Renewed Sparkle

Well, it's been almost a year since my first post. I'll admit, I think I bit off a little more than I could chew with trying do to something and blog about it every day. So, I want to recommit to a project that I can follow through on without the excuse of "life getting in the way".

My new commitment is something along the lines of one volunteer/community service type activity, one feel-good activity, one partner/group fun activity, and one product/service/person/company that is doing something amazing in the world per month.

I still believe that there needs to be more sparkle in the world. I still believe that there is enough good to go around and that we can all be doing more to be good to each other. So, let's kick off 2011 with a sparkle!

Wow!

Where was I when The Sparkle Project's blog surpassed 500, 600, 700, and 800 views? I love you, sparkly readers.

Happy Birthday, America!

Yes. It has been far too long since The Sparkle Project has, well, project-ed? But, with the spirits of independence and patriotism floating through the air today, what better time to sparkle a little bit? Also, sparklers are definitely an Independence Day tradition.

I wrote this a while ago, after seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time.

*****
FREE

I saw the Statue of Liberty for the first time today. I mean, for the first time in person. I was overwhelmed. I thought of all of those who came to this country to be free. “Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” How amazing is that? People came here for freedom. More than that, they came here for asylum. They came here to be whomever they wanted. They came to this country because it is a place where no one could tell you what you were supposed to believe or who you were supposed to be.
*****

All Hail the Queens

Tuesday night is fully of sparkle. Especially if you hit up the Dreamgirls Revue at Rage in West Hollywood. In this, the most fabulous of fabulous drag shows, you are swept away on a sea of Cher and show tunes to a land of sequins, rhinestones, and wigs the size of your torso. Glamorous gals like Chad Michaels, Morgan, Dolly Levi, Jasmine Masters, Venus Deelite, Delta Work, Fontasia L'Amour, Ingenue, and Raja serenade you...or give you a lap dance. Dollar bills and glitter fly and everyone leaves feeling a little bit lighter, like they've added a little more fun to their lives.

Have you ever seen an impersonater that you thought looked "just like" so and so. Well, when you see Chad Michaels, you'll know that this Dreamgirl is more Cher than Cher. Ask People Magazine, they ran photos of "Cher through the years" and one of those years was none other than this fabulous lady.

Special guests grace the stage. Sometimes they even spark phone calls to TMZ telling them that Britney Spears is at Rage. Who knew it was actually Derrick Barry?

Wild child, Morgan McMichaels, is a contestant on this season's RuPaul's Drag Race on Logo. Not only is this bitch fierce, she does a mean Catwoman...and Jareth, The Goblin King (a.k.a. David Bowie).



Then there's Raja who is so beautiful and feminine that I want her to teach me how to be a woman...and I was born a woman...and a pretty girly one at that.

Well, I could go on forever. No one dances like Dolly Levi, Ingenue is both a witty and warm hostess.... Let me leave it at this - get your ass to the Dreamgirls Revue (or any fabulous drag show) and get sparkled on.

Let's Put On A Show

One of my amazingly talented friends has written a musical. Well, more than one, it takes a village. But the concept and story are his. The lyrics are his. And he has generously asked me to be a part of it. We have been learning songs and recording them and now, we have just had our first read through together.

Now, I love putting on a show. I love putting on a show with friends even more. But, sitting in a living room with all of the friends that you know are talented but have never heard sing in the ten years of knowing them...that's something that you just can't top. Well, maybe you can top it by getting on stage with them and performing. That might top the living room. Maybe.

The most magical part of this is really seeing how wonderful your (in this case, my) friends are. There is a core of us who have known each other for just about ten years. We worked together or went to college together and all came to LA seeking...well...what most people are seeking when they come to LA. We met working together or through each other as mutual friends and sort of became a family. We all knew we had all done theatre and musicals. We all knew we were all performers of some sort. However, aside from seeing me in the chorus of "Pippin" and "Chicago," none of us had ever heard any of us sing. Well, seriously sing. Joking around after a few cocktails in Big Bear doesn't really count. Now, after all of these years of friendship, seeing everyone create this beautiful piece of art...it takes my breath away.

There are voices that should be on Broadway. There is musical talent that should have a record deal. There is so much love, camaraderie, and support.

