"Little Balloon" lyrics by Jess Coffman

I wrote the lyrics for "Little Balloon" in a coffee shop while I was living in Echo Park, CA. When I wrote this, I was feeling just like a deflated balloon. I had a clear sense of my purpose, but I just couldn't seem to get myself up off of the ground. I was living in the wrong place with the wrong person who didn't make me feel worthy. Whenever I get inspiration to write, I have to stay in the emotion until the lyrics are done. So, I stayed in the sadness until I had finished writing these lyrics that day, and I felt elated by the sad and honest words that came out. It took me almost a year after I wrote this to feel "fully electrified," but I am happy to say that now I have a man and a self-worth that makes me "dance in the sky."

Little Balloon

I'm raw and I'm rough,

Running on this life's track.

Each step forward is new,

And there's no going back.

My heart pounds in my chest,

My eyes, red and confused,

Words fly out of my mouth

Like there's nothing to lose.

Cause I'm a little balloon that's deflated and wet,

Who's down on her luck, but isn't dead yet.

Someone please pick me up,

Make me fully electrified,

Let me dance in the sky like there's nothing to hide.

Don’t slip in and pretend,

With your whiskey soaked grin.

You'll fuck me, then taunt me

As if it's no sin.

I'm aware that I’m wrong,

But I'm just as much right.

Though I'd rather disappear,

Than finish this fight.

            Cause I'm a little balloon that's deflated and wet,

Who's down on her luck but isn't dead yet.

Someone please pick me up

Make me fully electrified,

Let me dance in the sky, like there's nothing to hide.

            Believe me I don't want to feel this way,

Out of control and unable to stay.

But you pushed me too far

And the road is too long,

To fix everything that we have done wrong.

            Cause I'm a little balloon that's deflated and wet,

Who's down on her luck but isn't dead yet.

Someone please pick me up

Make me fully electrified

Let me dance in the sky like there's nothing to hide.

Let me dance in the sky…

"B-Minus Average" a poem by Jess Coffman

The "B+" on my "True Happiness" Test that I got today, make me think of a poem I wrote several years ago called "B-minus Average." At that point in my life I was blocked creatively and romantically and couldn't imagine getting anything in life that I wanted. 

B minus average

a B minus average is how I feel each day,

Not the best, not the worst, just making it okay.

And everyday I wake up with the will to be an A,

But sometime after coffee my ambition fades away.

I'm twenty-five, and most do say, 

"stop stressing out you'll find your way.

You've had some wins and in little time,

you'll change the world through rhythms and rhyme."

But all I see are others who, are doing what I want to do.

They're all nineteen and so far ahead,

It makes me just want to stay in bed.

But my greatest fear is taking a shot, 

Working hard and risking a lot.

To find I'm just an average girl, 

Who gave this singing thing a whirl.

Who never "had it" after all,  

Who never broke the rejection wall.

Never proved better than the rest, 

Never proved I was the best.

Years later my belly is out to my feet,

Life is predictable, peaceful and sweet.

Yet there is a pulling at my chest, 

To abandon my reality and leave my nest.

To take stupid chances like never before,

When I was scared to even open the door.

My True Happiness Grade...B+

I watched Dan Buettner's Ted talk today called "How to live to be 100+." This is not really something I have ever aspired to do, because in my mind being elderly means being incapable, dependent and possibly lonely. But according to Dan Buettner, there are individuals that are well into their 90s and 100s who are living purposeful, independent and healthy lives. He says that our genes only dictate 10% of our longevity. The other 90% is due to our diet, happiness, social network and spirituality.

Dan Buettner is a writer and researcher for National Geographic and has made it his mission to identify the "Blue Zones" on the planet. These "Blue Zones" are places where the happiest and longest living people reside. Two of these featured "Blue Zones" in his Ted Talk are actually islands, Okinawa, Japan and Sardinia, Italy. Dan interviewed, lived with and studied these centennials in order to identify the life style choices that lead to a happy, healthy, long-lived life.

