Self-portrait update, April 1, 2008, Paris.
An excerpt from Comfortable with Uncertainty by Pema Chodron:
"Being able to lighten up is the key to feeling at home with your body, mind and emotions, to feeling worthy to live on this planet. For example, you can hear the slogan "always maintain only a joyful mind" and start beating yourself over the head for never being joyful..."
"This earnestness, this seriousness about everything in our lives...this goal-oriented "We're going to do it or else" attitude is the world's greatest killjoy. There's no sense of appreciation because we're so solemn about everything. In contrast, a joyful mind is very ordinary and relaxed. So lighten up. Don't make such a big deal."
"When your aspiration is to lighten up, you begin to have a sense of humour... In addition to a sense of humour, a basic support for a joyful mind is curiosity, paying attention, taking an interest in the world around you. Happiness is not required, but being curious without a judgemental attitude helps. If you are judgemental, you can even be curious about that."
"Curiosity encourages cheering up. So does simply remembering to do something different. We are so locked into this sense of burden - Big Deal Joy and Big Deal Unhappiness - that it's sometimes helpful just to change the pattern. Anything out of the ordinary will help. You can go to the window and look at the sky, you can splash cold water on your face, you can sing in the shower, you can go jogging - anything against your usual pattern. That's how things start to lighten up."
I pay attention to details and try to learn something new and do something different every single day. To me, routine and regimen without variation ultimately result in apathy and boredom. What do you do to shake things up in your life?
And won't you please take a moment to watch this powerful video, on a day where polls show 81 percent of Americans think our country is on the wrong track?
Lovely to see your smiling eyes. I don't seem to have to work too hard at shaking it up, think I was born curious. But curiosity also needs to go with lots of kindness - I keep working on that one.
Posted by: Frida | 08 April 2008 at 05:34
Hm. 81% of Americans think we are on the wrong track, and Cheney says, "SO?" as in, "So what?"
Does this also tell you he is thinking, "Who cares?" He and his friend George certainly don't.
Posted by: pepektheassassin | 07 April 2008 at 20:36
Lovely photo, Tara! Hope your neighborhood was spared the chaos of the torch debacle. I can't imagine the powers that be didn't expect any of these. K.
Posted by: Karen DeGroot Carter | 07 April 2008 at 17:15
This is so cute Tara, can't wait to meet in person. : )
Posted by: robyn | 07 April 2008 at 04:13
I first heard Pema Chodron on Bill Moyers. An amazing woman. I bought one of her books and am reading and re-reading it slowly chapter by chapter. Inspirational.
81% of americans think we are on the wrong track? Really. Where were they in the last election? I heard a man say yesterday that he was voting for McCain because we aren't safe with a democrat in the white house. When reminded of the resident in the white house during 9/11 he seemed confused. This is very scary to me. Thank you for the link to the moving video.
Posted by: kris | 06 April 2008 at 14:02
I miss my beautiful mommy.
Posted by: jordapeach | 06 April 2008 at 08:02
Such kindness in those eyes.
Posted by: Rosemary | 06 April 2008 at 05:35
Tara! I did not know you were a red head like me? However, you have those gorgeous killer green eyes that I lack. What a wonderful post, how inspirational and your picture is lovely! You look like a movie star! Glad to see your lovely face.
Posted by: Yoli | 05 April 2008 at 23:44
Dear lovely friend ... awesome pic! Thanks for sharing that video ... I had not seen it before. Powerful stuff. We must be thinking along the same lines these days. xx, JP/deb
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 05 April 2008 at 08:21
I have worn many different hats along the path to finding my passion which now is my job.. I would get quickly bored with the routine of the office job. Now I so something that shakes up my routine daily. Being an antique store owner has me constantly shifting my environment. When I get bored, I rearrange the landscape around me. I never enter the same workplace twice, so it keeps the creative juices flowing and my perspective fresh.
And it is so nice to see those smiling eyes of yours.
Just so you know, Pacifica is only 15 minutes from SF. Just in case....
Lisa & Alfie
Posted by: Lisa & Alfie at The Pickled Hutch | 05 April 2008 at 06:27
Hey Green-Eyed Lady,
The color of your eyes made me think of that song's lyrics:
Greeen Eyed Lady, lovely lady
Strolling slowly towards the sun
Green eyed lady ocean lady
Soothing every wave that comes
Green eyed lady, passion's lady
dressed in love she lives for life to be...
***
What do I do to shake things up a bit? I used to try to find something to look at that I have never seen before but has always been around me. Now I use my new camera to help me.
And I agree with Becky. I read your blog to shake things up. I could not finish watching the video though. Even though it was beautiful it made me too sad today. Someday I will try to watch it again.
Posted by: tangobaby | 05 April 2008 at 05:41
Love the twinkle in those pretty eyes of yours! You truly are beautiful, I'm working on being a bit more spontaneous and not so regimented. Why, the other day I did the laundry on Tuesday instead of Thursday!
