Boston...how do we comprehend the incomprehensible?

It's been a week and a day since the horror perpetrated upon the Boston Marathoners, their loved ones and the city of Boston itself happened. I know that I am not at all alone, but I simply can not wrap my brain around this tragedy...especially so soon after Sandy Hook and the devastation of that community. While not an excuse of any kind it does seem like the evidence points to the fact that Adam Lanza was severely mentally ill...but what is the explanation for these two young men...immigrants granted refuge in this country as boys, welcomed here to begin new lives full of hope and promise? What could possibly prompt them to think that killing and maiming innocent people in the very city that embraced them was a justifiable act, a reasonable act, a purposeful act? How could their young minds have become so hostile, so convoluted, so evil? I am afraid that we will never know the answer to that question because their actions and state of mind defy understanding, defy logic, defy basic human decency.

So, we are all left to feel bereft once again at the vast ocean of sadness and anger engulfing us every time something senseless like this happens. Where can we put our grief, our sorrow, our fear and our sense of hopelessness? Honestly, I have no answer other than to combat it all with kindness and love. I simply don't know what else to do other than double up my efforts to make a difference in the world...even if it's just my little corner of the world, even if it's just with one little comment or gesture of compassion or humor to someone in need, even if it's just a smile to a stranger while out taking a walk.

I am re-committing myself to raising my son to become a decent, loving, compassionate man with a kind heart and a profound sense of responsibility to his fellow citizens. I am re-committing myself to look in the mirror everyday and find ways to be my best self...and then to actually BE that best self out in the world. I am re-committing myself to look at my neighbor be they next door, cross town or cross country with new eyes and a more open heart. I am re-committing myself to being as authentic and honest as I can possibly be with myself and others. And finally, I am re-committing to holding myself to the highest standard of being a human being and all that that entails.

In doing so I hope that my light will shine brightly enough to block out and eradicate some of the darkness that lives in the world.I am also hoping that even if I am only able to give someone just "one minute of happiness" it will have immeasurable value. Maybe if we all re-committed ourselves to these principles we will be able to make the world a safer place to live...a place filled with more grace, a place filled with noble intent, a place filled with unconditional love...that is my dream...please join me and make it yours too.

xoxo Nanci

Everything's Coming Up...the play, the house, the bake sale!!!

Here's the latest update of my world since my last blog post...

My play is under major reconstruction and things are going beautifully. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE working with Mark Travis...we are absolutely mining my heart and soul to create this solo show...so very exciting! We even have a new title, which I think is going to make you laugh, smile and be enthusiastic to be an audience member one day..."SUGAR & STILETTOS - a tale of panties and pastries"...now who wouldn't want to be see THAT show?!

Next, my house is still going through some dramatic changes...each one is actually quite small but the accumulation of all of them together
(and we are not even close to being finished!) is quite spectacular. The most important thing I see/feel is the opening up of space which is literally creating a sense of freedom, openness and light everywhere you turn. This new energy is infusing me and the house with a reinvigorated purpose...it is affecting my mind set, my body and the way I now am able to get through the day...simply stunning...every new curtain, appliance, piece of furniture, fabric, plant breathes with a vibrancy that was lacking before...it is all so lovely...embracing all this change can be challenging, especially for someone like me, but I am truly enjoying it and recommend that you do the same in your life...my next goal is to clean out all my clothes closets...create some space for a new look...a new "au courant" me!

Lastly, there is the planning for The Third Annual SUGAR & STILETTOS Bake Sale Extravaganza for Charity on May 18, 2013/11am-3pm...things are coming along in such a magical way...new restaurants, bakeries and stores are joining in, our PR push has begun, we are close to naming
Mr. S & S 2013 and so much more...check out all the details (our raffle items are insane!) on our website...and make sure you sign up for our email list there so you don't miss out on any of our news! www.sugarandstilettos.com

That's it for now...I hope everyone has had a wonderful beginning of spring...here's to the joy of living in the moment, the joy of being your best self!

xoxo Nanci