Money Doesn't Buy Happiness

“None of those material possessions do anything to make your life any better…. I know a lot of people who have a lot of everything, and they’re absolutely the most miserable people in the world. So it won’t do anything for you unless you’re a happy person and can have peace with yourself.”

 ~ Lenny Kravitz

In today's economy it is ever increasingly important to spend your money wisely. It amazes me sometimes how creative we can get when our dollars are few. We find ways to stretch those few dollars to make them last as long as we can. And then when we have one or two dollars more than what the bills amount to we go right back into our old habits of buying "things" - things that we don't really need but things we crave because they make us "feel" better, or look better.

We buy designer jeans and fancy things because we view them, and hope that others who see us view them, as status symbols. The fancier the car, the bigger the bank account, some think. The problem is that most of the time, you are paying for a label, instead of just buying quality clothing. And not to mention that times and fashions change so quickly. That pair of $100 jeans you bought, that everyone was wearing last month, will be out of style by spring. Clothes are only made to last until next season, when the next fall or spring line comes out.

There was a time when we packed away the winter sweaters and jackets, and dusted off our spring dresses and short outfits, maybe only buying something new for a special occasion. We also spend way too much money on new clothes, when there are hidden treasures just waiting to be purchased cheaply at local thrift store. Some pass this money saving opportunity up because their pride won't let them but something "previously worn" by someone else. I bet if your ass was cold and didn't have any clothes, then you would jump in that used, slightly worn coat without hesitation. But that's just my point, we can if we had to. We should live each day as if we have only a few dollars to live off of. Then, invest your money in quality purchases and spend locally as frequently as possible.

I have learned that money well earned should be money well spent. And, I am also learning that my dollars have more than just the economical value printed on the coin or paper; there is value and a chance to make a difference in your community. 

Instead of buying fruits and vegetables from the large grocery stores, who by the way charge more for their products because they have huge overhead demands to meet, we should patronize local small business and farmer's markets. Instead of large fast-food chains and restaurants, we should support the local family owned diners and eateries. I'm not saying don't go to In-N-Out burger or skip a good Sizzler salad, I'm just saying that we should spend the majority of our money in the hood, where it can do the most good.

I recently became introduced to a financial expert by the name of Suze Orman, who broke down some things for me plain and simple. For more information on all things financial please visit her website or check out her weekly show focusing on financial counseling. She has your best financial interest at heart and gives advice to live by not just for today and tomorrow, but information on how to secure your financial future.

Make the money, don't let the money make you. A part of this economy has been designed to keep you in debt and distracted from reality for a various number of reasons. Most of them beyond our control. What you currently have the opportunity to do is find ways to make your money make money for you. When people think of investing, they think of complicated stock market transactions or risky real estate investments.

The truth of the matter is you can grow your own food and sew more of your own clothing, curtains, towels, etc. Invest in a sewing machine and make something creative like custom pillows to sell to friends. Purchase the materials to make candles and soaps at home, for personal use or to sell to family and friends. They also make great gifts.

Invest in seeds and grow a garden, plant fruit trees, grow your own herbs for cooking. Eating at home more often, cutting out fast-food and limiting restaurant meals saves a ton of money. Eating out saves time, not money.

It's time to get wise about these things people. Gas and food prices are at an all time high, and so is unemployment. One day we could wake up and find ourselves in real trouble. Be prepared for natural disasters as well as financial ones. Start the financial emergency kit by growing and consuming as much of your own food as possible and invest money like you grow your garden, in hopes of a plentiful harvest, that just keeps giving.

Reaping What You Sow: Waiting Patiently for Flowers to Grow

I have heard it a million times, "You reap what you sow", but what I learned just recently is that there is a great patience involved, not only when it comes to sowing an abundant garden, but in cultivating healthy relationships and when raising healthy children, as well.

