700 Tiny White Lights And A Sad Surprise

A couple of Christmases ago, my husband bought for me the Christmas Tree of my dreams: almost eight feet tall, white, perfectly shaped and with seven hundred tiny, little, white lights. I always wanted a tree like this and I loved how beautiful it looked with all the sparkling Holiday ornaments.

There were in my Christmas past, times when my sons and I had no money for a tree and so I hung lights from the ceiling and filled an old chest with presents from my family and fixed little roasted hens I bought with food stamps. We laughed and thought how creative we were and how pretty the Section 8 apartment looked with the couch we found in the alley all covered with glitter and ribbons and friends laughing and singing. So I know all the commercial goodies are not a necessity when it comes to celebrating the love of each other on Christmas.

But ...

Late in the afternoon, on Sunday, we discovered a sad surprise, someone had broken into our storage area and had stolen the tree and all the ornaments and of course the hundreds of tiny white lights.

I guess whoever took all the storage contents must have been very desperate. I wonder if they knew all the memories connected with the ornaments collected, hand made and gifted from people who love us? Maybe the thieves needed the light, needed the memories, needed the love - if so I hope our treasures found new homes and that the people who stole the "dreamy white tree" will find a little hope in the seven hundred white lights to bring about much needed changes in their lives.

When this happened, I thought about the people who lost everything in Katrina, and the Sunami, and so many other natural disasters; compared to their tragedy, our loss is such a little one. But it made me stop and remember to be more appreciative and grateful and careful of those special possessions in our lives which show us the history of the memories we share.

I am not sure what we will do come this next Christmas - maybe donate some trees along with presents - maybe keep our light from within that can never be stolen but always shared- maybe learn a new way to build a treasure chest of Holiday memories. Since this is only February, I guess I have some more time to think about all this and who knows maybe the "dreamy white tree" and all the other treasures will be returned to us in a special way.

Time To Finish - 2007 Is A Year To Prepare For The Perfect Ten

Numerologically speaking this year 2007 is a nine. What this translates into, for the world according to numerological tradition, is a year of finishing all those projects, need-to-do goals, or dream-of-doing list that you have been working on for the past eight years. The reason for going into 2007 with this in mind is so you can finish any areas of your life that need completing. Then you are prepared for starting new things in the 2008 ... which comes out to a ten or one the second time around.


You live in a world of cycles. Recognizing cycles provides a greater understanding of the challenges you deal with as they appear, develop, blossom, bloom and return for review. Then when you have completed the cycle, you can move forward to another cycle. You will be prepared for experiencing even more of your destiny.

So if you choose, look at where you are with what has been going on in your life for the past eight years. In a journal or note book, write down all the things you intend to finish this year. Ask for guidance from a spiritual connection in your life. Keep the circles of completion moving, colorful and successful.

If you need help with understanding the cycles of your life, you can contact me for a free consultation at ambersilverstar@yahoo.com. Best Wishes for the New Year.

The above illustration is called Manga Mandalla and is an original digital art design by Amber Silverstar. It can be viewed and purchased at http://www.cafepress.com/ambersilverstar

Holiday Angel Of Roses Brings Seasonal Greetings

You can now order the Holiday Angel Of Roses from Destiny Bright Designs (tm) byAmber Silverstar for the celebrations of this season. This beautiful angelic messenger in blue and silver, sprinkles her abundance of roses over the hillsides and the villages around the world.

As the designer, I created this art work over a period of several weeks. The celestial theme is from an inspiration given to me by my favorite aunt, Mrs. Dorothy Stevens who said she had a vision of an angel with peaceful, joyful words tumbling out over the world. Also, because I live in Pasadena, California - "the City Of Roses" - the design of the Holiday Angel of Roses seemed to be quite appropriate.

So I hope you enjoy this creation now available on so many wonderful products, wearables and decor from CafePress at http://www.cafepress.com/ambersilverstar.

The Seasonal Changes

This may seem like an unusual time to write about intuition but I think it may be the perfect time. The reason is, the Holiday Season and the heavy demands it makes on your time, energy, thoughts, and relationships. You may be required to make a lot of decisions about a lot of choices which you do not think you are equipped to handle. Plus, your emotional self may be "all over the place." In addition, you might experience stress over what to do, how to do it, whom to do it with, plus when and where.

