Dear Joy-full Soul,

The other day, I was feeling trapped by my voluminous “to do” list, and also rather discouraged about the subject of dating. I think I want to date and then become puzzled by “how to date.”

I think it’s easy to get caught or lost in what we think about, more than who we actually are. My mind gets so very busy with “how things might not work out,” or how they’re hard, or I’m stuck, or a seemingly endless variety of lack of possibilities.

So I went to do my laundry, which usually eases my mind. At the laundromat I noticed a young man with bright eyes, smiling at me. He said with a lilting accent: “A lovely laundry day to you!”

I breathed in the joy in his comment and asked him where he was from. He said he was from Bulgaria, traveling the world, and stopped in San Francisco to “admire the light.” He was carrying a thick book by Gurdjieff (one of my spiritual mentors), and we promptly engaged in a lively, serendipitous conversation about traveling through difficult places, the mysteries of love, how fear can entangle us, and even how large lilypads can support a person standing or walking on them!

His twinkling energy and this conversation stayed with me all day and reminded me of all the possibilities there are in the world. His energy reminded me about the qualities of expansion, and how when I practice expansive thinking it feels like it clears out the walls and takes off the roof.

I had once again gotten stuck in tedium, snared by overwhelm, and with regard to the subject of dating, repeating old patterns of thinking small. When this happens, it’s like my thinking gets really narrow, and then I get afraid. It feels like my fear narrows the corridors and makes me think there are no other routes or possibilities. In that narrow-thinking state, I then use whatever happens as “proof” that it’s true!

I will reluctantly admit that it feels like there’s a certain kind of safety in the narrowness. The narrowness feels stiflingly familiar and kind of snug in its safety.

Of course, it’s not safe at all.

We are meant to stretch, move, grow, and change.

We are made to continually expand.

Expansive thinking can feel scary in its very spacious qualities. If “anything can happen,” what if I’m overwhelmed by what DOES happen?

Here I go again, narrowing down!

The truth is, I feel joyfull at the expansion of possibilities. I love the unexpected and the places of change. I also forget that I love these things.

I think that the curious truth is, if we can recognize when and where we’re not expanding our possibilities and WHY we might be choosing a smaller or more narrow view, we can then turn to embrace and allow the possibilities. Allowing all the possibilities is my reNEWed practice.

-- Where are you in need of expansive thinking?
-- What possibilities are you forgetting about?
-- How might you be looking with narrow vision?
-- Why do you want to expand your possibilities?

And speaking of dating, if you know of a man in San Francisco who would like to date me, send him along. He needs to be 40 or older and willing to walk on lilypads.

Sweetly,
Susan
(AKA SARK)

PS: After I wrote this, I realized that it may seem that the guy in the laundromat was someone for me to date -- he was just too young. However, he inspired me to think expansively about the whole subject of meeting people. Since my encounter with him, I'm now starting to date! Dating is the operative word, since I'm interested in exploring and experiencing the dating realm. So do still send along any interesting, available, adventurous men who would enjoy a dating adventure with me.

SARK’s New Creative Companion: Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit is now out in bookstores, and that means SARK will be on tour celebrating her new book. Summertime is just ripe for nourishing and reveling in our creativity with kindred spirits. SARK wants to share gifts, games, inspirations, and surprises -- in person, with YOU. Be sure to check out the dates and mark your calendars!

SARK’s 2005 Events and Book Tour Schedule:

• June 10-12 – Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, NY
• July 11 – Capitola Book Cafe, Capitola, CA
• July 25 – East West Bookstore, Mountain View, CA
• July 30 – Shakti Foundation, Aspen, CO
• Oct 15 – Shakti Foundation, San Francisco, CA
• Nov 11-14 – Celebrate Your Life, Scottsdale, AZ

Find out more about SARK’s Ecstatic Events on PlanetSARK.com

Is your own Traveling Dream Chair ready for summer vacation? Need a soft, gentle reminder? Rest your head, shoulders, and neck on SARK’s new Traveling Dream Chair Pillow. Bypass the travel agent and airport security altogether, and still get where you need to go.

A PlanetSARK.com Exclusive, SARK’s Traveling Dream Chair Pillow is available for purchase in our eSHOP on PlanetSARK.com.

Check out all the latest products under New Arrivals in the
PlanetSARK.com eSHOP.

Thank YOU for supporting PlanetSARK.com! Purchasing books and products through the eShop directly supports the creation of new SARK products and the development of the freebies offered through our website.

Check out all the Free Stuff!!

PlanetSARK.com is now a bouncing, radiant, beautifull one-year old!

It's been a scrumptious year! To celebrate the first anniversary of the launch of PlanetSARK.com, SARK presents you with a gift of art and inspiration: FREE downloadable SARK wallpaper for your computer desktop. We honor YOU for supporting and participating in our creative community built from the heart.

Rip off the birthday bow, and select from the four juicy choices of FREE SARK Wallpaper !

Artella Magazine’s May Issue, “The Dreamworld: Night Sees The Day” includes a brand new multimedia CD featuring a succulent interview with SARK.

Check out Inner Views in SARK's Studio on PlanetSARK.com to hear an MP3 clip of the Artella interview and explore the links to more publications featuring SARK.

 

For the latest company news go to the Planet SARK Announcements forum on the Marvelous Message Board

SARK invites you to take pleasure and inspiration from her FREE five-minute recorded message. Call 415-546-EPIC (3742) or listen online (MP3 download).

Copyright (c) 2005 SARK. All rights reserved.
Permission is granted to reproduce, copy or distribute this eLetter, so long as this copyright notice and full information attributing SARK are attached.