‘When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.’

Rebecca – age 8

.

‘When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.’

Billy – age 4

.

‘Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.’

Karl – age 5

.

‘Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.’

Chrissy – age 6

.

‘Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.’

Terri – age 4

.

‘Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.’

Danny – age 7

.

‘Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss’

Emily – age 8

.

‘Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.’

Bobby – age 7 (Wow!)

.

‘If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,’

Nikka – age 6
(we need a few million more Nikka’s on this planet)

.

‘Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.’

Noelle – age 7

.

‘Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.’

Tommy – age 6

.

‘During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn’t scared anymore.’

Cindy – age 8

.

‘My mommy loves me more than anybody You don’t see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.’

Clare – age 6

.

‘Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.’

Elaine-age 5

.

‘Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.’

Chris – age 7

.

‘Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day..’

Mary Ann – age 4

.

‘I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.’

Lauren – age 4

.

‘When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.’ (what an image)

Karen – age 7

.

‘You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it But if you mean it, you should say it a lot.. People forget.’

Jessica – age 8

.

And the final one

The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.

Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.

When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, ‘Nothing, I just helped him cry’

Related posts:

1. A Boat called Freedom Part 2 by Iain Please read Part 1 first by clicking here. Every day...
2. A boat called Freedom Part 1 by Iain I was coughing, spluttering. Salty seawater filled my mouth. I...
3. What’s Going On Inside Our Children? Looking Through Energetic Eyes by Suzy Miller Let’s take a look at the general energy field of...

I am sure Roosevelt knew the True Meaning of this iconic quotation. So why do I raise this now?

Well, in recent weeks, as I have shifted the focus of this Newsletter from a “Higher”, Spiritual focus, to an Experiential physical World focus.

As we Quicken towards the Singularity of this Cycle of Human Consciousness, it has become incumbent upon me to switch my focus from Higher Aspects of our Divine Triune Nature and Being, to the physical, Experiential Aspects of Our Triune Being.

As mentioned in recent weeks, if we are to be balanced and prepared for that which is to be Experienced in the context of this Great Transition of Consciousness, we simply cannot neglect any aspect of our Divinity if we are to Evolve and Progress.

Now whilst I much prefer to focus on the Higher, Spiritual aspects of Life, and believe me I would, I cannot and will not selectively disregard my Inner Guidance for fear that some readers might not “like to hear it”. We must remain balanced.

The events “taking place” in the World today are not only shaping our Personal Experience but also shaping the Collective Experience of Humanity as we conclude this current Cycle of Human Consciousness and Transition to the next Cycle.

We Are In This Together, for better or for worse.

Not only therefore must we acknowledge current events, but we must become One with these events. Any conscious effort to “reject” or “distance ourselves” from these events, is a rejection of Our Very Being, for we Are those events and they are Us.

The point is this. I have received messages from readers of this Newsletter for many years who have expressed distress by the recent emphasis, and in particular question why I have “been turned to the dark side of the force” by “propagating fear”.

Well first of all let me say I am Grateful to receive all messages such as these.

Second let me assure Readers that I have not been “turned” to the dark or any side.

I said in the final chapter of my book, Our Ultimate Reality, Life, The Universe and Destiny of Mankind, and have said in many Newsletters:

I know what I write is True, because I know the Source of that which I share in this Newsletter, in the book, on the website etc.

However, never accept anything I say as a fact simply because I wrote it. Always listen to your own Heart and Inner Guidance, and only allow that which you Feel is True and of Value on your own Spiritual Path.

Now let us analyse this emotion called “fear” more closely.

What is “fear”.

Fear is an emotional response invoked by an Experience that we do not understand.

Fear, along with uncertainty and doubt is one of the most powerful weapons that the “global elite” who would wish to control Humanity and the World have in their emotional arsenal against Humanity.

This “fear weapon” is invoked in numerous ways, for example through the control of money and debt, and the conditions of its distribution for basic survival needs.

Another very major and pervasive deployment of fear is through the medium of religions, who portray a vengeful, jealous, capricious “God”, whose “wrath” you will surely incur if you do not obey the rules set out by God’s ambassadors -- the church.

The RC religion for example currently emotionally controls over 1 billion people through fear and guilt. The fear is of being “sent to burn in damnation and brimstone for all eternity”. Guilt is invoked through for example the “seven deadly sins” which, should you fall foul of, requires you to “attend confessional” and pay a “penance”.

Another, much more insidious application of control through fear created in the last couple of decades, particularly in and by the USA, is the so called “war on terror”, which seeks to make people feel fearful and insecure so that the “controllers” can exert all manner of onerous, oppressive and invasive controls over the people.

For example, after “9/11″, aside from invading Afghanistan for selfish reasons, the USA enacted the “Homeland Security Act” as well as many other controls, some by “executive order”, all designed to exert increasing control over their own people.

The “war against terror” is totally and utterly fictitious, but is designed to control the people, and to justify further strategic imperial invasions of countries for reasons that have nothing whatsoever to do with “terrorists” or “humanitarianism”, and everything to do with regime changes to control countries for military and natural resources.

Also keep in Mind that the “global elite” who would seek to control the World are practicing “satanists” who feed off and draw power from the fear emotion. The more fear they can invoke in as many people as possible, the stronger they become. To put it another way, these people are “vampires” who feed voraciously on fear.

Now we must, if we are to progress, rise beyond not only these false contrivances, but also, most crucially, It Is Absolutely Crucial to Transcend Fear Itself.

Let me assure you Dear Reader that it is virtually impossible to progress Spiritually if fear can be invoked within us. Spiritual Evolution knows no fear.

Fear is not only of a very low Vibratory Frequency, thus pulling down overall Vibratory Frequency -- a major strategic objective of the “global elite” -- fear also implies Spiritual “imbalances” or “disconnects” that can sequester that Crucial Inner Connection and Oneness with Higher Self and With Source.

Why is this?

Well the reason is profound yet beautifully simple.

