. I've been back from my trip for a little more than a month and I still feel great. I know I feel a little different being back. My mindset has shifted slightly, I'm even more environmentally conscious. For instance, when I shave, I now use half the water that I used to use. And that does make a difference in our environment. I'm also finding significant enjoyment in being in nature, especially bird watching. I got to relax at work this morning, meditating by the Bay, enjoying dolphins frolicking in the water, and then I continued to relax in the Hamam... a treat =) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Today was our first day of the Centering Circle. The Centering Circle is a time and place to become grounded and to regain your center. The purpose is to become centered and to reunite the body, mind, and spirit. It is from 3:00 to 3:20, but nobody will be reprimanded for being late or for leaving early. It takes place daily (including weekends) in the Yoga Room on the 3rd floor @ The Standard, Miami. This drop-in Centering Circle is free (no charge) to all. One can sit, be still, center & ground, meditate, and/or just gather one's thoughts. The concept is derived from other areas where (vocal) calls are made out to the community to join in prayer, worship, and/or meditation. It is open to all including every department staff, hotel guests, members, and locals. In the midst of our business it is easy to lose one's center, so this is especially appropriate in our atmosphere. Sign in on the sheet @ the spa desk, come in, take off your shoes, grab a zazen cushion, and take a deep inhalation and exhalation, and gently allow yourself to become recentered. The Standard Hotel 40 Island Ave, Miami Beach, 305.673.1717

. Are any of my Zaadzster friends (or anybody who reads this LOL) coming to The Standard, Miami Aug. 24-26 for the Zaadz Weekend? I work there (at the Standard) and I think it would be cool to meet & chat with other Zaadzsters. the link to Zaadz weekend::: http://www.zaadz.com/newsletters/2/archive/2147

. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQLD59fK_Iw .

Practicing Peace in my daily routines . My recipe for World Peace::: Practicing Peace in my daily routines. If I am not at Peace with myself, my family, my friends, my co-workers, my neighbors, people on the street, strangers, etc, then, in my opinion, Peace may not be within reach to me nor to the World I am in. In line at the bank and somebody seems to be taking forever, the cashier at the grocery store that may not be as fast as I'd wish, somebody's loud cell-phone conversation, or the careless driver(s) on the road. How do I react to these? If I become impatient and even verbally vocal, I may need to take a couple deep breaths and realize that this is all happening for a reason. I believe that I need to have Peace in the basic threads of my daily life. Then it can be woven into other threads, overlapping each other. If I carry anger around with me, and allow it to be carelessly shown without just cause, this brings about tension and discontent. These discourage harmony, and Peace may not appear. When I work on myself and am true with my own feelings (sadness, lonliness, anger, hurt, etc) , without being in denial about my feelings, it is in this self-honesty that Peace can sprout. I'm not saying that Peace cannot happen if one is in denial or not entirely honest, but that Peace may be limited, or it may contain boundaries and limitations. PEACE can blossom to its fullest when it has no expectations. Love, friendship, honesty, communication, maturity, reality, oneness, and understanding are all tools to help bind Peace. I am grateful that I've worked through the anger and dishonesty, etc, and that I am able to keep my center when things don't always go the way I want them to. With this grounding I am able to be in Peace and to share this Peace with others. And with this Peace more will propagate, my family & friends, and my neighbors and co-workers, and even strangers will feel the Peace I carry. This is a foundation for World Peace... and it starts simply, at my home, in my World, and can rapidly be shared with our entire Universe, the perfect setting for World Peace. .

. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by the disasterous 8.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Peru. The cities of Pisco, Ica, San Vicente de Cañete and Chincha Alta were hardest hit, so I'm sending Healing Energies to that entire area. Peace, Love and Healing, Risto

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Be Yourself. Life is precious as it is. All the elements for your happiness are already here. There is no need to run, strive, search, or struggle. Just Be. --Thich Nhat Hahn |||| |||| |||| Find a place where you are alone. Train yourself in the following way: When you breathe in, experience breathing in. When you breathe out, be fully conscious that you are breathing out. If you cherish and practice this, it will bear great fruit. Whatever you are doing and wherever you are, you will find steadiness, calm, and concentration if you become conscious of your breathing. --Majjhima Nikaya ||||

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I saw Stardust ... it was GREAT... tied with Bridge to Terabithia for best film of 2007 (my opinion, of course).
Stardust takes us on a journey to another world where enchantments are common. Our main character Tristan searches for his True Love and realizes he may have found her. Obstacles along the way are confronted as Tristan learns about trust. Great story with equally good special f/x.

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Upcoming films I want to see:::

•The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising 05 October 2007

•Things We Lost in the Fire 26 October 2007

•August Rush starring Freddie Highmore, tenative release: 21 November 2007

•Golden Compass 07 December 2007

•The Spiderwick Chronicles also starring Freddie Highmore, tenative release: 15 February 2008


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