Tahja Starr's topics - tribe.net

Blue Moon Special For Dare To Dream With Amaya & Louisa - Save $45

miabella — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:22:00 GMT

The deadline for the Blue Moon Special is September 1st which includes all workshops and a Saturday night show ticket. For more information you can go to our website at www.crescentmoonbellydance.com
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

Dare To Dream 2008 With Amaya & Louisa

miabella — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 07:00:36 GMT

Dare To Dream is celebrating its 10 year anniversary & is sponsoring Amaya & Louisa. For a flyer & more information you can go to
www.crescentmoonbellydance.com

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

Instructors Intensive,Hawaii or Seattle Delilah Style with Certificate

Delilah — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:39:49 GMT

Instructors Intensive, Delilah style / with certificates

I can’t speak for other peoples teaching courses but here is a little about mine.

I have offered 2 “Instructors Intensive” courses so far, the next one I’m offering is in January 2009. Registrations are now open to 15 people. These courses are highly inspirational, challenging and growth producing. I conduct the course for 10 consecutive days, in Hawaii along side of my regular annual belly dance retreats of 8 days. The current format is as follows:
The instructors arrive 24 hours before the general course. I spend this time with instructors first to get off to a intimate level. We are all viewed as colleagues and each participant has something to teach all of us. It is not just about one perspective since Delilah’s perspective is to be a perpetual student, learning from all those around you. However, Delilah hopes you will learn some of her visionary concepts and ideals and pass them on to your students.

The regular 8 day retreat is full of the meat and potatoes of belly dance. Techniques, drills, drum classes, workouts, creativity exercises, and performance work. Dancer of all levels are invited. The regular course is cheaper, shorter and has more leisure time to spend in Hawaii around the pool and beaches. Reminder: Just because someone is a teacher doesn’t mean they have to take the instructors intensive either. They are more than welcome to take the general retreat. It’s a nice mix of belly dance and hawaiian vacation.

The next 7 days at the retreat are divided into periods. The mornings, late afternoon and evenings have workshops and performance opportunities for both the regular retreat participants (which are of all levels form beginning to professionals) and the instructors. The last day is for instructors alone again and we work on drum solos and a fun little test. Part of the instruction is to learn to play the middle eastern drum. This is very important for all instructor. We will also have the opportunity to dance to live music.

Who is qualified to take the instructors course?
Anyone who who has been belly dancing for a year or two and is driven to know more about belly dance. 1 year doesn’t seem like very much but some dancers come into belly dance with a lot of dance knowledge and advance quickly these days. So I leave it up to each individual to choose if they are ready to come. No one is turned away. Of course seasoned belly dance instructors come for new inspirations. Also dancers come who don’t intend to pursue teaching belly dancing but just want the immersion or are thinking about it.

Months before the course begins the instructors are given homework. It’s a list of subjects they maybe called on to teach 10-15 minutes at the retreat. If they don’t know a subject then we advice they search it out and gain some knowledge about it. We suggest they make sure they have studied all of Delilah’s instructional DVD’s if they want to get the most out of their “live” course experience, but thats up to them. The registraunts are given discounts for DVD’s.
What we do during the first instructors classes is review certain body alignment techniques that are essential to understanding the dance’s bodily construction, teach the Power Belly format of dance instruction and at some point, we have a candid group discussion about the business of belly dance pro’s and con’s. My goal as an instructor’s guide is to help dancers clearly see into the body and understand what they see in each others dance movements.

At the beginning I give each participant a rare copy of my unpublished manuscript about belly dance and a second one about the biz of belly dance. They can read it during their spare time at the retreat and it’s theirs to keep (but not reproduce in any way).

At the end of the retreat they receive a certificate that describes the elements covered in the program as well as other instructors or musicians that may have been a part of that retreat program.

What the certificate means, and doesn’t mean
It doesn’t mean you are a great teacher or even that after the course you are now considered a qualified instructor. It just means you took the course. The certificate is suitable for framing so you can show your students that you have sincere dedication to the art of belly dance and have put forth the time and money towards higher learning. It gives the public a bit of back ground as to what makes up your personal experience as a teacher and can be used in your educational resume. It is not a certificate for physical fitness or first aid.

Note: The instructors course is about 20 hours in addition to the 22 hours of the general course retreat.

I hope this explains a bit more about my program. It’s truly a wonderful laboratory for dancers. I get email all the time from dancers asking me if I have a teachers program and I am at a loss for how this is seemingly undiscovered aspect of my web site. Instructors courses in extreme demand these days.

Seattle Apprenticeship Opportunity
I do have another option for dancers who want to apprentice with me. I have a house across the street from my studio and will take on live in apprenticeship for 4-6 weeks.

They get a room, their own bath in a shared living situation in an old world large Queen Anne style house located across the street from VDP Studios in a beautiful neighborhood 5 minutes from downtown. It’s on a great bus line. The house has a hot tub, garden and cats. Restaurants, market and shops are all in walking distance. The apprentice can take daily classes, private classes and use the studio for practice. Opportunity for dancing to live middle eastern music as well since the band “House of Tarab” is closely aligned with the studio and this is irreplaceable experience.
Cost starts at $850 per month plus private class and special workshops.

There you have it
Delilah
www.visionarydance.com
best to reach me at (rather than on tribe, tribe loads to slow!)
delilahbellydancer@yahoo.com
206 632-2353

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

Long Hair Care Forum

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 18:11:38 GMT

Just wanted to share this forum I joined about a month ago. I was researching HEALTHY hair care, and I found a book by Cathy Howse. Her site is awesome and filled with lots of information. I want my long hair back, without having to make trips to the hair store to buy it.
http://www.ultrablackhair.com/index.html

Through her site, I found the Long Hair Care Forum.
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/
The knowledge & experience of these women is incredible! Because of this site & Cathy Howse's book, my hair has grown 2" in two months. What's awesome is that most of the hair care advice is what my nana did to my hair as a child. I could go on (probably will later), but I have work to do. FYI - this site is for women who have highly-textured, ethnic hair.

FOR EVERYONE, I started researching the ingredients that I put on my hair, and came across jojoba oil. I put it on me & my man's hair. It's tamed his dandruff, and brought back the lovely sheen to his hair. It's cemical makeup is that of sebum, the oils found in everyone's skin & scalp, so it absorbs nicely without weighing the hair down.

He's been researching healthy long hair care for his clients as well, and I found these sites:
http://www.tlhs.org/xtra.html Pics of seriously long hair.
http://www.longhairgroup.com/home_2.htm
http://www.longhairlovers.com/ This site looks supercool, check out the Library, too.
http://www.longhairloom.com/

BTW, that wasn't my announcement. Just wanted to share... Seriously gotta get back to work now.

I've missed you all!!!!
T

posted in Tahja Starr - 5 replies

Tahja Update

ceylonna — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 04:28:19 GMT

Tahja has asked tribe.net to cancel her tribe. For those of you who don't know me, I'm one of Tahja's best friends. I spoke with her at length today, and she asked me to share some information with all of you.

T's life is very complicated at the moment due to extended family issues and a possible cancer scare. There is not a definitive diagnosis yet, but it is entirely possible that she has melanoma.

Due to these issues, the DVD has been put on the back burner indefinitely. Those of you who pre -paid for the DVD will receive a refund. I've been T's friend for 9 years and she is one of the most ethical people that I've ever known. Please be patient with her during this time. You will receive your refund.

Tahja also asked me to mention that she trusts Nari as the moderator if Nari decides not to cancel this tribe.

Thank you to those of you who've shown your support for Tahja.

Ceylonna (aka CoCo DuPage, aka Leslie)

posted in Tahja Starr - 26 replies

Healing for Tahja Starr

Mawiyah Raquel Netjert — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 02:01:41 GMT

Dear all,
I remember being in contact with a very few of you last summer, Tahja and Nari inclusive, about relocating to Dallas from New York. I never got back in touch to tell you that I wasn't leaving NYC...I sort of just disappeared. I went through a massive change {spiritual growth and self development} and I am just now coming into who I am, my purpose, and enlightenment.

I want to share my knowledge with all of you, and give you something to help Tahja while she goes down her path. I am in the process of fine tuning a technique I have created on how to connect to the Universe {attaining a Divine Connection through Dance} through bellydancing, and the main aspect of this is Self-Realization - working on the Self. I have been doing this personally and this dance has helped me through my trials. So tonight, in just randomly picking a tribe to start going though to see what's new, I came across what has happened. Here's what I have to offer that I encourage all of you to use, as much as possible, tell Tahja to do it, and I will do my part as well:

Divine Light Invocation
Instructions

Stand erect, feet shoulder-width apart. Keep the eyes closed and focus them on the space between the eyebrows. Lift the arms above the head at the same time as you smoothly and gradually tense the whole body, while you inhale. The arms should be kept straight and the tension maintained throughout the body. Hold the tension and the breath.

Make the following affirmation to yourself, silently and with all the concentration possible:

I am created by Divine Light
I am sustained by Divine Light
I am protected by Divine Light
I am surrounded by Divine Light
I am ever growing into Divine Light.

Slowly lower the arms as you exhale and relax.
Keep the eyes closed and use your imagination to see yourself standing in a shower of brilliant white Light. See the Light pouring down upon you, flowing into the body through the top of the head, filling your entire being.
Now, without raising the arms, keeping them at your side, tense the body and inhale. Hold the tension and the breath. Mentally repeat the Invocation:

I am created by Divine Light
I am sustained by Divine Light
I am protected by Divine Light
I am surrounded by Divine Light
I am ever growing into Divine Light.