Every Single Human Being, and All Life, Is Divine, Infinite and Eternal Expression of Source, Fully Inclusive of The Infinite Power of Source, the same Divine, Infinite, Eternal Power that Created the Universe and All That Is.

Each of Us Has The Universe Of All That Is Within Us, As Us.

Do you believe that Source, God, is capable of fear?

Of course not.

Everything that people are fearful of is already part of us, so to be fearful of anything at all is no different to being frightened at the sight of our own shadow. We are the very Experience that we would be fearful of. Are you “scared” of your-Self?

Let me then state this emphatically:

No-thing Can Possibly Harm You Except To The Extent You Believe It Can

One of the most Crucial and Glorious Truths and Meaning Of Life, Is To Return To Our Source Through The Realisation And Expression Of Source. When We, During The Path Of Evolution Become Source Through Our Own Spiritual Experience, Then We Become Source Absolutely And Reunite With Source.

Now of course Earth is but the first step on the ladder, but nevertheless and extremely crucial one, because, just like the child in the sandbox of kindergarten who must learn to control his or her newfound abilities before being “let loose” in the outside World, so too must humans before being let loose in the Glorious and Harmonious Spheres beyond the Earth playground.

Now, as I mentioned previously, we are not only our physical body. We are Body, Mind and Spirit -- Consciousness -- and we cannot, if we wish to progress, selectively neglect any one aspect of our Triune Being, otherwise would be Spiritually unbalanced, and dis-harmony must surely follow -- it is absolutely inevitable.

As Above, So Below, As Within, So Without, said Master Hermes Trismegistus.

If we harbour any Inner turmoil or instability, or react emotionally to that which we see or hear, then those thoughts, feelings and emotion must be reflected and Expressed in to your physical Experience.

Conversely -- if we stand strong and tall, in Full Realisation of Who We Are, Living In the Moment, Pure of Mind, a Mind Like A Polished Mirror, With No Thought, Simply Observing And Allowing All That We See and Hear To Enter And Leave Our Consciousness As A Leaf Drifting By In The Wind, Then We Are “Invincible”. No-Thing Can “Harm” Us, All Things Are Possible.

Ask Yourself This:

Can you stand in the middle of a battlefield, bullets, bombs and missiles flying all around you, without thoughts, feelings or emotions, and In Joy For Who You Are, Knowing That No-Thing That Is Part Of You Can Ever Harm You?

If so -- excellent. If not, ask yourself why.

Ask yourself -- “what is it within me that makes me feel uncomfortable or fearful?”

It matters not what news I bring to you of the “World”, or the TV news, or what you read on the Internet -- it is all part of the Human Experience which collectively is forging the Human Mind and Spirit in preparation for the Great Transition Which All Humanity is Quickening towards Right Now.

I will conclude this subject then with three most Wise and Enlightened quotations from Morihei Ueshiba, who invented “Aikido”.

Aikido is a “Martial Art” and like most Martial Arts is not intended to be about forging a Human Being to be a “deadly weapon” but is rather about forging a Human Being Spiritually and Mentally so that mere weapons become unnecessary and irrelevant.

So Aikido is first and foremost a path of Spiritual and Mind Development, but which also teaches that the best form of defence is no defence, because if you respond to an attack upon your person with force and aggression, the opponent will take the Energy of that force and aggression Energy and turn it against you.

However, just as darkness cannot make a Light room darker, but the Light can make a dark room Lighter, Inner Peace Always Prevails Over Aggression, But Aggression Can Never Prevail Over Inner Peace.

It will be clear therefore that total control over Inner Thoughts, Feelings and Emotions is absolutely central to this, and most other Martial Art Disciplines.

Aikido also teaches that no matter how aggressive or intimidating the “opponent” is, the best and only True Form of Defence is Peace.

Here now are three quotations from Morihei Ueshiba:

Each Day Of A Human Life Contains Joy And Anger, Pain And Pleasure, Darkness And Light, Growth And Decay. Each Moment Is Etched With Nature’s Grand Design -- Do Not Try To Deny Or Oppose The Cosmic Order Of Things.

Do Not Look Upon This World With Fear And Loathing. Bravely Face Whatever The Gods Offer.

Life Itself Is Always A Trial. In Training You Must Test And Polish Yourself In Order To Face The Great Challenges Of Life. Transcend The Realm Of Life And Death, And Then You Will Be Able To Make Your Way Calmly And Safely Through Any Crisis That Confronts You.

These are Wise Words from a Great and Spiritual Person, and I would agree wholeheartedly with everything he said in these quotations.

I would like to also note that the Occupy Wall Street Movement is a Living Expression of these Principles, day after day, week after week, month after month.

They Live in Peace, Harmony and Service, Even In The Face Of Excessive, Unjustified and Provocative Force By The Police. This is how It Should Be. (see video below)

This Dear Reader Is The Power Rising Inexorably Around the World Today, And It is The Power Of Peace, Love And Transformation of Consciousness.

Our Collective Moment is Now.

——————————-

If you wish to receive Adrian’s free newsletter every Sunday, please do join him by adding your name and email address to the form at the top of every page on his Website:

http://www.ourultimatereality.com/

(I’ve been a subscriber to his weekly newsletter for years -- Highly recommended for spiritual truth seekers -- Iain)

Please watch this extremely powerful video that highlights the hypocrisy of ‘the controllers’ …and the courage and determination of the people who stand for us -- the people (…and thank you Adrian for the link)

I AM NOT MOVING -- Short Film -- Occupy Wall Street

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjfhOPCPJnE

…would love to hear your views on the issues raised in this article and video…

Click here to go back to the home page

Related posts:

1. Consciousness and Fear “Once the fear of death is transcended, life becomes a...
2. 22 Powerful Tools to Transform Your Fear – Free Ebook – Instant Download Whilst you may have read this ebook already – it’s...
3. The Secret to Letting Go of Every Fear by Guy Finley Are you afraid of some condition in your life?  Here’s...

