M&M's Musings

Photo of the Month

Mike Nelson Pedde — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 23:28:11 +0000

Hi Folks:

Last day of the month, and that means it’s time for me to sort through the images I’ve made this past month and pick my favourite. I’ve actually started working on a book of photographs (details will surface somewhere down the road when I get closer to my goal), and part of that means going through, sorting out and editing about a thousand images in Lightroom so that’s been taking up a lot of my time.

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago Victoria was host to ‘Northwest Deuce Days‘ – what I’m told is an event that happens here every few years. The last one was in 2007. Somewhere around a thousand pre-1952 vehicles (including a number of 1932 Ford ‘Deuce Coupes’) converged on the city from all over North America for the three-day event, culminating with a display that occupied most of the inner harbour area on July 18. It was fascinating to see so many works of love, passion and dedication. As one rodder told me of his Model A, “It’s a labour of love. My wife calls it something else.”

It would have been overwhelming to make even one photograph of each vehicle present, but I did make a few good images that day. This one is my favourite. It’s a 1939 Chevrolet Coupe from Bakersfield, CA. Beautiful lines…

Now go out and make some pictures!!

Mike.

P.S. If you’re a photographer, you might appreciate these: Essential Readings on Photography

Being Green – A Hand Up

Mike Nelson Pedde — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 02:45:01 +0000

Hi Folks:

Well, since my absence from this area of our blog last Friday, in a way one could say this is last week’s ‘Being Green‘ post.

The phrase ‘A Hand Up, not a Handout‘ is a common one among those involved with programs around the world that help people improve their life situations, and in its own way it is a common thread running through all of them. There are many, MANY good programs around the world that are working in myriad ways, and while it’s impossible to profile all of them, I thought I’d mention a couple with the intent that these provide impetus for you to start your own search to find one that resonates with you. Many of these groups deal with food in one way or another, and while food may the most basic ‘green’ subject of all, the procurement of food is such a basic necessity that it can overlay other, larger concerns, like environmental destruction, deforestation, wildlife loss, etc. My own knowledge of this first came through a couple of friends who volunteered their time with a group called Plenty Canada. My friends and I have parted ways over the years, but at that time Plenty Canada was involved in a number of different projects around the world – from teaching farmers in Dominica to grow soybeans for consumption and sale rather than sugar for export – to installing wells and catchment basins for clean drinking water and planting fruit trees in Africa. I’m sure their work continues apace.

A group that I heard about recently is ‘Working Villages International‘; that link came from an article I found on their first project in the Congo. In Kenya, Su Kahumbu-Stephanou is working with ‘Beyond Profit‘ to assist local farmers with growing organic food and selling it in the local markets. On a large scale this plan has the potential to transform Kenya from a food importer to being self-sustaining or better. In Indonesia, Willie Smits (Masarang Foundation) and the people in the province of North Sulawesi took a barren land and made it back into a productive rainforest. In the process they gave life back to the land, provided food and a living for local communities and provided habitat for local wildlife. In 1989, faced with both the collapse of the Soviet Union (and subsequent pull-out of fuel and machinery) and the US trade embargo, the country of Cuba began what has become probably the largest and most successful urban and rural organic agricultural program in the world. It took a lot of time and effort, but the Cuban people continue to enjoy the benefits of these programs and interested parties from many countries are visiting Cuba in order to learn from them.

Such projects aren’t just happening in developing countries, and this is a good thing. In Detroit, MI in the US a plan is underfoot to convert up to a third of city’s empty lots and abandoned buildings into urban agriculture sites. It may be a good plan to implement in other urban centres as well. In Atlanta, GA the Atlanta Botanical Garden has recently undergone a major renovation that includes the Edible Garden project. This area of the garden includes fruit trees and small circles of crops hemmed in by a 400-ft ‘living wall’ that includes a 55-foot herb wall. In amongst the fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs is an outdoor kitchen, designed to provide cooking demonstrations, wine pairings and the like. Vegetables not required for the Garden’s onsite café will be donated to a local food bank.

