Read: The Rhythm of Life
By Matthew Kelly

"Everything is a choice. This is life's greatest truth and its hardest lesson. It is a great truth because it reminds us of our power. Not power over others, but the often untapped power to be ourselves and to live the life we have imagined."

www.amazon.com/Rhythm-Lif...678-8702865

"I can not grasp It.
It is too big;
I am too small.
There is only one answer:
To be grasped by It...
To dance with It."
~ Mary Lu Brandwein

This morning, a vision:

One day I will come to you
Clean-shaven and naked,
Or dressed in white.
You will know why I am there.
Because when I open the door
You will be standing there naked,
Or dressed in white.
We will plainly see all of our
Perfections and imperfections.
Examining each other with our eyes,
Our hands, our heads
And our hearts.

One day I will ask you
To paint my life with
your golden thoughts and
your silver generosity,
With your green compassion,
Your blue serenity,
And your purple humor;
With glowing red passions,
Hot, white flesh,
And brilliant, crystal love.

One day we will walk
Through our forest
Hand in hand.
Confidently,
Fearlessly,
With determination.
Reality and dreams
Will merge.
Every path will be
Our path.

One day our journey
Will end.
We will change form,
Moving on to a new reality.
Our children will
Consider our lives,
And be inspired
To make good choices.
Because after it all,
That is our legacy.

~Be impeccable with your word.
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

~Don't take anything personally.
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

~Don't make assumptions.
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

~Always do your best.
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

"Do not think that the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth. Avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. Learn and practice non-attachment from views in order to be open to receive others' viewpoints. Truth is found in life and not merely in conceptual knowledge. Be ready to learn throughout our entire life and to observe reality in yourself and in the world at all times.

Do not force others, including children, by any means whatsoever, to adopt your views, whether by authority, threat, money, propaganda, or even education. However, through compassionate dialogue, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness."
~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Thanks for loving me so well.
~Mark
******************************
You are a good teacher. A natural one because you do it for the right reasons. And best of all, you're an avid and persistent learner, one of the things I love most about you.
~Lazlo
******************************
I just want you to know that your letter means more to me than I can say. Your words bring an understanding and completion to my journey that I did not have before. I am very thankful to you for many things, but your beautiful letter is among the top. You deserve to be happy and free. I remember your life being full of joy and celebration as you continued to break free and shine shine shine.
I am so excited to see us grow on the journey. Someday soon, sooner than we think, we'll meet again and do the tumbleweed. Tonight, in the dream to begin with.
~Lizzie
******************************
I have a new favorite color. It's called FireDancer... I think I'll paint my life that color.
~Shark
******************************
And it's a reminder of your beautiful soul, too, and what real power emerges when, as you do, you speak plainly and from your heart to someone. I think it's why about everyone you meet likes you and many just flip for you.
You make love to people with words. An art I am also trying to learn.
~Mike
******************************
...just want to say, you're filling me with love today. you're a good friend to me.
~Captain Xark
******************************
You rocked hard, worked your ass off, and touched peoples lives. I am proud of you.
~KK
******************************
You inspire everyone around you... I am not the megastar among rockstars... you are :)
~Kaalin
******************************
From the things that interest you to your choice of poetry to the way you rockstar your ass off at the burn... well I am pretty damn sure that you are an amazingly genuine and creative force. There isn't enough of that, even in our radical little community here in the midwest so it is always nice to stumble across it... one can't help but to be intrigued.
~Nova
******************************
Kevorka!
~Heather
******************************
Girl, you inspire so much! It's one of the things that defines Alisa/FD: that your mere presence and attention give so much loving energy and validation to so many people. You are a natural at it - no effort required by the looks of it. No wonder you have the effect of pulling people together. We all want to be around you, connected to you, so naturally we all smile and nod at each other as a side effect.
~MikeR
*******************************
I'm not sure whether to touch myself or bow before the goddess.
~Padre
*******************************
I love this lady. She's practical AND generous. *FD*, my hat's off to ya!
~Rhino
********************************
From only the handful of times I've had the privilege of being in your presence, I think you're awesome. beautiful, intelligent and always wearing that gorgeous smile. ;^)
And the red hair... mmm.... icing on the cake.

