Sunday, July 29, 2007

Triangles














Triangles are arguably the strongest geometric shape in the universe. And I have been thinking and talking about them a lot of late. Symbolically, triangles denote action, dynamism, strength or point to a direction of movement.

Great societies have used the triangle form to build the world's most astounding structures. The Egyptian pyramids continue to be an architectural marvel thousands of years after their construction. The Roman arch beautifies and fortifies doorways, bridges and cathedrals throughout the former empire. Late 1800s US engineers' understanding of the triangle's efficient distribution of weight paved the way for today's mega skyscrapers. A cosmic triangle represents past, present and future states of the universe.

Triangles are just as present in realms outside physics and construction. Christianity has the Holy Trinity and Judaism the Star Of David. Hindu has the Trikona, the Vedic symbol of Shakti, denoting the feminine or aspects of Creation. Yoga has a Triangle Pose, the Utthita Trikonasana. The Chinese Bagua contains trigrams, fundamental to philosophical concepts of the I Ching, Toaism, Feng Shui and Martial Arts. Goethe's relationships of color begins with his Primary Color Triangle. Knights in shining armour rescue damsels in distress and both are tested by evil villains, making up the Power Triangle of Sociopaths for modern psychologists . Even Hollywood has their blockbuster trilogies in the Godfather, Star Wars and Batman.


Triangular diagrams work for 3 parts that are strongly linked or equal in value. Supposedly, the US branches of government would work for a triangle diagram. Alexandra Stoddard communicates her principles of design with a triangular formula of appropriateness, beauty and simplicity. My family unit is a sum of 3 equal parts; Jessica, Doug and Carolyn.


Every Pilates session taught by a Fletcher teacher begins with attention to the feet's 3 weight bearing points. The "foot centers" make a tripod on the bottom of the foot that connects us to the earth. Optimal posture starts in the body by organizing and stabilizing over the feet. We have also begun to teach the "magic triangle" that is made from the 3 points of the pelvis, one each on the front and back. The triangle imagery works just as well for the shoulder girdle.

Somehow, it brings me a sense of wonder at the moment to contemplate the meaning and purpose of triangles. They provide a useful metaphor for distributing the weight of my concerns or pointing me towards a direction or particular action. The triangle is helping me find equality, balance and underlying strength.


Pictured:
Skyscraper, New York City
Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Tampa
Mezquita, Cordova Spain
Triangle Pose, Bikram Yoga
Eye Of Providence, Great Seal Of The United States
Baby Heart Shaped Feet





Sunday, July 22, 2007

Entertaining Styles

I was having lunch with my neighbor, Meera, and the conversation came to parties. Meera had recently co-hosted a baby shower. I was about to throw a book signing. We both were looking forward to parties we are planning for the future: For Meera, designing a Southern menu for a dinner club in the fall and for me, creating a pajama party for my next Ladies In night.

Both of us are lucky to have been raised around women who entertained. Meera's grandmother is reputed to have held over 100 teas through out her days. I remember my mom working herself to a frazzle preparing all the dishes that her 5 children, their romantic mates, 13 grandchildren and the assorted relatives and friends would devour at family celebrations and holidays. The women made others welcome in their home, displayed delicious meals and oversaw many memorable occasions., especially those of Meera's and my childhoods.

Our styles of entertaining have evolved into something quite different from our moms and grandmothers. Meera has two small children so she has found brunches to be the solution for her busy lifestyle right now. I like to host affairs on the casual side, usually setting up a help yourself drink station and buffet on my island.

One of Meera's baby shower co-hosts entertaining style helped us identify a quality that we feel is important: hostessing is an opportunity to put a personal, creative touch on things. We discovered than when we delegate details of an event or party, we want to be careful not to lose our own special flair.

During the selection process on the Next Food Network Star, contestants are asked, what is your culinary point of view? In Daring To Be Yourself, Alexandra Stoddard asks, what is your unique point of view? Is there a better place for us to play with self expression than at home, in the company of our family and friends?

Having others over or throwing a party is work but it is also fun. We all love sharing in relaxing, happy times with each other. I find it intriguing all the ways that I have been entertained by men and women. There really doesn't seem to be a wrong way, except for perhaps when entertaining is sloppy or thoughtless in my mind. I've been to a summer pig roast, a 60th birthday pasta bar and a casual supper with greens freshly picked from the garden out the back door. Each speaks to me about the hosts and hostesses and I am grateful for the pleasant experiences I am left with.

As I host my next events, a few things I'll be thinking about will be:

THEMES: Themes help me get going in a direction. It is simply easier to edit out from all that is available when I have parameters from which to make my choices.

MENU: I usually prepare all my own food. Sometimes a friend will bring an appetizer, salad or dessert. This gives me more control over the dining experience. But if the only way we can see to entertain is by hosting the event where our friends bring over dishes, I say that is the way to go. When I use a caterer, I have definitely ideas about what I want to have. For Deborah Ford's book signing, I worked with the caterer for a Southern cocktail party that honors Deborah's heritage, with items such as biscuit crostinis and pitchers of mint juleps with silver service. I like how some hostesses prepare a signature item when they have catering, such as Alexandra did by preparing Chicken Curry. If I ever have grocery or market tray goods again, I'll follow Aida's example by using my own platter for serving to make it more personal.

FLOWERS: Only for large events do I contract the services of a florist. I have good flower sources and I can save a great deal of money by getting Doug to arrange stemmed flowers for me or using potted plants.

TAKE AWAYS or PARTY FAVORS: These aren't necessary but I love how surprised friends are when I have a little something for them as they depart. Meera's baby shower guests were given tea candles to be lit upon the arrival of the twins. After a cookout, I sent guests home with the potted Hydrangeas I used for the table decor. For Memorial Day, we gave raffia- tied sprigs of Rosemary, the symbol of remembrance.

