Author Archives: Kim Abundant Life Tarot

10 Life Enriching Things To Do When It’s Cold Outside

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Kim Abundant Life Tarot's avatarAbundant~Life~Initiative

Cold weather or tending to sick, sleeping children definitely keeps many of us in doors. When we find ourselves bound to the house, whether to stay warm or to care for ourselves or others, we can use the time productively. Here’s a list of ten life enriching things to do while stuck in doors.

1. Create an acknowledgement/gratitude journal. This type of journal is different than one to capture all your thoughts and emotions from day to day (although I think that’s a good reason to journal too). This journal is simply to acknowledge the specific things you did in a day and what you are grateful for. In time, you will have a collection of acknowledgements about your life and will have physical evidence of all that you do and receive.
2. Create a Manifestation journal. This is different from an acknowledgement/gratitude journal because it is a…

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10 Life Enriching Things To Do When It’s Cold Outside

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Courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.net

Cold weather or tending to sick, sleeping children definitely keeps many of us in doors. When we find ourselves bound to the house, whether to stay warm or to care for ourselves or others, we can use the time productively. Here’s a list of ten life enriching things to do while stuck in doors.

1. Create an acknowledgement/gratitude journal. This type of journal is different than one to capture all your thoughts and emotions from day to day (although I think that’s a good reason to journal too). This journal is simply to acknowledge the specific things you did in a day and what you are grateful for. In time, you will have a collection of acknowledgements about your life and will have physical evidence of all that you do and receive.
2. Create a Manifestation journal. This is different from an acknowledgement/gratitude journal because it is a chronicle of the things you wish to bring into your life in the near and far future. It will feel amazing to see the things you scribed in your manifestation journal come to fruition in your acknowledgement/gratitude journal. Some things I have manifested was my daughter, my degree, my vehicle, and a better job, just to name a few.
3. Create a Vision Statement for your life. A paragraph detailing your vision for yourself is an awesome way to culminate all that you want represented in your life. It is a great reference to look at each day in your cubicle wall or on your bathroom mirror. Companies have vision statements, why not the little peoples too?
4. Create/work on your vision board. I have a well loved, ratty vision board that essentially has everything I wanted to manifest come about and now need to make time to create a new one. A vision board is great for the visual folks who need to see images to conjure up good feelings of what they want to have or continue to have in their lives. I grabbed images from the internet, magazines and even fortune cookie notes. It is a fun project to do with the kids, too.
5. Surf the web with purpose. Surfing the web sometimes gets a bad wrap as a time zap. I personally feel we are gaining information to store for later when we are perusing the net. Now that I am blogging, every opportunity to surf is a possibility for a new subject to write about. When you’re surfing the net, think about something from your manifestation journal you want to do a little more research about. Perhaps it’s a trip to Brazil. Or, an article on the history of tithing. Whatever it is, surf with a purpose to make the computer time count.
6. Guided meditation. I am a huge fan of guided meditation because it helps to guide the mind and body into a quiet state. Guided meditation reduces stress and for those of us who are spiritual, it brings us closer to our Higher Self or God. Here is a link to UCLA Health’s website with free quick, guided mediation MP3s http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=22. If you’ve never meditated, having a guide to help you quiet your thoughts is super helpful. Don’t feel like you have to start out doing 30 minute sessions – start with five minutes and work your way up.
7. Listen to Podcasts. Just as I’m a journal junkie, I am also a little strung out on Podcasts. I listen to spiritual leaders and life coaches for daily inspiration. Some podcasts to check out: Everyday Attraction with Rae Zander; Think, Believe and Manifest Show with Constance Arnold; Receive Your Life with Janice Campbell; The Matt and Phil Show; Flowdreaming with Summer McStravick. For the creative writers, check out Writers on Writing.
8. Exercise. Get some second hand yoga or fitness videos, dance, or if you have room in your family room, get a small bike or elliptical machine and work up a sweat while you watch television. Whatever you do, get moving. Obviously, if you have a sick child or you’re sick yourself, this is not really a feasible option, so that’s why it’s towards the bottom of the list.
9. Daydream. Now, this is something you can do while your child sleeps or if you’re bedridden. Allow your mind to wonder. It feels so delicious to dip into a daydream, and almost a letdown when it’s interrupted. Here is how Wikipedia defines daydreaming: Daydreaming is a short-term detachment from one’s immediate surroundings, during which a person’s contact with reality is blurred and partially substituted by a visionary fantasy, especially one of happy, pleasant thoughts, hopes or ambitions, imagined as coming to pass, and experienced while awake. Your mind needs a break, why not daydream?
10. Sleep. This will be a given if you’re sick. Even if there’s no sickness in your house, a nap or a night’s rest is what your mind and body needs to recharge. For many of us, sleep is a depleted commodity and naps are great for storing a little day’s energy. On days when I’ve had a hard time or had to leave work early, I go straight to my couch and take a nap. I usually wake up feeling a lot better about a situation or I may even dream up a solution to a problem. Sleep is medicine.

