It's been a long time, but I've been kinda busy. Life, love, graduating, moving...all too much to handle in a few short months!

I successfully defended and submitted my thesis. So, it's official. I will get my Master's on December 19th. What a long, uncertain journey this has been. And, it seems it is only just beginning!

I received Orders to New Orleans. A brand new place for a brand new adventure. Which, in a lot of ways, got me to thinking about where I am and where I choose to go. Choice. What a powerful word. Some believe that our thoughts dictate those things which we choose to bring into our lives. This sounds like a great ideal on the surface, but I struggle with Human Nature and the power of negative thinking. We all do it, it is just the degree that varies. Does that mean that we all attract things into our lives which we truly do not want?

I never thought I "wanted" to go to New Orleans. In fact, I was all geared up to head out to Hawaii and spend three fabulous years on the beach. But, alas, the Coast Guard had something else in mind. Although, I really believe that God has something else in mind. Which is fine, except sometimes I feel like I am the last one to be let in on the secret. In this case, I have NO IDEA what this new adventure holds in store. Yet, I know it is the right thing because my faith allows me no other option.

I think choice is really pretty simple: either try to maintain a false sense of control over ALL aspects of life OR do what you can to make things work out the way you think you want them to and then LET GO of the rest, give it to God, and let FAITH take over. Ok, easier said than done. But, what I've discovered during this part of my journey is that the latter (while difficult) is so much EASIER in the long run. Because, really, the best way to make God laugh is to tell him (or her) that you have a plan.

Our plans are just that - plans. They are not concrete. They are not what define us. Yes, plans and goals are important because they give us tangible markers, a way to move forward and grow. BUT, we have to remain flexible and have FAITH that the Universe provides and all will work out as it should.

So, with that, I am off to continue packing and move on to the next great adventure. See you in New Orleans!

End of My Master Cleanse Experience

That's it! It's over! I made it 7 days on maple syrup, lemon juice, cayenne pepper and salt water. Now, almost a week later, I find that I am missing the simplicity and purity of the fast. For the first few days after the experience ended, I was not interested in food. In fact, I barely ate and had no real desire to go back to my "old" habits. Now, however, I am finding that old habits die hard.

I went grocery shopping yesterday. Spending quite a bit of time in the organics section, I found myself seriously considering the type of fuel (food) I want to put into my body. So, I bought lots of fresh fruits, veggies and whole grains. My friend Amy mentioned that dairy products are extremely hard to digest. Unfortunately, I have a HUGE addiction to cheese and whole milk Brown Cow or Stoneyfield Farm yogurt - with cream on top. YUMMY!!! I just can't seem to give up these two simple pleasures!

Chocolate was hard as well, but I had Lent on my side and found that Faith is a pretty strong motivational factor. I'm not quite sure that God cares if I eat or don't eat chocolate, but for me, it is a traditional show of Devotion by staying strong to an ideal. Lent is a time for reflection and growth. A time to purify and reconsider where my path is headed.

I had many people ask if my fast was related to Lent, or religious in nature. While my answer was "no", upon further consideration I think that part of it had to do with strengthening my spirituality and faith. It's funny. I grew up Catholic and find that now I no longer buy into the organization of this particular religion. In fact, I would define myself as a much more spiritual, faith-based person than a religious one. Yet, here I am, following the religious rules, and giving up one of my favorite pleasures - dark chocolate.

Last Sunday I became a member of the Unity Center for Spiritual Growth in Athens. The brief ceremony included picking up a smooth, small pebble and adding it to the path of pebbles which had been created as other people became members. I found the symbolism striking. Here I was, thinking I was alone on my personal journey through life, only to realize that I am one of many unique, beautiful, shiny, individual entities which, when grouped together, form a cohesive and congruent trail. And, no matter how the path bends or the amount of obstacles along the trail, the power of a higher entity assists and leads us all, providing a never-ending flow of Divine wisdom and guidance.