His findings fit into these few categories:

Diet/Exercise

When it came to food, it was no surprise to me that these cultures ate a primarily plant based diet and drank daily, but very little alcohol. Their portion sizes were smaller and controlled. In Okinawa, they consumed much more tofu on a daily basis than the average American. I found it interesting that the cheese that was eaten by the Sardinians was produced by grass fed animals, which is healthier for you than cheese that is produced by corn-fed animals.

As far as exercise goes, these centennials aren't out running marathons or doing Buns of Steel. According to Dan, none of them exercise at all! But they are physically healthy because they have a healthy diet, and low impact exercise is built into their everyday lives. Almost all of the individuals that live in "Blue Zone" locations have gardens. They work in their garden, prepare food by hand and walk everywhere they need to travel.  As Dan stated in his talk,  "walking is the only proven way to stable off cognitive decline." So not only is walking good for the body, it is also good for the mind. Walking in nature also helps to increase your memory, self-esteem and creativity.

Community

As far as community was concerned, these "Blue Zones" were not comprised of incapable, dependent and lonely elderly people. This was due in part to the fact that in these areas, the elderly were respected and revered as wise and worthwhile human beings. These are family-first societies where people can trust in the support of their family and friend network. This in turn contributes to their overall happiness and positive quality of life. Dan stressed the idea of making sure that you are surrounding yourself with mentally and physically healthy people. The overall happiness of your supporters with often dictate your own happiness.


Spirituality/Personal Purpose

All of these centennials where people who took the time to have quiet relaxation in the form of prayer or meditation throughout their lives. Dan said that even slowing down for 15 mindful minutes per day could drastically effect your physical and mental health. A sense of purpose was an extremely important  attribute that these "Blue Zone" people had in mind. Dan relayed in this talk that aside from the first year of life, the second most dangerous year for mortality is the year that a person retires. He said that the most dangerous thing a retiree can do, is not have a sense of purpose or reason to wake up in the morning. For some of these "Blue Zone" elderly it was their sense of purpose came from God, karate, fishing for their family or the joy felt from holding their great-great-great-great granddaughter.

After watching Mr. Buettner's talk, I went to to www.bluezones.com and stumbled upon a "True Happiness" Test. The test took under 10 minutes and the results indicated that as far as "true happiness" goes, my life currently is graded at a "B+." In order to get my grade up to an "A" the website recommend getting a pet, finding a faith, getting out of debt, meditating, hanging out with happy people and seeing more of the sun. I did agree with all of these recommendations. The question now is whether to get a french bulldog which my boyfriend loves, or a Yorkshire terrier which I love. :)


I would definitely recommend checking out Dan Buettner's Ted Talk and the "True Happiness" Test below to find out more information on how you can lead a longer healthier lifestyle. Good luck!

http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_buettner_how_to_live_to_be_100.html

http://apps.bluezones.com/happiness/

Photo taken of beautiful St. George, Utah sky. Summer 2012

"Seasons" a poem by Jess Coffman

For Billy.

Seasons

In the Spring of our Love, I couldn’t get enough.

Everything was exciting and nothing was tough.

I could lay with you, and never feel that I was wasting time.

I let you play like a boy. You let me quietly rhyme.

In the Summer of our Love, Life was a careful juggling act.

Whenever the art was fulfilling, our debt was large and stacked.

Where to live, work and grow was a daily question asked.

But our hands remained fastened, and our Love unmasked.

In the Fall of our Love, our Devotion was the Cure.

Our two-some grew, and opened a future always insecure.

The strain of Life stretched us far beyond our grandest fantasy.

The Joys were never Greater, and the Sorrows our greatest Misery.

In the Winter of our Love, energy slowed though never stopped.

Our adventures became few, but our hands never dropped.

While sipping tea, my memory’s a blur of our long-lived life.

But what remains, is the stain, of adoring being your Wife.

The World Needs More Love Letters!

Today is my birthday! It is not a big one but a year that firmly plants you in your late twenties. I feel great about it actually, though I wish I could be with close family and friends.

