I left the church because I believed more strongly, not less.
I've always believed in unconditional love and equality- completely.
Though I know it innately, it requires practice and disciplined thinking
to apply the knowledge.
I was not lost.
I've always known who and what and how
I am
from love.
- apply the knowledge
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metahara- April 11th, 17:15
- DUO PHOENIX trapeze video
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- metahara
- April 6th, 15:53
With great joy I present:
Duo Phoenix Glory, a video I directed with the talented team:
https://vimeo.com/63478501
- I believe in the power of creation
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- metahara
- April 4th, 10:40
Money can't buy it
Now, now, those who are struggling may say "but gosh it would help" and those who have it may say, "but it's so much fun". I have come from having so much of it and so little at different times and the whole way through- it's been love that is all there is. Love is the true gift. Consistently allowing love to surround and abound from within is what it's all about. Love in abundance is the greatest abundance.Those who practice love in a consistent and disciplined way recognize love for what it is and let more of it in, appreciate love and nurture love. Unconditional, universal- Love is a stable force.Those who don't nurture love, shun it, turn on it, are afraid of it. The only thing that can turn that hatred and disrespect around is the disciplined practice of love coming from within. It wont come from someone else- it must come from within. It is a simple choice; it's as easy as a light switch flip. "Come from love" as Bob Ellis reminded me one day.
St. Thomas spoke of the disciples simply opening their eyes to see that heaven was before them- right before their eyes.
Annie Lennox said it with song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjmLHZMuUNM
I say it with family, friends, community, in service with my production company, my art,
my love
I say it with joy
Love is all there is
- KALE
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- metahara
- March 25th, 13:45
A friend on FB asked, "What to do with all this Kale?!"Kale Dip:
Make spinach dip- except
Instead of Spinach use Kale
Instead of Mayo, use Greek Yogurt and Olive oilKale "chips"
Toss Kale with olive oil and herbs and spices- lay out on a cookie sheet and "bake" at 150 till they are like chipsKale side dish
Sweat garlic, onion, ginger, add Kale, lemon or lime juice, soy sauce or salt, pepper, a little water, cover and simmer till as soft as you want the Kale to be-- you can add some honey too.Kale juiced:
Kale, Carrots, Beets, apple for sweetness, dash of citrus (to help your body utilize the iron)
Add Kale to any soup.
- women and film
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- metahara
- March 24th, 14:54
I'm loving the film, HITCHCOCK!
As the lead character laments the fact that while nominated, he had not yet won an Oscar, I wonder if he EVER made the connection that his partner, his producer, his wife, was never properly credited for her contribution.
As someone who worked his way up, assisted HER and was an AD, I'd think he would have been more sensitive and credit her contributions more appropriately. I wonder if that karma has anything to do with his not being acknowledged for any particular film with a win?
Ah sexism...it's so insidious, so hideous.
- Healthy, Gluten free lunch in 20 min.
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- metahara
- March 23rd, 10:29
You'll use:
Broccoli
Chard or other Dark Greens
Scallions or Chives
Frozen Corn
Rice pasta
Tahini
Lemon
Olive Oil
Hot sauce or cayenne pepper
Apple Cider Vinegar
Salt, Pepper, Garlic, Oregano
Put a pot of water on to boil. add salt to water
While water is getting ready to boil:
Clean and cut Broccoli - I peel the stems and chop them for texture
Clean and cut Swizz Chard, or any other dark leafy greens
Clean and cut Green onions / Scallions or Chives
Remove Corn from freezer
you can add Carrots or Olives too if you like, cut as you like.
Add pasta to the pot
I used Gluten free, Rice pasta
cook for 8-9 min. then just before the pasta is cooked to your desired tenderness,
add the veggies to barely cook them for 1 - 2 min.
Strain, then
toss with the
Dressing
All ingredients to taste, but here are my estimations
Tahini-- approx 1 cup
Olive oil- approx. 1/4 cup
1 Lemon, juiced
1 tbsp. Hot Sauce
1 tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
2 or 3 cloves garlic crushed or minced
Salt and Pepper
Oregano
Mint
maybe Lemon zest
~whatever spices and herbs you like.
I added a dash of honey too- it's not necessary, I added a lot of hot sauce and added honey to balance the heat and acid.
Add water for consistency; make it like a pourable but thick dressing, between the consistency of Blue Cheese dressing and Ranch.
Top with
Green onions / Scallions or Chives
This took less than 20 min. (I use an electric tea pot to boil some of the water- speeds up the process)
It would be even easier if I bought the pre washed veggies.
It could be made with long grain Brown Basmati rice.
The convenient way to have brown rice around is to get a rice cooker;
cook enough for 2 or 3 days and store in the fridge. Easy. Fast. Nutritious.
Note: If you are going to freeze any pasta dish, freeze the ingredients separate (1 bag pasta, another veggies).
Really, this is not one of my many 'freeze half of it for next week' recipes. It refrigerates well for a few days.
