some random thoughts on a rainy cold day

[Michael]

Namaste. My immediate reaction to the world around us is noticing that there is a great deal of recognition that it is through self awareness that we become more effective as peacemakers.
I find that without my spiritual center being addressed daily through sunrise and sunset meditation, and constant prayer I become less effective immediately. the forces of the universe that we understand from our particular cultural perspectives as our faiths are the driving and unifying force that will heal the earth, I learned a concept from reading Ram Dass' book Still Here that without a life of service all is lost from our own actions.
Every breath should contain a prayer, every prayer an expression of good will toward all, beginning with those that we find ourselves in conflict with.
On a lighter note even multinationals and corporate money changers need our prayers, they are after all simply groups of individuals whose mindsets we are attempting to change. Shalom, Shanti, Peace and light Michael

[LaraL36]

Remember when. . .

Everyone knew at least one person who had a garden, a fruit/nut tree, or flowers,
and everyone shared when there was a surplus?
Your mom said, “Go play!” she meant outside, and the unspoken remark that went with it was usually ‘until dark?’
Parents weren’t afraid of letting their children go outside and play until dark?
It was o.k. for children to get dirty when they played (and parents didn’t follow them around with anti-bacterial soap)?
Learning how to make mud pies was a rite of passage for children?
The most exciting part of grade school was getting into the classroom to see if your bean plant had grown (sooner or taller than anyone else’s)?
Taking a walk or exercising meant doing something outside?
Fear of germs, bombs, and germs used in bombs didn’t rule our lives?
Our lives moved at a slower pace, and we still got all the necessary things done?

Do you miss it?
I do. . . .

But we don’t have to anymore.
We can stop some of the madness in our everyday lives. . . .
We can return to that slower, less stressful pace.

How?

We can start by taking as little as 15 minutes a day for ourselves, and do something productive, like:
Take a walk outside.
Buy a houseplant, and spend 15 minutes a day taking care of it.
Turn the TV off and read something educational.
Sit and listen to the quiet, or the sounds of nature around you.
Just be still.

That small amount of time is enough to mediate the impact of the extraordinary pace at which we are required to function.

Try it and see. . . the worst that can happen is that you have 15 minutes to yourself!

[admin]

To my most dependable friend Lara, Thank you so much for your contribution.
I do remember and I am sure that a lot more people do. You warm and thoughtful words are inspiring and i hope stimulate a lot of thought amongst those who get an opportunity to read them. if you don't mind I will make a blog out of them also, the are a little easier for people to access sometimes, a more familiar format and such.
Peace and light, much love. michael.