What are some ways you pass the time on cold or rainy days? And, what are some ways you enrich your life for free?

I Love my Friends Very much Lunch

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Pictured above is my dining room table, with the following: bowls of jambalaya and rice, almond crusted tilapia, sliced lemons for the tilapia, a garden salad, and mimosas in wine glasses.

It feels like I never get to spend much time with my friends as of late, so anytime I get to spend time with them is golden. This past September, I hosted a small end of summer, party of six, lunch for my good friends. I cooked all the food and delighted attending to their every need. We ate good, gossiped and had a great time. It was my little gift to my friends to let them know I appreciate them and am so glad we get to break bread together.

Here are the recipes I used for the lunch, all courtesy of the awesome Allrecipes.com website:

Jambalaya

Courtesy of allrecipes.com Colleen’s Slow Cooker Jambalaya

Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 8 Hours
Ready In: 8 Hours 20 Minutes
Servings: 12

“Shrimp and chicken simmer with classic jambalaya ingredients in this easy slow cooker meal.”

Ingredients:
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves – cut into 1 inch cubes
1 pound andouille sausage, sliced
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
1 large onion, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chicken broth
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons dried parsley
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 pound frozen cooked shrimp without tails

Directions:

1. In a slow cooker, mix the chicken, sausage, tomatoes with juice, onion, green bell pepper, celery, and broth. Season with oregano, parsley, Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, and thyme.
2. Cover, and cook 7 to 8 hours on Low, or 3 to 4 hours on High. Stir in the shrimp during the last 30 minutes of cook time.

Almond-Crusted Tilapia

Courtesy of allrecipes.com Almond Crusted Tilapia Recipe

Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Ready In: 30 Minutes
Servings: 8

“Tilapia is coated with ground almonds and Parmesan cheese in this delicious dish.”

Ingredients:
2 eggs
1 teaspoon lemon pepper
1 teaspoon garlic pepper
1 cup ground almonds
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
8 (6 ounce) tilapia fillets
1/4 cup all-purpose flour for dusting
6 tablespoons butter
salt to taste
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
8 sprigs parsley
8 lemon wedges

Directions:

1. Beat the eggs with the lemon pepper and garlic pepper until blended; set aside. Stir together ground almonds with 1 cup of Parmesan cheese in a shallow dish until combined; set aside. Dust the tilapia fillets with flour, and shake off excess. Dip the tilapia in egg, then press into the almond mixture.
2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook tilapia in melted butter until golden brown on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Reduce heat to medium, and season fillets with salt if desired. Sprinkle the tilapia with the remaining Parmesan cheese, cover, and continue cooking until the Parmesan cheese has melted, about 5 minutes.
3. Transfer the tilapia to a serving dish, and garnish with parsley springs and lemon wedges to serve.

Jubilant Expectancy

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Courtesy of Facebook, YourBeautifulLife.org, message by Louise Hay

Jubilant: ju•bi•lant
ˈjo͞obələnt/
adjective: jubilant
1. feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph.
Expectancy: ex•pect•an•cy
ikˈspektənsē/
noun: expectancy; plural noun: expectancies
1. the state of thinking or hoping that something, esp. something pleasant, will happen or be the case.

 
To transcend a moment of unhappiness or an undesirable situation, we must hold on to jubilant expectancy of things to come. We should know that we can always rise above any situation, to forgive ourselves and others, and to hold steadfast to our purpose, with grace. We should know and expect the things we desire are able to come, maybe not easily all the time, but they are able to manifest. And, for that, we are triumphant. We can have great happiness of what has already manifested, and what is yet to manifest. This is how you keep your energetic vibration a match to what it is you wish to feel and receive in your life.

Bad Days to Jubilant Expectation

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Courtesy of YourBeautifulLife.org via Facebook

I’d be lying if I said every day was a wonderful, full of roses and smiles. I may be a positive, upbeat person, but I have days where sometimes I want to hang up all the hats I wear on the coat rack of life, but the Higher Me knows better. My Higher Self knows there will be tough days and there will be days of exuberance and there will be days somewhere in between.

Today, I could have crawled back in bed and started over. I overslept. I felt a cold bug tickling my throat. I received an email from my landlord that he needs to come into the house today. My two year old Ella made a mess in almost every room last night and because I was cramming for an Asian Literature final, I did not pick up before his visit. I fretted all day over what my landlord and the roofer would think of my untidy house, with the clean laundry piled high on the couch and toys scattered about. I was not able to even read my good friend’s email, because I had so much on my mind. I encountered hellish traffic to and from the college, turning a 20 minute ride into a two hour round trip ordeal. I told myself I didn’t care what grade I got. I bombed the final – got a measly 26% on the multiple choice section. We’ll see how I did on the essay section. I guess I cared what I got, after all. I got into an argument with my husband. We’re still not talking.

There were some high points in my day. I had a great cup of coffee. I managed to squeeze in a few emails to and from my sister, which made me feel connected and loved. I got through all that I set out to do at work. I listened to some awesome podcasts from Summer McStravick of Flowdreaming. I manifested $147.59. Coming back from lunch, I saw a penny on the ground. I said to myself, “that’s nice, but I’m going to find $100.00.” I filled myself with belief that the money was on its way to me – a little experiment with the Universe. I forgot all about that exchange until just a few minutes ago, I checked my email. My insurance company informed me they were depositing $147.59 into my account-dividends they give their members each year. Bless my bones! My eleven year son, Daniel, reminding me that yes, I had a bad day, but there was so many things to be happy about. “Isn’t that what you’re always telling me, Mom?” I enjoyed reading books to Ella and we sang songs. She has the sweetest, most precious little voice. “The Wheels on the Bus” is our favorite sing along song, followed by “If you’re Happy and you know it…”

I remembered why I took that Asian Literature class in the first place and realized that I got from it, what I set out to get. I needed to immerse myself into Japanese American literature, which is exactly what I got. I stumbled across jewels of information that would help me in writing my own novel involving a Japanese family. I wanted to read more than write, for a change. I wanted to practice waking up at 5AM to write reports on literature pieces I read, which I now wake up most mornings to blog or work on my novel, or read, or do homework. I wanted to prove to Dr. Professor I was a smart cookie. I wanted to prove to myself that I was worthy of the job title as writer. I proved it.

As my bad day played itself out, I still set the intention for good things to unfold, later in my future seconds, minutes, hours, days, years, life time. I’ve had worse days, I’ve had the highest of the high days. No matter what, I hold steadfast to my purpose, my desires for my future. I never lose sight on deliberate creation in my life.

What’s Your Favorite Holiday Inspired Attire?

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I’m a winter wardrobe warrior, braving this cold, northern California weather. I’m wearing a shawl purchased from Ross; an H&M turtleneck; a Forever 21 black, sheer high light shirt; Forever 21 leopard leggings; cream colored leg warmers from sockdreams.com; Circa Joan & David Boots; and my festive Dooney & Bourke red plaid handbag (thanks Mom!); and 5 wrap studded bracelets collected this year from Forever 21. I own ten wrap bracelets that I mix and match with my daily outfits. My favorite accessories for this fall and winter goes to studded wrap bracelets and ballerina leg warmers for style and warmth. I’ve owned my handbag for years, pulling it out each year to commemorate the holiday season. The bag is sentimental to me and I’ve owned it for several years now, pulling it out each December.

What’s your favorite holiday inspired attire?

Me, Christmas time 2013.

~Your Curator of All Things Stylish, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Modern Boho Whimsy

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The below pictures, curated on Pinterest.com are lush and playful. More examples of the use of celosia orange in home decor. Bless the designers and decorators of each of these magical rooms:

Courtesy of http://onlymyfavoritethings.tumblr.com/

Gorgeous! Love the rug!

Courtesy of Houzz.com

 

Courtesy of bhg.com

Courtesy of frankdebiasi.com

 

Courtesy of bhg.com

 

Courtesy of bhg.com

 

 

 

 

 

Spring 2014 Ushers in Celosia Orange

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Pantone, the leader in assessing upcoming colors for the season, offers celosia orange as a color to incorporate into your wardrobe and décor, and I couldn’t agree more. I’ve always loved a pop of orange, because truly this color lifts up the spirits and looks great on all skin tones as well as home accessories. We travel to Etsy.com for very economical inspiration:

1. A cute pillow the includes other Spring 2014 colors:

Courtesy of Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/listing/125755190

2. A modern print to hang over your couch or in your foyer:

Courtesy of Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/listing/160888230

3. White, cream or aquamarine colored curtains will pop with these orange pullbacks:

Courtesy of Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/listing/156402640/two-metal-curtain-tie-backs-curtain?ref=market

4. Updating mason jars is as easy as purchasing this reasonably priced one from etsy.com or painting them yourself for a new/old vase or a container to hold your kitchen utensils:

Courtesy of Etsy.com at https://www.etsy.com/listing/164568732/shabby-chic-decor-painted-mason-jar?ref=market

5. Even the smallest of details can deliver the biggest impact in a room, such as these light switch covers:

Courtesy of Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/listing/109475957/dark-light-orange-chevron-light-switch?ref=market

6. I am in love with this typewriter. What a classic piece, albeit a little impractical in today’s high tech world:

Courtesy of Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/listing/163245241/vintage-olympia-typewriter-sfl-1970s?ref=market

7. Beautiful and bright wall vases that are beautiful with or without flowers:

Courtesy of Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/listing/109080730/bohemian-wall-pockets-hanging-vases?ref=market

8. My hunch is this strong orange will be all over the runways all the way through late fall:

Courtesy of Harpers Bazaar at http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fashion-week/celosia-orange-pantone-color-trends-spring-2014-shopping#slide-4

Do you agree with Pantone’s color pick? Share your thoughts and favorite color predictions.

Thank you Mr. Mandela, for Teaching the Cycle of Forgiveness

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Image courtesy of "Lonely Tree" by Evgeni Dinev, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Image courtesy of “Lonely Tree” by Evgeni Dinev, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

“As I walked out the door toward my freedom I knew that if I did not leave all the anger, hatred and bitterness behind, that I would still be in prison.”

“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.”

-Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela passed away today, at the age of 95. Nelson Mandela’s life – long, fruitful, inspirational, fraught with pain and struggle, triumph and victory – is something we all should aspire to be. I thank him for all the teaching moments his life brought to my life and his spirit and legacy lives on forever.

Last week, I mentioned I would start having discussions with readers and today marks the first blog in this format. I’m reaching out to you, my readers, for discussions topics or questions to write in this blog and they can be from anonymous source. Email me at KimberlyJoCooley@aol.com.

Q. Can you share your thoughts about forgiveness? I’ve always heard how people chose to forgive someone who hurt them deeply in one way or another in order to help them move on. What does that mean and how do you accomplish it?

Letting go. Time truly heals many wounds but in the meantime, how can one work on letting go of a situation? Is it best to force yourself to not think about it, i.e. whenever the thought crosses your mind, change the subject so to speak? Or do you try to keep busy and occupy yourself so as to distract you?

How does one remain hopeful of love and marriage? Is there really truly somebody for everybody?

A. Forgiveness. Such a heavy proposition, isn’t it? Why should we have to forgive those who trespass us?

It’s just as much about you as it is the person whose being forgiven, if not more about you. Not forgiving holds us back, dims and dulls our life’s experiences, and drags us down.

Nelson Mandela’s first quote above is not talking about the brick and mortar prison he sat in for 27 years for anti-Apartheid activities. He’s talking about the prison of our minds – the bondage of holding in resentment. His quote can help us better understand the notion of forgiveness in relationships and how it is necessary for moving on to bigger and better love. If we cannot let go of the pain, bitterness, anger, and resentment, then we will never fully move into the present of the here and now. The here and now is freedom to love.

Resentment comes from a misunderstanding many of us have about a situation or person. We believe they have wronged us and we come to hate a person. Remember that you called this person into your life, or at the very least allowed that person to enter your sphere. Think about the reasons why they were in your life. Acknowledge and appreciate their good qualities you loved about them. And, thank God for showing you the qualities in them that you could very much live without. It is especially the parts of a person that hurt you that has the most to offer you – the relationship is gone and over, but you now learned a little more about yourself in terms of what you want and don’t want in a relationship.

Nelson Mandela had several loves in his life, including three wives. Each of those wives, he loved deeply and considered them partners and soul mates. Two of the three marriages ended in divorce. Winnie Mandela allegedly cheated on Mr. Mandela and was emotionally neglectful – yet, he found love again at the age of 77, and died a happily married man at the age of 95. I read that in divorce court, Nelson Mandela smiled at his soon to be former wife, Winnie, but she turned away. He was sorrowful and humbled during the divorce proceedings and he spoke of his love and appreciation for his wife. He knew there was no hope for their relationship, but he chose not to be mired in pain and resentment towards his ex-wife.

Mr. Mandela’s story tells us that soul mates can come in many different forms and times in our lives. There are some loves in your life greater than others because of the chemistry or attachment you have to a person. As many times as you believe your soul mate is out there, is as many times your soul mate is forming and finding their way to you. Many people have great loves in their lives, not just one.

Allow yourself a little time to mourn the demise of a relationship, but write a reminder somewhere you can refer to that says when you’re ready and open, love is available to you. Dwelling in sadness only delays the recovery and the rediscovery of yourself in this life and of future loves to come. Don’t let unforgiveness of the person you once was in a relationship with slow down your momentum to a loving relationship with yourself and someone new.

If you’ve ever tried to not think about something, then you likely know that it is almost impossible not to think about that very thing you’re trying to avoid thinking about. Deal with the feelings early and head on. Wallow, watch bad romantic comedies, cry, talk it out with friends and write in a journal. When you spend a little time mourning, remember there is a season for sadness and there is a season for moving. Take a trip, pick up a new hobby, or set up a regular volunteer activity to help move you into your new season of life and love. Don’t ignore your feelings, but don’t let them rule you or your life. Give yourself a break and have fun! Dating and making new friends is an adventure – the hunt for the love(s) of your life should be a good time, with a little contrast here and there. Isn’t that why we signed up for this thing called love and life anyway?

Finally, BE forgiveness. One of the qualities we want in our mates is the ability to forgive and humility. If those are qualities you want in others, make sure it’s something you have inside yourself as well. As a matter of fact, any trait you’d like to see in your partner, bring that energy into your own being right here, right now. BE the forgiveness. Appreciate – even if all you can think of is the negative in a person or situation. The negativity or adversity is only clarifying what it is you really want in your life, so have compassion for yourself and that person. Bless yourself and the other person by praying for them, too, to find love and peace in this life.

In relationships, there will be little transgressions, arguments, and disagreements. A person who can quickly regroup and forgive is one that will succeed in life and love.

The cycle of forgiveness is necessary to keep mankind in love and in check. The moment you truly forgive, is the moment you are free from the prison of resentment. Forgiveness sets us all free, both the forgiven and the forgiving. The moment each of us wholeheartedly takes part in this beautiful cycle, the moment love blooms and dwells freely inside all of us.

Many Blessings to you,

~ Everyday Spiritual Warrior, Kimberly Jo