Skinny Thursday

What I know is . . .Thursday tends to be an extremely significant day when it comes to DIETING.
It's the day when all the salad I made for "the week" begins to wilt, fast-food coupons come in the mail. Suddenly, it becomes a crap shoot whether I'll allow the boys to order pizza or make a puny batch of boiled chicken.
I'm sure none of you can relate to hugely important topic of weight loss. (No pun intended)
Me? It''s been a life-long battle I'm currently losing. Someone I love suggested instead of staying miserable,
 I Do Something About It-
Instead of running to the pantry and inhaling a six-pack of Pop-Tarts in retaliation, I put my sneakers on, went for a walk,read my daily devotion and sat down at the computer to work on my book series.
These are the three simple things I know hold the key to balance in my life.
Guess what? I FEEL BETTER. So, if I KNOW this....then????
Someone else invited me and a girlfriend to attend a new Overeaters Anonymous group.
While I'm sure we'll never go, I love what she said, and I quote...
"SUGAR IS MY HEROIN."
 Well, if that's true lady, then watch out Little Debbie, my longtime Dealer -
I'm calling the Police!

The Journey to Peace is a Tricky One

It's 1997. My Tibetan Buddhist name is Sama Sarika. Sama means Peace; how appropriate that my Monk, Sarika, chose the name for me - a young woman desperate for peace at any cost. In the past year, I've taken a very important step in my journey, I've completed the first Seven Precepts of Engaged Buddhism. Afterwards, I was awarded a beautiful Lotus Leaf from Sri-Lanka, blessed when chosen special for me.
Tonight, I'm going to see The Dalai Lama (fourteenth) who is visiting Los Angeles! I spent weeks choosing the right outfit, my nails are perfect, my hair recently high-lighted (shocker, yes I color my hair).
I'm bringing my hardback copy of The Art of Happiness just in case there's time for a book signing.

I look in the mirror before I leave my Hollywood Bungalow and wonder....if this is it? Will this be night I find Peace and Happiness? Surely all the sacrifice and meditation will pay off this evening - Won't it?

Fast forward to 2012, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama is visiting San Diego for the first time.
This time, I have no need to attend.
I no longer have to prepare physically to "go see" my GOD for He is right here with me in my heart.
He meets me every morning in my fuzzy pink socks and Angry Bird nightgown and accepts me just the way I am. He is omnipotent and doesn't need to fly in to visit me or anyone else. His name is Jesus Christ and he has been THE ONE who finally delivered Peace and Happiness to my life.