I've never really enjoyed clothes shopping. Ever since I was little, and my mom would drag me to stores to take my clothes on and off and on and off and so forth, I had trouble understanding how this made some people really happy. As an adult, I found that it was hard to find clothes that felt like they fit my body right; some stores had music too loud, and I felt overpowered and unable to concentrate. I began to learn that when I would go shopping, I had to plan, to maintain my energy - ie, go to the store when the energy is calmer, when it felt really intuitively right and not just because it is on the 'to-do' list. I also learned the importance of proper food and rations before heading out into the shopping storm. I meditate a lot, and work with trying not to see the other shoppers as separate and grabby and in my way. It is taking practice, but I feel progress coming.

I have adopted a new practice when I shop - that is, not to buy anything unless I absolutely love it. There are times when I buy an article of clothing, like last week, and something about that article of clothing is just not right, or the salesperson is life-negative. I walked out of the store after such an experience last week, and when I got home I discovered that the security-tag is still on the sweater, necessitating now that I go back and have it pulled off. Whew!

Flash forward to the shirt I bought this week - and I feel this is a good guidepost for me! When I walked in the store, I Felt Happy there. The energies were relaxed, the other shoppers were relational, and salespeople felt genuinely happy. I was drawn to a particular shirt, and when I put it on, I felt every cell in my body sing, and deeply relax. It felt like 'me.' No struggle, no strain. When I wear this shirt, or even see it hanging in the closet, it is a trigger for Happiness for me. I need that in all of my wardrobe choices. And when I wear this shirt, odd as it may seem, I feel Happier, feel like more of my self, as if I like myself more.

The clothing company is called One World, and the tag reads..."Being relaxed and comfortable with everyone and everything. Each day is special event to be received in a unifying way. Treat the world with the respect and love you want for yourself, and enjoy wearing our clothes." This feels like a prayer to me.....beautiful.

Ikea

I don't spend all of my time in stores, really. But if I am processing a lot in my personal life, and am trying to mooooove my energy instead of stay stuck, I do feel that walking and striding through a store or two does help. I also am inspired by the creativity and enjoy the social interaction. Yesterday I happened to be in my local Ikea. I was processing an intense issue and stopped in after work, striding through the stores. It was incredible to feel the energy break, the combination of the happy shoppers, infinite displayes of creativity, and addition of chrismas twinkly lights throughout the store, really helped to shift my mood.

When I lived in another state and was visiting Ikea with a friend, she commented that the people sitting in various furniture displays seemed to match up well with the furniture they were sitting on - they were a good fit for each other. I laugh now as I tend to see this repeated! I like watching young couples shop in the store, as they get to know each other and develop a way of making decisions together. I sense that in some cases this is a test or dress rehearsal for decisions to be made together later on in their relationship; this is a training ground of sorts.

There also always seems to be a favorite song of mine playing on the radio, something recognizable, something life positive, something that makes me say out loud to whomever is around, "oh yeah, I remember tha song - that's a good one!" I also deeply relish their savory treats - meatballs with whatver that sauce is, hot coffee, pie. I don't have a swedish bone in my body but I sure do feel at home in the Ikea store. farfignewton?

farmers market and anthropologie

I have discovered a love for the farmer's market, that old-tyme style of shoppin for food, where there is a connection to the people who grew it. Back in the day, I used to spend a lot of time in Vermont, and the small town where I would stay had a farmer's market every Saturday morning. People would come and sell their fresh honey, homemade soaps, fresh crops, and of course, the pies! I loved feeling that connection. While I have not yet been to Pike's Market in Seattle, I love looking at pictures or hearing travel stories of people who shop in such a place. I love that there is a personal connection, something I feel to be so missing in our society today. I will speak for myself when I say, I feel much more open around small businesses these days, I feel a hankering for more personal connections in my life. I also like being close to the source of the food, this makes me feel happy, connected, grounded.

I like shopping at Anthropologie; I feel momentarily transported into another country. I love their unusual collection of kitchen items and it makes me very happy to set all of the little egg timers to go off in 15 minutes. I then head for the other side of the store and listen to them go off one at a time!

I was shopping one day at Anthropologie and found this wonderful book, it's all about farmers markets across america, complete with recipies. Deborah Madison has a hit with her new book, "Local Flavors." Not only does she share a glimpse of the market across america, i found a farmer's market that is around the corner from the town I now live in.

I love wandering this craft store called "Michael's." I like to see people all excited about what they are going to create, having spontaneous conversations with each other, putting their creativity in play. I've met women there who are so serious about their crafting that they take a part-time job at the store just for the discounts on merchandise needed for their crafting! And now that holiday season is upon us, crafters are swarming out in high numbers, determined to create the right thing for the holiday season. I especially love the piles and piles of artificial flowers that they have, as well as the multitude of twinkle lights. As a special treat, I like to get three of their 33 cent tiny chocolates before heading out the door. It's like a crafting tradition. Michael's even has signs for any occasion! No matter how my day has been, if I wander through Michael's for even just ten minutes, I find myself inspired and happy. Happy crafting!

I love the discovery of odd and unusual signs, things that are unusual in their placement and stop me in my tracks, sometimes bringing up a smile or a laugh or just reminding me of the Happiness always there. Here are some recent findings....

Food

I just read through this awesome cookbook called Urban Italian, by Andrew Carmallini and Gwen Hyman. I love a cookbook that has lots of good, sturdy pictures, Of course, then I am always hungry afterwards! I tried making a chickpea-and-spinach dish that involves actually frying the beans, then stir frying garlic and spinach; man was this good! I had to modify as I did not have all of the ingredients for the recepie but it was still really good. I would like to make their 'spread' for crusty bread: it involves ricotta cheese, whole milk, spices, and olive oil.

I could picture myself in some small coastal town in Italy, sitting at an outdoor cafe for hours, talking and eating with the natives, trying to speak Italian. I like how different cultures of the world express with food and social context - that there is life beyond eat-and-run. I have a dear friend who grew up in Argentina, and she often tells me these stories of how they would spend hours eating just one meal together, eating slowly and really appreciating the food and each other. This leaves me feeling inspired and happy. Bon appetit!

Hello

Hello! My name is Jane, and this blog is all about my excellent adventures in this life. I have a lot of curiosities and interests and was looking for a place to explore and share them with others. This would be it! I hope to use this space to write and share my thoughts and feelings about everything to spiritual development to music to astrology to deeper insights about patterns and prophecies in the world today. Welcome! I invite you to share my journey!