8/30/10 Meditation Class, Chores

Meditation class rocked. We had a new woman. I centered and was right there to give an uplifting class. I had a meditation on the first time I met Baba Muktananda. Luke and I went to the Ashram in S Fallsburg, N.Y. We went up to the desk to register. The kids were with us. Becky, Emmie and little 7 year old Rain. OMG. Suddenly I just wanted to be in the meditation hall. I knew Luke would bring the girls --I did ask him. But in my mind I just wanted to be there --right at that moment. By myself.

So I almost ran down the hallway to the shoe area and then into the meditation hall. The lights were off and everyone was chanting Om Namah Shivaya. The power of the sound--a few thousand people chanting--almost knocked me off my feet. My heart began to race and my breath came fast. A hall monitor came over and asked me if I had ever met Baba. When I said no, she showed me to a front seat right near Baba's chair. I sat down and began to chant myself , becoming a part of the sound.

Suddenly, the feeling of the space changed, became charged. I saw heads turned toward the entrance door. There coming into the room and down the middle aisle was this man--- he was radiant, made of light. It was Baba.

As he walked down the aisle, he paused just for a moment and our eyes met. I began to cry. Oddly the tears just fell from my eyes. Baba pranamed to his Guru, Bhagavan Nityananda. Then, he sat on his seat underneath Nityananda's portrait.

I was stunned. The feeling was not to be put into words. Then Baba joined the chant and my life was changed forever.

So that's what a shared with the class on a spiritual level. And that was my good deed that I didn't really do. When Baba enters the room, he does the GD.

8/29/10 Nature's Market

Working at Nature's Market I feel like I help people. A gentleman came in with his little boy. He's about Jennifer's age and he has big digestive issues. I gave him four nutrients that could help him feel better. Also I gave him some samples to try. I invited him to come back and let me know how he does.

He left with a smile and a good feeling. And his little boy was friendly and adorable.

Actually, I was able to help several people today and they all left with a smile.

8/28/10 not so . . . hummmm

Ok . It's all true. I wasn't in the best mood today. Neither was Luke. So we snapped. Instead of trying the GD way, I yelled and he yelled and we both pouted.

But . . . we moved on and had a fun movie night. My good deed was that I could have picked a chick flick, instead I chose a film that we'd all love and we did. We saw "The Other Guys, " with

Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell.

8/27/10 Car. Hurt Toe. Nature's Market

I had to bring in my car. I do feel better and so far I haven't had to take the antibiotic that I lived on last year. But I'm still tired. So as I entered Firestone, the heavy door crunched my toe. It hurt and made me feel ikk. Also my toe bled and I could feel my shoe getting blood-gooey.

My best friend, Mary Kate, did a great good deed and picked me up. Honestly, I was concerned that the door was filthy and that I'd get an infection. We went to Nature's Market. This was a GD for Kay. She had an issue in her family and needed to leave.

MKate helped me to clean my toe and get an antibiotic bandaid on it. Then I got to work and Kay was able to leave. Good Deeds are like magic seeds. They grow into more sparkling and sunny good deeds. It's all happy.

8/26/10 B Town Kids and Grandkids

When you play with kids, you have to step back and see what they need. Today, Xavier wanted to play with his Pokemon cards. He loves them. So I sat on the floor and helped him to organize his huge pile of cards. He found good cards --level x and e x--that he didn't know he had AND we relaxed together.

In the flow, a neighbor came by to borrow pasta and quess what-- she gave the rubber bands that we needed to put our piles of similar cards together.

I remembered to bring chocolate and a few jelly beans for each kid. When I was little, I lived with my grandparents. Every night, when he came home from work, my grandpa brought me a little colored pack of chicklets--two in a pack. It was always the same and I was always totally thrilled. Gramdpa loved me and the little pack of gum (two in a pack) told me it was true. Now I return the favor and the kids feel the love.

