Following is a personal perspective designed to inform and entertain mostly of a general nature including my unique spin on the sexual, the sensual and the spiritual. Life itself! Also included are quips from day to day experiences. New posts are added regularly.
I recently saw this wonderful, short video that I immediately wanted to share with my subscribers. Don't worry, the video is not trying to sell anything.
All of us at one time or another have experienced a difficult situation, had setbacks, or dealt with our share of disappointment. Most things that happen to us on a daily basis we can't control and I can honestly say (with conviction) that it is not what happens to us that matters but rather, how we choose to respond.
I sometimes wonder why I need to be twelve thousand kilometres away from all the precious memories that had become engrained in me. Maybe this is for me to hear a touching story of people that do not necessarily share my culture, a story that has stayed with me since I heard it.
“Grantham is a tiny town west of Brisbane, in the Lockyer Valley that was devastated by flash floods on the 10th of January 2011. Many people have tragically lost their lives, homes and businesses with much of the town destroyed. The town has become known as “Australia's Ground Zero”. (Yahoo News, 15 January, 2011)
Almost two weeks after the flood, Ruth* waits for me in the waiting room of the Withcott Medical Centre, approximately 20 km from Grantham. She displays the vulnerability which one would expect of an 84 year old. We shake hands gently, and I do what I always do: check for synchronicity between her mouth and eyes. And in my eyes she appears 44, allowing her soul to shine through. Souls are, after all, ageless, and it is easier to speak with someone of my own age. She smiles and says that I need to sit close to her – her hearing aid and glasses were swept away in the flood. Our knees close to each other before we talk- bedroom parliament as our elders would refer to. She tells her story:
She and her husband, Clyde* (87), have been living with their 62 year old son, John* on his plot in Grantham. John grows vegetables and delivers it in the early hours of the morning. On 10 January her hardworking son is busy outside, and he freeze for a moment when he looks up and sees a wall of water rolling threateningly towards him. He runs to his elderly parent's cottage, and while the water starts flowing in, he grabs both his parents' hands. The water washes around their ankles, and Ruth falls. John pulls her up and shouts that they need to head for the shed. His heart drops to his shoes as they battle past Cocky, his beloved cockatiel. Cocky flounders in his cage while the water rises. They continue their struggle through the water and mercifully they reach the shed. John lifts his parents on a workbench while the water rises above chest height. He ties a rope around their bodies as the water still pours into the shed. They realise that the shed will become a water grave if they do not escape.
There is no other way out – they need to escape under the rubber roller-door. Mercifully, all three heads pop like corks out of the water. A utility van has been propped against the tree stump outside the shed. John swims to the oasis and climbs onto the roof of the vehicle. He guides his parents with the rope to a safer place at the back of the ute but they are too weak to climb on top. A helicopter flies overhead and the pilot accepts that the man on the roof is relatively safe. He does not notice the two elderly people hanging frantically onto the back of the ute. It feels like hours in the water until the helicopter shows up again.
Ruth's fingers slip through waves of grey hair as she explains that only yesterday she was still washing black mud out of it. She looks vulnerable as she explains that the doctor did a test and is of the opinion that she had a light heart attack. Throughout our discussion it remains a mystery as to how she survived this trauma.
I excuse myself to go and collect Clyde from the waiting room. His handshake is surprisingly strong for someone of his age. He stands proud, dressed in a Brisbane Broncos rugby shirt. His grey hair slightly outnumbers the black ones- all falling naturally into a middle path. We enter the consulting room, and he takes over the story from her. I write everything down. She adds: “You know my legs are strong; I never fell, I tripped...”she smiles mischievously. They never lose eye contact. “Forever young”, I think. I touch Ruth gently on her arm, it's bruised from top to bottom. She soothes her arm gently and says, “The paramedics said they almost lost me. Apparently I was too tiny for the harness”. Clyde gazes downwards and for the first time looks despondent, describing how he looked up and saw Ruth's small body swirling 30 metres in the air. He says that he would not have survived it if anything had gone wrong. He adds: “When they put us down in the helicopter, they stripped us of all our clothes. It was like being born again – we lost everything and did not even have clothes, we were like babies”.
I was in South Africa on a month long holiday when I saw the disturbing images of the floods in Australia that floated on television. My thoughts wander off to two weeks ago when I had to say goodbye to my parents in South Africa. Mom said that she would say goodbye in the flat, it would be too difficult outside. Dad walked out with us. I drove down the long road to the old age home's gate. Amunda (my wife) said softly: “Don't look in the rear view mirror”. It was impossible. He stood in the road, his body bent and his cap windblown. I braked and while the twins, James and Kate (10), were puzzled I got out and held him. I wondered for how long this would be possible as every day after seventy is apparently borrowed time. He told me that I stole his heart at birth.
“My son is a hero”, as Clyde brings me back. “We're hardy people”, he says with gentle eyes. Clyde tells me how they arrived as pioneers at virgin country. A double-edged sword – on the one hand being fed, and on the other hand being punished by the elements. He tells me how, as a youngster during the Depression years, he collected a few cents and bought himself a big chocolate Easter Egg. His mom preserved it for sentimental reasons. Inside this egg is a toy, but for the past eighty years Clyde did not know what the toy looks like. It is a secret. Clyde tells excitedly that the Easter egg is still preserved and that it miraculously survived the flood and has been found on the property.
On the way to the door, I asked Clyde if he will be opening the Easter egg to see what toy is hidden inside. He smiles and says: “It will remain a secret, mate...”
On Clyde and Ruth's last visit to the practice. I give them each a hug and they assure me that I may share their story.
*Pseudonyms were used to protect the couple's identity.
Dr James Scott Clinical Psychologist St Andrews Medical Centre 280 North Street Toowoomba
Yes, once again that time of the year is upon us. The season to be jolly. To go crazy buying presents, food, alcohol and to attend office parties, lunches and dinners with friends and generally be very social.
Often times this is not the happiest time of the year for many. It brings up the pain of loneliness, of those loved and lost, of times when life felt more carefree. Financial pressures, job losses, deaths of loved ones, pressure to perform - no wonder suicides rise at this time of the year.
Having watched television last night for the first time in ages I was appalled at what seemed like movies of advertising rather than the movie I was actually interested in watching. Is it my mind playing tricks or have advertisement time lines increased over all? The Christmas advertising was over the top.
Christmas often means opening presents and "Oohing" and "Aahing" with feigned delight at receiving something so totally left field, you wonder what the person was thinking when purchasing it. Or worse still watching as a carefully chosen present is discarded without the appreciation you would have expected.
Sweating over a hot stove ( if you are silly enough to) in trying to cook turkey, baste ham and ensure the roast vegetables are crispy enough, whilst the noise and conversation of family pervades every cell of your already tense body.
Feeling apprehension as members of the family come together, including the ones (if honest with themselves) who would rather be somewhere else.
As alcohol loosens tongues and someone throws in a comment for good measure, the day becomes a battle ground for bringing up 'old ' stuff that has never been resolved. Then exhausted, you look around and everyone is gone and you have one hell of a mess to clean up, physically, emotionally and mentally, OR make a hasty exit when you can, swearing you will never do this again.
Worst case scenarios maybe, yet often Christmas Day epitomizes angst, tension, dislike or other subtle, hidden issues and fuels uneasiness, agitation and restlessness for days after the celebration has ended.
On the other hand Christmas can be magical and joyous and filled with happy faces, lots of laughter and memories to cherish, with the love of your family filling every corner of the room. Receiving hugs from favourite aunts, uncles, grandparents can be really beautiful as well as listening to the stories that are re-told with great delight, about calamities or achievements of days gone by.
We need to remember that Christmas 'pressure' is coming from outside of ourselves. Crazy drivers on the roads, people determined to get their shopping trolley past yours at whatever the cost, increased prices of those cherries you wanted, not being able to find a car park.
A different take on things could go something like...
I have a friend who reminds me over and over to 'be kind to myself'. To ask myself questions such as 'What works for me in this situation?', or, 'How can I feel better right now?', or, 'Am I feeling good, in this moment, about this?'
Oftentimes we find ourselves in situations where we feel tested. Where that cellular memory of ours leaps right to the fore and we find ourselves, defending, justifying, responding with anger, or getting just plain pissed off. The other party may have no idea what has just been triggered by their comment.
So how about finding another way to stay true to yourself this Christmas, a way that feels more empowering. When needing to respond to invitations that don't feel great, how about a "Sorry, that doesn't work for me". You do not have to explain yourself any further. Just stay with your truth.
You don't have to spend Christmas with family, or with people you'd rather not, you don't have to over eat and sleep it off for two days, you don't have to listen to family members abuse each other, you simply make a choice. How does this feel? Is this what I really want to do?
Practise being able to do this and by New Year, you may find yourself entering into the year 2012, with a sense of purpose that embodies you feeling really, really good about what works for you and what doesn't. Knowing that choosing to be alone or with someone dear to you is what works for you. In fact it is much better to be alone in your own space, than feel alone and isolated in the midst of squabbling and inebriated family members.
For several years now I have commented on the unhealthy state of our economic (& political) systems. However, I have not rested on the assumption that ‘naming’ what is unhealthy is enough. During the last several years I have immersed myself into exploring what can be possible positive options for us to extend into, individually and collectively. This includes very practical ways as well as in our attitudes, beliefs and general consciousness.
I heart-fully agree that we have some major and fundamental flaws in our current economic system. I also am a big advocate of bringing more awareness to these flaws and the consequent inequalities that it contributes to on a global basis. I personally consider that we need to have some major overhauls to our financial and global trade system and agreements.
However, I am not a supporter of simply saying ‘down with Wall Street, the big Banks and the Politicians’ and essentially complaining about the banking system and big business as if it is some entity in its own right. I don’t see this as being helpful for constructive changes. Instead, lets be agents of change and support the transformation of these organisations into healthier action.
Protesting can have its place to bring about awareness – yes I do agree with this. But I do not see it as a helpful end in itself – in fact taken to extremes I see it being more destructive than helpful. Trying to build healthy oriented institutions in the midst of civil unrest is much harder than making constructive changes while communications and basic systems are in place. (I have personal experience of this having worked now in Nepal the last ten years, amidst civil unrest and currently still unresolved political systems)
I am not saying to not protest – simply, please, be aware of the bigger picture and what is contributing, or not, to it.
Personally, I consider many other ways as being a lot more effective and constructive. To continue the constructive point of view I make these suggestions:
Where and how we put and use our own money DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
We have power with how we choose to spend and use our own funds – choose to have your banking in ethical & sustainable banking that is community responsible. For example, I have my banking with Triodos bank (www.triodos.com) and GLS bank (www.gls.de) and am currently changing over my Australian funds to Mecu Bank (www.bankmecu.com.au). There are many more healthily oriented sustainable banks and savings & credit cooperatives around the world – for more healthy banking options here is a list below, although there are many more that I have not listed here, at least this can be a starting point:
1 Triodos Bank, Zeist, The Netherlands (also based in the UK, Belgium, Germany and Spain)
2 Co-operative Bank, United Kingdom
3 Reliance Bank, United Kingdom
4 ShoreBank, USA
5 RSF Social Finance, San Francisco and New York, USA
6 Cultura Bank, Norway
7 GLS bank, Germany
8 EthikBank, Germany
9 MagNet Community Bank, Hungary
10 JAK members bank, Sweden, interest-free bank
11 Citizens Bank, Canada
12 Crédit coopératif and NEF, France
13 The Alternative Bank Schweiz, Switzerland
14 Banca Etica, Italy
15 Umweltbank, Germany
16 BankMecu, Australia
2. The big corporations exist because we have supported them to exist. They do not exist because a small percentage simply created them – we have all contributed and are still contributing! Another way to make a difference is to look at your consumption – what do you buy, and do you choose to buy ‘cheap’ from the bigger corporations? It can help the whole system to be more conscious of what and where you buy – if there is not demand, there will not be supply. Additionally, we can be constructive as consumers in their transformation into more responsible product and service providers.
This short animated video gives a great insight to ‘stuff’ we buy and the consequences:
3. There are different business models that are newly in existence that can address some of the inherent problems of the current capitalistic orientation. Check out the ‘Social Business’ model advocated and implemented by Muhammad Yunus (Nobel Peace prize winner 2006). This model can bring about some healthy and constructive changes, especially to essential services that deal with our basic survival needs. I am actively involved in social businesses, both investing in and initiating them. As I believe this can support healthy infrastructure of both energy, financial and service flows in communities.
Another model along similar lines is social enterprise or social entrepreneur, here are some links to find out more and meet people active in this orientation:
http://www.skollfoundation.org/about/
http://www.pbs.org/opb/thenewheroes/whatis/
http://www.ashoka.org/social_entrepreneur
We can each be agents of change by talking about, advocating and initiating these ideas – in our workplaces, over coffee in staff-rooms, integrating additional material into our classes (for teachers/professors).
4. We vote for our politicians and they make the policies that affect our economic situation – we can make different choices and consequently demand more transparency in our political leaders. In world affairs of trade, food availability is affected strongly by the bigger global political players – especially from our ‘A’ class countries, giving us the luxury of full supermarkets containing a wide variety of choice, yet leaving developing countries in states of famine or high inflation making essential food costs exorbitant.
In general, if we consider the basic premise that we are all interrelated, every human being, animal, plant – entire environment – then it can be much easier to consider a bigger picture that can be fundamentally healthier and compassionate. I will write more on this soon!
For now, I wish you well in exploring healthier banking and business systems,
I am sure there are some (maybe many) who will up in arms about what I have to share in this blog.
Having recently been a willing participant in a breakfast that highlighted Breast Cancer support groups, that spoke of the devastation of those women who experience various forms of cancer, I came to realise something that did not feel so great.
What saddened me was that so many amazing women used their experience with cancer to define who they are.
There were business women, health professionals, grandmothers, mothers, daughters all amazing women in their own right.
I am not for one minute intending to come across as being disparaging of any persons brush with cancer, heaven knows I too have been there, done that. I will not, however, allow that experience to define me and I certainly would never call myself a cancer survivor!!
For me, my brush with cancer is and was personal. Also, I am a person in my own right that with all my strengths and flaws, attempts to live my life in a way that benefits not only myself, but those around me and those who I meet on this journey of life, irregardless of whether or not I have had cancer.