Slowly exhale and relax. With the arms beside the body, concentrate on feeling a warm glow of Light suffuse your entire body, outside as well as inside.

Acknowledge silently to yourself: Every cell of this, my physical body, is filled with Divine Light. Every level of consciousness is illumined with Divine Light. Divine Light penetrates every single cell of my being every level of consciousness. I have become a channel of pure Light. I am one with the Light.

The Divine Light Invocation is an exercise of will as well as an act of surrender. Be receptive to the Light and accept that you are now a channel of Divine Light. Express your gratitude with deep feeling. Have the desire to share this gift with someone who you wish to help. Turn your palms forward.

You can now share the Divine Light with any friend or relative. Keep the eyes closed and visualize him or her standing before you. Mentally open the doors of your heart center and let the Light stream forth towards the feet of this person. See the Light encircling the person and spiraling upwards in a clockwise direction, enveloping the body completely. See the spiral moving high up into the sky, taking his or her image along with it. Finally the person merges into the source of the Light and becomes one with the Light.

You may even lift your head to follow the spiral of Light, keeping the eyes closed. When the person has passed from your view, relax and silently give thanks for having the opportunity to help someone in need.
Remember, in helping others we are also helping ourselves.

www.yasodhara.org/about_us_...light.html

Light is healing. It is very powerful and for those of you that are spiritually aware you have a deeper understanding.

As a being of Wisdom, I ask that you consider this for Tahja, and for yourself.

All the best,
Mawiyah Raquel Netjert

posted in Tahja Starr - 1 reply

Note from tribe.net: please assign a moderator

touguy — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 20:26:23 GMT

Hey there, "Tahja Starr" members--

This Tribe doesn't have a moderator, but as a matter of policy, Tribe.net likes all groups to have a leader. Can you collectively choose someone to moderate your Tribe?

When you've reached consensus, have the new moderator send a note to help@tribe.net, with the words "Moderator Change –Tahja Starr" in the subject header, letting us know that you've selected a new leader. Please be sure to include a link to this discussion thread!

Thanks--

TOU (Terms of Use) Guy

posted in Tahja Starr - 12 replies

miss you

Luna — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 23:26:52 GMT

Hey T, just wanted to tell you i miss you like crazy! i have made some great new friends in the big H but, I still miss dancing with you! so many good time,drunk times,fun times , I miss you
and love you

blessing to you and your family

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

Where is Tahja?

nari — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 12:09:08 GMT

Haven't seen this tribe active in a while. Where is the fabulous Mrs. Starr?

posted in Tahja Starr - 3 replies

BellyDance BootCamp - ARMS II

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 04:53:30 GMT

Drills for Stamina & Technique
TWELVE 5-Minute Drills for Arms & Shoulders
http://www.tahjastarr.com/bootcamp_dvd.htm

Coming in February 2007!! Pre-Order Now!
Discounts for Returning Customers!!

I know, friggin' sweet, right? LOL

T

posted in Tahja Starr - 14 replies

T is on the ballot for Brandon's Oasis of Honor

ceylonna — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 05:52:54 GMT

here's the link http://hometown.aol.com/homeskillety2k/page1.html

Ceylonna

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

Dove Pro-Age Casting Call

Sun, 28 Jan 2007 09:47:16 GMT

I'm too young for this one, but I know WAAAAAAAAAAY too many women here 40+ for one of you not to get your gorgeous faces out there!!

http://www.doveproage.com/casting_call_rules.asp

GRAND PRIZES (3): Three (3) Grand Prize Winners will receive a professional photo shoot and will get a chance to appear in an upcoming Dove Pro-Age promotional execution which will include one and could include all of the following: (a) print advertorial in a national women's magazine, (b) doveproage.com homepage feature, (c) Dove Dimensions direct mail. Finalists will not be required to pose nude during Photo Shoot. All Artists for the Photo Shoot will be chosen at the discretion of Sponsor. Photo releases may be required. If a Grand Prize Winner cannot accept prize, she will be disqualified and an alternate winner will be selected. Sponsor will determine the location, time, date and duration of Photo Shoot. The location of the Photo Shoot will be in New York City OR within a 30-mile radius of the winner's home and winner may be required to travel to the specified location of Photo Shoot. If winner's residence is NOT within a 30-mile radius, Sponsor will provide transportation and hotel accommodations.

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

Belly Dance Trainer Certification Program

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 11:34:43 GMT

From Taaj's Website... http://www.thebellydancetrainer.com/certification.html

The Belly Dance Trainer SM Certification Program

“What If I Could Guarantee That You Would Have More Students, Less Headache, and More Money From Teaching Belly Dance?

Now you can with the Belly Dance Trainer Certification Program. Learn Taaj's secrets to teaching students quickly, efficiently, so that they improve and your reputation and student population explodes!

*****
A Note from Tahja: I love this!! TEACHERS LEARNING HOW TO TEACH!! Regardless of how the general population feels about quote/unquote certification programs, no student, performer, professional, or instructor is above learning and expanding their mind.

posted in Tahja Starr - 9 replies

Affirmation

Kathreen — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 20:48:46 GMT

This is from 'The Master Key System' Carles Hannel
An Affirmation- make it part of your every moment.

I Am Whole, Perfect, Strong,Powerful, Loving, Harmonious and Happy'

Kathreen

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

OASIS of COLOR Voting Ends TONITE!

brandonoasisdc — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 13:45:00 GMT

...at 8:59pm ET (I'm in DC).
http://hometown.aol.com/homeskillety2k/page1.html
I'll be at an Ava fleming show tonight in Baltimore, so the final results will be tomorrow sometime...

Thx,
B.

posted in Tahja Starr - 2 replies

Classes

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 11:23:05 GMT

For those waiting for info on upcoming classes, it's going to happen soon... ICE.

There's one particular place I have my eye on, and I have some negotiations to make.

Once it melts, I'll scoot up there and do my thang. :-D

Yours in sleep delirium,
T

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

Blingo!!!

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 11:19:14 GMT

Have you guys heard of this? I came across this site, and it's quite nifty. It's free, and google-powered.

From the site: Just use Blingo the same way you'd use a regular search engine, like Google or Yahoo. Looking for a birthday gift? A recipe? Doing research for a home improvement project or a school paper? The Internet is the place to find whatever you're looking for, and Blingo can help. But Blingo is different because you may also win a prize just for using our free service! We give away prizes all day every day. You never know when. Click here to try it now. It's free! There are no strings attached to using Blingo: you don't have to register to win, we don't send spam, and there aren't any offers you'll have to sign up for. We do limit each household to two prizes per month."

If you're inspired to join, use this link and you'll be on there as my bud!
http://www.blingo.com/friends?ref=aa_j7BHWFIHkQ1iR4uBd2hiU0H8

Plus, once you join, should you invite people, if they win a prize, you win the same prize - "even if it's a vehicle," the site says. People win every hour, sometimes it's movie tix, other times it's $1000! Give it a try!

Something for us DFW peeps to do while avoiding icy roads and the people driving on it. :-)

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

How do you feel?

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 02:17:38 GMT

I'm in a sillier than normal mood today. :-) I came across this google game.

Type in your name and then feels, aka "Yournamehere feels" into google and post the results. Since Tahja wasn't popular, I used my birth name.

I did, however, replace it with Tahja here... Very very very few people know my full birth name, and I prefer to keep it that way on an open forum.

------------------------
Tahja feels that her casual attitude must not be mistaken for a lack of ambition.

Tahja feels like the black sheep in her family.

Tahja feels Death's state of being change, knowing it could mean only one thing.

Tahja feels that, with such an approach, you build employee morale and stronger relationships with the local community.

posted in Tahja Starr - 8 replies

NikkiJ in Hawaii BellyDancer Mag!!

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 21:20:57 GMT

WOOHOO!!!!

http://www.hawaiibellydancermagazine.com/

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

Save the Date!! NTMEDA Holiday Party (x-post)

Zahena — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 19:06:26 GMT

You asked for it and now its back!! NTMEDA’s Holiday Dinner, Show and Silent Auction is back!!!

When: Sunday December 3, 2006
Where: Giovanni’s
18484 Preston Road Suite 119
(just south of George Bush Tollway north of Frankford)
Dallas
Time: 6:00 pm doors open, show at 7:00 pm
Cost: $30 per person

Come see Anahata, Cinnamon, Indigo Rose, Johara Dance Ensemble, Nacheska and Feria, Naima, Raks Halim, Visions in Dance, Rivkah, Tatika and many more perform during a delicious buffet dinner consisting of both Persian and Italian cuisines!

Interested in making a silent auction donation? NTMEDA would love to have your item to add to our silent auction list and the proceeds go towards dance scholarships and supporting our dance community! Donations can be tax-deductible!! Contact our President Brandy Bollin at pavalina@tribalevolution.com for more details!

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

BELLY DANCE GARAGE SALE!! (x-post)

Zahena — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 21:33:10 GMT

NTMEDA invites you to shop until you drop at the Fall Belly Dance Garage Sale!

WHEN: THIS Sunday October 29, 2006
TIME: 5:00 – 7:30 pm
WHERE: Move Studio
17062 Preston Road, Suite 108
(SEC Campbell and Preston)
Dallas, TX 75248
www.movestudio.com
HOW MUCH: FREE for NTMEDA members, $2.00 otherwise

Come check out or sell your unused belly dance wares or see what other dancers have to offer! This is also a great opportunity to talk to NTMEDA and see what the organization has to offer the dance community.

