Should I even tell you how many times my friend Elle and I have attempted to see Michael Franti and Spearhead, live? Nah, because all that matters now, is that we finally did!!!!

•

After a filling dinner from the salad bar at Jason’s Deli, my friends and I headed over to The Neighborhood Theatre in NoDa a little early, to find some parking. We met in front of the theatre and decided to wait for a few more of our friends. As we stood outside, we heard Michael Franti songs being played. Our friend Carolyn was sure it was him playing. How could that be though? We were there early. I went inside to check, and sure enough it was him! They played a 20 minute mini set before things got started. Who does that???? [pause] Michael Franti and Spearhead do! How awesome!!!

•

After they went off, Dj Funklor hosted “Spearhead Idol”, where contestants from the crowd came up to sing along to songs. The dj said, the band likes to involve the crowd in their shows. He continued to play a handful of mixed tracks before the show started.

•

When Michael Franti and Spearhead hit the stage again, the room lit up with a roaring joy. The band was hopping up and down, reminding me of doing the “pogo” in my punk rocker days. They invited us to join right along and whale our hands in the air, all throughout the show. Waves of happy energy spread across the venue. You could see smiles everywhere you looked.

•

A few songs into the show, you couldn’t help but begin to sweat. The norm for some of us Yoga One “hot yoga” go’ers, where Michael Franti (a fellow vegan) makes an appearance when in town. The show was definitely hot in more ways than one. Not only was I on fire dancing, I felt the life inside of me dance. The band exploded with energy and ignited powerful guitar solos while Michael Franti pranced around in his grounding bare feet, shining his warm heart and lyrics to all of us.

•

Michael encouraged us to grab onto our friends and embrace them, 2 times during the show. I loved that (even though we were drenched in sweat)! He made sure to walk out to every part of the theatre, interacting with the audience as well as bringing some people up on stage. He did an amorous act of involving everyone and I thought it was beautiful. He is beautiful!

•

They played a perfect arrangement of songs, blending one right into the other. We heard songs off of their previous albums and their new album, “The Sound of Sunshine”. We even got to hear Michael Franti’s version of the Soft Cell song, “Tainted Love” and Louis Armstrong’s, “What a Wonderful World”.

•

I was fortunate to share a moment with Michael while he hung out for a bit – signing autographs, hugging and talking to people. We grabbed hands and looked into one another’s eyes and smiled from the heart. Quite simply, one of those beautiful moments in my life.

•

My musical interests have changed a bit, since being a conscious listener. I enjoy music with a positive message that I resonate with, that enlivens my true spirit. Michael Franti and Spearhead will take you there, to that happy place and a place of awareness. And even though Michael Franti says, “Now I’m not a highly metaphysical man” (in the song “Say Hey”), I absolutely think he is.

•

The night ended with a well deserving, cold refreshment over at Amelie’s Bakery with my friend, Ginger. Unfortunately they do not offer any vegan or raw desserts. Maybe we can encourage them to change that? They did have a vegan soup though, so I give them props for that. However it was way too hot to think of soup, or should I say, I was too hot?

•

Michael Franti and Spearhead’s new album, “The Sound of Sunshine” comes out Sept 21st 2010.

•

Dancing from my heart,

Tara :)

I just cracked open my first Young Thai Coconut with a hammer! I tried again and again with the knife, leaving the coconut unopened for days. Well, I came back with the certainty that this time, “I AM GETTING IT OPEN!”. I stated it to be true; saying, “IT IS OPEN!”. I envisioned it to be true; seeing it open. And, Voila! Open sesame! I mean, coconut.

Young Thai Coconut

What a unique looking specimen this Young Thai Coconut is. It looks like a breezy home in Greece or maybe a tee-pee atop a snowy mountain, hidden by majestic ruins. It would also make a wonderful canvas to paint on. Ahhhhh, yes!

•~•~•

Drinking from the YTC. Utter Bliss!

I find so much wonder when looking at the things that exist in our world. Imagine if you were an alien coming here, how strange everything would look. How interesting it would be to discover them. Much like being a baby. My “inner alien” and “inner baby”, come out to play a lot. They like to explore the world and gaze at the beauty of all it’s creations. This TYC has me in awe. I mean….WOW, this is food and so much more!

