Welcome the New Year, a year of hope and promise. The
New Year is an unspoiled page in the book of time. It offers the next
chance at the art of living. It brings a new opportunity to practice
what you have learned during the last 12 months of life. All that you
sought the past year and failed to find is hidden in the New Year. It is
awaiting to be searched again and with more determination. All the good
that you have tried to do for others and didn't achieve last year is
awaiting in the New Year if you have fewer selfish and conflicting
desires. The New Year holds the potential of all that you dreamed but
didn't dare to do, all that you hoped but didn't perform, all you prayed
for but didn't experience. These dreams slumber lightly, waiting to be
awakened by the touch of an enduring purpose. Welcome to the New Year!
May yours be a blessed one in all ways!
How
do you see your world? Half empty? Half full? Partly cloudy? Partly
sunny? I won't win so why should I play? Which phrases sound familiar to
you?
How we look at our lives, our situation, often determines the
outcome, the real outcome, the future. But, it's not the result at the
end that counts. Rather, it is the journey that allows us many
opportunities to experience life.
The above phrases not only pertain to the proverbial glass or sky or
lottery odds, but to our lives as well. When we look at our lives with a
half-empty attitude,
we feel a lack and think that other half is what's missing. We approach
life from a position of expectation when we use that thought process.
That attitude skews our future life journey if we allow it to continue.
We do have a choice. We can choose to look at our lives as half-full.
That way we perceive fullness and are grateful for what we do have.
Looking at it as a gift - not an entitlement. In half-full thinking, we
count our blessings, seeing all the elements in place and all the things
we do have. This draws positive energy into our lives which attracts
more abundance.
How do we allow our glasses, our lives, to be half-full more often?
First, imagine your life as an empty glass. No friends, no family, no
home, no income, etc. It's just an empty glass, waiting to be filled.
Once you can clearly feel that emptiness in your mind, begin filling it.
Fill it with people, things, places that make up your life and more
than anything else, with love. Don't be surprised if your glass is soon
over-flowing.
During
the past few holiday seasons I have made a concerted effort to note
every-day-like events that reflect the essence of the meaning of the
season, those times that make you stop, smile or quiver a lip, a be
happy to be part of the brotherhood of man moment. These can be planned
events, random acts of kindness, or spur of the moment happenings. The
following illustrate what I am referring to.
During the holiday season, a couple cashed in their coins at a local
grocery store. A gentleman witnessed them doing so and quickly,
discreetly, dropped a $20 bill in front of them apparently thinking they
were struggling financially and wanted to help. Awe struck at what
happened they recovered their senses much too late to even say
thank-you. What did they do? Knowing a jobless, single mother of 8 who
was without a doubt struggling in all ways, they passed the $20 on to
her. The mother wisely used the $20 to pay for several loads of laundry
for her children’s clothes. The children’s self-images rose the next day
as they proudly, happily wore their clean clothes to school with a
smile and a bounce in their step.
A fragrance was left on hands that day. It is a fragrance that cannot
be bottled and found on the shelf of your favorite retailer. It is a
fragrance that can start with you and one small, simple act. Let’s call
it “Eau de Giving”. Pick some up today!
Another witnessed event occurred at a local retail establishment
where I was employed. An adult special-needs man was visiting the store
with his father. Unbeknownst to the father, his son decided to use the
restroom in the store. The father turned and not seeing his son, went
into an immediate alarm state, running through the store, calling for
him. The father even ran outside to see if his son returned to the car.
Still not finding him he returned to the sore. Store management
approached him and he explained the situation. A “Code Adam” was
immediately enacted. After a few minutes (seemed like an eternity), his
son came walking out of the restroom, oblivious to the alarm or concern
going on. The look, the cry of joy, the embrace by his father upon
seeing that his son was safe was priceless. The relief and love between
the two just gushed a happy ending, indeed.
Or, another year, same store….a lady buying several items to donate
to the “Christmas Tree” program was checking out and the cashier
commented on such a lovely act of kindness. Suddenly, the customer
behind her told her she would pay for the second cart of items she
planned on purchasing. Result…, 2 not 1, acts of selfless giving, acts
that I’m sure resulted in big smiles on many happy children’s faces.
Or, another year, same store……
I was working on the sales floor when I felt a tug on my shirt. I
turned and came face-to-face (well, face to shoulder actually) with a
young special needs teen. “Can I give you a hug?” she asked. I glanced
behind her to her mom who nodded a yes and I smiled as the girl and I
shared a special hug. She then asked if I worked there and when told
yes, she said that I had better get get back to work. Wow! Talk about a
day-lifter.
