Gifts for the Goddess – Integrity

Ok, so it was time to re-evaluate a few priorities again.  Yes. It’s a constant struggle, this thing called life.  Always encountering situations where we can continue to create who we are.

Sometimes on this journey, we encounter situations that test our integrity.   What do we believe, who are we, what do we want to project.  Do we compromise what we know is right even just for a little while because, well, we just “need to?” Do we have something to prove or does our mind go a mile a minute rationalizing the situation? We women are good at that. Do we take care of ourselves or someone else at the cost of our own integrity?  Do we have something we did that we are not proud of and that we beat ourselves up for?

Here’s a news flash.  Everyone does.  Cut your self a break!  As women, we evaluate, questions, evaluate again, dissect a situation to death! Why this, why that, what did I do to bring this on, and even “What was I thinking!”

All we have to remember, at any time, in any situation, is who we are and what we want to be is defined by our actions.  That really is it.  And if we stumble, if we fall, if we experience a “What the hell did I do” moment, it’s ok.  Make amends and apologies if it’s needed, and forgive yourself….for being human, having a lapse in judgement or for losing yourself for the moment, and move on with your fantastic, wonderful life. Because it is! Believe that too, and if you don’t, well that’s another subject all together.  “What do you need to be happy.”

Integrity.  It is what we believe and how we act based on those beliefs.  Make no mistake.  Actions speak louder than words and if you are not acting in alignment with your beliefs or words, you might need to evaluate what you really do believe, or who you really are.  And people, that can be a painful realization sometimes.  But not one that can’t be changed. That’s what life is all about, the journey…constant change….evaluation of self, connection and Love …always love.   At least that is what this writer believes.  Besides, How boring would life be without challenges, change and growth?

So as I sit by the pool in beautiful Palm Springs, (yes, I have to brag) I am grateful for everything and everyone in my life.  My family and friends fill me with love and I am blessed for it.  My work (All of the various hats I wear) fulfills me. My work relationships can be challenging, but I would have it no other way for it helps me grow. And I thank mother/father/god for my life, my experiences and the lessons that move me closer to oneness, for truly, we are all one.  Blessed be,,…

GO AND GET IT!  Whatever it is!

Veronica Crystal Young                 www.tvartscapes.com

Gifts for the Goddess – Permission

Sitting here watching the sailboats go out of the marina, the sun trying to crack thru the haze, I see birds flocking around the empty tables looking for any morsel of nourishment they can find.  Peaceful when no one is around, but I know soon it will be bustling with people, adults and kids alike, taking advantage of the beautiful holiday weekend.

Yes, I’m not working today.  I had to sit down with myself yesterday and have a serious talk.  I have been running myself into the ground with work certifications, extra curricular activities and my businesses at home with no time for myself at all.  Looking in the mirror lately is just scary!  So I set some time aside to clean the house, it was such a mess.  When I was done I took a long, hot bath, went to bed early and promised myself that I had to take care of having a day off at least once a week.

Now unless you know me, you do not know how hard that is to do!  I always feel like I have to be doing something, especially for my businesses.  A very good and wise friend asked me, “Who has set the deadline on anything for your businesses?”  I had to stop and say, well me.  Why am I doing this to myself.  It is just crazy.

I told myself, well there ARE reasons.  I have to make sure I write the blog at least monthly, I have to do a News show at least monthly, I have to get the new Website up, I have to actually finish the 3 DVDs in post-production for TV ArtScapes…..and of course, I have to go to my regular work 50 hours a week!  Man, I need to get a life, I thought.

Another very good friend of mine came to my rescue a few weeks ago when I was in meltdown mode.  He said, you know, if you put all that energy into the film you want to make, you’d have it done in a year.  I thought, about it, and you know, he is so right. But would putting all my other projects on hold for a year feel like I failed? I thought it might but again, there is really no timeline but the one I have set.  And my pursuits and energy, while very diverse, have allowed me to realize and create many of my dream projects, but having limited time, exhausts me for sure!

So it’s all about permission.  Giving yourself permission to take the road and path you feel the most strongly about.  Make the decision and have laser focus on that path.  You will accomplish what you need to do, or if you don’t, you may found out you want to change that path or at least find out what NOT to do on the way to that goal.

So give yourself permission to have laser focus.  If you have other pursuits, don’t feel like you have failed, they are “on hold” for now.  While you go after your dream, and experience life to the fullest!  Blessing to all, and my you live life to the fullest!

Love and Light Always!

