Are you CLIMBING or, are you GROWING to the TOP.

Yesterday I touched upon staying grounded while climbing to the top. This got me thinking as it may sound confusing to some. i.e. how can one possibly climb 'up' if they are still 'connected' to the ground?

As the picture above depicts, a healthy vine has reached, stretched, twisted and turned its way up a ladder. Its goal was spreading its leaves, stretching towards the sun, yet still receiving its nourishment from the earth never forgetting where it came from. The plant successfully grew strong roots in the soil, yet also reached the goal of getting to the top.

You see the plant did not start climbing up the ladder, then pulled up its roots to carry itself to the top hoping to re-root itself at the top.

The plant GREW to the top.

Here is where I've modified my vision, I am no longer climbing to the top, I am GROWING to the top! You see, in terms of a human be-ing, it is more metaphorical. We of course don't have physical 'roots' as we are entirely mobile. However, we have roots in a sense of energy.

Now many do indeed grab these roots and carry them with them, with no intention of seeing where they've been while on the road to where they are going. Now I'm a firm believer of leaving the past, in the past. Yet I also believe in understanding where we came from and comprehending how our journey has gotten us right here, right now to this very moment.

There are no coincidences. You are reading this blog right now, because the moment is right. Something in this little message will resonate with you and strike a chord. Now you may read it today the day I post it. Perhaps you'll find it next year or five years from now in the midst of cyber space. The point is, you'll find it, when it applies to you in life.

I reiterate, my vision has changed. I am growing to the top, not climbing to the top. Are you coming too?

Alethea Anderson

Mom and Visionary

A post with DEEP roots...

Climbing the ladder to success is not 'easy'. EVER. Remember, the higher you get, the harder the wind blows. As you ascend the ladder, the stairs, the rope (whichever method of UP you choose) keep in mind that the internal battle is always present.

Until. You live and let live.

The past 10 years of my life have been an absolute whirl wind. I've had it all. Lost it all. Had it all and lost it all once again. There is no one to blame, as we each create our own lives based on our thoughts and actions. The key is to coming to a level of enlightenment to realize this fact.

Upon reaching this enlightenment the next step is to comprehend WHY. Why is one of 'those' words that often seems to have no answer...

Why ME?

Why NOW?

This is where many take two steps back after making such a HUGE progressive step forward. They are searching externally. Herein lies the problem, you see there is nothing out 'there' because the thing causing the problem(s) is in 'here'.

There is No bad luck. No mo-jo-jo-jo.

Truth be told, if your life is going in a downward spiral, look at why you are creating this downward spiral in your life.

Now this is where it may be controversial. Many will grumble, stomp on the brakes, holler 'NUH UH!" or simply say it's a load of hog wash. No one wants to believe that they actually create bad things in their own lives.

It is really hard to admit, and even harder to digest.

Who on this globe upon which we call our home wants to admit that they are the root of their own evils? Who wants to admit that their thought patterns have caused them to create their own lack?

No one. Not one single person.

Until.

UNTIL, enlightenment.

Upon the moment of connecting HOW a thought manifests, all the puzzle pieces fall into place. Even if just for a mere glimpse. Hanging on to that moment is the hard part, as this is the exact moment where the ego starts to get swallowed whole and puts up one heck of a fight. This is also where many succumb to the strength of the ego, as our egos fed by years of embedded subconscious beliefs long to stay where it is 'safe and comfortable'.

This is the internal battle that some fight for an entire life. Others reach enlightenment obtaining true abundance, happiness and prosperity. Yet the rest simply give up.

I'm getting a little DEEP here, one of my philosophical ramblings that I'm known to go on every once and awhile...

Let me wrap it up, or else I'll be typing into the wee hours of the morning. Which I should, it will help me clear my head! But for the sake of the potential reader who may squeak across this blog, I'll shorten it up a bit.

No matter how high you climb, the trick is, staying grounded. Like I noted in paragraph one, the higher you get, the harder the wind blows. There is room for us all at the top, and the ones who get to the top, are the ones who have strong roots at the bottom. They've built a foundation, and in the same breath they've let go of the past.

It's something to think about for sure... oh is it ever!

