EARTH DAY IS LOVE DAY

Dear Friends,

Tomorrow is Earth Day, April 22, 2009 ... I will say in the last few years I have seen an amazing turn-around in the number of people, governments, corporations, organizations, art, business and just an abundance of awareness that this whole "save the planet" goal is more than just a passing fancy of "tree huggers."
Whom do we thank for this? - Green Peace, Birkenstocks, Whole Foods, Al Gore or Ed Bagley Jr. I am sure the answer is "Yes" and to many more.

However let us thank the earth itself - this planet keeps crying out to us to pay attention, to listen, to care. The waterways, oceans, rivers, lakes and streams cry out for clarity and respect. The natural realms of mountains, jungles, deserts, forests, beaches, - all places where we seek shelter to make our homes and build our cities - they cry for careful planning and sharing and appreciation. The animal and insect world and all our natural resources cry for and need balance, attention and vigilant caring.

But most of all on Earth Day the earth crys for humans like us to love one another, to love beauty, to love joy. Because when we are loving, beautiful and joyful then we are creative, respectful, caring, balanced, attentive, and sharing. We are the earth.

We can come together this one day and make a promise to make everyday a day we save the world, our earth, our planet with love. Just take one moment tomorrow and each day to send out into the world of earth ... a circle of reflections which will mirror the love in your own heart for a beautiful, peaceful, joyful, abundant and cherished EARTH.

What do think? What do you feel?

Write to me - amber@ambersilverstar.com

Thank you for sharing!
Amber


The above illustration is called Circle Reflections. This digital art design is by Amber Silverstar for Destiny Bright Designs available at http://www.cafepress.com/ambersilverstar - Copyright Amber Silverstar 2009.

GO FOR THE GREEN - AN IRISH DAY

Dear Readers,

Being part Irish myself - I have a strong affinity for celebrating the green on St.Patrick's day tomorrow. I say "This is a great time to go for the green." Being green conscious is actually good for the heart too. Green is the color for self-esteem, creating new ideas, calling up for the abundance of life, for feeling joyful. Surround yourself with the energy of green as you notice the "wearing of the green." Breath deeply the beauty of the emerald island. Embrace the power of green energy.

Think green tea, green trees, green emeralds, green foods, green orchids, green velvet, green glitter, little green men (elves), sink deeply into the green of Spring. This could be the best St.Patrick's day you ever had. Go for the green - an Irish day filled with golden luck and Leprechaun magic.

What do you think?

Have fun all you green-eyed Irish celebrants and share the adventure of laughter!

Amber Silverstar
amber@ambersilverstar.com

THE MAGIC RED ROSE

Dear Friends,

Happy Valentine's Day in the month of February.

I know many of you are deep in cold, snow and ice but here in Southern California the roses are always blooming. Just like magic! So I am sharing a rose with you in a new store front I created called, what else, THE MAGIC RED ROSE.

This beautiful image from nature is an original photograph by my husband, Steven Olson for our design company called DESTINY BRIGHT DESIGNS. We were so taken with this picture because besides it's beauty, it reminds us of the famous image and logo with the red tongue for the Rolling Stones Band. The image has not been manipulated in any way but still we captured this moment in "rose land" with a petal looking like a tongue with a large dew drop.

I think the dew drop on the rose is a message that we always have what we need including nourishment. That is if we can trust Great Spirit to be our supply and our support.

Anyway what we focus on expands and I suggest we focus on the abundance around us and fill our lives with love. This is the real magic. Then, before we know it, Spring comes again and with it the renewals of earth, water and sky.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Love and light,
Amber

Products with the Magic Red Rose image can be found on http://www.cafepress.com/magicredrose by Amber Silverstar for Destiny Bright Designs,

A DESTNY BRIGHT - BARACK OBAMA

Dear Friends,

As I watched the inauguration I wrote a poem about the event which I thought I would share with you. Let me know what you think.

