New Leaf Mentoring … new thought. new health. new life.

Posts tagged ‘Andrea Thiel Connell’

Can You Get There From Here?


In a writing course I learned the need for a good strong headline. What do you offer? What do you promise? Do you know? Do you fulfill those promises to your readership? Yes this is vital to good copy writing but it occurred to me that this is a statement that is vitally relevant to the whole of our lives with regards to being authentic.

We make promises every day . We might not use those exact words in our daily negotiations but they are implied none-the-less. Are you good to your word? Do you do what you say? The bigger questions is; are you living authentically? Do you say what you mean and mean what you say? Or do you spend your energy hedging, vaguely implying, reneging, and back paddling?

Are you who you say you are? Are you who you want to be? Can you get there from here? If we’re not on the right road we can’t get where we’re going. Which means if you aren’t living intentionally in your best interests you will not end up with a life that looks after your best interests. If you are living ambiguously, being acquiescent to the best interests of others especially when in conflict to your own, you reduce your own chances of ever getting where you want to go in life.

Some people, in order to avoid disappointing others, simply resist voicing any kind of commitment at all. Never voicing an opinion, never speaking against the popular grain, never allowing one contrary thought to escape their lips they struggle to stay agreeable at all costs, even if their own inner voice is screaming loudly in protest. It’s sad really, we’re not supposed to agree all the time. We are each uniquely creative beings, with our own input, own interpretation, and own way to manifest. It’s our inborn responsibility to be ourselves and to stand up for ourselves; not to bully, but not to flounder weakly either. Just to be, honest to goodness, ourselves.

In Reiki we have a precept that says, just for today earn your living honestly. This precept speaks to this idea of personal authenticity. Are you who you say you are and in your relationships with others, personal or business, do you fulfill your end of the bargain with your highest integrity. Come to understand what your various roles in relationships are and what the promises you make, spoken or unspoken, are. Are you being true to yourself or have you forsaken yourself for others?

I’ve learned a lot this past year – I had a good teachers; my 20-year-old daughter, my 19-year-old son, and my newly 19-year-old daughter. Each of my kids have taught me a great deal about life and living life with authenticity. They think I’ve been parenting them and I have tried my best to be a good parent and strong role model but the secret is I’ve taken my cues from them. They’ve taught me patience, tolerance, acceptance, but most of all they have taught me the value of self-expression and independent ‘being-ness’.

My eldest stands up for herself with impeccability always and is never bullied into blind acceptance in any situation.  Along the way she demands that others be accountable for themselves. This has left her alone at times – but never lonely. She knows who she is and likes it. Her path lays out before her clearly with right timing and right placement.

My middle one deliberately forges a path for himself on a daily basis, without judging the ways of others he leads by example, earning respect and admiration from his coworkers and friends in new ways every day. He is never alone – but never lost in the crowd either. He lives a life of moments that are richly filled with opportunity.

My youngest sings loudly, always! She sings joyously whether she is intimidated, overcome by butterflies or terrified. She knows her happiness and purpose depends on being able to be what she is best. She allows herself to naturally gravitate to her best situation in all times. She goes where she is loved and can love freely without fear of losing herself.

They each, with great determination, stand up with integrity for who they are. They know who they want to be when they grow up and are living that reality today with each moment. Are you?

So just for the record…this blog, “New Days ~ New Ways” is precisely about that. I believe that we are entering an era of history of vast personal expansion for the good of the One. The promise with this blog is to provide new ways of thinking, coping, growing, expanding and being that leave us empowered to participate fully in these new days we find ourselves living in. And YES we can get there from here!!

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Freeing the Soul into your Life


I am a high-achiever and I am ambitious. It’s my nature. When I was younger I was strongly motivated by praise and approval from others, today I strive for excellence regardless of the praise or approval I receive from others. Over time I began to see that my path differed uniquely from the path of others and began to understand that my happiness depended on me owning my own authority. I began to learn to listen to my own soul to guide me towards my right path.