Or, most recently, at a local laundromat, a mother and her
approximately 6 year-old son came in to do so laundry. The boy, very
eager to help, proudly plugged the washer with quarters and then stood
back and watched the washer spin. The facility owner called the boy
over, after clearing it with mom, and handed the boy a holiday bag of
seasonal candy. The bag was received with a huge smile. Wait, there’s
more! A few minutes later, another mother came in. This time the child
was about 1 year-old and of a different racial ethnicity than the first
child. The facility owner, again after checking with the second mom,
gave her a similar holiday bag. Everyone went about their business. Out
of the corner of my eye, I caught the 2 children sitting on the floor
across from each other, laughing, giggling and sharing their bags,
oblivious to any prejudices that may exist in today’s society. Hatred is
definitely not in their vocabulary. I made the owner aware of what
happened, pointing out what his act of giving 2 simple bags of candy
meant to the children and how wonderful it would be if it were that
simple to bring about peace, uniting the world together. Hopefully, this
interaction at their young ages leads to them not seeing differences in
mankind in their future, but rather the commonality. On another level, 2
youngsters enjoyed some candy and each other’s company for an hour.
They most likely will forget the event shortly, but it’s potential to
serve as a building block to an attitude of acceptance and understanding
will leave an impression to be realized years from now as they reach
adulthood and then pass it down to the younger generation. As I told the
owner that day, “Well done, well done!”
All these events of giving selflessly during the holiday season
epitomize the potential of humankind. Why not practice it year round in
an effort to change the world, one step at a time and turn such a dream
into reality.
I invite everyone to be on the lookout this holiday season for examples of the real holiday season being demonstrated. If you can't find any, you can always make one! Keep checking back here for updates and what I observed this year.
Who
are you? No, really, who are you? In a one word answer, who are you?
I’m not asking what your name is. If you changed your name you would
still be the same person. So, who are you? How do you define, describe
yourself? Are you (fill in your occupation)? If so, what happens if you would leave that job? Would you stop being? Are you (fill in political affiliation)? If you switched parties do you cease to be?
The most common answers given to the “who are you?” query are labels.
While unfortunately necessary to expedite conversations, labels are
stereotypes that often do harm in causing misunderstandings. Not much
can be put under one label properly. People are multi-faceted. The
question asked is what is at the top of those facets? What are the
priorities? Labels are others’ perception of you. A reply of a famous
individual when asked if he was so-and-so was “I am what you say I am”.
A person’s perception is their reality. So, how they see you is what
you are to them. That may be completely different to the person standing
next to them. Who is right? They both are for it is their perception
and thus their reality in their world.
Why is it important to identify who you are? To do so gives purpose,
aim, direction to life and peace to your soul. It sets a standard for
one to live by in times of trouble, turmoil, decision-making and
guidance –seeking.
Are we today what we were yesterday? Unlikely as life’s path exposes
us to many experiences and environments in order for us to achieve our
life’s goal. These individual events combine to form us into who and
what we are today and will be tomorrow. As one is added, we learn from
it and are changed (hopefully for the better). We are not stagnant in
our personal growth and development at any age.
You are who you are. You cannot force yourself to be someone or
something you are not. Yes, often times we must compromise to play the
“survival” game, but through it all our soul stays constant. Be who you
are. Live your life. Study for the test. The most important question in
the test of life is “Who are you?”
Sit down with a pen and paper. Number the paper 1 to 10. Without
repeating an answer and using 1 or 2 word answers at most, answer the
question “Who am I?” Don’t over analyze or agonize the process, write
down what comes to mind.
When done, do not discuss with anyone and hand a paper and pen to a
friend. Give them the same instructions, answering who you are. When
finished, compare the 2 lists. I bet there is an eye-opener or two on
the lists along with some confirmations as you see the common answers.
See some of their answers you do not like? Don’t automatically ignore
them. Maybe you are giving off unintended images that lead to unwanted
receptions. If so, make a mental note and try to make some little
changes so that that your perceived image matches closer to your
intended image and the real you.
Remember, nobody’s list is wrong. The list reflects the list writer’s
perception, their reality. Now, be ready to answer someone when they
ask you “Who are you"?
