Karen Huff Klein's Purse - Words to Live By

This is a close up photo of Karen Klein's purse.  She is the elderly  "Bullied Bus Monitor",and most people have by now seen this week's viral video sensation.  Like many others I was shocked beyond belief by what I saw in this video.  I sent her a message (she may or may not read or respond to it, but I felt it had to be said).  This is part of it:

"When I saw the video, I saw my own memories of being bullied on a school bus in middle school (but not nearly as badly)! I saw a later grown up me being bullied in a workplace for years for "failing to lose the weight" after giving birth to my first child. But going much deeper (outside myself) I saw my own daughter, my mother, my sister... I saw just about every woman I know going through something similar at one point or another. Like anyone else who has seen the video I wanted to reach through the computer screen, knock some punks flat, and give you a hug. (And I'm really not a violent person at all). But things have a funny way of working out, and I'm sure you could have never seen your week playing out the way it did. I keep the parents of those children in my thoughts as well, as lots of blame is being hurled at them. However I believe those kids may be more of a product of social, cultural, and media influence than a bad upbringing. I am debating on letting my oldest child watch this (she's only 7) as a lesson on bullying and the damage it can do.  I wish you the best, and I admire and thank you for your grace."

Back to the purse... printed on it were various uplifting sayings and quotes (here are just a few):

Live Love Laugh/Embrace Change/Pretending to be a normal person day after day is exhausting/Life is all about how you handle Plan B/Wonderful Wacky Women/Uplift/Embrace Change/Expect Miracles/Live with Integrity/Why be a queen when you can be a Goddess?/Inspire/Dare to be Remarkable/Don't Play It Safe, Make Waves.

Ironically these lines of positive affirmation and peace were one of the many things targeted by bullies in a ten minute spew of negativity and hatred. She said in the video to the bullies “I try to live by some of these words, I try and it’s really hard,” referring to the words on her purse.   Well, I believe she is doing a fabulous job of living out these phrases.  Apparently a lot of the world thinks so too, given the $618,565.00 donated to the fund in her name so far (as of this writing).

In a interview with Karen a newscaster shows this close up of the purse that those kids were bagging on her about (bad pun intended). It's an awesome purse. I'd totally carry it!

Love and Light,
*Winter Phoebe Daswon

Cultivate Grace

Color of the day: White

Incense of the day:  Orchid

Friday is the traditional day of Venus/Aphrodite, goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. Venus's/Aphrodite's energies include charm, composure, courtesy, and joy. In Latin, the noun venus is also linked to venerari (to honor or try to please) and venia (grace or favor).

I recently read one of the best books ever on select Greek Goddesses: Conversations With the Goddesses.  I had always before believed that Venus/Aphrodite was one of the Goddesses I couldn't relate to or draw much wisdom from.  I was incorrect.  Not only does this Goddess embody passion, self-assurance, and charisma (all qualities I struggle to maintain in my own day to day life), but she also possesses radiance and grace.  From Conversations With the Goddesses:

"One of the most famous Aphrodite/Venus archetypes is Cleopatra, the powerful queen of Egypt.  Legends of her beauty are often disputed.  Some claim that her seductiveness lay not in her beauty but in her presence-her beguiling voice, her vivacity, her intelligence.  Her irresistible charm was enhanced by beautiful clothes, cosmetics, perfume, and jewels.  She was intoxicated by living."

Since today is Friday it is a great day to work a bit of  powerful social magic, channeling Venus/Aphrodite to create positive change.  This is a very simple spell that involves no tools but simply attempting to reprogram your thoughts to be a bit more peaceful and to consciously practice social grace and honor. When speaking to people, cultivate a deep sense of affection for them and express it through the tone of your voice. When listening, look deep into their eyes, and into their souls, really seeing and hearing them. Do not hold an agenda, but honor people by simply listening. Show them the courtesy of your undivided interest. Practice grace by acting, looking, and speaking in a gentle and kind manner, letting go of judgment. And because Friday is a day for relating and building relationships, your grace may invite Venus's/Aphrodite's blessings of love.

One way I attempt to do this at times is to envision that I've sort of "time warped" into this time in my life from another.  About 15 years ago I thought there was no real possibility that I'd ever be a mother, and I would have given just about anything for it to become a possibility.  So if that person I was back then were to be suddenly time warped here she'd be appalled to hear the now-me yelling at her children.  About 5 years ago I had a co-worker that I really admired and looked up to, a person that I thought I would never have a chance to become a friend to because they had a great work ethic and sense of responsibility (while I was an angry and negative person who was also a bit of a flake with my life falling apart around me).  Not only did this person become a friend; he became my husband.  So the then-me probably wouldn't even begin to understand the now-me complaining that he didn't wipe the counter after doing dishes or that he's clingy and annoying.

Its all a matter of perspective, really.  When I think of things in this way, Venus/Aphrodite's qualities of trying to honor and please and to show grace seem more attainable for me.

Source: Cultivate Grace