In order to grow we must obtain what is necessary for our growth.  Non-Judgment is an important part of self growth.  Self-judgment, judgment of others and the world, is learned from a very early age.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful to grow up being taught to love yourself unconditionally, with no judgment of self or others?  We grow up clothing our thoughts in the form of words.  Many of these words are of judgment, blame, criticism, or just plain gossip. We are a product of our environment. There are times where it can be easier to judge others, than to take a hard look at our own life.  It’s the simple way out.  Judging other people doesn’t require intense self-examination.  Have you found that judging has made you happier, healthier or a better person?  No, of course not!

By choosing to grow and expand, there comes a time when we carefully and wisely select our thoughts, feeling, words and actions.  The old saying “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all” is very good advice.  Growth is obtained when we exchange the old habits for new ones. One of the best habits you can develop is non-judgment of self and others.  Since thought is energetic and creative, why not choose a stance of non-judgment that will serve to empower you.

It is difficult to develop trust with people when they know you are judging them. By choosing to be non-judgmental, you develop a safe comfortable environment for all in a respectful manner that empowers versus belittles. In judging, we only belittle ourselves, which serves us not at all.  I find great value in people who are not constantly judging everything in sight.  Breaking old worn out habits can be a challenge.  We must rise to the challenge with the courage of our convictions and take the higher road.  How about observing and listening.  If a judgmental thought comes up, let it go.  Don’t even judge your observations. By practicing, you gain skill and become competent at non-judgmental behavior.  You have diffused any chaos by non-engagement, where in the past it may have been another story that needed healing.  Be mindful. Your happiness depends on it.

Debra Oakland

I was thinking about Courage. Huge subject, but this is what came to me while mulling it over. Courage is the will to act upon the strength and power within the Heart. Courage is not something you can have, it is something you become. To live a courageous life takes place in a person’s life when they allow the true essence of who they are to rise up and shine for all the world to see. Fearless of opinion. Those courageous individuals who are true to themselves, feel a powerful resolve that is unshakable. A true conviction of purpose to carry on in the face of any challenge. To stand in power of purpose is a pure point of courage, available to everyone who cares to utilize it in their life. The unfoldment brings forward the power alive within. This point of power has been diminished greatly and when awakened can shatter the fear of moving forward toward the intention or goal. Greatness arises from mediocrity. One or more lives are altered as awareness shifts to possibility and progress. Great is the union of courage and honor – a great gift within the heart of every human soul.

What is your definition of courage?  I would love to hear from you.

Debra Oakland

Frederick Buechner wrote “The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn’t have been complete without you.  Here is the world.  Beautiful and terrible things will happen.  Don’t be afraid.  I am with you.  Nothing can ever separate us.  It’s for you I created the Universe.  I love you.  There’s only one catch.  Like any other gift, the gift of grace can be yours only if you’ll reach out and take it.  Maybe being able to reach out and take it is a gift too.”

How often do we miss opportunities, relationships, partnership and all that life has to offer because we did not have the courage to reach out?  Like the gift of grace, it is our choice to live the life we have been given.  I hope you are enjoying co-creating with the Universe!  There is a whole world full of marvelous gifts to choose from.

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage

“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

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

Are you dancing rhythmically to the tune of your soul?  We all have a rhythm to our soul, through our breath, and the beating of our heart. Practice the art of being. Be in that space without doubt or fear. In this way, you remove the ego from your being-ness.  Allow love to permeate you.  This removes conflict between love and ego, which cannot co-exist in the same space at the same time.  The ego gets a bit serious and controlling.  Choose to make your “being time” fun, light and peaceful.  Become illuminated and remove the shadows.  It is more about allowing than chasing.  Go deep inside.

You never have to leave yourself to talk to your soul.  It is always right there with you. Home with you. There is no distance. Everything we need is already there for this journey called “LIFE.”  You may feel a stranger to parts of your soul.  Rea-quaint yourself with this deeper part of YOU, that can lead you perfectly.  This is your divine right! You are not helpless in this physical form.  You have all the assistance you need….a homecoming may be just the gift you need. A little courage, and a whole lot of love will take you there.

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online

I live in beautiful Laguna Beach, California.  A true resort and artist community, home of the “hippies” from the 60′s to current day.  All walks of life enjoy living here.  Surfers and sunbathers crowd the beaches. We have activists, sports enthusiasts, tourists buzz through town all year long.  We are home to the Pageant of the Masters. I could go on, but you get the picture.  Laguna Beach is a magical town.

Now Laguna Beach has Transition Laguna, which is the 10th official Transition Town Community in the United States.  The 129th in the world.  This is exciting to me.  Let me explain.  The Transition Initiative can be a town, village, or any community.  They ask the question “For all those aspects of life that this community needs in order to sustain itself and thrive, how do we significantly rebuild resilience (to mitigate the effects of Peak Oil and economic contraction) and drastically reduce carbon emissions (to mitigate the effects of Climate Change)?”   Each community forms it’s own Transition Group, creating a sustainable future for the residents.