See you Sunday!!

posted in Tahja Starr - 2 replies

DVD Shipments & Upcoming Event

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 21:23:27 GMT

DVD's will be shipped next Tuesday. There was a family emergency that turned into a financial emergency.

In the meanwhile, I'm in pre-production phases of another DVD. More on that later.

My humblest apologies for the delays.

A little stressed, but blessed,
Tahja

posted in Tahja Starr - 1 reply

The Belly Dance Business Review

Wed, 04 Oct 2006 16:12:41 GMT

Taaj granted me permission to post one of the articles from her newsletter, The Belly Dance Business Review. I LOVE this newsletter, as it focuses on the BUSINESS aspects of bellydance. Taaj also interviews other business owners and offers live teleseminars to aid us in becoming better business owners.

**********************************
Business Building: What Are You Waiting For?
Are you one of those people who talks about success, but do little or nothing to achieve it? Are there excuses as to why you haven't gotten started? What are you waiting for?

"The Student" is the one who is always taking classes, continuing learning and waiting for that day when she will "know enough" to finally start being a professional, accepting money, getting serious, or reaching some other goal. It's good to have your ducks in a row, but if you are hiding behind studying, it could be the way that you avoid success.

"The Devil's Advocate" is the one who is always looking at the other side of the coin. This person doesn't act because of all the things that can go wrong or are uncertain. Well guess what? Stuff goes wrong! Nothing's perfect. Things don't work out the way you plan. That's life. If you never start because of fear of failure, you are setting yourself up to fail by doing nothing.

"The Arguer" is the one who argues against trying an expert's advice because she wants to feel in agreement with everything or have a guarantee. She questions the method, the motive, the results, the purity of the strategy or anything else that may not work out 100% for everyone who tries it. There are few guarantees in life. What works for one doesn't work for all. What works today may not work tomorrow. What works in New York may not work in Miami. There are many variables that play into life that can influence success. Does this mean you shouldn't try because your situation isn't the same as the person giving you the strategy? Should you not try because you don't agree 100% with the expert's point of view. Get in the game. The only way to win it is to be in it.

There are probably other examples of stereotypes of people who fail without trying. Do you want to be one of them? Are do you want success? The only way to have it is to DO something. So what are you waiting for?
*****************

You can sign up to receive this newsletter by visiting www.TheBellyDanceTrainer.com and adding yourself to the email list. She sends them twice a month.

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

TAHJA STARR Advances to OASIS of COLOR 2006 FINALS

brandonoasisdc — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 02:14:00 GMT

http://hometown.aol.com/homeskillety2k/page1.html

Congrats to Tahja and her folks that oted for her so far. The other finalist is Taaj (VA).
Voting begins on Sunday thru October 28th, at 8:59pm ET. Voting info is on the page.

B. :)

posted in Tahja Starr - 9 replies

Poi and Arms wokeshope!

Luna — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 20:59:42 GMT

ok so we are still trying to pick out dates...what dates are good for you...wait what dates are not good for you! that's what i need so far.

it's a little slow going but it's going to happend i have 3 people helping me with this!
:)

posted in Tahja Starr - 2 replies

I love Tahja

Luna — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 23:29:15 GMT

yup, i really do she is my best friend and i just love and miss her so much!
oxoxoxoxoxox

ok. i feel better now. :)

posted in Tahja Starr - 1 reply

Could it be? No more rail-thin models?

Tue, 12 Sep 2006 20:33:54 GMT

Skinny models wearing thin in fashion shocker
by Andrew Hay

MADRID (Reuters) - The world's first ban on overly thin models at a top-level fashion show in Madrid has caused outrage among modeling agencies and raised the prospect of restrictions at other venues.

Madrid's fashion week has turned away underweight models after protests that girls and young women were trying to copy their rail-thin looks and developing eating disorders.

Organizers say they want to project an image of beauty and health, rather than a waif-like, or heroin chic look.

But Cathy Gould, of New York's Elite modeling agency, said the fashion industry was being used as a scapegoat for illnesses like anorexia and bulimia.

"I think its outrageous, I understand they want to set this tone of healthy beautiful women, but what about discrimination against the model and what about the freedom of the designer," said Gould, Elite's North America director, adding that the move could harm careers of naturally "gazelle-like" models.

Madrid's regional government, which sponsors the show and imposed restrictions, said it did not blame designers and models for anorexia. It said the fashion industry had a responsibility to portray healthy body images.

"Fashion is a mirror and many teenagers imitate what they see on the catwalk," said regional official Concha Guerra.

The mayor of Milan, Italy, Letizia Moratti, told an Italian newspaper this week she would seek a similar ban for her city's show unless it could find a solution to "sick" looking models.

QUALITY, NOT SIZE

The Madrid show is using the body mass index or BMI -- based on weight and height -- to measure models. It has turned away 30 percent of women who took part in the previous event. Medics will be on hand at the September 18-22 show to check models.

"The restrictions could be quite a shock to the fashion world at the beginning, but I'm sure it's important as far as health is concerned," said Leonor Perez Pita, director of Madrid's show, also known as the Pasarela Cibeles.

A spokeswoman for the Association of Fashion Designers of Spain, which represents those at Madrid fashion week, said the group supported restrictions and its concern was the quality of collections, not the size of models.

Eating disorder activists said many Spanish model agencies and designers oppose the ban and they had doubts whether the new rules would be followed.

"If they don't go along with it the next step is to seek legislation, just like with tobacco," said Carmen Gonzalez of Spain's Association in Defense of Attention for Anorexia and Bulimia, which has campaigned for restrictions since the 1990s.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060912/od_nm/spain_models1_dc_1

posted in Tahja Starr - 18 replies

Website Update!!!

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 08:16:51 GMT

I added two new projects to the Lotus Hands Digital Production page and redesigned the format so it's easier to understand.

The Desert Dancers' Tribute Intro

Tahja Starr's Picture DVD

www.TahjaStarr.com , click on Lotus Hands Digital Productions, scroll to the middle, and click on the pics!!

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

Thank You Thank You Thank You!!!!!

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 16:56:37 GMT

I made it to the FINAL FOUR!!!!

http://hometown.aol.com/homeskillety2k/page1.html

As of 8:59pm on August 28th, the following bellydancers and troupes have advanced to the Final 4 in Oasis of Color and Troupe Oasis 2006:

OASIS OF COLOR 2006 FINAL FOUR:
----------------------------------------------
AMAR GAMAL (MA)
www.bellyqueen.com
TAAJ (VA)
www.thebellydancetrainer.com
TAHJA STARR (TX)
www.tahjastarr.com
SAHIRA (TX)
www.sahira.cc

TROUPE OASIS 2006 FINAL FOUR:
-----------------------------------------
THE INDIGO DANCE COMPANY (CA)
www.theindigo.net/2006
URBAN GYPSY (TX)
www.urbangypsy.cc
TRIBALTIQUE (CO)
www.tribaltique.com
URBAN TRIBAL DANCE COMPANY (CA)
www.urbantribaldance.com

The following eight bellydance soloists has advanced to September's month of ballot finals voting in Oasis 2006:

SPHINX BALLOT FINAL-SEPT 2006
-----------------------------------------------
RACHEL BRICE (CA)
HEATHER STANTS (CA)

PYRAMID BALLOT FINAL--SEPT 2006
--------------------------------------------------
SERKAN (BELGIUM)
PETITE JAMILLA (AL)

CLEOPATRA BALLOT FINAL-SEPT 2006
--------------------------------------------------
KAMI LIDDLE (CA)
ZAHRA ZUHAIR (CA)

LIL'EGYPT BALLOT FINAL-SEPT 2006
----------------------------------------------
PRINCESS FARHANA (CA)
JILL PARKER (CA)

FOR OofC AND TROUPE:
You may vote for the 2 to advance to the finals in each Oasis, respectively.
FOR OASIS:
You may vote for the one bellydancer from each ballot to advance to the Final 4.

VOTING BEGINS: September 1st at 12:01am ET.
VOTING ENDS: September 28th at 8:59pm ET.
SEND VOTES TO: navel_y2k@yahoo.com

posted in Tahja Starr - 7 replies

Oasis of Color 2006

Sat, 26 Aug 2006 17:53:28 GMT

I'm still in the running, people!! I still need your vote, though. :-) Every month, the nominees are selected by the number of votes received. July had 16 dancers in the Oasis of Color, and I've continued to the Elite 8!! Thank you thank you thank you!!!

I was wondering why this was important to me this morning. It's because of the prize. Financial donations to the dancers' favorite charity. There are a few, but I'd still love the chance to donate more than I have been by receiving this honor.

Soooooooo.... when you get a moment, please cast your vote for me and know that you'll have my utmost gratitude.

Visit: http://hometown.aol.com/homeskillety2k/page1.html to vote.

***group hug***
Tahja

posted in Tahja Starr - 3 replies

To the dancers I spoke with this weekend...

Sun, 13 Aug 2006 07:52:10 GMT

...please excuse me if i seemed standoffish. My mind was occupied with a thousand things that had to get taken care of. Next time we meet, you'll see me, fully present and lively. :-)

**group hug**
Tahja

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

Generosity of Spirit - Being Happy for Others

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 15:34:10 GMT

July 31, 2006
Generosity Of Spirit
Being Happy For Others

We all want to be the kind of people who are happy for others when they experience success or a cause for celebration in their lives, but it isn't always easy. Sometimes powerful, dark feelings come up at times when decorum dictates that we should be feeling the opposite. Instead of reaching out and celebrating for our loved one, we may feel the rising up of our own pain.

