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Mindful Christmas Countdown 2015

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This year Team TLC is experiencing a mindful Christmas countdown. For the past few years we’ve done a “spreading happiness and kindness” countdown. I felt moved to add another layer to it this year.

My printer is out of ink and my handwriting is sloppy, sloppy, yet, here are a few pictures to give you an idea of how it’s coming together. I am inspired to share it with YOU in case you would like to adopt our theme of the day.

  1. The word of the day is “Joy” – “Find Joy, Bring Joy, BE Joy” …. in everything you do today. Take at least 5 minutes, or more, to think about a person who brings you joy. Then spend some time bringing joy to someone today. You can do this with a smile, a kind word, helping them, or whatever you feel moved to do. On the outside of the heart the following words are written, “Keep this with you all day”. My son, Thomas, tucks his into his pocket. He says he pulls it out at least once per day to remind himself. My daughter, Lillian, is home schooled so she keeps her heart on the table next to where she works and eats.
  2. Word of the day is “Silence” – “Embrace the Silence”. Spend 5-10 minutes of silence focused on your in and out breath. Or you can do this with or without holding a favorite rock, gemstone, or some other earthly item and focus on that item. Plus, sometime today take a few moments of silence, then repeat this prayer: “Let all beings be happy, loved, and peaceful. Let the whole world experience these things.” (This prayer comes from a Chopra Center blog post).
  3. Word of the day is “Mindfulness” – “The Mindful Way”. When brushing your teeth, think only about brushing your teeth, nothing else. Focus on how it feels and tastes and smells. Try to remember to do this all day … when you wash your hands, wash dishes, brush your hair, wash clothes, wash your face, etc. Plus, pay someone a mindful compliment today.
  4. Word of the day is “Food” – “Truly Experience Food”. Taste a food with your eyes closed, being sure to use all of your senses to experience the food. Even better if you involve a friend and try this with a surprise food that your friend serves you while you keep your eyes closed. Today is about savoring. Although the word of the day is food, take time today to savor any beautiful, creative, kind, love-filled, accomplishing moment you experience.
  5. Word of the day is “Forgiveness” AND Arts & Crafts Day (Make a Paper Tree) – “Finding Forgiveness” – Think of something that you are disappointed with yourself about. Spend 5 to 10 minutes to feel what this physically feels like in your body. Once you have felt it and focused in that area of the body, forgive yourself and let it go. If 10 minutes isn’t long enough, keep re-visiting and connecting with it until it releases. If it feels right, use this same technique to forgive someone else.
  6. Word of the day is “Peaceful” AND Arts & Crafts Day (Make a Paper Snowflake) – “Peaceful Thoughts” – Take five minutes to meditate on peace. Put your attention on your heart and inwardly repeat these four words: peace, harmony, laughter, and love (these four words are also from the Chopra website). Keep this thought with you all day, “Do I want to be right or do I want to be happy?” and make peace your mission throughout the day.
  7. Word of the day is “Creativity” – “Be Creative”. Free Choice! Choose your own word of the day, your own mindfulness activity, and your own way of spreading loving-kindness. Share with your family if you’d like.
  8. Word of the day is “Water”. “Nourish this Life”. Drink a glass of water in silence. Focus on how the water is nourishing your cells and how it feels in your mouth, the glass on your lips, and going down your throat. Every time you have a drink of water today, fill your heart with feelings of gratitude.
  9. Word of the day is “Gratitude”. “Practice Gratitude”. Write something: a poem or a story about something for which you are grateful or make a list of 24 items for which you are grateful. Whichever you choose, share with your family. Write a thank you note to someone you forgot to thank and mail it to them.
  10. Word of the day is “Imagination”. “Use Your Imagination”. Think of your imagination as an infinite universe of creativity which contains the best way to respond to others, and the perfect answers and solutions. Remember this throughout the day when interacting with others. Create something – a poem, story, drawing, model – that seems the perfect item to create in this moment.
  11. Word of the day is “Non-Judgment”. “Practice Non-judgment”.  Stop yourself every time you begin to judge yourself or someone else with thoughts such as, “I can’t believe he/she did that. He/She is so unkind.” or “I can’t believe I did that! I’m so stupid!” Feel what this physically feels like in your body, connect with it until it releases. Focus on the in and out of your breath for 3 to 10 in and out breaths.
  12. Word of the day is “Kindness” and Arts & Crafts Day (Make a Card or Other Creation). “Spread Loving-Kindness”. Be open all day of ways in which to spread kindness and act on it when inspired. Don’t hold back!!
  13. Word of the day is “You” and Games & Puzzles (Christmas Puzzles) – “Know Your Self” Today is your day! Ask, “What do I want to do right now?” Listen to the still, small voice within, your intuition. Do that. Plus, share with someone: If you could have one wish come true for Christmas, what would it be? Spend from now until Christmas (and longer) imagining and living as if the wish has come true.
  14. Word of the day is “Awesome”. “You are AWEsome!” No comparing yourself to others today. Stop yourself with every thought of comparison and focus on your breathing for 10 counts of in and out.
  15. Word of the day is “Laughter“. “Invite Laughter Today”. Choose a time during the day and choose a person or two to just spontaneously laugh with .. Here’s how: Stand up, make eye contact, and start laughing. It’s truly magical how it transforms from forced laughter to genuine belly laughter. Have FUN!
  16. Word of the day is “Earth”. “One with Earth”. Spend at least 5 minutes outside (longer if your toes aren’t freezing off!) with your shoes and socks off in the grass, sand, dirt, or snow and focus on how it feels.
  17. Word of the day is “Surprise” and Arts & Crafts Day (Make a Paper Snowman). “The Joy of Surprise”. Surprise someone today with an act of loving kindness. Get centered in your heart with 10 minutes of mindful breathing. Then direct this question to your heart, “What person should I surprise? What would really, really, be a happy surprise for this person?” Do that.
  18. Word of the day is “Nature”. “Nature Inspires and Soothes”. Go for a 20 minute walk alone or with someone else. Be in silence the entire time with no thinking of what happened in the past or what you will do when done or tomorrow or the next day. If thoughts enter, release them, and replace with “Life loves me”. Describe in detail (in writing or with your family) your favorite things about nature.
  19. Word of the day is “Love” and Arts & Crafts (Write a love letter or make a card to send or leave anonymously). “Love is the Answer”. Make several love notes and spread them around town – in books at the bookstore, restroom mirrors, inside magazines, car windshields, leave with tips, etc. Share loving kindness with someone.
  20. Word of the day is “Sounds”. “Feel the Sounds”. Have a dance party. Listen to the words and beat of the music and let your body move in tune with the sounds. PLUS: Sing Christmas songs together!!
  21. Word of the day is “Focus” and Extra Movie Night. “Focus on the Moment”. Discuss the movie after it’s over. Favorite parts, least favorite parts. What would you have done the same or differently.
  22. Word of the day is “Sight” and drive around neighborhoods to look at Christmas decorations. “Gratitude for Sight”. Spend 5 or 10 minutes focusing your sight on something of nature, a tree, a lake, a bush, the grass. Fill your heart with gratitude for nature.
  23. Word of the day is “Improv” and Extra Movie Night – “Life is Improv” – Act out your favorite scene from the movie adding your own improv.
  24. Word of the day is “Presence“. “There is Only the Present Moment”. Do your best to stay in the present moment all of today. Focus on whatever you are doing, whoever you’re talking with, whatever your reading or watching; with no thoughts of what happened yesterday or what will happen tomorrow or next week or next year. This can seem difficult if you’re new to the practice of keeping your thoughts in the present moment. To take a break from staying in the present moment, share a favorite memory and why it means so much to you. Focus on it for a few minutes before sharing so as to remember every detail possible .. smells, sounds, sights, textures, etc.

