survival and celebration

{There appears to be a conflict between survival and celebration.  Survival, taking care of your basic needs,  is based on pragmatism, exertion, and often drudgery.  Celebration, on the other hand, is often connected with extravagance and doing something beyond your means. For the warrior, ruling your world means that you can live in a dignified and disciplined way, without frivolity, and at the same time enjoy life.}

In the dictionary, the definition of discipline is based on the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience. 

The word discipline becomes beauty-full when we approach it from a new perspective. 

Discipline comes from the root disciple. Disciple means to be a follower or student of a teacher, leader, or philosopher. Whether we are an apprentice to another or act as our own teacher and student, discipline helps us have mastery in the world. 

In today’s fast-paced and frenetic world, just getting the most basic daily routines done can leave us exhausted and empty at the end of the day. We need discipline to do the work required, to get the results we desire. And yet, there has to be more to just getting things done to get what we desire. 

This commitment is called DEVOTION. 

Devotion to our work.
Devotion to our relationships.
Devotion to making our deepest dreams and desires come true. 

When we look at discipline as devotion, discipline is no longer the gut-wrenching hard work that we were brought up to believe. It's a kind of discipline that is inspired by an intense internal desire. It’s a sacred commitment we make for ourselves that nurtures and nourishes us wholly (holy. 

In order to master the art of any craft, our daily activities require repetition and relentless commitment to practice for perfection. That kind of perfection takes practice. 

Practice is our prayer.
And prayer is beautiful.

*quote by Choygam Trungpa, The Sacred Path of the Warrior 

what love looks like

playfully you hid from me.
all day i looked.

then i discovered i was you,

and the celebration of That began.


-- lalla



copyright 2010 Alisa Barry

7/30

today's focus of celebration: celebration!

the season is coming to a close and the last employee gift {almost} was given.
a sense of relief, a feeling of relaxation.
it's time to break out the prosecco {done!} and
CELEBRATE!

every year it is a right of passage....

this year, it's not only about survival, but surpassing into a field of something greater.
think big and beyond, in the midst of constraints

mindset + declaration.
at the very least, taking action when the world seem stagnant with strife.

celebrate, I say.
when I am down to my last dime, i want to be drinking something bubbly and eating a bite, if only, something de-li-cious.













copyright 2009 Alisa Barry

29/30

count down begins.


today's focus of celebration: healing and learning

this year has been a continued journey of healing and learning. healing habitual demons and learning life's lessons. a new perspective. softening up the "i'm right" attitude in exchange for creative collaboration and conversation. it's been tough and many times i've slipped back and fallen off. and, i know i am making progress. i stumble less and bruise even less and heal faster. fall down seven times, get up eight. this time, i'm not standing up with tightened fists and a grimaced growl, but softening my gaze and opening up my palms. there is a knowing that whatever is here if for healing and learning. and, i have a feeling that finally, if even only faintly, i am hearing the message and heeding it's lesson. staying with it all.

now, that's something to celebrate.








copyright 2009 Alisa Barry