For the last three years I have booked a show, where rehearsals start the week or two before my birthday. The first year that I had my birthday away from home, I didn't expect much celebration from my new friends. I had mentioned jokingly one day that I wanted a "Betel-Breakfast" themed birthday, meaning breakfast for dinner with a pancake cake and one of my favorite movies "Betelguese" playing in the background. These new friends took it seriously and made all of my silly Betelguese birthday wishes come true. I was so surprised and touched by their efforts to make me happy, it actually ended up being one of the best birthdays I have ever had.

Every year that my birthday falls right at the beginning of rehearsals, I don't expect to have much of a party. But once again my new cast provided a great birthday for me this year and I am so very grateful for their loving kindness.

This leads me to Hannah Brencher's TED talk which I am so happy to share with you. Hannnah Brencher is the founder of a website called The World Needs More Love Letters. I discovered this website after I watched her speech on TED last year. I was so inspired by what I heard. When I needed to find out more, I went to the website and this is how they joyfully describe what they do:

"...we write and mail love letters, handwritten love letters, to strangers in need all over the world. We’re going to invite you to request a love letter for someone in your life who needs one. And we’re going to insist that you step out of your own shoes of Comfort & join us. You are going to think we are a bit crazy. A tad loopy. But you’ve been looking for a website that leaks love all this time… so we aren’t worried you’ll leave us."


These love letters aren't meant for romance, they are meant to spread platonic love and encouragement to others. My favorite thing that Hannah encourages, is for people to write anonymous love letters to strangers and hide them in public places for others to find. I have to say that this is my favorite kind of love letter to write, one that is intended to accidentally brighten someones else's day. I also really love sneaking around looking for a perfect spot to hide the letter after it is written. This week, moreloveletters.com is teaming up with Kind bars and sponsoring a week-long campaign to paper your city with love letters for others. Today on my birthday, they are having a world-wide letter writing party to kick off the week! I am hoping that I can encourage my cast to write love letters today in support.

This is a photo of a love letter that I left in the seat of an airplane, when I was traveling to and from Myrtle Beach for an audition. I love hiding love notes!

Here is Hannah's Ted Talk, it is only about 6 minutes and it is so worth watching...that is all I am asking of you for my birthday :)

http://www.ted.com/talks/hannah_brencher_love_letters_to_strangers.html

Here is her website too!

http://www.moreloveletters.com/

Have a great day!

"Sanctuary" by Jess Coffman

I wrote this poem around this time last year, on a night that my boyfriend was working and I had our room to myself. I was sitting by the open window, with candles and incense burning, drinking coffee and feeling so safe. I had recently moved in with my boyfriend and I think this night was the first night that I felt settled in this new space. I was really relieved to have found a perfect little space to write and be myself. 

Sanctuary

I finally found a place to rest my weary gypsy bones.

I nestle in my earthy chair as the wind whistles spring tones.

The air is sweetened with sunflowers and I breath it in so calm.

Flecks of coffee on my lips like a bitter lip balm.

My heartbeat is rather slow as I close my eyes and pray,

That this sanctuary will remain even though I cannot stay.

My tiny violets stretch to the sun within their tiny home.

They remind me to seek comfort in the sun when I roam.

This quiet corner will be waiting patiently for my return,

As sure as the sun will set, and the yellow candles burn.

Though I realize I must create a space for peace with every travel,

A simple safe haven to be myself, and let my thoughts unravel.

"Colors" by Shel Silverstein

Good Morning! 

I wanted to share with you today, one of my favorite Shel Silverstein poems, "Colors." Many of my most beloved books as a child were written by Shel, mainly Where the Sidewalk Ends, The Giving Tree and A Light in the Attic. I was reintroduced to Shel as an adult when my boyfriend lovingly bought me Where the Sidewalk Ends for Christmas of 2011. I am awestruck at his sincerely silly writing and spindly pencil illustrations every time I open that book. 

Colors by Shel Silverstein

My skin is kind of sort of brownish 

Pinkish yellowish white. 

