Can We Allow What Is Positively Possible?

Day One of the Democratic Convention went well with Ted Kennedy showing up to support Obama and to encourage the party coming together to win the election in the fall.  Michelle Obama also delivered a great talk in support of her husband.   There was hope in the air and the people of this country are tuned in enough to know what party and its candidate will be about positive change in this country.  

What inspires you when people speak?  Is it the words and ideas in great speeches?  Is it stories that touch your heart?  Is it the passion of the speaker?  Is it something that you feel and know is uplifting?  Is it the joy of life that is expressed?  Is it that you align with the hopes and dreams of the speaker?

Part of aligning with the flow is knowing what motivates you.  The downstream flow is full of abundant possibilities if you allow yourself to partake.  The way you allow is to:
•    Feel passionate about what matters to you
•    Have an open heart
•    Think outside the box in more expanded ways
•    Raise your vibrations/energy
•    Be playfully high on life
•    Connect to the Source, your spirit
•    Take good care of your body
•    Follow the guidance of your intuition
•    Allow the creative in you to be expressed
•    Bring your Higher Self into all your decisions
•    Live in and appreciate each moment
•    Focus on what is working well
•    Feel gratitude for all you have
•    Live in the joy that is you
•    Let go and flow with life
•    Seek the relief that comes from having wants and needs and then realizing them

The most important thing to do to set you free is to be present to all that you know, feel, sense from the great wisdom that resides in your consciousness and heart.   

Are You Ready For Change, This Convention Offers Hope

The Greenfest yesterday pre-Democratic Convention seemed to be a big success.  There were some big time speakers (The Mayor of Denver, Van Jones, and Darryl Hannah), lots of music, a large showing of green products and services and our organic peace t-shirts.  We had a very good day encouraging people to express their support for world peace.  

This will be a powerful week as the energy is built up for the push for the November election.  My blog will most likely focus on this buildup and how important the it is for the nation to come together and demand that we the people have get our country back from the forces of fear, greed, and power.  

Downtown Denver has been turned into a military state.  According to one of the peace marchers, the police outnumbered the marchers in Sunday’s peace rally.  All day long there was a constant buzz of military helicopters.  There were bands of swat like units often parading about.  This high security seems more about controlling the masses and the opposition to this government than about protection.  The government generated idea that there is some kind of lurking danger allows our government to really shut down opposition.  This fear-based style of leadership deeply concerns many who value the freedoms of this country.

Barack Obama’s run for the presidency will be historic and heroic.  This nation so needs inspired leadership and he is the one chosen by the people to take on the daunting task of trying to clean up the last 8 years of terrible leadership.  It is heroic because the task ahead is enormous with the economy in trouble and $482 billion deficit run up by this supposed fiscal conservative.  This by the way is a big trend.  Republicans go into office claiming they are fiscally conservative and then build huge debts; Reagan $200+ Billion, Bush Sr. $300 Billion.  This handcuffs our nation and its people and the rich get richer.  

President Clinton built a $200 billion surplus being a so-called “tax and spend liberal.”  Our economy was strong and in good shape 8 years ago.  Sure his personal choices were poor but he didn’t screw the nation.  

It is time for leadership that represents the people and Obama is our best hope.  He is not perfect but he has the ability to think big, to be hopeful, and is the most connected to what the people want.  Let’s hope this convention sets into motion an unstoppable movement to recapture the White House.  

On another note:  I wanted to let you know that my work on the downstream flow is producing some very positive results, which I will share with you as they unfold.  For close to two weeks, I have stayed away from focusing what is wrong and in general avoided my political comments to keep my energy directed toward the flow.  As I said the results look good.  I will however focus on politics here in my backyard as the Democratic Convention unfolds keeping my lens directed at the hope and possibility of us coming together to make our nation strong again.  

Have a good week and keep you heart and mind open and ready to expand to a more positive and compassionate future for our lives and this nation.    

