Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

With great pleasure I am hosting multi-talented-living-on-purpose Feature Member Jessica A. (for Alvarez) or J~E~S~S . From noon (PST) today June 20, 2009 through to noon Friday, June 26, 2009 (and longer if you choose) I invite you to join me in a lengthy cup-of-tea kind of visit with Jessica.  

On Jessica’s Gaia profile she identifies as “Child of God, Daughter, Mother, Step-Mother, Wife, employee, webmaster, graphic designer, artist who loves to dance, and much much more.”   And much more there is to know about Jessica and learn from her experiences.  

She has recently published an e-book called Sad For No Reason: How to Use the Mood-Food Connection to Banish Depression Naturally.
  
Jessica has her outstanding JAD Gallery of her artwork.  

Over 3000 followers enjoy her tweets about living on purpose from her twitter account.  

Her Living on Purpose blog also hosts many delightful desktop wallpaper designs.

I will let Jessica tell us about the community pods she is part of on Gaia.

I can assure you more - much more will unfold as our feature develops.   Thank you Jessica for agreeing to be our Feature Member! I am so glad to be able to shine a light on your wonderfulness and I am looking forward to others joining us in our visit.   Terrill       

[mod note- to read all “Reply to Post' and 'Reply to Thread' messages in this thread, please set this thread  to “newest first”]

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Thank you so much Terrill. I've been on Gaia since it was Zaadz and I love the community feeling here. I help to moderate the Power of Light pod with five other amazing women. When Meenakshi invited me to help moderate, I didn't consider myself a lightworker, but now I see that I am.

I started the Live on Purpose domain and web site with a vision to promote my affiliate link to Holosync, so I joined Gaia's Holosync pod. However, I outgrew the desire to promote someone else's product, so I decided that my web site needed my very own product on it, and I wrote a book. Researching and writing took 12-14 months of evenings and weekends, an hour or two at a time.

I love interpreting my own dreams, so I joined the Dream Garden, where members share nighttime dreams and try their hand at interpreting them. When I reflect on it, I believe dream study is how I got started on my amazing spiritual journey. I still rely on input from my dreaming self to help me make daytime decisions.

I joined many other pods that I have an affinity for, but I haven't found the time to be a contributor or even check in. But if all I had all day long was Gaia, I'd be all over the place!

I welcome questions during this featured member spot. How can I inspire you?

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Cultural High Water Mark - Here Ye! Here Ye! This truly is a week of one of our most waited for features here.  Your presence & that of your host inspire me & I so look forward to the conversations.  I know how boring it is to be “explained to” about as an artist of any of the field of the arts.  I openly wonder anyone trying to convey to me why the show I just missed was the greatest thing ever, life-changing, awesome, blah, blah, blah. I want to see for myself & share!
  
The ONLY REASON I am taking the time to write (and hoping you will take the time to read) is that there IS now an excellent e-Book Sad For No Reason: How to Use the Mood-Food Connection to Banish Depression Naturally beautifully produced, of a subject I feel marks a new high point in the aesthetics, health/beauty & well being in our culture today. 

I mean, if you couldn’t download your own copy to read it, I wouldn’t just begin to describe it to you just to expose you to my own verbal embroidery.  But you can, and you really oughta get your own copy. I can’t tell you why the book was so transporting and marvelous. Mesmerized like a little child watchingThe Wizard of Oz for the first time.  Admiring, captivated, enraptured, totally absorbed in the read. BLISSED OUT. Crazy, right? It was  like eBook 2.0. It was pure creative genius. Jessica scoops up the net catching the whole audience inside, then she breaks the net into pieces, then she builds a series of ladders that go to the stars and back! Sheesh. 

Even she doesn’t pant. And each word is a story … your manual, and the story gets completed in the mind of each beholder, all mixed up with the past, your experiences & feelings & dreams. I don’t know what else to say to you, except to beg you to do yourself the supreme favor of accepting the invitation to dive out of this crazy, unkempt, ratty, nasty universe of force and punishment, and dive into the universe of Sad For No Reason… available wherever deathless, sublime monuments to the aesthetic potential of the human spirit are sold..AVAILABLE NOW as an eBook on .pdf! 

I put the below to show a piece of Jessica's free graphic art as a small look of more vast works to come from JAD. You know when some artistic collaborations just achieve so much that it makes a new summit to aspire to?  That’s what these prints Jessica has done do for us.

I am a fan of Jessica & will enjoy the conversations to follow. Looking forward to the interaction and more inspiration.  ~Kath

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

~KES, that was a warm welcome, thank you. So you're saying that you don't usually talk up someone else's product and you don't really like it when others do that to you, right? That puts a special spin on your recommendation for my research manual, with some extra special verbal embroidery to boot. Thank you.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

All those infinite qualities, that I have experienced (and described so well, even though as I also rightly note they truly are so indescribable) was my way of sharing your light with others.  It's a good thing! ~kes

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

I am laughing softly and smiling deeply at your comment “if all I had all day long was Gaia, I'd be all over the place!” You are an inspiration Jessica as a woman who has many places to be and still gives her all to our Gaia community. I was amazed to find out that beyond the contributions we have begun to mention you also play a big part in your family business of installing seamless gutters and you are parenting a 3 and 12 year old. Wow! I'm inspired!

Jessica what is it you feel allows you to be, do and live with such abundant energy and contribution?

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Terrill: You asked: Jessica what is it you feel allows you to be, do and live with such abundant energy and contribution?

It's hard to say specifically that one thing allows me to have energy and a desire to contribute. I've been blessed with great health. I'm committed to my own idea of personal responsibility, which may be different from someone else's vision of it. I kind of suffer from good-girl syndrome with a touch of perfectionism. I make sure to take vitamins and keep protein in my vegetarian diet and cut down on junk food and soda. 

I remember to have gratitude for the things I do have, and I'm still learning how to refrain from stressing over what I don't have.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jessica -

How have you been able to weave being a lightworker into your home life and work life?  Will you please provide some examples of each?

Thank you in advance,

- Laurie

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Laurie:
I can be a totally silent lightworker, and I prefer it that way. Just know that if you're in the room with me, I'm offering you and the entire building to the light. This helps to raise the vibration of everyone in the building. When vibratory frequency is increased, verbal exchanges that may have been negative can transmute into neutral exchanges, or even positive ones.

Besides that, I've been able to give energy work to a girl with acute abdominal pain and she fell asleep within five minutes of me working hands-on on her. Her pain was lessened, but I still took her to urgent care facility later!

A woman asked I give her cat some light but what I found was her entire house needed the light. She later informed me her cat was about to die of kidney failure but the tests she did after my long distance help proved this to be a miracle kitty. I don't claim I did anything in this case, because the owner was also working on herself energetically and allowed herself to loosen her grasp on the desired outcome of kitty's illness.

I've not been trained in Reiki, but I have had a little training in giving polarities, where you re-cycle the energy through the subject's body and work through stuck areas until the energy can clear. I don't do that very often, though.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jessica, I'm so delighted to see  you shining your light here, and for Terrill for introducing you in a way that even I -who feels I know you so well - can see that I'm in for lots of new learning and delightful surprises! I remember how as a member on The Power of Light, you would begin thought-provoking discussions. Your being in the team is an honor to us.

I'll sit back, enjoy some tea, pour some adrak ki chai [ginger tea] for all here, and read on…

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Ah, yes, back in the day! And then I started this book project….
I'm no longer focusing on the book because the project is done and posted live, so now I have a little energy to spare! hehe.

I just returned from the most amazing experience at The Big Chat conference in Los Angeles! I'll talk about it later tonight but for now I must get ready to go out and measure a house for gutters! Later!

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jessica - Thank you for that response.  I stepped away [I practice Vibrational/Energy Medicine] because I had a client session, and now am back until the next one.  Oh how delightful to find that we're in the same choir [figuratively speaking!]. 

Meenaskhi - will you pour me a cuppa while you're at it?  You know how I can't pass up a good hot cuppa tea, friend.

Terrill - thank you so much for orchestrating this!

Kathy - you leave a delightful trail of delightful energy wherever you go!

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Ummm - more tea anyone?

Jessica, Kathy, Laurie and Meenakshi… our conversation is reminding me of a special kind of intimacy that John Daido Loori describes in his book The Zen of Creativity: Cultivating Your Artistic Life:

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Terrill - That was great - thank you for sharing.  I head into my last session of the day shortly, and then I'm off to a barn dance (toes are already tappin'!).  I will catch myself up and  jump back into this conversation when time permits.

Thank you again for opening your 'home' and hosting this special tea party.

Jessica - thank you for sharing your heart-based wisdom.  I look forward to getting to know you better.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Thanks Laurie for dropping in! I can see you flying around the barn dance with your toes barely touching the floor. Have a great time and we look forward to you joining us again later.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Chai never runs out. There's plenty for everyone who comes by. And we have a magical genie who may just bring a coffee out of a teapot [or make you feel you've got coffee!]

After all, when there are lightworkers like Jessica on the planet, silently beaming light wherever they go- I enjoyed reading that, Jessica. It's what I do also - better than the tip I give those who work on us - doctors, nurses, hair stylists….

Can you update us on your LA trip [or is that meant to come later?]
I enjoyed the way you described intimate conversation, Terrill.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Re - Can you update us on your LA trip [or is that meant to come later?] We have planned an organic flow to our visit so please ask away…

Others as well… hop right in… all are welcome.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Terrill, I loved that quote, and I'd never seen it before, even after searching Gaia for quotes with “ripple” in them for my dinosaur ridge fossilized ripple wallpaper. That last part speaks volumes to me:

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jessica, many amazing turns of events! I'm glad you were able to go. Did you feel that the event helped to achieve what was intended? Getting out of the way?