“One wintry morning of 1983, I quietly arrived to the world, with wide eyes searching my surroundings for the first time, seeking something that wouldn’t be found till twenty-five years later. What I did find was the best jewel God has bestowed upon me, when my eyes met that of my mother, Juliet Cheng, who would be first to rejoice with me when I finally discovered what I had sought.

Before we could celebrate over my find, challenges soon filled our lives, like a looming mountain range we always have to climb. The range began with a tuberculin skin test I received when I was eleven months old. Five days after the shot, I developed a very high fever, followed by red, swollen joints and cries that hammered against Mother’s heart. I had just contracted severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

By my thirteenth month of life, I was knocking on death door. Seeing that American medicines offered no relief for me without causing retrograde effects, Mother took me to China six times in a span of ten years to seek treatment. By doing so, she had saved my life numerous times, for the crippling disease had rapidly spread to nearly all of my joints; like a statue, I was unable to move or sit, and every tiniest jolt sent pain throughout my body that cut like knives.

Once prevailing over my physical pain by age eleven on the never-ending dosage of Mother’s unconditional love, I encountered a new set of challenges–starting school for the very first time. Back then, I knew only my ABCs and that two plus two equaled four and that three times five made fifteen; I had no idea from where rain came and why a beautiful rainbow followed, so I was placed in a special education class in elementary school.

Since my spirit was uncontaminated by depression or sadness, it was open to freely absorb knowledge, like crystal clear water effortlessly flowing through a mud-free river.

Therefore, after about 180 days of attendance, I mastered grade level and entered regular sixth grade in middle school, where I was the Student of the Year in sixth grade, Student of the Month in seventh grade, and where I received an excellence award for achieving the highest grade of ninety-seven in Earth science in eighth grade.

I then entered high school with a smile that spoke a thousand words. It was in high school when something divine happened: the loss of my eyesight.

No, I didn’t consider it so divine at first, when I became blind at age seventeen. Yet, I wasn’t –and still am not–bitter. Just as with my inability to walk, I’m never scornful for losing my sight. Instead, I’m grateful for having owned this gift before. But in any case, how could I possibly view the loss of my eyesight a divine turn of events? I had not discovered the value of this challenge until years later…..”
—————————–
Shirley Cheng is one of thirty individuals sharing her story in the new ebook “Living the Life of My Dreams: Essays & Interviews with 30 Ordinary People Living EXTRAordinary Lives ~ Their Lessons Learned & How-to Secrets Revealed.  Interviewed & Compiled by Caryn FitzGerald.
Each of these individuals has faced challenges head on and redirected their life by choice, not chance.  They brought to reality the life they were able to see in their dreams.    Now, they share the lessons they learned from these experiences and their how-to secrets with the world.  So often people feel lost or uncertain when their lives seem to spiral out of control.  There is no reason to live life in this manner.   It only takes a moment to regain direction and these thirty people are here to share their success stories and guidance with you.

Read the rest of Shirley Cheng’s story and learn first hand from people who have created the life of their dreams and are now sharing their wisdom.
Download your copy of “Living the Life of My Dreams: Essays & Interviews with 30 Ordinary People Living EXTRAordinary Lives ~ Their Lessons Learned & How-to Secrets Revealed”  at: Living the Life of My Dreams. today!

———————-

The Evolution Ezine may receive a commission if you place a purchase through a link in this post.  This helps keep the ezine free.  We thank you for your support

Related posts:

1. The Internet Vision Board! Use this tool to create a great, public vision! by Lauren Marie Owen Hi there life-adventurer! So, you probably have a goal or...
2. In Defense of the Divine Masculine by Julie Umpleby So much of the new Age movement is heavily invested...
3. The Divine Matrix by Greg Braden Almost universally, we share a sense that there’s more to...

When we asked  “What Do You Do To Transform Fear?  ( Using Automatic Writing To Release Fear) 110 of you shared your tools and techniques.

And many of you told us of the power of prayer…

The following 12 Prayers for Peace represent Major Religions around the World.

Today these prayers (or longer versions) are shared twice a day by the Members of The World Community of Saint Francis, the first inter-religious order of men and women dedicated to following the example of the St. Francis of Assisi.

For More Information about The World Community of Saint Francis click here

Hindu Prayer

Oh God, lead us from the unreal to the Real.
Oh God, lead us from darkness to light.
Oh God, lead us from death to immortality.
Shanti, Shanti, Shanti unto all.

Buddhist Prayer

May all beings everywhere plagued with sufferings of body and mind quickly be freed from their illnesses.
May all beings swiftly attain Buddhahood.

Zoroastrian Prayer

We pray to God that understanding will triumph over ignorance, that generosity will triumph over indifference,
that trust will triumph over contempt,
and that truth will triumph over falsehood.

Jainist Prayer

Peace and universal love is the essence of all the Gospels.
Forgive do I creatures all,
and let all creatures forgive me.

Jewish Prayer

Oh come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
that we may walk the paths of the Most High.
And we will beat our swords into ploughshares
and our spears into pruning hooks.

Shinto Prayer

We earnestly wish that the wind will soon puff away
all the clouds hanging over the tops of the mountains.

Native African Prayer

For you are one who does not hesitate to respond to our call, you are the cornerstone of peace.

Native American Prayer

Give us the wisdom to teach our children to love,
to respect and to be kind to one another,
so that we may grow with peace in mind.

Muslim Prayer

In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful.
Praise be to the Lord of the Universe,
who has created us and made us into tribes and nations
that we may know each other,
not despise each other.

Baha’i Prayer

Be a breath of life unto the body of humankind,
a dew upon the soil of the human heart,
and a fruit upon the tree of humility.

Sikh Prayer

Know that we attain God when we love,
and only that victory endures in consequence of which
no one is defeated.

Christian Prayer

Love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you,
pray for those who abuse you.
Blessed be the Peacemakers,
for they are called the Children of God.

Lewis Randa, of The Peace Abbey is the Steward of these prayers.

