Mirror Mirror On The Wall

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 ~

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A Profound Quote!

“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

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Trusting In Nature

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/

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Self Alignment – Are You In?

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

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Climb Your Stairway to Happiness

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

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Love vs Fear

“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

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Say Yes To Love

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.

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The Return To Innocence – Are You “In”?

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

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Tips for Love

Look in the mirror, deep into your eyes and say ” I love you ………..”  Do it with feeling and intention.

Tell your body you love it. There is intelligence in every cell of your body. Talk to, direct and love it.

Go easy on yourself – stay away from the negatives, until the positives take over.

Feed your body nutritious food, clean water and exercise in some way. The body is made to move. Walk, run, dance, work out, whatever resonates with you. It has to be something you enjoy, not dread doing. Your body will thank you. When your body feels good, you feel good. Co-Create in Love.

Never stop searching for wisdom in regards to your physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

Let go of fear and doubt. They cannot coincide where love lives.

Be kind and loving to others and they will be kind and loving to you.

Make gratitude your attitude and pay it forward.

LOVE is LIGHT, so keep it FUN!! We are supposed to have fun as God in action.

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online

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Love Yourself

Do you find it challenging to love yourself sometimes?  Learning to love yourself gives you a sense of freedom that resonates with your body, mind and spirit.  I would like to share a book with you that can assist you in learning to love YOU. Love Yourself by Lawrence Crane is a valuable tool , and I suggest you add it to your spiritual tool-belt.  According to Larry human love is selfish.  Divine love is completely selfless.  Real love is winning the universe, not just one person but every person, every being.  Real love, divine love is constant, persistent acceptance of all the beings in the universe.

Lawrence is an author, lecturer and self made millionaire. “For over 30 years Larry has been showing people what love really is, where to get love, and how to have love once you know where it is. For Larry, it’s all about results. “It’s not what you say, it’s what you do,” are words Larry often repeats. “Talking about love, talking about what love is, talking about how to be loving is not the answer,” says Larry. “Actually doing it is the answer. Doing it, not talking about it.” This book shows you how to do it, how to Love Yourself and reap the rewards, financial, health, relationships, whatever your heart desires. You can have it all when you know how to Love Yourself. As Larry frequently says, “There are no impossible’s.” This book de-mystifies true love.”

.Joe Vitale says “This book is a manual of love from a man who has dedicated his life to showing people what love is, how to be living and how that translates to success in every area of your life. “…a highly effective tool for attracting what you want out of life.”

Tom Hopkins says  “…a tool to make your life, your career, and your relationships better…and better.”

Louis Ormant, Ph.D. says “An enriching and enlightening experience. It provided new energy, spontaneity and fresh insights.”

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