We all know bloggers enjoy talking about themselves (sometimes extensively!); however, I wanted to give my blog some variety for my readers. So, I decided to have some of my favorite bloggers guest post on my blog every so often. The first person I thought of was Rufina from Being Rufina.
Rufina and I pretty much had an instant connection when we started following each others blogs. She has this amazing personality that shines through in her blog. I’m also very excited as I started a two week journey to various cities in NJ & NY and my first time in Montreal. One of my stops is to visit Rufina in her beautiful home town of Potsdam, NY which I’ve only seen through her blog!
I was sad to know that she had stopped blogging once the 300 days were over, but very happy to have found a new friend! I was hoping that Rufina had a little blogging left in her, so I was over-joyed she agreed. And, I now confess, I’m hoping this will get her blogging juices flowing so that we can all get to see that beautiful personality of hers in the blogosphere again! 
Until then, enjoy this post…
Advice from an Honorary Expert Big Sister
Hi Everyone! I was so surprised when Zully asked me to do a guest post, and it is really fun to do this, since I had officially “ended” my own blog over at “Being Rufina” almost two months ago. Why did I end my blog, you ask? Oh, wait, never mind! I want this post to be for Zully!
As you know, she just passed her 41st birthday. And since I am 2 years older than she is, I think that qualifies me as a “big sister” type, the kind that gives all sorts of knowing advice (but doesn’t actually follow it herself). I read once that if you do a thing for 10,000 hours or longer, that this experience then qualifies you as an official expert. Since I have been a real big sister to my own little sister for over 40 years and that is well over 10 000 hours – I figure that makes me an Expert Big Sister! YES!
So what is my Birthday Honorary Expert Big Sister advice to Zully?
It is simply this: Invest in your bliss.
If there is one thing that I have learned in 43 years of living, it is that time is the most precious commodity there is. How you choose to spend it is completely up to you. Take the time to make yourself happy; it is not actually selfish to do so. If you take the time to invest in your own bliss, whatever you define it to be, you will find an inner energy that will then expand tenfold, allowing you to give even more of yourself to others. You will find yourself surrounded by a universe of kindness. When bad things happen, and these cannot be avoided since life is a mix, you will at least have the energy and clarity of mind to endure.
Now Zully seems to have this already figured out, I agree. This is simply a documented reminder in case she ever needs validation she is on the right path. 
Here’s another gem of advice: The best medicine is emptiness.
This second tidbit comes from a fortune cookie. This really hits home with me. One day very recently, I woke up and rubbed my eyes to find that my house seemed to have exploded overnight. I had accumulated so much stuff that there was not a flat surface to be seen. I then watched the TV show “Hoarders” by myself for the first time (had I been avoiding it before?), and I empathized so strongly that I actually burst into tears – yes, true story. I watched two episodes, shut off the television and went to my husband and begged him to stay; the fact that the spouses always leave the hoarders (can we not find a better word for ourselves?) had not escaped me. (My husband, thankfully, by now is used to my bouts with silliness. He wasn’t going anywhere, and he really didn’t know what the heck I was talking about).
We are so afraid of being empty. We always want more, more, and more. Do you know that Buddhists embrace emptiness as the road to Nirvana?
Sigh, I am very far from being a Buddhist.
Now, of course I was not an extreme hoarder, but logically, these individuals start somewhere, right? And I wanted no part of slipping into that life. My husband helped me to do a clear-out of accumulated items from our home, and now I feel empty, weightless and free. It is wonderful to look around at my new minimalist house, surrounded by only the things that I love and use often. But, how about allowing emptiness as it pertains to Food? Don’t even get me started. I went out for pizza last night at midnight. And my cluttered mind is an unraveling weave at the best of times.
Zully doesn’t seem to have these problems either. She is a Spiritual World Traveler and has no special attachment to things or objects; she recognizes them for what they are. She appears to easily maintain a healthy body, mind and spirit.
Ummm, this Big Sister advice theme seems to be turning on me…maybe I’m the one who needs some words of encouragement.
Zully, oh wise little sister, oh teacher, oh guide. You are here, and you are real, and you are coming to visit me in person and we will finally meet face-to-face this week!
