Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Copia's Social Life: More than a Community

I am dedicating this article to a dear friend of mine, Ahnalisa. She inspires me in many ways. I admire her clear and concise ways of communicating her needs and the way her heart is open in giving and in receiving. She truly has a beautiful soul.
Every other Halloween Ahnalisa and her husband, Michael, host a party; El Dia de los Muertos. This is a Mexican celebration that focuses on the gathering of family and friends. Famously it is also a celebration to remember family members and friends who have died. The actually holiday occurs on November 2nd. Due to the close timing of Halloween, El Dia de los Muertos (also known as The Day of The Dead) is often thought to be simular to Halloween when in actuality the holidays have little in common. But over the years Ahnalisa's party has evolved to celebrate both prodigious alter ego costumes and deceased loved ones. Everyone who has attended the bash at least once knows to mark the calender for the next one in two years.
At the last party in November, Ahnalisa kept announcing throughout the evening that this would be the last party. The guest list had grown so large the house and yard were busting at the seams. The preparations begin an entire month in advance, the home gets completely rearranged, and the clean-up; can you imagine cleaning up after 150 plus people (I never took an actual head count)! I don't even want to clean up after a dinner for three.
At one point in the evening Ahnalisa had made her last party announcement to me. A dramatic yet bona fide Nooooo poured from my mouth. And beautiful Ahanlisa, through her naughty Raggedy Anne costume, looked me straight in the eye and said, "You show up tomorrow and help clean up and maybe I'll think about another party"!
Well, she must of said that to every single person there because the next day Michaeal and Ahnlisa's home was filled with friends helping to clean up and put their home in order again. My kids and I were the last to come. It was 4:00 p.m. many had come, few were left and I found plenty to do. Ahnalisa and I found a quite moment over a stack of clean clothes which we folded together to reflect upon the joy everyone shared in the last 48 hours. Ahnalisa shared how grateful she was that so many came together to help in so many ways. I heard her say that maybe, just maybe, there will be another El Dia de los Muertos!

Love and Light,
Jules
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Meet Copia

In Roman mythology, Copia is the Goddess of Abundance. Her name means ‘abundance’. In addition it means ‘plenty’, ‘wealth’, ‘opportunity’ and ‘resources’. She carries a cornu copia overflowing with the fruits of harvest and wealth. “The Horn of Plenty”; a magical goat’s horn the gives everything anyone desires. It is important to mention that Copia is often associated with Fortuna, the Roman Goddess of Fortune, Luck and Fate.

But I did not purposefully name this blog after Copia. I was looking for a word that described a life of truth and integrity. I like the word authentic; Authentic Life. But it appears that many others on the internet like that word too. I also like the word intelligent; Intelligent Life. But John Tesh uses the phrase “Intelligent Life” on his radio shows. Then came the word copious; Copious Life.

Copious

Pronunciation:

\kō-pē-əs\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

14th century Middle English, from Latin copiosus, from copia abundance, from co- + ops wealth

Synonyms:

Ample; abundant; plentiful; plenteous; opulent; rich; full; exuberant; overflowing; full.

Definition:

1 a: yielding something abundantly; a copious harvest, copious springs. b: plentiful in number; copious references to other writers.

2 a: full of thought, information, or matter b: profuse or exuberant in words, expression, or style; a copious talker.

3: present in large quantity: taking place on a large scale; copious weeping, copious food and drink.


Well, okay so this word will do. I know I want plenty of what ever it is I desire in my life; money, healthy, patience, joy etc., … So I’ll sign up and create a copious life!

When pronounced, copious sounds very similar to Copia’s. After researching and discovering a linguistic connection these two words have, I thought Copia was quite nifty! Since this blog is about money and I think women (mostly) will read this blog, I gave Copia a purse (because most women can relate to having a purse) instead of a goat’s horn.

So there you have it. That is who Copia is. Hopefully she resonates inside each of us.

Cheers to a life of abundance – A Copious Life!