The people we are in relationship with
are always a mirror, reflecting our own beliefs,
and simultaneously we are mirrors, reflecting their beliefs.
So… relationship is one of the most powerful tools for growth….
If we look honestly at our relationships,
we can see so much about how we have created them.

~ Shakti Gawain ~

]]> http://www.livingincourageonline.com/quotes-that-rock/mirror-mirror-on-the-wall/feed/ 0 http://www.livingincourageonline.com/quotes-that-rock/a-profound-quote/ http://www.livingincourageonline.com/quotes-that-rock/a-profound-quote/#comments Mon, 16 Aug 2010 20:00:44 +0000 Debra Oakland http://www.livingincourageonline.com/?p=1616

“Most people can look back over the years and identify a time and place at which their lives changed significantly. Whether by accident or design, these are the moments when, because of a readiness within us and a collaboration with events occurring around us, we are forced to seriously reappraise ourselves and the conditions under which we live and to make certain choices that will affect the rest of our lives.”  – Frederick F. Flack

What a profound quote…..

People around the world are reappraising their lives.  How have we been living?  What changes can we make in our own lives to leave Mother Earth a better place for future generations?  Towns, villages, communities and cities are going through global change .  What affects one, affects all.  People are concerned for the future of their children, and grandchildren.  As well they should be. Changes are happening rapidly around the planet.  People are speaking up, exposing old corrupt systems that have not been for the highest and greatest good of the people. Grassroots movements are cropping up everywhere.  It’s like the 60’s with more focus and enlightenment. I did so love the 60’s!

Have you noticed how many people are planting their own food?  I know people all over the world are growing organic gardens, looking for cleaner water, choosing to live a more simple, peaceful life.  There is a reconnection with Nature.  She has amazing gifts to share with those who acknowledge her presence with love and respect.  The damage that has been done can be repaired, but it will take many coming together individually and collectively for the beautiful shifts we dream of.  This is a time of significant change for all of us.  It can be by design if we each step in to do our part.

There is a need to look beyond color, nationality and class.  There is a pecking order that does not serve anyone. We are all a part of life, all connected.  A creation of  the Universe….our existence depends on us.  Striving to have a better home, car, job or more money than your neighbor, when coming from a place of ego, is not neighborly!  It is ego driven identification. We are God beings in physical bodies expressing ourselves in every moment through thought, feeling and action.  We are creators who create in every single second.  Let’s be vigilant about what we are creating for ourselves and others.

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online

Here is my friend Steve Tallamy’s monthly article (August 2010) for Living in Courage.  Thank you Steve, I love this article!

The Article I Didn’t Want You To Read!

A few months ago I started to write an article for Debra to share with you here but after rereading it on more than one occasion I didn’t think it good enough to grace her wonderful website. So I stuck it my Work In Progress folder with the intention of reworking and fishing it another time. I didn’t want you to read it as it was!

Then Debra insisted (she can be quite insistent, have you noticed?) that I read the ‘Ringing Cedars’ series of books by Vladimir Megre about ‘Anastasia’ and her dream of changing the world and mankind back into a state of purity. I won’t harp on about the books here as Debra has featured them in her newsletter this month and I have been mentioning them non-stop.

Suffice to say here that once I started to read the ‘Anastasia’ books I couldn’t put them down; there was so much to think about in each chapter that I couldn’t wait to get started on the next one. As I read each page I began to realize that the article I had written, the one I didn’t want you to read, bore an uncanny relationship to what I was reading. So bearing in mind that the following is not the finished article (excuse the terrible pun – I’m English) here is what I didn’t want you to read.

Trusting In Nature

By now you will know that I have a great love of Nature and a passion for gardening. But I am what my family and friends call a ‘lazy gardener’, to which I always reply, “I’m not lazy, I trust in Nature and what she wants to grow will grow and what she doesn’t want to grow – just won’t grow, simple.”

