Time Away in Depoe Bay

Most people outside of Oregon probably haven't heard of Depoe Bay. If you blink, you're bound to miss it while driving south on Hwy. 101. Fortunately, I grew up on the coast, so I know all about the po-dunk towns in between Astoria, Lincoln City and Newport.

We stayed at Inn at Arch Rock in Depoe Bay this weekend. It was lovely! The views from our Penthouse Suite were amazing. Although, truth be told, I spent more time in the jetted tub than I did anywhere else in the spawling 2-bedroom suite. Something about soaking in a hot tub and sipping white wine completely soothes my soul. From there, we spent Friday driving up Hwy. 101 to visit my favorite beach - Oceanside.

Why am I telling you all of this?

Merely to encourage you to take a break. Even if it's simply for the one night or a weekend. I had time to sit and meditate in front of the ocean. I found answers to some of my recent anxieties and attracted ideas for future writing.

Be still.
It's the best thing any of us can ever do.

Wishing you much love and success,
Heather


www.HeatherStrang.com

What's With All the Haterade?

I'm surprised by the big glass of Haterade a host of therapists, coaches and authors are serving up on The Secret. When I first discovered The Secret, I was excited, thrilled and glowing. To me, it provided the missing piece of my evolving spiritual puzzle - I could attract what I wanted into my life IF I put my focus on attracting it.

As of today, I've watched The Secret half a dozen times and have shared it with as many people as I possibly can.

I'm shocked at the amount of negativity that these "progressive" individuals are throwing at The Secret. I unsubscribed from Debbie Ford's newsletter as her rants following The Secret's appearance on Oprah made me realize how threatened she felt by the movie's methodology (which directly challenges her entire business premise, therefore threatening her livelihood). Today I received Byron Katie's newsletter to uncover more of the same. Add to that segments on the Today show saying The Secret is "dangerous" (Gail Saltz - stop being so afraid of losing your cush gig for god's sake!) and numerous rants by anyone who is threatened by the possibility that everything in our life we attracted by our thoughts/feelings/actions.

All I can say at this point is - what are you all so scared of?

Stop being afraid and enjoy life!
Use the Law of Attraction and The Secret to make your world a better place (thus affecting everyone around you).

We can all agree that if we had more love and less anger the world would be a better, happier place. The Secret just happens to be one of the vehicles we can use to get there. Not so scary after all, eh?

While you're at it - check out The Secret book...I recently received the audio version (thanks boyfriend!)



Okay, I'll now promptly step down from my soap box. :)

Much love to you ALL!
xoHeather

www.HeatherStrang.com

Go Gratitude!

Go Gratitude was a catalyst in my own personal transformation. Sign up for this amazing email program and for 42 days you will receive insights that open your mind and transform (great word!) your heart. I participated in this email program over a year ago and absolutely loved it. In fact, I've signed up for a couple of times. The 42 days goes by far too fast!

Gratitude is paramount in attracting the life you dream about.
The Law of Attraction and Gratitude work together hand in hand giving you everything you need and desire. To learn more about the Law of Attraction, visit Abraham-Hicks.com

Every morning, I wake up and write 10 things I am grateful for. It can be as simple as "sleep" or as fun as "orgasms". It only matters that you align your energy with what you are grateful for.

Gratitude also turns a bad mood on its head in an instant.
When down in spirit, write 10 things you are grateful for. It's tough to be bummed out when you realize how much is right in your life.

Check out this book on Gratitude:


Go gratitude!
-H

First-Ever Easter & A Must-Read

I celebrated my first-ever Easter this year. Besides not having any idea what this holiday is about (in honor of Jesus resurrection and rabbit fertility - what?!) I thoroughly enjoyed the egg decoration process.

The boyfriend bought a kit and I got to decorate my pretty eggs with stickers, dye and stamps. It felt more like a grade school project than a holiday, but I have to tell you - connecting with your creative side - even if it's simply decorating eggs, felt GOOD. Then, I had my own Easter egg hunt. He hid the eggs throughout the apartment and I had to find them.

I discovered two things:
1) Scavenger hunts ARE HARD (there's an egg hidden in my spider plant!)
2) Being a kid (even at 29) is a lot of fun. Yay Easter!

How does this relate to writing? Well, it doesn't really. Other than I'm a writer, writing about my first-ever Easter experience. How's that for relevance?!

Oh and check out this fabulous book I just finished. It's been a big help - I'm not raging in traffic or agonizing about nutty people. :)



--H

I Read SELF Magazine & Buy A New Dress - Coincidence?

I just finished taking a Women's Studies course through Portland State University on Body Image. I loved it! The overall conclusion is this: media (TV, print, radio, Internet) advertising tells us that we suck (we are too fat, too ugly, not worthy) so that we will buy the products that will "fix" the problem (SlimFast, cosmetic surgery, self-help books, etc). All of this is reinforced through media programming (anything on MTV, Desperate Housewives, etc).

So...I gave up cable. I canceled my magazine subscriptions.

Then, spring break happened.
I didn't have any school textbooks to read.

I picked up my latest issue of SELF magazine (the subscription runs out in July). I leafed through it, skimming it really. 2 hours later, on a walk through Portland's Nob Hill, I'm compelled to enter a store with pretty dresses. I have not purchased any clothing in MONTHS.

I'm on a "consume-less, love my body more" kick right now.

I find several dresses I MUST HAVE. I purchase one. For $50. One dress.
I paint my nails.
I buy hair clips with the intent of doing more than wearing my hair down and in a ponytail.

What's WRONG WITH ME?
Is it SELF magazine? Is it all the pictures of extremely thin, tan white women that is driving me to begin obsessing about how I look again?

I thought I was done feeling bad about myself, but today, after my magazine indulgence, it's back. If my women's studies class is right, beauty magazines make women feel ugly and bad about themselves.

What do you think?
I'm desperate to know!
Post comments or send emails to: heather@heatherstrang.com

--H