LOVE

Illustration by Zan Packard from the book A Life Without Limits

Love is full and good and kind.

Embrace your feelings –

It’s how you know you're alive.

Fillmore Street - All Things San Francisco Part 2

Sidewalk Sale on Fillmore Street, San Francisco

Fillmore Street caught my eye several months ago on a recon visit to San Francisco. The locals referred to it as Lower Pac Heights. It immediately made me feel like I was in the Village in New York. So needless to say it didn’t take much for me to go exploring there this weekend with unlimited time.

‘Unlimited time’ in San Francisco is my code for taking the Muni – no meters to worry about, no extra minutes that will cost you an additional $10….just time to fritter because the next bus is always 7 minutes away.

One of many trios and quartets along the sidewalk stores.

When I stepped onto Fillmore I was greeted by a jazz trio playing on the sidewalk – but I could hear another group a little further up….now this is the way to wander the streets!! It turned out that last Saturday was the merchant’s Sidewalk Sale and the retailers made sure to welcome and amaze you. 

What better way to say come join the fun?

Each lamp post had balloons of my favorite colors – the music was energizing and the shops? Oh the shops.

Do Something Creative Every Day

There were shops that invited you to hum to your own inner muse on every block. There were shops that did the creating for you - all you had to do was plunk down your wallet (or pink slip to your late model BMW). And cozy cafes and coffee shops were sprinkled along both sides of the sidewalks.

Pillow to capture your imagination.

This is just a small part of what I love about San Francisco – the creativeness at every turn. But I also love the history of this place….just look at the mass of lines on this intersection – for those of you that aren’t familiar with this sight, it’s the lines for the trolley buses – pretty energy efficient…certainly clean and odor free. That’s not something you find just anywhere – that is San Francisco pure and simple.

Overhead lines for the trolley buses

I do love exploring all the nooks and crannies of stores – where things are so artfully displayed…

Paper for any project - or just to look at

and Fillmore Street didn’t disappoint. I’m not sure who can afford to shop there, but looking is free and the smiles and openness of the community were in full force. 

Notable happenings in the summertime

I’m told that the Jazz Festival on the 4^th of July along Fillmore Street is not to be missed – but I suspect as I learn more about my City by the Bay I will have to choose which amazing venue I will attend – but with the Muni? I may hit them all….just pray for a clear night (this IS San Francisco, after all.)

Couldn't have said it better myself!!

A Day in the Life of a Writer...

I am busily and happily working away on the 2^nd edition of my current book A Life Without Limits – this edition will have so much MORE added to it and I am really loving how it is coming together (and a new title too, I think).

A while back a friend of mine, Creatively Fit Coach™ at MelissaAnneColors.com inspired me to begin to doodle and sketch everyday to switch up my creative juices. This tugged at my heart because it was something that I used to love to do as a child, but haven’t done since, and oh, what a difference this has made in my life-of-writing.

It all started with this one - and took on a life of its own.

While writing is my passion – I’m now really getting into illustrating my work as well…the book is turning out to be a fun, inspirational, how-to guide to getting the most out of your life: To finding the joy and adventure in everything you do.

It still takes the reader from being stuck, to finding out what matters most; and holds your hand as you design and step into a new world of your choosing. And most importantly, it’s FUN. Fun to read, fun to do the activities, and fun to look at. I am excited beyond belief. And I’m almost done (in book years that means only a few more months of labor until I give birth).

See how fun this is?

And here’s some insight into the life of an author: it never fails that the next book comes to you in the middle of the book you’re currently working on. AND it feels much more exciting than the pages you’re knee deep in. The trick is to hold space for it while you finish your current brainchild – after all, it was once the most exciting thing you could imagine so you mustn’t leave it behind!!

And true to prediction – my next, next book is born in my mind….God love this process, but it’s exhausting too. So I write. Everyday I write. And now I draw everyday…. I can’t stop that any more than I can stop thinking. I used to wake up with a sentence or phrase in my mind and reach for my journal, now I wake up with an image and a sentence that goes with it and automatically reach for my sketchbook.

Just as my book suggests, writing is a way to go deeper into your Inner Source and I am truly getting very well acquainted with mine…she is fun, she is joy and she is love – and she is all about adventure. I am also incorporating drawing into my journey – and wow what an excursion this is turning out to be.

These 3 books are burning a spot in my heart and they are truly my joy and passion….but really, muse, can I keep it at three? At least until the 2^nd edition goes into print? Pretty Please?

Some Days You Just Can't Help Feeling Like This

Illustration by Zan Packard from the book A Life Without Limits

When to Tell Your EGO to Shove It!

Here’s what happens when I listen to my Inner Source and decide to take action – my Ego will let me get into the planning stage for just about anything – we’re safe there, my ego and I – but just let me start to take action and here’s what happens:

 I get an inspiration – and it feels so right – so perfect – so exciting. I just KNOW that it’s what I’m meant to do next. I take that first exciting, adventurous step in the direction of my heart….I move forward and get so excited – “Wow, this is it, I’m finally gonna do it!”. Then I crash into a wall, or fall into a deep dark hole and struggle to find my way. “What was I thinking?” “Who do I think I am?” become the words I hear more clearly than my inner Source.

