Starcat's Corner

reverence and joy

reverence and joy

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  • It’s All in the Groove

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    I came downstairs yesterday, a Monday morning, all ready for some writing time. I wanted to get back to work on the e-book, which I hadn’t done for a week or so. When I looked around, though, the house was quite a mess. The floors needed vacuuming, there were piles of stuff that needed to be tidied, and the kitchen was heaped with dirty dishes. Yuck.

    Since I work on the laptop at the kitchen table, I was faced with the conundrum of: how can I work in these conditions?! I got a bit upset, and wondered if I could just power through and ignore the mess in favor of the writing I really wanted to do. But I admit, it was bugging me. And I didn’t especially feel like doing housework.

    So I paused and sat down for a few minutes, tuning in to what I was feeling, and asking myself how I could harmoniously resolve it. I breathed into the discomfort and let all parts of my mind have their say.

    Then I made my choice: it wouldn’t really take that long to get the place tidied and cleaned. I would do the housework first. And rather than doing it with resentment and resistance, I chose to do it cheerfully. I put on some good music and started working. Soon BlackLion chipped in and helped me. We got the place in good shape in a little over an hour.

    As I was finishing the final few dishes and wiping things down, I felt a sense of ease. I was flowing with my creative energies. Even the simple act of clearing counters and getting things put away felt like it was contributing in some way to my creative work. I thought of the British phrase, “getting things set to rights.”

    When I was done, I took a break for some food, and then I sat down at the laptop and wrote. As I created, I enjoyed the harmonious feeling of the sparkling house, and the fresh energies I’d brought to it. Those peaceful feelings infused my writing, which is for the e-book, titled Cultivating Self-Love.

    There was no need for separating the tasks of the day. It’s all creative. It’s all part of the flow. Everything is energy, and you receive what you put out. It makes good sense.

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  • Wild and Precious

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    If someone asked me who my favorite poet is, on most days I’d say Mary Oliver. I first encountered her because one of my yoga teachers loved to read her poems to us at the beginning or end of class. Wow.

    When Brent and I were doing a fun photo shoot for our Faerie Travelogue series recently, we came across this sign at a Unitarian Universalist church in Portland.

    Mary Oliver quote

    Yes, it’s a quote from Mary Oliver! So, how would you answer her question?

    As for me, I’m going to write and create, dance, hike around in the woods, take trips to explore new parts of the world, dream, drum, spend time with my loved ones, seek out sacred spaces, swim in lakes, laugh a lot, walk on beaches, read terrific books, eat fresh fruits and veggies, play, enjoy awesome music, be kind, let myself be filled up with gratitude, and do yoga. So be it!

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  • Curried Tempeh Salad

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    Last summer, when Dark Follies was on the road quite a bit, our fearless leader brought along these fabulous picnic lunches. Everyone raved about the curried chicken salad she made. She also provided a curried egg salad version for the vegetarians. Since I don’t eat meat, and I’m not a huge fan of egg salad, I decided I’d make my own version.

    This past weekend, I brought it along to our gig at the Steampunk Festival in Waltham, MA. It went over very well, and a couple of troupe members asked for the recipe. So I thought I’d share it here, in case anyone else would like to sample it. My version is vegan, though you could use regular mayo instead, and have it just be vegetarian. Either way it’s rather yummy!

    Curried Tempeh Salad

    • 2 packages tempeh
    • 1/4 an onion, chopped finely
    • 2 tsp. spicy mustard
    • 2 tsp. relish
    • 1/2 c. veganaise (vegan mayonnaise)
    • 1 tsp. chives
    • 3 tsp. curry powder

    Cut each chunk of tempeh in half. Place all the tempeh in a pan with 1 inch of water. Bring to a boil, then turn down so the water is simmering. Steam the tempeh for approximately 15 minutes. Remove from heat and allow it to cool.

    Combine all other ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Add the tempeh and break it up with a fork as you stir it. Mix well. Chill in the refrigerator.

    Works great as a sandwich filling, on a bed of lettuce, or as a dip for veggies, corn chips, or crackers.

