front -- I'll be decluttering some more in my living space so that I have more things packed up to GIVE AWAY; then I'll sit down, figure out which credit card bills I can "double up" on paying -- all to the end that I am entirely without debt by the spring of 2011. That includes no car payments, no credit-card payments, no 401(k) loan payments! Zero debt. And I'll REMAIN that way the rest of my life. That is the commitment I've made to myself, and I'm stickin' to it.

Will write more later to see just how well I've done w/ the tasks above ... so I'm off to get things done now.

8:30 p.m. now, and I managed to accomplish 1, 2 and 3 avoe (didn't declutter tho). Three out of four is good! :-)

While enjoying my yummy "fried mushrooms" (uncooked, just marinated/dehydrated a wee bit), I watched "Nights in Radanthe" (a Richard Gere/Diane Lane film). I liked their interaction; but the 'good man' that finally entered her life at just the right time (after years of meeting cads) tragically dies. Sad indeed, but it was lovely watching them fall in love. A hopless romantic, moi.

"One oar stroke isn't going to get me anywhere, but if you take a load of tiny actions and you string them all together, you really can achieve almost anything." -- Roz Savage, Ocean Rower