I loved the pageantry, elegance, beauty, and genuine love we saw at the royal wedding. It was an emotional day, and it seemed like Princess Diana's spirit was present throughout.
I was moved by the sight of Princes William and Harry riding in the Bentley together, smiling and waving at the crowds. Dashing military uniforms aside, the Princes seem like two perfectly normal brothers who are very close and love each other. Harry with his a little-too-big uniform, mischievous grin and tussled hair, looking backwards as his soon-to-be sister in law was making her way down the aisle, whispering to his brother,"Right, here she is now." William, nervously biting his lip just like his mother did.
The bride was stunning and gorgeous. How touching that her groom whispered "You look beautiful" when she got to his side at the altar. The casualness and sense of humor with which he told his soon-to-be father-in-law, "We were supposed to just have a small family affair." And who else but Diana's son would kiss his bride twice? Enough to briefly erase the memory of his parents' awkward balcony kiss.
The new Duchess of Cambridge apparently loves nature, hence the lovely trees inside the Abbey. That was a nice touch, a splash of color. I also read that because all the couple really wanted was a small wedding at her local village church, this was their way of getting that same feel. I love that they don't have servants at the rented home they share. I heard on the radio that she took lessons and did her own make-up for the wedding as she didn't want to have more people fussing over her. I even loved seeing other royals in the party buses/coaches. And to see the Prince drive his bride himself, on an eco-friendly car at that. Again, a sharp contrast to that photo of his parents in that same car, with his father scolding his mother.
The happy couple took a page from Diana's humanitarian work by asking for donations to their charitable organizations in lieu of gifts. All in all a joyous day. Even the Queen looked extremely happy.
I hope to see Prince William become King. I think he'd make a great one. With Catherine at his side.
How wonderful to see Princes William and Prince Harry at Westminster Abbey on a happy occasion! I still remember the young boys walking behind the gun carriage carrying their mother's casket, nothing but the sound of the horses' hooves , the white flowers and the heart-breaking sight of the envelope with the single word "Mummy" on it.
Despite all the hype and criticism about Prince William and Kate Middleton's nuptials, weddings are always wonderful events. Yes, there's bigger news about the earthquake/tsunami, the economy, the situation in the Middle East, the devastating tornadoes in the U.S. That is precisely why we need some good news once in a while. The whole world collectively watching an uplifting story. That is a rarity. I love that a University-educated commoner is joining the royal family. I love that Princess Diana raised her boys in a loving, non-royal way. She would have been proud. It's sad that she's not around to witness all this.
Best wishes to the future King and Queen of England! Long Live and God bless you!
"Thanks to impermanence, anything is possible."---Thich Nhat Hanh
Lovely article about self-compassion.
"To be kind to others, you first need to be kind to yourself."
Ahimsa: The Yoga of Non-Injury.
"May I be well, May others be well. May I practice harmlessness to myself and to all others."
Emotional healing does not mean dwelling upon the wound; it means looking at the world through unwounded eyes.---Doreen Virtue
1 Cross + 3 Nails=4Given. According to Doreen Virtue: Today's date, 4-22, is perfect for Earth Day and Good Friday. In Angel numbers, it means, "the angels are watching over you and helping you to have full faith and enjoy the benefits that faith brings to you."
"...clocks ticking...and Mama's sunflowers. And food and coffee. And new-ironed dresses and hot baths...and sleeping and waking up. I can't look at everything hard enough. Oh, earth, you're too wonderful for anybody to realize you."---Emily Webb
Today, I honor the Earth by recognizing its miraculous nature and my own.
It is so easy to be at peace and stay positive when you're by yourself. Deepak Chopra explained that relationship is the true test of one's spiritual state. He recounted this famous story about a yogini:
"A spiritual recluse has been sitting in a cave high up in the Himalayas where he pursues enlightenment night and day. Finally, after years of arduous discipline, the light dawns, and the recluse realizes that he has arrived at the goal. Overjoyed, he descends the mountain to deliver the good news to the local villagers. When he gets to the outskirts of town, a beggar reeking of alcohol bumps into him. "Watch where you're going, fool," Suddenly the recluse pauses, and without a word he heads back up to his cave."
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Mia is such a sweet name for a venomous Egyptian cobra. I don't like snakes. When she was missing, I read one comment that snakes are more afraid of us than we are of them. That's why they want to kill us first. Funny thing was, I never even thought about their gender, although I knew they lay eggs. But while the slithery creature was AWOL, they kept saying it was a young female. So it's very appropriate that the tweeter's latest post stated that her real name is Mrs. Justin Bieber. Although I did like one viewer's suggestion that she be called Cleo from the block.
We discover simple happiness when we see our confusion for what it is. When we realize that the world is not happening to us—that life is not personal—we can relax.
"You are supported by the same energy that holds the planets up in the sky. If God can support the huge planet Jupiter, He can certainly do the same for you."---Doreen Virtue
Thank You, Lord!
I guess Charlie Sheen got booed off stage at his Detroit show, the first stop of his so-called comedy tour. Now audience members want their money back, saying he wasn't funny. WHAT?! Stop the presses! THAT's NEWS! An actor who's not a stand-up comic being unfunny? How radical! But the real question is: how could you think that a spoiled, drug-addicted domestic abuser who's probably going through cocaine withdrawal psychosis would be funny?
Face it, you silly people who bought tickets to his show. You have no one else to blame but yourselves. You paid to see a train wreck, that's what it was. And now you have the nerve to demand a refund? You could have donated money to charity instead.
Now if perhaps you got tickets knowing he wouldn't be funny, but wanted your chance to heckle and boo him, THAT I'd begrudgingly respect. (The man clearly needs help though, not our ridicule.)
Deep within the still centre of my being
May I find peace.
Silently within the quiet of the Grove
May I share peace.
Gently within the greater circle of humankind
May I radiate peace.
Try this: Memorize it. Speak it as often as you can for a week, and see what happens.