You see when I sow seeds or buy a new plant I don’t read all the instructions about what kind of soil it prefers, how often it should be watered and fed, when it should be sown or planted; Hey, you don’t see labels hanging off the trees and bushes in Nature do you! I don’t do any of that, I just find a vacant piece of soil and sow the seeds or plant the plant, that’s it.

What I do spend a bit of effort in doing is to find ‘heritage’ seeds and plants, the old varieties that over the years and seasons Nature has nurtured and naturally given an advanced immune system and survival instincts. These to my mind are so much more likely to mature given the growing methods I use than the artificial hybrid varieties, plus of course it helps to keep the life-line going for future generations to grow and naturally develop.

My theory is this, if you love and trust in Nature she will do all of the hard work for you, she will supply the sun the rain and the natural goodness for the plant to grow, and grow it will, if she wants it to. If she doesn’t then it won’t, trust her and don’t plant those types of plant there again, try something different and see if Nature likes that one better. The thing that annoys people the most it that despite them spending a fortune on special feeds, fertilizers and composts, spending every waking hour feeding and watering, pruning and weeding, their plants often than not fare a lot worse than mine.

Don’t get me wrong, I do water my garden from time to time and hoe up a few weeds but I don’t make it a chore. I love and trust in Nature and she responds in kind.

The End – Sort of!

Well that’s it, you’ve read it now, and if you have read any of the books in the ‘Ringing Cedars’ series you will see the connection. Love and Trust is so much better than chemicals, artificial fertilizers and man made hybrids, not only in gardening but in every other aspect of life too. The big bonus is that we already have both of those components love inside of us and they came free of charge …use them daily, they create miracles!

Why You Should Be Writing Articles and Blogging About Your Business
and Find Out How I Can Help You To Succeed at -

http://stevetallamy.com/
http://writeforyoursite.co.uk/

As I lay in bed with the strange sensation of vertigo, I have been contemplating life and the seeming inability for humanity as a whole, to change.  I have often talked about the garden of our consciousness.  Pulling weeds, then planting seeds of love, wisdom, peace, gratitude and grace.  All watered with unity.  As we make a conscious effort to make changes within ourselves from the inside out, shifts occur.

But what about our Higher Selves? The true perfection of who and what we are.  Imagine our Higher Self, or Presence trying to plant just ONE seed of a Universal Law inside us. One that can be nourished and grow!  Not easy to do, as we all run around busy busy, trying to survive in the “outer” world.  That one seed could deliver our true identity, or some information critical to our survival as a species, or our gift – the passion in life we came here to live.  I want that connection, don’t you?

This is two fold.  One, by taking responsibility for our own life’s garden. Two, by being receptive to a more important message from our one true source.  It’s time to take the blinders off, to get busy living our true authentic life.  Not the person the world thinks we are, or expects us to be.  Reaching inside gives us the courage to look deeper, past what is in the “outer” world.  Only by living from the inside out, will we survive on this planet.  Unity is critical at this point.  Everyone needs to come to terms with the fact that we have created quite a mess down here.  We do have the ability to re-align ourselves and this beautiful planet, back to the original state of purity/perfection of creation. Our responsibility is to our Creators, the Collective, Mother Earth and all her Kingdoms.  It is time to return to that divine place in our hearts that will heal everything, bringing us all back into alignment.  Are you in?

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online

Living in Courage has a wonderful guest writer in Steve Tallamy.  This is an article that speaks to everyone. Big question, simple answer? Read on…

When Will The Time Be Right For Me?

Throughout my life, and never more so than in the last few years have I posed that question to myself or have been told, “It’s not the right time for you yet”.  It can be frustrating; you think the time is right so why aren’t things happening the way you expected, when will the time be right!!

You end up spending so much effort, thought, energy and time in trying to make ‘the time’ magically appear that it consumes you; you think there is something wrong with you, that the whole world and everything in it is conspiring against you, you doubt yourself and even those close to you – when will the time be right!!

The answer is inside of you, but you have to be at peace with yourself to be able to find it.  You are a part of Nature and just like everything else in Nature you need the right conditions to grow and mature into the fully developed end product (if indeed there is such a thing).