Veronica Crystal Young

www. tvartscapes.com                                 www.giftsforthegoddess.com

Gifts for the Goddess – What Do You Need To Be Happy

What do you need to be happy? This is a hard question sometimes and one I have been asking myself again lately.  Why now, you may ask?  Well, I do this about every two years, evaluate what I really want, why I want it, can I get it, and again why I want it. I think it is important to ask yourself why you want it the most because sometimes what you think you want, when it comes right down to it, you really don’t. You like the romance of it maybe, the glamour of it, the fact that it feeds your Mr. Ego man, “Fred, living in your head” maybe, but do you really want all that this choice entails?

Is it the fact that you choose something that seems unreachable or that you can never have which just points out a useless impulse to go after something unattainable. Are you constantly trying to find that perfect job, perfect partner, perfect vacation, perfect friend, perfect life? What about where you are now?  What about who is here now, the job you have now, the friends you have now, your home now? What needs to change to make you feel that you are truly happy and have it all the way you truly want it.  Well, I’ll tell you what needs to change.  YOU.

You need to change.  It’s all in your attitude and in your choice in how you choose to look at it. I’m not saying that seeking a better life, having goals and reaching for those dreams is not important, I’m just saying being miserable with your life or incomplete for being where you are in life journey is just useless and an excuse.

Choose to be happy and thankful with where you are. Make changes in your life if you want to allow the universe to present different options for you. Believe me, She will.

What’s next on your journey called life to excite, challenge, create, & love.  I don’t know about you but I want life to be an adventure, one that I live every day, (or at least on the weekends!) I can’t be bothered with those who mull thru life day after day with no purpose, challenges, passions or dreams.  To be honest, I cannot even imagine it.  How can you relate to that for goodness sakes?  It’s boring, it’s safe….. it’s time to shake it up people!  Ok, ok, I realize I’m on my soap box about passion and dreams again, and yes I have some goals I still pursue.  Keeps me active….and tired!  But I can’t go thru life waiting for the next vacation or the next relationship or the next day to do what I want.  I need to do it now, waiting is not an option when it comes to happiness.

And another thing about waiting. Clean out that closet, unclutter your life, simplify.  There is no time like the present!  You will be amazed at how this opens up your space for change both physically and mentally.

I have been blessed with 2 lives, one creative that feeds my passions and soul, and one “practical” that feeds me, literally.  And recently I just came back from beautiful Vail, Colorado shooting another title in the TV ArtScapes series. “MountainScapes.” Gorgeous rivers, waterfalls and mountains. Every time I visit nature and these beautiful places, I am inspired yet again to live each day to the fullest, to appreciate and love where I am now and who I am now.   How about you?  What are you waiting for…yet again?

Blessings and Love always,

40s Goddess      Veronica Crystal Young www.tvartscapes.com

Gifts for the Goddess – Friends

I can’t believe how fast this year has flown by.  Last year I was spending my holiday here in Sedona and here I am again, enjoying the red rocks, peace and serenity of mother nature.  I’m traveling a little further to the Grand Canyon in a few days so that will be a brand new adventure!  But I digress, I wanted to talk about Friends for the Holidays…. so here it is.

Friends…so great to have friends that you can talk to about anything without being judged, friends that you can trust to be there for you no matter what, friends that keep you real and won’t let you get away with being stupid or inappropriate. Friends who will keep your secrets in confidence and tell you like it is even though it may hurt.  It’s hard to find….. Having true friends is a treasure and we should never take it for granted.

Sometimes we may make mistakes, sometimes they will make mistakes, each of us acting less than our wonderful selves from pressures at home, at work…or just because we have some fear leading us in the wrong direction.  But owning up to our mistakes, taking responsibility for our actions and expressing any apologies needed is a start to getting things back on track. True friendship is golden and having true friends is the richest thing in the world.

I have groups of friends as we probably all do. Personal friends, work friends, comedy friends, professional-creative friends and a group of Goddess Friends.  There is some cross over but each group of friends is distinct and I can be a little different in each circle.  I know I am pretty quiet in the comedy group of friends as I’m a bit intimidated by all the wonderful talent!  I am very outspoken with my group of Goddess friends and personal friends, and the work and entertainment friend’s groups’ are a little more “political.”  Political meaning there are “correct” ways to act and interact.  I hate that but hey, that’s life right?  Honesty, integrity, fairness is the key to all interactions, no matter the group.  Trying to actually live that amongst all the personalities, political pulls and human nature is sometimes pretty challenging, especially when in a Management position. If I hold onto those 3 things, I’m doing good!

So I want to acknowledge a few groups of my friends.