And speaking of images- I'm a little surprised you can't load images with FF? I've been able to upload thru both Chrome and FF though it's easier with FF.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Haha, big belly laugh. I never noticed that there was a place to upload BELOW the text box. I only looked above the text box at the little icons and didn't see an “add image” icon. I remember that Firefox doesn't like to copy/paste images the way we used to have to do it.

So, this image is a drawing I made after hearing Michael Neill describe how most people approach happiness. Click the image to see it bigger. He explained most people throw the “goals” bone out into the world and think that if only they go “fetch” the goal, then they'll be happy, and have self-worth. Think about that! how many times have we told ourselves we'll be happy when we graduate, then when we get that promotion, and on and on. How many of us think we'll be “worthy” or be satisfied with ourselves if only we get this goal or that goal or hit the bigtime?

So, the trick to goals and happiness is to untie those tennis balls from the bone. Bill Cumming is a big advocate of saying Your self-worth is integral. You're worthy from the get-go, just by being human. Love yourself first, then decide what your goals will be with consciousness!

And yes, during the conference/workshop we identified our filters, learned how to put them down objectively, and then learned how to redesign our “game” from a new viewpoint. Getting out of the way also involved forgiving ourselves for believing the lies we've been telling ourselves about ourselves since we were young. I call it forgiving myself for believing my inner mean girl all these years. Sheesh, I was listening to her all along and I passed so many opportunities as a young woman because I believed my inner mean girls' whispers of you're not talented enough, you're not good enough, you're not educated enough…

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Creative - putting a bone with those tennis balls! Glad you were able to upload the pic, Jessica, AND that the weekend seminar was so fruitful!  How d'you celebrate Father's Day?

The happy, perfect Jessica?  The one who showed us:

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

(hehe, that would be “happy, perfectionist Jessica :) )

I am grateful for my father. He's a molecular spectroscopist. He's quiet, soft spoken, intelligent, and caring. I told him about my upcoming trip to the big chat and mentioned it might be about how to be happy. He quipped:

“Happy? I know the secret to being happy.”
“What's the secret?”
“Take spectra.”

That's his job and he loves it. To take spectra means to use lasers to inspect a molecule enough to identify its various atom components. You find out what colors are absorbed and reflected and somehow can tell what atoms are there.

He went on, “I've taken spectra all my life and I'm always happy.”

Ode to my dad! He had a shirt and passed it on to me when I was a teenager. It said, “Spectroscopists do it with frequency and intensity. The Coblenz Society.”

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

What an inspiring trip Jessica and I am glad that you were “moved by the universe to be coached by giants!” I can feel the ripples of that experience from here.

What impact has the Big Chat had on how you set your vision? What are you changing in your day to day practice or approach?

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

How d'you celebrate Father's Day? I sent him a card and I'll call him. He's in another state.


What impact has the Big Chat had on how you set your vision? What are you changing in your day to day practice or approach?

I've learned how to feel free when thinking of my future. When I was a little girl, I heard, “You can do anything you set your heart on.” But I really didn't believe I could do ANYTHING. I set up filters that colored my decisions. The belief that I'm not whatever enough to do that goal became more prevalent than the belief that I can do anything.

So, by doing the process Micheal Neill set up to forgive myself for listening to my inner mean girl, a light turned on. I SAW freedom. Well, what I saw in my mind's eye was my angel looking over me and rejoicing in my decision to forgive myself for ever believing the lies I told myself. My “game” became “anything is possible now.” For my day to day practice, I believe that I can catch that mean girl's voice now before she gets a hold of my decision making.

And I've learned how often I make snarky remarks, because they are not based in loving kindness. I'll pay more attention to how I really speak to my family.
Hopefully I can evaluate statements to test for loving kindness before they come out of my mouth, but that darned mouth sometimes gets going without my brain…

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Hummm ummm! I hear you! I want to add one more of your incredible desktop wallpaper designs here. Partly because it is my favourite  and partly because it feels like a perfect transformational moment.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Oh!! i like  your Butterfly Transformation!! very cute! i'm going to college for graphic design :)

And i ADORE the Pommie!!! he is so cute and fuzzy!!! and the mouse!! he is cute too!!! i love his little nose and his little whiskers :D

awesome work, Jess!

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Hi everyone, I was bringing you some virtual slice, one chocolate and one jam and coconut to have with the lovely tea Meenakshi made. Having trouble with photos at present though so you have to imagine them. 

Jess you have given me a new goal, one I know I can achieve. Its to get my inner mean girl and deal with her finally.

Last week I recieved a letter from the Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect & this year its on “Looking through the Eyes of Prevention.”

I put an abstract in in February & forgot because I didnt think it would get in. I did it as practice in writing abstracts & I was feeling cynical that they would consider what I had to say was of any value.

They thanked me for my abstract submission to present a poster & as I read I thought “Ok here's the gentle let down where they say what a high standard of entrants they had & so many… blah blah, and I don't care because I knew I wouldn't get in.  Then I saw these words:

We are writing to notify you that your abstract has been selected for inclusion in the program as a poster presentation. OMG!!!!!  My response was to immediately …come down with the flu then panic, then couldn't even remember what I wrote in the abstract. Apparently the topic I chose is ”Spirituality and a decolonising perspective in child and family health” What was I thinking? This topic is huge. It's ridiculous! The conference covers the whole of the Southern Hemisphere. I'm not good enough. I cant afford to go. It's expensive! It's in Perth of all places on the other side of Australia. It'll take a day to fly there. I dont know anybody. My stress levels have been through the roof ever since & I've had time off work cause i'm not coping. My uni supervisors will realise I'm nuts. It seemed like a good idea at the time. I must have had too much caffeine. I could always say I can't come…


I tell you what Jess, that mean girl is gonna be a hard one to catch! If you have any clues let me know.


Group hugs to all you amazing wonderful caring people. If you see my mean girl running around throw a net over her will you? 

{mod - added the chocolate}

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jenny I think a virtual slice of chocolate is just what I need this morning.

I am so supportive of you catching “the mean little girl” that Jessica and you have eloquently spoke about. I had a similar experience with a conference keynote last year and particularly (but not exclusively)women notice this inner voice of self-sabotage. Without going all psychotherapy here are a few things that have worked for me and other women leaders I have coached over the years.

First, remember that even though she is not always right “the mean little girl” has your best interests at heart so give her a hug and thank her for all her efforts to keep you safe.

Second, a little self doubt/reflection will strengthen our work and feed the authentic vibration of whatever we are doing. It keeps us humble and real which is one element that if it is missing - no matter how polished our presentation - it will miss the mark with our audience.

Third, give your “mean little girl” a new job that takes advantage of her strengths.  I had a client who worked with her inner critic or “the mean little girl” before an interview where she had been failing for a number of years to get the promotion she wanted. She aced the interview and had a new personal skill to use in her new position.

This is just a small snippet but it will get you started. Jessica it would be great to hear what practical skills you learned about this at the Big Chat and from others who have been catching their “little mean girl/boy.”

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jenny you said: Jess you have given me a new goal, one I know I can achieve. Its to get my inner mean girl and deal with her finally. Oh, yay, hold that conviction. 

Yes you can achieve it. Terrill's recommendations are spot on. I'd say that to catch your inner mean girl, you have to work on awareness. Develop the watcher in your brain and begin tagging and labeling thoughts as they arise. Then you can acknowledge when it's the mean girl whispering to you that the job is too big. Watch how she works, try to label how she “gets you” every time. Don't try to banish her; it won't work. You can even sit in meditation and call her up and ask to talk to her. Ask her what her job is, and really pay attention to her answers. It's like shining a light in the closet.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Thank you Suni! Sounds like you looked through my JAD Gallery. I called it that because I wanted my own one-woman art show without all the work of finding an agent and actually having a show. It means Jessica Alvarez Designs Gallery.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Thanks for dropping by Suni - I can literally hear your excitement:) So much fun to share this kind of interaction/discovery here on Gaia.

Jessica What do you most like about Gaia?   How are you helping to
maintain/enhance it?   

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

you're welcome! i love to find little things like that..they are like gems in the sand to me :D

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Terrill you asked:
Jessica What do you most like about Gaia?   How are you helping to
maintain/enhance it?  
 I love Gaia's positive loving community, I love being able to search quotes and I've submitted a few, I love the questions and reflections and Siona, I love Gaia's user interface, I love Gaia's story: the history of how Brian Johnson wanted to plant a seed of positivity in an online community so he grew Zaadz from a seedling and it got so big it took on a life of its own and he ended up selling it to Gaia so he could persue other passions in Bali while the community still flourished. I love that I was introduced to Ken Wilbur's work, the integral community and spiral dynamics all through a social network. This is social networking with style, intelligence, spirit, love, and heart.

What am I doing to enhance Gaia? Well, I do a tiny part by helping to moderate one Group within Gaia, but that's a really tiny part indeed. I think that by sticking around as long as I have and continuing to post, upload photos and quotes, by continuing to read and comment on my friends' blogs I'm doing my part to maintain the community. I'm here. That's all.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Good morning -

I've been enjoying a hot cuppa tea while catching myself up on this chat.  As someone who uses Color Therapy in my private practice, the words that really caught my attention were, ” … you find out what colors are absorbed and reflected …” 

The speed of light is constant.  The speed of light color varies, depending on the color, shade and tone.  The reason we can distinguish one color from another is the speed at which the frequency of that color travels and impacts the rods and cones in our physical eyes.  Interestingly, many people use color [sub-consciously] as a way to self-medicate; to soothe [shore up, boost, etc] a body/mind/spirit issue.