We Must Consider Future Generations

Tomorrow there is a large Green Festival in Denver and the Democratic Conventions gets under way.  We will be selling our peace t-shirts and promoting peace  www.peace-together.com.  It should be a really interesting day and this coming week is democracy in action.  Yes I know politics is not very pretty most of the time, but the Democratic conventions are usually full of great speeches and lots of thoughtful ideas.  Might as well enjoy the good stuff because the campaign up until Election Day will get very dirty.  In Colorado we have swing state status so the campaign has already got heated.

The choice for president is totally clear to me and I have a difficult time understanding who could rationalize 4 more years of the same stuff.  My vote is precious to me because I think our choices are not only for the next four years but also what is best for the people and country 3, 4, 5, and more generations from now.  It seems to me many people vote with wanting something now and no view of the bigger picture.  This wanting something now is usually tax breaks, cheaper gas etc.  This view leaves the future in hock for the wants of today.  

Drilling off the coasts and in protected lands will not bring cheaper gas it will only bring more profits for the oil companies and compromise out quality of living.  Shortsightedness to me is one of the human qualities that does great damage to the planet.

What makes most sense to me is that we first get everyone to the table.  Us citizens need to be represented by people who can see the bigger picture free of money influence.   The oil people are only driven by the bottom line and that is ok as long as that is clear to everyone.   Elected government representatives cannot be in the pockets of Big Oil.  Members of working poor, the middle class and the wealthy also need to be at the table because they all bring valued perspectives.   Advocates for the environment are also key members of this gathering.  Then they must focus on solutions that work for benefit of everyone.  

That is how we work toward solutions, when all the key factors are represented.  With everyone in mind then the best results are possible.  If major stakeholders groups are left out then the results will be in favor of those with the most influence.  Those with the most money too often dictate influence.  That will not produce the best for the greater good.   

Most likely there will not be a blog tomorrow because of the very long day in Denver for the festival.  Enjoy and rest on Sunday.
 

Thank You Universe

Today will make three days in row of training.  Wednesday was about cultural diversity and yesterday and today the training is called Bridges Out Of Poverty.  Boulder county, where I work, has a progressive government concerned about all the people who live here and is looking at ways to help those in poverty move into a better life.  This training has provided me with lots of ideas and information and I feel grateful to have been chosen for this.  

If people really could learn to see beyond their limiting ideas and thoughts the world would be a better place.  We all have misperceptions of those that struggle to make it.  In that state of chaos there is very little time to move forward because you are so busy surviving.  Compassion and supportive services can make a positive difference.  

These days of training got me thinking about how grateful I am to have what I have.  I am blessed to have a steady income, the creative influences that bring about this blog on a daily basis.  My wonderful wife and our great dog Pax are amazing gifts in my life.  The house we live in is nice.  The people I work with are enjoyable and professional.  Boulder is a beautiful place to live and filled with trails for biking and running.  I have food to eat and mostly what I want.  When I compare what I have to the many people we provide service too, I know I have much to be thankful for.  

In this moment what are you grateful for in your life?  Gratitude is a great way to bring together your self with your Higher Self.  When you and I feel gratitude we raise our vibrations and things become more available to us.  Today if you feel down in any way, if your energy fades, take some time to remember what you have and feel thankful.  Feelings of gratitude can take you very high and set your free in ways that will truly enrich your life.

Hope your Friday is a good one.   

Raising Our Emotional Vibrations

Last night I watched the 200 meter men’s track finals at the Olympics where Usain Bolt won and set a world record beating a time many thought would be the best for many years.  It is so amazing to watch someone move so easily and so fast.  It must be a rush to be so clearly the best and so relax at the same time.  

I hope you got some time to go over my questions from yesterday.  They are for your further awareness and to empower you towards the life you know is possible.  I am still working on the questions myself and getting the benefit of writing the answers out.  Too often our thoughts rattle around in our head; in writing them out we have an opportunity to get much greater clarity.

Raising my feeling vibration/response to life is what I want to focus on today.  My feelings are a key component to my success.  The more I raise the vibration of what I feel the more I open to aligning with the potential in me.  Feelings like fear, anger, dislike, and disappointment take me way from alignment with my higher Self.  Feeling like relief, hope, love and joy bring all of me into alignment.