Species take millions of years to develop and evolve, the great trees of our world can take thousands of years to develop into the wondrous living, breathing, life giving beings that we see today, and some seeds wait hundreds of years waiting for a great fire or flood before they germinate.  They don’t need to go looking for the ‘right time’, they know it will come and lay dormant, at peace waiting, just waiting.

I’m not saying that you should lie in bed with the duvet over your head waiting for the right time, but just be patient, take time everyday to be at peace with yourself, quietly ask the questions and when the time is right it will appear.  Like seeds we all need different conditions before we find the right time, none of us learn at the same speed, none of us understand everything on the same level of intelligence so no one else can tell us when the time will be right or how to create it.

The world is changing rapidly, conditions are changing like mankind has never seen before, the time will become right for many of us who are waiting dormant, just waiting, quietly in tune with ourselves and Nature.  Just know inside of yourself that the time will be right soon, but don’t force it, be patient, prepare for it to arrive; the right time is coming for you and me.

Why You Should Be Writing Articles and Blogging About Your Business
and Find Out How I Can Help You To Succeed at -

http://www.stevetallamy.com

http://www.writeforyoursite.co.uk/

Climb Your Stairway to Happiness by reading David Leonhardt’s book – Climb Your Stairway to Heaven.  Everyone searches for inner happiness, but it is not something you can purchase or build.  David has written a book that is funny, insightful, full of great quotes and antidotes.   You will receive instructions on climbing the stairway to greater happiness.  Imagine becoming happier every day.  It really is possible to make your dreams come true. You will be taught nine habits that are achievable.  You will enjoy the pop quizzes, quotable quotes, and stories to learn by.  Most people like to learn while they are having fun, and this book delivers from cover to cover.

I quote David Leonhardt – “Many happiness books on the bookstore shelves are just some author’s personal viewpoint. That’s fine, if you happen to be extremely similar to the author. But what about facts? True, I include many of my own experiences in this book — in fact, that’s what inspired me to write. But I also spent three months with my nose in the psychological journals. This self-help book is based on both my personal experiences and the best psychological research available. I did the work so you don’t have to.

On the other hand, several happiness books are written by very knowledgeable authorities, but most tend to the boring side. Many even sound like a session on a therapist’s couch. What gives? Shouldn’t a book on happiness energize you? Motivate you? Inspire you? Pump you up? Shouldn’t a book on happiness be fun to read? So I decided to write a fun, energetic, and engaging book. Go figure!”

Book like this are inspirational, encouraging, fun, courageous, motivating, and give value to the reader.  I hope you enjoy this excellent manual on Happiness!

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online

“Loving can cost a lot but not loving always costs more, and those who fear to love often find that want of love is an emptiness that robs the joy from life.” -Merle Shain

Take every chance on Love – Eliminate every Fear

Love is who we are.  More specifically, Divine Love is who and what we are, when we are free of the duality that exists in the world.  The frequency of this planet is increasing its Love Vibration.  Divine Love is making a return visit to bestow her blessings to those who are ready to receive. This can be unsettling for many people.  Fear of love never serves the soul.  Releasing old patterns is essential to move onward and forward.  The power of Love is the ONE Universal Principle and Law to live by.  Can you connect with it and feel it?

Marianne Williamson says  “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online

This post is from my wonderful friend and monthly guest writer Steve Tallamy.  I love the powerful connection Steve has to Mother Nature, as well as her beautiful gifts to life.  Steve is an excellent writer.  I highly recommend Steve if you are looking for someone to write articles for your blog or business.  Contact him at at this link – Write For Your Site.

What Is The Nature Of Things?

We often use the term, ‘it’s not in my nature’ or ‘it’s in their nature,’ but what does that really mean and what is ‘nature’?  I looked the saying up and the general consensus was that it relates to ‘the fundamental qualities of a person or thing; identity or essential character.’

