amala
Perfectly Aligned
Carl Sagan, that most wonderful and wise multi-hyphenate (astronomer, cosmologist, astrophysicist, author, and more) said something so thought-provoking and profound that the first time I heard it, it made the breath catch in my throat and my heart shiver:
“The surface of the Earth is the shore of the cosmic ocean. On this shore, we’ve learned most of what we know. Recently, we’ve waded a little way out, maybe ankle-deep, and the water seems inviting. Some part of our being knows this is where we came from. We long to return, and we can because the cosmos is also within us. We’re made of star stuff. We are a way for the cosmos to know itself.”
I’ve remained captivated by those words because they speak so poetically and beautifully to the greater knowing that I believe is shared amongst virtually all religions; it makes itself a touchstone along spiritual journeys, and is even supported by those more rational and scientific minds, who state that energy can neither be created or destroyed, it only changes form.
Many cultures and theologies have an appreciation for this energy, this star stuff. In the Western world, we have some familiarity with the concepts of Chi (Chinese) or Ki (from Japan). But we seem to be fearful or cautious about the unseen having an effect upon our lives. That’s why meditation can be so beautiful and beneficial: the quieting of one’s mind, not to make something happen, but just to relax, to breathe, to behold and be held.
So many of us live our lives caught within a perpetual storm: thundering thoughts, sundering hope from our hearts, being in the world but forgetting that the far greater part of us is of the world too. We can be the calm in the eye of the storm; we can point our boats at the lighthouse and the shoreline and let go of the oars. We are energy, ever changing form; as vast as the ocean, and with brighter lights inside of us than the most luminous star stuff.
And in those brief, beautiful, soul-fulfilling moments when this knowing gently, graciously reminds us of who we really are … everything is perfectly aligned.
Please click for full size.
“and the years go by
close your eyes
’cause everything is
perfectly aligned
don’t fail me now
ask me how
everything is
perfectly aligned …”
Look
Maitreya Body – Lara v3.5
Genesis Lab Head & Skin – Melissa
Izzie’s Freckles – Body Freckles II (Maitreya, Belleza, Slink Appliers & System Layers)
Murray Hair – Lindsay (Light Blondes HUD) New Release @ Hair Fair, through July 31st *
Style & Pose
Amala Headpiece – Pearl Drop (Gold)
Apple May Designs Jewelry – Body Jewelry (Maitreya Gold)
Label Motion Pose – Carrie 5
Destination & Inspiration
✈ Sights: Elysion
🎧 Sounds: Milo Greene – Perfectly Aligned
Watch the Spring in All Its Plumage
When I wrote about The Lexi Project last year, which was a collaborative fundraising effort for Lexi Zelin of AngelRED Couture, I marveled with awe and delight over the number of designers and residents to who came together to offer emotional and financial support to one of our own. And this year, it’s the lovely and wonderful Cajsa Lilliehook who was inspired to start a Blogger Challenge in honor of Bubbles Clawtooth, the designer behind beloved hair brand Clawtooth in Second Life.
Bubbles’ mother has Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS / Lou Gehrig’s Disease), a heartbreaking neurological condition that attacks the nerve cells, weakening muscles and voluntary physical functions. (My grandfather had ALS when my mom was a teenager; from hearing her personal experiences with this condition, my heart truly goes out to Bubbles and his family.) Bubbles has been dedicating many tireless hours to his mother’s care, so to honor and pay tribute to him, Cajsa called upon Second Life’s blogging community to visit Clawtooth and purchase hairstyles to feature in our blogs to help bolster Bubbles’ spirit and to give his brand some very well-deserved recognition. Answering the call straight away was Strawberry Singh, who helped to broaden the audience for Cajsa’s challenge, and after delightedly spending time trying on a wealth of Clawtooth hairstyle demos yesterday (there are truly so many gorgeous styles), I’m honored to make a heartfelt contribution post of my own.
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Look
Body // Lara Mesh Body v3.5 by Maitreya
Head & Skin // Melissa by Genesis Lab
Ears // Steking Ears Season 5 by Mandala
Hair // Beach Babe (Essentials HUD) by Clawtooth
* Eyes // Ardent Eyes (Sky v2) by Avi-Glam for Cosmopolitan, through May 21st
Style
Jewelry // The Swallow Necklaces (Gold) by Amala
Top // Fleetwood Top (Maitreya Fatpack) by Azuchi+Vinyl for Uber, through May 22nd
Jeans // Mia Jeans (Maitreya Fatpack) by Blueberry
Shoes // Hanna Wedges (Maitreya Mid in Camel) by REIGN
Pose & Destination
Pose // Stand 545 by !Bang Poses
Location // Baja Cove
My post title and picture are inspired by the song “You’re Beautiful” by Mojave 3, and it has a special meaning not only for the caring and wistful lyrics, but also because I first heard it on a mix CD (oh gosh, remember those?) made for me by the dear friend who first introduced me to Second Life, and who went on to be a long-time content creator himself. Things always seem to come full-circle in our virtual world, and with a the support of friends, fellow designers, and customers surrounding him, it’s Cajsa’s hope that we can lift Bubbles’ spirit with our gestures of care and solidarity.
So whether you’re a blogger or Flickr photographer, or you’re simply a kindhearted soul who enjoys residing in the virtual world, please do visit Clawtooth and try on some gorgeous hairstyles. And while I’ve not yet had the pleasure of meeting you, I’m sending so many warm and supportive thoughts your way, Bubbles. Thank you so much for all that you do. ♡
Morning Meditation
It’s really marvelous how genuinely, sublimely happy you can feel, even when life is just smoothly sailing along without any particular excitement, surprises, or razzle-dazzle. I think that’s the pinnacle of contentment: being happy where you are, but eager and welcoming for more.
It makes me think of my friends Kess and Chloe, both of whom have expressed wishing to explore the grid more, while so often finding themselves at familiar and comfortable locales. There is a certain bliss in the familiar, one that I most definitely feel myself, while also longing to indulge in my wanderlust. How often I wish for more hours in the day! But even though I’m barely sleeping and finding only rare, spare time for exploring, I’m still so keenly happy to be home again.
I had wondered and worried if perhaps Second Life might feel like it was falling into gentle decline, with Project Sansar nipping at our heels and untold new sights and experiences to explore. But for me, SL is like that amazing local coffee house or indie record store where you can go to relax, indulge in new finds or old favorites, and feel perfectly at ease. Even if I’m just standing in my skybox, naked but for a hairbase and a smile, I still feel contentment at being in and of the virtual world. ♡
Please click for full size.
Look
Body // Lara Mesh Body v3.5 by Maitreya
Head & Skin // Melissa by Genesis Lab
Hair // Ursula (Blondes 03) by TRUTH (Sale Room)
Eyes // Specular Eyes (Forest) by Avi-Glam
Nails // Diva (Gold) by alaskametro<3
Style
Head Circlet // Pearl Drop Headpiece (Gold) by Amala
Jewelry // Body Jewelry (Gold) by Apple May Designs for We <3 Roleplay, through May 31st
Ring by // Sweet Rose Ring (Gold) by Fawny
Dress // Tropical Maxi Dress (Fatpack) by Pixicat
Shoes // Faith Sandals (Cherry for Maitreya Flat) by Fri.
Pose & Destination
Poses // Loli 7 and Loli 1 by Imeka
Location // Luanda Angola
Happily, Ever Afterr in Second Life 