Matzo or Pasta DNA and Paschal Full Moon

Today I found myself thinking about Matzo and Pasta since Passover began last night and tomorrow is Easter Sunday! I know which one is my favorite! Also, today is the Paschal Full Moon which I had never heard of before. 

I was always skeptical about all the companies advertising DNA Kit Testing, but as of today I can say for certainty that my ancestry/heritage is European Jewish and Europe South-Sicily, according to my Ancestry.com DNA Test Results! I just sent messages to 2nd and 3rd Cousins that came up as DNA Matches! What a lovely and Zenful gift it will be to connect with family members who up until now were never on my radar. 

I am grateful for this gift coming on such a sacred weekend of Passover and Easter. I waited several weeks for the results from Ancestry.com, and the timing is just perfect. If we wait patiently for life to unfold in Divine Order, the outcome is usually better than we ever could imagine. 

Today is a Full Moon the second one in March, also known as a Blue Moon! It is also called the Paschal Full Moon. I had never heard of that before, (my constant curiosity is one of my favorite character traits,) so I looked up the meaning of this Full Moon and found some interesting history on Wikipedia and Space.com websites.

The paschal full moon refers to the ecclesiastical full moon of the northern spring used in the determination of the date of Easter. The name "paschal" is derived from "Pascha", a transliteration of the Aramaic word meaning Passover. 

Spring began on March 20, and 11 days later, the moon turns full. So this is also the first full moon of spring, and as such, it's designated as the Paschal Moon. The first Sunday after the Paschal Moon is usually designated as Easter Sunday, as will indeed be the case on the very next day, April 1.

On this special weekend I think about all the memories with family who have now passed on. I think about my Italian Heritage on my Mom's side, the special Easter feasts that we all enjoyed. Since it is a Blue Moon, I wanted to share this version of the song: "Blue Moon" by Dean Martin who was my Mom's favorite! 

Happy Easter and Happy Passover from this Italian & Zen-Jew! 
Namaste

Listen on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC3gFEkgrT0

Dean Martin Version:

"Blue Moon"

Blue moon, You saw me standing alone, Without a dream in my heart, Without a love of my own. Blue moon, You knew just what I was there for. You heard me saying a pray for Someone I really could care for. Blue moon, You saw me standing alone, Without a dream in my heart, Without a love of my own. Blue moon... Without a love of my own.

Zen Marshmallow Heaven & Happy Holidays!

I wish everyone a lovely Holiday whichever one you may celebrate. I will be indulging in Zen Marshmallow Heaven this holiday weekend! This evening I will be celebrating the beginning of Passover with my favorite Coconut Covered Marshmallows! On Easter Sunday I always have a tradition to delight in Purple Peeps Marshmallows! 

You may be sharing these holidays around the family dinner table, a perfect time to practice a Zenful Attitude! Creating memories with family and friends is what life is all about. My best advice is to save any political or religious discussions for another time! Keeping an Open Heart and Open Mind will create the most Harmonious Memories. 

What is your IKIGAI?

A few years ago I heard the word: IKIGAI and loved the sound of it and my curiosity was peaked on what the meaning was. I googled away and found it was the perfect word for the perfect time in my life! 

The definition in Wikipeda:

Ikigai (生き甲斐, pronounced [ikiɡai]) is a Japanese concept that means "a reason for being." It is similar to the French phrase, raison d'être. Everyone, according to Japanese culture, has an ikigai. Finding it requires a deep and often lengthy search of self.

I think we all can relate to this concept! Finding our "purpose" is what many of us seek our entire lifetime! I am glad I was reminded of this word today while watching a very inspiring video on Facebook by the Project Happiness Founder: Randy Taran. I follow her website and listen to her videos often. In fact, my Zen Heart Creations Website and Blog was inspired by various ZenFul Blogs I have been following for years. Project Happiness, Tiny Buddha, Daily Om, Etc.

I am inspired by positive daily affirmations about Zenful Living and sharing Loving-Kindness & Compassion as often as possible. I think I may have found my IKIGAI!

I have been writing lyrics about finding my purpose for years! Here are the lyrics and link to listen to one of my songs entitled:

 "My Purpose"

Seeking the purpose in my lifetime

Show me the way to make a difference

I am so grateful for my life

You are my angel now    

Thank you for guiding me

Seeing the Beauty all around me

Show me the way to find the meaning

Mother Nature is so amazing

I am so grateful seeing the light

   You  are  my  angel now    

Thank you for loving me

Nepenthe Heart Rose with My Purpose Lyrics: click on photo to purchase

Listen to your HEART!

