Mixed Emotions

It’s the Sunday before the New Year, so I won’t torture you endlessly today. Hear that Draakje Dailey, minimal word and peace! With the New Year fast approaching I want to ask you to think about something the next few days. I am sure through this year you were hit with both sadness and happiness, joy and pain. I am also sure at times the two groups were not mutually exclusive. One of the happiest moments in my year was right before Christmas, Taylor took me to dinner, gave me a gorgeous necklace and whispered, “I love you.” You would think it the happiest moment of my life, but it was poignantly laced with the pain of my father never knowing his youngest daughter actually found a man, a good man, who could love her just as she is.

The experience is typical of this world we live in, because in so many areas of our lives we are broken. But luckily though, we live in a world with good and bad moments, so we can grab the happy breaths of space and hopefully intertwine it amongst the bad in the hopes of minimalizing the pain. It’s my grown up dream anyway. And this year, I am going to have a grown up New Years Eve.

Take from? Yes, we are all awkward at times and sometimes don’t show our best light to the world. For New Years, let’s dwell on the future, hug close the positive and let go and forgive ourselves the moments we were less than stellar in actions or movement. The wonderful thing about life is we do get multiple reset buttons, so we can create a way to live that is a positive impact on those about us, by simply changing direction. January first is almost here, and will be whether we are ready or not, so why not buckle-in and be ready to make this the best one yet?

Outfit:
Hair: Lelutka, Yves
Hat: Lode, Lill **NEW**
Dress: Mohna Lisa Couture, Angelina
Earrings: .Shi, Mermaid
Necklace/Ring/Bracelet: Vexiin, Verse
Shoos: Miamai, NaturA **L’Accessiores**

Lovable

Outfit/Hat: Leezu!, Saphire **NEW** . MakeUp: HMAEM, Otero . Hairs: Tram, A816 .

Are you? To me, it’s tough to tell at times, most people say I am, so I assume it to be true, but oft I am so cranky I wonder how can it possibly be? At the heart of our personality, our very essence of soul, is the need to feel that we have a sense of being lovable, even when displaying our worst behavior. Why should we have to ever qualify for acceptance? But in reality we kinda do. In my mind I know even the most obtuse of creatures is loved by at least someone, I suppose in a way, someone even loved Hitler and he was, by all accounts, a monster. So why should we ever feel we are unlovable?

This gown is so 3D it looks just as gorgeous when you leave a room

You aren’t, you know. I have love, or at the least acceptance, for all of you, my stalwart passer’s-by. I couldn’t imagine spending a day without you, even if it is just a blip of showing up, getting counted. But perhaps that is my fatal flaw, I expect attention and adoration. Well I don’t “expect” it, but I sure like it. Does that make me vain, or does it make me, like most of us, in need of validation that we are lovable? Self-esteem is made up primarily of two things: feeling lovable and feeling capable. I certainly feel capable enough, I work, I live, I love, I am a good citizen to this Earth. The davil of the detail is in the feeling lovable, don’t you think?

I like Leezu!s new offering so much I even included the Taxi for you: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LeeZu/145/128/22

The take from? I’m not sure, I was thinking about how we are always loved and accepted by those we call family, (even the friend type family), and sometimes we are even loved and accepted by strangers. I like those kinds of lovabler’s (or would it be love-enabler’s) the most, they are such self-less acts of kindness. But where I think I was going on this blog, was to the grocery store, because in my core I believe the most important step to being loved is to love others. So I am going to wander off to see how many selfless acts of kindness I can give to others this holiday season. That is what the season is about, isn’t it? I think I read that somewhere in my journey through life. I hope you receive many acts of kind hearted love today and have a peaceful weekend!

Learning to Be Quiet

I’ve mentioned a few times how much I appreciate you all in this time, those who give comments, those who give none too. I am a very quiet person by nature, so it would stand to reason I probably won’t talk about this too much. A take it back, there is one someone I have talked quite a bit about it to. The someone who has been my friend and confidante for fourteen years now. I introduced her quite a bit in a previous blog, my little Jack Russell Terrior-ist KT, her spelling, not mine. My name for her is Katy Foo Fighter, but she doesn’t spell very well, having only made it through kindergarten before they kicked her out for biting the teacher. For an introduction to my best friend for life, it was in this blog: http://anchailinalainn.com/2013/07/23/kt-the-davil-dog-and-doctor-ben-dover/ I hope you will visit there because there is a point to blogging about her now.

And lest you think me a few tacos short of a combination platter, I am not the only person who finds comfort in a four-legged friend. Do you remember right after the Sandy Hook tragedy, when we were all up in arms, about arms, ranting and raving about gun control? While we did nothing but scream about the injustice of it all, a real group of heros traveled to that grief stricken city and really rolled up the proverbial sleeves and got to work. This group of good will samaritans? Well they were nothing more than specially trained golden retrievers. They can’t speak, all they could do was what they were trained to do, be an affectionate presence. And you know what? The traumatized children of violence opened up to them, telling them of their fears, angst and painful emotions. Words they were unable to say to a single adult.

