Being a committed sardine...

Someone in my life stepped in front of my path today to tell me a story...I LOVE it when that happens...and it gave me hope and strength and courage. As he was telling me this story, I felt really strongly that I wanted to pass this on, and all day I have eagerly awaited the moment where I could sit down and write today's post.

In acknowledgement, today's post is really bought to us by the Earth angel who told me this story *smile*

So the story goes, that sardines are really quite social beings and are really more like a herd. They all follow each other and go in the same direction. This behaviour has been scientifically studied extensively and it was found, that it only takes two sardines, committed to changing direction and swimming against the current of the rest of the school, to change the direction that everyone is swimming!

HOW AWESOME IS THAT? 

What is so fantastic about that is that I know, that there are not only two sardines in this human school we have, who are choosing to swim in a completely different direction....there are heaps of us. I know there's me (definitely choosing to choose my own reality), there are all of you (reading this post now makes you one of those amazing, unique and beautiful souls open to the idea of changing directions...more than likely, already swimming another way) and then there are the hundreds and thousands more who are swimming against the stream in all parts of the globe...so yeah...I'm excited.

The personal message I took from this story is that I cannot change the way people think, feel and view the world. I cannot make them see what I see (nor is that my right or my job either) However, what I can do, is live the change I would wish to see in the world and be the person I would see; commit myself to that reality knowing that my commitment will  shine a light for others.

With love and light (and massive amounts of commitment.)
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

True divinity

Each of us is divine, each of us connected to the exact same source, and yet, we are all so very different in human terms.


There will be times when another person disagrees with you, takes exception to the choices you've made or the actions you take. I know myself this happens often *smile* I find myself feeling angry, betrayed and wondering why it seems so hard for other people to see my point of view *wry grin* after all, I just want to be, think, feel and act love....not hard. (You can see the judgement in this can't you?)


Disagreeing with someone is not a sign that they or you are wrong, it is a sign of the right to choose that we are all born with. Each of us has the right to choose our own path, to connect with the divine in our own way (or to not connect as the case may be). We are all given the gift of free will, and exercising it makes us human and unique.


True divinity within us then, comes NOT from looking at the differences and making comparisons, it comes from learning to see the light within others no matter what.


With love and light
xoxoxoxoxo

You get what you ask for...

Have you ever noticed that the more often you think of something or about something, the more likely it is to occur? This is the law of attraction; the universe will act to provide you with what you think the most about.


It works for all aspects of our lives which is why our choice in words and language are so important. We think in words you see, and if you often use combative and confrontational words like struggle, hardship, difficulty and problems...then guess what you get more of??? 


I know when I first heard this concept, I was really angry. When I first heard that the life I am living is a result of my own choice, I was furious; I ranted and raved at an unjust universe, I disbelieved the whole deal, I mean, who would CHOOSE the life I was living at that time? So guess what I had more of for a while? Anger, frustration, fury...damn *smile*


When I embraced this concept, well life most certainly began to change, just one little thing at a time. Those little things though, added up over a very short time.


I am going to take this concept one step further though...what you see when you look around you, at your world, your reality, your situations and the people in them, you will get what you expect to see. What you find, will depend totally on what you are looking for. 


If you look through the eyes of love and beauty and forgiveness (rose coloured glasses if you will) then that is what you will find in people, places and situations. If you look, and the filter you have developed through your experiences makes you anticipate pain, deception and angst, then this is what you will find.


This is why it is so important to let go; let go of your past hurts and the pain, let go of the need to control things, let go of past "failures" and instead, actively look for beauty, light and forgiveness.


With love and light
xoxoxoxoxooxox

Lay ALL your cards on the table

There comes a moment, sometimes many moments, where you have to stop and take a bit of  a life review. A moment where noting seems to make sense, a moment when your entire existence seems out of balance with everything in the world around you. A moment when you are afraid, uncertain, yet dare to have a dream in your heart, a yearning for what you "wish" could be.


When that moment comes, lay all your cards on the table, hold nothing back from yourself; look at what you have, what you desire and what the world around you can give...then reach out, move passed the fear and the worry and make that spark become a reality.


How?


Hold NOTHING back. Devote your focus, your energy and your time into the pure joy of the path you would choose for yourself and your loved ones. The people around you benefit just as much (maybe even more at times) from you being you, from you taking that moment of fer and transforming it into a magnificent reality. Hunt down your dreams, tell all to your divine team, even if (especially if) you think your dream is "impossible" and that "reality" is you cannot always get what you want *blows a raspberry to that notion*


You actually can achieve all that you imagine, you just have to remember you don't have to "earn" it....just IMAGINE it.


