To see a World in a Grain of Sand,

And Heaven in a Wild Flower,

Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand,

And Eternity in an hour.

-William Blake

I can remember quite vividly life as a four year old little girl, walking slowly into my grandmother's kitchen and focusing my eyes on the small details of a cabinet knob for the first time.  Not that I had never seen this particular knob, it had been there long before I was born, but I had never been truly aware of it prior to that moment.  I was intrigued by the design - the metal strips were woven together, basket-like, forming the shape of a circle, surrounding a capitulum of sorts, as in the middle of a daisy.  I stared in awe, not only in seeing the intricacies for the first time, but in feeling awareness in my soul.

To capture the pure essence of that childlike view is something I strive for on a daily basis.  It is so easy to go about the day without noticing beauty and newness, passing the plants in the office hurriedly attempting to check email, blocking out the sounds of birds chirping with restless thoughts, walking the dog without noticing the spring flowers that are blooming all around.  When we take a closer look at the wonders all around us NOW, we begin to feel the muse that inspires poets.  It's all right here and it's up to us to always be keenly aware.

So today, when I slice an apple, I will examine it as if I had just removed blinders and take in the crispness, the fragrance and the taste.  When I wash the dishes tonight, I will watch the beautiful, opalescent film move about each bubble, reflecting light into my eyes.  I encourage you to join me.  By magnifying details, we gain perspective.

In your veins, and in mine, there is only one blood, The same life that animates us all!  Since one unique mother begat us all, Where did we learn to divide ourselves? 

- Kabir

When you call yourself an Indian or a Muslim, or a Christian, or a European, or anything else,you are being violent.  Do you see why?  Because you are separating yourself from the rest of mankind.  When you separate yourself by belief, by nationality, by tradition it breeds violence.

-Krishnamurti 

Have you ever been aware of how often we tend to identify ourselves by our religions, talents or race, thereby dividing ourselves from the rest of mankind? 

"I am a Christian", "I am a Buddhist", "I am an artist", "I am a producer", "I am an actor", "I am an author", "I am a bank teller", "I am a janitor", "I am African American", "I am Caucasian", "I am a Pacific Islander"...these are all statements I've heard stated my entire life.  If you were to break down each of those statements, you would see the that they are dividing us from each other - from mankind.  For example, in the statement "I am a bank teller"..are all 'bank tellers' the same?  I go in to the bank about once a week and I know for sure each 'teller' I come into contact with has different facial features, a different accent, a different hairstyle, a different attitude.  Labels are created specifically to divide, to organize.  Labels give an opportunity for ignorant people to make blanket statements such as "bank tellers are uptight".  You get the picture.

So, why give an opportunity to put a label on yourself by saying "I am a...", when really you are just human.  We must keep in mind, in our movement for peace, in our work toward equality, to identify ourselves by what we truly are, not by what we do, or by what race was passed on to us, or by what religious philosophies we choose to believe. 

"I play soccer", "I enjoy surfing", "I work as an accountant", "my parents are from China"...each statement allows the other to see beyond the labels, to look inside and love you for the brother or sister you are. 

 
Each fresh insight makes you see the world a little differently.

Habits are hard to break. We become addicted to our own ways of ritualizing our day. Change your patterns. Drive the car to a park, or have a walk to the train this morning. Go out in the garden to read the mail. Shake up your day and you'll gain new impressions.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source

strength  

noun

If you haven't already had the opportunity, I encourage everyone to watch the documentary titled "Invisible Children".  Following is the description on the DVD case:

CAN A STORY CHANGE THE WORLD?

In the spring of 2003, three young Americans traveled to Africa in search of such a story.  What they found was a tragedy that disgusted and inspired them.  A story where children are the weapons, and children are the victims.  The "Invisible Children: rough cut" film exposes the effects of a 20 year-long war on the children of Northern Uganda.  These children live in fear of abduction by rebel soldiers, and are being forced to fight as part of a violent army.  This wonderfully reckless documentary is fast paced, with an MTV beat, and is something truly unique.  To see Africa through young eyes is humorous and heart breaking, quick and informative - all in the very same breath.  

See this film, you will forever be changed.   

....

I watched this film this evening and couldn't hold back my tears.  Not only did it make me want to do something to help (and find out what I can do...any means possible), it also was a quick heart and reality check.  I am so lucky.  Do I fear that rebels are going to come and take over my neighborhood, shooting and killing and raping my neighbors?  No.  Do I fear that the kids across the street are going to be forced to carry AK-47s?  No.  What do I fear?  How about being in an awkward social situation, saying the wrong thing or not saying anything at all when my mind is running a mile a minute with a million things to say?  Funny how those petty fears go right out the window when you get a blunt, clear perspective on reality.  

I agree.  This film has changed my life.  What about yours? 