Mary and Fred Willard’s Sketch comedy class friends – You inspire me.  You remind me not to take myself too seriously, and that there is joy and laughter in everything, even the tough times.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center work friends – You inspire me.  You keep me grounded, fulfilled, and real….knowing that we are helping people and fellow staff……working thru some tough system hurdles together and figuring it all out, because that’s what we do!

Crystal Eyes Entertainment friends – You inspire me.  You give me such joy! You bring out the creative juices in me for “The Cougar News©” or “TV ArtScapes®.”  Thank you for sharing your talent and creativity.

Goddess friends – You inspire me.  You are my best friends, my chosen sisters. I feel loved and blessed to have you in my life. …thank you for being my family.

So who do you count as your friends?  Have you told them lately that you are happy and blessed to have them in your life?  The holidays are a perfect time for that.  So what are you waiting for?   It’s almost 2012!   (Ok, it’s only a movie!)

Lots O’Love people!

40s Goddess

VCYoung   – Veronica Crystal Young   AKA Gerlinde Davidson

www.tvartscapes.com www.crystaleyesinc.com

Gifts for the Goddess – Dreams

Dreams.   We all have them.

Something that makes our heart dance and our soul sing.  Something that we know we were born to do.   But how many of us have given up on our dreams?  How many times have we made excuses and justified not following our hearts desire? How many times have someone said to us, you’re crazy!  You’d give up XYZ to go and do that?  How many times have we passed up opportunity for comfort or “being safe?”

Having a “great job” has it benefits as well as its’ traps if you are not pursuing your passion.  Giving up on your dreams is a sure way to age and have those horrible emotions depression and regret visit your door. Don’t let it happen!

So with that said, I have embarked on a new adventure!  One of my dreams has always been to empower and inspire women.  Having come from a less than positive childhood, I have always felt the need to empower  women to believe that they are powerful, beautiful, sexy women, who have total control over their destiny. …. .at any age, size, shape, or color. There are many stereotypes and assumptions made about people and with the constant media stream of what is considered beautiful and acceptable, judgments and labels abound.  One label that has emerged, hardly new but more used now, is the label “cougar.”   This label is being used for women, over the age of 40 who enjoy going after what they want, are confident and secure in who they are and have the courage to go after it,….Oh, and what they tend to like is the company of younger men.  I love that!

Unfortunately, the label has become a negative one, with a horrible TV show in past years called “The Cougar” and the recent addition to the fall line-up “Cougartown” with Courtney Cox.  I’ve been watching it and at least every women in it is not a sleeze or desperate, older women on the prowl….but it’s close.  The jury is still out on this one.

My take on the whole thing is why do women have to be labeled if they date younger men?  If they are confident, know what they want, are independent and go after it…why the animal label? I’m sure a man came up with that one!

So, with all that said, besides producing the “TV ArtScapes” relaxation nature series for HD and big screen TVs, my latest endeavor takes me to producing my own women’s news magazine show.   Granted I have taken advantage of this term ”cougar” for part of the title, “The Cougar News,” but only in that I want to change the perception and make it a positive one.  One that means a women is confident, happy, secure, independent, beautiful and knows what she wants, and personally, I don’t think that’s a bad thing, Frankly, It’s about time.

So to all the women out there, at any age….you are Wise, Powerful, Beautiful…and Youth is in your Passions and Dreams.  Go and Get it!

Show 1 – The Cougar News   Hunter vs Hunted

Getting Ready to Launch

40s Goddess   Veronica Crystal Young

www.tvartscapes.com www.crystaleyesinc.com

Gifts for the Goddess – Dad

As Father’s day came around again, last week I find I want to write about that days subject –  Dad’s.

We all have one. When we are little, they seem to be larger than life. This can be positive or negative, depending on your Dad, of course.  As a girl, you know and trust that Dad will protect and provide for you.  I can only assume it is the same for boys.

We get a lot from our parents.  How relationships work, how they don’t.  How to trust or not trust, how to love, how to hate.  Being a parent is a hugh responsibility.  Some people are meant to be parents, some not.  No matter which type of parent you think you are or will become, know that you have a great impact on the little ones that depend on you every day.

My Dad was very dedicated to us when we were young.  He worked 2 jobs and my mother was able to stay at home, which was a great thing.  When we four kids grew older, around 10-15, he took a job with the post office which is where he retired.  We always took great vacations – camping, boating, going to other states and national parks. It was a blast and those are times I will always cherish.

My dad was also “the enforcer.”  You know that line, “wait till your father gets home,” well we heard it a lot.  Or maybe it was just something us kids understood without the actual words being said.  We knew if we were giving mom grief or we were fighting a little too much, that we would be in trouble when Dad got home, so we were basically “scared” into being good kids.  I guess that’s the point, right?