I believe we need to be more uplifting about the diversity of experiences, especially life threatening illnesses in our lives. In my view to keep reminding yourself that they you are a cancer survivor keeps you stuck in an energy that has the potential to attract more of the same.
There is a very thin line and delicate balance here - in that - one needs to be cautious in finding the equilibrium in giving support, needing support, setting up groups that can keep people stuck in an unhelpful energy (although not always), empowering women to run with the wolves and the realisation that often from the experiences that "knock us a sixer", we grow in ways uninmaginable, expand and become MORE than we ever were before the advent of cancer.
Yes you survived, but their is more to life than claiming to be a survivor - you are a liver of life!
So whilst I take my hat off off, to all you women out there who have had your brush with cancer, may you come to a place somewhere in your future (as I have) that the experience was necessary to expand and unfurl a woman waiting to blossom into the new, into a future of so much potential and possibility, where we don't sweat the small stuff so much anymore.
Why would anyone believe that they be 'put out to pasture' just because they have reached the age of sixty? As we live longer, keep more active, reach out for new friendships - life changes. So too does our sex life.
Not that it has too disappear altogether. There are many way to become innovative and still experience real, HOT, intimacy and feel wonderful as a result!
For the Sassy Vibe newsletter readers there are generally special offers each month. I am extending this to those who have subscribed to marie-elise.com as well. the video below will give you the coupon code to use when placing an order.
When we are told and encouraged to the best we can, what transpires? Who knows what affect this has as we tread our path on this planet or what the affect of our actions and thoughts and words, has on another?
It is wonderful how different experiences in our life moulds and shapes the future and contributes to the person we become. In this Self Leadership video, Debra Jarvis interviews Marie-Elise
Facebook can be really amusing. It can also be a pain in the bum. Who would have ever thought that it would be used as a platform to really give you (the reader) such deep insight into what turns people on, what turns people off, how to denigrate your partner, your kid, your boss, tell the world you got drunk or simply can't handle life. I mean do we really care?
Far out, I read things on Facebook, that I am unable to understand why anyone would ever want anyone else to know about themselves. I have read with amusement for the most part statements that have me feeling really grateful the writer is not on my staff, worked out that some writers must be bi-polar or manic depressive, and that particular ‘friend' who belittled the male species so much has been deleted.
It also blows me away how mothers make statements where reading between the lines you can work out that their daughter has lost their virginity, or been molested, where a son has reached the age of taking himself in hand, (it was the sheets that gave him away), I mean really, is there no limit or boundaries? I for one, would never speak to my mother again if I read she had divulged such intimate details. Whose business is it? How about some privacy and respect (for yourself at least) amongst all the angst and superficial patter and chatter that is uploaded by the bucket day after day?
The only time I ever bother to look through the news feed is when I am having a coffee. This is when the iphone comes in handy. I have enough on my plate without bothering to waste my computer time, scouring through the endless (mostly inane) comments that have been uploaded.
Occasionally I get so riled by something written that I fire back a comment and then sit and watch the remarks come in thick and fast in response to my criticism or condemnation of an original post.
One time a video upload caught my eye. I did not watch it, however reading the short blurb and the reactive comments to the video; I could see that it was about the trafficking of young girls in Cambodia and Thailand as sex slaves.
I reacted flipping a response outlining that the continual posting or viral updating of such despicable acts, was actually perpetuating the very thing that had got everyone so riled up in the first place. One was in fact ‘feeding' the problem, not helping it.
Comments such as,
“This is disgusting and needs to be stopped”
“This makes me so angry”
“Shocking, such a violation of human rights”
On and on went the comments. Of course they were valid, and you could only agree with what was written, however.... how do those comments help, stop, support or save any of those children used as sex slaves? It is all very well sitting back in the land of plenty; make righteous comments on Facebook about a video upload and despicable acts occurring in another country, but what difference does that make?
One comment read “We need to see videos like this to remind us of the terrible things that go in the world” and my answer to that is “Really?”
You see, my point is, that the video was not uploaded with a list of organisations to send donations to, helping them turn the tide of history, nowhere was there a suggestion about sponsoring a girl or woman through something like Plan International.
You see each one of us can make a difference. Uploading videos that are emotive and becoming angry once you have watched them is simply completely and totally ineffective.
Of course once home I was amazed at the responses on Facebook and the angry comments directed towards me for stirring the hornet's nest in the first place. So I made another post, this time listing all the effective, positive and useful ways those who were commenting could achieve and accomplish some small change in what had got them so riled up in the first place when they had first watched the video.
This little story is not about right and wrong, it is more about taking the responsibility to be and do something about the change you want to see in the world. Facebook is a great medium for that, when used with a bit of thought and integrity.
Please note the following video is by apneaap.org
with visuals drawn by children - it tells a piognant story
When we think unhealthy relationship what first comes to mind? Most of us would think of domestic abuse—a woman in a romantic relationship being abused by her partner. But the truth is, unhealthy relationships happen all around us, every day, and are closer to home than we might think.
An unhealthy relationship does not have to be romantic in nature. It can be between friends, siblings, neighbors, or even parents and children. But no matter where it happens, the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship are universal. Here are some things to watch out for:
One person being manipulated or controlled by the other.
One person feeling pressured to change for the other.
One person is belittled by the other.
One person avoids certain topics or actions for fear of angering the other, or feels worried when they disagree with the other person.
Arguments are not settled fairly, or during violence there is verbal or physical abuse.
All of these are signs we would recognize in a romantic relationship, but they can be more difficult to recognize in one that is not romantic in nature. If you recognize any of these signs in one of your relationships, it may be time to take a step back and examine the relationship as a whole.
This can be more difficult, especially in the case of parents and children. After all, parents seem expected to exert some degree of control over their children, yet as they reach adulthood when does that move from loving guidance to the realm of the unhealthy relationship? Let's take a look at Anna's relationship with her mother, Pam.
Anna is twenty-one years old and a recent college graduate. She has temporarily moved back home to look for a job, and spends her days sending in applications and tailoring her resume. Once in a while she goes out with her friends. The economy is terrible, and Anna's brief move back home gets longer and longer. Pam begins to belittle her, calling her lazy and telling her she does not believe she is really looking for a job. Feeling constantly diminished, Anna avoids her mother where she can, and becomes afraid to tell her about her job search for fear she'll just be scorned some more. All the time there is stress, a desire for approval and unspoken feelings building up within Anna.
Although this is a mild example, Anna and Pam's relationship is unhealthy, and if something between them does not change, their relationship has the potential to become permanently damaged.
In this kind of unhealthy relationship, violence is uncommon, and the best solution is often to talk things out with the other person. It may help to tell them how their behaviour makes you feel, then the two of you can discuss what can be done to fix it. If you do not feel comfortable talking to the other person alone, invite a trusted friend or family member to join the discussion. If no agreement is reached, it may be time to consider ending the relationship. If the offending party is a family member, it may be best for everyone involved to avoid them wherever possible if things truly cannot be fixed. If they are a friend it is in your best interest to cut your losses and end the relationship altogether. So easy these days, just press delete on the mobile phone. Remember, only you can know what is in your best interests, and, as with all unhealthy relationships, the first step to recovery is admitting there is a problem.
This Conscious Partnering Course is a powerful way for anyone wishing to really make themselves available to their partner, and wants to commit to making their relationship the best it can possibly be.
Check to see if these essential ingredients are part of any partnership you have - whether it's romantic, business or otherwise - ask yourself these questions: Am I willing to go through the changes that need to happen in me to feel the steady flow of love and positive energy in this relationship? Am I willing to make a commitment to this relationship (that's bigger than my ego) to get me through the stuck places?
In addition to these questions, let yourself go on a projection fast this week.
(What we mean by "projection" is when you are convinced that something is going on with the other person that is actually an aspect of you).
Throughout your day, use whatever is being reflected to you - from your mate, your friends, your colleagues and the grocery store clerk - as a mirror. Whether the reflection seems positive or negative, open up to what you might learn from the feedback. Use breathing, moving and loving to open a space of wonder and see what you can discover about yourself.
No matter who you are, what state your relationships are in, you’re never more than 10 seconds away from turning your relationship life around and taking off in a new, positive direction.
So go for it! Taking part in the Conscious Partnering Course, has benefits that will ultimately change the rest of your life.
This is a term introduced by Masters and Johnson aimed at increasing and enhancing personal awareness and a range of sensual possibilities without the goal being to engage in sex.
Sensate Focus are exercises where couples focus on sensation and can choose to enhance intimacy in their relationship. Primarily the exercises are used to alleviate anxiety and distress related to intercourse. Whether this be because of pain, fear or associated past trauma, these exercises are very effective as a treatment of desire, arousal, and orgasmic disorders. Typically, by taking 20-60 minutes, two to three times a week for around six weeks the couple will then have completed the exercises. Typically though these exercises may be limited in their usefulness if introduced too early in the treatment.
It is important each session is carried out in a private environment without the possibility of interruption. Ideally, the couple should be completely undressed. If this causes anxiety, underwear may be worn during the first stage. It is always helpful to create a romantic environment with soft music and candles.
Week 1-2: The couple takes turns exploring the other's body and face. The genitalia and breasts should be avoided. The purpose of the exercise is to pay attention to tactile sensation. It is the individual's responsibility to tell the other person what feels good to them. Sexual intercourse and orgasms are not permitted during weeks 1-2.
Week 3-4: Begin with week 1-2 exercises. Breast and genital stimulation are included this week. Self-stimulation, mutual self-stimulation, and orgasms are also permitted.
Week 5-6: Begin with week 1-4 exercises. Intercourse is permitted this week. Start slowly in a comfortable position. If anxiety or pain occurs, try going back to exercises from weeks 1-4 until an appropriate comfort level is gained in order to attempt intercourse again.
Sensate Focus may be extremely helpful as part of the treatment of those women diagnosed with vaginismus.
I was lucky enough to shelter from the cold on Saturday afternoon and watch 'Mrs Cary's Concert' a film by Bob Connolly and Sophie Raymond. What an amazing movie come documentary. One could not help but be moved by the amazing feat achieved by the daunting Mrs Carey.
This teacher is totally absorbed (consumed?) by the belief that every student at MLC (Methodist Ladies College in Sydney) will benefit and be forever changed by participating in a classical repertoire to be performed at the Sydney Opera House.
The film explores Mrs Carey and her high expectations of the students, in particular Emily Sun, a somewhat troubled yet very talented musician, who is to be the soloist in the Bruch Violin concerto. Then there is Iris Shi, who cannot identify with Mrs Cary's passion, does not enjoy classical music and is determined to stand her ground by playing up.
This amazing documentary brought up some very mixed emotions for me. Whilst I totally identified with the ethos of team work, of excelling on behalf of the school, of being encouraged to express passion, emotion and feelings through music, I still felt that the pressure put on the students and Mrs Cary's projection of her passion and desire onto others whether they wanted it or not, to be somewhat uncomfortable.
I loved the way the film showed (warts and all) the control of the teachers. How the two main students, both Emily and Iris were not heard. For me this is not about right or wrong. It simply shows how there is a tendency as a school teacher to assume you know what is right for another. Emily was under pressure to vocalise her feelings and emotions, yet as she said away from the gaze of her teachers, 'How do you put into words what you feel coursing through you as the music plays you? There are no words to explain that'
Then the unwilling Iris who was pulled into line over and over again, who just could not feel as fired up and passionate over the music and the concert as the indomitable Mrs Carey. She too was not heard and away from the teachers was able to express her view that this entire musical endeavour simply did not rock her boat. She did not feel the way the teachers did about the whole thing. Why should she be made to feel and do something that she does not feel?
Great film work. The teachers did succeed. Mrs Carey did indeed fulfil her desire to have every student of the school deliver an awesome concert at the Opera House. This included the resistant Iris, who being swept up in the energy and excitement of the whole performance contributed beautifully on the night as part of the team.
I would like to add, I believed she did so because it was what she wanted and felt at the time, not because some teacher was 'making' her do it.
A really amazing, inspirational and entertaining film, which even had one cinema patron yell very loudly "You ARE!" in response to Iris saying "You probably think I am a bitch".
The film contained some extremely beautiful music, and no matter the discomfort that arose from time to time with the actions of those appearing in the film, it was well worth seeing and is a film that touched me on many levels.
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Last week I watched a DVD of Dan Millman's , 'The Peaceful Warrior' it was an inspirational film about the power of the human spirit. Dan Millman is a former world champion athlete. He's coached a team of no hopers to Olympic finals and has written 14 self-help books, one of which was made into the movie that I mentioned. Imagine what you can learn from him about applying what you know to get what you want.
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On Easter Sunday, a tearjerking video made in Glasgow 's Royal Exchange Square finally cracked an astonishing 6 million hits on YouTube. The Power of Words reached 6,031,650 views. And when you realise that Susan Boyle grabbed worldwide attention when she got to 5 million, that's pretty amazing.
The video was made for Glasgow online agency Purplefeather and shows a blind man sitting cross-legged with a begging can in front of him and a card reading, "I'm blind please help." The odd coin is dropped in by passers-by . . . but not many.
Then a young woman stops in front of the blind man, picks up the card and writes new words on the other side.
Soon the coins are flowing in, fast and furious. The young woman returns, the blind man identifies her by touching her shoes and asks her, 'What did you do to my sign?" She replies, "I wrote The same, just different words." We're not going to tell you what she wrote - watch it for yourself!
Why is it at Dinner time, tele-marketers chose to phone asking for Donations for Different charities Desperate for money to Disseminate to their specific cause?
Do you ever find yourself Defending your position, being a tad Disparaging in tone, Determined to hang up as quick as possible?
I too am guilty of that from time to time. I also admit I Do not like Dealing with the thoughts of guilt, Duty and the Debt of obligation that arises from such calls.
When Donations are not coming from a place of Dedicated Desire to be a genuine source of assistance then what does that say about us even bothering to give anything?
How Different it is to experience Delight from a genuine Desire to give that comes from a place of Determining the joy in such an act. To know that I have Duly opted to make a Difference from the heart is way more Decent and satisfying.
I believe there is a Difference between willingly wanting to Donate to some cause or charity than feeling the discontent when you do because you don't know how to say no.
Then again we are only talking about monetary Donation, but there are many different types of donations. What about organ Donation, sperm Donation, egg Donation, blood Donation, and many other types of goodwill Donations?
There seems to be a Distinguishable shift in perception from those types of Donations as opposed to Donations of the monetary kind.
So endeth the Dynamic and fun use of the letter D for this week.