With love and light
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

More surgery from the angelic realm...

Sometimes, as I am sitting there doing nothing, or sometimes something, I get this ringing in my ears and I tune out to the world around me. My mother actually had my hearing tested when I was little because she thought I had difficulty hearing. This never has discomforted me, or really inconvenienced me in any way shape or form. I thought this happened to everyone *smile* In the last few years, I consciously recognise these moments as the times when I am receiving "downloads" from my divine team. For a moment or two, I am there with them rather than they with me...awesome! 


I don't always "know" the information that has been downloaded at the time, however, later on I do something totally unexpected and have all of the information I require to do what's asked and then go..."Ahhhhh, so that was it." *laugh* Hey, at least I get it eventually!


I have had many of these moments lately, I think we are all being accelerated along our chosen paths and it is exciting and fantastic.


I'm getting to the point...don't worry *smile*


A few days ago, I saw a quote from Louise Hay that said, "I release the need to criticise, I am loving and accepting."


I smiled and felt all warm and fuzzy and awesome in that moment and went, "me too!" Then, download. I went off to work and being the last day of the term, my angels were a little human and unangelic and I found that on multiple occasions I was not only using some of my tried and tested responses to teenage negativity and criticisms of each other such as, "Just because you think it, doesn't mean it has to come out of your mouth," but also quite overtly saying, "repeat after me...I release the need to criticise, I am loving and accepting" This is not usually my style when working with these beautiful beings, I am generally far more subtle than that.


Later, when I got the "Ahhhhhh" moment, I realised that by making a commitment to this principle by agreeing and stating "Me too," I had opened the door for divine assistance in affirming this thought and feeling. All day I was given opportunities to repeat this thought over and over and watch as those beautiful beings processed and either responded or ignored it. In so doing, I was also undergoing my own angelic surgery in removing the parts of me that felt comfort, a need or just the humanness of criticising others.


Amazing how it works! Each time I write a post, I am reaffirming all those things I believe and know and am able to take another step forward, at the same time, others reading this post may have an, "Ahhh" moment and pass this info on to others, and then others, and then others.


Angels are so clever, they know we learn best by doing, and from each other. I am grateful for the ability to pass on what I discover and to learn from others.


With love and light
xoxoxoxoxoxox

Consequence for action

*Takes a great big, deep, healing and cleansing breath*


That feels better!


I was confronted today by a concept I take for granted, however, was stunned to find I may be in the minority.
One of the key principles I vowed I would teach my own children is the fact that EVERY action has a consequence. It is a cause and affect type of thing...in this, intentions are irrelevant...

• Those harsh words that were intended as a joke....actually hurtful, mean and made someone feel bad even though it may not have been intended.

• Running through a crowded area because you were in a hurry...bowled over another person and they received a physical injury which of course was never intended.

• Speak rashly and harshly to another person because you have had a bad day...hurt, betrayal and possibly loss of that person's trust, definitely not what was intended.

These are quite obvious examples.


What I was confronted with today, were people choosing to make or accept excuses for the unintentional outcomes or the consequences of someone's actions and therefore, not actually participate in ensuring this message sunk in.


My heart hurts for these people. A basic principle I use to guide my life direction and my actions is forethought to the consequences in terms of the affect on others. I'm not perfect at it obviously, however, along with love and forgiveness, this is the third most important driving principle. In enabling others to make excuses for their behaviour rather than accepting that they made a mistake and therefore accept the consequences, they are teaching these people that it is OK to be totally self serving, that your own needs and rights are actually MORE important than the needs and rights of anyone else rather than equal, that no matter the action, if you can come up with a good enough excuse, then there are (or shouldn't be) any consequences because you, "Didn't mean it" or "Couldn't help it." Why teach anyone this kind of victim mentality when you could empower them by teaching them to own their choices, take consequences when they arise with love and forgiveness, to take control of their actions and reap the rewards of being able to choose your own direction????


I would love to hear your thoughts on this one, perhaps I am a little black and white on this issue?


The way I see it, live it and experience it is to KNOW that every action I take creates an affect and causes a consequence; both good and less than positive. In knowing this, I CHOOSE my actions and take control of my destiny.


With love and light
xoxoxoxo

Time Out

Flying puppy friend

So you may have noticed that I haven't been posting for a couple of days? Well, I was in "Time out." *laugh* No, really, I was!