Around my 7^th or 8^th grade year my Father changed. Maybe it was the fact that my two older brothers were at those difficult teenage years.  Maybe it was because his own memories of this teenage years came back to him (Whatever that was) and he couldn’t disconnect from the anger, hurt , guilt or abuse from his own past.  I don’t know.  Towards me he became more controlling and became physically abusive.  Towards my brothers he just became mean and we all suffered his psychological abuse.  No matter the reason, It happened and it is a part of my past and who I am. It always will be.  But the past is the past, and it is imprtant to understand and that.

As you grow older, the larger than life persona that was Dad fades away as we come to realize he is just  a man, just a human being like everyone else.  He has his faults, flaws, hang-ups…just like the rest of us.  There comes a time in every adult’s life where we can either blame our parents for the way our lives turned out, or we can forgive and move on to the reach the other side…to individuality, strength, self-worth and love.  It’s a much better road, I assure you.

I forgave my Dad along time ago.  He sits in a Alzheimer’s home currently.  He has forgotten the life of abuse he inflicted. It’s convenient I guess.  His guilt is also forgotten and he spends his time in “no time” with “no body.”  He lost his entire family due to his inability to search his soul, face himself and his demons and do what is right with the responsibility of raising a family.

I used to be sad on Father’s Day.  But now, I just remember the good man, the man I knew he was before whatever latched onto him that took him to dark places that he did not have the strength to battle.  Before he lost site of Love and of himself.

I forgive you Dad.  I love the man you once were…..and I miss him.I hope you find peace, I know I have.

So as Father’s day passes again, remember your Dad.   The good, the bad, the struggles, the joys…and bless the man that helped create the wonderful, strong, beautiful person that is YOU.

Love and Light always my friends,

Veronica Crystal Young –   40s Goddess

www.tvartscapes.com www.crystaleyesinc.com

Gifts for the Goddess – Mom

Moms – So much to teach us….. and we have much to teach them.   As I fly up to be with mom for a few days, I have time to reflect on how we have communicated, loved, fought, learned and grew.   She has contributed to my personality, my fears, my dreams, and my values.  I would like to think I have influenced hers.

Growing up in her full-time love, devotion and caretaking was a luxury I feel most children and families these days do not enjoy.   Most families have working parents and I feel very fortunate to have had a full-time parent able to stay at home.   Not that there weren’t things she could have done differently…. meaning better, in my humble “non-parenting” opinion.  Hey, I can have an opinion on my own life!  But believe me, I don’t know how she did it!

Four small children by the time she was 25 and in a strange new county where she was leaning the language and the customs.  It’s all I can do to manage my own life let alone think about all that was involved with raising that many small children, not to mention learning a new country and language (which she did since she was in America I might add!).  Yes, I have a problem with people living here for years and never learning the language, Sorry.  But I digress…..

Shaping four little people’s minds and hearts is a tall order!  I learned quite a few things from my mother; Responsibility to family and friends, Appreciation for the beauty in nature, Unconditional love, Patience and Forgiveness.  All invaluable lessons for a successful life.

I would like to think that I have helped her realize a few things. Live in the moment and don’t worry so much…about everything!  Things will happen in their time and some things we do not have any control over.  Acceptance for what life brings.  We need to Trust in ourselves and what we want.  And lastly, It’s OK to toot your own horn every once in awhile….cause we are all fabulous!!!!!

Eventually it will be time for our roles to reverse.  The caretaking, responsibility and unconditional love she showed me returned with my adoration, respect and express thanks for a job well done.  Thanks Mom!   I love you, and be at peace knowing you have a Fabulous Daughter!!!!!

Tell your Mom you love her today.  And if she is no longer here, remember what she gave you.  LIFE, for one thing!

VCYoung   40sGoddess

Gifts for the Goddess – Knight

Ahhh…vacation, well sort of. It’s 7:00 AM. As I sit here on my balcony overlooking a beautiful white sand beach, I wonder what this time away will bring.  I packed up my labtop and all my files and brought my camera with me to work on various projects since the love of my life has not shown up yet.  Ok, I still hope. 

 

Maybe he’ll discover me in this foreign country this time?  Maybe he’ll finally find me and he WILL be on that white horse.  Well……did I lose some of you with that? Yes, we all know that the knight in shining armor myth is a fantasy, but damn it, I can dream about it!  Yes, I’m independent. I’m stable and I’m happy…but sometimes I want a man around to share awesome experiences with, trade dreams unrealized and build a lasting love.  I have a great network of friends and I love them dearly, but having that special relationship with one man is completely different, aside from the obvious.  

