Perfect Circles

While I debate hooping outdoors on this rainy day, I would like to express my love for all the hoopers out there through a series of photographs. You are all beautiful, and no one can deny it. I wish I could put a million on here, but that may be a bit excessive. These are some of my favorites: 

World Hoop Day

@HoopFurthur

Flow Me Your Trails

Meghan aka @FlowandGrow

LouFest: Lost in the Yim Yames Magic

My Doppelganger
aka Samantha or @OpheliaWild 

Long Hair Don't Care

Stella aka @StellaBlue9

Multitasking Required

Ruby aka @HoopyRuby

Take Me With You When You Go

Kaia aka @BohemianFlowerChild

In a World of My Own

@TwirlingCircus

Camp Bisco

Jackie aka @exuberance1

Nowhere But Here

@hoopsferdaze

Bend Without Breaking

@candy_the_hooper

Hoopside Down

@SunshineCook aka Circle Circus

Splish Splash

Kaitlyn aka @CircleMeWithSunshine

The Chakra System

The Chakra System's ancient tradition has reformed into a New Age practice. Evidence dating back to 1,500 B.C. India depicts the system's early development. The word 'chakra' means 'wheel' or 'disk'. The Chakra System's main purpose is balancing the mind, body, and spirit through the 7 energy centers located down the body's midline. In order to do this, each chakra must successfully transmit its energy to specific areas of the body. The faster the chakras spin, the more energy can be obtained and channeled; which leads to overall good health and well-being. People also use Chakra Stones and crystals as a form of healing and meditation in order to keep their chakras open and flowing. 

A simple break down of the 7 Chakras: 

1. Root: A representation of feeling grounded, stable, physically present and secure. When this chakra is open, one feels comfortable in the here and now. The Root is linked to the color red due to its connections with courage and physical and emotional survival. 

    Location: Base of the Spine/tailbone area.

2. Sacral: One's ability to accept and connect with others. It represents sexuality and expressing feelings freely without being overly emotional. The Sacral is one's sense of well-being and pleasure. The color orange links it to creativity, self-esteem, happiness, and sexuality. 

    Location: Lower abdomen; approximately 2 inches below the belly button. 

3. Solar Plexus: The Power Center. Feeling self-assured and in control. When the Solar Plexus is balanced, one has sufficient self-esteem and power. The color yellow represents these emotions of self-worth, and laughter. 

    Location: Upper abdomen/beneath the rib cage. 

4. Heart: One's overall ability to love. The Heart chakra depicts kindness, love, and affection. It exudes compassion towards relationships. Green connects it to friendliness, forgiveness, and unconditional love.

    Location: Above the heart at the center of the chest. 

5. Throat: The color Blue associates this chakra with self-expression and communication. When the Throat chakra is open, one can easily express themselves and communicate effectively. It allows one to express personal feelings and represents the truth. The Throat is the crossover between the physical and spiritual worlds. 

    Location: The Throat.

6. Third Eye: Visualization and Insight. The color Indigo is a great representation for this chakra because it is said to be an excellent meditative color for calming one's mind, and has proved to be a good sleep aid. The Third Eye is connected to mental clarity, intuition and wisdom. 

    Location: Forehead between the eyebrows. 

7. Crown: The highest chakra representing the ability to become one with world and fully connected spiritually. When the Crown is open, one is wise, unprejudiced, and aware of the world around them as well as themselves. It portrays our beauty inside and out, bliss, and our spiritual connections. The color violet connects these emotions of self-knowledge and higher-consciousness.The Crown chakra aids in finding and living one's life purpose. 

Chakra Healing and Balancing Kit

In order to open these chakras and stay in or find good health, many people use different meditation methods with chakra stones. There is an abundance of stones and crystals that go beyond the simple 7 chakra symbols. People believe that these stones hold the power to heal us physically and mentally the same way doctors use medication for healing. (Meditation vs. Medication?) They also make beautiful jewelry pieces, and by wearing these stones, people can remain balanced at all times.

Here are a couple websites worth checking out if you're interested in healing stones:

Spectrums of the Pentagram

Since the beginning of time, nearly all religions and beliefs have been misconstrued or misunderstood. Mysticism--a very broad, open-minded, spiritual belief system--might possibly take the lead. There are infinite types of Mysticism. Some aspects include; karma, divinity, reincarnation, unity between ultimate reality and the spiritual world, and living a life on the path to enlightenment. Many Mystics are considered 'Solitary Practitioners' because each individual finds a connection within themselves and the divine in their own way. Other religions and various symbols can be incorporated into Mysticism in order to provide followers with different outlets and approaches. 

