Kindness...

Hope everyone is enjoying their beautiful Spring weather, their is so much to be thankful for. This past Easter I received a Face Book greeting from an old friend, a friend I haven't seen in many years. But this random greeting gave me more joy than this person could probably ever know. This greeting from a childhood friend made me think about all the people I have cared about, from my past. Random people who although they only highlighted my life for a moment, managed to share a piece of their world with me. And while even though for some it was for only a moment in time, they welcomed me with open arms inside their world. There was an eclectic mix of people from my past who I can truly say have touched me in so many different ways. 

I highly recommend to anyone...to never limit yourself to the "types" of people you associate with. It was something that impressed me early on, High school cliques were an early lesson. I just knew by watching people and their "tight knit" groups, that I never wanted to limit myself to any one type of people. The best lessons I have ever learned have come from all types of people, all colors, all walks of life. Some not so savory types, but seeing all walks of life always felt so right to me. I cherish these people and all of the lessons I have learned from their paths.

Kindness is a lesson I learned from all of these people who have touched my life whether it was for a second or a lifetime. They will always be cherished for a lifetime in my memories and my heart. Without these people who may not even know how much I learned from their lives, I wouldn't be who I am today. So today I want everyone to know that all who have crossed my path, good or bad are a part of who I am.

This is a lesson that I would like to share...

Be thankful for any person placed in your path of life, for even those who cause you pain or heartache or that you may have a distaste for, can teach you important life lessons. Share kindness and empathy for people. Without empathy the world is a bitter place, empathy will allow you to feel for someone and maybe give you a kinder outlook about who someone really is and where they may come from. We never know who may be acting out of hurt or is simply scared, empathize for that person who on the outside appears to be mean, angry or a bully. maybe they need someone in the world to understand their pain. Empathy will allow us to view the world through different eyes. Empathy and kindness will help the world bring to light Peace, Kindness and Regeneration...   

After all wouldn't you rather live in a place were your neighbors are Kind...I know I would.

So https://www.etsy.com/shop/ReGenerationAngelenowould like to begin with a little kindness...

Lets all start this Re-Generation of Kindness and Empathy...

Peace, Love and Regeneration...always

https://www.etsy.com/shop/ReGenerationAngeleno



   

Giving...

GIVING...it's something we all do everyday whether you're conscience of it or not. GIVING is not limited to GIVING to others, GIVING to yourself is something that everyone should do daily. Allow yourself to take what your soul needs to regenerate. But lately GIVING has taken on a much deeper meaning.
The conception of  ReGenerationAngeleno and the endless memories that it brings to life are even more vivid. GIVING is something that I would like to highlight in my writing. Not because I want to "pat myself on the back" and post a list of my own GIVING, that I want recognition for, but because I am proud to know that I have for the most part spent my life giving without expectation, recognition or needing praise. But GIVING because I felt strongly about it being something I needed to do. Maybe some times others may look upon a person who is too giving as a pushover...or a victim waiting to happen. But its a victim mentality that makes a victim. Expectations attached to giving, will surely disappoint. GIVING is something that should be done with the purest of intentions, knowing that your offering a gift to another and wish for kindness to be paid forward. I wish to view giving as something that feels right to do, if you feel it strongly enough. Not for self motives.

This tiny twist on GIVING is something that I wish to pay forward and Re-Generate...

GIVING with pure intentions far outweighs, GIVING with the intentions of getting something in return. I may be showing my age here, but sadly I have watched first hand many incidents of GIVING with the wrong intentions. There has to be a distinction between giving with blatant manipulation and self promotion in mind and a true giver. My wish is to "not see" these self promoting "Givers", thank you very much. But would rather live happily simply trusting and knowing that GIVING is being carried out everywhere all the time. Knowing that I could trust the world to demonstrate this GIVING mentality. Now that is something to think about...

Now may be the perfect time for me to remember all of our Military who have are "GIVING" the ultimate gift, by protecting our rights and freedoms. Your "GIVING" may be the exception to the rule, the one that I can say truly deserves recognition, "pats on the back" and any other kind of THANKS we can give!

So with that said ReGenerationAngeleno would like to thank our US Military and their families for the Ultimate gift in GIVING.  

Practice GIVING daily.