“What
is right for one soul may not be right for another. It may mean having
to stand on your own and do something strange in the eyes of
others.”….Eileen Caddy
Eileen Caddy MBE, 1917-2006, was a spiritual teacher and new age author, best known as one of the founders of the Findhorn Foundation community at the Findhorn Ecovillage, near the village of Findhorn, Moray Firth, in northeast Scotland.
Upon reading this quote I immediately turned to religion choices as
the main topic. Religion is man-made, made to provide answers to the
mysteries of life. Over time, some of those mysteries were solved by
science and the pure passing of time. Other mysteries, Purpose of life,
life after death, existence of a god, etc., remain. In ancient times
many of these mysteries were answered by what we now refer to as
mythology. AT the time, the answers were considered truth. Then, as now,
those so-called answers did not resonate with everybody. Most kept
their non-acceptance to themselves, out of fear of being ostracized (or
worse) by their communities. People find their answers to the mysteries
of life from many resources, often combing information and beliefs of
multiple belief systems and personalizing them. Others take in the
boxed-set of standard religions.
Who is right? Which belief system is right? They are all right for
that individual because they fit the needs and provide believable,
understandable answers to those who are searching. While we are all
“one” we remain individuals with individual, unique thoughts, likes and
dislikes. Imagine if we all talked alike, dressed the same, drove the
same type and color car. Ditto for our religious and spiritual beliefs.
Hard to imagine? None of the choices are wrong for those who opt to
follow one or another path. As the saying goes, all paths lead to the
same spot, whatever you call it.
Religion gives you hope, a sense of security, a calmness,
peacefulness, an inner understanding, an understanding of the
non-understandable – the mysteries of life. It doesn’t matter where it
comes from, a book, a handed-down belief system, a 2,000 or 20,000 year
old religion or a 5 year old one. If it fits an individual and causes
harm to no one, so be it.
Be passionate about your religion while being compassionate toward
others. Live it. Wear it on your sleeve if you like. Practice it in your
everyday life. As you do, be respectful and mindful of those who follow
a different path, for at the end of the journey, your paths will lead
you to the same destination.
There
have been many accounts written and told about near-death and/or
death experiences. I recently had a discussion with someone who
experienced such an event. I will withhold their name for privacy
reasons and will refer to her as Jane Doe.
The
event occurred in 1978 at the now UPMC Altoona Hospital. The day
prior, Jane had been bathing in her upstairs apartment, also located
in Altoona. Suffering from a bout with the flu, she was definitely not
feeling well, as anyone who has experienced the flu can relate to.
Finishing her bath, wrapped in a drying towel, she stepped from the
tub and apparently fainted, falling to the floor with a loud thump.
Her downstairs neighbor, hearing the noise, quickly ran to her aid and
called for an ambulance immediately. She reclaimed consciousness as
she was transported to the local hospital where she was diagnosed
with dehydration and low-level of electrolytes. She was admitted to
the hospital and ordered scomplete bed rest.
Hooked
up to IVs , she rested, sleeping on and off overnight. The following
day, she felt a bit better but still weak. As she was talking to her
mother on the phone she didn't feel any better or worse. Mid-sentence
something happened. According to her hospital roommates (wards in
those days, no semi-private rooms), they all heard a loud crash and
saw Jane slumped over. Between the noise of the phone falling and the
yelling of the patients for help, the nurses and staff came running.
While this was happening, Jane found herself in a black hole. She
recalls a sensation of floating, akin to the feeling of floating on
water. She floated deeper into the black hole. A feeling of peace,
contentment overcame her. As she floated, she heard murmur-like sounds
from below. Her floating continued to take her further into the black
hole. As she did, she noticed the blackness, darkness was getting
lighter, less dense.
Her
next recollection is that of CPR being done on her and a heavy
feeling in her chest area. The doctor was talking to her only for the
whole process she had just experienced to be repeated. Finally, this
time while talking to the doctor she returned fully to her
surroundings. She still felt weak, a bit confused and that her nurses
were giving her "funny" looks and their short conversation
exchanges were in bits and pieces. She started to put those pieces
together as to what she had just experienced. Her heart had stopped,
breathing had stopped, both twice. She remained in the hospital 7-10
days before being released home to fully recover her strength.
The
review of what she experienced began and the after results. She
recalls a calming effect during the event and afterwards a lack of
fear when contemplating death. While her religious beliefs did not
change as a result, she still believed in life after death for
example, her paranormal awareness was heightened. While had
experienced certain gifts since childhood, she seemed to be a
stronger conduit and more attuned to the paranormal world.