So, if that’s the case to my way of thinking it means that ‘nature’ is in all of us, which begs another question.  If ‘nature’ is in all of us, why are some peoples ‘nature’ good and some peoples not so pleasant?   My theory (more of a fact than a theory) is that the not so pleasant folk have lost touch with ‘nature’ whilst the nicer ones like you and me are connected and in touch with it, but in touch with what?

Nature!  The nature that is all around us, the nature we are all connected to and a part of – True Nature. It is in us all, we just need to connect with it, cherish it and hold onto it.  That is what ‘the nature of things’ means, it’s not a thing, identity or essential character. They are all ‘ego’, totally different things to ‘nature’ altogether.

True nature is in our heart, it’s our soul, our inner-selves and that is what we have to be in touch with and be connected to.  Being in tune with the nature that is in our hearts, appreciating the simple beauty in the things around us, living in the moment we are in and truly touching, smelling, feeling and seeing it that is the true nature of us all.

Unfortunately many of us have forgotten how to do be in tune with ourselves and miss so much of what is all around us.  We try to dissect and understand too much about anything and everything; let’s face it if mankind were bumble bees we would get up every morning, look at ourselves in the mirror and panic, saying, “I’m too fat, my body’s the wrong shape, my wings are too small, I can’t possibly fly!” and go straight back to bed and worry about it until we got up and went through the same ritual the next morning.

These words from Walt Whitman and ‘Leaves of Grass’ sum up how I feel we should be approaching and connecting with the nature within us:

“I exist as I am, that is enough,

If no other in the world be aware I sit content,

And if each and all be aware I sit content.

One world is aware, and by the far the largest to me, and that is myself,

And whether I come to my own today or in ten thousand or ten million years,

I can cheerfully take it now, or with equal cheerfulness, I can wait.”

So take a leaf out of the Bumble Bee’s book of life and accept yourself, others and everything around you for what they truly are, don’t try to fathom the world out, enjoy and appreciate it and be in touch with your true nature.

Why You Should Be Writing Articles and Blogging About Your Business
and Find Out How I Can Help You To Succeed at -

http://www.stevetallamy.com

http://www.writeforyoursite.co.uk/

A Poem from Mark Rhoads

Say Yes to Love

Once upon a time
A child was born
Joining several billion
Brothers and sisters
Born of love, precious
Loved by the ancestors
Destined for the dance of
Everyday life.
Growing up, growing old
And the question is
Did anything really happen?
Other than love, sweet love?
Kindness, peace and joy?
Love is the only thing
Remember, that one day
You will join the ancestors
Fear not, for
Everything is conserved
Nothing is destroyed
Live your life in love
Someday a rainbow will be
Painted across the sky
A sign perhaps?
Or a reminder, to us all, to
Say yes to love.

Innocence exists in each of us.  We came into this world free of judgment. Our senses loving, inquisitive, and at peace.  There is no pretense in a very young child.  Everyone loves a baby’s innocence – which carries a sense of wonder.  Perhaps reminding us who we are, how we have changed, and directing us back to living in the NOW.  Children radiate joy and innocence. They are clear, living fully present in each moment, trusting that they will be taken care of.

Look into your eyes.  What do you see?  Are they free of judgment of self and others? Are there clouds of fear, confusion or doubt?  Can you look at yourself feeling good about You? Do you love yourself?  Children are in touch with being present in each moment.  Most people half commit and lose themselves in the process.  I think a good question for each of us to ask ourselves is, “Am I ready to commit to being all in – NOW”?  If the answer is no, what is stopping you?  A lifetime of “stuff” has been piled high upon all of us. You are not alone.  Our outlook went from innocence to hundreds of different qualities, some which keep us safe, in a world that is less than peaceful and loving.  You can choose to throw off the “stuff” you don’t want, or anything that does not serve you.  As an adult, it is wise to take responsibility for everything you create.  Yes, people influenced, shaped, educated and directed you.  Most of them dusted off their own experiences, passing them on to you as advice.  Some good, some bad.  Take the good, discard the bad.  Look inside to find YOU.  Not the “you” that other people helped shape, but the YOU that you truly are.  The return to innocence will lead the way.

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage