Notes from the Skye

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Twinkle Twinkle in the Sky(e)

Yup. The moment has arrived. It's time for my cheesy goodbye (for now) and time to put this beautiful blog to bed.

I shared a bit of what I've realized and gained through this adventurous journey in my last blog entry but I also wanted to take some time to say... THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU (with love) ... to each and every person who read, made comments and sent support along the way.

Whether they are words of wisdom, recommended readings or straight up tips for travel, I hope that in some small (or big) way you walk away with an array golden nuggets too!!

When all of this began back in March... I had no idea where this time would take me, when it would end or what would come next... and this is ok. I still have no idea exactly what I'm going to be "doing" next in my life, but somehow I have faith that it will sort itself out... and in the interim, naturally, I have a few ideas........... including raising funds to build a new house for my little Gustavo's family (you may recall from my trip to Ecuador), moving into a new crib in Brooktown, reinstating my real estate license (just for fun, not necessarily profession), running my booty off, picking up regular pilates again, learning to ride a motorcycle and gearing up for guitar lessons - just to name a few of the ones that can be revealed at this time (wink wink).

You see - I have this funny feeling (channeling SARK) that if I begin by doing the things I love, the money will follow......... :)

Please feel free to either comment here or email me a personal note (skyenyc@aol.com) if you have any feedback (at all) or if you are interested in learning more about any writing/blogging I may muster up down the road.

Until we meet again...... may magical music, miracles and unexpected abundance be your constant companions...... and may you always do the things that scare you the most ---- they will surely be the things you regret doing the least. Promise.

Love, Partnership, Courage and Fun...

Lisa

Time Away With Me

The following are some reflections on my five month journey away.

Fasten your seatbelt. Things are about to get deep...

"The difficult road is the road of conversion, the conversion from loneliness into solitude. Instead of running away from our loneliness and trying to forget or deny it, we have to protect it and turn it into a fruitful solitude. To live a spiritual life, we must first find the courage to enter into the desert of our loneliness and to change it by gentle and persistent efforts into a garden of solitude. This requires not only courage, but also a strong faith. As hard as it is to believe that the dry, desolate desert can yield endless varieties of flowers, it is equally hard to imagine that our loneliness is hiding unknown beauty. The movement from loneliness to solitude, however, is the beginning of any spiritual life because it is the movement from the restless senses to the restful spirit, from the outward-reaching cravings to the inward-reaching search, from the fearful clinging to the fearless play." -- Henry Nouwen

As I read this, I realize I am FINALLY feeling comfortable in my solitude... and I am finally feeling confident in my ability to LIVE the Ultimate Lisa Life. Rather than spending my time “preparing” for a partner, I'm simply continuing to improve the already wonderful me that is here NOW... and is perfect just the way I am! Hooray!!

At the same time, I am remembering the journal entry I found in my 55-year-old father’s journal just after he died in 2004. It said, “I’m finally feeling comfortable in my own skin... comfortable in groups...” -- something like this.

I recall thinking, “What?! My father didn’t feel comfortable in his own skin?! He was seemingly so confident and driven...” -- and yet, in retrospect – and through all the work I’ve done on myself in the past 4yrs+ -- I can see that the way he stuffed feelings was to work. He wasn’t a drinker, drug user, over-eater, gambler, etc. He worked – all the time. He hardly relaxed EVER — until the last 6-12mos of his life... when he realized that some of the things he thought were “so important” throughout his entire life just didn’t seem to be all that important anymore (like a perfectly organized home, record/CD collection and garage). He found it was more fulfilling to spend time with loved ones, SHOW UP for them (as in travel to NYC to see me or Austin to see my brother) and take moments to truly RELAX... enjoy the abundant life he had created. It was a beautiful transformation to watch.

I feel on many levels it is similar to what I have been going through for the past four years... in my own way, naturally.

I’m taking a peek at the things I “do” to stuff my own feelings.... and, ultimately, to avoid feeling lonely.

There were many moment in the beginning of these travels that I felt lonely. I had a yearning inside to share my experiences with someone other than me, myself and I. Yet I knew that if I didn’t take this time to learn to enjoy spending “Time Away With Me”, I would never be able to authentically relish in the moments I was sharing with someone again one day too.

Maybe I’m sounding overly dramatic. I mean obviously I’m going to enjoy sharing my life with someone again one day too... and obviously I enjoy sharing my life NOW with friends, family and most anyone else that crosses my path. But what I’m getting at is the notion that by truly ENJOYING spending time with me, I believe I create the space to truly ENJOY spending time as we.