In my opinion, the Pentagram is the most commonly misinterpreted and most significant mystic symbol. When people see a pentagram, they immediately seem to think 'Witch!', 'Devil worshipper!', or they're completely off and think it's the Star of David. Google the word "Pentagram" and see the symbol's endless results and fascinating uses. From ancient Greece, to the Latter Day Saint Movement, this symbol has been used nearly everywhere. The most basic concept of the pentagram is the 5 points and their continuous line in 5 straight segments. Each point holds a representation of the 5 elements and one's spiritual connection to them. Here is a basic outline: 

I bought my one and only pentagram in October 2006. I never knew much about them, but the pendant was so beautiful and for some reason it drew me in. I asked the lady at the store what they symbolized when they aren't upside down, and she explained the 5 elements and mystic uses. I've worn the pendant around my neck ever since. I started learning as much as I could about Mysticism. I finally found a belief that made sense. I felt as though I made sense. There are multiple purposes for my pentagram, and I am forever grateful that I found it (or it found me?). It provides my protection and intuition, connects my astrological signs--Taurus and Venus--and the 5 elements. My spirit is the highest element that descends to fire, moves to air, crosses over water, and ends with earth.

My Pentagram

I am fascinated by all religions and beliefs (or lack thereof) because I believe they are all the same. They all end at the same point. They acknowledge or question the existence of a higher power. Higher powers don't need to be a God or a specific figure. They can consist of anything in or outside of ourselves. 

(Because we all know that Pentagrams often remind us of witches and it's almost Halloween, this seemed necessary.)

I intend on conducting more spiritual exploration tomorrow, so tune in to see what's next! 

Your Own Reflection

Just when you think you've lost yourself, 
you'll find another side you never knew was there.

@twirling_circus

Livin's Easy.

Sometimes I think people forget the number one rule in life: Live it. I wish I could say it's never too late to pursue happiness, because we never know how much time we have. However, there's never a bad time to start. There's nothing more important than finding the things that make us happy and love life. Expectations and fear stifle us from holding onto the things we want our lives to be about. Some people just need to break free or remind themselves that it's okay that they're running through life aimlessly. It might be hard to even find a job these days, but if you hate it, don't do it. If you love something and wish you could dedicate your time to it, then make that wish come true. We all have the power to make dreams reality and we can't keep blaming the world for stopping us. All it takes is a smile when reflecting on your day to remind you that you're exactly where you should be. 

Just a few relevant and noteworthy quotes:

Colors of Confidence

@jamidy 

It may seem like a strange concept, but Hula Hooping is a powerful form of meditation and an outlet that leads to a strong increase in self-confidence. Rather than focusing on what your body isn't capable of, it demonstrates the opposite. Dedicated hoopers feel a proud and euphoric sense after an intense hoop session the same way beginners feel when they accomplish a new trick. It doesn't matter what level someone categorizes themselves in. In the wide scheme of things, they really are just hula hoops, but what the hooper chooses to do with it makes it something more. I, for example, do not consider myself a coordinated person. I am terrible at nearly all physical activities. Dancing and playing music are the only things I've ever found confidence in; therefore, I see hula hooping as a constant dance progression. I believe that all hoopers view it in their own unique way as well. Some may use it for yoga, exercise, acrobatics, psychedelic stimulation, or good old thoughtless fun. But generally speaking, people take the overall aspect of this new wave performance-art very seriously. YouTube is filled with fantastic tutorials, there are hooping classes, etc. It is an art form that people want to study and learn. And as I previously stated, it is also an extremely fun form of exercise and physical fitness. One of the most well known hoop fitness teams is Hoopnotica. 

I learned about Hoopnotica while shopping online for hula hoops about a year ago. According to their website, they describe themselves as an "international fitness and dance phenomenon", and they are taking the hoop world by storm. While transforming into such a powerful and effective group, they have been featured in multiple magazines, newspapers, and even a newscast as renowned as Good Morning America. From purchasing hoops to becoming an instructor, their website alone is full of endless opportunities for endless types of people. Hoopnotica provides hoopers with opportunities that can make hula hooping more than just a personal hobby. I was notified in a comment on Instagram the other day that hooper WeesieWonderHoops (aka Weesie or Alicia) signed up to become a Hoopnotica instructor. Her profile states that her hoop journey began on August 3, 2013; less than 3 months ago! It amazed me that someone could already have enough confidence to take their talents and teach others in such a short amount of time. 

@weesiewonderhooops

I think it's really important for people to find this side of themselves. I don't mean everyone needs to go buy a hula hoop, but everyone should find the inner power that creates all the colorful rays of self-confidence.

