Slowing Down the Aging Process

What a beautiful picture, Karima. When we are here for each other, then we fulfill the commandment of love.

You take delight in beauty which reflects you. You have mentioned beautiful loving eyes ... this is soul touching, soul communication .... wow, this reminds me of a poem by Tim "Soul touching". Must see if I can find it.

Be fine, my friend!
I love you. Margherita

Found it on chopra: Tim Cannon's poem

"Soul touching"


Together,
Yet absent of form,
Your presence,
It illuminates,
As an aura,
Images a flame,
It surrounds,
And enters my heart.
Soul touching,
Each other,
Releasing,
To one another,
Our spirits,
Unite,
Ascend in eternity,
As a fragrant essence,
Unseen,
Awakening,
All senses within,
Heaven is this tender love.

Always can we be with another, whether it is our creator, a friend or companion, a loved one that has passed on;
Through soul touching you can feel the presence, just close your eyes…


by: Tim Cannon

I’m open to love
my heart invites you to dance
come share my delight


senryu by Margherita

you reached out your hand when I needed
I feel this love and also gratitude
for being blessed in this way.

The poem is so beautiful! Thank you Margeritha, thank you Tim



Good night, tomorrow work again,,,,,,

Love,

Karima

Thank you Lilie, Margherita and Tim.
You touch me deeply with your grace and beauty.

Soon I am going to leave the fields of snow
and dip into the waters of a warmer place.

May the Hawaiian Goddess Laka embrace you with love and light.
****************

O Goddess Laka!
O wildwood bouquet, O Laka!
O Laka, queen of the voice!
O Laka, giver of gifts!
O Laka, giver of bounty!
O Laka, giver of all things!

Hawaiian prayer to the Goddess laka

I will send you the warm rays of the beautiful Hawaiian sunset

Wish you a wonderful well deserved
vacation,Inda....I have enjoyed so much
our playing...



with Love

Lilie

I sure wish I was coming along. I might even go for a swim.

Sue

Sue, what do you say about more playing? Are you without both Vicky and Inda? In Sweden there is a saying...when the cat is away the rats dance....

And in Italy we say: Quando non c'è il gatto, i topi ballano ... exact translation. Today this was not the case ... a busy day back at work, like you dear Lilie ...
but I wish Inda a wonderful time in Hawaii!
Tired now.
Hugging you all and going to sleep ... hmmm DREAM ...

Love, Margherita

I’m open to love
my heart invites you to dance
come share my delight


senryu by Margherita

Thank you Everyone for your kind wishes. I had a very busy day as well and tomorrow will be even more hectic. Got to get things done before the mice begin to play

Now I will also do this:

I love you, Inda

I will have to travel very early tomorrow, so I wish you sweet dreams dear friends. Coming back at the very end of the month.

Sending you all much love, Inda

Just here for a moment to say hello .... it feels a little bit lonely ...

Have a beautiful week-end all.

Love, Margherita

I’m open to love
my heart invites you to dance
come share my delight


senryu by Margherita

I agree a little bit lonely...also a time of rest



Love to you
and a pleasant week-end

Lilie

Island dreams by Jim Warren

Thinking of Inda on the island ... sending her love.

Dear Karima, yes we do need to rest, to sit with a book, to think, just to BE.


Another senryu for you:


Today we shall rest
to absorb beauty and light:
to just love our life


Hugs. Margherita

yes, lets send love to Inda in Hawaii



Love,

Lilie

Haiku is a Japanese verse form that relies on brevity and simplicity to convey its message. It is usually three lines of five, seven, and five syllables, and frequently includes natural images or themes. It is believed to have been first written in the seventeenth century and is based on a Zen Buddhist philosophy of simplicity and the idea of perfection that excludes the extraneous.

This is the very brief explanation of haiku on www.poetry.com where they run a daily contest of haikus. I participate quite often and I have once won the mousepad with a haiku I submitted (it's a question of luck though, hundreds and hundreds of senryus/haikus are sent everyday, but it's fun!). With the following senryu (they actually call haiku everything, even if to be called a haiku, there must be a seasonal element in the verse - all other compositions are called senryu):

Life flows placidly
we have the choice to be free
to cry or to laugh



Have a beautiful Sunday, dear Karima.
Love and light. Margherita

Japaneese influence

Thank you Margeritha for the telling of the haiku..are the rules very specific?



