Dear Joanie, Last summer when I first read your posts on the intentblog, you were going through what most would consider to be a challenging time. I was so impressed by your zest and delight in life, and your willingness to try new things, regardless of what else was going on around you. I was most touched and inspired by the words you wrote to me: “You want so much to be a butterfly, you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.” Love, Patzi

Joanie: Obviously I'm going to re-read your blog several times, and will comment more than once, as your audience chimes in, from within the cyber-gamut of "the world of new friends" we've made since first seeing your name, last summer.

Maybe it's just intuition, but I could also swear I recognize "the feeling" of the words given by poster #1, as if I "know her too," from somewhere!

My Monarch butterfly now has made it quite clear that he is coming by for visits to my balcony area, everday, and that he has taken residence in one of the huge pines trees that my third-story balcony affords me a view of--I literally feel like I live in a treefort at times, with all the airborne creatures that live with, and around me--a place where I first had this window-to-the-world open, as my computer desk overlooks all this.

Patzi was telling me about one of her students last night, like many, whom she "coincidentally" runs into as young adults now--his name is Burt, so I named my butterfly "Burt," as of yesterday.

This is the same way Wayne Dyer named "his Monarch" to be as Jack, who was a friend that Dr. Dyer recounts who told him all about butterflies, and their remarkable journey from South America, to Nova Scotia, every year, and who "crossed over" some time ago, but went to Deepak's Ayurvedic clinic in Mass.--when he had cancer.

Now back to rereading your blog--and watch out for people like the above #1 poster; I'm "certain" she's using an alias, and is here only to "play with your mind," literally, and figuratively, of course! Love--Dave

Joanie, you are full of compassion and love. I have always enjoyed your comments. I am glad to see you here as a contributor to the Weekly Intenblog. I agree with you Deepak inspires many people. Like you I will not be surprised if one day he wins a Noble Prize for teaching love and peace. He is one of the rare persons from India who has brought to the West Indian spirituality. I think, in that respect, he ranks with Swami Vivekananda. He has transformed the lives of so many people with his deep understanding of human psyche. No one seems to parallel him as a world teacher. He is a great son of India, and we very proud to have him amongst us.

Dear Joanie,
It's great to learn more about you and to see your picture too. You certainly have found your passions in life! It's really inspiring, because you make that seem so natural. Thanks for sharing.

Love, Kristin

Dear Joanie, the world is a better, and more beautiful place, because of you. All the best, and may your passions continue to form into all the wonderful ways you fit into the world.

Lots has changed in a year here, huh?(wink)

North

Joanie,

Hello! Nice to meet you! My name is Keith, or Me2,

or both/all and more I'd rather not repeat!

Like you, this was the first site I came to,

after finally getting a p/c back on March 24.

What a new, time-consuming habit I have begun...

not that you can really consume Eternity.

You have had a rough life and seem to have come through

with shining spectral radiance!

That is a story that relates to many here...

dis-abled, dysfunctional, dis-placed, dis-and dat etc. etc.

This is a magnificent support group...for most of us.

This has the potential to be an influencing Force

in New Age circles and Newer Age Webs.

Indeed, it may be already. I'd like to know how

many folks come here to read and never post. Mallika

might answer that, I'm curious to know.

It was very difficult for me to start exposing

myself in the beginning. My intentions were not even known

to me at the time. I've had to search my own motives...

and found them "wanting" and "ego-centered".

I thought I was well enough informed to strike up

conversations with other posters. Little did I know,

just how difficult it would be to get some attention.

Dave cracked the door open, blessed man, and one

by one others took hold, until I could finally

say, I belong here, am accepted and appreciated

by many. What a good feeling that is!

I am grateful, overwhelmed and delighted to be here!

I look forward to being a member of this group,

we are goin' places yet unseen. We shall have a

strong and powerful influence in worldly matters.

I have faith, but no foresight, but yet...I gotta feelin'

about this family and our future together.

In this, my wish resides among my brothers and sisters.

Glad you could share with us today.

See ya at the "Wishin' Well"! Bring pennies...

Joanie
Thanks for being such a positive energy at Intent. With all the hateful things that are sometimes shared on this blog, its wonderful to read something hopeful and full of light.
Thanks for providing the balance. I enjoyed your post today- it reminds me of my commitment to stay close to thoughts and people that are beautiful and hopeful.

Wonderful intro to Joanie!

May you have continued success and may others also be inspired to face difficult times with your positive attitude!