A DESTINY BRIGHT - BARACK OBAMA

FROM THE POET WITH THE POLITICIAN
THE PRAYER GIVER, THE FREEDOM SINGERS
THE WATCHERS IN HOPEFUL HOMES
FROM CELEBRATORS AND CELEBRITY

FROM OPEN CROWDS UNDER SKIES OF BRILLIANCE
FROM WHEEL CHAIRS, HOSPITAL BEDS, OFFICES
CLASSROOMS, FACTORY FLOORS, STOREFRONTS
BY WAYS, ALLEYS, FREEWAYS, AND HILLTOPS

KNOW FOREVER, THE OLD AGE IN WASHINGTON
IN THE WORLD, ON THE LAND ... IT IS OVER
THIS IS THE NOW FROM THE LIPS OF AN EMERGING
ENERGETIC, ENIGMATIC, LEADER, BARACK H. OBAMA

THE 44TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
THE STAR OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
THE "I" OF COURAGE IN "IT IS THE BEGINNING"
THE BEGINNING OF A NEW "W"

THE "W" IN WE, IN WATCHFULNESS, IN WORKING TOGETHER
IN WILLINGNESS, IN WONDER, IN BEING WORTHY
OF ALL THE BLESSINGS OF A DEMOCRACY
A DEMOCRACY WITH FREEDOM AND FREE WILL

THIS THE DAY OF MEMORY, OF FIRST, OF HISTORY,
OF BEAUTY, OF LOVE OF COUNTRY, OF JOY
THIS IS THE DAY OF A DESTINY BRIGHT
FOR THE NOW PRESIDENT BARACK H. OBAMA.

Amber Silverstar
http://www.ambersilverstar.com

The t-shirt design is by Amber Silverstar and can be ordered
on http://www.zazzle.com/fierywordbeing

A NEW YEAR 2009 WITH THEMES AND WISHES

Dear Readers,

As I listen to the remarks by various news makers, they all sound so dire - including the new president elect, Barack Obama. But as I listen, I also wish the New Year 2009 would start with more positive themes about how much we are doing and how much we can do.

It seems as though the Bush Administration was always about terrible warnings to justify expenditures for war, reasons for prisoner torture, explanations for intrusions into the protection of privacy rights, and excuses for mis-handling the tragedies of Katrina, bank failures, stock market corruption, job loses and housing foreclosures.

This is not a "pretty picture" I know. But now does Barack Obama have to do the same thing - start his administration with huge economic warnings hanging over our heads? Where does he think all of us have been the last year? I am tired of people trying to justify asking for support based upon doomsday scenarios. Are we a country of people so negative that we cannot be moved to themes of action and innovation without leaders standing over us with the proverbial Armageddon bully club?

I wish, I hope, I pray that soon the president elect who promised CHANGE, YES WE CAN, AND HOPE FOR A BETTER AMERICA will start sounding like a different tomorrow instead of the same old scripts from yesterday.

What do you think?

Let me know your comments about your own New Year impressions for yourself, your country, your president ... write to amber@ambersilverstar.com.

Amber Silverstar
http:www.ambersilverstar.com

AFFIRMATIONS FOR AFTER THE ELECTIONS

Dear Friends,

With the election over - what next? It may be time to use what is commonly known as "The Affirmation." Why? Whenever there are tremendous changes going on requiring lots of decisions to be made, a good place to start is by reviewing what basically is the overall vision. Once the vision is chosen then affirming that vision into the new reality becomes an important step. Think of an affirmation as a positive statement of purpose which firms up or energizes the vision.

The recent democratic vision for the election offered creating change in the White House for a better America by electing Barack Obama. The affirmation for that vision was "Yes we can." The affirmation became a reality and Obama got elected. Now, what change exactly do we envision for the new presidency to lead us into a new era and what affirmation do we need to support the change?

I saw Oprah the day after the election wearing a T-shirt which said, "Hope Won" - great affirmation but what exactly is that hope? And what do we want the winning to mean? Good questions? I know from personal experiences over and over again that affirmations work! But I also know it is very important to have a clear understanding of what it is exactly that I am trying to affirm.

Since the election I have started to ask myself what is the vision for my own future and for the future of the country and even the world? I decided to make that vision a balanced, healthy, and prosperous life and to give this vision a foundation of the power of love ... "Love is now victorious for all people in this situation. We are all victorious in building a world of balance, health, prosperity and love. Yes, we are a healthy,loving,and prosperous people of the world."