Love,
Lilie

The light of Dolphins by Jane Nussbaum

To swim in the light
follow the playful dolphins
they show you the way

Just dreaming of swimming and dancing with dolphins, which would be the most fantastic physical and spiritual exercise!

Love, Margherita
ps Yes, Karima, there are specific rules for haiku and senryu, I will find some site for you as soon as possible.

I came across something very different...looking funny



I can myself look up a site on haikus and senryo, this will save you time, thank you anyway...

Love,

Karima

Also found this picture of a water whirling
and thought is gave such a strong feeling
of this element. the name of the artist is
Leif Svensson

Dear Karima, this water whirling is beautiful .. the light dancing on it. The light will not be swallowed by it. Water whirling reminds me of childhood, when at the lake of Zurich I learned to swim and my mother warned me of these whirls, they take you down in no time. There was one near where we went to bath, but we knew it and never approached that fascinating but dangerous water play.
Yes this picture shows the power!


Catnap ballet photo by Trisha Flynn

Wishing you such intense and glorious peace ... aren't they totally relaxed and immersed in their dreams?!

Sending you much love, Margherita

dear Margeritha, those cats are so wondefully relaxed and together...
With the name Trisha I came to think of Trisha Browns dance company...

it is an image of a wheel

Dear Margherita, wish my pussy cats would look as relaxed !! Fabulous picture. We are very peaceful at home at the moment as Ollie is back in the vets. He is missed by 2 uprights but I think the furry one of the three of us (Lily) is very happy. Still he is coming home tomorrow, so deep breaths and off we go again. Sue.

Dear Sue, I hope that Ollie is back home and well and happy together with you.

Beautiful movements dear Lilie!

Love, Margherita

I am smiling of these images



love,
Lilie

Dear Margherita. Thank you for your kind thoughts. Yes, Ollie is back home. The Vet has grown so fond of him she didn't want to release him. He is an adorable little chap. "Not so" says Lily!!!! Sue.

Dear Sue, good to hear Ollie is back home with you...

Love,
Lilie

Dear Lilie, thank you for your message. I think finally my Lily is learning to accept Ollie. They met face to face yesterday and instead of a big hiss, she turned her back and walked away.That is an improvement from last week. Wish my Lily was as nice as you, Lilie. Sue.

Lilie is not so nice always, ask my husband and children...



Love,

Lilie

Well, dear Lilie, none of us I think is ALWAYS nice ... we are in need of balance surely, sometimes we are soaring high and able to love as we are meant to and sometimes we are in a low mood and then we cause others to escape ...

Anyway, I think, isn't it time to welcome back our dearest Inda?

In case, I will now look for a bunch of flowers ... well she may have had the flowers around her neck in Hawaii .... we might add the warmth of a hug to say we missed her and we are happy that she is about to materialise here again!

Love and light, dear Lilie.

for Inda ... may the Angels protect you on your way home


Marc Chagall - Der Blumenstrauss der den Himmel erleuchtet ... fuer Inda

Dear Margeritha

Yes, I think you are right...it is about time
for Inda to return..and I would welcome her
with a hug and you are right about kindess, we all have our sides

Lilie

Hello Everyone,
It is nice to be back on Givnology. Inda will probably be back tomorrow. We are all recovering from our long trips so I don't think we will be exercising too much this week; probably sleeping whenever we can, but not on the job . Nice to see all the beautiful pictures.

Vicky

Welcome back, dear Vicky. You have been missed and it is so nice to see you safely home. Hope you had a wonderful time home!

Much love, Margherita

Dear Friends,
I am home and couldn't help but come and say 'Hello' to you all tonight ,before i go to sleep.
After a very long flight and two sleepless nights it is actually good to be back on Givnology.

Like Vicky, I feel exercise will not be on my schedule this week , but a lot of sleep .

I am overwhelmed by all your beautiful gifts of flowers and send you a hug and a kiss and a lot of Aloha.
There is a beautiful Hawaiian saying:

Aloha exists beyond motives,
desires, or opinions. It is sustained
by love, fortified by compassion,
and it expands in power and beauty
as we give it away to all who come
into our lives.

