The SOUL Exchange

May I ask...

What is (the) SOUL?

I have ideas/feelings/beliefs about what the definition of the SOUL is...but I'd like to hear it from you...anyone "listening". (i.e. please comment)

Soul.

At the core...the soul is "who we are".

Regardless of station in life, of race, color, creed, sexual preference, religion, political stance, etc.

Soul, as defined by dictionary.com:

the principle of life, feeling, thought, and action in humans, regarded as a distinct entity separate from the body, and commonly held to be separable in existence from the body; the spiritual part of humans as distinct from the physical part. ~dictionary.com

I feel our SOULS are the essence of who we are...the purest forms of body-meets-God/Universe. I also feel that SOUL transcends our human experience. "Soul" can be anything from our sense of humor, to our quiet thoughts, to our kind and generous human nature, to even the deepest darkest corners of the coldest places we go in our minds.

The most wonderful part of the soul, in my opinion, is it's ability to connect with other souls. Our relationship to our family, friends, acquaintances, teachers, mentors, co-workers, children, elderly folks, the gal at the check out stand at the store, the friendly passer by who returns a smile your way.....

What a gesture! A smile. Its a piece of your soul which you are willing to share...and more often than not, it is returned to you. Clearly there are many other ways to exchange soul.

So I ask.

What is "SOUL" to you?

And how do you share it with others???

Image: "Smile" by Dottydotcom (Deviantart.com)

Old Blog Entry, Made New

While out and about on a lovely spring day, I recently ran into my dear friend Dilia Wood. Dilia and I stood in the middle of a TJ Maxx, hugging, laughing, and talking as if not a day had passed (it's been since July) since we've seen each other. Dilia is the Owner/Operator of Inspirador in Downtown Chandler, Arizona (a wedding/special event venue: www.inspirador.com). In a not so distant past-life, I was Dilia's "right-hand man" at Inspirador. We worked together, side by side for a couple of years, trying to get Inspirador up and running. The Inspirador project is now successful, and we have each moved into our present lives, working on future endeavors. So, since seeing Dilia, I waxed nostalgic, and remembered how I'd written a blog about wedding planners and decided to re-blog it here in my new blogging home. Enjoy!

Top Ten Reasons You Should Hire A Wedding Planner

By Amy (wish I had one when I got married) Marvin

1. Consultations: Most planners do not charge for an initial consultation. Give them a call to see how they can help! You don’t lose anything; if anything you gain some ideas and maybe an advocate for planning your big day.
2. Services: Planners will share with you their “menu” of services. It can be “Full-Service” or anything from initial planning of your theme or colors, to assisting you with drafting a budget, and of course the “day of” service, so you and your family & friends can fully enjoy your wedding day.
3. Budget: An extension of the services menu is budget. To stay within your monetary boundaries, planners will work with you to best meet your goals and hopefully get the most “bang” for your buck.
4. Resources: Why go all around town, making your head spin when you can tap into your planner for vendor recommendations. Not too impressed by their list, or looking for something different? —Your planner will make every effort to help you find it.
5. Theme: You have likely spent your entire life up to this point, envisioning the perfect wedding with that special someone. Your planner can help you fill in the gaps by providing some ideas that you may not have thought of, and take your dream wedding “to the next level”.
6. Organizational Skills: I have yet to meet a planner who didn’t possess some level of amazing organizational skills. You’ll want someone to keep you on task…planning a wedding is no easy feat, especially if you are organizationally challenged. (Like I was! —Ok, I still have my ADHD moments.)
7. Time Management: Let’s face it. Who has extra time anymore? Yeah, you’re getting married, but you’re probably also working, or going to school, or both—and more! Your planner can save you precious time by making the phone calls, coordinating meetings, drafting contracts, etc.
8. Guest Care & Accommodations: Your planner can help you with your out of town guests. Details such as travel, car rental, entertainment, and hotel accommodations will be helpful to your weary traveling guests.
9. Worry-Free Wedding Day: Did I mention “Day-Of” services? Believe me when I say that you need to be free of the nagging details of hosting a major event.You are the bride, you should be primping, preening, and gazing into the eyes of your new spouse, not directing the caterers to take out the trash or reminding the guest book girl to keep her feet off the table.
10. SANITY: And the number one reason again? Keep your sanity, and enjoy the process of planning a wedding. Your Wedding Planner will be there every step of the way, and provide you the joy you deserve at this special time in your life…. who knows, you’ll likely end up with another best friend!

Rhys-Man Turns 5

My baby turned 5 years old March 2nd, 2010. My BABY is 5. Wow, how time flies. He's such a lover too. I tell him I love him, "my little man". He says, "I love you too, baby-mama". *SIGH* How could that not melt the coldest of hearts?

He's an imaginative, creative, passionate, and spirited child. I suppose that's why we named him Rhys...(Welsh, for 'Firey or Zealous'), perhaps a part of me knew he'd embody such traits.

Well, Happy Birthday, Son. I love you. You have brought so much love and joy into my life, and I know you always will.

XOXO! --mama