T is for transmute. Healing with words. Day 20. #atozchallenge.

transmute |transˈmyoōt; tranz-|verbchange in form, nature, or substance

It happened yesterday afternoon when I saw the solar panels on some old houses on the hill. My reflex reaction 'they look shiny and ugly. They don't fit.' Too modern in an environment where roofs were once thatched on houses that inspire fairytales. It will look like a scene from a regulated and uniform future.

My reaction grew into a story, about a man who once thought those same brick and wood beam houses with high pitched roofs, were just modern and ugly. Those same ugly houses that make this city one of the most charming sites in Denmark

Those same ugly houses with windows shining like stage lights when the sun reflects off them. Those same ugly houses that capture imaginations, when every hillside is covered in snow, mini havens with christmas lights twinkling, during long Northern winters.

Carved into the hillside on the most beautiful Fjord in Denmark, opposite one of the prettiest (and only) forests, on a land that has been savagely reaped. It is progress, all the houses have a view and every house can be seen, what was once hideous, soon becomes adorable.

The last time I wanted to write a story based on a simple reaction was over 12,000 days ago.  Last night before I fell asleep I met some new characters, this morning they were gone, but something has shifted.

I'm a reader and a writer, about 6000 days ago I stopped writing a journal, old thoughts became repetitive, new thoughts were venom to my ego, so I stopped thinking them.  

Maybe it's the the inspiring lessons and creations, from the hundreds of blogs I have been reading, or maybe it's just the right time.  All I know for now, is that I have some posts to finish before this April, AtoZ blogging challenge is over. I don't know what to expect, come what may, a passion has awakened.

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Thanks shop and fun

The book, Animal medicine teaches that snake represents transmutation: There are other sources that I have long since given away or forgotten. I suggest if you are drawn to animals, or a particular animal, learn what you can about their behaviour - Are you more of a night owl or springbok?

- Snake is the symbol of modern medicine, it is equally worshiped and demonised throughout the world, a hunter and the hunted.

- Shedding skin is symbolic of transmutation.  As the skin starts to shift, snakes eyes become cloudy and they can't see properly. They attack their own shadows (and people they come into contact with). As their skin sheds their vision becomes clearer, energy re-kindled. It's still the same snake with a new outer casing, more room to grow and a whole new perspective.

- Antidote for a venomous snake bite is made from the same venom, we are our own antidote.

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Has your passion been ignited lately? What do you do if a story comes to you, while your falling asleep? 

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Find out how I chose my theme by reading the intro blog at A-Z challenge list. Words of change.  Please add more words to the list in the comments - and with gratitude, I'll link your words back to you.

S is for Ss or S's. Healing with words. Day 19. #atozchallenge

Thanks Inspiration boost and Bernard

S 1 |es| (also s)

noun ( pl. Ss or S's)1 the nineteenth letter of the alphabet.2 a shape like that of a capital S S 2abbreviation• Saint• siemens.• small• South or Southern • Biochemistry Svedberg unit(s).

S is the winner. S has more words starting with it than any other. That's a significant achievement for a word lover and it's reflected in my deck of Magic Spirit Cards.  The more choices I have the harder it is to for me to decide, so in honour of S's superiority, and my *checks thesaurus for an S word* shilly-shallying, I settled on S.  

The definition of S is somewhat long, which reminded me that Ruth Howard once said 'sometimes a few words are better than a long explanation.' So like a game of flash cards, here's a brief assessment for each of my seven S cards.

• Spirit - it's the energy inside you, it's in everything, everywhere, and all connected. If you need to find a connection take a birds eye view of your situation and look within. 
• Sexuality - It's a choice...Do I sense controversy? ... because someone, somewhere is deciding whether to keep a part of them secret or not, do it or not, hurt or heal with it, control or succumb.  It's nature and/or nurture. If you do it right it can be a whole lot of fun - drugs/alcohol are the only thing that can compare, when I say it's something that can take you closer within, but only takes you further away if you abuse it.
• Surrender - It's the secret to a good nights sleep. Quit, give up, let go of control, be free.
• Serenity - morning or night it's in every dawn I've ever seen, and my pseudonym, Lola Serene.   
• Sensuality - It's sight, smell, sound taste and touch. Used together it's the difference between sultry or smoking hot sexy and processed junk food versus fine dining. Enjoy and absorb every detail.
• Success - Today, I will feel it the moment I press publish. If your intention is to hurt others while achieving your splendour - you can't rightfully claim it.
• Simplicity - back to basics, straightforward and easy.