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  • Starcat’s Favorites: Spring Weekends

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    Hi all! I haven’t done a Starcat’s Favorites post for quite some time, my weekends having been filled up with all sorts of fun events lately. Ah, Spring! It’s great to get out and enjoy the world without freezing my toes off. I’ve also been focused on writing a new e-book, and really enjoying my creative process.

    Over the past month or so, I’ve still been reading blogs and articles, especially on subjects I’ve been excited about, so I saved up some links to share with you. Enjoy!

    I’ve been working on getting in shape and losing some weight. A few years ago I was at my ideal weight, then I went through some stressful times and turned to comfort foods, and got into some poor eating habits. Here are a couple of articles I’ve found interesting lately:

    This one is about sugar addiction, which I completely understand. Since January I’ve been minimizing my sugar consumption so that I only indulge about once a week. It really helps.

    I’ve been vegetarian for many years now, and sometimes eat more like a vegan – it varies for me. This article about reliance on processed vegan foods was quite useful. If I do go vegan again, which does seem to work rather well for my body, I’ll be sure to concentrate on whole foods and avoid oils.

    As I said, I’ve really been enjoying my writing time. Here are a couple of great posts to help writers…or those who want to write:

    I love this list of tips on writing. If you want to write, go for it! Practice is the key.

    Every writer eventually runs into writer’s block. Here are some awesome ideas to help get around it.

    Another thing I’m passionate about is education, and unschooling in particular. You may even have seem my friends the Martins on Wife Swap. Here are four articles on the (r)evolution of education, as it is unfolding right now:

    We can learn a lot from just living in and exploring our amazing world. Technology can support this.

    Not only will unschoolers be “prepared for the real world,” they’ll be out there creating it!

    Here are some common myths about unschooled kids. In such a diverse community, it’s not really helpful to buy into stereotypes.

    Unschoolers rock!

    Have a fun weekend, and follow your passions where ever they lead you!

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  • Breaking Up With Worry

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    I’m breaking up with Worry. I used to have a pretty close relationship with Worry. But it never really did anything for me. Worrying didn’t help me solve my problems, reach my goals, or focus on my intentions. It left me in a stressed-out, slightly unsettled state, where I turned to comfort foods a bit too often.  Over the past several months, I’ve decided that I wasn’t getting anything from the relationship, and that Worry had to go.

    When worried thoughts pop up these days, I don’t feel attached to them. I mentally say, in a very civilized Captain Picard voice, “acknowledged.” (BlackLion, ElvenTiger and I are watching Star Trek: The Next Generation on Netflix, and it has sparked my imagination in numerous ways. But I digress.) I then dismiss Worry politely and go along my way.

    What is my way? A spiritual practice of mindfulness and present-moment awareness. A return to my intentions, and to feeling good. A focus on my inner state, and then moving outward from there, taking inspired action to affect my experience. A delight in my creative projects – writing, dancing, drumming, art. As I practice more and more, it’s becoming easier to move through life in this state of being.

    It’s been a while now since I initiated the breakup, and I’m feeling much better. But my obvious resolve about it seems to have Worry a bit, well, worried.

    This morning began with BlackLion confiding in me about some of his own worries, about an upcoming trip and the expenses associated with it. His concerns centered on how one of our creative ventures is losing money, rather than making it, despite the obvious talents of all the people involved. I listened and held my center. I offered words of advice when he asked: rather than trying to fix an event that’s already in motion, perhaps setting an intention for future engagements would be more helpful. He talked himself out of the worries, and we went on with our morning.

    Then Quester called, wanting my input on his changing week. He’s self-employed, and was concerned that some of the materials he needed for today were unavailable, and that one of his clients had written him a check before leaving on a trip – but had forgotten to sign it. Again I listened calmly, and offered some few words of advice. As I held the energy, he quickly came up with a plan to work around the obstacles.

    Worry failed to snare me with its sneaky, come-at-me-from-the-outside methods today. And in the process, I was inspired to write this post. In fact, it almost wrote itself in my mind as I took my shower. I’d say that’s Starcat 1, Worry 0.