This pain may arise because we feel jealous of our friend for having something we don't have. It may arise because our friend's success will lead to us losing them in some way. And it may arise for reasons we don't yet understand. The important thing is not to brush it under the rug, but to take it seriously and look at it; suppressing it will only make it worse.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE NEED TO BE SURE TO FIND A WAY TO CONGRATULATE OUR FRIENDS AND CELEBRATE THEIR SUCCESSES AS IF THEY WERE OUR OWN!!! **text highlighted by Tahja**

The struggle with being happy for others presents itself early in life. If a child wants a toy and another child has it, the child will try to get it or will break down in tears. Those primal feelings are still present in most of us, and we have to acknowledge them when they arise. At the same time, it is when we care enough for someone to let go of what we want for ourselves that we grow as people.

It can be a difficult dance to find ourselves suspended between wanting the toy and throwing a party for our friend who got the toy. Yet, it is in throwing the party that we share in the joy-and, to some extent, the toy-rather than cutting ourselves out of it.

Extending ourselves to celebrate the happiness of others requires a generosity of spirit that we sometimes find only in the process of doing it. So when your best friend moves to Spain with the person you had a crush on, tend to your broken heart but throw them a going away party too.

Source: www.DailyOM.com

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

Brava

tracey1971 — Sun, 30 Jul 2006 17:07:10 GMT

You were gorgeous last night....

Now gimme dat dress!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or at LEAST the sleeves!

It was wonderful to see you and the hubby...I missed you...

posted in Tahja Starr - 6 replies

Web Update!! Lotus Hands Digital Production

Sat, 29 Jul 2006 06:10:47 GMT

This is my newly formed business for digital editing - Lotus Hands Digital Production. Please let me know if everything is understandable, as well as check out Little Egypt's promo!! Most of you have seen the others. :-)

http://www.tahjastarr.com/LotusHands.htm#

Have a great weekend!!!
Tahja

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

Cast Your Vote!!

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 17:59:02 GMT

Ahem, I'm nominated in the Oasis of Color - Heaven Ballot. ;-)

OASIS HONORS: JULY 2006 Advancements/Voting

Thanks to all who cast a vote in the month of June. The field is reduced to 32 in Oasis 2006, and to 16 in both Troupe Oasis and Oasis of Color 2006. The following bellydancers/artists and troupes for July's voting are as follows:

OASIS 2006
SPHINX BALLOT-JULY 2006
-----------------------------------------------
AMANI (LEBANON)
RACHEL BRICE (CA)
HEATHER STANTS (CA)
TALETHA (KY)
SHABNAM PENA (CA)
RACHEL GEORGE (OR)
ZAHEEA (CA)
AFRA AL-KAHIRA (ENGLAND)
PYRAMID BALLOT--JULY 2006
--------------------------------------------------
KAESHI (NY)
JILLINA (CA)
TEMPEST (CA)
AZIZA (OR)
SERKAN (BELGIUM)
CAROLENA NERICCIO (CA)
PETITE JAMILLA (AL)
AMY SIGIL (CA)

CLEOPATRA BALLOT-JULY 2006
------------------------------------------------------
KAMI LIDDLE (CA)
AVA FLEMING (AZ)
TIFFANY BISCONER (CA)
ZAHRA ZUHAIR (CA)
ANSUYA (FL)
HANNAN SULTAN (CANADA)
HIBATELLAH (CANADA)
NOUR (EGYPT)

LIL'EGYPT BALLOT-JULY 2006
---------------------------------------------------
SADIE (CO)
SHARON KIHARA (CA)
SUHAILA SALIMPOUR (CA)
LOTUS NIRAJA (MD)
PRINCESS FARHANA (CA)
RAQIA HASSAN (EGYPT)
OLU (CA)
JILL PARKER (CA)

TROUPE OASIS 2006
SPHIINX BALLOT-JULY 2006
-----------------------------------------------
THE INDIGO (CA)
BELLYQUEEN (NY)
KASSAR (NJ)
DOMBA (AZ)

PYRAMID BALLOT-JULY 2006
-------------------------------------------------
BELLYDANCE SUPERSTARS
NIRAJA DANCE COMPANY (MD)
URBAN GYPSY (TX)
READ MY HIPS (IL)

CLEOPATRA BALLOT-JULY 2006
-------------------------------------------------------
RAQS SAHARA (D.C.)
TRIBAL FEAT (CA)
URBAN TRIBAL DANCE COMPANY (CA)
ZAFIRA DANCE COMPANY (PA)

LIL'EGYPT BALLOT-JULY 2006
---------------------------------------------------
UNMATA (CA)
TRIBALTIQUE (CO)
FAT CHANCE BELLYDANCE (CA)
SAMANYOLU (JAPAN)

OASIS OF COLOR 2006
EARTH BALLOT-JULY 2006
---------------------------------------------
MARTA (D.C.)
AMAR GAMAL (MA)
RADHIYA TAJ (MO)
NIKKI TRAYLOR-KNOWLES (MD)

HEAVEN BALLOT-JULY 2006
------------------------------------------------
KHALIDAH (IL)
BOZENKA (FL)
TAHJA STARR (TX)
SONIA (CA)

FIRE BALLOT-JULY 2006
------------------------------------------
SAHIRA (TX)
NEENA BIDASHA (CA)
AMIRA MOR (NJ)
TARIK SULTAN (NY)

OCEAN BALLOT-JULY 2006
-----------------------------------------------
ELYSA (D.C.)
NATHALIE (FL)
VEENA BIDASHA (CA)
TAAJ (VA)

HTTP://hometown.aol.com/homeskillety2k/page1.html

Voting Starts: Saturday at 12:01am ET
Deadline: July 28th at 8:59pm ET.
Votes Sent To: navel_y2k@yahoo.com

*You may vote for as many as 4 bellydancers per ballot in Oasis
and as many as 2 bellydancers/troupes in TroupeOasis & Oasis
of Color in the month of July. Thank you for participating.
NOTE: You can only vote for any bellydancer or troupe ONCE a month.
Please include all bellydancers/troupes in same e-mail if voting
in more than one Oasis field.

posted in Tahja Starr - 10 replies

Morocco, Sahra Saeeda, & Jeremiah Soto in Lafayette

Thu, 08 Jun 2006 03:35:55 GMT

I found this posted by Caliana on another tribe....

MEDA of Louisiana presents Morocco, Sahra Saeeda, and drummer Jeremiah Soto
July 28. 29, 30, 2006
Cajundome Convention Center
Lafayette, LA

Join us in celebrating the survival of the Gulf Coast Dance Spirit after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

www.meda-la.com
info@meda-la.com

(337) 988-2001
(504)669-3369

**************
TAHJA'S ADDENDUM:
What I love about this is that even if a person can't go to the workshop, you can still contribute to scholarships. I don't have much, but I'm contributing anyways.

Consider contributing whatever you can. Just think - if 20 people donate $5, that's $100 towards helping a dancer attend a workshop.

posted in Tahja Starr - 1 reply

Deuxième Année - What's your ULTIMATE dance dream?

Thu, 06 Jul 2006 20:39:54 GMT

http://tahja.tribe.net/thread/972cd14d-6d35-4ddf-962f-76d780a000cb
That's a link from over a year ago, when I asked everyone what your ULTIMATE dance dream would be....

Check it out, let us know what you've done to come one step closer to it. OR, if you've added to your dream.

Now, if you haven't done anything to get one step closer, let us know how we can help you take that first step!!!

Those of you who weren't in this tribe a year ago, post your dream anyway!

posted in Tahja Starr - 5 replies

Change What Isn't Working

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 14:10:56 GMT

June 27, 2006
Steps To Freedom
Change What Isn't Working

We have all had the experience of realizing that something in our lives is not working. This knowledge can come as a sudden realization or a nagging feeling of doubt that grows stronger, waking us up to the fact that something needs to change. Some people have a tendency to act rashly and make sweeping changes before even understanding what the problem is. Other people fear change, so they live with the uncomfortable awareness that something needs to shift but won't do anything about it. Between these two extreme responses lies a middle way that can help us powerfully and gracefully change what isn't working in our lives.

The first step is remembering that your life is made up of parts that belong to an interconnected whole. Changing one thing can change everything. Because of this, small changes often have a big effect. Sometimes much bigger changes are necessary, but the only way to know for sure is to take the time to really understand the problem.

Examine your life as an entirety-your work, your relationships, where you live-and determine what specifically is not functioning the way you would like. Once you have figured out the problem, write it down on a piece of paper. For example, "I am not happy with my relationship" or "I don't like my apartment." The next step is to figure out the adjustment you would like to make and how you can go about making this change. If you are unhappy with your relationship because you spend too much or not enough time with your partner, you may want to discuss this problem with them and come up with a compromise. On the other hand, if you realize your relationship is not working to such a degree that it needs to end, begin working through that process. Writing down the truth can be a powerful catalyst for change.

The key to making changes that work is to accept the necessity of change as part of life. As we change, we may find it necessary to fine-tune our relationships, work, and living situations. Our lives are living, breathing entities that reflect our dynamic selves.