Here is a practice to try through the weekend:

When you feel in the struggle of emotions, take some time to replace the struggle with more expansive feelings.  When you feel down, instead focus on something that makes you feel more energized and empowered like excitement about a new challenge.  When you feel afraid, focus on opening your heart.  Love is more powerful and besides, you can’t feel love and fear and the same time.  So when you feel stuck imagine, explore, and/or take action in ways to move you in to being fully functioning.  You can always change your state by changing your focus.  

As I fell asleep last night my mind entered the experience of flying like the World fastest man Usain Bolt did and I entered into the flow and felt the joy of my fullest expression.         

Questions For Optimizing Flow

Today these questions came flooding out of me about how you and I can take the next step in realizing the effortless possibilities innate within us.  How can we step into the rich flow from source and have the life we want?

Questions to fine-tune your inner landscape for optimal flow:

What have you been learning that is reshaping how you view the world?

What areas of your personal growth do you see progress in?

How do you limit your success?

What ways is your mind and asset for your success and what ways does it get in your way?

How well do you pay attention to your emotions and what do they tell you?

What thoughts and feelings cause you to unnecessarily struggle?

What makes you happy; fills you with joy?  

What holds you back inside form going for what you want?

What gives your life meaning and purpose?

Is your heart open enough to have the love you want?

How does your self-criticism limit your ability to be successful?

What ideas or beliefs did you learn growing up that are getting in your way today?

How do you expand your ability to trust yourself and others?

What unrealistic expectations do you place on yourself?

How do you make contact with your higher wisdom?

How do you get unstuck when you need to?

What part of your past do you need to let go of and move on from?

What matters most to you?

Why is it important to take good care of your body?

What is the Spirit it you?

What does “being in the flow,” mean to you?

What does it mean to accept your true self?

Take the necessary time to answer these questions because they can give you important insights and move your life in a positive direction.   

Acceptance of Your True Self

Last night after a lengthy discussion about various aspects of healthy living, the people in the group treatment I facilitate decided that the key aspect to recovery and to a fulfilling life is the acceptance of our true self.  In other words if you want your life to having meaning and flow to it, you must acknowledge and accept both your self as you are and your Higher Self.   This is an excellent summary and feels right to me.

Acceptance is possible when you quit being run by society’s need to judge; to place everything in two columns: good or bad.  You are neither good or bad, sometimes some of your behavior has been less than you want or better but never good or bad.  Sometimes you have let yourself down or been disappointed but that does not make you bad.  Sometimes you haven’t lived up to the expectations of yourself or others and that doesn’t make you bad.  Getting past the conditioning of our families, our schools and churches can be a task.  

My suggestion is that you let go and step into the downstream toward what you want and away from what you are suppose to want.  Give up the idea that you have to struggle against good and evil.  That is a religion thing and most likely not true, more the invention of the human mind.  Flow is natural; flow is the way to go.

The true self is a worthy discussion.  There seems to be a greater power in the universe than you and I.  That power is part of us not some separate entity situated somewhere above us.  We are one with that Source power and only words and false concepts can make us think we are less than or not part of this greater Source.  So let’s just accept that we are one with the Creative Force of the universe.  Since we are, is there any reason we shouldn’t fully accept ourselves?

This acceptance of self is both the self of daily living and the Self of unity with the Creative Force.  When we accept, we place ourselves in union with the flow and the Source.  How could we not manifest what we want in this place of unity?  

This discussion is not only about manifesting but also realizing are fullest potential.  In the flow we are in union with what is ultimately possible and how could that be anything less then wonderful and amazing?  

Acceptance of Self and self brings together a powerful force that allows you to fully express yourself with passion and purpose.  Isn’t this what life is about?  Let me know if this makes sense to you?  

The Higher Knowing Channel

Yesterday afternoon I ate too many M&M’s at wholesale mart.  This is our first venture into this wholesale market for our peace business of t-shirts, stickers, etc.   The Olympics continue and the performances are wonderful to watch.  The level of excellence lifts up everyone who watches and reminds us all that we have so much potential.  