The take from? Yep, I still have them. The biggest part of our animals natural born empathy, is their ability to just be quiet. People in grief don’t always needs words, sometimes we just need someone to set a spell, silently holding our hand, to just listen when we speak and to hug us when our grief turns to tears. You would be amazed the amount of comfort one can receive just feeling the presence of another who is willing to just be still. Well, thats my wooden nickle on it anyway.

Outfit:
Dress: Miamai, Shae **New from the Golden Thread Line**
Hat: Miamai, Titiana **New from the Golden Thread Line**

Bring it On

Hair: Tram, B426 . Eye Patch: H.M.A.E.M., Rightside patch . Headpiece: *SoliDea FoliEs*, Silver Flowers .

Just hanging in and hanging on, things are going to get better. I can feel it. I hope you are all enjoying the wonders of this holiday season and I wish you a prosperous New Year. New Holiday Haute-A-Porter designs are available at *SoliDea FoliEs* in store now! Taxi: *SoliDea FoliEs*:

Outfit: *SoliDea FoliEs*, Garbo . Boots: Bax, Regency **NEW** .

Acquainted With the Night

I have been one acquainted with the night.
I have walked out in rain—and back in rain.
I have outwalked the furthest city light.

I have looked down the saddest city lane.
I have passed by the watchman on his beat
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.

I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,

But not to call me back or say good-bye;
And further still at an unearthly height,
One luminary clock against the sky

Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with the night. ~Robert Frost

Outfit:
Hair: MaDesigns, Aria Club
Lips: Miamai, Chod
Face Tattoo: Kooqla [K], Winterbloom
Pants/Shoos: Miamai, Ardore **NEW from Golden Thread**
Shoulder/Wings/Hat: Miamai, Collapse **NEW from Golden Thread**
Leather Harness: Tee*fy

35 Elephants

Come on, we can do it. It’s just 35 Elephants. We are almost half way there. Won’t you help sponsor one today?

Comments from Eliza Wierwight: “…. my Immersive “35 Elephants” also featuring the photography of the indomitable Lek Chailert, founder of the Save Elephant Foundation. Also thanks to Linden Endowment of the Arts for providing SIM space for me to pull this together over the last few days. Opens officially 21st December at 11.30am Pacific Standard Time, benefit Concert performed live on cam & screened at the event by the wonderful Joaquin Gustav, with 100% proceeds of course to Save Elephant Foundation.

she continues, “I’m not getting all vigilante about this, rather emphasize the positive. There’s a place in our cognition to recognize wrongs in any stance, I guess it’s how we choose to address the revelation after that fact. Promoting awareness and cold hard cash directed to those in the front lines seems a reasonable reaction”

Please stop and visit, I did yesterday. It is a moving, heart wrenching exhibit. Taxi: 35 Elephants – Eliza Wierwight – Lek Chailert, LEA4 (137, 184, 30)

Free To Roam Alone

Hair: Tram . Necklace: Chop Zuey, When Elephants Dream .

When I first saw this jewelry set from Chop Zuey, I instantly became smitten. When I learned 100% of the proceeds of the sale go to the World Wildlife Federation? I was in love. Please, pick yours up today. Better yet, it makes the perfect Christmas gift for so many on your list and you will be helping wildlife at the same time. Win Win. I love it when it all ties together nicely, don’t you?

Sweater: Drift, Draped cardigan **NEW** . Dress: Drift, Sexy Lil Mini .

Take from? Lets help wildlife while it still has a habitat we can view it in, not wait until most of their population resides in picture books or zoos. Just a thought, for what ever it’s worth to you. I hope your little elves are busy planning you a magical holiday surprise!

Enthusiasm For Life

Hair: Amacci, Klara Free *PEACE ON EARTH HUNT* . Jewelry: Exquisite, Falling Hearts set free *Peace On Earth Hunt* . Shoulder Pieces: Zibska, La Vie En Deaux **Gothmas by Gaslight* http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sium/189/225/1002 .

As you go about your travels and get closer and closer to the holiday, please take a moment to think about others. Whether it’s to drop penny’s in the bucket of a bellringer (Salvation Army) as you exit a store, or just to phone someone you know will be alone. Sometimes it’s the littlest of inconveniences that truly mean the most. So when you are buying “things,” toys that will eventually go unused, clothes that may or may not be liked, electronic gadgets that will be obsolete in a year or so, as you go about and pour your money into these endless unfulfilling voids, stop and think a moment. Could money be better spent? How about adopting an elephant? ( http://www.saveelephant.org/ ) or inworld, Eliza Wierwight Link How about throwing a gift to the JimmyV Organization where 100% of you donation funds cancer research? (www.jimmyv.org ) Shoot, I’d reckon most have forgotten about Typhoon Haiyan, think about their struggles daily, they probably forgot all about the holidays just trying to survive. How about sending them the gift of hope for Christmas? ( http://www.salvationarmy.org/phl ) I’m sure any of these charities would appreciate the help and I guarantee, your gift to them would never become obsolete, unused, unwanted, or discarded.