The bottom line...

I’m not feeling the tweaks of loneliness I felt on March 1st, I’m feeling comfortable in solitude... and as I prepare to make my way back to the big apple, I'm oh so glad I took this time to be with me.

This is what one of my dearest friends said to me when I shared the above thoughts...

Who knew: the journey IS the destination! For perhaps the hallway of life is a large, never-ending circle that in the end brings us back to the beginning so we can see it with new eyes in next life... "for from (star)dust you were made, and to (star)dust you shall return..." I think you'd agree that the secret is to love, learn and enjoy as much as possible along the way.

She's right. I do agree.

As of today... my eyes are anew, my slate is clean... and anything and everything is POSSIBLE.

Amen.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Sweet Sunshine State

After traveling for five (that's right - FIVE!) months, I can't believe the moment has almost arrived... I'm heading back to my beloved New York City for good in less than 48 hours.

Whoa.

I'm not sure any particular feeling has set in yet... I'm think I'm still just going with the flow.

I've been in my hometown - West Palm Beach, FL - for about 3 weeks now... not doing much other than relaxing.

You may recall, if you've been reading from the start, one of my primary goals on this trip was to be "busy busy busy relaxing" (something I've never been very much good at). I can now safely say that these past three weeks have been all about that.

Relaxing.

I spent some good time with my buddy Ian...

Went to go see my friend Chris's band, Fire Zuave...

Spent some good time with my Uncle Mike and his girlfriend Isabel...

Met my friend Shawney's new baby Mattine...

Toured the new and improved Loggerhead Marine Center here in Juno Beach with Shawney, Mattine and my friend Amy...

Saw the cutest baby turtles ever...

Listened in during storytime...

Watched Mattine make friends...

Snuggled up close to watch the turtles...

Made faces...

At the turtles...

Enjoyed the company of Hot Heidi Stone (who arrived on July 25th and decided to stay)...

At my favorite Florida restaurant, Captain Charlie's Reef Grill...

Got to listen to my brilliant brother play my guitar...

Watched Heidi do handstands in the drive way on beautiful days...

And took tons of photos............. :)

Indeed. This journey has been a ride. I've got another good blog or two in me so stay tuned... and please know that your love, and support has been tremendous (you know who you are) and I wouldn't (and still don't) want to do this thing called LIFE without you.

Sending lots of love from the Sweet Sunshine State...

Home Address

I saw this quote on a Vision Board I found in my closet yesterday...

"Don't mistake a street address for where you actually LIVE"

Love it!

It reminds me of something a friend of mine said to me when I began my travels back in March. He said, "So what's your address these days? 111 I'msocooltravelingtheworld Street, Penthouse #1?"

I laughed. I guess that HAS been my address for the past five months... I mean... if I say so. Because isn't everything exactly how you SAY it is...... like all the time?! ;)

Happy Monday Marvelous Ones!!

Friday, August 1, 2008

Imagine It

God, I love it when I feel IN THE FLOW.

Two blogs ago I included a photo of a quote I saw and then paraphrased it to say... "Think. Act. Open Arms. Receive." The basic message was that our thoughts become things... yes, it's very Secretesque.

So this morning I woke up to the following "Note from the Universe" (and felt in the flow) ...

If you can imagine it, you can have it, Lisa. This is the name of the game. This is the lesson to learn. It couldn't be any easier. Reality is not what your eyes show your mind, but what your mind creates for your eyes to see. You are not limited by logic, the past, or the world around you. You are not even of the world around you. You are supernatural, pure spirit. You came first. Magic, miracles, and luck are the consequences of understanding this, the inevitable result of dreaming and acting in spite of appearances.

You are ever so close. Simply stay the course. It won't be very much longer.

-- The Universe

If you've never heard of these Notes from the Universe, click on the link above to learn more. They come to me Monday-Friday mornings and they're free!

Also... if you do start to get the notes yourself, don't forget to scroll to the bottom of the email - where you'll find an additional little note (just after the reminder "Thoughts Become Things... Choose the Good Ones!")

Today's bonus was...

If you can imagine it, you can have it, Lisa.

What a GREAT way to start the day!

Enjoy...

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Stellar Sunrises are for Sharing

On my last morning in Baja Sur, Rubina and I woke up before the sunrise and went out to the beach. It was her idea... and so I'm just glad I followed suit.

I hope you enjoy these pics as much as I do...

