With love --

Stephanie Doty

Weary of Wonderland
May 31, 2014
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To be crumbled

Be crumbled.
So wild flowers will come up where you are.
You have been stony for too many years.
Try something different.
Surrender.
~ Rumi
Photo by Sharon Brownlow

 I have newly discovered a Facebook page Rivers in the Ocean that has mesmerized me and captivated my heart.  I was fortunate to read a recent posting made by the administrator of this page that I now share with you.

As I become more and more disheartened about the unconscionable mindlessness of the few that continuously attempt to impose limitations and suffering on the many, I am grateful for those precious moments when my faith and hope for humanity's survival is restored.  I then once again breathe deeply, let go and swim in the exalting flow of rivers in the ocean.  

There are many forms of strength . . . to feel the surrender and freedom of being crumbled is a blessing.

Stephanie Doty

Weary of Wonderland
May 29, 2014
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Cause and effect

A-freaking-MEN. It may take longer than a minute or two [or even longer], B-U-T, . . . when she does bounce back, her resilience will cause her to soar to the heavens and throughout the galaxy. 

Remember this the next time you deliberately choose to hurt and/or vilify some trifling woman. Your behavior is the cause -- the REAL WOMAN is the effect. 

Stephanie Doty

Weary of Wonderland
May 27, 2014
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Choosing to care

Renowned radio personality Michael Baisden is undeniably one of the most influential and engaging personalities in radio history. His meteoric rise to #1 redefined radio with the numbers to back it up! The show was syndicated and heard in over 100 cities nationwide with millions of loyal listeners daily during the 10 year run.

Baisden recently stepped down from his national radio show, has hosted two national television shows, and recently produced three feature films.

MORE ABOUT MICHAEL:

His career began when he took a leap of faith to leave his job driving trains in Chicago to self-publish his book and began touring the country selling books out of the trunk of his car. Through the power of his sheer determination Michael carved a unique niche as a speaker, radio personality, and social activist. He is always in the lead when it comes to helping those who don’t have a voice. “I’m not one for just talking, either do something or get out of the way!”

According to Simon & Schuster, Michael Baisden is “probably the most successful self-published African American male author out there today.” With nearly 2 million books in print both hard and soft cover, his books blend the perfect combination of entertainment, humor, provocation and sexuality. Michael’s vibrant personality has made him a people magnet.

He began attracting attention with primarily female followers as author and publisher of the highly successful best selling books: "Men Cry in the Dark", "The Maintenance Man", "God's Gift to Women" and most recently a hot new book “Do Men Know What They Want.” Baisden is about to release the Collectors Edition of Maintenance Man followed by his 6th book "Maintenance Man II: Money, Politics & Sex...Everyone Has A Price" to be released in June 2012. Two of his titles ultimately were adapted into stage plays playing to sold out crowds across the US.

In 2010 Michael pledged $350,000 of his own money to be donated in over 72 markets he would visit on a bus tour. The outreach was named “One Million Mentors National Campaign To Save Our Kids.” Michael challenged his listeners to get involved. In October 2010 President Barack Obama publicly congratulated Michael on his efforts.

2012 kicked off with the announcement of a partnership with Michael, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and African American Fraternities for the Mentoring Brothers Campaign to recruit more Black mentors for Black boys.

This morning, I read this graphic on Facebook and when I shared it, learned that it had been posted by Michael Baisden.  Since I had not heard of him, I wanted to learn more and that I did.  He strikes me as being one very amazing gentleman.  I already believe I have been significantly changed -- just learning what I have.

What inspired me about the graphic is that, for me anyway, "not giving a damn" is akin to a slow, grueling death.  This is no way I care to live.  And, thus, I choose to care -- even against all odds that my caring will ever make any difference to anyone else.  Just caring brings a healthy perspective to how I choose to live my life -- regardless of the impact I may or may not make.  

Stephanie Doty

Weary of Wonderland
May 27, 2014
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Imagine -- a world that lives as one

Stephanie Doty
Weary of Wonderland
May 26, 2014
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Synchronicity in healing

For many, it's all-important to learn that the struggle may be an intrinsic step in the healing process.  Learning to ask for help is also important, but only in good time.  As the video shows, what may seem 'helpful' is not helpful at all.  Rather, help given prematurely may thwart the very necessary growth we require to achieve emotional balance.  To interfere with the natural healing process can have tragic consequences. 