If you're not familiar with the concept of "time out" it occurs when someone (usually a child) chooses an action that is not in harmony with those around them, and they are then asked to sit on their own and think about their choice in actions and how they may have handled the situation differently.


For the last couple of days, I have been in "time out," not because anyone, or even my divine team sent me to "time out;" not a punitive action at all. This was a self imposed (well mostly) time out.

Guinea Pig Angel

I sat down to write a post a couple of days ago and had...nothing, you could hear the crickets chirping it was that silent...absolutely nothing! This is not because I had nothing to say, I ALWAYS have SOMETHING to say *laugh* I just wasn't getting any assistance in that moment.


As it turns out, I was in time out for a purpose. All day today I have done one thing...draw!


I am constantly in awe of the amazing and inspiring nature of our youth; and definitely not more so than right now. 

Candyland

The Veggie Army

As a part of the National Year of Reading Campaign, each of the local libraries in the Whitsundays held a story writing contest for children. I was honoured to be able to not only read all of their stories, but also illustrate the winning entry as well...so, for the last two days I have been completely immersed in "Imagination Land" with the children who wrote these stories.


Just to give you a bit of an idea about what is so inspiring, these are some of the concepts covered in the stories I read (remember these are children authors from about age 5 to 13)...

• Friends will help each other no matter what
• Positive thoughts make things happen
• Magic comes from our amazing animal friends
• Every action has a consequence
• Vegetables are best "enemies" with candy 
• Being yourself is really important and helps you succeed (awesome right?)
• If you fail at something, just try again.
• We all have different strengths and weaknesses
• Imagination is where the magic begins

...and the list just keeps going!!!!!!!!!

I rest soundly tonight knowing our future is safe in the hands of these beings.

The veggie army arriving in their cauliflower ship

Sending the Veggie army home

Candyland animals

With love and light

xoxoxoxoxox


P.S. These are some of the illustrations inspired by the children's writing.

The world through tinted glasses

You know (and I don't know why) I have often been accused of viewing the world through "Rose coloured glasses" and "sticking my head in the sand" when it comes to the "realities" of the world! *Laugh* My answer to these would be accusers is..."So?"


If I have the choice, and I most certainly do, then I choose to view the world tinted and shaded with joy, love and beauty. I choose not to dwell on negative experiences for longer than the moment it takes me to get away from them. I choose to see the beauty and potential each person and every transaction holds for me; to see the learning and the gifts rather than the pain or embarrassment. I choose to see the world through glasses tinted with feelings of love and forgiveness, to revel in the joyous moments and have faith and trust that the not so pleasant moments will soon pass. I choose to be me, to love me and to move forward fearlessly to achieve the goals, dreams and follow the path I have chosen for me.


I refuse to let the opinion of others colour the way I see and experience this glorious life. I refuse to acknowledge those who dwell in their ego and act from thoughts of revenge or hate. I refuse to allow people to drag me into their judgements and I refuse the opportunity to judge them in turn for their actions.


In short...."I reject your reality and substitute my own" (I love the Myth Busters *grin*)


Do you know what happens to me because I make these choices?


I live a life that is filled with the joy and happiness I choose to see. I get more of what I focus on the most. I spend my time feeling loved, protected and safe. I know that I am a special and unique soul and I am filled with my sense of purpose, rejecting hopelessness, despair, guilt and aimlessness.


It's a joy to be me.


What do you choose?


It is not a rejection of "the real world", "naive" or "sticking your head in the sand" to choose joy and positivity over nastiness and negativity...it is a conscious act of will that makes "reality" the way you choose it to be.


With love and light
xoxoxoxo

When we dream together

I am reminded today by a lot of current events throughout the world of the power of dreaming together. While I don't believe this is a place for politics necessarily; I do think that the lessons learned by those events are really important.


When, as a people, we stand together and dream our dreams of peace and love together, we DO make a difference. Just by saying something when we see something that is not right, we make some difference.


It is through saying what we believe that we begin to make a difference. It is in day dreaming together that we consolidate what we desire as a global community.


It is the law of attraction principle magnified a billion fold! 


In focusing our intentions on the outcome we desire, we announce to the world and to the universe and to the divine that this is what we desire and therefore, we focus the will of the divine and the universe into bringing this about.


We are a global community, and through expressing our desire for global peace and for conflict to end for all people, we are indeed making some difference.


This principle can start at home, with yourself.


Find people who think and feel the same way you do, band together, share your thoughts and ideas without judgement and with love from your heart, and there will be change.


Remember that all change, and all ideas begin with one person having an idea, and influencing others around them to "see" the idea and join in in making it a reality.