In the beginning listening to my soul was tricky because I didn’t know how to do it – we weren’t in a good relationship. I had never considered that my soul would have a different story than my ego self did. My mind, my emotions and my soul coexisted within this physical body of mine but no-body was communicating with the other bodies. Until I discovered the presence of each body with in my whole expression the channels of communication went something like this: my mind working in cahoots with my ego self would make executive decisions on behalf of the whole, the emotions would react accordingly and the physical body would act out with strength or with pain as it could to support the whole body consensus. As you can imagine, and probably identify with, there was considerable unrest in the house at all times. Pain in my body made me stop ‘doing’ and start ‘being’. In the physical stillness that followed my thoughts initially became manic, unconscious thought began to rise through the fog to be heard, conscious thoughts vied for attention, the ego stubbornly struggled to stay engaged and in control,  emotions stirred and made themselves felt, some for the first time. Underneath it all the quiet voice of the soul could be heard whispering direction and advice. Mental, emotional, spiritual turmoil ensued. Life seemed out of control and very challenging without the normal strategy of ‘doing’ something to shut everything up. Intrigued (and frightened) by the madness  flowing through my life I vowed to keep listening and determined not to fall back into my old coping mechanisms. I knew I couldn’t go back but I also didn’t know how to move forward. If you don’t know what to do  – do nothing…so I became very, very still and I learned to observe, listen and learn.

Emotions need only to be acknowledged honestly for them to be satisfied, but the mind needs to be heard. Excuses, contradictions, logical arguments, insane belief systems, all guide and camouflage the truth of spirit trying to express itself. Patiently, like trying to coax a shy kitten out of a hiding place you have to convince the soul that you mean no harm, that you will listen, that you are finally willing to act in its best interest. Slowly the relationship with my soul started to mend. I came to know myself in new ways; my triggers, my fears, my true pleasures, my motivations and my capacity to live a soulful, heart centered life. My intuitions grew stronger and more dependable, my knee jerk instinct to react lessened, I could breathe and wait, I didn’t take everything personally, my ego began to disengage from every exchange allowing my spirit the room to emerge. I began to feel peace. I began to feel creative as never before.

I have often wondered how my life would be if I could have brought this knowledge of life into my life in architecture and construction. Or into my life as the organic herb farmer. But it is what it is. All in good time. All exactly as it played out was important for the revealing of my soul in my life. I like the idea that we are Spiritual beings living a physical experience – but we also need to strive to empower our spiritual self otherwise we will find ourselves living soul-less materialistic physical lives burdened with the struggle and pain of trying to maintain an impermanent reality.

So how can you recognize when your soul is freely engaging in the process of your life? You feel purposeful, engaged, patient and satisfied. You realize you risk nothing by being fully present. You feel anywhere from a vague to a strong sense of connectedness, a remembering of a promise. You feel really big, unlimited, and optimistic. Limitations are part of a language you no longer speak. You are not overwhelmed by the physicality of your life. You feel nourished, nurtured and loved.

And with this awareness coursing through your life you feel the impulse to nourish, nurture and love others.

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Healing

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Banding Together – A Naturally Balanced Harmony


I’ve been involved in a project as a collaborator for the past several weeks. What that means really is that while I have tried to do my part as well and as actively as I could I am just a cog in the wheel. The wheel is the brain child of others. They launched their project on the internet for all the world to see this morning after months and months of developing, organizing, preparing, visualizing, recruiting, and formatting. It has been a formidable task I’m sure, but their vision was clear and they were determined. It was my privilege to assist them in realizing their goal. Their project is called ‘Feng SHe’ and its purpose is to provide solutions for heart and mind to generate and promote balance between the masculine and feminine energies that create our world and our thought. Through the combined efforts of like-minded individuals – yours truly included – we have provided a bevy of articles, information, and new thought that address the concerns of imbalance that perpetuate in our society. Please check out their new site

The thing is folks that the time of me, me, me is over. As we start living in the Aquarian vibrations of our current era our greatest efforts will be rewarded when we combine them with the efforts of others. This is an age of oneness, working together. Competition will gradually become a thing of the past as we learn to develop a consciousness of co-operation and oneness. As we learn to band together we will learn to understand fully that what affects me affects you, what benefits me benefits you and as I conquer you I simultaneously sabotage myself.

One principle, One mind, One direction. We will not become clones of each other, never fear. Within each one beats a different drum, to a different creative tune. We each have our voice and we will all be heard. The beauty lies in the natural harmony that is created when we all band together and each do what we do best.

So I urge you to get together with like-minded people and create something harmonious, for business or pleasure the outcome will be spectacular – a naturally balanced harmony.

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Healing

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Something to Ponder


When I attended the Awakening the Dreamer – Changing the Dream Symposium brought out by the Pachamama Alliance we were each given a card with a quote on it by George Bernard Shaw. I just thought I’d share it with you.

This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.

I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.

I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me; it is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.

