Infinite Satori

It’s in small bursts of clarity, of unearthly beauty found in moments of unadulterated bliss, fleeting moments of sudden enlightenment, known as Satori. - Stephanie Dandan

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Blog writer Stephanie Dandan is nothing less than inspirational, an amazing photographer, and best of all an avid explorer.  Her words and posts speak right to the soul.  Her voice is full of spirit when she encourages you and elevates you to see things the way she does.  She accomplishes making you feel inspired almost instantly. Reminding you to imagine, create, inspire, and repeat (her words), to remember what makes you smile and to pursue it. 

 InfiniteSatori's blog got me so amped up on the idea of traveling and uncovering those flickering magical moments in life.  I was so tempted to pack a backpack that night, buy a plane ticket and take off to europe.  It breaks my heart that I cant go immediately, but it also breaks my heart to leave the ones I care about behind and my sister roommate-less. I have other magical moments waiting for me to find when I move to LA this next month that have to come first. I know that I will make it to that point, it is only a matter of time. Putting it in my subconscious is enough for now, I am planning, I am saving, I am creating, as you should too.

The universe plants these ideas in your head so that you can discover whatever it is that will inspire you. Your wonderful mind collects bits of information here and there for you to receive and perceive.  Be open and it will fill you with this burning excitement to create your life. This blog is just ONE of MANY for me, and here is another. 

Next time you're somewhere and a book catches your eye, pick it up. Take a few deep breathes and open it randomly, let the pages flip and fall wherever they may. Almost as if you are shuffling a deck of tarot, stop when your instincts tell you too. If you're lucky, the page will speak to you. This time for me it was this poem.

Stone People

Sacred libraries etched in stone,

Please help me find my way;

Symbols of all the Earth has known,

Mark the language you display,

Can I read your alphabet,

And will I understand,

The silent message you send me,

While resting in my hands?

Will I grasp the meanings,

Of the steps I must take,

To walk with you in beauty,

As my spirit comes awake?

And is the warmth you send

An understanding alive in me,

Reflected by Earth Mother,

And the Sacred Mystery?

Will you open the Remembering,

I feel sleeping inside of me?

Do you know my deepest longing

To be all that I can be?

Silent messenger of the Earth,

My teacher made of stone,

I honor your seeds of wisdom

And the knowing you have sown.

-Unknown

Understanding the universe's pulses and touches. Understanding the meanings and feelings. Reaching out and searching for them.  Urging one to live openly and seek out the wisdom of Mother Earth.  It will come to you all you have to do is ask.  Open your palms and let the water fall, the beads bounce and the bountiful gift of life pour.

It felt like this poem answered questions I have been asking myself, while also posing me to ask new questions. It has expanded my thought process about this weird infinite gift of energy surging through us all.

It felt like it was almost nudging me forward with this idea of exploring, and taking those leaps of faith. Remember that the wind will carry you as it is supposed to, serendipity happens everyday.  Search for those bits of information, search for what inspires you. What inspires you could end up inspiring others.

“Nature loves courage. You make the commitment and nature will respond to that commitment by removing impossible obstacles. Dream the impossible dream and the world will not grind you under, it will lift you up. This is the trick. This is what all these teachers and philosophers who really counted, who really touched the alchemical gold, this is what they understood. This is the shamanic dance in the waterfall. This is how magic is done. By hurling yourself into the abyss and discovering its a feather bed.”  ― Terence Mckenna

Dedicated to Stephanie Dandan/ InfiniteSatori

Nikki Montoya / Need Supply Co.

Here is a shout out to Nikki Montoya a super rad jewelry designer based in LA.  As a metalsmith she handcrafts her jewelry in her studio using mainly brass which will change color over time to create that heirloom feel.  Her father served as a guiding light being also a jewelry designer big in the 60's.   Her designs are simple and alluring. She uses sacred geometry and columbian charm to create that edgy feel we all want.

While searching her stocklists, I came across Need Supply Co. which blew me away.  They have everything you could ever want on one sight.  The company started in 1996 selling only Levi's at a storefront in Richmond, VA.  Since then expanding into a multi cultural extravaganza.  Supporting both well known brands to independent designers worldwide.  The first thing you see on their home site is a lovely slideshow showcasing whats in store. Including a monthly looks page for both men and women, shoes, lingerie, household items, you name it. Overall the style is modern, chic, and very trendy.  Scroll down and you come across a collage of site updates. Incorporating back in stock clothing/favorites and articles as you can see below. Here is where it gets interesting they give you direct access to their blog full of awe-inspiring features on everything from up and coming artists to historic icons/events. They also host events such as Meet the Maker amongst others. This sight screams innovation and equality, keeping you up to date on everything cultural. A wonderful cyberspace find.

Lourdes, France

Lourdes

In a small market town in the foothills of Pyrenees, lies The Sanctuary of Our Lady Lourdes.  In 1858 Saint Bernadette Soubirous, a christian mystic, was involved in the Marian apparition.  Also known as supernatural appearances of the Blessed Virgin Mary who requested a chapel be built. On land bordered by a loop of the river Gave de Pau the apparitions took place in Cave-Grotto in Massabielle where the chapel was eventually built.
The Sanctuary of Our Lady Lourdes is a place for pilgrimage to heal pilgrims in need by drinking the Lourdes water.

and OH MY WORD next stop

Kjeragbolten, Norway ↝ Ronny Randen

“I believe life is constantly testing us for our level of commitment, and life’s greatest rewards are reserved for those who demonstrate a never–ending commitment to act until they achieve. This level of resolve can move mountains, but it must be constant and consistent. As simplistic as this may sound, it is still the common denominator separating those who live their dreams from those who live in regret.”

—	Anthony Robbins

Heres to a new future and heres to giving more to others