Latest “Mindful Living” Articles:
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Blessings,
Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

Go here to subscribe to my blog to ensure you receive new posts delivered straight to your inbox! Right here!

My Journey With Intellectual Disability and Relationships – A Short Memoir

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The article I contributed to Interaction, which is a multidisciplinary journal for the Australian Institute On Intellectual Disability, has just been published. Here’s a brief description of what and why I was asked to contribute: “looking at creativity in how we work and interact with people with intellectual disability. The other theme I am interested in exploring is empathy and how this “works” within our relationship building within intellectual disability”

Excerpt from the article:

“One blood test, one phone call, one moment in time, drastically changed the direction of my life forever. I know more about genetics, chromosomes, DNA, motor skills, verbal skills, and now emotional and behavioural issues than I ever thought I would need or want to know. ……. I thought I had life pretty much planned at that point and for a while this brief phone call seemed to have caused my life to break apart like a melting iceberg with pieces scattering here and there. Looking back now, all that was brought into my life, all that occurred, all that began, and all that ended were meant to happen for my own growth and enlightenment. An enlightenment I feel spreads far beyond myself and my family as I believe we are all connected.”

Click here to read the digital version of the journal. The access code is: K9HqOa

My article is on page 30. However, the entire journal is excellent! You’ll need a chunk of time to read it as it’s short story length at around 4,000 words.

I encourage anyone who is moved to subscribe to this wonderful publication to do so! Enjoy and please feel free to share and/or forward to anyone you think would benefit! With oceans of love … xoxo

PDF version: Interaction Volume 28 Issue 4

Blessings,
Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

Go here to subscribe to my blog to ensure you receive new posts delivered straight to your inbox! Right here!

 

How to Peacefully Experience Life’s Lessons

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This morning I found myself sending an email message that began with this:

My philosophy is that those who challenge us should be seen as welcome teachers to further our own growth. For this reason I am grateful for having these students ebb and flow into my life. They teach me as much or more than I teach them.

My intuition immediately after sending this was that the timing was right to publish this post written just over a month ago …..

I am abundantly grateful for life’s uncomfortable lessons and the masterful teachers that bring them about. Often times, our master teachers are those closest to us or who we were close with in the past, people like our kids, parents, spouse, ex-spouse, extended family, and friends. The intimacy we share in these relationships creates an environment ripe for life shifting lessons. My master teachers and their life shifting lessons helped me awaken to the knowledge that I come from a place of love, only have love in my heart to give, and that I am love. This journey began years ago, when I was blessed to experience a life shifting lesson that brought complete and total release to give love, from a place of love, experiencing a peace, calm and compassion that no longer yields to the temptation to engage in drama.

The Catalyst

One night in 1997 I could not sleep. At midnight, I turned on the television, and Stephen Covey was on talking about his book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It was exactly what I needed to hear, perfectly timed, and now I know it was no coincidence. So began an 18-year journey of devouring similar books and progressing to self-help, spirituality, mindfulness, self-actualization and emotional connection.

Several years later, while one of my “master teachers” was in town, it was no coincidence that I was rereading the specific section in Wayne Dyer’s, There’s a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem, based on a line from St. Francis’ The Peace Prayer. I hadn’t planned to be reading that section at the time. However, it was perfect.