With love and light
xoxoxoxooxoxox

Sacrifice

I thought about this concept today, I don't know why, it just was...well there! 


So, I asked my team, "Is this how it was meant to be?" They replied, "No, the concept of sacrifice as you understand it, is a human construct." This conversation went on for quite a while, and I'll tell you now, it was an eye opener.


Sacrifice, in this context, refers to "giving up of" or "giving away of" whether it is time, money, opportunities or anything really. It is where your own needs are put aside for the needs of someone else. It infers suffering for a cause, it infers a great many things such as martyrdom.


At the culmination of this "conversation" there was one thing that stood out for me. Sacrifice, while consciously willing, takes away from the person giving. This is really different from willingly, freely and wholeheartedly committing yourself to an act of service. After all, we do our best work for the universe and the global community when we are happy, spiritually nourished, rested and able to extend our love beyond the narrow bounds of ourselves through selfless acts and sharing...this kind of giving actually costs us nothing, we are not required to suffer or to loose anything in the giving; and by the same token, there is not expectation of anything in return.


The word sacrifice is embedded with a meaning relating to suffering and taking away. We are never asked to do this. After all, a gift not given freely and without expectation of reward, is not really a gift at all.


With love and light
xoxoxoxoxoxo

Hate and resentment

There have been times, when others have hurt me terribly, that I have fallen into the trap of feeling as though I HATED them and resented their actions and behaviours and the affect it had on me at the time. I have longed to seek vengeance and even gone as far as "plotting their down fall" and imagining the conversations I would have with them where I was cutting and witty and cruel. I am not pleased to say, that at times, I have actually taken these actions, not just imagined them.


I learnt from these actions (both theirs and mine) that vengence and violence can only beget more of the same. I learned that if we enter ANY interaction with ANY person (no mattrer what their perceived crimes) with hate, revenge or negativity in our hearts, thoughts and actions, that in return we get only more of the same.


So, even though it is often perceived as a weakness by people of this nature, I walk into every interaction with unconditional love in my heart and I focus and hold onto that no matter what. Under the most extreme circumstances, I have chanted this like a mantra, "This is a human being worthy of perfect, divine and unconditional love, as am I" over and over, sometimes I think more to convince myself this is the truth rather from true belief at the time. No matter though, the effect is the same. In return, I recieve the unconditional love as well, the situation doesn't seem as bad as it might have been. I am protected, and mostly left unharmed. 


The most insidious and sneaky aspect of the hate/revenge thought pattern is that it never truly works. You never (well I certainly never) are satisfied with the outcome and find yourself wishing that you had said just one more thing, or taken one more action so the other person was really punished. You find yourself looking for other situations in which your righteous anger can be unleashed...this makes me sad even to type it...this is the cycle of violence because make no mistake, even if your confrontations are "only political" or "only verbal" they are violent none-the-less. The main one who is hurt by these actions is the person who does them; wandering away from the true path we all chose to take which is to love unconditionally, live authentically and with integrity.


Remember who you are, recall the lessons we knew before we came here, the lessons we knew from the divine and LIVE them here on earth. These are not just words we mouth at each other for comfort. They are a way of being.


With love and light
xoxoxoxoxoxo

Being human

A beautiful saying...."We do the best we can, we open our hearts and our minds and we learn to listen and to follow the path. We all make some mistakes, but our soul cannot be lost, for it never belonged to us in the first place. It belongs to the divine, to the living breathing energy that works to animate us all. So we make mistakes, but then, with the help of some good friends, we move on knowing we are loved."


We are human beings, while the choices we make are ours, and the mistakes we make are ours too, we can never really, truly be lost. Deep within us is the knowledge that we are all connected, that we can follow our path with the help of our divine team. That we can move forward without fear of failure; because no matter what, we make a significant difference to the world through being the person we are. We influence, we support, comfort and find compassion. We love and we are hurt. We have monumental success and spectacular "failures." 


Through all of this, we learn to love unconditionally, to set aside judgement, to be our divine and angelic selves, to communicate with out divine team and to be and believe we are perfect the way we are.


To be human...to be us...is an amazing and awesome journey that is stunning in its complexity and beautiful in its simplicity.


With love and light
xoxoxoxoxoxo

The times...they are a changing!

I have the most amazingly joyous feeling in my soul as I sit down tonight to write this post. A small glimpse of our collective future, a moment in time where I can very clearly see, feel and just know that the times we live in are changing.