My eyes are grayish blueish green, 

But I’m told they look orange in the night. 

My hair is reddish blondish brown,

But it’s silver when it’s wet. 

And all the colors I am inside 

Have not been invented yet.

"A Garden" a poem by Jess Coffman

Ron Finley's speech inspired my boyfriend and I to start a garden of our own. It is actually something we have been day dreaming about for years, but it was Ron's frank words that kicked our asses into gear. This is a picture of our garden only two weeks old! We were so surprised and elated at how quickly the seedlings sprouted. 

Last year I wrote a poem entitled "A Garden." when I was having one of my daydreams about our future.  I think it is just the right fit for my garden theme of the day :)

A Garden

A Garden grown for two

Is what I’ve dreamed for me and you.

Kale for me and pumpkin just for you.

A Garden behind a Home

Were laughter is our metronome.

With soup on the stove, we promise to never roam.

Cause you make me feel light and breezy,

Like a wish that was cast into the sea.

And loving you is oh so easy,

You’re my anchor, though you let me be free.

A Home that’s small and sweet,

That comforts big and tiny feet.

We’ll paint on the porch and dance to our own beat.

A Home that tells a Tale,

Of a family’s Love that could never fail.

And it all began from a dream of pumpkin and kale. 

Ron Finley's TED Talk and Story

My boyfriend and I watched a TED talk a few weeks ago, as we often do with our morning coffee, and we came across this exhilarating talk by Renegade Ron Finley. He is a guerilla gardener in South Central LA, which as Ron puts it, "is home of the drive-thru and the drive-by." Needless to say, South Central was not a place that I was ever encouraged to hang out while living in L.A.. Ron also describes this area as a "food desert," with healthy organic food options unavailable, resulting in an abundance of obese people in his community. One day he realized that "Food is the problem and food is the solution." So he began planting a garden in front of his house, which lead to a fight and ultimate victory with the the city of Los Angeles to use and plant on unused city property. 

He started a grass-roots organization called L.A. Green Grounds in the South Los Angeles area, that focuses on the education and implantation of new gardens all around the community. He believes "To change the community, you have the change the composition of the soil. We are the soil." Through the education of gardening, his gospel is aimed at the prevention of poor health and crime. 

My boyfriend and I really enjoyed this enthusiastic, unpretentious and just fucking cool talk from Ron Finley. Here are some quotes from Ron's speech at Ted, that invigorated and inspired me to share this with you. 

"Growing your own food is like printing your own money." 

"You see I'm an artist, gardening is my graffiti, I grow my art...You'd be surprised, what the soil can do, if you let it be your canvas. You just couldn't imagine how amazing a sunflower is and how it affects people."

"Gardening is the most therapeutic and DEFIANT act you can do, especially in the inner city…plus you get strawberries."

"We've got to flip the script on what a gangster is, if you ain't a gardener, you ain't  gangster. Get gangster with your shovel and let that be your weapon of choice."

Check out his TED Talk!

http://www.ted.com/talks/ron_finley_a_guerilla_gardener_in_south_central_la.html

Before and after pictures from a garden planted at a residence in the South Los Angeles area by Ron Finley and his team at L.A. Green Grounds. 

"What's In Your Hand" A poem by Jess Coffman

On a hazy July Sunday, the clouds softened the heat

And I sat twisting my hair at an irregular beat.

I lied still for a while, while my brain sorted out,

A peculiar quandary I was stressing about.

A wise man posed a question to the world today,

And I was perplexed that I had no answer to say.

He invited all people of greater influence or none,

To look in their hand, and use what they’d been given.

I looked in my hand and saw nothing there,

And felt a down spiral of immediate despair.

I felt undefined like a nonsensical word,

Or a Shepherd who lost every sheep in his herd.

Again I looked to my palm with a discerning eye,

And studied each spiral and line gone awry.

I remembered that each fingerprint is unique to each hand,

And at that, I relaxed and began to understand.