8/25/10 Kids go home to New Jersey

It's sometimes hard to live with your adult kids. Becky and Kevin spend 5 days with us. Becky and I did our best to share mutual space.

Sometimes, I found it hard. I was determined to rewrite our script. Before I spoke a sharp, angry or critical word, I asked myself the big question--"Does it matter?" And most of the time, it didn't.

Because I didn't force most situations, we ended our time together in a soft and loving way. So . . GD's work. We ended sweetly and in the past--we haven't always been able to pull it off.

OMG---- GD is short for GOD. Hummmm.

8/23/10 Xavier , Becky and Kevin

I should have washed my hair today--among many other things. Instead I went to breakfast with Becky, Kevin and Xavier. Xavier was happy to have me there. Kevin and Becky come all the way to Indy to see family, so they were happy as well.

Xavier met a new friend. So sweet.

My little sis left for Africa and I was able to support her. (even though she never, ever listens to me) Still, she'll remember that I was in her corner.

When I left the Pancake House to teach my class, I had made a sacrifice to do a GD and to make others happy. I felt peaceful and I was open to a deep meditation class. Honestly the room felt so quiet that I didn't want to come out of meditation myself.

8/29/10 X's birthday party--fun

Sometimes you do things for family. I've had a bad cold and with me that can lead to problems. Today was xavier's birthday. It's a family party that Becky and Kevin fly in for and Rain and Ryan wait for Luke and I to come back from Bear Valley so we can celebrate together.

I stood up and took everything I could and went to B town to celebrate. And I prayed that I'd be there for the kids.

When Violet saw me, she was so excited. She smiled really big and said, "Gramma!" And she ran over to me and gave me a big hug. They she went back to playing with her friend. But the greeting was precious.

I did a good deed and I was showered with love.

I was tired, but I ate a little extra and it put me on my feet.

When Aunti Becky and Uncle Kevin wanted to bring Xavier home to our house--I started to say no. Then I thought they don't get to see the kids often. We'll manage. And we did. What a sweet feeling.

8/28/10 GD as Limo

I planned a surprise for my daughter, Becky, and her husband, Kevin. They were coming in from N.J. and I hired a stretch limo to pick them up from the airport. They loved it.

It was fun to hear the happy sound in her voice.

8/27/10 Getting Ready for X's Birthday

My daughter, Becky, called during my morning prayer time. I don't give this time up easily but when I do; I consider my offering of time to be love and prayer. It was fun. I don't talk to Becky often, so we had a chance to catch up.

The rest of the day I spent getting the house organized and ready for Becky and Kevin's visit.

8/19/10 Chores

Luke and I did needed chores today.

We started with a plan--get a little bear for Violet. We didn't find it at Wal Mart. (I pledged not to shop at Target--they gave money to people who hate and I can't go along with that) We did find that Wal Mart has the special battery for our phone AND they make keys. While we looked for small, pink bears for Violet, we went in different directions. I tried to call him on his cell --this is a huge issue for us--his phone was off.

I felt a little mad. But I thought how can I finally get this cell phone issue to resolve itself. For the first time, I put my dark side away (wow) I thought I know . . . I'll charge Luke for every time he forgets to turn on or to take his phone. Not a lot. $5.00. And I'll be indulgent with my $$$. Oh yes. You can be indulgent with $5.00.

When I told Luke and I wasn't mad, Luke smiled. He thought it was a fun idea and so much better than nagging. Our whole day went awesome.

The rest of our day . . . went awesome. Light. Happy. Fun. The power of a good deed to create world peace.

8/18/10 Get House Going Again

Went to Dr K (chiropractor). Luke and I fight. I mean he brought up a topic that he knows would get me going--our neighbor the bully and loud mouth. The woman yelled and almost spoiled the Easter egg hunt for my grandkids. But . . . . Luke doesn't see it that way.

Usually, that kind of fight lasts. I have a hard time letting go. I feel like I'm right and Luke knows that he's wrong. Obviously, he feels differently.

