I have been home all week recovering. It is absolutely easier this time around than last time, mostly since nothing is broken. But still, the tiredness creeps up on me and all I want to do is nap. I am not a good napper.

I decided today to share stuff that just needs to be shared.

The good, the sad, the funny, the beautiful.

Feel free to add anything you think is share worthy.

He went to Riley Children's Hospital on Thursday and doesn't need to go back for four months. That is amen worthy!

You all know the amazing Kelly...logo designer to the stars, my dear friend, and founder of Suz Crew.

Pete's cousins son, Red, is one month old and fighting a vicious battle against cancer. I read the blog before coffee yesterday and fell apart. Read it. Support them. Hug your kid.
http://posthope.org/superheroes-wear-red

This is Ms. Lopez. I am begging you to read the story on HONY of this amazing educator and the crowd source fundraiser that is raising money for her school, her students, and most importantly, their future. It is humanity at its finest. It is A LOT of people donating, $1, $5, $10 for the greater good.

Please consider donating: http://bit.ly/1JmIB8u

This is pretty hilarious. I suspect I would react the same way.
http://youtu.be/eaxr-YoGcKo

Shira is having QUITE a day on March 8. You may want to participate. I know I do! All the details are HERE: http://bit.ly/tghr2015123

Some bozo, somewhere, decided to make a purchase using the salon's bank card.

To the tune of almost $2,000.00.

Thankfully, it was stopped before the funds had a chance to be taken from our account, but this is a gentle reminder that there are assholes everywhere who will steal your information if you give them a chance. Check your accounts, all the time.

I was in Marshall's when I heard this version of this song. Thank goodness for Shazam! It's a fresh take on Chris Isaak's original.

I want to fall in love.
(This world is only gonna break your heart)
No, I want to fall in love.
(This world is only gonna break your heart)
With you.

http://youtu.be/QayaydzE_eY

Early last week I basked in the glow of retreat.

On Wednesday night, Bella and I headed to the city to see Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. What an inspiring story! We both loved it.

On Thursday, I had surgery again to remove the scar tissue in my elbow. I basked in the glow of pain killers.

When you are forced to be still, all you can really do, is think.

Mind you, this is while watching endless hours of HGTV. So, think, and plan, and brainstorm I did.

I organized the Magic Basement. I did many loads of laundry. I plotted out classes I want to teach. I dreamed up what I wanted to see at the next retreats. I imagined a three day retreat. I cleaned up the website.

Being still allowed me to catch up with friends in a way I hadn't in a long time.

All in all, it was quiet, but highly productive time.

I reminded myself that even the tiniest of steps towards wellness - however I define wellness, is still a step.

• Eating oatmeal in the morning again is a step.
  
• Backing away from the pantry is a a step.
  
• Cleaning the Magic Basement was a big step.
  
• Organizing the Magic Basement was a step.
  
• Folding all the sheets and putting them away was a step.
  

None of this is earth shattering. BUT, it is a step.

Tiny transformations WILL lead to bigger ones.

xo

I was thrilled when I realized my Hulu queue had filled back up. I was REALLY happy when I saw Glee was back. THEN, they did THIS mash-up and all I could do was smile.

Alanis Morissette AND Carole King together? Be still my heart.

This is a the synopsis of the event Kacey, Demitra and I put together this past Sunday.

Normally, I can whip out a blog post in an hour or so.
Normally, I can write without having to think.

But these past few days I have been sitting on a ray of sunshine and love.

Well.

Let me tell you.

It was all we hoped it would be and more.
(Get cozy)

As you all know, TGHR is my joy. I have been cultivating it, and keeping it going, all the while knowing someday I would be ready to do something truly fabulous with it.

The Health & Happiness Show is Kacey's joy. Her newest joy is Shine On, her Reiki studio.

Demitra is a gifted, spiritual astrologer and she shares her messages via inspirational talks and through her website. It is her joy.

So, imagine the three of us have a theme, "A New Year. A New Attitude."