For more information on The Peace Abbey click here

Related posts:

1. GCI – Bringing Peace to the World One Heart Beat at a Time – Teleseminar Announcement We are overjoyed to announce that on August 4th at...
2. Your Inner World – the Key to Inner Peace, Health and Joy: Book Excerpt – The 5 Pillars of Life Many ancient cultures throughout the world made three incredible discoveries...
3. Peace in the Water & the One Song Project Launched in 2006 by Australian-based organization New Earth Creations, PEACE...

He may be green and funny looking, but Yoda was wise beyond his 900 years…

Yoda was a fictional character from the Star Wars movies. He first appears in The Empire Strikes Back as a Jedi Master, and trains Luke Skywalker in the ways of the Jedi.

Yoda possessed a great knowledge in how to use ‘the Force’. He was capable of great acts of telekinesis, clairvoyance and could tap into his intuition at will…

…and he loved to share his wisdom via yoda speak. Here are 10 of his best quotes and sayings -

“Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you? Hmm? Hmm. And well you should not. For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter. You must feel the Force around you; here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere, yes. Even between the land and the ship.”

“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”

“Always in motion is the future.”

“Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not. Attachment leads to jealously. The shadow of greed, that is.”

[Luke:] I can’t believe it. [Yoda:] That is why you fail.

“Do or do not… there is no try.”

“a Jedi’s strength flows from the Force. But beware of the dark side. Anger, fear, aggression; the dark side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will, as it did Obi-Wan’s apprentice.”

“Ohhh. Great warrior. Wars not make one great.”

“A Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind. This one a long time have I watched. All his life has he looked away… to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was. Hmm? What he was doing. Hmph. Adventure. Heh. Excitement. Heh. A Jedi craves not these things. You are reckless.”

“When 900 years you reach, look as good, you will not.”

.

Every once in a while, we’re watching a movie and a character says something profound that sticks in our mind…

.

What is your favorite inspirational quote from a movie? Please leave a comment below with the quote and the movie …random prizes given…good ones

—————————————————-
If you’re interested in learning what ‘the force’ is and how to use it, how to conquer ‘the dark side’, and how to get advanced jedi training – Click here to watch this free video  – Jedi Apprentice…

Related posts:

1. Inspirational Movie Clip #1 – “I’m Mad as Hell” www.youtube.com/watch?v=90ELleCQvew (click here to view larger screen) In this highly...
2. Free EBooklet: Motivational Quotes Without a little motivation (or a lot) we would never...
3. May the Force Be With You – Training With Toys… www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaZWSmYlwNM (to see larger screen click on the title) Try...

Walking down the street
Contemplating
Guided by the desires of my feet
Pondering
Where do I go, what will inspire
Investigating
Nature’s beauty, oh how I admire
Seeing
Light bugs flash a pleasant show
Dancing
Wind at my body blows
Caressing
Earth is the giver to all
Loving
The biggest and even the small
Learning
Trees give us more than shade
Remembering
Fruit, nuts, and berries from the glade
Savoring
Sweet tastes and loving comfort from Her
Whistling
Harmonious songs, I finally concur
Realizing
Heaven is here behind the veil
Releasing
Old rhythms and ways of no avail
Beginning
My journey back to the oneness of it all
Sharing
This epiphany with you, it is my call.

©Candice Tomlin July 10th, 2009

Candice Tomlin started writing poetry in high school and instantly loved it!  She  even won a 2nd place award for one of her very first poems. Poetry got her through some rough years; initially it was a way of coping, later becoming a great passion, but always a natural ability. Recently, she has had poems flying out of the ink like you wouldn’t believe and she now knows deep down that this is her calling.

You can leave a comment here to let Candice know how her work has affected you – or you can email her at candicetomlin@hotmail.com

Related posts:

1. A Little Piece Of Heaven By Jocelyn Soriano This is a sad time and a sad generation. Although...
2. Xenos – An Epic Poem Two nations once lived on an isle, side by side,...
3. The Don’t Quit Poem www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkCFeNeqyHk I have been talking to quite a few people...

“There was a time when we were not: this gives us no concern – why then should it trouble us that a time will come when we shall cease to be?” – William Hazlitt

A couple of years ago, I was flying home late one night after spending all week in California for a business trip. I would fly for these trips to either California or Tokyo about once every 1-2 months so they were very familiar and routine for me. Pretty much nothing interesting ever happened, which in my opinion is a great thing when it comes to traveling.

On the flight that one fateful night, I had just finished reading Steve Pavlina’s Personal Development for Smart People, and as I was writing my review of it, I notice that the airplane started going downwards very fast… faster than I’ve ever experienced before. My ears almost never pop when I fly, but that night my ears were popping every minute for several minutes in a row.

I looked around, and nobody else seemed to be concerned. (At least nobody outwardly showed concern) But there was this question in my mind, and a feeling in my gut… “Are we going to be okay?” Right after that thought crossed my mind, the airplane started experiencing major turbulence. Enough that even though I don’t get airsick, my stomach was starting to feel very uneasy.

Between the rapid drop and the turbulence, I was having trouble writing my review, and I wasn’t feeling particularly safe in that moment. I thought to myself…

“I wonder if I’m going to die?”

In that instant, I realized that if in fact I was going to die, my preference was not to be typing something on the computer that wouldn’t even reach the people it was written for (i.e. you). So I paused for a moment, looked out the window and saw the beautiful moon and just focused my attention on being calm and present.

It was a delightful feeling, and I felt strangely at peace despite the unusual circumstances of my flight. Well, until…

Another massive turbulent streak brought me back to my mind… “Am I going to die?” I tried to tune into my intuition, but I wasn’t able to hear it. That’s both good and bad because although I wish I were able to hear my intuition all the time – and in this case so I could have an answer to my perilous question – in my experience my intuition usually only tells me when there’s something REALLY big to be concerned about.

And since it wasn’t shouting at me, “Danger Will Robinson! Danger!” I concluded that we all would probably be alright. I turned my attention to the moon again, enjoyed the calm serenity, and within a few moments the pilot announced we would be landing shortly.