~•~

It’s so aesthetically divine to look at and almost awkward to hold. Slashing and peeling away it’s outermost, soft layer was very enjoyable and easy. Getting to the core of things was a bit challenging. It took me days to finally take it on. And when I did, boy was I sure of myself. BAM! I got through the hard stuff (releasing some inner angst) and found the true center (receiving heaven on earth)! I found inside, this pure form of nutrimental, watery, juicy, liquid, in an abundant supply. More than I had imagined! I was surprised to find the inner layer that enveloped this liquid, this supreme nectar, was decorated with a custard wall. To taste it was pure bliss. I may have elevated off the floor. Who knows…. And while feeding off the liquid, I was in a state of Mindfulness, ever present.

•~•~•

I had to take a break and share my experience with you. While it is fresh in my thoughts and the flames of life are bouncing out of my Being. I also couldn’t drink anymore (for now). It’s so rich with life! And so very giving! THANK YOU, Young Thai Coconut, for feeding me and inspiring me with life’s lessons and beauty. :happysigh:

•~•~•

This ones on me! Enjoy, Beloveds.

I will forever walk this Alien Nation in wonder and delight, with respect and love. There is always something to discover. Go enjoy an Adventure today!

•~•~•

Beauty From Love:

“I see the Light of this World

in everything.

I am grateful for this heart,

for I see the beauty of love

through it’s eyes.”

•~•~•

Love, Light, Laughter and Continually Cracking Open,

Tara :)

At Ruan's Thai Cuisine, showing off the Mango with Sticky Rice Dessert.

I just got back from a mini trip down to Savannah, GA with my folks, Uncle and 3 Cousins. We were 7 deep in 2 cars. The ride down from NC was really quick and it continued to rain on and off all day. Despite the weather, I was still amped to find my way back to this Historic destination.

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Being a Vegan/Raw Foodist, I find it kind of fun and challenging at times, when traveling. A concern is always, “What and where am I going to eat?”. I’ll usually take a glance at the Happy Cow website and recently came across Veg Guide. Happy Cow doesn’t always list all the options, so I do a google search as well.

*

And so began my journey – on where to eat in the heart of this Historic, Old Southern, Paula Deen eatin’, Soul food town.

*

I stumbled across quite a few vegan/vegetarian options. However in really really looking for what I want (which is organic, raw, vegan, gluten free, sugar free foods), I had no fulfilling luck. I did not prepare any food for this trip, so I had to make the best of it. I decided to settle (oh lawd) for the closest I could get and enjoy myself, as opposed to going off on myself for eating such things. I guess you could say that old motto of, “It’s ok, you’re on vacation.”, played in my head. I’m not much for that saying, to be honest. I prefer to view it as, “I’m allowing myself the opportunity to indulge without exaggeration and excess. I will enjoy myself and be content with my choices.”.

*

Gravesite at the Bonaventure Cememtery.

*

When you are on vacation as a vegan and your choices are null, it can almost feel like you are not on vacation. I mean part of the whole adventure is eating some fine new food, right? Well, maybe not always. Yet, I still like to eat a delicious, healthy, satisfying meal. I guess you could say I have a romance with food. I like it to be alive, attractive, aromatically awakening and bursting with energy! Must be why I like juicing so much.

*

Our first meal was at The Distillery. A bar atmosphere with about 100 beers on tap. Since I don’t drink alcohol, that was not the focus of this visit. I figured they had a lot of lunch choices for my family. As for me, I ended up having their spicy vegan style Black Bean Burger with sweet potato fries. The burger was enveloped by their locally baked, all natural, certified organic, Artisian bread. The burger and fries were quite tasty and very very filling. I felt like an anchor when I was done. Since being on a mostly raw diet, that heavy feeling will happen when eating cooked food.

*

Massaman Curry with Vegetables at Ruan's Thai Cuisine.

After a stroll with subtle bursts of thunder, through the famous Bonaventure Cemetery, we made our way to Ruan’s Thai Cuisine for dinner. An elegant atmosphere at a very reasonable price. I ordered the Coconut Curry Soup with Tofu to start. For the Entree I had the Massaman Curry with Vegetables and an adorable stack of rice in the shape of a heart. I love hearts! Half of that dish went in a to-go box. And finally for dessert (which I felt I had no room for), I swam in a dish of cut up mango and sticky rice made with coconut milk. I avoided the powdered sugar on the plate and offered my cherries to one of my cousins. I also ordered Jasmine tea and lemon water.