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  • Speaking It AND Living It

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    Making New FriendsQuester and I have had a longtime inside joke about being able to either understand the meaning and flow of life, or to articulate it, but not both. When you’re feeling in the groove and you try to share it, all that comes out is “blahblahblah.”

    Humor aside, I’ve noticed that I haven’t been posting here much lately. I’ve been out in the world, going with the flow, and living my life, for the most part, in a state of joy. The inner work I’ve been doing with self-love over the past few years is bearing fruit. I feel good about myself most of the time, and when I don’t, I recognize it and flow through my “stuff” more quickly than before.

    It’s a huge thing, and I’m very thankful. It feels amazing. More doors are opening up for me all the time.

    Despite the jesting about speaking my truth or embodying it, I find that in my creative work, I really can do both. I’ve been working on a new e-book, with the working title Cultivating Self-Love. I’m about one-third of the way through the first draft, and I’m really pleased with how it’s coming along. I’m writing more than I have in recent memory, and the ideas keep flowing. Despite my relative silence here, I’ve also been working on some other writing projects, mostly guest blogs and essays.

    I had a funny limiting belief arise the other day – “this e-book project is such a big one – what if I pour my heart and soul into it and use up all my material in this one book?” I laughed out loud when I realized what I was thinking! It was easy to let it go. I am blessed with a plethora of ideas. That’s never been a problem. Yet there was some small part of me that believed there was a limit, that I could use up all my creativity at age 43 and just be…finished.

    On the contrary, I feel like I’m just now hitting my stride as an author. Being published and sought out for other projects is a helpful addition to the confidence I’ve been gradually building through writing practice and inner work. The ideas just keep flowing in from my connection with spirit, and as spring progresses into summer, I promise to share more of them with you. Blessings!

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  • A Harmonious Union

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    I just finished reading Zen Druidry: Living a Natural Life, with Full Awareness by Joanna van der Hoeven. The premise of this Pagan Portals volume is that “Zen teachings and Druidry can combine to create a peaceful life path that is completely and utterly dedicated to the here and now, to the earth and her rhythms, and to the flow that is life itself.”

    To begin, the author gives a brief yet comprehensive overview of Zen Buddhism (while pointing out that the precepts of Zen need not be associated with a particular religious tradition) and Druidry. Her simple and eloquent writing style is well-suited to her topic, and gave me a more holistic view of the basic tenets of each system.

    She goes on to illustrate how Zen practices such as meditation fit well with living a life attuned to the seasons of the earth. Rather than going through the motions of ritual at particular times of the year, Druids (and other Pagans) can learn to listen deeply to what is happening at each moment. Van der Hoeven describes how celebrating the eight Sabbats of the Druid year can be enhanced with the ethical practices of the Eightfold Path of Zen.

    She also details how the practice of Druidry, or I would add, any earth-based spiritual path, can be enriched through the use of mindfulness meditation and present-moment awareness. Being a Druid is all about relationship, and when you are living in the moment, aware of all that is going on around you, you’re much more able to be open to authentic relationships of all types: with nature, with other people, and with yourself.

    After reading this book, I realized what a perfect and harmonious union these two systems create. It’s common sense, really. In my own eclectic Pagan practice, and thanks to my yoga teachers, I’ve embraced much Buddhist philosophy. I have frequently used the practice of mindfulness as part of my regular spiritual practice. Yet seeing the two laid out side by side in this book has helped me see the bigger picture of how they intertwine, one supporting the other. I highly recommend reading this short yet profound homage to the blending of Druidry and Zen, and implementing it in your own spiritual practice.

    You can find the book on Amazon by clicking this link.

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  • The Library of Your Mind

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    My friend J.F. posted the most interesting question I’ve seen on Facebook in some time, perhaps ever. He asked, “If your mind was a library, what would it be like?” He went on to ask specific questions about what would be included, and summed up with, “tell me about the library of your mind.”