Just in case you think my effort today is slightly slack.  I'll try and use my seven S words in a little story.

My Spirit needs to Surrender to the Serenity, and rediscover the sun's Sensuality, so I'm heading outside to do my first spot of spring gardening. My back will begin to ache but the Simplicity of a long soak in the spa tonight will ease muscles that have been dormant all winter. Just the thought of bathing is starting to awaken the desires of Sexuality.  Soon I will read this to the Captain and seeing his smile, will mark this Sunday a Success.  

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Sometimes an S bend is the straightest road we are given.

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Find out how I chose my theme by reading the intro blog at A-Z challenge list. Words of change.  Please add more words to the list in the comments - and with gratitude, I'll link your words back to you.

R is for Receive. Healing with words. Day 18. #atozchallenge

Receive |riˈsēv|verb [ trans. ]1 be given, presented with, or paid 

Receive was another card that always felt like a gift. Unlike the word embrace which is similar, receive always made me feel I just had to stand still and accept what was being given to me, let them be generous, kind, caring -  it is not a commitment or an obligation to give something in return, whether it's unexpected or sought after you are being honoured and your efforts rewarded, just accept it with gratitude and without fuss. I was nominated for 2 Leibster awards this week. So clearly Receive is the obvious choice for today's word.

The first nomination was from Me, that's her user name but we can call her Sheethal,  and here is her blog Scribblings, she's been keeping a journal since the fifth grade, and I'm thrilled she answered my secret wish to get one of these awards, please pop over and see what she's been up to.

For those of you that don't know Leibster is a German word meaning favourite or lovely.

If you are nominated to receive the award you nominate 11 other bloggers (with fewer than 200 followers) and ask them 11 questions, as well as post 11 random facts about yourself and finally, answer the 11 questions asked by the person that nominated you.. (don't worry it's long but it gets easier to understand as you scroll down.)

That's a lot of 11's - but somehow I messed it up and thought it was 15 of everything, and I just can't bare to delete any of the nominees so I stuck with original draft   - If you have been nominated by me you can just choose 11.  If you decide to do the post let me know when you have posted so I can read all of your answers too.

The second one I received was from Brandy at Brandy's bustlings, but I will accept hers after the challenge, which means I get to nominate 11 more people that I couldn't fit on the list this time, there are so many of you that have made my adventure into blogging an amazing experience,  I wish I could have chosen many more.

Answer 15 questions from the person who nominated you.

1. What was your childhood ambition?

Apart from winning everything, I wanted to be an Actress, Teacher, Writer, Olympian, Prime-minister and loved.

2. Did you ever wish to have a different name? If, then what's that?

I used to say Lola Serene would be my stage or pen name, the older I get the more I enjoy my name.

3. If you were the most powerful person in the world, what could you do?

World peace of course (the no weapons kind) - teach awareness and kindness

4. Who's your favourite author?

... whoever I'm reading at the time

5. Sea or mountains? Day or Night? 
The easy answer to this question is all of the above in any combination

6. If you could trade place with anyone for a day, who could it be?

Anyone flying first class when I'm in economy

7. What's your most precious childhood memory?

Nailing that back flip in one smooth move.

8. Tell me something which you could like to share with me?

A feeling of great appreciation for nominating me, and all the words on my blog  

9. What three words best describes you?

In a random survey in nursing school my fellow students described me as knowledgeable (twice) and funny, I would add empathic for number 3

10. What made you start blogging?

Because I finally had the time to write, to share and discover something new, and the #atozchallenge

11. If you could three wishes, what would they be?

One wish. Grant me the power to grant wishes.

15 things you didn't know about me...

1) I spelt knowledgeable wrong the first time I typed it 

2) I have dreams of celebrities and presidents, two of them happened the night before they died and I have had conversations with dead people. 

3)  I was so nervous at my sisters wedding, that I nearly had laughing fit while I was doing the gospel reading.

4)  I have nursed families while there loved one's died, have been present when a death is announced, bathed and dressed dead bodies, called for help after someone died and watched them be revived. I've also seen a fatal bus accident, but I have never been with a person when they die.

5) Everybody should learn basic First Aid. I have used back slapping and/or the Heimlich manoeuvre on 3 people that were choking, one was a child (scariest minutes of my life)...all survived, and knowing that I could help a 4 year old that was crushed and passed out, a long way from a hospital -  felt a lot better than being helpless.  I spelt resuscitating wrong too

6) My mother says our name means; A key to the mind. The only other Italian definition I can find  One who (Chi a), Launches (varo) 

7) I've seen a bowling ball sized fire ball/comet(?) flying through the sky about 200 meters above my head, a perfect rainbow around the moon, a dark red moon, a green sunset, a triple rainbow and many other stunning vistas.

8) I think limerence is a great word to describe my behaviour in two of my past relationships.

9) I have been a bridesmaid and a best man at friends weddings.

10) I have the open ends of pillow cases facing each other, because I like to think they represent mouths, and that it encourages communication (quirky)

11) The dog that helped save my life, died in my arms, I still dream about him too.

12) I have helped two women through long labours and have cut an umbilical cord.

13) Sometimes I manage to look good, but I am guilty of more fashion faux pas than almost anyone I know.

14) My mother taught me to stay close to teachers, my father taught me that every problem can be solved with a walk through a garden or writing. 

15) ... and in keeping with the theme of receive - the nicest thing anyone ever taught me is that when you receive a compliment just say thank you and receive it with out any fuss, just because it gives that person permission to keep being kind.

15 questions for the people I have nominated are:

1) What is the nicest thing anyone ever said to you?

2) Something your parents taught you? 

3) Have you  ever dreamed of celebrities or famous people?

4) Do you have any quirks, rituals or superstitions?

5)  What's the most amazing thing you have seen in the sky?

6) What's the craziest thing you have done with your hair?

7) Have you ever seen a baby being born?

8) Have you ever been with someone when they died?

9) Have you ever had a strange experience that you just can't explain?

10) Are you an excellent speller, bad speller, or thought you were good but use spell check a lot?

11) Do you have/have had any pet('s), pick a favourite. 

13) What was the last thing you said out loud?

14) Where are you sitting while writing this?

15) What does your name/names mean?

drum roll please... the people I have nominated are:

Miss Bates at embrace.yourself  is alliterating her way through the alphabet, her posts are short and nothing short of genius and you will probably need a dictionary.

The guide to everything Tash Bing - An inspiring real life story of coming from nothing to something, and one to watch in the near future

Pass the sour cream Bradley made a video, after seeing a comment on one of my posts, to teach me how to do links, he writes everyday and his posts are genuine and sweet. You'll find it under his B for Benevolent post

Melch at Mental Indigestion - If I have 20 blogs in my email to read I will read this one first, her creative writing is some of the best I have seen since this challenge began.

Mel at the drafty garret Ok so she's not doing the challenge any more but I met her through it and she has one of the prettiest pages I have ever seen. She is also thoughtful, a great writer and artist

Zoe at rewritten I love this woman's comments on my blog and she has practically been on the ride with me since day 1 of the challenge.

Susan Scott at the Garden of Eden -  who is so wise and a master of the written word and tackles some heavy subjects with a fine perception

Susan Taylor at siouxsiesmusings - Witty, well written thought provoking posts and also a great contributor to the comments on my blog

Short story ideas  If you are writer this theme gives you lots of activities to do, and I really want to go back after the challenge is over and tackle a few of them.

Heidi Mann at the enchanted pen If you want to learn how to write here she is.

Write backwards  If you visit LadyJai's post everyday of the challenge, and you will find a little post it note of positivity and inspiration

BudhaKat and her amazing fractal works of art that make me go wow, every time I see them. 

Sweet tea and sunshine, she's a happy foodie that has left some great comments on my posts we both did Q for quotes, she really is sunny.

Another clean slate - another great writer who lives in Boston and actually had two crappy days this week so I'd just love to give her something.   Ok I am deleting her because she has received 7 but she is amazing.

Ermie - on the run from the google police in Abroad, this is another example of creative writing that has made me laugh a lot.

Emilie Hardy  Just reading her posts makes me a better writer - just reading her titles makes me a better writer.  There's a wealth of knowledge right there for everyone to see.

I hope you get a chance to visit their blogs. If I nominated you it's not a requirement that you do this, it's a choice.

If you made it all the way to here I thank you and commend you.  The Leibster award is perfect example of receiving in blog land, not only do I feel honoured to be chosen, I hope that the spirit of sharing, giving and receiving continues long after the challenge.

If you want to leave a comment but don't know what to say, just say Hi.

'Everything comes to us that belongs to us if we create the capacity to receive it' - thanks brainy quote

Just say thank you.

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Find out how I chose my theme by reading the intro blog A-Z challenge list. Words of change.  Please add more words to the list in the comments - and with gratitude, I'll link your words back to you.