Outfit: Mohna Lisa Couture, Allure free *Peace On Earth Hunt* . Shoos: Miamai, Natur’A *L’Accessoires* .

We so often say someone is going to “get what they deserve” when they act badly. But the truth is it works with kindness too. Did you know research shows when you are kind to others, even if it’s just to acknowledge them with a “hallo,” it’s been shown to not only increase their happiness, but yours as well. More importantly though, kindness is contagious, so the person you were kind to is more likely to “pay it forward” to the next guy and so on and so forth. You plant a seed of kindness, the roots take hold, the limbs spread out further and further, along the way new trees of kindness are formed. Just imagine how wonderful the world would be if we lived in a forest shaded by comfort and kindness.

Outfit/Hair: Irodori, Harmony, free *Peace on Earth Hunt* . Tree/Blocks: Zen Creations, Peace on Earth tree scene, free *Peace on Earth Hunt* . Other decorations: (tree/sleigh/bags) Storax Tree, Potted Holiday tree/Holiday Delivery/Crazy Holiday Bags/Winter Rug .

Take from? Yes, in the words of Coach Jimmy V, a NC State coach who lost his battle with cancer, “you have to have an enthusiasm for life. You have to have a dream, a goal. And you have to be willing to work for it. But most of all, don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.” Well, I have a dream, a goal and I won’t ever give up, even though it is a lofty dream. In my lifetime I have a goal of saving the elephants, curing cancer and helping others. And this holiday I hope to make my dream infectious. Because you know what’s infectious during the holidays? Kindness, hope, generosity, gratitude, forgiveness, and faith. Life isn’t perfect, but sometimes, just sometimes, if we don’t ever give up, all will work out for the best. You just have to have faith.

A Hero Ain’t Nothin but A Sammich

Hair: Amacci, Klara **PEACE ON EARTH**. Hat: Sonatta Morales *8*, Peace Bird **PEACE ON EARTH** . Both FREE!

I know, I know. I completely stole that title from Alice Childress’s 1973 novel for young adults. What can I say, creativity isn’t coming on strong this holiday season. But it seemed perfect for this topic because I’ve learned that sometimes during tragic events a person you would least likely expect to be the hero, is. I talk a lot about how our “us” “them” frame of mind discourages true harmony in our lives. Kind of weird, in this case, I found my own thinking could have been of the “us” sort, in other words, God forbid I am one of “them.” It is known the mall massacre in Nairobi Kenya was taken out by an Al Qaeda-linked Muslim terrorist group, but this isn’t about that story. This is the story of a Christian missionary woman who decided to take her children to the mall to entertain them a few hours.

Earrings: *SoliDea FoliEs*, DaDa **L’ACCESSOIRES** .

Soon after the family had eaten lunch, the two older boys wandered downstairs to a department store, the mother and three daughters (I believe aged 1,2 and about 5) began to wander down to meet the boys but before getting very far, the shooting started. Taking the natural flight response, she grabbed her girls and hid under a flimsy kiosk and for the next four hours lived with the very real terror of trying to keep her girls silent, worry for her sons, and watching the terrorists walk by shooting any live or injured person they would see. Elsewhere in the mall, a man phoned his brother and asked him to pray for him because a group was violently taking over the mall. I am sure the brother said the prayer, but he also decided to go try to rescue his brother. My bother (yep meant to spell it that way) probably would have watched it unfold on TV and leave the law enforcement to, um, law enforcement.

Dress: Sonatta Morales *8*, Peace Bird **L’ACCESSOIRES** .

But this brother, arrived at the mall and as he was set to enter the mall from the parking garage, he received a call from his mall bound brother saying he was out and safe. The thing is, the man could have just backed away, gone to meet his brother, and went home. He chose not to, this brave man, he went in and eventually saved this Christian woman and her daughters.

Shoos: Miamai, Natur’A **L’ACCESSOIRES** . Hair: Amacci, Klara **PEACE ON EARTH**

The take from? I can hate the actions of Al Qaeda as much as the next person, much of what they do seems a senseless waste of innocent life. But this nagging “us” and “them” mentality? Well, it’s good to remember, things aren’t always as they appear. We should always strive to see people by their face value, not senseless labels, because the Hero? The fellow not even at the mall when it was raided? He was Muslim. Just a happy ending to think about, if you have the time on this busy holiday season.