The "it" is a huge list of changing and challenging opportunities and possibilities of the cycles of celebrations. For this, I am offering a tool which is a great resource for you to use, it doesn't cost anything and you have it immediately available: your intuition.

With your intuition and a few positive affirmations you can stay-in-touch with your dreams, desires and wishes for the type of Holiday that works for you. As for the affirmations, try saying, "I say yes to a wonderful, fun, loving, exciting, joyful, beautiful Holiday of my dreams." Then you can add "I am always at the right place at the right time doing the right thing." or "I expect only the best to happen and it does." Saying and writing these words will keep you in a positive frame of mind, heart and spirit so that your intuition will come bursting through with bright ideas, energy, and even the funds to support your Holiday visions.

If you still have further concerns about this incredible time of the year, you can call me for help at amber 1-626-796-8605 and remember to "Keep your destiny bright, use words of love."

The Angel Greetings digital art design by Amber Silverstar is available at http://www.cafepress.com/ambersilverstar

GAILIA - HEALING FROM GRIEF BY TONI JOHNSON, ILLUSTRATED BY UNA GRAF, CD BY JOHN RICHARDS, PUBLISHED BY TRAFFORD PUBLISHING

Move over, there's a new kid on the book block or should I say a, "new fairy." Her name is Gailia. She is the latest creation of new children's book author, Toni Johnson. Gailia is no ordinary "fly around the woodsy forest fairy." Gailia is a delightful, rainbow colored, pixie faced, fairy sprite who finds a way to heal herself from grief after loosing her best friend, a little frog called Croackie.

Gailia is a beautiful book with gorgeous characters illustrated by Una Graf and a lyrical CD by John Richards with the voice of Ms. Johnson. In fact, Ms. Johnson pulls together this talented team to produce a whimsical story with a tough message, "How to help a child understand loss, sadness and the death of a loved one."

Children of any age will identify with Gailia as she learns from her forest friends what Ms. Johnson says is, "letting go of fear is not forgetting our love but rather celebrating and remembering the souls that we have cherished." This is a huge concept for both children and adults to understand. However Ms. Johnson and her illustrator Ms. Graf use an interesting story line, perky characters like Takoda the Turtle and Godmother Willow, and a memorable CD. This whole package is created to show the readers and audiences that healing from death and loss is possible when we can grasp the tool of understanding our emotions.

As with all novice writers, there is room to grow in terms of writing, character development, and story continuity. Overall, Ms. Johnson deserves congratulations, acceptance and admiration for an achievement well deserving of attention and support. This is truly only a beginning, and soon, I am certain we will see Gailia and all her whimsical and woodsy friends again. They will surely continue to take us on their wonderful adventures of learning, growing, and sharing the beautiful world of fairies, emotions, and love.

Gailia - Healing From Grief is available at www.willowwisdom.com or www.oncewritten.com. To contact Ms. Johnson for more information just email - toni@willowwisdom.com

All of the above is copyrighted by Amber Silverstar 2006. Gailia - Healing From Grief is copyrighted by Toni Johnson - all rights to reproduction are reserved.

Halloween - Time To Face The Demons And Become An Earth Angel

The monster disguises, the ghost energies, and the demon stories roar forward into our midst every October when Autumn sunsets bring the night skies early and the chill of cooler days remind us of a winter soon approaching. We call this event "Halloween." This all sounds fun, romantic, and adventurous. But lately not for me ... a few years ago I started not liking "All Hallows Eve" or Halloween. It seemed the greater the spiritual work I did, the scarier the pumpkin celebrations got - including: more intense horror films, more gory and dark costumes, and "trick or treat" episodes holding more danger.

This year I decided to change my attitude and see Halloween as an opportunity to face my own demons. I decided to let the ghost come forward and see what I needed to review in my own life. "Just what might be haunting me?" - I asked myself. Maybe negative emotions are coming up from the past. Or perhaps there are ghost energies I am hanging onto out of my own fear and mistrusts. I certainly know through spiritual experiences that holding onto the fears of the future or the anger from the past can really turn my well being into dreaded monsters. These monster emotions and thoughts are then empowered to intrude upon and into my life's pathway into the light.

