MANIFESTATIONS

When we define "manifestation" as "appearing physically," we are only taking into account physical forms, objects.

But successful manifestation is only complete if it results in a change
in consciousness. That change of consciousness, in turn, is the
realization that the essence of what we sought in a physical form is actually inside of us.

"Having" doesn't mean possessing a physical object. It means no
longer experiencing the need.

---Spiritual Warrior, The Art of Spiritual Living by John-Roger

I go to the ocean for one reason: it is there that I meet my Greater Self, the Me that is wiser, confident, and self-assured. The Me that understands and flows with Spirit. The Me that knows how to handle her business, how to make the plan and execute the plan. The Me that moves the ball down center court, full force. The Me that cradles me, cheek to breast, pressing away warm tears of confusion, anger, frustration, and doubt. The Me that never worries, but knows that every need is already fulfilled before the desire is even manifested.

I've been away because the energy around my space is/was moving faster than I can/could keep up; because my mind is moving at warp speed and because things are happening that are making me tremendously happy, immensely proud, sorta nervous, kinda anxious and butterfly-stomachy.

Updates in short form:

a) My book, "...And Then There Were Butterflies," is officially published. My author copies arrived late last week after arriving home from the ocean and of course, the first autographed copy to Spouse. Official release party/launch: September 24, 2004. Info on that and the signings forthcoming. It should be available on Amazon in a few weeks. I'll upload an image of the cover on the main page as soon as Soon comes around here.

b) This site will be re-designed. Nothing major but I will be creating a different blog elsewhere, a place where I can safely ramble again about my personal stuff; things that are important to me but not necessary for book reviewers and people I don't know to know about. Those in the know, will know.

c) I made the decision to return to school part-time. Not for creative writing. Writing is something I feel resides deep within; something I was born with, something I dwell with; something that will only get better with time. Something that will come forth from the heart, from Spirit, not of my own making. And there is something about this American way that bothers me anyhow, that says you don't "know" a thing unless you have a degree to hang on your wall and prove you've been taught AND this American way of thinking that writing is just about writing and nothing more. We Americans have a sickening way of defining ourselves by what we do rather than by who we are on the inside, but that's argument for another day. So inspired by a book I found at the ocean, and of course the warrior-woman writer -- Arundhati Roy -- that I've decided it's language(s) this time and the goal is proficiency in at least four. I'm already semi-fluent in French. I need to get started on Spanish. The next will be Japanese and I'm tossing between Arabic and Italian. I realize that the time will come when I will not be full-time living inside these United States; when I will be traveling to other countries to speak out against crimes against women and children, helping to build clinics with full scale operations, training nurses in early recognition and preventative medicine, helping to establish literacy centers---and I need to be able to communicate with people one on one. Only history can remind us of the atrocities that occur when two people stand face to face speaking two different languages. And the other thing is, I am no longer satisfied with looking another Latina sister or brother in the face, standing toe to toe right here in the struggle, and not knowing how to say, "Sister, are you okay? How can I help you?" So, I'll keep you posted on that.

d) Firing off a letter to my state senator and congressman, Elijah Cummings. After watching the DNC last month I've decided that activists act. It's time to start doing my part. And doing my part starts with making my voice heard.

e) The children are on their way back to school. The summer has been exhaustingly busy but it's been a real joy not to HAVE to rush to get anywhere, to spend lazy days on the beach, afternoons riding bikes, and evenings with one on each side, homemade chocolate chip cookies in hand, watching re-runs of Tom & Jerry.

f) The novel. Lost pace in July since we were readying ourselves for vacation but not fretting. I'm confident I'll regain my speed once September arrives.

g) I'm heading up to New York in October for the OWWA conference. Black Women Writers Dissecting Globalization. Check it out when you get a minute: http://www.owwa.org . There's another conference in Cambridge, Mass. I'll let you know about that one.

h) Tai Chi incorporated into the personal wellness program and doing well. If you want basic, inexpensive intro to it, check out the OneSpirit Book Club, http://www.onespirit.com and look for David Carradine's CD. Currently reading The Power of Intention by Dr. Wayne Dyer. This could very well be the book I ask to be buried with, that's how good it is.

Namaste.

ANGEL