The Unit of Language

words 

(n.) a unit of language, consisting of one or more spoken sounds or their written representation, that functions as a principal carrier of meaning. 

I love words. Being a writer, I'm sure that's kind of a given. There is an infinite number of words out there. Many languages have their own words that don't translate into others, and new words are constantly created through slang and progress. Words can be anything. Despite their definitions, words are capable of sounding beautiful and alluring, yet they can mean the exact opposite. It's almost a cover-up for what lies beneath. A string of words connected into a phrase or sentence have the power to change the world. A word alone holds the same power. Think of the nicest or meanest things anyone has ever said to you, and think about the most enthralling or offensive things you have ever read or heard. It's quite mind-boggling. 

If I could, I would cover my entire body in words and quotes. They get me through everything. From books and definitions, to song lyrics and movies; my life is a product of their influence. I like to keep a notebook of my favorite quotes, and I always highlight lines in books that appeal to me. My mind keeps its own list of my favorite words. Without trying, I learned two new words since yesterday; coincidentally, they both hold enchanting definitions and both define a specific type of person. I thought they were noteworthy enough to share:

Words are not much different than atomic matter. They are the little pieces making up everything we do in order to communicate and define ourselves. Without them, there would be so much empty space in the world. 

We're All Shining Stars.

Remember learning about how far away stars really are? To this very day it baffles me that we can see something so surreal and bright in the night sky that is so distant from us. Not only is it more than likely a dead star, it would take us so many years to reach it we would die as well. I apologize for the morbidity, but it's fascinating. Sometimes I relate stars to the people we consider stars; our icons. It's a very similar concept. We watch them on TV or in films, listen to their music or go to their shows, worship them, etc., and they don't even know we exist. The stars that we see in the sky don't know we exist either. It's such a strange feeling when we think about how incredibly small we are in the universe as a whole, but it's amazing when realizing that individuals not much different than us have made an impact on millions, possibly billions, of people all over the world. There was a time when famous people were simple people, too, and even when they were simple people they didn't know about the random other people in the world who would all know their name someday. I guess my point is that it doesn't matter how far away or small we feel, because we aren't the only ones. Everyone feels that way at one point or another, and we can't let it stop us. When you notice someone from a distance, you may never see that person again, and they usually have no idea you even noticed them. Think about how many times that has happened to you in reverse. Someone saw you at the grocery store and you never even knew. It's a crazy thought, but entirely possible, that on entirely separate occasions two strangers have noticed one another and they will never meet. This might seem like a disconnection, but it's really quite the opposite. It's quite amazing. 

What's even more amazing is when somewhere out there someone else sees things exactly the same way you do and brings it to your attention. The following photo is from LoveBugDarien's Instagram; a captivating shot among the clouds from an airplane window with this beautiful caption:

"Flying Back to San Antonio."

". . . 30,000 feet in the sky. Looking down, I could only assume there were thousands of people like me on what looked like a tilt-shifted image of whatever city I was flying over. Here I am, the same size as them, yet when they look  up to the sky, perhaps to gaze at the clouds or hold back a sneeze, I look like a pinpoint on a blue piece of paper. Perception is strange, but astonishingly beautiful. It's amazing what a glance out the window of an airplane can do to one's imagination."

Heaping Hoopers!

Hula Hooping is possibly one of the largest phenomenons taking place. Hula hoops are no longer just a children's toy or a random activity at social gatherings; such as school dances and birthday parties. Until several years ago, circus acrobats were the only people known using hula hoops for more than the simplicity of hooping around one's waist, or being crazy enough make it from the neck to the waist without dropping it. Now, hooping has become its own art form and a lifestyle. I'm sure circus acrobats have taken it up about 12,000 notches due to the average 'Hooper' performing similar skills on a daily basis. 

When @HoopersOfInstagram created their page, they also started a hashtag for fellow Hoopers to post their pictures. They feature as many people as possible who use the Hoopers of Instagram hashtag or the link to their profile. Since their first post in July, this particular account accumulated 3,204 followers and counting. The hashtag itself currently holds 6,305

pictures. What started as a profile featuring beautiful pictures of people with their hoops, rapidly developed into a hooping circle. (No pun intended). Many of the Instagram Hoopers are connected and learn from one another, and it's an all around positive vibe atmosphere. We may not all know each other, but I, for example, happened to meet one of my fellow hoopers at LouFest this year. I left a comment on a hooping video and she told me she would be there, too. Once again, look at us uniting! Such a small world!  @HoopersOfInstagram clearly wants the hoopers coming together, and they are a fantastic job. They've come up with several genius ideas that connect the people more and more. Their first idea was the Random Places Hoop

