Inspirational Image by Rasha

Favorite Play Away (Book)

Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life: Living the Wisdom of the Tao by Wayne Dyer

This book (which I checked out from my local library on a credit-card sized audio book called a play away) is full of timeless wisdom. Wayne Dyer presents his interpretation of the 81 verses of the Tao Te Ching. Even if you aren't familiar with the Tao--don't let that inhibit you from checking out this book. This is a book that will provide wisdom, strength, clarity and solace in times of change. I am enjoying the unabridged audio version which is read by the author. I love letting the language wash over me as I am on the treadmill, in my garden or out walking.

Here is what attendees say about Women's Gatherings

"I loved that the wide range of ages at the gathering." (22-94 years young)
"I noticed there were no cocktail conversations, these were women who wanted to engage in meaningful or fun conversations."
"I come for the awesome food!"
"I love the fact that this is an evening just for me--in the company of other women."

Why would you attend a Women's Gathering?

I was asked the other day, "What is the purpose of attending a Women's Gathering?" I replied, "To meet women you might not normally interact with, and therefore to expand your friends, network and contacts. There is fresh energy at every single women's gathering. No two gatherings are the same, and yet all are wonderful.

Barbara

Have you discovered ted.com?

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. Since then its scope has become ever broader. The annual conference now brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes). This site makes the best talks and performances from TED available to the public, for free.
Three of my favorite talks are--

Jill Bolte Taylor, Neuroanatomist: My Stroke of Insight
Brain researcher, Jill Bolte Taylor, studied her own stroke as it happened—and has become a powerful voice for brain recovery.

Eva Vertes, Microbiology Prodigy: The Future of Medicine
Eva’s discovery, at age 17, of a compound that stops fruit-fly brain cells from dying was regarded as a step toward curing Alzheimer's. Eva was only 19 when she gave this talk in which she discusses her journey toward studying medicine and her drive to understand the roots of cancer and Alzheimer’s.

Elizabeth Gilbert, Author of Eat, Pray, Love: Nurturing Creativity
The author of Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert has thought long and hard about some large topics. Elizabeth muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses -- and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person "being" a genius, all of us "have" a genius. It's a funny, personal and surprisingly moving talk.

Enjoy the mind candy.
Barbara

Our Global Community--Music Around the World

A New Year with New Possibilities

Thanks to my friend, Marcia, I have a set of alphabet blocks that I use to spell out phrases in the entryway of our home. In October I decided to spell out just one word--believe. It felt right to have that word guiding me. In November I wrote the hope. December has been light. (In Alaska we truly celebrate the return of the light.) Now, as I step into the year 2009, the word in the entryway of my home is imagine.