*

The next day, aka our last day we packed ourselves with a busy schedule. To start the day I accompanied my family to IHOP, where I ordered nothing. I wasn’t brave enough to order the fruit cup from there. I munched on a Lara Bar to hold me off till we got back into town. Totally craving my freshly made morning juice, I found a place called Brighter Days Natural Foods. They are conveniently located next to Sentient Bean, another vegan friendly establishment. Unfortunately they did not make a multi green juice. So I opted to combine what they had, which was – celery, carrots and beets. It sure did hit the spot! They had some vegan options for sandwiches with wheat bread. Even though I am not a fan of wheat (gluten) I gave one a whirl. I tried the hummus, cucumber & avocado sandwich with sprouts and tomatoes. I also splurged on a raw vegan peanut cookie. Luckily my stomach decided to agree with the wheat and sugar.

*

Adorned with food, I was confident about taking our journey on the Historic Savannah Trolley Tour. We got off at a few stops to shop and walk around. We went by the Paula Deen’s Store, Savannah Bee Company (I’m still undecided about how I feel about honey), a Vintage Clothing store, and finally made our way to River Street where we went into the candy shop, River Street Sweets. It smelled good in there, aside from when I went by the ice cream. That’s just my vegan nose talking. I’m sure others would think it smelled heavenly. I decided to wait outside and admired the Savannah River while enjoying a little rest. It was a hot one, that day. And luckily the weather cleared up so we could take this enlivening walk around town.

*

Sitting outside of River Street Sweets with my cousin, resting and admiring the River.

*

Outside of Uncle Bubba's. There were lots of cute stray cats and tiny little crabs out there.

Our final destination was Uncle Bubba’s; Paula Deen’s restaurant with her brother (I’m assuming that would be Bubba). I called the previous day to inquire about their menu. For the first time, upon my asking a restaurant to accommodate me, they REFUSED! I asked them if they could simply just sauté some vegetables and put them on top a bed of rice. The hostess said they couldn’t and that everything was pre-made. Their red rice has meat in it and all their vegetables have butter, bacon or ham in them. The next day I spoke with a more chipper hostess, though she was trying to be helpful, she gave me the wrong information. Luckily when I asked both of them if I could bring food in from the outside, they said that was fine. My family loved every bite of their meals, so for all you carnivores out there, this is definitely a place to go. For all the vegan/vegetarians….make a pit stop and order some To-Go food, if you go with a carnivorous crowd. Otherwise don’t even bother going.  Bring a bottle of water too, their water tasted like a rusty pipe. Sorry Bubba, it’s true. Get an Alkalizing water machine.

*

I enjoyed Savannah once again and will definitely visit more vegan friendly restaurants next time I go. I also have to return to go on one of the nightly Haunted Savannah Tours! Halloween is creeping up on us….

*

I now feel the desire to cleanse once again. This time I feel a juice cleanse coming on. MmMmmMhmmm.

*

Beauty From Love: “I am thankful knowing there is always food on my plate.“

*

Taking one bite at a time,

Tara :)

Today (and everyday) let’s think about how awesome we are!

Too many times we get caught up in nonsense chatter with others and mostly in our own mind. We put ourselves down, put things off that will benefit us, get in a rut, put ourselves on hold, loose confidence and self esteem. We’ve all done it. I know you can relate. Catch yourself when you do this. Be aware of what you tell yourself in your head and how you represent who you are, when you talk to other people. If you say things like, “Well I CAN’T…”, “Oh, I’ll never be able to…”, “I’m not good at that.”, “I hate when I…”, you’re putting yourself down; spreading negative gossip and cursing yourself with your own words. Enough of that!!! It’s time to be Kind!

On to the Good stuff! Are you ready for some Good?

Want to FEEL GoOoOood? GOOD!

(I’m assuming you answered, “YES!”)

Today let’s write a list of 5 (or more) things we love about ourselves. Then write 5 (or more) things you would like to love about yourself. You can choose something you admire in another person (e.g., “I am Courage”), a way you wish to feel (e.g., “I am Peaceful”) or you can turn something you don’t like about yourself, into a positive statement (e.g., “I am Ugly” becomes “I am Beauty/Beautiful”). I gurantee you will start to feel yourself shift out of your old way of thinking and begin to become the new you. The you, you always were and hid with the negative bullying you performed on yourself.