MUSIC: Doug and I definitely give some thought to the cd selection we play when we have people over. We are fortunate to have many to choose from and our eclectic music tastes allows us to go in just about any direction.

If we're going to go the grocery deli and throw out some cold cuts, we can make an extra trip to serve some artisan breads along with it to make it special. We can sprinkle in fresh herbs, drizzle on some honey, ream a lemon or grate some cheese or chocolate, anything to make things fresher or put a loving hand to the foods we are serving. We can put out flowers that speak to us or have special meaning to our guests. We can light some candles, establishing an atmosphere. We can aks ourselves what our unique point of view is. Whatever we do, let us be inspired as hostesses.

"Acknowledge, accept and appreciate what it is that makes you different." -Sarah Ban Breathnach

"There is something you can do better than anyone else can do it." -Myrtle Filmore

"Being a host is like being in love - you have to think of the other person." - Inn at Ormsby Hill

"The hostess must be like a duck - calm and unruffled on the surface, and paddling like hell underneath." - Anonymous

"To offer wine is the most charming gesture of hospitality." - Alexis Lichine

"Dining is an always was a great artistic opportunity." - Frank Lloyd Wright




Thursday, July 19, 2007

I Am My Choices

"To live wisely, we should choose to think wisely and do what is right, appropriate and true" writes Alexandra Stoddard in her latest book, You Are You Choices-50 Ways To Live The Good Life. The good life promises many opportunities and that we will be bringing out the best in us. Living a good life is about honoring ourselves by pursuing our own happiness as well as helping others toward this goal. The good life demands personal responsibility and we will have to "constantly deal with what is hard to do." How we attain our good life is by "paying close attention to everything we choose to do as well as what we decide to give up or let go."


I have just made a difficult choice. I returned to my copy of ...Choices. She has some wise words for those of us facing difficult decisions. Alexandra tells us that "living the good life is challenging. The commitment to live such a life will not make life easier." She reminds me that what I choose in such times will either make my situation better or worse off. Importantly, she advises: "be as true to you as you can, live according to your own inner compass, you have to step through the door and act and we are not controlled by the obligations or the will of others."

"If you ever feel confused or stuck, or don't know what choices to make, go outside in search of something beautiful." Yesterday was very hard. I felt physically ill from the thoughts whirling around in my mind. I reached out to several friends to help me reach a conclusion. Midday I found myself looking into the big, bright and beautiful blue eyes of my daughter. I had found something beautiful while I was confused and stuck. I began to calm down. I awoke this morning clear about what was true for me. I made my choice, acted and set consequences in motion. My hope is that I am improving the situation for everyone involved. My prayer is one inspired by Unity, "This God or something better."

I choose to embrace a more uncertain future at the moment. And I take a deep, percussive breath.


"To change one's mind in changing circumstances is true wisdom." Robert Louis Stevenson

"Nothing exists from whose nature some effect does not follow." Spinoza

"It is best to bear what cannot be altered." -Seneca








Saturday, July 14, 2007

Fat, Broke And Lonely No More!

Victoria Moran has published a fun and insightful new book. It's title and cover are catchy but the book is really about the emptiness we carry within us that we attempt to fill with food, things and people.

In my previous post, Announcing Fat, Broke And Lonely No More, I shared a sneak peek of what the book would cover. Now having read it, I want to share what I found most valuable to me in Victoria's writings...new titles are mine!

"Your waist measurement, bank balance, and plans for Saturday night no longer define you."

"You don't have to do it all today, but you do have to do today's share."

Fit

"The first step isn't to change your body. It is to appreciate it."

"What you're looking for is not in the refrigerator."


"Overeating is a direct corollary to underliving."


Prosperous
"We're always ready to start something that could improve our situation. We're not as thrilled about stopping what caused the trouble in the first place."

"Give 10%, save 10% and live well on the remaining 80%."


Attractive
"When you feel complete, you attract other complete people."

"Be relatively easy to get along with."


Victoria writes later that "if it wasn't in the fridge, it isn't at the mall!" Perhaps my favorite chapter in the book is number 2, The Emptiness Epidemic. Victoria explains about the essential emptiness we all have as human beings. This essential emptiness is what causes us to search for meaning in our lives. She points out that there is a difference in searching for meaning in our life and acting on our every desires. To me, she sums up it all up by teaching us that being fat, broke and lonely happens when we get confused about the soul's purpose.

If you haven't already done so, I hope you will add a copy of Fat, Broke and Lonely No More! to your personal library.





Monday, July 9, 2007

Deborah Ford and Friends


Bless His Heart Publishing Party for Deborah Ford held 7.7.07
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Friday, July 6, 2007

Pilates Conservatory

Pat Guyton opens the Pilates Conservatory this fall. The Pilates Conservatory will be the educational arm for Pat Guyton Pilates studio in Boulder, CO. The conservatory will offer comprehensive Pilates teacher programs, continuing education, mentoring and seminars.

Pat Guyton is my Pilates Master Teacher. She is the proprietress of Pat Guyton Pilates, Vice President of the Pilates Method Alliance and formerly the Program Director for the Ron Fletcher Program Of Study. I blogged previously about Pat's contributions to me in Milestones and Mentors.

I am very excited that Pat will be publishing the Pilates Conservatory Blog. The blog will be interesting to Pilates teachers and enthusiasts alike. Do check out the link and drop Pat a comment!

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Let Freedom Ring!


"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness...
And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor." - United States Declaration Of Independence

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." - Frances Bellamy