Selfie

Sometimes when I get bored sitting at a long stoplight, I’ll think of ways to keep myself entertained.  (Can’t meditate – cars behind me wouldn’t like that when the light turns green).

While cleaning out the photo archives, I came across this selfie.  Doesn’t take much to entertain me!  Ha!  I took this last year and thought it was funny so I did some crazy edits.  Could it be I’m just a time traveling tourist from another place in the universe, like my friend, Zannyro?  Beam me up, Scotty!

Namaste’

Regina (Gina) Arnold is the author of Uncomplicated Ways to Find Your Financial Freedom, a “flunked retirement” entrepreneur, co-author of The Art & Science of Recruiting, an award-winning photographic artist,  and photo blogger.

Do You Think She’s Ticked Off?

I got this message today from a dear friend.  One, who like me and millions of other Americans, has paid into a system that is now being threatened.  Please read on … I couldn’t have said it better myself … however, I did change the curse words she used but you’ll get the idea … the impact is still there.

Alan Simpson, the Senator from Wyoming calls senior citizens the Greediest Generation as he compared “Social Security ” to a Milk Cow with 310 million teats.

Here’s a response in a letter from PATTY MYERS in Montana … I think she is a little ticked off!  She also tells it like it is!  

“Hey Alan, let’s get a few things straight” …  

1. As a career politician, you have been on the public dole (teat) for FIFTY YEARS.  

2. I have been paying Social Security taxes for 48 YEARS (since I was 15 years old. I am now 63).  

3. My Social Security payments, and those of millions of other Americans, were safely tucked away in an interest bearing account for decades until you political pukes decided to raid the account and give OUR money to a bunch of zero losers in return for votes, thus bankrupting the system and turning Social Security into a Ponzi scheme that would make Bernie Madoff proud.

4. Recently, just like Lucy & Charlie Brown, you and “your ilk” pulled the proverbial football away from millions of American seniors nearing retirement and moved the goalposts for full retirement from age 65 to age 67. NOW, you and your “shill commission” are proposing to move the goalposts yet AGAIN.

5. I, and millions of other Americans, have been paying into Medicare from Day One, and now “you morons” propose to change the rules of the game. Why? Because “you idiots” mismanaged other parts of the economy to such an extent that you need to steal our money from Medicare to pay the bills.  

6. I, and millions of other Americans, have been paying income taxes our entire lives, and now you propose to increase our taxes yet again. Why? Because you “incompetent bast***s” spent our money so profligately that you just kept on spending even after you ran out of money. Now, you come to the American taxpayers and say you need more to pay off YOUR debt.  

To add insult to injury, you label us “greedy” for calling “bullsh**” to your incompetence. Well, Captain Bullsh**, I have a few questions for YOU:  

1. How much money have you earned from the American taxpayers during your pathetic 50-year political career?  

2. At what age did you retire from your pathetic political career, and how much are you receiving in annual retirement benefits from the American taxpayers?  

3. How much do you pay for YOUR government provided health insurance?

4. What cuts in YOUR retirement and healthcare benefits are you proposing in your disgusting deficit reduction proposal, or as usual, have you exempted yourself and your political cronies?   It is you, Captain Bullsh**, and your political co-conspirators called Congress who are the “greedy” ones. It is you and your fellow nutcase thieves who have bankrupted America and stolen the American dream from millions of loyal, patriotic taxpayers.   And for what? Votes and your job and retirement security at our expense, you lunk-headed, leech.  

That’s right, sir. You and yours have bankrupted America for the sole purpose of advancing your pathetic, political careers. You know it, we know it, and you know that we know it.   And you can take that to the bank, you miserable son of a bi***.  NO, I did not stutter.  

P.S. And stop calling Social Security benefits “entitlements”. WHAT AN INSULT!!!!   I have been paying in to the SS system for 45 years; it’s my money – give it back to me the way the system was designed and stop patting yourself on the back like you are being generous by doling out these monthly checks.  

If you like the way things are in America don’t do anything.   If you agree with what a Montana citizen, Patty Myers, says, please re-blog this or copy and paste to forward to your email list.

Blah Blah Blah

Ever had one of “those” days?  When I saw this tag this morning, I knew it was the perfect photo for how I’m feeling today.  Anybody else feeling the same way or is it just me?  I think my brain needs some chocolate 🙂  Namaste’

It’s About Time … Really!