I notice the small things a lot, not to stress over, not to obsess over, but to revel and delight in. I noticed today that there was far less negative "stuff" happening in my work place. I noticed that my students have only taken a few weeks to embrace my philosophy of practise in the classroom (100% focus on doing the best you can do, on respect for self and others and on preparing for a wonderful future) and are responding delightfully. I notice today the way that less of my vegetable plants are under attack from the various veggie eating bugs that inhabit far north Queensland. I notice the way my house has stayed tidy for a week now, and my four year old (he had a birthday yesterday) seems to be fighting me less and acknowledging me more. I notice today how pretty the afternoon light is and how much fun it is to draw pictures in the garden.

Today my heart sings and is full of hope because I KNOW that things are happening.

I know the world where commercialism before humanitarianism, where self interest eclipses love of others and where 'win at any cost' became a motto to live by IS on it's way out.

Close your eyes for a moment and let your senses range out around you. "Feel" the energy of hope permeating the trees, rocks, and animals as well as humans. I feel a little silly saying this, however, I just feel it is so true.

Such a clear message today from one of my favourites in my divine team...Jophiel reminds us about the hope we feel in the morning and at the dawning of something new. She reminds us to feel afresh the love of the first moments and hold on to the feeling.  To choose love above all else and dismiss from our reality anything that does not fit into a harmonious view of each other and the world.

I truly feel like singing today, nothing in particular has happened, nothing 'seems' to have changed and yet, my heart is filled to bursting and I know that a change is upon us. *Big deep breath* Hope, such a powerful tool for the most amazing changes; a unifier!

With love and light
xoxoxoxoxoxo

We are one...

As the rain falls softly, cleansing the Earth and making the world seem fresh and new, I find myself in a bit of a contemplative mood. So I thought today I would share with you a poem I wrote when I was about 15 years old. It is really simple and unsophisticated by poetic standards I'm sure, but it does express exactly what I thought then, and still do now...

Black as the Earth from which we all come

White as a lily warmed in the sun

Yellow as a sunflower

Red as a cold nose

But we all come together

And we form the one rose

We are all the same


With love and light
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

All you have to give...

We live in a time at the moment, where gift giving is a big thing (I am an unashamed gift giver on all occasions and often for no occasion at all), however, the gift giving we share seems to be inextricably linked with things of a material or financial nature; in other words, actually purchasing something and spending large amounts of money in order to show people we care.

This makes me a little bit sad, because the most precious gifts we can give cost little or nothing in financial terms, and yet, the affects are far longer reaching.

The gift of listening, of time, of understanding, of unconditional love, of compassion and empathy, the gift of knowledge, acceptance, imagination, acts of service...all of these things have such a huge impact both on the person giving and receiving.

The beautiful and wonderful soul whom I trust the care of my three year old while I am working, is not used to receiving, she feels uncomfortable when a gift is given to her. She also really doesn't like cooking on a Friday afternoon. I, on the other hand, LOVE cooking and have a reasonable hand at making yummy meals. For Christmas then, I gave her home made vouchers for home cooked meals for her and her husband. Such a small thing to add another two people "into the pot" for dinner, in fact, we always have left overs and often are giving meals to people in the neighbourhood *smile* so I loose nothing and it costs nothing for me to do this. I knew that she would not "redeem" those vouchers since she doesn't like asking for anything from anyone, so I just cooked her a meal and took it with me when  I picked my little one up. Her face lit up in a huge smile, through her protests of "you don't have to" and "you shouldn't have done this" I could see the heartfelt thanks that I had done it and wouldn't take "no" for an answer in giving it to her.

A gift that effectively cost me nothing, meant the world to her, eased her burden for a night and gave her the sense that she was loved, that I listen when she speaks (hence I knew she doesn't like cooking on a Friday night) and that I have genuine care and affection for her and her well-being.

There are so many stories I could relate to you with the same message as the one above, but I know you understand this concept because I am sure you all have a story to tell about how your world was made sunny or how you helped someone else have a better moment through a similar act of giving.

I would really like to advocate bringing back the concept of "care" in our wider community (in fact I devote a lot of my time at school instilling this concept as well as content), a return if you like to the time when neighbours helped each other out, where we spoke to and listened to each other, where each person looked not only to themselves, but also to the wider community.

Look around you, in the community you live in as well as the global community. When you see an advertisement for red cross fund raising or world vision, oxfam, amnesty international or any of the other groups working towards better lives for others, instead of thinking, "I haven't got any money to give, I wish I could help," and then it being lost from your mind until the next ad; I ask you to give EVERYTHING you have to give and give it to those around you.

