zena musings

Shamelessly using my beautiful Mama to promote her beautiful candle

Mother's Day is just around the corner and now is the perfect time to order candles for mom -- or YOU -- and save big before this weekend's price increase at zena moon. (My Mom not included with purchase. :))

Silly goats and a poem about JOY

Take hold of your own life.
See that the whole existence is celebrating.
These trees are not serious, these birds are not serious.
The rivers and the oceans are wild,
and everywhere there is fun,
everywhere there is joy and delight.
Watch existence,
listen to the existence and become part of it.

— Osho

This photo was taken at River's Wish Animal Sanctuary on the outskirts of Spokane. The best part? After I shot this photo, I got to hold a bottle. One of the sweetest and most fun things I've ever done!

21 truths on my heart

I'm single because I was born that way.
— Mae West

Nearly two weeks after Valentine's Day, these truths are bursting outta my heart this morning.

1. My top priority is my relationship is with myself and my Higher Power.
2. #1 requires a tremendous amount of time + attention via nurturing, listening, action and devotion.
3. I love being single. It's when I thrive and blossom and contribute my best to the world.
4. #3 is not the social norm. It's not the Libra norm. Unless you're a priest or a monk or a BYU basketball player, it's not supposed to be anyone's norm. I struggle with this. But #3 has been true all my life, so I get to trust that God knows what S/He's doing with me better than I do.
5. Love is EVERYWHERE.
6. I've been in many relationships (more than 70, less than 100) ranging from one night to 13 years.
7. Had I known a good massage therapist in my 20's, those numbers would be significantly lower.
8. Can I say I'm grateful for them all? Yes. Each person was important in his or her way.
9. As a kid, the women I wanted to grow up and be like were always independent and unconventional. Cher. Rhoda. The bohemian chick played by Melanie Mayron on thirtysomething.
10. As an adult, the women I identify with and want to be like are always independent and unconventional. Also creative, wise, spiritual, kind, active and really alive in whatever way(s) they're called to be.
11. I absolutely revel in diversity. I'd wither and die if my circle of friends wasn't rife with different ages, classes, colors, beliefs, experiences and backgrounds.
12. Since my divorce in 2007, I've dated four women. No men. I've discovered a lot about myself; some amazing, some alarming.
13. Quite possibly the most pressing truth I've discovered is that at this time in my life I have no business getting involved in romantic relationships. In practical terms they keep getting in the way of what I want to do and experience.
14. Even the most casual romantic relationship requires more time and attention than I have to offer.
15. You won't see me flipping cartwheels over #13 and #14, but they've proven true time and again. Whether I accept the truth doesn't change the truth, so today I'm practicing acceptance. "The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it," wrote Flannery O'Connor. Indeed.
16. I accept what-is and I'm open to change.
17. I'm on fire and in love -- and I mean wholeheartedly, unabashedly, full-soul-force wild passionate LOVE -- with photography! That is what I'm meant to be doing with my time. Following those breadcrumbs is where my energy is called to go.
18. I am a fantastic doggie mama. I'd have given birth if I could birth puppies. I love my dogs with every fiber of my being.
19. Certainly hasn't always been the case, but today I'm a good daughter and a good sister. I love and value my parents and brother with all my heart, and I hope both my behavior and attitude convey that.
20. I want to be a better friend. I'm blessed to attract and know a fantastic array of kick-ass people, and I'm an introvert still learning to live outside my comfort zone.
21. I tell myself I have a hard time hurting someone's feelings who's interested in me, but wise ones assure me that the state of others' feelings isn't within Carla Blazek's superpowers. Their story and their feelings are their responsibility. People-pleasing harms everyone, including me. An old therapist once said, "If you don't tell the truth, the right thing can't happen." This, by the way, is the quote on zena moon's speak my truth candle. I should light one later.

Thanks for listening. The main reason I decided to share publicly is to help anyone else who might be feeling similarly not feel alone. That's so important -- not feeling alone. I fully realize I've just put the kibosh on any future dating possibilities and that now would be a lovely time to enter a convent. That's OK. Today I've got my dog, my camera and a good massage therapist.

When in doubt, love

Created by artist Mary Campbell for Patti Digh. Feel free to download this high-res PDF version, print it, and share with others.

The new is always present with the old, however hidden

I am a frayed and nibbled survivor in a fallen world, and I am getting along. I am aging and eaten and have done my share of eating too. I am not washed and beautiful, in control of a shining world in which everything fits, but instead am wandering awed about on a splintered wreck I've come to care for, whose gnawed trees breathe a delicate air, whose bloodied and scarred creatures are my dearest companions, and whose beauty bats and shines not in its imperfections but overwhelmingly in spite of them...

– Annie Dillard

(Photo taken during this afternoon's walk.)

'tis the season for candles and saving and giving

Happy December, everyone!

Our gorgeous holiday candles are now available! From silent night to hanukkah to happy new year, they're sure to delight. Plus save a holly jolly 20% OFF with coupon code HOHOHO now through 12/31 at zenamoon.com!

NaNoWriMo Special for November 2011

In celebration of National Novel Writing Month, we're offering 20% OFF with coupon code NANOWRIMO during the entire month of November!

Fan your creative flames and keep yourself company with a candle for writing, calling the muses, just do it, the creative fire and more. (Offer ends 11/30/11.)

Special props to zena moon workerbee and NaNoWriMo participant Colleen, who came up with the idea for us to offer a special promotion to her fellow writers.

Friday's Truth

To those working for the rights and health of the underdog, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'm so grateful there are people like you who can do this. I don't pretend to know what's best for anyone individually or collectively, but when I pay attention -- intentionally or not -- to what happens in this world and how people, governments and corporations do harm, it's easy to feel despair.

Like many creatives, I wasn't born with emotional insulation, and despite being stronger and more stable than ever, sometimes my coping mechanisms are still pretty fragile. I'm extremely sensitive and simply not wired to handle shitty people, shitty behavior or shitty energy.

You will never engage me in a conversation about politics or religion. Even if we're in agreement.

If you are a local news reporter, weatherman or anchor, I have no idea who you are.

You won't find me in organized activist circles. Yet if we ever live in a time when it's necessary, you can bet my house will be part of an "underground railroad."

If you enjoy talking about government and social problems, I will do everything in my power to avoid you.

Sometimes I admonish myself, "I should pay attention to this. I should march in that. I should, I should, I should." But honestly? Every bit as harmful (to me) as cutting myself with a sharp knife. My default setting is Care Too Much.

I lived in a state of despair for a long time, and it's only in the last couple years that I've made my way to the light again. Not surprisingly I'm mama-bear fiercely protective of my peace of mind. For me, serenity isn't something nice to have, it's a matter of life or death.

So, to the bad news I heard and the awful photo I saw earlier . . . goddammit, you break my heart. And unfortunately there's nothing I can do about you. I have to turn you over to God. I have to do my best to make a difference where I can in my own life today. To smile at strangers. To extend my hand to the newcomer at the noon AA meeting. To enjoy -- ENJOY -- this day of my life as best I can.

Go Now and Live by Jeanette LeBlanc

 

It's new, it's improved and as always it's fat-free

Happy happy joy joy -- our new website is up and running! :D To celebrate, we're offering a 20% discount on all orders placed through the end of June using coupon code BLOSSOM. Visit zenamoon.com today!