Each finger was printed unlike any other,

To distinguish it’s purpose from it’s sister or brother.

And at THAT I smiled and looked down at my feet,

So calloused and veiny from keeping the beat.

A dancer’s identity lives in her sole.

Her hands are empty cause her feet have control.

With my answer in mind I jumped up feeling smart,

And danced on my soles to the beat in my heart.

JESS COFFMAN

Photographed by Elizabeth Leitzell. Brooklyn, July 2006.
http://www.edlphotography.com/

Stanley McChrystal's Ted Talk: Listen, learn...then lead

Good Morning! I watched this Ted Talk given by Stanley McChrystal who is a General in the U.S. Army. I ordinarily don't seek out Ted Talks that speak on politics or war, but this talk was within a Ted playlist called "Listen Up." This particular playlist is comprised of 8 talks given by different speakers on the importance of listening. Listening is an area of my life that I am constantly working on. I actually went to sleep last night feeling guilty for not being a better listener to a new friend. I watched a speech in this playlist the other day, and thought that it might be a great way to relieve some guilt this morning and learn a thing or two about listening. 

The talk also focuses on leadership, and how a successful leader has to be willing to listen and learn from his followers. The talk is a little over 15 minutes and I definitely would recommend watching it. But if you haven't the time, here are some memorable quotes from General McChrystal. 

"Leaders can let you fail, and yet not let you be a failure."

"How does a leader stay credible and legitimate when they haven't done what the people you're leading are doing? It's a brand new leadership challenge and 

it forced me to become a lot more transparent, a lot more willing to listen and a lot more willing to become reverse mentored from lower."

"I came to believe that a leader isn't good because they're right. They're good because they are willing to learn and to trust."

http://www.ted.com/playlists/92/listen_up.html

Enjoy!

"Marooned"

Kaleigh's poem "Here's To You" reminded me of a piece that I wrote last summer called "Marooned." I have always been the mediator of my family, even before my parents got divorced. Most of the time I like being the person that others come to for advice.  I pride myself in being able to cut through the petty bullshit and efficiently solve a problem. But sometimes there are so many layers of worry to an issue that I become exhausted as the mediator. Things that seem so simple to me, never seem as simple to many others in my family.

I wrote "Marooned" for the same reason actually that Kaleigh wrote "Here's To You." I too was frustrated by the unwillingness of others to be compassionate, forgiving and supportive of her. "Marooned" is actually in the chapter called Cautionary Tales and Distress within my poem book In Pursuit of Peacocks. It is very much a cautionary poem to parents that if you choose not to listen to your child and choose only to judge them on their past, you could eventually end up isolating yourself from their love entirely.

Marooned

Give her some relief from her heartache.

Close your lips, and let no earful escape.

She could sour, if you neglect her,

Or turn the most treasured wine of your grape.

She can appear as strong as a mare,

With will and beauty wild and unsurpassed.

But her worth is frail like an eggshell.

Your rash assumptions demolish her fast.

Quiet the defender in your head,

Who shoots guilty bullets off of your tongue.

You can punch the wounds she created,

Or relate to the frustrated and young.

Forget the failed love and shameful facts.

Unstrap the debt of pain from yesterday;

Embrace your child through words and body;

Convince her that you and she are okay.

Be the sun and stars to light her course,

Blow words of championship in her sails.

Let her rest in your tranquil ocean.

Keep her afloat in successes or fails.

Practice healing with a song of peace,

That only the angels above can teach.

Abandon this aim for perfection,

Or forever have her love out of reach.

"Here's To You" a poem by Kaleigh Coffman

This poem was written by my younger sister Kaleigh Coffman. She emailed me yesterday and told me that she had written a poem that she was would like me to read. I was jazzed! I had no idea that she wrote a bit of verse here and there. She informed me that this poem was written in anger, as a response to all of the people in her life who were judging every little decision she was making at the time. Apparently, she decided to post it on Facebook and it ended up being very effective. The friends and family members who were hounding her, stopped. She has since taken it down, so I thought I would put it back up :) Sometimes we have to celebrate strong reactions even if they are in anger. I personally appreciate those like "Here's to You," that fight back peacefully and effectively, through the silence of the written word. 

