Excuse me while I incubate

From wikipedia:

incubation is one of the 4 proposed stages of creativity: preparation, incubation, illumination, and verification . Incubation is defined as a process of unconscious recombination of thought elements that were stimulated through conscious work at one point in time, resulting in novel ideas at some later point in time.

I like this reasoning for my lack of posts so much better than admitting to laziness and procrastination or blaming winter blues brought on by constant freezing temperatures, kid's snow days, sick days and a lack of sunshine.

Sometimes I just don't feel inspired and I'm trying to let that be ok. Even better, I'm trying to choose an interpretation that feels powerful such as anticipating the creativity that's sure to result from this dormant phase.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

He had a dream, and it seems that tomorrow's inauguration is evidence that his dream is becoming reality. In his lesser known "Letter from Birmingham Jail" he poses another challenge to humanity when he writes "Though I was initially disappointed at being categorized as an extremist, as I continued to think about the matter, I eventually gained a measure of satisfaction from the label. Was not Jesus an extremist for love? 'Love your enemies, bless them that curse you.' Was not Amos an extremist for justice? 'Let justice roll down like waters' Will we be extremists for hate or for love?"

Since a critical mass has been able to move beyond the color of skin, might we just keep on going? How much further until we become extremists for love? Acting only from a place of love? It sounds far fetched, but so did having an African American president. It's time to dream another dream.

I did sign this petition for an International Oneness Day. I don't normally respond to petitions, but they got me with this message:

Humanity’s Team is collecting 50,000 signatures to persuade the United Nations to declare a Oneness Day, a day set aside and embraced by individuals, communities and nations for humanity to celebrate, discuss and experience our commonality, while still acknowledging and respecting our beautiful cultural diversities...a day to unite in Oneness for the greater good of the Human Family.

The first step takes 30 seconds. Join the thousands of others who are signing the petition. As we remember who and what we are on that day, we soon realize who and what we are every day.

You can read the full petition and sign it here

after writing about my new year's revelation (below) I wasvworking on this graphic for the be line when synchronicity delivered to my inbox this "Inspirational Message of the Day" from the New Spirituality Network:

How do you remain peaceful when the world is demonstrating everything but peace? Loving, when the world is demonstrating everything but love? Forgiving, when the world is demonstrating everything but forgiveness?

You insist on being who you are no matter what the rest of the world is being.

B+

My friend (and be line website model) Debbie Gorman started a business last year selling her line of B+ jewelry. We spent a fun summer afternoon in the city's jewelry district together picking out some cool pieces to add to her designs. Her necklaces have been selling as fast as she can make them. Here is the story in her own words:

"We all face challenges in our lives. In our family it was leukemia. My husband Peter had a stem cell transplant in 2007 and it saved his life. Because of the transplant, his blood type changed from A+ to B+. BE POSITIVE is our message to the world. When you need something to hold onto, tie this necklace around your neck and wrap yourself in positive energy. You have the power and strength to overcome anything.

Giving back. Making a difference. Easing the next family's cancer journey. Profits go to Stem Cell Research at the Dana Farber Cancer Center and other organizations that promote Stem Cell Awareness."

She doesn't have a website yet, but you can email Debby at dgorman222@aol.com

Starting tomorrow, Monday January 5th, Oprah kicks off a week of new shows called the "Best Life" series. I think it is admirable for her to begin the year with a holistic focus on wellness. The series has received a lot of press because Oprah is openly discussing her recent weight gain and Monday's show is called "Your Weight", but I am especially interested in Wednesday. One of the guests on Wednesday's show is Elizabeth Lesser who founded the Omega Institute and wrote "The Seekers Guide" which is one of the best books of its kind I have read. She is a star in my world and I adore her from afar. I am excited to hear what she has to say.

Here is the schedule if you want to tune in:

MONDAY JANUARY 5: YOUR WEIGHT with Bob Greene

TUESDAY JANUARY 6: YOUR HEALTH with Dr. Oz

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 7: YOUR SPIRITUALITY with Elizabeth Lesser, the Rev. Ed Bacon and the Michael Bernard Beckwith

THURSDAY JANUARY 8: YOUR MONEY with Suze Orman

FRIDAY JANUARY 9: YOUR SEX LIFE with Dr. Laura Berman

My New Years Revelation

2009 is about me being me.

I will spend much more time discovering who that is and much less time deciding who that should be. I will hang out with people who enhance and nourish who I am and respectfully ignore the ones who do not. I will model this authenticity and sense of self for my children.
I will remember that trying to be anything other than me is an exhausting waste of time that distracts me from giving the world what I came here to give. I will be emboldened by the belief that my truest self is no less than a force of nature. And I will stay motivated by the suspicion that serious fun, fabulous style and true true love are just a few of the perks that come along with being the real me.