Another aspect of this food revolution is what some are calling ‘Robin Hood’ restaurants. There are several in the US that I’m aware of; the first one I heard about is the SAME Café in Denver CO. In Canada, I know of one in Ontario – the Cambridge City Café Bakery. The basic premise shared by all of these restaurants is that there are no fixed menus and no fixed prices. The food served is generally local and generally fresh, and rather than being given a bill, clients are given an envelope instead – to which they add whatever they feel is appropriate for the meal, and/or as much as they can afford. If they can’t afford to pay, at the SAME Café people can offer to help out in the kitchen instead – washing dishes and cleaning up.

Of course, the ‘hand up’ approach isn’t limited to food, nor need it be. One group called ‘Apps<4>Africa‘ is using the power of the 50 million mobile phone subscribers in east Africa “to leverage the power of digital technology to make a better world”. As I mentioned at the top of this post, these are only a few examples of what’s happening in the world today. There are many more, and all of them need support – whether one donates time, technology, expertise or finances. Our sole concession to ‘advertising’ on this site is a link to ‘Global Giving’ over on the left side of the page. It’s a good place to start. Before I close out this post I’m going to add one more nod, this time to a book by Peter Dalglish. The book is called ‘The Courage of Children: My Life with the World’s Poorest Kids‘. It’s well worth a read.

Oh, by the way, a few weeks back I mentioned a group in Madagascar (Vakan’Ala) that is working to reforest their country. Now you can “Plant a tree in Madagascar and see it grow on-line!”

Okay, the links for this week include:

Okay, that’s it for now. Have a great week!
Mike.

P.S.
Marcia and I are big huggers, as can be seen from the ‘Hug Certificate‘ section of our site. If you go to Hug it Forward you can Track Your Hugs! “Every hug you track on this site earns 25 cents to build “Bottle Schools” in Guatemala.” So go out and hug someone already!

Marcia’s Meanderings – Kicking & Screaming

Marcia Mae Nelson Pedde — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 04:10:02 +0000

Hello Dear Ones!

Mike and I just celebrated our 93rd Monthaversary (we were married in October of 2002) and we treated ourselves to a nice dinner out. Over the meal we found ourselves reliving the amazement of our wedding and honeymoon (a collection of stories in and of themselves!) and laughed about the challenges that had befallen us over this same period of time.

As events of our lives arose, and with each new adventure, we couldn’t imagine how we were going to get through this situation or that challenge, this drama or that letting go of something deemed essential in the moment. In other words, there were many times when we moved from one home or city to another with at least one of us kicking and screaming and being dragged by the hair from point A to point B.

We can laugh about it now! And we did exactly that tonight. We are both so grateful that our sense of humour stayed heartily intact over the years! We have grown spiritually as well – both individually and as a couple. As a result, this latest crisis of spirit that I have recently undergone, though devastating on its own, has been less traumatic than it might have been years back. What I can say is that rather than kicking and screaming like a toddler taking a temper tantrum the way I might have, I found myself going into a place of relative quiet. There was a sense of angst without the demonstrative component to accompany it. It was a peaceful crumbling into self – rather scary, actually.

Yet the calm of my response allowed me to be more open to answers. I spoke yesterday in our He Says/She Says – Resistance: Grace under Fire post about the 7-steps to moving through a major spiritual crisis. Forgiving oneself (for me) is the toughest of them all. Each day since this major belief was uncovered, there have been moments when I still need to forgive myself for having failed myself and my Self … after all I did what I thought was best in each moment. It would be so easy to bring up issues of the past and then kick and scream about the outcome, about what I did or did not do, about my inability to allow into my life the very best that the Divine had in mind for me, and that I was unwilling or unable to accept. Forgiving myself for being so short-sighted is easier to do from a stance of acceptance rather than one of defiance and toddler-like behaviour.

As I mentioned in that same post yesterday, I am now gaining “a hopeful clarity with each new day – slowly, a breath at a time. I am making progress. The fire of resistance is gradually burning down. Like the phoenix, my potential shall rise from the ashes. There is the spark of hopeful clarity radiating out from my soul …

No kicking, screaming or other childlike behaviour from this woman – not this time. My response feels mature, wise and guided. I like the contrast. I think I may have grown up this time around …

In Light and Laughter,

Marcia

He Says, She Says… Resistance: Grace under Fire

Marcia Mae Nelson Pedde — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 02:01:26 +0000

Hello Dear Ones!