 “Where there is hatred, let me sow love…”

Dyer’s suggestion that unkindness directed towards us is love going in the opposite direction from people who feel unloved has forever changed how I handle my “master teachers.”

The Lesson

The life lesson I want to share unfolded at the courthouse, in the waiting area, outside of the courtroom, where a routine 3-year child support review would take place. I attempted to keep myself in a place of love. I silently sent blessings and love to everyone. I did not engage in defending my current or past actions. In fact, the oncoming negativity stopped when at one point I said, “You’re right about that.” By lovingly letting the other person relax into the feeling of being right, the unkindness in them deflated. It was amazing. Handling the situation this way was a release, surrender and healing for me. You may not be able to verbalize like this in your situation but you can certainly silently convey the same message.

With gentle reminders from a friend, I began to visualize this person viewing me as I would like him to view me. My measured responses in our encounters were consistently clothed with the fact that I was only coming from a place of love and I was sorry that he felt so unloved. I began to let go of the need to be right or understood or liked.

Sowing love caused the atmosphere and attitude of our interactions to completely change.

This learning and philosophy is not something that happened over night. I was divorced in September 2007 and it took a great deal of time, patience, practice, and love of self to reach this point. Having said that, I am human, and at times I forget what I have learned and revert to old habits and old ways of thinking.

I’m grateful now that I can recognize when I have slipped back, be kind to myself in noticing how I’m thinking, and then begin to release it. Grateful, too, that I let myself travel the path of sowing love as I am now able to use the same approach when my special needs daughter, Lillian, has periodic out-of-control meltdowns.

The Journey

It’s true that our master teachers aren’t always people. Sometimes, we find them in situations or events. Whether the master teachers of your life lessons present themselves in strained relationships or uncomfortable circumstances, this same method can be applied, shifting the very fabric of our lives and hearts.

  1. Remind yourself that this person’s behavior is not their true self, that you are both one, that you both come from love, and are love at your core.
  2. Visualize the disgruntled person viewing you as you would like to be viewed.
  3. See them as fellow souls who simply feel unloved.
  4. Drop into your heart so you don’t take what they say personally.
  5. Silently send love and blessings.
  6. Let go.

As you continue on your journey, know this in your heart ….

It surrounds us
It connects us
It’s at our core
It’s who we are
It’s everywhere we open our eyes to it
It’s love, and

Love is the answer to peacefully experience life’s lessons.

Blessings,
Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

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Did you know I wrote a book? It’s titled “D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance” and you can read more about it here.

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Living in a Tiny Home Adventures – Week Seven

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If you are new to this blog or the tiny-home-adventures blog series, go here to read the first post titled, Living in a Tiny Home Adventures. It’s been several weeks since the last update. I’ve been busy writing, subbing, and getting us more settled and there’s still unpacking to be finished. This update is all about improvising and using what I already have on hand. I love being able to use whatever I’ve got and creating exactly what I want, exactly when I want it. FUN!

(I spy a heart directly in the middle of the curtain! Just saw this as I was posting it!)

I like to open the windows and door to feel the breeze and circulate fresh air. However, leaving the front door open was inviting flies, moths, and other little flying critters into our tiny place. I was looking into buying an instant screen door that affixes with hooks and velcro (this: Bug-Off Instant Screen (amazon affiliate link)).

While I was considering the instant screen, I used thumb tacks and hung a lace curtain in the doorway so we could enjoy it being open. I like it so much, I decided to leave it. It’s now hanging from a curtain rod that I already had on hand.

I installed two eyelet hooks (already on hand), then used leather cord (already on hand) to tie the curtain rod to the eyelet hooks. I used one thumb tack to ensure the curtain fully covered the door. The thumb tack is in the corner just under and to the right of the curtain rod. If I had hung it above the door as you would typically use a curtain rod, there would have been a gap; which would defeat the purpose of having it there. I used pins to secure the valance as it hangs too low (still need to perfect this). Lastly, I used a command hook so that I could pull it back when the door is closed.

Another change I made is to remove the closet door in the bedroom as I needed the space behind it for Lillian. Thankfully, the lovely maintenance guy took it and put in their storage as I had no where to put it! I hung a curtain in the door’s place and it’s working great!

I’ve also been working on figuring out “the wall” for Thomas’ “room”. Finally have it almost complete. I bought an inexpensive lightweight curtain rod (amazon affiliate link), hung from the ceiling using picture hanging wire and the hooks that came with it. I also ordered a set of 14 curtain rings with clips (amazon affiliate link). I have an abundance of hand made quilts from my Mammaw Downs and Frank’s Mom, Marge Romano. They are so pretty and the one bedroom closet is overflowing. So I decided to use one of the quilts for Thomas’ wall. This one is a bit too small. I believe it’s a full size quilt. I’ll look through better in the next week and see if I can find a larger quilt to give him a “bigger” wall.

I decided to talk with Thomas about switching to a Japanese style floor bed to give him more room. I told him the decision is completely up to him and then I made him a make-shift floor bed using a down comforter and the homemade quilts mentioned above. He absolutely loves it! He says he sleeps much better on it than the couch bed. We’ve decided to get rid of the couch bed to give him even more room.

View for the Lakeside Dinner Picnic

We’ve gone on dozens more walks, swims, and even had a picnic dinner by the lake one night. Thomas and I had lunch on the patio as part of our October date day and so did Lillian and I. Also, Lillian and I had a dessert picnic in the garden area next to the lodge.

I’ve made several more trips to Goodwill donating items. In the last post I mentioned that it’s my goal to empty the storage unit and have everything we own here with us. I’ve been able to make one trip to storage. I donated 2 lamps and our Christmas tree to Goodwill and as soon as I get to it, I’ll have the couch picked up by an organization.