Next, imagine that we are all busy women attempting to get through the holidays (The salon was buzzing!!) and we never talk about what we're doing except in very vague terms.

Probably, because like when we were in school, we might have been saving some of it for the last minute.

Now, if you've seen the salon (what? you haven't? - go check it out - I'll wait), you know it is a beautiful space. I had imagined setting it up in one manner and then when I worked on Saturday I knew it would never work. I was going to have the guests facing the front of the salon. BIG sun glare issue. So, I re-imagined it in my head and moved it all around. It was an excellent move.

At one point we had 36 amazing and beautiful and fantastic women in the space. It was sacred. It was humming. It. Was. Awesome.

Why?

Well, there we were, in a gorgeous, safe, sacred space sharing our stories. Talking about the life events that shaped us.

I opened the day - not the way the program said I would, because that would have been too predictable, but in a nice way.

We had over 30 women and ONE bathroom. HUGE shout out to NYSC for allowing us to use their restrooms so there wouldn't be a super long wait. That needed to be addressed.

I took attendance via raffle tickets - yes, we had prizes!

I knew Kacey was using a script. She's a radio host and an actress. I knew Demitra was using bullet points she keeps in her head. I knew I didn't want to miss certain points and after going back and forth a number of times about what to do!what to do!what to do! the script won.

I admitted to being a little intimidated because I was basically doing my version of a TED Talk, a MAG Talk if you will. Not with a teleprompter and a nice Power Point clicker in my hand (next year), but with a stack of paper, 18 point font double spaced. I was used to speaking off the cuff.

Both my sisters were in the room and some of my nearest and dearest friends. It is unnerving to tell your story when some people know the majority of it. You wonder if you have something worth saying.

My talk, "Are you there God? It's me, Maggie," began, "Today we are sharing our stories. The stories of who we are and how we got here. Our journey and the map that we took. My map is a twisting, turning, zig zag of left turns, right turns, wrong turns and U turns."

I will share that it is a powerful feeling to sense that the room gets you. When they laugh where I hoped they would. When they tear up when I thought they might. When they cried with me.

There was a sort of tense silence when I finished. Like all anyone wanted to do was breathe. So I added a short breathing exercise and then asked everyone to hug the person behind them, next to them, in front of them. THEN the tears fell and it was beautiful.

We took a little while to continue to hug each other no matter where we were, to get some water, coffee, tea and of course, wait on line for the restroom.

Kacey was up next. If you live in the Hudson Valley and listen to ANY of the stations owned by Pamal Broadcasting, you KNOW Kacey's voice. She is the voice in the morning on WHUD, 100.7 with Mike Bennett.

Kacey hosts her Sunday morning inspirational show, The Health & Happiness Show at 6:30am. I know, it seems early, BUT, it is always streaming on her website. You *must* check it out. I can think of more than a few people who would love her show before the holidays about angels.

In addition, Kacey has opened a Reiki studio in Cold Spring called Shine On. She is sharing her healing light, her warmth and her talents. Make an appointment.

Kacey is a walking, talking inspiration to those who know her and most certainly to those who follow her shows and get treated by her.

Kacey's talk was was entitled, “Everything I Need to Know About Life I Learned From Being On The Radio.” It was her life lessons with music bits interspersed at all the right times.

HER sister was in the room. It was a family day.

I was riveted.

Smile. Yes, smile when you are on the radio - your listeners know when you are. I usually smile when I answer the phone. If you don't already, try it.

Say NO to good and YES to the best. No, Kacey didn't coin that phrase, but she learned to LIVE the phrase and my god, how important is that?

Be at one with nature. Appreciate the warmth of the rose light as the sun rises in the sky at oh-dark-thirty.

Get rid of ear worms - you know, the music that gets stuck in your head, by having something in your head that is a powerful reminder of your beauty and grace.

You CAN bring church to a salon with a 30 second clip of "How Great Thou Art." Have tissues nearby.

ASK. Ask and you will receive.