Today on this planet , there appears to be Constant upheaval in weather patterns and Chronic fear about the demise of Civilisation as we know it.
From my perspective, we are in the middle of huge Change upon this planet and that Change is positive. There is Compelling evidence of this. I see Change happening within the Consciousness of the human as a positive. I see the Changes happening intermittently with Gaia also as a positive.
Global warming, Carbon tax, Changeable weather patterns, Compassion for those affected by these Climatic shifts, Candour from the business sector, political Censure... Chaotic times maybe, however maybe it is Conceiveable we as a Civilisation are moving towards a new Cycle in the evolution of the planet and the human species. Unity rather than Conflict.
Temperatures in the ocean are Changing which means the life Cycle of its inhabitants are in the midst of Change. Yes, there is the process of extinction taking place AND there is the birthing of the NEW! Gaia takes Care of itself. The Cycle of life is eternal.
As Countries such as Libya are being taken to task by the voice of the population and Coercion is no longer being tolerated, Change is inevitable. We watch as the western Countries Collaborate and Collectively take a stance against oppression, we have seen Coalition air strikes effectively Cripple the air defences of a Country where the inhabitants are for the most part Crying out for Change.
Change, Change, Change and Cycles of Consciousness being tested and uprooted and bought into new Consideration.
Contemplative times for sure, yet as much as some will always resist and fear the unknown, Change is continually apparent whether looking at the weather, dictatorship, Currency and banking, Countries inhabitants Crying out for democracy, there are responses of a Cooperative Universe heralding a new paradigm.
I was Blissed Beyond Belief the other day ( and am still feeling that way) when I Became so powerfully moved and motivated by the good natured Banter I was listening to, that supported a Beakthrough into a new realm of understanding.
My heart was Beating so fast as I quickly grabbed my notebook to make notes which enabled me to put my new understanding into writing, and create a new story of positive Beliefs that supported a change in my Behaviour, outlook and thoughts.
What do I mean by that?
For years I have heard how people have Believed that by saying affirmations you can change Behaviour and Become what you want, have what you want, Be what you want. I know now, that unless I Believe what I am saying and repeating, the exercise is pointless.
What was triggered within me the other day, had me Brimming with a sense of well-Being that felt very Buoyant. I wrote an exuberant story of all the positive aspects of where I am going in the next few months of my journey and the associated feelings.
Every time I read these two pages I Become Boundless. I feel the Beauty of what I am wanting, I say the words out loud and am Blown away by the surge of Blissful Beingness that aBounds, in me, through me and around me.
I feel the vibration of the words, the feelings they arouse within and Basically Become (at some level) what I am saying. Very, very potent!
This is a Breakthrough for me in that it feels likes the Beginning of a new way of emBracing Boundless opportunity, to be the master of my ship, to Broaden my horizons, Birth new ideas and Blossom as I line up with them, one by one. What a Buzz!
It is Astounding, how many words of Appreciation roll off the tongue once I tap into the idea of wanting to Affirm what a beautiful day is in front of me. As I walk along the familiar pathways early in the morning I am Amazed by the beauty and by the smells of the countryside around me.
The sound of the ocean to my right and the neigh of a horse to my left along with the Aroma from the bush is intoxicating. As I Admire the beauty that surrounds me I am heralded by birdsong.
When I Allow myself to be fully conscious as I Amble Along, I am Always filled with Admiration for the colours and hues of the earth. How often am I heard to remark that I am bowled over by the many, varied shades of green that Abound as I gaze over the Hinterland.
Then there is the headland, an Awesome land space that gives me the Advantage of an Amazing view up and down the coastline. Ships on the horizon, dolphin gliding in and out of the water as they lazily make their way south to other feeding options. Blue, blue sky as far as the eye can see and the Allure of the ocean as the sun beams down warming the earth and my body.
There is so much to Appreciate in this world when I make the time to take it all in. Abundance Abounds! May I Always have Appreciation, for the Advantages this country offers me. I sure can Attest to the fact that when I am feeling good, it Assists me in maintaining a sense of Absolute wellbeing and Appreciation.
As I write this blog I am attempting to Aspire to write from a good feeling place using the letter 'A 'as much as is practically possible and ensure that is makes Absolute sense. Mission Accomplished!
I find facebook frustrating! There are times the level of complaint, the accusations, the grievances , the grumbling and the griping astonishes me. A friend once wrote "Isn't that what Facebook is for? To let off steam and have a bitch?"
It is akin to the remedy of writing "anger letters" except that in therapy you burn them and offer the energy back up to the Universe to dissipate, rather than send them!!
When we read these entries - and respond - what are we in effect achieving? Personally, I believe we are feeding the energy of what has been written. If someone is in complaint and we go there and agree, or commiserate, we are becoming one with the energy of the original writer.
When we disagree and write a comment saying so, or ask the writer to see the 'UP' side of what they writing we are also becoming energetically linked to where they are. Confusing isn't it? Let me explain.
Firstly, the writer is more than likely unable to hear what you are trying to say as they are really "in their stuff" and secondly "whose business is it anyway" and thirdly ask yourself why it is, you feel the need to make a response to something that is not sitting comfortably with you in the first place? I have come to realise you cannot control the uncontrollable, so why bother.
I am also amused (sometimes) or aghast (other times) at the level of posts to a wall that are from those who have careers in coaching, lifestyle management, counselling and health management practices.
The other morning as I quickly scanned my facebook feed - I was drawn to a post by a business colleague mentioning Jeanie Little ( an Australian comic who became an icon), is now in a nursing home and has Alzheimers.
Another colleague replied with the comment "She was great. It will probably happen to a lot of us. Well, me, anyway. Bring a bottle if you come to visit."
There are times Facebook comments really shock me. Why? So few people recognise the power of thought. They also do not recognise the power of the written word. Oh, don't get me wrong, no one can decide my reality, however they do constantly create their own!
It is totally (in my view) inconceivable that someone would write a remark including the rest of their friends, relatives, and acquaintances. As for stating they expect they will more than likely finish up with Alzheimers , well you get what you put out for!
OK. OK. I hear you... lighten up, it was probably written as a joke. That is no joke! When are we humans going to get it? What we think, what we write, what we say, what we do, creates our reality, completely and totally. Why would anyone ever wish that type of demise for themselves or anyone else they know?
If this blog sounds judgemental it is not my intention. I have observed Facebook comments over the past years, and have chosen to block those 'friends' who have been extremely derisive about the men in their life or life in general.
I have also been very aware of the times I have felt drawn to comment in response to something going on in someone's life. I then do a reality check and realise we all have the right to express negatively or positively in any given moment what is affecting us in our personal life, if that is what we wish to do. After all it is 'the writers business' and none of mine. So I keep scanning, seldom reading past the first line.
On a lighter note, I do receive some very uplifting wall posts and reminders of the satisfying and delightful aspects of life. My life is supposed to feel good and that is the platform I deliberately choose in deciding whether or not I wish to be affected by the wall posts of a 'friend' and what is going on in their reality.
How many of you receive messages, broadcasts and videos from well intentioned friends in your IN BOX to become greater, bigger, better?
How many receive emails that purport the 'end is near', that project 'fear', that make you 'WRONG' in some way?
If you are like me - lots - on both counts!!
This is one of the down sides of having an internet business, as well as many people who know me and my interest in self inquiry and personal growth . They send me stuff thinking I will benefit from reading it - or do they?
This happened the other day, I received a broadcast detailing where the World Economy is headed. It was recorded by people who have a vested interest in markets, stocks, debentures, shares etc
There were lots of words bandied about, 'trouble ahead', 'world shortage of food' , 'currency wars', 'trade wars', 'major countries going bankrupt', 'major media is a cartel ' , 'global debt', 'middle class destruction' . It smacked of "if you don't watch out you will lose everything, you will finish up with nothing" etc.
There was also reference to a quote.. 'may you live in interesting times' which is supposed to be an ancient Chinese Curse.
So I went looking and found that it isn't ancient, and it is not Chinese.. (According to a definitive
debunking by Stephen E. DeLong, a professor at the State University of New York at Albany, its first verifiable
appearance was in a 1950 short story in Astounding Science Fiction magazine.) It may not even be a curse. But it's unquestionably applicable to readers of strategy+business circa 2006: We are living in highly interesting times, and that fact is underscored resoundingly in our fifth annual survey of the year's best business books.
Funny how these sayings are endlessly repeated by the ignorant!
This entire program was recorded by a group of 'Wealth Masters' I understand , and was (in my view) nothing short of fear mongering, and I hasten to assure you there was nothing masterful about the information being given.
One statement in particular that really got my goat and felt totally unconscionable was "If you are not angry about what you are hearing, then you are on medication!"
My God, the speaker believed he had the right to assume that everyone had to feel, believe and be as angry and as misaligned as he was!! If there is to be collapse of the money markets, and the stock markets and whatever else - so what? We will do it better next time!
I could not listen to the entire recording, it was going against the grain of everything I have come to know over the years.
There is no getting away from the fact that current events may form future trends, however there is one very big fact that was never mentioned. What you think, say, expound and believe you will receive!
Human consciousness is information. It is information not just random energy, that you develop based on what you think and it is powerful!
One needs to become mindful of what one is choosing!
There was also mention of how the youth are taking on the world. YES! and YES again! Look at what is happening in Egypt - it is the NEW energy finding a voice. There is a shift happening on this planet that the 'wealth masters' have not even begun to comprehend.
We do indeed live in interesting times, the world wide insurance and banking systems are being called to action. To become more accountable, to have more integrity, to become honest and fair in their dealings. This too, is the beginning of a NEW energy as the 'old' systems and the 'old' ways just do not work anymore. This is a time of the end of the old energy of history. This is also a time of the end of the old Human nature, for its evolutionary!
The old energy is one that separates and not one of unification. The old energy is where humans divide and go to war , where humans have had a tendency to separate things, not put them together. We as people often refer to this as human nature.
On this earth there are many people born where they are taught from birth to dislike and distrust all those around them, (think of Israel). Carefully taught they are. Against all odds, they are proud of this separation because it is the lineage of their ancestors that is at stake. It is like following historic protocol.
This is changing. It is changing in places we don't expect. It is changing in Egypt, it is changing in Jerusalem, it is changing in Iran. The young are waking up and saying "Why should I hate them? They did what? That was when? This is not about us. This is about our ancestors. This is not our business. I don't feel the hate you do"
So while parents shake their heads and demand that their sons and daughters "Do as we say, don't you realise history and tradition tells us these are our enemies and always will be"These youth are saying "No, I am not going to do this, and neither are those around me".
This is a good thing in my view. I welcome the rise of a new energy on this planet - power to the young I say. We have unification beginning to take shape, with the internet and modern technology contributing in significant ways. If there is a shakeup of old methods, old money, then good!
This is a time where there is an extraordinary raising of energetic consciousness , which may (or may not) cause the breakdown of our current global financial methods. Bring on the NEW!!
Firstly, I am amazed how quickly the first month of 2011 has gone. It is already the February and blogs were non existent in January, due to extended leave and some welcome change of scenery, as I cruised on a ship around New Zealand , then across to Hobart and up the East Coast of Australia, disembarking at Sydney.
The reason for the cruise was to join 700 others from 26 different countries around the world for Abraham Seminars given by Esther and Jerry Hicks. It was awesome being part of such a large group of people exploring the art of selfishly devouring the beauty of life!! We were all on a joy quest. What the remaining other 1300 passengers thought of us is anyones guess!
I am sure we appeared as a group of happy, lively, high spiritedl people really having a good time playing with the wellbeing that was evident all around us.
This was the third 'Abraham' Cruise I have been on and it was no less awesome than the others. With all work and family obligations left behind, I opted to be in the NOW and in awe of the new levels of understanding about life, work and play that came into being for me.
It was a coming into alignment, if you like, with the person I am meant to be and that was a very powerful experience. Releasing resistance to all the 'old' stories and experiences and literally dancing with the lightness of who I was feeling myself to be in the moment.
The highlight of the vistas encountered was without doubt the Fiordland National Park in New zealands South Island. It was so pristine! Sailing into Dusky Sound, then back out into the Tasman sea before entering Thompson Sound, then into Doubtful Sound, after which it was back out to the Tasman Sea until we entered the Milford Sound, was truely spectacular. What a way to see these Sounds, from the top deck of the Diamond Princess. It was no little ship either!
You know, there is something very freeing about being away from everything that is going on in the world. Back near my home town havoc was unfolding and I knew nothing about it.
It was not until Melbourne did I see my first pictures of the floods that had hit Brisbane. Water up to the roofs of houses! It was quite a shock.
Once disembarking at Sydney my first television news showed the thousands of volunteers that turned up to help clean the mess. I realised I had got home in time to see very uplifting scenes of unity, compassion with humanity showing its supportive side.
I was so glad that I had not been subjected to the hours and hours of drama and tragedy offered by the media when the floods occurred. This is not to imply that I do not care or to diminish the very real and devasting effect the floods have had on people.
I could do nothing given where I was, and since my return I have contributed to those affected in various ways.
For me, what I came to know was that we as a country are bound to be affected by more examples of weather related turmoil in the months to come. There is a flip side- another side of humanity shows it's face when disaster occurs. This is the union, solidarity and togetherness that arises amongst us as a people shifting discord, againstness, blame and anger.
Depressed women have more sex than those who are happier, regardless of whether they are in a relationship or not, a study of Australians has found.
A survey of Melbourne women presented at an international mental health conference has concluded that females who suffer from mild to moderate depression have a third more sexual activity than those who are not.
They also had more sexually liberated attitudes, a bigger variety of sexual experiences and, if single, were more likely to partake in casual sex, Dr Sabura Allen, a clinical psychologist at Monash University, said.
``It was more sex and more of everything from kissing to petting, foreplay and intercourse,'' said Dr Allen, who studied the recent sexual experiences of 107 depressed and non-depressed women who were in relationships.
``We knew this anecdotally from clinical samples but this is the first time it's been shown in research.''
She said depressed women were likely seeking out sexual intimacy more often to help feel more secure.
``When people are depressed they feel more insecure about their relationships and concerned that their partner may not care about them or find them valuable,'' Dr Allen said.
``Having sex helps them feel that closeness and security.''
Asked whether intercourse could be an effective balm for depression, the psychologist said ``we really don't know but we presume it helps as it gives these women opportunities to be close to their partner and loved.''