Here’s To You

Here’s to those who think that I’m not good enough,

Or think that I’m weak.

Here’s to those who think that I’m dependent,

Or think that I’m meek.

Here’s to those who think that I won’t make it,

Or think that I’m not strong,

Here’s to those who think that I’m stupid,

Or think that I am wrong.

Here’s to you my so called friends,

I am far ahead of you in life.

For I have accepted who I am today

And faced my inner strife.

Here’s to you, the liar and the cheater,

to all of my fellow sinners.

There is one difference between you and I.

Between the losers and the winners.

Here’s to you, my life observers,

I don’t really care what you think.

I live my life before you

With a smile and a wink.

Heres to you, my inspiration.

I’m calling you out.

Can you do half the things I have done?

How would you turn out?

Here’s to you, and all your criticism.

Thanks for challenging me and tearing me down.

I have been rebuilt. 

My two legs are on firmly on the ground.

Brownies on the Moon

I wrote this poem while I was living and working in St. George, Utah last summer. There was a cute little center called Ancestors Square in the Downtown area of St. George, that had a tiny sweets shop within it that originally was the Jail House of the town. The sweets shop unfortunately closed down last summer. Though before it did, I went there on a blazing hot day and got a flavor of ice cream called "Brownies on the Moon." I walked over to this cute little park on Main Street, where there were several water fountains that provided great fun and relief from the heat to the local families. There was this geyser fountain that would shoot out of the ground at unexpected times and the kids would laugh and have such a blast in the water. I would go to that park, watch the happy families and write.  I always secretly wanted to play in the fountain, but not wanting to be that weird adult frolicking in the water by myself, I never did. When my silly Dad came to visit, I told him how I had been desperately wanting to play in the geyser fountain. He immediately handed his iphone to a willing stranger mom, and ran through the geyser fountain fully clothed. I excitedly followed and was thrilled. It is that kind of simple joy of eating ice cream on a hot day and spontaneously getting soaking wet with your Dad that inspired this poem. 

Brownies on the Moon

Tiptoeing quickly on the hot ground,

Ready to let out a joyous sound.

Playing free under the scorching sun,

Fickle fountain drenching everyone.

Holding hands and running for cover,

With new excitements to discover.

This summer day could not be better.

The more the fun, the more the wetter.

If you splash your mom, she might get mad.

But soon enough she’ll be glad you had.

And if you’re good she just might sweet you,

To a double chocolate ice cream treat too.

So love the day and hug your brother.

Live for this day and not another. 

Muttnik

Last night I was speaking to my Grammy after I helped her become a follower of this blog:) She recalled one of the very first poems she had ever written called "Muttnik," which she proudly said was published in her school newspaper. "Muttnik" is a cheeky little poem about a dog named Laika, who was the very first living creature to ever be launched into outer space. Laika, meaning "Barker" in Russian, was a female part-Samoyed terrier and was chosen to for the mission over her peers because of her even temperament. 

Laika, seen here with her harness on, became famous world-wide on November 3, 1957 when she was launched into orbit with Sputnik 2. This was the unprecedented event that clutched the hearts of the world, and moved little Grammy to write this poem. 


Muttnik 

Muttnik, Muttnik in the sky,

Faster and faster, it's flying by.

If it ever hits the ground,

Open it up, and you'll find a hound.

"The separate and sealed pressurized cabin on Sputnik 2 allowed enough room for her to lie down or stand and was padded. An air regeneration system provided oxygen; food and water were dispensed in a gelatinized form. Laika was fitted with a harness, a bag to collect waste, and electrodes to monitor vital signs. Early telemetry indicated Laika was agitated but eating her food." (Wikipedia)

Unfortunately,  Laika survived only a few hours after launch due to overheating. However, she provided scientists with vital information that would eventually allow humans to be enter space. Russian officials unveiled a small monument to honor Laika on April 11, 2008. It features a dog standing on top of a rocket and was placed near the military research facility in Moscow that prepared Laika's flight on Sputnik 2.