I made up my mind that my GD to Luke and to myself would be the battle between my shadow side and my light. I fought the good fight. The dark theme --he thinks he's so great--kept coming up. I thought, "Who cares. I'm not letting this spoil my day and put out my light." And in the end, I didn't.

I e-mailed Martin with Jen's address. He wants his daughter to speak with her. She just graduated in a similar field. It took time, because I couldn't read his handwriting. I kept trying different combinations of letters and finally--I hit it. Yay.

8/17/10 HOME. YAY

We got home late last night. On 8/16/10, our fabulous son-in-law, Dan, came to the airport and picked us up --even though there was the usual stuff going on and our plane was late. He was tired. Luke and I were grateful for his GD and our daughter came along --another GD.

The day before, 8/15/10, our last day at Bear Valley, Eileen came to say goodbye. Eileen and Johan are two of our favorite people at B.V. Johan is magic. We LOVE him. Eileen is a well known photographer. Even her small works sell for $500 and more. She gave me an awesome photo. It wasn't even my birthday.

During our 2 1/2 weeks in California, I stepped out of my comfort zone and showed a lot of neat people the DVD of Braco (Croation Healer) I knew that I had served God when I saw the way Braco's voice and presence affected people. One man cried. For so many, love flowed. I mean love flowed and created family where friends had been before.

Today, 8/17/10, I taught my yoga class. I got home late last night and was kind of tired, but

I thought --I'm not giving people my knowledge--no --I'm sharing my teacher's greatness for their upliftment. And that's what happened. People were blessed and happy. Thanks God that I have this gift to give.

Also I did videos. There went my 2 1/2 weeks of down time (usually, I hang out and rest at the Bear) but instead I did GD's every day. As a huge benefit, I got to know a deeper side of so

many wonderful people.

8/12/10 The Bear

Today someone did a good deed for me. Our old friend, Dave, gave up his practice time to help me down load my flips into the proper file and he showed me how to safely exit. I'd been feeling like a wasted a lot of time and lost some wonderful stories--all because I couldn't figure out how to safely exit while the flip was plugged into the mac. Once I understood, it was easy.

Dave is laid back and kind. He never makes you feel like he has no time for you . He always stays until you learn what you needed to know. He's a yogi in action--without practicing yoga.

I'm going to try and be more like Dave in my interactions.

8/10 Bear Valley

It's Bear Valley wednesday. Luke and I had lunch at Head Waters with Ann--the place was jumpin--Barbara and Jim were there and tons of our musician friends.

I did a flip video of Chef Robbie. I felt that he'd be interesting. He offered to share 15 min and given his responsibilities as head chef and wine expert--I was grateful.

He let me do the interview in his kitchen which is clean and awesome. I loved seeing a real Chef's kitchen. He was open and inspirational. This takes doing for me and I am thinking of inspiring others. Who would have known. Chef Robbie began to cook when he was young. He loves to entertain. But he was working on a construction team. He came to Bear Valley and his destiny drew him to the kitchen where he started in food prep, then line cooking and now--executive chef.

After a basic interview, I thanked Chef Robbie and told him a little about W David and my plans. I went back to lunch with Ann and Luke. Chef R followed me and wanted to share another aspect of his journey. This was more personal. It will be very uplifting to people.

I wish I were better with the equipment--but I'm doing my best. WD says that he can use what I do as long as I keep a steady hand. Well, see.

Meanwhile I've meet and talked to so many inspiring people. I've gotten to know the inside story on people that were just faces to me.

GD when Ann told me that she wasn't interested in seeing a video on Braco (healer), I gave her the respect to believe that we all know what's best for us in this life's journey. It's not something that I've been comfortable with in the past. I couldn't understand why person's wouldn't want to be in the company of Saints. Now, I repect their journey.