The team also is investigating depressed single women and has found a trend towards more casual sex than happier singles.
Dr Allen said Australian couples tend have sex between once and three times a week, with ``very much the majority in the once a week group''. Single women have it ``significantly less'', but the same is not necessarily true of single men.
The study, soon to be published in a British medical journal, was presented today at the International Congress on Women's Mental Health in Melbourne where the latest research in mental illness and hormone-related conditions is being showcased.
New studies have shown high rates of severe PMS and post-natal depression among Australian women, a dramatic drop in the abortion rate, and a promising new treatment for Alzheimer's disease.
Customer: Well, after much consideration, I've decided to install Love. Can you guide me through the process?
Tech Support: Yes. I can help you. Are you ready to proceed?
Customer: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready. What do I do first?
Tech Support: The first step is to open your Heart. Have you located your Heart?
Customer: Yes, but there are several other programs running now. Is it okay to install Love while they are running?
Tech Support: What programs are running ?
Customer: Let's see, I have Past Hurt, Low Self-Esteem, Grudge and Resentment running right now.
Tech Support: No problem, Love will gradually erase Past Hurt from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory but it will no longer disrupt other programs. Love will eventually override Low Self-Esteem with a module of its own called High Self-Esteem. However,you have to completely turn off Grudge and Resentment. Those programs prevent Love from being properly installed. Can you turn those off ?
Customer: I don't know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?
Tech Support: With pleasure. Go to your start menu and invoke Forgiveness. Do this as many times as necessary until Grudge and Resentment have been completely erased.
Customer: Okay, done! Love has started installing itself. Is that normal?
Tech Support: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other Hearts in order to get the upgrades.
Customer: Oops! I have an error message already. It says, "Error - Program not run on external components." What should I do?
Tech Support: Don't worry. It means that the Love program is set up to run on Internal Hearts, but has not yet been run on your Heart. In non-technical terms, it simply means you have to Love yourself before you can Love others.
Customer: So, what should I do?
Tech Support: Pull down Self-Acceptance; then click on the following files: Forgive-Self; Realize Your Worth; and Acknowledge your Limitations.
Customer: Okay, done.
Tech Support: Now, copy them to the "My Heart" directory. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching faulty programming. Also, you need to delete Verbose Self-Criticism from all directories and empty your Recycle Bin to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.
Customer: Got it. Hey! My heart is filling up with new files. Smile is playing on my monitor and Peace and Contentment are copying themselves all over My Heart. Is this normal?
Tech Support: Sometimes. For others it takes awhile, but eventually everything gets it at the proper time. So Love is installed and running.
One more thing before we hang up. Love is Freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everyone you meet. They will in turn share it with others and return some cool modules back to you.
There is something deeply sensuous about exquisite craftmanship of bedroom accessories that exude daring, playfulness and adventure.
Are you up for a bit of stylish play with silk and suede being wrapped around your arms and legs. What about a blindfold that is suede on one side and the most refined silk on the other?
Imagine the thrill (once you have blind folded your partner) of using pleasure ties for the legs and the Sutra or Etherea Silk Cuffs for the wrists and having your way with your lover until you are done!
What a way to explore those higher planes of experience!
"10 Little Tips to Feel Happier Right Now" by Jonathan Lockwood Huie
1. Smile. Raise the corners of your mouth. Soon your smile will become genuine. The smile that begins as an effort and a pretense quickly grows to become genuine, and given time, a habit of happiness. In the words of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, "Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy."
2. Breathe deeply and slowly. Focus your entire attention on each in-breath and out-breath. Imagine drawing new clean energy in through the top of your head on each in-breath, and expelling old stale energy out the soles of your feet on each out-breath.
3. Take a quiet walk by yourself. Focus on each step and on your breathing. As stray thoughts enter your mind, thank each one, and quickly release the thought and return to a focus on your breathing and your steps.
4. Count your blessings. Make a gratitude list. You have thousands of reasons to be thankful. Be thankful for those who serve you. Make a list of those you depend upon. Everyone has many people who help along the way. Don't forget those who grow and deliver your food, keep your electricity and telephone running, provide emergency medical care, and protect the safety of your community and your nation.
5. Forgive someone for something right now. Release the resentment and anger. This practice is for you to become happier. Telling the other person that you forgive them is completely optional, and is merely a bonus.
6. Stretch your body. Do yoga, do qigong, or just stand and stretch. As a simple stretch, stand and hold your arms out to your sides forming a cross. Gently bend each hand back at the wrist until the fingers point straight upward. Twist each hand and arm in a wringing motion as if you were operating a screwdriver.
7. Turn on happy music and dance. Don't stop 'til you're tired. Dance with someone or dance all by yourself. Choose music that makes you want to move and keep moving such as Latin Fitness Dance music.
8. Spend some time with a furry friend. If you don't have your own, borrow a cat or dog to love today.
9. Be of service. Find someone who has worse troubles than you and do something nice for them today.
10. Have a conversation with Source (or whatever you call your Higher Power). Approach the conversation with an attitude of gratitude rather than neediness.
Jonathan Lockwood Huie writes the popular Daily Inspiration - Daily Quote free email and inspiring http://www.dreamthisday.com/ website featuring famous inspirational quotes and Jonathan's articles such as "7 Secrets of Happy Couples." He is co-author of Simply An Inspired Life: Consciously Choosing Unbounded Happiness in Good Times and Bad and the http://www.simplyaninspiredlife.com/ community.
** Today is your day to dance lightly with life. It really is. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie **
Sex and the City 2 has been panned by the critics. So what! The biggest legacy of this show was when it was a TV series and Charlotte was holed up with the Vibratex Rabbit Pearl vibrator and refused to come out!! (Episode:The Turtle and The Hare).
It made having self pleasure or even owning a vibrator so, so OK!!! In fact many women began to think about vibrators because the buzz around town (even if you did not watch the show) was "Do you watch Sex and the City? It was so funny, Charlotte was holed up with a vibrator. Ha Ha Ha. I think I'll go buy one, she seemed to be having so much fun!"
Then the plethora of Rabbit Vibrators hit the market claiming to be from Sex and the City. The only story that was anywhere near the truth was those stating the Rabbit Pearl was the one used on the TV show. All the other versions were knock offs and touted themselves as "THE ONE" so that sales would improve.
There were the toxic ones, the massively expensive ones (still not the real deal), the cheap and nasty imports from China, the party plan owners who sold the cheap imports for outrageous amounts of money stating they had the "real celebrity".
It was all bull shit and now that Sex and the City 2 has hit the public arena, I find myself wondering.....
Wouldn't it be nice if those same ladies, Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda could get a bit of education and information out there regarding chemically loaded pleasure products and encourage women to stand up for their right towards toxic free products for orgasm!!
Inner guidance, listening to the voice within, acknowledging your intuition. No matter what the words when you follow your hearts desire, no matter where the journey takes us, you might just reach an age one day where you look back over your shoulder and connect the dots. This is amazing, certainly worth viewing.
We are all a collection of the stories we tell ourselves
and we are the only ones who can change the story.
We are not our stories ~ they live in our mind and serve little purpose except to contain and limit us. We are so much more. Can we dare to live and be and become without our story? Have you ever wondered who you could be without the power of your story getting the way? When we begin to see ourselves without the chains that bind us, and open up to be whole of who we are and become full of enthusiasm for what is possible then in that light, anything becomes attainable.
Become the designer for a new and more vibrant you. Just recently I had the opportunity to put this into action. Travelling with a friend, we were looking for an internet cafe and had been guided to one that was in a shopping centre a few kilometres away. As we turned the corner to go there I saw an Internet cafe in a block of shops and my inner guidance told me to park and there. When we are travelling with another it is natural that we often get pulled from what we feel may be right and defer to their needs or wants, and I did just that and drove as per her instructions to the shopping centre.
Once there we were led by security up a couple of floors and out onto the main street and told to go to the opposite corner where there was an internet cafe. I was starting to feel really agitated. I was in another country, had no idea where I was, and did not initially want to enter the internet room we had been directed to. My companion said "Well see you later then" and off she went. Eventually I enquired as to whether there was another computer available - there was not, so feeling pretty angry by now I said I would be waiting at the entrance of the shopping centre and stormed off.
I was angry. I told myself this story, about how selfish my companion was being, and how we had come miles out of our way, how I should have stopped at the Internet place I had seen when driving here as my instinct told me too. I had a coffee, wrote in my journal and calmed down. That was when it dawned on me.
I was not angry at my travelling companion, I was angry at myself. I was angry because I did not listen to my inner guidance and over rode the message to please someone else.
Once I had calmed down, I waited and waited but did not see my friend return. I crossed the road, check the internet room, she was not there. So I walked back into the shopping centre and retraced my steps down the three floors to head back to the car. On the lower floor there she was drinking a coffee.
All was well, I had got into perspective my story and my rush of anger and owned it. I did stop at the internet room I had first noticed. It was clean, bright, airy and had a toilet and washroom for weary travellers. I could only acknowledge to myself to listen to instinctive knowing in the future and not over ride it to please another.
So make the effort to create some breathing space this week by taking quiet time to notice your thoughts. If they no longer serve you, then thank them for sharing and ask them to leave. Begin to consciously fill your mind with thoughts that do serve you ~ loving, compassionate, nurturing thoughts about yourself in particular and then others. Over time, you'll find that your mind becomes clearer and calmer and possibilities become brighter.
When I lived in South Africa previously, apartheid was rampant, and the most scary thing I remember was on the 28th of April 1975 when a small war broke out in downtown Johannesburg. The first news said a group of six terrorists had taken over the Israeli Consulate in Fox Street opposite the Carlton Centre. Hell, I had been in the Carlton Centre that afternoon!
Hundreds of soldiers and policemen were rushed to the area. Government Ministers and senior officials converged on the scene.
The siege continued through the night and only the next morning did police realise that just one gunman was behind it all. I had been petrified all night.
I remember also how outraged I was at the treatment I witnessed of the Africans, by the police, by the Indians and by the Afrikaaners.
One was not allowed to socialise with them, buy them or their children gifts, or become over familiar.
Of course being a rule breaker from way back I did everything I was not supposed to.
How delightful was it to return to South Africa and interact with the Africans, laugh and talk without looking over my shoulder making sure I was not about to be pounced upon by the Police or reported to the authorities for that matter.
South Africa is an awesome country. The lay of the land is astounding. Magnificent views, with an expansiveness I have never seen anywhere before. The horizon was always filled with a depth and dimension that stirred the soul and moved the heart.
I loved the Transkei, the Garden Route, Capetown and the journey itself. It is so funny when you think of those who visit Australia who expect to see Kangaroos on the doorstep and yet in South Africa on our travels we shared the road with, goats, sheep, cattle, tortoise,
monkeys, Africans walking, baboons,potholes and cars driven with gay abandon.
The Africans still break into dance for no reason and have the most beautiful white smiles, and sing with amazing harmony. (I remember that from before) It is indeed with genuine sincerity I say it was a pleasure to experience the energy of this great country again.
South Africa you are a breathtaking country with such wonderful inhabitants and impressive views. As always, you will remain in my heart of hearts.
This is an interesting article about a person know as Norrie who neither identifies as male or female. I appreciated the read because one has to sit back and think and look at this situation from a broader perspective rather than remain linear and singular in our focus.
For those who believe in past lives, who have an innate 'feeling' or 'knowing' that they have lived many lives before this one, then what about this idea?
I recently attended a seminar where it was offered that we do not live life after life being male one lifetime and female the next. Rather we live in 'blocks' of one gender, before changing and experiencing a 'block' of lives as the other gender.
There is an ongoing time frame where there will be a transition period as around 10-15% of the population are changing from one gender to the other.
So that means we have all been gay!!!!!
The attendees at this conference roared their delight and approval! So whether gay, lesbian, androgynous, the above gives food for thought does it not?
It was with sheer delight that I found myself engrossed in the movie 'The Blind Side' on a Saturday afternoon. It was such a feel good film and the most poignant realisation for me was the fact that this is the first film I have ever seen where the family who took in Michael Oher, did not go into dysfunction, screaming, crying, anger and rage at having their perfect life intruded upon by their mother taking in a homeless black teenager. This is what made the film so special.
The humour used in the family setting where everyone had their say, and could be who they were without being put down or made wrong was so refreshing. This included Michael's 'real' mother. Her wish not to see her son was respected.
I think the director did a great job of getting this story told without syrup and sugar or embroiling us in a racial war zone. Loved the images of the 'real' family at the end of the movie too.
I encourage you to see it. A well acted, well paced, moving and inspiring movie.
I have received a great message this morning which I would like to share. It certainly goes against the grain of all the adverse commentaries and news bulletins 'out there'.
Today, I'm going to be happy. I'm going to skip. I'm going to be glad. I'm going to smile a lot. I'm going to be easy. I'm going to count my blessings. I'm going to look for reasons to feel good. I'm going to dig up positive things from the past. I'm going to look for positive things where I stand, right here, right now. I'm going to look for positive things in the future.
It is my natural state to be a happy person. It's natural for me to love and to laugh and FEEL good. This is what is most natural for me. I am a happy person!
Happy Valentine's Day or as those without partners, and the pessimistic call it - Single's Awareness Day.
There are those who suggest that only as a couple can we really feel "complete." That somehow if we're alone (by choice or circumstance), then we're defective in some way. Far from the truth!
When we can approach life from a place of knowing happiness within ourselves, of not requiring another to be the source of our joy, of lining up with our own self and feeling love and joy in being who we be, then our world does indeed become our oyster. It is only when we are the most whole, when we are lined up with our self, when we are in the best possible relationship with our self, when we have kindness and gratitude for who we are right here, right now that we're able to be in a healthy, meaningful relationship with anyone else. It is only when we realise that the most important primary relationship we can ever have, is the one with our self that we become our most lovable.
I will be celebrating with myself on Valentine's Day -- and loving the fact that I know who I am and love what I see.
You know to go and see a movie where the first fifteen minutes or so had me so contracted, recalling distant memories of apartheid and my own personal experience of living in South Africa, when it was rampant, had me wondering why I was even sitting in the cinema.
Then the story began to unfold. Morgan Freeman could not have been chosen for a better role in a film starring as Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon was very credible as the captain of the Springboks Francois Pienaar. I did have a giggle when he lost the accent a couple of times.
What touched me was how as a newly elected President, Mandela felt deep down that the South African nation remained racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. He believed he could bring his people together through the universal language of sport and it made for a great movie.
