Last year at the McDowell Mountain Music Festival, Michael Franti wore a shirt that said, "Every day is Earth Day." I couldn't agree more.

According to an article today on the front page of Yahoo, since the first Earth Day 40 years ago, smog has dropped 25% and lead levels in the air are down 90% (did anyone know there were high levels of lead in the air??? News to me, although I was only 5 at the time;)

And although carbon dioxide levels are up 19%, we are making huge strides in our awareness and our efforts to preserve our precious planet.

Several years ago, my daughter picked up trash around our home on Earth Day. Tonight, she's planning to have the lights off (sounds like an adventure!). But more importantly, we recycle everyday and try to be mindful about the effects we have on mother earth.

As we celebrate and conserve today, let's try to remember that truly, "Everyday is Earth Day."

Happy Spring everyone! We can now look forward to fresh berries and enjoy the blossoms all around us. The picture is from Easter and I have a huge blackberry in my mouth... Yummy:)

What do you suppose the difference is between surrender and forgiveness? Isn't forgiveness to for-give? To perhaps allow life to go before us and make things right? Surrendering to the present moment, to all that is, to the will of life - seems energetically similar.

Today is Good Friday. For Christians, this day symbolizes persecution and death, but what if persecution and imminent death lead to Jesus's total surrender? Maybe the day that Christians deem so heavy and fraught with guilt is actually a day of liberation? Perhaps Good Friday is actually good?

The story of the Crucifixion is tragic for sure, but I wonder if Jesus would compare the "sacrifice" he made that day to the birth of a child. Once the baby is here, the pain disappears completely.

Regardless of how you interpret this day, practicing surrender seems like a good idea, for we will all have to surrender to life someday so why not start now?

Forgiveness seems like a mixture of acceptance and surrender. It has the feel of "going with the flow," or living life on life's terms. Worry would be the opposite, causing one to restrict the flow and live life on our own terms. So for the rest of today - Good Friday - I vow not to worry about anything, instead I'm going to surrender to each moment regardless of what it brings.

Come one, come all! I couldn't be more excited about the fasting retreats at Smoke Tree Resort. The next one is on Saturday April 17th.

It's only one day and you feel SO GOOD after:) This one includes a massage and a gentle yoga class (for those who are interested...) Some may just want to lounge by the pool.

Check out http://www.fastingsun.com/ for more info!

Monday night I was in a car accident - a four car collision that was pretty dramatic and even traumatic. Other than a mild concussion and some back pain, I'm good. My car on the other hand...not so much, but it's just a car.

I was on my way to meet my boyfriend for some dance lessons at a local studio where the voluptuous blond owner refers to her Latin partner in business and in life, "papa." We were looking forward to taking some spins on the dance floor, but our fun was derailed for a time.

Some say there are no accidents in life. To be honest, I'm not sure about that, but in this case I was willing to ask myself what the lesson was for me.

I heard, "Be grateful." Not once, but about ten times - something that happens to me when I receive guidance from my higher self. It must know I'm a little dense, so repeats important messages over and over.

It just so happened that Joel Olsteen was delivering a sermon on television that night on seeing things with a different perspective - encouraging us to look for the silver lining in every situation. I NEEDED TO HEAR THAT MESSAGE. I had become complacent and dare I say, negative? Maybe that's too extreme, but I temporarily forgot how incredibly blessed I am.

It's difficult for me to view the accident with anything other than gratitude. I'm not seriously hurt. My baby girl (now a tween, but I can't stop calling her that) was not in the car, and therefore did not experience the fear and emotion that comes from such an event, and everyone around me rallied with love and support. Indeed I am blessed, and am grateful for the reminder to always focus on the silver lining rather than the dark clouds.