I invite you to try the above affirmations with me by affirming the victory of the power of love for yourself, for the presidency, for the country, the banks, the stock market, the health care profession, the Senate, House of Congress, the military, the United Nations ... well you get the idea I am sure.

If you have any affirmations for a specific vision you would like to share please let me know what you think?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Love and light,
Amber Silverstar

The Political Playoff

Hello Everyone,

Tomorrow I am going to vote in an election that has been a grueling contest of who will do the most, who will spend the most, and who will promise the most in a presidential fight for the White House. Never before have I changed my mind so many times and never before have the political issues changed so often in such a short time.

This presidential race started out supposedly about the war in Iraq. Then it changed to be about domestic issues from immigration, health insurance, to homeland security, to education. From there it jumped to fuel, energy and the global warming crises as the cost of fuel skyrocketed out of sight. Then if this wasn't enough, the housing crises, stock market crash, and bank failures put the financial welfare of the country up front as the major political arena for the final rounds of the election playoffs.

Through it all, I saw some candidates behave rather badly, some acted stupefied and others offered solutions which as president they simply could not have had the power to carry out. I still think Hillary Clinton overall responded to the constantly changing issues with the best overall plans and programs. But, she did not get chosen as the Democratic nominee.

For me, Barack Obama has a tendency to hesitate and then be vague; always trying to cover his trail! McCain's "maverick" actions and attitude have no place in running a major world government even though it might be "street wise."

I do think in the end, Obama has a brilliant mind and he will surround himself with other intelligent, experienced and winning people. This way he can make demanding decisions in a timely manner and with specific solutions.

So, I am hoping and expecting the best. Obama winning seems to be destined. We will soon know. Happy voting!

What do you think?

Love and light,
Amber Silverstar
amber@ambersilverstar.com
Above image is a digital art design by Amber Silverstar called VICTORY ANGEL. This image is available on apparel,greetings, art,decor,and gifts. All proceeds go to The Angel Food Project in Los Angeles ... htpp://www.cafepress.com/ambersilverstar

Romantic Drama: Nights In Rodanthe

Dear Readers,

Are you fans of Richard Gere and Diane Lane, breathtaking coastal scenes, a Nicholas Sparks's love story? Then NIGHTS IN RODANTHE is your kind of movie. I would actually call this movie a Gothic tale because most of the drama takes place in a huge, mansion turned "bed and breakfast" that sits on the beaches of North Carolina.

I liked the movie a lot but when it ended, I felt as though there needed to be something more, something that maybe I had missed, something beyond the Sparks's formula of lovers denied lasting bliss because of a cruel twist of fate. All during NIGHTS IN RODANTHE, I pretty much knew what the next scenes would be and how the plot would unfold - there are really no surprises.

Could be this is OK? Maybe!

As movie-goers, maybe some of us want two hours of escape into watching beautiful people making beautiful love in a beautiful mansion during a dangerous storm. Maybe we desire to feel this intense passion to cover the immensity of the storms raging inside our own worlds - to let beauty and drama carry us beyond the challenging demands of everyday life ... a chance to go beyond as Henry David Thoreau wrote, our lives of "quiet desperation."

Anyway, I am probably making too much of this, after all like "Romeo and Juliet", this is only a story - not Shakespeare but Sparks and if you are a follower of this prolific writer, than you will relish this story on the big screen.

Information about NIGHTS IN RODANTHE on the Richard Sparks website shows the following: "Warner Bros. Picture Presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Di Novi Pictures Production: the romantic drama Nights in Rodanthe, starring Richard Gere, Diane Lane, Scott Glenn, Christopher Meloni and Viola Davis.

Directed by George C. Wolfe from a screenplay by Ann Peacock and John Romano and based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, the film is produced by Denise Di Novi. Doug Claybourne, Alison Greenspan, Dana Goldberg and Bruce Berman are the executive producers.

The creative team includes director of photography Affonso Beato, production designer Patrizia von Brandenstein and editor Brian A. Kates. Music is by Jeanine Tesori."

If you go see this movie or have already seen it, let me know what you think about this romantic drama, NIGHT IN RODANTHE.