It’s now 1AM on a Saturday, and I cannot wait ‘till Thursday, because I am thinking that when the blogging world meets up with our real world, as it will for us, the result can only be Bliss.
xoxo
Rufina
(Note from Zully: Rufina, I hope you are not disappointed when we meet to see I don’t have it all figured out! LOL I’m just trying my best… See you soon! xoxox)
Click here to check out how Rufina answered my questionnaire.
Pingback: Blog Tag – Tagnabit! | Being Rufina
Pingback: My Second Blogger Award! | Being Rufina
Hi, I nominated you for Beautiful Blogger Award. If you accept the award check my post http://theworldofalexanderthegreat.wordpress.com/2012/09/22/beautiful-blogger-award/
Wow! Thank you!!!
I loved this post!!!! The words, pictures, your connection…it just gave me a warm and full feeling of happines for you both that your paths crossed. I felt the joy two likeminded souls feel when they meet by extension through my sister. I guess it can happen!
So thrilled that you both enjoy the rich and rewarding simple abundance in life.
It’s not always clear and so easy to get lost in the engulfing tide of material ‘things’ and over consumerism. We need very little to thrive on and survive. Great friendships, a whole spirit and love really can help fill the void!
Carry on and I will follow!!!
xoxo Rachel (Rufina’s biological little sister)
Yes, it was truly amazing meeting Rufina! Would love to meet next time I’m up! And looking forward to your mom’s cooking! I promised your parents to make sure I stay for dinner the next time.
What a lovely couple!
I’m glad you liked it! And you’re the only family member who missed meeting Zully!
Thank you for such beautiful words! I absolutely must meet you next time we are up. I truly love Rufina and had the pleasure to meet Mom and Dad! What joyful souls! <3
Zully, I am so glad you coaxed lovely Rufina back into the blog world. (Even though you both look way too young to be in your 40s.) These are wise and beautiful words…….good advice indeed.
Thank you! And I’m happy she agreed!!!
Thank you for reading winsomebella! I’m really honored that you think my words are wise and beautiful, as you must know what a huge fan I am of yours!
Pingback: Guest Post! « Being Rufina
Zully, how very fortunate we are to be able to blend two worlds into one. You are now here with me in Potsdam! I just love it.
Yay!
Grateful to Zully for bringing you back even if it is for a brief moment Rufina! And excellent advice! As a ‘bigger sister’ let me tell you both, it gets easier to de-clutter your life as you get older. And yes I feel light and free now that I have mastered it
Hi Madhu! I had so much fun doing this for Zully as a guest blogger! It’s funny how much easier it is to do something for someone else than it is for yourself!! I learned something new in this actually…and Zully and I are having a blast getting to know each other in person now that she is actually here, living large for a few days with me in my small town. I look forward to more repeat visits from Zully, and I hope you will look me up too if you ever find yourself in northern New York. xo Rufina
I most certainly willl if/when I get there
I’m happy that Rufina was back, too!!! xoxoxo
Wonderful post, Rufina! Zully, I have also had the pleasure of Rufina welcoming me into her house. It has a wonderful and beautiful energy just like Rufina. I hope you enjoy your time in NY and NJ. It is a wonderful time of year to be in upstate NY.
Thank you Sara! Love your comments, so sweet… When are you coming back to visit me in NY?
I had a wonderful time!! You are so right, the energy in her home was as beautiful as Rufina!
I enjoyed this post immensely. Great advice and great writing voice Rufina! (That’s my compliment meant to inspire you to keep blogging, because you are really very fun to read). Zully, nice choice of guest blogger. You already know that life is much more fun when you share with the ones you care about, and it is great to experience how you work that into even your own creative endeavors. Bravo!
Life is much more fun when you share….love that! So simple and so true. Essence of oasis thinking, I can tell. We should all be so lucky to find our own oasis in life, whatever shape or form it takes. And I must admit, I do miss blogging already…;)
Yay! Come back! I was hoping you’d miss it!
Thanks for always supporting me!!! xoxoxo
You are very welcome. Safe travels!