TIPS:

• Start by writing out your list.
• Begin your sentences with “I am…..”.
• Say these statements out loud (more powerful) or in your head as soon as you wake up or even right NOW.
• When you say the first 5 (the things you love about yourself), FEEL your confidence when saying those words. You KNOW they are true!
• When you say the next set of 5 (the things you would like to love about yourself), carry on that confidence. Know that you are capable of what you have to say. Know that those words are true too.
• Visualize what these statements look like, if that is something you like to do.
• Repeat them throughout the day – when you are zoning out, riding in the car, waiting in line somewhere, eating, etc. Whenever. Wherever. :)

This is a great practice to do when you feel “challenged” in life, go on an interview, to a meeting and even to keep a momentum of feeling good about yourself on a daily basis. It will build your confidence and most of all give you a high on being you!

Have fun creating yourself today with positive energy and affirmations!

Enjoy the compliments! You totally deserve them! :)

Beauty From Love: “I am bursting with divine knowledge and showering myself with inner love! I am Love! I am loved!”

*

Love, Light, Sweet Ether & Deep Space,
Tara :)

These are my friends. I love them. Please don't eat my friends. (free roaming, tagged cows a few miles from where I live)

As a child I was not fond of eating animals (aka meat, poultry, seafood). Something about it repulsed me. Probably the fact it was another Being, just like myself. They had families and feelings too. It just didn’t feel right. And I never knew I had a choice. I thought I had to eat it or I wouldn’t eat at all. I also did not realize that deli meat was in fact an animal. If I did, I probably would have been totally grossed out by eating that too. It was the obvious, things with bones and veins that struck a nerve with me. Guilt even. I held onto these feelings for a long time and watched my mom cook, so one day I could prepare my own food. When I was 14 I made the conscious decision to go Vegetarian. Luckily it caught on with a majority of my friends and even my boyfriend (and his sister, who I believe was the first of us to do this) at the time. That sure made it easier.

*

I thought I knew enough and never dared to watch any of the slaughter videos. Why should I? I knew I did not want to eat animals. That’s all that mattered. Right? Why would I want to go Vegan? It never crossed my mind. What harm was there in drinking milk and eating cheese? Ahhhh, that innocent teen mind of mine. I thought the Vegan food I tried, was very bland (I don’t feel this way now). That was enough of a turnoff (and my lack of knowledge) to walk down that road. Knowing myself, if I learned more about Veganism and some tasty recipes, I would have quickly changed my mind and walked that path. Yet, I know where I am now and where I have been is in perfect order.

Organic Raw Vegan dinner. Veggie & Garbanzo Bean salad, Squash noodles with Broccoli & Cauliflower mixed with Bragg's Liquid Aminos AND a Spinach & Asparagus Lemon Salad.

I stayed a Vegetarian for about 6-7 years. And did not eat seafood for about 10 years. Looking back, I really was not eating for optimum health. One of my staple meals was spanish rice with red potatoes and onions. I was pretty much a junk food, carb eating, Vegetarian. I always liked veggies, yet I was not creative enough with them. I also did not purchase the groceries. I started eating meat again sometimes after living with another boyfriend, a total meat and potatoes kinda guy. The fact that I was slightly anemic, nudged me along as well. I was getting very sick with my unhealthy portrayal of a Vegetarian lifestyle. I still remember my transition. I started out with chicken cutlets, then turkey, then pork and I still remember my first taste of steak. Awful! It tasted like flesh and I saw flashes in my head of a cows face, a close up of it’s eyes. I saw the misery. I felt the misery. Gosh, what was I doing??????

Fresh Green Juice. I love juicing!

There was always a Vegetarian living inside of me. Even when I was still eating meat. There was only time until that me, would surface again. During a Spiritual Awakening on 1/1/08, I experienced many visions and messages. I knew I had to detox, drink lots of water and go back to being a Vegetarian. I inched my way back into it. It felt so good. I was very happy to be back in that space, this time with a greater awareness to our planet and truly eating right. I met my good friend, Elle who is a Vegan.  I was again unsure of the Vegan idea. Though it sounded better this time around, than from when I was a teenager. I watched a documentary she gave me called “Eating”. It inspired me to even consider going Vegan. Elle and I decided to do Kathy Freston’s 21 Day “Quantum Wellness Cleanse”, in March of 2009 and started a support group together called, “The 21 Day Cleanse Group“. The cleanse asked you to refrain from consuming all animal products, sugar, gluten, caffeine and alcohol for 21 days. In 21 days you can quit a habit and form new ones. It was fairly easy for me, as I did not consume alcohol, caffeine and animal flesh. I did however, have a huge sweet tooth, was unsure about giving up cheese and new to learning about gluten (wheat, rye and barley products). With my surprise, after the first cleanse was over I never ate cheese again! And I had cut back drastically on sugar and gluten. Between cleanses, I ate a few vegan cakes that had sugar in them, though I no longer purchase sugar. I was using agave nectar for a while and have shied away from that as well. After medical testing, I know I am not allergic to gluten. However, I have a reaction to it. My stomach bulges up so much that I look pregnant. It hurts too and makes me feel very lethargic. Plus, once you educate yourself on what these things do to your body, they really become less appetizing.

