Read, Create, Explore, Expand
January 2, 2010
See the power of art to transform people, cultures and thought processes. How inspiring is this for the start of a New Year?
The Giant Buddhas
February 22, 2009
Bamiyan Buddha, Afghanistan
I just finished watching this wonderful documentary, The Giant Buddhas from Netflix on my computer. I highly recommend this program.
The documentary mentioned that originally the Buddha had a wooden face covered in gold and jewels. The face could be tilted so that the Buddhist monks could light candles behind the eyes. I now have a mental picture of the Buddha at night with lights coming from behind giant ruby eyes, shining over the Bamiyan Valley. What a fantastic vision it must have been. Makes me wonder though what is happening in that region of the Silk Road now and how sad it is to have lost these world treasures to the Taliban’s twisted perspective.
I am so appreciative for the life I lead as I watch how difficult it has been and continues to be for generations in that area. Those families that had lived in the cliff dwellings for generations have now been “relocated” by the government to a seemingly undesirable and inhospitable location, farther from water and in an extremely cold and windy area. It made me think of how the US “relocated” the American Indians to the Reservations. It looks like a life of survival, not really living or being able to appreciate. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to live in that region. This helps me to remember that I have nothing to complain about.
The Giant Buddhas
(2005) NR
Christian Frei’s documentary traces the tragic tale of the giant Buddhas of Afghanistan’s Bamiyan Valley, which stood as monumental landmarks for 1,500 years until 2001, when the Taliban declared that all non-Islamic statues in the country be destroyed. Despite international protest, the statues were blown up. Through interwoven narratives from past and present, Frei’s film sheds light on the disturbing consequences of religious fanaticism.
Here are some links with more information about the Buddhas.
http://buddhistlinks.org/BuddhasBamiyan.htm
Here is something about the uncovered third and reclining buddha.
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iMwnIv89hH3Q7rvdzmDQH9zCL6KA
And here is a video discussing the possible rebuilding of the Buddhas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9Cu5iOjHQo
Gail Brokaw
http://www.embracethepossibility.org
Synchronicity and Remembrance
January 20, 2009
Mirror Lake, Chugiak, Alaska
Last weekend I got an impulse to start checking the internet for a place and people I knew 30 years ago. I was married to a Coast Guard man at the time and he was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. We bought a fixer-upper home in a small town named Chugiak, Alaska. I spent several hours glued to my computer screen as I found several links to articles that mentioned two women who I knew there. I was remembering how much I appreciated the invitations to join their women’s group. I remembered the older couple up the hill who had lived there for years who included us in the neighborhood potluck and welcomed us into the neighborhood. I was 30 and had two young daughters. I was isolated and in an old, very run down house that needed more energy and work than we had in us. I’ve never been so exhausted at the end of each day as we rebuilt this little building back to a livable situation. It was a humbling experience (the first time I was ashamed of the house I lived in) and very difficult at times (frozen car locks, shoveling out before we could leave the driveway, sliding to a stop in the car when the ice was thick on the roads) but the beauty of the people and the environment was at times so wonderful that it was unbelievable. I rediscovered the old values of neighbor helping neighbor, creating family where there was none, and involvement in the community.
So, I found a link on the internet that mentioned one woman I was searching for. Her son had just married in Hawaii last year. And would you believe that he lives in my town in California?! Talk about a small world. So I called and left a message that I was trying to get in contact with his Mom. Then Presto! She called me a few days later. And she is coming to California next month to see her son. We’ll have lunch or coffee and talk. That is synchronicity. I am grateful for the opportunity to see her again and to thank her in person for including me in her social network. Isn’t the internet wonderful?
See some of my photos from Chugiak at http://www.embracethepossibility.org/Chugiak.html
French Crepes and artwork in San Francisco
September 28, 2008
Three Women by Armelle Gourvennec
About the restaurant. . .
“This Mission staple has three whitewashed, stucco-and-wood dining rooms decorated with photos from old Brittany. There’s seating at serpentine counters, as well as tables. French expatriate and owner Sylvie Lemer bases her menu on classic Breton recipes. Thin buckwheat crepes are folded in big flat squares around dozens of fillings, from a simple butter and cheese to ham and Gruyere. Sweet crepes include fruit, sauce and ice cream combinations.” –CitySearch staff
I suggest that two people order one savory and one dessert crepe to share, as they are filling. Have fun!
Gail Brokaw
http://www.embracethepossibility.org
Sacred Sunday at Mill Valley
September 21, 2008
The Mill Valley Arts Festival is one of my favorite things to do each year. I went there yesterday to stroll among the talented artists and the gorgeous redwood trees. The festival is held in the Old Mill Park at the foot of Mt. Tamalpais in the middle of a grove of beautiful redwood trees. The smell of the trees and the feel of the thick carpet of leaves and bark is soothing and relaxing. There is even a stream flowing through the end of the park which makes it even more appealing to me. It’s the perfect setting. The sound in the park is muffled by the trees and the heavy carpeting of fallen leaves, but during the day there is usually live music played at one end of the park. The groups they select blend well with the feel of the park; mellow and uplifting.