It is one of the sparkliest experiences of my life.

Snap, Crackle, POP

I love pop music, shamelessly. It's so fun and light and sparkly. I've loved it my whole life and I will probably love it for the rest of my life. I was a New Kids fan and a Debbie Gibson fan and a Tiffany fan. I loved the Backstreet Boys and N'Sync and 98 Degrees and Take That and Britney Spears. I still love Robbie Williams and Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilera.

I know it seems silly, but I dare you to blast The Right Stuff or I Think We're Alone Now and not feel 10 years old again. I bet you can't turn on Bye, Bye, Bye without thinking of the infamous dance done at sorority parties across the country. It's okay to love pop. It's okay for music to be fun.

So, crank up the volume and start doing the New Kids dance....or whoever's dance it is now.

Oh, and just for inspiration, here are some of my faves:

Let's Get Physical

I love working out. I don't mean to sound like one of those crazy people who lives at the gym and does a million hours of cardio a week. But, I love it. I love the stress that is relieved, I love spending some time by myself, I love zoning out to some music or watching a movie on my iPod while I ride the bike or do some sit ups. It's nice to take some time, even if it's just thirty minutes, to myself. And it's nice to do something that's good for me.

We all talk about treating ourselves, whether it be to ice cream or that new pair of shoes. But, what if we treated ourselves to something that was actually good for us? The idea of treating myself to an hour at the gym starts out sounding a little weird and, trust me, there have been many more days that I didn't want to go than days that I did. But, once I get there it's great and I've never left regretting the work out.

We all know the physical benefits of excersise. It leads to a healthier life, it's good for your heart, it's helps keep the weight off, it makes you stronger, it produces endorphins, etc. But there are also benefits that reach all the way down into your soul. It is truly doing something for yourself. It is taking the time to be thankful for the body that you have been blessed with and treating it like the temple that it is. We get one body to walk through this life in, why not treat it as best as we possibly can?

I Love To Laugh, Loud and Long and Clear

Tonight, after a rough and long day...and night...at work, I came home to watch "Role Models." It is one of the greatest laughs for me. Whether it's Jane Lynch's off the wall banter, Paul Rudd's willingness to do absolutely anything, or Sean William's Scott's goofy charm, I end up laughing out loud. Don't even get me started on the kids. They are the best part of the movie! It's also a fun and heartwarming story without being overly gooey. As I watched, my stress melted away, I forgot the frustrations of the day, and I found that little sparkle of ease again.

Undeniably, laughter is a must in life. It is truly the best medicine. It reduces stress hormones and increases heath-enhancing ones. It boosts your immune system and improves blood flow. It is a physical and emotional release...and a workout if you do it hard enough. When we laugh in a group, it gives us a sense of connection to those we are with. With all of the benefits, there's no reason not to laugh. So, tilt your head back and let out a good cackle. I'll be right there with you

Girl Talk

Sometimes there is nothing better than spending a few hours with a girlfriend. Or a few girlfriends. There is something about girl talk that leaves women sparkling. It's like a rejuvenation for the spirit. It's how we communicate and bond with each other. We have fun and laugh and are free to be exactly who we are without apology. While it may seem silly from the outside, it's actually very important. Our friends can give us advice that no one else can. They can help us work things out or just be there to listen. Friends are also a source of self-esteem and can help give us that extra boost of confidence if we need it. In short, friends are there to give us that certain something that no one else can.

Girls today are more in need than ever of girl talk. They are facing a world that seems to move a lot faster than it did just ten or fifteen years ago. Talking is how they are going to learn about how to navigate and find their place. Guidance and love are two of the best tools to promote a healthy girlhood. As women, it's going to be important for us to help these soon to be women find their way. Girl Talk is an Atlanta, GA based organization that is doing just that. It is a mentoring program that matches middle school girls with high school girls to help them build self-esteem and show them the importance of community service and leadership skills. Girl Scouts is another organization working to build character and develop strong values in young women and girls. It is an organization that I was lucky enough to be a part of as a young girl. I participated in activities from camping to sewing. I learned how to work as a team and be part of a group working towards something bigger.

Girl talk is an important part of being a woman. It helps us create who we are. It gives us an anchor when we need to weather a storm. It can be fun and fulfilling and nurturing. It can bring us back to ourselves.