Check out www.invisiblechildren.com

(From www.nesea.org) 

 WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SAVE MONEY AND LIVE GREEN!

Most of us are dependent on fossil fuels, which are causing havoc for our health, wallets, environment, and future.

 
However, you can make a difference on a global level, by incorporating responsible practices daily.

 
Here are the top 10 steps you can take to save money and energy, reduce climate change emissions (CO2) and reliance on foreign oil, and improve our air quality and quality of life.
 
1. Purchase green electricity; it’s easy and quick to do!
Contact your electricity supplier, check their web site, or go to www.green-e.org to learn about purchasing “clean electricity” and support renewable energy production.  Depending on your supplier, you can pay a little bit more for clean renewable electricity or you can purchase renewable energy certificates.
 
2. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent energy-efficient light bulbs.
Compact fluorescent bulbs use about one-fourth less electricity than incandescent, reduce CO2 emissions, last 9,000+ hours longer than incandescent bulbs, and offset approximately 1.5 tons of emissions per household per year. They may cost more to buy, but save you money in the long run.
 
3. Turn off your computer when done and unplug appliances if not used often.
Save money on electricity bills, reduce electricity consumption, and reduce CO2 emissions. Most appliances and computers use electricity even when “off.” In hot weather, an idling computer adds heat to a room, forcing air conditioning to run longer and use even more electricity to lower the temperature.
 
4. Choose Energy Star labeled appliances when purchasing new ones.
Save money on energy bills, reduce electricity consumption, and reduce CO2 emissions.
 
5. Weatherize your home.
Seal cracks in your home by weather stripping and caulking, and add insulation to reduce heating and cooling bills, energy consumption, and CO2 emissions.  Many electricity and heating suppliers offer low cost or free home energy audits to help you pinpoint areas that need attention, and make the changes.
 
6. Install solar panels and/or a solar hot water heating system.
Invest in reducing energy consumption by harnessing the power of the sun and reduce CO2 emissions.
 
7. Ask for a Green Home when purchasing, renovating, or building a home.
It’s healthier and saves money on energy bills, reduces electricity consumption, and reduces CO2 emissions.
 
8. Purchase a fuel-efficient automobile.
Save money on fuel and reduce CO2 emission concentrations.
 
9. Use alternate transportation.
Consider walking, biking, using public transit, or an electric scooter before you drive.
 
10. Purchase locally grown organic food as often as possible.
Reduce CO2 emissions since the food travels a shorter distance to your plate, and buying organic assures that petroleum-based fertilizers are not used.
 
Here’s a bonus…for the activist in you, whether bold or shy, this is a great way to communicate your opinion!

Be active in your community, vote, and write letters.
Let your voice be heard and your thoughts be known to your state and federal representatives!  You can make a difference by supporting the installation of a clean renewable energy facility such as a wind turbine, a biofueled facility, or landfill gas recovery facility in your community.

 
Sources: nesea.org; ucsusa.org; uspirg.org; sierraclub.org; populationconnection.org

I found this quote on a card while browsing a gift shop today and loved it so much, I felt the need to share it.  Enjoy!

...

Be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars; to be satisfied with your possessions; to despise nothing in the world except falsehood and meanness, and to fear nothing except cowardice; to be governed by your admirations rather than by your disgusts; to covet nothing that is your neighbor's except his kindness of heart and gentleness of manners; to think seldom of your enemies, often of your friends...and to spend as much time as you can, with body and with spirit.  These are little guideposts on the footpath to peace. - Henry Van Dyke

Isn't 'love' the sum of all good?  Isn't 'love' the foundation for all religious doctrines?  Isn't 'love' the ultimate goal? Then why is it we push it away?

....

Love is patient, love is kind.  it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  

Love never fails.  (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)

....

I have just spent a day at work, making phone calls to people that could care less about me other than getting a purchase order number, a meeting scheduled, or an answer about some useless information.  When those things are accomplished, the relationship is finished.  I spent 30 minutes going through mail, 3 envelopes of which were junk mail..a waste of time to open in the first place, one envelope which contained my tax information...I rejoiced, had a happy thought about the amount of money my accountant was able to get me as a refund, but sadly, I won't think of her again until next year.  Who knows how much time I spent today fretting about my dating life..."Is he interested, is he not?" and "Should I say yes to this date or not?"...when if there's a question, should I spend any time thinking of it at all?  Ridiculous.

How many times this week did I think about returning an email from my little cousin (who loves me unconditionally), but decided to put it off another day?  How many times have I thought about returning the call to that old friend (who has known me since I was 3, and STILL loves me), yet have allowed work to consume my time?  How many times has my phone rang and I've rolled my eyes because, God forbid, someone was thinking about me and wanted to say hello?  How many times have I received date invitations from men who are genuinely interested in me as a person, but I turned them down (because I had better things to do...or someone to chase who wasn't at all interested in me)?  How many times have I not wanted to be bothered by my dog who approaches me with a toy when I come home from work, just wanting to spend time with me (because she loves me unconditionally)?  How many times have I cried out to the Universe to put loving people in my life and ignored or even rejected the ones who were already there?

