MY EXPERIENCES WITH CREATING ABUNDANCE — Direct your energy.

I am sensitive to other people’s energy flow. When someone is whiny or needy, I experience it as a pull on my energy. It’s as if they are placing heavy weights on me.

I used to think I received energy from food or other people. When I fasted and had more energy I ruled out food as the source. With other people, I could be pulling on their energy, if they are not giving of their overflow.

I believe our energy comes from a higher source, whatever you want to call it.

You can pull it in consciously by your breath. It is available to all of us and is unconditional.

Knowing this, I consciously intend for pure energy to come into me and go out to other people. One way to think of it, is to give virtual hugs to people.

Next time you go somewhere, imagine that you are giving a platonic, loving hug to each person you see, Notice how that goes for you. It may not work if you are doing it to get something back. Try it by giving freely without any expectation.

I’d love to hear how it went for you. XD

© 2011 Jeanne Litt, All rights reserved.

 

Travel Japan – Matsue Castle

It was a short train ride from Yasugi to Matsue where there is a castle that has stood since 1611. It is one of the few remaining original castles in Japan. It is built in watchtower style. From the outside it looks to be 5 stories tall, but has 6 floors inside.

Entering it is humbling and freeing at the same time. I felt transported to a different age. It made me feel very protected with the solidness of its large square floors. There was an art exhibit going on. It is an excellent place for that.

Yatsumo and Setsu

View from near the top with roof detail

Each side of the castle faces one of the cardinal directions.

There was a shrine on the grounds.

And a regional museum, Matsue Kyodo Kan–

What impressed me most was seeing wooden and metal boots!

© 2011 Jeanne Litt, All rights reserved.

 

You’re All Winners On This Bus — Circular Needle Giveaway.

Well Holly and Samantha, I don’t have to hope that you both win — because you did. The two of you each have two entries. My random generator, (husband), chose 3 and 4.

Since you were picked first Holly, I give you your choice of size. I’ll be contacting each of you.

Happy knitting times with these and thank you for entering.

© 2011 Jeanne Litt, All rights reserved.

 

MY EXPERIENCES WITH CREATING ABUNDANCE — This I Know.

I posted about last week and Here I elaborate.

I believe that underneath EVERYTHING is good. Furthermore, I believe that even the ugliest appearing thing, when examined closely is beautiful.

These observations come from my experiences. I haven’t had experience with the most heinous of crimes.

Once I was waiting in line at a bank. When it was finally my turn, the teller pointed out a desk and said I had to see that person. I went to the desk and handled my business. As I turned to leave, I saw a woman sitting with a stricken look. I think she had been waiting there and I cut in. I gasped at the thought of my lack of awareness and wondered if this is how wars start. One person is just doing what they do and another takes offense because of what they think.

Another time a neighbor of mine refused to allow a friend to stay at her house. Her friend took offense. I happened to know that the neighbor’s husband was a peeping tom and she was protecting her friend.

I believe that any misunderstanding has goodness at its core. What appears to be mean and spiteful is what has become twisted.

I believe that IF we can work on keeping ourselves untwisted and supporting that in others; if we love it all and assume the best about people, THEN we would come closer to the truth.

Once in a workshop they sent us out to examine ugliness.  It was in a city and I walked around looking for something ugly. Not finding anything, I looked in the gutters at some glop. As I observed it, the colors and arrangement of it started to look beautiful. Everything I looked at, I discovered was beautiful when examined without judgment. I think beauty is in the eye of the non-judgmental beholder.

I am not saying to accept all that comes your way. Live a life of your preferences, knowing it is all good and you get to choose what works for you.

© 2011 Jeanne Litt, All rights reserved.

 

Travel Japan – Train to Adachi Museum

I left Kyoto on the bullet train for the Adachi Museum and Garden. By now I felt more at home on the trains. I doubled checked, while I waited on the platform and discovered in time, that I was waiting at the wrong platform.

The trains are beautiful and on time, clean and exciting. Look how pretty my rail pass is.

At Yasugi, I took a museum bus. The Adachi Museum is noted for it’s ceramics collection and it’s gardens are considered among the most beautiful in Japan. I can see why. When I arrived I stowed my backpack and camera in a locker. Surprise – they encourage you to take photos. Ah well, I bought a coffee table book instead.

It is so lovely; there is a blog post about the secret of it’s success at http://www.japanlivingarts.com/?p=4224.

I marvel at how humans and nature combine to demonstrate their best.