For me, being born in New Zealand and having lived in South Africa in the 70's, it was great to be reminded of human face of that beautiful country versus the politics. The politics was why I left. I had not been brought up to hate in that way.
Clint Eastwood did a great job as Director and this movie was a great watch, very inspiring.
At the end of the day if a man who spent a large part of his life in a cell no bigger than a normal Australian bathroom can become such a role model of forgiveness, leadership, and know deep inside (quote) "I am the Master of my fate, I am the Captain of my Soul" then there is hope for the rest of us, is there not?
My desire for 2010. Wouldn't it be a nice if mankind made a concentrated effort in recognising the cyclical movement of this planet and refrained from spreading the mis-guided and mis-informed perceptions of those who are so singular and disconnected in their awareness, in that all they have to offer is doom and gloom.
What if there is no need to worry about what is happening on the planet. What if what is happening is a natural occurrence. It is nothing caused by the people on the planet.
Sure we can clean up the air and stop depleting the resources of the earth, but that is not the cause of what is currently happening.
What is happening is a natural cycle which some have given the name the water cycle of the planet. It has to do with magnetics and temperature and occurs every several hundred years or so. What we are experiencing right now has already been seen and acknowledged by Russian scientists. They say it is a reoccurrence of a min-ice cycle a time similar to the 1400's and it is upon us again.
By itself it is not life threatening. We will see more storms, tsunami's and the like. So for those who live in storm areas it is time to become more aware. The water levels will rise - so would it not be obvious that if you live on the beach, to move? That is just being smart. Then again this life is about free choice, in contrast to what others would have you believe (that something or someone is doing this all to us).
Any one who has even a little awareness will concede that time is moving much faster, and has speeded up, even though the hands of the clock are not moving any quicker. Well the time frame that is geological has also sped up.
Things are happening faster than the geologists thought they would, bringing what has been labelled 'global warming' which is a climax of a climate situation that always occurs before a cooling cycle. It is normal.
Isn't it great that we all have choice in what we want to believe? Here's to an expansive, uplifting, positive, awesome year to you all.
I see this year has got off to a great start. Still the same old issues in the same old papers and probably on the same old news programs on TV. Don't watch it any more so don't know.
I have decided going into this next decade to look for happier and more uplifting news than what is generally offered. There is so much out there but it seems no one gets off on it as much as the fear based stuff.
How amazing would it be if we all focussed on what is working in our lives instead of becoming caught up in what is not.
For starters, I am blown away by the amount of totally negative emails forwarded to me this year (already) spelling out doom and gloom of the air, the water, the planet, and any other fear based topic senders have been able to get off on. What a totally mis-informed, disconnected, mis-guided and mis-leading view on life you all have. You keep creating your reality and I'll stick to mine. Thank you all the same.
I am breaking out of the mould - since New Year's Day I have been in Sydney and felt the rain, the warmth of the sun, loved the depths of the water at Palm Beach, had smiles from people I do not know, relished in the hugs of children, gone on some great walks and breathed wonderful fresh air every moment of every day.
Gratitude for the obvious flows over into everyday life. It starts with self! Have an expansive year!
It has been my experience that the busier we get, the less time we spend taking care of ourselves. In our rush to complete our to-do list, we put aside the very tools that help keep us calm and focused.
But the most important thing is to begin today . . . because the risk of not opening a quiet space to see and focus and clarify are great . . . you risk missing your own life.
Give yourself the gift of breathing space today by ~
Sitting - simply sit and close your eyes and breathe.
Committing to a regular journaling practice -- pick out a journal that you love and begin writing to yourself today.
Reading inspirational, thought provoking books
Spending some time each day in nature or walking the beach -- take a few moments in the morning, evening or at lunch to sit and walk in a nature-filled setting or smelling the ocean.
By the way if you are reading this blog, you just may be interested in a retreat in New Year in Bali click here
Today is the release of the 2012 disaster movie in the US and in many other countries. We have all most likely seen the commercials and advertisements by now. Just like a giant tsunami coming right for us, 2012 is everywhere and difficult to avoid.
The film's sensationalized trailer claims that ancient Mayan prophecy warned us of Earth's apocalyptic end on December 21, 2012 and admonishes that we should have listened. Through its deceptively authentic advertising ploys, the film teeters on being non-fiction, leaving people wondering what the truth about 2012 really is .......
There is more hunger for love and appreciation today than bread….. Mother Teresa.
I was recently sent a video to watch. You know the sort, piano playing in the background, beautiful words appear on the screen, a (vogue model type) in silhouette, with dress blowing in the wind emphasizing her shapely body.
Then the words appear ‘Has anyone told you, You are truly loved?... you are loved….. Has anyone assured you that you are exactly as you need to be.”
It got me going. I saw a baby flash on the screen after the Vogue silhouette and thought of the ridiculousness of shape and size and conditioning and those who perpetuate humans looking a certain way.
A baby is born and a few months later looks like this
We think the baby is beautiful. The sign of a healthy, happy child, radiates through its chubby features.
We see a child going to school that looks like this That child is often subjected to ridicule, torment and all other sorts of behaviour and where did our children learn those comments in the first place? Through our talk of someone being fat, disgusting, ugly, and that they are different in a negative way for being so fat.
We see this in a magazine We can be appalled, disgusted, and horrified at how far societies need for perfection has been taken to an extreme or we can aspire to look like clothes peg.
We can also see that there are no limits in place to ensure health and wellbeing of models, or any idea of reality in the heads of those masters of photo shopping.
We see this
And screw our nose in distaste and assume that the person eats too much, is lazy and needs to lift their game.
There is no simple answer. We are indeed all who we are and exactly as we need to be in that moment. Some obese men and women do have medical conditions – it is not all about eating and drinking and making poor choices.
The thing is, once you begin to feel different, and are faced with ridicule and torment, then it is only natural to turn to comfort eating or drinking and thereby perpetuate a cycle unloving behavior upon oneself as a way of coping.
Being able to encourage our children as they grow to accept others as they are, whether, black, white or yellow, no matter what their religious or sexual persuasion, no matter what their shape or size begins at home.
We do not make those same disparaging remarks and judgments about animals. We don't ridicule elephants because they are too big or whales. Or tell a cow she is no good because she has three stomachs and is pregnant so is deemed too fat. Our domestic cats and dogs can be overweight too. We do not usually mistreat them for the fact.
Sure the media and tabloids play a dangerous game and have more influence than they should by dictating what is deemed a suitable size and weight for our human species. If we were all the same – how boring we would look. Clones of each other.
We do not need to prove anything. We are who we are and the shape we are. You are who YOU are. One of a kind - an original masterpiece. You gotta love that.
Below is a tribute of "Man In The Mirror" sung by Siedah Garrett - the writer of the song, with The Agape International Choir, performed at Rev. Michael Beckwith's congregation (who stars in 'The Secret' movie). The passion and energy with which she sings is wonderful! I trust its soul-full inspiration will touch you also :-)
"If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself, and then make a change!"
My email in box seems to always be filled with ways for me to improve my life, my finances, my body, my looks, my beliefs, the way I feel. On and on and on.
Firstly, believe it or not I am a busy woman. Secondly, I don't have time to read them. Thirdly, there is an insinuation that I am broke, overweight , look 100 years old and lastly, that I am unsatisfied with what I have in my life.
The writers of these emails are surely seeking the vulnerable, those with low self esteem and those who have no self worth. Wonder how they found me anyway.
You know I am beginning to think that if we spent all day really being thankful for what we have got, such as a great country to live in, sun that shines most days, no guns, no fighting, no terrorism, plenty of food and water and sing the praises of what we do have rather than what we don't then the small stuff (that can appear larger than life itself at times) would be a non issue as we we remind ourselves ( lovingly or course) just how wonderful life is.
So to the writers of those emails - read my lips.... I AM NOT BROKEN AND I DO NOT NEED FIXING thanks all the same.
Whether you are 24 or 74 years of age there are a plethora of personal pleasure products these days, to take your pleasuring and experimentation to a different level.
Whether single or in a relationship, there are many exciting styles of vibrators to arouse, stimulate and titillate the genital area and other parts of the body. Intimate play has been taken to a whole new level of self loving and indulging. Styles have improved beyond belief and for the most part so have the materials sex toys are made from. Being single no longer means sexual frustration as the use of pleasure products has become part of the main stream. In fact it is quite common to have a drawer full to choose from! Those in relationships can experiment with each other using all styles of vibrators.
Many styles your male partner may enjoy, especially with perineal contact. Waterproof and splash-proof styles bring a whole new meaning to ‘a long hot shower', or a leisurely bath! For those who have a spa – it is a match made in heaven. A wonderful array of products are now available, for every erogenous zone within the body, including G-spot, P- spot (prostate) clitoral stimulators, so now your sex life becomes an experience beyond words! There is no end to the combinations of sensual toys that can be used in love making sessions. For those that enjoy anal play they too are well catered for. Finally personal lubricants (a must with the use of any sex toy) have also made significant inroads with ingredients being more natural, or from certified organic extracts with chemicals such as parabens, glycols and glycerines being replaced with more user friendly ingredients. It's about time, afterall, having an orgasm is one of the most pleasurable, indulgent and significant experiences we as a species can have. Check out http://www.sassyvibes.com.au/ and browse through their shopping boutique.
I was recently given an exercise to do which involved writing down on a piece of paper all the qualities about MYSELF that I admire! I squirmed, but gone on with it. I was also to ask to write about the qualities I saw in others. What was most disquieting, was my ability to see way more qualities in others that I admired, than what I saw in myself. As I was gently reminded, all those qualities I see and admire in others are also within myself. How else could I possibly recognise those qualities in another if I did not?
We as people are usually never encouraged to see how great we are. I watch little ones, constantly encouraged and reminded how good they are, how clever they are, how beautiful they are. When do these accolades stop? Why do they stop? As an adult we are not likely to be going around acknowledging how great we are, how accomplished we are, what a great parent or lover we are. Even though we adapt to many roles within our daily existence, from being at work, to being a parent as well as being a lover and partner, we generally do not give ourselves quedos for being so accomplished! Mostly I hear complaint!
In fact we are amazing, we have every right to feel very good about ourselves. We ought to appreciate how great we are, what we have mastered, what we bring about, what we get done, what we undertake, and how we love, how we care, how we understand and consider others. All admiral qualities to be sure – think about it!.
Older women know what they are doing and so it is a given - if you are a young male find one and learn the ropes. You won't be sorry. In fact you may finish up with the tag of a damn good lover! Older women are less inhibited, willing to do almost anything on the sexual agenda and are sensual. Older women are not afraid to take charge, guide, direct, coax, entice and flatter a younger man into becoming a really good lover. Their sexual prowess and knowledge will undoubtedly leave a young man much better in the bedroom, and the "future love of his life" very grateful for the skills and techniques you imparted. Not only do older women know what they are doing, they take their time about it. This is a teacher and student situation that will hallmark the art of giving pleasure and the ability to revel in intimacy and sensuality like never before. So for those who would be happy with a toyboy - good luck and to the young men ready for achieving success as a skilful lover, what better way to become tuned in, tapped in and turned on than to turn to an older woman.
With awareness comes an inherent desire along with the recognition that some of the behaviours and thoughts we have, really do hold us back from living a joyful life.
So where does this awareness come from?
As we move through our lives, there will always be people, experiences, a movie or two and possibly a book or something that is written somewhere, that will water the little seeds that have been planted as a result of living life.
Awareness springs from that watering. You can not avoid having those seeds sown. Life has a way of showing us contrast and we have a choice ... that choice is to acknowledge our part in the manifestation of that contrast or to point fingers and blame.
I speak to people often who make remarks about senseless killings in countries we do not live in, the waste of a young life in a car crash, how awful life is being beaten by a drunken husband, how painful it is to watch a son fathered by another partner be paid out by the current one... and yet if we are honest, somewhere, somehow we have attracted the experience into our lives. This will either contribute to the expansion and evolvement of who we are as individuals or it will fuel even more hatred and bigotry. The choice is ours!
Like contributing to the environment, it all starts right here, right now, with self. It starts with the choices we choose to make. With what shapes our thoughts, what has influenced our beliefs and how we choose to play that out.
For those of us who feel stuck or caught in a bind, there is way out. A process called Emotional Freedom Technique helps release trauma and blame. Check out the site of Brad Yates, he has the most versatile and complete system I have come across. His processes and tapping system helps with releasing beliefs that no longer serve us.
Further to the furore about footballers being involved in group sex it seems that young women having sex with whoever, whether one on one, a threesome or group sex, the subject is not going to go away.The Age Newspaper had a very interesting article on this which is compelling reading. See for yourself.
Most notably this piece I found very interesting. (Quote)Joan Sauers' Sex Lives of Australian Teenagers tells many tales of joy, regret and alcohol. "Well, I was really, really drunk and I had a boyfriend but I went to a party and was with three guys," says a West Australian, who lost her virginity at 15. "It felt really good at the time but afterwards I felt cheated and used."(End quote)
This is exactly what I meant in a previous blog about Matthew Johns. Somehow we need to take responsibility for our actions.
At the time, with the mind blurred by alcohol and fuelled by an obession with football players the young New Zealand women decides she is up for a good time. Then afterwards with one thing leading to another, when the original two footballers becomes five, then seven or how ever many, the shame sets in, so the next day it is time to point to point fingers and say she has been taken advantage of.
However true that may be, there still remains one core issue. No one held a gun to the young womans head and made her do anything.... it was all choice and with that choice goes being 'adult' enough to take the consequences, and fully own your stupidity in the first instance. This is the first step towards regaining some self-esteem and dignity.
As The Age points out, todays young get 'out of it' by downing the drink and possibly drugs, which causes them to fling caution and common sense out the window. They partake in sex and oral sex having a good time in the moment, then the next week at school having to face the consequences, or having been tagged on someones mobile phone, then it is time to cry out "rape", claim sexual assault, point the finger and blame the males involved.
This anger and rancour is more about what is being aimed within (for being so stupid in the first place), yet 'as humans do' someone else has to be blamed and pay the price for what has happened.
This entire subject seems to me (like so much elese happening in the world today) to be yet another example of truth, accountability, honesty, upheaval, responsibility, integrity and principal being put to the test.