Stop to listen to the lonely elder who just wants someone to talk to and share a cup of tea, make a meal for someone who is having a rough time, leave a complimentary note on the desk of a colleague who is looking a little down, let it go when someone does something to annoy you, share your know-how on a topic you're passionate about, volunteer your time for a cause...

In doing this, in giving all you can give of those things that cost nothing financially, you are contributing a MASSIVE amount to the lives of those you come into contact with. The world benefits, and becomes a much more loving place.

Give all you have to give, then open your heart to recieving too.

With love and light
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Case by case

One of our very human qualities, and one I work constantly on reminding myself is an invalid and non-useful quality, is that of stereotyping. I am positive that at some point, we have all been caught by this one, even if it was on a sub-conscious level.

Lumping every person or thing into the same category based on a set of presumed characteristics is stereotyping. As we all know well, each of us is unique, special and individual, and yet we all have this habit of "organising" the world into different categories.

I have just come back from a flying visit with my brother out in Roma (Western Queensland, Australia), and had a few of my own subconscious stereotypes thrown into my face and was asked by my team to do some thinking on what I was going to do with the new information?

Western Queensland has a harsh and unforgiving landscape, it is arid land where beautifully determined men and women make a living from the land, major mining companies work out there to extract things from the earth for human use, and of course cattle farming and crop growing are all the main areas of production out there. As I drove past open cut mines, I shed a bit of a tear while at the same time being entranced by the beauty of the rock and the colour as it sat piled in mounds. I saw cattle ranging through bushland and imagined the erosion and destruction caused by their passing...all my stereotypes came to the fore as I drove for 10 hours through this country.

While I always strive to act, live, think and interact without judgement with each person I meet, this was a bit more difficult when I was confronted with the scenarios I have described above. My PERCEPTION of what I was seeing was based only on stereotypes, not on any kind of reality.

So, I arrived at my brothers place (a cattle farmer and a bank manager...I know right?) a little unsure about what we would talk about for three days since I hadn't seen him for a long time and only spoken a few words here and there at family gatherings.

I fell back on a strategy I use in the classroom....I talked about what interested him, setting all judgements and stereotypes aside to really LISTEN to the responses to my billion and one questions about farming. I watched as I was allowed to tag along through the paddocks while he tended his cattle and did the things he knew to do but which were completely foreign to me. I spoke to his neighbours and the locals down the pub where we went for dinner, and I truly saw and heard the people behind the stereotype. I started photographing on the second day and took thousands of photos of the people, the landscape, the cattle, the fields...everything to store into my memory banks a far more accurate account of the people I had so willingly (if unknowingly) tried to fit into a particular mold.

I was unsurprised in the end to know how judgemental I had been...and the solution to it too...I walked a mile in my brother's shoes, and I knew he and I were the same.

My strategy then, to eliminate the stereotypes and boxes and categories my human brain tries to fit people into is so simple...case by case. Without judgement, and without exception, each person is a divine and blessed being, it is not my place to judge and I can avoid the trap of stereotyping by reminding myself to take each person as they present themselves to me, to love them for who they are and not who I wish they could be, or who I perceived them to be, to know that we all share the same concerns for a loving, peaceful and abundant world.

With love and light
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

It's not my place to judge.....but...

Judgement is a really destructive force, it is one that can start wars and disputes and cause massive amounts of emotional harm. Yet, we are constantly making judgements about people and situations even though most of it is not a conscious process.

This is one of the hardest things I have learnt (or am still learning) to let go of and mainly because it becomes such a part of me that I am largely unconscious of the process that occurs before and as a judgement is made.

For me, when I am judging others, it usually comes from a place where I have made the determination that someone is doing something "wrong". The easy form of judgement to let go of was/is judging someone on their appearance, mannerisms or something like that. it is really easy to stop making these kinds of judgements.

Each of us has instilled a moral compass if you like; a set of ideals by which we make all of our decisions on what to do and what not to do and the way we determine what is right and what is wrong. It is when someone does, or say something, or acts in some way contrary to this internal guidance system that we make the kind of judgements that it is difficult at times to let go of.

I am a vegetarian; this is my choice mainly because my body tends to get rather irate with me when I consume meat, but I also have a strong feeling against something having to die to feed me. This was not instilled in me as a part of my upbringing, it is a more recent addition to my compass. However, I do not judge anyone who decides to eat meat. This is one of those things that, while a part of my moral compass, does not affect my view of anyone else.