BTW

I really miss the snow.

Rain, Rain, Don't Go Away Just Yet

I love this weather! If you live in Southern California, you know what I'm talking about. If you don't, it's raining cats and dogs. It even hailed this morning. And there was actual, honest to God lightning and thunder, too. Well, I love it! Except for the scary tornado warnings. That was a little much. We don't have basements here, Mother Nature. We don't have basements because you gave us earthquakes.

A lot of people complain about the weather when it gets like it is now. They complain about the cold or the wet or the yuck part of it all. (They also don't know how to drive when it rains.) But, you know what? It's nice to have a change. Our rainy days are so few and far between that we're spoiled. I like them because they leave me feeling balanced. They also leave the air much cleaner than before it started raining. I like them because they give much needed water back to the earth. Everything has a chance to get a little greener naturally rather than having sprinklers running overtime.

Rain also makes me feel like snuggling, watching movies, and drinking hot chocolate. It brings out the homebody and the board game player in me. The sound is relaxing and smell is one of the top favorite scents. It is clean and fresh and, if you look closely enough, it sparkles.

If you're looking for somthing to do this rainy season, here you go:
1. Cuddle

2. Watch movies, especially childhood favorites like The Goonies

3. Build a fort with the couch cushions and blankets
4. Curl up with a blanket and a good book
5. Host a Dance Party USA - Turn up the stereo and dance around the house in your sweats or PJs
6. Play board games - My favorites: The Game of Life, Monopoly, Clue, and, yes, Candyland

7. Make s'mores (It probably works better if you have a wood-burning fire place and are very, very careful. Don't use candles, trust me, the s'mores end up tasting weird.)

8. Bake some cookies - If you make chocolate chip, invite me over

9. Catch it all on film, err, digital media - Storms happen so rarely here that it would be fun to have Storm Watch 2010 documented

10. Find a new hobby

11. Learn everything about something you've always been curious to understand

12. Tell ghost stories

13. Window shop online

14. Clean out your closet

15. Watch the rain. Be present in the moment and thankful for the magic of nature.

These are just a few. I'd love to hear more. What do you like to do on a rainy day? What are some of your favorite childhood memories of rainy days?

Magic To Do

Magic. The word conjurs up images of smoky stages with glamorous women and men in top hats and tuxedos. There are wands and rabbits and scarves and people being sawed in half. Playing cards are flying through the air and coins are pulled out of ears. Audience members volunteer, applaud, and gasp in amazement.

An evening at the Magic Castle does not disappoint. Fantasy meets reality in this exclusive Los Angeles club and magic academy. Walking in is like taking a step back into old Hollywood. I had a blast watching the tricks and enjoying the spectacle of it all.

It was fun. It was great to suspend disbelief and leave the cynical side behind for a few hours. And who doesn't love a little mystery wrapped in drama and flair? I think we all need to abandon our realities for a moment and let our inner children out to play...and sparkle.

Sick Doesn't Really Sparkle

Ugh. Being sick is yucky, isn't it? Well, I am trying to get better so I can get back to The Sparkle Project. Don't forget about me. I'm still looking forward to hearing from you all about what you're doing that makes you feel sparkly and good. And I'd still love some more suggestions of things to do for the project. Let's get sparkling!

Friendship

"A friend is someone who is there for you when he'd rather be anywhere else." - Len Wein

I love my friends. That probably goes without saying, as most of us do. But my friends are the world to me and I stand by them.

I don't think you know how much someone means to you until they are tested before you. I stood up for two friends tonight, to someone I barely knew. I stood up for who they are as people and I have never been prouder. It would have been easy to just go along with what this person was saying about them. It would have been easy to talk about my friend behind her back or to agree that a friend was wrong when she wasn't. It would have been easy but it would have felt wrong in my soul.

I want friends who accept me for who I am and, in accepting, will stand by me. And I want people in my life that I can do the same for.

Sparkly Shoes

Oh, and if you're a girl and you love shoes (or a boy who loves to wear girls' shoes) check out this Friday's entry at Things We Heart. There are some AMAZING shoes. Loves it!