Although, to tell the truth, I'd rather hang out with people who love the company of Saints. My best friends, Luke and MKate, are with me on the company of Saints, and that's why I feel close to them.

So far, I have not made time to show Janet the Braco film. I'm resolved to do this before leaving BV and I'm hoping that it works. I mean, for $20 , anyone can have this video for their very own.

8/9/10 Bear Valley

Last night we had dinner with two couples that we met at the tent. The main couple--Michelle (guys name in his country) and Linda-- are meditators. Michelle went to India as a young man, traveling around looking for something. I'm going to do a video of his story on Sat. They have a sweet love story and I'll film that as well.

Linda's brother and sister-in-law came to dinner as well. They are fans of Luke's, so that was cute.

I talked about Braco (as my good deed). Turns out that they all have health issues and would like to see the DVD that we brought. We're going to show it to Linda and Michelle on Sat--they will give the info to the others. For a mere $20 they can have a video of their own.

Everyone talked about the meaning of GD's. This awoke a healing energy around the table.

The food was excellent. The salmon had a creamy yogurt/sour cream sauce that we loved. Luke ate all of his. I wasn't as hungry so we'll have my left overs as a light dinner tonight

We had vanilla ice cream for dessert. No Mary Kate, I haven't worked on my diet this time. Well, what can I say. I'm on vacation. I haven't been too bad. My GD to me has been to be more accepting of myself.

I've been contemplating : What does Braco mean when he invites us to open ourselves to our own healing energy. One thing came to me. I'm a hard judge on myself. More than on others. So I'm trying to accept myself the way that God accepts me. That's not to say that I plan to eat ice cream sundaes when I get back to Indy ( although I'll want to)

8/8/10 Bear Valley

I can't always get to the free WiFi site, i.e. the Cathedral Lodge.

So, here I am. It's Sunday, 8/8--which is supposed to be . . . . more later.

8/5/10 Bear : First Concert/ See old friend

Last night was the first, most fun, concert at Bear V--Great Old Show Tunes. It was excellent.

Actually double amazing. The singers were fantastic.

We were happy that our old friend, Chuck , was able to attend. He and Annette have had some karma to go through this year. He almost had to miss the Bear entirely. Sometimes karma seems so unfair. You think, how could so much neg stuff happen to one little person--their daughter. There's nothing to say. You can say, I'll pray for you but . . .

Anyway, I brought two tapes of Braco, the Croatian healer. Even though we were tired, we invited Chuck to cocoa and graham crackers and if he wanted , to see a part of the dvd that's supposed to be the most powerful. People come to see Braco and bring photos of dear ones who need serious help. Chuck took out a photo of his beautiful daughter and held it up as we watched.

I witnessed a kind of heart opening. He's always kind and considerate, but last night, a new light shone in his eyes. He hugged us and didn't want to leave.

So that was our GD for yesterday.

Today, I did a GD for my poor body that has had so many struggles to go through.

I've been thinking about the forces of darkness and light that often duke it out inside us. I have this voice that says--"don't do your hatha yoga today, there's always tomorrow or even the day after. It goes on to say, you deserve a break, why not have early breakfast . . . yumm. "

The light has to say, " You know you have to be strong to walk. Why don't you turn your back on --you know who-- and start with the first segment of your routine. (there are four) Honestly, it's like walking through a thick sludge. I lay out my blanket and take the mountain posture, then I begin. When I do all four segments of my routine, as I did today, I feel victorious and like I've done the GD that my body deserves--after all it's carried me through so much with so little complaint.

Also, I've truly given up artifical sweeteners. I been off them for awhile. And I do feel better.

Another GD for the body.

Baba used to talk about our body as being a gift from God that needed to be take care of and appreciated.

8/3/10 Bear Valley : Letting go and doing good,

Today, Luke came in from rehearsal and told me that he didn't take care of himself. He's had a rough season and it's very hard work for the concert master of the Bear.

