Living Psychedelically

Some of you may be questioning my judgement on writing a post titled as such, but I would like to change the negative association that the word psychedelic has tagged along side of it.  I am practicing living in an almost constant state of psychedelia or "mind expansion" as I will also refer to it as.  Ever since I have been enhancing my life with the wonderful arts of yoga, meditation, and hoopdance, I have ultimately expanded my senses, or sensory enlightenment, if you will.  These three major parts of my life have loving guided me to change the way I perceive the beautiful world around me. 


Tree fractals from WebEcoist.  Check out the article of nature's fractals

 I began early on in my yoga practice to just "see" things differently.  When I look up in the sky, I don't just see clouds, I feel them, I get lost in them (which is one reason why I cannot sky gaze while driving).  I notice their colors, their texture;  to me they are like little nature souls dancing lazily through the atmosophere. 

Over the Hay Flats 2011

Now, this is just some random example, but I try to view every passing moment (in which I am aware- which unfortunately is unrealistic to take place in every moment) with the utmost sensory perception.  I recognize certain events or actions as a gracious gift from the Divine or the cosmos and take that moment to just relish in the beauty that is life.  I feel special, even honored to have experienced whatever it may be.

Gaia by Alex Grey

You see, this is a wonderful way of living.  Not only does it help you not to take things for granted, it pushes you to be present and to be thankful for all that you have, no matter how big or how small.  You begin to feel a constant divine presence wherever you go; like everything is given only and directly to you.  The tiniest little thing like a rain shower that spreads irridescent little globes across your windshield or the dry snow that leaves perfectly formed miniature snow flakes on your jacket;  these things would normally just be brushed off, but why would you brush them off?  They have been given to you.  Everything has a reason and a purpose.  Why not take in with the amusement of perhaps that perfect snowflake was made exactly for you; a divine gift, so to speak.  A way to feel the ultimate connect with you and your universe.

Books of Books by Vladimir Kush

We are constantly using terms like "man, that was trippy" or "wow, that outfit is intense" or "dude, you just tripped me out with that," when we are referring to these experiences as being enhanced, distorted, or euphoric.  These can all be misunderstandedly taken as a connection to drugs, but that is really NOT the reference.  Yes, people experience a lot of things during or after having done drugs, specifically hallucinogens, but that is not what living psychedelically has to do with at all, as you may very well understand.

Op-Art

So my challenge to you is to try to be more sensorially aware in your life.  Begin to notice things; start with the minute, most irrelevent things or situations in your life and see if you can actually sense them.  What I mean by this is actually try to perceive things, not only with your eyes, but with your mind.  Really see things and associate things with your soul.

Departure of the Winged Ship by Vladimir Kush

I love that a definition of psychedelic is "soul manifesting," because, well, living life in awareness is allowing your soul to manifest through experiences.  The next time that you hear someone refer to something as being "trippy" or "psychedelic" ask yourself this question:  is this a moment in mine or this person's life that is allowing me to truly let my soul manifest?

Time is never of the essence.  The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali

Think about that.  Remember that true psychedelia has nothing to do with drugs.  You and you alone have the power and opportunity to grace your life with psychedelic experiences.  I think our souls may be trying to tell us something...

But, what do you see?  Swans Reflecting Elephants by Salvador Dali

And speaking of psychedelics, check out this post of a truly psychedelic breakfast.  Stephanie, who is one of the contributors to the site, was awesome enough to mention my shoppe in one of her posts.  So go on over to Grains of Earth and check them out. 


May you be inspired by all things in your life to live not only fully but soul-fully. <3

Three-Legged Mule Makes My Day

The boys (mine and a visiting friend) went up north to work for the week, so an impromptu hoop sesh was brewing after they left.  This evening I was feeling a little frisky, probably from all the lazying that made up most of the morning, so I decided to go all Alaskan gypsy on  ya.  Video quality is not good because it was recorded off my phone.  But, I had fun just twirling and acting crazy and it made me smile, so maybe it will for you, too. 





More vids to come soon.  Haven't been dedicating as much time as I would like because things have been crazy, but I am itching to dance everyday so hopefully it will stop being ridiculous outside and decide on what kind of weather we are going to have- haha.

Anyways, off to go veg out and watch the first season of Medium.  I am starting my mourning process of the ending of the finale season by going back and watching all seven seasons.  I didn't have cable and never got the channel that it was on, but I did watch the final show that was played Friday night online.  (**side note**- I have major mixed feelings on the final episode and am still trying to mentally process it all.  I don't have the time to really go into that.  THAT in itself may be a post of it's own...)  Man, TV is already pretty much reality shows, gore, and sex; might as well cancel the shows that don't have that the "good stuff"....

New year, new beginnings



New Year's Eve bonfire



This blog has been pretty dormant the last few weeks.  There has been a ton of stuff going on in KellyLand.  We have been moving into a new place for the last week.  It is only a few blocks from where we were at originally so it wasn't a tough move, just time consuming.  I won't behaving internet hook-up until January 14th, so I won't be blogging much until then.  One of my intentions for 2011 is to get off my ass and do more fun stuff, so I hope to bring you lots of interesting things to read in the coming months.

Other new years intentions:

-do more crafting

-up the intensity and frequency of my yoga and hoop practices
-build up Centric Hoops
-delve into my spirituality practices

-go on vacation somewhere other than Virginia

-hit up all the great Bluegrass festies this summer

Yesterday was my birthday and I had a wonderfully relaxing day after a week of moving and cleaning.  My boyfriend fixed me french toast for breakfast, I took a nap (really!!), hooped for a while, and had some absolutely delish corn fritters.  It was a good day.

Today is back on with the daily bump and grind, attending work at a bright and early 6 am.  I have to start looking for another job this weekend to help make up the difference of the new rent.

I also did a few takes for a new hoop video yesterday on my birthday that will include a doubles sample.  I have been working on doubles lately and wanted to add a few clips in my new video.  So look for that within the next few days.  Anyways, more from me later;  have to actually do some work now :).

Oh, and for all of you western Europe, eastern Asia people, tomorrow there will be a solar eclipse!!  Check it out if you're in the viewing area.

Birthday Sunrise