Source: www.DailyOM.com

posted in Tahja Starr - 2 replies

Permission to Simply BE

Thu, 22 Jun 2006 22:44:13 GMT

June 22, 2006
Permission To Simply Be

Working Through Transitions
The elation we feel when we have learned an important lesson, achieved a goal, or had a big breakthrough can sometimes be met with a period of downtime afterward. During this period of transition, we may feel unsure and not know where to turn next. Many people, during the pause between achievements, begin to wonder what their life is about.

These feelings are common and strike everyone from time to time. Human beings are active creatures-we feel best when we are working on a project or vigorously pursuing a goal. But there is nothing inherently wrong with spending a day, a week, or even a month simply existing and not having a plan. Just be. It won't be long before you embark upon your next voyage of growth and discovery.

The quiet lull into we which we fall between ideas, projects, and goals can make life seem empty. After accomplishing one objective, you may want to move immediately on to the next. However, when your next step is unclear, you may feel frustrated, disconnected, or even a mild depression. You may even perceive your lack of forward momentum as an indicator of imminent stagnation. To calm these distressing thoughts, try to accept that if your intent is personal growth, you will continue to grow as an individual whether striving for a specific objective or not.

Spending time immersed in life's rigors and pleasures can be a cathartic experience that gives you the time you need to think about what you have recently gone through and leisurely contemplate what you wish to do next. You may also find that in simply being and going through the motions of everyday life, you reconnect with your priorities in a very organic, unforced way.

The mindful transitional pause can take many forms. For some, it can be a period of reflection that helps them understand how their life has unfolded. For others, it can be a period of adjustment, where new values based on recent changes are integrated into daily life. Just because you're not headed swiftly to a final destination doesn't mean you should assume that you have lost your drive. The stage between journeys can become a wonderful period of relaxation that prepares you for the path that will soon be revealed to you.

Source: www.DailyOM.com

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

Billion Belly March in Seattle

Thu, 22 Jun 2006 17:19:31 GMT

I'm participating next year, no matter what! This year conflicted with Miami.

From Delilah:

Billion Belly March…and Beyond!

The first 6 months of 2006 have been crazy! VDP
Studios has been very enterprising to say the least.
Lots of creative people have worked very hard.

Here is a brief recap of our accomplishments:

JANUARY
Visionary Belly Dance Teachers Retreat in Hawaii with
Delilah, Erik, and Laura Rose

FEBRUARY
Show: Sirocco / Parade kick off / Grand Prize Give
Away, new DVD release: “Delilah and Sirocco Live and
Wilder!”

MARCH
Anniversary Show at the Pyramid Lounge, Orange County
/Goddess Temple’s Woman of Color Belly Dance Seminar
and Show, Solace show and workshops

APRIL
Visionary Belly Dance Deluxe Retreat in Hawaii with
Rachel Lazarus, Jeremiah Soto, Erik, Delilah and Laura
Rose; Show: Annual “In the Garden of Allah”, an Aroma
Therapy and Belly Dance concert.

MAY
Billion Belly March Begins (6 plus weeks of project),
Billion Belly March DVD is produced and released,
Annual Costume Workshop

JUNE
Belly Convergence (Belly Con): 10 Days of seminars,
shows and parties. Fremont Summer Solstice Parade!
Show: Billion Belly Bash with Brothers of the Baladi!

Ok, it’s almost July now. I’m pooped out. It is a
little euphoric to be done with the Billion Belly
March. It feels so still and quiet this week. Nice! A
good time to reflect on how everything turned out.
Lots of good things and a few mistakes to learn from.
If I make a list of all the amazing professional belly
dancers and musicians that have been a part of all of
these events, it makes me very proud to have stirred
up so much energy in the community. For Belly Con
alone we hosted 18 dance instructors, 12 musicians and
the parade drum core. Then to think how many students
passed through the door in the past 2 weeks - how
much growth has taken place and new relationships that
have been cultivated? It is stellar!

We do not have the total numbers for the parade.
“Why?” you may ask. When you are dealing with so many
people lots of things happen in their individual lives
that change their plans. Especially in the summer. We
had some people regretfully bow out and some sign on
at the last minute. In the parade staging area people
were coming and going and mixed in with
other groups and floats. We took up 2 city blocks in
some formations! We were so big and spread out it was
hard to count and then, when we got started, there was
no time to count. We will have to look at photos and
try to count again. The internet is full of pictures
of us.

My estimate: 13-14 Guest Dancers, Hasani, Kitiera,
Elisa Gamal, Diana, Alelie (plus her student dancers),
Suzanna, Indigo, Barb, Leslie and Dane on stilts; 12
Advanced String dancers; 75-85 Main String dancers; 24
Cane dancers; 15 drummers; 3 Zorna players, Claire,
Habib and Michael Beach; 5 parade dance instructors,
Dahlia, Laura Rose, Sarah Teller, Erik Brown and
Delilah; 10-12 banner carriers; 5 water bearers; 8 out
of town dancers; 2 stowaways, and 1 dancing
photographer in red.
Approx 173 -186 bellies in all!

We had about 20 dancers doing the dances in their own
home town by way of learning them on DVD and they
shared them with troupes and students. So the amount
of dancers involved and touched by this project was
really huge. Then our postering and belly dance
awareness letter writing reached far and wide to
people who have never been aware of belly dance.
Freinds in the audiance told me the crowd was buzzing
in anticipation of our billion bellies!

Special
Thank Yous to our volunteers -
Shannon Hall and those who sent out letters to the
community, Dorothy Parvaz from the P.I. who wrote a
good Article in the entertainment section 06/18, Ron
and Don show on KIRO Radio, Jim Valley also at KIRO,
Mark Dalton, Tiphany Overzat, Dahlia Moon, Christine
and John Hamby, Brigette Samson, Cory, Mog, Doug and
Lorraine Bigalow, Ken Hartford and Laura Legere,
Heather, Magi, Ted Duncan, Janette, Laura K, Lisa, and
all the folks who made it to planning meetings (and
brought snacks), Dawn Farmer aka Sahar for her belly
photo, Sherry MacDonald for coming from Florida, Jane
DeVayne from DC, and Habib from Arizona, Ahlam
Ensemble for serenading the Friday night salon,
Tayissa for providing tea service, Nicole for henna
art. Thank you also to all the drummers, dancers and
zorna players who stayed and played over time on most
nights of rehearsal and classes. Thank you to Fremont
Arts Council for providing us with insurance so we
could rent and get a permit for the airplane hanger at
Magnuson Park! Thanks to BF Day School for backing us
up with yard and gym space. Thank you to all the
other belly dance web sites who linked our march on
their main page. Thank you to all the government
officials that responded with regret to not being able
to join us in the Billion Belly March. At least they
are a little more aware of how important belly dance
is to a Billion(?), well, a multitude of women.

Special thanks to employed staff for working hard -
Paige (aka Noor) for her lovely graphic design work,
Debra Reese on web work, Angela Silling and Pine for
office management, Laura Rose for DVD production and
Main String choreography, Dahlia for directing the
Cane Dance contingent, Jerry Johnson for photo
documentation, Thursday class for DVD performance,
support and assisting others, Michael Beach and
Brothers of the Baladi, Habib and Tamalyn Dallal for
their lovely performances on Sunday, and all of the
instructors in Belly Con.

And absolute BIG MUSHY THANK YOU to my loving mate,
Erik Brown!

And not to forget Thanks to everyone who got off the
couch and got involved and wore the correct color of
costume! I know after a long day’s work, sometimes
that is the hardest
thing. And then to sacrifice your sense of
individuality and have to conform to a color scheme on
top of it. I know for some, I’m asking for the moon,
but I only do it once a year and within our color
constraints you could do pretty much anything you
wanted. I think I found an easy way for everyone to be
an individual and at the same time join forces. In the
end I sure had fun. I hope everyone else did too. I
hope we all gained a sense of communal achievement in
this grand project. It could not be achieved without
cooperation and all of us sharing a larger vision.

I find it an extremely hopeful for the worlds future!

Lets see, the only thing we got cooked up for the next
6 months is continuing classes at VDP Studios in
Fremont. (STARTS JUNE 27 with Power Belly. JUNE 28
with Dahlia's Veil Class), Web, graphic and computer
upgrade projects, participation in a belly dance
festival in San
Leandro, CA July 23rd, Enat restaurant in August,
Rakkasah East in October and Korea in November.
Have a nice summer!
Yours in belly dance,

Delilah

posted in Tahja Starr - 3 replies

An Unconditional Gift

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 13:17:04 GMT

An Unconditional Gift
Kindness

In the quest to create a gentler, more loving world, kindness is the easiest tool we can use. Though it is easy to overlook opportunities to be kind, our lives are replete with situations in which we can be helpful, considerate, thoughtful, and friendly to loved ones and associates, as well as strangers.

The touching, selfless acts of kindness that have the most profoundly uplifting effects are often the simplest: a word of praise, a gentle touch, a helping hand, a gesture of courtesy, or a smile. Such small kindnesses represent an unconditional, unrestricted form of love that we are free to give or withhold at will. When you give the gift of kindness, whether in the form of assistance, concern, or friendliness, your actions create a beacon of happiness and hope that warms people's hearts.

The components of kindness are compassion, respect, and generosity. Put simply, kindness is the conscious act of engaging others in a positive way without asking whether those individuals deserve to be treated kindly. All living beings thrive on kindness. A single, sincere compliment can turn a person's entire world around.

Holding a door or thanking someone who has held a door for you can inspire others to practice politeness and make already kind individuals feel good about their efforts. Smiling at people you meet-even those who make you feel like frowning-can turn a dreary encounter into a delightful one, for both of you. Every kind act has a positive influence on the individual who has performed said act as well as on the recipient, regardless of whether the act is acknowledged. Kindness brings about more kindness and slowly but surely takes a positive toll on humanity.

Weaving the thread of kindness into your everyday life can be as easy as choosing to offer a hearty "Good morning" and "Good night" to your coworkers or neighbors, a stranger on the street, or the grocery store clerk. When you commit a kind act, you are momentarily disconnected from your ego and bonded with the individual who has benefited from your kindness. Being fully present in each moment of your life facilitates kindness as it increases your awareness of the people around you. You'll discover that each act of kindness you engage in makes the world, in some small way, a better place.

Source: www.DailyOM.com

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

Protecting Your Flow

Tue, 30 May 2006 12:30:04 GMT

Protecting Your Flow
How Fear Blocks Creativity

To understand how fear blocks creativity, take a moment to imagine yourself telling a story. First, imagine telling the story to someone you love and who loves you. You probably feel warmth and energy as you fill in the details of your tale to your friend's delight. Now, imagine telling the same story to someone who, for whatever reason, makes you uncomfortable. The wonderful twists and turns, the fine points and colorful images that unfolded in your mind for your friend probably won't present themselves. Instead of warmth, energy, and creativity, you will probably feel opposite sensations and a desire to close down. When we feel unsafe, whether we fear being judged, disliked, or misunderstood, our creative flow stops. Alternately, when we feel safe, our creativity unfolds like a beautiful flower, without conscious effort.

Knowing this, we can maximize our creative potential by creating the conditions that inspire our creativity. In order to really be in the flow, we need to feel safe and unrestricted. However, achieving this is not as simple as avoiding people who make us feel uncomfortable. Sometimes we can be alone in a room and still feel totally blocked. When this happens, we know we have come up against elements in our own psyches that are making us feel fearful. Perhaps we are afraid that in expressing ourselves we will discover something we don't want to know, or unleash emotions or ideas that we don't want to be responsible for. Or maybe we're afraid we'll fail to produce something worthy.

When you're up against fear, internal or external, ritual can be a powerful-and creative-antidote. Before you sit down to be creative, try casting a circle of protection around yourself. Visualize yourself inside a ring of light, protective fire, or angels. Imagine that this protective energy emanates unconditional love for you and wants to hear, see, and feel everything you have to express. Take a moment to bathe in the warmth of this feeling and then fearlessly surrender yourself to the power that flows through you.

Source: www.DailyOM.com

posted in Tahja Starr - 4 replies

TS2 - Natural Layering in BellyDance

Sat, 03 Jun 2006 18:07:52 GMT

TS2 - Third Saturdays w/ Tahja Starr

I'd like to do this monthly, every 3rd Saturday.

June 17th, 2006
2-4pm
$25

Layering is an integral part of bellydance. It goes much deeper than shimmying, beyond physical coordination & memory. Layering adds heart, soul, purpose & depth to our dance. This innate ability is within us all. Discover your body’s natural movements!

Go to www.TahjaStarr.com for registration info.

Location:
Yoga for Life Studio
12835 Preston Road Suite 427
Dallas, TX 75230

Who's Interested?

posted in Tahja Starr - 5 replies

The Silent Treatment - Withholding

Wed, 07 Jun 2006 14:44:25 GMT

This particular DailyOM was personal to me. I've experienced it off & on from friends, family and teachers my whole life. I used to work in an Air Force hospital and have heard people on their death beds. Lots of them were crying & remorseful, having never told their loved ones and friends how they felt about them.

While I've never told anyone how to act or what to do, I gotta say this... If there's someone in your life that needs to hear how you feel, consider telling them. You know who they are - they're the ones you tell yourself, "oh, he/she knows how I feel." or "everyone else tells them, why should I?" <-- that one is poignant, as they may be waiting to hear it from you.

********************************
The Silent Treatment - Withholding

The most common form of withholding is what we commonly call "the silent treatment," but withholding encompasses any unwillingness to express your true feelings. It also includes an unwillingness to give support, praise, or positive attention to the people you love. We have all known someone who is impossible to please, and many of us have suddenly found ourselves at the other end of a chilly silence with no explanation. At the same time, many of us will recognize our own tendency to withhold our emotions rather than express them. Most of us have seen both sides of the withholding dilemma. Emotional pain is at the root of our tendency to withhold, and withholding causes pain to the people subjected to it. It is a dysfunctional pattern that creates a breakdown in communication and understanding.

No one deserves to be subjected to withholding. Feeling ignored, disrespected, or shut out, and to not know why, is a terrible feeling. The first thing to remember if this is happening to you is that you are not to blame. You are caught in someone else's pain pattern. This person does not know how to express feelings in a healthy way probably because this is what they learned when she or he was a child. The second helpful thing to remember is that the withholder is acting out of pain. They are stuck in a habitual mode of response that is self-defeating and alienating to the people they love. Remembering this will help you feel compassion for the person hurting you. However, if you have suffered too long with this pattern, you may need to get some space. Take some time to look at your own patterns and understand why you have taken part in this drama. If you are dealing with people in a family situation, you can step up to the plate to help break the chain of this behavior pat! tern.

If, on the other hand, it is you that tends to withhold, understand that this is a learned response and it can be unlearned. Find safe places to begin to express all that you've been holding back. Begin to make an effort to say what you're feeling and thinking. Give praise to someone you love. The more you do this, the healthier you and your relationships will become. What was learned over a course of a life cannot be changed overnight-remember, one day at a time.

Source: www.DailyOM.com

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

question for Tahja & other Texas lovelies

TamaIskander — Sat, 03 Jun 2006 22:47:39 GMT

Hi everyone! I considering movin' to Texas (either Houston or Dallas). can anyone PLEASE
let me know what the best areas are for:

1.ethnic/cultural diversity
2. artistically supportive or more "happening" areas?

THANKS SOOOOOO MUCH...I HAD no clue where to start looking, but I'm seriously
considering leaving L.A. (sky rocketing cost of living & smog & traffic etc) and for some
reason there's always been a little wisper in my ear suggesting Texas...I've heard all
about Austin, but would like to get some info. on Dallas and Houston. I have no clue what
I'll do but with a better cost of living, I can spend more money and time pursuing
my dance (and maybe afford an apartment where I can build a room!).

-T
:-)

posted in Tahja Starr - 10 replies

Quick Quote - Perfection

Fri, 26 May 2006 12:42:17 GMT

"The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect
and beginning the work of becoming yourself."
-Anna Quindlen

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

Defying Gravity

Wed, 10 May 2006 03:47:28 GMT

Defying Gravity
By Jennifer Snyder

Something has changed within me. Something is not the same.
I’m through with playing by the rules of someone else’s game.
Too late for second-guessing. Too late to go back to sleep.
It’s time to trust my instincts, Close my eyes, and leap.

I’m through accepting limits “cause someone says they’re so.
Some things I cannot change But ‘till I try, I’ll never know

It’s time to try Defying gravity.
I think I’ll try defying gravity. And you can’t pull me down.

(from Wicked - Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz)

From time to time, and far too rarely, an artistic expression crosses my path and I know in an instant that my life is profoundly changed. I can feel my heart shift ever so slightly to make room for the messages I need to embody. This was the case in May 1996 when I saw the cast of Rent perform “Seasons of Love” on the Today Show, and again in July 2002 when the cast of Hairspray performed “You Can’t Stop The Beat” on the same program. Last fall, lightning struck a third time when I learned that two of my favorite actors were teaming up for the roles of the witches of Oz - the Good one and the Green one - in the Broadway production of Wicked. Please forgive me, Margaret Hamilton, for forty years of calling you “wicked”.

This compelling musical is based on Gregory’s Maguire’s novel, The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, and serves as a prequel-of-sorts to the story we’ve all known for years. Its plot focuses on the relationship between the two women, who met as college roommates, and why they chose the divergent paths they ended up taking. Act One of Wicked ends with Idina Menzel, the Green One, stating her intention in “Defying Gravity”.

The notion of defying gravity has popped up in my life several times in the past few months. Achieving a life’s dream during the holidays was one instance. Feeling doubtful before remembering an accomplished “I can’t ever do that” struck me a time or two. Most recently, my friend, L’Tanya, reflected over coffee that her intention for 2004 was to wake up every morning, ask herself what she was afraid of doing, then taking a step toward accomplishing it. I was awed by my friend’s awareness and courage, and left our get-together feeling inspired and empowered.

I can think of at least three rewards for taking a leap toward the unknown. First, simply acting on our fear releases us from self doubt. Even if we don’t defy gravity and fall flat on our faces our worst-case scenarios are often worse than the actual experiences of defeat. Second, we feel a sense of satisfaction for having achieved what we set out to do. It provides us with a greater sense of self, and builds our esteem. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the experience serves as a personal springboard to take another risk, then another. We tell ourselves, “If I tackled this, I could certainly handle that!” What freedom and power we give ourselves by taking leaps (or even baby steps) toward our dreams. Either way, we are winners!

What obstacle are you prepared to challenge? What fear are you ready to overcome, and leave behind? What dream are you ready to realize? You too, can defy gravity whenever you’re ready.