Jessica - my question for you (after all my blah, blah, blah) is what is your favorite color?  And if it varies by day, what is your favorite color today?

Other Participants - once Jessica has shared her favorite color, I'd love to know everyone else's favorite color.

Example - my favorite color is green.  Ok, so what does that indicate?  I work with people at a heart-level every single day.  My heart has to have the ability to create space for them and to embrace them, regardless.  No wonder I am drawn to green.  It boosts [enhances] that aspect of me.

Listen with your heart,

- Laurie

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Laurie:
My inner mean girl just was wondering if I said that part right, about the colors being absorbed and reflected. I am barely able to explain my father's job!

So, my favorite color since childhood has been blue. I like a bright blue like aquamarine and I've owned several pieces of clothing in that color. But I feel great in any shade of blue, so I also have navy and cornflower blue. I also wear a lot of purple.

Just last month I realized I don't own anything green so I tried on some green clothes, but I just don't feel comfortable in it. I got a white shirt with green paisley in an attempt to bring in some of that healing energy. Funny, huh, I have to talk myself into wearing green.

I wear pink, like a baby pink, and as a teen I purposefully painted my entire room three shades of pink to try to bring in calm energy. I was dealing with living with a clinically depressed mother and there was always stress and arguing at my house. My room became my hideaway.

So, my favorite colors are blue, purple, and pink.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jessica -

Well, that certainly fits the bill!  In a recent magazine article I wrote titled “The Color of Wellness,” here is what I said about your favorite colors including both the light and dark shades of blue:

LIGHT BLUE is associated with knowledge, relaxation and health.  When you need a boost in the area of creativity and self-expression, indulge yourself with the color light blue.  The frequency of this color resonates with the throat chakra. 

Communication is the key to working with others peacefully.  Light blue creates a calm throat center from which to speak our truth.

Evoking the emotions of the sky, light blue is calming, expansive and cool.  The muted hues recall a summer sky after the rain; while the dignified shaded tones exude comfort and rest.

Light blue lowers blood pressure, decreases respiration and is ideal for sleep and over-activity.  It enhances communication and decision-making.  Light blue energy brings about increased feelings of peace and open and clear communication.

INDIGO is associated with intuition, imagination and understanding.  When you need a boost in the area of insight and self-reflection, indulge yourself with the color indigo.  The frequency of this color stimulates the brow chakra, helping us to see clearly.  In effect, it helps us to see the big picture.

Evoking the emotions of the sea, pure indigo is reminiscent of ocean depths or bottomless mountain lakes.  While the noble shaded tones exude deep thought and contemplation. 

The frequency of this color strengthens intuition, imagination and increases dream activity.  It brings about increased feelings of inner energy, calmness and inner balance.  It promotes responsibility for one’s own life and trusting in personal intuition.  Indigo enhances our ability to see things from a higher viewpoint rather than from ego, personal satisfaction or material comfort.

VIOLET (purple) is associated with creativity, wisdom and inspiration.  When you need a boost in the area of spirituality and self-knowledge, indulge yourself with the color indigo.  The frequency of this color refreshes the crown chakra; the gateway to our spiritual selves.  It is here that we realize the power of our thoughts.  This energetic center is where we consent to higher guidance for personal transformations.

Pure violet has the clarity of blue and the warmth of red.  The color conveys grandeur and reverence, while the lighter shades are elusive and intriguing.  Muted violets are airy and peaceful, while the shaded violets are soft and shadowy.

The energy of violet suppresses the appetite, enhances a peaceful environment and relieves tension.  It promotes inner strength, wisdom and kindness.  Violet energy brings about increased feelings of spiritual connection, intuition and mental clarity.  It helps us to change negatives into positives.  Because of its calming properties, violet is a good choice to use during meditation.

PINK … and though I did not feature the color pink in the article, let me share a bit about it here.  In experiments with Color Therapy, pink has been found to have a tranquilizing and calming effect within minutes of exposure.  The color pink seems to suppress hostile, aggressive and anxious behavior.  These results sparked further experimentation in penal institutions.  As a result, pink holding cells are now widely used to reduce violent and aggressive behavior among prisoners—both male and female—reducing their muscle strength in as little as 2.7 seconds.  It appears that when in pink surroundings, people cannot be aggressive even if they want to because the color saps their energy.

Jessica, you probably have to talk yourself into GREEN because you don't need it.  Your subconscious mind is repelling it because it knows it (the frequency) would be too much.  Usually (not always) we are drawn to (resonate with) what we need.  We are drawn to it because we subconsciously recognize that it will enhance or boost something. 

Listen with your heart,

- Laurie 

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Laurie: When I was 15 or so, that's when I found out about the prison system using pink rooms to calm aggressive prisoners. After I read that, I knew I had to have a pink room to chill out from the stresses I felt!

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Up above I meant …

The speed of COLOR varies, depending on the color, shade and tone. 

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Thanks for the correction. I've edited it in to your post above, Laurie.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Many thanks, Meenakshi.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Wow! for J~E~S~S to give her color(s)–how exciting! Attached is a pic from a link to one of my favorite artists Jen Stark with paper sculptures to help on this game.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jenny - “mean girl” just flew past like her pants were on fire!  I tried to net her like you said, but she was too fast; like greased lightning!

Kathy - I was not aware of Jen Stark until your post.  I will pursue - thank you!

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Kathy, I really enjoyed looking through Jen Stark's portfolio. Thanks for that link.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jessica, I've just read from the beginning of this down to here and what a read it has been.  I've thought of so many things I might post, but now that I've read all the way down to here I can't remember all of them.  :) 

What I think you might like, because your father is a spec………, you know.  is this Book by Victoria Finlay, back in 2007 I posted the whole preface to the book here on my first blog of that year.  I really like how she talks about energy and matter “doing” color instead of “being” a certain color.  It's interesting to me, instead of thinking about who I am, to think about who I am being at this moment.  Rather than being “Dawn”, could I be matter and energy doing, “Dawn”?  To me it seems to open up a lot of possibilities……  

I love your contributions here on Gaia and out in the world and I love this idea about featuring members.  It's fun to kind of get to know more about each other, beyond the profile. 

So, my question for you, is….. 
Have you ever thought of making those gutters end up in a cistern that can then provide water to the households and then having a greywater system that supplies water to planters inside and or outside the houses and then gets reused to flush the toilets before it gets processed as sewage?  It seems like a natural connection to me.  You could educate all sorts of folks about the potential of having water from the sky, even if the big city wide systems fail.  


I like sharing ideas more than promoting products and I'm not picky about where the ideas came from as long as they are good ideas.  :-) 

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Hey Dawn - so glad you joined us!  I always enjoy reading what you have to say [even when it's butter popcorn and mint induced] … 

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Hi Dawn! I noticed you had joined this networking group just 30 min. before you posted. I'm glad you joined to say what you said. I read the first half of that preface on color and laughed out loud for this part, when the author reveals her heart skipped a beat after reading a book about the origin of paint:

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Hi Jessica,  it's lovely to see you being featured here. So you got your book published!  Congratulations.  I'm sure others will enjoy reading it so much and it contains much valuable information for utilizing food to banish depression naturally.  Many people will be happy to realize that what we eat contributes so closely to our mood and health.

OK, here's a question for you.  :)   What are some of your favorite things to do outdoors? 

Wishing you a very happy Solstice as I'm sitting here with you all with some green tea.  Love, Kathy

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Hi Centria! Nice to see you here, too!
About my book, well, no, I didn't really get it published. There is no print version. What I did was have it professionally edited by an editor, reviewed by my chiropractor, and then I turned it into a .pdf. I offer it in digital format only. There was no publisher involved.

It is meant to be a reference manual. There are no case stories or fiction in it. I give a general description of depression, then I offer a list of the 24 vitamins, minerals, and nutrients our bodies need to keep depression at bay, along with a short list of which foods these nutrients are found in. Then there are some short teaching chapters about why DHA and amino acids are good for the brain, along with some other suggestions for how come some people end up depressed for unknown reasons.

I thank you and hope this comes true: Many people will be happy to realize that what we eat contributes so closely to our mood and health.

What are some of your favorite things to do outdoors? 
I'm so busy these days it seems that I only go outdoors to walk to the car to go somewhere else. Back in the days when I was a teenager, I used to hike in the Shenendoah mountains, and I even tried hiking a part of that trail that goes from Maine to Florida. I hiked along in Maine, NH, VT, VA, but hitchhiked with my partner part of the way, too.

Today when I go outside to actually enjoy outside, I lay down on my front yard patch of grass and look at the wind moving the tree. I also take my sons to the playground and get on a swingset.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Thanks for the cake picture and the tea. 
What an interesting group!

I wrote my bit last night and went to bed and this morning there is a whole lot more here, fascinating stuff. Laurie, love your comments on colour. (here its spelt with a u but means the same thing) You must be very intuitive if you saw my mean girl when she just flew past like her pants were on fire! She would, she has ADHD, poor little thing. Thanks for trying to net her.


My bedroom is cream and purple. I like purple more as I get older. I also like green and my daughters room has a lovely green wall that makes me feel very relaxed. Funnily enough I feel good wearing red and black or rusty orange or navy blue. Colour really impacts on me. When I was pregnant (I have 5 children) some colours actually made me be sick, like some yellows.


Jess I had a look at your JAD site and saw the drawings and paintings. Lovely work. Now I'll have to see your book. 


Dawn, when I get a chance I'll look at your blogs. This is such a good way to meet great people isnt it.


Terrill and Jess Thankyou for suggestions on catching my inner mean girl, I'll get onto that. I know she is trying to protect me. Maybe together we can do my conference and have a bit of fun. She has a lot of energy.


Enjoying being here but have to go to work now.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jenny - here's a little bit about why you might be drawn to the colors that you mentioned (that I haven't already shared in detail):

The GREEN in your daughter's bedroom.  Perhaps you are drawn to it because it is associated with balance, love and peace.  When you need a boost in the areas of love and self-acceptance, indulge yourself with the color green.  The frequency of this color is aligned with the heart chakra; the middle chakra in a system of seven. 

Green encourages us to love ourselves just as we are.  Love–the most powerful energy of all–helps us to heal emotional wounds through unconditional acceptance and understanding.  It is here–the place of the heart–where we become a balanced and peaceful being.

The most neutral color in the spectrum, pure green is strongly associated with nature.  Muted greens are calm, restful and soothing; while the shaded variants project trust and order, encouraging contemplation, serenity and repose.

The energy of green is soothing and mentally and physically relaxing.  It helps to alleviate depression, nervousness and anxiety, and it offers a sense of renewal, self-control and harmony.  Green reminds us to listen with our hearts and to fulfill our heart’s desire.  Archangel Raphael–Heaven’s Physician–is associated with the color green.  It’s no wonder that the frequency of green is often used in healing circles.

RED (similar to black in frequency) is associated with vitality, energy and courage.  When you need a boost in the areas of survival and self-preservation, indulge yourself with the color red.  The frequency of this color refreshes crucial earth energy by stirring the base chakra.

Pure red is a statement color and highly individual – dramatic, vibrant and stimulating.  By contrast, the muted and shaded tones of red are soft, cozy, personal and intimate.

The energy of red stimulates brain activity, increases heart rate, respiration and blood pressure.  It enhances physical energy and stamina.  Like the deep root system of a healthy tree, red reinforces our foundation and provides stability.  When our energy has drastic fluctuations or we feel worn out and indifferent, the frequency of red helps to ground and center our energy so that we can realize our goals.

ORANGE (all shades) is associated with happiness, independence and confidence.  When you need a boost in the areas of pleasure and self-gratification, indulge yourself with the color orange.  The frequency of this color relates to the sacral chakra where we take in what we truly need from life and let go of what no longer serves us.

Combining the drama of red with the cheerfulness of yellow, pure orange is luminous, bright, glowing and bold.  The muted and shaded tones offer a bright but subtle glow which is restful, earthy, natural and soothing.

The energy of orange invigorates; it stimulates the appetite and digestive system, removes inhibitions and fosters sociability.  It helps us to assimilate new things and to unclog emotional energy that can get trapped in the lower abdomen.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jessica, with all this talk of color and paint and so on, I still remember that when i first met you online, you were ThePixellator. Very intriguing name! I love the way each of us morphs into different aspects as we stay on Gaia.

Question- could I induce you to play a game on another thread - & we can then get to know you even more, as you are on Gaia? Where d'you play, think, share on Gaia?

And IF you feel you'd like to: Celebrating Birthdays - Gaia Calendar.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

I have been reading through these posts with such pleasure-
good on you Jess -you sure are an inspiration!
I shall see if we can connect on twitter ;)

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Okay! I thought hard about it and now have posted my where do you play response!
I want to highlight this one item from my response here: 

Where on Gaia do you go for solace or support?  Actually, in the past I've called upon Ms. Centria for solace and support! I want to emphatically thank you, Centria, for our several telephone chats and for your support! Also, my tight knit moderator's group at The Power of Light pod are a blessing of a support system, and I'm proud and beaming to have all of you in my life! (I know you're reading!) Thank you!

Gaia/Zaadz has been a beacon of light in my life. I can get lonely sometimes, even though I'm raising a family of three stepchildren and two children. Moms, you know how it goes?…sometimes I go for months without talking to another adult for support. Gaia is there for me if I only reach out. I know that behind the avatars and icons and playful nicknames there are real people waiting to support each other.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Well, Ms. Jessica, I truly have enjoyed our phone conversations as well!  Although we haven't talked in awhile now, have we?  I love your honesty and sense of exploration, and the way you have created your beautiful blog (and in the early days didn't even care who was reading or who wasn't…you wrote because it was your passion and joy…that is so cool.) 

So glad that Gaia/Zaadz has been a beacon of light in your life. (I first typed beacon of life in your light, hmmm…)   I think a lot of us can say that. 

How true about needing to reach out.  It's funny how you can go silent sometimes here and then it becomes very quiet and then suddenly you realize…ooops….time to reach out again! 

Blessings, Kathy

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

I am smiling deeply and putting more water on to boil AND I have now brought out my biggest teapot (and put my little one away for today).

Jessica, when you (and whoever else comes by) have come back from following the link Meenakshi provided and putting your name on the birthday list…

Building on what you have already shared about liking on Gaia could you tell us what features of Gaia you have used: blogs, pods, e-mail, grapevine, bookmarks, quotes, etc. What has been your experiences with each? Is there any of these you would you like to know more about? Or you would like to highlight of the rest of us to know about? (I know this is a handful of questions so feel free to pick and choose)

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Terrill:
I'd love to share tea from your biggest teapot, thank you. I made a huge salad for dinner with red leaf lettuce, tomato, green pepper, sliced almonds, and tomato. I put peppercorn ranch on it tonight, but last month I used Ginger dressing on salads, soooo good. I uploaded a photo of some bread I baked two weeks ago. Everybody can share salad, bread, and tea. That's my idea of a good time! :)

what features of Gaia you have used: blogs, pods, e-mail, grapevine, bookmarks, quotes, etc. What has been your experiences with each?
I've been a Gaia blogger since 2006. I've joined pods/groups and emailed friends back and forth. I like grapevines to say a quick hello to my friends, and every month I use the quotes feature to search for something inspiring to put on my desktop wallpapers.

In case any reader doesn't know, on my web site liveonpurpose.info, I offer inspiring desktop wallpapers free of charge in five to seven screen resolutions. People who sign up for the monthly newsletter have access to the newest wallpaper for that month. It usually takes me about three evenings to design and build the wallpaper in so many screen resolutions. I usually start with a photo, either stock photography or something I took myself, and search for an inspiring quote that fits it. But one month I did a vector wallpaper with a silouhuette of me meditating and vector butterflies flitting about the page.

When I was researching for Sad for No Reason, I submitted several quotes to Gaia about health and wellness from books I was using for research.

I upload photos but I don't use the album feature. Do you know what was the most fun for me when Zaadz started, but I don't use anymore because it's moved? The Friends' blogs feature. I love it! It conglomerates all the newest posts from my Gaia friends all in one page, so I don't have to go remember a person and search out their blog. Gee, I should use that every day…well, perhaps once a week is more reasonable.

Is there any of these you would you like to know more about?
bookmarks, please. Perhaps how to use albums. I've never explored the new “greetings” feature in the photos, either.

I don't use the bookshelf because my days of voracious book reading are over. Before I had children, I used to read so many books I couldn't remember which quote came from which book. Back then I would have looooooved library thing. You can put in your own summary of the book and the date you read it for future reference. But, alas, the internet wasn't invented yet. Sure, I read, but I just don't have the “ganas” desire to list the books anymore.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jessica -

You simply must gift yourself with using the 'greeting card' feature.  You can use one of the pre-done ones that Gaia offers.  Or, use your own photos - that's what I do, and I love it!

I am currently taking seven women through the one-on-one Life Harmony program. I touch base with each of them mid-week with one of the greeting cards.  I personalize each card with information that is specific to them.  I love sending them.  They love receiving them!

It's fast!  It's fun!  It's easy!

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Oh. Laurie, how valuable that program sounds! Look everyone:
An 8-month  discipline devoted to exploring what is in each suitcase that you have acquired along life’s journey; acknowledging it and the life lesson that it taught you; then moving forward lighter and freer – no baggage in tow. 

Can you imagine having no emotional baggage as you go through your journey? Can you imagine how free you would feel? I, for one, have picked up some baggage along my journey. I found out how heavy it is during The Big Chat! Ladies, and gentlemen, the most worthy work you do is the work on yourself. Honestly, working on lightening your load and learning to communicate freely can change your lives. There are so many different modalities of healing to choose from, it's just a matter of picking the one that resonates with you.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Thanks for the tea, salad and that beautiful looking bread.

I'm already eating it. I like to squeeze a whole lemon on a salad. It gives it a really fresh zing.

I havent figured out how to use those greeting cards yet either. 
That colour info is lovely, thank you Laurie. 

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

From all of the wonderful new data about color from Laurie & Dawn I looked at all of the beauty in a new light surrounding me today.  Wow! Even my garden took on another layer of beauty.  I look forward to getting the book.  What is a good color to wear while at the computer?

Jessica I listened to one of the podcasts & it was great to get to hear your voice. We all get to just write and write and write… so this brought in a new dimension. What “Sad” means in the title is very profound.  I have to remember to eat more breakfast!!! So important!  I listened to The Big Chat …so simple yet brings in life changing concepts & a new awareness.  I can see how one consistently is making such a big difference by being true to goals and on a purpose. 

It's important to validate the good things & the truth, as whatever we put our attention on will exist.  