Fruit smoothies!

For some time I was interested in a Raw Diet. My first spark of interest came when I was living down in FL in 2006. I was doing another cleanse and thought, “Oh, it would be great to eat a raw diet. But I could never do that.”.  Ha! When I first started the Kathy Freston cleanse, the thought of doing a raw diet pranced in my mind again. This time I had more of a belief that this was possible. Doubt myself? Pffft. A thing of the past. That I can do it! I had the intention. The desire was alive, I was just unsure of how to get there. And with baby steps I made my way. I started to challenge myself more on these cleanses – since I was already for the most part,

Organic Raw Vegan Mango Mint soup.

living the lifestyle. I would spend the last week of it going raw, cutting out processed foods and not using a microwave. I eventually did one going raw for the full 21 days. We were doing 4 cleanses a year, at the beginning of each season. These past two cleanse I have done completely raw. The last one I did not do as a group, though a coworker is doing it with me and another friend or two just hopped on. We are no longer holding cleanse workshops under the “21 Day Cleanse Group” together.  However, there is still a community on our Facebook page with lots of helpful information.  I have ventured into the Raw Food world and would still like to contribute my services in some form or another. If I do another Cleanse workshop, I will focus on Raw Living Foods. I have been educating myself on Living foods and boy (and girl), does it feel good! I’m currently on day #37 of a Raw Food Cleanse and doing a lot more juicing than I have in the past. My intention is to be at least 75% Raw on the regular. I feel RAWesome! I feel better than I did as a cooking Vegan. MY skin looks great. I feel light, like a baloon. I feel so close to nature; the trees, plants and animals. My intuition is heightened. I have super fun, laughing, happy spells.

Breakfast! Fresh fruit cut up and ready to be juiced.

My eyes are clearer. This list goes on! Overall I’m feeling amazing and learning what works and does not work for me. Recently, I have allowed myself to occasionally have some cooked food (mainly beans and small amounts of rice). I don’t have the same desire for it, so I know going 75% Raw will be a breeze. I’m so thankful for this journey and for the willingness to do this for myself. I have learned how to truly love myself over the past few years and cleansing is a part of the process. This body I reside in is my temple, and I will treat it with respect, nourish it and take care of it just like it takes grand care of me. I’ll be on this planet for some time, operating a machine (body) that works, is strong, flexible, tone, happy, bursting with endurance, increasingly vibrant and super healthy!

*

I will continue to write about this journey in greater detail. And I will provide you with information that inspired me and allowed me the opportunity to change. So stay posted and let me know about your eating habits, questions and advice. We are all teachers and students. Let’s learn from one another.

Thank you!

Beauty From Love: “I am a conscious eater. I consume food knowing that the sun blesses it. I eat with peace and love for all of humanity and nature.”

Love, Light, Laughter & Living

Tara :)

Back piece tribute to Beauty From Love (hence the baby peacock and hearts) I painted on my model, Shana. (hair: nicole heiligenthal)

Back on July 2nd 2010, I was an Artist for my very first Body Art Show at the cozy Nelson Fine Art Center in Johnson City, TN. The super talented, fellow Artist/Makeup Artist, Ren Allen invited me to join the show and also be a guest in her loving family’s “unschooled” home. Ren and I had heard of one another through two mutual friends. We were obviously destined to meet and I’m so thankful we have.

body art: tara dipetrillo model:shana

I was ready to get my brushes wet and do some body painting (I had only done face painting before), and asked Ren if I could pick her brain sometime about the art. She then proceeded to ask me to be an Artist for the show. I had to say, “YES!”.  And I’m so happy I did. I bounced back and forth in panic and fear wondering if I could accomplish this. I did have many moments of hope and excitement too. Sometimes not being able to tell the difference between the two. I turned the negative feelings around and accepted that – “I am a Divine Creature with exquisite intentions and vast talent, bursting out of my Being, ready to be explored.”. I knew everything would be perfect and I was exactly where I needed to be. I have learned that when an opportunity arises, you take it. Don’t think about it, just DO IT! I made the mistake of not believing I was “good enough” in the past. I have a new way of thinking or not thinking now, that allows me to face the fear and have extreme confidence in myself. I am good enough! I am extremely talented! And I can do anything!