A day in the life of a work at home Mom, today this Mom is diving deep into the realm of thought. Well, I often do. Hence my other 'Universe' blog... Anywho... I'm starting to go random so remember, thoughts are indeed things. If your life is in a tangle, the only way to get out of the knots, is to figure out why you tied them in the first place...

Alethea Anderson

A Rose in Silence, speaks 1,000 words

I never knew how much I liked roses...

...until we moved into this home that had a full rose garden!

When we moved to this home in December of 2008 the back yard was covered in spiny twigs, crunchy leaves and naked trees and bare bushes.

We were told it would be beautiful in the Spring, but sometimes it's difficult to envision what will be, from what is not.


So the spring came and the yard came to life. Silent twigs burst to life with blossoms. Cold, thorny bushes sprouted in green. New life stretched and twisted towards the sun like mini solar panels stocking up on energy.

I have always loved nature, but for some reason this particular spring my eyes became even more aware of the miracles that happen within our natural world.

Nothing tells a tree when to sprout its first bud...

Nothing tells a plant it is time to grow new leaves...

Nothing tells a rose to open its bud to a blossom...

Flowers have always been an important part of my life, the amazing beauty, the alluring aromas. But roses, oh the roses. While I've always found them beautiful, for some reason these spirals of botanical bliss have never quite awakened me as much as they have this year.


How is it that a single sprout, reaches towards the sky, then very next day reveals a tighhtly wound bud of green. Within 48 hours upon the warms rays of sunrise, this compact bud cracks open, peeling away, revealing a burst of color with an ever so light scent carried on the breeze.

By nightfall, the exact same rose has unfurled to reveal delicate satin petals to show a twisted tale of elegance.

Just when we think this little bundle of floral perfection has no way of getting better the next sunrise brings absolute beauty to its height of perfection.

So small and compact, untwisting, into a bloom so elegant there really are no words to describe it.
Each petal, delicate, paper thin; yet the rose as a whole is so powerful as it sits in sunny splendor.
A favorite quote of mine comes to mind... "We can complain that roses have thorns, or we can rejoice that thorns have roses..."

This is the first year I've brought the camara into the yard to capture the flowers on digital film more that just a day, more than just a moment. Usually I'd see a flower, take a picture, and that would be it. I've always loved taking pictures of nature, but this yard, wow, I just keep going back for more! Like I said above, this year I've opened my eyes to a whole new deeper, Universal level of understanding what it is to 'be'.
Flowers just 'do', flowers just 'be'. They let life happen around them and go with the flow. The silence of a flower speaks volumes and I feel we can really learn a lot from the nature around us and the gardens in our yards.

As I captured the artwork contained within the realm of nature with the advancement of digital media, I discovered what inspired Georgia O'Keeffe and her amazing paintings.

Look into this flower, the colors, the hues, the simplicity, the elegance. A picture speaks 1,000 words yet there are no words to capture this beauty.

 The beauty just 'is'.
Just like the brush strokes from Georgia O'Keeffe in her black and white rose she painted...


One can only imagine how it all works. It is enchanting, mystical and magical. I am in love with nature. How a tiny seed comes to life and can yield flowers, fruits, herbs and more within such a short period of time.

The brilliance of our world never ceases to amaze me. So now I am a rose gardener. I trim the roses, to bring forth more roses.
Patience is a virtue, each new day brings new blooms. It's worth the wait!

Be blessed and always stop and smell the roses!

Alethea Anderson

First Official Day of Summer Vacation

Well she did it, she finished up 5th grade with a BANG! I am now the official Mommy of a Middle School 'tween' (gasp)...(eeek)....Yay (I think)!

After changing schools mid-year she had a really tough transition while going from one county's school system to the next. With grades looming very low, her spirits were too. New school, no friends, failing grades.

However she had an amazing teacher who connected her with a girl whom is now her best friend. This teacher also had the passion to make it happen and with the teacher, myself and most importantly my daughter's positive outlook; the kidlet soared to new heights!

On her promotion ceremony last week she was called to the front of the gym, she had earned a Silver Presidental Certificate for her grades. She was beaming, I was crying (I was and still am so proud!)

So today is officially the first day of summer break and I am honored to be a work at home Mom! My kidlet is here, snoozing in the other room. I'm not at an 8 to 5 and she is not at daycare. Life is good. I am grateful. I am happy.