And, now, for some of the un-lovely aspects. I opened the blinds in the bedroom one morning and spotted a cute little mouse on the patio. Yes, cute, yet, no thank you for hanging out on the patio. I let management know about it and that afternoon a pest control person came over. He explained to me the options and that this area has a huge mouse “problem” (this area was formerly a ranch).

I kept thinking, “I don’t want to kill them, I’d just like to repel them so they don’t want to hang out on our patio”. I even told him this. I literally almost threw up when he told me how the glue trap killed them. I couldn’t make sense why you would purposely use yummy smelling traps to lure them to the area and then kill them (as this is an outdoor area and not inside a home). Why not make it so they aren’t interested in visiting?

I began searching online for natural repellants. I found suggestions of mothballs; which I had already bought as we kept getting visits from a bee or two when trying to eat on the patio. However, mothballs are horrid smelling and powerful. I put some out anyway in containers with holes punched so no other animals could get ahold of them.

I also ordered Fresh Cab Rodent Repellent (amazon affiliate link). Before it arrived, Lillian saw another little mouse visitor. So, I don’t think the mothballs were working. I put more mothballs around the patio and the Cab product arrived a couple of days ago. It smells great! Smells like a Christmas tree. The reviews were almost all 100% positive and they offer a money back guarantee. We haven’t seen any visitors since Lillian saw the last little fellow several weeks ago.

I’m still struggling with the road noise from South Meadows. I so much enjoy quiet. There are days when it seems to bother me more than others. Most likely, those are the days I’m focusing on it and not on how grateful and happy we are living here. I did let management know that as soon as another similar unit is available in an acceptable location, I’d like to transfer. One of the reasons I was so impressed with this place is that they are happy to transfer you to another unit at any time without charging you extra fees.

Another aspect I’m still trying to figure out is a dedicated meditation space. At our last house, I used a corner of my bedroom. For now, I keep my meditation blanket and pillow folded together on top of the dryer. I take it out every morning and usually sit in the living room against the love seat. It works for now and I should eventually have space in the closet to store the blanket and pillow.

I always like to end on a lovely note. Last week, we picked out some fun pumpkins for our patio. As I was rearranging things on the patio, I found a little plastic pumpkin. I thought to myself, “It’s time to pass you on.” I’ve been toting two of these around in the Halloween decorations for at least 4 years and have not used them. It opens so to put candy goodies inside.

A few minutes later, little 6 year old Sophia Lee from upstairs walked by with her mom and grandma. I could hear her saying with such longing how much she wanted a pumpkin. Little pumpkin now has a new home with Ms. Sophia Lee. I love when solutions in the form of loving kindness say, “Here I am.”

Later in the week, I bought a mini pumpkin and anonymously left it at Sophia Lee’s door without a note. Last night, she presented us with this cute little pumpkin! LOVE the hat!!!

That’s all for now … The adventure continues …. Thanks for being a part of it!

The adventure has begun …. Thanks for being a part of it! Go here to read about the fourth month!

Heartfuly Inspired™,

Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

Go here to subscribe to my blog to ensure you receive new posts delivered straight to your inbox! Right here!

Living in a Tiny Home Adventures – Week Two

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Thomas, The Lake, The Ducks, The Sunset ... On One of Our Walks ...

If you are new to this blog or the tiny-home-adventures blog series, go here to read the first post titled, Living in a Tiny Home Adventures. I imagine the updates will slow down as we get settled and get everything unpacked and organized, but for now I’ve been posting weekly.

Team TLC Out For a Walk

Week two was much smoother. I was not needed at HDMS for subbing so I was able to use my mornings writing and the afternoons unpacking. (I was quoted in a just published Huffington Post article titled, 6 Lessons Learned Through Divorce and Marriage. Pretty cool! Go here to read the article. I’m #6.)

The bathroom is finished! The living room is almost finished. Kitchen is the second runner up to being finished. The rest of the place, the bedroom and Thomas’ “room” are still a mess. I’m thinking at the two month mark we’ll have it almost finished and most definitely by the three month mark. It’s my goal to have the storage unit cleaned out by that time also, if not by month four.

Team TLC loves, loves, loves our new tiny place. Truly, we have so much to be thankful for with this home and blessings abound. The living room is big and so is the bedroom and bathroom. We get awesome sunlight in the huge, nearly floor to ceiling, living room window. The window faces Southeast so it gets great sunlight at different levels throughout the day. I’ve found 3 out of the 4 crystals we have and they are now hanging in the window providing us with beautiful dancing rainbows everywhere!! We love our crystals and they love us back by sharing their beauty!

Last week I wrote about how I have finally released the grip on my desk and will get rid of it as soon as I get to clearing the storage. This past weekend I decided that I would do the same with our kitchen table. The Romano Duo gifted me the table for my birthday in 2008. Something interesting happened after I decided I would pass it on. I found the perfect place for it and the chairs! HA! So, as long as it works in this location, we will keep it. If it seems to be in our way or a bother, then I have no concerns about passing it on to someone else.

I made the first trip to Goodwill and donated 7 bags of things. That felt good. I’ve already got 2 or 3 more bags ready and one bag ready for Grassroots Books (a local used book store). I will be going through my clothes to get rid of even more. I’ve gotten rid of almost everything I don’t wear or haven’t worn in a while. Now, it’s down to the items I only wear once or twice. The closet is just not big enough and I don’t feel like I need this many clothes. As I am financially able I will replace the huge amount of inexpensive clothes I own with a few good quality items. No more of this closet full of throw away clothing!

