Consciousness, Awareness, and Knowing

Note: I'm playing with language a bit in order to get to the essence of the experience.

Monday, October 30th, 2006 at approximately 7:45am, I found myself being launched over the handlebars of my bicycle in downtown traffic. Pure awareness was present and time stood still. Even before launch, as the front wheel jammed, awareness saw the inevitable and acted fully. Listening to the body and awareness, I was compelled to commit to the forward trajectory and aid the launch in order to roll through the fall. The mind tried to intervene with all the fears and knowledge of falling, crashing, and the pain to be endured. Only fractions of a second have passed and consciousness puts aside the mind as the inevitable is inevitable. I gently leap forward just so, directing myself and the bike with my hands, as I go into orbit over the bike. Consciousness has already moved to the landing.

My feet are still on the pedals, and hands on the handlebars, as my body is fully extending up and over the handlebars. Awareness sees the path of trajectory leads directly in the middle of the curb, between sidewalk and roadway. Knowing realizes this is not good and awareness immediately assess direction: Left leads to a lamp post, and right leads onto the main road during rush hour traffic. Awareness glances along the lane of oncoming traffic and the lane is clear. Knowing now acts with a directional force between the body and the bike to redirect orbit for a safe landing and roll out onto the roadway. Feet now about a foot off the pedals suddenly become entangled with the bike.

As the trajectory of my fall was altered, the cross force between body and bike, my feet were now getting caught up in the bike going the other way. This caused my weight to pull the bike after me, while the weight of the bike slowed and stalled the trajectory of my fall. Knowing said, "Oh shit, this is going to hurt," as he realized the forward rotation would not be sufficient to come through the fall unscathed. Suddenly, impact came and for a momentary flash it seemed to be that nothing existed. I wasn't in my body, I had no sense of existence, I had no experience of pain or impact, only moreso the oomph moment secondarily after impact. It left me wondering. Suddenly consciousness again alerted awareness of the bike following my path and rolling onto my back, I reached out with my injured arm and flung the bike beyond me, still unaware of the extent to my injury.

As I got to my feet I felt the lead weight of my right arm and the throbbing of my entire shoulder. Seeing my bike in the road I reached to pull it up onto the sidewalk and was immediately rendered dead with system overload as all consciousness, awareness, and knowing catching up, focused all attention on the searing pain and abnormal functioning of the right arm at the shoulder. Dropping the bike, turning and stumbling backward, I reached a retaining wall and sat down to catch my breath, regain my balance and vision, and to come back to present. Just then a doctor came to my aid, having seen the accident as she was driving by to work, and within minutes I was checked into emergency.

After x-rays and the once over, I was released with the knowledge that I had severely separated the clavicle and shoulder, all held together by soft tissue and not an actual sockety-type joint. It was suggested that it would take 6-8 weeks to heal, it would be 2-3 weeks before much use returned, and that there was little likelihood that it would heal back to norml. In fact, the follow-up with the specialist suggests that the soft tissues will never reattach themselves in the shoulder. Even so, with intention and some visualization techniques I have focused healing towards that region of the body.

I have followed the urgings of my body, it's need for rest, for fuel, and for movement. With only occasional pain-killer use the first two-days, I was no longer wearing a sling and could move my arm about with some effort and creativity. A week and a bit later, I've regained almost full range of motion and am gradually increasing in strength. Due to the severity of injury, the muscles tire quickly and pain radiates from deep within, although not unbearably. Upon seeing a model of the tissues in the affected region, I continue to focus my visualization and intention on the fullest healing possible, trusting my body, and providing accordingly. And I wait, patiently and gratefully.

Transition: Be Still

I had a great reflection today that brought gladness to my heart for the experiences I've had. The reflection was evoked by a conversation with a dear friend who happens to be in one of those difficult transition periods that life throws at us occassionally. Dealing with difficulty often isn't our biggest challenge, it's the wait and the inability to control the outcome and timing. For whatever reason, we're in the midst of sudden upheaval that will challenge and requires attention. Knowing myself, I suspect most of us would like it solved NOW.