QUACK QUACK AND ALL THAT
*********************************
I really admire what you do for the people there in CoMo. You have community, something I have sacrificed temporarily...and I do miss everyone, probably why I'm on here so much. Thanks for being you. You are great.
~Shali
**********************************
I Love You! I Love You! II Love You! I Love You! I Love You! vI Love You! vvvvI Love You! I Love You! vI Love You! vvvvI Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! vI Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! vv
Love You! I Love You!
shit...I lost count...now I have to start over...I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You! v
~KK
***********************************
If you were to chop her head off, whiskey and bluegrass would come out... got it?...I am forced at this time to go public. You are hot rockin love. You were so much of my Interfuse. Fuh Duh...If this is all there is my friend...well lets just keep on dancin'.
~Weld Boy
************************************
Gentle soul you are a freshet, an overflowing cup
of the very light that defies and defines the dark,
sensual knowledge for which your original face
thirsts and will not be quenched until drunken with
bliss and blessed understanding. You are the light
behind the dark, moving restlessly, fulmine shards
of piercing joys and wonders, thunder upon your lips,
now a storm that makes us lighter than air,
until those who thought we had eyes stand astonished
and amazed by new vistas and who must ourselves then
spill into the garden like water shaken by bathing sparrows,
joining new clouds, nourishing new souls, as yours is
and was, you who knew not until this moment the
darkness from which you sprang.
~Lazlo
**************************************
vibrant, caring, organized, relentless, creative, supportive, nourishing, intelligent, passionate, ....these are just a few of the traits that spring to mind when I think of the Lovely *FD*
~Suzibird
**************************************
I just gotta say that you were the most beautiful woman at the ball, hands-down, and I mean that most sincerely. That and your general coolness make you such a wonderful member of our gang.
~Cecil
**************************************

Virgo/Libra Moon
The combination of your Sun sign and your Moon sign produces a personality that is discriminating, intellectual, and peace-loving. This position blends the intelligence, analytical insight and discrimination of Virgo, with the emotional balance, courtesy and friendliness of Libra. You are friendly and know how to make a good impression, but you can remain detached and impersonal in relationships. You have a sense of restraint and diplomacy in your nature that prevents you from ever coming on very strong. You may not even voice your opinion unless you feel you really have something of value to offer. Mental stimulation and study keep your quiet and observant personality occupied and content. You enjoy companionship and in having a good time, but excesses and extremes are not your style. The critical aspect of Virgo is softened by the Libra Moon, creating a fine and precise balance. The elements of discrimination and criticism blend to make you very selective in associations, and contained or restrained in the saying or doing of anything that might hurt or offend others. Your reaction to coarseness is avoidance. While perhaps a lover of humanity in general, your tendency to examine individuals closely before you accept them in any social sense, leads others to view you as highly aloof and particular. You have a way of eluding the issue and being thought of hard to get to know. You practice a quiet and unassuming approach to life, having a live and let live creed. The social aspects of Libra make you inclined to enjoy friendships, but not the deep, intimate relationships associated with romance. You have an intellectual curiosity and love to experiment, to muse over what you have learned. Mental analysis and impartial judgment are the major strengths of this combination.

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The Virgo woman in a relationship

If you're looking for the perfect secretary/housekeeper, you should probably go and find yourself some other sign. The main gift of the Virgo woman is her intelligence, not her tidiness. If you find the compulsive housebound type of Virgo who dusts three times a day, then you're courting trouble, because you've got yourself a Virgo who uses rituals to hide from some pretty explosive emotions.

There are plenty of Virgo women about who take an interest in their homes and like a beautiful, orderly environment. But what really matters to her is good taste, subtlety and understanding, and she has a keen wit about people and life. There are catches, of course. The Virgo woman can be terrifyingly self-contained, and it's often difficult for her to be "married" in the deeper sense of the word. There's a quality about the Virgo woman which is psychologically untouchable, and if you try to invade that private, secret self you're likely to get the same reaction as if you tried physical assault.

Virgo women aren't the clinging, needy type. More often they're Amazons who show a frightening degree of capability and efficiency, either on a physical level or a mental one - and sometimes on both. Bad luck if you want to be the Sun around whom a happily reflecting Moon-partner orbits.