As
we all experience life in our own unique way, so too, do we
experience the dying experience. All who survive to tell of the
process refer to events and feelings as they experienced. They may
differ from others but that does not make it less accurate. Some more
detailed than others, some longer in length of time, some contrary to
their previously held religious beliefs, but all life impacting
events.
What
are your thoughts? Have you, or do you know someone who has had a
near-death experience?
Over the years I have shied away from writing about politics and current events. Not that I was or am non- opinionated, but the political issues were hands-off due to my church's (Wisdom House Circle) tax exempt status and IRS restrictions. The current events always seem to get over-analyzed by the thousands of reporters and journalists.
But, today I feel compelled to render something about the chaos in the world, man's inhumanity to man, and the role of religion with respect to it. The recent attacks in Paris (11/13/15), on top of the 9/11 tragedy and countless number of cowardly, beastly acts by the self-proclaimed saviors of mankind, the jihadists, should have united the world against one target. But, that in itself is difficult since the jihadists are composed of many splinter groups, all with the same goal, but with different methods and targets. I am a pacifist and isolationist, according to some labelists, but also a realist (I really dislike labels).
Traditional logic, discussion and negotiation has little or no impact with some. Dr. Martin Luther King's quote: {"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that"} falls on ears of those with desires to be martyrs and face their death knowing they are loving and forgiving their slayers. For the majority of the world's population, self-preservation and/or safety of their loved ones are of paramount importance.
There are an estimated 320 million Muslim radicals/extremists/jihadists today all over the world. Current efforts to bomb suspected pockets of the terrorists have met with very limited positive results. The only active ground troops to speak of are Syrian and that's like...what's the worst of 2 evils?
No, I am not suggesting I have answers that can resolve a complex issue quickly. Mix religion, politics, egos and money and things get very, very complicated. I will, however, raise one question. There are approximately 1.6 billion Muslims world-wide. As stated earlier, about 20% are extremists/radicals, etc. Where are the 1 billion non-extremist/radical/terrorist Muslims? Where are the imams world-wide? The only ones I have heard about in the news are the few supporting the terrorist acts. Others insist the Muslim faith is a peace advocating religion. If so, why aren't the religious leaders speaking out condemning these vicious acts? Why aren't the billion Muslims rebelling against the violence? The terrorists have no limits on their targets, including Muslims who don't agree 100% with their ideology. Why is the world of 7.3 billion allowing this small percentage continue to create terror, fear, havoc in the world? Can the world indeed unite against 1 common enemy? What will it take for that to happen? Haven't we seen enough already? Didn't we see enough 14 years ago?
No, I don't have answers, just a lot of the same questions you probably have. I just needed to vent a bit and being an author gives me a venue to do so. If anyone else needs to release, please, feel free to use the reply boxes below. Your comments are always welcomed.
“Prayer is when you talk to God; meditation is when you listen to God.”…..Diana Robinson
Prayer is an effective and powerful way to focus on Deity or a
situation. (see earlier article titled “Invisible Power”) Prayer opens
up that line of communication and puts out positive energy, but what
then? Prayer is a request for guidance or assistance, direction, but how
do we receive that which we seek?
In today’s multi-media world it is often difficult to hear
those special answering messages, even if they come from within us. We must quiet our thoughts and filter out the static of the
outside world, focusing ourselves inward. Meditation is an act of doing
just that. Like prayer, there is no right or wrong way. The right way is
what works for you.
Do you have to use special words, in a precise manner at a
certain time and/or place to speak to Deity? Not mine. You don’t even
have to actually speak. Thoughts suffice.
Meditation has many benefits. On the mental and emotional
side, it reduces anxiety and depression by enabling your body to balance
itself. It allows you to make better decisions and improve critical
thinking, aids in breaking unhealthy habits and improves communication
with yourself giving you better control over what you think.
Meditation also has physical benefits. It slows the heartbeat
and metabolism. It clears your mind for better quality sleep. It slows
your respiration for longer, deeper breaths. While refining your ability
to focus on a goal or situation (aka visualization) it boosts your
immune system by slowing the production of stress hormones like
cortisol. The rest it provides gives the body a chance to recuperate,
re-energize and counter fatigue.
A point I would like to make to those trying meditation for
the first time is to be patient. You will not master it in one attempt.