Posted by: martina | 05 April 2008 at 00:07
Tara,what a smashing, awesome photo. You have a glimmer in those green eyes that say " I Love Life and I am making the most of it", you're truly beautiful. So happy I found this blog and you.
You brighten my day and always provoke different thoughts to my mind that I would normally not think about...thank you!
Your friend In Iowa....shuuuuuuuu...I think Spring is here at last!!!!
Posted by: Pipian7 | 04 April 2008 at 22:59
I love this post and your self-portrait! I think every day is a new day with fresh possibilities...and while routine has it's place, I'm happier just going with the flow and letting the day take me where it wants to.
Posted by: sherry | 04 April 2008 at 22:06
First of all, fabulous photo! That's just gorgeous!
Shaking me up -- hmmm. Well, learning something new is always a mover for me -- especially when it's hard to do. Sometimes I have to be dragged kicking and screaming into that, but I have found more recently that for the most part, I welcome change in my world, even if it's harder to teach the old dog new tricks! On another track, I find that rearranging something -- anything -- is always a shake-up, too!
Posted by: Jeanie | 04 April 2008 at 21:39
pema is dear & near to me ~ she's our bay area sangha's lead teacher, among many other inspiring positions. somehow i am not surprised that you find connection with her too. she has been very ill lately so please send her your healing prayers.
have a fabulous weekend, dear one!
Posted by: studio wellspring | 04 April 2008 at 21:23
Tara
That photograph is drop dead gorgeous. You are killer looking woman! Yes!!!
And...I agree, shaking things up is essential. I sometimes feel like hitting the road with a suitcase (if my two children wouldn't miss me) and tell everyone I'll be back in a month.
But since I cannot do that...I will settle for the everyday exotic of trying a new food, a new perfume, walking a different path, parting my hair on the opposite side (LOL!).
Whatever. Flirting with the parcel delivery man!!!
Enjoy your day mon ami...xoxo
Love that red hair with your green eyes...oooh la la!
Posted by: Gillian | 04 April 2008 at 20:23
You are gorgeous and Pema Chodron is one of best inspirations in the world. Put this all together with your wonderful words and you have a fabulous blog!!
Posted by: jzr | 04 April 2008 at 18:16
This is wonderful advice! Your picture reflects your eyes open view of the world. Beautiful!
Posted by: wendy | 04 April 2008 at 16:22
Ha! I was just saying how bored I felt. Thanks for this post. You take a lovely picture!
Posted by: tut-tut | 04 April 2008 at 15:55
You are so beautiful!
Thank you for sharing this passage. Reading your blog is one way that I shake things up and get inspired!
Posted by: Becky Ramsey | 04 April 2008 at 15:08
LOVE this photo! You look MAHHHHvelous! ...Well girlfriend..I am really getting ready to shake up my life........BIGTIME! I gave notice on my apartment and job... will be heading WEst in the bus in MAY! Whattttt?????
Posted by: Pam Aries | 04 April 2008 at 12:54
I'm going to be really boring, what I do to shake myself up is I read books, read, read and more reading. I'm afraid I'm a real bookworm.
Posted by: Amy | 04 April 2008 at 07:38
You look so beautiful, what a nice surprise. I usually get grumpy when in a routine so I go find something new to do. My choices are limited so I'll whine to Dave and he makes an effort to get me out. ;) Loved this post! XXOO
Posted by: Tammy | 04 April 2008 at 06:11
Hi pretty woman. Such eyes you have. They are the windows to the soul, you know. Yes! Lighten up. A good motto for me to read every day. SO TRUE!! Even in the darkest hour to LIGHTEN UP it is the way to conduct our life!!
xo
Constance
PS You with your eyes look really great in green!
Posted by: rochambeau | 04 April 2008 at 04:09
You know, I felt lighter just reading these words!
Such a great reminder to smile more, enjoy life more, and look for things to marvel at!
Posted by: Becca | 04 April 2008 at 03:31
Checking out your blog and seeing those bluer than blue French pharmacy bottles. Seeing your adorable photo. Seeing what other people in the world are up to on their blogs. In that way, I step outside and discover new ways of looking at things, look up new words, hear new ideas, see the world through the eyes of others, discover new worlds of my own because I look at everything much more closely than I did before by photographing everything. Woo hoo, what a ride!!
Posted by: karen cole | 04 April 2008 at 03:21
Look at you, you gorgeous girl! What a beautiful photo of you! I have two little boys, ages 8 & 5. My every day is shaken, throttled, bounced, whacked, jumped on, investigated, sung to, and hugged. I'm with you in that I have a ferocious curiosity and feel every day there is an opportunity to learn something new.
Posted by: kelly snelling | 04 April 2008 at 01:33