I like this – a lot! I think I want to burn as brightly as possible to. What about you?

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Metaphysics

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Stand Up and Be Heard


Every day I encounter people who speak vaguely, never really coming to the point of what they believe yet agreeing with you as if that was what they meant all along. I see people not committing to their words and thus their opinions, allowing themselves to be swayed by popular belief rather than formulate their own thoughts. They don’t want to make waves, they want the approval of others, they want to fit in and not draw attention to themselves. It’s very sad. They know not to what degree they are hurting themselves and indeed humanity in their attempt to be easy-going, inoffensive and agreeable.

In my work I see many people suffering with dis-ease socially, mentally, emotionally. Eventually this general unresolved dis-ease will lead to disease in the physical body. It is inevitable. You don’t have to be psychic to see this, it comes down to simple math. Where attention goes energy flows. Even when people are wobbly and non-committal in their intentions, their foundational intention is based in avoidance which is based in insecurity and fear. Their beliefs need to be reexamined before their lack of clarity gradually erodes the integrity of their innate physical intelligence and begins to create their demise.

Dr. Bruce Lipton stated that the body is composed of 50 trillion cells,which he likened to tiny individuals needing to be led into health. Without clarity in leadership or direction – which we otherwise refer to as  intention –  these cells are open to attack by any number of invasive illnesses. Cancer for instance, in the body behaves as though it ‘knows’ the best way. Cancer cells ‘believe’ in their health and power and they go about aggressively growing and gaining power over the body, draining valuable resources of usable energy. They thrive in the energetic environment created by fear and will continue to grow invasively until they dominate the entire organism. These mutant invaders will rob the body of every last bit of energy resource until there is nothing left to use unless they are stopped in their tracks. Chemo, radiation and surgery may be partially corrective but without the strong leadership of positive, healthy and committed mindfulness, the body will continue to struggle to heal.

The genetic coding that is locked in the DNA of our cells dictates to us how we will understand things, and then further how to act and react in any situation. This in turn kick-starts the chain of communication in the body that determines the distribution of chemicals, hormones and natural antibodies. It’s not that the DNA holds the cells that are cancerous from our ancestral heritage, it more like our DNA holds the intelligence that allows the body to believe it can be attacked by cancer. The good news is that intelligence can be destroyed or created. We can learn new things with dedication and commitment.

Come to know your own mind; what do you think, what do you believe, whose voice has a place of power in your head? What is important to you, what is your value system? It matters less what is right or wrong than it does of how important certain issues are to you. When you consistently compromise your inner belief, value and moral systems you compromise your integrity and hence your well-being. Learn to function without the approval of others. Rather learn to align yourself with others that hold the same value systems as you do. Don’t be afraid to stand up and be heard, every voice needs to be heard, no matter what the message. Our diversity stimulates growth and new possibility. While no one man may have all the answers for the best way forward, together we can forge a new path that honours us all. Healing happens in the light, secrets kept hidden in the dark grow confused and distorted. Bring your thoughts out into the open, into the light. Allow yourself to stand up for what you feel is true and join together with your peer groups to hammer out a new way forward.

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Healing

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The Future In the Direction of Your Dreams


Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler. – Henry David Thoreau, 1817-1862

This has been one of my favorite quotes for as long as I can remember. I’ve used it to raise my children, to inspire change in myself and in others and to spur me to action when I feel stagnant.

There is something about the word ‘dream’ that fills us with hope. In a dream we can believe the seemingly impossible. We slay the most fearsome of dragons, we freely entertain the craziest visions of ourselves and our world, and we win. In a dream we become aware of our vast potential and unfettered promise. In the dream we know ourselves as we can be and we valiantly, demurely and joyfully become our best selves. Yes, in a dream we win, loss and failure are concepts not remotely relevant to the dream.

We can experience a dream in our sleep, quietly sanction one in our imagination, covet one in a silent selfish manner and never bring it to the light of day or to the criticisms of others if we like. But the power of a dream is ignited when we say the word ‘dream’ to others. Suddenly what we hold becomes visionary and prophetic. While people may critically assess another’s goals and ambitions they can accept another’s dream for the future. In the sharing of a dream we become united. We dare to dream the same dream. We are willing to entertain the possibility of another’s dream because we understand that world to exist beyond this one that we are obliged to walk everyday. In the dream everything is possible; my dreams and your dreams.

In the sharing of a dream we become hopeful and inspired. The conflicts of the ‘real’ world fade and give way to a world where the rules are simple, good prevails and the universe becomes eagerly complicit.