The Patient Gardener ~ With the help of my best friend and lover, I recently began the process of turning our backyard into a "Garden of Eden", a Place of Peace to be enjoyed by family and close friends. Fortunately, my father had laid the groundwork years ago by planting and nurturing so many fruit trees, plants, herbs and other goodies for the yard, like the ground pit for burning small fires. Unfortunately, with the exception of the first few months after he died in Spring 2010, I hadn't given much attention to anything in the yards. I barely watered the trees and plants and had the grass cut only every other month or so.

Last week we planted new lavender bushes along the back fence between two existing lavender bushes, all of different varieties. We also planted some wild flowers in a newly dug flowerbed around a large tree stump and a pygmy palm tree in honor of our fifth month anniversary. The week before last we planted a few herb seeds in some indoor pots. And every morning I wake up and draw back the curtain to give the indoor plants access to natural sunlight, hoping and wishing for a little bud of green life to pop its head out the dirt. A few days ago I was lucky enough to witness just that. Our first sprout was born.

My lover reminded me that even though that one strong seed did indeed sprout, I must wait patiently for the others and I should not get discouraged or think something is wrong if they all don't sprout overnight. Every day when I go out into the yard, I look to see if the new lavender bushes have emerged from the dirt, or if one little wild flower has broken through to reach out to the sun. I look for new growth on that pygmy palm tree and I envision the 4-foot tall tree that will one day be this small baby newly rooted in our soil.

The Patient Lover ~ After being single for  13 years I recently found myself lucky enough to be in a relationship. I began cultivating this love back in September and the past five months have been both an inspiration and a revelation. He inspired me to be a better me, and my inner soul has been revealed to me in the process. I am fortunate to have found someone to share my dreams with, and someone who has common goals and interests. I am learning to be patient in love and taking the time to appreciate all of the blessings this union affords. Knowing all the while that nothing that lasts is built too fast or too quick. Slowly building a solid foundation, and patiently waiting for the many more blessings this life has in store for us as a couple.

The Patient Grandparent ~ Seven month ago my daughter and her two toddlers, ages two and three, relocated to Los Angeles. It has been a great joy for me to be able to help my daughter by watching my grandchildren while she is at work. They are usually in my care from breakfast to bedtime, 5 or more days a week. Dealing with "the little people" requires great patience. Their demands are many and needs are plenty, but the rewards are incredibly fulfilling. The joy of an honest hug and kiss from a toddler, or a simple "I love you", just because, can bring the greatest joy to the soul.

As I said in the beginning, there is great patience involved when sowing a garden, a relationship, and when raising children, and what I have discovered is that the benefits we reap from all three are priceless.

Self-Realization Center: A Place of Peace for a Piece of Peace

View From Temple, Overlooking Lake

The Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine and the new temple are located at 17190 Sunset Blvd in Pacific Palisades California, just off Pacific Coast Highway. The temple itself sits high on a hill, overlooking the lake, chapel, windmill, and boat house docked on the lake.

I was first introduced to the Lake Shrine back in September 2009 by my father. In fact it would be on our last "day-cation" together that he would reveal this hidden jewel of a location to me. I was surprised to discover that this Lake Shrine location was one of many sites of the Self-Realization Fellowship, founded by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1920. There are over 500 temples and meditation centers around the world.

This particular location is nestled in the surrounding hillside and surrounds a beautiful lake that may not have even existed were it not for a halted construction project in the late 1920's. 

Developer Alphonzo Bell, who established Bel-Air, sand blasted the area in 1927 with hopes of building another residential community. Lake Santa Ynez was born when a basin, created by the unfinished construction, filled in with water from nearby natural springs.

Over the next decade the lake became covered with brush and reeds and was only used by local youth who considered it their private swimming hole. Local residents just considered it a worthless swamp.

Inceville Motion Pictures

Prior to the construction that led to the basin which created the lake, the area was home to Inceville Motion Pictures, founded by Thomas H. Ince, who in 1912 purchased the 465-acre property, formerly known as Bison Ranch. He also leased another 18,000 acres up the Santa Ynez Canyon from Santa Monica to Malibu and used the area as a backdrop for filming silent movies. The studios were later destroyed in a fire in 1924.