The museum has a restaurant. I wasn’t hungry after eating a bento box on the train. They also have a tea house looking out on a garden. I had matcha there and lingered in bliss. The presentation was peaceful, simple and very moving. My tea sweet was served with a small twig. It seemed to be pine and was carved to a point. The handle still had bark on it. It put me in one of those moments of ecstasy. The Japanese aesthetic does that to me regularly.

Being an American, I wondered if this terribly tasteful toothpick was disposable. I could not bear it, if it was to be thrown away. I brought it with me as I left, and asked the hostess, IF they were going to throw it away, could I have it?

She didn’t speak English. Her eyes widened as she understood my request and a tiny gasp escaped her lips. Flooded with embarrassment, I placed the treasure down and escaped to the Museum area where no one knew my barbaric assumptions.

© 2011 Jeanne Litt, All rights reserved.

 

FATHER’S DAY GIFTS TO MAKE — Last Minute Hit

Father’s Day is getting close. There isn’t time to make anything intricate. One gift that is always a hit and you still have time for is to write a loving note to the honoree.

You can write it in any form, text, e-mail, handwritten, written in frosting or a post-it stuck on a mirror. You will never regret having said loving words.

You can say what you love about the person, how you see them demonstrating parenting, something you appreciate about them or something better that you think of.

You can write about one instance or go on for pages. Take a moment to go inside and think about what you would love to tell this person.

Have your best Father’s Day ever!

See also how to make a seatbelt strap cover, crown or bedside pocket.

© 2011 Jeanne Litt, All rights reserved.

 

MY EXPERIENCES WITH CREATING ABUNDANCE — It’s All Good.

 

It’s all good. Underneath everything, is goodness. If only I could remember that when I am in my stuff.

And other people mirror this to me. Once a friend was angry because another friend wouldn’t let her stay at her house. Turns out the hostess was protecting her friend from her husband, but was embarrassed to say why.

It seems to me that we wouldn’t go wrong if we assume there is a good reason why people do what they do. We may not like it, but it is all good. Yes I think even the worst of things happen out of misunderstanding. Even if someone is being deliberately obnoxious, they are hurting and trying to get back to loving.

Now if I could just remember when I am reacting.

© 2011 Jeanne Litt, All rights reserved.

 

Travel Japan – Kyoto Shopping

My last day in Kyoto was for shopping. I went to Teramachi-Dori St. where it intersects Marutamachi.

I walked south along Teramachi-Dori and saw wondrous places. I stopped at a tea shop for Matcha. I remember the owner from a previous trip. He has a gentleness of spirit.

I stopped at a Japanese Washi paper store. People were inside at a u shaped table,making collages out of saturated color papers. I bought a pad of them.

At a used kimono shop were these socks for children celebrating the year of the rabbit.

I went to Somushi’s, my favorite tea house, for my last time.

There was a yarn shop to tempt me. And Sou Sou, a clothing designer who modernizes traditional Japanese wear. By this time I was back to Nishiki Market. There is a knife store there that sells all types of prized Japanese knives.

I do love shopping, especially in Japan.

© 2011 Jeanne Litt, All rights reserved.

 

FATHER’S DAY GIFTS TO MAKE — E-reader Cover and a Circular Needle Giveaway.

For the Father in your life who has an e-reader, you can knit or crochet a cover for it. On Ravelry there are a few different patterns to choose from. One person designed a cell phone cover that looks like a pop tart!

I won’t be making one for Father’s day this year but I have saved these patterns in my favorites.

I have an abundance of circular knitting needles and am giving away two. One is US size 11 and one is US size 10 1/2.

Leave a comment with a way I can get in touch with you when you win. That’s all you have to do. Tell me if and how you follow my blog for an extra entry.

Best luck to all of you.

I will pick the winner by random generator, on June 24th.

See also how to make a seatbelt strap cover, placemat/towel, crown, or bedside pocket.

© 2011 Jeanne Litt, All rights reserved.

 

MY EXPERIENCES WITH CREATING ABUNDANCE — Give Of The Overflow.

Plumeria

I have heard it said to give of the overflow. My experience has been that this is an excellent way to avoid some problems.

When you give of the overflow, you don’t deplete yourself. You give from your excess, after your own needs have been taken care of.

This doesn’t mean you don’t put yourself out and give a lot. It does mean you keep an awareness of your needs and take care of yourself first. By doing this you are able to be at the ready to help take care of others. By depleting yourself, you are much less use to anyone.

It’s like on airplanes, if you are with someone who needs assistance, take care of yourself, ( put on your own oxygen mask first.)

It is also useful as a criteria for saying no. I’m envisioning a world where it is as acceptable to say, ‘self first’ as it is to say ‘family first.’

© 2011 Jeanne Litt, All rights reserved.