I’d like to say I felt relieved, but I didn’t. For me, landing was just another part of this experience called “life,” whether that experience lasts longer, or had ended last night. Either way, I realized I was grateful simply to be alive and experiencing this wondrous mystery.

I’m not entirely sure why I shared all that with you. Perhaps there’s a question in my mind that asks, “How can I connect with others more deeply? How can I inspire, encourage, enlighten, and ultimately empower others?”

And perhaps this blog post was one way in which I can answer those two questions. My very real airplane story isn’t really about me, although I was the main character. I sense it’s really about all of us and how we choose to respond to adversity, challenge, and those things which threaten our ideas about life and the way we live.

Although you may view this post in the perspective of somberness, as the topic of death often does, we still have a choice how we receive these messages about death.

I am reminded of a quote from a very enjoyable movie called The Last of His Tribe that is based on a true story. The following words were spoken by Ishi, a Native American who helped bring wisdom to the west:

“If you do not sing for your dead, how will they be able to find the trail to their ancestors?”

That’s a very good question, regardless of whether we believe in an afterlife. That question gets to the heart of the matter in a very direct way – When given the choice between sorrow and joy, what would we rather choose?

When my brother Michael died of cancer in 2001, I spoke at his eulogy. I spoke of how wrong it was for such a young man in his early 30’s, in great health, and with two very young children, to be taken at such a young age. I also spoke about the joy he brought to all of our lives, and how those joyful memories can bring smiles to our faces during that time of painful emotional upheaval.

And when I finished my eulogy, I looked out among the sea of more than 100 people who cared about Michael deeply, and what I saw touched me deeply. With tears in their eyes, people were smiling.

In the likeness of Ishi, those in attendance rose beyond their sorrow and found a way to sing… to help Michael find the trail to his ancestors.

———————-
When faced with the threat of divorce, Chris Cade turned to personal development to mend his relationship. That set off a chain reaction of unexpected events, ultimately leading him to request that his employer lay him off in April of 2009. Although Chris did still eventually get divorced, the changes in his life continue to be positive, empowering, and permanent.

Now Chris follows his heart’s dreams to empower people worldwide with his network of websites, the Inscribe Your Life® program, and his upcoming printed book “Think Without the Box®” Chris is also the visionary behind world’s #1 spiritual story website

————————————

Evolution Ezine may receive a commission if you buy through one of the links – these proceeds help keep the Evolution Ezine free.  Thanks for your continued support.

Related posts:

1. What Does a Thought Weigh? I have often struggled with ideas that can communicate the...
2. 68 Seconds of Pure Thought www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBmuc8_GySQ (click on title to view larger screen) So if...
3. Why Write Stories? When it comes to taking any action in life, it’s...

I meet you all in a field of Gold

that consists of nothing

but

ever present,

sheer Grace.

Gently carrying its

ripples of consciousness

rhythmically in this dimension

in seeming cycles

between this

and

ancient

Dream Time.

Yet another

walkabout

to start,

it seems.

Prior and resting

just the still, clear lake

letting all arise and subside.

Staying in the flow,

with devotional surrender

we are

carried by a gentle wave.

Resisting ever so slightly,

swept away by a storm.

Meeting you All in

this field of gold,

magnificent, glorious

Life.

Related posts:

1. A Boat called Freedom Part 2 by Iain Please read Part 1 first by clicking here. Every day...
2. A Dweller Within I am a dweller within. A dweller within, I am....
3. A Little Piece Of Heaven By Jocelyn Soriano This is a sad time and a sad generation. Although...

Chapter 1

The pain in his abdomen was getting worse. It had been waking him up every night for the past week, and on this night he wasn’t able to fall back asleep. He knew that he needed to rest, but sometimes walking around relieved the burning sensation that crept up at the base of his esophagus.

Don slowly pulled the covers back and quietly got out of bed, careful not to wake his sleeping wife. Suzanne was still working full-time as a bookkeeper for a small paper company while trying to take care of him. He felt guilty for what he was putting her through, and although he couldn’t contribute financially, the least he could do was not wake her up in the middle of the night.

Making his way down the narrow hallway of their one-bedroom craftsman, he could see the full moon peeking through the open drapes. Their house was at the bottom of the foothills of town, but it was still up high enough that he could see the twinkling lights of Eugene that dotted central Oregon’s Willamette Valley.  It had taken them several years to save up for their first house, and it had been a badge of pride for them when they finally moved in.

However, Don couldn’t shake the feeling that one day soon they might need to sell it and resume renting. He had been an engineer for a local semiconductor company since graduating from Oregon State University, but when a  multinational had acquired the firm three years ago, it began to systematically “reduce redundancies” one departmentat a time. Unfortunately, Don’s department was nearly decimated on a day eighteen months prior that he referred to as “Black Friday.” He couldn’t find another job in Eugene because his skill set was too specific, and when he got sick, he wasn’t able to move to another city with a larger job market.

In the kitchen, Don caught sight of the microwave clock: 11:11. It was the third time in less than a week that he had casually glanced at a clock when it was that time. He wasn’t superstitious, but the pattern was becoming regular enough to notice.

He began to look through cabinets and drawers for some antacid pills to help his stomach pain. In the back of his mind he knew they probably wouldn’t do any good, but it was a habit and seemed to bring him emotional comfort even if there was no physical relief. When he opened the drawer containing the tarnished silverware that he and his wife only used during the holidays, he noticed a large stack of unopened bills from the hospital and various doctors he’d seen recently.

He had been dreading this day ever since being admitted to the emergency room late one night, when the pain was so unbearable that he could hardly move. And although the hospital had to treat him, he couldn’t forget the knowing look from the admitting nurse when he told her that he didn’t have any insurance.

