I love this in-between week each year.

Wedged between the family/friend/work holiday bustle, and the New Year’s beginning, anything may happen.

I decided to take a little time and unfold this year of unfolding.

I dedicate this post to all my loved ones and friends, especially those with whom I’ve not been in touch as much as I would have liked. I love you all and think of you often, even if I seldom take the time to tell you that. And I hope you know who you are… if you wonder whether you’re one, then you are one :)

The rose blooms, while spinning wildly…

Centrifugal force flings the petals wide; centripetal force draws the heart in tenderly. Reflection yields peace of mind.

I’ve learned that I can be both spontaneous and thoughtful without contradiction.

I’ve learned that I can be both fearless and scared s**tless at the same time.

I’ve learned that there are some secrets best kept hidden, and some best shared. And that none of them merit shame.

I’ve learned that what was lost may easily be replaced.

I’ve learned to trust and leap – it all turns out fine in the ‘end’.

I’m learning to trust myself…

I’ve learned to accept my wrinkles and aches, and the brevity of life.

I’ve learned who I was in some previous lives, and that helps me understand that sometimes it’s good to have a brief life.

I’ve learned that I’m not crazy, and that I’m not alone.

And that even if I were crazy and alone, that would be okay, too.

I’ve learned that life and needs and wishes flow unpredictably…

So I decided just to lie back into the current and watch the sky as I travel.

I’ve learned that I don’t need to be afraid of telling people what I think and believe and experience… but it helps if I don’t expect them to understand.

They can love me anyway – it’s possible.

So, my friends, this little blog exposes just the tip of the iceberg of what’s been going on in my life recently.

If you look on All About Enlightenment, you’ll get a glimpse of something that began for me back in 2010. That’s been a huge part of my life since then. Lately I’ve been focusing on using it to publish the parts of the book by the same name. But as soon as I get the last half-dozen or so sections posted, I’ll start talking more about how I came to this point, and how I use the pendulum.

It’s pretty wild. I’ve been talking with Enlightened Beings.

If you look on Because U Think To Ask, you’ll get a very early peek at something that arose in my life very recently (this past September). I’m still trying to make sense of it all, but I think I’m onto something here, because through this I’ve connected some really wonderful people who have really pure hearts. That refreshes me.

It’s pretty wild, too. Now I’m also talking with “Extra-Terrestrials”.

What surprised me about this the most is that I’m seeing that the line, veil, whatever you want to call it, between the two types of being becomes very, very thin at times.

As I come to understand better how things work together in this Universe, it deeply reassures me.

I’ve learned that most of the people in this world seem to be terrified of the unknown. But, you know what? There’s nothing to fear.

If you look on Raging Pandit (once I get something posted…), you’ll find some strong words that need saying about modern Buddhism and faith and religion in general.

Many of you know that I was a Buddhist nun for 4-1/2 years; these posts will help explain why I’m not one any more.

Thank you for joining me on this journey, meeting me on the lane, and appearing in my dreams. I love you all.

May we all have an eye-opening, heart-warming, soul-inspiring 2012.