Today’s photo was taken with my phone while I was shopping.  I can only imagine what the other shoppers were thinking as I was snapping pictures of this clock.  The reason I took it is because I feel that time is speeding up.  And it seems to me that since the beginning of this year, I’m feeling it more and more.  This picture reminds me to be present now.  As a fellow blogger pointed out, Ram Dass said, “What time is it?  NOW.  Where am I?  HERE.”  (Thanks, KT – it was such a needed reminder for me.)

What do you think?  I’d love to hear from you on this subject.  Please tell me I’m NOT the only one who is feeling this way.  Namaste’

Feet, Don’t Fail Me Now

Tired Feet/Tired Shoes

Yes, these are the shoes I wore today and my feet are exhausted.  I spent the day implementing some big changes in the lives of my mother and stepfather.  They’re both 88 and we are having to move them to a new place that can provide the kind of care they need until end of life.  For those of my readers who haven’t had to do this, I surely hope you never have to.  It’s heart-breaking and yet I found myself “steeling” my psyche today to get the things done that needed to get done.  More questions than answers.

My stepfather, who is a former engineer and always wanting the facts, is now off in never-never land much of the time and it’s all happening so fast. My mother isn’t too far behind him in terms of her cognitive ability.  The good news is that at least they will be together until one of them passes on.

What have I learned?  Make it clear – crystal clear to your children/caregivers what you want for your end of life.  And we’re all going to get there.  No one escapes.  But hey, let’s all agree that while we’re still here we make the best of it.  What do you say?

Life is good.  Namaste.

Marble Rose

©imagesbyregina

DO NOT COMPLAIN THAT ROSES HAVE THORNS – RATHER BE GRATEFUL THAT THORNS HAVE ROSES

When I bought this new bouquet, I had no idea that the blooms would turn out so nice in post processing.  I have never seen marbled roses before and they photographed really well.  And yes, this rose does have thorns.  Like life sometimes. But I’ll take the thorns with the roses because there are no mistakes in nature.  We’re all works in progress.  And life is a temporary assignment, so relax and remember to try and be in the moment.

“It’s only in our minds that we are separate from the rest of the world” ~ Gay Luce

The question of the day: “Who would you be without your complaints?”

Namaste.

Keep Calm and Smell a Rose

There seems to be a lot of “stuff” coming up for people these days.  I’m hearing more and more accounts of feelings, vibes, emotions, whatever we want to call them that are surfacing now. Is this an effort to discard any old baggage we might be carrying around with us?  Maybe from past incarnations? Maybe from this one? Are we getting signs from our Creator that this needs to happen … like NOW?

Whatever it is, it seems as though we are being urged by a powerful life force to let go of the old junk that’s renting space in our minds, hearts and souls.  We are one.  That I’m sure of.  What we give out is what we get back.  It may not happen immediately, but eventually it does.  I’m experiencing this in my own life and I wrote of it in a previous post about loading my boomerang.  I can make a conscious decision to load it with love and light or with something not quite so positive, like revenge, anger, hurt, guilt, etc.  I believe more and more of us humans are here to make more conscious choices now.  Rather than do things, think things, say things or feel things out of old hurtful habits, we can choose to see any situation differently and react (or not) from a different place. I’m one who often has to remind myself that, in any given situation, I can choose to slow down and think about how I want to respond instead of an instantaneous reaction.  We can’t take our words back; they either hurt or they heal.  When we come from a place of separation (our ego), we have the power to hurt.  When we come from a place of unity (our heart), we have the power to heal. It’s that simple. It’s the learning to live from your heart that’s the hard part.  But we’d better start sooner than later.

©images by regina

Life unfolds like a flower.  We are transitioning into a new dimension; a paradigm shift.  We are awakening. We are not victims; we are the lightworkers. Some say that we had a pre-birth agreement to incarnate at this time, to be part of the transition in unison with our beloved planet – the jewel of the Universe – to accompany her to a new level of being, in harmony with all that is.  Some say we stood in line to get this chance. Kind of like American Idol.  Well, maybe that’s not the right analogy 🙂

What courageous souls we are to be living in this time of duality – the dark in contrast with the light – when we have a myriad of choices and are part of this – the awakening of all of humanity.  Hold on to your hats; it’s going to be such a fun ride!

When I look at a flower, I see life, hope, beauty, kindness, birth, freedom … all the good things in life. Keep calm and smell the flowers. Give yourself a bouquet today.

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” ~ Maria Robinson

Namaste.

