Dominique Video 2 - Feb 23, 2010

Connie Ragen Green's 30 Day Blogging Challenge

Seems it's already 5 days into the 30 day challenge.  I just joined & it looks like Connie throws a good party!  The first e-mail that came after I enrolled reminded me to decide about my particular niche.  Therein lies the rub, as the saying goes....You're supposed to blog about what you know, have experience with or are passionate about.

I'm passionate about being mindful in the Present Moment.  Now that's not to say that I always do it, rather that I aspire to live in the present.  For me that looks rather like a cornucopia of good stuff. 

It looks like respectful connection between people and animals.  It looks like being engaged with energy and universal laws.  It looks like being amazed every day.  It looks like being crazy eager to learn about what's going on with the other people, cultures and environments that make up our planet.  It looks like the sense of awe and wonder that  glows in a child's face.  It looks like the Altoids ad that declares, "Isn't it curious?"

Now that I've said all that, I'd appreciate some help.  I have been dithering about a niche for way too long.  I'm wondering if anyone resonates with what I've posted or am I just talking a load of rubbish to myself?

New Brain Science Tele-Seminar Series

Just in case you're even mildly interested in how the brain functions, there's good news out there.  We've all been told that the brain quits growing after we're grown.  We've been told that it's all downhill from there!

Now we're looking at the neuroplasticity of the brain.  And the word is that brain continues to grow.  So it is never too late to learn new things, because "we can change the wiring of our brains".  That's according to Dr. Daniel Siegel, whose book Mindsight is available now.

If you're curious, check out http://www.nicabm.com.  There are 6 tele-seminars in all, with 3 more calls to go.  There is no charge for the calls.  All you need to do is register for the calls, and you'll get e-mails for the remaining 3 calls in March 2010.

A Belated Valentine's Day

Yes, I know I missed Valentine's Day.  I have been thinking about what Valentine's Day might mean to us.  I know that the traditional day is about expressing love to partners, kids, parents and even extended friends and family.

I got to thinking "What if our vision of Valentine's Day just got bigger?"  I'm not suggesting that there's anything wrong with the way we observe it now.  I'm just wondering how it would play out, if we extended our "valentine consciousness" to a bigger playing field?

Are we up for having enough love to go around, way beyond the borders of our families?  Somehow I see us as capable of pushing those boundaries.  Maybe "We are the World" just put me in that frame of mind, I don't know.

I'd love some feedback about
Valentine's  Day! 

Whatever that means to you right now.  Whatever it could mean to you, with a little stretch of your imagination.

Zoe

I've been out of place for a bit, but I am hopeful that you'll appreciate this delayed post.  It's a tribute to Zoe, a little blind cat I never knew personally.  I became intrigued with the account of Zoe's life and her influence on so many people.  People wrote openly about their connection with Zoe; she radiated unconditional love to everyone.  As the old saying goes, "She stole everyone's heart."  Only this time it wasn't a cliche.


If you're ready to have Zoe and her human family tug at your heart strings, have a look at  the sites highlighting the magical Zoe.  You'll be treated to pics of the little girl and you'll come to feel that you knew her too!  Here's a hint about the devotion she inspired in her people.....Olga flew 2000 miles to say goodbye to her beloved friend.

Here are the three sites that feature tributes and accounts about the ONE AND ONLY Zoe. I'll be real and tell you I felt heartbroken and bereft when I read about her transition on January 25th, 2010.  But I would not have missed the chance to celebrate her life, so I want to share this little girl with you.

Go to  http://www.neilgaiman.com/
           http://www.olganunes.com/
           http://blog.fabulouslorraine.com/

I would love to read your comments, after you have time to connect with the spirit of Zoe.

Now I'm A Three- Legged Cat

Of course I'm not actually a three-legged cat; I 'm a biped person myself.  But I am just enchanted with a beautiful tripod named Bella!  This gorgeous long-haired calico girl had to have one of her back legs amputated in November 2009. 

If you're interested in seeing how the beautiful Bella is adjusting, you've gotta go to http://NowI'mAThree-LeggedCat.blogspot.com for pics of  her in action.  There's even a video, so you can see some of the physical and emotional adjustments Bella is going through in the first months since her surgery.

The blog posts give you insight into the stress to Bella's human family, as they try to rehabilitate their newly handicapped pet.  Bella is making a good adjustment to her disability, but challenges are a reality.

Go check out Bella and her family.  You'll be glad you did....

First Post...Once Again

I actually created this blog 18 months ago.  Then I allowed myself to become overwhelmed by the whole concept of posting.  I ground to a halt after half a dozen posts, instead of just having fun with the whole thing.

So now I'm back again!  We'll see if I can put on my big girl pants and do this.  I gotta say that I got my courage up after following http://AlbertTheCat.blogspot.com , just because this dapper Londoner makes it look effortless!  He is a computer literate cat, while I am rather a newbie.

In the meantime, have a look at Albert, his brother Tabby (mackerel tabby) and sister Ginger Tail (white body with red tail).  Albert is quite the historian, and he loves to give guided tours round his back garden.

When I learn how, I shall import some pics.  In the meantime, I hope you'll check them out at Albert's personal blog http://albertthecat.blogspot.com/ ....

A word of warning, Albert is a great fancier of prawns.  So you'll "hear" about them often.  (If you're an American, just imagine shrimp.)  You'd never guess this gorgeous guy started out life as a feral kitty!