Forgiveness

“The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget.” - Thomas S. Szasz

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” - Mahatma Gandhi

“To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness.” - Robert Muller

Forgiveness is one of the most challenging and most important lessons we can learn. Without forgiveness, we cannot truly move forward. We cannot really be healed. Most of all, without forgiveness, we are still holding anger, resentment, and hatred in our hearts. To move forward and to spread positivity and love, we must forgive.

It may seam weak to forgive. It is not. It is one of the strongest things you can do. It is removing yourself from the binds of pain. It is beginning the cycle of healing and the return to love with or without the apology of another. Forgiveness, like gratitude, leads to compassion.

I forgave someone recently. It was someone who I allowed to break my heart over and over again. I kept offering it up and he kept breaking it, every time cruelly and purposefully. It was the hardest forgiving I have ever had to do. There was so much anger, anger him for hurting me and anger at myself for letting him hurt me. I had to separate my anger and pain and realize that, as I angry as I was at him for causing me pain, I was accountable, too. I had to forgive myself. When I could do that, I could forgive him. When I could forgive him, I could finally be at peace. I may not ever forget and he will never be a part of my life again, but now I can move forward, free from the ties that bound me to that pain. I am free from putting that pain, anger, and bitterness into new relationships.

Forgiving is one of the most loving things we can do. It takes self-love and love for others. The only way to reach forgiveness is through love.

A great read on forgiveness is: The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, and Peace by Jack Kornfield.

Sparkling For Equality

Tonight I volunteered with Equality California. I helped out with their phone banking - trying to get people to come out and make more calls to expand the team or to encourage supporters to come out and help recruit face to face. Basically, I spent the evening making phone calls to complete strangers to ask for donations of time or money. Mostly, it was just people not home. But, I did get a few and almost every single person that I spoke with said yes. Yes, they would come out and make phone calls next week. Yes, they would come out and help recruit in person on Sunday. Yes, they could donate money. Yes, yes, yes.

Now, I have to tell you, before I arrived at the EQCA offices, I started to get a little nervous. I have done telemarketing and donation calls in the past and it can be challenging. People hesitate or want off your list or what have you and you can end up with a mess. But, as we were going through the short orientation, we were told (and I realized) that these people were already yeses. They just needed the push.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't banking million dollar donations and I don't have a volunteer list five hundred people deep. But I do have a few drops in the bucket. Those drops have friends who have friends who have friends. Drops in the bucket are how we change the world. The people that I talked to made me realize how many people that are out there that are willing to do good. They just need to be asked.

So, now, I'm asking you. What can you give? What can you do? How can you make this world better?

It's not hard to do good. It's not hard to spread love. It's easy. You just have to say yes.

If you would like to DONATE to Equality California, click HERE.

If you would like to VOLUNTEER with Equality California, click HERE.

Sparkling Things, People, and Places

I love sparkly things. Obviously. And sparkly people. And sparkly places. All are fun and all provide a lot of enjoyment. So, here are some of my favorites.

f.y.i. Arbonne ItShines Lip Gloss in Vogue
Not only is Arbonne cruelty-free, it is also one of the few cosmetic companies to exclude animal products from all of their, well, products. Also, this lip gloss is hardcore sparkly so you can look good while you feel good.

PeaceKeeper Cause-metics

I am so looking forward to trying out this line, especially their nail polish. Not only are they a good cause, but they are also a good choice using organic farming and maintaining high scores on the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Rating System.

From their website:

"Peacekeeper Cause-Metics is the first cosmetics line to give all of its after-tax, distributable profits to women’s health advocacy and urgent human rights issues. PeaceKeeper builds a bridge between extraordinary women in the land-of-plenty with extraordinary women who, by chance of birth, don’t have our resources or opportunities."

"peacekeeper is dedicated to creating cosmetics using non-toxic ingredients that will keep your body safe and healthy. we pride ourselves on our slogan: no nasty anything! we also have many vegan-friendly products."

Bob Mackie

It's hard to think of sparkle without thinking of Bob Mackie and his glorious, beaded creations. And it's hard to think of Bob Mackie without thinking of Cher. His designs have also donned the likes of Barbara Streisand, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, and, now, Barbie. Glamour, glitz, fun, and daring come to mind when you see women in his fabulous frocks. Aren't those words we would all like to hear applied to us?

