trying to change the world

"Since the beginning of time, people have been trying to change the world so that they can be happy. This hasn’t ever worked, because it approaches the problem backward. What The Work gives us is a way to change the projector—mind—rather than the projected. It’s like when there’s a piece of lint on a projector’s lens. We think there’s a flaw on the screen, and we try to change this person and that person, whomever the flaw appears on next. But it’s futile to try to change the projected images. Once we realize where the lint is, we can clear the lens itself. This is the end of suffering, and the beginning of a little joy in paradise."
Byron Katie

be who you are

'Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind'. Dr. Seuss

a lift to outer space

When I was a kid my favourite fantasy was to travel into outerspace - still is really - minus some of the scary images we've been fed on TV.  But I love this story that has been released about a lift into outer space - have you heard about it?  It is called a space elevator...

click here to learn more atLift Port
COUNTDOWN TO LIFT: October 27, 2031

Hhmmm should I invest? I know I didn't when I had the chance with Microsoft, and Google.

let us be grateful

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy,

they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. Marcel Proust

getting even

The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you. John E. Southard

Grace

A couple of days ago I placed a link to Cheryl Richardson's site, after reading one of her newsletters in my email. Then yesterday, I was in The Salvos second hand store browsing through the book section, and there in front of me was one of her books on Grace - hmmm I thought, hang on I was just talking about Cheryl in my blog... so I bought the book and last night as I was reading it, she mentions exactly these types of happenings, one thing leading to another, and being directed by Grace. Have you ever had things like that happen to you? I am sure you have, perhaps you call it a different name - coincidence, focus?

Anyway - in the book Cheryl mentions a website called My Inner World I've just been visiting there - what a wonderful site. It is so uplifting and informative and just delightful - it made my day.

life preserver

I loved this newsletter from Cheryl Richardson today... if you would like to receive the newsletter click here
I've just finished teaching our Movers & Shakers workshop in Toronto and wanted to send a brief newsletter that shared a simple, yet powerful message.

Last week I had dinner with good friends, some of who are dealing with difficult life situations. During our conversation, one friend going through a tough divorce said, "I have this handwritten note in my wallet that says 'You're the best uncle in the world!' It came from my six-year-old niece who wrote it while visiting last year. There are times when it literally gets me through the day."

Upon hearing this, another friend shared, "Ever since finding out that my dad is seriously ill and may not be long for this world, every day is heartbreaking. Sometimes a smile from a stranger is the life preserver I need to prevent me from drowning in the pain."

Tiny gestures. Unexpected moments of connection. Simple messages that pierce the heart. These are the things that often touch us in profound ways - ways the gift-giver may never realize.

On this anniversary of 9/11, I still remember feeling deeply loved by a woman on a train who held my gaze as I cried during a minute of silence honoring those who lost their lives. Feeling embarrassed, yet unable to contain my feelings, her look said, "Don't worry. Let them flow. I'm right here with you." She never broke my gaze until the period of silence was complete. And I'll never forget her.

Something that seems so inconsequential may literally save someone's emotional life. How simple. How lovely. How easy to forget. Please take this week's challenge to remember...

installation floating bowls

I was just visiting Alicia Tormey's Blog and was fascinated with the you tube video of the bowls shown here...

Remembering Sept 11 - forgiving is love's toughest work

"Forgiving is love's toughest work, and love's biggest risk. If you twist it into something it was never meant to be, it can make you a doormat or an insufferable manipulator. Forgiving seems almost unnatural. Our sense of fairness tells us people should pay for the wrong they do. But forgiving is love's power to break nature's rule." Lewis B. Smedes

Suicide Prevention Day - Sept 10 - 2010

It is Suicide Prevention day today. Did you know that we are losing 6 people a day to suicide? The rate is higher than our death rate to car accidents. As many as 150 people each day try to take their lives. We need to talk about this, and we need to know more about it, to help one another.

After a successful launch in 2003, World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is now held every year on 10 September around the world. On this day, numerous events, conferences, campaigns and local activities call to public attention one of the world’s largest causes of premature and unnecessary death – suicide.

The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), calls upon governments, government agencies, NGOs, international and national associations, local communities, clinicians, researchers and volunteers to be involved in the organisation of WSPD activities.

It is often asked, how can we best connect with each other in a world that appears so disconnected? We strongly believe that if our communities work together, through sharing information, expertise and time, we can do a great deal to help those who are in need, and vulnerable to suicide.

We believe that through a combined effort at an international and local level, a difference to the lives of many will be made. The aim of these activities is to promote increased awareness about the problem of suicide and the many ways in which we can work to reduce suicide rates and the incidence of suicidal behaviours.

This years theme is: Many Faces, Many Places: Suicide Prevention Around the World.  From WSPD - click here

Signs of someone considering suicide:
Friends are often the first ones to know if a person is threatening suicide, more so than Dr's or health professionals. Just listening to a friend can be of so much support and help them get help.  Signs can include; change in behaviour - not mixing like they used to staying at home, not joining in, or the opposite - acting aggressively and fighting a lot, difficulty sleeping, or sleeping a lot, mentioning thoughts of suicide, talking about death, suggesting that things would be better off without them, feeling depressed, sad, changes in weight, feeling like no one cares, giving away possessions. 

A friend who called me was talking about her life and an affair she had been having with my ex, and as she was about to finish the conversation, said to me on the phone: "you wouldn't bother coming around here if you knew what I had done".  That was all that was said and then she hung up.  I quickly got into the car, and I went around to her place, she had taken a bottle of sleeping tablets, and was unconscious on the lounge.  Her baby in it's bedroom, drugged as well.  I am so thankful that I went there that day.  I called for an ambulance straight away and they were able to save her life. 

If you have been affected by suicide or know someone that you think is at risk, click on one of the links below. 

IASP information click here
Wesley Mission click here to write a message on the Remembrance Wall
Suicide Prevention Australia Links Page

World day of prayer 2010 - Sept 9

From: World Day of Prayer

World Day of Peace Prayer Flags

Together we can transform the world.  Living in the Flow - Thursday, September 9, 2010


Did you know that there is an everlasting Source within all of us? It is the only place from which lasting love, peace, harmony and joy can emerge, and when we unite in prayer, we become expressions of God flowing forth into the world. Seventeen years ago, Unity created World Day of Prayer—held the second Thursday in September—as a global effort to uplift ourselves … our loved ones … our world in a shared prayer consciousness. Since that time , more than 15 million people have received prayer support through this sacred initiative.
click here to find out more 

Truth wears no mask

"Truth wears no mask, Bows at no human shrine, Seeks neither place nor applause, She only asks a hearing." Dr Carl Wickland

Sept 18 you're invited - jewellery party

Mid Coast Care supports the women's refuge in Port Macquarie - here's an invite for the girls

If you love jewellery and accessories, mark Saturday 18th September in your diary.  At Mid Coast Care - 3 Milton Circuit - a time to catch up with the girls.  Have a cuppa from MCC cafe. It will be a lovely sunny afternoon of friends, cuppa's AND 'yum jewellery' - hmmmmm doesn't it sound excellent.  See you there RSVP would be handy and helpful by Thursday16th Sep Bring the daughters, the sisters, the girl friends and the ladies in your life.

You cannot be lonely

You cannot be lonely if you like the person you're alone with. 

Wayne W. Dyer

never be bullied into silence

Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself. 

 Harvey Fierstein

cherish the friend who tells you a harsh truth

Cherish the friend who tells you a harsh truth, wanting ten times more to tell you a loving lie.  Robert Brault

Many a true word is spoken in jest.