The Virgo woman has her own ideas and opinions, and a profound need to communicate them. Some Virgo women talk so much that it can make you cover your ears and begin screaming just to make the sound stop. It may not be the famous Virgo criticism, either. It may be all about the latest book she's read, or the problem she had to solve in her programming work, or the person she's lately been taking apart and analyzing psychologically.

If you're after the beautiful, silent type, forget it. Virgo women also have an infuriating propensity to question your knowledge. Tell her something and she'll ask for the source, complete with footnotes. Virgos don't really believe anyone else until the definitive reference work becomes available. It's hard to be more knowledgeable than a Virgo, because they soak up knowledge like a sponge soaks up water. This can do wonders for your intellectual scope and horrors for your ego.

Some Virgo women are Earth-mothers, and the sign's sensitivity expresses itself through a love of nature and a healing and skilful touch with all crafts. And that need to be useful attracts many Virgos into the helping professions, from nursing to dietetics to psychology and psychiatry to alternative healing of all kinds.

Virgo's real warmth and sparkle take time to emerge from behind the apparent coolness and detachment. It's hard for the Virgo woman to be spontaneous. Often she can only show love by doing practical things for her loved ones. Intense emotions are frightening, and can only be expressed in an atmosphere of trust. Break that trust and you'll get the sarcastic, cutting edge of the Virgo tongue, which can be lethal because she's been observing with minute care all the weaknesses that you were certain no one noticed. Virgo women have a disconcerting habit of spotting the carefully hidden frayed cuff and the nervous twitch you thought you were controlling. They observe minutiae because the vast spectrum of life is best reflected in the small. Virgos take pride in their skills and want respect for their accomplishments.

This woman radiates a mysterious aloofness which may sound like, "Keep Out!" but really means, "Welcome, but respect my separateness." The Virgo woman makes an art of being her own person. She won't adore you blindly. More likely she'll love you for your imperfections, because she's a compassionate realist and likes feeling useful and needed. This can terrify you into running very quickly in the opposite direction (if your vanity matters that much to you). Or it can be a wonderfully cooling and inspiring experience to actually be your ordinary human self.

Silent Love

My words to you
were the best kind
or the worst

straight from mind
to pixels
on your screen

or from heart
to fingers
on my keyboard?

I no longer know
the difference

between heart
and mind

fingers
or pixels

But have I spoken
today?

************
To My Wicked Wild Women

How many wicked and wise
Wild women do I know
Enough to keep me out of trouble?
Enough to give me a sharp jolt though

To the side of the head

Enough to get me into
The kind of trouble I deserve

Enough to teach me how to love
Instead of hate
Celebrate
Instead of mate
Enough to bend me backwards
Till my head meets my fate

And all my boundaries
Dissipate
~Lazlo

**********

"Sometimes the sky proves me wrong
Sometimes the sun, sometimes my soul
Wrings its hands and thinks its
Lost the keys to the door again

And sometimes the day blooms
Like spring tulips, unexpectedly
Though we all knew they were
On their way, but forgotten

Like those keys, like my joy
Like love itself on dark days

Today I think you will be blindsided
By colors unmeasurable, and love
And there the key will be
Already in your pocket"
~Lazlo

*******

Gentle soul you are a freshet, an overflowing cup
of the very light that defies and defines the dark,
sensual knowledge for which your original face
thirsts and will not be quenched until drunken with
bliss and blessed understanding. You are the light
behind the dark, moving restlessly, fulmine shards
of piercing joys and wonders, thunder upon your lips,
now a storm that makes us lighter than air,
until those who thought we had eyes stand astonished
and amazed by new vistas and who must ourselves then
spill into the garden like water shaken by bathing sparrows,
joining new clouds, nourishing new souls, as yours is
and was, you who knew not until this moment the
darkness from which you sprang.
~Lazlo

*******

Separate Stars

It occurs to me
separate stars we might be
that never truly can look
each at the other

at the same time

you're one star, I'm another
a thousand light years away
when I look at you this moment
I'm looking at a thousand years gone
and when you look at me, the same:
a thousand years from you

a vanishing distance
each from the other

how then is it possible
that we each see the other
with such startling clarity
this very moment?
~Lazlo