Don carefully removed the stack of bills from the silverware drawer and sat in the middle of the kitchen floor, fanning the envelopes around him in a semicircle. The envelope windows from the hospital bills revealed a rainbow of colors, starting with white, then progressing to more vibrant shades of yellow, orange, green, blue, and red. After they were sufficiently organized by color and size, he began to open the bills one at a time and glanced at the past-due amounts while placing them in front of him in two stacks—one for the emptied envelopes, and one for their contents.

At first he was calm, but as he opened more and more envelopes, he began to get angry. How could they charge this much for just a couple of days’ worth of visits? And other than a few pain pills, they hadn’t given him anything that helped.

Most of the time was spent with doctors who didn’t even know what was wrong with him, but they all charged full price even though they were absolutely clueless. And when they finally did figure out what was ailing him, they weren’t sure how to deliver the diagnosis: “The good news is, we now know what’s wrong with you . . .”

Being diagnosed with cancer at thirty-nine years old was one thing, but leaving Suzanne to pay off the hospital bills after he was gone hit him hard. The doctors couldn’t agree on exactly how long he would live, but they all said that it wouldn’t be more than six months. And although pancreatic cancer wasn’t curable, the doctors presented many options that could be tried to temporarily improve the quality of life during his last few days.

But judging by the mountain of medical bills that Don had collected in the flurry of hospital and doctor visits during that initial two-week period, there was no way he could imagine spending any more of Suzanne’s money just so he might die with slightly more comfort. The pain was excruciating at times, which was why he had gone to the emergency room that first night, but seeing how much money he had spent just finding out what was wrong temporarily numbed him.

Suzanne stumbled into the kitchen, rubbing her eyes. “What’s the matter?” she asked. She looked down and saw the bills surrounding her redheaded soul mate. “Oh, you found those.”

“Why didn’t you tell me these came? Were you hiding them from me?”

“I wasn’t hiding them. I just couldn’t bear to open them. Is it bad?”

“It’s devastating. It’s obscene how much they charge. I counted twelve different doctors I didn’t even see who billed me for things I can’t even pronounce. If they’re going to charge that type of money, they should at least have the decency to stop in and introduce themselves.”

“They’re probably not used to treating people without insurance,” she said sadly. “We probably should’ve been married sooner.” She nearly choked on the words as her eyes began to well up.

Don had proposed marriage to Suzanne more than a decade prior, but she hadn’t been able to bring herself to marry him. Not that she wasn’t fully committed, but she didn’t want to let the government dictate what she considered to be a sacred agreement between two individuals. The fact that marriage was a state-sanctioned contract with financial incentives angered Suzanne to her core—love shouldn’t be bought or sold. They had held a private commitment ceremony nearly five years ago, and in the end, even their families hadn’t acknowledged their marriage because they weren’t invited to the ceremony.

As the years progressed, their “statement” didn’t seem to mean anything to anyone but them. Although that had initially been the point, it slowly began to make things more and more complicated, especially when it came to health insurance. The policy provided by Suzanne’s employer didn’t acknowledge domestic partners, so Don had remained uninsured since he’d been out of work.

Following the diagnosis, they finally went to the county courthouse and signed the papers to become officially married. But afterward they discovered that Suzanne’s company’s policy excluded a spouse’s pre-existing conditions, so Don’s cancer and related symptoms wouldn’t be covered.

“In my mind we’ve been married for years,” said Don. “We did it our way, and it was beautiful.”

He, too, was thinking about how much easier things would be if he had insurance, but he blamed himself for losing his job. He never regretted keeping their marriage private, although he couldn’t forgive himself for being laid off. If he would have made himself more valuable, or if he wasn’t so shy, he could have become friends with the new executives and might still have his job.

“But the insurance—” Suzanne couldn’t stop her tears from flowing, and turned away from her husband as she silently cried.

Don crawled over to his wife and softly caressed her long brown hair. Seeing her break down made his heart hurt because of what he was putting her through. “I’m sorry,” he said, the words barely audible as they caught in his throat. “I’m sorry for leaving you.”

Chapter 2

Over the next few weeks, Don’s depression deepened. He seldom got out of bed, and he refused to eat more than a couple bites of bread a day. He found that the less he ate, the weaker he became. And the weaker he became, the more he would sleep, which gave him a temporary reprieve from the intensifying pain.

When he did emerge from bed, he would often gravitate toward the kitchen to open the silverware drawer. Every time he did, he would find more and more late notices piling up. They had nearly doubled in volume, and although there were very few entirely new bills, the late fees were quickly compounding, and the paper they were printed on became more vibrant in color. Additionally, the doctors’ assistants began to leave answering machine messages under the guise of concern:

“The doctor would like to schedule a follow-up visit to discuss how you’re feeling, but we need to take care of your outstanding invoice first. Please call as soon as possible, and we can work out a partial-payment plan if that’s more convenient.”

As his pain continued to worsen, Don began to research the costs associated with various treatment options. He knew it was a temporary fix, but the pain was becoming unbearable and he could barely function.

“I think it’s time to go back to the doctor,” Suzanne said one afternoon when she discovered her husband doubled over on the floor of the bathroom.

“There’s nothing they can do,” replied Don.

“They said that they could make you feel better.”

“How? It’s not exactly a curable disease.”

“But they said that different treatments could make you more comfortable. Don’t you think we should try chemo at least once to see if it helps?”

“Once isn’t going to make any difference. Besides, do you know how much it costs? We still haven’t paid a dime to those first doctors who didn’t even know what they were doing. And the most expensive bill is the oncologist, who’s the one we need to go back to for the chemo.”

“We can start paying him a little every month so we can keep the treatments going.”

“So we can go into even more debt? I don’t think so.”

Don had been researching how to pay for the chemotherapy treatments, and he couldn’t figure out a way to make it work. He knew that they would probably let him start the treatments and perhaps allow him to continue until he succumbed to the disease. But the cost, even by the most conservative estimates, would burden Suzanne with financial hardship for many years to come. It was also likely that she would have to sell their house just to keep the collectors off her back for the first few years. And even that wouldn’t be enough to take care of it all. He already knew that he had a life sentence—he wasn’t going to impose another one on his wife, just because she had the unfortunate luck to fall in love with him.