Bella Bell Rock Vortex click on photo to purchase

Mars Mindful Zen Moments 

Bell Rock Vortex is my favorite ZEN place to be in Sedona, Arizona. I was inspired to create this photo entitled: Bella Bell Rock with my piano lyrics around the edges. Take a moment to enjoy this special photo and Zenful lyrics, click on title to listen. PEACE

Listen to your Heart

Sharing love in this world

Opens your heart

Listen to your heart

Listen to your soul

Breathe and trust in your heart

Breathe and trust in your soul

Let me be your face to call home  /  Let me be your shining star

Let me hold your heart in mine    /   Let me be your hand to hold

Breathe in Peace

Breath out Love

Feel Alive

Open your heart

All Rights Reserved 2014 Lyrics created by Marlene Rose Besso 3/30/14

Mindfulness or Meditation?

Today I watched (once again) Jon-Kabat-Zinn on Super Soul Sunday. He was discussing with Oprah, the difference between mindfulness and meditation. I highly recommend listening to his wisdom on the topic. See link below.

I hope you enjoy each Moment of your Zenful Life. 

http://www.oprah.com/own-super-soul-sunday/What-It-Means-to-Be-Mindful-Video

Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling

Click on My Enso Logo to view HBO Trailer

Today is the 2 year anniversary of Garry Shandling leaving this physical world. I am so looking forward to watching the HBO Documentary next week about his life: "The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling" created by his friend Judd Apatow. I have always connected with his brilliant humor, his loving-kindness, and Zenful way of living. I learned that he had an Enso Circle tattoo on his neck to remind him of his Buddhist belief of impermanence, and as he referred to it: ego-emptiness. I wrote the following essay when he passed away, and I thought I would share. Miss you Garry! 

An Essay I wrote about my love for Garry Shandling:

March 28, 2016

Lost my chance to Marry GARRY SHANDLING!

I have been “in love” with Garry Shandling for close to 4 decades! My first introduction to his brilliance was in Los Angeles, at the Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach in the late 70’s. I so got his humor from the start, and just knew he was a “rising star”. His positive energy was intoxicating as was his humor. I followed him on all the shows he wrote and performed in:  The Tonight Show, The Garry Shandling Show, and The Larry Sanders Show. I lived in Los Angeles from 1977 to 2006 and hoped one day I would get to meet him in person. Unfortunately, I never got the chance, but down deep in my heart I still felt as if we were soulmates! All my friends knew I had this deep love and admiration for him. 

He was so talented, and yet so humble and exuded authentic loving-kindness. As the common phrase goes, “he came from good stock” a nice Jewish Boy with a great smile and brilliant sense of humor. He seemed to have deep empathy and respect for all people. He most likely learned those values at a young age because of family issues with his older brother’s illness. I have been looking for those qualities in a soulmate for many years. I guess we were both referred to as being a “JuBu”, growing up Jewish, but also following the principles of living as a Buddhist. Quan Yin is in my heart, and I try to offer loving-kindness and compassion to all.  Coming from a Jewish family too, I knew my ideal mate would have similar qualities that I admired in my Brother, Father and Uncles. A funny story, when I joined Twitter several years ago, he was the first celebrity I followed. Not understanding how Twitter worked, and since he wasn’t following me, he had no idea that I sent him some hello tweets and messages! After hearing the shocking news of his passing last Thursday, I still find myself feeling devastated, like it was a death in the family. 

Over this past weekend I tuned into YouTube with my Apple TV and found all the “Garry Shandling” interviews and stand up shows and everything else I could immerse myself into, as I grieved his loss. I learned so many more interesting aspects of his personality and found myself loving and missing him even more! I loved hearing some of his stories, the one when he was on vacation with his girlfriend in Hana (Maui) and he broke his leg rescuing his newly temporarily adopted dog she named Shep. And then how the Universe ultimately reunited him with Shep in Los Angeles. When he brought the dog out on stage after a stand- up routine, my heart melted. He was animal lover, just like me, and probably got it from his Mom, who owned a pet shop. I loved the story about his asking George Carlin to read his jokes when he was just starting out….and as he said: Carlin said, “he was very green, but he was funny on every page, and he should pursue a career in comedy! 

Watching the most recent show with him and Jerry Seinfeld (whom I also am in love with, another nice funny Jewish Boy, but he’s married!) on his Internet Show: Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee”. It was filmed this past December, and the title: “It’s great that Garry’s still alive!” evolved from a funny story that Garry told Jerry, which has turned out to be very poignant, to say the least!  I loved how they were like two good buddies just hanging out for the afternoon, both so funny, humble, and very introspective. The Kvetch-O-Meter was hysterical! So, yes it was a very enjoyable and enlightening “Garry Shandling” Marathon weekend. It felt like I was “Sitting Shivah” for a complete stranger, but yet he was someone who I truly felt I knew, and so admired and loved. 