I cannot stand cruelty or bullying. This code is a deeply embedded part of my moral compass, it is so entrenched that every part of my being protests at the thought of people being cruel let alone actually witnessing it. When I do witness bullying, I immediately jump to judgement, I immediately want to defend the person being bullied (without stopping to think that there are two sides to every story and that bullying cannot be solved by more bullying) and I harshly judge the person I perceive as the bully. This reaction is so instinctive that i have no control over this initial response. However, over time, as I started to recognise these responses for what they really are (that is a judgement of others) I have begun to develop strategies to stop myself acting impulsively on these feelings.

I will NOT stand by and watch cruelty so that i can be non-judgemental about the situation. I don't feel this is right either. However, I will act with compassion for both parties involved and seek to find understanding as well as encouraging forgiveness, for myself as well as the persons involved.

This one is a tough one! Each of us has to work at our own methods of dealing with these types of judgements; that is the ones that are so ingrained, or that we feel are because of what is right and what is wrong.

I thought it was important though to point out that these things are still judgements. (Sucks a bit doesn't it?)

With love and light
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxo

For our youth

As a school teacher, I often mark the passage of time with events to do with the school calender such as holiday times (*cheeky smile*), major events and the like. Today marks one of the most important times in the lives of our youth (well here in Australia anyway) and it is the day our year 12's complete the final day of their studies in the school system. Some of them will no doubt, head on to other institutions of learning, while others will enter the work force, become apprentices and other pathways. Their learning is by no means complete, after all, we are constantly learning, however, this marks a major change in their lives, and in their learning experiences.

This day, of all days, brings to mind the amazing hope I hold for our future. For 11 years I have watched this day come and go, watched students drift into the world as life long learners, some of them well prepared, others who will undoubtedly have some hard lessons coming for them, but all leaving none-the-less, regardless of their level of preparedness, and I have hope!

If you believe the popular culture and media sources of information, you could be forgiven for thinking that our society is in decline, that our youth are without hope and have no sense of responsibility or work ethic. You would perhaps be thinking that as a global community, we are in trouble as we begin to hand over the reins to our young adults. You would of course be forgiven for thinking this is the state of affairs, you would also be wrong.

For those of you who feel ALL of our teenagers are without hope, irresponsible, troubled, rebellious and not able to take up the mantle, I say, take the time to know them, take a while to have conversations with them, to work alongside them, to help them learn and grow and watch the enthusiasm with which they take the information given to them and process it to come up with unique and individual understandings. Watch, have patience, love them unconditionally and you will soon come to realise that they have incredible hopes, amazing aspirations, wonderful ideas, enthusiasm and work ethic. Yes, their 'real' learning is just beginning, and yes, there is still a lot more for them to learn; yet the same could be said of a lot of adults I know too *smile*

This day brings great hope to me for our future, because our youth are amazing individuals, they make me proud and extremely safe with placing the world in their hands in the future. Don't underestimate them, have patience with them and watch in wonder as they take the reins.

With love and light
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Change can be uncomfortable

When we learn a new way of looking at the world, of thinking about the world and others in it, or when our perceptions suddenly change, this growth can be a little uncomfortable at first. This is not unlike meeting people for the first time. At first, we are reticent, holding back a bit to gauge how they think and feel and the type of person they represent themselves as. Conversation can be a little awkward at first, then, gradually, we find things in common to talk about; we get to know the others thoughts, feelings and speech patterns, and suddenly we find we might be best of friends with this person and have trouble remembering the time when conversation was a bit slow and awkward.

This is the same thing when suddenly we find that the things we 'knew' or thought we knew, don't actually fit our new way of looking at the world. When something we believed to be a fact turns out to be a perception, when a concept we thought set in stone is actually set in sand; this can be a little uncomfortable at first.

If you find yourself reading something or hearing and experiencing something that makes you a little uncomfortable in this way, it is perhaps because you are being asked to challenge and analyse your perceptions of "how things are" and reassess their value to you. It may seem uncomfortable for you to change a life time pattern of thinking, feeling and acting in a certain way, however, as we grow and walk further on our spiritual path, this will happen at times. Soon though, you will be embracing this new concept, thought or action as though it is your best friend, and you will no longer clearly remember a time where you felt any differently.

Rejoice and surrender to growth times even if they feel a little uncomfortable at first. This is a sign that your understandings and perceptions of the world are expanding and growing to match the shining light inside of you.

With love and light
xoxoxoxoxoxoxxo

Sprinkle a little Faery Dust Day

Yesterday I received the message that a really good way to focus our intentions on a positive and loving environment would be to create a festival type event and invite everyone to join in. So, "Sprinkle a little Faery Dust day" was born *smile* The basic premise for this day is kindness and generosity. It is a fantastic festival, because it will happen all over the world simultaneously giving forth a huge burst of loving energy that can't help to transform all involved.

My vision for this festival is for each person to spend an entire day focused on kindness, generosity and love by committing themselves to random acts of kindness for the day. With so many of us acting from our heart and reaching out to others, we are bound to create a veritable hurricane of love and light energy that will brighten the world.

Today then, I thought I might begin with a list of ideas that could help out if you're stuck for something to do. Remember this is not about spending money or putting on a show, this is about genuine and loving displays of caring and kindness. This list is not exhaustive and definitely reflects my personality (in other words, these are things I am comfortable and happy to do) so be selective, choose what's right for you and make up your own list as well.

My goal? I am aiming for at LEAST 100 acts of kindness for the day. Does this seem like a tall order??? Wait till you see how easy it can be.

Faery Dust Sprinkling suggestions:

1. Send a hand written letter to a friend.
2. Give out free hugs to friends and family (real ones, not lean in and pat on the back ones *smile*)
3. Donate some time to a charitable organisation eg help out in a soup kitchen, library, pick up litter etc
4. Smile at everyone you see
5. Leave a positive note of encouragement anonymously for someone
6. Plant a tree
7. Take the time to stop and really listen to someone who needs it (not just waiting for your turn to talk)
8. Small courtesies like holding the door open for someone with their arms full.
9. Write a love letter to your partner.
10. Take your friends on a surprise picnic in your lunch break
11. Offer sincere and genuine compliments either in writing or verbally
12 send a funny email to make people laugh
13. Make a faery picture (cutting and pasting and colouring is FUN) and pass it on to someone with the instructions that they pass it to another and then another etc
14. Get some confetti or glitter and ACTUALLY sprinkle it around to make people laugh and play (with respect of course)
15. gather a heap of small pieces of paper and ask everyone to write positive comments on them for someone who's feeling a bit down then wrap them up with a pretty bow and deliver them with a hug.
16. A "secret faery" event (like secret Santa where everyone picks a name out of a hat to do something nice for on the day)
17. Positive pockets; each person in the workplace makes a small pocket to stick on their desk, in the lunch room or somewhere prominent. In the week leading up to Sprinkle a little Faery Dust day people are encouraged to write complimentary things on a piece of paper about the person and pop it in their pocket. Then open the pockets up and feel the love energy
18. leave some flowers or a small gift for someone anonymously.
19. Cook a meal from scratch for your friends.
20. Bake a cake to share
21. make something hand made (drawing, collage, sewing, whatever you feel) for someone else. Remember it is the love that goes into the gift, not the expertise with which it is made.
22. Read a story to a child
23. Play a game of tag, hop-scotch, ring a rosie or any other favourite childhood game.
24. Have a swing in the park with your friends
25. Leave a bigger than necessary tip
26. Say "thank you" and "have a wonderful day" to the person who makes your lunch time coffee
27. Post a "hug" and a love heart on all your face book friend's pages.
28. Tell someone what they mean to you and why they're special.
29. Donate to a charity
30. Offer to help out by completing a task for a colleague (If someone offered to do my playground duty for me, I would definitely have an amazing day after that *smile*)
31. Have a "Faery" morning tea party.
32. Play with your kids with the same enthusiasm they bring to the game. (Warning: sliding down the slide whilst laughing and whooping does become addictive)
33. Make a sign for your work space or home that has your favourite positive quote on it.
34. Encourage others to sprinkle faery dust.
35. Host a faery party for your friends and family, inviting them to dress up and bring along their positive energy.
36. Spend the day being enthusiastic about everything (genuinely) and seeing the silver lining...this will "infect" everyone around you.
37. Make some cards that say "I like you because..." and give them out. (Have some spares, once people see, they may want to play too)
38. Wear a ribbon in your hair or pinned to your shirt and when people ask you why you are wearing it, tell them its because you believe in miracles, magic and the wonder of our world.
39. Volunteer to help someone complete a distasteful task.
40. Take the time to notice the work of others.

Well, this list just keeps getting bigger and bigger, and I am sure there are so many more I haven't even thought of yet. I'd love your help in reaching my goal of 100 acts of kindness for the day, so if you have any other suggestions, feel free to post them as a comment either here, or on our face book page.

It really is important to keep in mind that even the smallest gesture of kindness can have an IMMENSE impact on the recipient. Act with love, kindness and generosity whenever and wherever you can.

With love, light and hope in my heart
xoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxo