Love Is All You Need

I have a million and one things to say, two and a half weeks worth of sightseeing adventures to describe, and many pictures that capture my experience to upload...but tonight - I feel more inclined to be reflective. Today is my three month anniversary in this great nation...91 days ago I got on a plane to take me 3,970 miles across the planet - worlds away from my inhabited existence, from amazing friends and family, and from the confines of limited understanding and awareness. The days have passed more rapidly than anticipated, the people met have been more welcoming than expected, and the feelings of wellness, inspiration, and connectedness have been more powerful than imagined.

I believe in magic. I believe in magical places where the soul feels grounded and free and liberated to step outside itself to look back at a life well-lived and forward to a future of dreams fulfilled. And for me - taking one giant leap into the unknown was exactly what this doctor ordered. It occurs to me, however, that while my spirit awakens and consciousness soars, I am far away in physicality from those who've made my life worth living. So, for those who read this, and for those who don't even know of its existence (but who will be lifted higher by my loving energy nonetheless) - I thank you for all you are, for all you give, and for the love you inspire in me.

A very amazing woman, and dear friend of mine sent me this quote/poem while on my journey - and I've come back to it so many times over the last three months. The author of the famous quote, Marianne Williamson, is one of the leading spiritual teachers devoted to transformational wisdom - she is a changer of the world, and someone who lifts fellow spirits into a higher level of consciousness...

Our Deepest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people
won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

It's a profoundly life-altering experience to work on letting my light shine - because it's about having unwavering faith in the mind-boggling secret of life...trusting that I'm exactly who I wanted to be, where I most wanted to go, doing what I most wanted to do. It's taken a really long time (28 years to be exact - and a few previous lifetimes) to finally grasp that there are no "should's" and that my power to change myself or even this world doesn't lay a great idea away, an amazing donation away, or even a great editorial away - my power is only a thought away. It's brilliant in its simplicity. Our greatest tool, our true success, is the power of our thoughts.

Stories of my bridge brigade, my walk along the South Bank, my flight of 1,000 steps in St. Paul's Cathedral, and Viva's transformation will come shortly, as will the photos I've logged of my adventures...so stay tuned if you're so inclined.

But for tonight at least (if only for tonight), please see yourself as "powerful beyond measure." You have a light that shines into the darkest corners of the world, and there is no one you have to be other than who you already are. There is nothing you have to do other than what you face each day...You are the change you wish to see in this perfect world. And love is all there is... (see below)

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Egypt and the British Museum

I know what you're thinking...that when one contemplates the likely treasures awaiting inside the uncomprehendingly vast British Museum, thoughts do not immediately evoke images of stone pillars and hieroglyphics from over 3,000 years ago. But that's what makes the British Museum so spectacular. After a few hours, I had only made it through Egypt and peeked into Assyria - there is just so much to see in a wonderful, I-can't-believe-this-is-actually-here kind of way. The museum itself, sitting demurely in the middle of a tight city block, can best be described as a small Buckingham Palace. It's huge and palatial and stately and cordoned off by black wrought-iron gates with the Queen's emblem on it. Once inside, you're swept away by the Great Court - larger than a football field, many stories high, this great enclosed, yet open space with a sky-lit ceiling is breathtaking. Although the historical treasures are through big open archways, it feels like you could spend forever, just walking around the big hall. First stop, past the doorway is none other than the Rosetta Stone. There is nothing quite so perfect in its timeless stature and simplicity to bring you to a halt and ground you in the knowledge of its ancient heritage and yours as well. It's really a bit mind-blowing to walk around the room and to feel connected to worlds ago - in a very different way than standing before paintings. Here, one stands before artifacts, pieces of granite carved with an ancient language, tombs uncovered in pyramids, and statues of Pharaohs that lived and ruled in biblical times. Mind-blowing. But the very 'coolest' thing to be found yesterday, was in a small side-room. In an incredibly huge glass case, there was a relatively small hand-carved treasure, a pair of swimming reindeer (one male and one female), carved intricately and ornately into a Mammoth tusk, dating back - 13,000 years ago to just after the last Ice Age. Unbelievable. It takes more than a few moments for the incredibility of that to sink in when you stand and look at it.

I will return another day and many more days, just to see it all. But yesterday's journey into ancient Egypt was priceless. And I enjoyed the Museum Tavern across the street to have a lemonade (which is not American lemonade, more like Sprite). Walked down to Covent Garden, over to Leicester Square, and then to Piccadilly Circus. Stopped for a while in a travel book and map store in Covent Garden and played with the arrangement of various globes and then a quick moment into Waterstone's on Piccadilly to visit the books, before stopping at Costa (coffee shop) for a drink and a read of the Evening Standard - like any regular Brit would do, prior to catching the tube back to Balham.

A few pictures from the museum...

Home Sweet Balham

Wow - what a week it's been. Not having internet access leaves one feeling so utterly unconnected. I'm grateful to the chap who's letting me use his/her wireless as I write this!

Tuesday, I left Talbot Square and Lancaster Gate with bittersweet emotions...that tiny studio with the crazy-hot radiators had been a splendid home away from home for the last many weeks, boasting unbeatable closeness to my very own Kensington Gardens (no more midnight walks along Hyde Park and Park Lane). Although, now I am in a very cozy flat, on a quiet and charming street in a south suburb, sharing a flat with one friends, and only blocks away from the others. I've only done a bit of exploring in Balham, but I like what I've seen. And with a 25 minute tube ride into central London - I still feel close. Although moving in and helping Julian unpack boxes, etc has been my main event these past few days - I have managed to find the Balham Leisure centre and have my first swim in months. It was blissful. I've also found a few great cafes - the Nightingale being one of my favorites. I enjoyed the outdoor seating the other day in the sun - except that I was drinking hot chocolate (the sun has been shining, but the wind has been blowing December wind). Bridget Jone's Diary was on the telly the other day and sitting in my new pad looking around, it felt quite similar. We have slanted ceilings in the living room, a cozy window seat, a fireplace that is mostly for show, and a great big kitchen outfitted with new appliances...it's really lovely. And I'm about an 8 minute walk from the tube station, 10-minutes from the Sainsbury's (grocery store), and about 5 minutes from Viva!! I think living here will be good. (oh, and we have a sleeper sofa :)

Saturday, jonesing for my London fix - I braved Portabello Road for the infamous markets in Notting Hill. People were jammed into every free space, spilling over into the streets, antique vendors, clothing and jewelry vendors, food vendors - huge cauldrons of paella made on the spot - on the street...it was a carnival for the senses. As you walked down the street, you could pass from reggae to rock to the hits of the 80's playing from various speakers, that's not counting the live performers standing on most street corners...the sun was shining and everyone was eager for a chance to barter their way into a well-worn leather military-esq vest or a purse made from multicolored puff-balls. It was fantastic. Afterward, thoroughly enjoying my market day, and a late lunch at Santo, a true Mexican restaurant in the heart of London - I made my way to Hyde Park and spent the last remaining rays of sun in the splendor that is Kensington Gardens.

And now it's Sunday - another sunny day. I can only take it as a good sign that Balham likes having me as its newest resident. So today's big achievements have included figuring out how to work the washer-dryer, grocery shopping, and stealing some wireless internet to update this long over-due blog. My flat-mate is home from his weekend in Manchester, so time to chat a bit and then a late dinner. Tomorrow marks the start of my first full week here...home sweet Balham.