Cheers,

Yogi-one

Hi Joanie - thanks for sharing your story about synchrodestiny . . . very cool

Hello Joanie

Kudos to you in establishing BetterBedRest Inc, teaching, and most of all being a Mom!

I always say if you can take your worst enemy and make them your best friend, then you really accomplished something.

My father also was in WWII. He never much talked about it. He was a waist gunner and flew 51 missions. After he passed away I went on a tour of the B -17. When I saw the ball turret in the ground and looked all around, I could understand his silence.

It sounds to me you are following in your father's footsteps!

The first task of a leader is to keep hope alive.
Joe Batten

Hello Joanie

Kudos to you!

My father was also in WWII. He was a waistgunner and flew 51 missions in a B-17. He seldom talked about it. After he passed away I went on a tour of the B-17. When I saw the ball turret in the ground and looked all around, I could understand his silence.

The first task of a leader is to keep hope alive. Joe Batten

Hmmm, like father like daughter!

Joanie,
Your blog is very inspiring.I admire single moms who earn a living and raise their child. Your blog reflects simplicity and purity of your heart.

Wish you all the best...

Dear Joanie,
I wish you a good day, every day, too!
Thank you so much for sharing about the program you created, Betterbedrest.

Eight years ago, a dear friend of mine delivered a tiny baby girl, after 4 months on bed rest. It was very difficult for her to be on bed rest (prior to her pregnancy she was an aerobics instructor). I came often to help her with just basic chores for her home, and preparing meals, and sitting beside her, sharing conversation.

Love and Blessings to you,
~ Kate

Dear all,
What fun it has been so far to read all your comments!

Patzi: It is hard to believe that a year has passes. Time is a true healer to all. My wings are up and ready to fly...no more caterpilling for me lol....footloose and fancy free :D

David, david, david: It seems like yesterday....you too have gone full circle it seems and found wonderful connections here at Intentblog...so i guess it was meant to be. Hello to Burt of course!

Yahi: Thank you for your beautiful comments....I feel your connection here and the compassion that you also have for Deepak and his work.

Kristen: It is cool to see what people look like here after you have written to them for this long....To me findings one's passion is so very natural...as it is at our core...that's what makes it a passion, at least for me.

North: Thank you. Yes. change is good...never a dull moment here on this blog lol

Keith: Hi. Nice to meet you. Yes we are a decent group....if not Mallika keeps us in line...:) Thanks for your words.

Maria: Glad you liked the post. I agree that the balance is needed. I don't like it when it gets so heated...I usually stop reading at that point...

Yogi-one: Thanks for your good wishes.

Matt: That synchodestiny stuff...it comes rolling off my fingertips...it is very cool when it happens.

Donna: Sounds like you could relate to my father's experience...pretty powerful stuff. I have realized as I got older how many good qualities I inherited from my dad....good stuff!.

Thank you all for your comments...keep writing!

Love, Joanie

Joanie, I remember reading about Winter. It was very amusing. Teaching blind and visually impaired children is Karmayoga. I am proud of the job you are doing. Your father, and how you love him, and are proud of him, that is very moving. I remember you wrote about the neighbors' celebrating Diwali. You write well. I always enjoy reading you. Great blog post. God bless you Joanie.

Joanie,
after reading your blog, am now clear about the intent behind Weekly Intent. You have succeeded in rescuing it from the pall of last weeks rape.

What comes across undeniably is the peace in your words and the quiet sense of accomplishment at a life lived in the manner befitting an aware individual. Have read it twice over already.

Regards

Geeta, What is Karmayoga? I did yoga today, but somehow i know we are not talking about the same thing hehe

Yes, Winter is a hoot. He does the "Bichon Buzz", for those of you who don't know that that is...he "buzzes" around like the roadrunner cartoon, jumping on a bed, around the apartment, round and round for a few minutes. Bichons are known for that. He brings a lot of joy to my son and I. He has a good smile too!

Thank you for your kind words.

Geeta, What is Karmayoga? I did yoga today, but somehow i know we are not talking about the same thing hehe

Yes, Winter is a hoot. He does the "Bichon Buzz", for those of you who don't know that that is...he "buzzes" around like the roadrunner cartoon, jumping on a bed, around the apartment, round and round for a few minutes. Bichons are known for that. He brings a lot of joy to my son and I. He has a good smile too!

Thank you for your kind words.

Hi Joanie,

Have always enjoyed your contribution here - except that you post infrequently - you obviously have so much to give. So, in a way thats a comp-laint which I hope you will rectify! :)

Was good to get to know more about you as a person. A genuine, compassionate one.