Check out the The Transition Handbook

If you would like to know more about this, visit one of the websites above.  May 14th 2010 Transition Laguna Beach will host a party called “The Great Unleashing” from 6 to 10 p.m. May 14 at the Sawdust Art Festival, 935 Laguna Canyon Road. Sponsored by Hurley. Awesome party: Free. Brew, Food, Bands, Eco-Exhibits, Silent Auction. Motivate for Community Action Breakfast the next morning, Saturday, May 15th, 9:00 am to Noon.

May 15th come to Tivoli Terrace at Festival of the Arts Grounds for the Community Action Group Breakfast. Enjoy great food, a motivating celeb key note speaker, and a chance to form action groups. This “Open Space”, is a creative, playful, yet focused opportunity to make a difference. Don’t miss this event!  Are you interested in sustainable living, clean water, organic food, safe lighting for your home?  This is a venue that will provide you with education, while you are meeting great people, and having fun.  Life is supposed to be fun right? I hope to see you there!

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online

Do you want to spread your courage wings and fly? By wings I mean taking control of your life, being the pilot of your destiny.  Do you sometimes feel a bit stifled, like your wings are tied to your side?  Are you are flapping wildly, not able to gain enough momentum to get off the ground.  The good news is you are not alone, we all feel that way from time to time.  Your soul has the capability to fly endlessly and loves to assist you with patience and love, so courageously give your soul wings permission to fly.  Learn to listen to that still small voice inside.  Let it speak to you, help you expand your wings and prepare you for flight.  Listen closely in peace from your heart center.  Follow the instructions, even if they don’t make sense to you at the moment.  Your heart knows what is perfect for you, and will not lead you in the wrong direction when you come from a place of love.

I talk to people all over the world.  Many have found their wings and fly beautifully, others are ready to take flight, pensive, yet eager, and some are simply too afraid to even think about it.  Are you ready to fly, yet there is something that holds you back?  Ask yourself some questions.

- What am I afraid of and why?

- Do I play the victim?

- Is this a mental, physical or spiritual issue?

- Am I surrounded by positive people, mentors or living examples who have accomplished what I want to do, be and have?

- Am I self sabotaging by my thoughts, feelings and actions?

- What is my passion and am I living it, regardless of what other people want me to do?

- Do I catch myself when being negative and replace those thoughts and feelings with something positive?

- Do I forgive myself and others?

- How do I deny myself?

- Am I living out old worn out patterns of behavior that do not serve me anymore?

- How can I learn to love myself unconditionally one day at a time?

- Am I kind and loving to myself and others. Do I smile and share hugs?

- How can I  become a living example of inspiration and encouragement to myself and those I love?

- What are my priorities in life and am I placing them first without distractions?

- How can I experience more love and joy allowing my wings to fly anywhere I want them to take me?

Dig deep.  In your quiet moments, by talking and listening to your heart, answers will be revealed.   Support others who are learning to fly and they in turn will support you.  Have a joyful and safe flight!

Debra Oakland

Jamie Oliver’s TED prize talk, makes the case for an all-out assault on our ignorance of food. Jamie spoke at TED2010 this February in Long Beach, CA for 22 minutes, about the state of world health, or rather the lack of it. Jamie is reaching out globally, with courage and passion.

Remember the shaggy-haired “Naked Chef” of late-’90s? One of my favorite cooking shows back then.  Jamie was courageous, raw, and was passionate about food. I became a fan. He has built a worldwide media conglomerate of TV shows, books, cookware and magazines. His idea of sharing unpretentious food with friends and family, was refreshing to me. Everyone gets to play in the kitchen.

Jamie now has Fifteen Foundation’s. He has trained young chefs from challenged backgrounds to run four of his restaurants.  He visits schools to teach children to grow organic gardens of their own, and for their school time meals. Jamie’s School Dinner, Ministry of Food and Food Revolution USA combine Oliver’s culinary tools, cookbooks and television, with serious activism and community organizing — to create change on both the individual and governmental level.

Each and every person is connected by a common bond.  We are ONE.  Everyone matters. This video aired during NBC’s coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver Winter Olympics on Friday, February 12th 2010. The recording took place on February 1st, 2010, in the same studio as the original 25 years earlier. “We Are The World 25 For Haiti“, in which Jones and Richie serve as executive producers and producers with many other collaborators, to benefit the Haitian earthquake relief efforts and the rebuilding of Haiti.
The 25th Anniversary recording features over 80 artists and performers.

Many acts of courage have occurred since the earthquake in Haiti, and great generosity has been extended to the people there.  The contributions have come in many forms.  Like the song says, let’s make a better day, just you and me.  Every day citizens – everybody pitching in.  Now that is Living in Courage!

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online