Have an exit plan. Know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em. (Those are my words, and of course, Kenny Rogers.)

Bullies CAN become your best friend.

You ARE Beautiful.

You've got to get up every morning with a smile on your face
And show the world all the love in your heart
Then people gonna treat you better
You're gonna find, yes, you will
That you're beautiful as you feel

As you can imagine, there were tears. Good, happy, wonderful tears.

It was time for lunch. I loved watching people interact with old and new friends. I loved chatting with all of these amazing women. I loved connecting on a level that was human, spiritual, funny and real.

After lunch it was Demitra's turn.

Demitra is SO very gifted. She is esoteric, and brilliant, and connects to you on a gut level.

Each morning, at 6:45, Kacey shares Demitra's horoscopes on WHUD. How's THAT for synchronicity?

Each day Demitra posts the day's horoscopes on her website, Heaven to Earth Astrology. In addition, Demitra hosts a new moon tele-seminar that is not to be missed. And don't worry if you can't be there at the air time. You will get a recording delivered right to your inbox.

Demitra started by having us join hands, say our names, close our eyes and reflect on what was being created by our willingness to BE on that Sunday.

Demitra shared her insight with us about what was happening in the celestial skies and how it affects us. How our birth sign joins with all the other planets at the second we are born, and where we are born, and how THAT will determine so much of our behavior.

I am organized, don't you know.

(If I took a picture of my basement RIGHT this second, that theory would go right out the window!)

FINE.

Here's the picture.

Your astrological chart is an amazing tool, and when Demitra explains it, there will be moments of SUCH clarity; true "Ah-Ha!" moments. I can't recommend this as part of your life journey enough. You can book an appointment with her via her website.

Then Demitra took us on a guided meditation to our future selves. Mine kicks ass, in such a good way.

It was time to breathe. Deeply and emotionally.

When Demitra was done I told everyone a little something.

We are all human. We are all in the same communities. And we can be judgy (not a real word...too bad, it works) of others. BUT, when we know their stories, when we've seen their soul through tears, when we have shared, and laughed, and broken bread together, that shit goes out the window. 

We see love at 10:00 at night in the A&P when we meet with our sweats on, no make up, and a sense of frustration that we are even out at that hour AT the stupid store.

WE SEE LOVE.

At no point before our event did the three of us discuss what we were going to say. That we ALL talked about the same topics in our own unique, special way is grace.

We left a very cleaned up salon. THANK YOU, thank you, thank you to one and all for your help. A HUGE shout out to Barbara, Theresa and Donna. You are so generous and helpful and I wouldn't have been as calm if you hadn't swooped in like catering angels and did your thing.

The three of us headed to the Croton Diner for something like three hours afterward. We were illuminating the diner from our own inner joy. What an ah-maze-ing day.

I came home and we immediately created a Facebook Group because we just needed to stay connected. It was THAT powerful.

This will be a monthly event. One month in Croton at the salon, until we outgrow it (we have figured out maximum capacity is 40) and the following month in Cold Spring at Kacey's Reiki studio. We may end up in NYC at some point with Demitra.

No, the three of us aren't always going to speak.

In that room were 33 other women with stories to inspire. In our lives there are 33 million people who can share. Contact us if YOU want to inspire. Please!

We will never be boring, I can promise that!

I will have a page each month with what's coming up next.

Put February 15 on your calendar for Cold Spring. Bad weather? Take the train up and cab it to the studio.

As for me, I am dreaming up the details and dates to FINALLY create TGHR's three day retreat.

I don't know if Kathy will keep me as her partner if I cook this up, I hope so. I was out just a few weeks last year...

I hope this gives you a sense of what it's like to be a part of a community brought together for the single purpose of sharing love. I hope you join us next time. We'd love to have you.

xo

PS - music today. The first time I ever heard this song I was driving in my car. I had no idea what he was saying. But by 2:40 I was weeping. I put it on repeat. For days. I almost prefer not knowing the lyrics. It is the pure emotion in his voice that beings me to my knees and allows me to rejoice in his great gift. The full lyrics are in the "more" section of the video.