Painting Shana's back.

Close up of face painting. (body art: tara dipetrillo model: shana)

So, I went and purchased all the paint I needed and had a slight idea of what I wanted to do. When I draw or paint, I look at a blank paper/canvas and images just appear before my eyes. It’s quite magical. I’m not one to have an idea, then paint it. I see the art at that very moment. I felt the need to be prepared with a sketch for the body painting though. I thought if I wasn’t, that would mean I was irresponsible (even though it went against my usual way of creating). I found out a few days before that my model’s back was covered in tattoos, totally killing what I had drawn up and envisioned. Fantastic!! Ha! I decided to go with the flow and allow my inner guide to lead the way. Love it! I was half prepared and half ready to create freely! And free I was. Free I am! I was on a high all day being in an art gallery painting! It had been so long since I last painted. I felt so blissfully alive! My excitement and anticipation built up. I had no recollection of panic and fear. Who were they again? Nevermind, no reason to remind me.

All the patient and beautiful models from the show. (hair: nicole heiligenthal)

Never underestimate what you are capable of. Follow your dreams and dream big! Dreams really do come true. All you have to do is see them and allow them to be. Beauty From Love: “I am the creator. I create my life. Today I will paint the day. I paint new possibilities, joy, peace, love and abundance into my life.” (If you would like to view more pictures from the Body Art Show, I welcome you to visit my Fan Page on Facebook.) Painting you a beautiful day, Tara :)

vector art manipulated by: tara dipetrillo

I love hugging people. It feels so good to shower someone with Love and a deeper connection. Lots of times we just say hello to someone or shake their hand. What if we hug everyone we come into contact with? That would be ONE very loving world.  Now, I understand we may see a lot of people throughout the day. I mean, at least hugging everyone we talked to. Just thinking about it feels good. Ok, some of you may squirm at the thought of it. You may have a hard time hugging even one person. And that is ok. I’d like to help those of you crack open here. Let’s all start right now with hugging ourselves. I’m serious. HUG YOURSELF RIGHT NOW!

~*~

YES! :)

~*~

How did that feel? If it feels really good, then fabulous! Keep up the momentum! And if it feels weird, uncomfortable, you didn’t like it or if you didn’t even do it, then all the more reason you should do it. I’m happy you are here. It’s going to get a little more challenging now.

~*~

practicing what i preach. i bumped into katie at the grocery store and we gave each other a happy hug. photo:courtney christopherson

I have an exercise for you all to do, including myself. It starts with hugging yourself. The Love begins right there, with you. Next, I’d like you to hug the next person you come into contact with (a coworker, family member, cashier, etc). Let them know what you are doing. Invite them to do the exercise with you. You will create a bond with that person and suddenly you are both on a mission together. Peaceful Warriors. Continue on to the next person you see, and so on. Throughout the day take some notes on your experience(s). What did it bring out in you? How did the other person react? If you feel that someone is not welcoming to your hug offer, please do not feel rejected or discouraged. There is something within that person that is resisting the intimacy, it has nothing to do with you. They may not know how to react and receive. That does not mean your connection was unappreciated. Let it go and move on to the next person/thing. I know you will be appreciated and make someones day. Especially your own.

~*~

There is a man, Juan Mann who started a project called “Free Hugs“. I saw this video 3 years ago and I thought, “That’s me! I see myself in him”. And some time after that I learned about Amma “the hugging Saint”. When I learned of her I thought, “That’s me too! I do that!”. You don’t have to be Juan Mann or Amma, be yourself! It all starts with you. As Ghandi’s motto rolls off my tongue, “Be the change you with to see in the world”, I encourage you to make a difference. Create a loving world. Hug someone today.

hugging the cashier, victor (a champ and gentleman), after he strolled out the groceries for me. photo: courtney christopherson

Let’s all welcome in the heart to heart hugs today. This is a perfect way to practice the art of giving and receiving. Leave the handshakes at home for now. Splurge and engage in a group hug!