    Here is what I wrote in response, postponing my start on my writing projects to follow my imagination inward:

    The library of my mind is a converted stone cottage, with a stone tower as part of one corner. Outside there are gardens with benches and a little pond with a stream running into and out of it. There is a stone labyrinth in the nearby meadow, and paths through the woods. There are lots of friendly nooks where one can sit and read. Inside, there is a fireplace, and lots of comfy chairs. The floor is wide wooden planks, but there are colorful throw rugs and pillows scattered about. There are many friendly cats, napping on various surfaces. There are two doors, one at the front and one at the back leading out into the garden. There are windows which let in sunlight and moonlight. The lighting at night is provided by various lamps on end tables near the chairs, and augmented by candles and the fireplace. As well as shelves of books on every wall, there are various musical instruments available for playing, and art supplies and writing materials near a big wooden table by a bay window.

    The books on magick, philosophy, and other mystical things are contained within the tower part of the library. The levels of the tower are accessed by a spiral wrought iron staircase. At the very top, if you venture up that far, you can access the flat tower roof, which is used for rituals. The ritual tools are protected from the weather in a big waterproof chest.

    The library’s “card catalogue” is contained in a violet crystal ball which sits on a stand in the foyer. Simply ask and you will be directed to that which you seek – although the crystal does have a sense of humor, so sometimes you will have to follow a side tangent or refine your query. The whole library smells like books, nag champa incense, and honey.

    What about you? What is it like in the library of your mind? Leave a comment if this query inspires you!

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  • Freedom in Daily Choices

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    I just finished the last session of the Shift Your Biz online course. It was excellent! I learned a lot, and I’m still integrating some of the lessons. One of the most practical and profound for me, though was about re-framing your daily actions as ones you are choosing to do.

    Linda and Dani, in one of the class sessions, talked about updating your language. The first step, of course, is to notice it. When you hear yourself saying “I have to…” or “I should…” – stop. Re-frame your language right then, using the words “choose to.” You can also use “choose not to.” For example, “I choose to stop writing at 5:30pm and make dinner.” Or “I choose not to make that phone call right now.”

    This has been such a help to me. I found that, during my day, I had been dividing my tasks up into ones that I felt I “had to” do versus the ones I really wanted to do. And for some perverse reason, I was prioritizing the “have tos” over the more pleasurable tasks. I think it’s that whole “finish your dinner and then you can have dessert” syndrome. Who says?!

    I would do the housework, the appointments, the running around, and then when I finally sat down to write, my energy was low and my inspiration had gone into hiding.

    Since practicing this technique, I find that I’m much more true to my priorities and what I choose to do with my time. This morning, I got up and, ignoring the dirty dishes, sat down right away to work on the e-book I’m writing. “I choose to write first, and clean the kitchen later.” No guilt, no stress, just prioritizing what I want to do with my time.

    When you’re able to see the freedom you have in the small daily choices you make, then it’s easier to see it in the big picture, too. If you feel like you “have to” keep your day job, turn it around. “I choose to work for someone else and save up the money to start my own business.” “I choose to spend my time off creating an awesome website for my new venture.” “I choose the security of having insurance and a regular paycheck.” And when you know that you’re the one making the choice, you also know that you have the freedom to change those choices as time passes and situations change.

    This freedom to choose also brings more joy to daily life. You know that you are the one in charge of your choices. Sure, you still have to take out the garbage and other unpleasant tasks that are a part of life. But you decide when, and how to organize your day for maximum fun and productivity. You include your favorite things in with garbage and the dishes, and soon you’ll find yourself living in the moment, smiling even when you have to chop the onions.

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  • Have Some Delicious Fruit

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    “Take the worthiness that is yours, and let the ‘Fairies of the Universe’ assist you. Stop taking so much responsibility upon yourself, and live happily ever after. Shorten that crevasse between where you are and where you want to be, on every subject, to now, now, now, now, now. Ride the wave. Just pluck the fruit… You don’t have to be the one who puts it in the ground any more. You can just skip across the top of things and pluck the fruit of all of the things you want. ‘Oh, fruit. Oh, delicious this, delicious this, delicious this, delicious this.’ In other words, it’s all right there for you; it’s ready for you to receive it as fast and as soon as you will vibrationally let it in.” – Abraham-Hicks

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