 I am flighty. I can’t be taken seriously. I’m not good enough to do this. I can’t even trust my own feelings. (Hear the despair and hopelessness? Notice how Ego can beat you to smithereens?)

 When you take a step toward listening to your heart – your Inner Source – your Ego will play every trick in the book to stop you. Ego wants you to stay put – be stuck – and it will go to any lengths to keep you there. It will not let you go without a fight.

 Whenever I crash into that wall or fall into that deep dark hole means that I am on the right track – if my Ego is uncomfortable then that is good. If my Ego feels threatened to throw the book at me then I must be on to something. From now on, when I hit that moment of fear and self-doubt I will see it as a sign that I am doing EXACTLY what I need to be doing to follow my heart! 

And that is good news, my friend – very good news indeed!

All Things San Francisco - Part One

That's my stuff in the U-Haul (we're going 'home'!)

Just two and a half short weeks ago I was following my few belongings into San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge. I've crossed it many, many times before - I was always looking for a reason to visit this wonderful city - but as I neared the middle of the span I looked to the left to see the city - My City - in all its glory waiting for me. I teared up as I realized that I am going "home" instead of the usual "I wish I lived there".

The first week was all about getting my room settled - but when the weekend came - off I went to see what I could see. I took the Muni to downtown and cruised by Yerba Buena Gardens where there was a Afro/Cuban band playing. The weather was warm and sunny; the crowd was dancing their finest Salsa steps and I could have listened to the music for hours.

This Afro/Cuban band kept everyone happy

But, as you can imagine, there is much to do in San Francisco - discovering a Thai restaurant - visiting the ballpark hours before the game just to soak up the energy of the fans. This city loves their Giants - win or lose, but being World Champions makes it a tad sweeter than usual.

Free viewing wall at ATT Park before the game

Meandering down the Embarcadero is always one of my favorite things to do...and that Saturday was no exception. All the way down to the Ferry Building.

The Embarcadero across from the Ferry Building

Inside the Ferry Building - stunning!

Tired and contented I found my bus back to my neighborhood and called it a day - oops, not quite apparently: I had a few errands to run on my way back. I cannot tell you how fun it is to hop on and off a bus to run errands - no parking, no muss, no fuss. Just pure convenience.

So groceries, art supplies and a bouquet of flowers later I arrived back at the flat - tired, happy and oh so thankful I made this choice to move here now, at this time in my life. If I had come years earlier who knows how things would have turned out - and waiting? well, that just isn't in my vocabulary anymore.

There were signs everywhere - this is one of my favorites

Here's to all things San Francisco for many, many weekends to come.

Life's Little Pleasures

I love unique little shops filled with a variety of things. I found one yesterday that had me wanting to touch everything. There were signs and cards telling me just what I wanted to hear:

There was inspiration from the past:

And of course there was my FAVORITE color made to do my favorite thing (write, in case you forgot lol)

 Aah, life's little pleasures.....

Porpoise and Dolphins and Whales, Oh My!

Porpoises are a welcome site in the San Francisco Bay. It’s been 65 years since they’re cruised our waters according to the Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association. If you’re into it, they are also offering a Porpoise Watching & Walk at Crissy Field on Saturday, May 21, 2011 - but you can probably see them on your own any other day. I can't wait to watch them frolic - they're on a perpetual adventure aren't they?

See How That Works?

Illustration by Zan Packard from the book A Life Without Limits

If you tell someone you're adventurous - they'll believe you. Then you have to act adventurous. See how that works?

Thank You For Being My Son

In my Heart

24 years ago today (Mother’s Day, at least) – I found a lump on my 9 months old son’s head. What followed was 2 weeks of pure hell - a nightmare that thankfully had a happy ending.  He thrived and I so looked forward to teaching him all that was in my mind and my heart… but I swear, he’s ended up teaching me so much more. I am thankful for who he is and what he has taught me about life. I love you ‘Bear’ and I always will….you have everything that it takes to continue to grow and shine and thrive, and I know you will do it your way – your wonderful, imitable ‘Jack’ way.

The Courage to Make Mistakes

I am a big fan of making mistakes....Trust yourself enough to handle what life tosses at you. Step up and be.

Can You Remember What Your Heart Used to Say?

Can you remember the first time you realized that it wasn’t safe to be yourself? The time you decided to hide your inner spirit from the world to keep it safe? The time you started questioning who you are and decided who you should become instead?…the day you started to die just a little in order to survive?

If you knew then, what you know now – and you spoke from your heart (who always has your best interest in mind) what would this heart of yours tell you? For that is the voice you can trust to set you free – you are your own best friend if you let yourself be….don’t listen to the ego – it only cares about keeping you trapped under its spell….listen instead to your heart – for your heart knows who you are and loves every single atom of your being because of that knowledge.

It’s time to go back to who you are meant to be – how will you take your first step?

“Dear Zan, you were meant to be free – and to run through your days exploring everything that catches your eye – and to love and be passionate about all that life tosses at you….how will you spend your energy today? Be free. Have fun. Play wildly….it’s time. Now."