2008 Festival Poster
One year we saw Huey Lewis at the festival partaking of festival food with his family. We were reminiscing about it yesterday when we looked up and there was Albert Brooks sitting with friends and visiting. It’s such a relaxing place, even actors and musicians can come and relax among the big trees and feel sure they won’t be bothered by cameras and publicity. How nice is that?!
Two-time Emmy Award winner Rita Abrams and her Strawberry Point School kids captured hearts and airwaves worldwide with their chartbuster hit song, “Mill Valley.” For a blast from the past check out this video. You will have to scroll down on the linked page and look for the video as it is not on YouTube directly anymore. http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=mill+valley+art+festival&fr=yfp-t-501-s&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8
Here is a guide to the great outdoors in Marin County. Enjoy! http://www.marintrails.com/
Enjoy a walk in nature in the next few weeks and embrace Fall and the transition from one season to another.
Gail Brokaw
http://www.embracethepossibility.org
Celtic Cross and Life Balance- Sacred Life Sunday
September 1, 2008
Island of Iona, Scotland
Iona is a beautiful, small speck of an Island off the western coast of Scotland 3 miles long and 1 mile wide with 2000 acres in total area. http://www.isle-of-iona.com/ This is where Joan Anderson traveled to connect with the spirit and her heritage. While there, she visits an artist in his studio. He is hand carving Celtic Crosses. She asks him about the significance of the circle in the center of all the Celtic Crosses. He responds that the circle is where all opposites come together. It is a stabilizing element for the cross. He further explains that another thought some have is that the circle “represents mother – the woman – who holds it all together.” I, like Joan, am interested in crosses, not for their religious significance but for the beauty of the art that can be a representation of crossroads. 
Haven’t we all been at a crossroad at least a few times in our lives? We have had times to make choices, set a new direction or take advantage of a new opportunity. I see the circle in the cross as a representation of something that holds our life together as we take different directions and new paths. The circle not only holds together, but brings together different elements in our life. It’s a powerful symbol.
For me, the four main directions that need connecting and balancing are relationships (family and friends), work, spirit and creativity. I need to remain aware of each point in my cross (life) and find time to connect each to the other and continue to maintain the balance that feels good to me.
What is the crossroad you are facing right now? What helps you hold the major points of your life together?
Gail Brokaw, MA, CC
http://www.embracethepossibility.org
lifecoach@embracethepossibility.org
You CAN make the change you want in your life!
The Big Island, Hawaii Vacation
May 3, 2008
I just got back from a week in Hawaii on the Big Island. It was spectacular! The rainforests were amazing with plants that were so huge and dense that it seemed a dinosaur could appear at anytime. The island seemed quiet except for Kilauea which was belching sulfur dioxide enough to cover the Big Island and all the other islands in the chain with dense clouds of the gas. Though we seldom saw any blue sky during our week, it was warm and bright. I especially loved the Hilo side of the island as it seems more like the old Hawaii versus the Kona side which is geared more toward the tourists who are looking for beaches, restaurants, and entertainment. It was a nice balance to see both areas during our week.
One day we drove to Pahoa to walk the old lava fields and view steam rising from the ocean where lava is now flowing from Kilauea. We could see steam rising from places all down the mountain where cracks in the earth were releasing the sulfur dioxide gas. The lava flow we were walking on had hardened into shapes and ropes and now ferns and other plants are coming up out of the black rock. Land owners who’s property was completely covered by lava flow are now rebuilding out in the middle of the lava rock field. One house was spared the lava and sits alone, surrounded by lush green plants that are surrounded by acres of lava rock. It’s an oasis in the middle of a lava field. There were realtor signs in the rock lava announcing property for sale, if you would like to buy a nice piece of Hawaii! Talk about owning a piece of the rock!
How about you? What location could you recommend for a relaxing and interesting vacation?
Rainbow Falls, Hawaii
Discovering new paths
March 27, 2008
This last weekend I walked with a couple of friends in a beautiful wooded area near the local lake. I found an easy hike since we don’t do this regularly, and we headed out for a walk hoping to find sign posts along the way for direction. None of us knew where we were going. We dodged poison oak, enjoyed spring wildflowers, and made choices about the way to go as we approached a fork in the path with no clear direction. We hoped it would take us where we were heading. We found the lake, and along the way made friends with a woman and her dog, who was having a blast retrieving a stick from the lake over and over again. Such joy and energy! The temperature was just perfect to be out in nature, the quiet was refreshing and we actually saw some wild turkeys and heard a few birds singing above our heads. We had a great time visiting, talking about future vacations and just laughing. It was a great day. On our way back from the lake, we took a path that lead us to a different destination than the one we wanted. We received differing advice from fellow hikers about how to get to our destination. Of our choices, we decided to take the quicker but steeper path up the hill. I couldn’t help but see the similarities of our hike with the path we take during our lives. We start down our path with no specific map telling us which fork in the road to take along the way. We try to dodge things that are not good for us, find friends and happy experiences along the way, receive lots of suggestions from others telling us which way to go, and sometimes take the trail that involves a struggle but sure feels good when we’re successful. It helps to keep your wits about you, have friends and supporters close, and listen to the voice inside, telling you which path seems right for you. Enjoy the journey.
Gail Brokaw, Life Coach You CAN create the change you want in your life.
