Tuesday, August 13, 2013

The "Palette" of our Lives, and My Anniversary Giveaway

I had tea with a friend yesterday.  He's a long-time vegetarian, not vegan (yet ;), but very much on a similar path as mine.  You may recognize that path too.  The one filled with giant boulders and invisible pits of quick sand and ruts so deep that once in them you think you'll never see the light of day again.

That path.

The one of self-discovery and continuous self-improvement.

"Good, better, best.  Never let it rest.  Get your good better and your better best", George Burns said.

This path is not for the faint of heart (many pairs of big-girl/boy panties required).  The temptations to take the 'easier' side roads are everywhere.

But along the way, you find those who can help you; some directly and some whose sole purpose seems to be to show you where you don't want to end up.

My friend has come up with a much better metaphor than the many I have dreamed up to describe the culling process I have gone through in surrounding myself with those that will help me on my way and in learning to keep those that will not at a bit of a distance.

He calls it my palette.  If my palette is earth tones and I am painting the canvas of my life, well then I do not want a big blob of shocking pink or chartreuse splashed in the mix. 

He's an artist and thinks like that.  Cool.
  This is what he fixed me for a snack:
I had to take a picture of it before messing it up!


I'm getting better at identifying the clashing 'colors' that do not mesh with my basic nature and the path I work so hard to stay on.  There are distinct 'hues' and types of energies I need to help me on my way.   But, occasionally, I am blind-sided.

(My brilliant son said to me the other day, after a particularly challenging event in my personal life, that I needed to remember the story of the frog and the scorpion.  I said, well, I think it had something to do with a river.  He said, yes, the scorpion wants the frog to carry him on his back across the river but the frog is afraid he will sting him.  The scorpion promises not to and the frog then agrees to help.  Half-way across the river, the scorpion stings the frog.  The frog asks: 'why did you do that?  Now we both will die'.  The scorpion says:  'because I am a scorpion'.   My son gave me a moment to take that in and then said:  Mom, these people are scorpions.  You are a frog.  You can't keep trying to carry them across the river.  Brilliant.)

----------------------------------------------------

My giveaway.

I am a bit over 3 years now on this wonderful path of whole-food, vegan eating.  It has brought me so much more than I ever could have anticipated.  I like to celebrate by 'paying it forward' in a small way.

So here is my give-away for this year:





Lindsay S. Nixon's The Happy Herbivore
and a Vejibag


Lindsay's book is one that I use so regularly that it is one of the very few that I will not loan out to anyone.  I love her Everyday Happy Herbivore book as well, but Happy Herbivore has just become a trusted friend in my kitchen. Check out Happy Herbivore here:  http://tinyurl.com/l6s72pf

Vejibag recently had a sale on seconds....I picked up a couple and honestly can't find anything wrong with them.  I thought I'd include one with the book.  More on vejibags:   http://vejibag.com/  and in a previous blog post:  http://www.sunnyhawklane.blogspot.com/2013/06/two-reviews-veji-bag-and-film-may-i-be.html

Enter to win by:
Leaving a comment.  No 'theme' to this.  Don't have to tell me your favorite anything.  Just a comment.  I'll have my genius son pick a name out of a veji bag in a week or so.

Good luck in the drawing and, more importantly, in your life and whatever path you choose. 

Watch out for scorpions.

Sue, enjoying the journey, in Ohio

6 comments:

  1. WOW what a cool idea...to pay it forward. I too am about 3 years on mostly raw vegan journey. SO much to learn and grow. Thanks for the chance to win this cool stuff! Glorianne Garza

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  2. I do not enter the contest (Germany) but wanted to tell you that I really appreciate your blog. I am always happy if a new post is up!

    And I think I never told you that it was by your recommendation that I found Zenhabits. Leo keeps on inspiring me. Such a resource!

    Greetings from Germany

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    1. Hi Anon in Germany!
      My goodness, did I ever need to hear this today! Thank you so much. I am very glad to hear it. I have many half-finished posts and this may inspire me to get them finished up.

      Isn't Zenhabits wonderful? I never miss it. So glad you are enjoying it. You might also enjoy this one: www.theminimalists.com

      Thank you again, so very much.
      Sue

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    2. Oh gosh I didn't want to be as anonymous as that.
      I am Silvia the vejibag fan.
      But anyway really waitung for your blog posts!

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    3. Oh, hi, Silvia! I wondered if that was you. Very good and thank you again.
      You've inspired me to finish up my Michael Moss post....so I put that up for you this a.m. Hope you enjoy.

      I have many others to finish, so will devote some time to that. Hope all is well on your end. Take care and thank you for reading.
      Sue

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