Source: http://www.pioneerthinking.com/js_gravity.html

posted in Tahja Starr - 5 replies

The Power Behind Us

Mon, 08 May 2006 14:09:32 GMT

This is awesome that this showed up today. It's my mommy's birthday, and she's always been a huge source of support.

********************************

May 8, 2006
The Power Behind Us - People That Support Us

Behind each of us stands at least one supporter. This was once thought to be the spouse who ran the home while leaving the other spouse free to work. While this is still one valid scenario, most of us will find that we have other kinds of supporters in our lives. In some cases, our supporters are the people whose help allows us to do the things we're best at, see to our obligations, or pursue or dreams. In other cases, our support may come from the people who are there to help us through life's challenges by offering us their strength and bolstering our spirit.

Our support may come from our families and friends or from the people we hire-nannies, assistants, gardeners, healers, therapists, and advisors. Our supporters may be the mentors who help us express ourselves by listening to us as we share our thoughts and feelings. Our supporter can be the person sitting next to us at a networking meeting or the teacher from our childhood whose words still resonate in our minds. We have always had supporters around us whether we noticed them or not. No matter where the support comes from, few of us can make it through life without assistance.

As we take the time to acknowledge everyone that has ever supported us, we can't help but feel grateful. Understanding our place in our human support system helps us see that just as there are people that support us, we are a supporter to many people. By gratefully accepting the expertise and assistance of our supporters, we can consciously and more easily build a life that we love. Thanks to our staff, groups, friends, and loved ones for all their support. We all need each other's support to thrive this world.

Source: www.dailyOM.com

posted in Tahja Starr - 2 replies

More F.A.T. Chance Contestants!!!

Sat, 06 May 2006 18:29:36 GMT

Be sure to vote for these gorgeous women!!

Ravenmoon
http://ravenmoon.monique.blip.tv/

Eve
http://just-eve.monique.blip.tv/

Susan
http://tribaldoll.monique.blip.tv/

posted in Tahja Starr - 2 replies

Zaghareet Nominations Are Up!!

Tue, 02 May 2006 13:39:54 GMT

Look closely, you'll see some familiar names!!! Congrats!!!

Zaghareet Polls
Announcing the Golden Belly Nominations for 2006!

It's time to vote for YOUR favorites! Here are the nominations:

Favorite Cabaret/Oriental Dancer

Ava Fleming (AZ)
Amani Jabril (GA)
Jasmina (CA)
Princess Farhana (CA)
Bozenka (FL)

Favorite Ethnic Dancer

Sahra Saeeda (CA)
Rossah (NV)
Aisha Ali (CA)
Habiba (PA)
Zada al Gaziyeh (KS)

Favorite Interpretive Artist

Rachel Brice (CA)
Heather Stants (CA)
Tempest (CA)
Desert Sin (CA)
Z-Helene (TX)

Troupe of the Year

Domba (AZ)
The Indigo (CA)
Urban Tribal (CA)
Visions in Dance (TX)
Yasmine & Magic Hips (NC)

Favorite Event/Promoter

Yaa Halla Y'all/Isis (TX)
Tribal Fest (CA)/Kajira Djoumahna (HI)
Tribal Con/Zi'ah Ali (GA)
Tribal Quest NorthWest/Paulette Rees-Denis (OR)
Tribal Caravan/Julie Webb (CA)

Best Kept Secret of 2006

Mary Donnelly (CA)
Sherry Morrison & Gypsy Red Tribe (AL)
Visions in Dance (TX)
Petite Jamilla (AL)
Alima (GA)

Instructor of the Year

Aziza (Canada)
Suhaila Salimpour (CA)
Jasmina (CA)
Mira Betz (CA)
Princess Farhana (CA)

Lifetime Achievement

Morocco (NY)
John Compton (CA)
Habiba (PA)
Aegela (MI)
Dahlena (AZ/IL)

Favorite Musician(s)

Middle-Earth Ensemble (CA)
Jeremiah Soto (Solace)(CA)
Ryan Morrison & Karachi Rocket (AL)
Reda Darwish (CA)
Issam Houshan (CA)

Favorite Vendor

Shimmy Bliss (AZ)
Dahlal International (MO)
Magical Fashions (GA)
The Belly Dance Shop (NC)
Desert Dancer Imports (TX)

To cast your votes in the poll, please send your choices by August 15 to Zaghareet!, P.O. Box 1809, Elizabeth City, NC 17906 or e-mail them to zaghareetmagazine@earthlink.net . Be sure to include your name and address and please vote only once in each category. Winners will be announced in the September/October '06 issue of Zaghareet!

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

Embraceable You - Comparing Yourself to Others

Tue, 02 May 2006 13:33:28 GMT

I wish tribe had a way to make text bold and underlined.... :-)

Source: www.dailyom.com
****************************************************************

Embraceable You
Comparing Yourself To Others

You are unique. There is no one else like you in the entire universe. In honor of your unique self, it is good to acknowledge and embrace the special qualities that make you the person that you are. One way to do this is to not compare yourself with other people.

It is human nature to want to see how we measure up in comparison to others - especially if we think that they are better than us or have more of something that we want. Yet the truth is that it is not a good use of time to compare ourselves with others because there is no one like us and this makes us incomparable. It is sometimes almost easier to look outside of ourselves and feel like we are deficient in comparison to other people rather than taking responsibility for our own progress in relation to the fulfillment of our life purpose.

It actually takes more courage to be self-referential and look at ourselves to see whether we are measuring up to our standards or meeting our full potential. Each of us has very special gifts, and we are here for very specific reasons. We each have a life purpose to fulfill and with this come the lessons that we must learn and the circumstances that we must go through in order to evolve as spiritual beings. To compare our lives to other people's lives when we have no idea of what they are here to learn or fulfill doesn't benefit anyone - especially you.

Instead, if we can accept ourselves, appreciate the special talents and qualities that we alone possess, and realize that each of us is going through certain kinds of experiences for a reason, we are less likely focus so much on what other people have or are doing. Realizing and valuing our uniqueness enables us to bring out the best in ourselves so we can get on with living rather than preoccupying ourselves with meaningless comparisons. Try to not compare yourself to others, and you will see how much you have and how special you are.

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

Vote for me in the F.A.T. Chance Contest!!

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 04:26:40 GMT

F.A.T. - Fabulous and Thick!

Is that me? Mmmm hmmm...

http://tahjastarr.monique.blip.tv/

If you're inspired to enter as well, do it!!! Let us know so we can vote for you too!
I'm not the only Fabulous, Thick Goddess here!

posted in Tahja Starr - 11 replies

Buddhist Wisdom - Cravings

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 05:48:01 GMT

Although gold dust is precious,
when it gets in your eyes,
it obstructs your vision.
-Hsi-Tang

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

Hindu Wisdom - The Road to Good

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 05:47:05 GMT

The road to the GOOD is the roughest and steepest in the Universe.
It is a wonder that so many succeed, no wonder that so many fall.

CHARACTER has to be established through a thousand stumbles.

Vivekanda

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

Tahja Talks - BellyDance Talk Radio, Episode #3

Sun, 16 Apr 2006 07:45:34 GMT

http://tahjastarr.podOmatic.com/entry/2006-04-16T00_40_05-07_00

Length: 30 minutes, 54 seconds
Size: 17.8MB

*Announcements: Hipdrop Live 2006 Tour, visit www.hipdrop.com
*Do's & Don'ts, Ins & Outs of BellyDance Competitions

Music By:
Ahmed Garcia
High Alert Status
CDK

Greetings, Beloved Dancers!!! This is the first of many interviews! Enjoy!

posted in Tahja Starr - 1 reply

De-Fang Difficult People for Less Stress

Mon, 17 Apr 2006 18:31:44 GMT

Tehara posted last week that this is the season where people are having emotional meltdowns. I'm noticing that people are projecting their angst onto others as well. I like this article. :-)

**************************************************************

De-Fang Difficult People for Less Stress
by Thomas Russell

Difficult people are on the hunt for a quarrel. It's not personal, usually - it's just that you happen to be the most convenient target.

Difficult people are insecure. They want YOU to think and live like THEY think and live. Misery indeed loves company. They feel better if you are tense and unhappy.

What can you do to instantly neutralize their negativity? You cannot stop them from being difficult and demanding. (Heaven help you if you try!) But you can control your own reactions through the amazing power of NowFacts, and have much less stress in your life as a pleasant result.

What are NowFacts? Simple, healthy and truthful principles that you voice to yourself silently in the present moment! Speech is powerful! It is your connecting point back to your calm and intelligent center. Speech instantly reminds you of the wisdom and power you already possess.

Here are seven NowFacts you can use when difficult people are on the prowl. These are secret silent statements you say to yourself:

1. I am not an actor who must obey your script.

The difficult person has a script. In the script, he writes that you will get angry, that you will fight with him, that you will condemn him, that you will get stressed and frustrated. Difficult people want opposition. That is their primary aim! When you employ this NowFact, you inform yourself that you have the power of choice. You are never compelled to go along with their script. A silent refusal to take the bait sends a very powerful signal to the difficult person. They get it!

2. I just cannot afford you any more.

This NowFact reminds you that some relationships carry much too high a price. You have to let go. There is no feeling of superiority or hostility. You simply cannot afford the relationship any more. It costs too much. You have to move on because you know it is best for you AND for the other person.