Not being an avid follower of news stories that break on television or in the newspapers, I happened upon an interview with Matthew Johns ( with his wife at his side) that disgusted me so much in raking up and asking questions about a sex act that took place in NZ that I had to switch the TV off!.
I have worked in enough pubs in my time and seen women scheme and plot to get the guy they want when either a band is playing or someone deemed as rich or famous appear on the scene.
What is wrong here ( in my view) is two things. The first is that a female can get everyone on side and is deemed badly donely by when she willingly (at the time) encouraged and indeed egged on and persuaded footballers to have sex with her, and then seven years down the track sells her story, rakes all the muck up again and somehow becomes the victim in all this.
Secondly what is it about these television programmes that really believe they are serving the people of Australia by showing interviews and asking the most invasive questions. Just who is really getting their rocks off here???
I am not condoning the actions and behaviours of these football teams and I am not for one minute feeling sorry for that female either. She made her choice at the time and if she is unable to take the responsibility for her behaviour and actions then so be it. It is also not in her best interest to point fingers and blames others (let alone sell the 'story) for something that was more than likely not a one off incident in her life anyway. I would venture to say her troubles did not begin that night, she would have had self esteem issues anyway. Amazing how seven years later she has a vendetta against those who she willingly went with in the first place.
Bloody hell, the Goverment goes on about porn and about protecting family computers etc and yet this sex scandal is broadcast everywhere, for all in sundry to watch and get their knickers in a knot over ( me included). At the end of the day whose business is it? It is NOTHING to do with any of us. It is between the woman concerned and whoever the male participants were.
How come their is only one is the 'fall guy?' Matthew Johns as far as I understand has already been made accountable for his role in this incident. Why is he being made to pay twice? It is like bring tried for the same crime twice.
All you people out there who think he has got what he deserves should try working in a bar for a month and see what REALLY happens when a female goes on the prowl. Your eyes (and judgement) just may be opened to a completely different perspective!
I wonder when young girls like Hannah Jones will be seen as the unique individuals they are by adults rather than be looked upon and judged from the view of an adult to a child.
I totally respect that Dr Jan Hall has a right to her perspective on this issue, however at the end of the day it is nothing to do with any us. What gives any of us the right to pass judgement about a young girls wishes to die rather than have a heart transplant, just because her decision does not fit into the mould of what we deem as right or wrong? Nor do we feel comfortable with her making a choice many of us would not have the guts to.
Her decision has nothing to do with age. It comes from within, she is very in touch with her sense of self and thankfully she has a loving supportive family, not demanding she do anything else other than what brings her relief and helps her feel good and happy. They respect and honour Hannah for who she is, not for how they would want her to be so other people can feel better about their own issues with death.
For this very mature young girl to make the decision in relation to her future and exercise her right to refuse a major heart operation, be prodded and poked and tested is a very brave stand and one where she has been heard. Rightly so. This beautiful young girl is paving the way of change, giving us all an opportunity to question our values and the conditioning we have had drummed into us about death.
WHY is it so wrong to die?
At the end of the day the meaning of life is not what happens to people, it is what happens between people
I have just watched the video clip entitled ‘The Girl who silenced the world for 5 minutes'. Everything she said rang with truth and I respect her viewpoint. Nothing right or wrong here, she has formed a unique perspective through her young eyes, based on what she has seen, learned and picked up from those around her and has reached out and spoken from her heart. A very spirited and frank discourse. . . .
Here in Australia we sample much of what she speaks - and there are other places in the world that experience so much more. There is no doubt about it. We who live on this planet are in for a ride and it is going to last a while. We are in the process of an Earth shift. I wonder if the time factor of geology itself is fast tracking? Cycles are coming at us and completing faster than we ever thought possible. In spite of it all, a part of me fervently believes the planet is not broken and does not need fixing.
That is NOT to say that we ignore the changes occurring on the planet, I agree that we each need to take responsibility for our own actions. We can make a difference, every individual one of us. It starts at home, from the most simple of things such as monitoring electricity and water use, recycling of clothing and waste as well as the food we eat. We can choose to walk or bicycle somewhere instead of taking the car. One of the problems with ‘saving' the environment is it is often difficult to see tangible benefits. Yet one small step is all it takes, it contributes to the whole.
I was thinking about bees this morning as I walked past the reserve smelling the damp earth. I pondered the fact that the Queen Bee does not stand up in front of all the bees telling them what to do and what not to do, or which flower they must go to and gather honey. Each flies many miles a day and gathers the honey, flitting from one tree to another, one flower to another, back to the hive and off again. Each one intuitively taking responsibility, and its own small step, for being part of the whole. They are all working towards a common good and the honey comb is the result.
If only us humans were more like that. We have been to school and learned about evolution, about the Ice Age, we have learned how animals disappear, how they become extinct. It is all cyclical. Wild life and trees will disappear from the face of the earth. New species are discovered. Why does it have to be this way? It is constant evolution, the constant expansion of life and indeed the Universe. Yet we cry for all of it. All appears to be lost, with the pollution, cutting of trees and certain plants that no longer exist. Also there are the animals and birds that have come and are now gone, the hole in the ozone, the drying up of our waterways on and on it goes.
What if there are certain reasons (beyond our current thinking) as to why they all come, exist, then disappear. What if this is all just another cycle of life which is part of holding the energy for the planet. What if they fill a gap and hold the void for us humans. What if this all sets a stage for us, for our very own expansion. What if the animals are no longer here because they have played their part. What if sections of the land has played its part. Then shouldn't we celebrate it?
There is an awakening happening – this little girl from Canada is also part of it as are you and I. The land I have chosen to live upon is known as Australia. The attributes of this country are unique to the planet. Here, we have never been ravaged by wars. Few humans have been here. Very few wars have been fought here. There is no human drama layered upon its earth, over thousands and thousands of years, no mass death, no dictators slaying us. No craters, cavities and holes left upon our land from machinations of war. There are no battles fought, yet we are consistently ravaged by drought and fires and floods, where entire communities disappear along with the animals.
Gaia shifts and changes, vibration and energy raises, some of us understand that, some of us do not. There is a shift happening worldwide, everything is in its place and is now all part of that shift. Whether it is our animals, our forests, our plants, our ozone layer, our economy, change is happening. The human mind cannot conceive that all is well, it is it seems beyond our thought process. Most of us can't even connect and get in touch or stay in touch with our own sense of wellbeing, let alone our own divinity.
It took a video to trigger this outpouring – a young lass who has one perspective and I who having lived another 47 years more, have another, neither more right or more wrong than the other. The only difference that I can see, is that my perspective makes me feel happy not sad.
Some of us may not dare to believe that this planet, our earth, is expanding and changing of its own accord, as well as being influenced by our human occupation. You know, there just may be a lot more to it than what we see with our eyes and share with our conversations and transmit through our televisions.
Yes I weep. I weep tears of joy, for in my heart, somewhere deep inside, I really do know, all is well.
How many of us ever stop still long enough and take the time to reflect and ponder why life is the way it is. Good or bad. Appreciation and gratitude on one hand are wonderful qualities to have and for me I notice the wavering between those qualities and the frustration (and sometimes desperation) of things going not to so well, life can be a bit of a see-saw.
The highway of life has so many routes we can take. It seems pointless to be so full of ‘road rage' that we never seem to get anywhere. Blaming others, pointing the finger, saying ‘if it wasn't for you', or phoning friends and going on about how so and so is useless and makes you feel so bad is not the answer. The thing is we choose the route. We have to take responsibility for the route we choose, and whatever route we choose matters less than recognizing that we can't make a right or wrong turn — it's all part of the journey.
Feelings and emotions at any given time can shed light. It is interesting to note what feels good and what doesn't. I seem to be getting my fair share of mail lately all about this learning strategy, this secret, this way to be successful, this way to have a fantastic life. An innocent follow through on something that initially gives you an answer to something you have been looking for, turns into a deluge of offers. It does not feel good.
One, I have not got time to read all the crap.
Two, for me personally there is nothing more off putting than a lengthy ‘come-on' to burst through to ‘everlasting wealth and riches beyond your wildest dreams'.
Three, how presumptuous of the writers to assume that ‘their way' is what I need to reach the happiness stakes!
What feels good though is going for a walk in the rain (yes, at the moment there is a lot of it) and being lulled by the sound of rain drops. Upon my return I unsubscribed from all those pesky emails. In the comment box I wrote “Too many emails, too presumptuous, too much, too much, too much. Ah, now to look for more in this glorious day that makes me feel good.
I have been delving a lot lately into where the beliefs I have about certain things come from. It is a given, that between the ages of 0-5 our parents ( and from thereon our teachers) set the stage for the meanings we take from their behaviour and the validation we receive (or not).
Once I started looking at my beliefs over certain aspects of my life it seems I have opened Pandora's box and stuff is coming up all over the place.
I see everywhere something about beliefs. Random conversations lead to something about beliefs, email messages speak of beliefs and a DVD I watched had this as a topic. There is no where to go and run and hide.
So tackling this full on, I have looked at varying ways of replacing beliefs that do not serve me. I have been using a meditation process, that I found on-line. Today I came across a site that had an incredible inter-active process about changing beliefs - and it works!
Check it out - (you have to copy and paste the link in a separate window)
It was awesome - so if you think there is room for improvement in your belief system - give this a go. At the end of the day the meaning we give interactions, experiences and situations creates the thinking that causes beliefs - which are the thoughts that are thought over and over.
Today I have had three conversations whereby each person has spoken of their problems as though they are a badge of honour.
One, diabetic has used the low blood sugar thing and insulin as an excuse for many, many years to imbibe in moodiness and grumpy behaviour. Another is recovering from a heart by-pass. Years of smoking, eating whatever she liked, when she liked and being in a marriage where there was lots of control and having to act in a certain way for the husband to feel good about himself took its toll. Finally another friend who has Crohn's Disease gives it her all. Always talking about it, using it as an excuse for what feels off, for all health issues, for what feels plain horrible.
Isn't there an old adage that "what is likened to itself is drawn unto it"?
Without wanting to sound as though I have no compassion whatsoever, I wonder what would happen in their lives if they changed their story and told one of health, vibrancy, aliveness, overcoming and did not require any one else to make them feel good.
Easier said than done, I hear you say. True!! However I have personally tried this art and it works. After years of being carved up for one thing or another, I stopped. I stopped expecting other people to make me feel good, to validate who I am, to rescue me and to listen to my sad story. (I had plenty of them)
These days it is more awareness of how I (and only I) am responsible for how I feel, for what I want to feel, and for the events of my life. That is not to say there is no contrast. There is heaps of it. However I choose to see it as a jumping off place, not a reason to spiral into believing life sucks, or I will never get better, or that I will never achieve my highest dreams.
In each moment I can only offer to be the best that I can be, and that can only include what makes me feel good, happy, radiant and very much alive.
Customer: Well, after much consideration, I've decided to install Love. Can you guide me through the process?
Tech Support: Yes. I can help you. Are you ready to proceed?
Customer: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready.What do I do first?
Tech Support: The first step is to open your Heart. Have you located your Heart?
Customer: Yes, but there are several other programs running now. Is it okay to install Love while they are running?
Tech Support: What programs are running ?
Customer: Let's see, I have Past Hurt, Low Self-Esteem, Grudge and Resentment running right now.
Tech Support: No problem, Love will gradually erase Past Hurt from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory but it will no longer disrupt other programs. Love will eventually override Low Self-Esteem with a module of its own called High Self-Esteem. However,you have to completely turn off Grudge and Resentment. Those programs prevent Love from being properly installed. Can you turn those off ?
Customer: I don't know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?
Tech Support: With pleasure. Go to your start menu and invoke Forgiveness. Do this as many times as necessary until Grudge and Resentment have been completely erased.
Customer: Okay, done! Love has started installing itself. Is that normal?
Tech Support: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other Hearts in order to get the upgrades.
Customer: Oops! I have an error message already. It says, "Error - Program not run on external components." What should I do?
Tech Support: Don't worry. It means that the Love program is set up to run on Internal Hearts, but has not yet been run on your Heart. In non-technical terms, it simply means you have to Love yourself before you can Love others.
Customer: So, what should I do?
Tech Support: Pull down Self-Acceptance; then click on the following files: Forgive-Self; Realize Your Worth; and Acknowledge your Limitations.
Customer: Okay, done.
Tech Support: Now, copy them to the "My Heart" directory. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching faulty programming.
Also, you need to delete Verbose Self-Criticism from all directories and empty your Recycle Bin to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.
Customer: Got it. Hey! My heart is filling up with new files. Smile is playing on my monitor and Peace and Contentment are copying themselves all over My Heart. Is this normal?
Tech Support: Sometimes. For others it takes awhile, but eventually everything gets it at the proper time. So Love is installed and running.
One more thing before we hang up. Love is Freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everyone you meet. They will in turn share it with others and return some coolmodules back to you.
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Membership is free and every member automatically becomes a shareholder in me2everyone Limited. Personally I currently have 4750 shares in the venture and I am going to increase my shares very soon. This is an excellent chance for all of us to make some real progress in 2009 and beyond! Please do not miss the fun!!
If you are looking for something really good in 2009: something that changes your view on the world, then you really have to spend just one minute and look at this website.
Is there mobile phone etiquette? I am unsure, however I do know that I too am subject to people texting and reading messages in the middle of conversation with me. I know that I have been cut off mid sentence when someone elses mobile phone has rung. I have watched visitors race to their mobile phone to answer calls where, if you did not know any better, you would think someone's life was at risk
.
I have witnessed people leaving dinner tables to answer mobile calls, seen people served at the bank and continue their call as though the teller does not exist. I have been unfortunate enough to have someone on the train talk loudly into their phone describing intimate details about the night before, loud enough for the whole carriage to hear.
I have been at Trade Shows where the stand opposite had a mobile phone go off every minute for an entire two days, before complaints were made and they were asked to refrain (by a customer, not another stall holder) - thank God, as we had another three days to go!.
I have been at the movies when someone's phone has gone off and they have fumbled in the dark not knowing where they placed it, so we were subject to a whole minute of a download with a voice saying " I've lost my phone, I've lost my phone, where the f*ck is my phone, I've lost my phone, where's my f**ken phone, I've lost my phone, I've lost my phone..... on and on and on.
So the moral of the story? Take a trip to Lord Howe Island.
This little haven in the South Pacific has no mobile phone reception.... and .... limited internet access. People wave to you and acknowledge you when passing you as you ride a bicycle (the tourist mode of transport). Conversations are not interrupted by mobile phones ringing. I noticed that BIG time after 24 hours hours. How refreshing.