Q is for "Quote...Unquote". Healing with words. Day 17. #atozchallenge

quote |kwōt|verb [ trans. ]repeat or copy out (a group of words from a text or speech)

Thanks Sharon McGill for letting me use this

Whether they originate from ancient philosophers or the latest celebrity, we like to use quotes to confirm and give credibility to our beliefs and values. Quotes have inspired people to take action, make changes create new perceptions or quieten the chatter of busy minds. After I publish this I am sure I will think of many, many more I could have shared. Here are a few that jumped out at me from one time or another.   

"You don't have to suffer continual chaos in order to grow" - John C Lilly 

"Some people walk in the rain. Others just get wet." - Roger Miller

"A crisis event often explodes the illusions that anchor our lives" - Robert Veninga

"Live as you will have wished to have lived when you are dying" - Gellert 

"I wish I drank more champagne" - John Maynard Keyes 

"Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows, select only things that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable, originality is non existent. And don't bother concealing your thievery - celebrate it if you feel like. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Goddard said: "it's not where you take things from- It's where you take them to." Jim Jarmusch

Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar. Bradley Miller

"Life is not a struggle it's a wiggle" - Peter McWilliams in An alphabetical guide to transcendental meditation... 

“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life:  It goes on.” – Robert Frost

I used to doodle lots of star, at about the age of 8 I drew one and wrote Me in the centre. In the points I wrote the letters I R M H I, can you guess what they stood for? I hope you enjoy my selection of quotes.  Let me know what your favourites are. (these or your own)

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Find out how I chose my theme by reading the intro blog A-Z challenge list. Words of change.  Please add more words to the list in the comments - and with gratitude, I'll link your words back to you.

P is for Purpose. Healing with words. Day 16. #atozchallenge

purpose |ˈpərpəs|

nounthe reason for which something is done or created or for whichsomething exists
verb [ trans. ] formalhave as one's intention or objective 

Facebook Chat:

8.00am (He in Denmark) - I've found my purpose in life.

6.00pm (She in Australia) - What purpose?

8.03am - To be together with you.

6.06pm - That's not a purpose, it's beyond your control. What if I push you away? We are planetary opposites, it puts long distance relationships into a whole new realm, of ridiculousness. What about your kids, shouldn't they be your purpose?

8.12am - I hope they find their own purpose. I'll do what I can to be a good father, teach them to be good men, in a kind, fun and loving way. My purpose is to make you happy, hopefully that means you want to be together with me.

6.13pm - What if I don't?

8.20am - I hope you let me try, I've been thinking of ways to make you happy. Can I visit you, then you decide?  I want to see you, and for you to see me, it's the same feelings I had when when we first met, maybe this time you will believe me. No pressure. I can stay in a Hotel."

7.30pm - What do you mean believe you?....Of course you are welcome to come and visit, I have a guest room. It's been 11 years since I saw you last, but it's not like I don't know you. If things get awkward you can stay in a Hotel. You can do whatever you like... BUT don't get ahead of yourself, you live on the other side of the planet and I've decided I want to be single forever.

9.33am - Thank you dear. I'm so exited, I'm looking for tickets online now.
9.52am - I thought I wanted to be single forever too, but there's so many things I want to show you. I want to make you happy, even if it means letting you go again... do you remember I proposed to you last time?

8.03pm - I found my old journal - hahahaha! I thought you were joking.

10.04am - I pretended I was joking I didn't want you to think I was crazy.

8.05pm - You are crazy....

10.05am - Crazy in love with you...

8.06am - Nutcase! You should see what I wrote...I need to know you're not some strung out stalker, who knows how to sweet talk.  What if i see you and my first thought is - NO Way

10.11am - Well I'm sure we can have fun together, just as friends, it's only for a few weeks. When I get back, I have my children, I will find other things to keep me occupied, but my purpose will be the same, even if it's just happy thoughts I will send them to you everyday. I feel it's what I was born to do, you don't have to do anything, if happiness for you means being single forever, then it will be hard at first, but I'll just try and keep in touch with you, if you'll let me.

8.13pm - Ok cool, I can deal with that...Now, if it's your purpose, what took you so long?...*just joking*. ... Who knows? Stranger things have happened, but seriously, that's no easy purpose.
I'm moody, prone to distraction, I'm always right and sometimes I wish I was a sloth.
I am a sloth...

10.14am  - Sloth??

8.15pm - you know animal that doesn't move = lazy :)

10.23am - I booked a ticket. I arrive in 6 weeks on the 24th.  I can't wait to see you.

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Are you struggling to find a purpose? I have been directionless my whole life, and it's landed me in the most phenomenal, phantasmagorical and precious places.

