Quality of Life

Some people like to say, "Eat well, do good, get exercise, and die anyway," as some sort of excuse for partying, being unhealthy and/or being inconsiderate. This logic has no place in a happy, fulfilling and successful life. Regardless of when you die, you want the life you live today, and tomorrow to be the best life you can possibly have. There is no excuse for not doing the best for yourself and the best you can for those you love. Even if I were going to die in six months, I still would continue my diet exactly as I do (if not do even better) because I want the highest quality for my life. The quantity is quite irrelevant.

~Raederle Phoenix Jacot

"Are you really sure that a floor can't also be a ceiling?" ~ M. C. Escher

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

I dreamed I was Pharaoh

In my dream I was a Pharaoh.

I went among my people as a laborer. I was connected to all beings. I was friends with a spider, and with creatures that looked like men but were only a foot tall. There were other creatures as well, but I don't recall their appearances or purposes.

I was standing on something akin to a sidewalk, near a labor site. Close to me was a mound of dirt where many creatures whom were my friends had died. I especially mourning a spider. I pulled her web down and placed it upon the mound of dirt.

Oddly, my mother pulled up in her car alongside the sidewalk and said, "I can see that you are busy now. I will come to pick you up later."

I nodded, barely giving her my attention for a second. As she pulled away I summoned other laborers around me. They did not know I was their Pharaoh as I called them to me.

I spoke to them, and the surrounding men listened. I was in the body of a powerfully built man, and they all had bodies like mine. Deeply tanned from labor in the sun, powerful built from working long days at arduous tasks.

As I spoke to them, my power rose within me, making me a pillar of light. My aura became visible as it stretched out to the men around me. I spoke to them of the creatures that had meant something to me, my connection to them, their connection to them, and the light burned bright white.

A link of light formed between me and every laborer and I said, "My love courses through you, your love courses through me." I felt it inside me that it was true, and then I realized that I was God.

With my power as God, I drew up my wealth of energy, and poured it through the men around me, raising a temple on the mound of dirt before me. This was a miniature temple, built the appropriate size for the creatures who were only a foot tall. I built it for them, in their honor.

I knew treasures were in the mound of dirt. Great treasures that would be tempting. I knew my heavy marble temple would stand as a warning to not disturb this holy earth.

I felt the loss of my companions, the love of my fellow laborers, the power of a king and a God, my own love for each being, my pride at the structure I had risen before me and the symbol it served as memory of this time, this moment.

The temple was white and baby blue. It rose nearly as tall as me. It was a square in it's proportions, as long and wide as it was tall. It was made of pure marble, with baby blue designs on the pillars in the front. Pillars were throughout the temple, inside and out.

I know that in the dream specifics were more clear. I knew what treasures were buried, what creatures I mourned, how those creatures came to harm, why I was posing as a laborer, and the significance of the mound of dirt alongside the walking path. Unfortunately, those details were lost to me upon waking. The only reason I recall as much as I do is because I said most of this aloud to my husband the moment I woke.

I believe the dream was full of symbolism, which I could explore, but I'd like to hear what you think. What do you think my dream meant?

~ Raederle

Monday, June 27, 2011

If only...

Give me a reason to want to wake up in the morning.
Something fun.
I want excitement, exploration and adventure.
A hike through the woods would be nice.

I'd do yoga, if my mat were clean, if my floor were clean,
...if I really had enough space in this cramped little room.

I'd sing a song, if I liked my voice, if I knew the words to a song,
if it served any real purpose at all.

I'd dance, if I had the space, if I had a collection of music to dance to,
if someone would watch and clap,
...if someone would dance with me.

I'd draw a picture, if I had a place with good lighting,
if I could scan my artwork when I was done,
if all my drawing supplies on hand,
if I felt the least bit inspired inside my heart...

I'd read a book, if I had a quiet comfortable place to read,
if I had a good book I really wanted to read.

I'd be happy to play a game of hacky sack, or spar on the grass,
or tumble and play like little kittens;
If I had a playmate or three who'd play with me,
and some soft fluffy foliage to tumble in...

I'd make an extravagant raw vegan meal,
with nori rolls as the appetizer,
dipped in a sweat and spicy sauce,
I'd make stuffed mushroom caps alongside raw zucchini noodles,
with a thick tomato sauce,
I'd make pizza in my dehydrator at 110 degrees,
and top it with peppers, tomatoes, onion, garlic, chives
and marinated mushrooms,
I'd make a coconut cream pie with a thick crispy crust,
a creamy coconut filling and a light fluffy topping,
and I could serve a delicious sweet and sour ice-cream cake too...
If only anyone could afford such an expensive meal,
if only someone would appreciate my hard work,
if only it would mean something, help someone,
or give me some satisfaction.

I'd play a video game,
if I could find one that'd hold my interest for more than an hour.

I might even watch television if I had one hooked up,
or if anything good was on,
or if I had a comfortable couch to watch it from.

I'd be delighted to paint a picture if I had the canvas, paints,
and brushes set before in a large comfortable well-lit area.

I'd love to photograph beautiful models,
and be photographed with them,
if only I had a high quality camera and sexy model friends.

I might be up for board games,
if only if I had a new game to play and new people to play with,
a nice gaming table in a well-lit space,
and some good gaming snacks that were light and healthy.

I'd clean something, anything really,
if only it would stay clean, if only it would really benefit someone,
if only I could feel like I wasn't completely wasting my time.

I'd go grocery shopping,
if we didn't already have plenty of things in the kitchen.

I'd eat breakfast,
if I had an appetite.

I'd go for a bike ride, if my bike didn't have a flat,
if my husband could bike with me, if I had somewhere to bike to.

I'd garden, happily and joyfully, I really would,
if only I had new plants to plant, if only I had more soil to add,
if only...

I'd play an instrument, if I was any good at music,
if I owned an instrument to play, if anyone would listen...

I'd make a board game, if I had the funds to print my first play-test copy,
if I had play-testers lined up,
if I had a good space to invite my play-testers over.

I'd make a video game, if I had a couple willing programmers,
if I had an animator, if I had a model-maker and texturer,
if I had a nice set-up with enough computers, if I had the time.

I'd make a board game,
a video game and a browser game each to educate people about their choices,
to show others how their spending affects the planet,
to show them how there is enough food for everyone,
to show them how everything they eat causes or solves every problem they have...
if only I had the money,
if only I had the time, if only I had the right friends...

I'd start up a restaurant with incredible cuisine,
with its own green house for the freshest produce possible,
if only I owned a good location,
if only I had a few employees on board for a couple months without pay,
if only I knew enough about taxes,
paperwork and other government garbage.

I'd start up a raw vegan healing commune today,
round up the volunteers to build the community structures,
and begin readying the land for dozens of fruit trees and permiculture,
if only I had the land, if only I knew the volunteers,
if only I had my confidence, if only I could wind-down,
if only my head would screw on straight,
if only I had something fun to get up for this morning.

I'd change the world for the better,
if only I could do some yoga,
if only I could sing and dance,
If only I could go for a hike, draw a picture,
paint a masterpiece,
read a book, play a game of hacky sack,
If only I could make extravagant healthy meals,
make board games,
photograph incredible people,
If only I could clean my space, eat breakfast,
plant more herbs in my garden, go for a bike ride,
If only I could play an instrument,
start a restaurant, start up my commune...
Then I could make the world a better place.

~ Raederle Phoenix