ladypythia's blog http://www.blogher.com/blog/38427/atom/feed 2008-09-07T14:30:12-05:00 Change, Compassion, Unity, and Civil Rights. Marriage for all! http://www.blogher.com/change-compassion-unity-and-civil-rights-marriage-all 2008-11-14T16:56:46-06:00 2008-11-14T16:57:49-06:00 ladypythia During the last few months, the word change has been on everyone's tongue. Both Presidential nominees, President-Elect Obama and Senator McCain used it to draw the American people to support their parties, campaigns, and beliefs. Obama invoked the spirit of change so powerfully. We were so inspired that we came out as one and said: “Yes, we want change!“ and elected him President.

]]> During the last few months, the word change has been on everyone's tongue. Both Presidential nominees, President-Elect Obama and Senator McCain used it to draw the American people to support their parties, campaigns, and beliefs. Obama invoked the spirit of change so powerfully. We were so inspired that we came out as one and said: “Yes, we want change!“ and elected him President.

States and people that so forcefully resisted civil rights for African-Americans and viewed them as less than human, now embrace our President-Elect. When he was elected, as one, we raised our thankful hands. We cheered, cried, and celebrated through the night. It didn’t matter what your race, nationality, gender, or sexual preference was. We were one.

But when the dawn came, the celebrations came to a halt. The same Lesbians and Gays who celebrated with their fellow Americans the night before, were faced with staggering and surprising news. Proposition 8 went through and suddenly only heterosexual marriages where legal. Same sex marriage was suddenly viewed as invalid by law. Proposition 8 overrode a recent California Supreme Court decision that ruled same sex marriage as a valid and fundamental right. With the press of a button, millions of California voters, revoked a fundamental civil right from a group of fellow Americans.

We must oppose Opposition 8 and stand together. We must demand that this wrong to be righted.
But how?

Keith Olbermann suggested in this passionate, well-spoken, and moving speech that the opposition to Proposition 8 is about heart. While I believe in the power of love, I feel that the key to over turning Proposition 8 is found in the soul.

The soul is deeper than the heart and compassion goes farther than love. Compassion is the force that allows us to openly accept others for who they are. Through compassion, we see the truth and the way to peace. When we see with it, we recognize that we all share the same needs, hopes, and dreams, along with the same pains, problems, and challenges. There is no other; there is only one. We are one. Compassion gives the gift of unity and understanding. Compassion teaches us that when we harm one person, we harm ourselves and our world.

I ask you: “Can we become the change the seek? Can we be courageous enough to seek compassion? Can we open our hearts, embrace each other, and give everyone equal rights?”

I believe that “Yes, we can!”

]]> Asking For Forgiveness - How Specific? http://www.blogher.com/asking-forgiveness-how-specific 2008-09-08T11:17:58-05:00 2008-09-08T11:17:58-05:00 ladypythia I sent out emails asking for forgiveness. I'm starting anew in a new home. I feel like I have a new life. And I wanted to clear the slate with people I've hurt in the past.

]]> I sent out emails asking for forgiveness. I'm starting anew in a new home. I feel like I have a new life. And I wanted to clear the slate with people I've hurt in the past.

When I sent them out, I was not specific about why, other than I knew I had caused hurts in the past and wanted to make amends. My thought on this is that I didn't know what mental space everyone is in. So, I wasn't specific, because I wanted each person to reply and handle it in the way they needed to. I wanted the other person to find closure. The apologies weren't only about me - they were also about the other person.

I have been criticized for this. Now I wonder, should I have been more specific? Is going back and resending the apologies with specific information going to cause more harm than good?

I am sincere in apologizing. Is that enough?

]]> 101 Goals in 1001 Days http://www.blogher.com/101-goals-1001-days 2008-09-07T14:30:12-05:00 2008-09-07T14:30:12-05:00 ladypythia I've recently discovered an online project called "101 Things to Do in 1001 Days." It encourages change and growth through self-exploration and goal-setting. There are guidelines for the goals. "Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part)." I also add this criteria: They must positively affect life and health in some way.

Start Date: Monday, September 9th, 2008

]]> I've recently discovered an online project called "101 Things to Do in 1001 Days." It encourages change and growth through self-exploration and goal-setting. There are guidelines for the goals. "Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part)." I also add this criteria: They must positively affect life and health in some way.

Start Date: Monday, September 9th, 2008
Completion Date: Tuesday, June 7, 2011. I will be 32 years old.

My List:

Health/Culinary
1. Have an acupuncture session.
2. Walk for at least 15 minutes a day for a month - either outside or on the treadmill.
3. Learn to make yogurt.
4. Take lunch to work everyday for a month.
5. Make my own dark chocolate covered edamame nuts.
6. Stop eating any fast food for a month.
7. Ride my bike for 20 minutes everyday for two weeks.
8. Drink only water for 3 weeks.
9. Spend one weekend in bed.
10. Make fresh squeezed lemonade.
11. Learn 5 new herbal tea recipes.
12. Sell some of my herbs and herbal blends.

