Category: Travel


Peace Across the Planet

Sacred Shiva Lingam stones symbolize Divine Creative manifestation and only come from the Narmada River in India.  The dark yoni markings symbolize feminine energy, and the shape represents masculine energy… a perfect balance.  The stone corresponds to the heart chakra, the love energy within us.

“What these Shiva Lingam stones offer us is an invitation to join with them in Sacred Stone Acupuncture, where the stones, placed vertically on the Earth’s body, connect with the Crystalline Grid within in the planet (the core geometric pattern and flow of all of Life on Earth, and of the Earth Mother herself), and hold uninterruptedly the intent and alignment of peace for all forms of life.” ~ Peace Across the Planet

Me with Shiva Lingam stone at ChocolaTree in Sedona, AZ

“I am here.

Where are you?

What inspiration captures your intent?

Which direction stores your roots?

I am Shiva Lingam.

Who are you?

What thoughts weave your attention?

Which dreams grasp your lifetimes?

I am Crystalline Grid Keeper and Recorder.

What are you?

What manifestations spring from your hands and feet?

What spirit do you follow when you delight or fear?

I listen for your answers,

for your ways,

for your fears,

for your kindness.

Bring them all to my body and heart

for I judge none of them ever.

Wherever Whomever Whatever

you be,

you are,

I match all of you with deepest honorings.

I know well that courage brings you next to me now

because courage is what brings you to the Earth Mother

in this brave and haunted season–

this previously untouched, unimagined growth,

transformation,

love-beyond-words, ways, fears, kindness.

All stands freely seen in my open and opening eyes

for that is the courage that I bring,

that stands me here upon the Earth Mother

that roots me in this place

in this ritual

with you.

Meet me

with all that you are

with all that you do.

Let us hug all the gifted challenges to our hearts

here and now

so that all that you are,

all that you do,

bravely becomes

Peace.”

Recorded from Arizona Shiva Lingams Listening March 2009

Peace Across the Planet

Building Up or Tearing Down

The power of edification in your thoughts and words…

West Along Interstate 90



Our family vacations were always eastbound, usually from Chicago to coastal Carolina. I haven’t explored the western states as thoroughly as the east, even through four years of college in Colorado.
Driving across the country to Portland, where I am settling in to my new home was a great adventure. Even though I was pressed for time, I did a bit of sightseeing along the way. I skipped the Laura Ingalls Wilder house, but next time through South Dakota I’ll stop and reminisce on my love of Little House on the Prairie.

European Vacation: Germany & Austria

To wrap up this section of posts, I’ll end with our journey through Germany and Austria. The photos will be online soon; I’ll post the link eventually.
What I enjoyed about Germany was that each town we visited had a distinct atmosphere, a unique energy that set it apart. We stopped in Lübeck, Regensburg, Munich and Trier, with a visit to Salzburg, Austria in the middle there. Salzburg was great fun: an Indiana Jones style ride into the salt mines and a tour through the scenes of The Sound of Music. In Trier we visited Tobi and Claudi, friends I met a year ago in Nairobi. From there, a train ride to Frankfurt, and we were back on the airplane heading west after two full weeks of travel.

European Vacation: Amsterdam


We then set out from Paris by train to Amsterdam. Time for the long underwear and raincoats… It was cold and damp! We did manage to stumble into the very best Italian restaurant in which I have had the pleasure to eat. And did we eat! These were serious portions and we each cleared our plate!
Two museums the next day: the Van Gogh and the Rijksmuseum. The Van Gogh was phenomenal–of course! And the Rijks was partially under construction. Because of this, most of the “stuff” was placed in the central rooms for viewing. That made for a very brief tour.
Owing to the rain, our canal tour in a glass-topped boat was mostly a view of water streaming down the windows. We did catch a glimpse of Anne Frank’s house… which seemed to be under construction. Good times… then off to Germany.

Musée d’Orsay




Ok, a few more pics from the Musée d’Orsay…

European Vacation: Paris


What can be said about Paris that hasn’t already been written, sung or spoken? We stayed in the perfect location, a hotel on Rue Dauphine, just south of the Pont Neuf.
We didn’t encounter any of the stereotypical French snobbery–everyone we met was gracious and kind. It makes me wonder what the Americans are acting like who come across such “snobs.”
Again, our two days were filled with tourist activities. La Tour Eiffel, l’Arc de Triomphe, a boat ride on the Seine, etc… I could move in to the Musée d’Orsay. It has become my new favorite in the category of world museums.

European Vacation: England


They say Stonehenge is “just a bunch of rocks,” but I loved it. I read that the earliest section of the structure is thought to have been erected around 3100 BCE. That’s ridiculous! I can’t even wrap my mind around the idea that it is that old.

Next day: London
With only one full day in the city, we scampered around to various tourist sites. I did like the train system… it seemed so much easier than those in the States. We were off to Paris by chunnel the next day.

So it begins…


In January 2007, two days before the end of a six-month stint in Nairobi, I learned that my company would be closing our site within a year’s time. Over the course of the last year, while I still had a regular paycheck and the financial liberty of dreaming, I pondered what would come next. It was never a question of what to do, but a question of how to do everything I wanted to do.

Now doing the things I want to do has become a daily project. While it is not all fun and games (I spend the majority of my time either reading and writing for school or working with clients in my life coaching practice) it is without question, what I want to be doing.

A month ago, I packed up my things in Ann Arbor, MI, and drove to the DC area, where I am currently writing. Here, spring is daily forcing its way into the forecasts. Daffodils, sunshine and cherry blossoms have been such a source of joy.

Looking ahead, this is going to be a great year of journeying. After DC, I will visit friends and family in Ann Arbor and Chicago, then Europe. In June, the plan is to head west to OR and CA, and finally settle on the west coast. I’m looking forward to every moment of it! For me, this will not only be a year of physical traveling, but also an intense time of inner journeying as I continue to chart the course of my destiny and seek an authentic lifestyle, deeply connected with the people and natural world around me.

Where will your personal journey take you this year?