***************************************

Thank you for the warm welcome Margherita, and the beautiful flowers.
I had a very nice time at home. The weather was beautiful. Here it is really winter, but it is nice to come to Givnology.

Love,
Vicky

more hugs...rejuvinating

All these hugs are so comforting.
Givnology makes all things feel much better.
It gives a message of kindness and friendship.

Hugs from Vicky

Dear Friends,
Sending you all many more hugs from a landscape that I am in at the moment, but Givnology sends the warmth of the sun.

Love, Inda
**********

supposedly hugging

Girls, dear friends, I don't want to miss the welcome back hugs!
I am here and reach out.
Here in Rome the weather has been very sunny today and not cold. I had a feeling of hearing birds sing with a hint of Spring in their voice ...



Love and hugs. Margherita

Dear Margherita and Everyone,

More hugs to you all from the land of snow.
Hugging is good for us. It opens the door to love.

I am not able to post images in the office but I am sending you all many hugs.It makes us feel appreciated and loved.

Vicky

sleeping is rejuvinating

Love,
Lilie

We need a certain number of hours of sleep. If we are constantly sleep deprived we will forshorten our lives.
This weekend I am going to catch up on all the sleep that I missed.

Sounds like a good idea

Good Morning all,
actually Good Afternoon!!

I slept about 12 hours last night

Now it is time for a stretch,
and maybe some yoga.

Dear Inda, I think you are right with your considerations on sleep. I definitely should sleep more. Might have a nap now ... ronf ronf ronf

Meanwhile I share a senryu I wrote, holding another magical secret to remain young: laughter and fun .... besides LOVE of course!


As long as we laugh,
play and have fun together
our love will be safe

Love, Margherita

Thank you Margherita for sharing those beautiful words:

As long as we laugh,
play and have fun together
our love will be safe.
***************************

Happiness is not only good in itself
but it is very beautiful.
~Native American

These pictures are so cute.
I guess it is time to get back into the routine.
Time to start doing some exercises, eat good food ,sleep enough and be kind to each other.
Have a nice day everyone.



Vicky

I am definitely not exercising, since I get enough at home with my two cats

Have fun exercising everyone

Sue

Hello girls! You are such a sweet company and always stimulating. Dear Sue, to play with Zelda, my cat, is actually the only exercise I do regularly! We play with the little balls and she is such a good doorkeeper, haha. I applaud her when she catches a great ball and she is proud. My exercise consists in collecting from the floor all the balls again and again ... When we are tired we relax and she happily purrs. If I stop too soon, she cries heartwrenchingly, so that I HAVE to stay a little longer.

Love and hugs. Margherita

Hi Margherita,
What beautiful cats , but I see that nobody is eager to do any real exercise.
So I will just join everyone, but only for a few more days; then it is back to real workout.

Your daughter's cats are absolutely beautiful,
Margherita.Thank you for sharing them with us.

Your exercise routine is my idea of a workout. That is as much as I want to get

Sue

The cats are so beautiful Margherita.
Thank you for the picture.

Looks like you and Sue get enough exercise with the cats.

I really think that we should start a more active program again. We used to run up stairs and mountains. What happened?

Vicky

Sweet ladies, at the moment I can't think of any exercise, it's time to go to sleep and ..... well hopefully I will have my exercises done in the dreams ... I might FLY, oh what intense pleasure that is .... OK in the morning a little stretching in front of the open window!


Joy of freedom by Rassouli

I love this artist!

Love, Margherita

Dear Margheritqa,
This is a really beautiful image, no wonder you want to go to sleep and dream.

Well, I am going to make an attempt at this

your images are so beautifui, beautiful
and I am getting so tired now



I also love that artist Rassouli!

Love,

Lilie

Dear Karima,
That picture is very beautiful.
I think that I am not really in any mood for exercise this week, so a rest will do until Monday.

Beautiful pictures.

All right, you can all be lazy until Monday,
but then I am going to come after you for some serious exercise.

Vicky

Zelda watched me while doing my stretching in the morning, after all we have learned from the cats! Just a few movements well done already give a good feeling. Of course what is important is that we do it regularly, which means to get up a little bit earlier ..... which means that we should go to bed a little bit earlier ...... ok doing just that now!