My appreciation for others has increased from the knowledge gained following through with the suggestions here from all of you making others feel better even just a simple smile :)  –  my take.  Anyone can download this e-book you have authored today. 

You are all amazing – I look forward to more & welcome any newcomers that would like to add a comment or question.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Kathy(~KES) -

You asked, “What is a good color to wear while at the computer?”  Most of us in this group use the computer to make use of our gifts, skills and talents in order to enrich not only our own life, but the lives of those in our sphere of influence.  As such, we need to have clarity.  We need to be clear, concise and articulate.  All four walls in my home office are painted a soft yellow.  Here's why …

YELLOW is associated with awareness, wisdom and clarity.  When you need a boost in the area of personal power and self-definition, indulge yourself with the color yellow.  The frequency of this color resonates with the solar plexus chakra; the wellspring of our power and the hub—the very heartbeat—of our body’s electrical system.

Closest to sunlight, pure yellow conveys hospitality and promotes deep feelings of wellbeing.  The muted hues make quiet backgrounds for busy lives, while the shaded yellows have a soft, glowing presence which speaks of home, harvest and abundance.

The energy of yellow promotes vigor, relieves depression, and improves memory, increases awareness, perception and understanding.  It also stimulates the appetite.  Yellow energy brings about increased feelings of wellbeing, motivation, positive thinking and the expression of inner joy.

Ladies - I will be out-and-about most of the day.  I have been asked to submit my full manuscript to a publisher, so I've got to get that ready and out the door.  Now before anyone gets too excited … upon receipt, they have up to three (yes count them, three)  months in which to respond.  What does that mean?  It means that I will be sitting on the proverbial 'hot seat' for the next bit of time.  Unfortunately, patience is not my strong suit.

And then I have a date with my husband.  He's taking me to the movies to see “The Proposal.”  I look forward to catching myself up on this lovely tea party and extended visit this evening.

Listen with your heart,

- Laurie

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jessica, 

Thank you for living on purpose, I have not even gotten half way down this page yet I wished to pop on here and say thank for sharing your light here and else where…
Terrill, Kes, all you folks who found and shared Jess with us… Thank you! I will return to read and vibrate in the light energy that has been bought to these post!

I am Love, Jeff

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jeff -

I'm just heading out the door, but I wanted to say, welcome to the party - it's so nice to meet you.  The energy here is amazing.  I'm glad you'll be back to “vibrate in the light energy …”

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jenny, ~Kes, Jeff and Laurie so wonderful to drop in at 6:43 am PDT on Monday morning and find the fire lit and the vibration already (still) humming on our feature of Jessica.

Today I am wondering if we might go deeper into how we experience Gaia and how it contributes to our networking and quality of life. I believe that this wonderful amazing energy we are experiencing in our conversations here is created purposefully through our intentions, beliefs, attitudes and practices. I would like to tap into this aspect bit and bring it up close for our examination and appreciation.

Jessica you are a perfect person to take us down this path because of your long-time membership and participation in the Zaadz-now-Gaia community.

Here are a few questions for you to continue to take us down this discussion path…

What's the biggest benefit you have received from the Gaia community?

How do you believe the community can/does contribute more towards your ideal world?

What do you see as the future of the community? What do you see the community doing one year from now? Five years from now?

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Dear Jessica!  High Five in your work to live on purpose!  I am too full of Aha's to think of much to say!

Dear Laurie
Enjoyed the posts, my fave colors are all the Rainbows colors, I came to study the Tree of Life, because of my back ground in Hairstyling and the color wheel in Color work!!!  But my faves are the peacock colors, blue green and gold this year.
Dear Terill thanks for sending out this link, wonderfull!!

I am still having browser issues, and other technical difficulties that ~Matthew and ~Kes and Meenakshi have been working vigilantly to help me rise above, lol!
Keep up all the hard work everyone!
light
mye-

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Laurie ~ Thank you for giving me the color data!  It's bliss to me and quite helpful. It really indicates. Have fun create time!

Jeff ~  We have a light on for you & will save a space for you too.
mye~  Hang in there precious one.  Just ask Jessica… she has been with us since this site used to grow dandelions for a logo and will verify that building this community is so worth it!  Just do a little bit each day…

Terrill ~ I so look forward now to diving to the next layer and finding out even more about paths to take with Jessica.  You are an amazingly fun host / lead mod here!

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Hello Mye - I'm Laurie, and it's so nice to meet you. 

Based on your statement, “… my faves are the peacock colors, blue green and gold …”   I interpreted blue/green as Turquoise (the generally accepted outcome when the colors blue and green are mixed).  As such, here is some information that you may find interesting:

TURQUOISE is bridging color.  It is about making contact with your authentic self and communicating from the heart.   It enhances creative communication and is great for students of any age because it aids in studying, learning, and storing information for easy retrieval at a later date.  It helps a person to love unconditionally (unconditional love is when we love inspite of; not because of).  The frequency of the color turquoise promotes self-respect, respect for all life and taking personal responsibility for choices and consequences.  Turquoise boosts the immune system!  This color resonates with the thymus gland which is responsible for producing 'T' cells - the proverbial 'teeth' of the immune system.  The stone Turquoise is used by people of many different spiritual traditions in the form on an amulet (pendant) for the purpose of spiritual protection.  It represents both Father Sky and Mother Earth.

GOLD is a color that resonates with the the ancient wisdom lying deep within the soul.  The frequency is about change; it is alchemical (a process by which a base metal is changed into gold), so it resonates with the person who is in the process of transformation and/or a person who is on a spiritual quest/journey.  In many cases, the person who is inexplicably drawn to the color gold is subconsciously enhancing a 'knowing' - a knowledge that far surpasses intellect.  A person who is “illumined.”

Listen with your heart,

- Laurie

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Such wonderful replies overnight! I am going to postpone my answers until after today's business day, but in the meantime, here is another image. I was in the middle of the workshop/conference Big Chat when I went for a walk and found this car parked near the hotel. The entire workshop was done from the spirit of loving kindness, so this “Love one another” sign was an echo to that.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Thank you for leaving us with the “Love one another” image Jessica. I look forward to continuing our conversation this evening. (If others want to join in and post between now and then we will pick up the threads of conversation as we go)

Have a wonderful day! Terrill

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Wow. I started reading this thread in the middle of my breakfast, which was many minutes ago. I tried to leave half a dozen times, but the energy momentum was so great! I kept saying “I'll just read the next post and then I'll go back to breakfast.” Good thing I don't mind room-temperature food, hahaha!!!

I resonate with soooooo much here. This is an awesome conversation, so informational, uplifting, and inspiring !!!

Let me say a few random things:

Aha!! So J~E~S~S is The Pixiellator!! I always did like stuff she said, haha. No wonder !!!!!

Jessica, I am a perfectionist, too. Are you an Enneagram One type of perfectionist, or an amateur? (rueful laughter bordering on dissolving completely!) 

All that's been said about the “mean little girl” is spot on !!!!

Laurie, I wonder about color. Is colored light different from color in objects? I heard that yellow light is irritating to the nervous system, and certainly the orange from tungsten filament light bulbs is quite obnoxious, perhaps as much intellectually to me as physiological, because full-spectrum bulbs are so much better for the body, and have become so available. (Of course, not everything with that label truly IS.) I'm sure Jessica mentions the light-depression connection in her book.

Jessica, the way you've gotten your book out is wonderfully simple and inspiring! Since I am writing two books, I am considering many options for getting them out there. 

I too do energy “healing” and my treatment room is pink light through and through. Pink decor, pink light, nothing dark to catch the eye. I chose it, or it chose me, I thought because it is the color of friendship, a heart color (along with green and gold, so it's said) but perhaps it IS having a calming effect, too.

Anyone who wants to know about the psychological meaning of color preferences would probably be ecstatic to find the Luscher Color Test. (That's a u with an umlaut, I can't type it in.) Here is a link to a search results page I did for Luscher Color Test online: http://tinyurl.com/lblrgq [Open in new window]
It's been around for decades and has been validated over and over and over. I don't think it talks about physiological effects, but it is awesomely accurate at describing what the psychology of a person is like depending on their color preferences made in the test. It's a combo deal, not individual colors — I think.

Oh, I should mention a lot of the self-work that's been described here is also dealt with in Wayne Dyer's latest book Excuses Begone! I am in a spiritual bookclub that is reading it, and of course it's similar to his other books, but not nearly as superficial as I feared. And I have gotten some “zings” from it that are helpful to me in letting go of what the “inner mean little girl” says, those are what he calls “excuses.”

Oh, Jessica, you wanted to know “how to” about Gaia Bookmarks. I needed, researched, and wrote the For Dummies on Gaia Bookmarks.
I totally agree about “just being” as contributing to the world and to this community. My favorite spiritual teachers used to say “Your presence is enough,” when we got all bothered about what to DO to save the world! We didn't believe them, of course, back then, but I do now !!! Of course, it's enough, but other things add to the fun of being here!!!!! LOL !!!!

Synchronicities, like what got you to that conference, Jessica, are one of my favorite subjects. I experience a lot, and notice them, even the tiniest ones, and am awed and grateful. Perhaps that's why I keep getting more. Loved your story!
Well, that's enough for one post. What an absolutely smooth and bright and sparkly conversation this is. “I'm loving it.”

Blessings, OM Bastet

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

OM! Great to see you here! Yes, I changed my nickname sometime last year. I started on Zaadz as thepixellator and I heard loveit or hateit responses from people! Since I got started on the web as a graphic designer, I was pushing pixels around all day because the managers said, “can you make that oscillascope bigger/smaller? Can you add a person behind it? Can you round the corners of that border?” Hint, back in 1999 the biggest client that company had was Agilent. I'm no longer there, though. So, thepixellator stuck. I actually made up the name for our fooseball competitions. “Jessica The Pixellator Alvarez” I thought it was funny and kept it.

Actually, I did not mention seasonal affective disorder in Sad for No Reason! Since the book focuses on dietary means to ease depression, the seasonal variety didn't fit in the scope of the book. Sunlight or special lamps help with that disorder, and there is nothing dietary about that. Funny enough, the acronym for it is SAD.

I love your enthusiasm for all the topics mentioned so far, and it's great to have you stop in for some tea.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

OM you asked if I was a type 1 enneagram perfectionist. I'd never studied the enneagram, so I looked through the site. I don't feel like buying the test to find out, so here's the quick review of the types:

These one-word descriptors can be expanded into four-word sets of traits. Keep in mind that these are merely highlights and do not represent the full spectrum of each type.

Type One is principled, purposeful, self-controlled, and perfectionistic.

Type Two is demonstrative, generous, people-pleasing, and possessive.

Type Three is adaptive, excelling, driven, and image-conscious.

Type Four is expressive, dramatic, self-absorbed, and temperamental.

Type Five is perceptive, innovative, secretive, and isolated.

Type Six is engaging, responsible, anxious, and suspicious.

Type Seven is spontaneous, versatile, distractible, and scattered.

Type Eight is self-confident, decisive, willful, and confrontational.

Type Nine is receptive, reassuring, agreeable, and complacent.

I could be 1, 4, or 5, just from these quick descriptions.
I'm probably simply an amateur perfectionist. A big trait of the perfectionist is procrastination, and quite possibly a messy house. The reasoning behind this is that “if I can't do it right when I decide to do it, I shouldn't do it at all.” This is why my house is a mess. I can live with the mess because I can't live with doing something the wrong way! Okay, perhaps I'm full-on perfectionist. But, heck, I try new things, I take care of stuff without procrastinating too much (just a little), and I can go with the flow. I think that because I stay flexible in my thinking, it keeps me from developing into a bigger perfectionist. And I do take indications from my dreams; sometimes I have a nighttime dream where I'm not flexible like I was when I was a ballerina. When translated to waking life, that's my indicator that my thinking is getting rigid or stiff and I need to lighten up.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Well, after sleeping on it, I see that Laurie had mentioned that D3 helps with seasonal affective disorder, therefore I was completely wrong in assuming it was out of scope for my book. Here is what my book says about vitamin D:

Common deficiency in the elderly. Those with lowest levels of vitamin D are 11 times more likely to be depressed than those with normal levels. This deficiency is associated with more than 30 diseases. That's how important vitamin D is to your health. Deficiency symptoms include: burning sensation in mouth, diarrhea, insomnia, myopia, nervousness, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, rickets, and sweating.

Largest amounts found in: fish liver oils, fatty saltwater fish like salmon, tuna, sardines, and halibut, dairy products, eggs, butter, dandelion greens, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and vegetable oils. Your body can make vitamin D from exposure to 15 minutes of sunlight without sunscreen three times a week.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Hi Jess, hi all you busy posters,

Amazed I am, reading through the thread. Jess, you know a while ago I called you 'The Sun of Gaia”. You're a heavyweight lightcarrier, so to speak. You often talk about the inner mean girl or inner self. With you being so evolved in lightwork and awareness, does it ever change the fact that you must take effort in not losing contact with that inner self? Or does it come to a certain point where the contact with the inner self is a continuously flowing awareness.

By the way, the “Love one another” car is a nice idea for a sign to always put behind the windscreen when parking your car. One sign for each day of the week perhaps :-)

Sparks,
Nino.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Nino -

I love this! “The Sun of Gaia”. You're a heavyweight lightcarrier, so to speak.”

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Hello Nino / Nion! Yes, I blushed the day you called me the sun of Gaia. Thank you. Perhaps that should be the next wallpaper…how about a sun with the inspirational phrase “love one another” Oh, that's it! And it's time of the month to start the artwork. I think I feel a vector wallpaper coming on…The newsletter is supposed to go out before the last day of the month.

I'm such a procrastinator that I'd rather hold myself to a promise of delivery by the last of the month than the first week of the month.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

OM - you said, “Laurie, I wonder about color. Is colored light different from color in objects? I heard that yellow light is irritating to the nervous system, and certainly the orange from tungsten filament light bulbs is quite obnoxious, perhaps as much intellectually to me as physiological, because full-spectrum bulbs are so much better for the body, and have become so available.”

Colored light is, indeed, different from the color in objects.  Why?  Because colored lights have the presence of an electrical frequency (as in wattage).  You are correct in that true full-spectrum bulbs are better for body.  They are more expensive, but well worth the investment.

Perhaps JESSICA will speak to the light-depression connection during this tea party.  SAD (Season Affective Disorder) is very real for many people.  Due to my geographic location (Illinois - where we have winter a tremendous portion of the year) we take Vitamin D3 to help prevent that.

I look forward to hearing more from you Om Bastet.

Listen with your heart,

- Laurie

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Laurie, although I didn't mention seasonal affective disorder in Sad For No Reason, that doesn't mean I don't think it's a serious disease. I wasn't trying to downplay the prevalence of that disease. During research, however, I didn't spend enough time reading about it. I know that it stems from a vitamin D deficiency because of long winters and little sunshine available. Up above in the thread I added the snippet from my book about vitamin D. People make their own vitamin D through unfiltered sunlight, so a very common treatment is to sit in front of a special lamp that helps your body manufacture vitamin D.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jessica, thank you so much for letting us know your birthday- Happy Birthday, belatedly!

Would you like to tell us now, How I Like To Celebrate My Birthday On & Off Line
or come back next April and let us know?

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

You're welcome, Meenakshi. I'll talk about celebrations next year. I'm pretty low-key about that, since I'll be turning 29 again.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Giggling… Coming back to our feature is like sitting listening to all those side bar conversations when you are in a room full of people. You know the ones - where we start talking just a little louder to be heard because people are so enthused and there is a buzz happening? So nice! When our woman of honour (Canadian “honour” always has a “u” eh!?) drops in she will have plenty of ideas to engage with.

Now I am off to get some supper. Will check back in later.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

I'm off to bed all.  I'm up very early and will catch up then.  Tomorrow is a client day so I will be hit-and-miss until I return home.  Night all …

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

And I feel like I'm like a 'will you won't you will you won't you”..metronome!!

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Oh, this was a very long day for me! It's 9:30 and I finally returned home about 9pm. I did go to the gym today because I've missed so much exercise during traveling. I did some work for the gutter business, then for the publisher business, then for another client for whom I'm doing a site redesign, then returned library books, went to chiropractor, then to the gym, then another errand. Wow, it was a full day and returning to a packed and energized house for this teaparty is invigorating. Thanks to everyone for stopping by today!

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

This is the beauty of an online tea party… I am prepared to allow any “night owls” (as my mother called anyone who was up past 10:00 pm) keep the coals hot until morning. See you all in then. (I will drop in one more time after we finish our movie… just to say quick hello to anyone who has stopped by)

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Terrill, you asked:
What's the biggest benefit you have received from the Gaia community?
The biggest benefit I've felt is friendship. In my day-to-day life I rarely have an opportunity to speak to my acquaintances in the manner I do here. At Gaia, I reveal my true self in a way I cannot do otherwise. Writing is how I connect with myself. If I don't have a journal nearby, I have to write on the backs of envelopes. So, the people who are attracted to me here at Gaia are the ones I know I could sit and talk with for hours, though I haven't had the chance to do that yet face to face with anyone due to distance.

How do you believe the community can/does contribute more towards your ideal world?
The gears are turning! I love the internet. This particular internet community is currently contributing to the world by allowing people from any location to really converse about the things that matter to them; thereby allowing them to gravitate in organic circles to their soul groups. Michelle Casto, who I met on Twitter, and then later found out she's been here at Gaia a while, too, as Bright Michelle, calls them “soul tribes.” It feels so fulfilling to meet your soul friends, doesn't it? And when we have that peace inside, that's how we change the world towards our ideal world. Peace begins within.

What do you see as the future of the community? What do you see the community doing one year from now? Five years from now?
I believe that the Gaia takeover of Zaadz was performed with the best of intentions and carried out as smoothly as possible, though some folks felt turbulence. I think the advertising is solid and the security of my free version of Gaia is in place. So my best vision for the future of Gaia is that it still continues to be a free resource and nesting place for so many of us who otherwise wouldn't have the chance to meet such high quality friends. I know for sure that the infrastructure is solid, the GUI is intuitive, and the management is sane! Many blessings to the Gaia team who meticulously maintain the site and respond to community requests for change. Sending intention to maintain this equilibrium into the next five years.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jess, 

I resonate with your responses to Terrill's questions… I have not found a community, internet or otherwise, until Gaia that has offered the contact to people, places, ideas, connections that Gaia has to offer…
Yes I have defected some to Facebook, yet facebook is more surface social, and of me local… 
I have met some wondrous beings who have guided me to deeper aspects of myself and my journey, I met also beings that more importantly the journey itself, the ups and downs, the darkness, the light… 

As I wrote here a few days ago my ability to interact more often, follow the message trail has been my lack of computer understanding of linking one blog, to another or a message… yet that will come with time… 

Thank you again for your insightfulness, I am still playing catch up with this board, getting to read your book and other things about you… 

I am Love, Jeff

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jeff:
Your signature line says it all. “I am Love.”  It's an affirmation of love and light in the traditional “agape” sense of the word.

I agree that among all the social networks I've joined, including countless Ning sites and Facebook, and the new community called BraveHeart Women, I love Gaia best of all. Gaia's combination of great user interface and great souls behind the avatars are what keeps me here.

I'm happy to know you, and thanks for reading along with us all this week.
Agape, Jessica

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Good morning everyone! I have a question for anyone. If you had an online business and a Twitter account, would you pay to have me design a Twitter background? Elese Coit, my friend from Twitter and The Big Chat suggested she'd be willing to pay for a Twitter background, and that I might be great at doing that.

You see, I need a quick way to earn some money and try to monetize my liveonpurpose web site. Currently, I call that site my labor of love.

So, I can gather some borders for a framed photo in the left corner, I can arrange some pre-set color schemes and background patterns, and I can insert the business info on the left side of the image. Would this be worth $50? $75? to business owners? There are already several companies that cater to designing Twitter backgrounds.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jessica I am amazed that you powered through all the days inquiries and questions - plus added one of your own! It is such a great question and timely. I am thinking that it might be an idea to have you ask this question on your blog and then we can direct people to just this question from other parts of Gaia and Twitter - as well as having a link to it here. This would also give you a handy all-in-one record to easily follow up with people.

(I don't no if you have notice but there are over 80 posts on this thread and a month from now it won't be easy to find all your valuable answers:)

I am ready to call it a day but thought I would come by and turn the lights down low until the first person comes by at dawn to put the kettle on.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jessica - please let me know when you place the Twitter question on your blog and I'll answer it there.  Terrill's correct in that you'll want to gather all of those answers in one backet so you can refer to them again … readily.  

It's a client day for me so I will be off line most of the day.  Perhaps having the opportunity to pop in once or twice throughout the day.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Morning Jessica, I was all excited to be able to comment on your twitter background idea this morning and was sure you would have a link up - just goes to show what an impression you have made on me with your ability to be nimble and quick with your responses during our feature:) Looking forward to it when you get the chance to post…

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

lol, Terrill, I was writing the blog post when you were asking about it. It's up live now:
http://liveonpurpose.info/blog/2009/06/should-i-become-a-twitter-background-designer/

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Whoooo hooo! I will be right over!

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

I found your LiveOnPurpose on Twitter  & it took me to your Blog so I could give an answer.  Now I am following from my Twitter.  I am still uncertain of what to do on Twitter & suggest letting others know of its benefits & I will follow more on what to do there.  Thanks!

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Hi Jess! It's great to see you being highlighted.

We resonated quite strongly in the Power of Light sometime back and I've always been pleased to have you in my circle.

I'll do my best to take some time to read up on your responses soon and to join in where I'm able to.

Thank you for sharing your inspired world with all of us!

Sincere blessings to you.

Love, Sherrilene

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Thank you so much, Sherrilene. I certainly have enjoyed reading of your travels through the years. Enjoy the COLOURful conversation, sipping the tea of your choice. (There are green tea, red rooibos tea, black tea, yellow chamomile tea…)

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

I am pondering the depth of connection that you and others have expressed Jessica. I know that when Sherrilene, Mila and I did meet face-to-face our experience here on Gaia translated into reality in when we met. Take for example your comments:

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Terrill you asked:
Jessica could you maybe tell us how being on Gaia has changed your off-line life?

I have attended two Gaia/Zaadz parties and so was able to be introduced to people I otherwise would not have met. Through Gaia, I've gained a handful of friends who I can call on the phone if I want to. Because I have a place to post my thoughtful stories, I look at life through the lens of my Gaia blog. “would this insight make a good story? Should I reveal this part of my thinking pattern? Could I help someone unknown to me who is struggling in her life with this very problem?”

And conversely, how your life offline impacts your presence on Gaia?
Conversely, when I'm extremely busy with tasks and chores and commitments in my offline life, I don't visit Gaia as often. My workload determines my ablity to be here.

And speaking of workload…it's time to go to work, right here in my family room with the children upstairs.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

“And speaking of workload…it's time to go to work, right here in my family room with the children upstairs.”

This comment brings to mind another question. One of my recollections is that you have been an entrepreneur (in more than one business) for just over a year now. I know that in the six years I have had my own business, I have been more conscious of creating supportive collegial networks than when I was working for an organization.

Jessica do you have any advice or pitfalls to avoid in an on-line community where you are representing yourself and also your business?

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jessica do you have any advice or pitfalls to avoid in an on-line community where you are representing yourself and also your business?

I've seen news reports about people who get fired from a job based on their Facebook or MySpace activity. So, advice to people with several “hats” online is don't say anything online in any social media circles that you wouldn't say to a boss or client.

On my wall above my computer hangs a headline I clipped from the Denver Post: In the Internet age of Facebook and MySpace, privacy and common sense have become outdated concepts…Welcome to life in the fishbowl.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

I have thought of another bit of advice. I have some training in SEO. That's search engine optimization. Everyone who posts on message boards, groups, PHPBB threads and the like should understand that search engines latch on to new posts the way pea plants and vines wrap around whatever is next to them with tendrils. Our words will be stored in the search engine's memory banks, able to be pulled up on a search of keywords even a decade later. So, if someone wanted to profile me two years from now and they searched my name or any of my usernames, they'd find this very conversation.

That's exactly why I advise not to say things in any online environment that you wouldn't say to your boss or clients.

Search engines send out “spiders” or “bots” the way the pea plants send out tendrils to look for something to grab onto. Very often, Google will have a record of that day's posting activity within hours of it being posted.

If you want to know how soon things are being spidered, get a Google WebAlert.
http://www.google.com/alerts
This little robot hand-delivers it's search activity to you for the keyword of your choice. It emails you when it finds info on your keywords. That's kind of fun to play with.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jessica, when you're back, would you leave some footprints on these threads? It's a tradition for us to have our FMs travel around some of the threads that we point new members to:

`What would you advise someone who's joining Gaia today? New members often ask what they should do. Would you post your answer on Advice from Featured Members please?

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Wow, I've never been asked for so much advice in a week! I wrote my answer on that advice thread you linked to. Thanks for the opportunity to share.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Awww- thank you Jessica, for being such a good FM!  As you've been on Gaia for a while, I think that this is an aspect of your presence here that other members would benefit from knowing: related to what you've said, but in a broader way, what d'you think about
Privacy on Gaia

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Thanks for all of the advice.  It really puts it there for all of us, including the new people.  I look forward from a webmaster viewpoint of privacy and security.  

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

My take on privacy policies, a synopsis below.  the full answer is posted here.

I trust that the people I encounter are being themselves and not pretending to be someone else. The red flags to indicate that someone is not who they make themselves out to be are profiles that have no information posted on them. Empty blog pages, no photos. Strange nicknames that don't spell anything. (this is very prevalent on Twitter)

Now, it's a given that there may be a bad egg in a group this large. That bad egg may even try to interact with me online. If I ever feel threatened, which has never ever happened to ME here on Gaia in 4 years, I'd have a complete support system to turn to. The Gaia support/development team and ambassadors are extremely willing to enforce the rights of each member, especially if there is some kind of threat observed.
…
Life online is like living in a fishbowl. You can be observed from all angles! Being open but discreet is a feat that each of us learns how to do through practice and following the good advice on this thread!

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Hi Jess,
I couldn't agree more with your advice on privacy and living in a fishbowl. I've learned that to be open and discreet is a skill that comes with the intension of being open, together with the knowledge of understanding what's happening to you emotionally and what you gain from the experience. Details become obsolete when the essence of what we experience is reveiled to us. When aware of this knowledge, it's easier to write down and explain the essence, than it is to explain the facts and context, which is more of the “story-telling” kind of sharing. It's ok, but it's also less descrete because of the level of detail it contains.
Also, the essence of an experience is recognizable by others, which leads to intenser connection and resonance.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

“Life online is like living in a fishbowl.” So true - and so many amazing fish!

I know we are not wrapping up yet (we are hosting Jessica until Friday noon), however, thank you so much Jessica for your time, integrity and demonstrating what “being yourself” is all about. Also thank you to everyone else who has come for tea and practiced the principle Jessica mentioned of “being open but discreet.” As a good friend of mine often says “sometimes less is more.”

I am looking forward to tracing Jessica's foot prints. So I will bank the fire a bit. Fill the kettle and we can sit back and enjoy each others company.

If you haven't stopped by Jessica's twitter background blog post here is the link again http://liveonpurpose.info/blog/2009/06/should-i-become-a-twitter-background-designer/

See you all in the morning - and please stay as long as you like. (reading, having tea, asking Jessica a question, sharing a comment… there might even be some chocolate cake left)

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Thanks for checking out the Enneagram and sharing some of what you found out, Jessica, and seriously considering my humorous question. Or was it a humourous question?

Thanks for the response about colors of objects being different from colors of lights, Laurie. Full-spectrum bulbs have gotten cheaper over the years. I used to pay about $35 for a compact fluorescent, and now I can buy one at a discount store for $2.99. The cheaper one doesn't come with credentials, but I have carefully compared it with my eyes, to other purported f-s lights, and it looks far more authentic. 

A tidbit about vitamin D: It's the oils in the skin that make the D, so a really dry skin won't do it well, plus, 15 minutes is required, so washing your skin right after being in the sun prevents body from making and then absorbing the D. Here in Seattle, many rely on D3 supplements, we have so little sun. 

Really enjoying the many themes and participants and varying depths in this conversation!!