Love and light,
Amber Silverstar

The Wild Ride

Dear Readers,

The last few weeks have been like a wild ride through the rapids of a river raging through prehistoric canyons. Only the ride, the rapids and the river are no prehistoric experience complete with powerful white waters and colorful walls of red colored rocks. Instead, the wild ride taking place now is in the urban settings of America; the big cities filled with commerce, entertainment, soaring architecture, and resourceful inhabitants. Normally, the big city destination is one to be contemplated, sought after, celebrated and loved. Normally!

But ... in the last few weeks the wild ride through the urban streets of historical significance includes devastating hurricanes, memorials to those who died under the hands of terrorist, corrupt and greedy financial crimes, false political promises, mysterious train crashes and muddy floods making life unlivable. It is too much to comprehend. And yet, we are required to do so. We are required to breath deeply as we try to rebuild from the winds of destruction, the losses of homes,loved ones,and a sense of financial insecurity and political unrest.

How much longer can we hold on and still survive these days of challenge and changes? I say, for as long as it is needed. For I truly believe the American people in all their diversity share a collective consciousness for the will to go forward, the courage to see the truth and the strength to once more bring balance back to the center of each urban landscape; both large and small. It might be "the wild ride" yet it is our ride and we know the answer - hang on, do the very best each person can, and be ready to recover and learn when the adventure comes to it's conclusion.

Let me know what you think.

Light and love,
Amber Silverstar
http://www.ambersilverstar.com
The above digital art image is by Amber Silverstar, copyright 2008.

Players Are On The Table

After the Republican Convention last night, it looks as though all the players are on the table now. Some are looking good, some are not. All are sounding good but maybe not. In the next few weeks every word, every appearance, every gesture will be analyzed over and over again and why? Because like me, we are all looking for that truth in politics we can believe in, a philosophy of democracy we can follow, a program of change we can look forward to. Right now everything is about making the decision - who can really "make it work", who can stay and who needs to go home. I am ready to make my choices, I hope you are too. As a little inspiration, I am sharing a performance by Cher. Enjoy and get ready for the ride. P.S. I was a "community organizer" and the job required tremendous courage as I stood by the mayor and the people of the city to bring about life enhancing changes which were desperately needed. We are all on the wheel of fortune and each job we do comes from Great Spirit as taking our part in our destiny and purpose in life.

OBAMA-HILLA BETTER THAN GODZILLA: THE MONSTER TEAM

Dear Friends,

Yes, I know Hillary Clinton did not get selected as the vice presidential partner for Barack Obama. However, Senator Clinton is still the "better half" in my mind of the team needed to assure the Democrats keep their promises and get elected this Fall, 2008. I call this team the "Obama-Hilla better than Godzilla, Monster Team."

Of course, I realize Joe Biden is the one chosen to stand by Barack Obama for the presidential election. Even though last night's speech by Hillary Clinton proves this woman is still very much leading the current March to the White House.

Hillary Clinton does not give up. I find her tenacity remarkable. She really is doing it all - she stands by her man, Bill Clinton, she is a devoted mother to her beautiful and accomplished daughter, Chelsea Clinton plus she is succeeding in her career as a politician and she is loved, respected and cherished by millions. I am really impressed by how she has grown through this campaign and how many, including myself, are inspired to reach out and live their dreams.

I say to this historic figure, "You done good girl, you have monstrous talent, energy and compassion. You deserve to not only stay on the team but continue to be it's inspiration and strength." I might add, like Diana who was the people's princess, it could be Hillary is the "people's president."

All this makes it tough for some to go vote for Barack Obama! But like Senator Clinton says, "No, way, no McCain." I recommend we continue to support this remarkable woman. We need to follow her lead to be a part of the monster team to put the Democrats in the White House for new choices and new changes.

Thank you, Hillary! Thank you for reminding us what real political service is all about and the unity it takes to make great things happen for a great nation.

What do think? Please let me know, write to amber@ambersilverstar.com

Love and light,
Amber Silverstar
http://www.ambersilverstar.com
Illustration Image copyright 2008 by Amber Silverstar
for Destiny Bright Designs http://www.cafepress.com/kidsobright