Contest; a.k.a. #RandomPlacesHC. People went all over the place with their hula hoops. Sure, it was a contest, but it didn't feel like a competition. We just wanted to have fun. People were hooping in trees, graveyards, haystacks, Walmart, etc. Hoopers are everywhere! This was an awesome contest; however, their greatest plan of all was September's 30 Day Hoop Challenge. (#30DayHoopChallenge)

@HoopersOfInstagram created a list of 30 different hoop tricks, techniques, and settings for every day of the month. Each day held a specific theme for people to post pictures and/or videos of themselves. The participating hoopers hashtagged anything they uploaded to the challenge page as well as what day of the challenge it was. This was such an exciting idea. If one of the days turned out to be a trick someone didn't know how to do, it encouraged them to learn. Looking at all the videos and photographs was truly inspiring. There were so many different combinations of people and

hooping styles that it wasn't at all a competition. Yes, it was a challenge, but we weren't challenging other people. We were challenging ourselves, and feeling all the enthusiasm and positive vibes from the accompanying participants. By the end of the month there were nearly 2,000 posts on the #30DayHoopChallenge page alone. That doesn't include the people who only tagged the day of the challenge, or simply didn't tag anything at all. People who didn't even know about it until later in the month were catching themselves up just to take part in the fun. We all learned a lot about one another and mainly ourselves in those 30 days. Whether someone completed every day of the challenge or not, they were still a part of something really wonderful. It was an exciting, fun, inspirational, challenging, and above all, abosultely beautiful experience. Hula Hoop challenges are no longer a simple matter of who can keep the hoop going around the longest; they've transformed into a union of people taking pride in their unique talents. 




This challenge was quite a success, and its made me want to take on other similar challenges. More and more people should start getting involved in things like this. More people coming together in a positive light will bring closer connections. If a group of people come together for a specific similar interest, they are destined to end up learning something they didn't know about someone else... Perhaps, it will be another similar interest; which inevitably forms a deeper connection--a positive one. 

Don't be Afraid to Feel Beautiful.

After a nice and exhausting hoop session today, the next best thing was to take a seat and play the piano. I felt discouraged posting this photo on Instagram. I didn't want certain followers who know me personally to get offended or find it inappropriate. This frustrated me a little because I honestly felt beautiful inside and out. That doesn't happen very often if ever in a person's life. When we feel beautiful, that's when we need to let ourselves shine. So here I am, in my favorite hideaway--music. This image depicts my soul shining and my free spirit. People need to lose their fears! Let your hair down and be comfortable with your body. Embrace what it means to be beautiful. Your entire entity and perception of who you are lies within you. If you don't let it free, you can never be beautiful on the outside. 

Get Real!

Everyone has their flaws and insecurities. We all know this. The phrase 'Nobody's perfect' plays like a broken record, and yet people still beat themselves up over their imperfections. What exactly is the point in being a perfectionist anyway? Imperfections make us perfect because they make us who we are. People should always strive to do their best, but striving for perfection is like an Olympian hoping for a perfect score; detrimental and somewhat a waste of time. People need to focus on the simple things that make us beautiful. @LearnDreamDiscover took notice and decided to start her very own #GetRealChallenge.

 @LearnDreamDiscover's caption states, "I started this challenge to remind all of you that no matter what you are still beautiful! We all make mistakes and are no where near perfect yet we all claim to be on the World Wide Web. Let us join as one and bring our shadows to the surface and transcend as one!" What a fantastic idea! I took the time to write and think up all 30 facts, and despite the fact they only showed up on my Facebook when I reposted, I felt good about it. It felt slightly meditative and calming. It was as though I stood on top of a mountain, breathed in the wonderful autumn air, and told the entire world who I am. 

Everyone should give it a shot! Whether it's on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, a notebook, Blog, etc., try it! The things you've forgotten to love about yourself will amaze you! And don't forget to hashtag the #GetRealChallenge!! Look around and see for yourself all the things you thought you were alone on. The strange and interesting facts that set us apart from the rest make us a significant and vital attribute to the world's puzzles pieces. Thanks again, @LearnDreamDiscover; couldn't have done it without your beautiful mind! 

Misfits, Revolt!