~*~

Please feel free to hug animals, trees, the earth, the mailbox, the car….anything goes. Pass it on! And please share some of your experiences and pics with us here. Happy Hugging! OxOxO

~*~

Beauty From Love: “I know that through hugging others on a daily basis, I will ignite the love within us to spread across the world.”

~*~

With a big warm embrace,

Tara :)

(vector art manipulated by tara dipetrillo)

When faced with “challenges” in Life, I ask myself, “What is the Lesson in this?”.  What opportunity is being presented to me? The question delivers a sense of ease. The possible, burdensome weight is shifted. I’m not focused on a “problem” and feeling frantic. I’m excited to learn the lesson(s) and reach my full blooming potential. If I have no control over a situation, it’s all good; I hand it over to the Universe and know that everything is in perfect harmony.

I’m tested on this quite often, which is fine (it keeps me on my toes). More often than not, things always work out nicely. And the times I think they don’t, they really do. I may just not see it at that time. When I drift out of the happy place (it happens), I end up creating havoc with useless mind chatter. That mind chatter never gets me anywhere, aside from the totally unfun roller coaster ride. Ick! Once I realize I’m on it I scream, “Get me off of here!”. To which, I then return back to the alleviation of the present moment. And breathe. Yeah, you always have to breathe… :inhale: (hold it) :exhale: ahhhhhhh. Yup, just like that. It’s OK. It’s always going to be OK. Let it be OK.

If you are struggling with a situation right now, ask yourself, “What is the Lesson in this?”. Figure it out and be happy you learned something. You’ll be Empowered. Your other choice is to Deny yourself the opportunity. (Well, “Bah! Humbug!” to that route!) And when you do that, you can bet that lesson will come back around for you to learn again and again and….

When you go on your journey to find out the lesson, be easy on yourself. The answer could be so simple. Perhaps, sit in silence and ask the question, meditate on it, ask someone for advice (sometimes others can see what we are blind to). Your willingness to learn and investigate will open you up to answers. If anything, introduce yourself to a calm(er) state of mind while worry and stress evaporate.

You are capable of more than you can imagine. Be Kind to yourself, always.

Beauty from Love: “In loving myself, I search for (and find) the answers that will awaken me to a Clever, Easy and Peaceful way of handling Life’s challenges.”

Spreading the Love,

Tara :)

(photo/mobile upload: tara dipetrillo)

I slept over my best friend’s house for a few days recently. I stayed in my favorite guest room – with pure shades of white and robots, surrounded by trees and nature. The first morning I woke up, I looked over and saw this guy…it’s a Japanese toy called, “Sunshine Buddies”. “What a beautiful way to welcome in the new day.”, I thought. This is what I learned from my new friend -

Upon waking up each day:

• Smile & BE Happy
• Give/ Love Offer
• BE Peace, Meditate
• Be an Inspiration/positive role model for others
• Be in Nature/ Be One with Nature
• Be Loving
• SAY YES! to Life, to Love, to ? (It’s head nods back and forth through solar powering!) :)

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I’m not much for material things, yet I find this simple toy very rewarding. It’s a reminder to me to BE what is on that list. This toy invited me to feel perfectly wonderful about them.

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I’m not sure if the toy was always in that tranquil bedroom. I never noticed it before. I’m happy I did now.

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Beauty From Love: “Today, I welcome in and begin the day with a heart filled smile and an offering to be of service to someone.”

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Namasté

Tara :)

(photo: tara dipetrillo)

I have been eager to start this blog for almost a year. I hesitated, while the website is still under works. I have so much to say though! So, I figured… Why not?

So, I bet you want to know what this is all about? Honestly, part of it I know – I do have a concept. (wink) However, I’m also allowing the unseen to be born. There are no limits where I stand. I believe a lot is going to blossom out of this, more than I can imagine. I see the big picture, yet I have to finish a few sketches. And, I’m having fun in the process!

You can view the “About” section. That will give you some insight to my vision.

I’m in a very loving space with myself and the world around me. I will share that with you, here – in many forms.

Welcome to a piece of the journey. I thank you for attending!

:HUGS:

Love, Light & Laughter,

Tara