Swimming, snorkelling, turtle tours, climbing mountains, walking up hills and across ridges abound! A boat trip around the island on the clearest of days was pure magic! A lovely way to enjoy a change of pace.
I have a friend who was one of the two million in Washington who took this photo.
Another friend wrote and shared the following after being glued to TV watching the inauguration and the ensuing festivities:
"The energy they create [The First Family] seems to be phenomenal. They seem as grounded as they are confident and compassionate. This truly seems to be a calling they are all perfectly suited for at this time in history. And, the American people are embracing them with anticipation and gratitude, myself included, regardless of political policy positions. This inauguration reminds me of the wedding of Princess Diana in that it is an occasion bigger than itself, where by watching or participating in it we can feel like citizens of the world, not just of our own countries. "
and her poem....
Stop
Rest a moment
Inhale the freshness
Sniff around to find clouds of sweetness wafting by
Sigh. . .
Pause to get your bearings,
You're here now.
This fleeting moment is everything and nothing,
All you have and now gone.
Glance back at how far you've come,
But not for long.
There is no future in the past.
Chart your new course with “Given what I know now.”
I love that word PRAGMATIC. It means being practical and efficient and in spite of realities that drive fear - it means being sensible and realistic, rather than being fear orientated.
You know it may take all world leaders to become hard headed, business like and reach for a more down-to-earth approach to life (still words that mean pragmatic) in order to being some balance into the world we find ourselves living in today - and so be it.
What good does it do - (honestly, just think about it), - to persistently and consistently beleaguer the nation with continual headlines and quotes from the Prime Minister saying things like,
"It (the economy) is going to get worse, much worse"
"We have yet to hit rock bottom"
"We are in for a rough year"
"It is the Government's responsibility to reach out to those so deeply affected by this crisis"
I am not meaning we should put our head in the sand but what is ....IS!!!!
Let's focus and put our attention on standing up and moving forward.
Media - take note - if you changed your fear mongering and doom and gloom write ups, and became being more pragmatic in your reporting maybe people all around the Nation will rise to the ocassion instead of making fearful conversations with another.
I do not get any upliftment from people saying to me : "Oh, and how has your business been affected by this global crisis".
I want to hear "isn't it great that we have so much to appreciate"
'Isn't it wonderful to know that no matter what is happening in reality right now, we are still continually expanding and whats the bet as the economy rights itself, we find ourselves living something even more magnificent than what we have ever experienced before"
"Isn't it great to know that it takes the rocking of the boat to get everything out of balance, yet we bounce back eventually, it is like riding a wave."
"I know that all is well and no matter what is happening on this earth right now, the future will bring us more than we ever thought possible, due to our wanting the economic recovery to be swift and great" .
"I love watching the dance of life and this includes the dance of the world at large. I see all the contrast and diversity and all the dilemmas and yet know from this a better world is being moulded".
That sort of talk makes me smile, that sort of talk encourages me, that sort of talk inspires me.
The next time you encounter fear, consider yourself lucky. This is where courage comes in. Usually we think that brave people have no fear. The truth is that they are intimate with fear. ~ Pema Chodron
In this world of ours, it goes withour saying that there are those of us who are shooting rockets of desire for a more harmonious world. One filled with more peace than wars, more economic stability than the see saw ride we are living through at the moment, a desire to seek more happiness and pleasure than to indulge in pain, death and destruction.
That would mean turning off the TV for starters!
I am really fed up with receiving Newsletters, daily blogs and other messages than consistently perpetuate the doom and gloom and the demise of the either the world, the economy and /or our livelihood.
Gosh, with all the publicity of 'The Secret' these past years and what it contains and even just hearing the words "The Law of Attraction" don't you think some of us would realise that by paying so much attention to the current state of anything that is not how we would wish, and forever writing about how terrible "it is" and talking about the dreadful state the "world is in" that if you are not going to take a positive stance then you are fuelling the very thing you wish would change!!!
Surely it is more beneficial to show appreciation for what IS working, rather than giving so much attention to what is NOT!!
May as many of us who are willing, embrace acceptance, tolerance and understanding and lovingly allow those who wish to do different - find another way.
After writing an article on 'Loneliness' for the Newsletter I came across a You Tube video and thoughtI would share. I recognise this place - it is in Australia - Sydney's Pitt Street Mall to be exact. What a way to spread some christmas cheer, I was most impressed with this video. Enjoy ....
You know I had honestly forgotten why I do not choose to listen to the radio when I drive the car, As I work from home, it is no longer important in rush hour to find out what is happening on the roads. Yesterday my daughter borrowed my car and turned off the CD and tuned into Hot Tomato.
This morning when I went to their house to wish my grandson a 'Happy Birthday' I found myself really put off by the chat on the Hot Tomato radio station on the Gold Coast and the news.
I heard about a guy who crashed into a parked tanker at 1 am in the morning. I heard about a child who had drowned in a pool in his back yard on the Central Coast, I heard about a girl in the Northern territory who died when jumping from a moving road train, and what about the 12 year old who was three times over the drink driving limit who crashed a car?
Seriously what the hell difference does all this make to the every day lives of you and me? Why does the media believe we really need to hear this stuff?
There is nothing uplifting about any of it. Is this life changing news that will help me become a better person? I think not.
Am I to understand that being privy to this sort of information will inspire me and give me reason to live a happier life? I think not.
Gosh... give me the DVD of music so I can foster a sense of peace and calm in knowing that all is well, even though there is diversity and contrast everywhere!
I try as best I can to 'walk my talk' The one thing I have not been able to overcome is my impatience. I live where each day one has to drive 13 kms along a tourist road and so impatience sets in when cars travel at 30kms instead of 60kmph or at 40kmph past the school at mid-day and again at 60lmph when they shuld be travelling at 80. There are very few spots where you pass so there is no option but remain stuck.
One car today could not decide which lane it wanted to be in travelling in the left lane and as I went to pass on the right, they crossed over in front of me. Pulling up at the lights I do a little dance with my hands indicatiing which lane did they want to be in. The burned me off at the lights so I could not get past and then prompylty pulled off the road and myself, another car and truck all drove past.
I never gave it another thought. Yippeee the road was clear!!!
Pulling into my drive way with grandchildren in tow some three hours later I receive an abusive phone call from a woman demanding to know if I drive a gold car and have short hair. She proceeded to call me an idiot and told me I was lucky she could control her husband and make him pull off the road.
I thanked her for her very nice words and hung up.
What amuses me is that somepeople have nothing better going on in their lives than to stew and rant and rave and hold on to things that happened hours before. Small minded to say the least, then having the need to make phone calls and vent their anger, and point fingers says more about them than it does about me.
No this blog is not going to become a political soap box. However this is a defining moment in history. I always said this was not a US election but a 'world' election and the outcome is awesome! Change, healing, transformation and integration, who would have thought???
McCain's speech conceding defeat was gracious, he did himself proud. Aaaah what a world.... What an amazing day. Martin Luther King's "I had a dream..... I see the promised land" has been made manifest. Wow!!!
I was listening to an excerpt from a workshop this morning where it was pointed out how we tend to always "tell it like it is".
"Where do you want to be?" "I'm here and I would much rather be there". "'I hate it here and I want to be over there".
Then we phone our friends, our Mum, anyone who will listen and join on-line chat groups and keep complaining about our mate, our job, our family, our relationships, how we have no money, how it all sucks and even ask " why is this happening to me?"
There is only one answer... "you take YOU with you , where ever YOU go. Yes.... it IS all about YOU.
What you give your energy to.. begets more and the more you talk about lack and what is NOT working in your life, the more it keeps not working.
What is it about us humans that keeps us so focused on what we DON'T want?
How come few of us wake up and immediately focus on the beautiful day, the feel of the sheets, and feel filled with gratitude to have another day in front of us? Usually the mind kicks in and picks up on some negative stance about something as we recall yesterday and what so and so said to us at lunch time.
The idea of saying/repeating affirmations over and over again doesn't cut to the chase because we are so out of sync! Our energy is not supporting what we are saying.
We want 'this' - yet all we talk about is 'that. We feel miserable and get disappointed because the affirmations are not working. How can they?
In daring to talk about the life we want, the relationships we want, the job we want, and seeing that happening and believing you are on the way to it happening you are telling a new story and offering a different perspective and energy on life and where you are going in the one you are living. We are 'holding the vision'.
Have you ever noticed how children do this? No such thing as can't in their understanding. They are eager to try new things, to pivot and go another way if something does work out the first time, they talk about everything as if it is now - they tell it how they want it, they believe it, they are totally present, and even draw their life on pieces of paper and colour in, both the present and the future - amazing.
Try this as a new way to live life sometime... and then watch and see what happens.
Ageing is one hell of a topic I think. We are all going to go there (eventually). I really want to age well and have my sense of humour in tact as well as be as active as possible.
My grandfather was amazing, full of vitality to the end (even though much slower) he did not go to hospital, never complained about aches and pains. His nearest thing to a complaint was a sigh and uttering "I'm tired, I've had a good innings".
Now there is my mother on the other hand, bemoaning the fact her knees give her problems. She has an operation and then states it has broken down again. Has another operation and says it still is not good enough. Next it is the feet, seems she may now have spurs in her heel.
To me this is about inflexibility, not giving in, fear, inability to bend (to other's point of view) with a bit of direction issues and understanding of self thrown in for good measure.
What I hear now is complaint, the amplifying of what is not working in her life, the pills she takes for the pain and much talking about 'the problem'.
Another friend a couple of years younger than my mother has today flown from the UK to the USA to be with lover for 2 -3 weeks. Guess what they will be up to tonight? I never hear this woman complain about her health even though she has had a gammy leg all her life!
As an active person I see myself staying that way. I see my older years as full of fun, travelling, walking, and hopefully a lover or two thrown in for good measure! Bring it on!!
No nursing homes, hospitals and complaint for me. There is too much emphasis on wanting to "feel good" in my persona and I intend to stay that way.
No matter what lands in your lap, it is a matter of choice as to how you ultimately decide to cope with or manage the situation at hand. Easily said isn't it? When the sh*t hits the fan it is not easy to choose good feeling thoughts and immediately pivot.
Driving behind a vehicle travelling under the speed limit is always a good one. Being a lead foot myself, I often find the very time I am running late I will be stuck for endless kilometres behind some tourists ambling along the highway. Where there is no way of passing safely one really can only turn up the stereo and start singing, or switch into fantasy land and imagine winning lotto. OR maybe a good way to loose weight is to fret and stress for the next 15 kms and burn up a few calories along the way.
I tried that "feeling good" thing out earlier in the week. Went for the annual visit to the Accountant to sign the tax return. Was not expecting to have to a pay Capital Gains Tax amount far exceeding my wildest dreams. It felt as though I had been winded when I heard the amount. I couldn't breathe, let alone speak!!! I hasten to add here it was not the fact I had to pay tax, that is never a problem, it was the amount!
I was very quiet. Signed the papers and began the drive home. About 5 kms down the road, I began to see the up side. I had 7 months to ensure I had the required amount, it all worked out perfectly when the properties did sell, and also I just want to feel good.
Each moment in life is indeed - a matter of choice!
No matter what lands in your lap, it is a matter of choice as to how you ultimately decide to cope with or manage the situation at hand. Easily said isn't it? When the sh*t hits the fan it is not easy to choose good feeling thoughts and immediately pivot.
Driving behind a vehicle travelling under the speed limit is always a good one. Being a lead foot myself, I often find the very time I am running late I will be stuck for endless kilometres behind some tourists ambling along the highway. Where there is no way of passing safely one really can only turn up the stereo and start singing, or switch into fantasy land and imagine winning lotto. OR maybe a good way to loose weight is to fret and stress for the next 15 kms and burn up a few calories along the way.
I tried that "feeling good" thing out earlier in the week. Went for the annual visit to the Accountant to sign the tax return. Was not expecting to have to a pay Capital Gains Tax amount far exceeding my wildest dreams. It felt as though I had been winded when I heard the amount. I couldn't breathe, let alone speak!!! I hasten to add here it was not the fact I had to pay tax, that is never a problem, it was the amount!
I was very quiet. Signed the papers and began the drive home. About 5 kms down the road, I began to see the up side. I had 7 months to ensure I had the required amount, it all worked out perfectly when the properties did sell, and also I just want to feel good.
Each moment in life is indeed - a matter of choice!
Here I am, after weeks of preparation. I have arrived at an eagerly awaited event and set the stage (so to speak) only to find myself on the first day staring across the aisle into a vacant booth. This was to be the first sign that maybe this Expo was not going to live up to my expectations and vision.
Making decisions to attend Expos and taking your branding and product to the masses can be a great marketing exercise.
For me, after years of doing this with various types of product and merchandise, I have realised this type of marketing has run its course (well in my case at least).
It pays to see things from a broader persepctive. I am so sick of hearing complaint and negative remarks at shows signfying other stand holders discontent of "how disorganised it is" or "it has not been advertised correctly" or "the numbers of attendess are down, it was much better last year".
You see, it comes down to the Exhibitor everytime! No one holds a gun to your heads saying we MUST attend. Blaming and pointing the finger when things do not work out according to ones expectations is pointless and smacks of a lack of responsibility on the exhibitior's part.
We (as exhibitors) make our own choices and there is no-one and nothing outside of ourselves that is to blame.
I prefer to see the situaion I find myself in as a "launching pad for the future" even if that means I will not be back!
A sexy, yet tragic love story, that made a Friday night curled up with bottle of red rather enjoyable. ''Betty Blue'' is a lissome, free-spirited young beauty, and she is the very soul of inspiration to her boyfriend, Zorg. The film opens with a full on love scene where we first see them, Betty and Zorg making love under a poster of the ''Mona Lisa''.
A story of love, lust and death with some really funny bits thrown in for good measure. Well, funny/sad.
Betty likes to egg Zorg on with his artistic efforts, and to rail against the forces that keep him in submission. Whenever possible, and that's very often, she likes to do these things in the raw. Whenever possible, Zorg likes to second Betty's actions by grabbing her and demonstrating his appreciation. Nine scenes out of 10 seem to end this way.
This is a film was made in 1986, even so - it was enjoyable.
When you last went to "spend a penny" or "point Percy at the porcelain" did you go to the bog, the thunderbox, the lavatory, the rest room, the shit house, or the loo to name a few of the euphemisms out there?