Start small using short periods of time. Stop when your mind and body
says stop. Also, a big misconception is that the goal of meditation is
to clear the mind completely. That may be the ultimate goal of some
(thinking Buddhist monks) but not a realistic goal for most. Instead,
stay single focused. If other thoughts come in, acknowledge them and
quickly dismiss them, letting them pass through. The end results are
very similar to people who knit, sew, play sports or games. While doing
so they are single focused, blocking out the rest of the world.
Afterwards they realize a relief, a calming when it is all said and
done. So, don’t get discouraged or frustrated. Keep all senses open and
you will hear your prayer answers in some form.
Before you
read any further I must remind you to NOT kill the messenger. With that being
said, there are 42 days until the Christian holiday of Christmas (As when this was written) and 38 days
until the Pagan Sabbat of Yule! That’s right!! I can feel your stress already.
While I know
it’s easier said than done, try to keep the joy in the season. By the way, wouldn’t
it be wonderful to have that joyous, warmth to humanity feeling year round?No reason for it not to happen.
In an effort
to help de-stress, or at least minimize the holiday stress, I have accumulated
some ideas to help reach that goal. They are not in any particular order. Find
one or two or three that works for you.
That Perfect
Gift Stress: Trying to find that perfect gift? Ask the person what they want or
need. Shop early for a wider selection and stick to a budget.
Family
Get-Together Stress: Ease the stress of family get-togethers by serving
prepared foods. Schedule visits allotting time for recouping energy in between
visits. This may mean simplifying and/or prioritizing traditions. Be reasonable
and rational, not losing sight of the big holiday picture.
Holiday
Blues: It’s OK to feel sad and to express your feelings, ala melancholy. Do not
forget to take in some sunlight. The holiday season is also the time for
seasonal affective disorder, which carries symptoms, often misidentified as
normal holiday stress.
Holiday
Anxiety: Take a walk. The rhythm and repetition of walking has a tranquilizing
effect, decreasing anxiety and improving sleep, according to nutrition and
wellness expert Alan Kulze, M.D.
Over-All Stress:
Look to your hands. Apply firm pressure to the fleshy part of your hand between
the thumb and point finger for 30 seconds. This “Hoku” spot can reduce stress
and tension in the upper body. Try enjoying a spicy meal. Hot foods (and
orgasms) trigger the release of endorphins, the natural chemicals that trigger
feelings of euphoria and well-being, advises Dr. Kulze. Listen to some of your
favorite music, holiday or otherwise. Doing so can relax blood flow and calms
and aids heart functions, according to research form the University of
Maryland.
Holiday
Illness: Take time to laugh. Laughter helps your immune cells function better,
per psychologist Steve Wilson.
In summary,
do not try to over-do. Do not stretch yourself too thin. Do not push. Yes, the
holiday season is a specific time of year, but, there IS always
tomorrow. Besides, shouldn’t that holiday
season feeling last year-round?
“Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power.”…..Mary Pickens
Mary Pickens was a Canadian-American silent movie actress, 1892-1979.
She was a co-founder of United Artists and one of the founders of the
Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.
Are there really “mistakes”? Life is full of choices and learning
opportunities. That is the purpose of life – to learn how to become
closer to Deity and/or to help others reach the same goal. We do this by
experiencing varied situations.
When facing the results of our choices there are lessons learned,
regardless of what choice we made. So, as long as we learn something
from the resulting situation, can any choice be a mistake? One choice
may result in an uncomfortable or difficult situation while a different
choice, in hindsight, would have been smoother with an easier outcome.
How do we make that first choice a positive one? We do so by
acknowledging the process that led to the choice and the ensuing result.
Were our motives pure or selfish? Was it powered by financial greed?
Did we put our trust in the wrong person or people? Did we act hastily
without all the facts? Did we act out of anger or to anger others? Did
we depend on somebody else?
What do we do after it becomes obvious that the outcome was not the
one we envisioned? Again, we make note of what transpired, make the most
of it and promise ourselves not to make a similar choice again.
In the case where others are involved we should be mindful that while
we cannot control the actions of others, we can control our reaction to
them.
Our mistakes can also serve as a lesson to others. They can view our
choices, results and our reaction to them. If done wisely, they can
learn from our actions and use that info in their own choice-making
process.
Look for the positive in any situation. Look and you will find it.
Once found use it to assist you in making your future choices. Take
something with you from any situation. Do not waste a learning
opportunity.
Blessed Be!