Blessings, OM Bastet

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jessica & Terrill, you are holding up such a rainbow of color with this interview. I thoroughly enjoyed your works and appreciate all of the other reads. I will find you on Twitter as well and just want to leave a note of congratulation on your book Jess and thank you for the feature.  Meenakshi, thanks for starting with tea… & cakes.  Kes… you make me want to go out and buy the pdf… good review.  OM… thanks for more data on color… and Synonym for Lights rave review on her blog on color.  This feature has left me with a better view.

Laurie… Thanks for the color descriptions… I am surrounded by my gardens daily so when you said: “GREEN…  Perhaps you are drawn to it because it is associated with balance, love and peace.  When you need a boost in the areas of love and self-acceptance, indulge yourself with the color green.  The frequency of this color is aligned with the heart chakra; the middle chakra in a system of seven. 

Green encourages us to love ourselves just as we are.  Love–the most powerful energy of all–helps us to heal emotional wounds through unconditional acceptance and understanding.  It is here–the place of the heart–where we become a balanced and peaceful being.

The most neutral color in the spectrum, pure green is strongly associated with nature.  Muted greens are calm, restful and soothing; while the shaded variants project trust and order, encouraging contemplation, serenity and repose.

The energy of green is soothing and mentally and physically relaxing.  It helps to alleviate depression, nervousness and anxiety, and it offers a sense of renewal, self-control and harmony.  Green reminds us to listen with our hearts and to fulfill our heart’s desire.  Archangel Raphael–Heaven’s Physician–is associated with the color green.  It’s no wonder that the frequency of green is often used in healing circles.” I thank you for this piece of wisdom! Lee

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

I, too, lived in Seattle for a time OM. I was 19 or 20 and found myself a summer job on Vashon Island as a camp counselor. At the time, my parents lived in Maryland, so I really went as far away from them as I could! :) After the summer was over, I wanted to stay so I went apartment hunting. I found a spectacular place in a group house in Seattle full of 6 supportive individuals who held house meetings and interviewed lots who would be a best fit for the room for rent. They chose me and off I went into my independant life! I stayed in Seattle a year and a half, as a barista, and I bicycled 40 min up and down hills to get to the job I found at the Sunlight Cafe.

Oh, I went on a tangent. I got pretty depressed living up there with all that rain and overcast skies. After that, I went to HI for another year and a half. I saw the same amount of rainbows, but the weather was much nicer.

I never knew the fact about washing the skin after sun exposure prevents you from making/absorbing Vitamin D.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Lee - I'm so glad you found the green color information useful.  I was going to tell you that you just have to meet my Gaia friend, Sandi.  As a Master Gardener, you two have so much in common.  When I went over to her profile page to grab her URL to cut and paste to you, I saw your smiling face amongst her Gaian friends.  I see that you two have already met.

Listen with your heart,

- Laurie

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Speaking of rain… we are getting some badly needed drops this morning. Everything green is stretching with delight. We can continue with the feature next to the wood cook stove in my courtyard…

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Oh, Terrill, can I come over? I see that teapot on top of the stove, it's the biggest one I've ever seen. Is that the one you meant earlier? This cook stove is like the miniature one I used to play with in my dollhouse when I was 7, but I didn't believe people still used them!

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Yes Jessica, please do come over. I have had this stove for 20 years and now use it when the power goes out (frequently) or just to enjoy. My mother and grandmother both used wood cook stoves as their main tool in preparing food. Actually, you may enjoy reading Mona's Work sometime.

The two stainless steal kettles are for heating water (for tea, dishes, bathing, laundry… now I mostly use them only one and it is for heating tea water). The teapot on the right on top of the stove is my second largest teapot. Because of my vision practice retreats, I have several different sizes. One is a beautiful large pottery teapot that makes about 8 cups of tea. It takes two hands to pour.

However, back to you - in all the various hats you have on, which aspect of your work would you describe as your greatest love?

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Terrill you asked: in all the various hats you have on, which aspect of your work would you describe as your greatest love?

Aw, gee, that's like asking which of my children are my greatest love. I love them all! I suppose I feel the best when I write down an inspiration for self-help blog posts for Live on Purpose. I love the topic of self growth. But I also have fun making those desktop wallpapers and designing stuff I on my own terms.

Laurie, I just loved that color information you provided for us. People are saying that this is the most colorful conversation on Gaia! How is it I don't “need” a color? (green)

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jessica your statement “I love them all” is so congruent with how I experience you.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Oh, Terrill, that is so sweet! Thank you. I like to give 100% to everything I do. Just because I like to doesn't mean I accomplish it every time, though. However, the people who know me give me feedback that I'm detail oriented, a good researcher, very dedicated, very loyal, and two people have even told me they think I'm laid back and easygoing. (Note, my husband was NOT one of those two people! LOL!)

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jessica - quite possibly you don't need a boost when it comes to the heart.  It's become evident throughout this entire tea party that you abound in the qualities and characteristics associated with that color.  Your subconscious isn't drawn to that color because it's probably thinking, “Why fix what's not broken?” … 

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

I didn't really mean to go missing from this thread on Thurs. I did see your reply Laurie, but yesterday was an extremely busy day, and I forgot to reply.

That reply is so sweet, thank you for that: you abound in the qualities and characteristics associated with green.

The way I understand you, it seems that our subconscious will help us attract the colors in our lives that counterbalance the qualities we need to strengthen.
I do visit a chiropractor and he explained the muscular system in that way, too. Because of an injury or misalignment of the spine on one side of the body, the muscles on the other side overcompensate.  Is that a valid metaphor to draw?

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

By Jove - I think she's got it!

I couldn't have said it better myself - you've hit the nail square on the head. 

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Hi Jessica!
I have noticed that we have much in common. I too am a light worker and I think we have the same approach to giving light. I am from the Siddha Yoga training which is the transference of energy to raise anothers conciousness. I had written an entry earlier this week but accidentally deleted it. Maybe I needed to change what I was saying. I love what everyone has had to say here. I can't wait to check out your book. Have you always known that you were a light worker?
Peace and Love
Craig J Klodzinski

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Thank you Craig for coming by and posting a second time (your beautiful energy is shimmering).

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Craig: That's great! I've had a little training in the Siddha Yoga tradition and have read about some of the great Siddhis in history. There was also Bhakti yoga, and asana yoga.

You asked: Have you always known that you were a light worker?
No. When I was getting training from the school of life, I had no idea what I was being trained for. I didn't know what a light worker was or even that there were flocks of them already existing in the world. Even when Meenakshi invited me to moderate the Power of Light pod, I denied that I was a lightworker, yet I was still offering buildings and people to the light and working on transmuting the energy of places so I could more easily live in them. I have spent this last year learning a lot from the members of that group at Gaia and now I can embrace the title!

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Well, alas it is time to draw the formal part of our feature with Jessica to a close today. I know that new people will drop by and those who are already part of conversation may wander in for another visit. However, it is time to give a heartfelt “THANK YOU” to Jessica for sharing so much of herself, her work and her history and commitment to Gaia.

I am honoured to have hosted you Jessica. You are an inspiring woman living on purpose:)

Thank you also to those that have participated and kept the kettle boiling and the embers of our shared fire burning over this past week.

Thank you to my fellow Gaia Networking Team for their co-hosting.

There is a beauty in shared and collaborative leadership that shines through how everyone showed up in this conversation.

With a warm and full heart of appreciation. Terrill

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Terrill:
I thank you enthusiastically for hosting this event. Your attention to detail and compassionate approach really made this an easy thing to do. I wanted to give back to the members who stopped by and offer a wallpaper I made this week, but alas, I had too many other deadlines to reach this week and I haven't completed the project. If you leave the thread open for a bit I may be able to post a link to a brand new wallpaper this weekend.

Being a featured member was both inspiring and fun, and I'd like to thank everyone who came by and offered a comment, as well as everyone who read the thread silently.

Love and light,
Jessica

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

The thread stays open Jessica. People can come back and visit as long as they like. Feel free to post a link to your wallpaper when it is ready.

For the most part, I will be off-line  until Monday but other members of the Gaia Networking Team will be popping by.

all the best, Terrill

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Jessica,that is a gift I was going to ask you to give - as you'd mentioned abt search engines earlier. I'm so glad you told us. I look at you and see that you have been hiding your light behind those pixels, if you'll pardon the pun. And how wonderful that you now have declared yourself to be what you've been for so long - a lightworker!

Having said that - when will our browsers add this word to their dictionary and not put a red line as if the word 'lightworker' is wrongly spelled'?

Some friends haven't been able to get into this thread, so I'll check with the other mods which is the best way to handle that.

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

I have prepared the wallpaper. I looked at images of suns with solar flares, but none of them spoke to me for the purpose of this wallpaper. Instead, I incorporated the phrase “love one another” into the sky as if it was raining this command on a field of blooming flowers.
Here is a link to download full size at the resolution of 1152x864.
http://liveonpurpose.info/images/wp/1152x864loveflowers.jpg

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

Thank you Jessica for this gift! I now have it as my desktop background. Thank you again for your time for this feature and your contribution to Gaia. Terrill

Re: Featuring: Jessica A. - a woman living on purpose

I can't believe it! [well I can but you know how we have both thoughts in our minds!!!]

Just today as I was switching on the computer and enjoying my desktop background, I thought of asking, perhaps in The Power of Light

“What do you have in your desktop background?”

And here I come, and here I see and ……
THANK YOU JESSICA!

It's beautiful!

I'm about to travel so when I'm back, if you haven't started the thread already on TPOL, I will.
Hugs- and happy 4th!