Thanks Grammy for writing a cute little poem that caused me to do a bit of unexpected learning and research this morning!

Trust Attack

So...sometimes I let the objects of my thoughts get the best of me, which is exactly why I am reading "The Untethered Soul." I have the loveliest boyfriend and we spend a lot of time apart because I travel for work. One night I was having a "Trust Attack" and I wrote this poem. I completely trust him, there has never been a fear of unfaithfulness. This came from my own personal fear of not being the right woman for him, and the fear that another woman in this life was the right one. This fear turned out to be completely unfounded, but at the time that I was feeling this, I was convinced that it was truth.


Trust Attack

I trust you,

But I’m nervous that she makes you laugh everyday.

I trust you,

But I’m worried when she inspires you to play.

I trust you,

But I’m anxious that I’m too reflective for you.

I trust you,

But I’m edgy that her selflessness comes through.

I trust you,

But I’m bothered when you giggle and drink wine.

I trust you,

But I’m troubled that her talent surpasses mine.

I trust you,

But I’m jealous that she’s nurturing you now.

I trust you,

But I’m fretful that she always takes the final bow.

I trust you,

But I’m fearful you wanted her, the way you have me.

I trust you,

But I’m strung out that she’s so much more than beauty.

I trust you,

But I’m concerned she has the best of me and more.

I trust you,

But I’m confused then, as to what you need me for.

I trust you,

But I’m distressed, I’m here because I loved you back.

I love you,

But I’d rather leave than have this trust attack.

Quotes from "The Untethered Soul"

I wanted to share a quote from the book I am reading right now called "The Untethered Soul" by Michael A. Singer. This purpose of the book is help people become aware of their true Self and attain freedom from their thoughts and emotional blocks that restrict them from living more peaceful lives. I happen to love books that are centered around personal or spiritual growth such as "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz or "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield. Though Singer strives to achieve essentially the same types of freedoms that the other books do, there is more of an Eastern influence in his approach that is both confusing and exciting to me at the same time. There are so many pieces of the book that I want to share, but here is a bit for today.

"A thought or emotion emerges, you notice it, and it passes by because you allow it to. This technique of freeing yourself is done with the understanding that thoughts and emotions are just objects of consciousness. When you see your heart start getting anxious, you are obviously aware of this experience. But who is aware? It is the consciousness, the indwelling being, the Soul, the Self. It is the seer, the one who sees. The changes you experience in your inner energy flow are simply objects of this consciousness. If you want to be fee, then every time you feel any change in the energy flow, relax behind it. Don't fight with it, don't try to change it, and don't judge it. Don't say, 'Oh, I can't believe I'm still feeling this. I promised myself I wouldn't think about that car anymore.' Don't do that; you'll just end up going with the guilt thoughts instead of the car thoughts. You have to let them all go. "

- Michael A. Singer

"Shaking" lyrics by Liz Beebe

These lyrics were written by a good friend of mine Liz Beebe.

Shaking

The earth won’t stop moving 

and my feet aren’t on the ground

I can’t stand it

I can’t sleep

My heart is breaking

and you roll over

The panic sets in

I try to breathe

It’s not me but I feel it completely

I worry, I worry

And I’m shaking

And my feet aren’t on the ground

And I can’t hear a sound

But breaking

And I’m shaking

And I don’t know what to do

All I see is you

And I’m quaking

I feel lost

with no hope to be found

I’m drifting in the sound, 

my voice carries in the wind

It’s lonely, It’s lonely

I’m asking for your help, 

but you don’t know what to do

And I can’t teach you

So I’m stranded here again, alone on the

Ocean, alone on the ocean

And I’m shaking

And my feet aren’t on the ground

And I can’t hear a sound

But breaking

And I’m shaking

And I don’t know what to do

All I see is you

And I’m quaking

Great job Beebe!