For Katie

There are some very important things I want to share with you before it’s too late. I know some things about life that you may or may not learn from others or not until you’re older and maybe some of what I share will be helpful to you on your journey through this wacky world. Some of this I know you can only learn from me ~ some is genetic specific ~ some is universal. Not all of this will make sense to you, nor will all of it be relevant now. This list will most certainly be incomplete and I will come back and update it from time to time. Feel free to ask questions in the comment section. Check back.

One never knows when their last breath will fall from their bodies and this is the very first thing I want you to know…

*These are not in order of importance. They are in order of thoughts occurring. *

1.This moment is all you have and it’s a gift and nothing is promised and Carpe Diem! (BTW, most cliches are true, but find your own twirly way of expressing universal truths, it’s good for all of us on the planet and good for you too!)

2. Also true: the future may actually happen, so give some thought to it, but not so much that you miss out on the ever-present gift of right-f*cking-NOW.

3. Everything is a paradox. Don’t take my word for it, pay attention. Look at your own experience, especially your own mind. Let your mind grow to super-sized so that you may hold your opposites with your whole heart. Watch for internal wars. Wanting or feeling or believing two things at the same time that seem to be in conflict with each other is normal and human and please learn to stay with yourself long enough to know that you are all of it, and also…none of it. Paradox. It’s just the way things are here in the land of black and white and up and down and in and out. This is the way to wholeness. The way to healing. It’s a lifelong process.

4. Relax. Make it a priority.

5. Ask lots and lots of questions. Question everything, especially your belief systems. Don’t struggle to understand. One of my favorite poems from Rilke sums it up:

“I beg you, to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.”

― Rainer Maria Rilke

6. Avoid processed and chemical laden food. Avoid cosmetics and cleaning products that aren’t truly organic as much as you can. You know damn well I’m not a hippie, nor am I a radical ~ I’m just smart. Avoid chemical laden anything. There are lots of crazy ass diseases that people “just get.” We don’t know why. Take care of your organic matter and it will take care of you.

7. Drink lots of water. This may seem obvious, but still,  DRINK LOTS OF WATER!!!

8. Make art!!! Paint, write, cook, draw, dance, make music…don’t be concerned with the results. F*ck results. Concern over results when it comes to creativity kills creativity. Don’t forget how to play. Creative goals aren’t bad, but process is as important as product. Process is play, non-goal-oriented. Product comes from process 🙂 Our culture is hyper-focused on product ~ Our culture needs to play more, cause our collective product is… well, I’m not sure it’s life sustaining.

9.Find a safe way to burn off your anxiety. Dance or hike or run or karate chops!

10. Don’t rely on substances to help you relax ~ moderate to minimal.

11. Develop a relationship with nature. Find a way to spend time in nature often. Nature is medicine. She will hold you. You are made from her. If I were listing these in order of importance, nature would be way up top.

12. Learn how to be alone. Learn how to enjoy your own company. Solitude is magic.

13. Exercise. Make it a habit. Diabetes is genetic. Your biological maternal great-grandmother and grandmother both died from the complications of this beast. Diabetes in your genes is a modifiable risk factor. Diet and exercise are key.

14. Eat REAL food. Vegetables and fruit and stay away from GMO’s. I may be repeating myself, but this bears repeating: EAT REAL FOOD!

15. Spend some time in silence. Learn about silence. Learn to listen to silence. Silence is magic.

16. Pay extra for organic cotton tampons.http://www.bustle.com/articles/50193-should-you-use-organic-tampons-9-natural-products-worth-shelling-out-extra-for… DO NOT USE SCENTED FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS!

17. I love you.

18. Love yourself. One of those  ( true true true ) clichés. If you only understand this as an abstract idea, make it your business to grok it fully, make it a goal to experience what it is to love yourself. It’s not selfish ~  or perhaps it is ~ if it is ~ then be selfish… LOVE YOURSELF. Learn what this means. Hurry!!!

19. This  goes here:

Wild Geese

20. I don’t know why the font is suddenly really big, but I’m not in the habit of asking small questions, so I hope the sudden growth isn’t too distracting. I want to talk skin care. So, here’s the deal: You’re blessed with Mediterranian skin. It’s thick and oily, but not acne prone. You’ll get compliments and people likely ask, “what brand of skin products do you use to achieve such a glowing complexion?” I would get confused stares when I got this question and I would reply, “Noxema.”  I’ve never used anything special or fancy, I have always been a minimalist in the area of skincare and make-up. Also, I rarely wear sunblock, because what is that shit? I will occasionally use some all-natural stuff if I’m to be exposed for more than an hour or so. You need vitamin D, I’m too lazy right now to tell you why, but I will later. Currently, I’m using Abrione and I love it. It’s all-natural and was developed by a Japanese chemist. You can find it here : http://dazzledry.com/112-abrione. I keep it simple, Vitamin C crystals, Green Tea moisturizer, and the white willow peel twice a week. My friend Deanna’s mom is an aesthetician and she recommended it to me. Pure simplicity and smooth glowing skin…still…even  at my advanced age. Oh, also: Facial cupping! http://www.cuppingtherapy.org/

Maybe you’re not thinking skin care currently, as you will not likely see signs of wear until after forty. You’re welcome. 🙂

Okay, now we’re back to small. Have a great day! I got your video last night. Made me happy happy joy joy! xo