We have all lost a beautiful soul, that’s for sure, and yes he was a “Star” that had risen to heights only very few have been fortunate enough to leap to. From now on when I look up in the sky here in Sedona, Arizona, I will look for the brightest star in these glorious dark skies, and I will say: “Hey There……What’s it like up in heaven Garry?” Maybe we can meet at the Pearly Gates, and I will finally find my soulmate waiting for me! Then we can both say in unison: “How’s my Hair?”

NAMASTE’  

Love, Mars

Zen Daily Words Puzzle!

Check out my Zen Daily Words Page to see my newest "Dream & Become" Affirmation Word Search Puzzle. I will soon be creating a Zen Daily Word Search Puzzle E-Booklet, and will be giving it away as a free gift to some lucky followers that sign up to my Zen Heart Creations Blog. I will keep you posted!

National Puppy Day!

On this National Puppy Day I have shared a very special story I wrote about my first puppy: Rosie. She passed away on the first day of Spring 2001, so each year at this time I like to honor her with sharing her story and pictures. My sweet furry friends inspired me to write a piano composition entitled: "Unconditional Love", see below for lyrics and click link to listen.

Check out my Zen Essays page to read all about the pure delight and unconditional ZEN Love we all adore from our furry friends. 

Rosie on her first day home as my new puppy in 1995!

Unconditional Love                                      

                                          

The  Unconditional  Love

of  my  Boys

Brings  me  joy

If  I  am  sad

If  I  am  blue

All  they  need  to do

is  be  by  my  side

with  a wag  and a purr

then  I'm  not  sad

then  I'm  not  blue

2nd verse:

It's the Unconditional Love

from  my  Boys

That  brings  me  joy         

If  I  am  sad

If  I  am  blue

All  they  need  to do

is  be  by  my  side

with warm hugs and wet kisses

then  I'm  not  sad

then  I'm  not  blue

It's the Unconditional Love

from  my  Boys

That  brings  me  joy         

   

                                           Unconditional Love                                      

                                           by Marlene Rose Besso  2/25/12

Serendipity!

"Heart Map" by Marlene Rose Besso

One of my most favorite words of all time is: Serendipity! Just the sound of it delights me, let alone the meaning! I have experienced so many Serendipitous Moments in my life so far! I love the surprise effect, the unexpected moment of realization, the wonder of it all! I think my first introduction to the word was in the 80's when I worked at Serendipity Gallery in Los Angeles! 

Many years ago I created this painting entitled: Heart Map. It was done in a matter of moments outdoors in my Santa Monica backyard. It was a fluid acrylic poured out into the heart shape in very few motions. Then I added the pastel colors after it dried. I already had a painting entitled Serendipity, but if I hadn't this painting would surely fit the name. Take a close look at the top left and right heart drawing, what do you see? It is almost like viewing a "Rorschach Test" of ink blots, where many people see different interpretations of the same image. What I see in this "Heart Map" painting are two very special ANGELS that appeared from the pours of paint, on the left side is a feminine Angel and the other is a masculine Angel. I think of them as my dear friends, always looking out for me. I have had this painting hanging in my bedrooms where ever I have lived for the past 28 years! 

Serendipity is one of the best gifts we can receive in our lifetime. We just have to take the time to live in the moment and see the wonder of it all!

Zen Heart Creations Logo!

Zen Vortex Heart Enso
by Mars  

Just the other day I was thinking about designing a logo for my website and blog, and then realized I had already created it months ago! The Universe never ceases to amaze me! I guess it knew I would need a Zen Heart Logo in the near future! This 12 x 12 acrylic painting has been hanging in my art studio space since last summer! It is a very special Zen Creation of a Vortex Heart in the center of an Enso - Circle of Enlightenment. I love the energy it exudes, and also a reminder to keep an open heart, and realize that life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful. I love this image so much, I am considering getting it tattooed on my arm as a Daily Zen reminder. I have a scar healing there from a melanoma surgery this past December. It is already a daily reminder about not focusing on perfectionism, and being grateful to be alive.This would be a more creative way to keep this Zen lesson in focus instead of looking at my scar. I know they say you should embrace your scars, but I would rather embrace my Zen Heart Art Creation!

Dream & Become!