It may be well to remember the struggle and journey of the lotus that begins to grown in the deepest shallows of a dark, murky pond bottom before it finally blooms into its full beauty as a lotus blossom.




http://www.tientai.net/teachings/pundarika/renge.htm

Just as struggle is an intrinsic stage of healing, so, too, is learning to both ask for and graciously receive help in the evolution of healing.  It's important to synchronize the stages of healing.  This synchronicity will help to achieve optimum emotional development, growth, health AND balance.

The Law of Transformation

Stephanie Doty
Weary of Wonderland
May 26, 2014
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Healing Journey

Stephanie Doty
Weary of Wonderland
May 26, 2014
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In loving memory for all the sacrifices made on our behalf

Stephanie Doty
Weary of Wonderland
May 26, 2014
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Elder's Meditation

Elder's Meditation of the Day May 24

"In Tunkashila, there is no time. Everything moves in the blink of an eye. It's as fast as thought. So there is no speed there. There is no time in between."
--Wallace Black Elk, LAKOTA

There is a relationship between thought and reality. Every thought is alive, and as soon as you think it a result occurs immediately. However, to make something happen it may take a series of 1,000 thoughts before you can actually see it with your eyes. This occurs because the Laws of the Great Spirit act immediately. When you tell a lie, you immediately experience fear. When you tell the truth, you immediately experience freedom. To the Creator, there is no time. For us to experience the meaning of this requires us to act on faith. Faith is belief without evidence.

Great Spirit, today, let me act on my faith.

‪#‎AMERICANINDIANSREDPOWER‬

Stephanie Doty
Weary of Wonderland
May 25, 2014
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Whimsy | An alternative paradigm shift

 

Sometimes, just sometimes, a bit of whimsy can help to achieve balance in a world seemingly run amok.

Stephanie Doty
Weary of Wonderland
May 19, 2014
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Strolling along | A learning curve

The Walrus and The Carpenter

Lewis Carroll

(from Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, 1872)

The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright--
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night.


The moon was shining sulkily,
Because she thought the sun
Had got no business to be there
After the day was done--
"It's very rude of him," she said,
"To come and spoil the fun!"


The sea was wet as wet could be,
The sands were dry as dry.
You could not see a cloud, because
No cloud was in the sky:
No birds were flying overhead--
There were no birds to fly.


The Walrus and the Carpenter
Were walking close at hand;
They wept like anything to see
Such quantities of sand:
"If this were only cleared away,"
They said, "it would be grand!"


"If seven maids with seven mops
Swept it for half a year.
Do you suppose," the Walrus said,
"That they could get it clear?"
"I doubt it," said the Carpenter,
And shed a bitter tear.


"O Oysters, come and walk with us!"
The Walrus did beseech.
"A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,
Along the briny beach:
We cannot do with more than four,
To give a hand to each."


The eldest Oyster looked at him,
But never a word he said:
The eldest Oyster winked his eye,
And shook his heavy head--
Meaning to say he did not choose
To leave the oyster-bed.


But four young Oysters hurried up,
All eager for the treat:
Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,
Their shoes were clean and neat--
And this was odd, because, you know,
They hadn't any feet.

Four other Oysters followed them,
And yet another four;
And thick and fast they came at last,
And more, and more, and more--
All hopping through the frothy waves,
And scrambling to the shore.


The Walrus and the Carpenter
Walked on a mile or so,
And then they rested on a rock
Conveniently low:
And all the little Oysters stood
And waited in a row.


"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."


"But wait a bit," the Oysters cried,
"Before we have our chat;
For some of us are out of breath,
And all of us are fat!"
"No hurry!" said the Carpenter.
They thanked him much for that.


"A loaf of bread," the Walrus said,
"Is what we chiefly need:
Pepper and vinegar besides
Are very good indeed--
Now if you're ready, Oysters dear,
We can begin to feed."


"But not on us!" the Oysters cried,
Turning a little blue.
"After such kindness, that would be
A dismal thing to do!"
"The night is fine," the Walrus said.
"Do you admire the view?


"It was so kind of you to come!
And you are very nice!"
The Carpenter said nothing but
"Cut us another slice:
I wish you were not quite so deaf--
I've had to ask you twice!"


"It seems a shame," the Walrus said,
"To play them such a trick,
After we've brought them out so far,
And made them trot so quick!"
The Carpenter said nothing but
"The butter's spread too thick!"


"I weep for you," the Walrus said:
"I deeply sympathize."
With sobs and tears he sorted out
Those of the largest size,
Holding his pocket-handkerchief
Before his streaming eyes.