And I'll sing and I'll sing
I'll meet you again someday
I know I will

http://youtu.be/XIQ-8POfCtg

Every once in a while I have to have fun here, because let's face it, real life is often brutal.

Have you seen this Jimmy Fallon clip? It is worth it for the laughs. I have watched it three different times. It makes me giggle every time.
http://youtu.be/qtsNbxgPngA

And it seems to be a week of a lot of people not feeling well. This one's for you.

Women of a certain age will totally get this.

The alternate response to the blog piece Feelings.

This could happen.

Let's dance!
xo

Yesterday was a devastating day for humanity and for the people of France. A gross, horrible, brutal day.

My friend Katya Horner posted THIS BLOG PIECE by her friend Greg Fallis. He writes about Charlie Hebdo in a way that resonated with me immediately.

If you've been here a while you know I enjoy the word fuck.
So does Greg.

I appreciate his piece so much and am thankful he wrote it.

Five years of French, and I sadly write, je suis Charlie.

xo

Sad times deserve beautiful, aching, sublime music.

http://youtu.be/DIKeCLp40AA

I have spent the past few days of the new year DOING.
FEELING. BEING. LIVING. PLANNING. PREPARING.

I worked all day Friday and Saturday. Friday night I went to my brother's house where we gathered to eat some Chinese food, visit, watch the girls play "Just Dance" the newest version, and to actually play a game of telephone that ended with many of us laughing our fool heads off. From age 7 to 79 you can mess up a simple sentence. We are an amusing bunch.

Saturday we had a client at the salon pissed off before 10:30 in the morning. Good times. We'll never see her again, and so it goes.

Sunday I drove my mom to the airport. On the way out of LaGuardia I ended up all kinds of lost in Queens. I've only made that trip 100 times in my life and ended up all confused. Maybe because I was talking on the phone to my friend Carolyn at the time? I had to call her back when I finally ended up going in the right direction.

I wrote my first newsletter for TGHR in over a year. I guess buying a hair salon does take up some time. And falling. And recovering.

I wrote the newsletter for the salon. I addressed the angry client.

Monday, Kathy and I headed back to Long Island to see Shira, our psychic medium. This time my grandfather, Art, my Nana, and a friends brother were the eloquent message givers. It was as fabulous as the last time. If you are so inclined, I would absolutely recommend Shira to my LI friends and anyone else who wants to take a quick trip to the island. She has a few gallery readings coming up on the island and a big event happening in March. I will share those details when I get them. If she comes back up for the Yorktown Relay I will absolutely post that too.

In-between all of this, I am getting ready for Sunday. What's Sunday, you ask? Only the best day ever! I am over the moon excited for our Women's Symposium. It is what we hope will be the first of many.

Info HERE.

And then there is the small matter of feelings. Up, down, inside, outside and around, mine have been all over the place for days. And I recall, with all the sincerity of the therapist who shared it with me, "Feelings just are."

You don't need to explain them.
You just need to feel them.
And boy, do I.

Here's to all of us. May we be strong enough to be vulnerable.

xo

This is a magnificent piano piece.
It absolutely will make you feel.

http://youtu.be/kB5mf2wutQk

Simple Wishes

2014 was an amazing year. The good. The bad. The ugly. The spastic.

My hope for 2015 is more good, less not so good. The further realization of dreams. Teaching more. Writing more.

Peace. Through listening, understanding and compassion.

Encouraging. Myself and others.

Adventure. Through every day life and the stuff it hurls at me.

Many words that will lead to many actions.

xo

Music Today: Bella has been playing this mash-up since it was released. It has reached huge heights of popularity, including love from Taylor Swift herself. It is superb.

Midnight, you come and pick me up, no headlights
Nice to meet you, where you been?
I could show you incredible things
Magic, madness, heaven sin
I've got a blank space baby
And I'll write your name

http://youtu.be/7m3o5LuFKxg