So now I am going to use this Halloween to review what ghost I need to let go of, what monsters I need to meet with courage, and what demons I can transform into an angelic self. Then Halloween can become an opportunity for change and choice - a time for reflections into the future of the winter months to come.

The blog picture is called "Ghosts In The Bedroom" which I took with a "toy" digital camera. I will take another after Halloween to see if they are gone. If you have pictures you believe to be of a supernatural twist, send them to me and I will see if I can post them. Send them to ambersilverstar11@yahoo.com with the code - Ghost Pictures. If you are in need of clearing your own energy of ghostly intrusions, you can call me for more insights and information. The number for leaving a message is 1-626-796-8605. I usually return my calls within the day. You can see more information on a web card at http://www.destinybydesigncom.com.

Happy Halloween And Keep Your Destiny Bright!
With light and love,
Amber Silverstar

Bob Newhart
We had an opportunity to go see Bob Newhart at a recent book signing for his new book, I SHOULDN'T BE DOING THIS! - but we missed it do to other demanding events. We plan to catch Mr. Newhart at one of his many performances in the L.A. area in the near future. In the process of researching Mr. Newhart's upcoming schedule www.bobnewhart.com - I came across information about Suzanne Pleshette and her work.

After reading about both stars, I couldn't help thinking of "Bob and Emily. " They are of course American icons who still hold their own popularity on current replay television. I only wish even now we had a chance to see in current media our psychologists as witty, warm and compassionate as the part played by Bob or our teachers as strong, sexy, smart and beautiful as the part played by Suzanne. I don't think this was type casting - just a time when we used T.V. to show roles in America in their best light even if it were comic. "Bob and Emily" inspired us to be real, vulnerable, and non-apologetic for our places in the dynamics of living the good life. In the Los Angeles area there are countless high rise apartments and condos but I never pass one that I do not think, "somewhere on one the building's many floors, Bob Newhart and Suzanne Pleshette are still living and doing their thing as the funny, devoted, creative and talented Bob and Emily." Now I just need to go and buy Mr. Newhart's book and do a little review.

Pope Should Remember Catholic History Plus Others

I am surprised at the Pope's quote from Muslim history. This current pontiff should remember the years of interrogation, murder, and torture by the Catholic Church and the Iquisition in the name of God's work. He could remind the world of the Crusades, a Holy War to take over lands and cities for the Church. He could talk about the genocide committed against the Native American so these indigenous people would be converted and oh, yes, the countless captured African slaves who were beaten to death because they were heathen - despite being stripped of all dignity and given baptism and a Christian name even before they were forced to abandon their own beloved Africa. The pontiff could remind us too of the Protestant witch hunts that killed, tortured and burned countless women whose property and power the European clergy sought to destroy. Perhaps he could remember to mention the lawsuits currently still being heard where the Catholic Church looks the other way while their own priest destroy lives through sexual crimes and assaults. And what about the current Bush administration's cover-up of prisons with reported torture and death in the name of protecting democracy plus sending thousands of young men and women to kill and be killed while leaving their own families, wives, mothers, fathers, and children to mourn and cope with little or no help from the military bureaucracy.

It would seem little men can point accusatory fingers and tell big lies in order to justify the abuse of power; be it Muslim, Catholic, Protestant, Republican, Communist, etc. etc. etc. The true message of the Christ, the God, the Great Spirit is to love and be loved, anything other than this, no matter who declares what, is false, destructive, and anti-Christ, anti-democratic, and anti-humanitarian. In every age, in every culture, in every religious belief there are those who seek to rule making their own ungodly agendas the "religious truth and justification" of the times. My father taught me at a very early age that "two wrongs don't make a right."

How many wrongs repeated over and over again will it take to show the world: "we must seek a new way, a new passage, a new look forward." The Pope is in such a position with a Universal podium that he could speak the truth of the future about loving all peoples, about forgiving all humankind for acts of terrorism, deceit, and destruction. He could speak of a world wide togetherness for beauty, healing, creating, being happy, and giving birth to winning solutions.

