every part of you

A beautiful expression of love and life. I truly believe in the soul that it sings. ♥

the sanctuary within

This past Thursday, I had a hard decision to make.

I visited doctors three hours away from my home, at Vanderbilt University. I am presently in the process of trying to be double-listed with them for my double-lung transplant. And the doctors announced to me that in order to list with them, the next time (and every time) I am sick, I must come to their hospital and stay under their care. They were hesitant to list me otherwise. But agreeing to this would mean that I would be away from my entire family (except for my sweet mother, the only person free to stay with me for the duration).

Perhaps this wouldn't seem like a huge dilemma for some, as it didn't seem like a large problem to my doctors. But as my dear mother so beautifully explained to my doctors: I am not a religious person per se; I am a spiritual being, and my strength in life comes from family and love. And suddenly, they were saying that I cannot have those things, when I am at my weakest. It was a very difficult decision to make: give up my support system, or give up my new chance for lungs.

I took the hard road and agreed, even with my fear against myself and being alone to face the darkness.
But I think this quote below illustrates quite well the mindset that just may save my spirit, and my life:

"Do not look for a sanctuary in anyone except yourself."

Siddhartha Gautama, Buddha

All that I need to survive already lives within me. All that I need to be happy already lives within me.

And I am never without love. We are never without love.

the universe and you

(Source: OneMansWonder, edited by RoseAlma)

"The universe cherishes your existence."

Deepak Chopra

Music Monday!

Today's music is a sweet tune by the band Whitley. Enjoy. ♥

a beautiful journey

The following is a trailer for a documentary entitled "Big Easy Express."
This film looks like a beautiful expression of love, joy, and life. ♥

Big Easy Express Official Trailer from S2BN Films on Vimeo.

a way back to brightness

"I grew up with more [privileges] than most people and with a lack of a certain kind of suffering that, in some people, signifies true living and experience. So I became self-destructive. But that attitude isn't sustainable, so I found my way back to brightness and more constructive ways to live. Both are reactions to the same thing: death. It's like we're confronted with a [messed-up] world and the refusal to lose hope is the only way to prevail over the pessimism and sarcasm. And from the refusal to lose hope comes the desire to build something else."

Alexander Ebert (1978-), American singer-songwriter
(Image Source: GuyEppel, edited by RoseAlma)

Love lives beyond death.

On Monday I learned some sad information... the lovely woman from my childhood that I mentioned in the post Every Moment Matters passed away this Sunday. Since December she was making progress in rehabilitation, and there was hope. But after complications with a bloodclot, she eventually became dependent on life support. Her loving family, having watched her pain for so long, made the difficult decision to end her suffering.

Though I shed tears for this beautiful woman gone from our world, and for her dear family that must begin a life without her, I also know - as we must all come to know - that she is never truly gone. Her love lives on through her memories shared and legacy created and friendship made. This woman's existence was a gift to the world, as is all existence. And her precious gift does not end with her passing. True love lives throughout all time.

Dearest L.A.K., you are love and you are loved.

In the meantime, while our hearts transition to this new phase of life (as they do for all of us when facing life after tragedy or darkness), we must allow our inner selves to heal. Tears are healthy and deserve their time. So let us all remember this thought, a loving insight exchanged between my sweet father and I after my first significant heartache: "Allow yourself to feel whatever you need to feel." 

And in the end, we will all come out stronger and more full of love. ♥

me, you, and everything

(Source: IslandGirl, edited by RoseAlma)

"Touch the peace that comes when you know you're a part of everything, and everything is part of you."
Deepak Chopra

A reminder of love

Hello beautiful beings. ♥

I want to sincerely and lovingly remind all of you that I am always here. Whether you want to ask questions, share quotes, tell stories, or simply seek a friend. We have the usual tradition of "Loveful, Thoughtful Fridays" in which I share with all our readers the messages I have gotten (minus last names), and the love I have to offer those who wrote them. I encourage anyone and everyone to write. We all have something inside us to share. And there is never judgment, only love.