I have been doing more thinking and exploring about the topic of flowing towards my desires and I came up with 40 factors to look at more deeply and to share as I gain insight and awareness.  

One thing that became very clear to me is that I can share my ideas and that can be helpful but there are no shortcuts.  You too will have to do the direct exploration so you can gain your own understanding.  Sure others can show you the way, or share what worked and what didn’t, but then it still falls to you.   

This inner journey is a rich one and it is about self-realization.  My sharing is about giving you ideas and experiences that I have so you can use them to enrich your own learning and growing.  

Here is what I want to share today:
    
The best and easiest way to join the downstream is to quiet your mind and listen to the guidance inside waiting to show you the way.  This intuitive knowing is found in the silence of your mind, in the quiet wisdom of your heart, in your oneness with the source of all creation, in your spirit that is eternal and unlimited.  There is no inside scoop I can give you, there is only listening to what you know when you are connected to your Higher Self.  The exploration of your inner wisdom will be rewarding in many ways.  

Now follow this practice and see what happens:

Take some time in the next few days to be in silence, invite your higher knowing to communicate with you.  This may take some time (days, weeks or more) to establish this clear channel.  It also means turning of the TV, radio and music players and allow the silence.  The most important thing to do is just listen.  You will know the Higher Knowing Channel is on because the messages feel right in your gut, in your heart and in the part of you that is larger than this single lifetime.   Keep on listening and you will always be shown the way to the stream and the direction of the current.  You cannot fail at this, you will only get more and more tuned in.  

The more tuned in you are the greater the flow of what you want becomes possible.  Then one day you will desire it and it will happen immediately.  Watch for that happening in small ways now, like a call from a friend you miss, or kindness from others, or an opportunity comes your way, or getting somewhere becomes much easier, or you feel open and appreciate the present moment.  Little things appreciated open the flow even more.  

Have a fun week.   

Flowing Toward What You Want

It is Sunday evening and I ate too many M&M’s at wholesale mart This is our first venture into this market for our peace business of t-shirts, stickers etc.   The Olympics are on but the diving isn’t holding my interest so I am here writing my blog.  I have been doing more thinking and exploring about the topic of flowing toward my desires and I came up with 39 factors to look at more deeply and to share as I gain insight and awareness.  

One thing that became very clear to me is that I can share my ideas and that can be helpful but there are no shortcuts.  You too will have to do the direct exploration so you can gain your own understanding.  Sure others can show you the way, or share what worked and what didn’t, but then it still falls to you.   

This inner journey is a rich one and it is about self-realization.  My sharing is about giving you ideas and experiences that I have so you can use them to enrich your own learning and growing.  

Here is what I want to share today:
    
The best and easiest way to join the downstream is to quiet your mind and listen to the guidance inside waiting to show you the way.  This intuitive knowing is found in the silence of your mind, in the quiet wisdom of your heart, in your oneness with the source of all creation, in your spirit that is eternal and unlimited.  There is no inside scoop I can give you, there is only listening to what you know when you are connected to your Higher Self.  

Now follow this practice and see what happens:

Take some time in the next few days to be in silence, invite your higher knowing to communicate with you.  This may take some time (days, weeks or more) to establish this clear channel.  The most important thing to do is just listen.  You will know this channel is on because the messages feel right in your gut, in your heart and in the part of you that is larger than this single lifetime.   Keep on listening and you will always be shown the way to the stream and the direction of the current.  

Downstream Thinking Opens The Door

How is your experiment going with following the flow?  I feel like I am refining my understanding as I explore what is upstream thinking and what is downstream thinking.  This refining process is one in which I listen carefully and see how what I am thinking makes me feel.  If I feel joyous, positive, open, receptive than my thinking is adding to my connection to the source of the universe.  

These downstream ideas come from the writings of Abraham/Hicks.  I have taken on the task of exploring these ideas because they seem so true for me.  I also wanted to better understand them to enrich my life and those that stop by at the Explore Life Journal.  I view life as an experiment and when I find an idea or point of view that I consider of value, I like to experiment with it in my life.  