Now. For some of the un-lovely aspects. Thomas and Lillian have a more difficult time letting go and releasing “stuff”. I choose to see this as a learning experience for all of us. I do not require that they get rid of things. I simply ask. If they say “no”, we keep it. However, I model for them getting rid of things. I let them witness me doing it. They don’t always say no. In fact, they surprise me sometimes by saying yes, when I thought they’d say the opposite. Thomas is better about it than Lillian. That young lady wants to keep EVERYTHING!

Thomas is also struggling with not having a dedicated room to himself. I have created a space for him and most of his belongings. Yet, he craves something dividing his space from the rest of the living space. I’m researching what I can do for him and will take care of that as soon as I get everything unpacked. I’m pondering using curtains to divide the area and will search online for more options.

I am extremely happy with our place and the community. The only drawback for me is the traffic noise from South Meadows Parkway. This was the only 1 bedroom on the ground floor that was available for when I needed to move. There were plenty of 2nd floor 1 bedrooms available, but then there’s the whole stair issue with Lillian. However, I do not dwell on this drawback. It’s a very quiet location other than that.

Bouquet of Sunshine

Now. Back to the lovely aspects! I was moved to deliver a bouquet of sunshine to the kind ladies in The Vintage office. That was fun! Also, we had an amazing swim during last week too. It was a really warm day and the water was the perfect cool temperature. It was soothing, peaceful, and I truly felt one with the water. I was in the zone! Total bliss.

I sure do enjoy heading over to the lodge to get a second cup of coffee on some mornings. There’s a great industrial size coffee grinder/coffee maker which hosts Starbucks Breakfast Blend! They also have a wonderful selection of tea. I’m not quite sure why this feels so good; yet, I just love walking to the lodge with my coffee cup in hand (with a splash of organic half n half) and having some freshly ground and brewed coffee. I would prefer if they had a local company’s coffee and I may suggest that after I get to know everyone better.

That’s all for now … The adventure continues …. Thanks for being a part of it! Go here to read the next installment about living in our tiny space!

The adventure has begun …. Thanks for being a part of it! Go here to read about week seven!

Heartfuly Inspired™,
Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

Go here to subscribe to my blog to ensure you receive new posts delivered straight to your inbox! Right here!

 

Happy 14th Birthday Lillian

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To a being who is one of my greatest teachers in this life … May you have the most amazing 14th journey around the sun. You have helped teach me more than I ever thought possible, the meaning of life and why we are here …. Love and Kindness … xoxo

At 11:27 pm tonight the next journey begins for you, Lillian Darnell. I wrote a birthday post for Lillian’s 12th birthday detailing how she flew into the world. She continues to spread her wings and fly with her amazing imagination and the wonderful stories she shares on her blog. You GO Lillian!

Love,
Camilla
aka … MOM!

Heartfuly Inspired™,
Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

Go here to subscribe to my blog to ensure you receive new posts delivered straight to your inbox! Right here!

Love is Magical – A Renga Poem

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In July 2015 Team TLC wrote a renga poem. It took us about 1 or 2 weeks as the nature of a renga is that authors take turns writing a stanza. I love the outcome and felt moved to share it with you.

For those that know us, you may be able to tell who wrote which lines! (Team TLC is myself and my 2 kids. The initials of all of our first names are TLC … Thomas, Lillian, and Camilla.)

Love is Magical

Cows are loud and can moo
sometimes they say,
I love you!

Cows have milk,
and cows eat grass.

You are surrounded by love
every breath you take is love
You are love

Guinea pigs wheek and guinea pigs meek,
lovey dovey guinea piggy moo!

Love is the butterfly
gracefully it flies
magical is it’s color

Love is magical
the alchemy of peace.

Airplanes flying
through the air
fun galare!

How beautiful the bird flies,
as the wind.

Love is the tree
Love is the flower
Love is the silence.

Flowers blossom
pollen falls.

Rainbow is the sky
Rainbow is the water
Rainbow is the colors of the earth.

Nature is love
Nature knows how to be.

Team tlc
always kind
always thinking.

Kindness is always there
Kindness is like friendship

A wise man
is kind to the kind
and kind to the unkind

A wise man
under a tree

Blue bird flies to Alaska
Red bird flies to Hawaii
White bird flies to Australia

The magical hummingbird
arrives on a warm summer day

Sushi
best food ever
try some

Pineapple
Most delicious food ever

Mindful eating
Mindful living
The way of peace and happiness

Eating is fun
and yummy

Apple trees grow with sunshine
Butterflies grow with food
Cake gets eaten fast or slow.

Beings, trees, and insects
We are all one love.
©2015, Camilla Downs

Hope you enjoyed it!

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Heartfuly Inspired™,
Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

Go here to subscribe to my blog to ensure you receive new posts delivered straight to your inbox! Right here!

Living in a Tiny Home Adventures – Week One

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Team TLC On Our First Walk Around the Lake

Last week I wrote about how and why Team TLC moved into a 1 bedroom 810 square foot condo. I’ve decided to write update posts as time allows. The still inner voice urges me to share this adventure and journey with others. Anyone who knows me also knows that I freely and openly share my life’s journey for the growth and benefit of others as I feel that is what I’m supposed to BE doing.

What You Do With the TV Nook When You Don't Own One - Fill It With Books!

Bedroom Still A Mess! All That's Been Done is Rearranging Dressers.

Week one was a whirlwind. We moved in on Sunday. I subbed every day last week so the unpacking and rearranging was very slow moving. (I substitute teach at the school that Thomas attends – High Desert Montessori School.)