Dream; a magical word that bridges the abyss between realities. Even in waking a vivid dream will linger in this realm, inviting us to manifest it. Our actions, thoughts and words are directed and governed by the dream as long as we succeed at holding it in our front mind consciousness. Through this our dream moves closer to our living reality. A dream of yourself can be made manifest if you hold it in mind and heart, govern yourself appropriately to the dream, releasing what doesn’t serve the dream, and breathing it through your soul with mindful intention, thereby grounding it into this realm.

A dream does not manifest over night. The nebulous realm of no time dream time has to find a resonant symbiotic groove of energy in this realm of linear structured ‘real’ time before it can materialize. Our physical world of action and opposites and tension is governed by laws of universal understanding that must be allowed if we are to manifest within it. But as Thoreau suggested the Laws will become simpler, bending to your needs as you hold your dream with confidence.

So go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you have imagined! And before you know it you’ll have crossed the bridge and will find yourself waking up in your dream!

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How Beautiful Are The Feet


My daughter is studying classical music. She’s a budding gifted soprano following her bliss. Her bliss has opened many doors and windows to my own bliss. This spring she had to learn an oratorio by Handel called “How Beautiful are the Feet” for one of her many auditions. The piece was produced for “Messiah” and was to celebrate the peacemakers.

The words – like in most important messages are very simple:

How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and
bring glad tidings of good things. (Isaiah 52:7)

This message is as potent for us today in our time as it was in the time it was written. It teaches us the value of the spoken word and to be mindful that those words further the attitudes of peace and positive intentions.

Walk today with beautiful feet and if you get a chance find Handel’s music and listen to it, just for a little musical reminder.

Have a blessedly peaceful day!

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Healing

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Tiny Drops – Giant Ripples


Whenever I start talking about environmental sustainability I have found that many people immediately hit the immensity of the problem with their smallness. We hate feeling small and ineffectual. When we feel we can’t make a difference we tend to avoid the issue. We turn back to our moderate lifestyles and try not to be part of the problem. We might not actively be part of the solution but we try to minimize our role in creating more problems. At least for a time, eventually old habits slip back in. Unfortunately, once we know something we can’t un-know it. We can try to forget it, stuff our new knowledge back into the furthest darkest corners of our consciousness, drowned it in consumer based habits, or turn to other indulgences. It seems that people hate rocking boats and that they resist any change that may upset their comfy cozy existence. This may be true on some obvious superficial level but underneath I choose to hopefully believe that people are boggled over the immensity of their problems and a pervasive societal based low self-esteem prevents them from believing that they can do anything worthwhile anyway so why bother. We need to ‘bother’ because tiny drops create giant ripples!

I live in a beautiful little town in south-eastern Ontario. Our town is divided by a notable water canal system and there is a pretty bridge with iron railings, ornate lamp posts, we have a ban on pesticide and herbicide use, tons of green space and trees, we even have a white gazebos in the park where we have local musicians perform every Wednesday. Many of our stores have window boxes, there are flowering hanging baskets, even trees have been planted down the main streets.  You see the pride of the residents and store owners as you drive through town. People are generally friendly and courteous when you meet on the street. We have had a couple of homeless people here – we knew them by name. Sounds very Norman Rockwall-ish doesn’t it? And sure we have crap, every community does, we just don’t seem to spread it around. It is strikingly orderly and clean here. We have the same community resource as other towns, but we also have another secret asset that perhaps other towns don’t have.

A Secret Asset

Over the years that I’ve lived here we have had 3 individuals that walk with garbage bags. You’ll see them if you get up early enough. They walk the streets and pick up litter. They are self-appointed volunteers that have taken it upon themselves to keep our town tidy. I’m not talking about big garbage, I’m talking about cigarette butts, gum wrappers, occasional coffee cups and water bottles, stray scrap paper and plastic that blew out of the garbage truck. Stuff that you would never even notice as you drove through town. But you notice the effect of their blessed work. They don’t do this for praise, they do it because they care.

This summer, if you were paying attention you would have noticed a small little miracle happen.