I am having a two days managerial course and you know I had difficulty, especially after lunch, to keep my eyes open, even though it was really interesting. Only during the team-exercise I felt my energy growing again.

Good night and sweet dreams.
Love, Margherita

You are so good Margherita.
Well, I tried and this is as far as I got.
I promise to be better starting on Monday.

That's perfect for the start, dear Inda!
Stretching, stretching ....
Isn't it great, that there are always Mondays coming up, when we shall begin exercising, dieting etc.!!
Today I have the intention of at least walking a little ....
Happy Valentine's Day to all.
Love, Margherita

Dear Margherita,
You are really good!

I went to a French cooking class last night, and guess what, we made all sorts of goodies for Valentine's Day.
For dessert we made these...hahaha

On Monday I promise to be very good

Now I feel more like this:

Dear Inda that must have been fun yesterday! hmmmm ...... I must go and reach for a praline myself now ....my husband was so nice and got me some Ferrero Rocher in a heart-shaped box and with a little poem of his!! Useless to say that I appreciated both.

Ok, on Monday, no excuses!
Love, Margherita
Time to relax, after the shopping, carrying those heavy bags is also an exercise!

I am lazy now, but dieting...

here camels in love



with Love

Karima

Dear Lilie,
I have been very lazy as well, not to mention Sue .Margherita at least has been walking.

I am afraid Vicky said she will get after us tomorrow(Monday) and I think she means it.

To warm myself up for the action I did my yoga this morning.

Good of you to be on a diet. A medical friend once told me that the best way to diet is to eat most healthy foods, but just eat small portions. That seems to work well for me. I do limit my dessert intake during the week.

Here is more love for you to help you keep to the diet
*********

Wow, dear Inda, thank you for sharing those beautiful Hawaiian sayings!

The world needs the light of love. It needs the peace of it, the blessing of it, and the purifying qualities it possesses.

Lately, I am not very good in dieting ... always beginning on Monday!!!

Today I was in the mood of walking quickly, but my husband said "don't run" ... so I slowed down. When I walk with my daughter, she is the one to run of course and I seem slow to her. That's it, different paces, but at least we all walk.



Walking in silence
nature whispers love to us
and deep peace unfolds

A haiku for you.

With all my love.
Margherita

Thank you Inda, I need all encouragment
in holding my diet as an initiation in
weight-reduction which is important

Marghetita I love this new haiku of yours

Love,

Karima

i forgot this little one

All right everyone,
Monday is here

I did my yoga and I walked to work- 2km,
and I am walking back home. Even though it is still cold here, it felt like this:
(I am not the one that is trying to sneak back)

[This message was edited by Inda on Monday February 16th, 2004 at 03:05 AM.]

Dear Lilie,
That little one is so cute, he seems to be eating something.

This will be good for our lunch,
but we will add a little bit of fresh bread

This is Monday morning here, and I see we have a pretty good start

Lunch looks healthy also, and a little bit of bread will do no harm. Just remember to have a nutricious dinner, maybe some fish, vegetables and another salad.You can add a little rice or potatoes, but keep the portions small. Those who are allowed to drink milk, that is also good. I usually sprinkle some nuts on my salad or vegetables. Drink lots of fluids.

Have a nice day.
Vicky

thank you girls for your recommendations
and encouragement!

Here some beauty for the soul



Love,

Lilie

Keep to the diet Karima.
It takes a little effort, but it will work.

Vicky

Hi Girls.
I got enough exercise with my cats this morning, trying to give them their medication and keeping Oliver from eating Lilie's food.

Keep to the diet Karima. I once belonged to "Weightwatchers" and they also recommended smaller portions. This works well for me. At the moment I don't have a weight problem, but my cholesterol level is high, so I need to watch my diet again. Let us keep the goodies for the weekend!

Sue

Dear Friends,
I kept my promise...did my yoga, walked to work and back, and now I am in the mood to climb up these terraces and be inspired to enjoy the view.

This brings a poem to my mind :

Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain. An occasional glance toward the summit keeps the goal in mind,
but many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point.
Climb slowly, steadily, enjoying each passing moment; and the view from the summit will serve as a fitting climax for the journey.

