On my way into work on a chilly late December morning, I stopped at Wawa for my caffeine of choice, a steamy cup of chai. As I was walking out the door, my eyes beheld an even sweeter treat. It was a blue Cooper Mini with eye-popping embellishments…lengthy eyelashes that would do Maybelline proud.  Not only that, but on the dashboard was my favorite Friendly Ghost…Caspar himself, raising his arms as if conjuring up some mischief and beaming light. Of course, I couldn’t resist stopping to speak with the driver, a lovely woman who sat beside her aunt, waiting for her children to come streaming out of the store, tumbling into their magical car.

Her laughter mixed with mine as I recognized a kindred spirit; clearly someone unafraid to live out loud, to color outside the lines, to think out side the box. I am blessed to have many friends who are in that category; juicy living artists, musicians, photographers, authors, teachers, film-makers and healers. In my friend Caran Kalish’s office that I visited for the first time on Christmas Day, I beheld a way cool design on two of her walls…colorful hearts on which people could use chalk and write inspiring messages…so, naturally I did. I may get some of the paint she used and create my own chalkboard on one of my walls.  My friends Phil and Janet have all kinds of creative embellishments in their home that include found objects, a series of rubber duckies in the bathroom, mobiles, messages painted over their bed so that they can be inspired by reading whilst lying down. My own house is an eclectic blend of faeries, angels, Tibetan prayer flags, Native American art, dreamcatchers, medicine shields, Judaica,  yogic art, a rainbow colored windsock brought home from Key West, white twinkle lights, a painted pink spiral staircase with Tinkerbell’s pixie dust from Disney World embedded in it.  These decorative touches inspire me, as I am ready, willing and able to dance my dreams to life…like Cindy Lauper..a vivid cool aid hair-colored girl who just wants to have fun.