You live through the darkness from what you learned in the light.”….Hope MacDonald
I, personally, think it is the opposite. Life is an experience, a
learning experience. Experiences help us learn or teach the valuable
lessons needed to enhance our development. When we experience difficult
circumstances and situations, we develop a new perspective on life. Our
priorities change and things that were once very important to us no
longer hold the same level of importance and vice versa. At times, these
experiences may seem as trials and put us in stressful situations. For
some, that is the best learning environment.
During such times, we need to take a step back, survey what is
happening, put things into perspective and look for that proverbial
“silver lining in the dark cloud”. That is where you will find
directions that will lead you in the future. While we should not live or
dwell on the past, we should not forget it. To do so will increase the
odds of us reliving such an experience until we chose a different
direction, grasping what we have learned and putting it into practice.
Otherwise, history will keep repeating itself. Remember Bill Murray’s
“Groundhog Day”?
Those types of experiences also allow us to identify with the
sufferings of others. They lead us form camaraderie with others who have
been through similar trials. A bond develops, allowing them to
acknowledge to each other what they have been through without actually
speaking of it. War vets, terrorism survivors, rape victims, transplant
patients, cancer survivors, Holocaust survivors are all examples of this
happening. They know how these trials and lessons affected others.
These experiences also allow us to better perceive the life trials of
others, regardless of their nature.
In the midst of these experiences, we seldom see the positives nor
appreciate the opportunity to do so. Valleys are difficult to admire and
appreciate while we are in them. However, once we climb out of the
valley, we can look back and admire the terrain we passed through. We
then are amazed that we prevailed and admire that those troubled times
yielded more positives than ever thought possible. The experience, in
hindsight, becomes a positive one and the pain and sorrow produced is
put aside, replaced by the positive lessons learned.
These experiences also allow us to look at what others are going
through with empathy, compassion and understanding, allowing us to
comfort and aid them as fellow human beings, children of the same
Universe. When you are in the valley of life, open your arms and accept
assistance from those who have been there themselves. When you are atop
the mountain, open your arms and reach down to help ease the trek of
those making their way up. For every mountaintop, there is a valley and
for every valley, there is a mountaintop. The journey over both is
“Life” and all the children of the Universe, you and I, have traveled
and continue to do so.
Taking
in the small joys of each day expands our feeling of being connected
with this world and beyond. That simple act is often extremely
difficult. We often grow indifferent to those “small” miracles since
they continuously happen, second-to second, and are not limited to one
small corner of our world. Look out your backyard, look in the mirror.
Miracles abound! We come to expect then and take them for granted.
It is, or should be, these every day aspects that bring us the most
joy. We are more apt to appreciate and full heartily grasp the
experience of living if we take the time and effort to acknowledge them.
It takes little time, little effort to acknowledge these wonders, but
the rewards are immeasurable. Look for the beauty, small acts of
kindness and laughter and what may, at first, seem like the ordinary
daily happenings, become miraculous events….birds fly, the sun shines,
human life is created and sustained….Look at the details. Ask yourself
how, why, when did this all start?
When you awake, set the intention to notice more joy in the world.
You will find it, small and big, and it will fill your life in
multi-dimensions. The sound of laughter, birds singing, water falling,
ocean surf crashing, and yes, even the dog barking, are all delightful
miracles happening daily in our world.
You will find your day and your life filled with more joy when you
make a practice of keeping your eyes, ears and all your senses open and
cognizant of the wonders around you. It’s one of the best natural
remedies around and definitely the least expensive. Start today and with
each passing day you will find these miracles abound, bringing you a
deeper appreciation for everything the Universe has given our lives.
All
too frequently we hear on the news of a person acting out, often
violently, because they felt the only way to initiate profound
transformation in their world was to take extreme action. They failed to
realize that each of us has the capacity to change the world in small
ways, for better or worse.
The impact you have on the world is greater than you imagine and the
choices you make can have far-reaching consequences, Your words and
actions are like stones dropped into still waters, causing ripples to
spread and expand as they move outward. You can use the ripple effect to
make it a positive difference and spread waves of kindness that will
wash over the world.
The recipient of a good deed will likely feel compelled to do a good
deed for someone else while someone feeling the effects of negative
energy will be more likely to pass on that negative energy.
One act of charity, one thoughtful deed, one positive thought can
pass from individual to individual. You have the power to touch the
lives of everyone you come into contact with and everyone else those
people come into contact with.
Every ripple has a starting point of origin. You must believe in your
ability to be that point of origin. Go ahead, throw that stone into the
water today. Start a ripple today!