May all your mornings be full of sunshine... even on the cloudy days...

Love.

Quick Note from the Skye

Hmmm...

I guess the question then becomes... "What can I DO today to get a little closer to receiving what I want?"

In short I think the message is...

Think. Act. Open Arms. Receive.

...and don't forget to say Thank You!!!

Happy Thursday :)

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Time To Cleanse

I've decided I'm not drinking for 60 days.

When my friend Heidi asked, "Why?" -- I said...

"Sister, the first 16 days of July were all about Corona, Modelo, Sol (mexican beer), tequila, white wine, pink wine, red wine, White Russians and Bloody Marys... oh and tacos, chorizo, beans, cornflakes, bananas, full fat yogurt, ice cream and S'mores. Rubina and I have declared we are tan (oh yeah), fat (not really) and so happy (affirmative)!"

And so now I say... "Time to cleanse!" :)

In truth, it was Rubina's idea...

For me, the thought of no alcohol is always a little bit of a weird one intially. But mostly because I know I just don't like discipline in my life. Period. Whether it's about spending, saving, eating, exercising, drinking, working... Anything. I've always enjoyed doing what I want, when I want, how I want. And that's the way I like it.

Alas, I know it's not the best trait to have when setting goals... especially one like no alcohol for 60 days. Hence, it's also the reason it's WAY more fun/better for me to do these things with support and/or someone else.

Heidi agreed to go the distance too.

So now we are three... and today is Day Eleven.

Looking good. Feeling good.

Cheers!

Monday, July 28, 2008

San Jose Surf Summer 2008

As many of you know, sooo much of this time away has been about getting still, being with myself and listening to what my inner inner voice is saying. And plus learning how to just BE - and be ok with all that is happening (or not happening) in my life.

I've done tons of journaling, meditating, reading, reflecting, etc -- it has been all good.

As I described it recently to my soul sister best friend Elijah... it has been like a roller coaster ride - and I really like roller coasters! There have been ups and downs. The ride has gone fast, whizzing around corners, whooshing down and creeping back up. I've been screaming in some moments and laughing in so many others... and at long last, as I pull back into the station (or the five month "journey" comes to an end), I am so so glad I went on this ride.

I'm planning on winding down and wrapping up this blogging business next week but I plan to make a few juicy good entries between now and then... so stay tuned :)

In the interim... I hope you enjoy this barrage of photos from the 16 days I spent in Baja Sur with my dear friend Rubina, my buddy JoshB* and his brother Austin James Oliver...

Day One --- Rubina and I get off the plane at 3pm, get picked up by the boys, head back to our condo, down a smoothie (a nearly daily activity) and take off to the beach with Austin (aka our "Surf Instructor Extraordinaire") to catch some waves.

When we get back to the condo, Josh has prepared a KILLER dinner...

Which came to be often followed by a game of backgammon...

This was a beach down the road from our condo in San Jose... if you squint you can see our white condo just the the right of the rocks in the middle...

This is the JoshB* signature ring... and margarita...

On Day One I tore it up... the surfboard, that is...

And my thigh and arm...

After an hour in the water catching waves, I totally forgot I had been told there were rocks all along the shore. I needed to bail before I rode up onto the sand. Um, yeah, that didn't happen. Obviously. The surfboard and I both suffered for a few days.

I just love this random shot I caught out the window of our car...

This was our "home" for the month, called Mar y Sol ("Sea and Sun")...

We drove this road more than once to get to a far away surf spot...

Welcome to Mexico!

Here are the Surfari Brothers For Life...

This is Ghost Face, I mean Austin, keeping watch of the boards strapped to the roof...

Approaching Nueve Palmas ("Nine Palms")...

It is sooo Mexico - to be surrounded by sticks en route to the beach...

This is JoshB*'s Ford Explorer we called "Blanca"...

Whose battery died at 2pm in the middle of the HOT Mexican afternoon on the side of the road, far far from home...

Thank god we eventually found a jump... oh, and some beers down the road to refresh ourselves...

Here's our Rubi fruit enjoying some shrimp...

And the tacos galore...

A common sight on the road...

Hello cow :)

Did I mention I tore it up on my first day?! Yeah. I hurt my shoulder pretty badly. I had to go see a chiropractor (Dr. Allen) and stay off it for 5 days to recover. Fortunately, corn cures everything...

Eventually I got back out to the "beginner's beach" (Acapulquito)... um, can you SEE all the rocks in the water and on the shore of the BEGINNER'S beach?! WTF?!