For some, this day is like any other Friday...

The end of a busy work week... the beginning of a fun-filled weekend... a celebrated day of birth...

One of America's most famous authors, F. Scott Fitzgerald was born on this day. His contributions to American literature, though only a mere five novels, the last of which he never completed but was published posthumously, deemed him widely regarded as one of the twentieth century's greatest writers. 

I can remember high school, junior year, English class... Mr. McLaughlin first introduced his work to me. The Great Gatsby was required reading that year and I fell in love with the book from the first page.

The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald's most celebrated classic, captures all the romance and glitter of the Jazz Age. In this portrayal of a young man and his tragic search for love and success, the setting is Long Island's North Shore and New York City during the summer of 1922. Not only a rare combination of literary masterpiece and one of the most popular novels of all time, it also presents an unprecedented critique of the American Dream.

It is still such an inspiration to me, both in print and on screen, conjuring up a reminiscent mix that has guaranteed contemporary classics for young and old alike... xoxo-Sonya

Exchanging music with dear friends has become an enlightening and necessary diversion for me. There is always something new I discover swimming in the massive sea of sound waves. Though not the mainstream, they are certainly deemed worthy to share and inspire. Here is one from a recent swap...

By the group Frou Frou, the song Let go...

Turn up your speakers...

drink up, baby down

mmm, are you in or are you out

leave your things behind

'cause it's all going off without you

excuse me, too busy you're writing your tragedy

these mishaps

you bubble wrap

when you've no idea what you're like

so let go, jump in

oh well, whatcha waiting for

it's alright

'cause there's beauty in the breakdown

so let go, just get in

oh, it's so amazing here

it's alright

'cause there's beauty in the breakdown

it gains the more it gives

and then it rises with the fall

so hand me that remote

can't you see that all that stuff's a sideshow

such boundless pleasure

we've no time for later now

you can't await your own arrival

you've 20 seconds to comply

so let go, jump in

oh well, whatcha waiting for

it's alright

'cause there's beauty in the breakdown

so let go, just get in

oh, it's so amazing here

it's alright

'cause there's beauty in the breakdown

xoxo-Sonya

Celebrating my daughter's twelfth birthday, I am reminded of familiar traditions... Candles, cake cutting, and wishes...

To remain calm and sustain peace within myself has always been a personal wish. This is one of my deepest hopes and desires. What do you wish for?

An ancient practice, wishing linked one’s spirituality with desire. With today’s progressive shift of awareness, we are empowered to cast our intentions into the light of the world with the hope of something outside ourselves in existence will help create it. Remember the power of the positive. Know that what we direct our energy toward will eventually come back to us. Ask for the wish, no matter how big or small, believe you will achieve it, and prepare to receive it.

Wishing not only evokes happiness in the present moment, but it also inspires us with faith and the healing power of hope. We have come to learn life is so much more than just biology and the physical realm. Who we are, what we ponder and that which we desire transcend the realms of the physical and tangible elements. As adults bombarded with unnecessary negativity everyday, it is so easy to dismiss the power of this process as something that's only suitable for children. Wishing recalls the innocence and magical energy of childhood. How easy for a child to blow out the candles! Why can't we do the same at any age?

There is supreme power in wishes, one of discovery and deep self-understanding.

“ Make a wish and tuck it in tight... Just believe, and it will be in sight.”