~ Harold V. Melchert
***********************

Climbing up these terraces is a good idea. When we climb we can remember the words in the poem.

I will meet you all at the top...even Sue

Happy climbing,
Vicky

could not resist this...
Congratulations Inda for
your discipline

Love,
Karima

Very brave of you Lilie
Are we swimming or rafting

Well ,since we are all so eager, I thought we might attempt something a bit more challenging.
can you see the little mountain goat high up on the right...that's who we are visiting

Hafiz is encouraging us along with this poem:

A GREAT NEED

Out of a great need
We are holding hands
And climbing.
Not loving is letting go.
Listen,
The terrain around here
Is far too dangerous
For that.
**************************

Dear Inda

I cannot even tell you how much
I do appreciate your picture
and poem by Hafiz at this moment

here is what I found
am looking after them

I see it was definitely worth the climb.
We made it to the top.Good exercise everyone!
Enjoy the view!
*****************

I FOLLOW BAREFOOT

I long for you so much
I follow barefoot Your frozen tracks

That are high in the mountains
That I know are years old.

I long for You so much
I have even begun to travel
Where I have never been before.

Hafiz, there is no one in this world
Who is not looking for God.

Everyone is trudging along
With as much dignity, courage
And style

As they possily
can.

~Hafiz
***********

Ahhhh....wonderful poem
bringing me in mood...yes
maybe I have been a bit frozen

Look what I found



Love,

Lilie

I have just returned from a long and exhausting trip, so I am afraid I will not be exercising.

I am very glad to find you all still here, so I will sip my coffee and enjoy watching the images.
The image of spring is beautiful, Karima. I just returned from France, where it is a lot milder than here, but your picture has the promise of spring.

Gisele

Good going!
Keep it up girls!

Nice poetry and images.
Sue

Everyone did well last week.

Thank you for the promise of spring Karima,
I can't wait for it to come.

Now it is a new week and keep up the exercises . you too Sue!! Gisele has an excuse, she needs to rest from her trip. Not too much coffee Gisele!

Have a nice week everyone.
Vicky

Hello Ladies

Guess what, I joined a health club and actually went and took a yoga class there tonight. Didn't get home until 9 PM...hahaha

Now what do you say Vicky
I am planning to go there 3 times a week on top of my walking

Now here is something especially for Lilie,
but actually I will share it with you all

This will put a rejuvenating song in your hearts


...Chirp of spring to me,
Sparrows from your tree.

Never mind the showers;
Chirp about the flowers
While you build a nest:
Straws from east and west,
Feathers from your breast,
Make the snuggest bowers
In a world of flowers...

From APRIL by: Christina Rossetti

Thank you Inda for the spring images,
it is snowing here and lots of it!!

As far as the exercise goes, I have one thing to say: It takes all kinds to make a world


Sue

Good morning everyone

It is snowing here, so the spring pictures are a message of hope. They are beautiful.
Thank you.

Keep up the exercises.
I am impressed Inda. Keep it up
and everyone else keep exercising

Have a nice day,
Vicky

here is a kiss for the spring...thanks for the spring images...and that bird is so lovely



Love,

Lilie

Thank you Karima.
This is so sweet. It really makes a beautiful start for the day. This gives a lot of energy to the soul, and we need this as much as energy for the body.

Have a nice day everyone.
Be happy.

Vicky

Dear Lilie,
This image is so lovely,
it is truly food for the soul.

Vicky is right we need to look after the soul as well as the body. Happiness and love are the best medicine.

I couldn't resist this silly little picture,
sorry about the quality, but the original was very small

And here is another promise of Spring,
bringing light to the body and soul:

I love the one with the gorillas...

What a cute doggie, Lilie

Love comes in many forms and shapes
and it is healing for the body and the soul.
********************************************

...Listen human lovers

When did you last keep a vigil
Beseeching light?

When did you last fast, lose twenty pounds
In hopes of embracing God?

Hafiz will give you the unedited news today:
You will need to outdo all the noble acts
Of dog's love.

`From Dog's Love

[This message was edited by Inda on Friday February 27th, 2004 at 04:13 PM.]