Sunday, June 28, 2009

Do Celebrity Deaths Happen in Threes -- as My Daughter's Friend Suggests?

This week was a week to remember in America: Three of America's cultural icons, Michael Jackson, Farah Fawcett, and now Billy Mays took their last breaths on this precious earth. Michael, the King of Pop, and Billy Mays, the television pitchman, were only 50 years old; Farah the knockout with the glamorous hair, was 62. Interestingly, Michael and Farah, who both died on June 25th, struggled with ravages of the body, one in the form of issues with the physical heart, the other with the ravages of cancer. Billy Mays is suspected to have died due to some head trauma that had occurred yesterday, at the end of a bumpy flight when something hit him very hard on the head.

Our hearts go out to the extremely talented and eccentric, genius of a singer, dancer, and performer, Michael Jackson, who among other things, brought deep hope and glory to his hometown, Gary Indiana. He also was adored and appreciated by many, along with his brothers, to help collapse and ease old racial barriers and Heal the World (We Are the World).

We also mourn the loss of the beautiful, sexy Farah, well known for her role as "the pretty one" in Charlie's Angels, leaving a legacy of determination to prove that she could play against her image and defy expectations ("The Burning Bed" and "Extremities"). She became a role model for actors who have been typecast and every star whose talent has been questioned.

And we mourn the loss of Billy Mays. Discovery Channel spokeswoman Elizabeth Hillman commented about Billy saying, "Everyone that knows him was aware of his larger-than-life personality, generosity and warmth. Billy was a pioneer in his field and helped many people fulfill their dreams. He will be greatly missed as a loyal and compassionate friend."

Michael's and Farah's lives were cut short, in part because they became caught in the pressure cooker of being in the limelight of notoriety. They had to live their lives in fishbowls, often without the privacy or freedom that they may have desired. Their lives were in many ways paradoxal, and their shadow sides and demons that they struggled with remind us of our own. At this time, it would seem that Billy's life was cut short by a coincidental accident.

Most of all, however, their loss reminds us of the fragility of life. We never know when life will end for us on this fragile earth. We often think we're invincible, we tend to take our bodies for granted and work them very hard; and we imagine that we're "in control." However, in the end, we are not in control. Probably we are never in control. Life happens to us; and life does not always go the way we think that it will, or imagine that it could. We need to be prepared for the last adventure of life at all times, for we know not when it will come.

This is an opportunity for us all to take a deep breath, while we give thanks for the life that we have be given. Life is good! Life is sacred and very special. May we honor and hold close to our hearts all those who have gone before us. And as we grieve and mourn the loss of these gifted, yet fragile human lives, may we resolve to make the most of our lives, shining the Light and Love -- who we really are! Thank you, Michael, Farah, and Billy, for the Love & Light that you shone and now shine on... Thank you for your magical, healing ways. May you live on in bright and beautiful ways, giving hope, joy, and determination, especially for those who must pick up the pieces and move on in their lives without you.

In deep gratitude for the gift of life itself, and for the unique, precious gift of each unique and special one on the planet, Dancing heart~~~

For another look at the "synchronicity" or coincidence of Michael's and Farah's deaths, see Toni Elizabeth Sar'h's youtube.

If you're interested in Body-Mind-Spirit Tools for Healing, see Dancing Heart's website's Link Page.

And if you enjoyed this article, you may be interested in taking a look at my Examiner.com site for more articles on related topics.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Moving Beyond Consuming

Speaking of releasing and letting go, Raphael Cushnir is an inspiring author (The One Thing Holding You Back, Setting Your Heart on Fire, etc.) and speaker who is helping us open our eyes to the challenges we face as materialistic consumers. He has developed a beautiful Youtube called Beyond Consuming. (You can view it here, too.) I received word about this through an email recently and wanted to pass this beautiful message along today.

What are your views on consumerism and how are you creating ways to materially lighten up your life? I'd love to hear from you. Happy forgiving, releasing, letting go, and moving on! Dancing heart~~~

Raphael Cushnir is a leading voice in the world of emotional connection and Present Moment Awareness. He has shared his unique approach to personal and professional development with millions of readers in O, The Oprah Magazine, Beliefnet, Spirituality and Health, Psychology Today and the Huffington Post. He has also authored three previous books, lectures worldwide, and is a faculty member of the Esalen Institute, and the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. In addition, he coaches individuals and teams at Fortune 100 companies, governments, religious organizations, and leading non-profits. For more info: cushnir.com.