I could feel my face getting red. BUT I had an inner conversation instead. I said, Willow, Luke is an adult. If he decides to skip his break and work hard for someone else's mistake--that's his deal. So change the subject and move on.

We had a lovely lunch together. It's a GD when you don't push on the person who is stuck with you --day and night.

That's not to say that I wouldn't say something if he really needed to hear it . . . . I guess it's a judgement call. This time I thought--oh well. He feels like a hero and that has to count for something.

As I work on my GD project, I feel friendlier to others. That makes it nicer to be around me and more fun for me.

Baba always said: whatever you do, you do it for yourself. Now, that's a multi-layered statement. Even on the surface, if you look for good more good comes to you. Like a reflection.

7/3/10 Bear Valley

Sometimes I'm not generous in my thoughts about others.

I can't say that I was today or even yesterday. But, here's the question. Can you be generous in your thoughts if someone has or is doing something --wrong, annoying, harmful to others? And if you are plain in your words, does that mean you are ungenerous? Is the truth, if not used to wound another as it's main intent, an anti-good deed?

I don't know, but I'm thinking about it.

One thought that arose for me--in the moment, you can say or think what's true--as long as you don't hang on to it. Sometimes a situation has to be resolved, but you can be generous by recognizing that the person is a child of God (however weird and annoying) just like you. Then you move into a resolution of the conflict with less harm to others.

Okay, I'm talking about the tall , skinny, terribly annoying man who comes into Nature's and tries to influence our customers--EVEN THOUGH HE'S BEEN ASKED NICELY NOT TO. I mean, yes it's annoying to have him at the store all day on Sunday. Yes, it's annoying that he asks personal questions about what you are eating and etc. I admit I don't think good thoughts about him. But . . . the behavior isn't pleasing to our customers and we may be losing business because of it. We have had complaints.

So .. . . . maybe the GD is .. . . decide how to handle the situation, while giving tall and skinny the benefit of being one of God's children. Like me. Ugg. Well, sorry but ugg.

In my primary relationship, I am doing better. Yesterday, Luke and I watched a video together. It was interesting in parts, but boring and even annoying in others--infact most of the video was boring and annoying. After we sat through 1 1/2 hrs, it was finally over and I asked Luke what he thought of it. In his most sarcastic way, he told me that silence was better than words. At first I was angry and annoyed. Then, I thought, he's entitled to be silent and to not want to waste more time on the boring parts of the video. So, I went on with my evening--washing dishes and etc.

Later that evening, Luke brought up the video. We laughed and laughed. We made all kinds of mean jokes. And I learned that it's so much better to let people be in their own rhythms. Especially if you're married to them.

8/1 and 2/10 Bear Valley GD's

8/1 I tend to like some people and not like others. I tend to ignore the ones that I don't like or worse. Well, I never said I was an angel. I'm trying.

Our first night at the Bear, we were invited to join Anne (good friend) and some of the musicians for dinner at the Alpine. I was stunned to see that among the likes was a dislike. I said to myself. My GD for today will be . . . seeing good in the dislike. Also. The basics. I looked at her. It was hard. I looked at her and thought, here is a child of God. Let me get to know her a little.

I sat next to Anne. We've been friends for a long time and have a lot to say to each other. She's such an interesting person. So . . . mostly I talked to Anne BUT I did look at my d.l. and I spoke directly to her. Very unusual for me.

8/2 I made extra coffee for Luke. He was happy and surprised. I need a lot of rest when I first get to the Bear-7,000 ft above sea level.

Also, I did my best to work on organizing and cleaning our summer space. Our backyard here is fairy land. I sit out for a short time (allergic to sun so I have to limit) to keep Luke company. We ate our lunch and enjoyed the beauty. Funny birds . Get mad and fuss at each other like the Housewives. Also, I gave him a turn to do the news paper cross words, and read a book instead.

Although I am not Mother Teresa, these little deeds are adding up to a new me and a happier atmosphere within and around me. So . . . . .