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sloth - Thanks open clipart
"Why not go out on a limb? That's where the fruit is." Will Rogers

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"If you know what you want, you'll find a way to get it" Jim Rohn

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Find out how I chose my theme by reading the intro blog A-Z challenge list. Words of change.  Please add more words to the list in the comments - and with gratitude, I'll link your words back to you.

O is for OK, Okay? Healing with words. Day 15. #atozchallenge

OK (also okay |ˈōˈkā|) informal

exclamationused to express assent, agreement, or acceptance• used to introduce an utteranceadjectivesatisfactory but not exceptionally or especially good.• (of a person) in a satisfactory physical or mental state.• permissible; allowableadverbin a satisfactory manner or to a satisfactory extent.noun an authorization or approval.verb ( OK's, OK'd, OK'ing)sanction or give approval to.

O is another letter that is not represented in my deck of cards, and that is perfectly OK with me.

Okidoke, a google search of OK led me to this site, it has my three favourite explanations. Ok's origins and how it became popular are unknown and many. 

OK or Okay has it's own hand gesture, and it varies from nation to nation. There aren't too many words that can claim that victory.  I can think of one other word that's also an adverb, adjective, verb, noun, informal exclamation and a question. It's just as widely used and recognised, on a global scale, as OK - but I'm pretty sure it will potentially land you in more trouble than the two simple letters OK ever will, sometimes it's just the perfect word, other times it the human version of growling.

My three favourite origins and or reasons OK became so popular are: 

1. Au quai:  Translates to: At Quay (otherwise known as,  a dock or harbour). Pronounced O K and after months of orienteering on open oceans the dock was an OK place for sailors to be.  They were the world's first global travellers (I think), so it makes sense (to me) that they spread it from quay to quay.
2. During the 1st world war, the daily death tally was written on a board. Zero killed was 0-Killed, abbreviated to OK, which was obviously an OK day 
3. The Greek word Ola Kala which translates to 'all right'. Greeks are responsible for the origin of many words, and rumour has it that Ola Kala was shortened to OK in Australia, (Melbourne has the third largest Greek population in the world) and in Australia, if a word can be shortened, it will be.

Now there's an idea, I could do Aussie Slang for next years challenge, OK?

I do wonder if OK was just another onomatopoeia, two simple letters used to describe a popular sound, from one time or another.  In language there are always so many changes.  The most recent in texting vernacular has shortened OK to just k and OK is fast becoming Only Kidding.

Can you think of any more O onomatopoeia words?

Oh
Oh-oh

Oink 

Ouch

Ooze

Ow

It's far from from divine, but OK is just fine.

 Thanks marcandangel.com 

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Find out how I chose my theme by reading my intro blog A-Z challenge list. Words of change.  You can add more words to the list by leaving a comment - and I'll add a link to your blog to return the favour.

N is for Nothing. Healing with Words. Day 14. #atozchallenge

nothing |ˈnəθi ng |

pronounnot anything; no single thingsomething of no importance or concern

no amount; zero.

My little deck of cards has no N word, I thought about doing Now but Eckhart Tolle has the 'Power of Now' nicely covered, he uses a cat and mouse analogy to capture thoughts when you're trying to think nothing that I use often. I thought about nurture but nothing new was coming my way. 

I asked for suggestions on facebook and within seconds my sister answered Nothing. She's such a comedian, and it was perfect, what could be better than nothing to represent nothing. 

Of course, by chance, as luck would have it, I just happened to have a poem called Think Nothing. So here it is, an edited version of a poem that a my dear friend Jo-la and I once wrote together, just passing time.  

Think nothing 

108 eyes #mandala thanks open clipart

by JM and IC

We lock ourselves out
and we try to keep warm.

We argue and possess

and we continue to fall.

My heart needs to breathe

my mind get set free.

So I gather my questions

to seek an old talking tree.

I sit and think... nothing.

Then breathe a sigh of relief,

I get all of my answers 

just from one leaf.

I hug and I kiss

and give thanks to the tree,

Then he whispers the answers

Are all inside me.

Jo-la is also an artist by nature and introduced me to mandala's, hers are great. I just looked at some of mine and they are better than I remembered, but still nothing compared to hers and the other's I've seen. Do you feel like passing time in a colourful way? Here's a link for some mandala outlines, just print and start colouring, or draw your own. Kids love them, which is one of the reasons they are good for you, too. Have you ever written a poem with a friend? It might not be a masterpiece but it's something from nothing and 'nothing is endless' you know.

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Find out how I chose this theme by reading my intro. blog A-Z challenge list. Words of change.  Use the comments to add words to the list - and I'll link your suggestions back to your blog.