Love The Sun Shining Through The Prism - More Prisms Coming - Haven't Unpacked Them Yet!

All of us adjusted pretty quickly to our new place. So far we’ve not had problems or emergency situations with having only one bathroom. In case of emergency, we can use the lodge bathroom. We’ve mostly been mindful of the call of nature for one another!

Our First Walk Around the Lake .... xoxo

There were no problems sleeping or worries about being somewhere new. We all slept in the bedroom through Friday when I was finally able to clear the boxes around the hide-a-bed couch. Lillian’s full size bed and my queen size bed both fit into the bedroom so that’s where we’ll sleep. Thomas gets to have his own little area and will sleep on the hide-a-bed. He’s always had his own bed and bedroom in the past, with his latest bed being a queen size that he got from Grandma Marge (Frank’s mom) when she moved into assisted living. He has never slept well on the bed, so we both decided to get rid of it and will eventually get him a brand new one.

Thomas' "Bedroom" - Getting There ..

The place is still a mess, yet, it’s coming together finally. We still have some things in the storage unit also. There’s another couch, my desk, a filing cabinet, holiday decorations, two child recliners, an office chair, Thomas’ desk, keepsake items, pictures, Thomas’ HUGE box of LEGOS, and probably some things I’ve forgotten about!

Still Need to Put Away Things, Yet The Kitchen Is Almost Done ... Team TLC!

Beautiful!! Our First Walk Around The Lake

I have a wild and crazy plan! Ready ….. I’m making it my goal to clear the storage unit completely and have everything we own here with us in this beautiful 810 square foot oasis! Purging and simplifying are not new concepts for me. This truly began in July 2011 (read about it here). The couch is gone as soon as I schedule a donation center to come pick it up. I’m going to release my grip and let go of the desk. The desk was handmade especially for me in the late 1990’s, so I have been reluctant to release it. Now is the time. I will bless it, thank it, and pass it on. I plan to make space for Thomas’ desk once things are unpacked. We’ll see how it all progresses.

View From the Front Door

We’ve had several dinners on our patio, had our first movie night (and an extra movie night), went for our first walk around the lake, have gone to the pool several times, had the first beanie baby birthday party, and I taught Thomas how to play pool Friday afternoon in the lodge.

Great Heated Pool!

Hot Tub

Pool

Birthday Party For September (The Blue Beanie Baby Sitting On The Car)

Beautiful Lodge! Haven't Played Pool In Lots of Years!

GREAT Movie For Our First Movie Night!

Another GREAT Movie For An Extra Movie Night!

The adventure has begun …. Thanks for being a part of it! Go here to read about week two!

Heartfuly Inspired™,
Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

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Living in a Tiny Home Adventures

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Team TLC On The Patio Of Our New Tiny Place

In July 2015 Team TLC moved out of the 1,300 square foot, 3 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment we had lived in for the past year. For the 7 years prior to that we had lived in an 1,800 square foot house. We put our belongings in storage and have been spending the summer with The Romano Duo as they are moving out of state for a couple of years. (Team TLC stands for my son, Thomas, daughter, Lillian, and me, Camilla. Thomas is 9 years old, Lillian is 13 years old, and I’m 45 years old. The first letters of each of our names is TLC. The Romano Duo are my mom, Patty, and my step-father, Frank Romano.)

I chose the place we moved out of because it was close to Thomas and Lillian’s school. After living in that part of town for a while, I decided I would rather drive a bit further and live closer to our old neighborhood. We all loved and missed our old stomping grounds!

This last week in August, our time with The Romano Duo has come to an end. For now, anyway. They will be leaving for Mississippi on September 15th and we moved into our own place this weekend. I’m nearly on the end of town in which I wanted us to live. It’s not exactly what I had envisioned, yet I know this is leading us to the exact perfect home for us.

I spent June, July, and August searching for a home in the Damonte Ranch/Virginia Foothills/Galena area. When I did find something in my price range, it was rented almost immediately after being advertised. I couldn’t get to them fast enough! When I did get there fast enough, it was usually a place with stairs and big open areas. Lillian could hardly stand it inside those particular houses. With her proprioceptive, vestibular, and sensory issues she just couldn’t take it. In one place, she had to stay in the bathroom while I looked around. I couldn’t really move her into a place in which she was not comfortable and one in which caused her such problems.

Bedroom Door! We’ve Claimed It! HA!

In less than one week’s time I viewed, signed the lease for, and moved us into a 1 bedroom, 1 bath 810 square foot condo at The Vintage at South Meadows Condominiums. There was no time left to keep looking. We shall see how many beds one can fit into a 13’10” X 11’10” bedroom. (**Update: I was able to fit one standard size and one queen bed with room for nightstands and dressers!) The grounds are gorgeous with an amazing private lake with a walking path, an awesome pool, and beautiful clubhouse (which can be used privately), and a cozy little movie theater! Not only that. They have a preferred employer program. Teachers get price and fee reductions and perks. YAY for being a substitute teacher! This will certainly be an adventure. There will have to be more purging as there’s no way all our stuff is going to fit into this place!

They Fit!!! Still A Mess With Unpacking! And Still Need Some Rearranging of Dressers.

Was it my plan to move us into such a small place with only ONE bathroom? No, not really. Did I mention there’s only ONE toilet for three people? HA! For several years now, I have been an admirer of Tiny Homes and the Tiny Homes movement. I love the idea and think I could live in one and be happy and content. Every time I’ve talked with Lillian and Thomas about it, they have not liked the idea. So, no, it was not my plan; but the seed was there in my heart to see just how much we could simplify.