Do you see the ingredients of love mentioned above?  Who in their right mind wouldn't want that?  And yet I, in my ignorance, have decided at times to reject those who have been perfectly willing and able to show me love, as described above. I don't understand it. I don't understand the need to want to push love away.  I don't understand that, though love is the ultimate goal,  I can choose to fill my time with useless things and selfish people.  I choose TODAY to dig my heels into this issue and decide to love, once and for all.  Awareness is always a good start.

Tao te Ching - 76

Men are born soft and supple;

dead, they are stiff and hard.

Plants are born tender and pliant;

dead, they are brittle and dry.

Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible

is a disciple of death.

Whoever is soft and yielding

is a disciple of life.

The hard and stiff will be broken.

The soft and supple will prevail.

(From the Tao te Ching - New English Version by Stephen Mitchell)

To the tree that shades my car.  To the flowers that bloom on the tree that shades my car.  To the pink on the flowers that bloom on the tree that shades my car.  To the bees that transfer pollen from the anther to the stigma of the pink flowers that bloom on the tree that shades my car.  To the night moon that shines through the leaves and the flowers that were pink in the day, black at night, resting up for another day of simple, miraculous magnificence and providing much appreciated shade for my car, I show my gratitude.

How dare I not make a difference in my community, when my freedom to vote has been paid for?  How dare I not speak my mind, when my freedom of speech has been paid for?  How dare I not make full use of my intelligence, when my freedom to acquire an education has been paid for?  How dare I not surround my heart with people of many cultures, when my freedom to integrate has been paid for?  How dare I not hold my head high in full confidence, when my freedom to live has been paid for?

Choose freedom...it's already been paid for. 

"While you are upon earth, enjoy the good things that are here." -John Selden

... 

Where are the 'good things'?  EVERYWHERE!  When was the last time you drove in to work and paid attention to the 'good things' you pass?  I am lucky enough to live in a place where my drive in to work includes a view of the ocean and a gorgeous canyon filled with trees, rock formations and various wildlife.  You'd be surprised at how often my mind is solely focused on making it there on time, listening to the traffic report, and thinking about what stresses my day will bring.  It's no wonder by the time I get to the office my shoulders are stuck to my ears!  It's the days that I say "wow" when I pass deer feeding on the hill above my home, "wow" at the clear view of the aqua-blue ocean, and "wow" to the clouds rising up through the canyon, that I arrive at work with a genuine smile on my face and a heart ready to take on the world. 

Where ever you are, don't forget to take the time to notice the 'good things', to acknowledge the 'good things', to say "wow".

I live in California.  Here, though lovely, I don't experience the wonder of the seasons.  I lived in Virginia the first part of this year and saw the plant life turn from winter to early summer.  I was amazed. 

When I arrived, there was not a leaf on a tree, not a flower in sight.  Only tiny patches of snow here and there and a few tufts of brown grass.  In a matter of weeks, the trees were covered in leaves and blossoms, wildflowers sprouted up around the river, everything was green.   I had to pinch myself.  Though I traveled to Virginia to work, I took that opportunity to make a lot of changes in my life.  Like a gardener, I weeded out the things that were not helping me to grow.  Certain relationships, eating habits, financial patterns, and time management were all placed at new levels on my priority list.  Some didn't even make it onto that list...and I felt great.  While experiencing this new found freedom, I was able to take a step back and relate to the plant life changing around me. 

We easily forget, as humans, that we-just as the trees, the grass, the flowers, and the water-are just a working part of nature.  Just as an apple tree needs water and sunlight and the right living conditions to bear fruit, so do we. 

So many of us have been or are currently in a creative rut.  We get stuck-we bear no fruit and become depressed, anxiety ridden and feel there must be something utterly wrong with us.  Well, there just isn't.  Every year trees shed all of their leaves and look desolate.  At the first site of an apple tree during the cold months, you might believe it is useless, an eyesore, worthless.  But no.  The tree naturally needs rest.  The tree isn't stressing out that it didn't bear fruit or write a good script, or finish that song, or meet that quota.  The tree just is.  And so should we be.  Sometimes our creative little minds need a natural break.  A time to shed its leaves, shut down and prepare itself for the next season of 'bearing fruit'.  Instead of hating yourself and hating life during that time, you can take a moment to nurture yourself.  Create the right living conditions by clearing clutter that can distract, meeting up with positive people who make you feel good, eating good food that is good for you, resting when your body calls for rest.  Then, just be.  It will come, naturally.