Keith,

Enjoyed reading your story too - thanks for sharing. Have been reading and appreciating your gems and it was nice to learn more about you.

Dara, I don't believe we've met, nice to meet you too! Do you answer questions? Some folks like to stay anonymous, I'd rather meet people.

Joanie, I also have a bad habit of stealing space on other's threads to talk amongst the natives. See Navin's Intent for more info...take the good with the bad. Hope you don't terribly mind, I done it again. Woops, used the King's EnGLisH, or "southern slang"!

By the way, Joanie, you look "old-fashioned" in your picture...and that's a compliment!

See ya'll around, Keith

Joanie, I will try to briefly answer your question,"What is Karma yoga?".

The goal of Sanatana Dharma, popularly known as Hinduism is MOKSHA, or LIBERATION, from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. This can be done by four different paths. 1. Bhakti yoga, which is the path of love and devotion. 2. Gyana yoga, which is the path of knowledge. 3. Raja yoga, which is the path of yoga and meditation. and KARMA YOGA, which is the path of selfless service.

Karma is derived from the Sanskrit root word "KRI", which means "TO DO". Therefore all action is Karma. In Hinduism when one uses the word KARMA, it means action and also the effects of action.

When a person does his job, his duty, without thinking about, name, fame, money, a special place in heaven, etc, with the only intention of helping mankind,helping the poor, the under previliged, the needy, the disabled, the people with special needs the person is a Karmayogi.

Buddha was the greatest Karmayogi. He said,"do good and be good, and this will take you to freedom and to whatever truth there is".

I was fortunate to meet a Karmayogi last Friday. This physician has built a hospital, and is giving service to the poorest of the poor in southern India. As I was watching this DVD he was showing, about how a small clinic has grown into a big hospital, I was crying, I was so moved.

Joanie, in other words that is the highest complement I can give you! I mean it very sincerely. God bless you.

Very inspiring Geeta! It is always great to read about wonderful professionals giving of their gifts to heal; so freely to the impoverished!

Amazing, what a pure heart can accomplish!!

North

Hey Joanie!
I dont think u know me! aam relatively new to this place but i BELONG here! (I dont mean to screech here... just assuring that the word doesnt go unnoticed, pls dont misunderstand me):)

I dont have too much to say to you, Joanie. I still have a long way to go, not too many feathers in my spiritual cap like u guys. :( anyways.

I wish u all luck & love in life. :) It's great that u have found ur intent and r seeing things work out. very few people have found this happiness & fulfillment in life. They are very fortunate.. i mean u r very fortunate! What else can one ask for! :)

Love & God bless!

Hi Keith,

Yes - I answer questions if I know or think I know, but be warned - I can write reams where a phrase would do! Not on purpose, just do not have the talent to be brief.

Dear Dara....during the school year it is hard to post here as much as I'd like. In the summer I have more time and hope to be able to write more.

Omar...I do feel very much at peace now in my life...not always though...it took time to find this place...it feels good now, so hopefully it will just continue to get better!

Geeta, Thanks for the explanation. I feel honored that you would think of me in that way. WOw.

Keith....thanks for the compliment..That picture was taken at my son's bar-mitzvhah in 2001. Tried to get rid of the hand..did not work. It is the hand of my best friend from growing up so that is ok. Not sure what you mean by "old fashioned". Maybe it is the dress LOL

Swear amm not spiritual.....One feather or two is better than none!

Have a good day everyone...off to work!

WEll Joanie, we are eagerly looking forward to another campout this summer with you, Patzi, David, Keith, Kate, etc. when your time is freed!! Maybe we'll see another beautiful blue butterfly!

Yes, you are a great inspiration.

North

Hi Joanie,

What a refreshing blog you've posted! Very nice. The first time I logged onto Intent was near the end of June last year, but did not start posting till the end of the summer...I think! I do remember you, David and Patzi as being some of the first posting. I had just finished reading Deepaks "HTKG" book and thought I'd get on the website and voila!

I know exactly what you mean about synchro-destiny--I've seen it myself. These messages and clues are everywhere--I just have to learn to pick up on them faster!

So...I just wanted to tell you it's always good reading your comments--keep them coming, but more of them!

Best of luck with everything!

Thank you North and Tiffany!

Yes, Synchro-destiny is pretty cool. It used to spook me a little, but not at all anymore. I am open to it, I guess I just have opened my "soul" to it and just let it happen.

I am looking forward to the summer and maybe we can have a little "virtual" party on here to celebrate.

Love, Joanie