3. I see your rage as childish, not forceful.

Here is how you can heal your perceptions. This NowFact reminds you anger is weakness, not strength. Work with this NowFact and watch it release its treasures of wisdom and self-command. You'll never again cringe before an angry person.

4. You don't know it, but I remain at a safe inner distance from you.

Personal growth widens the gap between both your own inner negativities and those of others. You see anger from a higher place. Instead of being immersed in it, you're above it now. You need never descend to a lower level to accommodate an immature adult. With NowFacts, your life is in your power!

5. I will not injure you by doing your work.

Difficult people are very sly in getting others to carry their load. They ARE difficult precisely because they have refused self-responsibility. We harm someone when we do things for them that they must do for themselves. This NowFact is compassion in action. Truth is never clouded by sentimentality, which is nothing more than cruelty in disguise.

6. I sense a lot of violence in your gloom.

This NowFact is in the same category as number 3 above ("I see your rage as childish, not forceful"). It is called "reframing." Reframing teaches us to see things through an entirely different lens. It is an amazingly effective method for self-renewal.

Difficult people are often gloomy. How often have we tried to cheer one of them up and been bitten? It can be compassionate to say an encouraging word at times, but we have to be wise! Hardened and dedicated difficult people want your cheerful words, not to pick themselves up, but to pull you down with them. Sense the violence behind their mask of gloom and you empower yourself.

Author Vernon Howard said once, "Gloom is an immoral stage performance."

7. If you want a destructive fight, you will have to fight all alone.

A destructive fight is what the difficult person is after. It's what THEY want, not what YOU want. With this NowFact, you can stay in your own clear skies.

If you refuse to battle the difficult person on their own turf, what can they do about it? The only way they can control you is if you catch the negative ropes they toss. Anger, guilt, frustration - all these negative ropes fall to the ground, unclaimed by you, once you learn to leave the problem with the person who has it.

Conclusion

Remember, these NowFacts are voiced silently within yourself. They help you ignite self-understanding you already possess but have temporarily forgotten. Difficult people seem to have power only when your True Power is temporarily dormant. Wake it up!

Nothing is more beneficial than standing up for what you know to be true. Don't let the world and its drowsy people tell you what is true for you. Tell yourself! Passivity in the face of falseness is the underlying cause of the world's problems. With NowFacts, you reclaim your life with its inherent happiness, intelligence and humor. Nothing is more fun!

posted in Tahja Starr - 3 replies

TS2 - Third Saturdays w/ Tahja Starr

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 15:13:51 GMT

NEW!!! Monthly Mini-Workshops for DFW Dancers!!

Natural Layering
June 17, 2006
2-4pm
$25

Layering is an integral part of bellydance. It goes much deeper than shimmying, beyond physical coordination & memory. Layering adds heart, soul, purpose & depth to our dance. This innate ability is within us all. Discover your body’s natural movements!

Yoga for Life Studio
12835 Preston Road Suite 427
Dallas, TX 75230

Register Now at http://www.tahjastarr.com/workshops.htm

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

This week's happenings...

Thu, 13 Apr 2006 22:40:13 GMT

1. I'm an AUNT! Baby bro & his wife had an 8-pound baby girl... Aaliyah Donielle Mitchell
2. Conducted an interview with Taaj of Virginia which is being edited now for the next podcast.
3. You can add video to your Tribe profile now. :-)
4. Just secured a location to hold monthly mini-workshops.
5. Website Update

What's been going on with y'all? Any great accomplishments?

posted in Tahja Starr - 1 reply

"I'm With the Dancer..." t-shirts

Thu, 13 Apr 2006 22:36:22 GMT

http://www.romkadance.com/id4.html

HubbyMan has one and it rocks. He digs it.

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

Keywords & Referrals

Mon, 10 Apr 2006 13:40:36 GMT

I'm pleased to announce many women are interested in starting bellydance classes in Dallas/Ft. Worth! Last month, I took 8 phone calls from women who wanted to start classes. It says on my website that I don't teach regular classes. I came to find out that they only looked at the picture on the website, and scanned through the rest.

If you're looking to increase your new student base, add these keywords to your website. I've never submitted my site to search engines - the keywords trigger the search engines. As you notice, I misspelled my name as well as entered the various names of bellydance, and entered cities surrounding dallas.

********
tahja, tahjastarr, tajhastarr, tajha, bellydance, bellydance dvd, arms, arms dance, arms exercise, belly dance, middle eastern, middle east dance, middle eastern dance, middle eastern dance dvd, bellydance technique, dance technique, starr, raqs sharki, raqs sharqui, dance instruction, dance workshops, workshop, womens wellness, wellness, womens fitness, empower, womens workshop, workshop facilitator, dance dvd, middle eastern entertainment, bellydance entertainment, belly dance entertainment, size acceptance, full figured dancers, dance therapy, african american dancers, professional entertainment, dallas bellydance, dallas belly dance, dallas belly dancer, dallas bellydancer, denton belly dance, denton bellydance, event planning, wedding planning, wedding entertainment, oriental dance
*********

In the meantime, I'm getting ready to update my website and add a NEW page for D/FW area instructors. If you'd like me to add your info, put your website here, with a brief description of the types of classes you teach. This year, I've referred about a dozen students to other instructors.

FYI - I don't teach beginners because it's just not my forte. I have the utmost respect for those who have the dedication & gift of inspiring new students to become the best dancers they can be.

posted in Tahja Starr - 0 replies

No Small Meetings

Thu, 06 Apr 2006 03:13:50 GMT

I'm posting this to share that no matter what we do, how small an action we take, it affects others. I'm just about tired of people thinking it doesn't matter what anyone says to another or to ignore what someone does to another. IT MATTERS.

NO SMALL MEETINGS

How much is a kind word worth? How deeply can a touch heal? How important are your little interactions with your family, friends, and clients?

Hairdresser David Wagner learned these answers from a customer who came to him regularly every month. One day she phoned David in between her regular visits and asked if he would style her hair for an important event that evening. David fit her into his schedule and gave her his usual loving attention. He talked amiably with her, laughed, touched her kindly, and told her how beautiful she looked. After her session, she smiled and thanked him.

You can imagine David’s shock when a few days later he received a handwritten letter from the woman explaining that the important event she wanted to look good for that evening was her own funeral. She had planned to commit suicide later that day. When she spent time with David, however, the kindness he showed her influenced her to change her mind. She decided that life was worth living, and she could go on.

This extraordinary feedback inspired David to reconsider what he was doing with his work and his life. He realized that his purpose with customers went far beyond cutting hair. Within his own sphere of influence he had the power to make people’s days - and even lives. So he adopted the vocation of “Daymaker.” Now, as owner of ten successful spas that treat thousands of people each day, David teaches his employees to see themselves as daymakers. His inspiring book Life as a Daymaker chronicles his adventures and techniques.

Never underestimate the power of a kind word or thought. It may affect one or many, many people without you even knowing it. Even a gentle touch can make a huge difference. My friend Rick Jarrow was participating in an intensive Zen meditation retreat that required him to meditate many hours a day in rigorous conditions. One morning Rick decided this was just too hard, and he would leave the retreat after the morning silent walking meditation practice. During the walk, a student behind Rick gently placed his hand on Rick’s shoulder. “In that touch,” Rick told me, “I felt totally comforted and encouraged. It was as if my friend was saying, ‘I know this is hard for you. I believe in you. You have what it takes to do this.’ So I decided to stay, and I went on to gain tremendous strength from that retreat. That touch was the turning point.”

You don’t even need to speak or touch someone to help them. You can serve simply by the energy of your being. Emerson noted, “Who you are speaks to me so loudly that I can hardly hear what you are saying.” Indeed at every moment we radiate empowerment or discouragement simply by the feelings we dwell in.

One day while I was standing in line at a deli counter, I noticed a woman in a line beside mine. She kept looking at me as if she knew me. I didn’t recognize her, so I just kept moving ahead. When we finally arrived at the counter at the same time, the woman turned to me and asked, “Why are you so happy?” Her question took me by surprise. I wasn’t thinking about being happy or even trying. “I guess I’m just glad to be here and alive,” I answered. “How about you?” I asked her. “How is your day going?”

She thought for a moment and then answered, “Well, it wasn’t going so well. But now that I saw you, I feel a lot better.” With that, we both smiled and went on our ways. As I thought more about her comment, I realized it was the most meaningful compliment I could ever receive. Just being was healing.

I have experienced such healing simply by seeing a peaceful person for a moment. One day I was rushing through an airport when I noticed a man who looked unusually serene. His face was soft, his gait was light, and his demeanor felt comforting. In that moment my energy shifted from anxious hurry to deep peace. Though he will never know it, he taught me that airports are not necessarily stressful. Stressful thoughts are more dangerous than airports. If we choose healing thoughts, we become a beacon of peace in apparently dense or dark places.

A friend went to pick up a revered rabbi from the airport. As the two drove toward the tollbooths to exit the airport parking lot, my friend had to choose between an automatic payment lane and a lane manned by an attendant. “Take the lane where you pay a person,” the rabbi urged him. “Why is that?” asked my friend. “Because any opportunity to make contact with another human being is a blessing from G-d,” answered the rabbi.

In this light, every one of our interactions is a prayer. There are no chance encounters and no small meetings. Everyone we meet is sent to us by G-d for a noble purpose. Every relationship, no matter how brief, is an invitation to connect. As we remember to keep love first, we have our priorities in order and we might even save someone’s life - beginning with our own.

posted in Tahja Starr - 3 replies