We have in our town a character who would customarily hang around the main intersections of town (we have 3 with lights) day after day, staggering around with obviously too much alcohol in his system and seemingly no other direction or purpose for his life. He would try to stay out of people’s way and was fairly quiet but still, as you came in over the bridge you would notice this fellow invariably staggering about, holding himself up on building or railings, or slouched over in the park in a stupor. It seems though that one day early this spring he must have noticed the other gentleman who walked the streets around the canal with his recyclable bag and garbage picker-upper-thingy because ‘our character’ started walking with him. For a few days they walked together, you never saw them talk much, but what do I know, they may have been solving all the problems of the world. Then one day ‘our character’ brought along a white pail and walked down the other side of the street. Together these two have been wandering around town now all spring and summer tidying up. If he drinks anymore, he does it privately, and I never see him just hanging around anymore, he walks with purpose, interest and liveliness, head held high.

The miracle part is that a small (perhaps even huge) though clear expansion of personal self-esteem happened through the tiniest measure of service to a greater whole. In service to our community, in picking up tiny scraps of garbage he found a purpose and ‘our character’ found – maybe re-found – his truest character. I appreciate him for his effort. I am grateful for his daily routine. I hope it continues to satisfy him for the good of us all and if it doesn’t I hope he finds something else that nurtures his self-esteem and makes him feel his worthiness. He has made me more self-aware! I am grateful for that too.

A Ripple Effect of  Service

There is nothing that can take away from a soul that feels dedicated and worthy in his purpose no matter how insignificant it may initially seem to be. When we have found a way to serve others we establish value, self-esteem and purpose. When we find our own value, self-esteem and purpose we feel empowered. In that empowerment we know that even the tiniest actions can make huge differences to the whole. In empowerment we know when to join others for greater and greater effect. All of a sudden we stop being small. The ripple effect is incredible. Mind you if you do anything for praise and accolades of approval I fear you will be sorely disappointed. If your motivation comes from outside approval you will stay forever vulnerable to the loss of it. You will exhaust yourself trying to maintain it and you will not feel the intense satisfaction of knowing your own true ego less value.

I’ve been accused of not giving enough praise, of not satisfying others ego with effusive approval. It’s true. It’s not my way. It’s not that I don’t appreciate talent, excellence and effort, I sure do, it’s that I’m very aware that talent, excellence and effort has to be self-generating. I don’t want anyone seeking my approval to do anything. I want them to do their thing for themselves not me.

Empowerment must come from within. Empowerment comes from knowing your self-worth and being able to make choices that benefit yourself, your loved ones and your community just because your know in your heart it is the right thing to do.

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Healing

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Give Praise to the Dreamers…Become One if you Dare!


I’ve been meeting some truly amazing people lately whose acquaintance fill me with hope and renewed energy to keep moving forward on my sometimes twisty convoluted path.

I’m concerned about the plight of our planet, the condition of our species and our prospects of survival. I meet many people in a day whose primary concern is their failing health and difficult life situations. As humanitarian I acknowledge and empathize with their pain and fear. As healer my job is to hold a torch of light that allows them to see the way out of their grief. This can be challenging at times.

The torch I choose to bear is not one I’ve personally created. The light I try to hold is the light that has been created over time by the healers, visionaries, wisdom keepers, peace makers, and builders of the past. Of course these people don’t go by these titles, they’re builders, architects, scientists, leaders, poets, artists, musicians, and dreamers of all descriptions. They are people who have been so profoundly moved by the potential of our possibility that they see beyond the limitations presented by our reality. They dream us forward, one vision at a time.

I like to align myself with the highest energies available in every moment, it’s why I practice Reiki daily – it’s my spiritual practice. But on a physical level it’s the great brilliant adventurers of our past and present. It’s the people who walk their talk. The ones who do something different out of the norm. The ones who aren’t afraid to stare down the demons of complacency and conformance. The ones who dare to blow the sides out of the boxes of uniformity. The dreamers can be a pretty motley crew on first glance but I assure you this is where the action is. Many of these powerful visionaries weren’t respected and appreciated in their own time for their path took them out of their current reality into ours of the future. They were often criticized, ridiculed, even jailed, hung and assassinated for their beliefs. While the masses may desperately cling to the ways of the present by their fingertips and dig their heals into the bedrock of popular society the dreamers take flight, sailing and free-falling into the shadowy realms of possibility. This is just plain too risky for most.

These dreamers dare to plunge into the vast unknown and surrender to the ebbs and flows of unformed consciousness. They bring back to us a dream, a vision for our possibility, that can manifest if we dare but follow with our own little bit. Every new dream allows the rest of us to experience and create a new manifestation of power. We have the chance to create with the tools of our respective trades a special something, that is uniquely our own yet symbiotic to the whole. And so history is reshaped, evolved into ever greater potentials.

