A Play Day......

Yesterday, the sunshine and blue sky literally pulled me out of the house.

Original Plan : Yoga
New Plan : Atlanta Botanical Gardens

There are many different ways to practice yoga, both on the mat,
and off the mat.
Yesterday I practiced off the mat!

I grabbed my camera and loaded myself into the car for a great escape.

(The past 5 weeks of contractors and painters have really tested my patience.
I needed OUT.)

I always forget what a wonderful place the botanical gardens is (are?). I actually joined yesterday so there will be no excuses not to pop in from time to time. It's the perfect place to stop and enjoy the passing of seasons.

Tomorrow begins the Dalai Lama festival!

I'll take you with me in spirit!

XO - LA

Dalai Lama

I just finished watching a great documentary on the Dalai Lama in preparation for his visit to Emory University and my "visit" with him.

I was struck so much by his life, words and wisdom.
But it all came back to one principal.

Kindness.

He kept stressing that it really didn't matter what religion you practiced, or if you practiced a religion at all. It only mattered how you spent your days.....being kind to yourself and your fellow human beings, as well as the earth and all the other species we share it with.

The images are from my trip to Thailand and Vietnam a few years back. That trip was such a great opportunity to see how the "enemy" of my childhood lived. You know what, they live just like I do.

Day to Day.

So, I ask, what is the difference between us?

Check out 10 Questions For The Dalai Lama if you can.

And try to find someone today that just might like a sneak attack of kindness!

XO - LA

Seeing The Poetry

seeing the poetry ....

Isn't life about seeing the poetry
of it and in it?
Isn't it about stopping
in order to enjoy the moments?
Diving deeply in them....
Have we realized how
everything else is senseless?
We'll get no possessions,
when we leave this life,
with us.
All we'll take with us is who WE are,
and who we are is an accumulation of
our moments
in
life.

I saw this poem and thought about my trip to Los Angeles. That week was centered around yoga and girlfriends, so it was such a great opportunity for me to just "be". Be present, be myself.

I did take my camera out a little and played. In hind sight, I wish I had done more of that. L.A. is THE city to capture! As I looked back at the pictures tonight, I was reminded of the constant vibe of that city. Just be. OK, it is Hollywood and fake and kind of like a stage set.
But you know what?
They celebrate that in themselves!

It's like they shout.....
"HEY, LOOK AT US. WE ARE TOTALLY COOL BEING L.A. YEAH, WE KNOW WE ARE 'HOLLYWOOD-ISH', BUT THAT'S WHO WE ARE
AND WE ARE PROUD OF IT!"

So, let's celebrate the poetry of life,
and our part in it. It's about the moments,
and who we are in those moments.
Yeah, L.A. is a very material world place,
but it's a reminder of being who you are.
Whatever or whoever you are.

My goal:
If we could all....
just "be" who we are in every moment.
Oh, yeah,
and could we just try to allow others to
"be" who they are in every moment?

Hey..........wait.
This is all sounding very familiar.
Didn't the Beatles do something with this a few
decades ago?

Well, sometimes we must
rediscover life.
And Let It Be.

XO - LA

P.S. No photoshop with these pictures.
I decided to just
Let Them Be.

;)

Before and After

Hi there!

It's been a while, but life has been good.
Busy, fun, and full.

Last night I played a bit with a photo
and thought I would share.
I'm having a great time with my photoshop
and can't believe all the fun buttons you can push.

This photo is one I have loved and been looking forward
to playing with it.
I took it while in San Miguel, Mexico last spring.
It was late afternoon and this little girl
climbed up the light post to get a better view of a parade.

I loved the way the light shone through her skirt.
(And I wanted her shoes!!)

While the photo was good,
I really wanted to get rid of the busy background.

I finally found a way to soften her surroundings.
(Don't you just wish it was that easy in life?)

I also played a little with the colors.
I hope you like the changes.



XO - LA