Every decade has at least one stereotype. Usually, these stereotypes are defined through the era's music, war, and/or social rebellions. The 1960's are perhaps the most renowned because they possessed all three aspects; Vietnam, Civil Rights Movement, the British Invasion, and an uprising generation's protests against social norms. The people wanted peace, freedom, and they expressed all of these feelings through music. Everything they worked for and earned formed the 70's: a simple cause and effect formula. The next generation rebelled against the happy hippies with a less positive desire for freedom--anarchy. The Punk Rock scene evolved into the hair bands of the 80's while Pop Music and Hip Hop were developing throughout the mainstream. Let's be honest, 80's Pop Culture yielded several noteworthy icons; such as Madonna and Michael Jackson, but when it comes down to it, the legwarmers, teased hair, and catchy radio tunes are really just guilty pleasures. They weren't much of a milestone for the History Books.The things people should know about the decade are somewhat a forgotten secret. If you asked someone in the 80's who Morrissey or The Smiths were, they would probably know, but nowadays it's a shocker if someone does. The same goes for extremely important artists like Tears for Fears, Joy Division and the Pixies. We all know it's safe to say Kurt Cobain started a genre of music. But where do people making this claim think the inspiration came from? Without the Pixies, the formula for grunge and Nirvana would cease to exist. Grunge took people back to the lack of effort in appearance. This is where the magic stopped. Icons like Kurt Cobain and Bradley Nowell died, and the 90's were a simple democratic society with nothing to rebel against. I call these the lost years. From the late 1990's to the present, Pop Culture doesn't have much to show for itself other than wardrobe malfunctions and the magic that is auto-tune. It was like growing up in a more embarrassing version of the 80's because our generation was just a copy-cat of everything before us. Most of society doesn't even know about the things that they should remember. 

I didn't need to do any research to write this. My mom was a teenager in the 60's, and my dad was a teenager in the 70's. They taught me everything I wouldn't learn in books, which lead to the realization that I would need to teach myself the rest. Where their generation's left off, I picked up the pieces and devoured any information about the underground world and counterculture. In doing so, I found that I hardly fit in with the world around me. It seemed that my interests were incompatible. In high school I found several friends in the same position and eventually there were groups of fellow lost souls. The only problem was what I mentioned earlier--copy-cats. People were wearing tight pants, calling themselves Punks, or wearing tie-dye shirts and Birkenstock's  under the assumption this made them a Hippie. It was quite frustrating. There were days I understood why the Gothic kids painted their faces out of rage and sat in their own hallway. I wanted my own hallway. I didn't understand why people couldn't just be themselves. Why do we have to call ourselves anything? Labels are inevitable, but why would anyone label themselves? My

only escape from this was the variety of music I listened to. I grew up with the classics and discovered as many varieties of soothing sounds possible. Bands and Artists like Elliott Smith, The Postal Service, Ben Folds and Bright Eyes got me through the day-to-day basics, but it wasn't until I discovered the power of live music and a crowd of fellow outcasts that I realized what was happening. After my first String Cheese Incident show in 2004, everything fell into place. I was addicted to concerts. It seemed like every weekend I was somewhere watching music. The best part was that it wasn't just about the music. People were there because we felt united. We all felt the vibe of acceptance and understanding. It's nearly 10 years later and it seems as though this vibe has wrapped itself around the entire universe. My generation's counterculture is already teaching its followers. 

Society as a whole is a hot mess. We're at war with other countries and ourselves, we're in an unbearable Recession, Hannah Montana shaved half her head, and it really feels like everyone is wandering aimlessly--my generation especially. We were told, "Go to College. You'll get a job." But as it turns out, life after college is nothing like St. Elmo's Fire for us. Well, maybe a little, but we definitely didn't walk away with that diploma and a career in our hands. We weren't even  left with much possibility. So, what do we do? Dwell? Give up? Find a cardboard box? No. We enjoy life. There is a huge revolution happening and I'm not sure if anyone even notices. People are letting their Freak Flags fly with pride. Gay people can get married in several states, some people are allowed to smoke pot, and it's not unusual to walk down the street and find more than one yard with someone hula hooping in it. Yoga is now a trend, and honestly, who can complain about that? People are easing their minds in every way imaginable, and more people accept this than not.

Because the physical tangibility of music went down the drain, live music exploded. It is the easiest way for people to unite and share their weirdness. It doesn't even matter what kind of music it is: Jam Bands, Rap, EDM, Alternative, Metal, etc. The sky is the limit! The more eccentricities you smash together, the better. The more united and stronger we become. I never thought I'd be a part of a cultural movement. I thought my generation was too apathetic to try. But look at where we are now. We might not have a clue what we're doing with our lives, but at least we've learned how to live them. We're living in a world where unicorns are cool, hula hoops light up, and people wear fuzzy boots, tutus, and face paint in public. Is that a problem?