Peace, Love and Regeneration...           



   

Soundtrack of our Lives...

The Soundtrack of our lives …

   

Music is the soundtrack to our lives…Look back at your own life in stages. Your entire life is a wonderful and personal soundtrack in the making. Music is there whether you’re listening at the time or not. Music will mark your momentous moments. Your happy times, your sad times; it’s funny that no matter what kind of a mood you’re in, you will always find a song that speaks to you.

I love that Music is for everyone and everyone makes the perfect choice in music no matter what your genre. There are no rights or wrongs in music. Music grows with us and changes as we change. Human nature can learn a lot from Music, all we have to do is listen with our hearts and really feel what we love, isn’t that what life is there for? The best music is created by really feeling something without Inhibition. So with music in my heart and in my life, I wish that everyone would take some time to reflect on their own soundtrack.

         Live your life like your making your soundtrack.

My life in the City of Angels has always been filled with so much music history, learning about music at an early age. Thanks to my father’s love of Jazz and Blues, I was privileged to have a father that invited me to share his music world and to share his love of music. It was a truly magical era. A time when their was a pureness to music and I met some colorful characters along the way, all of us with the same love for music. There are many moments in my own life soundtrack that become that much more vivid when I hear a song…you know what I mean. I’m thankful that music can make my memories that much more vivid and regenerate my memory.

I am comforted to know that music will be there even without my eyes…you can hear what Music is saying. Music has many voices and many things to say. Over the years music has evolved for me, just like my life. Regenerated…if you may. Musical Styles are regenerated, sampled and given new life. It’s all meant to be shared and recreated; to me it’s just adding more love, sharing your spin on things. It could be the new standard for life. We don’t have to be so quick with that old adage “Out with the old, in with the new”….Maybe we should re-generate the old and breathe new life into as much as we can.  

  

PEACE, LOVE AND REGENERATION...

                 ReGenerationAngeleno

Defining Regeneration…

Defining Regeneration…

re·gen·er·a·tion  (re -jen -er ayshun)

n.

1. The act or process of regenerating or the state of being regenerated.

2. Spiritual or moral revival or rebirth.

3. Biology Regrowth of lost or destroyed parts or organs.

REGENERATION is an interesting word and concept; The literal definition can be found in many a dictionary and defined in many a way. But currently my own definition of this word has a truly personal note. I believe that life has a way of moving full circle; this may be life’s way of allowing us to reflect and regenerate.

Signs from the universe can come from a lot of places and in the most random and unique ways. Coming Full circle is a beautiful thing. Life is only a matter of perception and one thing I have realized later in life is that we can only control our own perceptions. With that said, follow your signs and look back at life thoughtfully, lovingly and forgivingly. Always remember that life can be regenerated.

            ReGenerationAngeleno was created as a tool for my Full Circle moment and to begin the process of looking back and documenting my life thoughtfully, lovingly and forgivingly. What some of will learn about me is that I am an avid collector. I have spent my life collecting random things that catch my eye, and treasuring the gifts given to me by those that love and share or just things I've found along the way in my life that speak to me… if you will.  

I guess because of my age and time served…I can now be officially considered a Garmento. I love the word Garmento; to me it is a descriptive word and creates a mental picture of the people I grew up with in Los Angeles. Life in L.A. seemed so innocent back then. I remember being a baby and rolling around in my walker around the feet of my Dad and Uncle working together at the giant tables in our garage; creating First Patterns and Markers by hand. Later as a young child I became fascinated by the paper, the color pens and the Dress forms. In my teens it became a whole other fascination as I realized my own actual fashion sense. Once I was in my teens my dad finally consented to let me be his “assistant” I would go after school and spend my afternoons till dinner time working alongside my father. Sometimes this would prove a challenge a teenager working with Dad?! I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Another pivotal life lesson here…just because you are not sure what to expect doesn’t mean you should avoid what’s to come.

I didn’t and it proved to be one of my life’s greatest lessons. I learned a valuable work ethic, that can be taken with me and applied to life in general and probably learned the best lesson ever, and from a truly irreplaceable and  invaluable person in my life. I have since furthered my Fashion career in so many other avenues and challenges. But always refer to my earlier lessons from the original much loved and treasured Garmentos in my life.  