If you follow our posts regularly, our entries this week: Mike’s - Being Green – Literally & Marcia’s - Marcia’s Meanderings – A Crisis of Spirit, you will already know that both of us have had our share of interesting challenges in the past seven days.

Then the following quote came through an e-mail from Eckhart Tolle:

One could say that going through loss is the great awakener. It is a potential opening if you don’t run away from it. What is usually condemned as ‘bad’ by the mind and the mind-made self is actually grace coming into your life.

We thought to use this as the foundation for this week’s He Says, She Says… post – “Resistance: Grace under Fire“.

Normally our Sunday posts present a ‘He Says’ and a ‘She Says’ view; sometimes contradictory, sometimes complementary, always unique. However, Mike is dealing with a rather large headache at the moment, so this week’s post is going to be a ‘She Says’ only.

Hugs,
M&M

Follow these links to read what She Says: Marcia’s View

Being Green – Literally

Mike Nelson Pedde — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:57:13 +0000

Hi Folks:

It’s Friday once again, and normally that would mean today’s ‘Being Green‘ post. However, a few days ago a somewhat persistent bacteria decided to move in, and I’ve invested my time since then mostly in bed with all of the usual effects – fevers and sweats and general malaise. One might say I look a little ‘green around the gills’ as the saying goes. So, no post from me this week, but I do encourage you to continue living a ‘green’ lifestyle in all ways but this one!

Mike.

Marcia’s Meanderings – A Crisis of Spirit

Marcia Mae Nelson Pedde — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 05:09:11 +0000

Hello Dear Ones!

Reflecting back to the AHA moments in my life – and there have been so very many of them! – I smile at the ‘Wow and Wonderful’ uplifting qualities of these incredible experiences. Each has revealed some aspect within or about me and opened me up to the potential for expansion toward a deeper spiritual growth. As each AHA arrived, so too came the joyous recognition that its arrival meant change, adventure, and amazing options …

… until this week …

Me – Marcia, the eternal optimist, the definitive Pollyanna – has gone through a radical, life-altering shift that has blasted a hole in my psyche and shaken my spirituality right down to its roots. A core belief was revealed through a simple statement that I made in general conversation. The listener asked me if I realized what I had just said, and repeated my words back to me. Hearing them from someone else and recognizing the validity of those words as having originated from within me, had me reeling in shock.

I have spent this entire week attempting to grapple with the impact of this far-reaching, gut-wrenching revelation. Even today – five days since that conversation – I am dealing with issues of anger, resentment, confusion, fear, and doubt – all directed at my own self plus at my Self, and yes, even at the Divine! Maybe especially at the Divine!

As is typical for me, there is also a positive bent to this situation. I am spending quality time focusing on the fabulous aspects of my current life, appreciating what is in my reality and all that makes my life precious. Though the words ‘attempting to focus’ might be more appropriate at times, I find myself reaching out for hope while the spiritual tenet of trust remains … elusive.

So while I have an agonizing ache within my soul, while there is a sense of loss and longing and emptiness sitting heavily on my chest, while I seek out the answers that I know are not out ‘there’ somewhere but are buried deep within me to aid me through this leg of my spiritual journey, I am going through the motions of living life with appreciation and joy. One moment I am feeling so overwhelmingly victimized by the recognition and impact of this ‘old’ belief. The next moment I am laughing as I see an adult running through the sprinkler, arms spread and face uplifted to catch the water droplets on his tongue!

For those of you who hold to the Law of Attraction, my dichotomy of rock-bottom low vibrational frequency of negative expression contrasted with the sporadic and less frequent yet very positive high vibrational frequency must have the Divine in a tailspin! Good! Maybe it’ll shake out a solution more quickly!!!!!

I’ll get through this. I’m strong. I’m a powerful, spiritual, multi-dimensional being who has the wisdom of All That Is within me. I merely need to open myself up to recognizing my answer – the solution – before I trip over it and fall flat on my face. Blessings be to my sense of humour … especially in spite of myself …

That’s it for today, Dear Ones!

In Light and yes … even Laughter,

Marcia

(Note: It was a tough decision not to express to you what this core belief is. The effect it has had on me is of more significance to me and potentially to you, Dear Reader. After all, my core beliefs will be different from your own. And yet it is my wish that something in my physical, emotional and spiritual response to its revelation may be of assistance to you should you ever experience such a crisis of spirit in your own life.)

He Says, She Says… A Recap

Mike Nelson Pedde — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:56:13 +0000

Hello, Dear Reader:

We were trying to decide on a topic for this week’s ‘He Says, She Says…‘ post and were both surprised to realize that we’ve already written 31 posts in this category (plus one announcing the birth of our newest grandson). Therefore, rather than adding to the list this week we thought we’d provide an index to the topics we’ve already covered (in alphabetical order, no less). Enjoy!

Have a great week!

Hugs,
M&M

P.S. If you have any ideas or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover, leave us a comment below…

Being Green – Ecolabels

Mike Nelson Pedde — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 23:41:39 +0000

Hi Folks:

Friday once again, so TGIF to ya! For this week’s ‘Being Green‘ post I wanted to reference a couple of articles I came across this week. Before I get to that, however, something more important… our son just finished school – again! His time at Royal Roads University is all over for him as of yesterday, as he’ll be graduating with a BA in Professional Communication. We’re very proud, as you may imagine, and since it was his idea to get this blog started, we owe him a debt of gratitude as well.

Okay, on with the show. I’ve written before about the (to me) often bewildering array of different (sometimes convergent and often divergent) ‘green’ classification systems, covering everything from green building to green travel – but it wasn’t until I came across the following article from the World Resources Institute that I had a clearer idea of exactly how muddy the waters are. The article, titled, “New Website and Survey Look Behind-the-Scenes at Ecolabels’ Environmental Claims” mentions 340 different ‘ecolabels’ around the world, spread over 42 industry sectors. The results for 328 of these ecolabels from 207 countries and 40 industry sectors may be found at ‘Ecolabel Index’. You may also read the full document here (.pdf): Global Ecolabel Monitor 2010.

From the article:

“The Global Ecolabel Monitor illustrates that there is clearly scope for improvement in ecolabel transparency and accountability. Over half of the ecolabels we invited to participate were unreachable or unwilling to share information about the metrics underlying their certification. Additionally, less than 30% of the ecolabels surveyed recognized, or were recognized by, any of their fellow labeling organizations, making it impossible to know for certain if one ecolabel’s interpretation of “green” would pass muster with their peers.”

I think it’s an article well worth reading, but it does bring up two contrasting issues. On one hand, being ‘green’ is such a huge global phenomenon that virtually everyone is trying to climb on board. Because of this, as mentioned above, there are MANY differing ‘certifications’, all of which have varying levels of authenticity. If we were to assume that all or nearly all of these labels have good intentions, within even the more well-known certifications there are opportunities to bend the rules enough to make something look better than it is. Without meaning to pick on anyone in particular, I think LEED offers wonderful potential for creating efficient buildings but there have been several reports recently that one can achieve LEED certification without giving much or any consideration to the health of the building’s occupants. That ‘s not to say LEED ignores human health issues, only that it’s possible to circumvent their point system to achieve certification while bypassing issues surrounding health. In a previous blog post I wrote about a misunderstanding I had with the Cradle to Cradle certification. In short, the Cradle to Cradle Basic and Silver certifications do not necessarily mean that the product is free of toxic materials. They do require and provide an avenue for the company involved to work with MBDC and related groups to find new, more sustainable solutions, and are an expression of commitment toward this goal.

The other issue that I can see arising is a backlash of sorts against certifications in general. A couple of years ago I contacted a well-known window manufacturer to ask them about their products as they didn’t list any certifications on their website. The response that I received was that while the company does have a strong environmental commitment (both in their manufacturing operations and their final product), and while the windows they build meet or exceed Energy Star requirements, they hadn’t found it necessary to invest the time or money in achieving certification. The problem with this of course is that without some 3rd-party certified standard there’s no way of verifying this. And so around and around we go.

In the end, everyone must come to their own decisions about what level of environmental, efficiency and health standards they require, whether they are involved with agricultural products or water or anything in between. Another article I came across this week, titled ‘A Penny Earned‘, sums this up pretty well. From the article:

“As CEO of J&S Construction, I have had the opportunity to work on several LEED projects; but my team and I have learned the most from constructing our own facility.

We are not in the business of selling green… we are in the business of helping our clients build efficiently. As we developed our own building, we discovered that some LEED requirements were not necessarily the most efficient choice or the right fit for our project. When making decisions, I encourage business owners to look for a financial return on their investment for building green. I truly believe that if business owners will invest in efficient and sustainable building methods that make sense, they will make their money back — and then some.”

Okay, the links for this week include:

Okay, that’s it for now. Have a great week!
Mike.

P.S. When’s the last time you were this passionate about something? Yosemitebear Mountain Giant Double Rainbow 1-8-10 (YouTube video)

Poetry ‘n’ Pics IV

Marcia Mae Nelson Pedde — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:42:26 +0000

Greetings Dear Ones!

Lots of poetry to share with you today and I’ve decided to include two apophysis pics for you as well!

// slipping softly in / through open window flowing / o’er the bed ~ a breeze // (haiku)

***//aspen leaves rustle / in tree tops / played by the hand of the wind / like Mama Cass’s tambourine / in full swing//
*****************(tanka, gogyohka)

******// child skips through gardens / laughter bubbles forth with glee / mimics waterfall // (haiku)

*********// heron cautious stands / patient its intent to fish / still life on canvas // (haiku)

// ducklings furry swim / braving waters yet unknown / mother within view // (haiku)

***// wind / blows in change / direction and strength / defines / message // (gogyohka)

******// happy be the child / within the adult seated / in wheelchair dreaming // (senryu)

*********// deep greens of summer / depth of colour signifies / maturity’s peak // (haiku)

// ever be the joy / playful abandon expressed / adult jumping rope // (haiku, senryu)

***// trees bent with sadness / bearing the weight of raindrops / like tears of great pain // (haiku, senryu)

******// warmed by summer winds / words melt the cold heart of time / to reveal lost youth // (haiku, senryu)

*********// happy be the tales / the stories I tell myself / to keep me amused // (senryu)

// summer scents / reveal memories / dug up / like shoveled sand / into castles // (tanka, gogyohka)

***// the art / of wind / and leaves / expressed / as play // (gogyohka)

******// small sparrows hidden / by the dozens in the leaves / of one single tree // (haiku)

*********// expressions of love / as varied in form and face / as stars in night sky // (haiku)

// filling night with love / sisters talk into wee hours / chit chat and giggles // (haiku)

***// beauty of a soul / radiates beyond form with / ethereal glow // (haiku, senryu)

******// beauteous / lace weave / delicately stitched / like your kisses / round my heart // (gogyohka)

*********// step to the music / dance to the beat of your heart’s / rhythmic orchestra // (haiku)

// inspiration flows / around brain cells like river / water over stones // (haiku, senryu)

***// the hand aged and tanned / reaches out to touch the bud / both are delicate // (haiku)

******// revealed like road signs / journeys of joy and challenge / her face ~ map of life // (senryu)

What if
I sing
a song for you
to lull you
off to sleep?

Suppose
I write
a verse for you
a poem
you can keep.

Perhaps
I’ll paint
a scene for you
of trees
of grass and sheep.

Perchance
I’ll touch
your gentle heart
with love
that’s ever deep.

That’s all for this week, Dear Ones! Enjoy the rest of your day and be sure to create amazing days ahead … after all, you are worth it!

In Light and Laughter,

Marcia

Marcia’s Meanderings – Stories: A Refresher Course

Marcia Mae Nelson Pedde — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 23:25:36 +0000

Hello Dear Ones!

The past few days have been a mixed blend of fabulous moments and reminders to myself that every moment can be fabulous if I choose it to be so.

Even the above statement is less a story I would want to tell others than one that would inspire either of us – you or myself! So rather than a new post on a less than relevant topic, I thought to include here a previous post that truly uplifted me when I wrote it, and then did the same today as I reread it … because I needed it! Here it is … my original take on our He Says/She Says topic The Stories I Tell Myself (copied here for your convenience):

There are stories I continuously tell myself about my life and my existence. Ah, so many of them are wonderful! Mike is with me once again and our life together is blossoming in ways we never thought it would or even could! I’ve realized the dream of becoming a novelist! The publication of my book is now a visible reality and within the scope of becoming manifested here on the physical plane. Neither Mike nor I are working and making money in the traditional sense of the concept, and yet we are being cared for financially as we step with excitement and passion into our future.

These are, of course, the amazing and creative aspects of life that we are delighted beyond measure to be living. They are stories that we hold to be true and because … we are telling this story, God, the Universe, All That Is is backing us up – the stories have become, and are, real.

However, there are other stories I’ve been telling myself that the Universe is also backing me up on and allowing them too, to become real. These are ones I would prefer not to be experiencing. Yet because I continue to tell these stories and to believe in their existence, the Universe continues to support me by backing me up and making more of them happen. The Universe has no preference and does not differentiate between good stories and bad stories. It does not say to me – “Um, Marcia? I don’t think you want to think those negative thoughts and tell those ‘less than lovely’ stories because you won’t like the outcome.” No, the Universe listens to all I have to say and all I choose, in this moment, to believe. Accepting even those negative stories, those beliefs, the Universe draws those less than happy experiences into my life. Good or bad, positive or negative – none of that matters to the Universe. It is all based on my thought processes.

So when I’m thinking of my re-established relationship with my husband, my vibrational energy revs to the max and I am happy. Being happy in the deepest, truest sense of the word emits a specific and noticeable vibration to the Universe. The Universe says – “Okay, Marcia is happy, she wants more happiness.” More happiness comes my way!

When I think about my mornings now, I get excited and passionate. The fact that I choose to get up without an alarm clock is pleasing to me. Starting my day with freshly ground, brewed coffee and cut up pieces of apple, or a pear, or maybe some medjool dates to savour while I sip at my beverage also pleases me. Knowing I am free to go to my computer to work, instead of to an office, and that I get to sit next to my husband at the same desk and at the same time while we both write, and while I rewrite and edit my own works so that they will be published … fills me with immense passion and the highest of excitement!

And the Universe matches these high vibrational emotions with more, and other, situations that bring additional uplifting experiences. When I choose to live my life with amazement and gratitude and joy, the Universe pairs me up with more of the same!

Yet, is my life perfect? No, it is not. And I know the simple and honest truth as to why my life is not perfect. I hold to some pretty solid core beliefs that limit the vibrational highs. These beliefs hold negative concepts and emotions so raw and so close to my body that they have become manifest in my life in the form of actual tangible expressions of physical form – DIS-ease. Thinking of them can bring my ecstatically high vibrations crashing down around my ankles. And when my emotions are that low, the Universe also says – “Ah, Marcia is thinking of these beliefs, these stories. So it shall be that other similarly vibrating experiences shall arise in her life at her own request.” And so situations and events come to me that are less than pleasing to me.

Here is a for instance: My emotional high and thoughts of abundance dance in my head and my heart and I find a $20 bill on the sidewalk. I pick it up and delight in its arrival into my life, expressing appreciations for its creation and timing. Yet just before I bend down to pick up the bill, I think of the headache that has been plaguing me for weeks. My head starts to pound. Instantly a belief pops into my level of consciousness – ever so briefly and maybe not even more than a nanosecond – I wonder if this may be something tied in to what the doctor told me recently about my health. Might I need to be concerned about this? Ya, you guessed it – CRASH! The vibrations of high resonation at the finding of the expression of abundance in my life – that $20 bill – come crashing down around my ankles at thoughts that my headache might be something more serious than a mere headache. When I stand up excitedly holding the gift of abundance the Universe has brought my way, so too do I experience the pain of a pounding headache that stays with me for the rest of the day.

Do you follow the logic here?

How many of us live our lives as though we were bi-polar? Most of us do, if we’re truly honest with ourselves. This is normal human socialized behaviour! Sad, but true. We’re often up one moment and down the next. What happens around us influences how we choose to feel in any given situation or experience. We’re happy when life around us flows smoothly and easily. We’re sad or down or angry or fearful when the situations we see around us tell us we should feel that way. What I am learning about the reality of my life experience is that it doesn’t have to be so.

I can choose to be affected by the negative reciting of the evening news and go to bed – to sleep upon thoughts of world wars and hunger and a deepening recession. I can also choose to spend the evening listening to beautiful music, reading an uplifting book or sharing the joys of the days’ unfolding with my husband – to fall asleep happily and to dream of wonderful things. Which would you choose to experience in your life?

Some would call me a Pollyanna. I proudly say I am – or at least I like to think of myself in that fashion. Did you ever see that movie – Pollyanna, with Hayley Mills? This young girl lived her life seeing the best in everything and everybody. She had a tough life, but told herself stories of how this person or that person or this experience could truly be. And by the time she had interacted with that individual over time, it came to be true. Everyone whose life she touched was uplifted.

Now that is how I would choose, and do choose, to live my life!

****************

Yet what are the challenges and the stories I continuously tell myself that bring my energies down? Well, there are several prime topics – or core beliefs I could share with you …

… And here I wrote out all my griefs and beefs. And did I ever feel awful after I did! Now if I had left them here on the page, and you had read them too, you’d be feeling awful as well – within yourself, and likely for me too! Why would I do that to you? Would I be offering you the most uplifting experience you could have? Would I be doing all that I could to support you in your desire, and your deserving, to feel wonderful in the moment? Not if I’d left those downer thoughts on this page, I wouldn’t have! So I hit the delete button instead – for your benefit and mine!

Yet I would ask – how do I change my story to one that is plausible? How do I tell myself that all is well in my life when what I see around me should prove totally to the contrary? How do I keep fear at bay? How do I change the core beliefs that should have me frozen into immobility or agitated enough to go into the night screaming at the world for my lot in life?

Abraham would suggest I start telling a different story. Sounds strange, doesn’t it? Change my story. If I have to share a story at all – be it with you or with my own self – start simply and make it different. Tell a different tale.

Tell a different tale. Share all the good things that happen every day of my life. Share the joys, the successes. Talk about the magic and the marvel. Express the happiness factor out to all I encounter. Remove all negatives from my dialogue – be it in my own mind and thoughts, or shared with others verbally, or written. Remove negatives that might reach in to touch me – from the internet, television, phone calls, books I choose to read, places I choose to go, people with whom I choose to interact. Does it seem odd or extreme to you?

Maya Angelou appeared on one of Oprah Winfrey’s shows talking about a party she held in her home. Maya asked all guests to respect her, her home and surroundings, and themselves, by engaging in only positive thoughts and actions during their visit. One of the invitees began to chat up the other guests in a monologue of negative proportions. Maya boldly went over and ushered him out the door. No second chances.

How many of us, in that situation, would have had the courage to hold to our beliefs and to honour ourselves and our guests in such a fashion? I’m guessing not many of us.

Sad, isn’t it? Yet, like that man, so many of us live from drama to drama. In a rather twisted way it makes our rather quiet and boring lives exciting somehow.

Tell a different tale. Change the story. Talk of joy and wonder and love. Laugh at the simple things in life. Express gratitude for the bird that woke us up this morning, for the child we heard giggling next door that had us smiling, for the coffee maker that brewed that morning java for us. Show appreciation to the co-worker who had us angry … for something they said, but that got us so charged up that we were successful at finding the solution we both needed in order to resolve a sticky issue. Share all positives. Look for and find the joys in life and chat them up with anyone and everyone we meet. Listen also to their happy tales and stories. Nurture their stories as well as our own. Walk away from or, like Maya Angelou, remove negative influences from our life.

Am I asking too much? Do you see this as an impossible dream? If it is, maybe you are not ready to be truly and deeply happy. Is living in your drama still of importance to you, feeding you in ways you have yet to understand? I was there once. Yet daily I choose to live the dream and to tell a different tale – to uplift myself and those around me. It is, for me, a worthy goal toward which I continue to strive. I’m successful a good portion of the time. Yet I’d be less than honest if I didn’t acknowledge that there is still ample room for more growth in this area.

Oh, that we could be more like the children. They know how to tell a story. What’s more they know how to live a story in every adventure of their day! A recent quote from ‘Thoughts Become Things’ by author Mike Dooley:http://www.tut.com

“The thing that’s totally different between children and adults is that children have the ability to spontaneously use their imagination to forget what’s bothering them and to be inspired by every pony, feather, or bug that crosses their path.”

So if you should call me a child, say I am childish, or refer to me as a Pollyanna, I would take that as the highest of compliments and be grateful to you for it!

Create an amazing week for yourself … one filled to overflowing with the most incredibly wonderful stories!

Then, if you dare, write to let me know how these stories truly begin to unfold in your life!

In Light and Laughter,

Marcia