Transitions and these upheavals come in many different shapes and sizes. There is no magic formula beyond showing up and being with the situation and sticking to the process as it also shows up. Each situation will come with its' own best practices to create change and forward movement, and yet ultimately each situation will require us to listen to our heart for guidance. Even as the various pathways reveal themselves, and a path chosen, we can see that this will take some time and quite probably courage. I know there have been times on my journey I have faltered and felt faint. If only I could get there NOW, and then someone would acknowledge and remind me of the process. "I know, I know." I'd say, "still...."

Still.... always that word - and I know. You who are privy to my journey have watched me with my ups and downs for how long now? And slowly but surely, sticking with it, falling on my face, getting up again, and I'm getting there. I've grown in many ways, and yes, some areas of my life have remained neglected. I see why the building of a house is often used as an analogy for our own lives too. First, a new foundation - we're rebuilding here - and then level by level, living this life to perfection through each experience towards wholeness.

So still:

• you have so many amazing years in front of you.
• you have so many discoveries yet to be enjoyed.
• you have so many beautiful people to meet.

And still:

• you will cry.
• you will long for something better.
• you will learn from some hurtful people.

Each will shine the diamond within. So yes, still: Be still.

PS - As I write this, it's been almost a full week since I separated my right shoulder. Separating my shoulder could have been the worst thing that happened to me had I chosen that path. Instead, I saw so many glorious opportunities given, and an unusual experience of injury and healing that has given me more intimacy with the physical body. This perspective has enriched my daily experiences and relationships that yield more wonderful opportunities, and created joy and gratitude for my life.

Love Like it's Yesterday Again

It was a glorious day in central Alberta with the sun shining the fullness of its' brilliance. Every detail in the landscape radiated its' luminescence according to the experience of this eight year-old boy. Filled with joy, basking in the glory, I stood transfixed as my eyes scanned the full 270° view, stopping to pause from time-to-time when the brilliance overwhelmed the spirit's ability to see fully. It was then, on that particular day that I met another young boy. I don't remember his name, the encounter having lasted less than 10 minutes; a period of time more profound than so many others!

He is a lonely boy, one who was ostracized, criticized, teased, and bullied. I could understand, I could relate, and yet he was so different. It would only be realized in later years that this boy was a Down Syndrome child, while the eight year-old boy only recognized the word retarded, a term no longer considerate, respectful, nor politically correct.

The retard started talking to me and I couldn't completely understand. I want to run, to get away, to escape this retarded kid; I didn't want any of the other neighborhood kids to see me with him. He was right in my face now.

"What's your name?"

"Lee."

I felt all squirmy and couldn't think of anything to say. I am fascinated by his face, his eyes, and the gentle way that he smiles. There is something different about him than most other people I meet. He is real, genuine, and honest in a way that is making me feel warm inside. I recognize him, I recognize me, I recognize love. This is what I came here to experience and to give. This is what I wish for everyone all the time. And yet, the back of my mind begins imagining the bullying that will follow from the neighborhood kids if they see me. I'm a beaten child, at home and away. Why aren't we all like this? What are all the games for?

"Will you be my friend?" he asks.

I don't want to say yes, as my imaginings stir up the fear. My heart, young and still honest and strong, splits open to make room. I say yes, following my heart, and he leaps into me, wrapping me up in his arms. With a sudden lump in my throat I quickly peek left and right to see if anyone is watching and hug him back. Nervous and brave all at the same time, I feel the fear and the rightness of action. It's puzzling me, there is so much I don't understand about everything. My own parents beat me.

Backing up, his hands on my shoulders, he smiles into my eyes with the authenticity of his very being. He is beautiful and I feel cowardly. I feel scolded. I feel small. I don't know what is happening to me. I've just encountered paradox. My emotions tell me one thing, then my head fears worse, and suddenly I remember:

• parents beat their children
• parents lie
• parents say mean, hurtful things
• teachers play favorites
• adults play tricks on innocent kids
• some adults do unspeakable things
• adults fight and rarely make up
• adults don't like to apologize
• adults are afraid to love
• children band together in groups
• children can be mean
• a friend can quickly become an enemy - for no good reason
• so many of us are selfish
• there are so many conditions for love

At eight years old I've experienced all of this and this encounter of contradiction and Truth has me all confused.