I am always here: we.are.one@inbox.com

Infinite peace and love.
Rosie

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for an inner feeling of sunshine despite the grey skies and rain: I did my monthly grocery shopping, and as oppose to last month, I felt less tired and more energized afterward. A sign that perhaps my recent indoor biking is helping my lungs and endurance a bit.
For this, I am so joyful and grateful.

Dear Readers, please share what you are thankful for. ♥

(Image Source: MrxStitch, edited by RoseAlma)

love for all humanity, for all of existence

"Through my love for you, 
I want to express my love 
for the whole cosmos, 
the whole of humanity, 
and all beings. 
By living with you, 
I want to learn to love 
everyone and all species. 
If I succeed in loving you, 
I will be able to love everyone 
and all species on earth... 
This is the real message of love."

Thich Nhat Hanh (1926-),
Vietnamese Buddhist monk, writer, peace activist

(Image Source: NiteSkyGirl, edited by RoseAlma)

Music Monday!

A sweet song for you all. ♥

Thankful Thursday

(Image Source: TravelingBlind, edited by RoseAlma)

Today I am thankful for a beautiful day outside the house. The entire day spent with my loved one: getting hair trimmed at a lovely salon, eating tofu salad at a veggie-friendly restaurant, and sipping on a warm tea in a downtown coffeeshop. The sun even peeked through the clouds. Nothing more rewarding or pleasing than a beautiful gold-colored sunset at the end of an active day. I am grateful for the gift that was today. I haven't felt so normal or active or social in quite some time.

Sweet readers, please share the beautiful things (big or small) that you are thankful for. ♥

my love for you

Another message from my personal sticker art collection. ♥

(The introduction to them can be found here.)

          

"Refrain from all that is divisive 
and contentious... do what 
promotes harmony and unity."
Steve Hagen

(Image Source: aCelebrationofWomen, edited by RoseAlma)

Music Monday!

Beautiful song, beautiful cause, beautiful people. ♥

Let's Win! from Alexander on Vimeo.

open, endless, flowing

"I have often dreamed that I was in a house, a house that I had once lived in, or the house that I was then living in, or a house I was about to move into, and in my dream I discover that there are more rooms in the house than I knew were there. It is quite marvelous to discover all these new rooms and quite incredible that I never realized they were there, when, of course, they were there all along. It gives me a sense of expanding possibility, as when hiking down a narrow ravine to a creek at the bottom, when the creek becomes an estuary which gets wider and wider until suddenly it opens out into the wide sea. There is great joy in arriving there. I have been there, and made a fire on the rocks. The sea roars, and under my feet the round red stones are wet... So it is in my dream -- the house opens up, generous and endless. These dreams are so real, that for a few moments after I wake, I can still believe them."

(Sherril Jaffe, professor and writer)

(Image Source: TripIdeas.org, edited by RoseAlma)

Thankful Thursday

(Source: Vanderbilt, edited by RoseAlma)

I have so much to be grateful for today. I just returned home from a three-day visit to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. I was there being evaluated for double-lung transplant. (I am already listed at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, but I am trying to be double-listed at Vanderbilt.)

I am so thankful for my beautiful parents and the infinite strength and love they give me in such times. I am thankful for my sweet fiance, who was able to get time off work and be by my side. I am thankful for all the incredible technicians, nurses, doctors, and staff at Vanderbilt, who treated me with gentleness, respect, and sincere kindness. I am thankful all the evaluation tests went smoothly and that, so far, things are looking good. I am thankful to have returned home, safe and sound, despite traffic and a snowstorm. And I am immensely thankful for the love that lives in my heart - before, during, and after this experience. It is fueled by my endlessly loving family, my incredibly supportive friends, and the infinitely beautiful strangers in the world around me. ♥

What are you grateful for, dear people? I have missed you all.

Music Monday!

Today's musical treat is an informal acoustic cover of "Stand By Me" by Jade Castrinos.

It is a rather unique and beautiful rendition of a wonderfully classic song. ♥

Jade Castrinos singing "Stand By Me" from Alma Har'el on Vimeo

a realization

  (Source: Behance, edited by RoseAlma) 

"When I find myself reacting

with anger or opposition 

to any person or circumstance, 

I will realize that I'm only

struggling with myself."

Deepak Chopra