Alyssa Milano's Twitter Stream

We already know Alyssa Milano is an adorable, sparkly person. Her Twitter stream just proves it. She shares great information and funny links. Oh, and for her birthday, all she asked for was a donation to Charity Water. (Her particular campaign is closed, but you can still donate or create your own campaign.)

Champagne
It's hard to imagine a celebration without this sparkly little beverage. Cheap or pricey, it can turn even a small evening with friends into a party. I promise you, it does not need to be reserved for New Year's Eve and weddings. Next time you're having a girls's night or invite a couple of people over for cocktails and a movie, pop some bubbly. You'll be sparkling in no time.

London

My favorite city in the world is home to Picadilly Circus, the West End, Harrods, and, of course, the sparkliest of all sparkles, the Crown Jewels. The mere thought of hopping on the Tube or a walk through Hyde Park cheers me up. Even when it's raining there, London is my happy place.

Things-We-Heart

This fun and cute blog is full of sparkle. From cosmetics to pop-culture to food, THINGSWEHEART and MISS ME bring you everything they love. Mondays it's "beauty-fuls" and Tuesday it's food. Wednesday, look for something random and on Thursday get your inner interior designer ready. Friday will get you dressed while Saturday and Sunday will tell you what is "bueno" or "no bueno." Written with love, this blog is a great place to go for a pick me up or to find something to pick up for a special someone.

This has been fun! I'm so excited to think of more of my favorite sparklers! What are yours?

Day of Service

I am very excited about the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service this year. Every time I think about what volunteer work I would like to start doing for The Sparkle Project I am reminded of last year's Day of Service and how much fun I had. A friend from college recruited me to help clean up a school down in one of the poorer parts of LA. I recruited a few more friends and we had a blast. I don't think I've ever had so much fun planting flowers, cleaning, and getting my hands dirty. Not only did the school look great, but my soul felt great, too!

I urge everyone to spread the sparkle and participate in this year's Day of Service.

Go to Serve.gov for more information on how to participate or register your group.

Gratitude

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others." - Cicero

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude." - Denis Waitley

I knew that I wanted today to be about gratitude. After the gluttony of the holidays with gifts and food and parties, I knew that I wanted to focus on somthing less consumptive. I know that when I remember all of the amazing, wonderful things that I have to be thankful for, it changes my perspective. It reminds me that, even though I have challenges, I am surrounded by many, many blessings.

So, yes, I knew that I wanted today to be about gratitude. However, I also knew that I didn't want it to be a self-indulgent laundry list of the things that I was grateful for. (How boring for you!) But, as I was working a double shift at my restaurant job, I just wasn't sure I was going to be given anything more than said laundry list.

Well, let me tell you something about the Universe, ask and you shall receive.

I'm going to give you some monotonous details so bear with me. I worked a seven table section tonight. If you've ever waited tables, you know that's kind of a lot for a busy casual dining restaurant on a Saturday night. As we were starting to get our dinner rush, I was sat a party of seven. Since two tables were pushed together for the party, I had five other tables. Now, normally, this would just make me a little busy. But, tonight, tonight was a different story all together. Six of the seven people in the party were blind. This meant that drinks and every requested item had to be handed to people, not just placed on the table, among other special services that I needed to provide. They also requested four separate checks and needed me to help them sign the credit card statments. This might not seem like a lot but considering that the needs of this table doubled or tripled the time that I spent with them, it made it much more difficult to do my job and I imagine that my other tables felt somewhat neglected.

I was about five minutes away from a nervous breakdown when it occured to me that this was it, this was my chance to turn a challenge around, to change my energy from frustration and negativity to that of gratitude and positivity. I experienced, not only gratitude for my sight, but gratitude for all of the abilities that keep me employed, safe, and living. I felt most thankful for dancing, for being able to hear music and see choreography. But, even more than gratitude for my own life, I felt compassion and love for these people. Frustration melted into understanding. Stress turned into patience.

Tonight I really learned the lesson of gratitude. I really learned what it means to be thankful, that it goes beyond a nice note after getting a gift or being extended a special courtesy. It is more external that just acknowledging and appreciating all of the good things in life. I think that if we can all experience real gratitude, we can shift the engergy around us. And, if we can shift the energy around us, we can change the world.

Kinda sparkles, doesn't it?