Writing
13. Write a book.
14. Submit book to at least 3 publishers.
15. Write 4 book reviews.
16. Write a 1 feminist and 1 erotic fable (either original or retold).
17. Publish an article about some aspect of chronic illness in print.
18. Write an article about different aspects of "Being a Femme."
19. Become proficient in using Windows Vista.
20. Write a children's book.
21. Write a short autobiography.
22. Write a cheesy romance novel.

Social/Romance
23. Ask a girl for her number.
24. Ask someone out to a date.
25. Throw a tea party!
26. Attend Dracula's Ball in Philly.
27. Attend the Sarah Brightman Concert at Madison Square Garden in Nov 2008.
28. Go to a Karaoke Night and sing!
29. Host a summer BBQ for at least 5 close friends.
30. Meet Amber Benson.
31. Get Tobin Bell's autograph on my Saw Special Edition DVD.
32. Get my copy of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" signed by Robert Englund.
33. Go to New Year's Eve fireworks.
34. See a Cirque du Soleil show.
35. Participate in the Philly Dyke March.
36. Attend Philly' Gay Pride Parade.
37. Join an active GLBT Activism/Political group.

Travel
38. Visit Museum of Modern Art in NYC.
39. Visit the National Constitution Center in Philly.
40. Visit the Smithsonian in Washington DC.
41. Visit the shoppes in Smithville, NJ.

Spiritual
42. Obtain my Reiki III attunement.
43. Visit a Buddhist Sangha.
44. Hear the Dali Lama speak.
45. Fast for 24 hours.
46. Refrain from speaking for a week (only talking when my job requires it).
47. Go offline for a week (only using the web when my job requires it).
48. Get my astrology chart read by a live Astrologer (not online).
49. Don't watch TV or Movies for 1 week.
50. Give thanks for at least 3 things each day for a month.
51. Create a garden in my backyard.
52. Feed the birds in the winter.
53. Dedicate myself to hosting at least one ritual/workshop for "The Haven" each month for 6 months, starting November 2008.
54. Visit a live, professional psychic.
55. Study and implicate lessons in "French" living and it’s sense of "Joie de Vivre.”
56. Work my way through Christopher Penczack's temple books.

Media
57. Read 3 Nancy Drew novels.
58. Read 3 Lesbian Classic novels.
59. Read 3 Lesbian Pulp Fiction novels.
60. Read the entire "Vampire Chronicles" series.
61. Watch all 7 seasons of Buffy.
62. Watch all 8 seasons of Charmed.
63. Watch all 6 seasons of Xena.
64. Discover 12 new female musical artists.
65. "Leave behind" six books for Bookcrossing.
66. Watch "Amelie'."

Crafts
67. Mend all the clothes in my "Needs Mending" Plastic Container.
68. Create an altered book.
69. Create a t-shirt quilt.
70. Create a Youtube video of me singing some musical song.
71. Start a house book that contains all the fixes, projects, and decorating I want to do to the house.
72. Create a LOL Cat using a picture of Maggers.
73. Create a Post Secret Postcard and put it in a copy of a Post Secret book at the store.
74. Make 5 new skirts.
75. Made a new ritual dress/robe.
76. Send a Postcrossing Postcard overseas.

Money/Home
77. Go two weeks paying my bills and spending nothing else but $40 on food and $20 on gas.
78. Save $5 a day for a month ($150).
79. Use the $150 from #28 above to have a spa day.
80. Make and plan and pay off all of my credit card debt.
81. Create a realistic budget I can stick to.
82. Buy a home cell phone holder.
83. Get a bird feeder.
84. Clean my carpets.
85. Play the lottery once.
86. Get a job at a plant nursery.
87. Renew my credit card reward points.
88. Repaint the bathroom.
89. Update my voter registration and write in Hilary for the 2008 election.

Femme
90. Buy a white sweater to wear over tank tops, as a cover up.
91. Get a black triangle tattoo.
92. Finish my Phantom back tattoo.
93. Get a flower ring around my moon phase tattoo.
94. Get my eyeglass frames fixed.
95. Wear red lipstick everyday for 2 weeks.
96. Find a great shade of reddish-brown lipstick that warms my skin tone.
97. Wear eyeliner on lower lids for 2 weeks.
98. Buy 1 romantic (Victorian-style) and soft nightgown.
99. Get a pedicure.
100. Spruce up my haircolor with natural highlights/gloss.
101. Buy a gay pride necklace and pair of earrings and wear them to work.

]]>