Where or where is the sanity, the power, the balance of great minds and great hearts? We so need to hear the voice of reason from all those who have the ability to speak of goodness, kindness, and peaceful resolutions.

To see a design, message and art to support loving solutions for world concerns go to:
www.cafepress.com/peacedoveworld.

The above words and images are copyrighted by Amber Silverstar 2006

Lazy, Hazy, Days of Summer

I like how lazy, hazy these last days of summer can be. I also like how beautiful the days can unfold as the hours come and go with the bright California sun.

We drove to Laguna Beach a few days ago where a weekend trip brought us a gift in the most wonderful way: perfect blue skies, perfect temperature and the most perfect sea breeze greeting us everywhere.

To go to Laguna Beach, we first drive through a deep canyon which is a protected, natural, wildlife habitat. On both sides of the road and in many places are gigantic boulders, well-placed bike and foot trails, colorful California wild flowers and flocks of soaring birds of various kinds, shapes and sizes. Sometimes we see a majestic White Egret or a wandering coyote looking for a drink of water. We could stop and take a guided walking tour but we decide to keep on going until reaching our destination: the beach, the ocean, and the soft, white sands beyond the boardwalk of Laguna Beach.

We arrive. We quickly find a close-to-the-beach parking space ( quite an accomplishment in any California coastal town.) We immediately begin visiting the little shops located up and down the village sidewalks. The hour is early, so we take advantage of looking for a special place to have brunch before heading for the white waves and spacious ocean views. We quickly find a surfy- looking cafe, sit in a red leather booth and order our favorite bagels and lox. We think the salmon a little "fishy" but everything else taste delicious, so all food including the salmon quickly vanishes from our plates.

After brunch, we cross the street for shopping. We seek out a wide open beach venue and rent ocean blue umbrellas, heavy terry towels and a body board in case we get brave and want to try the little, rolling waves which look so inviting. We forget our sun screen, picnic treats, and camera which we leave unknowingly in the back seat of the car. Since the car waits close by in our "trophy parking space", we quickly retrieve our needed treasures. Finally we settle in with the hot sand beneath our feet and the cooling white water splashing on our cheecks. We feel like the summer resort tourists from back East instead of the California locales we know ourselves to be.

After several hours of sun bathing, reading the latest novel, and watching bronzed children playing with sand castles, we leave our fabulous paradise and drive out on the famous Pacific Coast Highway. With sun roof and windows open in our new, red GT 6 and with the car stereo playing French music, we drive toward Dana Point. We find ourselves lost but somehow end up in another one of our favorite coastal cities; San Juan Capistrano. We stop here for some antique browsing, icy margarittas, and a walk down a rural street which features historical homes, trendy shops and artists painting the scenic beauty we want to capture forever.

At the end of the day, we notice several shimmering hummingbirds taking their evening nectar drinks from the many trumpet flowered bushes. We end our day relaxing on a hand carved bench under a giant Oak tree. (See photo above.) We count all the wonderful experiences of the past hours. We decide before Autumn arrives, we might find a way to squeeze in just one more lazy, hazy, gorgeous Summer day in and around Laguna Beach - our favorite coastal ocean town of sand, surf, beauty and perfection.

World Trade Center Movie

Over the weekend, I went to see the WORLD TRADE CENTER MOVIE. First of all, I am so impressed with the acting of Nicholas Cage. The movie itself is, I imagine a victory for everyone who pulled this amazing work of cinema together.

I heard a lot of crying from the audience. It was hard to watch again the devastation I had seen almost five years ago. Although the movie focuses on the two heroes, I still received a complete picture of the intensity of the tragedy. I kept wondering though, as I did when the whole disaster happened, "Where was the president of the United States and why wasn't he there being the leader he was chosen to be?"

I am grateful for a chance to see the goodness of so many people as they experienced the devastation at the World Trade Center on that auspicious day. I would like to go to New York someday and see the site in person and say a little prayer for all those who died but should never be forgotten.