I fully believe in the rightness of these ideas so I then must prove them to myself.  So back to the flow and what I am noticing.  There are things that I do that definitely raise my vibrations and connect me to my higher expression.  If you want to align with the part of you that is ready to manifest what you want I suggest the following:

Meditation, Walking Meditation, Mindfulness Practices, Tapping, Conscious Breathing, changing your emotional state towards the positive, deep relaxation, being a loving person, petting your dog, laughing, walking in nature, creative expression, singing songs that take you higher, exploring ideas that inspire you, living with purpose, being fully present, compassionate action and more for you to explore.  

When you align with your higher knowing you are in the flow from which all well-being originates.  Everything you want or desire is in the flow that is available in each moment.  All you have to do is place your boat in the flow and let the downstream take you effortless toward the results you want.  Does it seem all too easy?  It is if we allow it to be.  The challenge is the lack of allowing within.  This non-allowing is almost always because you think you are not enough or don’t deserve.  Those thoughts of being not worthy are learned and they are incorrect.  It is good to change the thoughts that limit you.  

Well, I got to get back to my experimenting.  I'll be back soon to share more.   

Olympics, Opportunity, and Osho

The Olympics have been very interesting so far.  Michael Phelps is a once in a lifetime kind of athlete.  The gymnastics with some small errors have put on display of incredible performances.  I hope you have been enjoying them also.  I am getting excited because the track and field starts on the weekend.  

Yesterday I learned of a possible really interesting opportunity that may come my way.  If this does come about, I will make the best of it and be very grateful for the new learning and additional income.  I am in the downstream flow where things come to me easily and effortlessly.  

Osho is one of my favorite teachers because of his unique and bold perspective.  I came upon a number of his interesting insights and I wanted to share them with you as part of the expansion of you and my understanding of how to flow easily toward the life we desire.  Here is a collection of inspiration, compliments of Osho:

To Be Creative

To be creative means to love life.  You can be creative only if you love life enough that you want to enhance its beauty, you want to bring a little more music to it, a little more poetry to it, a little more dance to it.

Playfulness

The moment you start seeing life as non-serious, a playfulness, all the burden in your heart disappears.  All the fears of death, of life, of love – everything disappears.

Existence Is One

If the whole existence is one, and if the existence goes on taking care of trees, of animals, or mountains, of oceans – from the smallest blade of grass to the biggest star – then it will take of you too.

Open Heart

The heart is like a flower – unless it is open it cannot release its fragrance into the world.

A Sense of Humor

Life is not a tragedy, it is a comedy.  To be alive means to have a sense of humor.

Ecstasy

Ecstasy is our very nature; not to be ecstatic is simply unnecessary.    Osho

Have a fun Friday and listen to the call inside that wants to guide you toward more joy.  

Are You A Cultural Creative?

How was your day yesterday?  Mine was busy with work, writing and working out.  Sometimes I seem too stuck in my ways.  Habits and what is familiar is easy to go with.  Going with the flow however does not mean going down the same path all the time.  If I do things the way I always do them and expect different results than I am kidding myself.  Always listening inward and exploring outward seems essential.   

Have you heard of the Cultural Creatives?  I was reading in the current issue of What Is Enlightenment magazine the latest thoughts about this movement many of us are in even if we don’t realize it. 

Are you a cultural creative?  If this fits, you are:
•    You are able to see the bigger picture
•    You are concerned about he planet and sustainability
•    You can see beyond your own needs
•    You identify yourself with non-traditional spirituality
•    You believe in civil rights and equal rights
•    You involve yourself in grass roots politics
•    You consider yourself part of a wisdom culture
•    You seek to be more conscious
•    You explore and express higher values
•    You are more global than nationalistic
•    You believe in the power of love and compassion
•    You want well-being and health care for all
•    You value creativity and innovation
•    You have an open mind and explore leading edge ideas
•    You are progressive in your thinking and politics
•    You are comfortable with change
•    You value nature for its beauty and healing attributes
•    You have as a goal to wake up
•    You are leery of power and the drive of the ego
•    You see yourself as out of the mainstream
•    You value your own uniqueness
•    You tend to be solution oriented
•    You have hope for a future guided by cultural creative people like you

Do these qualities fit for you?  If you would like to hear an interview by one of the experts of the cultural creative movement checkout www.wie.org/garrison

Cultural Creatives have the ability to link their Higher Self with the day-to-day self.  Cultural Creatives are gaining in influence and will be a critical force in moving the planet in a positive direction.   