"O Oysters," said the Carpenter,
"You've had a pleasant run!
Shall we be trotting home again?'
But answer came there none--
And this was scarcely odd, because
They'd eaten every one.

http://www.jabberwocky.com/carroll/walrus.html 

Stephanie Doty
Weary of Wonderland
May 18, 2014
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Once upon a time

Once upon a time, BEFORE life and experience intruded, I had a vision of love between two people.  This graphic represents to me what that vision would look like. Now, all these years and a mended heart later, I've recaptured my sensibilities.

Perhaps, for this reason alone, this graphic has become more real than ever. No matter the gender of the two people, their ages -- if what they share is a genuine bond, THIS, to me, is true love.

For me, the foundation of this bond is integrity, mutual respect, love -- the gentleness, ease and comfort that flow from their shared feelings. Anything less than this bond is nothing I would care to experience, much less share.

Stephanie Doty

Weary of Wonderland

May 16, 2014

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Troubling times

Just about the time I become all but convinced everyone will be strangled by chaos and the darkness that too often casts such long, dark shadows, light shines.  Once I realize that light is the essence of my heart, refusing to be ignored, I then allow myself the freedom of knowing all is well.

Stephanie Doty

Weary of Wonderland

May 15, 2014

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A Fractured Fairytale

Source:  http://www.spunk.org/texts/humour/sp001827.html

Stephanie Doty

Weary of Wonderland

May 10, 2014

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The synchronicity of inner symphonies

“I, with a deeper instinct, choose a man who compels my strength, who makes enormous demands on me, who does not doubt my courage or my toughness, who does not believe me naive or innocent, who has the courage to treat me like a woman.”  Anaïs Nin

Relationships can often seem challenging with insurmountable obstacles that have led me to live a solitary existence. However, this morning I read an Anais Nin quote that restores my belief and hope in the sanctity of an intimate relationship that, for me, is a synchronicity of merging inner symphonies. I believe the merged energies provide the underpinning that allows a couple to join together to dance the dance of life.

Stephanie Doty
Weary of Wonderland
May 6, 2014
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Fear Not

“Be afraid of nothing. Hating none, giving love to all, feeling the love of God, seeing His presence in everyone, and having but one desire – for His constant presence in the temple of your consciousness – that is the way to live in this world.”  Paramahansa Yogananda

Stephanie Doty
Weary of Wonderland
May 5, 2014
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Always, ALWAYS listen to your heart

This morning I read something in my Facebook news stream that I have read many times.  However, today this message resonated deeply within my heart and mind.  Throughout my life, some people have vigilantly tried convincing me that some action I was planning to take was unworthy of consideration, much less being anything I should do.  Unfortunately, for far too long, I allowed these denizens of dim to dictate the direction of my life. 

I was riddled with self-doubt, low, if any, self-esteem and did NOT listen to the music of my soul.  For far too long, I existed in a swirl of total despair and frustration.  And, yet, as I grew older and began to experience strong transformational periods, I realized I was continuing to surround myself with the same kinds of toxic, dysfunctional individuals who would profess to admire my strength and derring do, as they held me back with their demands and/or expectations that weighed me down. 

At the same time, these were the people who attempted to control and manipulate me to do whatever it was they wanted, while they demeaned and belittled me when I did not comply.  When I FINALLY woke up, faced reality and accepted that my transformation had to include my turning away from people like this, I finally stopped, decided I'd had 'ENOUGH' and began to both distance and rid myself of these denizens of darkness.  My light began to shine too brightly for me to cower within the shadows of myself.

Alas, this stage of my emotionally evolving led me to experience what seemed to me, at the time, the darkest days of my life.  It became apparent to me, after suffering their metaphoric slings and arrows, that these people were apparently so threatened by my transformation that they felt righteously compelled to emotionally eviscerate me to ensure that I become helpless and incapable of thinking.for myself -- separate and apart from them, their wants, needs and/or agendas.  For awhile, I allowed myself to get sucked into the vortex of an emotional firestorm from which I thought I'd never survive.

But, I HAVE survived and, eventually, I began to heal as I emotionally evolved into the woman I am today.  I now firmly believe that any singular act can and DOES make a difference.  It did in my life; it does in others' lives.  

The message of this story conveys a profound truth for me.  I share it with you in the hope that you are true to yourself and that you KNOW that what you do makes a difference.  Do not EVER become so weary of wonderland that you forget your beauty within, the love that is the very essence of your soul.  Always, ALWAYS listen to your heart -- as you dance the dance of life, you will never cease to be an inspiration, now, ALWAYS.

Stephanie Doty
Weary of Wonderland
May 5, 2014
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