The effect of the individual dreams is cumulative. Each one builds on another. Each dreamer is motivated by a unique combination of stimuli and the results reflect in the circle of influence of the dreamer. While each of us has our own circle of influence the circles connect in intricate magical designs and patterns that continue to form more and more dreams. The themes of expression, although unique in design all reflect the same values; love, freedom, creativity, equality, sustainability, harmony and peace.

Today is the day to give way to a dream. Don’t be afraid of failure. Don’t hesitate at the doorway that leads your mind to freedom. Step out and dare to be guided by a light that shines for you. The heart yearns to engage passionately with life.

When you dream be aware that many great people have gone before you and still cast tremendous light through the darkness of the unknown. Let their visions and accomplishments guide you. I walk in good company when I travel with the dreamers of our world.  I hope to see you there – in a dream for the future.

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Metaphysics

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Personal Sustainability = Global Sustainability


Last weekend I attended an “Awakening the Dreamer” Symposium. To say I walked out of there feeling hopeful and inspired is an understatement. I was deeply and profoundly moved and re-motivated to keep on talking and writing whenever and where ever I get a chance. The symposium focused around the ideas and information available on the subject of life sustainability on this planet.The question was posed, obviously, “what are you going to do about it?”

There are fortunately great people with great minds doing great things in our world, looking after us all, trying to shift mountains to re-create a sustainable world. People are asking me plaintively “but what can I do?” Well you can recycle, reduce, reuse, in fact we must all do these things, but we already know this and do this on some level. To truly create a sustainable world we must feel the personal value for it. Most of us live reasonably comfortable lives but then again we are not one of the 55% of plants and animals species currently facing extinction. In the past 30 years, 1/3 of the total number of mammals, reptiles, birds, fish and amphibians living in the world have been lost primarily to loss of habitat and changes in their eco-environments. It is a very human trait to not see any problems until they start to happen within the walls of your own home. Unfortunately we can’t wait for that to happen. We have to make different choices now. It is time to grasp that if we want a sustainable future for our earth we must create one within our own psyche. We must come into an understanding that a sustainable future lies with an attitude of personal sustainability.

The accepted definition for environmental sustainability is that the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The definition implies an attitude of stewardship for our earth for future generations. In order for this to become a feasible reality we need to shift our own attitudes for personal sustainability. We need to become more aware of the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical legacy we are endowing to our children. What habits are we teaching, what are they learning from us? Do they have faith, hope, joy, confidence in their future?

It all comes down to our own attitude in life. Every day I see people feeling hurt, undermined and disrespected. They speak in negative terms, without hope and without vision. They conduct their lives in a negligent, derisive and irresponsible manner. They hoard, withhold and lock away their stuff, reluctant to share and be generous. Consumerism, gluttony and indulgence of every description are leading to the erosion of life as we know it, on a physical level as well as on a spiritual level.

So how do you cultivate an attitude of sustainability?

i) be grateful: expressing and feeling gratitude allows one to become open to new opportunities for happiness.

ii) express yourself in positive terms: avoid negative words, slants, criticisms, judgments, and excuses. Before very long you will find yourself focusing on all that you can do instead of all you can’t do.

iii) realize that you are enough just as you are: excessive consumerism, gluttony and indulgence are signs that you think there isn’t enough in this world for you and that you aren’t enough. Assess your needs and wants. What do you really desire in  life – is it really more stuff? Do what makes you happy, whatever it is, but be aware of your excessive consumption for things that mean nothing to you and just suck up your resources, ie. money, energy, health, time etc. As you deplete yourself you deplete the world around you.

iv) become fully accountable for yourself and come to realize that you are not alone: all of your actions, words, thoughts have consequences, nothing goes unnoticed. Everything you do matters to the whole – always. Separation is an illusion. There is no us and them. There is only us. We are all joined in consciousness, all connected in our holiness. We have one future; we either survive together or we perish together. My children’s lives and future depend on your actions as do your children on mine.

v) respect one another regardless of race, creed or culture. Diversity is the key to survival. We will never survive as clones of each other. Our diversity will ensure our growth, development and ever budding potential.

It is our collective ignorance that allows the raping of the earth to continue. Eventually we won’t be able to move away from the devastation, we won’t be able to ignore what is happening all around us as it encroaches ever closer to our own homes and into our lifestyles by then however it will be too late to create a change that will allow us to survive. Sustainable living begins with a sustainable attitude; and that begins with you.

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Healing

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