Moved by moviebuddy 31 August 2007

I got an email from my friend Jackie, (a.k.a. “moviebuddy”), today. Originally plucked from a Craigslist post looking for exactly that, Jackie has become much more to me in the past year. Sure, we’ve seen many a fine flick together but our connection blossoms way beyond the cineplex seats.

While everyone loves a good p.s., this one takes the cake:

p.s.

You were right. I am a little thinner, but just didn’t know it. I checked my personal weight loss journal (which I hardly ever look at or write in) and found out that I have lost 13 pounds since I met you! Also a little bit in inches around the waist, which I didn’t measure, but can tell, because that spare tire is somewhat smaller. It’s amazing to me, because I have been so lax in general. But now I plan to sign up again for Weight Watchers after I return from my trip.

So, you were the little lighthouse, shining out to the ship in the dark, saying, “look this way! Something is happening over here!”

Thanks for not backing down when I didn’t believe you.

Jackie

As moviebuddy illustrates so clearly here, it’s easy to miss or even dismiss the magnificent movements of the (wo)man in the mirror. Here’s to shining little lights on each other’s accomplishments & fabulous friends like Jackie who take time to say “thanks” when we do. It made my day!

p.s. Now, where’s my white hat??

Sowing the Seeds of Peace 29 August 2007

Here comes one for the calendar, kids:

On Tuesday, September 11, 2007, at 7:30 pm Musicians for Harmony is hosting their Sixth Annual Concert for Peace at the Symphony Space (95th Street at Broadway) in New York City. This year, Musicians for Harmony has elected to donate the proceeds from this concert to Seeds of Peace. The concert will include performances by legendary pianist Claude Frank and master Chinese pipa player Wu Man, in addition to many other talented musicians who will appear in this special event.

Mr. Frank will perform Mozart’s Piano Quartet in G minor with Guarneri Quartet veterans Arnold Steinhardt, Michael Tree, and Peter Wiley, and the Shanghai Quartet will play the famous Ravel String Quartet. Ms. Wu will perform a world premiere by Gabriela Lena Frank and a piece by Chen Yi with violinist Colin Jacobsen and cellist Eric Jacobsen. And Musique Sans Frontières will present world premières by Artistic Director Patrick Derivaz and guest artist Yacouba Sissoko, a West African kora player from Mali.

Tickets are on sale now ($35, $75, $125 including reception afterwards) at 212-864-5400 or symphonyspace.org. Since proceeds from the concert will be donated to Seeds of Peace, please be as generous as possible!

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Seeds of Peace develops and empowers young leaders from regions of conflict to work towards peace through coexistence and conflict resolution. Since 1993, Seeds of Peace has graduated over 3,000 teenagers and young adults from several regions of conflict and has reached several thousand more in their communities through initiatives such as the International Camp in Maine, numerous regional workshops, educational and professional courses, and adult educator programs, as well as the extensive Seeds network. Participants develop empathy, respect, and confidence, and gain critical leadership, negotiation and conflict resolution skills. Many are now in positions of influence such as on the team of advisors to President Abbas, assistant to a member of the Knesset, or working at the World Bank, the United Nations and in TV and radio broadcasting.

Look at the great way a girl can give. Isn’t she…

To make your tax-deductible donation to Seeds of Peace, please click here. Please help spread the message of Seeds of Peace. Anyone with an e-mail address can sign up at http://www.seedsofpeace.org/.

Let there be peace on Earth & let it begin with me & you!

Tell ‘em, Tama 28 August 2007

My Earth-angel Betsy recently gave me the great gift of a book called This Time I Dance. In it, Tama Kieves writes, “It’s more practical to be magical.” I couldn’t agree more.

Here’s an excerpt from Tama so you can see her style for yourself:

Holding Onto the Past Will Block Your Potential
We cause ourselves unnecessary pain when we reject our present lives, thinking things like “I wish this would go away,” or “But my life shouldn’t be this way.” A Course in Miracles teaches that “The vision of one world, will cost you the vision of another.” It means we literally block our peace and abundance, by looking at what we used to have or what we should have. We miss the singular opportunity that is available to us right now. There is a carousel horse that has your name on it right now. You are invited to have that ride into destiny.

Years ago, I had a coaching client who had experienced a bad divorce with his wife. He couldn’t let her go. Even though she had remarried, he still burned the torch for her and talked about what might have been. He felt lonely, abandoned, and terrified that he would never find love again. But when he did a healing ritual to release his wife, he felt released and at peace. He started dating one of his female friends. Of course the woman he now loves (even more than his wife) had been there all along. But he couldn’t see the potential. He could only see his past.

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In the past few days, I’ve seen first-hand how really releasing the moldy-old thoughts can usher in the new & I couldn’t be happier about it. So take it from me, Tama & Tina (Turner), “Hanging on to the past, it only stands in our way.” Amen to that!! For more terrific Tama-talk, visit her here at Awakening Artistry & dance, my dears, dance.

A Political Pixie 23 August 2007

As per usual, Pixiesis was right: Obama’s one moving man! My gal pals & I bopped over to Brooklyn last night to see Barack amidst the standing-room-only crowd inside the Downtown Marriott. Smart girls that we are, we popped a squat along the West wall to weather the wait & entertained ourselves with self-portraits & shoe shots:

From left to right: Michele, UP, & Terry

Finally, the man himself took to the stage, rally-cap on & ready to “fire up” the room. A self-professed “hopemonger,” Obama kept his eye on the real-change prize. He laid out his grand visions for health care, education, foreign policy & confirmed for me that he’s the real deal. I’ve been waiting to be wowed by someone & he didn’t disappoint.

My favorite line came when Barack addressed head-on the common criticism that he’s too inexperienced. Citing the resumes of Rummy & Cheny he said, “We’ve all seen what experience can do. I think the American people want a President with good judgment.” I’ll not speak for all of them but this one does for sure!

What impressed me the most, though, was how openly Obama spoke of his struggle to remain self-aware. He revealed that his wife, Michelle, keeps him grounded by reminding him that it’s about America not Obama.

I’m sold! As such, these Pixie feet shall hit the streets to help Obama bring integrity back & send the hope for life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness floating high above the land.

If you haven’t had a chance to check Senator Obama out in person, here’s the next best thing: two top-shelf men talking on the Daily Show.

Seeking some Obamanation swag? Try these sites on for size:

• Barack. Paper. Scissors

• Cafe Press

Pixie Republic? 21 August 2007

While I don’t normally shop at Banana Republic, (being the ultra-thrifty Pixie I am), my friend Jackie sent me this today:

Will Pixie sass sweep the nation in a little black dress? If so, remember, you got it here first!

A Boast for PostSecret 20 August 2007

Each “Self-Help Sunday” (as I like to call it), my ritual includes popping over to PostSecret to see what’s shown up. People send their naughtiest & most painful personal confessions on post-cards to the home address (yes!) of its creator via snail mail. It’s truly beautiful to behold the sight of so many hand-crafted creations, although you’ll find more than a few fully loaded emotional land-mines. But, judging from PostSecret’s popularity, having a place in which to let them safely explode is incredibly important.

Here’s one from this week:

Maybe someday you’ll share a secret of your own?

Happy Monday!

Tyler Time 18 August 2007

Making room & ready for Tyler has pooped a Pixie out today. However, I must say he’s oh so worth the wait & my apt. has never looked better. Stay tuned, local yokels, for an official couch-warming soon.

Since the getting’s been so good for a girl, I’m reminded that giving’s another very important piece of the puzzle. Here are a few folks who concur:

“We make a living by what we get, but a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill

“If those who owe us nothing gave us nothing, how poor we would be.” – Antonia Porchia

“We are here to help each other get through this thing, whatever it is.” – Mark Vonnegut

I’m even more serious about that FREE full-sized futon now. Any takers out there?

Happy Weekend! Now if you’ll please excuse me, I’m going to plop atop Tyler’s velvet pillows & float the day away.

From Michael and Me 16 August 2007

I recently read an interview with Michael Beckwith (yes, the one from that Secret movie) in my Unity mag & something he said sure stuck:

“I teach that real bliss and ecstasy come from activating ones potential not mere accomplishment or getting things. Your real juice comes from what you have become as you are moving toward accomplishment and acquiring…spiritually mature, you realize that the secret was really in becoming yourself and in having activated a potential.”

My own question when first diagnosed with cancer seemed to be this: “If you’re feeling so unfulfilled by your life, do you really want to be here? If so, then do something about it.” And I did. Being the Urban Pixie – here in New York, writing, learning, growing – and doing so surrounded by such amazing, uplifting people, I’m one activated mofo. The me I am today is my whole self and she’s having a fabulous time with life. Child of the 80’s that I am, I no longer have to sing, “I’ve been to Paradise but I’ve never been to me.” But please, Universe, bring the Pixie some Paradise!

I really believe that when the true potential is activated in us all, the world will be on fire! Good things come to those who shine. As for me, I’m going to push the Pixie a wee bit harder and shall start Upright Citizens Brigade Improv classes this fall. That’s right, I’m taking this comedy show on the stage, getting ready for the long road ahead. To describe what I do more simply, I’ve taken to calling myself “The Sarah Silverman of Spirituality” these days. I’m sure that’s what they’ll write in my first review. Aren’t you?

Michael also says in the Unity interview that while people can loudly proclaim what they are against in the world and in their lives, very few spend energy sharing what they are for.

On that note, today I’m all for:

• my ego staying out of the way
• Peanut Butter ZigZag soy ice-cream
• random subway banter
• “no” being a complete sentence
• friends who know it all & love me more

You?

Desperately Seeking Sunshine Lemonade 15 August 2007

Led by the incredible southern gentleman, Thomas Jackson, the band Sunshine Lemonade will be appearing at the Everything Goes Book Café & Neighborhood Stage (208 Bay St, Staten Island) this Friday, August 17th, from 8 p.m. – 9 p.m. Come bask in the Love & if you arrive early, you can sit down to sample some tasty treats, too.

By ferry: Turn left out of the ferry parking lot and walk three blocks (ETG’s on the right) or you can take the S51 bus to the “Tompkinsville Bay St/ Victory BL” stop (I believe it’s the first stop).

Here’s the official flyer & this Pixie can’t wait to hear them play!

Flower Power 14 August 2007

Picked by my eye at Fort Tryon,

flowers that brightened my day.

Plant kisses on faces I miss,

Lush love, I pray thee, relay: