Forcast is for Sunny Skies!

Howdy All Ya'll!

Weather forcast for the FrenchCowgirls Soiree' and Trunk Show in White Salmon, WA,  Feb. 5th is sunny with a high of 48 degrees - yahoo!  Couldn't be more perfect.  Of course, we still have lots of snow that needs melting, but it IS melting!  Whew!

While we're planning on having lots of fun, I would like to remember those who cannot join us due to recent tragedies in their own families.  There are several, to be sure.  Fathers, mothers, and sons of several of my friends have passed away unexpectedly this month.  My heart and prayers go out to each of them and their families.  It's a strange feeling to be immersed in the grief process while the rest of the world continues their daily lives, seemingly untouched.  When a person is grieving, time seems to move more slowly, life feels heavier, our energy is sapped, and our joy has dissipated or waxes and wanes daily, like the tides. 

This is a reminder to myself, as much as you, to be gentle with folks, whoever they are.  We never know what someone is going through, or has been through, that prevents them from celebrating life momentarily.  In our fast paced world, it's sometimes difficult for us to slow down enough to know that there are others who are moving at a much different rate due to life's circumstances that may be derailing them.  When I think of being derailed, it literally means to be off-the-track - not able to run our engine the way we normally would.  If we're temporarily de-railed, we need time to repair our engine - take time off - from the typical day to day path we take. 

While I mourn these huge losses with my friends, I also rejoice in the good fortune of others.  I rejoice in my own good fortune to have so many lovely friends who are able to come and help me celebrate the launch of my website and business http://www.frenchcowgirls.com/ .  I'm opening my heart and home to share food, friendship, fashion, and fun!  I look forward to seeing you this Sunday, Feb. 5th, at Yatay Lodge (http://www.ayataylodge.com/)  I'm excited to share where we've been since we started in November and where we're headed this next year.  AND - I look forward to getting input from YOU as to what you'd like to see on the site, because, as with any endeavor, change is the name of the game, and we're a work in progress!

Starting a retail business might seem a little strange for someone who is also a spiritual care provider!  Alas, we must always strive to be true to ourselves, to be our most authentic self, and THAT is my PATH - it's the TRUTH TRACK, whatever that is for me at any particular time.  I'm grateful that I'm aware, and that I can take action in the direction of my dreams.  AND, I look forward to supporting YOU in YOUR DREAM, whatever they may be! 

Yahoo!
Cowgirl Kay

FrenchCowgirls Soiree' and Trunk Show Coming Feb. 5th!

A soiree' is a party, and You're Invited!  It's coming up in February, just in time for Valentines Day!  Give yourself some love and keep the date of Sunday, February 5, 2012, from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. for the first FrenchCowgirls Soiree' and Trunk Show!  We'll be featuring all of our yummy handmade goods such as Pendleton Fabric Vests, along with some of our jewelry artisans fantastic assortment of hand-crafted metal jewelry and gorgeous stone creations.  Champagne will be served, the music will be rockin', and we'll be seeking YOUR INPUT into our future product offerings!  RSVP @509-637-6578 or email frenchcowgirl@yahoo.com.  Space is limited, so reserve your spot now!

The Other Side of the Intersection

One of my spiritual teachers, Fr. Richard Rohr, http://www.cacradicalgrace.org/, who directs the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, NM,  told a story that has stayed with me a long time, and occasionally I pull it out, dust it off, and contemplate on it - AGAIN.  Maybe you have stories like that too!  Because it's the New Year, 2012, I thought it might be worth bringing it out of the closet for further contemplation. 

This story is about sitting at an intersection, waiting for the light to turn green.  It's a very complex intersection with 5 streets coming together.  If you don't hit the light just right, you have to wait for a LONG TIME.  Maybe you have an intersection like that in your town or city.  They can be an exercise in patience, to say the least!

As he was waiting for the light to turn, he heard his inner voice say "Richard, are you really going to be any happier when you get across the intersection than you are right now"?  He had to admit to himself that he probably wasn't.  First of all, how many of us like to sit and wait (or stand and wait) for anything?  You know who you are!  You're the person who strives to get the line in the supermarket that's the shortest, only to find out that the person in front of you has a) a million coupons that have to be scanned; b) the computer terminal paper has to be changed; or c) the debit/credit card they're trying to use won't go through and they have to rescan it several times, all the while turning to smile back at you, while they apologize profusely.  You realize this is not about them...it's about you, and another lesson in patience that the universe obviously believes you need.  So you wait patiently (or not), in case you don't realize this is your lesson.

Can we learn to be happy while we wait at the intersection of our lives for...the perfect job, relationship, vacation, home redecorating project, weight loss, health, business opportunity, Lottery win, President, boss, sobriety of family and friends, or whatever to come along?  Yes we can, and those little exercises that come along to try our patience are just that - an exercise.  A practice.  Like breathing in and breathing out, one breath at a time.  Just waiting, with no judgment, no impatience, no rude looks, no angry outbursts, no road rage, and no blaming/shaming (of ourselves or others). 

I suggest we do what Sponge Bob Square Pants does:  Proclaim in a loud, squeaky voice with as much enthusiasm as you can muster - "This is the Best Day of my whole life!"  Say it several times if you can't believe it at first.  Use your whole body.  Spread your arms out and proclaim it again - "This is the Best Day of my whole life!"  Because you know what.  It may just be.  You may not get the opportunity to sit at that intersection tomorrow.  Today is all we have.  Make it not only the best day of your whole life - determine now to make this the best year of your life!  Happy New Year 2012!