- generous not to a fault- it's a blessing
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- metahara
- March 15th, 11:09
written 1995:
Privilege is relative.
When I was in Morocco, I knew I came from more privilege than some of the people I stayed with.
I let them know my truth, where I was from, how much I could spend and that some of the funds that got me there were form a grant and some from waiting tables. I didn't want to take advantage of them. I also was not the kind of American 'as seen on Dynasty' as many tourists and travelers are. I made the commitment to live up to my privilege and not take advantage of generous people. Generosity and gratitude are beautiful experiences that create more love and acceptance in the world. Where lying, hiding, shame, and "getting over on" live, acceptance does not. Even in a country that relies on the haggle method, I knew to be real about what I could give in exchange for services and a place to stay. It led to a deep and rich experience of Morocco that can not be bought. I am so grateful.
from my journal today:
In the film business, a good reputation of honesty and generosity translate into more takes till you get the shot right, set safety, the actors feel comfortable on a set with good energy and can give a better performance quicker. People know I give what I can and make sacrifices that are necessary know my sacrifices aren't faked. My honesty has led to some wonderful experiences I cherish.
When others are more privileged financially, it would be so lovely if they weren't trying to "get over".
When anyone generously gives to those who claim they can't afford more, who then shows up with evidence of so much money spent on shoes, purses, cars, extravagant whatever it is- the generous person may wonder, "Do they think they are better people? more worthy?" They feel duped and hurt.
When a person wrongly believes they are better and more worthy for whatever imagined, ridiculous reason, that is imbalance. A person who is less privileged spiritually, who has made the mistake of hoarding and lying financially (even if to themselves) may feel shame on some level. Shame serves no one. That shame can be amended with reciprocity.
So, what is the givers part in it? Are we generous to a fault? Should we develop harder shells? People who are accustomed to taking advantage and not being truly generous may say it's our fault: We should have had contracts; should have better researched who we were working with; should have had a lawyer on staff; an investigator; a lie detector.
Should we confront the person who may not even know they were taking advantage? Do we write them off as "bad people"? Or do we love, accept and hope they see the light, right the wrong and do good with their privilege. We hope they will do right specifically by the people they took advantage of. If they don't all we can do is let go and move on.
In my case; I've decided I wont be less generous. I know there are business people who will say I am crazy and deserve to be taken advantage of. To that voice I say: How you behave is your responsibility. Because a woman wears purple underwear does not give you permission to rape her. Because a person is generous does not give you permission to take advantage. Those business people who do not understand generosity may be impoverished spiritually and unable to see energetically. I wont feel better than or worse than anyone else- that is a sickening perception I can live without. I accept the experience as part of life, not good or bad, it just is ~and move on.
With my commitment to generosity and honesty, greed is repelled and I attract more generous people I am grateful for. When people have been greedy, I allow them the opportunity to bring things into balance. Shame be gone- I hold the space for love to abound.
Generosity and gratitude create more love and acceptance in the world. I continue to show gratitude to those who are generous with me and I am generous, not to a fault- to a great blessing.
--
- inner circle, outer circle
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- metahara
- January 19th, 1:06
I can learn to be less frustrated when I take a horse to water and it insists on dying of thirst.
I've done my part (inviting) and the rest is up to them.
I open up very easily and I am very generous.
That can be good, however, sometimes I find myself thinking I am in a friendship when actually, it's not that.
I love people and sometimes see them as friends when really they are
colleagues or house mates or people I have helped. I can still love
them and not to expect them to be a good friend. Some of them may not know how to be a good friend.
I'm letting go of that expectation while filling up and overflowing with gratitude for
the people who are my spirit family, my dearest and true friends.
- Thomai directed another music video! Yaye!
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- metahara
- December 25th, 2012
Featuring the aerial work of DUO PHOENIX
check it out!
watch it, like it, share it!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCWRn4gyhWE&feature=share&noredirect=1
Thank you!
- appreciation
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- metahara
- June 30th, 2012
Letting go of people who don't appreciate us
is also a way of honoring those who do appreciate us.
- choice
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- metahara
- June 6th, 2012
I love being an artist. I've had to learn to also be a business woman as part of being an artist without a "day job". It isn't the easist thing to learn to be linear about some things while also allowing the non linear aspect of my being to create~ I'm doing it and getting better at it everyday.