Effortless Kindness and Compassion

As I was briefly looking over my news sources on the Internet, I was struck by how little was really news of any importance and how much was more the stuff of People Magazine or less prestigious publications.  I also found lots of opinion, it seems everybody and many of us bloggers are full of opinion.  It made me think about why has opinion replaced real news in many of the media outlets?  

What are your thoughts about what’s happened to the lack of emphasis on real news?  I wonder if this is more about distraction away from what we should be paying attention to, the stuff that matters?  

I don’t have any answers but I suspect the solution would be for the people to ask for what they want and no longer support what isn’t meeting their needs.  No traffic to networks, newspaper stands, or website, no advertising, discontinuing cable and things change naturally toward what people want.   I hope that doesn’t sound like support for unrestricted capitalism.

In my attempting to not focus on what is wrong, I find myself looking at what we can do, what are the solutions.   However just posing solutions assumes a problem.  There is more need for research here on how to write and talk about concerns and not get pulled into the struggle of figuring things out.

Let just say the flow is more the effortless path and working out solutions may be more effort than needed.  The other alternative may include being aware and then going forward with my own intentions to raise my own consciousness.  We still need to protect people and the planet and that is where I am still working through my thinking.  I want to make sure there is compassion and kindness but not from the effortful ways that is usually generated.  

It feels like I am all over the place.  It seems obvious to me and probably even more obvious to you that I don’t have the answers and I am in the process of writing (thinking) out loud.  What out loud thoughts do you have about this trying to be compassionately engaged and yet not caught up in the drama of today’s world?

I am stopping now and cooling my jets in the stream as I let go and let other than my thoughts guide me.  

Here is a quote I came upon today that I thought you might find or interest:  

“The fruit of self-understanding is self-acceptance.  The fruit of self-acceptance is self-love.  The fruit of self-love is love for the world.  The fruit of love for the world is service to the world.  The fruit of service to the world is peace.”  Russell Rowe     

A Positive Experiment In Challenging Times

The night before last as I listened to Mr. Bush being interviewed at the Olympics. I found myself judging him as he said we have no problems in America.  I thought he is so in denial of what is going on.  Today I thought from the mouth of the unknowing could still come wisdom.  This denial of problems is what could be called flowing downstream.  The more we focus on what we want and being in a joyous state, the more it can become reality. 

This got me thinking about my lists that I create for this blog about all the wrong things going on in government, corporations, religion etc.  These are all upstream thoughts, these are list that take me away from what I want.  This is a big dilemma for me because I feel so strongly about helping people be aware but does awareness have to come from seeing what is wrong.  Stay with me as I explore this.

Awareness can also come from paying attention to our hearts, from slowing our minds down, from feeling compassion for others, from our intuitive wisdom, from acts of kindness, from seeking the truth, from creative expression, from being grateful, from sitting and walking meditation, from prayer and other spiritual practices and more.  Awareness is about being conscious, awake, with and open heart and mind.  Awareness is possible by being fully present to the moment.  

Spending time reading about all the things that are wrong about the political process and corporate power is not where I want to focus my mind so that I can flow downstream.  I want to be informed enough to know but spending time writing, talking and thinking about what is wrong is working upstream.   If this is true then I want to focus only on the highest human possibilities.  I want to focus on the solutions rather than the problems.