Memos From Your Child (repost)

Let me just start out by saying that today’s post is courtesy of another blogger, Leigh, who posted this on her blog.  I’m borrowing it because I found it to be so poignant and and it really struck a chord with me. With all that goes on these days and people being so busy, I wonder sometimes if kids don’t get lost in the shuffle.

The photo is one of my granddaughter.  It’s one of my favorites of her; so innocent and full of wonder and freedom.

MEMOS FROM YOUR CHILD . . .

Don’t spoil me. I know quite well I shouldn’t have all I ask for. I’m only testing you. Don’t be afraid to be firm with me. I prefer it. It makes me secure. Don’t let me form bad Habits. I have to rely on you to detect them in the early stages. Don’t make me feel smaller than I am. It only makes me behave stupidly ‘big’. Don’t correct me in front of people if you can help it. I’ll take much more notice if you talk to me quietly in private. Don’t protect me from consequences. I need to learn the painful way sometimes. Don’t make me feel my mistakes are sins. It upsets my sense of values. Don’t be too upset when I say “I hate you.” It’s not you I hate. It’s your power to thwart me. Don’t take too much notice of my small ailments. Sometimes they get me the attention I need. Don’t nag – if you do, I’ll have to protect myself by appearing deaf. Don’t make rash promises. I feel badly let down when promises are broken. Don’t forget I can’t explain myself as well as I’d like. This is why I’m not always very accurate. Don’t tax my honesty too much. I’m easily frightened into telling lies. Don’t be inconsistent. It confuses me and makes me lose my faith in you. Don’t put me off when I ask questions. If you do, you’ll find I stop asking and seek answers elsewhere. Don’t tell me my fears are silly. They are terribly real to me. Don’t ever suggest that you’re perfect or infallible. It gives me too great a shock when I find out you are neither. Don’t ever think it is beneath your dignity to apologize to me. An honest apology makes me surprisingly warm towards you. Don’t forget I love experimenting. I can’t get on without it, so please put up with it. Don’t forget how quickly I’m growing up. It must be hard to keep pace with me but please try.

– Author Unknown

 

Caught on Camera

This might sound kind of bizarre to some of my readers, but I have to tell it like it is.  On my way to lunch today, I noticed some really cool cloud formations and thought, “Nice!  Would be good for today’s blog post.”

Now here’s the bizarre part … I took only two photos and didn’t see anything unusual through the viewfinder.

In Photo #1 there is some kind of orb directly above the middle cloud.  It’s not there in Photo #2, which I took just seconds after the first one. All I did was move to the right a bit when I shot #2. Neither of these photos have been altered.  Could it be that it was a UFO that I just couldn’t see with the naked eye?

CLICK EACH PHOTO TO MAKE IT LARGER.

PHOTO #1

 

 

 

PHOTO #2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I happen to believe that we have been visited (and still are) by our space brethren for a long time and also believe that we would have to be pretty egotistical to think that we’re the only ones alive in this universe. Many are saying that 2012 is the year of full disclosure.  It raises questions for some but I say … Let’s get this party started!

Let me know what you think.  I welcome your comments.

Namaste.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t Try This

I don’t know what possessed me to do this . . . risk-taking at a miniscule level maybe.  I mean, it’s not like I just climbed Half Dome without a rope.  I had my camera in the car (as usual) so managed to snap this picture as I was driving down the road.  Doing a little over the 45 mph speed limit but what the heck. (And I added a special effect just for the whiz! factor).

One of the things about risk-taking is that most people are afraid of failing so they don’t even try.  As a single mother years ago, I had to take risks.  If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have been able to support my kids.  So I went for that new job, the one that paid better.  And I went for buying a new car, even though I knew I would have payments.  But if I hadn’t, the old car would not have served us to get from point A to point B.

The funny thing about taking risks is that when you do it and the risk pays off, there’s a feeling of euphoria.  Atta girl!  When it doesn’t pay off, there’s a feeling of failure.  I think that’s what most people fear.  But like a good friend of mine always said, “Nothing beats a failure but a try.”  So getting past the thought of failure is the only thing that will allow you to take small risks.

Why not start with something small?  You know what that is and if you don’t right now, it will come to  you. (Maybe NOT drive down the street, taking a photo of your speedometer). 🙂

A friend of mine is working on a plan to stop smoking.  Bravo!  You can do it.  If the motivation is there, the plan and the implementation will follow.  I support you and your health will thank you for it!!!!!

Namaste.