Big Mess!! We LOVE it!

Thomas and Lillian observed as I looked for places these past several months along with the worry and frustration at times. When I took them to look at this place, they both loved it and the amenities, and most importantly, were both content and happy with the size of the place. All three of us are very excited about this move.

GREAT Patio!

I’m blessed and grateful that throughout the past 17 years I’ve learned skills and techniques that allow me to see the gift of situation and to know that everything is happening as it should to bring me and my family further clarity, enlightenment, and growth.

View From the Living Area! Trees Through the Window and That’s Our Patio on the Left. So Cool!!

I’m contemplating writing a weekly blog post about our adventures as the plan for now is to live here for one year at the most …. or could be shorter depending on other circumstances.

Let the adventure begin!! (Go here to read about the first week in our tiny space!)

Heartfuly Inspired™,
Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

Latest News: Sixth Annual Lillian Presentation

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Lillian’s birthday and the dawn of a new school year are upon us. This was the sixth annual “Lillian” presentation to her classmates. It began in the first grade because her classmates kept asking me “why” questions about Lillian. I figured why have them wondering and drawing erroneous conclusions and choosing to judge her when I can try and help them understand.

The presentation went GREAT! I got lots of questions and one sweet young man bought a copy of my book, D iz for Different, for his aunt. He has a cousin with 22q-. So sweet!

I like to share my presentation publicly because so many other parents are curious about this and some want to take the plunge and do their own presentation. Please use it as you need. I only ask that you let people know where you got the idea or information.

These are my raw notes for the presentation. I add to or skip information as I feel needed.

Lillian and Being Different

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.” – Henry David Thoreau

(Slide 1) Chocolate Candy Recipe ~ Each chocolate has a recipe – all use cocoa, and dark or milk chocolate

What ingredients make chocolates so different?

Fruit – Cherries, Coconut

Nuts – Almonds, Cashews, Peanut, Hazlenuts

Flavorings – Vanilla, Orange, Strawberry

We are like chocolates – we each have our own special recipe with special ingredients that make us DIFFERENT, UNIQUE, BEAUTIFUL AND AMAZING.

Chocolate recipes are usually in a book or written on paper or even in someones head. Our recipes for our bodies are in our genes.

Genes are our recipe for our bodies and they decide:

(Show book … “You’re Full of Genes” by Claudia Zylberberg Ph.D.)

Brown or Blue Eyes
Short or Tall
Straight or Curly Hair
Need Glasses or Not
Have Freckles or Dimples
Have small feet or big feet

Genes decide EVERYTHING about you and your body and how the parts should work. If some genes are missing or duplicated this decides whether something with our body doesn’t work.

Another way to explain is that genes are all of the instructions the human body needs to function.  All of our bodies genes are organized into structures called chromosomes.

(Slide 2) Let’s look at this like a Chocolate Candy Cookbook.  If the recipes are genes, then each chapter (Chocolate with Nuts Chapter, Chocolate with Fruit Chapter) is like a chromosome.  The chapters, or chromosomes, make up the book – in our case, the book of life.

(Slide 3) Chromosome, DNA, Gene Slide

(Slide 4)  There are 22 numbered pairs of chromosomes, plus two sex chromosomes (male or female).  Each chromosome is numbered and each chromosome has a waistband.  The waistband separates the short arm (p) and long arm (q) of the chromosome.  (slide 4)

(slide 5) Lillian has a very unique recipe (genes) unlike any of you.  A section of her recipe is missing – deleted (called a chromosome abnormality).  A piece of her #18 chromosome is missing – the short arm of her #18 is deleted, so it’s called 18p-.

What happens if you leave out an ingredient for a recipe?

(slide 6) Lillian has to work harder at doing many of the things that are easy for you. She’s had to do this since being a baby.  Things like turning over, holding her head up, crawling, walking, making sounds, cutting with scissors, eating, writing, talking.

Lillian’s mouth has to work so much harder to chew and swallow and speak.

Her hands have to work harder to do things like writing, cutting, make crafts, opening packages.

Her body has to work harder at walking, running, and staying balanced.

She’s very nervous, startled and scared about loud sudden noises (thunderstorms, fire alarms for drills, helicopters)

Lillian uses an iPod Touch with an application installed that allows her to type in what she needs or wants to say and press a speak button. Talk about Proloquo2Go. She can also simply type what she wants to say in the notes section or texting section of the iPod. She doesn’t really use P2G as much as she did when she was younger.

Lillian has all the words and things she needs and wants to say in her mind. She has problems articulating it (saying it) clearly.

She is just the same as the rest of you in many ways. She likes to read (mysteries, non-fiction books and friendship books), loves listening to a variety of music, she likes french fries, hot dogs, meatloaf, donuts, and she loves going for walks, taking pictures, and telling and listening to jokes.

Lillian loves the stars, moon and sun (astronomy) and loves dancing and just being silly. She’s passionate about the weather. She tracks the weather every day!

I want to share some ideas and thoughts with you on how you can be awesome, supportive, and helpful friends and classmates to one another and to Lillian! I want to make sure you understand I’m not solely talking about Lillian with how to be supportive. This is for all of you.

Encourage one another if you see any of your classmates or Lillian having a hard time.

Lend a helping hand if you see one of your classmates struggling.

Be patient with Lillian if you don’t understand what she has just said ~ encourage her to use her iTouch to tell you what she’s trying to say or write it down or verbally spell the word for you.

Be patient with one another too.

