Very few people can transform themselves alone. Mind you, I almost said no one, but there seems to be an exception to every rule. Though the adage "when the student is ready, the teacher appears" is true, it can be a very frustrating time awaiting that moment. So here are some clues to prepare yourself...

1. Show up to meetings, seminars, gatherings on a regular basis.
2. Participate! Share, inquire, serve. Become a part of the process even if you aren't yet clear where you are going with it.
3. LISTEN. Observe. Observe not only what is obvious but what works for other people in similar situations.
4. Get to know others. If you see someone with a quality you desire, TALK to them.
5. Journal your feelings, meditate, spend some time everyday in reflection.
6. Don't be in a hurry to "sign up" with a sponsor. It is a demanding relationship that requires commitment...even when things are NOT going smoothly.

Use the numbers and names of people you are given to run things by. Examine how you feel when you share with someone. For some time I found many online people to share their wisdom, strength and experiences on various aspects of my life.

Examine what you would like a sponsor relationship to be like. Do you write? Or are you better on phone or f2f (facetoface)? Do you desire daily contact or is once a week enough? Do you need sympathy or is brusque honesty ok?

You will get there. And by the way... the right one WILL appear.

There comes a time you wake up and decide that what you are and what you do are an outward expression of WHO you are. I decided NOT to play small in this world. Nor to be afraid of others' reactions. The lies others told have finally been revealed by the light of truth.  Where my higher power guides me to be, I will be there.

I am sharing who I am with those who are drawn to the energy of unconditional love, who can transcend their ego limitations to work for something that is bigger than they are, and to those who wish to make a difference in the world.

Recovery is more than sobriety or even sanity. Recovery is LIVING life fully awake and aware. Namaste.

Well, now that Google has established itself as the rebuilt Library of Alexander, you can find anything, anywhere, anytime... unless you are in China. How convenient... all accessible from your chair.

AH, but what of the individuals... those of us who don't yet rate our own google indexed page. Well, there is Facebook.  Facebook has risen as the modern akasha record recording not only what we post but others perspectives of us. That picture from High School... You've been tagged.  Your note to a famous author...posted on a fan page. What you like, who you befriended, your birthdate, your education... all online. Until the great sun spot that wipes out all electronic media, you have been immortalized on the internet.  Even if you remove your page...all that info remains out there in cyberspace.

Every thing you have done, published, (not yet thought...but am sure google is working on that) is recorded. And actually your thoughts are recorded as well... just not in digital media.  The right to privacy is given away when we subscribe to applications, games, dating sites, and networking sites. SO far.. HIPPA keeps our medical data protected, but not if we surf. Google Adsense records where we go, what sites we visit, how long we stay there, what clicks we make. SO does Facebook. Ever notice if searching for info on acid reflux that a Peptobismal ad pops up (all in nauseaus pink.)

There are no secrets. There never have been. However, there is nothing like Facebook to resolve your past. A blast from the past as you hear from your high school classmates, your old boyfriends, your college roommates. Looking back is hindsight. And the patterns and feelings of that time can be viewed and resolved from a higher perspective.

Too late for most of us... we were innocent to the great internet initiation. There is no hiding anymore...and for most of us... that means we will step into the light to be who we truly are.     Namaste.

February 14 was Juno's Feast --- as the Mother Goddess she ensured the fertility of the land. On this day, the girls would write their names on slips of paper and placed in a large heart shaped box. (The heart is the seat of the soul) The boys would select a slip to choose his partner for the feast of Lupercalia. Some of these pairs resulted in marriages.

When the Romans chose Christianity as their state religion, this pagan festival was not acceptable. Instead, they renamed it after St. Valentine, a priest who defied the emperor's ban on marriages and performed ceremonies for couples in love. For priest Valentine's efforts, he was beaten and beheaded.

Happy Valentine's Day!

The sun cast gold on the diamond covered snow.

Rainbow light reflected back.

Cat takes two steps into the drift and springs back inside.

The birds gather on the holly for its red berries.

And a sip of steaming hot coffee to admire it all.