Goodbye Summer

Autumn is officially upon us, however, the remnants of summer (my favorite season) remain a while longer. I love the warm weather, in part, for the abundance of attention-grabbing visuals peeking out from bodies unencumbered by clothes and shoes. Greenwich Village, NoHo, and Soho (where I’m happily employed) is always teeming with an interesting array of tattoos and toes.

Body art is plentiful and seemingly mainstream these days. Tatoos creatively express individuality and are best enjoyed without judgment, a task easier said than done. I still remember a drop-dead gorgeous woman conservatively dressed with a thick black zipper tattoo up each arm from wrist to elbow. Beauty is obviously in the eye of the beholder.

There were fewer sandals on Broadway this week – gradually replaced by the latest closed-in footwear. I find looking down at people’s feet irresistible. It’s not that I have a foot fetish.  I’m not turned on by feet in a turned-on sense. I’m simply fascinated by the extraordinary assortment of toes. I wonder if anyone else has noticed that some the most beautiful women have the most unexpected toes.

Although I resist the change of seasons with a less than happy attitude (winter is my least favorite season), I will continue to enjoy the art show on the streets of New York City before cold weather hides everything under wraps of cloth, fur, and leather.

Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.  ~ Henry David Thoreau

My Ecstatic enChanting Birthday Bash

This year I’ve decided to celebrate each and every day during the month of my Virgo birthday by doing something Goddessworthy. Spending time with loved ones in celebration of my being is an easy given; but coming up with something meaningful and/or fun is a daily challenge I heartily recommend. 

My simple Everyday Goddess pleasures have included work (with people I truly love), eating my favorite foods (e.g. frozen yogurt and pizza), manicure, pedicure, and thoroughly enjoying messages from my Facebook Friends. I’m loving my presents (e.g. Ganesh charm and sacred candles); although more importantly I’m appreciating the presence of family and friends.

The highlight of my celebration thus far has been attending Omega Institute’s Labor Day Ecstatic Chant. Kirtan is the call-and-response singing of mantras believed to be soulfully transformational (in a good way). Beloved devotional singers Krishna Das, Deva Premal, Miten, Manose, and Jai Uttal were as lovingly present and as brilliant as I knew they would be.  I was accompanied by my BFF, my BSF (best swami friend), two Steves, a Tina, an Yvette, and hundreds of other Bhaktas there for the same reason (to share a day of musical prayer and meditation).  During the final moments at Omega (in the bookstore), I mentioned to my BFF that the only person I hadn’t hugged and kissed for my birthday was Miten. Lo and behold who walks in:  Miten, of course.  I’d just bought Deva’s latest cd, Password. When the hugging, kissing, and chatting was complete, Miten raced off with the cd for Deva to sign.  I love the cd.  Click on the link below for a You Tube sample.

Aham Prema

I am love.