Alethea Anderson
Proud Mommy

Silence is King (by Yehuda Berg)

This came to me in my inbox today, and I felt the message so simple and beautiful, I just had to share. Please enjoy...


There is a story about a king who did not have any children to succeed him. He called his closest advisors and gave them each a seed to plant, telling them, "Whoever best cultivates the tree within these seeds shall reign over my kingdom after me."

Years passed and time came for him to step down. He called his advisors to the royal garden to review their work. All of the trees were gloriously bountiful and colorful except one. It had not even broken ground.

The king approached the gardener of the unborn tree and asked him what happened."Your highness, I did my best. I watered the seed daily, spoke to it with love, used the best nutrients, and made sure it enjoyed hours of direct sunlight. I'm sorry to have disappointed you, but not even a root sprouted."

"My son," the king responded, "you shall be the next king."The advisors looked at the king in shock. The king continued. "You see, instead of giving you each a seed, I gave you each a small, smooth pebble. Most of you couldn't bear the thought of not succeeding, of not being the best, so you planted a 'real' seed.

Only one of you had the integrity and honesty to do your best with what you were given. That man will be your next king."

I share this story with you because it so clearly illustrates what being a teacher is all about — and we are all teachers. It's not about the bells and whistles. It's not about good looks or fancy words. It's about honesty, integrity, and dedication. It's the willingness to make the best of what you've been given, even if it's not what fits the mold. It sometimes means working long and hard hours at a relationship, with not so much as a thank you.This week, take measure of the spiritual work you do in silence. The silence is what magnifies the "noise" we make in the world.

All the best,
Yehuda

** Isn't it so simple, so true? Often we add to what we are given, feeling we are unable to make enough with it.

Have an amazing day,
Alethea Anderson

An Old Farmer's Advice :

"An Old Farmer's Advice" Everything happens for a reason and this email landed in my email box at the perfect moment, though the original author is unknown I still felt a need to share the message. I believe there are no coincidences in life, and the message within these simple phrases are indeed plain, yet profound in the same breath. Often we over analyze, over think and over do. When all we have to do is follow common sense, follow our hearts and just 'be' while we enjoy living in the present moment.

• Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight, and bull-strong.


• Keep skunks and bankers and lawyers at a distance..


• Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.


• A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.


• Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled.


• Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.


• Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.


• Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.


• It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.


• You cannot unsay a cruel word.


• Every path has a few puddles.


• When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.


• The best sermons are lived, not preached.


• Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen, anyway.


• Don't judge folks by their relatives.


• Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.


• Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back , you'll enjoy it a second time.


• Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' you none.


• Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.


• If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.


• Sometimes you get, and sometimes you got.


• The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin'.'


• Always drink upstream from the herd.


• Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.


• Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easie r than puttin' it back in.


• If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.


• Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to the Universe.

Alethea Anderson

May the Fourth Be With You...

"Use the Fourth Luke, use the fourth..."

Did Yoda just get done at the dentist? (I don't know if Yoda even has teeth?) [lol] Did Luke get fed up with forcing the force and give him a fat lip?

Or, maybe it's just May 4th. Get it? 4th = fourth = force... i.e. May the 4th be with you? Totally corny, I know!

But it somehow made a days worth of a top ten Trending Topics on twitter with the hash tag code #starwars as people across the planet wished eachother 'Happy Star Wars Day!'

Now I don't even know if this is an 'official' day or a twitter created event. Well, let me google it and see. (please hold one moment please)

Thank you for holding... Well, evidently I was in some worm hole of a time warp. Star Wars Day is indeed a 'day' of sorts. Check it out on Google. Aand according to Wikipedia...

"May 4 is called Star Wars Day because of a pun or play on words based on the similarity between "May the 4th be with you" and "May the force be with you", a phrase often spoken in the Star Wars movies.

Despite efforts to start a Church with 4 May as its Star Wars Day, as of 4 May 2009 there is no religion-supporting organization that promotes 4 May as Star Wars Day."

Okay, so this work at home Mom learned not just ONE but TWO new things today. Star Wars Day is indeed a day, deemed by someone out there. And, I had no idea that a group was attempting to form the Jedi Church. I wonder what they worship, Jabba the Hut?

Well I'll be! Happy Star Wars Day folks, and May the 4th be with you!

Alethea Anderson