One of my favorite quotes of all time is: "For As You Dream, So Shall You Become". I shorten the quote to just "Dream + Become". I write it down daily in my things to do list every morning! It's my reminder to keep dreaming and trust the Universe that I am in the right place, at the right time, doing the right things. 

Along with my morning ritual of Zen Daily Words that I write, I make a TTD -Things To Do list, and have special notes along with the quote that I write daily, like how many days I have lived on this planet, today is 23,673 day of my life! How many days I have lived in beautiful Sedona, Arizona, today is my 1,608 day living here! And I also include my main Zen Daily Word as a reminder of my intention for the day. 

I refer to my list throughout the day, and am so grateful when I get to cross off the items that I get accomplished. If I don't have time to do everything, I just push it forward to the next day. I do the best I can, and that's good enough for me! I believe in taking time each day for positive affirmations, mindful moments, day-dreaming, and self care. Before making my list, and after writing out my Zen Daily Words, I look at a sweet tiny book of Dream Quotes that I purchased 4 years ago, I flip to whatever page comes up, and it always seems to fit my mood, or inspire me to look at a different perspective. I remember many of the quotes, but it's always fun to see what the Universe wants me to focus on for the day ahead. Serendipity is often found on the pages of my special purple dream book. 

I wish everyone a Zenful Day!

Here is a link to calculate how many days you have lived! 
http://www.countcalculate.com/calendar/days-lived

Planting Dreams!

My Zen Heart Creations Blog has Blossomed on the first day of Spring 2018 in hopes of Planting Seeds of Loving-Kindness and Compassion with the World! 

I will be updating this blog often, sharing Zen Daily Words/Mars Mindful Moments, New Heart Art Creations, Zen Nona's, Zen Essays, Etc. 

My Website will be coming soon where all my Zen Heart Art Creations will be available for purchase. In the meantime there are links to my Fine Art America Website on my Blog Pages, if you would like to purchase products with my Zen Heart Art.

Planting Seeds & Dreams!

Namaste`
Mars

Happy Spring Equinox!

Every morning I have a ritual of writing out a daily word and a few interpretations of the word that represents my intention for the day ahead. They become my affirmations words and thoughts that I carry with me throughout my day. I have been doing this daily word exercise for a few years, and prior to that I would write out a few things that I was grateful for each morning. It has been fun to sort them by date and read them on a monthly basis. It gives me an overview of my mood and intentions that were carried out for the month. I also have created a fun project with these affirmation words as custom word search puzzles. I found an online template that allows me to create my own puzzles. I print them out and work on them in the evenings, and it is a very zen and cathartic way to spend my time. Check out my Zen Daily Words page for samples of my custom affirmation word puzzles and my daily word notes. I have sweet little notepads that I am inspired to write these words in. My newest pad is pink with roses and the cover says: Smell the Roses. A nice reminder to take time to smell the roses.

My words for today: 

DREAM

Spring

Intention

Create

Momentum

Confidence

Success

Nepenthe Rose Photo Art with Lyrics by Marlene Rose Besso
Click on photo for link to Fine Art America

Zen Nona ~ Now or Never Adventure!

Recently I decided to take a ZEN NONA…..a term I created which means a “Zen ~ Now or Never Adventure”! I think of it as similar to a GAP Year that kids take between high school and college, but now being at the age of a Grandmother/Nonna (yikes!) I call it my Zen Nona in Sedona!

I have signed up for Social Security, I wanted to wait until my 66th Birthday, but I had no choice but to sign up early. Between the SS and some designated savings I have decided that I don't want to jump into working right away after losing my client of 20+ years! I need a break for 6+ months, and then I will have to go back into the work force, since I don't have nearly enough saved to survive only on Social Security!

I am enjoying this block of time to create, dream, travel, volunteer, network, start a new business venture, and who knows how I might re-invent myself during this adventure in my 3^rd Act of Life!  

It's exciting and a bit scary, but as Helen Keller said: Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all!

💗 PEACE

Marlene

Zen Hearts in Sedona

Come visit my Zen Heart Art in Sedona, Arizona at The Sedona Artist Market! 

Mars Sedona~The HEART Lady!
Art Space # 2

Click on the photo to learn more about me in their Blog! 

Welcome To My World of Zen Heart Creations!

Sharing my Zen Heart Creations with the world brings me so much pride and joy. My mission in the rest of my days is to share loving-kindness and compassion in all ways possible. Check out my Zen Heart Art Project Page to see more of my art and learn about my inspiring 365 Hearts Project.

Click on the image to view all my Zen Hearts on Fine Art America for purchase.