“Some things are more important than money,” Suzanne said softly. “I can’t stand to see you in so much pain.”

“Maybe I should just leave,” he said. “Maybe my time is over.”

“Don’t even joke about that!”

Although Don had never said it out loud, it was something he had been thinking about for a while. When he first confronted his mortality after being diagnosed with cancer, he had to admit that he was afraid of dying and wanted to put it off as long as possible. He’d also made a promise to himself when he first met Suzanne that he would always take care of her financially, whether he was alive or not. Being able to do so after he was gone was his promise of immortality. And the thought that he would simply cease to exist, without leaving even a little bit of money to her, made him feel like his entire life had been a waste of time.

But the main reason Don didn’t want to die was because he didn’t want to leave Suzanne. His mother had died of cancer when he was only two years old, and his father had died of it when Don was a freshman in college. He had always felt abandoned by his parents, and he vowed that he would never be responsible for leaving anyone he loved, for any reason.

“Can I get you a pain pill?” Suzanne asked.

“They don’t work anymore—keep them for yourself.”

He didn’t know how much longer he could tolerate the pain, but the thought of acquiring more medical bills felt even worse than his physical discomfort. Although the thought of ending his own life had initially repulsed him, it began to make more and more sense as a viable alternative.  If he could work out the details to minimize the trauma inflicted on Suzanne, she might eventually forgive him and agree that it was the best solution for everyone.

Later that week, Don had an intensely vivid dream that felt incredibly real. It started in a lightfilled tunnel swirling counterclockwise, with the path he was standing on remaining still. As he walked closer to the light, he saw his deceased father gesturing for him to go away. He was drawn closer in order to speak with him, but his father began to fade as he approached the spot where he’d been standing. Then the entire tunnel dimmed to blackness, and he could hear footsteps walking toward him.

As the ominous sounds grew more intense, he became acutely aware that he was standing completely naked. He felt vulnerable as he tried to cover himself with his hands. After several minutes, the footsteps were silenced and he could hear a figure breathing loudly immediately in front of him. As he tried to calm himself, he couldn’t help but feel that there was something familiar about the sound of the breath.

Slowly, the figure came into focus as the light around them began to brighten. The man standing there was of medium build and dressed entirely in white. Don strained to make out the details of his face and then rubbed his eyes in disbelief. After his focus completely returned, there was no mistaking it—the person who was standing before him looked exactly like Don himself. It was a feeling similar to looking in the mirror, with two major exceptions: there was twice as much energy emanating from the reflection, and the figure’s movements didn’t correspond to his own.

Don’s focus returned to the fact that he was standing there naked, and when he looked down, he was relieved to find that he was now fully clothed. He was wearing exactly the same outfit as the person in front of him, yet his own was completely black. He imagined that there was some significance to the fact that he was clothed in black while the other was in white, but he was just happy he was no longer naked.

There was a long silence while the two stood staring at each other, until Don finally said: “Hi.”

“Hello,” said the other in a voice that was nearly identical to Don’s.

After another uncomfortable silence, Don finally asked the only question he could think of: “Who are you?”

Without pausing, the man answered, “I’m Robert—nice to meet you.”

Robert stretched out his hand in a greeting, but Don just stood there looking at it, dumbfounded. Robert retracted his hand after a few seconds, and Don felt a smirk creep onto his face. The smirk widened into a full smile, and within seconds he began laughing hysterically. He continued to laugh for over a minute and then doubled over at the waist and slapped the ground next to his feet as tears streamed down from laughing so hard.

“Robert!” exclaimed Don in between chuckles. “That’s classic! I finally meet my doppelgänger, and his name is Robert! Of course your name is Robert—why wouldn’t it be?” He didn’t know why the name struck him as funny, but it did. There was something ironic about a supernatural experience having such a common name.

“So, Robert”—he tried unsuccessfully to suppress his laughter—“what brings you here?”

“I’m here to help you.” Robert was getting noticeably annoyed.

“Help me? Help me with what?”

“With your transition. Anything you don’t understand or anything you could use some extra help with.”

“My transition?” Don’s laughter stopped instantly.

“What transition?”

“Your transition to the next dimension—the next stage of your journey.”

Don took a few moments to reflect on these words. “Are you the grim reaper or something?”

“Not exactly.” It was now Robert’s turn to laugh. “I’m more of an advocate. I’m here to help you transition in whichever way you choose.”

“You mean you’re here to help me die?”

“That’s oversimplifying it a bit, but I guess you could say that.”

Don felt a chill on the back of his neck. “Are you the angel of death?”

“I wouldn’t say the angel of death, but I’m certainly one of them.”

“You mean there are more than one?”

“Of course there are. Do you know how many people die every day? There wouldn’t be time to do anything meaningful if there was only one of us.”

“I have a question,” said Don thoughtfully. “Why me? And—why now?”

“Everyone ultimately takes the same journey, and now is your time to be on Summer’s Path:

Spring flowers wither

Honey Moon condenses light

Summer’s Path begins.”

Robert smiled after reciting the haiku, and patiently awaited Don’s response.

“Um, okay. I guess I’ve never really understood poetry,” said Don. “What do you mean by ‘Honey Moon condenses light’?”

“The Honey Moon is the first moon of summer —the moon that celebrates the summer solstice.”

“Okay . . . but how does that condense light?”

“After the first day of summer, the days begin to shorten. Leading up to summer, the days grow longer, so it’s easy to take light for granted. But as they get shorter, every second of light must be cherished.”

“Is light a metaphor for something?”

“Light is our life force—the energy we need to exist. Whether you call it a metaphor is up to you,” Robert laughed.

Don let Robert’s curious words sink in before continuing. “It’s ironic that it’s called a honeymoon,like after a wedding. Don’t you agree?”

“Not at all,” replied Robert. “Actually, I can’t think of a better word to mark the beginning of a life together.”