That was then, this is now. Recalling that memory often throughout life, as I experience the gain and loss of love, success, finances, health, friendship, etc., this encounter spoke to a higher truth and possibility, for those who would see. I claim no greater, nor no less success with this struggle than the next man. I am also easily led and influenced by the energies that are around me every day. To what degree varies as does my overall well-being, as with any of us.

Recognition and awareness creates opportunities to not become trapped by false beliefs, while the turmoil of emotions and mind creates hurdles and pitfalls that allow the fullest experience of being human. Embracing and working with both aspects of self, and so much more in an intangible sense, is what spirituality entails for me. This openness to experience with awareness leads to an evolving sense of what the truth is for my experience of life. Each day leads to opportunities for growth and adjustment. Remembering, I know what it is: It is Love, as I am Love, and I am with Love.

This leaves me with two requests:

1. Please stop being afraid of my love?
2. Please empower me to love fully.
   

Choosing Life is Creating Life

I've been much busier lately. I've been getting out more, experiencing more, working more, and enjoying the ride. As a coach, I'm challenged to create my life daily rather than just go about life's repetitions every day. Going about life's repetitions for over a decade led to me waking up one day wondering, "How did I get here?" I hear similar views and feelings from many people. I read about it in the papers, see shows that reflect a similar reality, and meet folks at the coffee shop lamenting the same meaninglessness. Meaning in life is important. Rather than talk about meaning and purpose today, as I've usually done in the past, I'm instead going to talk about creating my life daily.

As I said, I'm a coach and one would expect a coach to have their shit together or to at least know their shit. A pun or two inadvertently enjoyed there. Now some of you are chuckling and yet, I wonder how many of you are also surprised to learn that a coach has problems? Well, again this would be a matter of perspective.

My business history involved problem-solving and creating and managing change, and these were two of the most common themes and talents I exercised naturally for more than a decade. I was good at what I did and I was good with people. I never saw what was impossible and only focused on what is possible. I rarely took 'no' for an answer and frequently inspired other's perspectives to find the solutions. This is where a problem perspective has the opportunity to transform into seeing what is possible. This is a crucial moment of recognizing the power you have with choice. Choice has less to do with outer outcome or circumstances and more to do with inner being.

Being at choice is important to creating my day. Each day I wake up knowing what I don't want via past experiences. This allows me to reframe the 'don't want' into a powerful positive 'want'. Stating verbally what I want energizes and strengthens the ownership I have for creating the life I desire. It's useful to be specific as possible and yet, without data we have little information to be specific with; worse still, with bad data - bad experiences - we have incorrect or incomplete data to state what is wanted. Nonetheless, this exercise opens up power, choice, and possibility for what is to come on this day.

Embarking upon the journey today, I welcome each and every experience and social interaction. Where situations offer it, I am able to articulate and reframe where necessary what I do or don't want in a given area of my life. Without specifics for what I do want, I may substitute the tangibles with intangibles; qualities that will satisfy my inner spirit. This exercise, being new in action or objective, may require some blind groping initially that are full of intangibles; until enough experience has yielded the information that allows you to clarify the tangibles. This is the art of creating your life.

It is knowing that you are at choice at every moment of every day. Even a non-choice is a choice. Every mistake or bad experience is useful information that offers insight into right action for future choices. Again, knowing that you are at choice allows for mistakes without self-blame. Instead, mistakes are met with gratitude and embraced to enact change that will bring about more positive experiences. Where the future cannot be envisioned, I can project my want with intangibles such as joy, fulfillment, love, or whatever other descriptor that will shift my energy to focus on the power of wants rather than the negativity of 'don't wants'. Then I enjoy the journey and the process and embrace the natural unfolding of me and my life. Do we ever stop learning about ourselves?

Try using any combination of the following to help you create your day:

What do I want?
What don’t I want?
Repeated intentionally: What do I want?
What is my passion?
What is my purpose?
What brings me joy?
What causes me to forget the time?
What do I want more of?
What do I want less of?

State as often as possible what I want.
Notice what I’m doing and how or who I am being.
Notice qualities, traits, characteristics, etc. about self and others.

Observe my beliefs and emotions:
Are they serving me?
Am I serving them?
What is it costing me?
What am I saying Yes to?
What am I saying No to?

Be courageous.
Be gentle.
Be patient.
Be love.

Follow-up to 'Haven't You Learned Anything!?'

Lack of comments speak to two different things. First, it could be the kind of thing that really causes people deep reflection on what has been said. It may even have some incredibly challenging perspectives that are difficult to swallow. Second, there could be a great deal of disagreement or even fear - although I certainly hope it is not the latter.

It was said to me that the comment by another user about the wounded warrior entry wasn't judgmental. If it is seen that I have singled that person out, then the point of the article is missed. Human-beings are judgmental by design - it's what we do. It even goes by different names. Discernment is having good judgment. To perceive is to sense and make sense of information, again an exercise of judgment is occuring. In writing my article and stating my observations, I too am exercising judgment. This isn't about pointing a finger at someone and saying, "na na nana na!" It's about seeing more!

Initially, in my response article Haven't You Learned Anything? I begin by saying the comment didn't sit well with me. That can mean many number of things. I go on to explain. I speak of how a simple statement is a broad brush-stroke and I agreed it does take some longer to learn. I also wanted to offer much more - a deeper and wider perspective. This is what the blog-entry is about.

I know some people who've been on the street and I know some people who are still on the street. I know what has happened in my own life and I know how close I came to being on the street. Society, the coddled members, are much more comfortable distancing themselves from responsibility for creating the messes we have in society. Instead, it is easier to point fingers and blame the individual who landed where they are. Some of the street people are there by choice, in order to be free from the shit we live in society. Others are there because they can't fight anymore. We could look at every segment of our populace and find out how easy it is and how much more comfortable it is to keep your head buried in the sand.

You see, people are quick to make assumptions about WHY things are the way they are. Laying blame on the person who is scratching the pavement looking for a rock is the easy way out. There is nothing in society that doesn't exist that isn't the cause of mankind --- not one man: It's our society, it's our rules of engagment, it's our rules of competition, politics, and free enterprise. There are many who don't care about the damage they create to get where they want to go. This was the motivation for writing Haven't You Learned Anything? and this follow-up.
Even last night, the movie Thank-you For Smoking inspired more thoughts on our FREEDOM of choice and instead of accepting the responsibility, so many of us in society point a finger and lay the blame. Interesting isn't it? Drugs, Cigarettes, Booze, Guns, Sex, Rock and Roll, Dieting, the foods we eat, the food that's packaged, the pesticides used, the trees burned and clear-cut, the environment wasted.... it's all their fault. None of it is mine. None of it is yours. I had no say in the matter. I didn't know any better. They tricked me with their media advertising. My parents smoked too. I didn't stand a chance. Neither did you.

In other words, I don't have a problem with what the comment said that responded to the wounded warrior. I had a problem with what it didn't say and that quite often, society will opt for the easy answer - the one that abdicates responsibility. Articles like this are a call for more social responsibility. Is that not clear in what I've written? We are at choice, we all have an impact, with words, thoughts, and actions.

Haven't You Learned Anything!?

On another blog, I received a response to my entry about the wounded warrior that didn't sit very well with me. Here is my wounded warrior entry:

The wounded warrior doesn't lose his edge, he gains another. The new edge is the edge of reconciliation, of empathy, of understanding, and of valuing life. Do not let anyone minimalize the wounds you have earned, that you have gained understanding from, and from which you have grown to love more humankind. Neither let yourself suffer from arrogance, or any form of grandiose thinking of any kind; remain the humble servant who understands more than they let on.

The response caused a moment of pause as I reflected yet again upon the judgment they placed with their opinion. Through such a comment and how it may or may not apply; our broad brush-strokes are so quick to color every encounter, every person, and every lesson to be the same. What was said is not far different from what many people believe. What was said also can be completely true for many people. However, it is not applicable to all who suffer. Here is the commonly held belief posted in their response:

Ideally, those are the lessons one would learn. But everyone has their own journey and some make it harder than it should be. They must learn their lessons the hard way and it takes much longer. It depends on what level of understanding one has reached.

Everyone does have their own journey and some individuals do make it harder than it has to be. Some wish to make it easier and do not seem able to lessen the severity. Some people are fast learners, others are slow learners. Some learn best by reading, others learn best by doing, and yet more need to hear the words that will help them learn. The poor individual who is going through hell and back who would read that they're a complete loser for "not getting it" sooner. And yet, my immediate heartfelt thoughts upon reading the reply highlights an even more profound statement for the wounded warrior. What about the greats in our history who have suffered greatly?

My first hero, Gandhi, was the first to come to mind when I read that some make it harder, and that a lesson must be learned. I've had a similar discussion around the homeless issues as well. All things serve a greater purpose and it is so easy for us to judge from the perspective that others "just aren't getting it" and we can wash our hands of all responsibility to see change occur in our society. Gandhi put himself into harms way repeatedly. Gandhi, through all the situations that deepened his wounds saw his heart for God, his heart for his people, and his heart for the world grow. Gandhi did not shrink from the cup chosen for him, neither did many other great leaders no longer with us today. You know who some of them are. So who needs to learn the lesson?

A wounded warrior did not come to fight with violence, fists, and bloodshed - unless it is his own and even then it is not a prefered avenue. The wounded warrior values life and typically in higher regard than the common everyday man. Gandhi, my friend, my example: What lesson did you make harder to learn? To walk away from conflict? To walk away from injustice? That one man cannot change the world? No, no, I didn't think so. I see it myself and it is what I want all to see.

If I choose to make my life harder, if I choose to be the change I want to see, if drastic action is called for to have society witness its' failings, then so be it. How can I possibly communicate clearly to others that which I cannot understand? I have understood much about the human condition, society, our frailties, hopes, fears, and dreams; our relationship to each other, how it has shifted over time and continues to shift; how the media clouds our vision, politicians and religious leaders influence our beliefs, interpreting the signs of the times and literally telling us the cause and effect relationship that requires change. We've become such amazingly obedient sheep for our shepherds.

We follow along, we point fingers, we lay blame, we act the victim, and almost literally only take care of our own personal agenda and insular sphere of influence. The rest of the world, the rest of the country, the rest of the government, the rest of the community, the rest of the street... and so on... can go to hell, I've got enough to deal with on my own! Sound familiar? I've heard these standard statements often throughout my life. Even so, the influences that sing in my heart are laid by the examples of such as Jesus, Gandhi, JFK, Martin Luther King, just to name a small few. Check carefully before concluding that someone isn't learning a lesson. Maybe they're trying to show the rest of the world something that society has created, or that people are ignoring, etc.

This brings me back to one of my favorite issues related to society washing their hands - the homeless. I have even heard it said by spiritual and/or religious people that the homeless chose their lot, made their bed, and therefore must suffer the consequences. In the same way, some would say they're on the street learning a lesson. What I know is that there are many on the street who have chosen to leave the monstrosity of the rat-race - that truth and love is virtually non-existent in the corporate setting, or the business machinations of what is our society today. I know that some of these people are there, and the problem is growing, because the rest of society has failed to act! The issue isn't about providing shelters, food, and treatment programs. The issue is about a systemic problem with the way we get along, the way we work together, the way we compete, and the way we judge, hate, segregate, and so on. It's strictly about the heart.

Yesterday, a very new and dear friend of mine got on his own high horse ranting about the problem with the street people in a very bad area of our city. "Give them what they want and what they need," he lamented! Very curious I continued to press him for more explanation. I don't remember all that he said but let me sum it up as best I can.

Giving these people a city-block facility with housing, treatment, counselling, injection sites, dispensed substances, etc., would free up a great deal of resources chasing them all over town trying to police, intervene, and treat the problem. You give them a place to go, provide them with clean and safe substances and the opportunity to make a different choice. Those that make the different choice have access to treatment, counselling, and shelter. If they fall, they fall, and they're given the opportunity to try again. At least then there is a chance, there is no judgment, and we would no longer be de-humanizing ourselves in the process!

That is not a perspective I could have vocalized in such a powerful way before. I concur completely with our responsibility and failings as a society to resolve what seem to be such fundamentally simple issues - at the heart level. Why so many walk past the problems and are so completely unaffected has bothered and puzzled me for years. Until he finished his statement recognizing the de-humanization of the general public, any reasoning I heard or tried left a sour taste. Of course! We have systematically seen the dehumanization of our culture consistently through news, media, television, movies, video games, and our own streets. Is it all bad? Likely not, it is a contributor though, along with our ability to make a judgment that places full responsibility somewhere else.

With so much said I'll wrap it up with a few statements of encouragement. Accept the journey others are on, be curious, ask questions, and park your judgment. As Martin Luther said, I have a dream. As JFK said, ask what you can do for your country. As Gandhi said, be the change you want to be. As Jesus said, love covers a multitude of sins. Be love, love is. If this was the guiding principle behind government, business, and our community, how many different outcomes would have seen a world shaping into something far more beautiful than we thought possible?

The Art in Being

An Artist has a gift for seeing the common everyday normal events, places, and people as something far more revealing in its' complexity and simple beauty. For some it is in the drawing and painting, for others it is in the molding and shaping, and so on. The landscape that fascinates me and comes to life on a page is the human experience, society, and our behaviors. What I see never ceases to amaze me.

While there are a good many stories that inspire us about the human spirit, I am also morbidly fascinated with the tragic beauty of our shortcomings and human frailties. At times, this very human experience has been a burden in my own life that I would not wish to bear. Who is to say whether my life would have been better had things turned out differently? Who is to say if I would be a better or worse person?

Instead, here I am having survived each ordeal that has been thrown at me. I feel the places of hurt almost as though the wounds were still there. The oddest problem with all of this is that in a perfect world we would cause no emotional harm towards one another. Many of life's hurts are because of behavior patterns unconsciously and consciously adopted throughout the experience of life and the games people play; in families, in schoolyards, in classrooms, in government, and even in business.

Instead, we guard our hearts, censor the truth, and project our insecurities. Is it any wonder mental illness has risen so dramatically these past number of years? With all the hurt in a person's past, it takes tremendous trust and courage to step boldly out of the safety of a comfort zone. With so many people craving intimacy and a sense of community, it is apparent that our behaviors can close us off from one another. Our love can be courageous and can bring us closer together. We can build stronger communities. We can solve more problems, find more solutions, and make the world a better place.

Rather than writer further, here are some questions for reflection:

• If every conversation were a safe place, how much more truth could you share?
• How does the word vulnerable make you feel when you consider the implications?
• If fear was no longer a reality, what more would you risk?
• How much does your everyday -- news, co-workers, media, etc. -- influence what you believe to be true?
• Do you believe in love?
• What is love?
• Can you be love?
• Life is always going to hand us hard stuff to deal with; do we have to make it harder on each other?
• What will you do to be supportive with others?

Be Love. Love is.

What is Really Possible?

A topic of interest relates to a dog, Sassy, who I take out walking Saturday's and Sunday's. When I took up the assignment, I was warned about the dog, a Jack Russell Terrier, and her behavioral problems. Avoid other dogs, hang tight around squirrels, she's very aggressive, and so on. Everything I heard sounded wrong; it didn't sit well with me as I listened to all of these instructions. Curious and rebellious towards the negative perceptions I decided to observe what was going on with Sassy rather than take everyone's word. This results in a remarkable story of transformation.

The first couple of walks I proceeded cautiously, allowing her to experience close-calls with other animals so I could observe what was happening. Then I purposely allowed contact during subsequent walks, always being cautious and watchful around her behavior. Oddly, with some dogs she reacted and others she didn't. When she did I would assert Alpha dominance - canine pack behavior - and let her know it was wrong and immediately followed that with comfort that everything was fine. This also included me greeting and engaging with the other animal so she understood fully from the experience that her safety and my safety were not in question.

In addition to this, this Jack Russell was only managing to get a 30 minute walk, morning and evening, for minimal exercise and a bathroom break. This is insufficient physical, mental, and emotional stimulation for the animal. Even though only paid for 30 minute walks, I took it upon myself to go further, expose her to more stimulii and activity. We discovered she loves swimming in the ocean, she loves chasing balls and sticks - the sticks she loves to chew into bits & pieces too. I even discovered towards the end of our time working together that she manages just fine off-leash and will follow along long walks with rarely a mishap - she is a dog who loves chasing squirrels after all. Sassy, I'm told, is 13 years old and we've all been told you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Well, guess what?

Not only did we experience the transformations mentioned above, we also watched her confidence and a calmness return to her reality. All she needed was someone to take leadership with her and to observe and understand the emotional response - flight or fight - that was occuring. Knowing the reason for the emotional response offers insight - not really necessary to bring about change - and patient love and attention turned it around. As all those immediate concerns vanished, we could venture on walks and take on new adventures. This is where, in addition to the transformation she'd already experienced, I began to do some obedience training and to teach her new tricks. In two very short weeks she would roll over on command about 80% of the time. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

People make assumptions and adopt beliefs all the time about what is happening in reality. Just because there seems to be a justification for the situation (the Jack Russell had been viciously attacked in her younger years), there is always a cause and effect at play that can be challenged and transformed. This experience resulted in a remarkable story of transformation that is really nothing like a transformation at all. It's more of a coming home and being as a dog is meant to be. This causes me to think of what it means to be human, what we're meant to be, and what might happen if people really had the freedom in their lives to be that picture of freedom and playfulness, or authenticly being. Better yet, what if we slowed down enough to offer the attention and authenticity with each other, our families, our children, and our colleagues? Enough with the meds already!

More another time. Peace & Love
________________

Lee Down is a professionaly trained Coach committed to the awakening and development of the human spirit. One Man Can wants to inspire and empower your life, your relationships, and your world.

Award Winning Blogger Voted Best Blog and Best Blogger

A member of a variety of blogging communities, (Mindsay, Blogspot, Yahoo 360, MSN Spaces, Bolt, Tagworld, Care) I have used my Mindsay blog extensively to play with my writing and express myself. Much of the writing that populates my business site originate at my Mindsay blog first. Then I cross-post to my blogspot account and a few ezine article sites. Since blogspot and ezine sites meet the needs for my business site, my Mindsay blog had remained private allowing me to express myself however I may need during the ups and downs of life. In other words, it's not all pretty and inspiration, it does have darkness and despair just like all of our lives do at times.

August 12, 2006 I was notified that my personal blog at Mindsay had just been voted The Best Blogger of Mindsay. Wow! How about that! Here is that announcement:

I am picky about my readings. I don't waste my time on blogs that have no special message to give. Amongst the nominees there was a few very great writers, who I think will be published at a time or another, and deserve to be published. However there was one blog that I thought was in a league of it's own, and deserved win hands down. I wasn't sure if he would appreciate this, but then I read his entry titled "I have fans" in which he stated appreciation being an inspiration, which we all know is true. Sometimes a writer can be so good, that we start thinking that he or she won't care what we think of their writing, and choose not to say anything.

So. We're talking about a he here. Why I chose him is:

His writing is very insightful, easy to read, yet complex and strong. He creates an aura of trust, and puts down words that are inspirational and helpful. He's humorous and down to earth, even though his wisdom clearly puts him in the category of leaders. I'm very glad I came across this blog, and will be waiting for an update impatiently from now on.

So let me give you the Best Blogger of Mindsay: leedman

Congratulations, and I'll be contacting you about your award

If you are interested in the background this link will offer some links into the history.

Taking a Big Blow

I wrote a poem last year or so reflecting on experience of my marriage and divorce. I called it A Big Blow. Today, a recent addition to my social network, Raja, a singer / songwriter himself, saw this poem and quickly turned it into a song. Within an hour the music was solid and then three takes later, sitting in my living room, with a laptop audio program and a crappy mic we captured the following song. I hope you enjoy it.

audio:A Big Blow
by leedman

Gratitude Excites Life

Getting excited about life can sometimes seem elusive when we're dealing with many challenges and the associated stress. We always want to experience the best that life has to offer. At times, this preference may have us trying to avoid the challenges life throws our way. Regardless of my preference though, life seems to proceed and the challenge is survived. Along the way, as multiple challenging life situations are simply allowed to co-exist, I discovered an important quality that sustains and fuels my spirit. Not only does this quality help with the journey through difficulty, it also attracts positive experiences that can act as a counter-balance. Find out what this quality is here.

God's Will & The Meaning of Life

I had fun writing this last year and came back to revisit it today. What drew me back to it are a number of conversations within my coaching community and my social network. I made some sublte changes for readability - the essence and message remain. Allow this to be bigger than mere words can offer.

Love is the Force behind all of Creation and it is the same driving force that inspires human-beings to pursue. I recall when I was a regular attendee at church and new to the Christian faith that the conversation around God's Will came up quite often. In transition myself, this was an urgent issue for me at that time. Often, other members would tell me to seek God's Will for my life and when I asked what that meant I never received an adequate explanation of any kind. Scripture would be quoted, that God had a plan and purpose, be a missionary, be happy in whatever work you do, don't be too demanding, and a plethora of other sorts of replies.

Since leaving the church, I continued a spiritual journey of sorts - after a lengthy break - that saw me delve into the quantum field to understand more about the nature of the universe and matter. It saw me explore other spiritual teachings and teachers, and finally, it saw me sit within my own being to discover what truths would rise from within. Much of what I have written here and included on my web site are what have arisen from within.

Christians continually come into my daily life, in fact more than one of my clients come from various Christian perspectives and I successfully coach them within the context of their belief system. A dear friend of mine, having a similar path of both spirituality and life's tragedies has exposed me to other insights into the history of Christianity. For example, around 800A.D. is when the word God came into use as a missionary attempted to convey a name to Germans for God based upon the original names used in the middle-east countries languages. God meaning Good - and more encompassing than that.

The middle-east languages meaning have a wider definition for what God is than what the western world has done with the concept of God. This is all based upon a lecture I heard by a Christian-based scholar and speaker. In Aramaic, the language, culture, education and simplicity of the common people to whom Jesus spoke has a significant and richer meaning than what the scriptures and prayers have come to mean in our western culture. I was fascinated by this particular talk because it really resonated with many of the shifts I had gone through as well.

For example, the Lord's Prayer, in Aramaic, contains subtle and important differences in meaning, translation, and interpretation from the standard Lord's Prayer that most Christians might be accustomed to following. Where we use the phrase 'God's Will be done,' the word Will is not how society commonly interprets the definition of Will.

A more accurate translation is God's Pleasure, or God's Delight, and could even be as my thoughts provoked, as God's Desire. In this context it becomes clear that the sense of the meaning is to do what brings God Joy. Within this context, and confirmed within the content of this lecture, God's Will is to see us in a state of Love and functioning from a state of Love. So here's a statement to help anyone who is wondering about God's Will for their life:

His delight is the expression of Love manifested in you, in your actions, in your relationships, and in the creative passion that you shine forth in service to all of the world and existence.

As I completed capturing these thoughts on paper at the lecture, it also dawned on me that the meaning of life becomes apparent: Love.

See a related article: Discovering Your Path and Truth - Kingdom of Heaven is Near