As I write this I sense an experiment coming into my thoughts.  I will not write about, talk about, or focus on what is wrong in the World for the next two weeks (This may extend if I can hold back my desire to rant).  I will only read briefly enough to keep informed.  I already have stopped watch any TV news.  I can now fully focus on what is going well, what is uplifting, what is a positive direction or a new expanded viewpoint, or hopeful solutions etc.    

I feel somewhat unsure about this experiment but I will give it a try.  Higher Consciousness for the planet I suspect is on a one by one basis until the entire planet is lifted up by the collective consciousness.  I will not ignore what is going on and say everything is fine but instead focus on the positive and inspirational aspects of the times we live in.  

What do you think?  Is this worth a try and does it have merit? What version of this experiment might you be willing to try?  I am now releasing the paddles and letting myself go with the flow.  

Bush, Olympics, Religion, Ego

Did you have a fun and relaxing weekend?  Are you good at letting go of all that is on your mind and just enjoying life?  There is so much going on out there in the world, how do you pay attention yet not get overwhelmed?  What are your biggest concerns for you, your family and the planet?  

Last night during the Olympic coverage President Bush came on for and interview with Bob Costas.  He was, as always, kind of folksy talking sports and world politics and I just had to appreciate how well he is holding up despite the truly horrible job he has done as the CEO of our country.  It seems to me that the only people he has represented well during these 8 years are those in oil and the very rich.   He brought up religion a couple of times as if it was something he was throwing into the conversation.  I was confused because he does not act like he is a spiritual person in any way.  

I separate religion and spirituality as totally different.  Religion to me is mainly big organizations that try to tell you what to think and believe and it is seems more about controlling the masses than about a person’s relationship with a Higher Power.   Spirituality is all about a person’s relationship with the Creative Source of the Universe and is about finding our own truth.  Spirituality is not about ego, about control, or some faulty ideas that God supports war.   

The awful tradition of murdering other human beings through war in the name of God is pure delusion.  This President says, he was guided to attack Iraq by God.  He is delusional and his arrogance has been very costly to our nation.  He has let truly spiritual people down by his reckless attitude about human life.  His ego is what drove him to war and nothing else.   

When are we going to move beyond ego and instead be guided by our higher knowing oneness with the Divine?  When are we going to live according to the higher laws of human values like love, compassion, kindness, understanding and consciousness?  

I think for us to have genuinely inspired leadership, we need to also be open to the inspiration and guidance of our own higher nature.  Our leadership is a reflection of our own state of mind and heart.  An open, peaceful mind and an open, compassionate heart is a great place to start.   

Have a good week and remember to listen inward so you can hear the guidance that is available to show you how to step into the rich, healthy and abundant flow of the life downstream.  

Where Are You In The Flow?

In watching the athletes today, I kept thinking of flow.  The swimmers flow through the water almost effortlessly.  The gymnasts flow through their routines and fly through the air.  Even the beach volleyball had a heavy flow of rain that didn’t stop the athletes from excellence.  Where in your life are you in the flow, part of a flow, or witness others in flow?

Here are some flow quotes that I thought would help you and I think even more about the dynamics of flow and its influence on life:

Let love flow so that it cleanses the world. Then man can live in peace, instead of the state of turmoil he has created through his past ways of life. . . . .
Sai Baba

I live my life on self-belief and I live it partly on going with the flow.
Melanie Brown

A laugh, to be joyous, must flow from a joyous heart, for without kindness, there can be no true joy.
Thomas Carlyle

For true love is inexhaustible; the more you give, the more you have. And if you go to draw at the true fountainhead, the more water you draw, the more abundant is its flow.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Surrender to the flow.
Mike Gordon

My hand does the work and I don't have to think; in fact, were I to think, it would stop the flow. It's like a dam in the brain that bursts.
Edna O'Brien

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.
Lao Tzu

Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate.
Zhuangzi

Olympics, Sports and Human Excellence

The Olympics, the athletes and their performances are a joy to watch because they represent humans functioning at a high level physically, mentally and emotionally.   I have competed as an athlete in distance running and tennis and enjoyed competition in several other sports.  In my work I have provided sports psychology to athletes in gymnastic, distant running, golf, tennis and several other sports.   There is real joy in experiencing excellence and in assisting others to performing at their highest level.  