This is what Regeneration is for….If we don’t share an empathy and understanding of each other and most of all an understanding of ourselves how can we truly come full circle so life can regenerate in a positive way.  

Peace, Love and Regeneration...

ReGenerationAngeleno

The Regeneration of an Angeleno...

Growing up in the City with a Mission, in the early 60’s was such a privilege. At the time being a young child, I was happy to innocently run and play in the streets with all the neighborhood kids. We were forever outside playing, only going home when you heard your parents call for dinner, because we all had to be home for dinner and we were, no qualms about it. Little things I grew up with that I never thought would go away with the passing of time. Things like childhood friends, favorite teachers, scout leaders, and team coaches. For me it was the stuff in my neighborhood like the neighborhood grocery stores, local parks and pools. During the later years, the things that would go away with time would be employers and relationships. Funny how such everyday things can become such relics, afterthoughts and well…history.

I have so many memories to document and am looking forward to taking each memory and putting the memories in writing. I know that my thoughts and experiences are uniquely mine and want to document my feelings and memories. Writing has always been a dream of mine and life’s dreams are meant for a reason. Life sends us on many paths in life…I am a willing participant in my life good or bad. So remember its only words, no one can ever change what you feel in your heart. Trust in your feelings and follow your dreams. Live life like you love life and all will be well.

 I guess everyone looks back at some point to reflect on their lives, it seems like human nature to me. We all have our memories to treasure. My memories will always be the one thing that are meant to always be with me, the one thing that is truly uniquely mine. I treasure mine with my every breath, they are a constant source of wonder. I wish for everyone to feed off their memories and to realize that every day is a source to create new memories. If you can stop one second to appreciate the everyday miracles in your day, you can keep the wonder alive. A lot of people love to use that cliché “Life is a Journey”, I guess I can agree with that, But, it’s a really grey statement. I’ve been on quite a few “Journeys” you might say, and I can only speak from personal experience but not every journey I’ve taken, has been something I’d care to brag about. That’s just me being honest. Now don’t get me wrong…I always tell all my friends this…I wouldn’t change a thing about any life choices I’ve made. Everything or choice I’ve ever made has been done whole heartedly and dare I say it with Passion. No Regrets. But in looking back I really would have to say the Best lessons have been learned by my mistakes. At least I can honestly say that from every mistake I’ve been able to understand more and understanding is what will help me to truly find happiness. I joke about that a lot; I was so intrigued with a song I heard. Have my son to thank for that. LOL. But the song is about the Pursuit of Happiness, which really hit home with me. I have been told I’m too deep. That might insult some people but the reality is if I’m too deep then maybe you should stay in the shallow end of the pool. Only a few people can really swim in the deep end and it’s ok. Life is different things for different people.             

ReGenerationAngeleno

Re.Generation Angeleno...

Re.generation Angeleno has been my lifetime in the making so to speak. A lifetime collected and a personal lifetime of memories. Creating this memorial, hasn't been an easy task. Releasing parts of my life and my families life hasn't been easy, but knowing that the Vintage pieces that I have held so dear to me will go out into the world to breathe New Life. Breathe new life, knowing that someone else now treasures what I have held so close. Isn't that what life's really about? I had always wanted to create my online biz, but being a single mother and working in the Apparel Industry, which my dad so affectionately calls "ShowBiz" has delayed my dream till the universe finally opened all its doors and the signs led me to my chance. So Here I am today, wondering if I have what it takes inside to relate to the world outside of Los Angeles..the city of angels. 

As I take a deep breath and put it all out there for the world to see. Please stay tuned for bigger endeavors, and more personal views on my time here in the City Of Angels.

Remember this is all a Work in process for me, but with every great lesson I've learned from life, nothing ventured nothing gained. I would rather learn from my mistakes than never have tried. So many well meaning people tried to advise me about my business venture, and yes I could of hired a Web designer and All the team I may need to get my thoughts out there, but the goal was to accomplish, fulfill my dreams and to learn from this entire process. So be kind with your critiques...your words mean alot. I really value people and their words and want to hear from anyone with something to add. Good, Bad or indifferent it all means something to me. So help me get the Re.Generation in effect...

Regeneration Angeleno

Peace, Love and Re.Generation...