Perception and Reality...

I was asked to make a CD with music for sex...
I was asked to make a CD for music to smoke out to...
Let me explain...  I love music.  Find it can lift one's soul.  Good music is all around... it just takes some work to find the right tune for the right setting.  So, it does not surprise me that I get a lot of compliments on the music I use in the various fitness classes I teach.  I put a lot of time in researching music, meeting with DJ's, and finding the latest mixes for yoga, spin, etc.  My music selection is vast.  I love all kinds.  My parents often tell me I was born in the wrong decade due to my love of Cat Steven's and CCR.  Yet I also love good house music and anything with a base beat.  And, I can rock out to yoga grooves with deep roots... Like I said, I love music.

People have asked me to make them CD's of some of my mixes they hear in a class.  I always say sure.  However, I was caught off guard last week as a woman asked me after yoga class to make her a CD for sex.  I laughed.  She was serious.  I said huh?  Then I agreed.  The following day after my spin class another lady asked me if I would consider making a CD with music that would be good for smoking pot to.  Again, I laughed.  She was serious.  I said HUH?  Then I agreed. 

So on Saturday night, while most of the world was going out and having fun, I sat in my sweats, had a glass of wine and made the CD's.  I was laughing.  I am single.  I do not smoke pot. 
Perception versus reality sometimes can be way off! 
Yet, I love music and if I do say so myself I made two killer CD's.

Letting Go

I was fired.  Breaks my heart to even write it...
I was let go from a job I absolutely love.  Really found it a joy.
No warning - totally shocked.  

Rewind to one week earlier where I was in LA attending a Buddhist lecture.  I did not want to go but my friend begged me (not kidding).
Why do I even question life?
The lecture was on Letting Go...  The Lama shared with us that in the Western world we view a loss as a negative.  When we let go of something we view the loss as if our life can't do without whatever 'It' was.  The Lama said that we should change our perspective to view a loss as a gain.  When we let go of something it's actually a new beginning.  A chance to open up our life to a new season...  Who knew the Lama would be sharing a message that was going to hit so close to home.

After being so unkindly let go from something I loved doing, I was surrounded by true community.  I had not felt that much support and love in a long time.  2 days later I was offered 2 jobs.  Both better paying and better environments.  I am blessed.  A loss can, in fact, can be a gain :)

World AIDS Day 2011

Today my heart goes out to an innocent child suffering with HIV.  As I sit comfortably in my flat in Southern California, my mind and heart are in Kenya...
Three years ago I was in Africa doing non-profit work with AIDS orphans on December 1... I remember thinking, "today is World AIDS Days and I'm in a country that is so infected by the disease." I was overwhelmed with emotions. Seeing little kids, so innocent, being given a death sentence.  Sometimes life is not fair.  To this day I'm still burdened over what I experienced.  So, I decided to do something, to support a child with HIV.
Three years ago I was able to meet him. There are few things in life where you just know... once I saw him there was a connection and love. He is my African son. On this day, where recognition is given to the AIDS crisis - I want to honor my living boy who is sick with HIV - Anthony Mwendwa Muange... I have nothing but love for this little man.  It makes me sad to think that an innocent child is having to suffer with this terrible disease...  Today my heart is in Kenya...

To learn more about World AIDS Day, please read the following:
"Started on 1st December 1988, World AIDS Day is about raising money, increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education. The World AIDS Day theme for 2011 is 'Getting To Zero'. World AIDS Day is important for reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.  The official website is 2011 World AIDS Day.