I have seen a few posts on FB that come off as complaints about not having paid vacations, steady pay, 401Ks, etc. Ya know what, EVERYONE has it in them to be an artist. The choice to WORK as an artist and not also be an accountant, shoe salesperson, manager - is a CHOICE. I'm glad I don't see people who have 401Ks / job perks whining that they don't get to take the time to make art, travel and hang with artists, philosophizing. If I did see such posts, I'd suggest they start making art until it compels them to focus so much time on it that they can let go of the job with the perks. If the struggle of being out on a limb as an artist is so scary you start thinking the world owes you something- get off the limb, get your feet on the ground and go apply for a job with built in, obvious, growth opportunities. There is a reason that so many successful artists come from wealthy families; their finances make it easier to allow the work to come through- the choice seems easier for them. If you are struggling financially and you choose to continue making art, raise money for it with gratitude, not a sense that anyone owes you, and negotiate appropriately for each commissioned work. Know it's the work that is being paid for, not you and your lifestyle. Sometimes we work for free as part of the process, sometimes we get paid well and that too is part of the process. Learning to save, plan and negotiate is part of the choice that requires us to develop our planning, deductive reasoning and the instincts required to support the lifestyle. You can get a job that is not 9-5. You may not be good at it at 1st, but you'll survive with it. I know a grown man (in his 30's) who was being taken care of by a single mother who was struggling to feed her child. He cursed, insulted and wailed against my suggestion that he "man up". He announced that we are no longer friends when I shared the reality that anyone owes him for his lifestyle choices. His art is good, but the world can live without it coming through him. If the art is necessary for the world, it will come through someone. Like being a parent / guardian of children-
being an artist is a responsibility and a choice. No one owes you because you made that choice.
- Change your language- remove institutional prejudice from your vocabulary.
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- metahara
- March 6th, 2012
It's not "just an expression" when it propagates oppression.
- MUSIC VIDEO, Nothing In Your Pocket, Directed by Thomai
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- metahara
- January 28th, 2012
I directed and produced a music video with my company MetaHara productions.
An awkward / indie type High School girl realizes the heart throb / jock is just a player, playing all the girls. She decides to run him off and ends up with the Duckie type character. We've come a long way in our view of the nerdy, quirky, interesting and intelligent nice guys since John Hughes Pretty In Pink.
I hope you find it entertaining:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohRaKFB994I&feature=you tu.be&a
The crew was 97% minority, women were in non traditional crew positions (Gaffer, Best Girl Grip) as well as the more traditional "vanities" (Costume and M/U / Hair).
If you'd like to be involved in our film making success, please click the following link to donate to the next MetaHara film, THORN:
http://www.kapipal.com/thorn
- 23
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- metahara
- December 31st, 2011
Hanz is 23!!!! He sold 2 paintings this year and has been working in fine dining as a line cook also in charge of pantry and prep. I thank goodness he is healthy, has a lovely girlfriend, is currently self educating and has saved money to travel soon.
For his birthday this year he flew into Florida, the state my mom lives in, the state he was born in, though he has not ever lived there, to share his birthday with Yiaya.Pictured with his Yiaya
- Listen up Girls
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- metahara
- December 31st, 2011
That thing you do that makes you different - makes you a trailblazer. It may get you ostracised, you'll probably be yelled at, called crazy, maybe even spit on or beaten. That negative response from those who don't share your vision is part of being under and over estimated. Under estimated as they believe you can't do it. The naysayers think they know better; they believe they must protect you from yourself. Over estimated because deep down in their core, the naysayers are deathly afraid that you will disrupt their lives. That's all part of what happens when your passion is not what the status quo wants you to be passionate about.
Not to worry, they'll come around. I know it's a challenge to understand that when you're blazing the trail and the people you love would rather put up roadblocks than see you create your path. Know that one day, most of them will be proud of you for exactly that which they tried to prevent you from. That's the way it's been unfolding through the generations.
The good news is that in many countries, the scared ones are less likely to burn you at a stake or impale you. Appreciate the progress that has been made and be aware that women are being tortured somewhere in the world just for being women; imagine what they are doing to the trailblazers. Let's hope women in such danger find the strength outwit and survive their oppressors. We can help progress by appreciating every bit of it and continuing to make our visions of equality a reality.
oh, and when someone from the dominant part of the culture you live in chooses to help you instead of participate in the oppression, be aware of the risk they have taken to do so and remember to say thank you.
- Prince of peace, meet Warrior
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- metahara
- December 25th, 2011
I just finished watching Warrior and LOVED it~
exciting film, great fight scenes, very well made.
- A beautiful man transitioned. We love you Michael Aaron.
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- metahara
- December 21st, 2011
Sept 20, 1962- Dec 20, 2012The 1st day I met Michael, I was in a strange and wondrous city, in a strange and wondrous house on Burgundy and there was a strange man playing wondrous guitar music that I fell into. That's how Michael charmed us- 1st with his enchanting music and then with his cynical humor. He kept us around with his loyalty, love and a good cup a Joe; I found it easy to love Michael. Love and light dear old friend, as you transition to the rhythm of the ether~ it's a good thing you understand the language of the angels. xxoo
Musician, music collector, 78 spinner, smart ass, cynical comic, shoulder to lean on, cry on, laugh on and dare I admit get queasy on, known on every continent, soulful, easy on the ears, our Michael Aaron , our room mate, our friend who was family, he was the gatekeeper for our kind in NOLA~ the 1st you got to know and love there and he has passed from this plane.