Take that first step and ask Lillian what she did over the weekend or about her likes, dislikes ~ questions you would ask your fellow classmates and friends.  You will have to wait longer for an answer; but the good feelings you get from showing kindness and friendship to someone who is a little different will outweigh the amount of time it takes Lillian to respond.

This goes for any of your classmates. If you see a classmate all alone, take that first step. Go over and start a conversation with him or her. Also remember to respect if that person chooses to be left alone. Some times we just need alone time.

(Slide 7 & 8) Team TLC and Different iz Good

Now, let’s switch gears a bit and talk about being different. It’s okay to be different. It’s okay to be YOU.  We all, at some point, feel like we don’t fit in and feel like we are different. That’s because we are. We are uniquely us, we are just as we were meant to be.

Most times we chase after trying to fit in. Fit in with the cool kids, the loud kids, the fun kids, the popular kids, the crazy kids. You may not understand this now, but chasing after trying to fit in comes back to haunt us later in life. It becomes a habit and then we chase after friendships, relationships, careers. The easiest and most fun route to take in life is to just be YOU and be grateful for whatever it is that makes you YOU!

Before we can accept and be kind to others and to those with differences, we must first accept and love ourselves. We must be kinds to ourselves and know that we are awesome and special … each and every one of us has something that is special and unique about us. Some of us are just shy about sharing it with others.

When I was your age I was uncomfortable with my name because no one could pronounce it right when they first met me or when trying to pronounce it for the first time. It made me stand out and I was not comfortable with that. I was also always the tallest kid in my class and I had these ginormous lips! Don’t get me wrong I love my name, my height and my lips as an adult; but when I was your age I was uncomfortable with my name and I got teased about my lips. That didn’t feel good at all. I sure would have handled it better if I’d had someone sharing this message with me when I was your age.

Different is okay. Different is Beautiful. Different iz Good. The more we let our differences and our uniqueness shine and share it with others, the more we encourage others to be themselves. We create a ripple effect that spreads further than we even know.

Let me give you an example of how to accept and love yourself …. Look in the mirror and say out loud .. Camilla, I love you. I love your crooked front tooth. That tooth allows and helps me eat all kinds of delicious and nutritious food. I love your kind heart. It helps to brighten the day of other people. I love your vericous vein covered legs. Those fabulous spider vein legs help you get where you need to go, take you on beautiful nature walks, allow you to drive your car, and most especially they help you to dance!

If this doesn’t feel comfortable you can always write a letter to yourself saying the same things. Gratitude for our own self and body allows us to spread kindness and non-judgment to our classmates and friends.

I believe in a world where we all empower each other, a world where we are each other’s biggest supporters and our greatest cheerleader, a world where we are taught to celebrate one another’s gifts and differences, not to be threatened by them. I believe in a world in which we use our energy to solve the world’s problems and inspire others to do the same, where we recognize one another’s limitless potential.

How boring would our World be if we were all the same? It’d be like living in a World full of only Milk Chocolate …. No chocolate with nuts, no dark chocolate, no chocolate caramel, no chocolate with fruit …. Boring!

(Slide 9) Different iz Good . . . . . Spread the Word!

Slides:

Parent letter provided to teacher to email or send home with kids:

September 10, 2014

Dear Parents:

My name is Camilla Downs.  I am Mom to Lillian Darnell, one of your child’s classmates in Jane Doe’s class. Today I gave a presentation to the class about Lillian and her differences. I began giving this presentation in 1st grade as Lillian’s classmates were asking me questions about her.

I figure why have them wondering and drawing possibly erroneous conclusions about Lillian when it can be somewhat explained. I have changed it a bit every year to keep pace with the increased knowledge and understanding of the students.

I talked with them about how different ingredients are used to make chocolate candy taste unique, and how each of us is made up of different “ingredients” that make us unique. We discussed how each of us has “ingredients” or qualities that make us different and how, specifically, Lillian is unique and different.

Lillian has a rare genetic disorder called 18p-. She is missing a portion of the short arm of her chromosome #18. The main way this manifests is that Lillian is speech impaired – her speech is hard to understand. She uses an iTouch with an application installed that allows her to input what she wants to say (AAC Application called Proloquo2Go – Yes, they make an app for everything!).  She presses the “speak” button when she’s done inputting her sentence/thoughts and the iPhone speaks it. **Update** Lillian used to use this very often. She now prefers to try to be understood verbally by spelling out each word if it is not understood by the listener. She can, however, use the iTouch notes feature or any other feature that allows her to type the message and then show it to the listener.

I also wanted to let you know a bit about Lillian so you can possibly help your child understand in case he/she asks you questions about Lillian’s differences.  Lillian is a very bright young lady; although, she does have problems grasping math due to18p-. She’s also a bit slower and awkward doing just about everything.  Her body just doesn’t move as fast as the typical child.

I ended the presentation with a message for all of the kids that in order to accept others and their differences we must first accept ourselves and what is unique and different about ourselves. I shared my personal experience as a young child and shared the message that Different is Okay and that Different iz Good. I shared my view that we are all perfectly flawed and that is what makes each one of us the unique person that we are.

I also take this opportunity to share about non-judgment and compassion for one another. I give the students ideas about how to support one another.

If you are interested and would like to see the presentation, it is posted on my blog at the website listed below.

Please feel free to email or call me if you have any questions.  If you and your child want to learn even more you can visit www.Chromosome18.org.

Thank you!!

Camilla Downs

The recipe idea for the presentation was adapted from another Chromosome 18 Mom, Melanie Gorrell. She uses cookies in her presentation … I LOVE chocolate, so I use chocolate. The parent letter is also adapted from Melanie’s parent letter.