At an outing not so long ago this chap I was talking to said "Excuse me, I must go to the little boy's room" Ask yourself! It has been a while since I went to "powder my nose" and in case you are interested I have been known to ask where the "rest room" is. We do not go there to rest, so wonder how that name came into being?
My Dad used to go and "see a man about a horse" or "a man about a dog" ( he was a farmer after all) and I recall my Nana going "to spend a penny". My grandparent had the night cart call and empty the contents in their "out house", how us kids used to HATE going into that smelly cupboard outside the back door. Too much lip to either grandparent would result in being locked in there. I tried many a time to stop breathing for half an hour. I just could not do it.
So next time you to "shake hands with your best friend" or "point Alice at the chalice" will it be the Khazi, the gents, the ladies, the water-closet (WC) or the cloakroom?
Working away and listening to ABC Classical FM and then a news item had me pricking up my ears. Seems in London the Church of Engalnd has been engaged in an uproar over allowing women bishops.
It seems the Synod refuses to back proposals for the ordination of women bishops arguing that Jesus chose the twelve Apostles ( all men) which signifies that the leaders of the church must be the role of men.
Get real! - that was 2000 years ago!
Now in 2008 I say power to the women (if that is their calling) who become bishops and follow their passion with dignity and grace.
Having been on a the same cruise ship last year, I headed off on vacation very excited to be cruising the Mediterranean and even more excited to be travelling on a vessel I knew had a great computer and internet set up. Boy, was I in for a shock. Seems they had changed the system somewhat.. and when I went to write my blog I was blocked out!
This was extremely frustrating and no amount of communication settled the matter. Here I was, sailing the high seas and unable to tap into my web sites.
I wonder how many people would spend a truck load of money going on a cruise to sit all day in the Internet Cafe on board downloading porn??
I won't be sailing with the Holland America line again, especially as their Customer Service does not follow through.
That is the one down side of trying to raise the bar and bring some honour and respect to sexuality and the use of intimate pleasure products. SEX is SEX is SEX and for some... no matter that it was the very act of SEX that got you here in the first place, just the word itself will have some taking the higher moral ground and not allow for the legitimate within their rules and regulations
It is raining as I brave the 7 degree temperature and wind and finally take a long gasp of fresh air. After 24 hours of being either in a plane or an airport it is sheer relief to be outside.
A shower and sleep with the luxury of lying flat is at the top of the agenda. Waking at 3am it still felt like it was daylight and looking out the window in Copenhagen I found the culprit - the Hotel sign in full blaze ! There is a great theatre taking place on the streets below.
Bands of youth with hoodies roaming the streets and a couple of men so "high" on the steps of another hotel across the road. They are weaving and extraordinary dance - like puppets on a string they flop and glide and twirl, never falling. Almost horizontal at one stage, I remain fascinated.
Glancing the other way I am even more intrigued. A woman who seems to be of African descent stand on the street corner braving the cold. She is dressed in a black and white horizontal striped jumper and jeans and high boots. Every now and again she kicks a foot forward straightening her leg, brings its back and extends the other. She looks cold and alone. After a while I notice a large dark man wearing a trench coat walk past and say something and keep walking. I presume it is her pimp who is checking to see if she has had any trade. Oh well back to bed...
Well, well. I have been beating the drum about phthalates used in baby toys and sex toys for 2 years now and what is the headling on Page 38 of the Sun Herald today?? A common chemical in dummies could harm boys. Toxic Toys in the firing line.
Helloooo! Where have you reporters been sleeping these past 2 years? In fact you announce that controversy about the phthalate impact has raged in Europe and the USA - true - and if you did your research you know that that phthalates have been banned in childrens toys and dummies since 2004 in Europe and that San Franscisco has banned their use also. Not all of the USA though
It is also mentioned that phthalates are found in everyday products including vinyl,solvents, medical equipment, nail polish and pefumes. May I also add sport shoes, cosmetics and SEX TOYS!!!!
Australia - you are finally being told about this, their is no governing or regulations about the quantity used in products especially sex toys. China mass produces container load of dummies, teats for milk bottles, sex toys made out of jelly, and god knows what else and inundated the world with these toxic products.
How about also reporting thazt many women have experienced itches, rashes, burning and discharges from using a sex toy (which is very common you know - and dare I say - normal...) that has phthalate loadings of up to 70%!!!!
Well done to the Anglicans in Perth for allowing a woman into their ranks. Now for the rights of those who are gay. About bloody time I say. I had an experience whilst working with HIV and AIDS of the awful dilemma faced by many with this life threatening illness about religion rearing it's ugly side and casting judgement.
How great was it when a Catholic (not Anglican) priest came to the fore for so many of the ill, the outcast, the shunned, the ridiculed. This priest was gay. We knew it, he did such great work, he loved his God and honoured his faith. Yet, he had to leave the cloth due to the double standards of the Church and their stance on homosexuality.
They lost one of the most compassionate, caring, courageous priests they had ever had.
So now it is the Anglican's turn. Well step up, and step out I say. Oh for the time when people are judged on who they are and what they have to give to the Church and the community instead of on their sexual preference. It is none of your business!!!
Here I am at breakfast at the BEST cafe on Marine Parade in Coolngatta. Then it starts. Hi Hon ( or is that Hun?) good to see you". I nearly choke on my poached egg and wonder where a young woman - young enough to be my daughter... No, wait - young enough to be my grand daughter calling me Hon??? Ask yourself!
Whether she means Hon (as in Honey) or Hun (as in Matilla the Hun) I don't know and frankly don't care, you see I am neither!!!!!
Don't you love it when the little chick at the checkout at your Supermarket gives you your change and says "Thanks luv". The hide of it - I am not her 'luv' I don't even know her, don't even want to know her.
Then next as you walk away ( it is 5.15pm and nearly dark) I hear "Have a nice day!" Bloody hell, is everything that comes out of the mouth of person at a checkout in a Supermarket always by remote control??
Do me a favour - say "Enjoy your evening" once it becomes 4pm the afternoon, say "Thanks for shopping at Woolworths" as you give me my change and another thing.... look me in the eye when you speak to me.
I was fascinated when I watched this DVD. This woman is extraordinary and has lived and is living a full life. At 78 years of age she has a young lover aged 31, who has been her constant companion these past nine years. Whilst this is an amazing relationship in itself - it is not the basis of this documentary which is more about her life as a young woman and her incredible art which documents her amazing sex life.
An incredible artist, amazing woman and phenominal sex educator of 30 years or more you will be enthralled by this woman and her life. Great viewing!
The book Desire - Awakening God's woman, is a poignant unfolding of a sexual energy that is rekindled in moments. Lot's of raw emotion, an exploration of the sensual, the sexual and intimate from a deep place that is based on raw honesty. This book may even stir emotions within the depths of the reader, of memories of where control has not worked in relationships. Where jealousy closes doors rather than opens them, where being able to express feelings and be honest is the glue of all relating. After all without communication, any relationship is indeed of the shallow kind. Not so in this book - all is laid bare. What an amazing man is her lover to have this love he shared with Carla shared in a way for all to read about. His good points, his bad points, his fears and insecurities, his manhood, his helplessness and his vulnerability. Wow! A great read - even if a little repetitive at times.
Spam is a pain! Curiousity got the cat this morning - so I clicked through on a new sex toy that has become available from Magma Toys. This then led me to You Tube and there it was - a woman's hands with latex gloves on showing their latest toy. Lady, do you know how many people have reaction to latex? What is more the 'toy' was certainly not made of a material I would be inserting anywhere AND when you press it - it heats up. Great idea.. and what is the stuff inside? What happens if it springs a leak? What are the health implications of the material INSIDE the device let alone what the exterior is made of? And to think - there is a woman, not bothered to reassure potential buyers of the safety of using her gadget, more trying (and failing) to be seductive. Take a tip from me, I would be giving those products a wide berth and sticking to pleasure products known to be safe, such as silicone, elastomer and glass where you have a guarantee and where you check they are top quality genuine materials and not mixes.
Cameron and Jayne have an interesting site all about romancing your lover, where they support and guide you into experiencing fun, passion and romance in your relationship. There are step by step processes, ideas and suggestions offered in helping you to fan the flames or reignite the passion that brought you together in the first place. In these busy times where it seems life has speeded up ( I think it is all in our minds, we just DO more) the idea of setting aside 'US' time sounds great. It may not be easy, however I am sure once you give this a fair go, you'll be looking forward to the next bit of fun and sizzle! Love, laugh and FEEL good - it is a great way to live.
After looking into the many studies on phthalates and the sex toy issue it appears that there are many different opinions. Some studies have shown that neonatal phthalate exposure has had little effect on children. However I have also had direct contact with a woman who was pregnant and voiced her concern because she thought she "smelled" of phthalates. You know that new car smell or new joggers smell? She had been using a new toy and said the smell was coming out of the pores of her skin. What immediately came to my mind was the fact that the use of phthalates has been banned in Europe since 2004 because it was found that little boys testes were shrinking. This was those that sucked dummies and drank from bottles with teats. So I wondered if there would have been any harm to the foetus and also wondered whether or not the gender was male??? Needless to say this woman was advised to get rid of her toy immediately and go for the safer option of elastomer or silicone. Of course the phthalate industry maintains that levels of phthalates used in experiments with rodents is always so much higher than the levels used by those who use intimate pleasure products. So there is no way they would accept any responsibility if a problem arose. It goes without saying that the main reason sex toy manufacturers use phthalates is that it is inexpensive, and it is the way it has always been done it. Sadly in this country, the industry is NOT proactive about the health of their customers and is only likely to respond if there is strong pressure to do so. Watch this space!
You win and you lose some, when it comes to selecting DVD's. I have just had a win! "As it is in Heaven" was a thought proviking film, with great violin pieces scattered throughout the movie, with amazing harmonies and singing. It stirs the soul. Mixed throughout the movie is contrast and diversity of living... domestic violence, the pastor from hell, a successful international conductor who experiences the dark night of the soul, wonderful examples of small mindedness with a bit of love and lust thrown in for good measure. Well worth getting out and having a look.
Having a few laughs at a BBQ last night I was blown away when the conversation turned to what our genitals were called as a little 'un. I have heard of fanny, nor nor, panny, gina, tosh for the vulva and wee wee, pee pee, weiner, sausage and snake for the penis before but this takes the cake. This friend said hers was called "RUDE" and her brother was "JIMMY". Can't you hear it now? "Get your hands off your 'RUDE' and go wash them in the bathroom. And, "Leave your 'JIMMY' alone or it will fall off". Or how about sex education. You put your "JIMMY" in a girl's "RUDE" and you might have a baby. Good Grief!
Information provided by Marie-Elise in these blogs, is of a general nature and is presented as her unique spin on the sexual, the sensual and the spiritual. Life itself! Marie-Elise is unable to provide answers to specific medical questions, always consult a qualified health practitioner if you believe you have a problem.
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I was in South Africa on a month long holiday when I saw the disturbing images of the floods in Australia that floated on television. My thoughts wander off to two weeks ago when I had to say goodbye to my parents in South Africa. Mom said that she would say goodbye in the flat, it would be too difficult outside. Dad walked out with us. I drove down the long road to the old age home's gate. Amunda (my wife) said softly: “Don't look in the rear view mirror”. It was impossible. He stood in the road, his body bent and his cap windblown. I braked and while the twins, James and Kate (10), were puzzled I got out and held him. I wondered for how long this would be possible as every day after seventy is apparently borrowed time. He told me that I stole his heart at birth.
Often times this is not the happiest time of the year for many. It brings up the pain of loneliness, of those loved and lost, of times when life felt more carefree. Financial pressures, job losses, deaths of loved ones, pressure to perform - no wonder suicides rise at this time of the year.
Anna is twenty-one years old and a recent college graduate. She has temporarily moved back home to look for a job, and spends her days sending in applications and tailoring her resume. Once in a while she goes out with her friends. The economy is terrible, and Anna's brief move back home gets longer and longer. Pam begins to belittle her, calling her lazy and telling her she does not believe she is really looking for a job. Feeling constantly diminished, Anna avoids her mother where she can, and becomes afraid to tell her about her job search for fear she'll just be scorned some more. All the time there is stress, a desire for approval and unspoken feelings building up within Anna.
Appreciation roll off the tongue once I tap into the idea of wanting to Affirm what a beautiful day is in front of me. As I walk along the familiar pathways early in the morning I am Amazed by the beauty and by the smells of the countryside around me.
I am also amused (sometimes) or aghast (other times) at the level of posts to a wall that are from those who have careers in coaching, lifestyle management, counselling and health management practices. 
There was also reference to a quote.. 'may you live in interesting times' which is supposed to be an ancient Chinese Curse. 
This is changing. It is changing in places we don't expect. It is changing in Egypt, it is changing in Jerusalem, it is changing in Iran. The young are waking up and saying "Why should I hate them? They did what? That was when? This is not about us. This is about our ancestors. This is not our business. I don't feel the hate you do"
These youth are saying "No, I am not going to do this, and neither are those around me".
then back out into the Tasman sea before entering Thompson Sound, then into Doubtful Sound, after which it was back out to the Tasman Sea until we entered the Milford Sound, was truely spectacular. 
What a way to see these Sounds, from the top deck of the Diamond Princess. It was no little ship either! 
Customer: Oops! I have an error message already. It says, "Error - Program not run on external components." What should I do?
the 
Are you up for a bit of stylish play with silk and suede being wrapped around your arms and legs. What about a blindfold that is suede on one side and the most refined silk on the other?
for the wrists and having your way with your lover until you are done!
The horizon was always filled with a depth and dimension that stirred the soul and moved the heart.
It is indeed with genuine sincerity I say it was a pleasure to experience the energy of this great country again.
Is there mobile phone etiquette? I am unsure, however I do know that I too am subject to people texting and reading messages in the middle of conversation with me. I know that I have been cut off mid sentence when someone elses mobile phone has rung. I have watched visitors race to their mobile phone to answer calls where, if you did not know any better, you would think someone's life was at risk 
I have been at the movies when someone's phone has gone off and they have fumbled in the dark not knowing where they placed it, so we were subject to a whole minute of a download with a voice saying " I've lost my phone, I've lost my phone, where the f*ck is my phone, I've lost my phone, where's my f**ken phone, I've lost my phone, I've lost my phone..... on and on and on.
