Archive for the ‘Fun’ Category
What If the Hokey Pokey Is Really What It’s All About
Thursday, March 8th, 2012
What if the whole world played the hokey pokey? Imagine the whole world putting its right foot in, its right foot out, its right foot in and shaking all about. We do the hokey pokey and turn ourselves around. That’s what it’s all about.
What if we played fun games, laughed at ourselves, and connected with one another in unique and outrageous ways? Maybe the hokey pokey is really what life is all about.
Time to shake it all about – Go play! Mary Anne
Are You Ready to Explore Your Wild Cosmic Heart?
Wednesday, March 7th, 2012
Experience the exquisite and ecstatic energy of your heart that connects you to your authentic self. Using primarily classic meditations methods, shamanic journeying, guided visualizations, as well as other experiential practices, we will explore some important aspects of the heart. We will be drawing on the physical and energetic experiences as well as the inspiration of poetry and lore from various cultures, myths and spiritual traditions to awaken our untamed heart. Our week long retreat includes experiencing shamanic practices and other rituals to awaken and access our greatest source of power – our heart.
This special retreat will be held at Kalani Oceanside Retreat. Kalani is on the Big Island and is bordered by tropical jungle and the Pacific Ocean. Kalani Honua means harmony of heaven and earth and our retreat will allow you to experience this.
The retreat includes:
– exploring heart-centered practices …
Mahalo~
Mary Anne
Failure That Matters
Tuesday, March 6th, 2012
The author and entrepreneur Jonathan Fields recently posted a blog, Why Failure Must Be on the Table, which describes the experiences of failures as gateways to opportunities. He writes, “Entrepreneurship–or any process that seeks to evolve the status quo–requires you to regularly test commonly held limits and beliefs. The natural outcome of this is that sometimes you’re right, other times you’re wrong. Either way, you never know until you get out of your head and take action in the world.
The potential not just for failure, but failure that matters, failure you feel, must be on the table. If it’s not, then what you’re setting out to do is either so safe or so devoid of the potential for impact that success might allow you to check a box on a piece of paper, but beyond that, nobody’ll care. Including you.”
We must know that what we are embarking on has the capacity to fail and yet give us as entrepreneur’s incredible lessons to grow and stretch. It’s the learning process and taking the leap that distinguishes the success stories to the stories that never get told. At times, it may feel like ‘a leap of faith’ but it brings us closer to the edges of our dreams. We push ourselves and do it afraid, because not doing it is more painful – and we fail ourselves.
Fields adds in his blog, “So, yes, living, acting and deciding to move forward in the face of potential failure isn’t easy. Especially when it requires you to go all in. And especially later in your lifecycle when you’ve got more on the line. To risk success in art, in business, in love, in life is, indeed, a bit terrifying.
But really, what’s the alternative?”
What is the alternative? Take the risk – and be willing to leap into failure that matters.
Mary Anne
Morning Sun Salutation
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012
Each day the light is expanding more and more. As the light greets me each morning and evening, I take notice of the colors in the sky. As I sit on my early morning express bus, I look out the window to watch the sun illuminate before my eyes – and it never disappoints.
Here is this morning’s sun salutation:
{Photo taken by Mary Anne Flanagan}
Labor of Love
Monday, September 5th, 2011
As many of us enjoy a day off to celebrate “Labor Day”, may we honor the history of this holiday. The first Labor Day in the United States was observed on September 5, 1882, by the Central Labor Union of New York. It became a federal holiday in 1894, when, following the deaths of a number of workers during the Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland wanted to reconcile with the labor movement. Fearing more conflict, he put through legislation making Labor Day a national holiday. It was rushed through Congress, where it was voted unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike.
As we remember all those that gave their life for workers rights, let us dedicate this day as a “Labor of Love.” What is one Labor of Love you are willing to give yourself, another, and the world today?
How will you share in the Labor Love?
Mary Anne
Atlantic City — Haiku
Monday, August 8th, 2011
Atlantic City
Boardwalks full of slot machines
With visions of gold
Beach stores and much more
Carts pushing people through crowds
Fried foods fill the air
Atlantic seashore
High tide ocean waves crashing
People look for shade
Local bands play on
Nightlife of casino bets
Atlantic City
{I wrote this while coming home from Atlantic City. I had fun writing Haiku poems while taking some time off to read and write and play. Give it a try: 5 syllables, 7 syllables, and 5 syllables. Go!}
Live Your Life as Only You Can
Thursday, July 7th, 2011
The word “divine” keeps showing up in conversations and in books. I noticed that reading or listening to the word divine makes me feel expansive. My divine self is merging with my human self more and more. As they do, I realized I am living the life as only I can.
As Maya Angelou says:
People say that I am remembered by various things, but I hope one of them would be the encouragement to live the life you want to live. Live your life so that you will not leave too many things undone. Live the life you sing about. Live the life. That’s it.
Live your life as only you can. C’mon – get going!
Mary Anne
Are You Ready to Play? Tag – You’re It!
Tuesday, July 5th, 2011
Summer is here! And I am ready to play. As the poet, Mary Oliver says, “I simply do not distinguish between work and play.” How can your work be more like play? How can your life be one big vacation?
I have many memories of playing outside for hours as a kid. There were many games of kick-ball, hide-n-seek, and even long hours on a pogo stick. I couldn’t wait for recess!
It’s time to return to play. It’s time to see my life, my work, and New York City as one big playground. This summer, I am committing to playing more and more and more.
Want to join me?
Are you ready to play? Tag – you’re it!
Happy July!
Mary Anne
Toning the OM Is Headed to Egypt!
Wednesday, January 12th, 2011
I recently announced my amazing invitation to assist on a spiritual travel adventure to Egypt. I was so overwhelmed by all the comments, emails, and texts of support. The trip feels surreal and when the invitation came, I started shaking. This has been my dream — to travel and teach meditations & ceremonies — to be on a spiritual adventure. Everyday is a spiritual adventure for me — some days easier than others. I trust that my gifts will far surpass all the fears that have run through my mind. Whatever your journey, share your gifts of love and listen for invitations that will take you to parts of your heart not yet explored — there is a treasure awaiting you!
Toning the OM is heading to Egypt in April!
I will be joining Spirit Journeys as an Assistant Guide on their 17 day journey to the wonders of Egypt. The trip includes:
A private visit to the King’s Chamber inside the Great Pyramid…A private visit to the Sphinx to stand between its paws, to place your hands upon it…A private visit to the Isle of Philae and the Temple of Isis at sunrise…Seven nights/eight days sailing the Nile on our own private dahabiya (a luxury sailing yacht)…Five nights/six days at the world famous Mena House Hotel at the foot of the Pyramids…Two nights at the Movenpick Hotel on Elephantine Island in the middle of the Nile…A small, intimate group of fellow journeyers (a maximum of 16)… and more! This is a very special Spirit Journey indeed, one that can truly be called “a journey of a lifetime.”
April 26, 2011 to May 11, 2011 (Trip is Sold Out)
Guides: Howie Holben and Emil Shaker
Assistant Guide: Mary Anne Flanagan
Contact Spirit Journeys to be put on the waiting list.
For more information about Spirit Journeys, please visit: http://www.spiritjourneys.com
To the best journey of all — life!
Mary Anne