In 1940 the assistant superintendent of construction for 20th Century Fox, H. Everett McElroy, purchased the property. He envisioned a lush paradise for he and his wife to enjoy. Despite the shortage of building materials due to the war, the McElroy's developed the area, dredged the lake, cleared away the overgrown brush. They even relocated their double-deck, Mississippi-style riverboat from Lake Mead, in Nevada, to their new home on the lake and took up residence there.

The next major structure the couple decided to erect along the lakeside would be the The Mill House. When the home was completed in 1929 the McElroy's relocated from the riverboat just across the lake to their new love nest. The houseboat then became a rental for celebrities and other movie industry executives. The Mill House was constructed with a fifteen-foot waterwheel, a turret, and was styled after a 16th century mill house. It has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a spare (3/4) bathroom. Handcrafted carvings, stained glass windows, and a circular staircase compliment the structure beautifully, and outdoors there is a second story floating swing, along with a bridge constructed of wood and rope, which add to the natural way the house blends into the nearby surroundings.

Later additions to the property by the McElroy's included a 16th century dutch windmill, that still blows in the wind, and a boat landing suited for the riverboat. Today the windmill structure is used as a chapel.

In the late 1940's the McElroy's decided to sell the property, complete with houseboat to the new owner, an oil company executive with big dreams of turning the serene location into a multi-million dollar hotel and resort. He took up residence in the windmill and one night he was awakened after having a strange dream. He envisioned a place where all religions would come together in fellowship. He contacted the Hollywood location of the Self-Realization Fellowship by phone the same day he posted a letter to them explaining the dream he had. He was put in touch with Paramahansa Yogananda and this beautiful garden paradise is the result of their meeting.

On August 20, 1950 the Self Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine was opened to the public. There was a dedication ceremony to mark the occasion. During the ceremony Paramahansa Yogananda dedicated the Gandhi World Peace Memorial in honor of Mahatma Gandhi. This was the first memorial in the world honoring this apostle of peace.

Gandhi World Peace Memorial

A portion of Gandhi's ashes have been encased in a 1,000 year old stone sarcophagus from China. The ashes were donated to Yogananda by Dr. V.M. Nawle from Poona, India who was aware of the friendship that Yogananda and Gandhi shared.

Dr. Nawle confirmed by his letter that Gandhi's ashes were scattered in the most important bodies of water, and that there were in fact no other ashes given in the world, outside of India, except those being given to Yogananda. The memorial is framed by the towering Golden Lotus Archway, built by Yogananda to symbolize the awakening of the soul to its full potential.

The latest structural addition has been the new temple which was designed with both eastern and western architectural influences. The 58-foot high, 4,000 square foot temple opened in 1996 and is also topped with a golden lotus. It is built with mostly hand-crafted materials including, concrete, stained glass, ceramic tiles, and hand-carved wood, all with intricate detail. The temple is used as a retreat, has several classrooms, a ballroom, and a large 400-seat sanctuary.

Today the paradise is still only known to a select few. It remains a "Place of Peace" and serenity. Their is a path around the lake that is dotted with secluded coves with benches, beautiful flowers, plants, trees, and other life such as swans, butterflies, birds and coy fish. There are even waterfalls.

Plan to spend about 20 minutes if you just want a walk through, but if you want to fully experience the joy and peace this place has to offer, you need to be prepared to spend at  least an hour. I suggest you select a bench, near a marker or inspirational quote, which are so plentifully placed along the trail, and that you simply just sit, breathe, and relax.

Don't forget to bring your "inside voice". The place demands the silence of a library, if not more. I do not recommend bringing toddlers or young children, as they may enjoy the beauty of the flowers and swans, but their excitement may just be too much for this environment. No one will ever walk up to you to "hush" you. It's not that kind of place. But I promise that once you visit, you will feel the energy and understand why this is not the place for the pitter-patter of little feet. Its not a park or recreational kind of lake. This place is a Place of Peace, a Piece of Peace, that will recharge your spirit and leave you feeling, well, free.