Don sat down on the narrow path and put his head into his hands as he remembered his honeymoon with Suzanne at Crater Lake. He knew life was short, yet he couldn’t help but feel he had been careless with his time with his wife. It saddened him to realize that he had taken his years with Suzanne for granted. And now it seemed as if he had once again come to a major crossroads. He needed to decide if he should let the cancer take its course or if he was prepared to shorten the process.

At that moment, the sound of a hundred voices began echoing inside his head. But the voice he kept hearing the loudest was Suzanne’s: “Don’t even joke about that . . .”

After the voices faded, Don slowly stood back up and looked deep into Robert’s eyes, trying to decide if he could trust him, and if he actually could help with the transition. “Okay, you have my attention—what can you do to help?”

“I can start by giving you advice about how to make your transition easier.”

“Like what?”

“The first thing you need to do is get your affairs in order. You don’t want to unnecessarily burden your loved ones once you pass on.”

“But I don’t have any money.”

“Yes, but you do have obligations, and that’s even more important to figure out. I recommend you visit a lawyer immediately.”

“A lawyer?” Don questioned. “Why do I need a lawyer? What should I ask?”

Robert had already turned and was walking away. He waved without looking back, and before fading into the distance, he said, “I’m an advocate, not a babysitter. Just go see a lawyer, and come back to me after you have the answer you need.”

———————————————-

The #1 best-selling e-book is now available as an expanded-edition hardcover. Now with two additional chapters, this first printed edition of Summer’s Path by DailyOM co-founder Scott Blum presents the remarkable story of Don Newport, an engineer who comes face-to-face with his personal destiny under extraordinary circumstances. After losing his job and his health insurance, Don learns that he has a terminal disease, with only a few months left to live. On his deathbed, he meets Robert, a brazen angel of death who promises to help him with a graceful exit. As Don prepares to say his last goodbyes to his loving wife, Robert attempts to change Don’s perspective about his mortality and proposes an exceptionally unique option. Summer’s Path is the prequel to the best-selling book Waiting for Autumn.

Click here for Summer’s Path by Scott Blum

SPECIAL OFFER: Order Summer’s Path and enter to win a summer retreat for two at the exquisite Canyon Ranch Resort.

Related posts:

1. Daily OM: Learning to Live… Book Excerpt by Madisyn Taylor Preface I’ve often wished people were born with instruction manuals....
2. The Proof: A 40-Day Program for Embodying Oneness: Book Excerpt The following excerpt is taken from the book The Proof:...
3. The Shift: Taking Your Life From Ambition to Meaning… by Wayne Dyer (Book Excerpt) I recently had the pleasure of viewing an inspiring documentary...

This is a sad time and a sad generation. Although there is no world war, although the technology to live a comfortable life has never been as advanced, although we can now reach one another in a click of a button; all the good things we possess can’t seem to cast away the dark clouds that hang everywhere, obscuring the azure sky, blocking the warmth of our bright and faithful sun.

Stripped of its radiance, we walk on cold pavements each day, flaunting the calloused hearts that hold back our tears, wandering the streets hurriedly, as though we knew where we should be going. The truth however is that we walk naked, pretending we are strong, numbing our hearts and killing our souls, just so we can get by, just so we’d be the people our twisted society wants us to transform into.

Rich and poor alike are dying within, the humanity of their souls being sucked away either by the necessity of their survival or by their meaningless ambitions. Where then can we find that little piece of heaven, that small flame of hope that would keep us from stumbling in the dark?

I urge you to look more closely, for it is there, streaking through the thick fog, making its way through the darkness.

Busy morning. You hurry off to work unable to take a single bite of breakfast. You arrive at your office. You see what’s on top of your table. Coffee and croissant with a sweet note from a dear friend. You pause for a while, you savor the strong aroma of java, and take a good sip. Not much for a tv commercial, but enough to catch the first glimpse of sunlight of your day. A little piece of heaven.

-You got busted at work. On your way home you went through a hell of a traffic jam. Then right there at your doorstep, your two-year old child opens up her arms and hugs you. You feel her tiny fingers holding on unto you. She kisses you. Numerous little kisses that take away all your tiredness and frustrations. A little piece of heaven.

-A storm has just passed. The city lay in flood and ruins. In a few moments more, children emerge from their houses. They proudly carry the paper boats they have just made. No flood could dampen their spirits, no storm could darken the light in their eyes. You hear their laughter. You get infected with their joy. A little piece of heaven.

-It’s way past lunch. The young scavenger still has to search heaps of garbage before she could buy anything to eat. Something unexpectedly catches her eyes. A soiled doll with blue eyes, a red apron, and a missing leg. She smiles for her good fortune. She’s just found a gift for her little sister’s birthday! A little piece of heaven.

Christmas. An old lady lives alone. The doorbell suddenly rings. The house is quickly flooded with young
professionals bearing gifts for their old teacher. They could not forget her motherly hand. They remain thankful for her wisdom. A little piece of heaven.

-A rebellious daughter. A patient and prayerful mother. A realization that brings a lasting change. Repentance. Daughter graduates valedictorian in her class. Mother listens to her speech, tears streaming down her cheeks. A little piece of heaven.

-A man stricken with AIDS and considered an outcast. An old nun who reaches out, treats his wounds and embraces him warmly, passing no judgement, no fear, no condemnation. The man smiles and looks up to heaven. He breathes his last, but in that last breath was a breath of hope, and a renewed faith in God. A little piece of heaven.

Have you seen them? Have you caught a single piece of happiness lately? You may not be looking. Or you may not feel you can give some little piece today. Look. Believe. Smile. A smile brings out a lot of sunbeams, and attracts streaks of happiness along the way. Catch a piece today, your very own piece of heaven.

Related posts:

1. Xenos – An Epic Poem Two nations once lived on an isle, side by side,...
2. A boat called Freedom Part 1 by Iain I was coughing, spluttering. Salty seawater filled my mouth. I...
3. A Boat called Freedom Part 2 by Iain Please read Part 1 first by clicking here. Every day...