Athletes performing at their best speak of being in the flow, of the effortless in the midst of great effort.  We can all learn from watching and sharing this journey over the next few weeks.  This is all part of our expansive education at being in the downstream flow of life.

Let me know what inspires you and I will do the same.  Let me know what insights you gain and I will also share mine.  Let yourself be shown the way to being extraordinary by these men and women and I will also be open to the extraordinary in my life.  

Today we sold our peace shirts and talked some politics at a small street event near our Farmer’s Market.  It felt good to be interacting with others in this way.  Checkout my peace site at www.peace-together.com.  

Have a good evening and remember you too can be a star in your life.     

Bush The Worse President Ever, Can McCain Be Even Worse?

Political comments is on tap today even though it is late and I am finally getting around to do my posting.  As I said a few days ago, John McCain is in full attack mode, which means he is fearful.  Unfortunately attack is the fall back for many human beings when they have closed minds and hearts.  That is why our government started this war because their thinking is rigid with very limited options and they are heartless.  People in touch with their hearts do not start wars.  Wars are always about ego and never about something God/Creator/Spirit wants.  Wars are human insanity.  McCain is an angry, fearful man who is looking to fight and that smells like even more trouble to me after the worst president in history has already left a huge mess.  

Actor John Voight is on the front page of the CNN website saying Obama will turn this country toward socialism.  That is always one of the tactics used by the Republican party to make people afraid.  Who cares what John Voight’s theories and why is he on CNN’s front page?  

Another Republican technique is to say Democrats are going to raise taxes.  This is again using fear.  This administration has built up a massive debt and Reagan did also both claiming fiscal conservative points of view, both talking about small government.  Bush has built a huge government structure of spying, torture, security etc all based on fear.  

When do you think Americans will stop falling for the fear card and started waking up to the outright manipulation by or government for the purpose of control.  My bias is the Republicans are against a democracy in favor of a more imperialistic type government.  That too me is the only explanation for why they always seem to violate the principles of democracy and leave everything in a mess when they exit office.  

Are you not tired of politicians saying one thing and doing the opposite?  Congress has been a total joke with its 9% approval rating after showing zero courage in holding this administration accountable.  My thought is we need to vote them all out and start over.  We couldn’t do much worse with all new people bringing new ideas.  

I could go on and on.  Please question what is going on, encourage your family to question and ask everyone you know questions to get people thinking.  We all need to wake up and find solutions to the mess we now have in the government that is suppose to belong to and represent the people.   

You Can’t Be Ordinary And Extraordinary

You can’t be ordinary and extraordinary.  What is it you choose to be?  That choice is often a daily decision.  Life constantly presents all of us opportunities to be tuned in to our higher natures as we navigate the waters of our life.  When we listen and align with the source within, we know where to go and what to do to make our lives work, as we would want them to.  When we don’t tune in and listen then all hell can break loose or more simply we struggle against the tide.

I noticed I am using the water analogy a lot in my writing and have been missing the ocean.  My years of living on the West Coast with easy access to the ocean served me water needs well.  Here in Colorado it is very dry and rivers are more like the creeks where I grew up in the Pacific Northwest.  The ocean is something of a cosmic soup from which it feels like we all come from.  To be near it feels nurturing and comforting to me.  Before I lived here in Boulder, I lived for 9 years in Santa Barbara where I spent many hours walking/running/biking the beach and cliffs along a very beautiful part of our country.

I felt like I lived more downstream there in Santa Barbara as far as flow.  I want to recreate that relaxed and joyous life free from so much doing.  What is it you want to create?  What kind of place nurtures you?  Where do you feel most in the flow?  Is your heart open to having what you desire?

All of this exploration of desire sends me closer to where I want to go.  The joy that is there from aligning with my source is just on the other side of the door.  I am knocking as I write and the door is beginning to open.  I will keep you abreast as to what happens next and please share your discoveries as you explore also.  Enjoy the day you have been given to experience.