ARCHIVES

Juniper June 2003, The Ladybug Ball

Issue 13 - 2003-06-17 =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= JUPITER JUNE SARK's E Letter (e stands for energy) =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= "SCATTER JOY" Ralph Waldo Emerson =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= THE LADYBUG BALL =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= On my Inspiration Phone Line (415-546-3742), I recorded a message where I said, "I send you a tiny polka dot dress to wear to the Ladybug Ball." I received countless messages in response to that one line. There is just something special about ladybugs. They are round, cheerful little bugs with delighted dots – and they can fly! Whenever I see a ladybug, I am reminded of summer, and of SURPRISES. My mother just turned 80, and my brother and I are surprising her with a marching band and party for her birthday. Last year at this time, we were told she would never walk again, and never get out of the nursing home. Through a series of miracles and some very hard work, she got out of the nursing home and returned to her home, where she is walking again. She has changed a lot, and needs 24-hour care, but she got a little dog, and started entertaining friends at her home, and is able to go out for ice cream. I still sometimes miss how she "used to be" and cry at my memories of her stronger self. Then I feel ashamed to think that for even one second because "There is so much to be grateful for" and there is! But I've learned that feeling grateful isn't constant. It comes with chinks and cracks and human frailty. I think that I sometimes tyrannize myself to just feel grateful, as though there are not absences of gratitude, or lapses in my awareness of it. I still feel furious that she was dropped by caregivers in the rehabilitation center, and then no one took responsibility for her shattered bones and the risky surgery that followed. I still miss my mom the way she was. I am deeply grateful to still have her, as she is now. The feelings are all mixed together, in an intensely human swirl. I now realize that every time I dwell on sadness about how my mom used to be, I am missing the present moment of how she is now. That "now" is my challenge. You can think of me, serving lemonade at my mom's party in Minneapolis, Minnesota on a (probably) hot and humid afternoon on June 28. I pray that I will be present in as many moments as I can manage, and forgive myself for all the moments I cannot. I am sure that I will get crabby, feel ungrateful, and forget to just be there, with all my "splendid imperfections." I will also play the snare drum, kiss my mom on top of her dear little head, and laugh uproariously in the kitchen with my brother Andrew. I will certainly be looking for ladybugs and will dance at the Ladybug Ball in my imagination. We can go anywhere in our imaginations. I hope that many of you will join me in tiny polka dot dresses at the Ladybug Ball. Love, SARK (Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy) A Special Request My younger brother, Andrew, just finished teaching high school for several years at a school in California. This school brought him many gifts and challenges. One of the challenges was that there wasn't enough money, and at one point, he taught geography without a map! He didn't get any awards. In fact, he got laid off. Now as it turns out, he is glad to have a break, and is planning to hike the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada next spring. If you would like to send him a brief note of support for his teaching, or his hike, please go to my guestbook (www.campsark.com/vmt/guestbook/guestbook.php) and post it there. I'll surprise him with your messages. He'll probably blush. I thank you. =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= RESOURCES =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= BOOKS "Raised in Captivity: How to Survive and Thrive in a Religiously Addicted Family" by C. McNair Wilson "Cloud-Hidden, Whereabouts Unknown; A Mountain Journal" by Alan Wilson Watts "Am I Old Yet?: A True Story of a Timeless Friendship" by Leah Komaiko WEBSIGHTS The Changing Times Books and Gifts Weekly Inspirational free Email Newsletter is a weekly offering of thoughts, musings and reflections on this sacred journey called life by proprietor David A. Cronin. Also included are class updates and an occasional excerpt from one of his favorite books in the store. One can sign up to receive this weekly email, or view selected issues on line, by going to www.changingtimesgifts.com www.spiralmuse.com www.dietcure.com www.howardthecat.com About my monthly e letter: The "e" stands for energy. My intention is to infuse you with new energy, and nourish you with quotes, book recommendations, fresh insights, and places I am floundering. I wanted to connect more often than once a year when I write a new book, or briefly in person on a book tour. My vision is to have this turn into a forum, a place to converse, a salon where we can EXTRAVAGANTLY LOUNGE together. I love lounging with you! Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy I have been so inspired by your responses that we have started a guest book where can leave your writings for me, and others to read at SARK's Glorious Guestbook (www.campsark.com/vmt/guestbook/guestbook.php) (Please note: if you wish to receive responses from other SARK readers, please post on the Marvelous Message Board at Lounge and Chat (www.campsark.com/pages/lounge.php. I love having this dialogue with you! I receive so many scrumptious, thought-full responses to my e letters. Thank you. Back issues of all the e letters are happily archived at Catch Up With SARK, (www.campsark.com/pages/catchup.php). =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= SARK SPEAKS! YOU ARE INVITED =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= SARK is creating her new book and not currently traveling/speaking. Her next appearance is September 13 in Spokane, Washington. For more information, go to www.consciousliving.net. SARK still has a few openings for speaking engagements and workshops in November 2003. Mailto:anne@campsark.com =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= SARK IN THE NEWS =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= SARK's book EAT MANGOES NAKED is going to appear in a movie entitled MOVE! USA. For more information about this worthwhile film project, go to http://www.hopecouragejustice.com. Read SARK interviews by Lifechallenges.org and Femail Creations at SARK in the News www.campsark.com/pages/news.php =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= ORDERING SARK'S BOOKS =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= We have made it possible for you to order all 11 SARK books online at www.campsark.com/pages/books.php through Amazon.com or Femail Creations.com. As always, you can find SARK's books at your favorite bookstore, where you might find SARK wandering in a book-induced trance. The MAGIC COTTAGE ADDRESS BOOK by SARK is now back in stock and available for ordering! =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= ORDERING SARK'S PRODUCTS =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= THERE WILL BE NEW PRODUCTS AVAILABLE FOR THE HOLIDAYS! At www.campsark.com/pages/gifts/php, you will be transported to Femail Creations or call 1-800-996-9223. These people are succulent! Impact also carries many SARK products, but does not have a websight. Call them at 1-800-322-4810 for a catalog. These people are wonder-full! =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= SARK'S 2004 CALENDARS =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= The gorgeous 2004 calendars will be available in October 2003. =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= SARK'S MARVELOUS MESSAGE BOARD AND WEB DEVELOPMENTS =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= NEW! LUSCIOUS LINKS SECTION COMING VERY SOON! We have a most vibrant, succulent community of souls on this board. Please feel welcome and free to participate. The "Questions" section is now linked from within the MMB to make it even easier at Lounge & Chat (www.campsark.com/pages/lounge.php). There is now a section called "SARK's Glorious Guestbook" (www.campsark.com/vmt/guestbook/guestbook.php) where you can leave a note for or read a note from our succulent community. Welcome! If you wish to receive responses from other SARK readers, post on the Marvelous Message Board at Lounge & Chat. MICROMOVEMENTS ARE FUN & EASY AND CAUSE HUGE CREATIVE GROWTH We've now added your own downloadable MICROMOVEMENT.PDF WORKSHEET to assist you with procrastination at Catch Up With SARK. (www.campsark.com/pages/catchup.php). =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= SARK'S INSPIRATION LINE =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= "A Place to be How You Actually Are" Celebrating its 10th Anniversary, this line welcomes more than 5,000 people per month from all over the world. 415-546-3742 (epic) 24 hours =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= CAMP SARK INFORMATION LINE =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= 415-397-7275 (SARK) 24 hours SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= I am sending you this e letter because you have subscribed or written to me within the last few months. If your friends wish to subscribe or you no longer wish to receive my e letter, just go to www.campsark.com. If you have difficulties, mailto:delicious@campsark.com and we will subscribe or unsubscribe you. If you change your e-mail address, please unsubscribe your former e-mail address and subscribe your new one! THANK YOU! Copyright (c) 2003 SARK. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy or distribute this e-letter, so long as this copyright notice and full information attributing SARK is attached. Delicious Campsark: http://www.campsark.com