 

So what am I going to do to “help this discovery” along?  What to do so that the synchronicity for my “future” presents himself…… all 6’ of him!  J  Let’s see… a sunset cruise?  No, too romantic, especially since everyone else will probably be sharing it with a cuddling companion.  I’ll just have their mascot.  Boos Cruise or party boat?  Naw….spring break crowd and Girls Gone Wild is not my style. I have it! The pirate ship cruise!  I’ll be able to by crazy, wear a sword, and have men rescue me! Oh wait, I don’t need rescuing!  Oh hell, I‘ll pretend just this once.  It’ll be fun. A change of pace. A needy mess.  Crying at everything.  Helpless beyond belief.  OK…I can’t do it. Just typing this my feet are going numb and I’m breaking out in hives! 

 

As I always do when I go on vacation, this week will be a great time for fun, relaxing…. yes, a little work……and continued dreaming.    And maybe, amid all this, being myself will be enough to attract that night, ummmmm, …….knight.  Maybe not in shining armor, but at least with a great head on his shoulders; sense of humor, stability, honesty, peace and love in his heart, and a great affection for an independent, loving woman.

It can happen.  It can happen, It can happen.  (Yes, I’m wearing ruby slippers)

 

Till next time,

 Love, Live and Continue to dream…….                                 Subscribe 

 

VCYoung, 40s Goddess

 www.tvartscapes.com 

 

Gifts for the Goddess – Choose Your Path

Last week was about Time, this week it’s choosing the right path to reach your dream.    I have found that being able to do many things can be both a blessing and a curse.  Keeping up with all my new business ventures and ideas, I sometimes find it hard to focus on what path I need to take FIRST.  I’ve done the brainstorming and dreaming, now it’s time to tackle the MAIN project that I am passionate about.  This is where it gets hard.

I’m passionate about all of them! OK- doing 8 million projects half-assed is not going to work! In order to keep my sanity and actually make progress toward my goals, I have to put some things on the back burner.  I always feel like I am going to miss the boat if I don’t implement and finish a project as soon as I envision it,  but having the discipline to stay on track with a primary goal is important for success.   

Don’t spread yourself too thin with project after project.  Starting out on your own with little or no capitol and alot of ideas can be discouraging to say the least.  But DO WHAT YOU LOVE, do what makes you happy, do what feeds your soul…..and it will all come together.

My passion is creativity, on all levels.  One passion is photography.  I took all the pictures on this blog either with a digital camera or from a video still.  One project is to make cards and bookmarks with inspirational sayings with these images.  Another passion is nature, videography and editing, hence the creation of TV ArtScapes DVDs.  And let’s not forget filmmaking – Producing shows that inspire, inform, motivate and make us laugh!  We sure could use it with what is out there right now!!!

Notice healthcare is not on the passion list?  I’ve been doing that for 24 years.  It has served me well but the path I choose now is my creativity. 

So people, What do you dream of doing?  Is there a particular path you feel compelled to take?  What steps can you take to be on that path?  Let’s all Dream this week, shall we?  and remember to

Love, Live and choose Your Path,

 -VCYoung, 40’s Goddess     

www.tvartscapes.com   

www.crystaleyesinc.com  

 

Gifts for the Goddess – Time

As I sit here at my computer, beating myself up for not having time to write last week, I realize TIME is the perfect subject.  How often do you find there is not enough time in the day to accomplish what you want?  Are you as frustrated as I am when people say “time is an illusion?” How can it be an illusion when I miss a meeting, don’t finish something in time for a goal date or see that my face is showing the wisdom of my years?  To me it is very real, and it is crazy making sometimes when it feels like overwhelm before you even get started.  This Blog being one of those times!

 

I think the key to “feeling” like you have a handle on time is to live for and in the moment. There have been books and books written about this. One way I keep the “not enough time” hound away is to act.  Sure, I make my lists, I check things off, I get distracted, I make more lists…but action is always fulfilling in that it does bring me closer to goals.  Even if my action brings failure, at least I know the result, whether it is positive or negative, and that is valuable information.

 

I have come to allow my NOW to drive my time. Allow is big for me, being a goal oriented, over achieving, control gal (Couldn’t you tell!). Sometimes we just have to cut ourselves a break! 

 

My mantra every morning has turned out to be:  “Things will happen in their time.  People will show up in time, and you have enough time.” Just don’t go down that self destructive road of not enough……it’s a time killer! So until the next time….  Be kind to yourself.  Allow the now…….

 

Live, Love and find your “Time,”

 -VCYoung, 40’s Goddess     

www.tvartscapes.com   

www.crystaleyesinc.com